Cricket

With the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, India has ended its 11-year ICC title drought. The team's next targets are the 2025 Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship final. To prepare for these tournaments, the BCCI has mandated that players with national team aspirations participate in domestic competitions.BCCI secretary Jay Shah has emphasized that even star cricketers must make themselves available for domestic engagements when not on national duty. However, exceptions will be made for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah. The BCCI encourages other Test specialists to play in the Duleep Trophy in August as a precursor to the Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand.The Duleep Trophy will be selected by the national selection committee, and all Test team contenders will be included. Rohit, Kohli, and Bumrah have the option to participate if they wish. These Test series will be the first two under Gautam Gambhir's coaching.Former South African pacer Dale Steyn has praised Gambhir's appointment as Team India's head coach. He believes Gambhir's aggression will positively impact the dressing room and inspire senior players.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is contemplating significant alterations to the obligations of international cricketers to Pakistani cricket. These changes could impact the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), participation in domestic cricket, and the structure of central contracts.The PCB's initial statement, lacking in specifics, indicated that domestic cricket would become mandatory for players. A "technical method" for issuing NOCs would be established, with only eligible players receiving them. Additionally, the duration of central contracts has reportedly been reduced to one year, reversing the three-year contracts introduced last year.However, the exact nature of these changes remains unclear. PCB spokesperson Mohammad Rafiullah stated that committees would be formed to determine the details, including the NOC issuance method, central contract adjustments, and the required domestic cricket participation for international players.The statement emphasized that the remuneration of centrally contracted players would not be reduced, despite initial reports suggesting otherwise. It also mentioned a "defined procedure" for player inclusion in central contract categories, but no details were provided.Test head coach Jason Gillespie and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten have been added to the selection committee, but their specific roles in the selection process are yet to be clarified.The issue of NOCs has become a contentious one in Pakistani cricket. Some players believe that the agreement allowing them to participate in two overseas leagues per year is not being honored. Naseem Shah was recently denied an NOC to play in the Hundred, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Babar Azam are expected to face similar rejections for the Global T20 League in Canada. The PCB is likely to cite workload management as the reason for these refusals.In a separate development, Australian pitch curator Tony Hemming has been appointed as the head curator for a two-year term. He will oversee a busy home season for Pakistan, which includes seven Test matches, a tri-series, and the ICC Champions Trophy.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has implemented significant changes to its player contracts, reducing their duration from three years to one while maintaining financial stability. This decision was made during a meeting in Lahore attended by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, new red-ball coach Jason Gillespie, white-ball coach Gary Kirsten, selectors Mohammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq, assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, and other senior officials.The PCB's decision to shorten contract durations aims to enhance accountability and performance monitoring. Players' fitness, behavior, and form will be assessed every 12 months, ensuring that they meet the required standards. This move is intended to foster a culture of excellence and drive continuous improvement within the team.Despite the reduction in contract duration, the PCB has opted against reducing player payments. The board recognizes the importance of financial stability for its players and believes that maintaining their current salaries will allow them to focus on their performance without financial distractions.In addition to contract revisions, the PCB has implemented several other measures to enhance player development and team performance. All centrally and domestically contracted players will now undergo mandatory fitness tests every three months, regulated by the two head coaches. This initiative aims to ensure that players maintain optimal fitness levels and are ready for international competition.The PCB has also established stringent guidelines for players seeking NOCs to participate