PSL 2021: Usman Khawaja century helps Islamabad post highest ever total in PSL history

It was a storm in Abu Dhabi, not the usual desert one, but one of the runs created by the Islamabad United batters against Peshawar Zalmi in the 26th game of the Pakistan Super League’s 2021 edition. Usman Khawaja led that charge, scoring his maiden PSL century that came of just 54 balls. He reached his hundred with a six ad in fact scored 21 runs in the last six balls that he faced.

Thanks to this unbeaten hundred by the Australian, Islamabad were able to break their own record of the highest team total in the PSL history as they surpassed their previous best of 238 that they had scored in Karachi in 2019. The United scorecard at the end of the innings read 247-2 with Khawaja unbeaten at 103 of 56. In his innings, the southpaw hit 13 fours and three brilliant sixes.

It was a great comeback for Khawaja, who is also captaining the United in absence of usual skipper Shadab Khan who was rested for the match. In fact, he became the first and only skipper to score a century in PSL's history. In the previous four innings that Khawaja played in the Abu Dhabi leg of the tournament, he had scored only 70 runs with a 27 ball 40 against Quetta being his best. Apart from Khawaja, all other batsmen including Colin Munro, Asif Ali and Brandon Kings scored well complied and quick forties.

The Zalmi bowlers were all over the place even as this was an important game for the team from Peshawar. The Wahab Riza-led side must win this game to get themselves comfortably in the playoffs without being at the mercy of other teams’ results. However, at the time of writing this, the Zalmi were 34/1 in 4.1 overs chasing 248.

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HCA Apex Council suspends President Mohd. Azharuddin; validity of decision in question

The Apex Council of the Hyderabad Cricket Association suspended its President Mohammed Azharuddin citing conflict of interest even as the validity of the decision might not stay. The General Body of the association, which has all the members as part of it holds the decision of suspending anyone. Issuing a notice to Azhar, the Council wrote, “After considering the complaints made by the members against you (Azharuddin), it was decided at the Apex Council meeting on the 10th of this month to issue a show-cause notice on the ground that you have acted in violation of the rules.” “The Apex Council is suspending you and your membership of HCA is being terminated until completion of the inquiry on these complaints.” Levelling charges of Conflict of Interest, the five-member council alleged that the former India skipper hid the fact that he mentored a team in a T10 tournament in Dubai. “The complaint discloses that you are a mentor of a private cricket club in Dubai by name Northern Warriors which participates in a T10 cricket tournament which is unrecognized by the BCCI. The fact of you being a mentor has not been communicated to the HCA at any time.” “It is also apparent that you have not communicated the same to the BCCI. Therefore you being a mentor of an unrecognized tournament comes under the ambit of conflict of interest as envisaged under Rule 38 (1) (iii) of the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations 2018 of HCA,” the notice said. In his defence, who has also been a member of parliament on congress ticket called it vendetta by the members. He also alleged that the Apex council members are in fac under scrutiny by the HCA Ombudsman for running exploitative cricket clubs. “All their efforts have gone in vain. Their intention to scuttle the appointment of the Ombudsman might be because of the lurking fear that their multiple clubs acquired through manipulation and fraud will be exposed and they may lose their valuable property-the cash cow that sucks the blood of cricketers from a 14-year old boy to a 23-year old youngster aspiring to realize their dreams,” Azhar alleged.

WTC Final: R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja to feature in playing XI; Siraj misses out

The Indian team has announced the final XI for the final of the inaugural World Test Championship slated to take place in Southampton from June 18 between India and New Zealand. The side has picked Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit as the front line pacers while R Ashwin and Ravindran Jadeja have also made a cut in the side. More to follow...

WTC Final to start half hour early: Reports

The final of the inaugural World Test Championship is all set to begin on Friday in Southampton when India and New Zealand take on each other in the title clash. According to reports, the final that was scheduled to begin at 3:30 pm (IST) will now commence half an hour early (3pm IST). The early start might provide some help to the seamers. The Indian team registered a berth in the final of WTC after beating Australia and England earlier this year. They registered a 2-1 victory in the four-match away from home against Australia and then thumped England 3-1 on the home soil. New Zealand on the other hand, will be coming into this final with a series win against England earlier this month. The Blackcaps defeated the English side 1-0 in a two-match Test series. The first clash at Lord’s ended in a draw while the Kiwis won the second by 8 wickets after chasing down a small total of 38 runs in the second innings. New Zealand bowlers rattled England in the second innings to bundle them out for 122. Both the sides recently announced the 15-man squad for the WTC final. India left out Mayank Agarwal and Shardul Thakur from the side for this match. For New Zealand it was Mitchell Santner along with Doug Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, and Jacob Duffy who faced the axe. Ajaz Patel is the specialist spinner in the team. "Playing in a World Cup Final is a really special occasion and I know the guys are looking forward to getting into their work here in Southampton," said Stead.

WTC Final between India and New Zealand to not broadcast in Australia

The cricket fans in Australian won’t be able to witness the WTC Final between India and New Zealand in Southampton scheduled to begin on June 18. No broadcasters in Australia have secured the rights for the match to be televised. "The International Cricket Council is scrambling to find a provider to show the match between India and New Zealand in Southampton, starting next Friday," said a report in theroar.com.au. “At this stage, we don't have the rights to show the final but discussions are ongoing,” the spokesperson of streaming provider Kayo was quoted as saying by the report. The broadcasting rights for the WTC final are held by Star India in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka; Sky in England, SuperSport in South Africa and Sky New Zealand in New Zealand. The Indian team made a cut into the WTC final after beating Australia 2-1 in a four-match Test series and then thumped England 3-1 on home soil. India and New Zealand both have announced the 15-man squad recently. The Blackcaps have picked Ajaz Patel as the specialist spinner while Mitchell Santner along with Doug Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, and Jacob Duffy missed the bus. "Playing in a World Cup Final is a really special occasion and I know the guys are looking forward to getting into their work here in Southampton," said Stead.