Cricket

England's talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes has pledged his long-term future to the national team by signing a new central contract that will extend until the 2025-26 Ashes tour. The exact duration of the contract remains undisclosed, but it is believed to be a two-year deal.Stokes' commitment is a significant boost for England, who have endured a frustrating period without his services due to injuries. The 33-year-old missed the recent Test series against Sri Lanka with a hamstring injury sustained in August. Despite the setback, Stokes is confident that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery and does not anticipate any long-term concerns.The ECB has yet to announce the latest batch of central contracts, but Stokes' new deal is expected to take him through until September 2026. This commitment is particularly notable given Stokes' lucrative contract to play in the SA20 in January, which highlights his value on the franchise circuit.However, England recognizes Stokes' immense importance to their Test team, not only as a player but also as a leader and figurehead for Brendon McCullum's regime. In Stokes' absence, England have opted for a five-bowler formula, with Chris Woakes batting at No. 7. Woakes has a chance to improve his away Test record, which currently stands at 36 wickets at 51.88.Beyond his batting and bowling, England will miss Stokes' captaincy in Multan. He was the mastermind behind their unexpected series sweep in Pakistan two years ago, where his bold declaration in Rawalpindi defied conventional wisdom. Ollie Pope, who will captain England in Stokes' absence, faces the challenge of matching Stokes' proactivity in changing the tempo of matches.Pope has experience keeping wicket in Test cricket and is one of six players in England's XI who played in the 2022 series in Pakistan. However, he lacks Stokes' ability to seize opportunities and influence the game through his field placements. Stokes will be on hand to provide advice, while James Anderson, who has experience of reverse swing in Multan, will join the squad on the second day.Pakistan's desire for surfaces that suit their seamers has piqued England's interest, and the Test strip in Multan has a significant grass covering. England will not take Pakistan lightly, especially with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah in their ranks.England's clean sweep in Pakistan in 2022 remains their best series result under Stokes and McCullum. With Stokes unavailable for at least the first Test, a repeat performance on this tour would be a remarkable achievement.

Kane Williamson, the former New Zealand captain, has revealed that his decision to decline a central contract was driven by his desire to participate in the inaugural season of the South African T20 league (SA20). The SA20 is scheduled to take place from January 9 to February 8, 2025, coinciding with the Super Smash tournament in New Zealand.Under New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) rules, players must participate in the Super Smash unless they are on international duty to be eligible for a central contract. Williamson's decision to prioritize the SA20 meant he had to forgo the central contract."I want to play as long as I can. There are a number of great competitions during that time, but SA20 looks really exciting. Unfortunately, it meant turning down a central contract," Williamson explained.Despite declining the central contract, Williamson emphasized his unwavering commitment to representing New Zealand in all three formats outside of the SA20. He will miss the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka in January but will be available for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in September, as well as the World Test Championship (WTC) matches against India and Sri Lanka away and the three-match series against England at home."My priority still is, absolutely, playing for New Zealand. I think I might miss maybe a handful of games over a three-week period," Williamson said.Williamson also expressed his excitement about the future of New Zealand's leadership in white-ball cricket. "I've really, really enjoyed my time captaining and it's been a privilege and an honor to do that for a number of years. I'm excited with what's next for the team in terms of the leadership as well and looking forward to being part of that," he added.The 33-year-old batsman did not set a specific timeframe for his international career, stating that he was taking it one year at a time. "In terms of a timeframe, it's difficult to say. I want to keep being fit, doing as well as I can, keep trying to improve. All major events and key series are things that whet the appetite and are an exciting prospect," Williamson said.

