All posts by csb10.top

The ICC’s new constitution will “convert” the nature of the world governing body and “adversely affect” the autonomy of its members, according to the BCCI, one of the strongest opponents of the proposed document.In a comprehensive communication of its preliminary observations on the proposed ICC constitution, the BCCI said the changes were “vague” and “unclear”. The BCCI expanded on its specific reservations and also provided suggestions on various aspects, including the powers of the ICC chairman, membership criteria, the make-up of the board of directors and, in greatest detail, the proposed new financial model.”The proposed ICC constitution seeks to convert the ICC from a members’ organisation to a supra-national regulator,” Rahul Johri, the BCCI CEO wrote in the email, sent on Sunday evening to Iain Higgins, the ICC chief operating officer. “This is a fundamental change in the nature of the ICC that adversely affects the autonomy of its members.”Further, several of the proposed changes are vague and unclear in their purport and intended operation. Given that one of the stated objectives behind the proposed changes is to bring in clarity and transparency, it is imperative that there is complete clarity on all the proposed changes so that members can properly understand the same before formulating their position thereon.”In his email, a copy of which has been seen by ESPNcricinfo, Johri laid out the BCCI’s key observations, which include taking away the vote of the ICC chairman at the board of directors’ table (previously used as a tie-breaker), making the membership committee independent and external to the ICC, and reducing the Associate presence on the board from three to one, and including a non-voting former player.Though these are significant, it is the BCCI’s objections to the new financial model that are of most pressing interest. The BCCI called the new model, to replace one put in place by the Big 3 in 2014, “arbitrary” and not “agreeable”.The objections were essentially an expansion on the arguments first presented by Vikram Limaye at the ICC board meeting in February, when the new constitution was adopted in principle. Limaye, a member of the Committee of Administrators (CoA) overseeing BCCI operations currently, was the board’s representative at the February meeting and said the BCCI could not accept the financial model because it was not backed by a scientific formula.In the new financial model, the BCCI takes the biggest revenue cut among all the boards from the Big Three model. The ICC said it was built on the basis of good faith and equity, but the BCCI said in its communication that any new model would need to be backed by “accepted and articulated principles” of finance, and importantly take into account the Indian board’s contribution to the ICC revenues.”The ICC is seeking to change the existing financial model without having any scientific formula or technical analysis behind the proposed changes. It is a fundamental attribute of any resource allocation system to first collect information and then allocate resources based on the information, priorities and a defined methodology following appropriate principles. The move to propose changes to the existing financial model without carrying out the aforesaid exercise is an arbitrary one.”Under the Big Three model, Full Members received a contribution cost for participating in the ICC events. The percentages were calculated based on the “contribution” of each Full Member to ICC revenues, though the real formula behind the numbers was never revealed. In the new model, as revealed by ESPNcricinfo, the contribution costs was removed and instead a set figure was allocated to each of the 10 Full Members along with two Associates – Ireland and Afghanistan. The ICC publicly said there was no real calculation behind each figure.But Limaye in February, and Johri now, pointed out that the ICC could not repeat the same mistake twice. “Since no methodology has been articulated in support of the proposed new financial model, we are unable to evaluate the same on any recognised and/or accepted parameters,” Johri wrote. “Any discussion on the proposed new financial model has to be based on clearly articulated and acceptable principles which recognise the relative contribution of BCCI to the revenues of the ICC. For the above reasons, we are not agreeable to the proposed new financial model.”The BCCI went on to question the accounting procedure on which financial models had been based, concerns reported by ESPNcricinfo in February. One of the main issues was the ICC’s costs for it events, which had in the 2014 model been fixed but had, in reality, increased and eaten into the revenues handed to members.”The version of the 2014 model that supposedly reflects the reality (“Revised 2014 Model”) is actually a different model altogether and does not present an accurate and comparable picture to members relative to the existing financial model,” Johri said in the email.”As per the Revised 2014 Model, the Event Cost/Expenses has been increased to USD 610 million despite the gross revenue remaining at USD 2.5 billion as envisaged under the existing financial model. There is no explanation for this increase in Event Cost/Expenses. We need to understand why this increase in Event Cost/ Expenses has taken place.”The new financial model, along with an amended draft constitution and governance structure, was accepted in principle by the ICC Board during the meeting in February. Seven Full Members voted in favour of the changes which were drafted by a five-member steering committee led by former ICC chairman Shashank Manohar. The BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket were the only boards to vote against those resolutions while Zimbabwe Cricket abstained. Members were invited to send their observations on the proposals and the matter will be taken up at the next meetings in April.But the absence of Manohar, a driving force behind the new constitution, will have an impact on how those meetings go. Manohar resigned abruptly from his post last week, citing “personal reasons”. He had met the CoA the evening before his resignation and discussed the financial models with them.