in foreign leagues. The primary objective of these guidelines is to prioritize the player's fitness and availability for the national team. Only players who meet high fitness and performance criteria will be granted NOCs, ensuring that Pakistan's representation in international leagues remains at a high standard.Furthermore, the PCB has emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for player development. All players are now required to participate in domestic competitions, and selectors will monitor their performances before selecting them for national teams. This move is intended to strengthen the domestic cricket structure and provide a pathway for talented players to rise through the ranks.The PCB has also adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards disciplinary cases and player groups. Any instances of misconduct or group formation will be met with strict penalties. This measure aims to uphold team unity and morale, fostering a positive and cohesive environment within the squad.To bolster grassroots cricket, the PCB is upgrading high-performance centers nationwide. New centers in Islamabad and Peshawar are set to be established, with Gillespie and Kirsten tasked with overseeing these initiatives. These centers will provide state-of-the-art facilities and expert coaching to young players, nurturing their talent and developing future stars for the national team.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has embarked on a comprehensive review of its domestic cricket structure, inviting 25 former international cricketers to a meeting to gather their insights and suggestions. The meeting, scheduled for Monday, will be led by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi and other board officials.The primary objective of the meeting is to address the widening gap between the standards of Pakistan's domestic competitions and international cricket. The board will seek input from the former stalwarts on ways to enhance the quality of domestic tournaments and bridge the performance gap.The meeting will also consider a detailed blueprint submitted by another former player, outlining the perceived problems with the existing cricket system in Pakistan. The blueprint is expected to provide a comprehensive analysis of the challenges facing domestic cricket and propose potential solutions.This meeting is part of the PCB's ongoing efforts to improve the domestic cricket structure. In 2018, the First-Class competition was reduced to just six teams under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, the board under Zaka Ashraf reverted to the old system of having departmental teams in the First-Class format last year.The meeting will also review the domestic contracts given to around 360 cricketers in different formats across the country. The PCB aims to ensure that these contracts are fair and equitable, providing adequate support to players at all levels.The PCB's commitment to improving domestic cricket is a crucial step towards strengthening the national team. By addressing the challenges facing domestic competitions, the board hopes to create a more competitive and sustainable cricket ecosystem in Pakistan.

The Australian domestic cricket season for 2024-25 is set to witness a flurry of player movements, with all state squads now finalized. Here's a comprehensive overview of the changes:New South Wales:The Blues have bolstered their batting lineup with the acquisition of Nic Maddinson from Victoria and Josh Philippe from Western Australia. Sam Konstas also joins the squad. Departing players include Baxter Holt, Blake MacDonald, Ross Pawson, and Jason Sangha.Victoria:The Vics have lost Maddinson to New South Wales but have gained Josh Brown. Sasha Moloney has moved to Tasmania, while Travis Dean, Matt Fotia, Tom O'Donnell, and Wil Parker have departed.Queensland:The Bulls have made significant additions to their squad, including Angus Lovell, Lachlan Hearne, Callum Vidler, Lachlan Aitken, Jem Ryan, and Tom Straker. Joe Burns, James Bazley, Blake Edwards, Aryan Jain, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Will Prestwidge have moved on.South Australia:The Redbacks have welcomed Mackenzie Harvey from Victoria, Conor McInerney from New South Wales, and Jason Sangha from Queensland. Campbell Thompson also joins the squad. Departing players include Jake Carder, David Grant, Isaac Higgins, and Kelvin Smith.Western Australia:The Warriors have acquired Keaton Critchell and Brody Couch from Victoria, as well as Baxter Holt from New South Wales. Corey Wasley also joins the squad. Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Josh Philippe, Marcus Stoinis, and AJ Tye have departed.Tasmania:The Tigers have signed Matt Kuhnemann and Will Prestwidge from Queensland, as well as Kieran Elliot and Raf Macmillan. Sam Rainbird, Matthew Wade, and Paddy Dooley have moved on.ACT:The Meteors have lost Zoe Cooke to Queensland and Anesu Mushangwe to South Australia. Kayla Burton, Rebecca Carter, Chloe Rafferty, and Jannatul Sumona have also departed.

