Cricket

Australia's T20 World Cup captain, Alyssa Healy, has expressed concerns about hosting the tournament in Bangladesh due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country. Healy believes it would be inappropriate to divert resources from relief efforts to a sporting event.The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to announce the tournament's host this week, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) considered the frontrunner. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are also potential options.Healy's comments reflect the concerns of several governments, including Australia, the UK, and India, which have issued travel warnings for Bangladesh. The country has been grappling with the aftermath of recent violence that has resulted in hundreds of deaths and the ousting of the government."I find it really hard to see a cricket event going on over there at the moment and taking resources away from a country that is really struggling," Healy said. "They're needing everyone they can possibly get in there helping people that are dying."Healy emphasized that her concerns are based on humanitarian grounds rather than safety issues. Australia toured Bangladesh earlier this year and played six matches without incident. However, she believes that hosting a major sporting event at this time would be insensitive."I'd find it hard to fathom playing there at the moment, as a human being, I feel like it might be the wrong thing to do," Healy said. "But I'll leave it to the ICC to work out."Allrounder Sophie Molineux confirmed that players have been kept informed about the situation and trust the ICC to make the right decision.Australia will name their World Cup squad next Monday, and Healy is confident they will be able to adapt to any host country. They gained valuable experience during their tour of Bangladesh earlier this year."I feel like we're so well balanced in the…players that we get to choose from, wherever the World Cup gets put, I think we're going to have the right squad to take it on," Healy said.The World Cup squad will also play three T20Is against New Zealand in September as preparation for the tournament.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to announce the host nation for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as the frontrunner. The BCCI's refusal to host the event has opened the door for alternative venues, with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe also expressing interest.The UAE boasts three world-class cricket stadiums in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, making it an ideal location for the tournament. The ICC is expected to make a final decision this week, as time is running out to finalize arrangements.Meanwhile, Thailand has withdrawn as co-host of the 2025 Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup, leaving Malaysia as the sole host. The tournament will feature 16 teams, including debutants Samoa, and will be played at four venues. Defending champions India are grouped with West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia in the tournament, which begins on January 18, 2025.The ICC's decision to move the Women's T20 World Cup out of India has sparked controversy. BCCI secretary Jay Shah cited monsoon conditions and the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup in 2023 as reasons for declining the offer. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains keen on hosting the tournament despite ongoing political turmoil in the country.The ICC's decision will have a significant impact on the development of women's cricket. The Women's T20 World Cup is a prestigious event that showcases the best female cricketers in the world. Hosting the tournament in a country with a strong cricketing infrastructure and a passionate fan base will help to raise the profile of women's cricket and inspire future generations of players.

The ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup 2025 is set to ignite the global cricket stage from January 18 to February 2 in Malaysia. Defending champions India will embark on their title defense alongside West Indies, Sri Lanka, and hosts Malaysia in Group A.The tournament will feature 16 teams, including first-time participants Samoa, who will compete in Group C alongside New Zealand, South Africa, and an Africa qualifier. Group B boasts England, Pakistan, Ireland, and USA, while Group D comprises Australia, Bangladesh, Scotland, and an Asia qualifier.The event will showcase the future stars of women's cricket across four venues in Malaysia. Bayuemas Oval in Selangor will host the Group A games and the final, while the Dato' Dr. Harjit Singh Johor Cricket Academy (JCA Oval) in Johor will host Group B. Sarawak's Borneo Cricket Ground will be the venue for Group C fixtures, and the UKM YSD Oval in Selangor will host Group D matches.The tournament will kick off with a triple-header on January 18, featuring Australia vs. Scotland, England vs. Ireland, and Samoa vs. the Africa qualifier. India will begin their campaign on January 19 against West Indies.ICC CEO Geoff Allardice emphasized the significance of the event in promoting women's cricket globally. "This is a special event to the ICC and forms an important part of our Global Growth Strategy of raising the profile of women's cricket and further growing the game around the world," he said.Host tournament director Dinesh Muthuraman expressed Malaysia's pride in hosting the event. "Malaysia is proud to host the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup in 2025, continuing our tradition of supporting the growth of cricket on the global stage," he said.The tournament was originally scheduled to be co-hosted by Thailand, but their withdrawal resulted in Malaysia hosting all games. Malaysia previously hosted the Men's Under-19 World Cup in 2008, which featured future stars like Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include cricket in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2030. This move aligns with the Indian government's bid to host the 2030 YOG in Mumbai.In an email exchange, Vivek Gopalan, a sports enthusiast, proposed the idea to William Glenwright, ICC's General Manager of Development. Glenwright responded positively, acknowledging the potential of cricket's inclusion in the YOG. The correspondence included key ICC stakeholders, ensuring their awareness of the initiative.Gopalan emphasized the strong case for cricket's inclusion, citing the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public declaration of India's desire to host both the 2030 YOG and 2036 Olympics. Modi had previously mentioned the YOG during his speech at the IOC session in Mumbai in 2023.The email highlighted the potential impact of cricket's inclusion on grassroots development, particularly among ICC Associate countries. The YOG, which caters to athletes aged 15 to 18, could provide a global platform for young cricketers to showcase their skills.The email also noted the IOC's recognition of cricket's brand value and its potential to enhance the Olympic brand. This recognition could facilitate the inclusion of cricket as a core sport in the YOG.Cricket's return to the Olympic Games is already confirmed for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, marking its first appearance since 1900. The ICC's willingness to work with the IOC on the YOG further underscores the growing recognition of cricket's global appeal and its potential to inspire young athletes.

