SLC hopeful of hosting Pak-Afghan T20I series amid Taliban situation in Afghanistan

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has said that it is going ahead with the arrangements to host the T20I series between Pakistan and Afghanistan which is slated to begin on September 1. The current situation in Afghanistan has left the board in a dilemma whether the fixtures will go ahead as scheduled or not but it is still hoping to host the series.

"We have told them that we are ready to host the tournament," Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva told AFP about the board informing Afghanistan and Pakistan cricket boards. "All the preparations are underway," he added.

The current condition in Afghanistan is very tense with the Taliban taking over the control of the country. In such a situation, whether the Afghan cricket team would be able to make it to Sri Lanka as per the schedule is hard to tell. "But, given the current situation in Kabul, we don't know if they will be able to go ahead. We are awaiting a response from them," de Silva said.

The SLC secretary further added that due to Covid-19 restrictions, the sides need to land in Sri Lanka by next week to commence the series on time.

While Rashid Khan is in the UK playing the inaugural edition of ‘The Hundred’ tournament, most of the players are in Afghanistan. "Efforts are being made to check their whereabouts," said an international cricket official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen had earlier revealed that Rashid is worried about the safety of his family. "We had a long chat here on the boundary talking about it and he's worried," Pietersen said while commentating in a Hundred game.

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Virat Kohli's style of doing things is contrasting to the way I play my cricket: Joe Root

The second Test between India and England at Lord’s witnessed some on-field altercations but the English captain Joe Root has said that Virat Kohli’s “style” of doing things is “contrasting” to how he plays the game. "Virat’s got his style and his way of doing things that are probably contrasting naturally to the way I play my cricket. Fair play to Virat and his team, they’ve jumped on something emotional that’s given them an edge and something to cling on to tactically," Root told reporters after the match. Earlier Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami had frustrated the England bowling attack with an unbeaten 89-run stand for the ninth wicket where Shami went on to score a half-century while Bumrah remained unbeaten at 34. India eventually handed the home side a target of 272 runs on the final day and then bowled them out for 120 to win the match by 151 runs and go 1-0 up in the series. India batsman KL Rahul had earlier said that the on-field heated exchange of words motivated the team to win the game. "As a team, we are not shy to say a word or two. If someone goes at one of our players then the rest of the ten guys get really pumped as well. Because that's the kind of team we are, that's the kind of team atmosphere and bonding we have,” he said. The two teams will now meet each other in Leeds for the third Test which is slated to begin on August 25.

Shane Bond to join New Zealand's coaching staff for World T20 2021

Former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond will join the side’s coaching setup for the upcoming World T20 scheduled to take place in October-November this year in the UAE and Oman. Bond will work together with head coach Gary Stead, batting coach Luke Ronchi and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen. "Shane's been in our environment before and understands what we're about," Stead was quoted as saying in a press release by New Zealand Cricket. "Being in the UAE (with the IPL) immediately prior to the world cup... he'll hopefully bring some tactical insight into what's been happening in the competition. He'll be an extra set of hands especially around the bowlers," he added counting on the experience that Bond will bring as a Mumbai Indians coach. The right-arm fast bowler has been a part of the coaching staff with Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, New Zealand A and the women's team. The Blackcaps are a part of Group 2 in the World T20 that also comprises India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and two other teams which would make it through via the qualifying round. The Kiwis will begin the competition on October 26 against Pakistan and will then face India on October 31. They will finish the group stage against Afghanistan on November 7. The Blackcaps have never lifted the World T20 and would be looking to seek some positive results in this edition after winning their first-ever World Title in the form of the World Test Championship earlier this year.

If someone goes at one of our players then rest of the guys get pumped: KL Rahul

India went 1-0 up in the five-match Test series against England after a dramatic win on the fifth day at Lord’s on Monday, August 16. Chasing 272 in the second innings, the Indian bowling lineup rattled England's batting unit and bundled them out for 120 to win the match by 151 runs. But the intense clash between the two sides witnessed some heated exchange of words on the field, especially during the Bumrah-Shami batting show. The visitors were struggling at 209/8 in the second innings when Bumrah and Shami joined hands and unleashed something special with the bat. The two stitched a record partnership of 89 runs for the ninth wicket. Shami went on to score an unbeaten half-century while Bumrah scored 34* during the course, helping India put up a good total on the board. India batsman and the Man of the Match KL Rahul said that the on-field war of words motivated Team India to win the game. "As a team, we are not shy to say a word or two. If someone goes at one of our players then the rest of the ten guys get really pumped as well. Because that's the kind of team we are, that's the kind of team atmosphere and bonding we have,” he said. The right-handed batsman also lauded Shami and Bumrah for their efforts with the bat. "The partnership between Bumrah and Shami to start the day was so, so good. When your bowlers go out there and show so much heart and put up a fight like that it just pumps you up," said Rahul. The third Test between the two sides is scheduled to begin on August 25 in Leeds.

World T20: India to play Pakistan on October 24 as ICC releases tournament fixtures

The International Cricket Council (ICC) released fixtures for the upcoming World T20 2021 which will take place in October-November in the UAE and Oman. The tournament will begin October 17 with the Qualifying round also called Round 1, when Oman will take on Papua New Guinea in a Group B match, while on the same day, Scotland and Bangladesh who are the other two sides in the group, will face each other in the evening match at the Al Amrat Stadium in Muscat. “The tournament will begin with the Round 1 Group B encounter between hosts Oman and Papua New Guinea at 2 pm local time on 17 October, with Scotland and Bangladesh, the other teams in Group B, clashing in the evening match at 6 pm,” the ICC said in a statement. Post Round 1, the Super 12 stage will commence with the encounter between Australia and South Africa on October 23 at Shiekh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi while arch-rivals India and Pakistan will lock horns with each other on October 24 at the Dubai International Stadium. India will then play Afghanistan on November 3 in Abu Dhabi. Defending champions West Indies will begin their title defence with a clash against their opponent in the 2016 Final, England on October 23 in Dubai. The group stage will be concluding on 8 November, with the Men in Blue playing the second-placed Round 1 qualifier from Group A. The semi-final matches will be held on November 10 in Abu Dhabi and November 11 in Dubai respectively and both the semis will have a reserve day as well, although chances of rain in the desert country are as rare as not having rain on an English summer day. The title clash will be played on November 14 in Dubai and the following day (November 15) has been kept as the reserve day.