Cricket - Int News
Ben Stokes Opts Out of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Selection
Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK): England men’s cricketer Ben Stokes has confirmed today that he does not wish to be considered for selection ahead of this summer’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will take place in June in the West Indies and United States of America (USA).The England Test captain’s primary focus is to get fully fit to bowl not only for the summer of Test cricket, which includes two three-match Test series’ against West Indies and Sri Lanka respectively but for all cricket in the future.Commenting on his decision, Stokes said: “I’m working hard and focusing on building my bowling fitness back up to fulfil a full role as an all-rounder in all formats of cricket. “Opting out of the IPL and the World Cup will hopefully be a sacrifice that allows me to be the all-rounder I want to be for the foreseeable future.“The recent Test tour of India highlighted how far behind I was from a bowling point of view after my knee surgery and nine months without bowling. I’m looking forward to playing for Durham in the County Championship before the start of our Test summer.“I wish Jos (Buttler), Motty (Matthew Mott) and all the team the best of luck in defending our title.”England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup defence starts on 4 June against Scotland at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. They will then play group matches against Australia, Oman, and Namibia in Barbados and Antigua before qualification for the Super 8s and knockout stages.
Another cricket star player Mayank Yadav on the horizon
Bipin DaniRising cricket star, Mayank Yadav made his debut with the Lucknow SuperGiants, and has become soon on the top trending name. In his opening spell, he clocked a speed of over 150kph, took the prize wicket of Shikar Dhawan, and paved the way for his team’s victory.In Delhi, Prabhu Yadav has a business of supplying sirens and bar lights to hospitals, police and other government departments. His 21-year-old son, Mayank, who opted to play cricket and not join his father and sister (Hasita) in the business and playing in his very first match in the IPL has brightened the red light by bowling the fastest delivery in the ongoing tournament.Playing for the Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG) against Punjab Kings, he took 3 wickets in four overs in which one of his balls clocked 155.8 kph, minutes before claiming his maiden IPL wicket. It was the 11th over when Yadav bowled the fastest delivery of the season to Shikhar Dhawan who was beaten as he tried to slash it away through point.Prabhu Yadav father of Mayank Yadav said: “Yes, we did watch the match at home. He was a last-minute inclusion in the playing eleven and therefore could not travel to Lucknow for the match. We were hoping to go to Jaipur for his team’s first match against Rajasthan Royals last Sunday but he was not in the final XI. Mayank has always been ambitious to bowl fast. He has been bowling at high speed at a young age and his team mates in U-15 and U-17 were astonished to watch him bowl at this speed.”Chetan Sharma said: “Mayank was enrolled by late Tarak Sinha in his academy and was polished later by another coach Devender Sharma. Mayank Sharma has a slim body. Apparently that does help in fasting bowling. His run-up, loading, and follow up is tremendous and therefore he generates this speed. I have seen him bowl at zonal level. Quicker you run, you can bowl at this speed. If he remains injury free can make progress well.”The proud father further says:“We did watch the match at home. It was a last-minute inclusion in the eleven and therefore we could not travel to Lucknow for the match. We were hoping to go to Jaipur for his team’s first match against Rajasthan Royals last Sunday but he was not in the final XI. Mayank has always been ambitious to bowl fast. He has been bowling at high speed at a young age and his team mates in U-15 and U-17 were astonished to watch him bowl at this speed”
Babar takes over captaincy of Pakistan's ODI, and T20 teams
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Right-handed batter, Babar Azam has become the captain of Pakistan’s One Day International (ODA), and Twenty 20, as the Pakistan Cricket Team confirmed that following a unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed him for new job of captaincy.Babar Azam has replaced Shaheen Shah Afridi as T20 captain. 'King Babar' also became ODI skipper after a hiatus of five months. Babar Azam was removed as ODI captain after the defeat of World Cup 2023. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi held a press conference on Sunday, at the headquarters of Pakistan Cricket, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Naqvi announced that the selection committee was reorganized. Four members of the new selections committee – namely, Asad Shafiq, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq – were also present at the press conference.
