SlC likely to drop Malinga
Colombo: Sri lanka Cricket (SlC) is likely to drop pacer lasith Malinga from the national squad to tour Bangladesh as a means of sending a strong signal to the star bowler over his indifferent attitude towards training and poor performance. Following Sri lanka’s 2-3 loss in the recent ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE, the SlC officials had felt that the team’s performance was extremely below par. The sources told Daily Mirror that a lot of changes could be made in the team by infusing new players into the system through a gradual rotation system of resting seniors and trying out new talents in their place. “Malinga’s pathetic bowling and fielding had been a main topic of concern and SlC President Jayantha Dharmadasa had reportedly communicated the decisions taken in consultation with the national selectors to the national team members and support staff,” the newspaper was quoted as saying.
Gul returning home from UAE: PCB
Karachi: Experienced pacer Umar Gul will return home from the United Arab Emirates after being released by the team management, Pakistan Cricket Board said on Thursday. Gul, who had a knee operation in May in Melbourne, was recalled to the national side for the last three ODIs against Sri lanka last month. He took six wickets in two matches but appeared to struggle in the last match. But surprisingly, the team management decided to retain him for the ongoing three match Test series against Sri lanka in the UAE despite question marks over his fitness. The Board on Thursday announced that the team management after consulting the team physio Dale Naylor, who treated Gul for one week, decided to release him. Naylor had recommended Gul for further training at the National Cricket Academy.
PCB awaits govt clearance
Karachi: Pakistan cricket team’s participation in the upcoming Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 events in Bangladesh will depend on the central government’s approval, PCB’s interim management committee on Thursday said. The decision was taken at a meeting of the all-powerful committee here. Though the PCB released a very carefully worded statement on the meeting, but insiders said that all the members were unanimous in their decision that no risk should be taken on sending the team to the two events in Bangladesh, which is in political and security turmoil.
Mumbai hoping Zak for Ranji QF
Mumbai: Defending champions Mumbai are hopeful that senior pacer and season’s captain-designate Zaheer Khan would play in their January 8-12 Ranji Trophy quarter-final against arch-foes Maharashtra at the Wankhede Stadium here. Zaheer is just back from South Africa and his inclusion will boost a depleted Mumbai, who have been found struggling this season and there bowling has floundered at times. “He has sought time till tomorrow to let us know whether he would be able to play. Our selection committee is to meet tomorrow afternoon to pick the squad and we are hoping that Zaheer will be available to play,” said Mumbai Cricket Association Joint Secretary Nitin Dalal on Thursday. PNS/Agencies