Page 8 - Cricket News

Pakistan Cricket Board contests disclosure order in Islamabad High Court

The Pakistan Cricket Board has moved the Islamabad High Court, challenging Pakistan Information Commission orders directing it to disclose confidential financial records, players' contracts and employee salary details. The PIC has issued the directives under the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017 on July 9, seeking the PCB's annual budgets for the financial years 2023-26, expenditure break-ups, players' and employees' contracts, and salary details. The commission has also sought details of the players and officials who travelled to this year's T20 World Cup, besides expenditure incurred and steps taken to upgrade Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. A PCB source said this was a "Catch-22 situation" since if they complied with the PIC directives, it could trigger similar demands from other institutions and committees for access to its financial dealings, including those related to the Pakistan Super League. Challenging the PIC directives, the PCB has argued that it operates in a highl

Ben Stokes says England coaching role is a dream he hopes to fulfil

Former England captain Ben Stokes has expressed his desire to coach the national team in future, insisting that he has the required experience to be successful in the position. The 35-year-old all-rounder retired from international cricket in June during England's Test series against New Zealand, drawing curtains to a career that included the country's 2019 World Cup triumph and his match-winning Ashes innings at Headingley the same year. Stokes led England's Test side from 2022 before moving away. "I'm doing my Level 3 coaching now while I'm still playing, because I want, when the day comes that I'm not playing any more, I'd love to be able to have all that stuff signed off and done," Stokes was quoted as saying on the podcast "For The Love Of Cricket". "I want to be a coach. I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach. And would I love to be coach of England one day? Absolutely." Stokes is confident about delivering in the role. "I would

West Indies mount comeback as Babar's Test ton drought stretches on

Pakistan captain Babar Azam was denied his first Test century in four years as West Indies fought back in the second and final cricket Test on Tuesday. Babar, who last scored a Test century in December 2022 against New Zealand at Karachi, was run out for 88 by Brandon King's stunning direct throw from short cover before Pakistan's middle order collapsed and reached 333-6 at lunch on Day 3. Pakistan still trails by 11 runs with Abdullah Shafique holding the fort at 132 not out and tailender Sajid Khan unbeaten on 16. King picked up a lower back injury and had to be stretchered off after he fell awkwardly as his sharp throw ran out Babar at the striker's end when Shafique refused to go for a tight single and Babar couldn't recover his ground after running halfway to the wicket. West Indies dried up runs through some disciplined bowling from Jomel Warrican and Jayden Seales after Pakistan resumed at 266-2. Babar and Shafique, who rotated strike well on Day 2, stretched their partners

Keshav Maharaj hails Ganguly's role in shaping Capitals' team culture

Pretoria Capitals captain Keshav Maharaj credited coach and former India skipper Sourav Ganguly for fostering a strong team culture and said the leadership group they built together played a key role in the franchise's run to the SA20 final last season. The Capitals reached the summit clash in Season 4 but fell narrowly short against three-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape. "I think in tournaments like this, you've got to build a nice team culture around everything, and Sourav was amazing at that," Maharaj, who had taken 12 wickets in 12 matches to play a pivotal role last season, said in a release. "We had a lot of guys that bought into what we tried to achieve. Often during the competition, when we weren't playing, we'd get in the team room, have dinner together, watch other games and chat cricket. There was a real buzz and energy within the camp, which was a privilege to be a part of. "To create something so special in the first season was really exciting. Hopefully, we can

CoE faces scrutiny after Jasprit Bumrah's late withdrawal from Lanka Tests

A glaring communication disconnect between the Centre of Excellence's (CoE) sports science and medical team and the senior national men's selection committee has come into sharp focus once again, with Jasprit Bumrah's absence from the Test series against Sri Lanka emerging as the latest example. It has been learnt that national selection committee was initially made to believe that Bumrah will be available for the Sri Lanka series, starting August 15, before it was realised that his injury is more serious than what was expected. There was a virtual meeting between the top officials of CoE, including VVS Laxman, and head of selection committee Ajit Agarkar on Monday to discuss the injury management issue of centrally contracted players. While injuries are a part and parcel of sport, the performance of the sports science team at the state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence with all modern amenities available, hasn't been something to write home about. The BCCI has been without an offici

Jay Shah opens Tanzania's first ICC-approved international cricket arena

ICC chairman Jay Shah inaugurated the Tanzania Cricket Arena, the country's first ICC-approved cricket venue, marking a significant milestone in the development of the sport in Tanzania and across Africa. Congratulating Cricket Tanzania on the landmark achievement, Shah lauded the collective efforts that helped establish world-class cricket infrastructure in the country. "Congratulations to Cricket Tanzania on the opening of the Tanzania Cricket Arena - a landmark moment for cricket in Tanzania and across Africa. "It was an honour to officially inaugurate this terrific new facility, the first ICC-approved cricket arena in the country. The venue is a testament to the vision, dedication and hard work of everyone involved in growing the game in Tanzania," Shah posted on his social media handles.

