"We've agreed to play a series of 3 T20Is in Sharjah vs Afghanistan after the PSL": Najam Sethi

[MenInG]

"We've agreed to play a series of 3 T20Is in Sharjah vs Afghanistan after the PSL": Najam Sethi

Najam Sethi in his presser about Afghanistan:

"That is not our business and we don't like to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. My personal stance is that politics and cricket shouldn't be mixed up, so following that principle the series is subject to pending approvals from the Pakistan government and I think approvals will be granted."

"I met with the executive members of Afghanistan Cricket Board and they were asking us to play a (ODI) series but we didn't find any attraction playing the series"

"It's mainly because the series was meant for the [Super League] points, and now no matter who wins it won't make a difference. So we agreed to play a series of three T20Is in Sharjah just after the PSL subject to government approval. We will share 50% of the revenue from the series equally. And we will jointly outsource the production."

 

[Hextro]

Afghanistan isn't to be scuffed at in Sharjah. Pakistan can lose if it underestimates them. Should be a fun series to watch regardless.

 

[Rana]

Love it

Tough series

 

[zaidihusain]

Waiting for Baber & Rizwan to open the innings again

 

[MenInG]

Hope better security at Sharjah than before.

 

[Major]

I think pakistan is not going to the world cup in india. This is a 50 over world cup, should had played odi here to try combinations and get more practise for the world cup.

I love t20s though, but priority shohld be the fifty over world cup as its this year and we dont have many odi games to play.

A t20 game with afghanistan is always a joy to watch. Especially when the afghan crowd goes crazy and beats up every pakistani that comes there way

 

[Babeikh]

Surely it is not just about world cup qualification points but also getting practice in ODI cricket for the world cup. Should have played an ODI series here, not a T20 series.

 

[Babeikh]

I think pakistan is not going to the world cup in india. This is a 50 over world cup, should had played odi here to try combinations and get more practise for the world cup.

I love t20s though, but priority shohld be the fifty over world cup as its this year and we dont have many odi games to play.

A t20 game with afghanistan is always a joy to watch. Especially when the afghan crowd goes crazy and beats up every pakistani that comes there way

From what I have seen they tend to pick on families / people who are less able to defend themselves rather than 'every Pakistani'

 

[Xoib]

What attraction boss this is a 50 overs world cup year, afghans would have been perfect for preparing for this event.

Who hires these cluless idiots

 

[iRfaN_LA]

What attraction boss this is a 50 overs world cup year, afghans would have been perfect for preparing for this event.

Who hires these cluless idiots

Money talks. 20 overs will attract larger crowds.

 

[Kianig89]

Expect hooligans, our level is now AfG Bd PCB realised it, Najam Sethi suuking at it

 

[Bhaijaan]

Afghanistan vs Pakistan is becoming quite a rivalry in white ball cricket. They have been getting ridiculously closer to a victory the Afghans.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

This should be Pakistan's biggest rivalry in Asia. Both in terms of the cricket and the drama.

 

[MenInG]

He sidestepped the Afghanistan women situation

 

[zarak]

Not to gloat but didn't the ACB chief once say that they won't have any ties with us because of terrorism. What happened

 

[Cricket-lion]

Not to gloat but didn't the ACB chief once say that they won't have any ties with us because of terrorism. What happened

Look at the begairti from Sethi too. After this, he should not have arranged a series before they apologised.

Anyways, with RR we had the likes of England touring, with Sethi we are back to playing against minnows. Congratulations Pakistanis.

 

[sam_ahm]

In an ODI WC year, Pakistan are scrapping ODIs for T20s! Not sure if they are getting their priorities right or they might have already given up on WC participation.

 

[Nasty Naz]

What a nonsense dumb series schedule. Only Pakistan would be scrapping ODI's in a ODI WC year to play more meaningless T20's.

This would have been ideal to play ODI's in spinning conditions vs good vs spin bowlers to prepare for Indian conditions.

 

[ahmadharis1]

"Women's rights violations are ok as long as we can still make money"

 

[gazza619]

Another poor decision playing a thankless team full of bully fans.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Najam Sethi in his presser about Afghanistan:

"That is not our business and we don't like to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. My personal stance is that politics and cricket shouldn't be mixed up, so following that principle the series is subject to pending approvals from the Pakistan government and I think approvals will be granted."

