February 15, 2017 issue
Cricket
by 208 runs
India completed a convincing 208-run win over Bangladesh in the one-off Test played in Hyderabad after bowling out the visitors for 279 in the second innings. The win continued India’s winning run in the home season that has seen them win six consecutive series since the first against Sri Lanka in 2015.
The spin duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were once again the stars for India in the bowling department along with pace bowler Ishant Sharma who picked up two wickets in quick succession to open up Bangladesh’s tail.
Ashwin and Jadeja picked up four wickets each as Bangladesh were bowled out for 250 in their second innings and falling short of the target by 209 runs. Jadeja in particular was devastating to Bangladesh getting the ball to turn and bounce off the rough on the fifth day pitch in Hyderabad.
But Bangladesh did not go down without a fight. Mahmudullah kept their hopes alive before Lunch but he fell after making 64 runs after the resumption of play.
Bangladesh were 202 for 5 at Lunch and needed 257 runs for a win in Hyderabad. At stumps on day four, India had Bangladesh at 103 for 3 from 35 overs after having set a target of 459.
Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah were the two overnight batsmen for Bangladesh and India began the day with Jadeja bowling the first over. Umesh Yadav shared the attack from the other end. Jadeja exploited the rough on the pitch.
In the fourth over of the day, a good-length delivery from Jadeja kicked off the rough and hit Shakib’s gloves and ricocheted off his thigh for a simple catch to Cheteshwar Pujara at short-leg.
India brought Ashwin late into the attack but he wasted no time in picking up a wicket. Fourth ball into the his first over, Ashwin got the wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim, who had tried four attacking shots on the first four balls.
Mushfiqur, who had shared a 56-run stand till then with Mahmudullah, mistimed a shot and threw away his wicket with a soft catch to Jadeja at mid-off. That was Ashwin’s third wicket of the second innings. Mehedi Hasan Miraz, who scored his maiden Test half century in Bangladesh’s first innings was next to go for Bangladesh. India had to wait for nearly 15 overs to get his scalp. After that, it was only a matter of time before Bangladesh were bundled out for 250 all out. Taijul Islam became the fourth batsman to fall to Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin ended the proceedings with his own fourth scalp.
Summarized scores:
India 687 for 6 wickets declared and 159 for 4 declared.
Bangladesh 388 all out and 250 all out. India won by 208 runs.
Joe Root has been named as England's Test captain on Monday (February 13) with Ben Stokes appointed as his deputy. Root was understood to have been interviewed by England's Director of Cricket Andrew Strauss last week for the top job. Strauss also met Stokes and senior pacer Stuart Broad to fetch his inputs on England's results in the Test arena in the last few months.
The process to appoint the new skipper began last week after Alastair Cook had stepped down from his role following the 4-0 loss in India. Cook had led England in 59 Tests, the most by any captain in the country's history. Root has captained in only four first-class matches so far in his career but has been Cook's deputy since 2015. He has scored more than 4500 runs in his 53-match Test career at an impressive average of 52.80. "It is a huge honour to be given the England Test captaincy," Root said following his appointment. "I feel privileged, humbled and very excited.
"We have a very good group of players and I'm looking forward to leading them out in the summer, building on Alastair's achievements and making the most of our talents in the years ahead. The senior guys in the changing room play a very influential role and whilst there's a natural progression for me it's a huge support to know that they are there to help and advise."
Colin Graves, England Cricket Board's Chairman, hailed Root as the 'perfect choice' to become England's 80th Test captain.
"Joe Root is the perfect choice for England Test captain," Graves said. "I'm delighted that he has accepted the role and will now help to take the team to the next level.
Strauss said he's delighted that Ben Stokes will take over from Joe as vice-captain of the team. He has real presence and influence within the team environment that serve as a great source of support for Joe. I have no doubts that the responsibility will also help Ben to continue his rapid rise as a world class all-rounder."
