Cricket - Int News
Kaluwitharana declines team invitation to celebrate his birthday
BIPIN DANI
Sri Lanka's national selector Romesh Kaluwitharana, who turned 52 on Wednesday "politely" refused to celebrate his birthday.
As per the policy adopted by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board, one national selector remains with the team and former wicket-keeper Kaluwitharana has been in the bio bubble and staying at the team hotel.
"The team members did wish him on his birthday and invited him to cut the cake prepared by the hotel. However, he politely refused the invitation", one of the hotel sources speaking exclusively, said.
"He does not like the present tradition of celebrating the birthday where the cake is applied all over the face and is only a waste of food".
"Keeping the distance from the players (so as to enable him to protect his face from being cake-painted), he straight away headed to his room after the completion of the fourth day's play of the first Test match".
PCB invites 21 Under-19 guys for training camp
Lahore (Sports Report):-The National Junior Selection Committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) invited 21 high-performing cricketers born on or after 1 September 2002 for a training camp that will be held in Lahore to prepare the side for the upcoming Under-19 Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.
The camp will be staged from 26 November to 16 December before the 17-player squad departs for the UAE on 19 December for the Asia Cup to be played from 20 December to 2 January. Following the UAE event, the side will proceed to the West Indies on 3 January where the World Cup will be played from 14 January to 5 February.
For the World Cup, Pakistan will be based in Trinidad and Tobago where they will play their Group C matches against PNG (15 Jan), Afghanistan (20 Jan) and Zimbabwe (22 Jan).
If Pakistan finishes in the top-two of Group C, they will feature in the Super League, matches of which will be played in Antigua and Barbuda. In the scenario of Pakistan finishing third or fourth in Group C, their Plate Championship matches will be in Trinidad.
The 21 players have been selected based on their performances in the recently-concluded U19 tournaments, which were organised by the PCB. A few prominent top performers, such as Abdul Faseeh, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mehran Mumtaz, Haseebullah and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai graduated from the pathway events to feature in the seniors competitions, including the four-day Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, three-day Cricket Associations Championship and Cricket Associations Challenge.
Qasim Akram represented Pakistan Shaheens on their tour of Sri Lanka which concluded earlier this month.
During the training camp, the 21 players will have an opportunity to showcase their talent and potential when they will participate in a series of preparatory activities, including intra-squad matches at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Pakistan have featured in all 13 World Cups since its inception in 1988. Their best results were in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2004 and 2006, respectively when they lifted the silverware. Pakistan finished runners-up in 1988 and 2010, while they achieved third-place in 2000, 2008, 2018 and 2020.
From the current Pakistan Test squad, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Nawaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi have made a name at the global stage after featuring in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup.
Names of players:
Abbas Ali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdul Faseeh (Northern), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Balochistan), Ahmed Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Ali Asfand (Central Punjab), Arham Nawab (Central Punjab), Asif Ali (Sindh), Awais Ali (Central Punjab), Azan Awais (Central Punjab), Faisal Akram (Southern Punjab), Ghazi Ghori (Sindh), Haseebullah (Balochistan), Irfan Khan Niazi (Central Punjab), Maaz Sadaqat (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mehran Mumtaz (Northern), Mohammad Umer (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Shehzad (Southern Punjab), Qasim Akram (Central Punjab), Rizwan Mehmood (Sindh), Zeeshan Ahmed (Central Punjab), Zeeshan Zameer (Sindh)
Pakistan name 12 for first Test
Chittagong (SB Report):-Pakistan today announced their 12-player squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, which will be played at the Ch. Zahoor Ahmed Cricket Stadium, Chittagong from Friday. The match will start at 1000 local time. The second Test will commence from Saturday, 4 December at Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium Mirpur, Dhaka
Squad:
Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Vice captain & wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi
Grant Flower: Sunglasses stolen
BIPIN DANI
Sri Lankan batting coach Grant Flower's sunglasses were stolen from the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, it is learnt.
According to the sources, they were stolen when Flower was running with team physio during the rain break.
"They were kept on the wall next to the net-area where the additional five players, who are not part of the dressing room squad, were training", the source said.
The theft happened when the team coaching staff was busy training the additional five players (Ashita Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Roshen Silva, Kamil Mishara and Suminda Lakshan) at the nets adjacent to the ground.
Flower had not bought the expensive sunglasses but they were sponsored by Speed, the same sponsor as some of the Sri Lankan players including Dinesh Chandimal.
Flower is not lodging a police complaint. "He is not making a complaint but believes that whoever took them needs them more than Flower'', the source, aware about the theft, said.