"I met with the executive members of Afghanistan Cricket Board and they were asking us to play a (ODI) series but we didn't find any attraction playing the series"

"It's mainly because the series was meant for the [Super League] points, and now no matter who wins it won't make a difference. So we agreed to play a series of three T20Is in Sharjah just after the PSL subject to government approval. We will share 50% of the revenue from the series equally. And we will jointly outsource the production."

But why T20s? We should be preparing for the Odi world cup. There is enough T20 cricket in league formats and played by Pakistan. Pakistan is going down the same path the West indies, a formidable force in cricket is now a second rate T20 side . Because their entire focus is on T20 cricket. As a result they couldn't even qualify for T20 world cup. Longer formats like Tests and Odi build up teams T20 can't do that. What a waste

 

[Double Trouble]

Sethi already showing how incompetent chairman he will end up.

In a world cup ODI year he plays 3 meaningless T20 against a team who Pak supported but then we’re kicked in the teeth.

Only country who would employ a journalist to run the cricket board.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

If they want to organise series with Afghanistan, they need to somehow also discuss the issue of the Afghan fans horrible attacking behaviour, and if the ACB isn't interested in solving it, then forget about this series.

Obviously its much better said than done.

The Afghanistan vs Pakistan match in 2021 T20 WC had no fights between Afghanistan and Pakistan fans, but there was still an issue where Afghan fans were rushing into the stadium and causing issues.

 

[hitthestump]

In an ODI WC year, Pakistan are scrapping ODIs for T20s! Not sure if they are getting their priorities right or they might have already given up on WC participation.

I think it's just a case that Sethi wants the bag.

But he also had to say "we dont mix politics with cricket" so that he differentiates himself from the Indian stance of absolutely doing so.

 

[SamNJ]

Pakistan should rest seniors including Babar Azam and try new players under Shadab captaincy.
But will they agree ?

 

[moghul]

Ridiculous , follow the step taken by CA. By playing cricket with Afghan team you're supporting the brutal regime there . Support Afghan citizen and particularly women, they are really suffering.

 

[giri26]

I think it's just a case that Sethi wants the bag.

But he also had to say "we dont mix politics with cricket" so that he differentiates himself from the Indian stance of absolutely doing so.

How can a country whose cricket administration changes when the countries leadership changes advise others of not mixing sports with politics? Isn't PCB's patron-in-chief, Pakistan's prime minister who appoints the chairman?

 

[giri26]

I think it's just a case that Sethi wants the bag.

But he also had to say "we dont mix politics with cricket" so that he differentiates himself from the Indian stance of absolutely doing so.

How can a board whose cricket administration changes when the countries leadership changes advise others of not mixing sports with politics? Isn't PCB's patron-in-chief, Pakistan's prime minister who appoints the chairman?

 

[moghul]

Killing your own citzen and torturing women is not politics .

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

How can a country whose cricket administration changes when the countries leadership changes advise others of not mixing sports with politics? Isn't PCB's patron-in-chief, Pakistan's prime minister who appoints the chairman?

I think it was fairly obvious that he was talking about inter-board relations. Not intra-board relations.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Killing your own citzen and torturing women is not politics .

What do Afghan cricketers have to do with this? Why should they be punished for the crimes committed of a dictatorial regime that they didn't even vote into power?

 

[Ryw]

If they want to organise series with Afghanistan, they need to somehow also discuss the issue of the Afghan fans horrible attacking behaviour, and if the ACB isn't interested in solving it, then forget about this series.

Obviously its much better said than done.

The Afghanistan vs Pakistan match in 2021 T20 WC had no fights between Afghanistan and Pakistan fans, but there was still an issue where Afghan fans were rushing into the stadium and causing issues.

Haha Get ready for another thrashing in crowd, that video is still viral on social media where Afghan fans smashing chairs on Pak fans. PCB is only interested in money earning, Pak fans are on their own again lol

 

[Markhor]

We're scheduled to play 3 ODIs vs Afghanistan in AUG or SEP. Is that series not happening at all now ?

If they want to organise series with Afghanistan, they need to somehow also discuss the issue of the Afghan fans horrible attacking behaviour, and if the ACB isn't interested in solving it, then forget about this series.