The process to appoint the new skipper began last week after Alastair Cook had stepped down from his role following the 4-0 loss in India. Cook had led England in 59 Tests, the most by any captain in the country's history. Root has captained in only four first-class matches so far in his career but has been Cook's deputy since 2015. He has scored more than 4500 runs in his 53-match Test career at an impressive average of 52.80. "It is a huge honour to be given the England Test captaincy," Root said following his appointment. "I feel privileged, humbled and very excited.
"We have a very good group of players and I'm looking forward to leading them out in the summer, building on Alastair's achievements and making the most of our talents in the years ahead. The senior guys in the changing room play a very influential role and whilst there's a natural progression for me it's a huge support to know that they are there to help and advise."
Colin Graves, England Cricket Board's Chairman, hailed Root as the 'perfect choice' to become England's 80th Test captain.
"Joe Root is the perfect choice for England Test captain," Graves said. "I'm delighted that he has accepted the role and will now help to take the team to the next level.
Strauss said he's delighted that Ben Stokes will take over from Joe as vice-captain of the team. He has real presence and influence within the team environment that serve as a great source of support for Joe. I have no doubts that the responsibility will also help Ben to continue his rapid rise as a world class all-rounder."
new ODI captain
Pakistan wicket keeper Sarfraz Ahmed on Thursday was appointed captain of the One Day International (ODI) cricket team, replacing senior batsman Azhar Ali.
Azhar Ali, in a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan in Dubai, informed the PCB head that he is ready to step down as captain, PCB sources said, after which the PCB appointed Sarfraz captain.
Separately, Test captain Misbah-ul-haq told the PCB chairman that he needs some time to decide whether he will remain captain or not and will reach a decision after the Pakistan Super League, the sources said.
DawnNews reported a phone conversation with Shehryar Khan talking from Dubai saying that Ahzar Ali told him that he was ready to step down as the ODI captain.
"After Azhar's offer I discuss the matter with head coach Mickey Arthur, Inzamam ul Haq and other senior officials and we mutualy decided to appoint Sarfraz as the new captain."
Shehryar Khan also said, "Misbah has informed him that he is yet to decide about retaining the position as the Test captain and will inform us about his decision after PSL"
The PCB chairman gave Misbah time to make the decision, but made it clear that the board will also have a say in the matter of Test captaincy.
Azhar Ali, in a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan in Dubai, informed the PCB head that he is ready to step down as captain, PCB sources said, after which the PCB appointed Sarfraz captain.
Separately, Test captain Misbah-ul-haq told the PCB chairman that he needs some time to decide whether he will remain captain or not and will reach a decision after the Pakistan Super League, the sources said.
DawnNews reported a phone conversation with Shehryar Khan talking from Dubai saying that Ahzar Ali told him that he was ready to step down as the ODI captain.
"After Azhar's offer I discuss the matter with head coach Mickey Arthur, Inzamam ul Haq and other senior officials and we mutualy decided to appoint Sarfraz as the new captain."
Shehryar Khan also said, "Misbah has informed him that he is yet to decide about retaining the position as the Test captain and will inform us about his decision after PSL"
The PCB chairman gave Misbah time to make the decision, but made it clear that the board will also have a say in the matter of Test captaincy.
over Sri Lanka, and No. 1
South Africa rode a roaring 187-run first-wicket stand and two effortless centuries from their openers to a monumental 384 for 6 and, eventually, the No. 1 ODI ranking. Their reward for winning an 11th ODI on the trot was the unseating of Australia - whom they had also thrashed 5-0 at home last year - and moving one point clear at the top of the table.
South Africa's dominance of Sri Lanka in this series has been complete. They outbatted, outbowled and outfielded the visitors again, and this win - an 88-run thumping - was a fitting finish. The only consolations for Sri Lanka were Asela Gunaratne's hard-earned-but-inconsequential maiden century, as well as having batted 50 overs for the first time in the series.
