Michael Bracewell will captain New Zealand for the first time on home soil when they meet Pakistan in a five-game T20 series, leading a squad named on Tuesday, which missed several key players because of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Bracewell starred as the Black Caps reached the final of the Champions Trophy and is one of seven players from that one-day team selected for the T20s.

But a host of top names are not available due to IPL commitments, including regular skipper Mitchell Santner, along with Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson and Glenn Phillips.

Kane Williamson also made himself unavailable for the series, which gets under way on Sunday in Christchurch.

“It’s a great honour and a real privilege to captain your country,” said Bracewell, who led the side on their white-ball tour of Pakistan last year but has yet to take the reins at home.

“Mitch Santner’s done a great job since taking over as white-ball captain and I’ll really just be trying to build on his good work and create an enjoyable environment for the guys to perform in.

“Pakistan are always a dangerous short-form side with lots of power and pace and we know they’ll be hurting after an early exit in the Champions Trophy,” he added.

Spinner Ish Sodhi was recalled while paceman Ben Sears is back after recovering from a torn hamstring.

Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham and Tim Seifert were also included as both teams start building up to next year’s T20 World Cup in India.

New Zealand went down to India by four wickets in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday, suffering a fourth loss in four short-format global finals over the last decade.

““I guess it’s bittersweet,” Santner told reporters after the final.

“You always want to win one of these, and I don’t know how many more chances we’ll get, but this one was up there for us.

“I think we were playing some good cricket leading into this, and we thought we were a real sniff today, but I guess we just got beaten by a good team,” the skipper acknowledged.

New Zealand squad: Michael Bracewell (capt), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes (games 4 and 5 only), Mitch Hay, Matt Henry (games 4 and 5 only), Kyle Jamieson (games 1, 2 and 3 only), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke (games 1, 2 and 3 only), Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, and Ish Sodhi.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal protest against the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) failure to include its representative in the post-match ceremony of the Champions Trophy final.

Despite the presence of PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed — who was also the director of the tournament — at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium during the decider between eventual winners India and New Zealand on Sunday, the official didn’t feature among the dignitaries featured in the ceremony.

The PCB has called out what it believes to be “blatant disregard for Pakistan’s role as the host nation” by the ICC.

“A formal complaint has been lodged with the ICC, demanding an explanation and a public apology,” the board’s spokesperson told Dawn on Monday. “We are appalled by this blatant disregard for Pakistan’s role as the host nation.

Board formally complains to cricketing body over slew of ‘blunders, double standards’ and incidents of ‘selective governance’

“The ICC’s decision to exc­lude Mr Syed — who was both the Tournament Director and the PCB Chair’s designated representative — violates its own standard operating procedure,” the board said.

“This is a matter of principle, fairness, and respect for the game’s global stakeholders.”

Mr Syed had attended the final in place of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was initially invited by the ICC, but was unwell and couldn’t travel.

While the ICC, in its responses to media queries argued that its “protocol is for the board’s president, vice president, chairman or CEO to be on the stage”, it seemed to have ignored the fact that the PCB didn’t have a CEO, and the COO is considered to have the same stature as second in command to the chairman.

The ICC’s argument also seems weak, given that the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Devajit Saikia was also on the stage along with his predecessor and incumbent ICC president Jay Shah and BCCI president Roger Binny.

The PCB views the incident as one of ICC’s “repeated blunders”, one of which was the absence of Pakistan’s name in the Champions Trophy’s official logo on the live feed of the group stage match between India and Bangladesh, as well as the Indian national anthem being played in the Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the Australia-England game.

“The ICC’s repeated blunders, double standards, and selective governance have cast serious doubts over its credibility,” the PCB spokesperson said. “By sidelining the host nation at its own tournament, the governing body has once again shown a troubling lack of neutrality and fairness.

“We have demanded a full public clarification and an assurance that such biased and unjust treatment will not happen again.

“The PCB expects professionalism, transparency, and equal representation from cricket’s governing body.

“The PCB has made its stance clear: This is not just about a presentation ceremony — it is about respect, integrity, and the fundamental principles of fair governance in international cricket.

“The world is watching. Will the ICC finally uphold professionalism, or will it continue to cater to selective interests at the cost of cricket’s global integrity?”

India played all their matches in Dubai — with hosts Pakistan forced to compromise a semi-final and the final — following the Indian government’s refusal to let its team travel across the border citing security concerns.

The decision led to scheduling problems while also allowing India to have one base while other teams had to adjust their travel itineraries accordingly.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2025

MANCHESTER: Mikel Arteta’s 200th Premier League game was not one to savour for the Spaniard as any lingering hope of a title challenge was extinguished at Old Trafford.

Arsenal boss Arteta was visibly agitated after his team could only salvage a 1-1 draw with United on Sunday and now sit 15 points adrift of Liverpool.

Arteta, who stomped away from a post-game television interview, rued the fact that Declan Rice’s second-half strike was their only goal against a struggling United side that are languishing in 14th place in the table.