Kane Williamson, New Zealand's legendary cricketer, has made a significant decision to decline a central contract for the 2024-25 season. This move is part of a strategic plan to prolong his illustrious international career. Williamson, who currently holds the captaincy of the T20I and ODI teams, will also step down from these leadership roles.Williamson's decision stems from his desire to prioritize his family and explore overseas opportunities during the New Zealand summer. Despite relinquishing his central contract, he remains committed to representing his country and is open to accepting a contract in the future."Playing for New Zealand is something I treasure, and my desire to give back to the team remains undiminished," Williamson said. "However, my life outside cricket has changed, and spending more time with my family is even more important to me."Williamson's decision comes after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign for New Zealand, where they failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2014. He remains coy about his T20I future, stating that he will assess the situation later.Williamson's legacy as a cricketer is unparalleled. He has played 100 Tests, 165 ODIs, and 93 T20Is for New Zealand, leading them in 40 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 75 T20Is. Under his captaincy, the Blackcaps reached the finals of the World Test Championship 2021, the ODI World Cup 2019, and the T20 World Cup 2021.NZC CEO Scott Weenink expressed his support for Williamson's decision, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to New Zealand cricket. "This is a good way to help keep Kane in the international game so that he continues to play a major role for the Blackcaps," Weenink said.Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has also declined a central contract offer, citing similar reasons. Ferguson has played one Test, 65 ODIs, and 42 T20Is for New Zealand.

Shreyas Iyer, India's middle-order batter, has expressed his disappointment over the lack of communication and unfavorable decisions that followed the ODI World Cup last year. Despite his impressive performance in the tournament, where he was the third-highest run-scorer for India, Iyer was excluded from the BCCI's central contract list.Iyer's exclusion was reportedly due to the perception that he and wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan had prioritized the IPL over domestic cricket. While Kishan had skipped domestic cricket entirely in the first half of the year, Iyer had participated in a few Ranji Trophy matches."Due to lack of communication, there were some decisions that didn't go in my favor," Iyer said in a video released on his YouTube page. "But at the end of the day, the bat is always going to be in my hand and it's on me how to perform and win trophies."Iyer's determination was evident in his performances in the Ranji Trophy and IPL. He captained Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title win this year and played a crucial role in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph."I decided that once I win Ranji Trophy and IPL, that would be an apt answer for whatever happened in the past," Iyer said. "Thankfully, everything fell to the right place."Iyer also credited his hard work in the nets at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for his improved form. "After the surgery, I was at NCA, practicing in the nets. I have never batted for so long in my life," he said. "I used to always restrict myself from batting in the nets because I complained that the wickets weren't that great.""Suddenly, I just told myself that 'put yourself in tough situations because the war is won outside the field, not on the field'," he added. "When you play with your mind, when you challenge your mind to put yourself in tough situations and you decide for yourself whether you're going to win or not."Iyer's determination and hard work have paid off, and he is now back in contention for a place in the Indian team. His performances in the upcoming series against Australia will be crucial in determining his future with the national side.

PCB Reinstates Haris Rauf's Central Contract After Acknowledgment of ErrorThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reinstated fast bowler Haris Rauf's central contract after he acknowledged his mistake in writing. Rauf's contract was terminated in February due to disciplinary reasons, as he declined to participate in the Test tour of Australia, citing workload and Big Bash commitments.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi clarified that there was a misunderstanding regarding Rauf's decision. "After receiving his written reply, the board has decided to restore his central contract," Naqvi stated.In his response, Rauf expressed his unwavering commitment to playing for Pakistan and acknowledged that his viewpoint had been misunderstood. "I accept my mistake," he wrote.Naqvi emphasized the importance of Rauf's fitness, noting that he sustained an injury during the Pakistan Super League (PSL). "We need to take proper care of him," Naqvi said.Rauf's reinstatement comes as a relief for the PCB, which values his contributions to the national team. The fast bowler has been a key member of Pakistan's bowling attack in recent years, showcasing his pace and wicket-taking abilities.The PCB's decision to reinstate Rauf's contract is a testament to the board's commitment to fostering a positive and productive relationship with its players. It also highlights the importance of open communication and the willingness to resolve misunderstandings.

Lahore Qalandars' owner Sameen Rana has vehemently criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its handling of Haris Rauf's central contract termination, which was announced just two days before the start of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Rana condemned the timing of the decision as "pathetic" and accused the PCB of "really poor management."Rana expressed his dismay at the lack of communication with Rauf, stating that the player was not given proper notice or explanation for the termination of his contract. He emphasized that such a public humiliation was unprecedented and disrespectful.The decision came after Rauf made himself unavailable for Pakistan's Test series in Australia, a move that drew criticism from chief selector Wahab Riaz. However, Rana questioned the timing of the announcement, arguing that it was unnecessary and disruptive to Qalandars' PSL campaign.Rana highlighted the impact of the decision on Qalandars, who have struggled in the tournament due to injuries, unavailability, and poor performances. He expressed concern that Rauf's psychological state was affected by the termination, which coincided with his search for form.Rana also revealed that Rauf suffered a shoulder injury while playing for Qalandars against Karachi Kings, which is expected to sideline him for six weeks. He lamented the additional burden placed on the team to motivate Rauf and keep him focused.Rana's criticism reflects the growing frustration within the Qalandars camp over the PCB's handling of the situation. The team has been left reeling from the loss of their premier fast bowler and the negative impact it has had on their PSL campaign.

