Cricket - Int News
Marnus Labuschagne top batter in ICC Men Test Player Rankings
Aamir Ali Janjua
Dubai (December 22, 2021):-Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne is now the number one batter in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, surpassing England’s Joe Root who had been on top since August this year. In the second Test held in Adelaide, Marnus scored his first Ashes century and went on to be adjudged the 'Player of the Match' for his knocks of 103 and 51 contributing towards Australia's 275-run win over England. He is the ninth player from Australia to have crossed the 900-point mark with the bat, joining the elite league of gentlemen, Sir Don Bradman, Ricky Pointing, Mathew Hayden, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke etc.
Within the bowlers, Mitchell Starc is back in the world’s top ten Test bowlers for the first time since this January. Whilst his compatriot Pat Cummins held onto the top spot despite missing the second Test. England’s Ollie Robinson is in the world’s top 25 bowlers for the first time at a career-best 597 points and Joe Root has made his first appearance in the world’s top 10 all-rounders after his 111th Test appearance.
In the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings there is a tie for top spot of batters between Pakistan’s Babar Azam and England’s Dawid Malan. Mohammad Rizwan is now at a career-best 798 points and is the second Pakistani in the top three batter’s category. Nicholas Pooran was the bright spot for the West Indies in their 3-0 T20I series defeat against Pakistan. His 108 runs at a strike rate of 147.94 took him up to 27th place, up from his previous career best of 30th.
Abid Ali is stabled
Karachi (Sports Report):-Central Punjab opener Abid Ali complained of chest pain during his innings against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final-round match at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi today. Abid left the batting crease at 61 in Central Punjab’s second innings.
Abid was taken immediately to a cardiac hospital where he was diagnosed as a case of Acute Coronary Syndrome. He is under the care of Consultant Cardiologist who is liaising with PCB medical team regarding further treatment. He is currently stable.
New Zealand agree to play in Pakistan next year
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (December 20, 2021):-New Zealand national cricket team will visit Pakistan to play two Tests and three One Day International matches series next year in December/January 2022-23 as part of the Future Tours Programme and will tour again in April 2023 to play 10 limited overs matches to make-up for the September 2021 abandoned tour.
According to media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the arrangement was finalised following meetings and discussions between the PCB and NZC Chairmen Ramiz Raja and Martin Snedden. The two Tests and three ODIs will be part of the ICC World Test Championship and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, respectively, while the second visit will include two additional ODIs and will now comprise five ODIs and five T20Is that will count towards the ICC Rankings.
PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “I am pleased with the outcomes of our discussions and negotiations, and thank Martin Snedden and his board for their understanding and support. This reflects the strong, cordial and historic relations the two boards have and reconfirms Pakistan’s status as an important member of the cricket fraternity.”
NZC Chief Executive David White: “Our respective chairmen, Ramiz Raja and Martin Snedden, had very fruitful and constructive discussions while in Dubai, further strengthening the bond between the two organisations. “It’s good to be going back.”
The latest announcement means Pakistan will host eight Tests, 11 ODIs and 13 T20Is against Australia, England and New Zealand in the period from March 2022 to April 2023.
Mickey terms LPL an opportunity for young lads to develop into good cricketers
ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk):-Mickey Arthur, the outgoing Head Coach of the Sri Lankan team under whom the Sri Lankan team showed remarkable progress, credited the Lanka Premier League for playing an impressive role in the growth of Sri Lankan cricket.
Arthur guided the Island nation brilliantly in the recently-concluded ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021, wherein the entire team and especially the likes of Charith Asalanka, Lahiru Kumara and Wanindu Hasaranga impressed the entire world with their performances. All of the three players showcased their talent in Season 1 of the Lanka Premier League and have continued to take massive strides as cricketers in Season 2 of the Lanka Premier League as well.
"I think the Lanka Premier League is such a good tournament, particularly for the younger players, because it gives them an opportunity to play under pressure. There's a crowd and there's a good TV audience. You can go and play in the nets a million times, but you can't replicate this atmosphere at the ground. The Lanka Premier League has to allow young players to develop, the franchises have to be very competitive against each other, but the young players must be put under pressure and they have to come through that," said the former Sri Lanka Head Coach.
Arthur added that one more team can be added to the Lanka Premier League. Currently, the competition has five franchises - Jaffna Kings, Galle Gladiators, Dambulla Giants, Colombo Stars and Kandy Warriors.
"I think there's room for one more team in the competition. There are still a lot of good players that didn't get picked. As long as the competition stays good and sound and we get good overseas players like we have had, I think the tournament will just get better and better," said the South African.
When asked about his feelings about leaving the Sri Lankan camp, he said, "The one thing I take a lot of pride in is that I think I have left the team at a far better state than I found it and any coach would like to do that. I think if they stay consistent, which I am sure the selection panel will and if the players are backed, I tell you the country will get some talent."
Arthur also added that the Sri Lankan Test team had the skill level to perform away from home, "I think our Test team is in a really good shape. I think it's really well led by Dimuth Karunaratne. There are a lot of experienced players there. We have developed a really good crop of fast bowlers. Dushmantha Chameera is world class now, Suranga Lakmal is the Asian Anderson, you've got Vishwa Fernando, who bowls left-arm pace and there are so many other good young quicks. I think Sri Lanka can hold their own away from home as well. The batters have good techniques to play in overseas conditions."
