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Pakistan will kick off the tournament against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Dec-2024India will play their Champions Trophy 2025 matches in the UAE. The decision, though widely expected, was finalised after Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, met with Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak in Pakistan. Sheikh Nahyan is a senior UAE minister and also the head of the Emirates Cricket Board.”The PCB has picked the UAE as a neutral venue for the Champions Trophy,” PCB spokesperson Amir Mir said.The Pakistan vs India league match will be played on February 23, a Sunday. Apart from Pakistan, the other two teams in India’s group are Bangladesh and New Zealand. India will face Bangladesh on February 20, and New Zealand on March 2. All these games are likely to be held in Dubai.

Champions Trophy 2025 groups

Group A – Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and New Zealand
Group B – Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa

Pakistan, the defending champions, will kick off the tournament on February 19, against New Zealand in Karachi. Pakistan’s last league match, against Bangladesh, will be played in Rawalpindi on February 27.The second group has Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa. The matches for both groups – apart from the India games – will be played across Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.The two semi-finals are scheduled for March 4 (without a reserve day) and March 5 (with a reserve day). The final on March 9 also has a reserve day. The first semi-final, if India make it to that stage, will be played in the UAE. If India don’t qualify, the game will be held in Pakistan. The final is slotted for Lahore, with the provision of holding it in the UAE if India make it that far.The hybrid model was finalised after the parties involved agreed that, in return, Pakistan’s matches at ICC events hosted by India till 2027 will also be at a neutral venue. In all instances, knockout games such as the semi-final and the final will also be held at neutral venues.The agreement begins with the Champions Trophy, and will apply to the 2025 women’s ODI World Cup in India, and the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. It will also apply to the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, the first tournament of the next events cycle that has now been awarded to Pakistan.

New chief selector accuses player of going back on his word, but it is understood that Rauf views the exchange differently

Danyal Rasool20-Nov-2023Chief selector Wahab Riaz has launched a withering critique of Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf, claiming he had backed out of being a part of the Test squad for the tour of Australia and that it would “hurt Pakistan cricket”.At his first press conference since being appointed to the role, Wahab announced Pakistan’s 18-member squad, but almost instantly, shifted focus towards Rauf’s non-selection, accusing the player of going back on his word. It is a claim that, a source close to Rauf told ESPNcricinfo, the player vehemently denies.”We spoke to Haris Rauf for this tour,” Wahab said. “When we spoke to him two days ago, he gave his consent to play Test cricket for Pakistan. But last night he changed his mind, and now he doesn’t want to be part of this Test series. I’m revealing this because we should be honest with officials, team-mates, and the public. We spoke to Haris and he was worried about his body and fitness, as well as his workload. Mohammad Hafeez and I sat with him and tried to facilitate him in every way. We told him even if he didn’t perform well there, we would accept it.Related

• PCB terminates Haris Rauf's central contract for not committing to Australia tour

• Shahid Afridi: Rauf should be part of Test side instead of BBL

• Melbourne Stars sign Dan Lawrence as a replacement player

• 'The priority is Pakistan' – Hafeez stresses international-first policy for contracted players

• Explainer – Making sense of Babar Azam's unexpected resignation as Pakistan captain

“Our physio spoke to him and said he wouldn’t expect any issue or injury. Of course there’s fatigue, but we were sure we could have managed that very well. But he pulled out at the last moment and he made himself unavailable. I think this will hurt Pakistan cricket.”ESPNcricinfo understands that Rauf views his exchange with Wahab very differently. A source close to the player revealed that Rauf had never committed to playing the Test matches in Australia, and confirmed his non-availability the previous night. He told Wahab he hadn’t played much red-ball cricket in the build-up, and wanted to work on his white-ball game as well as his fitness.Wahab also mentioned about the other talking points around the selection of the first Pakistan squad since Babar Azam quit captaincy, but repeatedly found himself drawing back towards Rauf.”I just told you a short version of what Haris and I spoke about,” he said. “We spoke to the captain and coach, and we said we view Haris Rauf as an impact bowler. We weren’t demanding more than 10-12 overs a day. The only issue is when you say you’re available for Pakistan, especially at a time when our three main high-pace bowlers, who can bowl over 140 [kph] other than Haris are unavailable. At some point, you need to sacrifice to play for your country. Haris was committed to us, and pulled out after two days.”In his first press conference as Pakistan chief selector Wahab Riaz faced a barrage of questions•Associated Press

