Thakur casts doubt over mini IPL

There were talks of holding a mini IPL in the USA or UAE

BCCI president Anurag Thakur has said the board has put any plans for a mini IPL in the USA on hold, with T20 internationals being the preferred foray in the American market. The key obstacle, according to Thakur, was the time zone difference. Matches would need to start at 10am local time on the east coast in the USA, making mid-week fixtures difficult to draw big crowds and also limiting their options for alternate venues around the country.

"I think we must understand the time difference," Thakur told ESPNcricinfo. "IPL is seen in India from 7 o'clock to 11 or 11.30 at night. So you have to play somewhere in the east coast here (USA) so [that] the timing matches. If we have to play in the day here, the matches should be seen in India at night because broadcasting is a big thing. So you can't make your home fan lose [by] playing outside India. So which are the provinces you can play in United States? That's a big task.

"IPL, we are not even thinking of hosting it outside India. It has to be hosted in India, but there are many other options what you can do which we'll let you know over a period of time when we come out with a long-term plan for this market."

The BCCI had announced the idea of a "mini IPL" or "IPL overseas" in June when Thakur had said the board would host the tournament in September. A final approval was awaited after talks with franchises and broadcasters but no announcement has been made yet. During informal conversations with the BCCI, though, top officials have pointed out bizarrely that Thakur had never announced any plans for a tournament called "mini IPL."

The USA and UAE were options being discussed at the IPL governing council and working committee meetings earlier this year. "We have to look into various details: which country we can play in, how many teams, how many players should participate, who will be the broadcaster - all these issues need to deliberated, but we are keen to play in that [September] window," Thakur had said in June.

The BCCI had been trying to fill an empty window as India are not scheduled to play any cricket till the home Tests against New Zealand start on September 22.

Jackson, Karthik steady India Blue before rain arrives again

File photo - Dinesh Karthik was batting on 35 when rain ended play on day three

An unbroken 85-run partnership between Sheldon Jackson and D

inesh Karthik went some way towards repairing India Blue's Tuesday collapse on another rain-truncated day. After the first session and a bit were lost owing to a wet outfield, India Blue scored 85 runs in the 16.2 overs that were possible before rain halted play again.

It was eventually decided, at a little past 8 pm, that no further play was possible. With the weather holding up play on each day of the game, it is possible neither team will have enough time to press for a first-innings advantage on the last day.

Had India Red entered the field with thoughts of razing the opponents' middle order, they were in for a reality check as Jackson and Karthik reminded them of their hard grind on the first day. Tactically, too, there were some strange decisions from India Red captain Yuvraj Singh: he chose to open the evening's proceedings with Pradeep Sangwan and Ishwar Pandey rather than Kuldeep Yadav, who had his name against four of five India Blue wickets. While he soon replaced Pandey with Nathu Singh, it wasn't until the eighth over of the evening that Kuldeep came on.

The moment had probably passed as Jackson and Karthik had bedded in nicely. Jackson confirmed this by smashing Kuldeep's first two balls for boundaries - the first ball was swatted over wide long-on, while the next one, a half-tracker, was savagely pulled in front of square. After he steered Nathu between slip and gully, he again turned his attention to Kuldeep in the next over, reaching out and driving him smoothly through the covers.

It wasn't long before Karthik joined the fun with a pull shot, and after scoring 55 runs in the first 10 overs, India Red continued to zip ahead before rain appeared again. India Red's bowlers and fielders, who had to contend with a damp, faltering outfield, wouldn't have minded the intervention.

India has to play big role in spreading game in US - Thakur

BCCI wants to make cricket very popular in US -Thakur

The BCCI has reaffirmed its commitment to make this past weekend's T20 series in the USA an annual event for India, with board presidentAnurag Thakur calling the series "a great success." Thakur also said the BCCI was eager to strengthen its connection with the US market.

"We need to come, I can't say many times a year, but yes on annual basis we have to be here if we really want to develop a market and want locals to play and participate, not only to watch cricket," Thakur told ESPNcricinfo. "We have to play a much much bigger role and India is up and ready to play that big role. BCCI is here to deliver and will make it a big success.

"I think there needs to be more focus in countries like US, Canada and others where we have a lot of population who is from Asia who understands cricket, could be more involved and can get more locals involved. So we are not here just to play a couple of games.