If Quinton de Kock was the early aggressor, taking the innings by the collar inside the Powerplay, Hashim Amla bided his time, and only later fashioned violence from timing and grace. His 154 from 134 deliveries was his second-highest ODI score, and again helped showcase the awesome might of this South Africa top order.
It was thanks to more poor catching, more wayward bowling, and the general lack of menace in their attack that Sri Lanka found themselves stuck chasing the biggest score of the series. Though they had made something of the pursuit of 368 in Cape Town on Tuesday of last week, they did not manage to stay in the game beyond the early stages of their innings this time.
Niroshan Dickwella flashed attractively for a 19-ball 39, but the rest of the top order fell around him. They were 82 for 5 in the 14th over, their fate virtually sealed, but Gunaratne and Sachith Pathirana sought to make the best of a bad situation by putting on a 93-run sixth-wicket stand. After Pathirana departed, the tail made it their mission to get Gunaratne to his hundred. He wound up with 114 off 117 balls, and Sri Lanka made their way to a somewhat respectable 296 for 8.
Sri Lanka had in fact asked South Africa to bat at the toss, and though Suranga Lakmal bothered Amla's outside edge in the early overs, de Kock quickly set about lighting the thrusters under the innings. He collared a pair of boundaries in each of the eighth, ninth and tenth overs. By the time the fielding restrictions ended, South Africa had sped to 71 for no loss, and de Kock to 47 from 35 balls.
When slip fielder Upul Tharanga failed to lay a hand on a catchable outside edge from Amla in the 15th over, South Africa were allowed to continue progressing at their hectic pace.
Tharanga did change his bowlers up regularly, in attempts to prevent batsmen from establishing a rhythm, but save for that edge from the offspin of Dhananjaya de Silva, chances failed to come. Both batsmen were severe on errors of line from the spinners, who collectively bowled quickly through the air. With little turn on offer, de Kock and Amla were plundering runs into the outfield off most deliveries, and rarely failing to seize boundary opportunities.
At the halfway stage of the innings, no bowler had managed to concede less than a run a ball and South Africa, at 180 for 0, were almost certainly heading for a mammoth score. It was in the 25th over that de Kock struck his 15th four of the innings - a powerful sweep to beat backward square leg - and went to triple figures for the 12th time in his ODI career. Few of his other hundreds would have come so easily. He holed out to deep cover soon after, though, finishing with 109 off 87 deliveries.
Perhaps in an innings like this, it is the likes of de Villiers, JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardien who are expected to take control of the death overs, but in fact it was Amla himself who led the final charge. Having timed the ball beautifully for the first 40 overs, he seamlessly incorporated power into his game after completing his 24th hundred in the 41st.
He carved sixes over point, slammed the short balls over deep square leg, and even struck cleanly down the ground - launching successive Lahiru Madushanka balls over the rope between long-on and cow corner in the 47th over. Having scored his hundred at slower than a run-a-ball, Amla smoked his next 54 runs in 22 deliveries. Each of his five sixes came in that period.
Sri Lanka's top order came out attempting to get ahead of their taxing required rate early, but wound up making too many fatal mistakes. Tharanga sent an outside edge to third man in the fourth over; Kusal Mendis picked out mid-off with a lofted drive in the sixth; Dickwella, after slapping and scooping merrily, was caught at mid-off as well. Sandun Weerakkody and de Silva did not last long either - the latter's modest tour of South Africa ended by a Tahir googly, which bowled him through the gate.
Gunaratne was slow to begin with but sped up after the departure of Pathirana, who had been the aggressor in their association. Having seen off the quicks, Gunaratne picked out the spinners to attack, sweeping and reverse-sweeping especially well, while the likes of Jeffrey Vandersay and Lakmal gave him company. He reached triple-figures in the 48th over - his second fifty having come off 25 balls.