Indian physio Prasanth Panchada leaves Afghanistan team
BIPIN DANIIndian physio Prasanth Panchada, who was attached with the Afghanistan national team for some years has left his job, it is learnt here. According to highly placed sources in Kabul, the renowned physio sent his resignation letter a week ago. "I would like to express my gratitude to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). It has been a remarkable journey, witnessing the highs and lows in the development of the Afghanistan team. I am concluding my journey with this wonderful team with immediate effect", he has said in his e-mail, the copy of which was seen by this Reporter. Later, speaking to this reporter, Prasanth Panchada confirmed the news without elaborating more. "I have left the job for personal reasons", he said, adding, "Overall the team has always been a fit team and injury free". Recalling the most challenging job, he said, "Rashid getting back to competitive cricket is more satisfying". The 25-year-old bowling all-rounder Rashid Khan has been playing competitive games now, meaning he has now fully recovered from the back injury and subsequent surgery that has kept him out of action since the 2023 World Cup.The physio has already been attached with the KKR team in the ongoing IPL. He is also attached with the other league of the same franchise.
SPNI set to become the home to New Zealand Cricket for 7 years
Dubai (UAE): Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has acquired the television and digital rights to broadcast and stream all New Zealand-based BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS matches in the India and associated territories for the next seven years.The landmark deal, from 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2031, will include India’s tours of New Zealand in the 2026-27 and 2030-31 summers, as well as all other bilateral Tests, ODIs, and T20Is played in New Zealand during the designated period. All matches will be telecast and streamed live across SPNI’s sports channels and will be livestreamed on Sony LIV, respectively, adding to an SPNI portfolio, which already includes agreements with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).NP Singh, Managing Director and CEO of SPNI said: "We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with New Zealand Cricket. New Zealand is renowned for its exceptional sportsmanship and strength; it’s one of the most respected cricket teams globally. It is our privilege to deepen and nurture the bond between this esteemed team and its passionate fan base in India."Diana Puketapu-Lyndon, Chair of New Zealand Cricket, said: "With world-class sporting tournaments in their portfolio, Sony Pictures Networks India is one of the premiere sports content providers in India and we look forward to our association.”Rajesh Kaul, SPNI’s Chief Revenue Officer said: “Our constant endeavour has been to add marquee properties to our sports portfolio making us a global muti-sporting arena for audiences in India. Our partnership with NZC is an important addition to our sports portfolio as the BLACKCAPS have won the hearts of cricket fans through their fierce competitive spirit and impeccable sporting behavior.”“We’re looking forward to showcasing some terrific cricket through our seven year partnership which includes three crucial bilateral series against England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2024-25 as well two bilateral series featuring the Indian men’s team in 2026-27 and 2030-31 respectively.” New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Scott Weenink said: “Sony Pictures Networks India is an aspirational, innovative and forward-focussed business that prides itself on being efficient and sustainable in a rapidly changing world”, said Weenink. “It puts its consumers first and seeks to be the very best it can be – values NZC relates to very strongly.” (Press Release).
Pakistan v New Zealand T20I series tickets to go on sale from Friday
LAHORE (PR): The tickets for the five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand will go on sale from Friday, 29 March, as the series will be played in Rawalpindi (18, 20 and 21 April) and Lahore (25 and 27 April). The matches are set to begin at 730pm.In the first phase, the pre-booking of the online tickets will start on Friday at 5pm at pcb.tcs.com.pk. The sale of physical tickets along with outlet addresses will be announced in due course. The tickets for Rawalpindi-leg will be available at a minimum cost of PKR 500 (Premium) and the maximum available at PKR 7,500 (VVIP Gallery). Additionally, the hospitality seats will be available at a maximum amount of PKR 15,000 except for the first T20I where the hospitality seats will be available for PKR 12,000.For the Lahore leg, ticket prices start at PKR 300 for General seating and the maximum at PKR 6,000 for the fourth T20I while PKR 7,000 for the fifth T20I (VVIP Gallery). Also, hospitality boxes located at the Far-End building will be available for purchase in Lahore. The hospitality box for Thursday’s (25 April) encounter will be available at PKR 600,000, while the box for Saturday’s (27 April) match will be available at PKR 700,000.