"We will come out with a long-term plan after this success, how to make it work in US, how to have more and more local people playing the game of cricket. If they can play in early 18th century, what made cricket go out of America? We have to bring it back. No other country than India can do that."

The two T20 internationals in Lauderhill were officially sold-out, though actual attendance figures are yet to be released. Saturday's crowd was near to the 15,000 capacity set for the event while Sunday's turnout was smaller and estimated to be close to the 12,000 range. On both days, the crowds were predominantly made up of adult male Indian supporters and few young families in attendance.

Ticket prices were steep for the matches, though, ranging from US $75 to $250. When asked if the BCCI would consider lowering them in the future to attract families and first-time fans, Thakur said they needed to meet the expenses for putting on the event to make it financially feasible.

"When you have got a quality product, you have to pay a good amount," Thakur said. "So we promise quality cricket. We are not making enough money out of it. In India we make much more money. Here it is just meeting out the expenses.

"So the issue is why should India be investing here? I'm not just investing here for the sake of money. I'm investing here because I believe as a true leader India should play an important role to make this game more popular. How do you do that? There should be more engagement. How do we do that? If I don't earn, how do I invest? I need to earn and invest at the same time."

The two T20Is in Florida were the third high-profile series in the USA in the last year. Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar's Cricket All-Stars tour of New York, Houston and Los Angeles in November was followed by the CPL's maiden visit to Florida in July. The Cricket All-Stars and CPL groups also conducted kids' clinics as part of their fan engagement efforts. The BCCI chose not to do anything similar and when asked if they would set up junior clinics on their next visit, Thakur said it was the responsibility of local administrators to get kids playing.

"I think it's very important that the locals should start playing more cricket, quality cricket, and they should have enough facilities available, but that has to be done by the local federation or association board," Thakur said. "BCCI can play a role, but can't take the control of American cricket."

Thakur also floated the possibility of playing at other venues around the USA in the future, but said the east coast was the most realistic option to satisfy the TV market in India. The matches in Florida started at 10am local time, 7.30pm in India, and playing in Chicago or on the west coast would not be practical with a 7 or 8am start.

Thakur also said that they were not sure of returning specifically to the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, the only ICC certified venue in the USA, for their next visit and they would be reluctant to use the Cricket All-Stars' model of drop-in pitches at baseball stadiums with unorthodox boundary configurations. Even if it allowed them access to the New York market, Thakur said the objective remained to avoid "exhibitions" and that cricket should be played "not casually but seriously", thus making a traditional stadium important to any plans.

Coulter-Nile faces lengthy rehab after lumbar bone stress injury

Nathan Coulter-Nile's only ODI matches in 2016 so far have come in the tri-series in the West Indies

The lower back injury that ruled out Australia fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile from the tour of Sri Lanka has been diagnosed as a lumbar bone stress injury, Cricket Australia said on Monday. Coulter-Nile will now begin a lengthy rehabilitation period, and David Beakley, Australia's physiotherapist, said that the bowler's return to cricket "will be determined in due course".

Coulter-Nile had been in Sri Lanka since the start of the tour as part of the Test and ODI squads, but did not play a match. He was ruled out of the tourlast week and flew home to have his injury assessed. Beakley had stated at the time that the bowler had been experiencing a "gradual increase in lower back pain which is now preventing him from bowling at match intensity."

Coulter-Nile has struggled with injuries over the last year. In September 2015, arecurring hamstring injury forced him out of the ODI series in England. He was in the frame to make a Test debut in the home series against West Indies last summer, but dislocated his shoulder while playing for Perth Scorchers during the 2015-16 Big Bash League.

He made his comeback in the T20I series during the South Africa tour in March 2016, and then played all four of Australia's matches during the World T20 in India. The pacer also played three matches in the ODI tri-series against West Indies and South Africa in June.

West Indies beat India in thriller

A hurriedly arranged exercise to take a glimpse into the future of cricket economy provided a giddying look into the future of Twenty20 cricket on the field. This was a future of fearless, relentless, calculated, almost unhurried hitting taken to the next level as West Indies first amassed their personal best of 245 only for India to come within two runs of mounting the highest successful T20 chase almost without breaking a sweat.