Pakistan register a massive by 7 wickets against West Indies
Karachi (Saad Kayani):-Pakistan completed a clean sweep in the three-match Twenty20 series against a virus-hit West Indies with a resounding seven-wicket win on Thursday.
Run-machine Mohammad Rizwan rounded off the year with his 12th half century in Twenty20 internationals by scoring 87 while captain Babar Azam made 79 in Pakistan’s blistering run-chase of 208-3 in 18.5 overs.
The West Indies’ top-order batters, led by captain Nicholas Pooran’s blazing 64 off 37 balls, still did well to post 207-3 after the tourists had won the toss and elected to bat.
Rizwan and Babar toyed with the West Indies bowling attack once the former overturned an lbw decision through a television referral off debutant leftarm spinner Gudakesh Motie’s first ball.
Both batsmen became the first pair to record a sixth century stand for the opening wicket and surpassed the record of five set by the Indian first-wicket pair of Rohit Sharma and Lokesh Rahul.
Babar, who hit nine fours and two sixes, combined in a 158-run stand before the Pakistan captain holed out at mid-off against Odean Smith’s knuckle ball in the 16th over.
Rizwan hit 10 fours and three sixes before he sliced a catch to Pooran with Pakistan needing only 24 for victory. Hard-hitting Asif Ali (21 not out) smashed two sixes and two fours to raise the victory with seven balls to spare.
Earlier, the West Indies batters profited in the absence of Pakistan’s rested fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf to post a challenging total.
Shamarh Brooks (49) and Brandon King (43) smashed 66 in the first six overs with fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain (0-49) proving too expensive.
Pooran also scored at will before Pakistan pulled back through fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani, who conceded just one boundary in his four overs, and got the wicket of Brooks to finish with 1-23.
Wahab Riaz & Shoaib Malik disclose funny secrets about each other
Islamabad (Sports Desk):-Jaffna Kings stars Shoaib Malik and Wahab Riaz sat down for a frank conversation on the sidelines of the Lanka Premier League 2021 season where the two veterans Pakistan cricketers revealed interesting and hilarious tidbits about each other. Riaz and Malik participated in the "spray challenge" as they answered a range of questions about each other.
Shoaib Malik, during the fun chat, went on to reveal why the Indian tennis star and his wife, Sania Mirza, does not like to cook for him. The two players were asked about who is fussier about food, and Malik said: "Ask this question to my wife. Then you get a detailed answer. That's why she does not know how to cook and she orders from outside. Because I am fussy."
When asked about who was lazier among the two players, Malik was quick to spray water on Riaz. "Because Riaz is a fast bowler, and he needs a lot of energy. Maybe that's why he is lazier," he said.
Malik also credited the Pakistan fast bowler to have a messier kitbag among the two. "He is an allrounder. He carries more bats than a batsman carries," Malik said, laughing.
Wahab went on to say that Malik has a better sense of humour among the two, but also cheekily added: "At times, he says somethings, and he laughs and nobody responds."
When asked who is a bigger foodie, it was revealed by the two that Malik eats 6 times a day. "Even at 3 am in the morning, there will be a club sandwich in his room," Riaz revealed.
"I may eat six times a day, but I take small meals," Malik responded.
Wahab Riaz also described Shoaib Malik as the bigger "party animal" among the two and revealed why their plans to party in Karachi this year could not come to fruition.
"He committed to me that he and I will be in Karachi, and we will have a lot of fun. But thank god, his name was in the T20 World Cup squad. He made a lot of plans with me. But nothing paid off," Wahab said, laughing.
Pakistan vs West Indies: ODI series postponed, as 9 visitors tested Covid-19 positive
KARACHI (Press Release):-The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have issued a joint statement after five more positive cases were reported in the West Indies camp following Wednesday’s PCR testing, raising the total number of positive cases to nine since their arrival in Karachi on December 9.
“On Thursday morning and as part of the PCB COVID-19 Protocols, Rapid Antigen tests were conducted on the remaining 15 West Indies players and six player support personnel. All 21 members of the West Indies touring party returned negative test result. As such, Thursday’s T20 International (T20I) proceeded as planned.
“However, taking into consideration both the teams’ welfare as well as limited resources in the West Indies side for the ODIs, it has been agreed that the series, which forms part of the ICC Men’s Cricket Word Cup Super League, will be postponed and rescheduled for early June 2022.
“This will provide the West Indies with an equal opportunity to field their best available players for the World Cup qualification matches.
“The West Indies team members, who returned negative results following Wednesday’s PCR and today’s Rapid Antigen tests, will depart from Pakistan after tonight’s match. Those who have tested positive will complete their isolation in Karachi before their travel arrangements are finalised to allow them to rejoin their families in time for Christmas celebrations.
“Meanwhile, the Pakistan team members, all of whom have returned PCR negative after Wednesday’s tests, will also be leaving the Managed Event Environment after tonight’s third T20I.