That Rauf’s absence provoked such a strong reaction is something of a surprise for cricketing reasons, too. Rauf has only ever played one Test match, the first against England in Rawalpindi last year. He got injured after bowling 13 overs in the first innings, and did not bowl thereafter. He was not a part of Pakistan’s squad for the away series in Sri Lanka, which Pakistan won 2-0. But the conditions in Australia, coupled with the unavailability of Naseem Shah and Ihsanullah, means Wahab appears to have felt strongly about having Rauf on tour.”I’ve played with most of these boys and I have a great relationship with them,” Wahab said. “But when it comes to professionalism, we have to look at what’s best for Pakistan. Haris was unavailable after the England series and not a part of any other Test series. When you are a centrally contracted player, it is your duty to serve Pakistan. I’m not disappointed, but the same players will later complain they weren’t given the opportunity, and people will ask why such and such player wasn’t selected.”Wahab did say it wouldn’t affect his inclusion in Pakistan’s T20I and ODI sides, though, but that he would “respect and value the players who want to be a part of red-ball cricket. Playing red-ball cricket makes you a better player.”The conflict between player and selector sets up a fascinating showdown ahead of the Big Bash League in Australia. Rauf is considered a marquee player for the Melbourne Stars. The league starts on December 13 and runs until February 4, overlapping with all three Tests in Australia, and would have hindered his availability had he been a part of the Pakistan squad.However, ESPNcricinfo also understands there is no guarantee of the PCB issuing a No-Objection Certificate for Rauf to play the BBL while relations between the chief selector and Rauf remain strained. Pakistan’s centrally contracted players did sign recent contracts that saw the PCB agree to permitting players to take part in two foreign T20 leagues, but how that plays out in practice remains to be seen.

Pair put on mammoth 248-run, fifth-wicket stand to take contest away from Durham

ECB Reporters Network13-Jul-2022Derbyshire 283 (du Plooy 122, Dal 90, Rushworth 7-44) and 320 for 6 (du Plooy 134, Guest 116, Rushworth 4-44) lead Durham 296 (Mackintosh 51, Pettman 3-40, Thomson 3-48) by 316 runsCenturies from Leus du Plooy and Brooke Guest worked Derbyshire into a match-winning position on day three of their LV= Insurance County Championship Division Two clash against Durham.Du Plooy and Guest combined for a mammoth stand of 248 for the fifth wicket to take the contest away from the home side, recovering from the loss of two early wickets that had put the visitors in trouble at 36 for 4 in the first hour of the day.The two Derbyshire batters were outstanding as Du Plooy scored his second century of the game, while Guest passed three figures for the third time of the campaign to leave their side in command at the close at 329 for 6 with a lead of 316 and the potential of an overnight declaration.After reducing the visitors to 19 for 2 in the evening session on day two, Matt Salisbury ramped up the pressure on Derbyshire by pinning Luis Reece lbw for 12 after the opener opted to leave a straight delivery. Rushworth then claimed his 10th wicket of the game by ousting Wayne Madsen for nine, leaving the visitors in a precarious position with a lead of only 23.The visitors were in dire need of a partnership to calm proceedings, and Guest and Du Plooy rose to the occasion in sublime manner. They ushered Derbyshire into the lunch break to stem the tide and force Durham captain Scott Borthwick to alter his plans.After the break, Guest and Du Plooy reached their half-centuries in the same Liam Trevaskis over and continued to lay the foundations of a match-winning position. Guest had been stymied in the morning session, but moved through the gears against a toiling Durham attack in the afternoon under the baking sun at Chester-le-Street. The bowlers found no life in a flat pitch, and it allowed Guest and Du Plooy to capitalise to great effect, turning the momentum of the game in the favour of Derbyshire.Du Plooy was unfettered and continued his fine form from the first innings, offering nothing to the home side in a controlled knock. For the second time of the partnership, both men reached their milestones in the same over as Du Plooy became the 19th Derbyshire player to score two hundreds in a match. Guest followed his team-mate to three figures from 216 balls, securing his third ton of the campaign along, pushing their partnership past 200, Derbyshire’s highest for the fifth wicket against Durham.Du Plooy’s outstanding innings was finally ended by Rushworth with the new ball finding the outside edge, but only after the left-hander notched his highest score of the campaign. Guest soon followed for 116 lbw to Salisbury, but the visitors were already entrenched in a dominant position before Anuj Dal and Hilton Cartwright worked their lead past the 300-run mark at the close.

