World T20 2021: Conditions in UAE will be like home to us, says Babar Azam

ECB in talks with BCCI for having crowd during second phase of IPL 2021

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are in talks for having crowds in the stands during the second phase of the IPL 2021. The remainder of this edition’s IPL is scheduled to take place in the UAE in September-October. "As hosts, ECB will work closely with the authorities to seek approval on what protocols need to be followed -- this includes fan attendance, we will then discuss it with the BCCI as well as the ICC to assess their spectator requirements. We want our ex-pat and Emirati sports-loving fans in the UAE to be able to watch the action from the stands," ECB general secretary Mubashir Usmani told Gulf News. As per some reports, the UAE government has allowed 60 percent capacity for the IPL games. The competition was earlier being held in India before it was suspended on May 4 after there were instances of positive Covid-19 cases within the franchises. The tournament will now resume in the UAE on September 19 where Mumbai Indians will lock horns with Chennai Super Kings. A total of 31 matches will be played in the second leg and Dubai will host the final on October 15, a couple of days prior to the beginning of the World T20 which will be co-hosted by UAE and Oman.

SLC hopeful of hosting Pak-Afghan T20I series amid Taliban situation in Afghanistan

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has said that it is going ahead with the arrangements to host the T20I series between Pakistan and Afghanistan which is slated to begin on September 1. The current situation in Afghanistan has left the board in a dilemma whether the fixtures will go ahead as scheduled or not but it is still hoping to host the series. "We have told them that we are ready to host the tournament," Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva told AFP about the board informing Afghanistan and Pakistan cricket boards. "All the preparations are underway," he added. The current condition in Afghanistan is very tense with the Taliban taking over the control of the country. In such a situation, whether the Afghan cricket team would be able to make it to Sri Lanka as per the schedule is hard to tell. "But, given the current situation in Kabul, we don't know if they will be able to go ahead. We are awaiting a response from them," de Silva said. The SLC secretary further added that due to Covid-19 restrictions, the sides need to land in Sri Lanka by next week to commence the series on time. While Rashid Khan is in the UK playing the inaugural edition of ‘The Hundred’ tournament, most of the players are in Afghanistan. Efforts are being made to check their whereabouts," said an international cricket official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen had earlier revealed that Rashid is worried about the safety of his family. "We had a long chat here on the boundary talking about it and he's worried," Pietersen said while commentating in a Hundred game.

The Hundred | Superchargers vs Phoenix: When & where to watch Live, Probable XI, Fantasy XI

Although the lineups for the Playoffs of the inaugural edition of The Hundred are decided, this match still holds value in the sense that Birmingham Phoenix could directly enter the Final if they win this game. By virtue of this win, they could relegate Southern Brave, who are currently sitting at the top with 11 points from eight games, to the second position in the points table, thereby forcing them to go head to head in an eliminator against the Trent Rockets at Oval and win it to make it to the Final at Lord’s. However, if Northern Superchargers, who are out of the Playoffs race, could defeat the Phoenix, then Phoenix would have to face the Rockets in the Eliminator and Brave would go through to the Final. Thus from the viewpoint of the Final, which would be played on Sunday, August 21 this match holds a lot of importance. Northern Superchargers vs Birmingham Phoenix: Match Details Match Number- 31 Date and Time: August 17, 2021, 11:00 pm IST, 06:30 pm Local, 05:30pm GMT Venue: Headingley, Leeds Live Stream: FanCode Pitch Report The pitch at Headingly has produced some very high scoring affairs, in fact, the highest total of The Hundred (200 runs) was scored at this very ground by the home side in their previous encounter against Manchester Originals. Thus a high scoring pitch could be on offer in this game as well. Weather Forecast According to BCC Weather, the skies would be clear in Leeds and there are hardly any chances of rain. With the temperatures hovering around 16-17 degrees celsius, it would be a bit chilly at the ground helping the bowlers just a bit initially. Northern Superchargers Probable XI Chris Lynn, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, David Willey (c), Dane Vilas, Jordan Thompson, John Simpson (wk), Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Matty Potts, Adil Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman Birmingham Phoenix Probable XI Finn Allen, Will Smeed, Liam Livingstone (c), Miles Hammond, Chris Benjamin, Chris Cooke (wk), Benny Howell, Dillon Pennington, Tom Helm, Patrick Brown, Imran Tahir Fantasy XI Finn Allen, Will Smeed, Chris Lynn, Liam Livingstone, Miles Hammond, John Simpson, David Willey, Harry Brook, Adil Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Imran Tahir, Captain Liam Livingstone Vice-Captain David Willey

Virat Kohli's style of doing things is contrasting to the way I play my cricket: Joe Root

The second Test between India and England at Lord’s witnessed some on-field altercations but the English captain Joe Root has said that Virat Kohli’s “style” of doing things is “contrasting” to how he plays the game. "Virat’s got his style and his way of doing things that are probably contrasting naturally to the way I play my cricket. Fair play to Virat and his team, they’ve jumped on something emotional that’s given them an edge and something to cling on to tactically," Root told reporters after the match. Earlier Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami had frustrated the England bowling attack with an unbeaten 89-run stand for the ninth wicket where Shami went on to score a half-century while Bumrah remained unbeaten at 34. India eventually handed the home side a target of 272 runs on the final day and then bowled them out for 120 to win the match by 151 runs and go 1-0 up in the series. India batsman KL Rahul had earlier said that the on-field heated exchange of words motivated the team to win the game. "As a team, we are not shy to say a word or two. If someone goes at one of our players then the rest of the ten guys get really pumped as well. Because that's the kind of team we are, that's the kind of team atmosphere and bonding we have,” he said. The two teams will now meet each other in Leeds for the third Test which is slated to begin on August 25.