Obviously its much better said than done.

The Afghanistan vs Pakistan match in 2021 T20 WC had no fights between Afghanistan and Pakistan fans, but there was still an issue where Afghan fans were rushing into the stadium and causing issues.

Agreed, we've had 3 instances of hooliganism in 3 years (2019 WC, 2021 T20 WC and 2022 Asia Cup) from Afghan fans at the grounds. ICC should learn from FIFA in that they ban the home fans for a few matches for misbehaving.

I know our fans haven't behaved like saints in the past (2001 Natwest Series), but there hasn't been any untoward incidents for a very long time. PCB should ensure proper stewarding and security measures in place for this series.

 

[moghul]

What do Afghan cricketers have to do with this? Why should they be punished for the crimes committed of a dictatorial regime that they didn't even vote into power?

What was the fault of amazing cricketers like Barry Richards from South Africa to ban their team by ICC.It was to isolate a cruel regime.

 

[moghul]

What do Afghan cricketers have to do with this? Why should they be punished for the crimes committed of a dictatorial regime that they didn't even vote into power?

What was the fault of amazing cricketers like Barry Richards from South Africa to ban their team by ICC.It was to isolate a cruel regime.

 

[sam_ahm]

I just checked Pakistan's official FTP to understand their ODI fixtures before the World Cup in October-November.

They got 5 ODIs against NZ in April, this will almost certainly be against a NZ 'B' team as their main players will be playing in the IPL.

Other than this they've got the Asia Cup which may or may not happen.

This makes scrapping of Afghanistan ODIs for T20s an even terrible decision.

I don't know what Najam Sethi is thinking but it cannot be right in a WC Year.

 

[msb314]

Afghanistan players backed out of BPL when Australia refused to tour..

But here, PCB is once again begging Afghanistan for a irrelevant T20 series

Shameless country, shameless cricket board and shameless players (for not backing out of this series)

 

[hitthestump]

I just checked Pakistan's official FTP to understand their ODI fixtures before the World Cup in October-November.

They got 5 ODIs against NZ in April, this will almost certainly be against a NZ 'B' team as their main players will be playing in the IPL.

Other than this they've got the Asia Cup which may or may not happen.

This makes scrapping of Afghanistan ODIs for T20s an even terrible decision.

I don't know what Najam Sethi is thinking but it cannot be right in a WC Year.

Sethi and his cronies are only seeking to bleed as much as they can out of the PCB before retirement. There are already two examples of them not caring less about putting the team first - this, and the appointment of Shan Masood as VC.

 

[Mirpur express]

Pointless to play t20s when the 50over WC is a few months away !! I’d rather see us play some one days but pcb is in cloud 9 just now!!*

 

[shamaan]

They should be playing odis instead of t20s.

 

[deems]

Afghanistan players backed out of BPL when Australia refused to tour..

But here, PCB is once again begging Afghanistan for a irrelevant T20 series

Shameless country, shameless cricket board and shameless players (for not backing out of this series)

What's country got to do with it. Stay in your limits!

 

[Saj]

I'm trying to work out what PCB has to gain by playing this series.

 

[ArabKnight]

I'm trying to work out what PCB has to gain by playing this series.

I sincerely hoped this series was in Pakistan.

I think it would have been a home atmosphere for Afghanistan in Pindi and Karachi Stadium.

PCB is mentally weak for hosting this in the UAE.

 

[pak4life]

Sharjah is the worst place you could have these matches. I could just imagine this turning into shambles.

 

[JattMaula]

I'm trying to work out what PCB has to gain by playing this series.

PCB earns goodwill of a like-minded institution and support of a full member in ICC.

Now that ACB has lost support from BCCI, PCB can fill the void.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Expect afghan bros to win at least one of these matches.

 

[shamaan]

Pakistan should have tried for a home series.

 

[Ami]

Ideally ODIs but if T20s, why not in Pakistan?
Can anyone advise why not in Pakistan, especially when we've been crying "home matches' for so long?

 

[Pakpak]

Sethi already showing how incompetent chairman he will end up.

In a world cup ODI year he plays 3 meaningless T20 against a team who Pak supported but then we’re kicked in the teeth.

