Islamabad gives all clear for Pakistan-India series – Shakib banned for abusing umpire
This news has been read 6893 times!
LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 27, (Agencies): Pakistan cricket authorities Friday confirmed they had received the green light from the government to play a series against arch-rivals India to be hosted in Sri Lanka next month. The decision came after a meeting between the heads of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday in Dubai, where both countries agreed to stage a short limited over series in Sri Lanka.
“PCB has received a decision by the government of Pakistan, accepting the resumption of Pak-India cricket series in December 2015 – January 2016 with matches in Sri Lanka,” said a PCB statement. The details of the proposed series will be announced once the BCCI gets approval from New Delhi, the PCB added. India had halted the series with its rivals in the aftermath of the 2008 terrorist attack on Mumbai, which was blamed on militants based in Pakistan. The two countries last played a full series in 2007 and though Pakistan toured India for a short limited-over series late in 2012, that failed to revive cricket ties. Last year PCB and BCCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to play six series between 2015- 2023, all subject to clearance from their respective governments.
❑ ❑ ❑
Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was handed a one-match ban Friday over a double foul-mouthed outburst during the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Twenty20 competition. Shakib, who has a history of disciplinary problems, was found guilty of uttering abusive language after dismissing Sylhet Super Stars batsman Dilshan Munaweera while playing for his Rangpur Riders team on Thursday. He was also convicted of directing offensive and abusive language towards umpire Tanvir Ahmed in the 13th over of Sylhet’s innings when an appeal against rival batsman Mushfiqur Rahim was turned down. Shakib, who was also fined around $250 on Friday, was suspended by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for six months last year for a “severe attitude problem” although the punishment was later reduced after he apologised. He also received a three-match ban in 2014 after making a lewd gesture towards a cameraman during a one-day international against Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old, who is the number one all-rounder in Test and ODI rankings, was also fined 30 percent of his match fee after a bust-up with Pakistani bowler Wahab Riaz during a Test match earlier this year. The third edition of the BPL began last weekend, resuming after the 2013 competition was marred by a match-fixing scandal.
❑ ❑ ❑
The influential World Cricket Committee has proposed a change to the Decision Review System (DRS), the law-making Marylebone Cricket Club said Friday. The group, featuring some of the biggest names in world cricket including former Australia captains Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting and Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara, is an independent body funded by the MCC, who are the acknowledged guardians of the laws and spirit of the game. International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson who is also a committee member, said the governing body is paying close attention to the ideas of the MCC think-tank.
This news has been read 6893 times!
