PCB demands $10,000 instead of NOC from players to participate in Abu Dhabi league

All teams have begun preparations for the Men's Rising Stars Asian Cup 2026, which will take place in Qatar from November 19 to 29. Following India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also unveiled its strong squad.

The Pakistan team, 'Pakistan Shines,' is entrusted with the leadership of the young all-rounder Abdul Samad. Pakistan has been placed in Group B alongside strong teams such as India-A, Nepal, and UAE.

Cricket fans are eagerly anticipating the grand match between India-A and 'Pakistan Shines' on November 22. It is worth noting that in the final of the last Rising Stars Asian Cup, held in Sri Lanka in 2023, 'Pakistan Shines' defeated India-A by 128 runs, winning the title.

Now, the Indian team intends to get revenge against Pakistan by winning the tournament this time. Furthermore, last season, Pakistan became champions again, defeating Bangladesh-A in a thrilling super over final in the T20 format. Thus, the Pakistan team steps onto the field with the goal of maintaining its dominance, while the India-A team aims to redeem its 2023 defeat.

Pakistan has selected a very balanced team for this 50-over tournament. Among the aggressive batsmen, besides captain Abdul Samad, are Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Shahzaib Khan, and Rohil Nazir (as an opener). Hasan Nawaz previously captured the hearts of fans with his impressive performance against India in the Asian Games final. The question arises whether he can demonstrate his abilities once again?

Mohammad Hasanin, an international player, will lead the fast bowling attack. He will be supported by Ahmed Daniyal, the super over hero, Akif Javed, and Mohammad Imran Randava, who will strengthen the pace assault. In the spin department, Danish Aziz, Saad Masood, and Sufian Mokin form a network.

The 'Pakistan Shines' squad of 15 players includes: Abdul Samad (captain), Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Danish Aziz, Farhan Yusuf, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maj Sadakat, Mohammad Hasanin, Mohammad Imran Randava, Rohil Nazir (opener), Saad Masood, Shahzaib Khan, Shmil Hussain, Sufian Mokin.

Pakistan's match schedule is as follows: November 20 against UAE; November 22 against India-A; November 24 against Nepal; semi-finals will be held on November 26 and 27; and the final will take place on November 29.

Significant changes are being prepared in Pakistani cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering including new players in the central contracts for the 2026-27 season, while some experienced players may lose their positions.

Pakistan's head coach across all formats, Mike Hesson, recommended providing contracts to young athletes. His list includes 13 players. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the experienced wicket-batsmen Mohammad Rizwan and Imam Ul Haq may be excluded from the central contracts.

According to a PTI report received from Karachi, a high-ranking source within the PCB stated that Hesson proposed the names of several young players for the upcoming season. These include Arafat Minhaj, Saad Beg, Hasan Nawaz, Akif Javed, Ali Raja, Ahsan Daniyal, Sufian Mukim, Maj Sadakat, Rajoola, Azan Awais, Imran Randava, Abdullah Fazal, and Gazi Gori.

According to the PCB source, the board is still deciding on retaining contracts with experienced players. However, this time some senior players might be excluded. The source specified that Mohammad Rizwan and Imam Ul Haq will not receive spots in the new central contracts.

On the other hand, it is expected that the contracts of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Sahibzada Farhan will remain valid. These three players lead Pakistan's teams in various formats. Additionally, contracts may be extended for Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Fahad Jama, and Saima Ayub. However, some of these players might have their contracts limited only to red or white ball cricket.

Mike Hesson places great emphasis on players' physical fitness, ability to implement the coach's tactics on the field, desire to improve their game, and behavior in the dressing room when forming central contracts. The source noted that Hesson aims to encourage young players who have demonstrated their potential and contributed to the team atmosphere by giving them good central contracts.

The old contracts expired on July 31st. The PCB has not yet announced the new central contracts for 2026-27. According to the board source, the delay is due to the evaluation of player performances. The PCB intends to decide which cricketers deserve new contracts after observing their play in current international and domestic tournaments.

Pakistani all-rounder Samee Ayub has been excluded from the ODI squad during the three-match series. He will return to domestic matches to improve his batting and regain lost confidence.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) included Sahibzada Farhan, the captain of the T20 team, in place of Ayub. According to PCB information, Samee Ayub expressed a desire to return to domestic cricket after speaking with the team's head coach, Mike Heson. The team management and national selection committee accepted his request.

Pakistan has already secured a spot in the final of this ODI three-match series, winning three consecutive matches.

Recently, Samee Ayub became a subject of discussion due to his celebration after dismissing 15-year-old Indian player Vaibhav Suryavanshi. During the gold medal match at the 2026 Asian Games in Ithenago, he made a gesture resembling rocking a baby after taking the wicket of Vaibhav. Many fans on social media criticized this 'baby celebration.'

Nevertheless, the Pakistan Cricket Board explained Samee Ayub's departure from the team as a desire to work on his batting form and confidence, and did not link his exit to the incident involving Vaibhav.

This Tuesday (October 27), Pakistan will play the fifth match of the three-match series against Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. There is a possibility that opener Sahibzada Farhan will get a chance in this match. After three wins, the Pakistani team's focus is now on maintaining momentum ahead of the final.

The updated Pakistan squad includes Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Barrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Aga, Arafat Minhaj, Babar Azam, Fahim Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Ghazi Gori (wicketkeeper), Haris Rauf, Hassan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Rajaulullah, Sada Beg (wicketkeeper), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, and Majda Sadakat.