Babar Azam to lead, Sarfaraz Ahmed included and Yasir Shah out for all three formats

Umar Farooq12-Mar-2021Sharjeel Khan’s PSL form has been rewarded with a recall to the national side for the first time in over four years, as he was included in Pakistan’s T20I squad for the tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe next month.Sharjeel was the third-highest corer in this year’s curtailed PSL season, finishing only behind Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, but at a fantastic strike rate of 170.94, well ahead of what the other two recorded. Sharjeel, playing for the Karachi Kings, was the only player to score a hundred in this edition, against the Islamabad United.The recall capped an eventful four years for the left-handed opener, who was out of the game altogether for two and a half of them, banned for his part in the 2017 PSL spot-fixing scandal.There have, however, been question marks about Sharjeel’s fitness. “Fitness isn’t the only criteria for selection – at the end of the day, a player has to play cricket. We are already working on reviewing the fitness testing levels and will introduce a new strategy [to gauge fitness],” Mohammad Wasim, Pakistan’s chief selector, said in a press conference. “I didn’t comment on Sharjeel’s fitness earlier as his performances [last year] were patchy, but now we have to look at anyone who performs, whatever the fitness they have.”Yes, I understand there is still a lot work that needs to be done on his fitness and he will improve with time, but at the moment he can win us big games with his bat.”The view on Sharjeel’s fitness marked something of a U-turn for the PCB. As recently as a year ago, PCB CEO Wasim Khan, not normally known for singling out players for criticism, had made an exception for Sharjeel, bemoaning his inability to remain fit while serving his ban, and said there was “a long way to go” before he could be considered for national selection.The other significant development was the absence of Yasir Shah from the Test side as he continued to nurse a left knee injury.The senior legspinner has been a regular in Pakistan’s Test squads for much of the past seven years, but has also experienced a form dip in recent times. The emergence of spinners like Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood and Nauman Ali – all included in the expanded Test squad – have also meant that Pakistan can afford to look beyond him. Shah’s performances in the southern hemisphere have been particularly underwhelming, with an average of 87 in that part of the world over the years.Shahnawaz Dhani, the Multan Sultans fast bowler who was something of a feel-good story during the PSL, was also called up for the Test series against Zimbabwe, with the chief selector saying that his performances during the tournament showed he could perform under pressure.Dhani took nine wickets in four PSL matches this season – the second-most among all bowlers, and while an economy rate of 10.33 needs work, there was enough for Mohammad Wasim to suggest he could be a white-ball prospect.”We basically saw him playing red-ball cricket in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and in the PSL he exhibited that he can handle the pressure,” the chief selector said. “He has the quality, the way he is bowling with control and pace… if we were playing Tests against South Africa, we would have reconsidered it, but we picked him because we are playing Zimbabwe.”Also, we are lacking fast bowlers in red-ball cricket. In white-ball cricket, we have more options than him. He is presently our future in red-ball cricket and we are trying make a pool and attract players in this format. He is definitely going to be considered for white-ball cricket in future.”Pakistan play three ODIs and four T20Is against South Africa before moving to Zimbabwe, where they are scheduled to play two Test matches and three T20Is.Test squad: Babar Azam (capt), Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Tabish Khan, Hasan Ali, Shahnawaz Dhani, Nauman Ali, Zahid Mahmood, Sajid Khan.ODI squad: Babar Azam (capt), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Haider Ali, Danish Aziz, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Qadir, Hasan Ali.T20I squad: Babar Azam (capt), Shadab Khan, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Haider Ali, Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Qadir, Hasan Ali, Arshad Iqbal.

