Top Stories: Things that made news in the cricket world today

Pragyan Ojha retires from international and first-class cricket

• Pragyan Ojha, the former India spinner, announced his retirement from international and first-class cricket on Friday.
• Having played close to 50 international games for the country across formats, the left-arm spinner last played for India way back in 2013 during Sachin Tendulkar’s testimonial Test against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium.
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Sourav Ganguly sends 4 Indian players’ names including Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan for Asia XI vs World XI T20Is

• The Bangladesh Cricket Board is all set to stage two Asia XI vs World XI fixtures in order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of their founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
• Two matches will be played at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka on March 18 and 21.
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Kyle Jamieson’s father recalls the advice that he gave to his son during childhood

• His towering height has made him feel awkward during his childhood days, but it is becoming Kyle Jamieson’s most prized asset in his International career. Jamieson has had a brilliant start to his career thus far.
• The 6’8″ tall bowler has made quite an impression in his limited opportunities in International cricket in the ongoing series against India.
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Steve Smith puts up his luxurious home in Sydney for rent for $2000 per week

• Former Australia skipper and the current No.2 ranked Test batsman in the world Steven Smith has put one of his luxurious properties in Sydney up for rent.
• The stunning townhouse– based in the inner-city suburb of Balmain– is now available in the market for $2000 per week.
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Tom Banton reveals how Azhar Ali helped him improve his batting

• England’s latest white-ball sensation Tom Banton has had a whirlwind twelve months where he has seen his stock soar to the hilt.
• Banton shot into the reckoning when he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer- 549 runs in 13 games at an average of 42.23- in the 2019 edition of the T20 Blast for Somerset.
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‘Worse than being called Ed Sheeran?’ – Tim Paine takes a dig at Ben Stokes for hypocrisy

• Australian Test Captain, Tim Paine has not travelled along with the team to South Africa as the short tour comprises only of limited-overs matches.
• The two sides will first collide in a 3-match T20I series before competing in a 3-match ODI series.
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Here’s why Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended Umar Akmal

• After escaping a ban for allegedly misbehaving with a trainer at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Umar Akmal received a suspension from the Pakistan Cricket Board just before the commencement of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
• The board suspended him with immediate effect under Article 4.7.1 of its Anti-Corruption Code.
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Colour footage of Don Bradman batting at the SCG found after 71 years

• Sir Don Bradman is regarded as one of the best batsmen to have played the sport, not only for Australia but in the history of cricket.
• However, the current generation didn’t have the honour to watch such a great player batting on the cricketing field as the world was short of technology at that time.
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Imad Wasim allegedly names three players involved in ball-tampering in PSL

• Ball-tampering and match-fixing issues have made frequent headlines in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The fifth season of the tournament kicked off on Friday.
• A meeting was held before the competition with the captains and coaches of all the franchises present including match referee Roshan Mahanama to discuss on the issues.
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Ramiz Raja wants Pakistan PM Imran Khan to pass legislation to punish guilty players

• Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja on Thursday urged his country’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan, to pass legislation to impose life bans on the culprits in the wake of the recent corruption scandal in Pakistan cricket.
• On Thursday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspended Umar Akmal pending an anti-corruption inquiry amid claims that he failed to report a spot-fixing approach in the popular Pakistan Super League kicking off the same day.
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New Zealand vs India: Ross Taylor walked out for national anthem with his kids ahead of his 100th Test

• The first of the two-match Test series between India and New Zealand got underway on Saturday with the home side winning the toss at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
• This Test is special for the Kiwi veteran Ross Taylor who walked out to play for his country for the 100th time in the longest format.
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Darren Sammy has applied for Pakistan nationality, confirms Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi

• The fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PCB) got underway on Friday with the defending champions Quetta Gladiators winning the opening game of the tournament by three wickets against the two-time champions Islamabad United.
• This is the first time that the entire edition of the PSL is taking place in Pakistan and as many as 36 foreign players have already travelled to the country.
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Anushka Sharma ecstatic after India Women defeat Australia in the T20 World Cup opener

• That India is the bogey team for defending champions Australia in ICC events was once again testified as to the Women in Blue completed a hat-trick of wins against the four-time champions in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup opener at the Sydney Showground Stadium on Friday.
• Poonam Yadav’s four-wicket-haul- which included a double-wicket strike in the form of Rachael Haynes and champion all-rounder Elysse Perry- ensured that the pre-tournament favourites were left entangled in a spin web so obscure that the 28-year-old leggy looked like taking a wicket off every wrong’un that left her fingers.
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A member in Karachi Kings dugout uses Mobile phone during their PSL opener; invites controversy

• Karachi Kings registered a thrilling 10-run victory in their tournament opener against Peshawar Zalmi in the fifth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL).
• Half the battle was won by the Imad Wasim-led side when they posted a mammoth total of 201/4 on the scoreboard in the first innings. However, Peshawar Zalmi’s valiant batting display almost took away the game from Kings.
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Harsha Bhogle lashes out at Indian team management for picking Rishabh Pant ahead of Wriddhiman Saha

• Indian cricket commentator, Harsha Bhogle called out the Indian team management for including Wriddhiman Saha in the playing XI for the first Test match against New Zealand.
• Harsha was extremely disappointed with the decision of playing Rishabh Pant ahead of Saha.
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