Cricket

The Austrian Cricket Association (ACA) has issued an unreserved apology to the Israel Cricket Association (ICA) and the Israel cricket team for an incident that occurred prior to their Men's T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier A match on June 10.While the exact nature of the incident remains undisclosed, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the ACA has taken prompt action to address the issue. The player responsible has been subjected to appropriate disciplinary sanctions in accordance with the ACA's disciplinary procedures.Following the incident, the ICC initiated a conciliation process between the ACA and the ICA to facilitate a mutually acceptable resolution. The process was conducted confidentially by Paul Mortimer, an independent expert in anti-discrimination and race relations.The incident took place in Spinaceto, Rome, during a Europe Qualifier A match between Austria and Israel. The tournament serves as a pathway to qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Austria emerged victorious in the match, with Aqib Iqbal's unbeaten 35-ball 52 sealing a seven-wicket win over Israel.The ACA's apology and the ICC's intervention underscore the importance of fostering an inclusive and respectful environment in cricket. The incident serves as a reminder that all players and teams deserve to participate in the sport without fear of discrimination or harassment.The ICC's Anti-Discrimination Code prohibits any form of discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. The code requires all ICC members to implement policies and procedures to prevent and address discrimination in cricket.The ACA's swift response to the incident demonstrates its commitment to upholding the ICC's Anti-Discrimination Code and creating a welcoming environment for all participants in the sport. The ICC's conciliation process has facilitated a resolution that allows both teams to move forward and focus on their respective cricket journeys.

The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has issued a show-cause notice to former India batter Hanuma Vihari, a month after he alleged political interference in the association's decision to remove him as Andhra captain. Vihari has yet to respond to the notice, which was served after the ACA apex council meeting."We have served him a show-cause notice and are awaiting his reply," an ACA official told PTI. The official emphasized that the association does not wish to prolong the issue and is seeking Vihari's explanation for his public statements."This is just to find out what made him react the way he did last month. He has not reached out to us, so this is a chance for him to come out with his grievances," the official added. "After all, we value Vihari and his contributions to the growth of state cricket."Vihari's allegations stem from Andhra's failure to reach the Ranji Trophy semi-finals for the first time, after losing to Madhya Pradesh. In an Instagram post, he declared that he would "never play for Andhra" again, citing political interference in his removal as captain.Vihari's post was followed by a letter of support from his fellow Andhra players. However, KN Prudhuvi Raj, the 17th player during the match against Bengal, denied Vihari's accusations and accused him of making false statements.The ACA's show-cause notice is an attempt to address Vihari's concerns and resolve the issue amicably. The association values Vihari's contributions to Andhra cricket and hopes to find a solution that satisfies both parties.