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes that the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) presents a golden opportunity for Ishan Kishan to reignite his career after being omitted from the BCCI's central contract list for 2023-2024.Kishan, 25, has been absent from the domestic circuit, citing personal reasons, despite not being on national duty since the tour of South Africa in December 2022. Chopra believes that this absence has fueled Kishan's hunger to prove himself."Ishan Kishan will be hungry, as he has not got a central contract. This is the only thing he is playing. What else is he playing?" Chopra said in a YouTube video.Chopra also highlighted Kishan's absence from the recent Test series against England, emphasizing that the IPL provides him with a platform to showcase his abilities and potentially earn a recall to the national team."Either he has himself opted not to play, or he won't be selected now. So this is his chance. If you make the IPL your own, you have chances of going forward. Then there is, of course, Wankhede's flat pitch. The ball will come nicely onto the bat and go far," Chopra added.The BCCI's decision to exclude Kishan from the central contract list has raised questions about his future prospects. However, Chopra believes that the IPL can serve as a catalyst for Kishan's resurgence."This is a big opportunity for Ishan Kishan. He has to make the most of it. He has to score runs, win matches, and show that he is still a force to be reckoned with," Chopra concluded.

Shreyas Iyer's omission from the BCCI's central contract list has sparked controversy, with many questioning the decision to exclude the talented batsman. Iyer's recent performance in the Ranji Trophy semi-final, where he scored just 3 runs before being dismissed, has further fueled the debate.Iyer's absence from the central contract list has been attributed to his alleged prioritization of the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic red-ball cricket. Reports suggest that Iyer attended a pre-IPL camp with his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, while claiming to have a back injury that prevented him from playing in a Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai.However, a report by The Indian Express revealed that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) provided a contradictory fitness report on Iyer, casting doubt on the validity of his injury claim. This has led to speculation that Iyer's exclusion from the central contract list may have been influenced by his perceived lack of commitment to domestic cricket.Iyer's supporters argue that he has consistently performed well for India and Mumbai, and that his decision to attend the KKR camp was solely to improve his fitness. They point out that Iyer skipped the IPL to participate in the World Cup and played through pain during the tournament.Furthermore, they argue that players should have the freedom to train under coaches of their choice and that Iyer's decision to work with the KKR Academy should not be held against him. They also question why Iyer was not given a break after the World Cup and was asked to play in a Ranji game ahead of the Test series against England.The BCCI's decision to exclude Iyer from the central contract list has sent a strong message to young cricketers that they must prioritize domestic cricket over the IPL. However, it remains to be seen whether this decision will have the desired effect or if it will simply alienate talented players who feel they are not being treated fairly.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to drop Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from its central contract list has sparked a global debate. While some have criticized the board for its harsh action, others have supported its stance.Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has backed the BCCI, stating that such a move was necessary to punish the players for ignoring the board's orders. Akmal believes that by dropping Kishan and Iyer, the BCCI has demonstrated its "good management.""If you don't value the cricket because of which you made it to the national team, what message is it going to give to all the youngsters?" Akmal said on his YouTube channel. "BCCI has made the right call, taking such strict action early on to control the damage."Akmal added that the BCCI's decision sends a clear message to players that they cannot play on their own terms. "Nobody is bigger than the game," he said.Kishan and Iyer were reportedly reluctant to play in national-level domestic tournaments, which is believed to be the reason for their exclusion. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who is also a former BCCI president, has urged the board to speak to Kishan about his decision."All this while he has played Ranji and then played white-ball cricket. Has it made him a poorer player? It hasn't," Ganguly said. "All the players picked in Delhi Capitals have played Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Ranji Trophy."Ganguly's comments suggest that the BCCI may be willing to reconsider its decision if Kishan and Iyer show a willingness to play in domestic tournaments. However, it remains to be seen whether the players will change their stance.