The PCB bans using Pakistan’s name in private leagues
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put a ban on using the name of the country in teams representing it in private cricket leagues following the fiasco in the World Championships of Legends (WCL) in which Indian players refused to play against the ‘Pakistan Champions’. According to a report in Telecom Asia Sport, the PCB has decided to pull the plug on the use of the country’s name in private cricket leagues after the ongoing WCL in the UK was made out to be a clash between India and Pakistan. “The decision was taken after a detailed discussion in the Board of Directors meeting on Thursday,” sources told according to a report from Telecom Asia on Friday. “The high-level authorities felt Indian players refusing to play Pakistan in the WCL’s second edition twice is hurtful to the name of the country.” Moving forward, no private organisation will be permitted to use Pakistan’s name for private leagues. However, the current Pakistan Legends team will be allowed to play in Saturday’s final against South Africa. In the future, no permission will be given to any private organization to use the name of the country for private leagues. However, the current Pakistan Legends team will be allowed to play Saturday’s final against South Africa. The reports said that various private organisations have used the name of Pakistan to feature in minor and low-profile leagues in Zimbabwe, Kenya, and the USA. Sources close to the PCB stated, “All private organisations will face legal action in case they use Pakistan’s name. PCB has the sole right to allow its use for cricket events if it finds the authenticity of the League and the organisation as reputable.” It has also been reported that the Pakistan government and the IPC (Inter-provincial coordination committee), responsible for overseeing sports in the country, have issued an advisory to the PCB to regulate the use of the country’s name in private cricket leagues in the future. “All private organizations will face legal action in case they use Pakistan’s name. PCB has the sole right to allow its use for cricket events if it finds the authenticity of the League and the organization as reputable,” the report quoted sources close to the PCB as saying.
Jasprit Bumrah could miss out on the Asia Cup T20 due to workload management
India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah could miss out on the Asia Cup T20 due to workload management. Bumrah was released from the Indian team during the England tour as he chose not to play the fifth Test at The Oval to keep himself away from injury. The 31-year-old bowled 119.4 overs across the three games and picked up 14 wickets, including two fifers – at Headingley and Lord’s. However, in his third Test in the series, Bumrah struggled as he conceded more than 100 runs in a single innings for the first time in his career. Prior to India’s tour of England, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir had said that Bumrah would not play all five Tests as part of his workload management plan. India’s next international assignment is Asia Cup T20 tournament and it would be a surprise if Bumrah opts to play the tournament considering that the next Test series against West Indies will start in less than a week’s time after the event in the UAE. With the Asia Cup 2025 scheduled from September 9 to 28, the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar faces a tricky question. Given the form and strength of the Indian team, they are expected to go deeper into the tournament. With the Test series against the West Indies scheduled in less than a week’s time after the Asia Cup in the UAE, Bumrah is unlikely to play the Asia Cup. “It will be a tricky call but Bumrah loves Test cricket and there are World Test Championship points at stake. As far as T20 is concerned, he can play the series against New Zealand in January, which will be a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup,” a BCCI source abreast with Indian selection process told PTI on conditions of anonymity. “If Bumrah plays Asia Cup and suppose India plays the final, no way can he play against West Indies at Ahmedabad. Obviously the question arises, do you need Bumrah against West Indies or he plays Asia Cup after a month’s break and plays the two Tests against South Africa. That call, Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir will have to take,” the source added. Bumrah is not expected to play many ODIs till the T20 World Cup at home.
Kumar Dharmasena engaged in a heated exchange with K Rahul
The fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval saw tempers flare on Day 2. A heated exchange took place between England’s star batter Joe Root and Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna which then got spiralled which saw KL Rahul and on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena getting into a heated debate. The altercation began after Root hit Krishna for a boundary and didn’t appreciate the pacer’s comments, prompting him to charge toward the Indian bowler. The tension escalated to the point where on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Kumar Dharmasena had to step in and speak with both players to de-escalate the situation. The complete conversation between KL Rahul and Kumar Dharmasena – Rahul says to Kumar Dharmasena what do you want us to do Be quiet, just bat and bowl and go home. In reply Dharmasena says will u like any bowler to come and walk to you, no can’t do that. No Rahul we should not go on that way, we will discuss at the end of the match you can’t talk like that. It is extremely unlikely that Rahul will face any kind of punishment as he did not use any unparliamentary language while speaking to the umpire. Also, the umpires will have to take into account the situation of the match and the stakes attached with it. Once the match gets over, we will get more clarity on the matter. After being bowled out for 224 in their first innings, India fought back strongly on Day 2 of the Oval Test. England’s openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, had threatened to take control of the match with a solid 92-run partnership. However, their momentum was halted by a stellar bowling performance from Mohammed Siraj. The Indian pacer showcased his experience, taking three crucial wickets in a lengthy eight-over spell during the second session. He dismissed the key batsmen of Joe Root, Ollie Pope, and Jacob Bethell, shifting the momentum back to India. This spell was instrumental in the visitors’ comeback, as England was eventually bowled out for 247, managing to secure only a slender 23-run lead. At the moment, India have their noses slightly in front with a lead of 52 runs. India have eight wickets in hand and Yashasvi Jaiswal is batting on 51*. India would hope to get as many runs as possible as the pitch is expected to get tougher to bat on as the game progresses. The first session on Day 3 could be decisive from the point of view of both sides.