Afghanistan's impressive run in the ongoing T20 World Cup, where they have secured a berth in the Super Eight stage, is a testament to the experience gained by their players in domestic and franchise cricket, according to captain Rashid Khan.After registering three consecutive wins in the group stage, Afghanistan became the second team from Group C to advance to the next round, following co-hosts West Indies. Khan praised his team's ability to adapt to different conditions, as evidenced by their seven-wicket victory against Papua New Guinea.Opting to bowl first, Afghanistan restricted PNG to a meager 95 runs in 19.5 overs, with Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq claiming three and two wickets, respectively. In the chase, Gulbadin Naib's unbeaten 49 guided Afghanistan to victory with 29 balls to spare."Our openers have given us solid starts in the last two games, and today was a chance for others to get some time in the middle," Khan said after the match. "We had a domestic competition before coming here, and everyone is in good form."Khan emphasized the importance of franchise cricket experience, which has allowed his players to familiarize themselves with different conditions. "Some of them have played at St Lucia and know how the pitch will play, which helps others," he said. "Everyone has the skill to adjust to any condition."The star spinner attributed Afghanistan's success to the collective efforts of the team. "It's a great feeling to qualify for the next round," he said. "The boys have put in a lot of effort since the first game. They know what they need to do and have executed it beautifully."Khan highlighted the contributions of wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz and pacer Farooqi. "It's important to have someone like Gurbaz who can take on the bowling or Farooqi who can pick up wickets in the powerplay," he said. "If the batter is attacking, then as a bowler, you have to attack too, especially with pitches helping you."Afghanistan will face West Indies in their final group stage encounter on June 17 in Tarouba.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the schedule for the 2024-25 domestic cricket season, prioritizing player well-being and the development of women's cricket. The season will commence with the Duleep Trophy on September 5, followed by the Irani Cup and the first five league matches of the Ranji Trophy.The white-ball tournaments, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, will follow. The Ranji Trophy will then resume with the final two league matches and the knockout stages.To ensure player welfare, the BCCI has incorporated an extended gap between matches, allowing for ample recovery time. Additionally, all Women's challenger tournaments will feature teams selected by the national selectors.The CK Nayudu Trophy will undergo a revamp, introducing a new points system that rewards balanced performances in batting and bowling. The toss will also be abolished for CK Nayudu Trophy matches, with the visiting team choosing whether to bat or bowl first.BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized the importance of player well-being and the development of women's cricket in the scheduling process. He stated, "To prioritize player welfare, an extended gap between matches has been incorporated, ensuring ample time for recovery and sustained peak performance."The new points system in the CK Nayudu Trophy aims to encourage all-round performances and will be evaluated post-season for potential implementation in the Ranji Trophy in subsequent seasons.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced significant changes to the domestic cricket calendar for the 2024-25 season, including the splitting of the Ranji Trophy into two phases. The decision was made after consultations with a working group and senior players and coaches, who expressed concerns about the lack of game time due to weather disruptions in northern India during winters.The Ranji Trophy will now begin in October, with each team playing five league games during a five-week window before the white-ball competitions commence. The last two group-stage fixtures will be held after the completion of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 18, followed by the knockout phase of the competition from February 8. The Ranji final is set to be held from February 26 to March 2.The BCCI has also introduced an extra day's gap between matches, making it a total of four days as against three, to prioritize player well-being and facilitate better recovery and preparation.In another significant move, the Duleep Trophy will not be played between zonal teams. Instead, the tournament has been whittled down to a four-team event with squads picked by the national selectors. This change aims to provide a wider pool of players, including those in the targeted group, with opportunities ahead of India's Test season.The CK Nayudu Trophy, an Under-23 tournament, will no longer feature tosses. The visiting team will instead be allowed to choose whether to bat or bowl first. The BCCI has also introduced a "revamped points system" to foster balanced performances, including points for batting and bowling prowess in the first innings, as well as for securing the first innings lead or achieving an outright victory.These changes are part of the BCCI's efforts to strengthen the core of domestic cricket and address concerns raised by players and coaches. The new schedule aims to provide more game time, reduce player fatigue, and enhance the competitiveness of domestic tournaments.

Hanuma Vihari Secures NOC from Andhra Cricket Association After Bitter DisputeIndian Test batter Hanuma Vihari has finally obtained his no objection certificate (NOC) from the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) after a protracted dispute with the state body. The NOC will allow Vihari to represent another state in domestic cricket from the 2024-25 season onwards.The conflict between Vihari and the ACA began in March when the association served him a show-cause notice after he publicly accused the governing body of unceremoniously removing him from captaincy. Vihari vowed not to play for the state again, citing a lack of respect and transparency.In a post on social media, Vihari revealed that he had been requesting the NOC for two months but had been met with resistance. However, following the recent victory of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the state election, the ACA has issued the NOC immediately.In the NOC, ACA secretary Gopinath Reddy stated that the association has no objection to Vihari representing another BCCI-affiliated association as a player from the 2024-25 season onwards.Vihari, who has played 16 Tests for India, last represented the national team in 2022. He is expected to attract interest from several state associations, including Hyderabad, where he has previously played.The resolution of the dispute between Vihari and the ACA is a positive development for the player, who can now focus on his cricketing career without the distraction of off-field issues. It also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in state cricket associations.