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ICC opens its archives
Sports Desk
ISLAMABAD (March 26, 2020):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) has opened its comprehensive archive of match footage and programming to its broadcast partners, giving fans throughout the world the opportunity to relive some of the greatest cricketing moments of the last 45 years as they stay at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fans watching TV
The move will enable fans around the world to watch memorable cricket matches, highlights and ICC films at a time live sport programming stands disrupted due to the Corona Virus. ICC events dating back to 1975, including the men’s and women’s ICC Cricket World Cups and T20 World Cups, the Champions Trophy as well as the U19 World Cups have been made available.
Additionally fans can join in the fun via Watch Parties on the ICC Facebook page where some of the most iconic games in the history of the sport will be replayed in full. Match highlights and tournament recaps will also be delivered through ICC social channels and the ICC website and mobile app and fans can get involved and vote on the memories they want to see from the ICC archive.
ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said: “We are facing unprecedented times as a sports industry and the need to connect with our fan communities is perhaps greater than ever. With no live cricket to unite our fans around the world we thought the next best thing would be to release our archive to broadcast partners so fans can enjoy some magnificent memories.
ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 1992 Classic - Wasim Akram
“We hope this move will help our broadcast partners replace cancelled sports fixtures with some highly engaging content and give cricket fans the opportunity to relive some of the great cricketing moments whilst we all stay at home.
“There will also be the opportunity for fans to get involved via the ICC social channels, with Facebook Watch Parties on the ICC Facebook page and votes for which matches from the last four decades they want to unlock from the ICC archive.”
The footage available to broadcasters will include memorable matches of the ICC men’s events including those between trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand, sub-continental adversaries India and Pakistan and featuring Ashes competitors Australia and England.
Selected matches of the 1975, 1979 and 1983 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup editions held in England, as well as most knockout matches of subsequent editions will be among the inventory available for broadcasters to show in full or as highlights as they rework their programming in the coming weeks.
Fans will also be able to re-experience matches of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004 2006, 2009 and 2013, and five editions of the T20 World Cup from 2007 to 2014. Those looking for women’s matches, will get to watch the 2009 and 2013 editions, apart from matches of different T20 World Cups.
The official film, official highlights and behind-the-scenes programmes from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, which ended in a dramatic victory for hosts England at Lord’s, will also be made available, providing fans with both match action as well as behind the scenes stories.
There will also be several other similar programmes from other ICC Events while the programmes on women’s cricket include features on the stars of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2018 and the stars of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017.
PCB to make contribution in fight against COVID-19
By Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (March 25, 2020):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced its cricketers and staff will play their part in the fight against COVID-19 by making contributions to the government’s emergency fund.
The centrally contracted players will collectively donate PKR5million to the fund. In addition to the cricketers’ contribution, PCB staff up to the rank of Senior Managers will donate one day’s salary, while the General Managers and above will donate two days’ salary.
Furthermore, the PCB, as an institution, will match the contribution of its staff to the government fund.
PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani said: “The Pakistan Cricket Board has always stood with the people of Pakistan in desperate times. This is one of the gravest, most challenging and unprecedented times, which our local and federal governments and health workers are having to face with.
“While we continue to pray for the wellbeing and success of our health workers so that normality returns to our society, we at the PCB are making a small contribution which will support the government in its endeavours against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am fully aware like a lot of other generous people in our society, our cricketers and staff are privately supporting the local governments and various other charities by making contributions in their own ways. We are grateful to them for their valuable support.
“The success of nations is measured by how they come together in difficult times, and this is one such moment when we all must stand united.
“On behalf of the PCB, I once again urge the people of Pakistan to seriously take all precautionary measures as these have been designed for their and their loved ones’ safety. We are a resilient nation and I have no doubt we will defeat this pandemic together.”
· PCB media release on converting Karachi high performance centre into temporary sanctuary for paramedics available here
· PCB’s public awareness messages are available here
PCB health advisory:
· Stay indoors and avoid public gatherings
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol if soap and water are not available
· Avoid shaking hands
· Maintain social distancing
· Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
· Practice respiratory hygiene
· If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
· Stay informed
Stay home and watch “Hockey At Its Best”
SB News
Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has decided to withdraw any geo-blocking in place for all FIH Hockey Pro League matches from 2019 and 2020 on its free OTT platform www.FIH.live.
The same will apply for all FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers, which were played in October and November last year.
