Hughes' brother scores 63 in return
Sydney: Phillip Hughes' older brother returned to Sydney grade cricket on Saturday for the first time since the Australia batsman's death, and Jason Hughes had a most appropriate score. The elder Hughes scored 63 for Mosman against Sydney, the same number of runs his brother made when he was fatally struck by a bouncer two weeks ago at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a domestic first-class match. Phillip Hughes died two days later on November 27. Mosman team officials said Jason Hughes was not aware of his score when his innings ended. The figure of 63 was used in many tributes to Phillip Hughes following his death, including 63-second applause at the start of the first test between India and Australia in Adelaide this week.
Gul and Bhatti ruled out of NZ series
Islamabad: Fast bowlers Umar Gul and Bilawal Bhatti have been ruled out of the remaining three ODIs against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates. Umar Gul returned to limited-overs cricket after eight months due to a knee injury, but injured his left tendon during Pakistan's three-wicket win against the Black Caps in the first ODI last Monday. Bhatti, who didn't compete in the first two ODIs of the five-match series, split his webbing during practice. Fast bowler Anwar Ali and leg-spinner Yasir Shah will replace Gul and Bhatti for the last three matches of the series, which was leveled by New Zealand 1-1 with a four-wicket win in the second game of the series on Friday.
Milne reprimanded, Misbah fined
Dubai: Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq was fined 15 per cent of his match fee showing dissent to the umpire after his dismissal in the second one-dayer against New Zealand in Sharjah. "Adam Milne of New Zealand and Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq have been found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct in unrelated incidents during the second One-Day International in Sharjah on Friday," the ICC said in a statement. The incident happened in the 37th over when Misbah expressed his displeasure after TV Umpire Joel Wilson held on-field umpire Richard Illingworth's decision to give him caught behind off Matt Henry. All level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee.
‘India behind Ajmal, Hafeez suspension’
Karachi: Former PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf on Saturday alleged that India conspired to get Pakistani off-spinners Ajmal and Hafeez suspended and suggested that the two bowlers should not be sent to Chennai for bio-mechanics tests. "Sending them to Chennai will serve no purpose because I feel it is India which has lobbied behind the scenes to get Saeed and Hafeez suspended from bowling in international cricket," Ashraf claimed on Saturday. I would rather they are sent to Australia for the ICC bowling action tests," he stated. Ashraf also questioned the PCB handling of the issue.