Eden Gardens to provide shelter to ground staff during Cyclone Yaas

PSL 6: Naseem Shah released from PSL for non-compliant RT-PCR result

Pakistan and Quetta Gladiators fast-bowler Naseem Shah has been released from the remaining games of the Pakistan Super League’s sixth edition. The young bowler came to the designated hotel in Lahore with a non-compliant RT-PCR result and thus forced the PSL authority to have no choice but release him. As per the Covid-19 protocols for the remaining HBL Pakistan Super League 6, all the players were asked to assemble at the hotel with an RT PCR negative report for Covid-19. The report needed to be at most 48 hours old, however, Naseem presented a PCR report from a test that was conducted on 18 May. Reacting to the sequence of events, Babar Hamid, Director – Commercial and head of HBL PSL 6 said, “The PCB doesn’t take any pride in releasing a young fast bowler from its marquee event but if we will ignore this breach, then we will potentially put at risk the entire event.” “We appreciate Quetta Gladiators for accepting this decision as it confirms we are all aligned to strictly following and implementing the protocols,” he added. Naseem, who was part of the Gladiators pace attack alongside Mohammad Hasnain and Usman Shinwari has so far played nine Tests and 14 T20s. PCB further went on to assure all that no compromise with health and Covid-19 would be tolerated. “This decision will also send out a loud and clear message to all involved in the remaining matches that the PCB will not compromise on any violations and will expel the player or player support personnel irrespective of his stature and standing in the game if they are found to be flouting the prescribed protocols or regulations,” Hamid said. For the remaining 20 matches of the PSL that would be conducted at the Shiekh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Pakistani players would leave for the destination on May 26 in charter flights.

Ravichandran Ashwin reveals incident when teammate refused to Mankad batsman

Mankading in cricket is not considered in the spirit of the game by many cricketers while a fair chunk thinks that it is within the rights for a bowler to run out a batsman if he constantly backs up too much. Ever since Ravichandran Ashwin ‘Mankaded’ Jos Buttler during an IPL game in 2019, the debate surrounding whether it is within the spirit if the game has sprung up. During a recent conversation with former Indian spinner Murali Kartik on a youtube show DRS with Ash, the off-spinner recalled how his Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) teammate Ankit Rajpoot refused to Mankad a batsman when the game was on the line. More than the dismissal, Rajpoot felt that his image would be tarnished. During the show, Ashwin again reiterated certain aspects why bowlers shouldn’t be criticised for running out a batsman in that manner. "The batsman are so used to meandering along. Someone asking them to stay inside the crease itself looks like a hindrance to them. This is so wrong asking a bowler not to run batsmen out at the non-striker’s end. Especially, when the game is so competitive, I firmly believe that a bowler shouldn’t be stopped,” Ashwin said. Further disclosing the details of the discussion he had with Ankit Rajpoot during a game against the Mumbai Indians, Ashwin said that Rajpoot was scared when he asked him to warn the batsman for not backing much. The last pair Rahul Chahar and Alzarri Joseph were at the crease with just 2 required of the final delivery. "After the incident happened against Rajasthan (Jos Buttler Mankading controversy), we played Mumbai in the next match. The last-wicket pair of Rahul Chahar and Alzarri Joseph were batting. One ball and two runs to win. I went to the bowler Ankit Rajpoot and told him, ‘these batsmen will be charging out to run. Just stop and send them back in if he (non-striker) starts running before you deliver’. He was scared and said, ‘No way, I won’t do that,” Ashwin said. Ashwin further revealed the nerves shown by Rajpoot during that particular game recalling the fact that how Rajpoot came up to him and said that he will be considered a villain if he tried out mankading the batsman, especially in that situation. "He (Rajpoot) froze when he came to deliver. He came and said to me, ‘If I do this, it will create controversy and I will be made the villain. I told him, ‘what you are doing here is correct. The non-striker is at fault here,” he said. Coming back to that particular match, Mumbai Indians managed to register a nerve-wracking victory chasing the target of 198 down in the final delivery of the match.

BCCI claims non-payment of Ranji Trophy compensation is state associations’ fault

After the controversy regarding the Indian Women’ team not being paid their $550,000 prize money share from the T20 World Cup 2020, where they ended up Runner’s up, the BCCI faced yet another scathing criticism for not being able to compensate nearly 700 domestic Men’s players for the cancellation of the Ranji Trophy 2020-21 due to toCovid-19. Clarifying on the issue, BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal said that it is not the board’s responsibility to file the invoices for each player, rather state associations do it for their players. He further explained why it became difficult for even state associations to file the invoice, as without playing any match it is hard to decide which player would sit on the bench and which one would play in the XI. The fees for playing XI member for a Ranji Trophy game is ₹1.40 lakh. “We have to discuss with states because they have to tell us who would have played, how many matches, who would have been in reserves. None of the states have sent any proposal for the compensation package,” Dhumal told PTI. To clarify the matters and score some point for the board, the Treasurer specifically mentioned the payments of the limited-overs series. “I can also confirm that payments (Rs 35,000 each player) for the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy have also been disbursed,” Dhumal said. Another question was raised about the Gross Revenue hare that BCCI gives to all domestic players for profits made through broadcast rights of the tournaments. “We pay the GRS amounts after the accounts are settled,” Dhumal said. He then went on to explain why the players haven’t been given their share of money ever since 2016-17. “But I must tell you that since 2016-17, when the Committee of Administrators (CoA) was in operation, GRS has not been cleared."

Andrew Balbirnie to lead Ireland for ODI series against Netherlands in Utrecht

Ireland announced a 15 man squad which will be led by Andrew Balbirne for their tour to the Netherlands. The men in green would play three ODIs part of the Cricket World Cup Super League and try and add to their points for a chance of qualification to the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, to be held in India. The squad includes veterans like Kevin O’Brien, William Porterfield and Paul Stirling while young guns like Gareth Delany and Mark Adair have also found a place in it. “The squad selected, not only rewards form but provides a group of players that offer Graham Ford and Andrew Balbirnie options on any given match day,’ said Andrew White chief Selector of National Men’s team. “We have sought to provide continuity with the young players who continue to gain exposure at the international level, while still incorporating a number of experienced players whose value around such a squad goes far beyond just their performances on the field,” he added. The Irish team which sits on the 10th spot in the Cricket World Cup Super League table with just one win in five matches have a great opportunity to gain momentum ahead of the South Africa and Zimbabwe series at home. They face the Netherlands which tied two-match series against Scotland recently. The three-match series will be played in Utrecht, the Netherlands with the first one starting on June 2. Ireland Squad Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Graeme McCarter, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O’Brien, William Porterfield, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young. The four additional players are Peter Chase, Stephen Doheny, Graham Kennedy, David O’Halloran. Fixtures 2 June 2021: Netherlands Men v Ireland Men - 1st ODI (Utrecht, 11am local time) 4 June 2021: Netherlands Men v Ireland Men - 2nd ODI (Utrecht, 11am local time) 7 June 2021: Netherlands Men v Ireland Men - 3rd ODI (Utrecht, 11am local time)