LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday ordered the formation of necessary committees for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy tournament, slated for February 2025.

The directive came during a high-level meeting, held at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore, to review the key preparations for the international event.

During the meeting, detailed discussions took place regarding the ICC Champions Trophy, along with an update on the Champions One Day Cup, currently being held in Faisalabad. Additionally, the progress of the stadium upgradation project was assessed.

Naqvi emphasised the urgency of creating the required committees for the tournament, with clear responsibilities assigned to ensure a swift start to operations. “With some of the world’s top teams set to compete, our arrangements must be flawless,” he said.

The PCB chief also highlighted the importance of accelerating the pace of work on the stadium renovation project.

He stressed that all efforts should be made to ensure the upgrades are completed within the stipulated time, enhancing the viewing experience for cricket fans. “Once the renovations are done, the spectators will enjoy the matches even more,” Naqvi added.

He praised the enthusiasm shown by the people of Faisalabad during the Champions Cup matches, hinting at the possibility of holding Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in the city.

The meeting was attended by PCB officials, including Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer, Chief Financial Officer Javed Murtaza, all PCB directors, and other relevant stakeholders.

It must be noted Naqvi is expected to meet newly-appointed ICC Chairman Jay Shah in October during the final match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup — set to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, in order to confirm logistical arrangements, the PCB is awaiting the final approval of the Champions Trophy’s schedule.

In a recent meeting with ICC officials, the PCB requested to announce the schedule as soon as possible to ensure smooth preparations of the event.

According to sources, PCB has made provisional bookings based on the proposed schedule and will be finalising it soon.

The cricket-governing body is expected to make an official announcement regarding the schedule by the end of October.

Meanwhile, the meeting between Naqvi and Shah will be highlighting the participation of the Men in Blue in the forthcoming event in Pakistan.

Earlier, the ICC delegation visited and reviewed the arrangements in the venues decided for the most-awaited event, including Karachi, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Lahore.

It is worth mentioning here that the delegation was satisfied with security arrangements and protocols arranged for the tournament next year.

The ICC delegation included Sarah Edgar, Senior Manager of Events; Aun Muhammad Zaidi, Event Manager and Champions Trophy Event Lead; Wasim Khan, General Manager of Cricket; David Masker, Security Manager’ and Mansoor Manj, Broadcast Consultant.

EAGAN, Minn. — The last time Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson and Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander were on the field together, Alexander mocked Jefferson’s signature touchdown dance. Jefferson has a different plan for Sunday’s matchup between the teams at Lambeau Field.

“He likes to do that stuff to get inside someone’s head,” Jefferson said Thursday. “I’m not really tripping on that. I’m going to just get my Griddy in his end zone. So, I’m not tripping on it at all. I’m excited for the matchup.”

The annual matchups between the two heated up in Week 1 of the 2022 season, when Jefferson caught nine passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-7 Vikings victory. Alexander called that performance a “fluke” and then mocked Jefferson’s Griddy when the Packers held him to one catch for 15 yards in their 41-17 victory in Week 17 of that season.

Jefferson didn’t play in the teams’ first matchup in 2023 because of a torn right hamstring, and Alexander was suspended for the second. Jefferson said Thursday that the rivalry seems to matter more to Alexander than it does to him.

“I didn’t really care if he played or not,” Jefferson said. “Last year … during that time we were fighting to get back into the playoffs and to make our run. That’s something that I was looking forward to. I really don’t care about the matchup, honestly. I feel like he cares more of it than I do, but I mean it is what it is.

“That’s every team, no [knock] at Jaire. That’s every team and how they scheme up against me and how they try to play me. So, it doesn’t matter if I’m going up against Jaire or if I’m going up against the worst corner in the league, it doesn’t matter.”

With that said, Jefferson knows that Alexander will play mental games throughout the afternoon, much as his older brother did when he was a kid.

“Always just [trying] to knickknack at every little thing and just try to play the head game,” Jefferson said. “Just try to hit you a little extra or try to push you a little extra than normal people do. But I understand that it’s a tactic. It’s a tactic to get inside my head and to mess up my game plan and what I’m doing, but it doesn’t really work.