South Africa's dominance of Sri Lanka in this series has been complete. They outbatted, outbowled and outfielded the visitors again, and this win - an 88-run thumping - was a fitting finish. The only consolations for Sri Lanka were Asela Gunaratne's hard-earned-but-inconsequential maiden century, as well as having batted 50 overs for the first time in the series.
If Quinton de Kock was the early aggressor, taking the innings by the collar inside the Powerplay, Hashim Amla bided his time, and only later fashioned violence from timing and grace. His 154 from 134 deliveries was his second-highest ODI score, and again helped showcase the awesome might of this South Africa top order.
It was thanks to more poor catching, more wayward bowling, and the general lack of menace in their attack that Sri Lanka found themselves stuck chasing the biggest score of the series. Though they had made something of the pursuit of 368 in Cape Town on Tuesday of last week, they did not manage to stay in the game beyond the early stages of their innings this time.
Niroshan Dickwella flashed attractively for a 19-ball 39, but the rest of the top order fell around him. They were 82 for 5 in the 14th over, their fate virtually sealed, but Gunaratne and Sachith Pathirana sought to make the best of a bad situation by putting on a 93-run sixth-wicket stand. After Pathirana departed, the tail made it their mission to get Gunaratne to his hundred. He wound up with 114 off 117 balls, and Sri Lanka made their way to a somewhat respectable 296 for 8.
Sri Lanka had in fact asked South Africa to bat at the toss, and though Suranga Lakmal bothered Amla's outside edge in the early overs, de Kock quickly set about lighting the thrusters under the innings. He collared a pair of boundaries in each of the eighth, ninth and tenth overs. By the time the fielding restrictions ended, South Africa had sped to 71 for no loss, and de Kock to 47 from 35 balls.
When slip fielder Upul Tharanga failed to lay a hand on a catchable outside edge from Amla in the 15th over, South Africa were allowed to continue progressing at their hectic pace.
Tharanga did change his bowlers up regularly, in attempts to prevent batsmen from establishing a rhythm, but save for that edge from the offspin of Dhananjaya de Silva, chances failed to come. Both batsmen were severe on errors of line from the spinners, who collectively bowled quickly through the air. With little turn on offer, de Kock and Amla were plundering runs into the outfield off most deliveries, and rarely failing to seize boundary opportunities.
At the halfway stage of the innings, no bowler had managed to concede less than a run a ball and South Africa, at 180 for 0, were almost certainly heading for a mammoth score. It was in the 25th over that de Kock struck his 15th four of the innings - a powerful sweep to beat backward square leg - and went to triple figures for the 12th time in his ODI career. Few of his other hundreds would have come so easily. He holed out to deep cover soon after, though, finishing with 109 off 87 deliveries.
Perhaps in an innings like this, it is the likes of de Villiers, JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardien who are expected to take control of the death overs, but in fact it was Amla himself who led the final charge. Having timed the ball beautifully for the first 40 overs, he seamlessly incorporated power into his game after completing his 24th hundred in the 41st.
He carved sixes over point, slammed the short balls over deep square leg, and even struck cleanly down the ground - launching successive Lahiru Madushanka balls over the rope between long-on and cow corner in the 47th over. Having scored his hundred at slower than a run-a-ball, Amla smoked his next 54 runs in 22 deliveries. Each of his five sixes came in that period.
Sri Lanka's top order came out attempting to get ahead of their taxing required rate early, but wound up making too many fatal mistakes. Tharanga sent an outside edge to third man in the fourth over; Kusal Mendis picked out mid-off with a lofted drive in the sixth; Dickwella, after slapping and scooping merrily, was caught at mid-off as well. Sandun Weerakkody and de Silva did not last long either - the latter's modest tour of South Africa ended by a Tahir googly, which bowled him through the gate.
Gunaratne was slow to begin with but sped up after the departure of Pathirana, who had been the aggressor in their association. Having seen off the quicks, Gunaratne picked out the spinners to attack, sweeping and reverse-sweeping especially well, while the likes of Jeffrey Vandersay and Lakmal gave him company. He reached triple-figures in the 48th over - his second fifty having come off 25 balls.
