SL create history in SA, Kohli on Indo-Pak World Cup clash and more - Cricket News Today, 23rd February 2019

Welcome to Cricket News Today - a concise compilation of all the important developments from the world of cricket every day.

Sri Lanka have created history by becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series on South African soil. The visitors followed up their victory at Durban with an epoch-making eight-wicket victory at Port Elizabeth.

India captain Virat Kohli has opened up on his views regarding the clash against Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup. The high-voltage match between the arch-rivals is mired in uncertainty in the aftermath of recent events.

Here are all of today's top news from the cricket world.

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CoA Chairman Vinod Rai calls for 'cricket apartheid' on Pakistan

Vinod Rai, Chairman of BCCI's Committee of Administrators (CoA), has revealed that the Indian cricket board is working closely with the government with the aim of isolating Pakistan in the cricket world.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Vinod Rai asserted, "I look at it (BCCI's letter to the ICC) from the point of view that we are able to isolate Pakistan. Make it a cricket apartheid for Pakistan on the terror issue. The idea is to work hand in hand with the Indian government to isolate Pakistan in the cricketing community."

Read more on Vinod Rai's statements on isolating Pakistan here

When asked about the growing calls for India to boycott the Pakistan match in the World Cup, he felt, "Why should we shoot ourselves in the foot by not playing? We should seek their (Pakistan) ouster and remove them from the cricketing committee."

In the wake of the recent terror attack in Pulwama, the BCCI have written to the ICC and urged the cricketing community to cut ties with 'countries from which terrorism emanates'.

Harbhajan predicts comprehensive victory for India against Australia

Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed India to cruise to a comfortable victory in their upcoming ODI series against Australia. The 38-year old has opined that the Men in Blue can saunter to a 4-1 series triumph even if they operate at 60 per cent of their potential.

"India are the big favourites for this series, there is no doubt about that because it is extremely tough to beat this Indian side anywhere in the world let alone in India. And the team which India have selected is almost the side which will go to the World Cup," Harbhajan told Sports Tak.

The stalwart added, "India have the entire squad, there are no new players, and to defeat this team is really tough. Even if India play at their 60 percent, then also they will beat Australia 4-1 in the ODI series."

India lock horns with Australia for two T20Is and five ODIs at home. This will be their last series before the World Cup. The first T20I is slated to take place on Sunday in Visakhapatnam. The ODI series will begin on March 2 in Hyderabad.

Kohli: We will abide by the government's decision on Pakistan match

With their World Cup match against Pakistan shrouded in uncertainty, India captain Virat Kohli has affirmed that his team will abide by the decision taken by the government and the BCCI.

Speaking to reporters in Visakhapatnam ahead of the first T20I against Australia, Kohli was asked to share his views on the India-Pakistan clash in the 2019 World Cup.

Kohli said, "Our stand is simple. We stick by what the nation wants to do and what the BCCI decides to do and that is basically our opinion. Whatever the government and the board decide, we will eventually go by that and will respect that. So that is our stand on this particular issue."

Read more on Kohli's views regarding the India-Pakistan World Cup match here

India and Pakistan are scheduled to play against each other at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester on June 16.

Although they met to discuss the issue, the BCCI have opted against taking a decision regarding the match which is still close to four months away.

Incredible Sri Lanka win at Port Elizabeth, create history in South Africa

In what should be slotted among Test cricket's most unexpected triumphs, Sri Lanka scripted history by whitewashing South Africa away from home. The eight-wicket victory at Port Elizabeth has helped the Lankans become the first Asian team to win a Test series on South African soil.

Resuming the third day at 60/2, Sri Lanka cruised to the target of 197 without breaking a sweat. Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando scored unbeaten half-centuries to lead the visitors to a clinical victory at the St George's Park.

Read more on Sri Lanka's historic triumph in South Africa here

Sri Lanka had earlier won the opening Test of the series by a solitary wicket at Durban. The 2-0 clean sweep has enabled them to become only the third team in cricket history to win a Test series on South African soil. England and Australia have won 11 and 10 Test series each in the Rainbow Nation.