Australia sailed into the Champions Trophy semi-finals after their final Group B match against Afghanistan was abandoned at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
South Africa opening batter Matthew Breetzke broke a 47-year-old record when he made the highest score on ODI debut with 150 in a losing effort against New Zealand in a Tri-Nations match.
The PCB is upgrading the facilities at all three venues in the country as Pakistan prepares to host an ICC tournament for the first time since 1996, when they co-hosted the ODI World Cup.
While wickets fell all around him with fellow opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, as well as Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah all back in the hut inside the first ten overs, Gurbaz kept his cool.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi says the selection committee "will review" the national squad picked for the Champions Trophy even as he defended the controversial selections of batter Khushdil Shah and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.
Afghan fans turned out in large numbers, hoping to witness history-a victory over Australia that would have boosted their team's semifinal chances.
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar led the cricket world in showering praise on Afghanistan after their stunning eight-run victory over England in the Champions Trophy, saying their wins "can't be termed as upsets anymore".
Australia's middle order enforcer Josh Inglis said their depleted side will draw a lot of confidence after pulling off a record chase against England in their Champions Trophy opener on Saturday.
The New Zealand all-rounder was left bloodied by the blow to his forehead after losing sight of the ball in the floodlights as he attempted a catch in the 38th over of Pakistan's innings.
Kane Williamson is too long in the tooth to get dragged into the debate over India getting to play the Champions Trophy final in Dubai.
"The ICC (International Cricket Council) Champions Trophy 2025 is a culmination of those efforts," PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told Reuters.
The BCCI decided against playing practice games as India is already participating in a three-match ODI series against England.
'We'll be putting our thinking caps on how to nullify that threat while still scoring runs against him.'
Alex Carey reckons Australia might need to put at least 400 runs on the board if they bat first against South Africa
Incomplete renovation work at Karachi Stadium worries PCB ahead of Champions Trophy
The ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan has seen a decline in attendance following the early exit of the Pakistani cricket team and the start of Ramadan.
There will be no captains' photoshoot or press conference in Pakistan before the ICC Champions Trophy, a source in the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed.
Concerns mount as Pakistan Cricket Board struggles to get renovated venues in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi ready by the January 31 deadline.
PCB said that in the media talk, Naqvi stated that the redevelopment and redesigning of stadiums will be completed on schedule, ensuring their availability to host the tournament.
Australia's historic pedigree in cricket's biggest tournaments will count for nothing when they run into an Afghanistan side that is fast cementing its place in the game's top table in the Champions Trophy match in Lahore on Friday.
New Zealand booked their place in the final of the Champions Trophy against India after a 50-run victory over South Africa.
England skipper Jos Buttler expressed delight in Ben Duckett's record-breaking knock even as he hailed Australia for chasing down a massive total of 352 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy Group B match in Lahore on Saturday.
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy second Semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Wednesday
'It is just not possible that while Pakistan keeps on going and playing all events in India, the Indian authorities are not willing to send their team to play in Pakistan.'
IMAGES from the ICC Champions Trophy Group B match between Afghanistan and England at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Wednesday.
As has been the case with ICC events, India and Pakistan have been clubbed in the same group which also has New Zealand and Bangladesh.
IMAGES from the Group B Champions Trophy match between Australia and England in Lahore on Saturday
'International cricket is incomplete without Pakistan.'
'It is never BCCI's call whether to travel to Pakistan but Indian government's. Nothing changes on that front.'
The Pakistan Cricket Board is willing to make 'adjustments' in the schedule of the 2025 Champions Trophy, with matches involving India taking place in the UAE.
The Bangladesh senior cricket team will arrive in Pakistan on August 13 following the political unrest at home.
Mohsin Naqvi stated that there are no concerns about BCCI secretary Jay Shah becoming the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed that Rohit will captain India in the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan and the WTC Final which will be played at Lord's in June 2025.
The source said that the PCB is expecting to get some sort of viable answer from the BCCI officials at the upcoming meeting on the progress they have made (if any) on seeking clearance from their government to send their team to Pakistan early next year for the tournament.
Champions Trophy headlines Pakistan's home season but India uncertainty remains
The Pakistan Cricket Board, on Wednesday, was left red-faced after a floodlight malfunctioning led to a 20-odd minute stoppage during the Asia Cup match between the hosts and Bangladesh.
Shaheen Afridi lauded Haris Rauf not only for his impressive bowling but also for his significant contribution to enhancing Pakistan's fielding performance.
The PCB will try to get more matches of the Asia Cup to be staged in Pakistan when the ACC board meets in Dubai on Sunday.
Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott said his team were unaware of the run rate calculations during his team's shocking two-run loss against Sri Lanka.
The PCB chief also said that hosting Australia, England and New Zealand in one season is a big boost for Pakistan cricket and hoped the tour by England would be concluded successfully.
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