“I understand that he has some help over the top sometimes and he likes to do the jump jam and likes to put hands on to disrupt the route, but we have a plan for it. I can’t wait to go up against it honestly.”

Lucknow: Indian star cricketer Musheer Khan suffered a neck fracture in a road accident on the outskirts of Lucknow on Friday.

The 19-year-old all-rounder, who recently scored a century on his debut, is currently in stable condition and receiving treatment at Medanta Hospital in Lucknow. Both the BCCI and Mumbai Cricket Association medical teams are in touch with the hospital regarding his care.

The accident occurred while Musheer was travelling from his hometown Azamgarh to Lucknow for the upcoming Irani Cup, set to begin on October 1. His coach and father, Naushad Khan, who was also in the car, sustained only minor injuries. The accident happened on the Purvanchal Expressway after their car collided with a divider and overturned.

Due to the neck injuries, Musheer is expected to be sidelined for at least three months, ruling him out of the start of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, which kicks off on October 11. Dr. Bhola Singh, the medical superintendent at Medanta Hospital, stated that Musheer’s condition is stable, and he is not in danger. His treatment is being overseen by Dr Dharmendra Singh, the director of orthopaedics, at the hospital.

Once deemed fit to travel, Musheer will be transferred to Mumbai for further evaluation and treatment, and his recovery timeline will be determined after additional assessments.

Musheer’s injury comes as a setback in what has been a highly promising career so far. He was expected to be a part of India’s A team set to tour Australia later this year. In just nine First-Class matches, he has already scored three centuries, including a double hundred in last season’s Ranji Trophy quarter-final.

Musheer had also recently begun the 2024-25 domestic season with a century for India B in the Duleep Trophy against India A. Mumbai, reigning Ranji Trophy champions, are scheduled to face Rest of India in the Irani Cup from October 1-5, followed by their Ranji Trophy opener against Baroda on October 11.

Aleem Dar, widely regarded as one of the world’s most respected and admired cricket umpires, will retire at the end of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s 2024-25 season, concluding a career that has spanned nearly a quarter of a century.

A true gentleman both on and off the field, Aleem is also a three-time winner of the prestigious David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year (2009-2011), said a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The 56-year-old Aleem also enjoyed a playing career of 17 first-class and 18 List-A matches between 1986 and 1998, before he made his first-class umpiring debut during the 1998-99 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

From 2003 to 2023, he served on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, where he earned a reputation for his player management skills, understanding of the playing conditions, calm demeanor and outstanding decision-making.

He is currently part of the PCB’s Elite Panel and remains one of four Pakistani umpires on the ICC’s International Panel, making him eligible to officiate in ODIs and T20Is.

To date, Aleem has officiated in a record-breaking 145 Tests, 231 ODIs, 72 T20Is, 5 WT20Is, 181 first-class matches, and 282 List-A matches.

“His contributions to the sport extend far beyond these numbers, with his professionalism and respectful manner making him a beloved figure worldwide,” the statement added.

Reflecting on his decision to retire, Aleem Dar said:

“Umpiring has been my life for nearly 25 years and I have cherished the privilege of officiating some of the most iconic matches involving the greatest players of this generation,” Dar remarked.

“Throughout my career, I’ve strived to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, and it has been an honour to work alongside some of the finest match officials in the world.

“However, all great journeys must eventually come to an end, and the time has come for me to focus fully on my social and charity work. My hospital project and other initiatives are very close to my heart and require my full devotion and attention.”

Dar acknowledged the support he has had from his colleagues during his journey further adding that it is the right time to hang the boots.

“Having achieved almost everything that I had aspired to in umpiring with the unwavering support of my peers and colleagues, I also feel it’s the right moment to step aside and allow emerging umpires to shine. It is my hope that they too will have the same opportunities to make their mark on the great game of cricket and represent Pakistan with pride,” he added.

“While I will continue to officiate throughout this season, it will be my last. That said, I remain committed to mentoring and supporting the next generation of match officials and I will always be available to offer guidance to those pursuing a career in this noble profession,” the veteran umpire concluded.