India skipper Virat Kohli said on February 1 that he has faith in Yuzvendra Chahal's abilities after the leg spinner claimed six wickets to set up his country's 75-run series-clinching victory in the third Twenty20 international in Bangalore.
Chahal recorded his T20 best of 6-25 to help skittle out England for 127 in 16.3 overs. The visitors, chasing 203, lost eight wickets for eight runs in the space of 18 deliveries.
The 23-year-old Chahal became only the second bowler in T20 cricket to get six wickets in an innings after Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis achieved the feat twice with figures of 6-8 and 6-16.
Chahal, who received the man of the match and series award for his eight scalps in three games, got great support from seamer Jasprit Bumrah's three wickets.
“I have a lot of faith in him, and he plays with a lot of confidence. He has a lot of skill and he has the character as well,” Kohli said of his wily spinner who played just his sixth T20 international.
The attacking spinner started England's batting rot in the 14th over of the innings, getting danger men Joe Root (42) and skipper Eoin Morgan (40) on consecutive deliveries to derail the tourists' chase.
Root and Morgan had kept the chase alive with their 64-run third-wicket stand but the innings fell apart after their departure.
Chahal got three wickets in his fourth over to rip through the England middle and lower order – five batsmen were out on zero – as India won the series 2-1.
The hosts reined supreme against England after they won the Test rubber 4-0 last year and triumphed 2-1 in the one-day internationals.
“Come the big game, even in the one-day series decider, he (Chahal) stepped up, and he stepped up again today. It's a memorable series win for us, the whole tour,” Kohli said in the post-match presentation.
“It's been a brilliant couple of months for the Indian team, going forward we know exactly what to do in each format,” he added.
Earlier scintillating half-centuries from Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni helped India post a mammoth 202 for six after being put into bat.
India rode on the 55-run third-wicket partnership between Raina (63) and Dhoni (56) to thwart the England bowling attack after an early wicket fall.
The hosts lost Kohli for two after a terrible mix up with Lokesh Rahul (22) saw the star batsman being run out. Kohli was furious with Rahul for not responding to his call for a single.
Raina counter-attacked with two boundaries and five sixes during his 45-ball knock as he put on crucial partnerships with Rahul and Dhoni.
Dhoni, who smacked five fours and two sixes in his 36-ball blitz, joined forces with Raina as the duo carted the England bowlers to all parts of the ground.
Raina fell in the 14th over while Dhoni, who put on 57 runs with veteran batsman Yuvraj Singh, stayed on until the second delivery of the final over.
A vintage Yuvraj turned on the heat with his 10-ball 27 as he hit seamer Chris Jordan for two fours and two sixes to give India 24 runs in the 18th over.
“Beautiful wicket to bat on, very small boundary, and altitude as well. We would have taken 190 at the start of the game,” said Morgan.
“Our batting performance was possibly the worst in the last two years, but we won't necessarily dwell too much into that. “
Chahal recorded his T20 best of 6-25 to help skittle out England for 127 in 16.3 overs. The visitors, chasing 203, lost eight wickets for eight runs in the space of 18 deliveries.
The 23-year-old Chahal became only the second bowler in T20 cricket to get six wickets in an innings after Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis achieved the feat twice with figures of 6-8 and 6-16.
Chahal, who received the man of the match and series award for his eight scalps in three games, got great support from seamer Jasprit Bumrah's three wickets.
“I have a lot of faith in him, and he plays with a lot of confidence. He has a lot of skill and he has the character as well,” Kohli said of his wily spinner who played just his sixth T20 international.
The attacking spinner started England's batting rot in the 14th over of the innings, getting danger men Joe Root (42) and skipper Eoin Morgan (40) on consecutive deliveries to derail the tourists' chase.
