T20 Blast: Kent sign Afghan leggie Qais Ahmad

Qais Ahmad became the fifth Afghan player to sign a contract for the upcoming Vitality Blast, England’s premium t20 tournament. Kent informed that the leggie would also be available for two County Championship matches for the side, subject to regulatory approval.

“I’m excited to play in the Vitality Blast and I’m really looking forward to being a Kent Spitfire,” Ahmad was quoted as saying by Kent’s official website. “Having played alongside Daniel Bell-Drummond at Colombo Kings, I have heard good things about Kent and I will give it my all,” the Afghan added.

Ahmad, who has taken 77 wickets in a T20 career of 67 matches with an average of 21.78, would be joined by his Afghan teammates, Rashid Khan (Sussex), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Middlesex), Mohammad Nabi (Northamptonshire) and Naveen-ul-Haq (Leicestershire) in the Blast 2021.

The Nangarhar born might have played only one Test, but he has 68 wickets in 12 first-class matches so far at an average of 20.51.

Kent’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, was pleased to have signed Ahamad as the lone leggie in the side as the previous year’s quarterfinalists were deprived of the spin options with only Imran Qayyum’s left-arm spin being available at disposal along with Joe Denly’s part-time leg-spin.

“We’re delighted to welcome a leg-spinner of Qais Ahmad’s class to Kent as we look to bring some variety to our attack ahead of the Vitality Blast,” Downton said. “I am confident that his enthusiasm for the game will make him a firm favourite with our Members and supporters as we look to welcome crowds back to watching live cricket again,” he added.

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Sangakkara lauds Sakariya, Parag; considers them as future India prospects

The Indian Premier League’s 2021 season, though suspended for the time being is still keeping Chetan Sakariya amongst the most discussed players. Kumar Sangakkara, his team director from the Rajasthan Royals praised the youngster calling him a revelation of the season. "Chetan Sakariya was a revelation," said the former Sri Lanka captain in a webinar organised by the Royals on May 13. "He's had a tough year since January so far and our love and prayers are with him. His attitude and ability to build pressure and of course his skill. It's wonderful to have him in the side,” added Sangakkara pointing out how the Saurashtra player first lost his bother early this year and then his father to Covid-19 just recently. Sakariya took seven wickets in seven games for the Royals and bowled both with the new ball and at the death. Talking about other youngsters from the Royals side, Sanga praised the trio of Anuj Rawa, Yashwshvi Jaiswal and Mahipal Lomror. “We have Anuj, Yash, Mahipal, three youngsters who have been with the franchise for a long time and I was very impressed by all three of them,” he said. The coach further emphasised that although the Under-19 star Jaiswal did get a lot of opportunities in the middle, Delhi wicket-keeper batsman Rawat could not get to bat, even when he made it to the XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which was the last game of the suspended season for the Royals. “Mahi worked really hard in the nets to put his hand up for selection. Those three boys were just outstanding for us,” added the former President of the MCC. Talking about another exciting prospect for the Royals team, Sangakkara, who himself represented Sri Lanka for a record 404 ODIs, 134 Tests and 56 T20Is felt that Assam’s Riyan Parag has it in him to get selected for Team India. "Riyan Parag is also a very, very special player. He's got a huge amount to contribute not just to Rajasthan Royals, but also Indian cricket in the future. He's a very special talent that needs care, nurturing and development,” the 43-year old said.

Shreyas Iyer starts rehabilitation, could be considered for T20 World Cup

Stylish young batsman Shreyas Iyer has started his rehabilitation process after undergoing shoulder surgery. In a video posted from his official Twitter handle, Iyer shared a video where he can be seen getting into fitness drills slowly and steadily. Iyer who is ruled out of the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka had a realistic chance of captaining the Indian side in the absence of stalwarts. However, given the strict COVID protocols, Iyer have to miss out on the tour to the island nation. Lack of match time might prove to be his nemesis when the selectors sit down to pick the squad for the T20 World Cup slated to be held in India in October-November. However, a report in Hindu suggests that the BCCI have spoken with the team management and the selectors on Iyer and his possible return in the T20 World Cup. This will give Iyer ample time to fully recover before the mega event. Iyer sustained a shoulder injury during the limited-overs series against England at home and have not taken part in any competitive cricket since then. He underwent a surgery which also ruled him out of the entire IPL. However with the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League suspended indefinitely, he might return for the second leg if and when it takes place. The Delhi Capitals skipper underwent shoulder surgery on 9th April and was expected to take three months to recover. With the series in Sri Lanka lined up in July, it wouldn’t have been possible for Iyer to force his way back into the team.

Indian players have smoother introduction to international cricket : Amir

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has once again lashed out at the team management and selectors for getting players in the side who have technical flaws. The left-arm pacer further quoted the examples of Indian players like Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya and said that they looked pretty ready to play at the highest level. “Look at Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya, they looked ready and primed for international cricket when they made their debuts and did not look to need much advice or coaching at all,” he said. He further explained that playing several years at the domestic and IPL level has helped these cricketers groom for international cricket. “They have played several years of domestic cricket and the IPL and that makes their introduction into international cricket much smoother,” Amir added. The left-handed cricketer bid adieu to the game in December last year citing differences with the team management and is now seeking the British citizenship as he is eligible for it. Amir was capped 36 times in Tests for Pakistan while playing 61 ODIs and 50 T20Is for the side. He has scalped 119 Test wickets while has 81 dismissals in ODIs and 59 scalps in T20Is to his name. He was slapped with a five-year ban in 2010 for being involved in a spot-fixing scandal in England and made a return back to international fold in 2016.

Sanju Samson was really growing into captain's role: Jos Buttler

Wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson was handed over the captaincy for Rajasthan Royals for the IPL 2021 after the franchise had released Steve Smith ahead of the mini auctions. The side only managed to win three out of the seven matches that they played during this edition of the IPL before it was suspended with immediate effect as there was a rise in Covid-19 cases within the teams. RR player Jos Buttler has now said that it was a great learning experience for Samson and he was surely growing into the role. "It was a great learning experience for him. And I think, as the tournament was going along, at the halfway stage, he was really growing into the role, looking to put together some better, more consistent performances towards the end of the season as a side," Buttler said in a virtual interactive session arranged by the Royals. While Sanju didn’t really have a great time as a captain, he himself was among runs during the course of the seven matches. The right-hander struck a fine century against Punjab Kings while chasing a mammoth 222. The team only fell short by 4 runs in that particular match. Samson scored over 40 runs each in the last three innings that he played for RR. The Rajasthan-based franchise was placed at number fifth spot before the IPL was called-off with six points under their belt.