Cricket

PCB Cancels National Women's Championship Due to Fire IncidentThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to abruptly end the National Women's Championship in Karachi on Monday after a fire broke out in the team hotel, narrowly missing five players.According to a PCB statement, the incident occurred when only five players were present in the hotel. The PCB swiftly evacuated them to the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre, ensuring their safety.The PCB explored alternative accommodations for the teams, but due to the ongoing Ideas Defence Exhibition in Karachi, no suitable hotels were available. The board prioritized the health and safety of the players, leading to the decision to cancel the tournament."The unavailability of alternative accommodations to meet the approximately 100 rooms of the required standards contributed to this outcome," the PCB statement explained.To determine the tournament winner, the PCB announced that the Invincibles and the Stars, the top two teams after four matches each, will face off in the final. The date and venue for the final will be announced later.The PCB expressed relief that no players were injured in the incident and thanked the hotel staff for their prompt response. The board also apologized for any inconvenience caused to the teams and fans.

A professional county cricket coach has been suspended for six months by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) for engaging in inappropriate conduct with a player under his care. The incidents occurred during a pre-season tour in March 2024, involving the men's and women's teams from an unnamed county.The coach, referred to as "Coach A" in the CDC's findings, was charged with breaching regulation 3.3 of the 2023 Professional Conduct Regulations, which prohibits improper conduct that may harm the interests of cricket or bring the game into disrepute. Coach A admitted the charge in writing on July 25, 2024.The identities of Coach A, the player involved ("Player 1"), another player ("Player 2"), and a senior county employee who provided witness statements were anonymized to protect victims and vulnerable witnesses.Evidence presented to the CDC included call logs, messages, and a transcript of Coach A's interview with the Cricket Regulator. The CDC deemed it unnecessary to disclose the full details of the incidents as they had been admitted by the parties involved.Coach A's suspension includes three months already served since the last incident in March 2024, with the remaining three months suspended for two years, contingent on his future conduct. The CDC recommended that Coach A undergo appropriate training at his own expense and did not impose a fine, considering the financial impact on him and his family.Interim director of The Cricket Regulator, Dave Lewis, emphasized the importance of protecting participants from inappropriate sexual behavior, especially by those in positions of power. The Regulator encourages reporting of such incidents and safeguards the identities of victims and vulnerable witnesses.Mitigating factors considered by the CDC in sentencing Coach A included his acceptance of responsibility, apology, and expression of remorse. The panel also noted his unblemished record prior to the incidents and his completion of safeguarding courses and an up-to-date DBS check.

India's Participation in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan: A Question of Safety and PoliticsThe upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan, has sparked a debate over India's participation. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed optimism that all teams, including India, will participate in the tournament. However, the tense political relations between India and Pakistan and concerns over player safety have cast a shadow over India's potential involvement.India has not sent a cricket team to Pakistan since 2008 due to security concerns. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has emphasized the importance of player safety, stating that Indian players should not travel to Pakistan if there is no guarantee of their well-being.On the other hand, Pakistan's newly appointed limited-overs captain Mohammad Rizwan has expressed his desire for India to participate in the Champions Trophy. He believes that Indian players would receive a warm welcome in Pakistan.The decision of whether or not India will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy ultimately rests with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI will need to assess the security situation in Pakistan and determine whether it is safe for Indian players to participate.The ICC has also expressed its commitment to ensuring the safety of all teams participating in the Champions Trophy. ICC CEO Geoff Allardice has stated that the ICC will work closely with the PCB to ensure that all necessary security measures are in place.The Champions Trophy is a prestigious tournament, and India's participation would add to its allure. However, the safety of Indian players must be the paramount concern. The BCCI will need to carefully consider all factors before making a decision on India's participation.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a new eligibility policy for transgender women in elite domestic cricket, aligning with the International Cricket Council's (ICC) stance. Transgender women who have gone through male puberty will be excluded from Tiers 1 and 2 of the ECB's new women's county competition, as well as the women's Hundred.The ECB's decision follows a nine-month consultation with stakeholders and a review of scientific and medical evidence. The board cited concerns about player safety at the elite level as the primary reason for the new policy."We want everyone to feel included and welcome in our sport, and believe the position reached strikes an appropriate balance by ensuring fairness in the elite game while ensuring inclusivity at a recreational level, with specific safeguards in place to manage disparities and ensure safety," the ECB said in a statement.The policy will not apply to the grassroots game or Tier 3 of the county competition, which will include teams from the ECB's national counties. However, Tier 3 teams will be subject to promotion and relegation from higher tiers from 2029 onwards.The ECB's previous policy allowed any player who identified as female to compete in professional club and England pathway teams with written clearance. However, the ICC tightened its eligibility policy in November 2023, prioritizing the protection of the integrity of the women's game, safety, fairness, and inclusion.The most notable player affected by the rule change was Canada's Danielle McGahey, who played in the ICC Women's T20 Americas Qualifier in 2023 but later acknowledged that her career was over.The ECB's detailed policy will be developed in consultation with stakeholders over the coming months and will be formally in place for the 2025 domestic season.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Dulip Samaraweera has been handed a 20-year ban by Cricket Australia (CA) for "utterly reprehensible" conduct. The ban prohibits him from holding any position within CA, state associations, or Big Bash League (BBL) and Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) clubs during that period.Samaraweera, 52, was found to have breached CA's Code of Conduct during his tenure as a Cricket Victoria employee. An investigation by CA's Integrity Department was initiated following complaints about his behavior.The investigation revealed that Samaraweera had engaged in inappropriate behavior involving a player, violating section 2.23 of CA's Code of Conduct. The specific details of the behavior have not been disclosed.Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins strongly condemned Samaraweera's actions. "The conduct was utterly reprehensible and a betrayal of everything we stand for at Cricket Victoria," Cummins said. "The victim has shown incredible courage in speaking up, and we will continue to support her."CA emphasized its commitment to providing a safe environment for all players and employees. "The welfare of those subjected to mistreatment is paramount," CA stated.Samaraweera, who played seven Tests and five ODIs for Sri Lanka, had been a long-time assistant coach for the Victoria women's team and the Melbourne Stars WBBL franchise. He was promoted to the head coaching role for the Victoria women's team earlier this year but resigned after just two weeks due to a disagreement over staff appointments.The 20-year ban is a significant punishment for Samaraweera, effectively ending his coaching career in Australia. It sends a strong message that CA will not tolerate any form of misconduct or abuse within the sport.

