Cricket

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to ignite the UAE with an unprecedented initiative: match tickets starting at a mere five dirhams (Rs 114.28) and free entry for fans under 18. This groundbreaking move, unveiled amidst a dazzling laser show on the iconic Burj Khalifa, aims to foster an inclusive and unforgettable tournament experience."The UAE's diversity is a key factor in this decision," stated ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice. "With fans from all over the world residing here, this tournament becomes a home World Cup for all 10 participating teams. To ensure maximum support and create a lasting legacy, we're thrilled to offer affordable tickets and free entry for our younger fans."The tournament, commencing on October 3, will witness 10 teams battling it out in 23 matches over 18 days. The teams are divided into two groups: Group A (Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) and Group B (Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies, Scotland).The round-robin format ensures that each team faces the other four in its group, with the top two advancing to the knockout stages. The tournament kicks off in Sharjah with Bangladesh facing Scotland on October 3. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 17 in Dubai and October 18 in Sharjah, culminating in the grand finale on October 20 in Dubai.Prior to the tournament, teams will engage in warm-up matches from September 28 to October 1. This initiative not only promotes accessibility but also aims to inspire future generations of cricket enthusiasts. By making the tournament affordable and inclusive, the ICC hopes to create a lasting impact on the sport in the UAE and beyond.

Sri Lanka's historic Test victory over England at The Oval has propelled six of their players to new career-high ratings on the ICC Men's Test Rankings. Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, and Pathum Nissanka led the charge with impressive batting performances.De Silva's stylish 69 in the first innings earned him a three-place jump to 13th overall, making him Sri Lanka's highest-ranked batter. Mendis gained six places to 19th after a half-century, while Nissanka soared 42 spots to 39th following his innings of 64 and 127*.England's Joe Root remains the world's top-ranked Test batter despite modest scores at The Oval. However, his rating has dropped, allowing New Zealand's Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, and Australia's Steve Smith to close the gap. Harry Brook fell seven places to 12th after disappointing performances.On the positive side for England, Ollie Pope gained seven places to equal 27th after a century in the first innings, and Jamie Smith jumped six spots to equal 30th after a quickfire half-century in the second innings.Sri Lanka's bowlers also made significant gains on the Test bowler rankings. Vishwa Fernando rose 13 places to equal 31st after taking five wickets, while Lahiru Kumara (up 10 places to 32nd) and Milan Rathnayake (up 26 places to equal 84th) also improved. England's Olly Stone gained 13 places to 74th after his three wickets in the first innings.In the T20I rankings, Australia's Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis climbed the ladder for batters after their series sweep over Scotland. Spinner Adam Zampa moved up one place to seventh on the T20I bowler rankings. Scotland's Bradley Currie made a significant jump of 20 places to 49th on the same list.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been contemplating a two-tier system for Test cricket for over a decade. In 2004, then General Manager David Richardson hoped to implement it by 2019, but objections from India and other countries who feared relegation delayed its implementation.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opposed the plan, arguing that it would diminish the popularity and development of the game. Instead, the World Test Championship was introduced in 2014, but it was criticized for its lack of context.Former England captain Michael Vaughan recently reignited the two-tier plan, suggesting that it would reduce mismatched games between teams with vastly different resources. He proposed dividing the six top-ranked teams into one group and the remaining six into another, with the teams shuffled after two years.This pragmatic plan would achieve several benefits:* More tours among non-elite teams: It would encourage tours between countries beyond the top six, fostering the development of the game globally.* Rationalized calendar: It would allow for more flexibility in scheduling Test series outside the World Test Championship cycle, such as the Ashes or India-Pakistan series.* Financial support for struggling teams: The ICC has established a special fund of $10 million to assist financially strapped countries, ensuring that they can continue to participate in Test cricket.The two-tier system would address the concerns raised by India and other countries. By dividing the teams into two groups, it would eliminate the risk of relegation for the top teams. Additionally, the special fund would provide financial support to ensure that all Test-playing nations have the resources to compete.The time has come for Test cricket to embrace a two-tier system. It would promote competition, foster the development of the game, and ensure the financial viability of Test cricket for all nations.