The 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Bangladesh, is facing an uncertain future due to political unrest and security concerns. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively exploring alternative venues, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as a potential replacement.The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains determined to retain hosting rights, but the ICC is facing time constraints with the tournament set to commence on September 27th. The BCB's request for a five-day extension to present a revised hosting plan has been denied, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined to step in as host due to monsoon season and a packed cricketing calendar.The UAE, with its favorable time zone, predictable weather conditions, and established cricketing infrastructure, has emerged as a frontrunner. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly enthusiastic about hosting the tournament, further bolstering the UAE's candidacy.Despite the mounting pressure, the BCB remains optimistic, highlighting ongoing discussions with Bangladesh's Army Chief regarding security assurances for the tournament. However, the recent exodus of key BCB officials, including President Nazmul Hassan, due to political unrest casts a shadow over their efforts.Other nations, including Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, have also expressed interest in hosting the tournament, presenting the ICC with additional options to consider. The ICC is expected to reach a decision by August 20th, coinciding with a pre-scheduled board meeting primarily focused on finalizing the terms of reference for an inquiry into the recent Men's T20 World Cup.With just over 50 days remaining before the tournament's start, the ICC faces a critical decision that will significantly impact the participating teams, fans, and the future of women's cricket.

Babar Azam's ODI Ranking Retention Draws Criticism from Former Pakistan Cricketer Basit AliFormer Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his disapproval of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to retain Babar Azam as the top-ranked ODI batter despite his prolonged absence from the format. Ali questioned the logic behind the ranking system and suggested that the ICC may be intentionally hindering Azam's performance.Ali's criticism stems from the fact that Azam has not played an ODI since November 2023. Despite this, he has maintained his position at the top of the rankings, ahead of Indian stars Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli. Ali believes that this ranking is undeserved, especially considering the absence of other top-performing batters like Travis Head (Australia) and Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)."When I saw the ICC ranking (ODI batters), Babar Azam was at the top, number two was Rohit Sharma, number three was Shubman Gill, and then there was Virat Kohli at number four. I did not find it necessary to read the remaining names because I couldn't see Travis Head and Rachin Ravindra. I think the ICC wants that Babar doesn't perform. He would be happy with being the number one-ranked batter in ODIs. Who gives these rankings? On what basis are Babar Azam and Shubman Gill there?" Ali said on his YouTube channel.Ali further questioned the ranking system, highlighting the absence of star batters like Travis Head (Australia) and Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand). He pointed out that these players had performed exceptionally well in the recent ODI World Cup, scoring multiple centuries.Meanwhile, India captain Rohit Sharma has made a significant jump in the rankings, climbing to the second spot after his impressive performance in the three-game ODI series against Sri Lanka. Sharma ended the series as the top scorer with 157 runs, including two half-centuries.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined the International Cricket Council's (ICC) request to host the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in October due to monsoon season and the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup in 2023.The ICC is now considering alternative venues, with Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as potential hosts. The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 3-20.The decision to rule out India as a host stems from concerns about the monsoon season, which could disrupt matches, and the BCCI's desire to avoid hosting consecutive World Cups."They [ICC] have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup. I have categorically said no," BCCI Secretary Jay Shah told Times of India. "We're in the monsoon and on top of that we will host the Women's ODI World Cup next year. I don't want to give any kind of signals that I want to hold consecutive World Cups."The ICC is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh, which was originally scheduled to host the