Root and Morgan had kept the chase alive with their 64-run third-wicket stand but the innings fell apart after their departure.
Chahal got three wickets in his fourth over to rip through the England middle and lower order – five batsmen were out on zero – as India won the series 2-1.
The hosts reined supreme against England after they won the Test rubber 4-0 last year and triumphed 2-1 in the one-day internationals.
“Come the big game, even in the one-day series decider, he (Chahal) stepped up, and he stepped up again today. It's a memorable series win for us, the whole tour,” Kohli said in the post-match presentation.
“It's been a brilliant couple of months for the Indian team, going forward we know exactly what to do in each format,” he added.
Earlier scintillating half-centuries from Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni helped India post a mammoth 202 for six after being put into bat.
India rode on the 55-run third-wicket partnership between Raina (63) and Dhoni (56) to thwart the England bowling attack after an early wicket fall.
The hosts lost Kohli for two after a terrible mix up with Lokesh Rahul (22) saw the star batsman being run out. Kohli was furious with Rahul for not responding to his call for a single.
Raina counter-attacked with two boundaries and five sixes during his 45-ball knock as he put on crucial partnerships with Rahul and Dhoni.
Dhoni, who smacked five fours and two sixes in his 36-ball blitz, joined forces with Raina as the duo carted the England bowlers to all parts of the ground.
Raina fell in the 14th over while Dhoni, who put on 57 runs with veteran batsman Yuvraj Singh, stayed on until the second delivery of the final over.
A vintage Yuvraj turned on the heat with his 10-ball 27 as he hit seamer Chris Jordan for two fours and two sixes to give India 24 runs in the 18th over.
“Beautiful wicket to bat on, very small boundary, and altitude as well. We would have taken 190 at the start of the game,” said Morgan.
“Our batting performance was possibly the worst in the last two years, but we won't necessarily dwell too much into that. “
Fixtures, Results & Points Table
eams and Venues abbreviated:
Islamabad United - IU Peshawar Zalmi - PZ
Lahore Qalandars - LQ Quetta Gladiators - QG
Karachi Kings - KK
Dubai International Cricket Stadium - DICS
Sharjah Cricket Stadium - SCS
1st Qualifying Final Feb 28 TBC v TBC (1st v 2nd) @ SCS
2nd Qualifying Final Mar 1 TBC v TBC (2nd v 3rd) @ SCS
3rd Qualifying Final Mar 3 TBC v TBC @ DICS
Final Mar 3 TBC v TBC Venue TBC
2nd Qualifying Final Mar 1 TBC v TBC (2nd v 3rd) @ SCS
3rd Qualifying Final Mar 3 TBC v TBC @ DICS
Final Mar 3 TBC v TBC Venue TBC
Virat Kohli became the first Test batsman to register double centuries in four successive series as India dominated Bangladesh in Hyderabad.
Kohli struck a classy 204 as India made their third consecutive score of over 600 before declaring on 687-6.
The India captain made 235 against England in December, as well as 211 against New Zealand in October and 200 against West Indies in July.
India, the world's top Test team, have not lost a home Test series since 2012.
Murali Vijay scored 108 and Wriddhiman Saha an unbeaten 106 as India made their highest Test score against Bangladesh.
Kohli, who captains India in all three formats, hit 24 boundaries on his way to a double century, taking his Test average to 50.10.
Kohli struck a classy 204 as India made their third consecutive score of over 600 before declaring on 687-6.
The India captain made 235 against England in December, as well as 211 against New Zealand in October and 200 against West Indies in July.
India, the world's top Test team, have not lost a home Test series since 2012.
Murali Vijay scored 108 and Wriddhiman Saha an unbeaten 106 as India made their highest Test score against Bangladesh.
Kohli, who captains India in all three formats, hit 24 boundaries on his way to a double century, taking his Test average to 50.10.
