Ashwin No. 1 Test all-rounder
Dubai: Ravichandran Ashwin is the lone Indian to feature in the top 10 of the latest Reliance ICC Test Player Rankings as he continues to lead the way in the all-rounders list. South Africa’s Vernon Philander is second in the Reliance ICC Test Player Rankings for All-rounders behind Ashwin, while Bangaldesh’s Shakib Al Hasan is placed third. Meanwhile, Pakistan batsmen Younus Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali have all improved their rankings in the latest Reliance ICC Test Player Rankings, which were released on Tuesday. Younus, who scored 213 and 46 in Pakistan’s 356 runs victory, has climbed one place to sixth. The middle-order batsman, who rose to number-one position following his triple century against Sri lanka in Karachi in 2009, had entered the series in 11th place on 759 ratings points.
Mumbai acquire Unmukt, Vinay for 2015 IPl
New Delhi: Mumbai Indians have acquired Unmukt Chand from Rajasthan Royals and R Vinay Kumar from Kolkata Knight Riders in the first Indian Premier league (IPl) Trading Window, which was opened on October 6. After the first Trading Window for 2015 season of the IPl was opened last month, Mumbai Indians had released Michael Hussey and Praveen Kumar (IPl 2014 Replacement Player), both of whom may enter the IPl 2015 Player Auction. The first window will be closed on December 12. Meanwhile, the IPl Governing Council on Tuesday announced the dates of the next year’s tournament, which will be held from April 8 to May 24. The Governing Council has also decided the windows for the 2016 and 2017 seasons of the tournament. While IPl 2016 will be played in the window between April 8 to May 29, IPl 2017 will be played in the window between April 5 to May 21.
Zimbabwe hit by Shakib, Tamim tons
Kolkata: Centuries by Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal were complemented by a Zimbabwe wicket as Bangladesh finished the second day of the second cricket Test on Tuesday in a great position to win the series. Bangladesh, having amassed 433 in its first innings, led by 380 runs after the visitors batted cautiously to reach 53-1 at stumps. Brian Chari was batting on 21 with Hamilton Masakadza on 15, and facing a mountain to climb. Zimbabwe has scored 400 only once in the last 10 years. Sikandar Raza was the only batsman to be dismissed when legspinner Taijul Islam (1-21) trapped him lbw for 11. Raza asked for a review and lost the decision, too. Tamim and Shakib earlier made it Bangladesh’s day, when they resumed on 193-3 overnight. Opener Tamim, 74 after the first day, brought up his fifth test century and first in four years with a four off legspinner Natsai M’Shangwe after facing 312 balls, easily the slowest century by a Bangladeshi. Brief Scores — Bangladesh: 433 (Shakib Al Hasan 137, Tamim Iqbal 109; Tinashe Panyangara 2/49, Tendai Chatara 2/61) lead Zimbabwe: 53-1 (Brian Chari 21*, Hamilton Masakadza 15*; Taijul Islam 1/21) by 380 runs.