“Very frustrating we haven’t won with the dominance and the chances we had in the first half. We gave the ball away out of nothing. Gave a foul away. We had them in the second half, you could feel they were really fatigued,” Arteta said.

“It was the threat in the final 25 metres to make something happen. They didn’t want to play. You come here and you want to win the game. Today, it is frustration.”

United captain Bruno Fernandes put the hosts ahead with a superb free-kick in first half stoppage-time.

Rice’s clinical finish from just inside the United area hauled Arsenal level in the 74th minute but Mikel Arteta’s second-pla­ced side couldn’t find a winner.

Arsenal have not won their last three league games, amid a run of just four wins in their last nine league games since New Year’s Day.

The loss of Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Marti­nelli to injury has played a massive part in Arsenal’s demise.

Finishing second to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City juggernaut in the last two seasons was supposed to be the building block towards title glory.

Yet, even in an off year for the defending champions, Arsenal have proven unable to capitalise.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2025

DUBAI: Star batter Virat Kohli said on Sunday his job is not just to win ICC trophies but also ensure that Indian cricket is at a better place when he walks into the sunset, as the team won a third Champions Trophy title with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

“When you leave, you want to leave the team in a better place, I feel we’ve a squad that’s ready to take on the world for the next eight years,” an ecstatic Kohli said after the end of the final.

While Kohli was out for one in the final, his match-winning hundred against Pakistan and a composed half-century against Australia in the semi-final went a long way in India’s title triumph.

“It’s been amazing, we wanted to bounce back after a tough Australian tour, and wanted to win a big tournament, so to win the Champions Trophy is amazing,” Kohli told broadcasters.

He then explained that as one of the senior-most players in the team, he also has to focus on grooming the Next-Gen.

“So much talent in the dressing room, they’re trying to take their game further and we’re just happy to be of help (role of the seniors), sharing our experience and that’s what makes this Indian team so strong.”

He loved that the final went the distance as India completed a chase of 252 with six balls to spare.

“These are the things you want to play [for titles], playing under pressure and putting your hand up.”

He was happy that the title win was a fantastic team effort.

“The whole team, everyone has put their hands up sometimes or other [during the course of the tournament], everyone has put up impactful performances, we’ve been part of an amazing team, the amount of work we’ve done in the practice sessions, it feels great [to win].

“Shubman [Gill] has been outstanding, Shreyas [Iyer] has played some top knocks, KL [Rahul] has finished games and Hardik [Pandya] has been superb with the bat.”

Graceful in triumph, Kohli didn’t forget to praise the New Zealand side for the fight that they have put up.

“We’ve always been in awe with what they can do, the limited number of players in the talent pool, but they just execute plans so well, they keep playing the kind of cricket that keeps them very much in the game.

“They’re always been attacking and supportive of the bowlers, Credit to them, easily the best fielding unit, sad to see a very good friend of mine to be on the losing side [on Kane Wiliamson].

“But they’re always so good and they keep doing the basics well. That’s what makes them such a competitive unit,” Kohli concluded.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2025

LAHORE: Amid Pakistan cricket’s ongoing decline — evidenced by the national team’s dismal performances in the last three International Cri­cket Council events, including two World Cups and the Champions Trophy — the Pakistan Cricket Board appears reluctant to adopt a fresh approach.

Instead of prioritising young talent in the upcoming National T20 Cup, scheduled to begin this month, the PCB included veteran players Shoaib Malik (43), Wahab Riaz (39), and Sarfaraz Ahmed (37) in the squads for Sialkot, Karachi, and Lahore, respectively despite the trio serving as those sides’ mentors.

The inclusion of these senior players drew widespread criticism, leading to the withdrawal of Wahab and Sarfraz from their respective teams on Monday. However, Shoaib Malik remains part of the Sialkot squad.

Wahab, a former left-arm pacer, has held multiple roles within the PCB since 2023. Currently serving as head of the board’s five-member mentorship panel, he oversees a group featuring Pakistan cricket stalwarts such as Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfraz, and Shoaib. These mentors, each managing one of the “Champions” teams, are reportedly earning substantial monthly salaries.

Initially appointed as chief selector by then-PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf on an ad-hoc basis, Wahab was later retained by current chairman Mohsin Naqvi. He was subsequently appointed as a member of the national selection committee and given the dual role of senior team manager for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. Now, as head of the mentorship program, he was initially listed to play in the National T20 Cup before opting out.

The Lahore Regional Cricket Association has replaced Wahab with Ahmad Bashir, according to an official.

Meanwhile, Sialkot’s head coach Mansoor Amjad confirmed Shoaib’s retention, explaining that the decision aligns with a strategy of “infield mentoring” — a move aimed at helping young players learn from experienced cricketers during matches.

“Shoaib Malik is included in the Sialkot team as part of an infield mentoring strategy, which has never been implemented before. It is expected to benefit young players,” Mansoor said.

A PCB spokesperson defended the selection, stating that under the mentors’ contracts, they are required to serve 224 days annually, with the remaining days available for playing or media engagements. He added that if a regional team chose to include a mentor as a player, the board had no objections.