Evin Lewis and KL Rahul, replacing regular openers Chris Gayle and Shikhar Dhawan, smashed hundreds, but in this future bowlers did deal the consequential blows. India bowled superb wide yorkers to concede just 40 in the last four and 64 in the last seven, but the wily Dwayne Bravo outfoxed MS Dhoni and the centurion Rahul by defending seven runs in the last over. India needed two off the last ball, but Bravo made Dhoni wait and wait before bowling a slower ball that was caught by Marlon Samuels at short third man.

On a day that some batting records were broken and all sorts of others, and low-flying aircrafts, were under threat - Richard Levi's fastest hundred off 45 balls thrice, most runs in an over, most runs in boundaries in a team innings, highest T20 score, highest successful T20 chase - the bowling was the story of the day. In particular the last over of the day.

When Bravo began it, 483 runs had been scored in 39 overs. Thirty-two sixes and 35 fours had been hit on a flat deck surrounded by short boundaries. Johnson Charles had looted 79 off 33, playing only five scoring shots on the off side. Playing only his second T20, replacing Gayle, Lewis had hit five sixes in a Stuart Binny over. Rohit Sharma looked like he could cream his way to another hundred when he scored 62 off 28. Andre Russell, the best T20 cricketer going around today, had just been mercilessly taken for 36 runs in his last two overs.

Bravo had no business even hoping to save this one, especially when bowling to a man batting on a smooth hundred and the other renowned to be one of the best finishers in ODI cricket, Dhoni. In ran Bravo, a nine-run 18th over behind his back, hoping to not concede a boundary first ball, to "try to get into the over". He had reason to just hope: 20 of the 39 previous overs had been taken for at least a boundary in the first two balls.

Bravo did way better, though, bowling a bewitching slower ball, dipping on Dhoni - 40 off 21 at that time - drawing a big edge, but at short third man Marlon Samuels dropped what Ian Bishop called was the "sittest of sitters". This was the second catch West Indies had dropped; Russell had reprieved Rahul when he was only 36. Rahul had gone on to play a chanceless innings, continuing to run hard despite having been hit on the toe twice.

Back to the frustrated Bravo then. This one was full and outside off, Rahul smashed it into the off side, and now was the time to hope this went to a fielder. Straight to the sweeper-cover fielder it went. Six required off four now. Still a matter of hoping. Bravo's next ball was on a length, but smartly he followed Dhoni, cramping him up, conceding just the leg-bye.

If Bravo and Russell were the big boys West Indies went to with only 53 required off the last four overs, Bravo now went to the big boys of death bowling. No more mucking around. Bowl them yorkers. The first one was a low full toss, the original call was two as this went to long-on, but finally, at long last, Rahul had had enough up haring up and down with a badgered toe. Also if there had been a run-out - and there could only have been one at Rahul's end - India would have had a new batsman facing up with four required off two balls.

Instead we had the cool head of Dhoni. Against his trusted lieutenant for years at Chennai Super Kings. Bravo bowled the near perfect yorker, Dhoni dug it out powerfully, the ball bounced over Bravo's head, who got a hand to it, slowing it down. Was this absorbing of the blow that cost West Indies the second run here? Would this have been a single had Bravo not intercepted or would it have beaten long-off to end the game right there? We won't know.

Now time stood still. Dhoni has often destroyed many an inexperienced bowler by bringing the contest to a one-on-one from the 11-on-1 that it is for major durations of the match. The hunter had become the hunted now. Bravo had begun the over with nothing to lose, and now he had left Dhoni in the spotlight. And he left Dhoni on a slow burn. About five minutes went by before he bowled the next ball, but it seemed like an eternity. First a man from the off side was moved to midwicket inside the circle to block that Dhoni bunt into the leg side for a couple. Then once the field was set, once Dhoni was ready to face, Bravo walked back all the way to long-on for another conference with Kieron Pollard and new captain Carlos Brathwaite.

Dhoni had met an equal at mindgames. He had only recently outfoxed Bangladesh when they needed two off the last ball. He was now being given enough time and more whether to go for a boundary or the safe route of getting bat on ball for a single to tie and then see if they could get the bonus second? Bravo, and those who know Dhoni, knew the answer. "Knowing MS," Bravo said in a flash interview, "I knew he was going to take the safer route."

