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  • Pakistan captain Sarfraz vows to return improved man

    Pakistan captain Sarfraz vows to return improved man

    Pakistan cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmed vowed Tuesday to be a better player as he returned home after being handed a four-match ban for a racial slur against a South African player in Durban last week.

    The 31-year-old was heard on a stump microphone making a comment in Urdu about Andile Phehlukwayo during the second one-day international.

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday banned Sarfraz for four matches — two one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals — of the South African tour.

     

    Nezar Balout/AFP

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed disappointment over the punishment — saying it believed a ban was unnecessary because the matter had already been resolved between the two players — and withdrew the Pakistan captain from the tour.

    Sarfraz was greeted as he landed back at Karachi airport by some 200 fans, who held placards condemning the ICC’s decision — said the matter is behind him.

    “Whatever happened has happened,” Sarfraz told media at the airport after landing from Cape Town. “I accepted my mistake and ICC’s decision is in front of you.

    “I will improve myself and my performance in the future and I thank my supporters for their backing.” 

    The ICC said Sarfraz will have to attend “an education programme to promote the understanding and awareness of issues directly relevant to the offence that he has committed.”

    In Sarfraz’s absence, Shoaib Malik led the team to an eight wicket win in the fourth match in Johannesburg on Sunday.

    Pakistan and South Africa meet in the final match in Cape Town on Wednesday, with the series at 2-2. That will be followed by a three-match Twenty20 international series.

    Asked about PCB’s decision to recall him, Sarfraz said: “I don’t see anything in it as I was playing cricket for the last five months. I will rest and then play Pakistan Super League,”, referring to the league starting in the United Arab Emirates from February 14.

    But Sarfraz blasted former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who condemned his action as unacceptable for someone leading Pakistan, saying Shoaib was launching “personal attacks”.

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    PakistanSarfaraz Ahmed
  • Lyon defends under fire Starc ahead of Sri Lanka Test

    Lyon defends under fire Starc ahead of Sri Lanka Test

    Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon on Wednesday defended Mitchell Starc ahead of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka, saying criticism of the paceman’s recent struggles was “unfair”.

    Starc has long been Australia’s main strike bowler but has suffered a lacklustre summer, taking just 15 wickets at 36.46 in five Tests.

    “I don’t understand all the criticism, to be honest,” Lyon said, according to cricket.com.au.

    “He has 200 Test wickets, so if anyone can get 200 Test wickets you must know what you are doing… Mitch has got all of my support and everyone’s support in that change room, so it is pretty unfair criticism in my eyes. “

    Former national selector Mark Waugh on Wednesday became the latest Australian Test veteran to chide Starc, saying the 29-year-old “needs to get his act together and start getting some wickets” or risk replacement. 

    “I think as the season’s got longer his form has actually dropped off even more,” Waugh told Sky Sports Radio.

    “He’s got to start getting some wickets and getting some balls in the right areas.

    Meanwhile, all eyes have been on Marcus Stoinis after he was called into the extended squad for the second Test in Canberra, taking over Mitchell Marsh’s all-rounder spot.

    Stoinis, who has been in good white-ball form, told reporters Tuesday he would “look to play my natural game” if given his Test debut.

    Australia thrashed Sri Lanka by an innings and 40 runs in the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday, and Lyon said he was focused on securing another victory when the second Test kicks off on Friday.

    “I’m worried about coming out here and making sure that each and every Australian plays our role and performs to the best of our ability, and making sure that we can get another win for Australian fans,” he said.

    Feature image courtesy: AFP / William West

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    AustraliaMitchell StarcNathan Lyon
  • KL Rahul added to India A squad for Four-day games against England Lions

    KL Rahul added to India A squad for Four-day games against England Lions

    Indranil Mukherjee/AFP

     

    Misfiring Indian opener KL Rahul has been included in the India A squad for the four-day games against England Lions set to commence on the 7th of February in Wayanad in a bid to get more game time under his belt. The India A team will be Led by Maharashtra cricketer Ankit Bawne, with India’s domestic star performers Priyank Panchal and Jalal Saxena also being selected in the squad. 

    Rahul has not played competitive cricket since the Test series against Australia; and was unceremoniously been asked to return to India midway through the ODI series after being suspended over comments he made on an Indian talk show. His suspension was temporarily revoked, provided allowed him to Play competitive cricket again. 

