World of cricket: England provides stiff resistance to Pakistan, ICC bans saliva use permanently

England and Pakistan have won two matches each in a seven-match T20I series. Harry Brook’s contributions with the bat were vital to England’s two wins so far in the series.

The permanent ban on saliva comes into effect on October 1.  | Photo Credit: AP

England provides stiff resistance to Pakistan

With impactful batting cameos, middle-order batter Harry Brook helped England mount a stiff resistance to Pakistan in a seven-match T20I series in Pakistan.

England took a 2-1 series lead before Mohammad Rizwan (88 runs) and Haris Rauf (three wickets) excelled with bat and ball, respectively, to help Pakistan level the series with three matches to go.

In the first match, Brook scored a 25- ball 42 (unbeaten) to take England home in the final over. In the third, he cracked a 35-ball 81 (unbeaten) as England piled on a mammoth 221 for 3 which eventually led to a 63-run win. The second T20I was won by the home team, Babar Azam and Rizwan combining for a partnership of 203 — also unbeaten — for a 10-wicket win. Babar contributed 110 runs. It was the fifth-highest partnership in all T20Is.

Women’s IPL to be held in 2023 - Ganguly

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has informed State associations that the much-awaited Women’s IPL is expected to be held early next year. In a letter to the associations, Ganguly also stated that the next season of men’s IPL will go back to the home-and-away format, with all 10 teams playing their home matches at their designated venues.

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ICC bans saliva use permanently

The usage of saliva to polish the cricket ball has been banned permanently by the International Cricket Council. The ban comes into effect on October 1. Saliva use had been curtailed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and it was found that it did not have much of an impact on the game as bowlers found other ways to make the ball swing. The ICC also announced that the World Test Championship final of 2023 and 2025 will both be held in London — at the Oval and Lord’s, respectively.

Bangladesh, Ireland qualify for women’s T20 World Cup

Bangladesh and Ireland won their respective semifinal matches at the Women’s T20 World Cup qualifier to book their berths in the Women’s T20 World Cup to be held in South Africa next year. The two teams beat Zimbabwe and Thailand, respectively, in Abu Dhabi.

The scores: Bangladesh 113 for five (Rumana 28 not out, Murshida 26) beat Thailand 102 for six (Chantham 64, Salma three for 18, Sanjida two for 7). Ireland 137 for six (Prendergast 28, Stokell 26 not out, Sibanda two for 24) beat Zimbabwe 133 for six (Mayers 39, Musonda 31, Maguire two for 18, Kelly two for 27)

Stampede for tickets leaves fans injured

A stampede among fans queued up to purchase tickets for the third T20I between India and Australia left numerous people injured at the Gymkhana Grounds in Secunderabad. Police resorted to lathi charge. Some fainted due to lack of air. Hyderabad Cricket Association president Mohammed Azharuddin said, “We regret and feel sad for whatever had happened at Gymkhana Ground with regard to ticket sales. The [Hyderabad Cricket Association] is taking care of treatment of the injured.”