Differently abled cricketer Vijay Kant praises BCCI for constituting Differently Abled Cricket Committee

Watch | Melbourne Renegades’ Jake Fraser-McGurk plucks a blinder on the boundary in BBL 11

The Big Bash League is known for its unbelievably stupendous catches and over the years has built a cult fan following among cricket lovers for its insane fielding standards. Just on the third day of the 11th season of the league, it showed exactly why the fielding in the Australian premier domestic T20 tournament is rated so highly. Jake Fraser-McGurk of the Melbourne Renegades picked up a blinder at the mid-wicket boundary against Adelaide Strikers in the third match being played between the two sides at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne. Fraser-McGurk’s catch in which he jumped backwards and grabbed the ball which was almost into the boundary, headed for six, dismissed Jake Weatherald, the Strikers opener who was striking it real hard. Zahir Khan, the Afghan chinaman bowler picked up his second wicket courtesy of this catch. As far as the game is concerned, Strikers were 100/4 chasing 154 with two new men in Ryan Gibson and Daniel Drew at the crease. They needed 54 to win from 37 balls.

Harbhajan Singh likely to announce retirement, may join IPL franchise as support staff: Report

India’s off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is likely to announce his retirement from all forms of the game and become part of the support staff with a franchise in the Indian Premier League, PTI reported quoting people close to him. He is He could take responsibility for various roles ranging from consultant, mentor or part of the advisory group and can offer inputs before the mega auction scheduled before the next edition of the tournament. The report, however, did not suggest the name of the franchise in discussion with the off-spinner who played more than 100 Tests for India and all the past editions of the IPL. “The role could be that of a consultant, mentor or part of the advisory group but the franchise with which he is talking are keen to use his vast experience. He will take an active part in also helping the franchise decide on their auction picks," PTI quoted an unnamed source as saying. “Look, Harbhajan wanted to make a formal announcement of his retirement after the season is over. He has had extended talks with one of the franchises which has shown keen interest but he would like to talk about it only when the deal is formally inked.” Harbhajan was signed up by the Kolkata Knight Riders before the last edition of the tournament however he was released before the deadline of the retentions for the franchises.

South Africa name strong pace attack for India series

South Africa have named a strong pace bowling line-up on Test cricket’s return to the country. The rainbow nation is scheduled to host India for a one-month long tour that consists of three Test matches and three ODIs. Duanne Olivier, the right-arm quick, who had left South Africa on a Kolpak deal, could potentially make his comeback in an already star-studded bowling line-up. Barring Olivier, the team will also see the return of Lungi Ngidi, who is coming back from a Covid-19 infection. Household names like Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Quinton de Kock will also be a part of the series. Olivier had last played for the national team in 2019, but has been in top form, leading the First Class wicket charts in domestic competition. Alongside him, Cricket South Africa have chosen to give maiden call-ups to Sisanda Magala and Ryan Rickelton. Dean Elgar will be leading the side with Temba Bavuma as his deputy. Under Elgar, SA recently completed a 2-0 whitewash of West Indies in June, 2021. Squad Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma (vc), Quinton de Kock (wk), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier

BAN vs PAK | 2nd Test: Bangladesh reel at 25-4 as Sajid cleans up top order

The second Test match between Bangladesh and Pakistan has been in the limelight mainly because of the persistent rain which had not allowed the play to go on for a larger period of time. However, on day four, things changed drastically as Pakistan declared their innings at 300-4 and invited Bangladesh to play crucial 10 overs before Tea. The declaration did the trick as Sajid Kahan made use of the turning wicket and removed the two Bangladesh openers in Shadman Islam and debutant Mahmudul Hasan Joy. While Islam made three runs, Joy would now have to carry the burden of being out on a duck in his debut international innings. Skipper Mominul Haque who failed in both innings of the first Test continued to dwell in bad form as he was run out two just before Tea. Just at the time of writing this copy, the Tigers lost their oldest warhorse in Mushfiqur Rahim who literally threw his wicket away. Rahim tried to go for an extravagant slog sweep and handed a simple above head catch to Fawad Alam at mid-wicket. In only 14 overs, Bangladesh are now 42-4 with Najmul Hussain Shanto and last match hero Liton Das at the crease. Earlier in the day, both Babar Azam and Azhar Ali, the overnight batters were removed by Khaled Ahmed and Ebadot Hussain respectively. But Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan, the two men that joined afterwards made sure that runs flew swiftly and took Pakistan to 300, picking their respective fifties on the way while remaining unbeaten.