Only country who would employ a journalist to run the cricket board.

I am sure Savak will come here simping for Sethi lauding his benefits.

The man is a corrupt, only given the PCB role as a gift due to his connections with the Sharifs

 

[Rana]

Oh no our fans are going to get beaten up in Sharjah

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I will be boycotting this series.

 

[Minnowbasher]

Why play Afghanistan when their cricket board, fans and players have all given anti-pakistan statements and apkistani fans have even been atacked in stadiums by afghan fans on several occassions?

Will boycott this series

 

[Saj]

Could have been an ideal opportunity to play some matches at venues in Pakistan who have not seen a lot of international cricket in recent times.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Could have been an ideal opportunity to play some matches at venues in Pakistan who have not seen a lot of international cricket in recent times.

Agreed. The match should have been held in Peshawar. Both teams will get lots of support. Either way, it will be a cracker of a series.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Frankly speaking what was the turn out of people in the home matches? There is a lot of afghan population in uae and our people in uae too will turn up in numbers. Our stadia in pakistan would have been empty.

 

[Saj]

I've asked Najam Sethi about why the matches were not held in Pakistan.

He tells me that "I think gate receipts will be much more in Sharjah than in Lahore or Karachi and production costs much lower. And it is part of Afghanistan’s “ home series”! And they want to play in Sharjah!"

 

[Kianig89]

Apart from some side hustle of commission Najam won't gain anything out of it

 

[gazza619]

Pakistan will have to play some really good cricket to win all 3 T20s.

 

[msb314]

What's country got to do with it. Stay in your limits!

The Patron In Chief of PCB is the Prime Minister

The cricket board does what the government tells them to do..

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Afghanistan is playing UAE in feb which clashes with week 1 of PSL meaning some of their players will arrive late.

Not sure why PCB didnt put some clauses in the series to ensure Afghanistan players were free for PSL.

Pakistan seems to always bend backwards for Afghanistan but gets nothing in return.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Afghanistan is playing UAE in feb which clashes with week 1 of PSL meaning some of their players will arrive late.

Not sure why PCB didnt put some clauses in the series to ensure Afghanistan players were free for PSL.

Pakistan seems to always bend backwards for Afghanistan but gets nothing in return.

Pakistan gets strategic depth

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pleased to announce PCB will play 3xT20s against Afghanistan in Sharjah end March to compensate Afghanistan following Australia’s pullout from bi lateral series against it. I also supported ACC decision to grant Afghanistan equal share of ACC revenues like BCCI, PCB, SLC & BCB.</p>— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) <a href="https://twitter.com/najamsethi/status/1622195865338236928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Kabul, 7th March 2023: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Tuesday announced the schedule for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, which will be played from March 25 to 29 in Sharjah, UAE.

Afghanistan's international home season 2023-24 will begin with a three-match T20I home series against Pakistan. The series will commence on March 25 in Sharjah, with the second and third games between the two teams taking place on March 27th and 29th, respectively, all at the same venue.

ACB Chairman Mr. Mirwais Ashraf: “We appreciate Pakistan Cricket Board's willingness to play Afghanistan in March. This is a significant accomplishment for two neighboring countries.”

“We are hopeful and looking forward to extending our ties with PCB, as well as continuing great partnerships and frequent cricketing assignments with them, which will help us further strengthen our team and our cricket altogether. Overall, we are excited to host and play Pakistan in what will be a thrilling series of cricket games between the two countries.”

Chair of PCB Management Committee, Mr Najam Sethi: “I am delighted that inaugural Pakistan versus Afghanistan T20I series will be played later this month in a city that has a large ex-pat community and which has always supported cricketers from both countries.

“The PCB and ACB enjoy a strong and cordial relationship that goes back to the 1990s. Even today, Afghanistan players are hugely popular in the HBL PSL. I am sure when cricketers from both sides will wear national jerseys for the upcoming international series, they will demonstrate the highest levels of performances and entertain the passionate and cricket-loving crowds.” he added.

Afghanistan has played Pakistan several times in ACC and ICC events in recent years, but this will be the first time the two countries meet in a three-match T20I series.