    Rahul’s other teammates for the Lions game will be pacers Avesh Khan, Varun Aaron, Shardul Thakur as well as leg spinner Mayank Markande, with the first match set to commence next Thursday.  

    Squad: Ankit Bawne (C), KL Rahul, AR Easwaran, Priyank Panchal, Ricky Bhui, Siddhesh Lad, KS Bharat (WK), Jalaj Saxena, S Nadeem, Mayank Markande, Navdeep Saini, Sharadul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Varun Aaron.

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  • Windies add pacer Oshane Thomas to their Test squad

    Windies add pacer Oshane Thomas to their Test squad

    Hit-the-deck pacer Oshane Thomas has been added to the West Indies squad for the second Test against England scheduled to start on Thursday in Antigua. Thomas, who has played four ODIs and six T20s for the Windies thus far, has now been called Up to their Test squad as a back-up for Alzarri Joseph who has just recently returned from a back injury. 

     

    Dibyangshu Sarkar/ AFP 

    “Oshane Thomas was with us in Barbados as cover and he has been added to the squad as the 14th player and will remain with the team as an additional fast bowler. We were all extremely happy with the great result in the first Test. We want To see them put in another solid performance in the second match in Antigua, where we won last year,” Courtney Browne, the chairman of selectors for the Windies said. 

    Thomas has performed admirably in the shorter forms of the game, bowling at an average of 34.76 having picked up 17 wickets till now. He has impressed all with his blistering pace and bounce; and would hope to feature in the second Test to bolster the already Impressive Windies pace attack which helped the Caribbean team to a whopping 381 run victory in the first game. 

    Squad:   Jason Holder (c), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (WK), Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican

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    Oshane ThomasWest Indies
  • Sri Lanka call up uncapped Karunaratne for Australia Test

    Sri Lanka call up uncapped Karunaratne for Australia Test

    Uncapped right arm fast bowler Chamika Karunaratne has been picked by Sri Lanka to replace injured Lahiru Kumara in the Test squad as the visitors bid to level the series in Canberra.

     

    Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/ AFP

    Australia thrashed Sri Lanka by an innings and 40 runs in the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday.

    That was a major boost for the Australian team, which recently lost a Test series to India for the first time on home soil.

    But Sri Lanka, who recently lost a series 3-0 against New Zealand, now face the unenviable prospect of being swept again.

    In another injury blow, Sri Lanka Cricket said Dushmantha Chameera — who injured his left ankle while bowling during the first Test — had been ruled out of the second and final Test starting Friday.

    Both bowlers are now returning home, the selectors said in a statement.

    Squad: Dinesh Chandimal(c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Roshen Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Malinda Pushpakumara, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Niroshan Dickwella, Chamika Karunaratne

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    Sri Lanka
  • South Africa add all-rounder Mulder to their ODI squad for decider

    South Africa add all-rounder Mulder to their ODI squad for decider

    Seam bowling all-rounder Willem Mulder has been added to the South African roster for their final ODI game against Pakistan on Wednesday at Cape Town’s Newlands stadium. 

     

    Ishara S.Kodikara/ AFP 

    Mulder has played seven ODIs for the Proteas thus far, having picked up seven wickets at an average of 36. He’s also been a handy customer with the bat in the few innings’ he was called up, amassing 57 runs in his three innings. Mulder’s Inclusion will see Faf du Plessis’ side strengthen their all-rounders’ options, adding to the capabilities of Andile Phehlukwayo.  

    Mulder has been impressive for the Highveld Lions, having scored a century and picked up two wickets in his last List A match, and has a healthy batting average of 43 in domestic cricket. 

    South Africa also recalled Dale Steyn, Quinton de Kock and left-arm seamer Bueran Hendricks midway through the series, after resting them for the first two games. 

    The series is currently well poised at 2-2 with the game in Newlands set to be a riveting decider game. 

    Squad:  Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie Van der Dussen, Wiaan Mulder.

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    South Africa
  • Pakistan, India to kick off T20 World Cup in Australia

    Pakistan, India to kick off T20 World Cup in Australia

    Hosts Australia will take on Pakistan’s men and India’s women for the opening fixtures of the Twenty20 World Cups in 2020, organisers said Tuesday as the draw for the tournaments was announced.

    The T20 World Cups are being held in the same year and in the same country for the first time, with the men’s and women’s finals to be played at one of the world’s biggest stadiums, the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

     

    Karim Sahib/AFP 

    Ten women’s teams will play in 23 matches from February 21 to March 8, with reigning champions Australia to clash with India in the opening game in Sydney.

