NEWS DIGEST
India and West Indies were found 1 and 2 overs short of the mark respectively. © AFP
News byte from around the world of cricket that you may have missed, or not
August 4
India, West Indies fined for slow over-rate
India have been fined five per cent of their match fee for falling one over short of the minimum over-rate, while West Indies have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee for falling two overs short in the T20I series opener on Friday (August 3).
Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Hardik Pandya and Rovman Powell’s sides were ruled to be one and two overs short respectively of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. On-field umpires Gregory Brathwaite and Patrick Gustard, third umpire Nigel Duguid and fourth umpire Leslie Reifer leveled the charges.
Pandya and Powell pleaded guilty to the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
West Indies lead the five-match series 1-0 after their four-run win in Trinidad.
August 3
Former PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt passes away
Former Pakistan cricketer and ex-PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt is no more. In an official press release, the PCB today revealed that Butt had passed away earlier in the day at the age of 85. Having represented Pakistan in eight Tests, Butt’s highlight was his tenure as the PCB Chief between 2008-11, a period when Pakistan made won a T20 World Cup, made it to a semifinal of one T20 WC while also progressing to the last four of the 2011 ODI World Cup. Current PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf was profound in his praise for the Board’s former boss.
“On behalf of the PCB, I want to express my deepest condolences on the sad demise of Mr Ijaz Butt,” said Ashraf. “I had the privilege of knowing him personally and I have nothing but utmost respect for Mr Butt.
“I offer my deepest condolences to Ijaz Butt’s family and friends, and assure them that he will always be remembered for the contributions he made to Pakistan cricket.”
August 2
Misbah-ul-Haq to head PCB’s Cricket Technical Committee
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formed a Cricket Technical Committee (CTC) that shall be headed by former captain and coach Misbah-ul-Haq. The 49-year-old will also be joined by two other former Pakistan captains in Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. The formation of this committee is a part of PCB’s plans to change the existing landscape of Pakistan cricket. The CTC will extensively work with all the facets related to the country’s cricketing structure, right from grassroots level. Apart from being involved with the grooming of talent, the committee will also be accountable for furthering the levels of coaching and umpiring along with maintaining a strict connect with the curators across the country. In short, the CTC will have powers to do everything and anything for the betterment of Pakistan cricket. When asked about the development, Misbah appeared buoyant about the task at hand.
“It is a great honour for me to be appointed as the head of this committee, which comprises well-respected individuals who have served Pakistan cricket for decades. This is a challenging assignment, but with the vast experience and knowledge that this committee possesses, I have no doubt whatsoever that we will be able to make a positive difference by providing recommendations that improve and enhance the state of the game from the grassroots till the very top.”
Litton likely to lead Bangladesh in Asia Cup if Tamim is unavailable
With uncertainty over Tamim Iqbal’s availability for the upcoming Asia Cup, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan said Litton Das, the vice captain of the team, will be the top choice to lead in the multi-team competition.
Tamim is currently on a seven day rest after returning from England where he had taken multiple injections to recover from a back injury. Litton led Bangladesh in the ODI series against India and Afghanistan in the absence of Tamim.
“First we have to know what the plan of Tamim is. They (physicians) must have told him that he needs to go through a programme. When that programme will start, when it will end, how long it will take and how he feels, without talking to him it is difficult to say anything about it,” Nazmul told Jamuna TV. “Naturally the question will arise what will happen if Tamim doesn’t play. If Tamim doesn’t play as far as I know (the player) who is the vice-captain (Litton) will lead in this series.”
In case Litton does captain Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, it will only be a stop-gap measure, according to Nazmul, who said the decisions for the future will be taken after communication with Tamim.
“Ultimately he will have to sit with us, otherwise how can we announce (the team) and how can we plan? So we have to know (what’s in his mind),” said Nazmul. “It’s only a matter of any day and the earlier we know the better I feel, and I am sure he will communicate.”
August 1
Williamson resumes batting practice
Kane Williamson has resumed batting practice by starting to receive throwdowns in the nets, thus not ruling out the possibility of him playing a part in the upcoming ODI World Cup. Williamson’s chances appeared bleak when he ruptured his ACL on the opening night of the IPL on March 31. On Tuesday, Williamson posted a clip on his instagram handle with a caption “Nice to be back in the nets with the bat in hand for a few throws.”
/Rashid Khan withdraws from The Hundred
Ace Afghan spinner Rashid Khan has withdrawn from his short stint at this season of The Hundred with an unspecified injury. Rashid, who starred for MI New York in the final of the just-concluded inaugural season of the MLC, was due to play three games for the Trent Rockets before he was to be replaced by Ish Sodhi.
“I’m really disappointed to have to withdraw from The Hundred through injury. It’s been great to play in the competition the first two years, Trent Rockets is a great team, and I hope to be back again next year,” the 24-year-old said.
Pakistan left-arm spinner Imad Wasim will now replace Rashid in the Rockets squad for the first three games before making way for Sodhi.
Rashid is the latest in a series of high-profile absentees from this season of The Hundred that begins on Tuesday (August 1). Cricket Australia did not give a go-ahead to Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell to turn out for London Spirit. On the women’s side, Birmingham Phoenix will be missing Ellyse Perry and Northern Superchargers will be without Alyssa Healy because of injuries.
© Cricbuzz
