Malik fears ‘chucking’ calls, reluctant to play WC: Reports
Karachi: Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik is reluctant to make himself available for national selection for the World Cup due to his bowling action and the prevailing environment in the team. Sources close to Malik said that the all-rounder’s reluctance stemmed from the fact firstly over the treatment he had received from the board and selectors in recent times and secondly over apprehensions of his bowling action being reported. “Malik is working on his bowling action and bowling more these days but he’s concerned as he has some lucrative contracts to play in foreign T20 leagues in coming months and doesn’t want to jeopardize them at this stage,” a source said.
Pressure on Younis to perform in NZ ODIs: Akhtar
Karachi: Pakistan’s former star players Shoaib Akhtar and Muhammad Yousuf feel that the next few one-day games against New Zealand will decide the future of senior batsman Younis Khan in limited-overs cricket. Both the players felt that Younis must be feeling the pressure now to perform and justify his place in the ODI side. “This series is crucial for Younis if he wants to cement his place in the World Cup squad. Because there has been lot of debate on whether he deserves a place in the 50-overs format even though there is no doubt he is a certain selection in the test side,” Akhtar said. “I would say give Younis full chance in the remaining matches against New Zealand and see how he does. He must be given the opportunity to prove himself. If he fails than obviously he is out of the ODI squad,” he added.
Rain postpones england odi innings against sri lanka
Pallekele: England will start their one-day international innings against Sri lanka on Thursday after rain ended play here on Wednesday. The tourists had restricted Sri lanka to a modest 239 in the fifth of seven ODIs in the series, which the hosts lead 3-1.
Although it is an ODI, the rules allow England to start their innings on Thursday’s reserve day after the second half of Thursday’s play was washed out. England must reach their 240 victory target to stay alive in the series.
Dark clouds which had threatened to open up during the latter stages of the Sri lankan innings caused a steady shower at the innings break of the match. Sangakkara scored 91 runs off 123 deliveries, holding Sri lanka together. After they were reduced to 59-3, Sangakkara shared 85 for the fourth wicket with captain Angelo Mathews (40). Kusal Perera gave Sri lanka another poor start when he was dismissed without scoring, his sixth single-digit score in his last eight innings. Tillakaratne Dilshan looked promising with 35 off 31 deliveries before being bowled by fast bowler Chris Jordan. Woakes took 5-24 off his last three overs, to end Sri lanka’s innings.
Zimbabwe bowler Utseya cleared to bowl
Pallekele: Zimbabwe bowler Prosper Utseya was cleared to deliver slow, medium deliveries but not offspin in international cricket on Wednesday. The International Cricket Council made the ruling, two days after allowing offspinners Sachithra Senanayake of Sri lanka and Kane Williamson of New Zealand to bowl following remedial work and retesting. Utseya was suspended from bowling in October, and retests of his slow medium deliveries measured within the 15-degree level of tolerance. However, the ICC said his offspin remained illegal, and he cannot bowl it in internationals. Utseya, playing for Zimbabwe since 2004, has been named in their preliminary 30-man squad for the Cricket World Cup in February.
Bansal faces allegations of financial irregularity
New Delhi: BCCI vice-president Sneh Bansal has been stripped off all functioning powers as a President in his state association DDCA following allegations of financial irregularities to the tune of `1.55 crore levelled by its executive committee. However, Bansal has strongly refuted the allegations levelled by DDCA’s senior vice-president and former India opener Chetan Chauhan and treasurer Ravinder Manchanda, who briefed the media on the “alleged finacial impropriety”. Bansal said that he has done nothing wrong and is set to take legal recourse on this issue. As per a resolution, DDCA will be represented in BCCI by senior official CK Khanna and state association’s affairs will be looked after by Chauhan himself as the senior vice-president. The constitution does not allow DDCA to remove Bansal and he will be a ceremonial head with no decision making powers as such. Khanna, incidentally is a former BCCI vice-president and as per new ruling will be DDCA’s voter in case of an election in BCCI even though Bansal is a permanent invitee in cricket board meeting in his capacity as a vice-president.