Hasaranga, Chameera yet to get approval from SLC for IPL
Royal Challengers Bangalore roped in Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera for the remainder of the IPL 2021. Chameera bagged the Player of the Series award during the recently concluded T20I series against India.
However, reports surfaced that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are yet to approve Chameera and Hasaranga’s participation. They have not yet even applied for NOCs to the board. Sri Lanka is all set to host South Africa for three ODIs and as many T20Is next month.
‘We have not taken any decision yet as they will have to apply for the NOCs. We are not aware of these players being selected, neither have they sought permission from us,’ said secretary Mohan de Silva to Cricbuzz.
Buttler to skip the Ashes?
Jos Buttler may make himself unavailable for the Ashes in Australia, slated to begin later this year. He had earlier pulled out of the UAE leg of the IPL 2021. Rajasthan Royals have named Liam Livingstone as his replacement.
Buttler will be in the UAE for October and November for T20 World Cup. Those selected for the Ashes will depart directly to Australia, where a strict Covid-19 restriction has been placed.
The England and Wales Cricket Board are in talks with Cricket Australia to allow family members to tour with the players. Buttler also hinted that he may miss the final leg of the Test series due to personal reasons.
Pakistan in control after Fawad’s ton
Fawad Alam scored the fifth hundred of his international career as Pakistan declared their innings on 302/9. Fawad, who retired hurt on 76 on Day 1 due to cramps, returned after Faheem Ashraf’s dismissal. He made an unbeaten 124.
Earlier in the day, Mohammed Rizwan and Ashraf fell cheaply. Ashraf was pinned leg-before by Jayden Seales, while Rizwan fell to Jason Holder. Roach and Seales claimed three wickets apiece.
West Indies then lost both openers with 9 runs on the board. Kraigg Brathwaite, top-scorer of the first Test, got bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Kieran Powell was trapped lbw by Afridi. West Indies ended the day on 39/3.
Azizullah Fazli appointed chairman of ACB
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has appointed Azizullah Fazli as the acting chairman. Fazli had earlier served in the same capacity for nine months between September 2018 and July 2019.
He was sacked after Afghanistan finished last in the ICC World Cup 2019. Afghanistan have series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka lined up, but following the Taliban's takeover, commercial flight service has stopped in Kabul. An important challenge lies in front of Fazli to successfully conduct the series.