Afghanistan to play Pak in T20
Sharjah: Afghanistan will get another boost as a fledgling cricketing nation when they play former world champions Pakistan for the first time in a Twenty20 international in Sharjah on Sunday. The Afghans learnt the game in Pakistan as refugees during the Russian invasion of their country in 1979 and have since had a fairytale rise in the game. They received one-day status during their narrowly missed opportunity to qualify for the 2011 World Cup before progressing to two back-to-back World T20 tournaments in 2010 and 2012, helping themselves to Associate membership of the ICC this year.
Dhoni keen to win T20 WC
Dubai: Having pocketed the 50-over World Cup and Champions Trophy, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has said his team will be looking to lift the ICC World T20 title next year in Bangladesh in order to complete a unique feat. “It’s personally quite exciting for me as a captain, as I look forward to leading India’s quest to reclaim the ICC World Twenty20 title,” Dhoni said. “If India manages to snare this coveted trophy, it will complete a unique feat as it already holds the ICC Cricket World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy,” he added. The 100-day countdown clock to the World T20 Bangladesh 2014 was unveiled last evening in the three host cities — at South Plaza Gate, National Parliament House (Dhaka), Chittagong’s Circuit House Circle, MA Aziz Stadium and Sylhet’s Keane Bridge (Surma River).
In dark over inquiry: Cairns
Wellington: An emotional Chris Cairns has said he was “100 per cent in the dark” about the ICC’s allegations of match fixing against him and that he would co-operate with the anti-corruption unit’s investigators to come out clean. New Zealand Cricket was rocked by allegations of match fixing with a report in the ‘New Zealand Herald’ claiming that three cricketers — former all-rounder Cairns, fast bowler Daryl Tuffey and batsman lou Vincent — are being investigated by the ICC for their role in fixing. PNS/Agencies