Left-handed opener Nasir Jamshed on Monday (February 13) has been provisionally suspended from all forms of cricket by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for violating its anti-corruption code, PSL chairman Najam Sethi announced on Twitter. He had earlier in the day stated that strict action will be taken against those who are found guilty of corruption charges in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
PSL has already been rocked by corruption scandal with Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif being suspended from the tournament with Mohammad Irfan currently under investigation.
"The PCB took the lead in the Pakistan Super League scandal, unlike the time when the International Cricket Council (ICC) had caught three Pakistani players involved in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal," PCB chairman Shahryar Khan said. "We took action as soon as we had sufficient evidence. The two boys that were sent back to Pakistan took the same flight as I did and I told them how disappointed I was with their actions. The PCB does not take such scandals lightly.
"Mohammad Irfan is still being investigated, however he has not been served a show-cause notice at the moment," he added while stating that the notice will be sent to him in the next couple of days.
He also clarified that Shahzaib Hasan and Zulfiqar Babar have been cleared and no action will be taken against them, and added that no other player is being investigated by either the ICC or the PCB at the moment, with regards to corruption charges.
"Once the investigation has been finalised, a disciplinary committee will be formed, headed by a senior judge. The committee will then hear what each of the accused has to say before deciding upon a punishment for them.
"I want to make it clear that the PCB wants deterrent punishments for anyone who is really guilty. Players should not think that they will be able to pursue their cricketing careers till four or five years after they have been punished," he added.
He clarified PCB's anti-corruption code stand on players who are approached by bookies and said, "If the player does not report the incident to an official, they are considered guilty even if they did not plan to take the offer up," he concluded.
PSL has already been rocked by corruption scandal with Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif being suspended from the tournament with Mohammad Irfan currently under investigation.
"The PCB took the lead in the Pakistan Super League scandal, unlike the time when the International Cricket Council (ICC) had caught three Pakistani players involved in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal," PCB chairman Shahryar Khan said. "We took action as soon as we had sufficient evidence. The two boys that were sent back to Pakistan took the same flight as I did and I told them how disappointed I was with their actions. The PCB does not take such scandals lightly.
"Mohammad Irfan is still being investigated, however he has not been served a show-cause notice at the moment," he added while stating that the notice will be sent to him in the next couple of days.
He also clarified that Shahzaib Hasan and Zulfiqar Babar have been cleared and no action will be taken against them, and added that no other player is being investigated by either the ICC or the PCB at the moment, with regards to corruption charges.
"Once the investigation has been finalised, a disciplinary committee will be formed, headed by a senior judge. The committee will then hear what each of the accused has to say before deciding upon a punishment for them.
"I want to make it clear that the PCB wants deterrent punishments for anyone who is really guilty. Players should not think that they will be able to pursue their cricketing careers till four or five years after they have been punished," he added.
He clarified PCB's anti-corruption code stand on players who are approached by bookies and said, "If the player does not report the incident to an official, they are considered guilty even if they did not plan to take the offer up," he concluded.
250 Test wickets
Ravichandaran Ashwin became the fastest bowler to pick 250 Test wickets when he dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim in the one-off match against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on Sunday (February 12). The Tamil Nadu spinner, who reached the feat in his 45th Test, surpassed the record previously held by Australian pacer Dennis Lilee (48).
Despite having struggled in Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa, Ashwin's achievements have stood out, and his rise in Test cricket has been far more rapid than any other bowler in the history of Indian cricket. No Indian bowler has taken more than 200 wickets after 45 Tests, Harbhajan Singh being the second best with 199 scalps.
Ashwin has enjoyed a terrific run in the ongoing season with both bat and ball, being responsible for India's dominant form in Test cricket – both in West Indies and at home. After having picked up 17 wickets in West Indies, he bagged 27 against New Zealand in the three-match Test series and 28 in five games against England. He was adjudged the Man of the Series against West Indies and New Zealand.
