CRICCLUBS BLOG

Bangladesh Test and T20 captain Shakib al Hasan has been banned for two years from all cricket by the ICC after failing to report multiple bookie approaches.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed has been sacked as Pakistan’s Test and T20 captain ahead of the tour of Australia next month. Azhar Ali will assume the role of Test captain, while Babar Azam will replace him as T20 captain and is expected to lead Pakistan in this format at least until the World T20 in Australia next year. In addition to being removed as captain, Sarfaraz has also lost his place in both formats as Pakistan aims for a fresh start ahead of their first World Test Championship series.

Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble has been appointed the head coach of the King XI Punjab IPL franchise for the next season. Thus, the Kings XI have become the only team to appoint an Indian coach for the 2020 IPL which also makes Kumble the fifth different coach of the team going back to 2016.

On day two at Pune, India were comfortably placed at 376 for 4 when Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed for 59 in the 118th over of the innings. A well-set Virat Kohli was batting on 122 at the other end, more than fifty overs remained in the day, the pitch was flat and the South African bowlers were growing tired with time and heat.

Ireland wicketkeeper-batsman Stuart Poynter has virtually retired from international cricket to pursue a career with English county side Durham. Poynter signed a new two-year contract with his county team in what could probably end his international career.

All-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been dropped from Australia's T20 squad to face Sri Lanka and Pakistan this summer. The selectors have, however, brought back wicketkeeper-batsman Ben McDermott and fast bowler Billy Stanlake in the side, also making space for Steven Smith and David Warner to return to the T20 set-up.

Eight wickets in the recently concluded Vizag Test against South Africa has pushed Ravi Ashwin back into the top ten rankings for Test bowlers. In what was his first outing for India since playing Australia at Adelaide in December 2018, Ashwin claimed 7 for 145 in the first innings before picking up his eighth scalp of the match in the second.

South Africa went into the first Test against India at Vizag with all three of their frontline spinners in the eleven: Keshav Maharaj, the senior spinner, and Senuran Muthusamy, the debutant, provided left-arm spin options while Dane Piedt brought off-spin.

One of the most prominent all-rounders of his time, Lance Klusener has now been appointed the head of the Afghanistan national side. The appointment comes following Phil Simmons' exit after the World Cup in England this year.