New Zealand's Abrupt Withdrawal from Pakistan Series: A Blow to International CricketNew Zealand's sudden withdrawal from their limited-overs series in Pakistan in September 2021 sent shockwaves through the cricketing community. The decision, made just minutes before the start of the first ODI in Rawalpindi, was prompted by a security threat.The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) stated that concerns for their players' safety prompted the withdrawal. The highly anticipated tour, which would have been New Zealand's first visit to Pakistan in 18 years, included three ODIs and five T20Is.Just before the first match, NZC received information about a credible security threat. After consulting with security officials and the New Zealand government, the board decided to cancel the entire series and quickly arranged for the team to leave Pakistan."Player safety is paramount, and following an escalation in the threat level, we felt it was the only responsible course of action," said David White, the NZC Chief Executive.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed disappointment over the abrupt pullout, especially considering the extensive security measures they had implemented for the tour. Pakistan had made significant efforts to ensure a safe environment for the series, providing high-level security comparable to that offered to visiting heads of state.However, New Zealand's concerns about the threat took precedence over these precautions. The withdrawal dealt a significant blow to Pakistan's efforts to regain the trust of international cricket boards after years of being sidelined from hosting top teams due to security concerns.The PCB had worked diligently in recent years to bring international cricket back to Pakistan, making this sudden cancellation a setback for those efforts. The incident also sparked broader discussions about the future of international cricket tours in the country.The withdrawal highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan in hosting international cricket matches. Despite the PCB's efforts to improve security, the perception of risk remains a significant obstacle. The incident also raised questions about the role of intelligence agencies in providing timely and accurate information to cricket boards.

The Cricket Regulator has exonerated Gloucestershire from punishment for an alleged breach of pitch regulations after their Vitality County Championship Division Two match against Northamptonshire was abandoned on day one due to safety concerns.The match, held in Bristol in August, was halted after just 65.1 overs when umpires Chris Watts and Sue Redfern deemed the hybrid pitch unsafe for batters. Northamptonshire's Ricardo Vasconcelos and Rob Keogh were both forced to retire hurt after being struck on the hand by Gloucestershire's Ajeet Singh Dale, with Vasconcelos suffering a fractured finger.Northamptonshire were awarded 11 points, while Gloucestershire received none. The umpires' statement released that day stated, "The match has been abandoned because there was a foreseeable risk to the batters. In the opinion of the umpires, it would be unreasonable to continue."Following a thorough investigation, The Regulator concluded that no charges would be brought against Gloucestershire at this time. However, they cautioned the county to prevent similar incidents in the future, acknowledging the umpires' decision to prioritize player welfare."The Cricket Regulator was satisfied that the bounce was significantly uneven and dangerous to the players," a statement released on Wednesday read. "The Cricket Regulator therefore fully supports the decisions taken by the match officials to abandon the match in the circumstances with which they were presented."Despite the Regulator's support for the umpires' decision, Gloucestershire expressed disappointment and reiterated their belief that the match should not have been abandoned. The lack of points also hindered their promotion aspirations."The Club has been significantly punished by the inability to compete for points in the match, suffering reputational damage and loss of matchday earnings in the process," Gloucestershire said in a statement.The Regulator acknowledged Gloucestershire's efforts to prepare a quality pitch but emphasized the need for improvements to prevent future issues. The pitch advisor who investigated the Bristol pitch will provide support to Gloucestershire moving forward.