Dawid Malan says he felt like he was banging his head against a wall as Middlesex captain

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Nov-2019England batsman Dawid Malan has described his frustration at the way his time with Middlesex ended. Malan gave up the captaincy at the end of the 2019 season and subsequently agreed a move to Yorkshire after 13 seasons with the London club.Under new head coach, Stuart Law, Middlesex finished eighth in Division Two of the Championship, despite Malan leading the way with more than 1000 runs. They reached the quarter-finals of both the Vitality Blast and the Royal London Cup but Malan announced his decision to step down at the end-of-season members’ forum.Malan is currently on tour of New Zealand with the England T20I team and after his move to Yorkshire was announced said that it had begun to feel like he was “banging my head against a wall” at Middlesex, after a communications breakdown with Law.”I just needed a fresh challenge,” he said. “I’ve been captain of Middlesex for two years, and I’ve been banging my head against a wall for a wee while. I didn’t really enjoy the cricket as much as I’d have liked to.”When I spoke to them, Yorkshire seemed like a team that really want to win trophies, and that’s the ambition. I don’t want to finish my career just plodding along in county cricket. I want to be somewhere that really wants to challenge to win stuff.”I was wanting things to move in the right direction [at Middlesex]. That was it. It frustrated me that I didn’t really know what was going on, or what the plans were and so on.”While Malan has played all three formats for England, he has struggled to nail down a spot. He was their leading run-scorer in a T20I tri-series featuring New Zealand and Australia two winters ago but then did not feature again as England utilised Jos Buttler as an option at opener.With several first-choice players such as Buttler, Jason Roy and Joe Root rested from this tour, Malan has another opportunity to stake his claim, contributing scores of 11 and 39 in the first two games.”It was disappointing Jos went back up to open the batting, because it made position for guys like Vincey [James Vince] and myself, who bat at the top of the order, really tough,” he said.”I think I was the leading run-scorer in the last series I played in, but I hadn’t played a game for the last 18 months in Twenty20. That’s just the way it goes. I did everything I could to be part of the squad, but unfortunately it didn’t work out because of the players they’ve got above you.”He also indicated he hopes to force his way back into Test contention, despite England’s national selector, Ed Smith, suggesting that Malan’s game was better-suited to overseas conditions when he was dropped from the side during the 2018 summer.”I still want to play for England across all three formats,” Malan said. “I’m only 32, so I’ve got a lot of good years ahead of me, it’s just up to me to perform.”What Ed said wasn’t ideal but he’s clarified it to me – my Test record in England isn’t as good as it should be, which is my own fault and no one else’s. But that doesn’t mean I can’t play Test cricket again. It’s up to me to score runs for Yorkshire and keep my name in the hat.”

With several senior players returning to the fold, the coach is confident his team will put on a better show than they have in the recent past

Liam Brickhill28-Sep-2018Zimbabwe’s coach Lalchand Rajput is oozing optimism ahead of the first ODI in Kimberley on Sunday. It’s one trait by which his short tenure – he took over the position full-time in August after filling in on an interim basis in July – has been characterised.”South Africa has to be aware that this is not the Zimbabwe team of the past,” Rajput said. “This is a team that is going to give them a good run for their money. We have come to show the world that we are a competitive team and every game is important. We are here to show we can play aggressive cricket and we are here to win.”That’s fighting talk, and Rajput has inspired teams before. Part of the Indian team’s think-tank for a couple of years, including when they won the inaugural World T20 in 2007, Rajput was also in charge of Mumbai Indians in the 2008 IPL and oversaw many of Afghanistan’s recent achievements during his tenure as their coach. On his watch, Afghanistan won six out of 10 limited-overs series, secured Full Membership, and even toppled West Indies in an ODI in Gros Islet – their first win in the format over a Full Member other than Zimbabwe or Bangladesh.Rajput is no doubt looking to replicate that success with Zimbabwe, and is hoping the challenge of taking on South Africa for the first time in three years will spur his team on. “South Africa is always a big challenge, but a challenge always gets the best out of me and the players,” he said.Rajput’s optimism, however, is yet to translate to success on the field. While Zimbabwe stayed just about afloat in their T20I tri-series against Australia and Pakistan, they floundered in the ODIs to lose 5-0 as Pakistan set numerous records.”The series we played when I took over was not good for us, but it was never going to be easy to face Australia and Pakistan in the T20I triangular series and then Pakistan in the ODI series when we were missing seven to eight players,” Rajput explained.”But now that the players are back, it looks a balanced team – a team that wants to do well. Apart from Graeme Cremer and Sikandar Raza, most of our senior players are back and, when experience and youth combine, we can get the best out of the team.”

