Cricket

MCC Weekdays Bash XIX Final Marred by Ugly Fist-FightThe MCC Weekdays Bash XIX final took an ugly turn when a fist-fight erupted between Rabdan Cricket Club batsman Kashif Muhammad and Aerovisa Cricket bowler Nasir Ali. The incident occurred after Ali gave Muhammad a nasty send-off following his dismissal.A video of the altercation, which has gone viral on social media, shows Ali celebrating and uttering a few words in Muhammad's face. Initially, Muhammad ignored Ali's taunts, but when they continued, he turned back to respond.The verbal exchange quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, with Muhammad's batting partner, Aerovisa players, and the umpires attempting to separate the two. Ali was seen grabbing Muhammad's bat and trying to hit him. After the bat fell from his hand, Muhammad picked it up and attempted to retaliate.The incident has raised concerns about the conduct of players in cricket. According to the International Cricket Council's Code of Conduct, any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited. The severity of the breach is assessed based on factors such as the context, force of contact, and any resulting injuries.Both Muhammad and Ali could face disciplinary action from the MCC. The incident has also sparked a debate about the role of umpires in preventing such altercations. Some experts believe that umpires should be more proactive in intervening when players engage in verbal or physical confrontations.The MCC Weekdays Bash is a popular cricket tournament held in Dubai. The incident has cast a shadow over the event and raised questions about the sportsmanship of some players. It remains to be seen what disciplinary measures will be taken against Muhammad and Ali, and whether the MCC will implement any new measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Pakistan's dismal performance at the T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked a major shake-up within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). According to a report in the 'Jang' newspaper, some Pakistani players accepted appearance fees as low as USD 2500 per person to attend a meet-and-greet function in Dallas on the sidelines of the tournament. The report also revealed that another event, 'A Night with Stars,' was canceled due to payment discrepancies between captain Babar Azam and other players.These revelations have prompted PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to hold senior management officials responsible for the team's indiscipline and poor performance. Sources within the PCB have confirmed that Naqvi is considering dismissing senior officials and implementing stricter policies for players.One of the key issues identified is the presence of players' families at the World Cup. The PCB is expected to announce a policy prohibiting players from bringing their families to major events. The source said that some senior officials had allowed players to bring their families, which contributed to the team's lack of focus.Another issue is the alleged rift between Babar Azam and pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi over captaincy. The source said that the team is divided, with some players supporting Azam and others backing Afridi.The PCB is also facing criticism for its handling of central contracts. Sources claim that some senior management officials have been patronizing players, leading to indiscipline and a lack of accountability.The PCB is now conducting a performance assessment of all senior management officials. The board is also considering enforcing a code of conduct for players to prevent future incidents of indiscipline and unprofessionalism.