Auqib Nabi receives maiden India Test call-up, replaces Bumrah in SL Tests

Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi on Monday replaced injured Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka, becoming the first player from the Kashmir valley to get selected in India's Test squad. Bumrah, originally named in the squad, has been ruled out of the tour as he has not yet fully recovered from the left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England. It is Nabi's maiden call-up to the senior national team. "The Men's Selection Committee has named Auqib Nabi as Bumrah's replacement. The Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler earns his maiden call-up to the senior national team," the BCCI said in a statement. The 29-year-old Nabi, who hails from a remote village in Kashmir's Baramulla, is the third player from J&K after Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik to get a senior national team call-up. Rasool and Malik played for India in limited overs format. Nabi had claimed 104 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 wickets in the ...

2027 ODI World Cup: Eight South African venues among final 12 confirmed

Twelve venues across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will stage the 2027 ODI World Cup, with hosts South Africa accounting for eight of the stadiums, the ICC announced on Thursday.. The marquee 50-over competition returns to Africa after 24 years. Back in 2003, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya hosted the eighth Men's Cricket World Cup. A spectacular ceremony in Johannesburg saw eight cities across South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and Namibia's capital Windhoek unveiled as co-hosts for the tournament. Also present to mark the momentous occasion were South Africa cricketing icons Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada, alongside Zimbabwe's Hamilton Masakadza and Namibia's Rudolf Jansen van Vuuren. The eight venues in South Africa are Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg), Centurion (Tshwane), Newlands Cricket Ground (Cape Town), Kingsmead Cricket Ground (Durban), St George's Park (Gqeberha), Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein), Boland Park (Paarl), Buffalo Pa

England hand Stephen Fleming Test coaching role, recall Joe Root as skipper

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Thursday that Fleming has signed a four-year contract running until September 2030.

Ajinkya Rahane retires: The quiet leader who rebuilt a broken India side

Rahane's numbers tell only part of his story; his enduring legacy lies in overseas resilience, quiet leadership and the belief he restored after the Adelaide collapse

FDA suspends food permits of Cricket Club of India and MIG in Mumbai

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of the Cricket Club of India (CCI), MIG Cricket Club in Bandra East, and three other clubs in the city for alleged violations of food safety and hygiene norms, officials said on Tuesday. The CCI's kitchen lacked segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food preparation areas, and FDA inspectors also found a large number of cockroaches and flies near food handling and waste disposal areas, said an official statement. The FDA under its newly appointed commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has taken action against several famous eateries and food establishments in the city and elsewhere in the state over the last two months. At the CCI, water was found dripping on stored food inside cold storage, drains were clogged, cutting boards were unhygienic, rotten vegetables, overripe mushrooms and expired food items were stored, and FIFO/FEFO ('First In, First Out' and 'First Expired, First Out') practi

Doeschate, T Dilip contracts end; BCCI to appoint new fielding coach soon

The contracts of assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate and fielding coach T Dilip have ended and the BCCI isn't handing them any further extensions, secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI on Tuesday. The BCCI will announce the name of a new fielding coach for the tour of Sri Lanka and while Saikia said that there are "two or three names being discussed", it is understood that former India women's and A team support staff Subhadeep Ghosh is tipped to take over from Dilip and Ten Doeschate. "Assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeshchate's two-year contract with Indian men's team ended on June 10. Fielding coach T Dilip, who was given a one-year extension after his original term ended, also had his contract ending on June 8," BCCI secretary Saikia told PTI in an exclusive interaction. "The BCCI continued with the duo till the end of India's tour of United Kingdom. However, the BCCI is not giving them any extension. There is no question of accepting resignation as the contract has ended," the secretary .

