Malik Waqar
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed his hope that the national team will secure victory in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan.
Speaking to the media outside Gaddafi Stadium, Naqvi urged everyone to pray for Pakistan’s success in both the Tri-Nation Series and the Champions Trophy. “This is a big event, and I request everyone to pray that we pass through it smoothly and achieve victory,” he said.
Praising Rizwan’s leadership qualities, Naqvi remarked, “Mashallah, Rizwan is a captain with a pure heart, and I am hopeful that under his leadership, Pakistan will win the Champions Trophy.”
The PCB chairman also lauded the laborers who worked tirelessly to upgrade Gaddafi Stadium, acknowledging their dedication.
He further extended his gratitude to the contractors and NESPAK for making the renovation project a success. “They have achieved what seemed impossible, and they all deserve appreciation,” he added.
Naqvi revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Gaddafi Stadium in the evening for the official inauguration. “I will request the Prime Minister to announce awards for those who worked on this project, and I am hopeful that he will do so,” he said.
Discussing the stadium’s reconstruction, Naqvi admitted that many had doubts about the feasibility of demolishing and rebuilding parts of the facility within a short time frame. “When I decided to demolish parts of the stadium, people were worried that it might not be rebuilt. But with teamwork, we made it possible,” he stated.
Emphasizing the collective effort behind the stadium’s renovation, Naqvi remarked, “This is not my achievement aloneit is the achievement of the entire team. Success always belongs to the team, not just an individual.”
He concluded by acknowledging the challenges of completing the project in a limited time but credited divine blessings for its successful completion.
I lost 10kg due to my illness: Fakhar Zaman
Pakistan cricket team’s opening batter Fakhar Zaman has opened up about his health struggles in a conversation with Salman Butt on the PCB Podcast.
Clarifying speculations about his absence from the team, Fakhar Zaman revealed that he was not injured but was suffering from an illness. “Anyone can fall sick. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, which led to a weight loss of 10 kg and weakened my muscles,” he stated.
Discussing his recovery, the left-handed batter admitted that it took time to regain full fitness. “This was the only reason I was out of the teamthere was nothing else. I am fully fit now, but the first four to five matches in domestic cricket were tough, and I felt as if I had forgotten how to play,” he said.
Fakhar added that he gradually improved and performed well, reassuring fans that he is now completely healthy.
Speaking about the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, he expressed his excitement, recalling that his international career took off during the previous edition of the tournament. “I will try my best to make this Champions Trophy even more memorable for myself and the team,” he remarked.
When asked about facing India, Fakhar Zaman stated that he approaches matches against them with the same mindset as he does against any other team.
He also shared his views on Babar Azam’s batting position, emphasizing that for a player of Babar’s caliber, the batting number does not matter. “I believe he will perform well as an opener and make things easier for me,” he added.
Concluding his remarks, Fakhar Zaman expressed his enthusiasm for the Champions Trophy, highlighting the significance of hosting an ICC event in Pakistan.
