SK News Point-Live Cricket News-3rd January 2017

Live Cricket News From Around the World.

West Indies could play T20s in Pakistan

Defending T20 champions West Indies are considering touring Pakistan for a T20 series. However, the tour is subject to security clearances from the West Indies Players' Association after they received a proposal and security plan from the PCB.

The security report has been forwarded to the WIPA security manager. Also, an independent security agency has been roped in to provide a security report. After all these reports turn up, the West Indies board would conduct a final survey of the different venues.

According to reports, the PCB managed to hard sell Pakistan as a cricketing destination to the WICB during a recent ICC meet. The WICB have agreed to play 2 T20s in Lahore before the teams hop over to Lauderhill in Florida for a return series.

Apparently, many West Indies T20 stars have been roped in by several PSL franchises, and have expressed their desire to visit Pakistan if their teams make it to the finals. PCB boss has already confirmed that the final of the PSL would take place in Lahore.

Last year Zimbabwe became the first nation to tour Pakistan for a full series after International cricket came to a halt in the country in 2009 following a terrorist attack on the bus of the Sri Lankan team.

FICA, the International players is however not entirely convinced with the security arrangements and has issued a warning to the players as it believes any travel to the country is still a risky proposition for the International players.

Former Afghanistan skipper Nawroz Mangal retires from International cricket

Former Afghanistan captain, Nawroz Mangal has announced his decision to retire from International cricket.

The 32-year old will now assume the role the of the Chairman of Selectors.

Mangal was the first Afghanistan captain, and led the way at a time when Afghan cricket was at its nascent stage. He is certainly one of the pioneers of the game and there is little doubt that he would carry out his role with the selection panel with a lot of pride and distinction.

Afghanistan cricket is on the rise and many of their players have made their way into various leagues around the world. Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shehzad and Rashid Khan featured in the just concluded Bangladesh Premier League.

Also, Afghanistan has been making rapid strides in International cricket and have become a far more settled unit which reflects in their consistent performances. They made headlines when the defeated more fancied sides like Scotland and Ireland and then went to beat eventual champions West Indies.

Mithali Raj will captain the Indian side in Colombo

Women's squad for ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers Announced

The BCCI announced India's 14-member team for the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers that will take place in Colombo from the 3rd - 21st of February.

Team: Mithali (Capt), Harmanpreet, Smriti, Thirush Kamini, Veda, Devika, Sushma, Jhulan, Shikha, Sukanya, Poonam, Ekta, Rajeshwari, Deepti
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 3, 2017

Arthur Morris inducted into the Hall of Fame

Former Australia cricketer Arthur Morris was today inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame by Steve Waugh during the tea break on the opening day of the third Test between Australia and Pakistan in Sydney.

Morris, who became the 82nd player to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, was given the honour posthumously. His wife Judith Morris received a personalised cap from Waugh, himself an ICC Cricket Hall of Famer. Cricket Australia Chairman David Peever was also present at the occasion.

Mrs Morris said: “It is a great honour to be receiving this award, which brings in a flood of memories along with it. I thank the ICC for recognizing my husband’s contribution to cricket by inducting him into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.”

Pakistan blind team has been given a go-ahead for the T20 World Cup to be played in India.

The team obtained the No-objection certificates(NOCs) from the Pakistan and India governments. The tournament will be played from January 31 to February 12.But the final departure of the team for India will be subject to intelligence clearance by both the countries. The intelligence clearances from both the countries are still awaited. The Pakistani team will depart on the 28 January post clearances.

The T20 World Cup will involve teams from Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Nepal apart from the arch-rivals India and Pakistan.There have been concerns regarding India- Pakistan cricket with two teams refusing to play on various occasions. Pakistan men team is already suing the BCCI to pay compensation for the bilateral series they did not play. The Pakistan and Indian women teams did not play their matches as part of the ICC Women ODI Championship.

This should come as a positive development for the fans who want to see more action on the field in the near future.The opening match will be played between India and West Indies in Delhi with the final to be held in Bengaluru.