India load up on spin for Sri Lanka Tests as WTC hopes face stern test

Four spinners give India variety for conditions expected to favour turn, but concerns remain over batting against spin, Bumrah's fitness and the side's demanding WTC qualification equation

Towhid Hridoy replaces Taskin Ahmed in Jaffna Kings squad for LPL 2026

The right-handed batter brings impressive T20 credentials to Jaffna Kings, having scored 4,057 runs in 168 T20 matches at an average of 30.73, including two T20 centuries

VVS Laxman hails Vaibhav's game awareness after six-month transformation

India's interim head coach VVS Laxman on Sunday said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's game awareness has "skyrocketed" in the last six months, with the teenage batting sensation's growing maturity helping him handle pressure situations in the early stages of his international career. The 15-year-old silenced his critics in emphatic fashion, capping a memorable tour by winning both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards as India completed a 3-0 sweep of Zimbabwe with a 35-run victory in the final T20I on Sunday. "What is really impressive is the way he's evolved as a person. The maturity level, the understanding, and the awareness over the last six months has actually skyrocketed. And that's why he's been able to handle tough situations," said Laxman, during the post-match press conference. Sooryavanshi amassed 151 runs in three innings at an average of 50.33, with his sparkling 81 in the series finale laying the foundation for India's victory. This came after the teenager ..

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should open with Rohit in ODIs, says Farokh Engineer

Teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should be drafted into the ODI side as an opener alongside Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2027 World Cup, reckoned former India cricketer Farokh Engineer. The wicketkeeper batter of yesteryears opined that Shubman Gill, the other half of the current opening pair with Rohit, can bat at No. 4, giving more meat to the middle-order. "The ideal situation is Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill is a class player. Gill, I think, is the best batsman in the team now. So, Gill should come at four," Engineer told PTI. "Gill is not a guy who lifts the ball. So, a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So, if Rohit is playing, and I think he should be playing, let him open with Sooryavanshi. "A batsman like him (Sooryavanshi) is much better at opening because he finds bigger gaps in the field. Virat Kohli can come third. Gill can come fourth and then we've got a solid batting line-up," he said. Sooryavanshi bagged the Player of the Series award in

Shreyas credits VVS Laxman after India's flawless series win vs Zimbabwe

Shreyas Iyer found VVS Laxman's mentorship inspiring, while Laxman marvelled at the young batter's infectious confidence as India's T20 captain and its interim head coach applauded each other's role in the 3-0 sweep of Zimbabwe here. A relatively new-look India, which did not have several regular stars such as Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, hammered the home team and comfortably clinched the series, closing it with a 35-run win in the third and final T20I on Sunday. In a dressing room video released by BCCI, Laxman spoke at length about Iyer's tough mindset. "I would like to specially congratulate Shreyas because he had a rough start to his captaincy career but the way he came back, right from the first day when he joined us one day before the first game, he was very optimistic," Laxman said referring to the 0-4 loss to England earlier this month, which was Iyer's first as India's T20 captain. "It's a new group of players. We know that only four or five

ZIM vs IND: Sooryavanshi stars as India complete 3-0 sweep over Zimbabwe

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's remarkably adaptive 81 and an equally solid effort from bowlers led by pacer Mayank Yadav ensured India's smooth 35-run win over Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I here on Sunday. Along with the victory, India also completed a 3-0 sweep, a fine step-up after surrendering the previous two series to England (0-4) and Ireland (0-2). Zimbabwe had to bat out of their skin to chase down 193 on a rather sluggish pitch. But they did not have enough patience or nous for it, ending up at 157 for seven despite Ryan Burl making a fine unbeaten 54. Just like in the previous matches, Zimbabwe lost one too many wickets early as they could not properly use the Power Play segment. Pacer Yash Thakur (2/45) got rid of Dion Myers and skipper Sikandar Raza off successive balls in the fourth over as the hosts slipped to 34 for three. Earlier Mayank (3/29), who bowled with heaps of pace and accuracy, had ousted Brian Bennett in the first ball of the innings as Zimbabwe struggle

Zimbabwe vs India 3rd T20I Playing 11, live time (IST), live streaming

Zimbabwe will host India in the third and final T20I of the series at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, with the visitors aiming to complete a 3-0 clean sweep after sealing the series.

ZIM vs IND: All-round display helps India clinch series 2-0 with 90-run win

Power-packed fifties by Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma worked well with bowlers' diligence as India trumped Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the second T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here on Saturday. Chasing 220 was never going to be easy for the Africans and the fate of the match was sealed when they lost five wickets inside 9 overs. Eventually they were bundled out for 129, well short of India's 219 for five, which was constructed around Kishans' 81 and Tilak's unbeaten 60. The series win will also give new T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer a big relief after losing two consecutive series against Ireland (0-2) and England (0-4). However, Zimbabwe started the hunt in earnest through Brian Bennett (32, 19b, 3x4, 3x6), who creamed debutant pacer Yash Thakur for a six and four in a row. But Thakur (2/30) extracted a quick revenge, as an attempted ramp did not go past wicketkeeper Kishan. Once the first blood was drawn, Indian bowlers did not let the Zimbabwe batters o