Joe Denly took two late wickets to follow scores of 119 and 71 not out as Kent closed in on victory over Sussex

Paul Edwards at Tunbridge Wells28-May-2017
Scorecard”There will be days and days and days like this,” says Susan Traherne at the end of , the film David Hare adapted from his own stage play. Susan is wrong; that final scene is a flashback and we know that her later life will be filled with unhappiness. All the same, as spectators watched Kent’s bowlers press hard for victory over Sussex on the third evening at Tunbridge Wells it would have been easy for them to echo Susan’s blamelessly optimistic sentiments as she looked over the French countryside. The ovations that greeted Matt Coles’ two early wickets and Joe Denly’s two late ones were also outpourings of pleasure from people grateful to be watching their sport at one of English cricket’s other Edens. And surely there will be more Sundays like this?Such assumptions are dangerous. As reported in the on Friday, this game was nearly moved to Canterbury because of concerns about both the outfield and the pitch, the latter having flooded because of inadequate covering by employees of Tunbridge Wells council, the body which “owns” this ground. Hours of work by Kent’s groundstaff and members of the Tunbridge Wells club saved the Festival but it was a close-run thing and the county’s officials are clear they will not go through such a shemozzle again.All of which may not have troubled some of those who had seen Kent’s batsmen do much as they wished with Luke Wright’s bowlers in the morning session. Sean Dickson had made 74 when he was leg before on the front foot to Danny Briggs. The batsmen looked down at his leg and back at the stumps when Peter Hartley gave his decision; perhaps he was regretting all those Friday afternoons when he dozed off during geometry lessons.Daniel Bell-Drummond seemed set for a hundred when he inside-edged an attempted square-drive on to his stumps and departed with 90 runs against his name. At that point Kent were 188 for 2 but the real entertainment was to come as Denly and Sam Northeast scored 70 runs in 35 minutes before lunch. The crowd enjoyed this, too, although their pleasure was alloyed somewhat by the need to protect their strawberries and Sancerre from cricket balls travelling at ferocious velocities. Denly cleared the rope three times in successive overs as he and Northeast sought to pile up the sort of lead that would allow them to set very aggressive fields while giving Sussex nothing but a draw on their dance card. Thirty years ago the picnics may have been more modest – Scotch eggs and Blue Nun, perhaps – but no one doubted that the Tunbridge Wells festival would continue, rather as it had since 1901.Northeast and Denly brought up their century partnership in 72 balls and the declaration was applied 20 minutes after the resumption. Sussex were challenged to score 504 to win and one or two Kent supporters may have pledged that they would breakdance in the Pantiles if Darren Stevens and his congregation of bowlers allowed this one to slip.Immediately the self-respect of the Sevenoaks faithful, not to mention the ambience of Tunbridge Wells’ most stylish quarter, seemed secure. Harry Finch was leg before to a full delivery from Coles in the third over of the innings; ten minutes later Luke Wells played too early at a delivery from the same bowler and gave an shin-high return catch to the Maidstone mountain. Poor Wells, his misery seemed beyond conception. He dropped his bat, bowed his head in his hands and took longer to leave the ground than a substituted Premier League footballer when his team is winning 1-0 and there are moments to play.Two balls later Chris Nash could offer his sympathy. His foot movement restricted by Adam Rouse’s decision to stand up to the stumps, the Sussex opener had his off stump knocked back and its bail broken by a good ball from Stevens which nipped away a shade. Sussex were then 8 for 3 and we were wondering whether we might be home before evensong.It did not turn out that way. Partly this was because Wright hit Stevens’ more attacking deliveries for eight boundaries in 38 before he nicked a leg-side catch to Rouse off James Harris. More persuasively, however, it was explained by Stiaan van Zyl and Michael Burgess’ obduracy, the pair batting for 30 overs and deep into the evening session as they sought to make Kent fight for their points. Van Zyl’s shot selection was particularly impressive and he had made 78 off 134 balls when he was judged caught behind off Denly’s part-time legspin. To say that he was not pleased by Hartley’s decision does little justice to his apparent ire.Next over, Chris Jordan collected a pair when he gave a gentle return catch to Denly and, once again, a three-day finish threatened. But David Wiese and Burgess batted stoutly through the final 11 overs and Burgess in particular will have gained more than 44 runs from his 157-minute innings. Kent’s victory, though, should be confirmed at some stage on Monday and one could wish that the future of cricket at the Nevill was as certain. One hopes, indeed, that the banks of dark asperatus cloud which encircled this sacred place in the late afternoon did not symbolise something.There is clearly a need for all parties to talk and to do so soon. More responsibility should be given to Steve Niker and his staff at the Nevill; they would break their backs to ensure that the festival continues. It would be easy to demonise the local authority but they have pressing financial priorities and may wish to delegate to people who actually know something about cricket outfields and pitches.On the other hand, Tunbridge Wells council may be under the misapprehension that they own this blessed plot. They do not; rather, they are the guardians of one of the finest cricket grounds in England and they are properly charged with the task of ensuring that the Nevill’s full glory is available to the next generation. Kent, meanwhile, are doubly blessed: “God or whatever means the good” has granted them the use of the St Lawrence and Nevill grounds; they must honour such gifts and do whatever they can to stay at both venues. Tunbridge Wells is a demi-paradise and we have seen so much good cricket this weekend. Surely there will be days and days like this?

