Photo Credit: Pakistan Cricket Board
- 54th Edition of PCB Podcast available here for free download and editorial use; PCB Podcast is also available on Spotify
- Pakistan will play nine ICC World Test Championship matches from 21 August to 28 January
As the Pakistan men’s cricket team prepares to launch its 2024-25 red-ball international season under the new Shan Masood-Jason Gillespie partnership, respected cricket commentator Bazid Khan speaks with the Pakistan captain and red-ball head coach for the 54th edition of the PCB Podcast and chats to them about their expectations, preparations and challenges for the season in which Pakistan will play nine Tests.
Some of the topics Bazid discusses with Jason and Shan in a candid conversation includes:
– Importance of captain and coach partnership, especially in cricket
– Nine Tests in six months, squad for the Bangladesh Tests, selection criteria and impact players
– Scheduling, three formats, franchise leagues, player availability and Test cricket
– Widening of gap between Pakistan and other top Test playing countries
– Fear of failure, creating winning dressing room culture, impact of social media and on-field intensity
– Finding blueprint to success at home and quality of pitches
– Rewarding and developing players through the Pakistan Shaheens squad
– Arshad Nadeem’s achievement and how the Pakistan team can benefit from this euphoria
Pakistan will enter in the second half the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle by hosting Bangladesh for two Tests on 21-25 August (Rawalpindi) and 30 August-3 September (Karachi). They will then play three Tests against England at home on 7-11 October (Multan), 15-19 October (Karachi) and 24-28 October (Rawalpindi). Pakistan will travel to South Africa where the two Tests will be played on 26-30 December (Centurion) and 3-7 January (Cape Town), before they will wrap up against the West Indies with a two-Test home series on 16-20 January and 24-28 January.
On the ICC World Test Championship standings, Pakistan is currently sitting in fifth position but has played only two out of the six series. Strong performances in the upcoming four series will put them in contention for a place in the June final as both positions for the Lord’s match are still up for grabs. Bangladesh are presently eighth, England sixth, South Africa seventh and the West Indies ninth in the third edition of the Championship.
Name of Author: PCB
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), formerly the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan, is the governing body for cricket in Pakistan. It oversees and organizes all tours and matches for the Pakistan national cricket team. A member of the International Cricket Council since 1952, the PCB represents Pakistan’s men’s and women’s teams in international cricket tournaments.
