The BCCI didn't send its representative at the Annual General Meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) held in Lahore due to “security concerns” and existing political tension between neighbouring nations. Although the BCCI skipped the meeting, the head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Nazmul Hassan took over as president of the ACC from Ehsan Mani till 2020. A PCB official said that India was the only notable absentee from the meeting which was attended by 33 nations affiliated to the ACC, including full members like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. “Dave Richardson the CEO of the ICC also attended the meeting,” he said.“BCCI had conveyed to the PCB and ACC that it was not in a position to attend the meeting due to existing political situation and security concerns,” a PCB official said.
Skip Ranji, BCCI tells Ishant, Ashwin
The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has asked Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin to skip Ranji Trophy matches ahead of their departure for the Test series in Australia. It is learnt that members of the Test squad, barring the ones playing for India ‘A’ in New Zealand and those already with the T20I team in Australia, will be leaving on Nov 24. The next round of Ranji Trophy matches are scheduled to end on November 23. The Indian team management has opted for a four-day First-Class match instead of a three-day practice match ahead of their four-Test series Down Under. The match starts on Nov 28 and is being seen more of a workout for bowlers like Mohammad Shami, Ishant and Ashwin who haven’t played much cricket recently. The first Test begins in Adelaide on Dec 6.
It is learnt that the Delhi team management wanted to get the services of Ishant for their next game in Hyderabad but the board sent a mail to DDCA telling them to ignore the pacer. Only Mohammad Shami has been allowed to turn up for Bengal but with with a rider that he should not bowl more than 15 overs in a day. “Ishant and Ashwin are experienced bowlers and they need to be preserved. Shami wanted some game time but Ishant is looked as someone who has to do a lot of bowling in Australia,” a BCCI official said.
Advani bags double, takes title tally to 21
Green baize baron Pankaj Advani added the longer format title to the points format crown he won a couple of days ago in the IBSF World Billiards Championships at Yangonto and take his world title count to 21. In a lopsided title clash, Advani outclassed his mate and sparring partner B Bhaskar 1,500-299 for a record fourth double in his career. Advani reduced his rival, a two-time Asian silver medallist and a World Championship bronze medalist, to a mere spectator. Advani, who gave up his professional snooker card a few years ago to play both billiards and snooker, has been dominating the IBSF circuit in both disciplines and raking up titles with consummate ease. Most knew which way the final was headed from the start as Advani rifled in a sizzling break of 190 on his first visit following a poor opening by Bhaskar. Breaks flowed from his cue with regularity as further runs of 171, 86, 92 and 134 in quick succession had Bhaskar glued to his chair. He fired another flowing 198 to open up a huge lead. When Pankaj crossed the thousand mark in the first-to-1,500 final, Bhaskar was languishing at 206. The 800-point deficit proved to be a tall order for Bhaskar to bridge.
Kiwi cricket board allows its players for full IPL season
In a significant development, New Zealand Cricket has allowed their players to take part in the entire duration of the next edition of Indian Premier League. The announcement came in the wake of reports that Australia and England cricket boards aren't allowing their players to figure in IPL12 till its conclusion, because of the 2019 ICC World Cup, which is beginning May-end in England. Explaining the reason behind this decision, James Wear, GM Commercial, New Zealand Cricket, said, "We're keen to give our guys as much experience playing all around the world as possible so that they get a great experience by playing in the IPL." New Zealand skipper and captain Kane Williamson, pacers Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult, and Mitchell McClenaghan regularly feature in the cash-rich T20 league. Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket is preparing to host the Indian team in the upcoming five-match ODI and best-of-three T20 International series. The first ODI is to be held at Napier on January 23.
New Zealand record 4-run win over Pak in 1st test
Pakistan succumbed to debutant spinner Ajaz Patel's five-wicket haul and lost the first test against New Zealand by four runs at Abu Dhabi. Needing 139 more runs with all 10 wickets in hand on the fourth day, Pakistan was bowled out for 171 with Patel taking 5-59 and Wagner claiming 2-27. Azhar Ali (65) and Asad Shafiq (45) seemed to have carried Pakistan to victory with an 82-run fourth wicket stand before Wagner broke through just before lunch by having Shafiq caught behind. Babar Azam's (10) run out in a mix-up with Azhar triggered the collapse as Pakistan lost its last six wickets for only 24 runs. Azhar was the last man to be dismissed when Patel had him leg before wicket as New Zealand recorded its narrowest test victory in terms of runs.
Bangladesh level series against Zimbabwe
Mehidy Hasan took five wickets to propel Bangladesh toward a series-leveling, 218-run win in the second cricket test against Zimbabwe. The Bangladeshi offspinner returned 5-38 to help dismiss Zimbabwe for 224 in the middle of the last day despite a defiant, unbeaten 106 from Brendan Taylor. Hasan underlined his importance as an allrounder in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan with figures of 8-99 for the match, combined with two unbeaten innings of 64 and 27. Taylor, who scored 110 in Zimbabwe's first innings, resisted the Bangladesh spinners but didn't get enough support from his colleagues to bat through the last day to salvage a draw. It was Taylor's second pair of centuries in a test following his 171 and 102 not out in 2013, also against Bangladesh, making him the third Zimbabwe batsman to achieve that after brothers Andy and Grant Flower. Opener Brian Chari was the other notable contributor for Zimbabwe with 43. Resuming the day on 76-2 and needing to survive three sessions for a draw to seal their first test series victory since 2011, Zimbabwe began cautiously with Taylor leading from the front. Pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman (1-19) got the opening breakthrough in the third over, dismissing Sean Williams (13). Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (2-93) continued tormenting Zimbabwe, with his guile and turn to collect the wicket of Sikandar Raza for 12. He finished the series with 18 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls. Bangladesh set up the match with its first innings of 522-7 declared, which included Mushfiqur Rahim's career best 219 not out and Mominul Haque's 161.
