Cricket News, 15 November: Rashid confirms Rafiq's racism allegations against Vaughan, Laxman to become NCA chief, more

Nov 15, 2021

Cricket News, 15 November: Rashid confirms Rafiq's racism allegations against Vaughan, Laxman to become NCA chief, more Image

Rashid confirms Rafiq's allegation of Vaughan's racist comments

Adil Rashid admitted to hearing Michael Vaughan’s racist comment to a group of Asian cricketers. ‘I can confirm Azeem Rafiq's recollection of Michael Vaughan's comments to a group of us Asian players,’ Rashid told The Cricketer.

Earlier this month, Rashid's former Yorkshire teammate Azeem Rafiq alleged Vaughan of saying ‘too many of you lot, we need to do something about it’ to him and three other Asian players. However, Vaughan denied the allegations ‘completely and categorically’.

Yorkshire new chair Lord Patel welcomed Rashid’s courage in ‘speaking up at what is a difficult and distressing time for all those who love this club and the sport of cricket.’

Laxman to become NCA chief

VVS Laxman is set to become Director of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. Laxman has also informed Sunrisers Hyderabad of his decision to quit as a mentor.

The NCA head position was vacated by Rahul Dravid after he took charge as India men's head coach until the 2023 World Cup. Laxman had previously worked as batting consultant for six years at the Cricket Association of Bengal, as part of the Vision 2020 program to promote grassroots talent in Bengal. The project was facilitated by Sourav Ganguly, who was CAB's joint secretary back then, in 2014.

The BCCI is yet to announce details of Laxman's appointment​​​​​​.

Pakistan announce squad for Bangladesh Tests

Pakistan included Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Bilal Asif, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mahmood in the 20-man squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting 26 November at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram.

However, Haris Rauf, Imran Butt, Shahnawaz Dahani and Yasir Shah, who were all part in Pakistan’s last Test series, in the West Indies in July and August, failed to make the cut. Rauf and Dahani are part of the squad for the three-match T20I series, starting 19 November in Mirpur, and will return home after that.

Pakistan Test squad vs Bangladesh: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Bilal Asif, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Hasan Ali, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Zahid Mahmood.

ICC announce Team of 2021 T20 World Cup

ICC have announced the Team of the Tournament for the T20 World Cup. While six different nations – Australia, New Zealand, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa – were represented, no Indian made the cut.

Three Australians – David Warner, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood made it, while Babar Azam was named captain. Wanindu Hasaranga, tournament’s leading wicket-taker, also found a place, while Shaheen Shah Afridi was named 12th man.

ICC Team of the Tournament: David Warner, Jos Buttler (wk), Babar Azam (c), Charith Asalanka, Aiden Markram, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Trent Boult, Anrich Nortje, Shaheen Shah Afridi (12th).