Sean Ervine has been named as Hampshire captain in T20 and 50-over cricket after James Vince’s England call

ESPNcricinfo staff18-May-2016The rise of James Vince to England’s Test team has left his county, Hampshire, looking for a replacement captain, with Sean Ervine named as the man to take charge in T20 and 50-over cricket.Ervine, 33, is one of Hampshire’s longest-serving players and captained the team on their pre-season tour of Barbados, when Vince was away at the World T20.”It feels great to be captain,” Ervine said. “Whilst we’re disappointed Vince can’t be with us, it’s brilliant he’s been selected for England.”I’ll bring calmness, and try and use my experience from over the years to counter certain situations – it can get quite manic out there. I captained in Barbados during pre-season and I really enjoyed the experience. Jimmy [Adams] has been a brilliant example and Vince has done an amazing job. It’s just about making sure we continue the success we’ve had over the last few years.”Vince was named Hampshire’s T20 captain in 2014, then took over in 50-over cricket at the start of last season. Adams’ decision to relinquish the Championship captaincy midway through 2015 saw Vince elevated in all three formats but this has coincided with his England career taking off and the club may not see much of him this year.A former Zimbabwe international, Ervine has played a key part in Hampshire’s limited-overs success, helping them to lift the C&G Trophy in 2005, as well as T20 titles in 2010 and 2012. He was the first Hampshire player to make 100 T20 appearances and has helped them to a record six successive Finals Days.His first match in charge will come next Friday, when Hampshire begin their NatWest Blast campaign with a fixture away to Middlesex at Uxbridge.

Neeraj Kumar, the former Delhi Police commissioner, has been appointed as a consultant for the BCCI’s anti-corruption unit (ACU).

Amol Karhadkar20-Apr-2015Neeraj Kumar, the former Delhi Police commissioner, has been appointed as a consultant for the BCCI’s anti-corruption unit (ACU). Kumar was appointed by the IPL governing council, which met in New Delhi on Monday. Mumbai and Pune were also confirmed as venues for the first two IPL playoff games.”Neeraj Kumar has been appointed for one year as a consultant to the ACU. He will be involved in improving ACU’s operations and awareness programmes,” Rajiv Shukla, IPL governing council chairman, told ESPNcricinfo.

Working committee to discuss CLT20 on April 26

The fate of the Champions League Twenty20 will be decided by the BCCI’s working committee during its meeting on April 26.
The IPL governing council was expected to discuss the proposal of scrapping the tournament but the matter wasn’t taken up. Instead, the governing council members were told that the working committee will decide on whether to scrap the tournament or persist with it for another year.

