Rawalpindi Express returns, Kohli against 100-ball cricket and more - Cricket News Today, 29th August 2018

England have unveiled their playing eleven for the crucial fourth Test against India at the Ageas Bowl. The hosts have made a couple of interesting changes to the lineup which suffered a 203-run thrashing in the third Test at Trent Bridge.

Enigmatic Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar turned back the clock by bowling in a talent hunt program organised by Lahore Qalandars. In other news, Indian captain Virat Kohli has expressed his disapproval at ECB's proposed 100-ball competition.

Powered by a collective display from their spinners and sustained pyrotechnics from their top-order batsmen, India 'B' outclassed Australia 'A' in the final of the 50-over Quadrangular tournament at Bengaluru.

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

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Shoaib Akhtar bowls at Lahore Qalandars' talent hunt program

Shoaib Akhtar was the most charismatic fast bowler of his generation

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar delighted a sizeable crowd gathered at the Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala. He managed to wind back the clock by bowling at the talent hunt program organised by Pakistan Super League franchise Lahore Qalandars.

Operating gingerly from a reasonably long run-up, Akhtar bowled at a sharp pace for someone happily retired from the game. He is currently working with the Qalandars to unearth promising young fast bowlers from various parts of Pakistan.

Here am making a come back for Lahore Qalandar..Bowled after years but loved it .. pic.twitter.com/cFpWwNsyML

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) August 28, 2018

Kohli voices displeasure at ECB's 100-ball tournament

Virat Kohli has put forth his reservations regarding the proposed 'Hundred'

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has voiced his displeasure at the England & Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) proposed 100-ball competition. Concerned by the rampant commercialization of the game, the 29-year old shot down the possibility of him being a part of the World XI team to launch the new format.

"I love playing the IPL, I love watching the BBL because you are working towards something, competing against high-quality sides and it gets your competitive juices flowing. That’s what you want as a cricketer. I am all for the leagues, but not to experiment. Honestly, I don't want to be a testing sort of a cricketer for any new format", Kohli told Wisden Cricket Monthly.

Kohli also urged the administrators of the game to continue placing importance on first-class cricket. He hoped that the upcoming World Test Championship would bring back excitement and competitiveness in the traditional format.

England bring back Moeen and Curran for Southampton Test

Moeen Ali's last Test appearance came against New Zealand during March

England have announced their playing eleven for the fourth Test against India at Southampton. All-rounders Moeen Ali and Sam Curran have been brought into the lineup at the expense of Ollie Pope and the injured Chris Woakes.

Another major development is Jos Buttler taking over the wicket-keeping gloves from Jonny Bairstow. The move is precipitated at maximising the latter's batting potential. The Yorkshireman will occupy the pivotal number four spot.

England's Playing XI: Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Joe Root (c), Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad and James Anderson

Top-order power India 'B' to Quadrangular title

Manish Pandey ended the tournament with 306 unbeaten runs

India 'B' rode on their disciplined bowling attack and top-order muscle to overpower Australia 'A' in the final of the 50-over Quadrangular series. Skipper Manish Pandey won the toss and opted to bowl first on a sluggish surface at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

D'Arcy Short and Usman Khawaja began strongly against some wayward bowling from the India 'B' seamers. However, the introduction of spin completely derailed Australia 'A's progress. They were bowled out for a paltry total of 225 as leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal topped the wickets column with three scalps.

The run-chase started on a shaky note as opener Ishan Kishan was forced to retire hurt. However, attacking half-centuries from Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill and Manish Pandey ensured that India 'B' cruised to a clinical nine-wicket triumph in the title clash.

Widening spotlight puts Kohli under more pressure than Tendulkar, feels Alec Stewart

Kohli's remarkable consistency is rapidly elevating him into the Tendulkar league

Former England wicket-keeper batsman Alec Stewart has opined that Indian captain Virat Kohli is battling against much more pressure when compared to Sachin Tendulkar during his iconic career.

With the widening spotlight emanating from the emergence of social media among other platforms, the 55-year old alluded to the easier accessibility factor of the passionate followers of the game.

Stewart said, "Both represent a country with 1.3 billion people and there will be massive expectations. But it’s a tribute to these people the way they deal with adulation - it's more than just a game of cricket. But the pressure has grown more these days."

He added, "It’s potentially harder on Kohli than Tendulkar because of the accessibility now -- TV, radio, social media, online, these days everyone has an opinion. The spotlight is even greater now."