A Senior Sports Journalist: Khalid Hasan Khan passes away
Karachi (Press Release):-Pakistan's top sports journalist and Daily Dawn Reporter Khalid Hasan Khan died in a local hospital on Monday.
A passionate cricket writer Khalid Khan was hospitalised after suffering a brain hemorrhage over two weeks of ago. Khalid Khan was senior member of Karachi Press Club and Karachi Union of Journalists.
He was 58 and left behind a widow and four daughters to mourn his death. Late Khalid extensively covered domestic and international cricket at home.
His last international assignment was in Rawalpindi where he flew to cover Pakistan Vs New Zealand ODI series which was cancelled due to mysterious security.
Late Khalid Khan was an authority on domestic first class cricket which he covered comprehensively for decades.
He started his career by contributing for famous monthly cricket magazine The Cricketer and later switched to daily journalism the News soon its launch in 1990. He later joined Dawn over a decade.
Khalid Khan was popular reporters at National Stadium Karachi Press Box. Khalid Khan's death is a great loss to sports journalism in Pakistan. May Allah Grant Him Highest place in Jannah.
PCB saddened with the passing of Khalid H Khan
Our reporter adds from Lahore: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed its sadness at the passing of cricket writer Khalid H Khan. He was 59.
In a condolence message, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said: “Khalid was one of the most respected cricket journalists in the country who had a long and distinguished career with the iconic Dawn newspaper. In my interactions with him that spanned more than two decades, I found him very passionate and knowledgeable about the game.
“Khalid was widely respected and well-loved amongst his peers, players and administrators for his deep affection for domestic cricket and support for the emerging cricketers and leading performers. “My prayers and sympathies are with his friends and family on his sad and untimely passing.”
Michael father of Jeremy Solozano contacts doctor in Sri Lanka
BIPIN DANI
Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the chairman of the medical panel of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board was surprised when he received a call from Trinidad on Sunday late evening.
The unknown caller was Michael Solozano, the father of Jeremy, who was hit on the helmet off Dimuth Karunaratne's powerful shot while fielding at short leg minutes before lunch on the first day of the ongoing Test match.
The 26-year-old left-handed batsman was taken off the field on a stretcher and transferred to a Nawaloka Hospital from the Galle Stadium in an ambulance for scans. The family in Trinidad woke up with the news on TV.
"I spoke with the doctor (Prof. Arjuna de Silva. He (Prof.) is indeed a wonderful person. He said he (my son) is fine and when I was last updated in the morning (9.00 am Trinidad time, i.e. 6.30 pm Sri Lanka time), he was discharged from the hospital and was on his way to the team hotel", Michael Solozano, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Trinidad, said to the Reporter.
"Yes, I also got a call from him and he is better now", the father, who has been his mentor, added.
West Indies debutant Jeremy Solozano is "most-likely" to be out of the first ongoing Test match against Sri Lanka.
"He is better now and scan-reports are also normal. He was unconscious for a while and therefore these concussions tests were mandatory", one of the sources, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo.
A neurosurgeon having specialty in neck pain , back pain and headache was looking after the player.
Jeremy Solozano, who wore a helmet while fielding at short-leg, but this has been his regular fielding position, informs his childhood coach David Furlone. "He fields at short-leg position for the Trinidad team also", he said over the telephone.
The coach got Jeremy's injury news from team's wicket-keeper Joshua Da Silva, who also plays for Trinidad.
Shoaib Malik misses 3rd T20
ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk):-Shoaib Malik will miss the third T20 against Bangladesh and will leave the national T20 squad due to illness of his son Mirza Azan Malik.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) media department, Shoaib not be available for the third T20 International match against Bangladesh. Shoaib Malik will leave Dhaka for Dubai at 10 am local time tomorrow. He will leave Dhaka at 6.30 pm and return home via Dubai.
However, the National Twenty20 Squad will leave Dhaka via Dubai tomorrow at 6:30 pm. Spinners Emad Wasim and Usman Qadir will return home after staying with their families in Dubai for a few days. The national test squad will leave Dhaka for Chittagong tomorrow at 3 pm
The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played in Chittagong from November 26. Bowling consultant Vernon Philander will leave the squad after the first Test. He will leave for South Africa on December 1. The second and final Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played in Dhaka from December 4
Jeremy Solozano scan-reports good but may not take part in the first Test
BIPIN DANI
West Indies debutant Jeremy Solozano is "most-likely" to be out of the first ongoing Test match against Sri Lanka.
