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 sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League. 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 to let him go.

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 further added in his statement on the matter.

Naseem, who was part of the Gladiators pace attack alongside Mohammad Hasnain and Usman Shinwari has 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.

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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

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PSL 6: Shahid Afridi ruled out due to injury, Asif Afridi comes in as his replacement

Multan Sultans all-rounder Shahid Afridi has been ruled out of the Abu Dhabi leg of the Pakistan Super League’s sixth edition. The 41-year-old would be replaced by veteran Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s left-arm-spinner Asif Afridi. “While training for the remainder of the HBL Pakistan Super League 6, I felt lower back pain and had to consult a doctor. Unfortunately, I have been advised to rest and can no longer accompany my team Multan Sultans for the Abu Dhabi leg,” Afridi was quoted as saying in a press release by PSL. “I am disappointed that I would be sitting out of the tournament, but my best wishes, support and prayers are with the team to take the trophy,” the legendary Pakistan all-rounder added. Asif has been in a prolific form in his recent appearances in professional cricket. In fact, he was the main reason why Khyber Pakhtunkhwa went on to clinch the Pakistan Cup, Pakistan's premier List A tournament for 2020-21. The 34-year old took 25 wickets in 12 games and was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. The sixth PSL, which was going to fully hosted in Pakistan for the first time ever, was postponed in March this year due to rising cases of Covid-19 in the Bio-Bubble. The tournament has now been marked to begin June 5 after its initial rescheduling from June 1 had to change as the venue was once again changed from Pakistan’s National Stadium in Karachi to UAE’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Each team has to have 20 players in the squad and to fulfil the criterion, Islamabad United signed Pakistanleft-handed batsman Umar Amin and West Indies opener Brandon King. To do the same, Peshawar Zalmi added Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai. Two other Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s pliers in Sameen Gul and Khalid Usman were added to the squad as reserve players.

Brad Hodge wants Kochi Tuskers and BCCI to pay him his 35% fee from IPL 2011

It seems like Women Cricket won’t leave the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as easy as they think. After facing the fury for not getting a women’s league of the like of IPL in India, to fewer women tours and domestic competition, to not giving charter flights to women to get to Mumbai from their residence to the recent T20 World Cup prize money fiasco, the BCCI has been in the hitting zone of the critics. However, the prize money fiasco brought in another issue for the board as after getting inspiration from the story where the BCCI had not paid the 2020 T20 World Cup runner’s up prize money to women cricketers, former Australia cricketer turned coach and commentator, Brad Hodge now wants to the BCCI to locate the 35% of the fee that the IPL franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala was supposed to pay to its players. Taking to Twitter, Hodge replied to the Telegraph exclusive story regarding Indian Women cricketers not being paid their prize money, saying, “Players are still owed 35% of their money earned from ten years ago from the @IPL representing Kochi tuskers. Any chance @BCCI could locate that money?” If his claims are to be true, it could open a can of worms for BCCI considering that Kochi Tuskers had signed up 20 players for the 2011 season, after which it ceased to exist. Hodge though went on to play in the IPL and represented many teams including Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. He scored 1400 runs with the help of six fifties and a strike rate of 125.11 in 66 IPL games.