Bravo said he wasn't always sure of bowling the slower ball, but once he saw Dhoni move towards him a little, he pulled out that slower dipping offcutter again. Destiny's child Samuels, twice Man of the Match in World T20 final wins, got another chance as Dhoni edged while trying to push this into the off side for the safer route. Samuels caught it this time. Bravo had taken a stunning catch earlier to get rid of Ajinkya Rahane and had taken the crucial wicket of Virat Kohli without pulling out his Champion Dance, but turns out he had saved it for something special

ICC to trial new no ball technology

The no ball might no longer be in the hands of the on-field umpire

Governing body hopes to use the third umpire to handle front foot no balls

The International Cricket Council announced Saturday the trial of the use of technology to more accurately detect no balls.

The trial, which will be undertaken in England’s five-match one-day international series against Pakistan starting next Wednesday, will see whether the third umpire will be able to detect no balls and relay the information to the on-field umpire within a few seconds.

The third umpire will have access to the four side-on cameras, used for checking no balls, run outs and stumping, along with instant slow motion replays to determine whether a bowler has overstepped the popping crease.

Throughout the trial, the on-field umpires will not call any front foot no balls without instruction from the third umpire, who will relay the information to the standing officials wearing a ‘pager’ watch.

The ‘pager’ watch will vibrate when the third umpire has deemed a no ball has been bowled. If the ‘pager’ watch fails to work, the third umpire will advise the on-filed umpire through the normal channels of communication.

The 'pager' watch set to be used by the on-field umpires

"This trial is being carried out to ascertain if there is a way in which front foot no balls can be called more accurately and consistently, while also assessing the TV umpire’s workload and identifying the impact it will have on the flow of the game," ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees, Adrian Griffith, said.

"While we need to find out if the technology set-up for this purpose is fit, at the same time we feel this is the right time to conduct the trial as the TV umpires will have more information than ever before to share with the on-field umpires, which, in turn, will help them in correct decision-making,

"To ensure that the match officials are thoroughly briefed and trained for this trial, the ICC will conduct training sessions with the umpires and match referee in Southampton on Monday and Tuesday. The results of this technology trial will be shared with the ICC Cricket Committee, which will advise the ICC on future action."

The third umpire's split screens

After a series of wickets fell on no balls during last summer, Cricket Australia used a piece of equipment on their Test tour of New Zealand to help detect a bowler overstepping at training.

The equipment comprises two lengths of timber that are placed either side of the pitch at the non-striker’s end and are fitted with sensors that align to the return and popping crease.

A beam is relayed to a nearby remote signal box which emits a loud ‘beep’ when a bowler’s foot comes down wholly beyond the front (popping) crease, as well as provide a reading on how far the guilty victim overstepped.

While the equipment in its current iteration is too large to carry as regular kit, progress is being made to reduce the size and weight so it can be transported with the team.

As it currently stands, the on-field umpire can ask the third umpire to check for a front foot no ball on a wicket-taking delivery.

Day one ends with no-ball controversy

However, there was controversy in the series when Australia batsman Adam Voges was given a reprieve when the on-field umpire, Richard Illingworth, called a no ball after the batsman shouldered arms and was bowled by Blackcaps paceman Doug Bracewell.

Replays indicated Bracewell did in fact have some of his front foot behind the popping crease, but because the call was made by the on-field umpire it could not be reversed.

ICC test rating

Rank	Team	Matches	Points	Rating
1	India	32	3925	123
2	South Africa	26	3050	117
3	Australia	31	3087	100
4	England	34	3362	99
5	New Zealand	32	3114	97
6	Pakistan	31	2868	93
7	Sri Lanka	31	2836	91
8	West Indies	26	1940	75
9	Bangladesh	17	1171	69
10	Zimbabwe	9	0	0

Second Blind Cricket World cup

The second blind cricket tournament held in India next year

The India will defend their cup. According to President of cricket council Rashid Sultan the blind cricket world cup held between 30^th January top 12^th February. Eight teams participate in this tournament India will defend their trophy. The world cup held in year 2012 India win this title from Pakistan in final. The cities name where the next world cup held are Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi, Freda Abad, Ahmed Abad and Indore. The opening ceremony held in Delhi and final in Banglore

Personal life

Junaid Khan is first son of Zahir khan. In an interview to Aaj News, when he was asked about marriage, he told that he has no plan of getting married at the moment.In late 2012, social media circles started circulating rumors that Junaid Khan was a Carpet seller in his hometown. His cousin cleared up the image and it was revealed that his grandfathers have their owntobacco business in Swabi. Junaid has one younger brother, Tahir Khan, and a elder sister.