The 26-year-old left-handed batsman was taken off the field on a stretcher and transferred to a Nawaloka Hospital from the Galle Stadium in an ambulance for scans, after being hit on the helmet while fielding at short leg.
"He is better now and scan-reports are also normal and may be discharged on Monday after doing the concussion tests. He was unconscious for a while and therefore these concussions tests are mandatory", one of the sources, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo.
A neurosurgeon having speciality in neck pain , back pain and headache is looking after the player.
From his hospital bed Jeremy Solozano spoke to his father Michael in Trinidad and made him aware about the injury. "Yes, I got a call from him and he is better now", Michael Solozano, who has been his mentor, said to this Reporter.
Obviously, the family was anxious when they woke up with the news about the injury. The family was relieved when a phone call from Trinidad was made to Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the chairman of the medical panel, who made his father aware about the player's recovery.
Jeremy Solozano, who wore a helmet while fielding at short-leg, but this has been his regular fielding position, informs his childhood coach David Furlone. "He fields at short-leg position for the Trinidad team also", he said over the telephone.
The coach got Jeremy's injury news from team's wicket-keeper Joshua Da Silva, who also plays for Trinidad.
Shaheen Afridi fined on breaching ICC Code of Conduct
Sports Desk
ISLAMABAD (November 21, 2021):-Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has been fined 15 per cent of his match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20I against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Saturday.
Afridi was found to have breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match.”
In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Afridi, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.
The incident occurred in the third over of Bangladesh’s innings, when Afridi fielded the ball on his follow through and threw it at Afif Hossain, hitting him on the foot, when the batter was within the popping crease and not intending to take a run.
Afridi admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Neeyamur Rashid of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees and ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the COVID-19 interim playing regulations. There was no need for a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Gazi Sohel and Sohail Tanveer, third umpire Masudur Rahman and fourth official Sharfudoulla Ibne Shahid levelled the charges.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
ICC congratulates Madugalle on 200th Test as Match Referee
Sports Bulletin Report
DUBHAI (November 21, 2021):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated Ranjan Madugalle on becoming the first Match Referee to officiate in 200 Test matches.
Madugalle, who is the Chief Referee of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, reached the landmark in the first Test between Sri Lanka and the West Indies in Galle. To mark the achievement, he was presented with mementos on behalf of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the ICC by SLC Vice President Dr Jayantha Dharmadasa and SLC CEO Ashley de Silva, respectively.
Apart from officiating in 200 men’s Test matches, 369 men’s ODIs and 125 men’s T20Is, Madugalle has also supervised 14 women’s ODIs and eight women’s T20Is.
Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees: “Ranjan has been a tremendous asset over the years and a significant source of inspiration for others. We have benefitted from his experience and work ethic, as someone you can turn to for guidance.
“On behalf of the ICC, I would like to thank Ranjan for his years of service to the game and congratulate him on a wonderful career. We hope to continue benefiting from his expertise in the years to come.”
Ranjan Madugalle: “It is an honour and a privilege to be officiating in my 200th Test match, for it is not a milestone I had never imagined I would reach. Whilst it has taken a long time, it seems just the other day that I had taken on this role, because I have enjoyed every bit of the journey.
“This is obviously what dreams are made of and I continue to be passionately involved with the game and in my role while liaising with my colleagues from the world over.
“The passion obviously comes from my time as a player and it is my good fortune to have remained connected so closely with the game.
“I thank the International Cricket Council, Sri Lanka Cricket and all my colleagues over the years for all their help. My thanks are also due to my family and friends, without whose support it would not have been possible to have come this far.”
Emirates ICC Elite Panel Match Referee Jeff Crowe: ‘It is difficult just to think of 200 Test matches against your name, let alone be on-duty for all those days and years over four decades.
“It is an astonishing statistic to be in office and reflects his passion for cricket. Ranjan is a Five Star General when it comes to serving the game.
“On behalf of all the Match Referees and Umpires on the ICC panels, I congratulate Ranjan on reaching the milestone and wish him many more.”
Madugalle enjoyed a decade-long international career for Sri Lanka as a cricketer, in which he played each of his country’s first 18 Test Matches and enthralled spectators with his stylish stroke-play. He captained Sri Lanka in his final two Tests.
He was appointed an ICC Match Referee in 1993. His first assignment was the Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi that December with a first ODI shortly afterwards. A regular at all major ICC tournaments, he has served as ICC Match Referee for four ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Finals (1999, 2003, 2015 and 2019), three ICC Champions Trophy Finals (2004, 2006 and 2013) and four ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Finals (2007, 2010, 2016 and 2021).
Most Popular