tournament. However, recent violence and security challenges have raised concerns about the safety of participants."The ICC is closely monitoring developments in co-ordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board [BCB], their security agencies and our own independent security consultants," an ICC statement said. "Our priority is the safety and well-being of all participants."The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing a crisis, with its president and former sports minister Nazmul Hassan effectively out of office since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. Several board directors have also been incommunicado.The BCCI has not yet spoken to the new Bangladesh authorities but plans to reach out to them. The Bangladesh series is considered important for India's preparation for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.In other news, VVS Laxman's tenure as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) will be extended. Laxman's current contract expires in September, but BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed that he will continue in the role.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to release official ratings for the pitch and outfield conditions of the 54 matches played during the T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies, despite the tournament concluding over seven weeks ago.Particular scrutiny surrounds the eight matches held at the Nassau County ground in New York state. The fresh drop-in pitches, prepared by Adelaide curator Damian Hough, resulted in an average first innings score of just 107.6 runs across the eight games played at this venue.The ratings for the matches held in the West Indies are also awaited, but the focus remains on the performance of the pitches at the Nassau County ground. The ICC website, which provides ratings for pitch and outfield conditions, appears to have neglected updating this information since May 31, 2024, for both men's and women's international matches.The cricket venue in New York faced severe criticism from around the globe due to its unpredictable bounce and sluggish outfield. These conditions made run-scoring a challenging task, with even modest totals of 120 proving to be difficult to chase down.The delay in updating pitch and outfield ratings on the ICC website, now spanning 46 days, is unusual given that during the 50-over World Cup in India, such assessments were typically posted within a week of a match's conclusion.The match referees for the eight matches in New York were Ranjan Madugalle (3 games), David Boon (3 games), Jeff Crowe, and Richie Richardson. Given the rating categories of very good, good, satisfactory, average, and below average, it's likely that New York will receive an average or below average rating for both the pitch and outfield if assessed fairly.With cricket being included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the ICC is eager to avoid any negative findings regarding pitch quality during the global event in the US. Over the next four years, the ICC will need to develop the necessary sporting infrastructure to support cricket's Olympic debut, as New York's performance did not provide a strong example for the sport's entry into the Games.

Babar Azam remains the undisputed king of ODI batting, holding onto the top spot in the ICC rankings. However, Rohit Sharma has made significant strides, climbing to the second position after his impressive performance in the ODI series against Sri Lanka.Rohit's consistent batting in Sri Lanka, where he amassed 157 runs at an average of 52.33, has propelled him up the rankings. His scores of 58, 64, and 35 have earned him 765 points, just behind Babar's 824 points.Shubman Gill, who previously held the second spot, has dropped down to third, while Virat Kohli remains in fourth place. Pathum Nissanka of Sri Lanka has made a notable rise, moving up one spot to eighth.Sri Lanka's batting lineup also saw some impressive performances. Avishka Fernando (137 runs), Dunith Wellalage (108), Kusal Mendis (103), and Nissanka (101) were the key contributors. Nissanka's consistent performance has solidified his position in the top ten, while Mendis and Avishka have made significant gains in the rankings.Wellalage's bowling prowess was also on display, particularly his 5 for 27 in the final ODI. This performance has earned him a jump of 17 spots to 59th among bowlers.In the Test arena, South Africa's Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj have made notable progress. Bavuma's 86 in the first innings and 15 not out in the second have moved him up two spots to 16th on the batters' table. Tony de Zorzi's scores of 78 and 45 have also earned him a rise of 29 spots to 85th.Maharaj's exceptional bowling performance, with returns of 4 for 76 and 4 for 88, has earned him the Player-of-the-Match award and a jump of seven spots to joint 21st on the Test bowlers' table.