Let us have a look at some of the most discussed cricket stories that were on the news on 12 May.
Ashwin retains second place in ICC rankings; Hasan, Shaheen achieve career-best positions
R Ashwin, the only Indian in the top ten ICC Test bowling rankings, has retained his second place. His fellow countrymate Jasprit Bumrah has also held on to his position at No. 11.
Meanwhile, following a 2-0 series win over Zimbabwe, Pakistan’s lead seamers Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi have reached their career-best spots. Hasan, who bagged the Player of the Series trophy after claiming 14 wickets at 8.93, has moved six places up to No. 14. Shaheen, on the other hand, occupies 22nd place.
Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Nauman Ali has also gone from 54th to 46th position. In their latest Zimbabwe outing, the trio became the first from their country and the sixth overall to grab five-fors in a single match.
Kusal Perera to lead Sri Lanka for Bangladesh ODIs
Sri Lanka Cricket named Kusal Perera their new skipper for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, starting 23 May. They also named Kusal Mendis vice-captain in the 18-man squad.
Kusal Perera takes over the captaincy role from Dimuth Karunaratne. Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne have all been dropped from the unit.
Chamika Karunaratne and Shiran Fernando have earned maiden ODI call-ups, while Isuru Udana and Dhananjaya de Silva set to make their comebacks after missing out West Indies tour.
Sri Lanka squad for Bangladesh ODIs: Kusal Perera (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Niroshan Dickwella, Dushmantha Chameera, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Chamika Karunaratne, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando.
Ireland announce women’s squad for Scotland T20Is
Cricket Ireland have named a 15-member squad for the upcoming Scotland tour. They will play four T20I matches in five days, between 23 and 27 May. Laura Delany will captain Ireland while Ava Canning, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Jane Maguire and Jenny Sparrow have earned their maiden international call-up.
The series has been postponed twice already, first from last November, then from this March.
Ireland squad: Laura Delany (c), Ava Canning, Rachel Delaney, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Shauna Kavanagh, Gaby Lewis, Jane Maguire, Lara Maritz, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Celeste Raack, Jenny Sparrow, Rebecca Stokell.
Lanka Premier League 2021 likely to begin on 30 July
The second edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) is set to start from 30 July and will continue till 22 August.
Five teams had participated in the tournament in a biosecure bubble in Hambantota last year. In the summit clash, Thisara Perera’s Jaffna Stallions defeated Bhanuka Rajapaksha’s Galle Gladiators by 53 runs.