Pakistan to tour Australia for white-ball series in November
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Pakistan are set to visit Australia for a white-ball series scheduled for November this year. The tour, which will mark the start for Australia’s white ball schedule for the summer of 2024-25, will comprise six games in total – three ODIs and as many T20Is – to be played across six venues from 4 to 18 November 2024.Pakistan will be returning to Australia after a gap of nearly 11 months, after having competed in the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, which comprised three Test matches played across Perth, Sydney and Melbourne in December 2023-January 2024. The three-match Dettol Men’s ODI series will begin on 4 November at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Pakistan and Australia will then play in Adelaide and Perth on 8 and 10 November, respectively. Pakistan last played an ODI series on Australian soil back in 2016, which saw the home-side come out on top.Subsequently, Pakistan and Australia will face one another in the three-match Dettol Men’s T20I Series. Pakistan’s last T20I outing on Australian soil was back in 2022, wherein the men in green appeared in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.The series will start at The Gabba in Brisbane. Action will then move to the Sydney Cricket Ground; Pakistan’s last T20I at the venue saw them beat New Zealand at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final. Hobart will be the last stop on the tour, where the final T20I will be played on 18 November.ODI SeriesNovember 4, 2024: MCG, Melbourne November 8, 2024: Adelaide Oval, AdelaideNovember 10, 2024: Perth Stadium, Perth T20I SeriesNovember 14, 2024: The Gabba, BrisbaneNovember 16, 2024: SCG, SydneyNovember 18, 2024: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Sri Lanka News: Janith Liyanage family has mixed feelings
BIPIN DANIThe family of Sri Lanka's batting all-rounder Janith Liyanage has mixed feelings. The 28-year old batting all rounder Liyanage scored unbeaten 101 runs which included two huge sixes, but his effort could not win the match for his team."First of all, this is a moment our family has been waiting for a long time, and my brother scored that century at a very crucial time so it made the century he scored worth a lot and an unforgettable one", the player's younger sister, Sahani Liyanage, speaking exclusively over the phone from Colombo, said. "Me, our parents and my older sister all are proud of our brother’s great knock today and really wish him all the best for his future as well". However, the family was saddened with the result of the match and the series. Sri Lanka lost the 3rd ODI by four wickets and the series 1-2. "It is really unfortunate that we lost the series but I think our team learnt a lot from this series, so even though it was not the result that all of us Sri Lankans wished for, it was still a thrilling series", she added. "It is saddening that we didn’t win the series yet I think every player, including my brother, tried a lot to contribute something for the team, even though it is a bit saddening I still feel happy for my brother’s great knock", she signed off.
Pakistan to host tri-series in February next year 2025
LAHORE (PR): Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi met the Chairman of Cricket South Africa (CSA), Lawson Naidoo, and the Chairman of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), Roger Twose in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).The agenda of the meeting included the ODI Tri-series between Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa, to be held in February 2025 in Pakistan, just before the ICC Champions Trophy. The Tri-series was finalised and welcomed by the host and both the member boards.Chairman PCB also extended an invitation to Roger Twose and Lawson Naidoo to visit Pakistan. Pakistan Cricket Board last hosted a tri-series in October 2004, where Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe were the other two teams in the event.Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi said: “The Tri-series between Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand will be an exciting event and it is after a long time that Pakistan will host such a tournament. I would like to thank the heads of NZC and CSA for agreeing to participate in the Tri-series. The PCB is also looking forward to hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which will be a great pleasure for Pakistan to host the top eight ODI teams on its soil.”
T20 Series: PCB confirms New Zealand tour to Pakistan schedule
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board today (Wednesday) announced the schedule of the New Zealand tour to Pakistan for a five T20i cricket series, which will be kicked off on April 18 at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.The Blackcaps will arrive in the capital city on 14 April and will play three T20Is at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on 18, 20 and 21 April. Following that, both sides will move to Lahore, where they will play the remaining two T20Is of the series on 25 and 27 April, respectively.All five matches of the T20I series will begin at 7pm PKT. Ticket prices for the series will be set at affordable rates for the fans to watch their favorite players in action. Tickets will be available at selected TCS outlets and online at pcb.tcs.com.pk. An announcement regarding ticket sales will be made in due course.The coming tour of the Blackcaps will mark their third visit to Pakistan in the span of 17 months. Previously, they had traveled to Pakistan in December 2022/January 2023 to feature in two Tests and three ODIs – part of ICC Men’s Championship. Later that year in April, they traveled to Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi to feature in 10 white-ball matches.Usman Wahla, Director International Cricket said: “In a testament to the unwavering camaraderie between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC), we are delighted to present the schedule for New Zealand men’s team tour to Pakistan 2024.“This tour symbolises the deep-rooted ties and mutual respect that define the relationship between our two cricketing nations. “Our avid cricket fans and the people of Pakistan will welcome the New Zealand team again and we hope to have yet another competitive series which is a key part of our buildup to this year’s ICC T20 World Cup.”Series schedule:April 14, 2024: New Zealand to arrive in PakistanApril 16-17, 2024: Training/practiceApril 18, 2024: 1st T20I, RawalpindiApril 20, 2024: 2nd T20I, RawalpindiApril 21, 2024: 3rd T20I, RawalpindiApril 25, 2024: 4th T20I, LahoreApril 27, 2024: 5th T20I, Lahore.
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