The Vitality County Championship Second Division match between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire was abandoned due to safety concerns over the hybrid pitch. Umpires Chris Watts and Sue Redfern halted the game after Northants batters Ricardo Vasconcelos and Rob Keogh were struck on the hand by Gloucestershire paceman Ajeet Singh Dale.Northants were 116 for 2 in reply to Gloucestershire's 125 when the contest was abandoned at 5pm. The umpires consulted with both captains and groundstaff before making the decision. They then sought advice from ECB pitch inspectors at Lord's, who concurred with the abandonment.Gloucestershire had scored over 500 runs on a neighboring pitch against Leicestershire earlier in the week, but were dismissed for just 125 on this occasion. The county had previously used a hybrid pitch for their home Championship match against Middlesex without incident. However, this pitch presented different challenges, resulting in Vasconcelos being taken to hospital with a suspected broken finger.When Keogh was struck during the final session, the umpires intervened due to concerns for the batters' safety. Northants will receive 11 points for a draw, including three bowling bonus points, while Gloucestershire will receive none. The matter has been referred to the Cricket Regulator for investigation.The umpires issued a statement explaining that the match was abandoned due to a foreseeable risk to the batters. Gloucestershire declined to comment, but later issued a statement anticipating further action.Justin Broad had a career-best bowling performance for Northants, taking 7 for 33 in 15.1 overs. Only Ollie Price managed to cope with the exaggerated nip and seam off the pitch, scoring 52 for Gloucestershire.Despite fielding a weakened attack, Northants captain Procter chose to bowl first on a green-tinged surface. Broad and Procter dismissed Gloucestershire's openers inside six overs. Miles Hammond and James Bracey also fell cheaply, leaving Gloucestershire struggling at 16 for 3.Price and van Buuren provided some resistance, but van Buuren's dismissal for 40 sparked a collapse. Tom Price, Zafar Gohar, and Ollie Price all fell to Broad, who registered his maiden five-wicket haul. Broad then accounted for tailenders Dom Goodman and Zaman Akhter to achieve the best figures of any Northants bowler in matches at Bristol since 1910.Northants' reply was also affected by the pitch conditions. Vasconcelos retired hurt after being struck on the hand, while Keogh was also hit. Procter and Keogh added an unbeaten 49 for the third wicket before the match was abandoned.

The Sri Lankan cricket team's upcoming test series against England has been overshadowed by concerns over player safety amidst ongoing anti-immigrant riots in Britain. Several Sri Lankan players currently in England for pre-series training have expressed their anxieties to the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board, requesting enhanced security measures."We can't go out to dinner or do anything like that. Mostly we stay in the hotel. No one wants to run into trouble and get beaten up," a Sri Lankan player in England told ESPNcricinfo.Sri Lankan team manager, Mahinda Halangoda, has formally addressed these concerns with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), particularly after reports of unrest in Manchester, the venue for the first test match."I raised the issue with them, and the ECB responded very quickly and sent us their comprehensive security arrangements. We'll be having a security liaison on the tour from them as well," Halangoda stated.The ECB has assured the Sri Lankan team of comprehensive security arrangements, but the players' apprehension underscores the potential impact of broader societal issues on international sporting events.This situation presents a parallel to Sri Lanka's own experience in 2022, when the island nation faced significant political and economic turmoil, leading to ethical concerns raised by Australia and Pakistan regarding touring for a bilateral series. Ultimately, the Asia Cup, initially planned to be held in Sri Lanka, was relocated to the United Arab Emirates due to the unrest.The SLC will be keen to ensure their players can focus on the upcoming series without undue anxiety. The effectiveness of the ECB's security measures and the overall management of the situation will be closely observed, setting a precedent for future touring teams navigating similar circumstances.