WI vs SA | 1st Test: Rabada five-for humbles crumbling Windies by an innings and 63 runs

PSL 2021 | ISU vs LHQ: With revenge on their mind, Shadab Khan’s men take on in form Qalandars

When these two teams met last time in the Pakistan Super League 2021, it was the inaugural match of the Abi Dhabi leg and Qalandars managed to just sneak past the red lions in the last ball thriller. However, Islamabad United came back roaring in their very next encounter when they mauled the Quetta Gladiators by 10 wickets, chasing down 134 in just 10 overs. The Qalandars, however, are unbeaten in the Abu Dhabi leg so far in their two games. After the narrow escape against united, they defeated the Zalmi comprehensively thanks to a brilliant spell by Rashid Khan who picked his first-ever five-wicket haul in the franchise cricket history. Oozing with confidence the Qalandars would look to seal the deal in this game and make sure that they are into the Playoffs before anyone else. Mathematically, if they win this game, and get to 12 points, they would require just one more victory in their remaining three games to qualify. However, there are many loopholes in the Qalandars lineup that might get exposed in coming games. To name a few, their top order is totally out of form including Professor Mohammaed Hafeez and skipper Sohail Akhtar, although he did score 40 in the first game. Similarly, there was a lot of problem with the Islamabad squad too, but with their openers, Colin Munro and Usman Khawaja, putting on a brilliant performance in the last game, the middle-order woes that troubled the Sherus in Karachi as well as the first encounter here, seemed to have been covered up. But for how long is the question? Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars: Match Details Match Number-20 Date and Time: June 13th 2021, 06: 30 pm IST, 01:00 pm GMT, 05:00 pm Local Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi Broadcast and Live Stream: Sony Liv Pitch Report More than five games have been played at the stadium, different pitches have been used, of course, but as far as the nature of the ground is concerned, it has produced wickets that have bounce and carry but at the same time are susceptible to grip and holding up after a considerable period of time elapsing in the game. Batters, if they apply themselves can get runs as well, as has been shown by Tim David and Munro in different games. Weather and Toss The Weather in Abu Dhabi as expected is great for a cricket game. Since this game would have sunlight at least during the first innings, a great amount of heat can be expected in deserts. It would take time to cool down so more or less both the teams would have similar weather experience. As far as the toss is concerned, as has been the tradition in UAE, win the toss and field first is most likely to continue. Team News Islamabad United Faheem Ashraf’s injury seemed to be a blessing in disguise for the red Shadab led squad as Mohammad Musa utilised the opportunity to produce a great performance with the ball, picking up two wickets. Even Akif Ajved, who came in place of Fawad Ahmed was more than good enough with the new ball. Thus, no changes would be expected from the Islamabad team going into this game. Probable XI Colin Munro, Usman Khawaja, Hussain Talat, Rohail Nazir (wk), Shadab Khan (c), Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Hasan Ali, Muhammad Musa, Akif Javed, Mohammad Wasim Jr Lahore Qalandars Sohail Akhtar and the team management have played the same team in both the games and whenever the skipper was asked if he would change the team, the reply was the same, “we would play according to conditions.” Mohammad Faizan, the right arm youngster hasn’t really been able to impress in the two outings and seems like the only weak link in the team. Muhammad Zaid Alam is another youngster waiting in the wings and can be tried. Probable XI Fakhar Zaman (c), Sohail Akhtar, Muhammad Faizan/ Muhammad Zaid Alam, Mohammad Hafeez, Ben Dunk (wk), Tim David, Rashid Khan, James Faulkner, Ahmed Daniyal, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf Dream XI / Fantasy XI predictions Sohail Akhtar, Usman Khawaja, Colin Munro, Ben Dunk (wk), Tim David (vc), Mohammad Hafeez, Rashid Khan (c), James Faulkner, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Shaheen Afridi

Shikhar Dhawan-led India squad to quarantine in Mumbai before flying to Sri Lanka: Report

Much like the England-bound players, all the Indian players selected for the tour of Sri Lanka will fly on a chartered flight or business class in commercial airways to reach and get under a 14-day quarantine in Mumbai before flying to the island nation for an ODI and T20I series, PTI reported. The players will also undergo RT-PCR tests on alternate days while being under quarantine. The players will be under isolation for a week period before they will be allowed to meet in common areas of the team hotel, the report added. “All the rules will be same like we followed in England. The outstation players will come by charter flight and some fly business class of commercial airline. They will do seven days of room quarantine and then can meet in common areas inside the bio-bubble. The players will do gym sessions in staggered manner,” PTI quoted an anonymous BCCI source as saying. Indian players and support staff are slated to be under quarantine for just three days upon arrival in Sri Lanka and then they will undergo intra-squad training where they will practice as per match situations. “It will be just like what’s happening in England. Match situations will be created and that’s how the intra-squad training will be held. You can’t have your main players get out off the first ball and not bat again or bat for the whole innings. Everyone needs training so it won’t be practice games as such,” the source added. India’s tour of Sri Lanka is scheduled to commence on July 13 with the three-match ODI series which will be followed by an equally longer T20I series from July 21.

England announce 16-man squad for Sri Lanka T20Is, recall Woakes, Willey, Dawson after long time

England have announced their 16-man squad for the T20 series against Sri Lanka scheduled to take off on June 23. The squad will see the return of Chris Woakes, who last played for England in the format way back in 2015 and David Willey, who has not played white-ball cricket for England since 2019 and Liam Dawson who has not featured since the year 2018. The side will also see the return of Jos Buttler after missing out in the Test series against New Zealand as England went ahead with ‘fresh faces.’ from the Test squad facing the Blackcaps in a two-match Test series, only Mark Wood has found a place in the lineup. England head coach and now also a selector Chris Silverwood underlined the preparation for the ICC World T20 scheduled for later this year behind the move to pick other ‘experienced’ players as many other first-choice players such as Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer are yet to recover from injuries. "With the T20 World Cup only a few months away, this summer is about perfecting our team and continue to progress on the field. We want to approach every series with an influx of players aiming to win every match and giving us the best preparation as we get closer to the tournament," England Men's Head Coach, Chris Silverwood, said. "With several high-profile players missing through injury, it allows me to look at some of our experienced players who have not featured at this level for some time. The likes of Chris Woakes and David Willey are very experienced cricketers, and to have them both in the mix is exciting and shows the depth of squad we have available. I want our team to play an attacking form of the game. I hope we can continue to excite the England fans with our approach," he added. England squad Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler (WK), Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

Shakib Al Hasan handed three-match ban, fined BDT 5 lakh after Dhaka Premier League outbursts

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is all set to be sanctioned a four-match ban after the episodes of angry outbursts against umpire in a Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier League match on June 11. As per a Cricbuzz report, the Mohammedan Sporting Club cricket committee chairman Masuduzzaman has confirmed that umpires have recommended a four-match ban for one of the biggest stars in Bangladesh cricket. He also said that the Mohammedan Sporting Club will seek details from the Bangladesh Cricket Board on why a player of such stature resorted to such unceremonious behaviour. “We have not got any official letter so far but we have learnt that the umpires committee have recommended a four-match ban. We will appeal to the board and ask them that they must dig the matter and see why Shakib was prompted to take such a step. Naturally, it was not acceptable but at the same time we have to find out why it happened,'' Mohammedan Sporting Club cricket committee chairman Masuduzzaman said to Cricbuzz. Shakib’s behaviour attracted a lot of criticism on social media and both the fans and people having their eyes on the game demanded strict punishment for the all-rounder. Some of them went to the extent of a life ban for Shakib though that seems unlikely.