While Shukla didn’t elaborate on Kumar’s role, it is understood that the former commissioner will set in motion an improved system to prevent players from being trapped by bookies. BCCI officials also believe that Kumar’s vast experience in cracking cricket corruption-related cases during his tenure with the police will aid the BCCI.Kumar had led the investigations during the 2013 IPL corruption scandal that saw the arrests of several players and bookies. He had also played a large role in the 2000 match-fixing investigation, the first major fixing scandal in the game. Kumar is expected to work closely with ACU chief Ravi Sawani, who was present at Monday’s meeting.During the 2013 corruption scandal investigation, Kumar had been dissatisfied with the BCCI’s vigilance against corruption. “They should maintain better vigil. Most of this stuff happens quite openly: people are seen sitting with undesirable people and people do come to know about some strangers meeting somebody. So they have the list of the suspects, they should go after them,” Kumar had said in an interview to ESPNcricinfo in July 2013. “It would not be fair to say corruption is a rule and honesty an exception. There are a few rotten eggs, which should be spotted and be weeded out.”Meanwhile, the Supreme Court approved the request of the RM Lodha committee to replace IPS officer BB Mishra with CBI officer Vivek Priyadarshi. The committee was formed by the Supreme Court to decide on punishment for Raj Kundra and Gurunath Meiyappan – both of whom were found guilty of match-fixing by the Supreme Court – and to make recommendations and suggest amendments to the procedures followed by the board.Shukla also confirmed that the governing council allotted two of the four IPL knockout matches to Mumbai Cricket Association and Maharashtra Cricket Association. “The decision over the venue for the first qualifier on May 19 will be taken later,” he said.It is understood that Kolkata and Dharamsala, home venues of BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya and secretary Anurag Thakur respectively, are frontrunners to stage the first qualifier. While the second qualifier will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 22, Pune will stage the eliminator on May 20. Eden Gardens in Kolkata has already been announced as the venue for the final, scheduled for May 24.

Lions opened their One Day Cup campaign with a crushing victory over Titans in Centurion

Firdose Moonda03-Nov-2012
ScorecardLions recovered from their Champions League T20 final defeat in blazing fashion when they beat Titans by 269 runs in the first match of the domestic one-day competition in Centurion.For Titans, it was more heartache. After they lost to Sydney Sixers off the last ball of their CLT20 semi-final, they slumped to the lowest total in a domestic limited-overs competition in South African history. They were bowled out for 60 in response to Lions’ massive 329 for 6 and that, after they put Lions in to bat on a belter.Stephen Cook, who did not take part in the CLT20 but has been in training throughout, led the way with a 122-ball 125. He shared in a 161-run opening partnership with Gulam Bodi, who was the second top run-scorer of the CLT20. The pair out on their runs in 28 overs before Bodi top-edged a sweep shot to square leg off Paul Harris.Quinton de Kock, Grant Mokoena and Neil McKenzie were all dismissed cheaply and Lions had been reined in to 255 for 5 in the 44th over. Jean Symes, who also had a good CLT20 campaign, provided the late burst. His 43 off 27 balls included five fours and two sixes to take Lions over the 300-run mark.Surprisingly, Harris, Ethy Mbhalati and Roelof van der Merwe conceded under six runs an over but Rowan Richards and CJ de Villiers took punishment. Richards was a victim of Cook’s onslaught and conceded 78 while de Villiers bowled his 10 overs for 70.The pitch would have not made Lions’ bowlers think they would get away with an easy outing and they would have been surprised to see that they did. Titans were 34 for 9 in the 16th over and all out inside 19 overs. Titans’ scorecard included four ducks and only two batsmen got into double figures.Hardus Viljoen, who used to open the bowling with Marchant de Lange at Easterns, bowled a blistering spell upfront. With fiery pace in the upper 140kphs, he took 6 for 19 and showed off seam movement. Chris Morris and Ethan O’Reilly didn’t have much to share between them but picked up one and three wickets respectively. David Wiese managed 24 of 26 balls but it will be little consolation for Titans who have now lost three of their last four matches against Lions.