Bangladesh Premier League to have six franchises

Kamran Akmal withdraws name from PSL after getting relegated to silvery category

Wicket-keeper batsman Karman Akmal has withdrawn his name from the PSL 2022 edition as a protest for getting relegated to the silver category during the players draft. “I had even protested as to why I was demoted because I had performed consistently for Peshawar in the PSL,” he said. “I don’t think I deserve to be playing in the silver category,” Kamran added. The right-hander further expressed his disappointment and said that he doesn’t want any sympathy from Peshawar Zalmi, the franchise for whom he has featured for. “Please release me because I don’t deserve to play in this category. The lower categories are better suited for youngsters. I don’t want their (Peshawar Zalmi) sympathy just because I have played for them in the past six seasons,” he said. The wicket-keeper batsman also said that he was unhappy with the decision and doesn’t deserve such a treatment. “Yes I am not happy with the way I was first demoted and then picked for PSL 7. I don’t think I deserve this treatment.” “I was surprised when initially the board demoted me from the platinum category to gold category without any explanation.” Akmal has played 69 PSL matches and has scored over 1800 runs at a strike-rate of 136.84 during the course.

LPL 2021: Mathews, bowlers hand Colombo Stars thumping win against Galle Gladiators

Colombo Stars thumped Galle Gladiators by 41 runs in Colombo in a game that was reduced to 18 overs a side. Batting first, Colombo lost Pathum Nissanka early in the innings but captain Angelo Mathews and Priyanjan steadied the ship for the side with a 64-run stand for the second wicket before the latter departed for 23 off 16. While the Stars lost wickets at regular intervals, Mathews went on to score 73 off 57 before he was undone by Amir. Apart from Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal too chipped in with some valuable runs as he struck 36 in just 14 deliveries to help the side put 162/7 in 18 overs. Samit Patel returned with figures of 2/23 in 4 overs while Amir scalped a wicket at 23 runs in his 4 overs. Later, the Galle Gladiators looked steady during the chase at one stage but the departure of Mohammad Hafeez when the team score read 81 broke the shackles and the Gladiators began to lose wickets in a quick succession to soon get reduced to 110/5 before getting bowled out for 121 in 16.5 overs. Opener Kusal Mendis was the lone warrior after he scored a 39-ball 64. Naveen-ul-Haq returned with three wickets for 27 in 3.5 overs for his side while Seekkuge Prasanna bagged a couple at the cost of 23 runs in 4 overs. Mathews appreciated the team’s efforts after the win. “It was a great performance from the entire team. I am still not 100%, will take a few more weeks I am willing to take risks. It was something new for me, managed to get a start and post a good total,” he said after the match.

The Ashes | 2nd Test: Josh Hazlewood ruled out with side injury

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Ashes Test scheduled to take place in Adelaide from December 16, 2021. The fast bowler will not be available for selection due to a side injury. "Hazlewood returned to Sydney yesterday afternoon for further assessment and rehabilitation with a decision on his fitness for the Boxing Day Test to be made in due course," said Cricket Australia in a media release. Hazlewood picked up two wickets in the first innings and one in the second during Australia’s 9-wicket win in the first Test in Brisbane. The visitors were bowled out for 147 in the first innings while Australia posted 425 in reply, courtesy a 152 from Travis Head and half-centuries from David Warner and Marnus Labuschange. The Joe Root-led side then made a good comeback in the game after the captain along with Dawid Malan provided the resistance as the two batters struck individual fifties but the failure of middle-order in the second innings pushed them on the back foot. The home side eventually won the match by 9 wickets, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Pak vs WI, 1st T20I | Preview - New look Windies take on proven Pakistan

A fresh looking West Indies team was supposed to take on Pakistan, one of the best T20I teams going around in the world at the moment. With the three match series scheduled to kick off from Monday, 13 December in Karachi, West Indies were dealt a triple jolt of Covid-19 cases with Sheldon Cottrell, Kyle Mayers and Roston Chase testing positive just a day ahead of the first game. As if the West Indies did not have enough problems already. They have travelled to Pakistan aiming to get over their horrible run in the ICC T20 World Cup. The part of the process included leaving behind the likes of Dwayne Bravo - who retired after the WC and Chris Gayle - who is not part of the plans any longer. Two generational talents who defined the last decade when it comes to the evolution of T20 cricket. For that matter, Andre Russell, the last remaining proven powerhouse of the golden generation has snubbed the series and is playing in the Big Bash League in Australia at the moment. The visitors do not have the services of eight players in total. Young gun Fabian Allen and Obed McCoy have been ruled out with an injury. Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron Pollard, Lendl Simmons and as explained before, Andre Russell are not a part of this tour, and Jason Holder has been rested. While that means there is plenty of scope to experiment, but when an inexperienced side like this comes up against a T20I powerhouse like Pakistan, things generally do not go very well for them. West Indies Squad Nicholas Pooran (c & wk), Darren Bravo, Dominic Drakes, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Rovman Powell. Not a full strength Pakistan, but still good enough Pakistan on their side are not playing a full strength squad as well. Shoiab Malik in Sri Lanka playing the Lanka Premier League, while the team has chosen to rest Hasan Ali. Imad Wasim and Sarfaraz Ahmed are not playing as well. The team is coming off a fantastic T20 World Cup and a strong series in Bangladesh, where the absolutely drubbed the subcontinental threat Bangladesh three-nil at their own backyard Pakistan Squad Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir Match Details Pakistan vs West Indies Match - 1st T20I Date & Venue - 13 December, National Stadium Karachi Timing - 6:30 PM IST (6 PM local) Broadcast - Sony Sports network Pitch Report The pitches in Karachi have been quite lively in the last Pakistan Super League with pace bowlers getting generous purchase for at least the first four overs inside the powerplay. Once that is done, the wicket turns into a batting paradise with a little hint of help for the spinners. Probable Playing XI West Indies Brandon King, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Nicholas Pooran (capt, wk), Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Dominic Drakes, Sheldon Cottrell, Hayden Walsh Jr, Oshane Thomas Pakistan Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan (vc), Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani CE Fantasy XI Mohammad Rizwan (C), Babar Azam (vc), Rovman Powell, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Odeon Smith, Sheldon Cottrell, Hayden Walsh Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Oshane Thomas