Saeed Ajmal, who has not played international cricket since April 2015, hopes that the second season of the Pakistan Super League will be a stepping stone towards a comeback. Ajmal, who injured himself during training last season and played only six matches in Islamabad United’s run to the title, has been recruited as a full-time player by the same team this season. That Pakistan haven’t found a quality offspinner in the last two years has motivated Ajmal to impress in the PSL and return to the international scene.”It’s unfortunate that we haven’t had an offspinner since I was out, which is why I believe I still have a chance to make it,” Ajmal told ESPNcricinfo in Dubai. “I am working hard to ensure this PSL is a turning point for me. T20 cricket is difficult with lots of ups and downs, but I am ready, and hopefully this event will be a step to the national team. Pakistan desperately need an offspinner and nobody seems to have appeared to fill my gap for years. I have not given up and all I can do is hard work.”Ajmal last played for Pakistan in Bangladesh in April 2015 after he remodelled his action, which was deemed illegal in September 2014. In December 2014, he pulled out of the 2015 World Cup, indicating that his remodelled action needed further work. His action was cleared by the ICC in February, and he was picked in all three formats for the Bangladesh tour in April. In his first match on a return to the side, Ajmal conceded 74 runs in 10 overs for no wickets, the most he has leaked in an ODI. Ajmal took 1 for 49 in the second ODI before missing the third match. He then went wicketless in the one-off T20, which Bangladesh won by seven wickets, before being overlooked for the two-Test series.Following Ajmal’s suspension, the PCB decided to crack down on suspect bowling actions in domestic cricket. They revived their biomechanics lab in Lahore and extensively tested the actions of offspinners in the country, and found that a number of them had suspect bowling actions. When asked about this, Ajmal said: “It’s not because of me. I understand players have tricky actions but it’s not my responsibility to get them right. The board has to take up this problem and get it resolved. They have the NCA [National Cricket Academy] and a lot of coaches there. This is the problem as after I was out no offspinner has played for Pakistan, which is a worry as the team needs variation in their combination.”Ajmal’s new round-arm action lacked fizz, but he felt that the side did not give him a sizeable run to work his way back. “Actually I never really got a proper chance to develop my new action and that only comes by playing consistently,” he said. “Apart from the two[three] Bangladesh matches I did not get a chance, and you can’t judge a player by one or two matches.”Ajmal, 39, stressed that form, not age, should be the top priority for selection. “Age probably is a problem in Pakistan,” he said. “What exactly you want from a player is performance and if a player is helping the team to win then who cares about the age… I want to perform regardless of the age; I don’t really think about it. What I need to do is to stay fit and keep taking wickets.”Ajmal has T20 form on his side. He was the leading wicket-taker in the National T20 Cup held before the PSL, with 20 scalps in nine matches, including a four-wicket haul. Ajmal, however, has not played first-class cricket since his stint with Worcestershire in 2015.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has brushed aside the portrayal of their maiden Test in India next week as a “historic” one, saying that he feels it is more important to treat the game as an opportunity to show Bangladesh’s measure in world cricket. He also hopes that a good performance in the one-off game will prompt the BCCI to invite them frequently.The team leaves Dhaka on February 2, to play a two-day practice match against India A and the Test in Hyderabad, which will be Bangladesh’s first in India since gaining ICC Full Member status in 2000. Interestingly, it was the BCCI’s push that was vital in their ascent from Associate Member, and India played against them in their inaugural Test on November 10, 2000. India toured Bangladesh four more times to play Tests thereafter.”I’m a little surprised, I don’t believe that this is a historic Test,” Mushfiqur said. “Take for example when we play against Zimbabwe. The pressure is more because if we lose against them then there is nothing more shameful than that. I will say that it is better that we are going there now and not five years ago.”We want to tell world cricket what we can do in India. I don’t think about how many years later we are going to play in India. We want to play in such a way that India invites again and again. This to me is just another Test match.”Mushfiqur, who has returned to the Test squad after missing Bangladesh’s last game in New Zealand due to a finger injury, said that he hopes the team puts together a collective performance. Bangladesh lost both Tests in New Zealand but gave the home side some tough sessions.”I hope that the recent performers will hold on to their form and put together a team performance. And to those who haven’t done well in the recent past, you have a chance to give a good account of yourself.”A team effort will give us a good result. They have a strong squad, and are always really good in their home conditions. We want to do well against them over five days, and not just two or three days,” he said.Mushfiqur said Bangladesh’s squad is balanced, with four pace bowlers and three specialist spinners and depth in the batting department.The return of Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur himself means that Bangladesh have their full batting strength back. Soumya Sarkar and Imrul are likely to be in competition for the role of Tamim Iqbal’s opening partner, while Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan and Sabbir Rahman will be expected to make runs in the middle order.”No matter what conditions they offer, we have a balanced side. We have enough pacers and spinners and depth in batting.”I think our batsmen will have a challenge in their hands against their world-class attack. As a bowling unit we are inexperienced, but one or two bowlers did do well in New Zealand. If we can perform as a team we can do well against any other good team.”