Junaid Khan got married to Khansa Khan in February 2015. Junaid khan son died on April 28, 2016.

Series Match Type

Pakistan Tour of England 2016 Test

Top 100

POS	PLAYER	CURRENT TEAM	RUNS	BALLS	4s	6s	SR	VS
1	Joe Root	England	254	406	27	-	62.56	Pakistan
2	Azhar Ali	Pakistan	139	293	15	1	47.44	England
3	Misbah-ul-Haq	Pakistan	114	199	18	-	57.29	England
4	Moeen Ali	England	108	152	13	2	71.05	Pakistan
5	Alastair Cook	England	105	172	15	-	61.05	Pakistan
6	Moeen Ali	England	86	96	10	2	89.58	Pakistan
7	Jonny Bairstow	England	83	127	8	-	65.35	Pakistan
8	Sami Aslam	Pakistan	82	176	9	1	46.59	England
9	Alastair Cook	England	81	124	12	-	65.32	Pakistan
10	Alastair Cook	England	76	78	9	-	97.44	Pakistan
11	Asad Shafiq	Pakistan	73	130	12	-	56.15	England
12	Joe Root	England	71	48	10	-	147.92	Pakistan
13	Gary Ballance	England	70	150	11	-	46.67	Pakistan
14	Sami Aslam	Pakistan	70	167	11	-	41.92	England
15	Alastair Cook	England	66	103	7	-	64.08	Pakistan
16	Moeen Ali	England	63	118	7	-	53.39	Pakistan
17	Joe Root	England	62	123	8	-	50.41	Pakistan
18	Jonny Bairstow	England	58	81	7	-	71.60	Pakistan
19	Chris Woakes	England	58	104	8	1	55.77	Pakistan
20	Misbah-ul-Haq	Pakistan	56	107	6	-	52.34	England
21	Jonny Bairstow	England	55	93	7	-	59.14	Pakistan
22	Alex Hales	England	54	131	10	-	41.22	Pakistan
23	Misbah-ul-Haq	Pakistan	52	114	4	-	45.61	England
24	Asad Shafiq	Pakistan	49	96	8	-	51.04	England
25	Joe Root	England	48	73	7	-	65.75	Pakistan
26	Jonny Bairstow	England	48	147	4	-	32.65	Pakistan
27	Sarfraz Ahmed	Pakistan	46	91	5	-	50.55	England
28	Alastair Cook	England	45	52	8	-	86.54	Pakistan
29	Chris Woakes	England	45	57	8	-	78.95	Pakistan
30	Sarfraz Ahmed	Pakistan	45	68	3	-	66.18	England
31	Gary Ballance	England	43	66	6	-	65.15	Pakistan
32	James Vince	England	42	49	9	-	85.71	Pakistan
33	Mohammad Hafeez	Pakistan	42	72	7	1	58.33	England
34	James Vince	England	42	123	7	-	34.15	Pakistan
35	Mohammad Hafeez	Pakistan	40	59	8	-	67.80	England
36	Asad Shafiq	Pakistan	39	53	8	-	73.58	England
37	Wahab Riaz	Pakistan	39	61	5	1	63.93	England
38	James Vince	England	39	65	6	-	60.00	Pakistan
39	Shan Masood	Pakistan	39	84	5	-	46.43	England
40	Azhar Ali	Pakistan	38	75	5	-	50.67	England
41	Sohail Khan	Pakistan	36	37	7	-	97.30	England
42	Alastair Cook	England	35	50	4	-	70.00	Pakistan
43	Misbah-ul-Haq	Pakistan	35	71	2	1	49.30	England
44	Chris Woakes	England	35	96	4	-	36.46	Pakistan
45	Ben Stokes	England	34	51	5	-	66.67	Pakistan
46	Younis Khan	Pakistan	33	73	4	-	45.21	England
47	Younis Khan	Pakistan	31	90	4	-	34.44	England