Notably, several PCB mentors also serve as television analysts, frequently critiquing the national team’s performances. The ethical dilemma of mentors — tasked with developing Pakistan’s cricketing future — simultaneously assessing the same team on TV raises questions about potential conflicts of interest.

Meanwhile, the cash-strapped PCB has drastically reduced match fees for National T20 Cup players, slashing payments from Rs100,000 per match to Rs10,000 for those in the playing XI and Rs5,000 for reserves.

Significant financial resources have been allocated to stadium renovations, including work at Gaddafi Stadium, National Stadium, Karachi, and the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

However, outstanding payments from last season remain due to players and umpires. Additionally, the PCB has yet to implement an annual pension increase for former Test cricketers, as mandated by board policy.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2025

Pakistan continued their streak of failing to reach the upper echelons of cricketing glory as the Green Shirts were absent from the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Team of the Tournament unveiled by the global governing body on Monday for the Champions Trophy.

India mounted a successful chase of a doable 252-run target against New Zealand on Sunday to win the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai, marking their third title of the tournament.

They remained unbeaten after playing all their matches in Dubai owing to a ‘hybrid’ compromise reached after India refused to tour Pakistan for the eight-member tournament.

Pakistan, on the other hand, finished at the bottom of the group phase after losing to New Zealand and India, while their final group match with Bangladesh was washed out as rain ensured the host country’s title defence ended with a wet whimper.

The ICC unveiled its Team of the Tournament today, featuring six players from India, four from New Zealand, and two from Champions Trophy debutant Afghanistan.

Aside from Pakistan, ICC’s Team of the Tournament did not have players from semi-finalists South Africa and Australia, nor from Bangladesh and England.

Indian representation on ICC’s dream team came in the form of top-order star Virat Kohli, veteran Mohammed Shami, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy and wicketkeeper KL Rahul, who was “reliable behind the stumps and a clutch performer in his role as India’s finisher with the bat.”

From the New Zealand side, it was a no-brainer that Player of the Tournament Rachin Ravindra would be on the list. He was joined by all-rounder Glenn Phillips, skipper Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry, who suffered a shoulder injury while taking a catch in the deep in the semi-final against South Africa.

Opener Ibrahim Zadran and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai represented Afghanistan in ICC’s Team of the Tournament.

Team of the Tournament:

1. Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)

Ravindra went big in two of New Zealand’s Champions Trophy games while also finding ways to contribute as a spin bowler, winning the Player of the Tournament award for his “all-round excellence”.

2. Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan)

The opener proved how crucial he was to Afghanistan’s competitiveness, steering his team to a famous win over England by scoring a mega 177 in the first innings, which is now the highest-ever individual score in the competition’s history.

3. Virat Kohli (India)

“He’s called King Kohli for a reason” the ICC said of India’s top-order star who produced two impressive knocks, including an 84 in the semi-final against Australia.

He confirms that even at 36, he’s still at the peak of his powers in the format. During the Champions Trophy, Kohli also crossed the landmark of 14,000 ODI runs, becoming just the third player after Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara to do so.

4. Shreyas Iyer (India)

Solid as a rock in India’s middle order. From India’s last four tournament matches, Shreyas’ lowest batting return was 45 runs, proving to be a pillar of consistency in trying batting conditions in Dubai.

5. KL Rahul (wk) (India)

From four innings, the wicketkeeper finished unbeaten on three occasions. He was particularly crucial during India’s chases in the all-important knockout games, scoring unbeaten 42* and 34* against Australia and New Zealand respectively.

6. Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)

The all-rounder not only showed glimpses of why he’s one of the most dangerous batters in the world but displayed exceptional fielding prowess for the Kiwis, taking three absolute stunners during the tournament, including a mindboggling catch against Virat Kohli in the final group game against India.

7. Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)

The middle-order batting production was there for all to see, while Omarzai’s bowling was also effective. His 5/58 against England proved match-winning as the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024 lived up to his billing.

8. Mitchell Santner (c) (New Zealand)

Santner’s captaincy and bowling were equal parts world-class, right way through New Zealand’s impressive campaign that saw them finish as runner-ups.

9. Mohammed Shami (India)

Reliable and consistent, Shami returned to the side in style, with 5/53 against Bangladesh in the opening group game. He also contributed in the semifinals and finals, picking four wickets in the last two contests.

10. Matt Henry (New Zealand)

It was a great loss to the tournament that its leading wicket-taker did not get the opportunity to grace the final due to injury. Henry was superb throughout the tournament, taking wickets in every match, most notably 5/42 against India in the Group A decider.

11. Varun Chakaravarthy (India)

Having only played in one previous ODI before the Champions Trophy, the 33-year-old repaid selectors’ faith in spades, producing nine wickets in three high-stakes affairs.

12. Axar Patel (India)

“Such a useful player to have around,” the ICC said of Axar, who contributed with the ball, taking five wickets, and with the bat, putting in a total of 109 runs, including 29 in the final. He was no slouch in the field, either, with two fine catches to his name.