Gujarat were in line for full points after enforcing the follow-on against Punjab in Belgavi. After declaring on 624 for 6, courtesy Priyank Panchal’s triple century, Rush Kalaria picked four wickets to skittle Punjab for 247 in 85.2 overs. Manan Vohra top scored with 68, while cameos from Mayank Sidhana (39), Gitansh Khera (35 not out) and Manpreet Gony (26) ensured Punjab added 113 for the last four wickets. Hardik Patel and RP Singh complemented Kalaria by picking two wickets each.Having to wipe out a deficit of 377 to prevent Gujarat from winning a bonus point, Punjab closed on 36 for 1, with Vohra and Jiwanjot Singh at the crease. A loss here could mean Punjab’s qualification for the knockouts hinges on other results.Centuries from Manoj Tiwary (169) and Sudip Chatterjee (130) helped Bengal give themselves an outside chance of an outright win over Mumbai in Nagpur. The pair put on 271 for the fourth wicket as Bengal, who resumed on 198 for 3, finished on 433 for 8 when bad light ended play early.They will have at least 303 to defend on the final day, depending on whether or not they declare overnight. Once they broke the fourth-wicket partnership, Mumbai picked up the next five wickets for just 63, with Abhishek Nayar and Dhawal Kulkarni taking two wickets apiece. Three points courtesy a lead in this game could be enough for Mumbai to secure a quarter-final berth.Madhya Pradesh were within one wicket of completing and outright victory against Baroda in Dharamsala. MP’s day began with the loss of overnight batsman Shubham Sharma in the fourth over. They were 131 for 6 at that point, with a lead of 184, before a partnership of 50 for the seventh wicket between Harpreet Singh (73) and Ankit Kushwah and one worth 69 for the ninth wicket between Puneet Datey (41) and Ishwar Pandey (36) helped them add 162 for the last four wickets and set Baroda 347 to win. Baroda’s Atith Sheth finished with 4 for 51, following his 11-wicket haul in the previous game.Barring an opening stand of 32, and a third-wicket stand of 24, Baroda didn’t display any resistance as they collapsed yet again. Medium-pacer Chandrakant Sakure (4 for 17) was the most successful MP bowler. In partnership with Ishwar (2 for 19) and Datey (2 for 49), he pegged Baroda back as they were reduced to 95 for 9 within the 30th over before an unbroken last-wicket stand took them to stumps on 114 for 9.Railways captain Karn Sharma took his second five-for this season, but found himself batting sooner than he may have expected after his team was reduced to 35 for 5 in a chase of 347 against Uttar Pradesh in Rajkot.UP’s overnight pair of Shivam Chaudhary and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav hung around for 17 overs in the morning, adding 37 to the overnight score of 64 for 2, before Kuldeep was dismissed with the score on 101. UP scored at 4.77 an over from that point, as they looked to set Railways a target. This effort was led by captain Suresh Raina, who was dismissed for 91 for the second time in this match. His partnership of 140 with Shivam, who scored a maiden first-class century before being stumped for 124, helped swell the lead before UP were bowled out for 330.Medium-pacer Praveen Kumar, playing his first match of the season, took wickets in consecutive overs to reduce Railways to 4 for 2 in the third over. Railways couldn’t quite recover from this, and by stumps had crawled to 35 for 5 in 27 overs. Wicketkeeper Mahesh Rawat (3 off 43) was batting with Karn (7 off 33).

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:47