Meanwhile, the sports ministry has asked the PCB not to offer a long-term contract to its incumbent director of cricket Mohammad Hafeez yet, who came into the role after the 50-overs World Cup last year.
A cricketing rivalry that transcends beyond the realms of 22-yards will be reignited when India and Pakistan square off in a World Cup encounter that could have fascinating sub-plots with rain gods threatening an anti-climactic twist.
'The good thing for India is that Virat Kohli loves the big occasion.'
Mani said the selectors and management had solid reasons for resting six regular players against Australia.
The most sought-after megastars of the current generation are primed to show their might against a bunch of enigmatic cricketers as India and Pakistan engage in an ICC T20 World Cup face-off, something that transcends the 22-yard strip.
James Anderson claimed his fifth wicket as England enforced the follow-on against Pakistan on the third day of the third and final Test at the Rose Bowl on Sunday, despite a battling century by visiting skipper Azhar Ali.
Meet Nuwan Seneviratne, the left-arm throwdown specialist of the Indian team.
The road to the knockout stage for Sarfaraz Ahmed and his men is just an improbable mathematical calculation and that too provided Pakistan win the toss and bat first.
Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav feels he has found his rhythm after returning from injury and is confident he will continue to improve in the ongoing Champions Trophy.
While Rohit Sharma will be eager to test his ultra-aggressive batting template against the Asian giants, for Virat Kohli it is the perfect platform to return to form after enduring a tough phase in the last few years.
'They have got so much talent. And in the last 10 years when they have not been playing home Test matches (for security reasons), they have done a remarkable job to be as competitive as they have and continue to bring on the level of talented players they have.'
The veteran coach also said both teams would have to be tactfully aware of playing at the MCG.
Kohli's frustration was evident as he trudged back to the pavilion, mirroring the disappointment etched on wife Anushka Sharma's face in the stands.
Images from the T20 World Cup Super 12 Group 2 match between India and Pakistan, in Dubai, on Sunday.
India captain Virat Kohli acknowledged the need for a "sixth bowling option" but also kept it open-ended when asked about flamboyant all-rounder Hardik Pandya's bowling fitness, stating that the Baroda man "has to be fit to be able to bowl one or two overs."
From the 12th over onwards, Virat Kohli hit 67 from his last 29 balls, scoring at a strike rate in excess of 200 to take the match away from Pakistan's grasp in great style.
Opener David Warner, who set up a crucial victory for Australia with a whirlwind century in the ongoing World Cup on Friday, credited the IPL for working as a learning platform where he perfected the art of pacing an ODI innings.
Shadab Khan doesn't shy away from expressing his love for Bollywood movies and local food.
Before facing the might of Shaheen Shah Afridi in Asia Cup, a morning session with deliveries moving both sides, albeit with a gentle pace, would be decent enough extended net session for Rahul.
Former Test pacer Aaqib Javed said that Shaheen Shah Afridi's burst of two wickets with the new ball and Hasan Ali's one wicket put India on the back foot and they never recovered after that.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood said his team showed tremendous character to register back-to-back victories against England and win their first Test series on home soil since 2021.
Basit didn't hold back while criticising the Pakistan opener and pinpointed Shafique's wicket as the reason behind the team's loss.
Bangladesh registered their first ever Test win over Pakistan after spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan bowled them to a memorable 10-wicket victory.
With no Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian line-up, the 'Men In Blue' are missing a trick. And despite Mohammed Shami's brilliance in the warm-up game against Australia on the other day in Brisbane, the bowling unit doesn't inspire much confidence.
Three major upsets that highlighted this World Cup.
Rishabh Pant was hospitalised following a major car crash on Friday.
Images from the T20 World Cup Super 12s match between Pakistan and Scotland, in Sharjah, on Sunday.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood termed their series-levelling victory in the second Test against England "special" as the hosts snapped their nearly four-year winless run on home soil in this format.
Bangladesh trail by 224 runs and still needed 25 runs to avoid the follow-on at the end of Day 4.
IMAGES from Day 1 of the 2nd Test played between Pakistan and England in Multan on Tuesday.
Wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade thought the T20 World Cup semifinal against Pakistan would "potentially be his last opportunity to represent Australia" before becoming the star of the show with a sizzling 41-run knock that helped his side reach the final.
Leg-spinner Shah's selection was subject to the 35-year-old clearing a fitness test, chief selector Mohammad Wasim said in a statement.
No place for hooliganism in cricket, says angry PCB chief
England became the first team to win a Test by an innings after conceding more than 500 runs in their first innings.
Asia Cup: Injury scare for Pakistan''s Naseem Shah versus Bangladesh
Arthur described coaching the Pakistan team as a fulfilling period of his career.
Is Bhuvneshwar going to be around for the T20 World Cup in 2024 with a sharp decline in his pace?
With both teams virtually out of the semi-final race, South Africa and Pakistan will be battling it out for a consolation win in their World Cup match at Lord's.
Dominant Pakistan took charge of the second Test against Sri Lanka after bundling out the hosts in two sessions for a paltry 166.
Before the two spells of rain interrupted play, Virat Kohli and K L Rahul were batting on 8 and 17 respectively after openers Rohit Sharma (56) and Shubman Gill (58) struck fine half-centuries.