Joe Root's exceptional batting form has propelled him to the summit of the ICC Test Batter Rankings, extending his lead over New Zealand's Kane Williamson. Root's consecutive centuries have solidified his position as the world's top batter, with a 63-point advantage over Williamson.In the latest rankings update, Gus Atkinson's all-around brilliance against Sri Lanka has earned him significant gains. Atkinson's century and five-wicket haul at Lord's have elevated him into the top 20 all-rounders and top 30 bowlers.Despite Sri Lanka's series defeat to England, several players have made positive strides in the rankings. Kamindu Mendis' half-centuries have moved him up 11 spots to 25th, while Asitha Fernando's eight-wicket performance has propelled him into the top ten bowlers for the first time.Bangladesh's clean sweep of Pakistan has resulted in several Tigers making gains. Litton Das' century in the first Test has pushed him up 12 places to 15th in the batting rankings. Mehidy Hasan Miraz's all-around contributions have seen him rise to 7th in the all-rounders list. Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana have also achieved career-best rankings in bowling.In the shortest format, Nicolas Pooran's impressive knock against South Africa has moved him up to eighth in the T20I Batting Rankings. Shai Hope's consistent performances have earned him a 32-spot jump to 40th. Protea Aiden Markram has also joined Pooran in the top 10.American all-rounder Harmeet Singh has made significant strides in the bowling rankings, jumping 48 spots. He has also climbed 19 spots to 40th in the All-Rounder Rankings.

Jay Shah, the 35-year-old son of India's Home Minister, is set to become the most powerful figure in world cricket as the Independent Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). His appointment has raised questions about the future of the sport, given his limited cricket experience and the potential for political interference.Shah's rise to the top of the ICC has been meteoric. He became secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2019, and has since been a vocal advocate for India's interests within the ICC. His appointment as chairman is seen as a victory for India, which has long sought to increase its influence in the global game.However, Shah's lack of cricket experience has raised concerns among some observers. He has never played the game at a professional level, and his knowledge of the sport is limited. This has led to fears that he may not be able to effectively lead the ICC, which is responsible for governing the sport worldwide.There are also concerns that Shah's appointment could lead to political interference in the ICC. His father, Amit Shah, is one of the most powerful politicians in India, and his influence could extend to the ICC. This could potentially compromise the independence of the ICC and lead to decisions being made based on political considerations rather than the best interests of the sport.Despite these concerns, Shah has promised to be an independent chairman who will act in the best interests of cricket. He has also said that he will work to improve the governance of the ICC and make it more transparent and accountable.The future of cricket under Shah's leadership is uncertain. He has the potential to be a transformative figure, but he also faces significant challenges. Only time will tell whether he will be able to overcome these challenges and lead the ICC to a brighter future.