“As hockey fans and players around the world are staying at home to help the fight against COVID-19, FIH has decided to strengthen its engagement with them by bringing the best of hockey to their households”, FIH CEO Thierry Weil commented.
Furthermore, FIH is currently producing a number of additional programmes for use by its 32 broadcast partners, reaching 192 countries around the world. The programming will include:
• FIH Hockey Pro League 2020 - Season So Far (26 minutes)
• FIH Hockey Pro League 2019 - How They Won It (26 minutes)
• Men's Hockey World Cup Review 2018 (52 minutes)
• Women's Hockey World Cup Review 2018 (52 minutes)
• Classic FIH Hockey Pro League Matches 2019 (26 minutes)
Rohit Sharma is a King of Pull shot, says his coach
BIPIN DANI
Rohit Sharma's personal childhood coach Dinesh Lad is not pleased about the ICC not having his ward in their picture on their tweet asking fans about the player with the best pull shot.
The ICC had asked its twitter users to pick the batsman with the best pull shot and they uploaded a photo of four players and did not include Rohit Sharma in the list.
The list included the photographs of Viv Richards, Ricky Ponting (Australia), Virat Kohli (India) and South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs.
"Rohit Sharma is a master of this stroke (pull shot). He is even better than Team India captain Virat Kohli. This I am not saying because I am Rohit's personal coach but according to me, he is the best puller in the world after Viv Richards. Even Ricky Ponting can be next to Rohit", the coach said.
"In the modern day cricket I rate Rohit as number 1 puller in the world. Most of the time he hits hard the ball in front foot and takes the ball on the middle of his bat and that's his biggest plus point".
Even Rohit Sharma was "amused" and he re-tweeted the photo and said "someone's missing here".
It can be recalled that when Rohit was in Australia during the 2007-08, former Australia captain turned commentator Ian Chappell marvelled at the young gun’s horizontal bat shots. Chappell was a great pull shot player himself although the stroke caused his dismissal quite a few times. He didn’t stop playing it despite former players advising him to stop it.
Sri Lanka-born sports physio in self isolation in Australia
BIPIN DANI
Sri Lanka-born sports physio Dulan Kodikara is in self-quarantine in Australia, it is learnt here.
The 37-year-old Kodikara has migrated to Australia in 2011 and is now working with the Cricket Australia (CA).
Speaking exclusveily over telephone from Australia on Monday morning, he said, "I went to my native place Negombo (Sri Lanka) with my family (wife and a 14-month old baby) earlier this month and just returned last week. I am in self quarantine for 14 days with my family as per Australian government directives".
Kodikara is a ports physio and current PhD scholar researching on "head, neck and facial injuries in Australian community cricket. Last year he was even invited to attend the Cricket Science and Medicine conference held in Loughborough.
"I was supposed to be on tour with Australian indigenous U-19 team to New Zealand from March 21-28. The tour, however, got cancelled as a result of COVID19", he added further.
Pet dog
In the meantime, all Sri Lankan cricketers spent three-day curfew period at home.
Sri Lanka's Test and ODI captain Dimuth Karunarathna spent quality time with his pet dog Rover.
"The happiest person in our home these days....Dog Dog Dog # no cricket #playing with pets #home days #Quaratine Life", he posted a message on social media with photographs playing with his dog.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has taken a decision to grant a sum of LKR 25 million to the Government to help its efforts towards combating the Covid-19 pandemic, which has created a national health crisis.
No decision before time regarding CPL 2020
Sports Desk
ISLAMABAD (March 23, 2020):-In light of recent effects of the COVID-19 virus impacts people around the world there has been some understandable speculation with regard to the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season which is scheduled to take place from 19 August to 26 September 2020.
CPL has been in constant communication with our medical advisors in recent weeks, as well as speaking with Cricket West Indies about the current situation with regard to cricket around the world, and at present there has been no discussion about moving the event.
CPL believes it is too early to make such a decision, but this is an evolving situation and we are carefully watching how events unfold in the Caribbean and around the world. At present the CPL teams are planning for the tournament to take place as scheduled whilst also looking at alternative plans if they would be needed.
Our thoughts at this time are with the many CPL fans, players and staff from around the world who have been impacted by this crisis and we hope that they and their families stay safe and healthy.
ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE:
First started in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. There was a combined broadcast and digital viewership of 312million during the 2019 season to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. In 2019 the tournament made a positive economic impact across the Caribbean of US$136million. Barbados Tridents are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Trinbago Knight Riders, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Zouks and Jamaica Tallawahs. The 2020 tournament will take place between 19 August and 26 September.
