Mumbai Indians owner Reliance to own franchise side in UAE T20 League

India’s top business house Reliance have come on board to win a franchise in the newly announced United Arab Emirates professional T20 league which would have its first edition played out in 2022.

"We are extremely proud to have created a global franchise in Mumbai Indians, integrated with high values and ethos and our contribution to the Indian cricket ecosystem," Akash Ambani member of the Reliance family and owner of the Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians said in a statement.

"We are equally confident of shaping another successful brand in the UAE and bringing in our experiences to benefit the growth of cricket in the UAE,” he further added.

UAE’s top cricket governing body, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) had announced earlier this year that their first professional T20 tournament will be played in 2022 and it would be played between six franchises based out of top six cities in the country.

ECB General Secretary Mubashir Usmani welcomed Mumbai Indians' association with the UAE T20 League. "The trust being shown by prominent business houses in the UAE T20 League is extremely encouraging," he said.

"We are pleased with RIL's association with the League as a franchise team owner. Having seen the professionalism in the operations of Mumbai Indians in the IPL, their success in putting together the most successful team in franchise cricket and the passion with which they pursue their goals, we are very confident that this association will be mutually beneficial for both RIL and the League and will support cricket development in UAE,” Usmani added.

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WBBL 2021 | Amanda-Jade Wellington’s record-breaking performance guides Adelaide to challenger

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I believe this is the right time: Bangladesh’s T20 skipper retires from Test cricket

Bangladesh’s T20 captain and one of the most experienced players in the international arena, Mahmudullah Riyadh has announced his official retirement from Test cricket just ahead of the start of the two-match Test series against Pakistan in Chattogram. Mahmdullaah who last played a Test match, also his 50th for his country was in Zimbabwe early this year in which he also scored unbeaten 150 and was adjudged Player of the Match. Bangladesh won that game by 220 runs. Mahmudullah on his official announcement said, “Leaving a format of which I have been a part of for such a long time is not easy. I had always thought of going on a high and I believe this is the right time to end my Test career. I want to extend my gratitude to the BCB President for supporting me when I returned to the Test team. I thank my teammates and the support staff for always encouraging me and believing in my ability.” It has been an absolute honour and privilege to play Test cricket for Bangladesh and I will cherish the many memories. Although I am retiring from Tests, I will still be playing ODIs and T20 internationals and really looking forward to continuing giving my best for my country in white-ball cricket,” the veteran added. The 35-year-old, who made his Test debut in 2009, featured in 50 matches, scoring 2914 runs at 33.49, including five centuries and 16 fifties and took 43 wickets. He also captained Bangladesh for six Tests.

Michael Vaughan not to be included in Ashes coverage by BBC

Former England captain Michale Vaughan will not be a part of the coverage of the Ashes in Australia by BBC. Vaughan’s name was in Yokshire’s report regarding Azeem Rafiq's claims of racism during his time at the club. "While he is involved in a significant story in cricket, for editorial reasons we do not believe that it would be appropriate for Michael Vaughan to have a role in our Ashes team or wider coverage of the sport at the moment," said a BBC statement. "We require our contributors to talk about relevant topics and his involvement in the Yorkshire story represents a conflict of interest." Rafiq had alleged that Vaughan said "too many of you lot, we need to do something about it" to him earlier. The former right-handed batsman has been denying the allegations. Vaughan wrote in his Daily Telegraph column that he “denies” the allegations. "I categorically deny saying the words attributed to me by Azeem Rafiq and want to re-state this publicly because the 'you lot' comment simply never happened.” "It is extremely upsetting that this completely false accusation has been made against me by a former team-mate, apparently supported by two other players,” he added.

SL vs WI | 1st Test | Day- 4: Ramesh Mendis spins a web around Windies batters, gets Lanka on brink of victory

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