Let us have a look at some of the most discussed cricket stories that were on the news on 24 May.
BCCI to donate 2,000 ten-litre oxygen concentrators
The BCCI has announced that it will distribute 2,000 oxygen concentrators of 10 litres each to various medical organisations to help fight the raging second wave of Covid-19 in India.
‘With the hope that critical medical aid and care will be provided to the needy patients and this initiative will reduce the havoc unleashed by the pandemic,’ BCCI said in a statement.
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly also thanked the frontline warriors for shielding Indian citizens against the pandemic. A 10-litre oxygen concentrator costs anything between INR 60,000 and INR 1 lakh.
Afridi, Naseem ruled out of remainder PSL
Multan Sultans’ Shahid Afridi and Quetta Gladiators’ Naseem Shah have ruled themselves out of the upcoming Abu Dhabi leg of the PSL, starting next month. While Afridi’s decision came after a back injury, Naseem will miss the rest of the tournament following a breach of Covid-19 protocols: he underwent a non-compliant RT-PCR Test.
Sultans will replace Shahid Afridi with Asif Afridi. Asif, a 34-year-old left-arm spinner, plays for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Gladiators, on the other hand, are yet to announce Naseem’s replacement.
Afghanistan to play three ODIs against Pakistan in September
Afghanistan will host Pakistan for a three-match ODI series in September. Both boards have agreed to play the white-ball series in the UAE, while the venues are yet to be finalised.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is also preparing for a triangular T20I series with West Indies and Australia following their series against Pakistan.
Ireland announce 15-member squad for Netherlands ODIs
Cricket Ireland has announced a 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against the Netherlands, starting 2 June. All three matches will be played at the Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, Utrecht within six days.
Graeme McCarter, who last played for Ireland in 2014, has been recalled, while Andy Balbirnie will continue as captain. Keeping the Covid-19 situation in mind, Ireland have also named four standby options for the Netherland tour.
The Ireland versus Netherlands series will be part of the ODI Super League for qualifying for the 2023 World Cup, in India.
Ireland ODI Squad v Netherlands: Andy Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Graeme McCarter, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O'Brien, William Porterfield, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.
Standby options: Peter Chase, Stephen Doheny, Graham Kennedy, David O'Halloran.