Afghanistan win against Zim
sharjah: Gulbadin Naib hit a career best, undefeated 82 as Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by two wickets to win the fifth one-day international and take the series 3- 2. Naib smashed six sixes and three boundaries in his 68- ball knock as Afghanistan chased down their 249-run target to claim a second successive series win over Zimbabwe after winning in Africa in October. Naib's final six came off the third last ball after his team had been 121-5 at one stage. His partnership of 85 with Rashid Khan for the seventh wicket proved key after Zimbabwe had appeared to be on course for a third successive win in the series after losing the first two matches. Hamilton Masakadza had hit 110 after Zimbabwe batted first while Peter Moor (42) and Richmond Mutumbami (40) also starred as the African side had been 167-3.
Gayle to start defamation case
melbourne: Under-fire Chris Gayle has sought the services of a leading Australian lawyer to start defamation proceedings against Fairfax Media over allegations that the West Indian cricketer indecently exposed himself to a woman in Sydney during the World Cup last year. The allegations came to the fore following Gayle's widely-criticised live interview with Ten Sports' female presenter Mel Mclaughlin while playing for Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash league.
The Renegades slapped a fine of $10,000 for making controversial remarks to Mclaughlin, who found herself being asked out for a drink after Gayle blasted 41 runs off 15 balls on Monday. Gayle said he was happy to be interviewed "just to see your eyes for the first time", before adding, "Don't blush, baby". "Chris Gayle has strongly denied allegations first published by Fairfax Media that he indecently exposed himself to a woman during last year's World Cup in Sydney," Gayle's manager Simon Auteri said.
BCCI to Asso: Discuss lodha report
Mumbai: Rattled by the recommended sweeping reforms to its structure by the Supreme Court-appointed Justice lodha Committee, the Cricket Board has advised its affiliated state units to convene a meeting of its managing committee before this month end to discuss its implications. "You are aware that the Justice lodha Committee appointed by the Honourable SC has submitted its report and we have received a copy of the same," BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has written in his letter to all the Board's affiliated units. "It is advised that you convene a meeting of your Managing Committee/Board before the 31st of January, 2016 and discuss the implications of the recommendations made by the lodha Committee.