JRT POST

According to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Wood has been ruled out from the series against Pakistan and New Zealand.

The ECB statement said that Wood sustained the elbow injury during the series against the West Indies, although he continued to play in the subsequent Test match against Sri Lanka.

“He had noticed increasing stiffness and discomfort in his elbow during the Test series against the West Indies earlier in the summer.

“Medical scans have confirmed that Wood has a bone stress injury of the right elbow injury,” the ECB said.

According to the ECB, Mark Wood will miss England’s upcoming winter Test tours of Pakistan in October and New Zealand in December and he aims to return to full fitness by early 2025.

Taking to Instagram the pacer wrote: “During what I thought was a routine check on a previously troublesome elbow, I was shocked to learn I’ve got some bone stress in my right elbow,” Wood wrote on Instagram.

“Me and the medical team felt it was a good time to get my elbow looked at as it was a bit irritated. I’d put that down to the normal niggles every fast bowler gets and which I was playing through.”

He added: “I work incredibly hard on my fitness, putting in extra work with coaches and physios making this even more disappointing. I will miss the rest of the year, needing time to rest and build up, (I’m) fully expecting to be back and firing in early 2025.

“I have been down this path before and will put in all the hard yards behind the scenes. I am very proud to represent my country and there is no better feeling. See you for some rockets in 2025!”

“I have heard some false allegations and narratives […] I will be pursuing legal advice against those responsible for making these false allegations towards me and my family,” Mahmood wrote in a post on his X account.

The official’s remarks come as allegations have been circulating on social media and other media platforms claiming that the families of players and the team’s coaching staff travelled to the United States for the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) expense.

Categorically denying such allegations and terming them “entirely baseless and false”, Mahmood stressed that the culture of falsely accusing and misleading people to believe a false narrative is dangerous.

“Speaking without evidence and misconstruing facts is a criminal offence and those engaged in such behaviour will be dealt with legal action,” the ex-cricketer said.

Stressing that pursuing an increase in followers and media attention via spreading falsehood was unacceptable, he requested people to avoid engaging and entertaining these “harmful” narratives as it was essential to put an end to such behaviour in the media culture.

Following Pakistan’s early exit from the competition, criticism mounted against Babar and the team’s performance.

Sources indicate a social media campaign targeted Babar during the tournament, prompting him to feel disheartened by the allegations.

Babar is reportedly considering sending legal notices to the individuals involved and has begun consultations with legal experts.

Furthermore, the PCB’s legal department is said to be gathering evidence related to the statements made against Babar by YouTubers and former players.

The Men in Green, along with the team management, have been under scrutiny by fans and former players following the national side’s poor performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 wherein they failed to proceed to the Super Eight stage and were eliminated from the mega tournament.

A win for Australia would have sent the 2021 champions and India into the last four, but even a second hat-trick in as many matches from Pat Cummins was not enough to keep their unbeaten record at the tournament intact.

Half centuries from Gurbaz and Zadran helped the Afghans rack up 148-6 in their 20 overs, before their bowlers dismissed the Australians for 127 on a tricky Kingstown track.

Naib claimed 4-20 and Naveenul Haq bagged 3-20, but it was the third century partnership of the tournament from Gurbaz and Zadran that laid the foundation for a win that also kept Bangladesh alive.

“We’ve waited for a long time (for this),” said man-of-the-match Naib.

“It’s a big moment for our nation and our people. I have no words, but thanks to the fans who supported us in our career and cricket journey […] thank God we finally beat Australia. It’s a great achievement for Afghanistan.

“We have achieved many things in the last 10 years, but this is big.”

India top Group 1 on four points, ahead of Australia and Afghanistan on two, with Bangladesh alone in last place, with none.

India and Australia face off in St Lucia on Monday, while the Afghans stay in St Vincent to play Bangladesh in the final Super Eight match later that day.

Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh won the toss and sprang a couple of surprises by sending the Afghans in to bat and naming a team with left-arm spinner Ashton Agar in the bowling line-up in place of Mitchell Starc.

In the early overs it looked like the Australian bowlers would suffocate the Afghans, but the lack of a breakthrough wicket allowed Gurbaz and Zadran to settle in and accelerate through the middle overs.

Crisp batting and hard running from the Afghans put the pressure back on the Australians, who made uncharacteristic fielding errors under the Arnos Vale Ground lights.

The pair reached their half-centuries before Marcus Stoinis finally separated them in the 16th over, when Gurbaz mistimed a shot to David Warner at deep square leg to depart for 60.

Spinner Adam Zampa removed Azmatullah Omarzai (2) and Zadran (51) in the following over and paceman Cummins sent back skipper Rashid Khan cheaply with the final ball of the 18th over.

Karim Janat and Naib followed with the first two deliveries of the 20th over as Cummins became the first bowler to take two hat-tricks at a T20 World Cup.

He would have taken four wickets in a row had Warner held onto a reasonably straightforward catch running in from deep point to dismiss Nangeyalia Kharote.

“They got 20 runs too many,” admitted Marsh.

“To be honest, they played a really good game of cricket. We were outplayed tonight […] It was an off-night in the field and we own that.”

Afghanistan made the best possible start with ball in hand with Naveen bowling Travis Head for a duck in the opening over and having Marsh caught in the deep for 12 in the third.

Warner followed for three off Mohammad Nabi’s first delivery to leave the Australians struggling on 32-3 in the final over of the power play, before the Afghans heaped more pressure on their opponents by removing Stoinis and Tim David.