With 72 Test wickets in 2016, not only did he reach the top spot in ICC Test Rankings for bowlers and all-rounders, but was named the ICC Player of the Year, as well as the ICC Test Player of the Year last year.
Despite having struggled in Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa, Ashwin's achievements have stood out, and his rise in Test cricket has been far more rapid than any other bowler in the history of Indian cricket. No Indian bowler has taken more than 200 wickets after 45 Tests, Harbhajan Singh being the second best with 199 scalps.
Ashwin has enjoyed a terrific run in the ongoing season with both bat and ball, being responsible for India's dominant form in Test cricket – both in West Indies and at home. After having picked up 17 wickets in West Indies, he bagged 27 against New Zealand in the three-match Test series and 28 in five games against England. He was adjudged the Man of the Series against West Indies and New Zealand.
With 72 Test wickets in 2016, not only did he reach the top spot in ICC Test Rankings for bowlers and all-rounders, but was named the ICC Player of the Year, as well as the ICC Test Player of the Year last year.
Indian cricketer Mohit Ahlawat hit an extraordinary 72-ball triple century in a local Twenty20 match in Delhi.
The 21-year-old hit 39 sixes, including five off the final over, as he posted a round 300 and his team Maavi finished on 416-2.
His total dwarfs the top-tier record of 175 scored by Chris Gayle in the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL).
"I have put my name in the IPL auction but I am not sure if this will help people notice," Ahlawat told ABP Live.
Ahlawat played three first-class matches for Delhi in October 2015 alongside India internationals such as Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma.
He was dropped after scores of 1, 4, 0, 0 and 0 in his five innings.
Sri Lankan Dhanuka Pathirana smashed 277 off 72 balls playing for Austerlands in a Twenty20 match in England's Saddleworth League in September 2007 while Indian schoolboy Pranav Dhanawade set a new record for an officially recorded match with 1,009 not out in January 2016.
His total for KC Gandhi School broke a 117-year-old mark set by 13-year-old AEJ Collins in a house match at Clifton College in June 1899.
The 21-year-old hit 39 sixes, including five off the final over, as he posted a round 300 and his team Maavi finished on 416-2.
His total dwarfs the top-tier record of 175 scored by Chris Gayle in the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL).
"I have put my name in the IPL auction but I am not sure if this will help people notice," Ahlawat told ABP Live.
Ahlawat played three first-class matches for Delhi in October 2015 alongside India internationals such as Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma.
He was dropped after scores of 1, 4, 0, 0 and 0 in his five innings.
Sri Lankan Dhanuka Pathirana smashed 277 off 72 balls playing for Austerlands in a Twenty20 match in England's Saddleworth League in September 2007 while Indian schoolboy Pranav Dhanawade set a new record for an officially recorded match with 1,009 not out in January 2016.
His total for KC Gandhi School broke a 117-year-old mark set by 13-year-old AEJ Collins in a house match at Clifton College in June 1899.
The Australian cricket squad, led by Steve Smith, landed in Mumbai on Monday ahead of a four-Test series against India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting in Pune on February 23.
The Aussies reached Mumbai from Dubai where they had a training camp. They depart for Pune after playing a warm-up game against India A at the Cricket Club of India’s Brabourne Stadium.
The team is scheduled to have its first practice session at the Stadium on February 15.
Australia are touring for a full Test series for the first time since they were blanked 4-0 by the hosts in the 2012-13 season.
Australia later defeated India 2-0 in a four-Test rubber played Down Under in the 2014-15 season.
The Aussies reached Mumbai from Dubai where they had a training camp. They depart for Pune after playing a warm-up game against India A at the Cricket Club of India’s Brabourne Stadium.
The team is scheduled to have its first practice session at the Stadium on February 15.
Australia are touring for a full Test series for the first time since they were blanked 4-0 by the hosts in the 2012-13 season.
Australia later defeated India 2-0 in a four-Test rubber played Down Under in the 2014-15 season.