 

[Babeikh]

1 year and 3 months until the next T20 world cup so pretty much the most pointless series in the history of humans

 

[Rana]

1 year and 3 months until the next T20 world cup so pretty much the most pointless series in the history of humans

Not pointless if we experiment and give our emerging talent an opportunity to play

 

[Babeikh]

Not pointless if we experiment and give our emerging talent an opportunity to play

Should have been an ODI series with the world cup 6/7 months away we don't have much time to find our ODI combination. Afghanistan would have given us a very tough ODI series and it would have been excellent practice.

 

[Omer2002]

Not pointless if we experiment and give our emerging talent an opportunity to play

Why would we experiment. The amount of Afghan Talent i have seen in just the PSL i am 99% they will give us a good game if not even beat us.

 

[daytrader]

1 year and 3 months until the next T20 world cup so pretty much the most pointless series in the history of humans

Prime chance for Afghanistan to get their first win against us. This series could be referenced in history for a long time. Atleast we'll have the experiment excuse

 

[msb314]

Prime chance for Afghanistan to get their first win against us. This series could be referenced in history for a long time. Atleast we'll have the experiment excuse

Except that we won’t experiment. Babar, Rizwan, SSA, Naseem etc. will all play lol

 

[Rana]

Except that we won’t experiment. Babar, Rizwan, SSA, Naseem etc. will all play lol

We have a better chance of losing with them in the side

 

[MenInG]

Kabul, 9 March 2023: Afghanistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board have jointly agreed to make slight tweaks to the itinerary of Afghanistan’s home three-match T2OI series against Pakistan. The start of the series is brought forward by a day and will now start on March 24, with the last two games to be played on March 26 and 27 in Sharjah, UAE.

The changes in itinerary are made due to the unavailability of the Hawk-Eye Technology for the previously agreed upon dates. The two boards have agreed upon the changes in itinerary to ensure all the necessary broadcast technologies are available for the inaugural T20I series between the two sides.

Revised Schedule:

March 24: 1st T20I, Sharjah
March 26: 2nd T20I, Sharjah
March 27: 3rd T20I, Sharjah

https://cricket.af/post/joint-statement-by-acb-and-pcb

 

[MenInG]

Afghanistan’s Fast Bowling Great Hamid Hassan has been named as the new bowling coach of our national men’s cricket team. He will step up into the role of bowling coach during Afghanistan’s upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan.

Hamid Hassan has played 38 ODIs for Afghanistan from 2009-2019, picking up 59 wickets at 22.54 with the best per-inning figures of 5/45 to his name. He has also represented Afghanistan in 25 T20 Internationals (T20Is) during the period, having picked 35 wickets at 16.57 having the best figures of 4/22 to his name in the format.

Hamid Hassan was Afghanistan’s fast-bowling spearhead in First Class Cricket during the Intercontinental Cup 2010, as he led Afghanistan to the I Cup glory in their debut season, picking up 45 wickets in just 6 matches in the event. He has only played 15 FC matches but has been very successful whenever he stepped into the field in the format.

Hamid Hassan has 69 scalps in 28 FC innings at 22.88 with 6 fifers and 3 ten-fers to his name in the format. He carries 7/61 as his best in an inning and 11/154 as his best bowling numbers in a First Class match.

"Cricket has been my life over the past two-three decades and is in fact something that has been my passion for my whole life. It's a difficult decision for me to retire from the game I love the most, but I'm doing this for the sake of my country and my team." According to Hamid Hassan.

"At the same time, I'm honored and pleased to have the opportunity to take the role of the bowling coach of our National Team. I have enjoyed every bit of my playing career with this team, and the opportunity to work with our young bowling group is something I am looking forward to. I've been watching our fast bowling group closely and am excited to work with them to make this group as strong as or even stronger than our spinning department," he added.

Afghanistan is all set to host Pakistan for a series of three T20I matches from March 25-29 in Sharjah, UAE, which will be Hamid Hassan’s first tenure with the team as full-time bowling coach.

ACB

 

[Babeikh]

Prime chance for Afghanistan to get their first win against us. This series could be referenced in history for a long time. Atleast we'll have the experiment excuse

Yeah true, also nobody outside of Pakistan or Afghanistan will even know or care the series is happening so would rather we lose to them here than on the world stage. Pretty sure we will lose at least one game as we can't keep getting away with it against them.