The explosive Glenn Maxwell gave Australia some hope with a battling 59 off 41 balls, but his dismissal by Naib, thanks to an acrobatic catch by Noor Ahmad, all but sealed the fate of the former champions.

“I learnt from the batting innings on how to bowl,” added Naib, who also took a low diving catch to dismiss Ashton Agar.

“Thanks to Rashid for trusting me, it’s a team effort, Rahmanullah, Zadran and also Naveen for the momentum.”

This time, a morphed picture of Sania and Indian cricket player Mohammad Shami in wedding attire has been making the rounds on social media, further fueling their marriage rumours.

However, Sania’s father Imran Mirza, has refuted the claims.

Imran, talking to an Indian media outlet, said: “This is all rubbish. She has not even met him.”

The rumours began a few days ago when Sania shared thoughts on a second marriage, while Shami did the same. This led to fans thinking about a possible match between the two sports stars.

Shoaib and Sania got married in April 2010 and share a son named Izhaan Mirza-Malik. Speculations regarding their separation had been rife for a while when Shoaib announced his second marriage to Pakistani actor Sana Javed.

Later, it was confirmed that in January, Sania had sought separation from Shoaib.

On the other hand, Shami has been separated from his wife, Hasin Jahan, with whom he got married in 2014. They have a child together.

Sania announced earlier this month that she was leaving for Hajj and has not made any comments regarding this matter yet.

The sources said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management permitted Amir to bring his personal trainer, whose expenditures were paid by the pacer himself.

However, the cricket body made the required arrangements in this regard, they said.

The bowler did not take the trainer to just the US, but also during the Ireland and England tours as well.

The sources said this while sharing several reasons behind Pakistan’s poor performance as a team in the 20-team tournament which led to their early exit.

Amir conceded 18 runs in the Super Over of one of the biggest upsets of the mega event, following which Pakistan’s chances for advancing into the Super 8 stage were drastically cut.

Minnows US, who were playing the T20 World Cup for the first time, defeated Pakistan by restricting the former champions to 13 runs in the final over. The debutants cruised into the Super 8 stage from Group A along with India.

“Surprisingly, Amir, who returned to the team after retirement, did not hold training with the team, rather he held separate sessions with his personal trainer,” the sources said.

Another reason for the team members’ distraction has been attributed to their travelling with family members during the tour.

Apart from players and support staff, a group of 26-28 people comprising the cricketers’ wives and family members travelled along with the team during the mega event.

Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim and Wahab Riaz were accompanied by their wives and children, while skipper Babar Azam’s parents and brother toured the US with the Men in Green. Haris Rauf, on the other hand, travelled with his spouse.

The team players and their family members reportedly held parties and gatherings after matches.

The United States set a 129-run target which the West Indies chased in just 10.5 overs which gave a massive boost to their net run-rate.

Earlier, the Windies won the toss and decided to bowl first against their opponents.

Batting first, the US were bowled out for 128 in 19.5 overs after a clinical bowling display by the home side.

Roston Chase was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-19 in four overs. Andre Russell also clinched 3-31 in 3.5 overs.

Opener Andries Gous top-scored for US with 29 runs in 16 balls. Nitish Kumar contributed 20 runs, while Ali Khan remained unbeaten on 14 runs in six balls.

Both teams lost in their respective opening Super 8 match which made this a virtual do-or-die contest.

Teams:

United States (Playing XI): Steven Taylor, Andries Gous(w), Nitish Kumar, Aaron Jones(c), Corey Anderson, Milind Kumar, Harmeet Singh, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar

West Indies (Playing XI): Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran(w), Roston Chase, Rovman Powell(c), Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Obed McCoy

The first three matches of the series will take place in Rawalpindi, where rain is expected throughout this week.

According to The Weather Channel, on April 18, when the first T20I is scheduled, the chance of rain is 30 percent during the day and 80 percent at night.

There is also 65 percent chance of rain on April 20, which is the day of the second T20I.

However, the chance of rain on April 21, when the third T20I is set to take place, is considerably less at 21 percent.

Pakistan’s training session yesterday was also postponed due to rain in Rawalpindi. Both teams are set to take part in a training session today if the weather permits.

New Zealand’s squad touched down in Islamabad on Sunday, meanwhile Pakistan team has also assembled in the federal capital after Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

After the first three matches at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, both sides will move to Lahore, where they will play the remaining two T20Is of the series on 25 and 27 April, respectively.

All five matches of the T20I series will start at 7:00pm (PST).

Pakistan squad
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Reserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

New Zealand squad
Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi, Tom Blundell, Zak Foulkes.

Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series schedule
April 18 — 1st T20I, Rawalpindi

April 20 — 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi

April 21 — 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi

April 25 — 4th T20I, Lahore

April 27 — 5th T20I, Lahore

The PCB will soon hold a discussion with all the relevant stakeholders over the window for PSL 10 in order to ensure that the event is not affected by international commitments, Naqvi added.

“PSL is Pakistan’s brand which is why it will get its due importance. Holding PSL 10 alongside international commitments will be a challenge but we are ready for it,” he added.

The PSL could clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year, according to sources.

The PCB is considering three windows to hold PSL 2025 but among them the most ideal one is clashing with IPL in April and May.

Sources added that the PCB is pondering over the pros and cons of holding the league alongside IPL.

The second window is three weeks in February since the event can’t be held in March due to the ICC Champions Trophy, which will be hosted by Pakistan. However, that will clash with the ODI triangular series in Pakistan in February which involves New Zealand and South Africa as well.

The third window is around the Asia Cup in September 2025.

Further discussion on the window for PSL next year will take place at the next council meeting.