Day: September 15, 2021

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New Zealand Coach Confident of Defeating Pakistan

New Zealand’s interim head coach, Glenn Pocknall, is upbeat ahead of the ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand. The Kiwi coach said that New Zealand is fully prepared for the challenge and will come hard against the Men in Green in their limited-overs tour.

Pocknall said that Pakistan should not underestimate New Zealand as they will give their hundred percent from the first ball of the series. Pocknall said that the Kiwi players are excited, and despite playing with their second-string squad, New Zealand is more than capable of winning the ODI series.

“I think the intensity will still be there. After all, we’re still two international cricket teams who are very keen to win. Pakistan haven’t had a New Zealand side for 18 years playing here so they’ll also want to win at home. And likewise, we’ve come here to compete with them and are here to put our best foot forward,” Pocknall said during a virtual press conference.

The stand-in coach praised the training facilities in the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and said that the whole squad is enjoying their time in the country. He added that the players are still adapting to the conditions as this is their first tour of the country.

The three-match ODI series between the two nations is scheduled to begin on 17 September at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The ODI series will be followed up by a five-match T20I series, scheduled to commence from 25 September in Lahore.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Mohammad Amir Turns Down PCB’s Category A Domestic Contract

Pakistan’s left-arm pacer, Mohammad Amir, has rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) offer of a domestic contract. Amir was included in the Category A of the list of domestic cricket contracts and was set to earn Rs. 185,000 per month.

Amir believes that the PCB should offer his contract to a young cricketer to empower emerging cricketers. Amir, who is part of the Northern squad, will still be eligible for selection in the upcoming domestic season, and he will only be paid the match fees and daily allowance throughout the season.

The 29-year old may still opt for a tournament-based contract rather than a full domestic season contract. This will be in line with Amir’s decision to not play any first-class cricket, with his focus solely set on playing limited-overs cricket.

Similarly, Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz have also not opted for a full domestic contract and are expected to be awarded tournament contracts.

PCB today announced the full list of 191 players who have been awarded contracts for the upcoming domestic season with a big increase in their salaries. Each player in the four categories will be rewarded with much higher salaries, as compared to the previous seasons since the structure of Pakistan domestic cricket changed.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Zafar Gohar Impresses With 6 Wicket Haul in County Championship [Video]

Pakistan’s left-arm spinner, Zafar Gohar, picked up six wickets in the second innings as Gloucestershire defeated Glamorgan by ten wickets in the second division of the County Championship.

Gohar went wicketless in the first innings as Glamorgan managed to score 309. Gloucestershire’s batting line-up responded with a splendid display as they posted over 400 runs for the first time in the current season.

With a lead of 115 in the first innings, Gloucestershire dismantled Glamorgan’s batting unit in the second innings and bowled them out for 124. Gohar was the star of the show as he ripped through their batting line-up, picking up the wickets of their top-order batsmen, Hamish Rutherford, Nick Selman, and Kiran Carlson, in quick succession.

Gohar then wrapped up lower-order batsmen as he finished with figures of 43/6 in 18 overs in the second innings. Gloucestershire chased down the target of 15 runs with ease.

The left-arm spinner has been impressive in his short stint in the County Championship. He has picked up 9 wickets at an average of 20.66 in the three matches he has played so far in the campaign.

Gohar will be seen in action in Gloucestershire’s final encounter of the campaign against Durham on 21 September. Gloucestershire currently sits at the second spot in the County Championship Division 2 and will be looking to overtake the leaders, Essex, in the final match of the campaign.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Private Schools Oppose the Decision of Passing Matric and Intermediate Students

All Pakistan Private Schools Federation (APPSF) has opposed the government’s decision to pass all matric and intermediate students who attempted the examination this year.

President of the federation, Kashif Mirza, said the decision is an insult to deserving and competent students.

He also criticized the idea of starting the next academic session in August instead of March.

The statement was in response to the government’s decision on Monday to award 33 percent marks to those students who fail in any subject.

The Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Shafqat Mahmood, took to Twitter to announce the decisions taken during the 32nd Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) on Monday.

Besides allotting passing marks to failing students, the government has also decided to conduct matric and intermediate exams twice a year.

The minister said that next year the matric exams would be held in May and June, while the intermediate exams would be held in October and November.

The new academic session will begin on 22 August, and there will be no change in the schedule of O and A-Level examinations.

The minister maintained that these changes were enforced due to the current situation of the COVID-19.

Source: Pro Pakistani