“The CWI would like to thank the PCB for its excellent series arrangements and appreciates its support in rescheduling the ODI series in June 2022.”
Pubudu Dassanayake confident of uplifting standard of cricket in Nepal
Bipin Dani
Pubudu Dassanayake will begin his new stint with Nepal national cricket team immediately in the new year. This will be his second tenure as head coach with Nepal.
Pubudu Dassanayake was involved with the coaching in Nepal also from 2011 to 2016.
"I am planning to leave for Nepal during the Christmas holidays and begin the coaching journey in January 2022, “the 57-year-old coach, who has been living in Canada, said over the telephone.
"I am very excited to be back in Nepal. Players there are well known to me and I am confident to uplift the standard of cricket in Nepal".
"Even though a few big players have recently retired, Nepal is a country with no shortage of talent. Many new budding talents are in the pipeline".
"My first target will be to prepare these players for the T-20 World Cup qualifiers", he added further.
Pubudu has also coached Canada and the USA teams in the past.
Sri Lanka-born Pubudu has no plans to return to his birth-country. However, he has been keeping a track of cricket in Sri Lanka. "The recent young Sri Lankan team looks good. The future is bright for the young players", he concluded.
Call for fans to be part of ICC Women World Cup 2022
Aamir Ali Janjua
Dubai (December 15, 2021):-New Zealand sports fans are being urged to pack the Bay Oval in Tauranga and kick off the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in style as the final schedule for the event is unveiled with hosts New Zealand taking on the West Indies in the opening match on 4 March.
The WHITE FERNS will take centre stage for the first game and will play at all six host city venues during their campaign. The schedule was confirmed after Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies all qualified for the event, joining hosts New Zealand, Australia, England, India and South Africa in the event with the final being played under lights at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 3 April.
CWC22 CEO Andrea Nelson said: “What better way to launch CWC22 than with a full house under lights at the Bay Oval watching WHITE FERNS against the West Indies? It’s going to be a great day out, with some amazing opening celebrations planned before our WHITE FERNS stars including Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr take on the West Indies and some greats of the game like Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin!
“I’d encourage you all to get your friends and family along to the Bay Oval on 4 March for a spectacular start to what is going to be a memorable event! There is also free pop up childcare thanks to our partners PORSE meaning all the family can enjoy themselves.”
Other highlights for newly qualified teams include:
Classic rivals India and Pakistan will meet under lights at Bay Oval on 6 March
A battle of the qualifiers between Bangladesh and Pakistan at Hamilton’s Seddon Park on 14 March
A replay of the 2013 Final between Australia and the West Indies at the iconic Basin Reserve in Wellington on 15 March
“Locking in the last places is great news for supporters planning their summer, and our host cites, who can start connecting with fan communities in their area,” said Nelson.
The World Cup will see 31 matches being played over 31 days across six host cities. Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Pakistan, South Africa, the West Indies and hosts New Zealand are the eight teams in the fray.
Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies were confirmed in the schedule after the qualifying tournament in Harare had to be called off due to COVID-19 concerns.
Pakistan bowlers make significant gains in ICC Test Ranking
Islamabad (Sports Desk):-Australia batters Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head have gained from their fine performances in Brisbane, attaining career-best positions in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, as has Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi after the Dhaka Test.
Labuschagne’s first innings 74 in the first Test against England has lifted him two slots to a career-best second position while Player of the Match Travis Head’s pacy 152 has helped him gallop 16 places to 10th in the list. Labuschagne’s previous best ranking was third while Head’s best was 17th.
Other batters to move up after the first Ashes Test, which Australia won by nine wickets, include Australia opener David Warner (up three places to sixth) and England’s Dawid Malan (up 18 places to 77th) while the bowlers’ rankings see England’s Ollie Robinson (up four places to 31st) and Mark Wood (up two places to 50th) progress in the list led by Australia captain Pat Cummins.
Shaheen headlines the bowling rankings in the latest weekly update for men that is carried out on Wednesdays and includes the second Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan, which Pakistan won by an innings and eight runs to clinch full ICC World Test Championship points from the series.
Shaheen has continued his ascent with three wickets in the match while off-spinner Sajid Khan has zoomed up 52 places to 49th after a 12-wicket haul that won him the Player of the Match award. Mohammad Rizwan (up five places to 18th) and Fawad Alam (up seven places to 20th) have moved up in the batters’ list after their useful half-centuries.
For Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan scored 33 and 63, advancing eight places to 35th. He has also gained one slot to reach fourth place among all-rounders, overtaking Ben Stokes along with India’s Ravindra Jadeja, who is now third in the list.
In the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings, Dawid Malan is back to number one among batters with Pakistan captain Babar Azam unable to hold on to the top spot after two matches of their series against the West Indies.
Pakistan’s Haider Ali has gained 86 slots to reach 98th position after scores of 68 and 31 while the rankings for bowlers see spinner Shadab Khan back in the top 10, moving up five slots to ninth position.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf is up three places to 19th while Mohammad Nawaz has gained 29 slots to reach 54th position. For the West Indies, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosen has gained 73 slots and is now 68th among bowlers.
Most Popular