    The men’s competition, from October 18 to November 15, will feature several qualifying matches before Australia kicks off the Super 12 group stages on October 24 against top-ranked Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

    Australia, Pakistan, the West Indies, New Zealand and two qualifiers make up one side of the draw, with defending champions the Windies starting their title defence against the Black Caps on October 25.

    India, England, South Africa and Afghanistan and two qualifiers make up the other side of the draw.

    For the women’s fixtures, four-time winners Australia are in Group A with New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka and one qualifier, while West Indies and 2009 champions England join South Africa, Pakistan and a second qualifying team.

    The women’s final will be played on March 8 to coincide with International Women’s Day, and the men’s final will be held on November 15.

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    PakistanIndia
  • ICC urges Sri Lanka to come clean on corruption

    ICC urges Sri Lanka to come clean on corruption

    The International Cricket Council has urged Sri Lanka’s scandal-ridden sporting community to come forward with information about corruption before an amnesty expires or risk expulsion from the game.

    Sri Lankan cricket has been mired in corruption allegations in recent years, including claims of match fixing ahead of an international Test against England last year, and the sport’s world governing body is in the middle of a major inquiry into the island nation.

     

    Indranil Mukherjee/AFP

    The ICC said it had received a “positive response” after granting a 15-day amnesty this month for players, coaches or anyone else linked to the sport to come clean, free of the threat of punishment.

    Council anti-corruption chief Alex Marshall said new cases had come to light and urged others to come forward before the amnesty expires on Thursday.

    “In the final few days, I would request the cricket fraternity to come forward and share any other information concerning corrupt conduct or approaches in the strictest of confidence,” he said in a statement issued late Monday.

    Those who refuse to share information with ICC investigators could face five-year bans if caught.

    The ICC considers Sri Lanka the world’s most corrupt cricketing nation and the sport’s governance riddled with graft “from top to bottom”, Sri Lankan sports minister Harin Fernando said last month.

    The crisis-ridden Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) governing body is expected to hold elections in February after a nine-month delay from the end of president Thilanga Sumathipala’s term last May.

    Sumathipala has been accused of violating ICC rules by holding office despite alleged links to gambling. He denies the charges.

    In November, former Sri Lankan fast bowler Dilhara Lokuhettige was suspended for corruption linked to a limited-over league in 2017.

    Lokuhettige was the third Sri Lankan player charged for violating the ICC’s anti-corruption code, following charges levelled against former captain and ex-chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya, and former paceman Nuwan Zoysa.

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    Sri Lanka

  • India vs Australia: The series story

    How the India Australia series unfolded

  • Taylor keeps New Zealand’s hopes alive against India

    Taylor keeps New Zealand’s hopes alive against India

    Ross Taylor rescued New Zealand from another disastrous start in the battle to keep the one-day series against India alive in Mount Maunganui on Monday.

    The hosts were once again in early trouble at two for 26 before Taylor crafted his 93.

    New Zealand’s 243 was their highest score so far in the series and the longest they have batted, with the last wicket falling at the end of the 49th over.

    India has already notched two resounding wins and are looking to wrap up the five-match series with two games to spare.

    Micheal Bradley/AFP

    It looked like another early finish for New Zealand until Tom Latham joined Taylor and the pair put on 119 for the fourth wicket. 

    Latham made his 13th half-century but was dismissed for 51, igniting another collapse which saw the last six wickets fall for only 52 runs.

    New Zealand coach David Stead had predicted a par score of 260 for the match, which was played on the same wicket as Saturday’s second ODI. 

    But getting close to that mark looked a tall order after the visitors saw off the openers inside seven overs, sending Kane Williamson and Taylor to the middle long before expected. 

    Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal tied Williamson down until the New Zealand skipper tried to hit himself out of trouble and was caught by a diving Hardik Pandya at mid-wicket.

    Williamson faced 48 deliveries for his 28 and his departure left New Zealand at three for 59. 

    Taylor was content to look for singles early in his innings before a rare boundary took him to 50 off 71 deliveries. 

    His innings came to an abrupt end when he edged Mohammed Shami’s delivery to wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik.

    He faced 106 deliveries for his 93, including nine boundaries.

    For the visitors, Shami took three for 41 while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Chahal and Pandya took two wickets apiece.

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    New ZealandIndiaNew Zealand vs IndiaRohit Sharma