Pakistan cricket has reached its lowest point in recent history, suffering a humiliating six-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in the second Test in Rawalpindi. This marks the first time Bangladesh has defeated Pakistan in a Test match and series.The defeat has sent shockwaves through the Pakistani cricket community, with former stalwarts expressing their dismay and concern. Javed Miandad, a former Test captain, lamented the state of Pakistani cricket, stating that it was "hurting" to witness the team's decline.The second Test saw Bangladesh's batters dominate the second innings after Pakistan dropped pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and rested Naseem Shah. Pakistan had initially put Bangladesh on the back foot, reducing them to 26 for 6 in their first innings. However, a spectacular partnership between centurion Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz rescued the visitors.Miandad believes that the players have lost confidence due to the turmoil within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He pointed to the frequent captaincy and management changes as factors that have destabilized the team.Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq echoed Miandad's concerns, highlighting Pakistan's poor home record in recent years. He emphasized the importance of batsmen scoring runs, especially in home conditions.Record-breaking batsman Younis Khan attributed Pakistan's struggles to a lack of mental strength. He believes that the team needs to overcome its current crisis by developing a clear mindset.Former Test batter Ahmed Shezad criticized the batsmen for their inability to handle pace and movement, suggesting that the future of Pakistani cricket is bleak if they cannot improve in this area.Former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim urged the team management to groom existing and upcoming spinners, as Pakistan's best chance of success at home lies in utilizing spin-friendly pitches.With this latest setback, Pakistan's hopes of reaching the final of the World Test Championship appear to have evaporated. Captain Shan Masood's lack of runs has added to his woes, while senior batter Babar Azam has also struggled to make an impact.Despite the team's poor performance, red-ball coach Jason Gillispie and his white-ball counterpart Gary Kirsten have advised the PCB and selectors not to panic, as it could further dent the players' confidence. Gillispie and high-performance coach Tim Nielsen will return to Australia for a short break.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah has made history by becoming the new International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman. This significant appointment has sparked discussions about his successor in the Indian board and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).As Shah assumes the ICC role, he will relinquish his positions as BCCI secretary and ACC chairman. According to reports, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi is the frontrunner to replace Shah as the ACC boss.A source quoted by the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency claims that Naqvi is set to take over as the new ACC president for a two-year term. "When the ACC meets later this year, it will confirm that Naqvi will be the next president for a two-year term," the source said. "When Jay Shah steps down, the PCB chief will take over."Upon his election as the ICC Chairman, Shah expressed his commitment to working closely with the ICC team and member nations to further globalize cricket. He emphasized the importance of balancing multiple formats, promoting technology, and introducing marquee events to new markets.Shah also highlighted the significance of cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, stating that it represents a major growth opportunity for the sport. He expressed confidence that it will drive cricket forward in unprecedented ways.The appointment of Naqvi as the ACC chairman is expected to be formally announced later this year. This move will mark a significant change in the leadership of both the ICC and ACC, with both organizations set to embark on new chapters under their respective new leaders.

The outgoing Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Johnny Grave has expressed skepticism about the proposed ICC Test fund, suggesting that it will not significantly impact the state of Test cricket. The fund, which aims to provide a minimum match fee of US $10,000 for players in Test matches, has been met with mixed reactions.Grave believes that the fund is insufficient to address the challenges facing Test cricket, particularly in the West Indies. He argues that the focus should be on increasing the number of three-match series, establishing dedicated Test windows, and supporting 'A' team programs."I think the idea of paying a Test fee of US $10,000 is not even window dressing," Grave said. "We pay our players US $10,000. So, I sort of smiled when I saw that come out in the press."Grave acknowledges that the Test fund is a "significant amount of money" for CWI, but he believes it is a "rounding error" for other boards. He suggests that the ICC should prioritize measures that will improve the quality and competitiveness of Test cricket, such as providing more opportunities for players to develop their skills.Despite his skepticism about the Test fund, Grave welcomes the "slight change in mindset" from the Big 3 (Australia, India, and England). He believes that the willingness to host major events outside of their own countries and to support the development of cricket in other regions is a positive step."We've got to get jeopardy back in, we've got to get competitive balance," Grave said. "To a certain extent, some of that has changed."Grave's comments highlight the ongoing debate about the future of Test cricket. While some believe that the format is in decline, others argue that it remains the pinnacle of the sport. The ICC Test fund is one of several initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting Test cricket, but it remains to be seen whether it will have the desired impact.

Jay Shah, the 35-year-old secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is set to become the youngest chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) when he takes over on December 1, 2024. Shah's election was met with unanimous support from 15 out of 16 ICC Board members.Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave attributed Shah's election to his impressive leadership at the BCCI. Grave highlighted Shah's successful hosting of the Women's Premier League, the 50-over World Cup in India, and the signing of lucrative broadcast deals.Former Australia head coach John Buchanan urged the ICC under Shah's leadership to make long-term decisions for cricket's future. Buchanan expressed concerns about the proliferation of T20 leagues and emphasized the importance of Test cricket as the foundation of the game.Buchanan believes the ICC needs to carefully consider the number of leagues it approves to avoid overwhelming players and ensure the relevance of the ODI format as a transition between Tests and T20s. He also acknowledged the financial incentives for players to participate in T20 leagues but stressed the need for a balance to maintain the integrity of the sport.Buchanan anticipates a transition phase for the Australian Test side after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year, as many players are over 30 years old. He expects changes in the team's composition to accommodate younger talent.