'New' Delhi announce IPL 2019 captain, Hafeez retires and more - Cricket News Today, 4th December 2018

Welcome to Sportskeeda's Cricket News Today, a section that covers a summary of the trending news topics of the day in the world of cricket.

The India-Australia Test series is only days away, and the anticipation for the mouth-watering contest is hotting up, even as IPL teams are keeping followers hooked with new announcements. For fans, however, be it a match day or even a non-match day, there are loads to catch up on the cricketing front with updates from around the world.

Here are some of the headlines from the world of cricket:

#1 Shreyas Iyer to captain rechristened Delhi franchise

Shreyas Iyer

Ahead of the IPL 2019 auctions, the Delhi-based IPL franchise decided to change their name to 'Delhi Capitals', unveiling the new title and logo at an event in New Delhi. They also confirmed that the side will be led by Shreyas Iyer, who had taken over the captaincy from Gautam Gambhir midway through last season.

"Shreyas Iyer will lead the side. This auction, we target players on the of basis their availability first. All permutations and combinations need to be tried and tested. Shikhar Dhawan is a proven performer in IPL and he adds the perfect experience to the motivated young core of ours", said Parth Jindal, GMR's Corporate Chairman, during the event.

#2 Hafeez to retire from Test cricket

"I feel the time is up" - Hafeez

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is all set to retire from the longest format of the game. The 38-year-old is said to have informed selectors that he will retire after the ongoing third game of the Test series against New Zealand.

"I feel the time is up. I am announcing my retirement and feel happy that I worked hard in my career", Hafeez told reporters.

In his 15-year career, Hafeez played 54 Tests. He recently returned to the whites after a two-year hiatus and scored a century against Australia.

#3 Usman Khawaja's brother arrested

Arsalan Khawaja

Australian batsman Usman Khawaja's brother Arsalan has been arrested with charges of forgery and attempting to pervert justice. The 39-year-old allegedly framed another man, a Sri Lankan national, in a fake terror plot, while studying at the University of South Wales.

Arsalan Khawaja reportedly faked a false document that consisted of plans that "purported to facilitate terrorism attacks" in an attempt to frame the Sri Lankan, who was said to be courting the same woman as Khawaja.

Usman is part of the Australian squad preparing to face the touring Indian side in the four-Test series, beginning December 6.

#4 Tatenta Taibu eyeing comeback

Tatenda Taibu

Former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu is eyeing a comeback to professional cricket after joining Baduraliya Sports Club in Sri Lanka. He is returning to the game for his son, who he believes is also showing interest in the sport.

“I have said many times that my life is not guided by emotion or well-set plans, but I believe I am led by a voice inside my heart which I cannot ignore,” he said in a statement, as reported by ICC.

“My son Tatenda Jnr also often asks how I used to play, now that he has taken a liking to the sport. He didn’t really get the chance to see me as he was too young at the time. I have stayed extremely fit and healthy and feel I’m still one of the fittest cricketers around, so I thought maybe I can let him see for himself how I can perform”, he added.