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Mohammad Rizwan Hasan Ali Included In Category A Of Central Contracts

Mohammad Rizwan, Hasan Ali included in Category A of central contracts

Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan have been rewarded with the highest grade of central contracts in the latest list released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the year 2021-22.

A total of 20 players have been included in the list of the central contract that will run from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

Hasan had missed out on being included in the centrally contracted players list last year after getting injured.

Rizwan has got the promotion from Grade B to Grade A.

There are few new faces in the list as well which include Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Nawaz and Nauman Ali.

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and fast bowler Shaheen Afridi are the other two players in the Category A while Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Fawad Alam, Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah are in the Category B.

The Category C comprises Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali and Sarfaraz Ahmed. Imran Butt, PSL 2021 bowling sensation Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir are included in the Emerging category.

"Selecting 20 players amongst a big pool of quality cricketers is always a challenging task," PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said. "Emerging Category recognises and rewards the up and coming talent. We have seen the emergence of Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain move from an Emerging Category to Category C, and the likes of Imran Butt, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir breaking into the Emerging Category. The Emerging Category remains a platform for young players to break into the central contract system."

There is an increase by 25 percent in Category A to C while the Emerging Category players have received a 15 percent boost.

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Five Sri Lanka players refuse to sign tour contracts ahead of India series

Sri Lanka’s off the field issues have become a cause of concern for the board. Now as many five players, Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Ashen Bandara, and Kasun Rajitha have refused to sign the tour contract by the SLC for the India series. “Until the national contract issue is resolved they were asked to sign the tour contract if they are going to be available for the Indian series so that they can go into a bubble as we are investing in them. But they were reluctant to sign the tour contract and therefore they were left out of the residential camps. They did not join the bubble in Dambulla or Colombo,” said SLC CEO Ashley de Silva. The players have the time to sign the contracts before the commencement of the training. “These five were offered a tour contract. That is when you participate, they will also be considered for national selection for the Indian tour. For the Indian tour, you need to have a tour contract, which they didn’t sign as they are part of the 24 players offered national contracts. If they sign the tour agreement before the commencement of training for the Indian tour the selectors will consider them,” added De Silva. The white-ball fixtures between India and Sri Lanka are scheduled to begin on July 13. This is not the first time that the SLC has encountered such a problem. The board had faced criticism from the players as according to them the new annual contracts lacked transparency. 38 players had then refused to sign the contracts. “Because of the problems with the transparency of the ratings system devised by SLC, the players will not sign the tour contract," the release signed by 38 top players had stated. Sri Lanka’s tour of England had come under dark clouds but eventually the players travelled to the UK for the T20I and ODI series.

Kane Williamson pulls out of 'The Hundred'

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has withdrawn his name from ‘The Hundred’ tournament to manage his elbow injury which also forced him to miss one Test against England in the two-match series last month. “Williamson, New Zealand’s captain, has been managing the injury for the past six months, missing an ODI series against Bangladesh, the start of the IPL and the second Test against England with the same problem,” as per a ESPN Cricinfo report. The report further suggested that the right-handed batsman will be with the side to mentor the young players. “He is still in the UK following the World Test Championship final and is expected to be involved with the Edgbaston-based team in a mentoring capacity.” Williamson recently led the Blackcaps to a win in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship against India in Southampton after scoring 49 and 52* in the first and second innings respectively. Chasing 139 on the reserve day of the Test match, New Zealand went over the line by 8 wickets. Apart from Williamson, a number of international players have pulled out of the tournament. Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi, West Indies Kieron Pollard, Australia’s Nathan Coulter-Nile, David Warner and Marcus Stoinis are some of the other players to opt out of the tournament. The competition is slated to begin on July 22 at Kennington Oval while the final will be held on August 21 at Lord’s.

Nida Dar becomes first Pakistan bowler to pick 100 T20I wickets

Spinner Nida Dar has become the first Pakistan bowler- male or female to pick 100 T20I wickets. Dar achieved the feat during Pakistan’s first match of the series against West Indies when she scalped the wicket of Deandra Dottin after she was caught by Diana Baig. Dar picked up a total of two wickets in this match which they eventually lost by 10 runs after being restricted to 126/6 while chasing 137 in 20 overs to take her tally to 101. Only Anisa Mohammed, Ellyse Perry, Shabnim Ismail and Anya Shrubsole has more wickets in the T20I format than Dar. "Definitely there was definitely a lot of hard work behind this milestone," Dar said after the game. "I always had this in mind to complete 100 wickets as quickly as possible. I had a chance in the previous series but unfortunately couldn't do. But this time made sure I will try my best in this series against the West Indies and I am feeling great by getting this in the very first game." Former all-rounder Shahid Afridi has 97 T20I wickets to his name while Sana Mir is the second highest wicket-taker in women’s cricket for Pakistan in T20Is with 89 scalps to her name.

WI vs SA | 4th T20I: Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard take series into decider

West Indies bounced back in a perfect manner against South Africa in Grenada after beating the visitors by 21 runs in the fourth encounter to level the five-match series 2-2. South Africa who were handed a target of 168 runs in 20 overs were restricted to 146/9, courtesy some fine piece of bowling from Dwayne Bravo. Bravo scalped a four-wicket haul and returned with figures of 4/19 in 4 overs eventually. The Proteas never really looked in control as they lost wickets at regular intervals with only four players crossing the double-figure mark. Wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock though showed some resistance as he chipped in with 60 off 43 in the innings but no other batsman made any valuable contribution and the side eventually suffered a defeat in this clash. Apart from Bravo, Andre Russell picked up a couple of wickets while Chris Gayle, Obed McCoy and captain Kieron Pollard had a wicket apiece to their name. Earlier, the hosts too had a disappointing start as they lost some early wickets but it was Lendl Simmons who tried to steady the ship for the side from one end. But the opener was eventually dismissed for 47 off 34 and Simmons departure saw a couple of quick wickets falling down again. West Indies were struggling at 101/6 when Pollard along with Fabian Allen took on the onus and hammered the South African bowlers all around the park. Pollard remained unbeaten at 25-ball 51 while Allen chipped in with 19* off 13 to take their team to 167/6 in 20 overs. For South Africa, it was George Linde and Shamsi who impressed with the ball. Both the bowlers picked up two wickets each for the side. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma expressed disappointment on giving away runs in the death overs. “I think looking at our bowling performances, we didn't hit the right straps. 60 odd runs in the last 4 put us on the back foot. Our spinners came to the fore and set it up for us. But at the death, we won't like to put up a display like this. Shamsi has been brilliant. George has been good,” he said after the match. West Indies captain Pollard who scored a vital fifty during the course hailed the bowlers. “In a game like this, you have to come out and win. Tried to give myself a chance and be there at the end. We speak about batting down till the end. The batters will continue rotating the strike. We were right into the game. We needed a few wickets in the PP. Chris picking up that wicket helped. Bravo and McCoy have been doing well for us. A total team effort. Dwayne has been phenomenal,” he said. The two sides will now lock horns in the fifth and deciding T20I on Saturday at the same venue.