48	Yasir Shah	Pakistan	30	63	5	-	47.62	England
49	Mohammad Amir	Pakistan	29	43	5	-	67.44	England
50	Jonny Bairstow	England	29	45	5	-	64.44	Pakistan
51	Younis Khan	Pakistan	28	63	3	-	44.44	England
52	Gary Ballance	England	28	70	4	-	40.00	Pakistan
53	Sarfraz Ahmed	Pakistan	26	18	5	-	144.44	England
54	Joe Root	England	26	39	5	-	66.67	Pakistan
55	Sarfraz Ahmed	Pakistan	25	29	4	-	86.21	England
56	Younis Khan	Pakistan	25	95	3	-	26.32	England
57	Shan Masood	Pakistan	24	50	3	-	48.00	England
58	Alex Hales	England	24	54	3	-	44.44	Pakistan
59	Moeen Ali	England	23	33	2	-	69.70	Pakistan
60	Gary Ballance	England	23	57	3	-	40.35	Pakistan
61	Azhar Ali	Pakistan	23	75	3	-	30.67	England
62	Chris Woakes	England	23	108	1	-	21.30	Pakistan
63	Wahab Riaz	Pakistan	19	32	3	-	59.38	England
64	James Vince	England	18	30	4	-	60.00	Pakistan
65	Mohammad Hafeez	Pakistan	18	42	3	-	42.86	England
66	Alex Hales	England	17	31	3	-	54.84	Pakistan
67	Stuart Broad	England	17	45	1	-	37.78	Pakistan
68	Alex Hales	England	16	21	3	-	76.19	Pakistan
69	Mohammad Amir	Pakistan	16	26	2	-	61.54	England
70	James Vince	England	16	29	3	-	55.17	Pakistan
71	Steven Finn	England	15	25	3	-	60.00	Pakistan
72	Rahat Ali	Pakistan	15	35	3	-	42.86	England
73	Stuart Broad	England	13	24	2	-	54.17	Pakistan
74	Mohammad Amir	Pakistan	12	10	3	-	120.00	England
75	Jonny Bairstow	England	12	16	1	-	75.00	Pakistan
76	Yasir Shah	Pakistan	11	13	1	-	84.62	England
77	Alex Hales	England	10	20	2	-	50.00	Pakistan
78	Misbah-ul-Haq	Pakistan	10	25	1	-	40.00	England
79	Yasir Shah	Pakistan	10	31	-	-	32.26	England
80	Mohammad Amir	Pakistan	9	7	1	-	128.57	England
81	Chris Woakes	England	9	24	2	-	37.50	Pakistan
82	Joe Root	England	9	30	2	-	30.00	Pakistan
83	Alastair Cook	England	8	11	1	-	72.73	Pakistan
84	Azhar Ali	Pakistan	8	15	1	-	53.33	England
85	Steven Finn	England	8	16	-	-	50.00	Pakistan
86	Rahat Ali	Pakistan	8	18	1	-	44.44	England
87	Gary Ballance	England	8	30	1	-	26.67	Pakistan
88	Sohail Khan	Pakistan	7	8	1	-	87.50	England
89	Yasir Shah	Pakistan	7	10	1	-	70.00	England
90	Sarfraz Ahmed	Pakistan	7	12	1	-	58.33	England
91	Yasir Shah	Pakistan	7	19	1	-	36.84	England
92	Shan Masood	Pakistan	7	29	1	-	24.14	England
93	Azhar Ali	Pakistan	7	43	1	-	16.28	England
94	Gary Ballance	England	6	8	1	-	75.00	Pakistan
95	James Anderson	England	6	9	1	-	66.67	Pakistan
96	Alex Hales	England	6	10	1	-	60.00	Pakistan
97	Alex Hales	England	6	17	1	-	35.29	Pakistan
98	James Anderson	England	5	9	1	-	55.56	Pakistan
99	Steven Finn	England	5	10	-	-	50.00	Pakistan
100	Jake Ball	England	4	4	1	-	100.00	Pakistan