PCB converts Karachi high performance centre into temporary sanctuary for paramedics
SB News
LAHORE (March 23, 2020):-The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on a request from the Sindh Government, has agreed to convert its Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre as a temporary living area for paramedic staff working at the makeshift hospital at Expo Centre, Karachi.
PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer said: “All the paramedic staff are our heroes as in these challenging and difficult times, they are risking their lives to save the lives and wellbeing of many affected by COVID-19.
“As a small token of our appreciation and acknowledgement to these unsung heroes and as part of our duty of care, the PCB is pleased to offer its state-of-the-art Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre as a temporary lodging and boarding for the paramedic staff working at Expo Centre hospital so that they can serve those suffering from COVID-19 more effectively and efficiently.”
FOOTBALL - FIFA News 22 Mar, 2020
Sports Desk
ISLAMABAD (March 22, 2020):-Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz died on Saturday after being taken to hospital with coronavirus. Sanz, 76, was president at the Bernabeu from 1995-2000, a period in which Real won the Champions League twice.
"My father has just died," wrote Sanz's son Lorenzo Sanz Duran on Twitter.
"He did not deserve this end in this manner. One of the best, most courageous and hard working people I have seen in my life. His family and Real Madrid were his passion."
Sanz signed players such as Roberto Carlos, Clarence Seedorf and Davor Suker during his time in charge of the 33-time Spanish champions. He lost the 2000 presidential election to Florentino Perez, which sparked Real's big-spending 'Galatico' era.
Sanz's son Fernando, 46, played for Real Madrid from 1996-1999 before spending the final seven years of his career at Malaga.
Umar Akmal charged under PCB Anti-Corruption Code
Sports Reporter
ISLAMABAD (March 20, 2020):-The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has charged Umar Akmal with two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents.
Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code reads as: “Failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code”.
Umar Akmal was issued the Notice of Charge on Tuesday, 17 March, and has 14 days (31 March 2020) to respond in writing to the charge.
According to Article 6.2, the range of permissible period of ineligibility for those charged and found guilty for a violation of Article 2.4.4 is a minimum of six months and a maximum of a lifetime.
Umar Akmal was provisionally suspended on 20 February 2020. The PCB will not make any further comment pending the outcome on this case.
MS Dhoni takes to badminton
By BIPIN DANI
Former India captain MS Dhoni, who has not been finding selectors' favour has turned to his favorite game badminton.
"Now IPL not happening in very near future, he has been playing badminton", Chittu Lohani, one of his closest friends, speaking exclusveily over telephone from Ranchi, said on Thursday.
"Even I played badminton with him".
The video of Dhoni playing badminton in Team India's cricket jersey with his friends has become viral in social media.
"To keep himself fit, he plays this sport", Chintu added.
Dhoni's first coach Chanchal Bhattacharya has revealed that Dhoni was a State level player. "He was selected in U-19 State Level badminton championship".
"He used to play badminton in school", he said, admitting he (Chanchal Bhattacharya) only remained his cricket coach and not badminton. "He developed playing badminton of his own. I don't recall any one who coached him this game", the coach further added.
"Most of the time, Dhoni prefers to relax at home", the friend added. "He mixes with his old friends like me often".
"Yes, he is fond of animals and vehicles. He has five dogs at home and loves to massage his pets".
The video of Dhoni massaging his one of the dogs also became viral.
Sometimes, Dhoni takes his dog to his routine morning walk. Once during the IPL season he took his dog in the dressing room. This happened when he wanted his "friend" to feel the dressing room atmosphere after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team won against Royal Challengers.
He even brought the dog to Pune where his team was to play against Rising Pune Super giant team. Sam, the female dog is one his favourite pets.
Dhoni even once admitted that he loves going back to them (dogs) after a series because they treat him the same, whether he has won or lost the match.
Dhoni's wife is also an animal lover.
"Recently Sakshi brought one sick street dog at home and looks after his medical treatment", the coach added.
"Dhoni also spends time with his daughter Ziva".
"Dhoni's parents (mother : Devki Devi)and father Pan Singh) are living together".
Dhoni's used to live in a royal three-storied bungalow in Ranchi's Harmu Housing but has now moved to an another lavish place, which has indoor nets, swimming pool, gym and all other amenities.
"Dhoni is a religious man and often visits Maa Devri Temple, which is about 60 km from Ranchi", the friend added and also sent his recent photograph with Dhoni at the temple.
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