RASHID, TAMIM AND SHAKIB CONFIRMED FOR ICC WORLD XI TEAM

Top-ranked bowler Rashid Khan of Afghanistan and Bangladesh stars Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal have confirmed their participation for the ICC World XI which will play a Twenty20 International against the Windies at Lord’s on 31 May.

Rashid, who is ranked number one on the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Player Rankings and is second in the list of One Day International bowlers, will be one of many big names to watch in the Lord’s match, which is being organised to raise funds for stadia in the Caribbean which were damaged due to hurricanes last year.



Shakib, the top-ranked all-rounder in ODIs and third in T20Is, and left-handed opener Tamim also come in with huge reputations and Bangladesh fans would be following their fortunes with interest. The trio joins three other Asians who have already confirmed for the match – Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik and Thisara Perera of Sri Lanka.



More big names are likely to be confirmed in the coming days for the ICC World XI side, which is being led by England’s limited overs captain Eoin Morgan.



Rashid Khan said: “It is a matter of great honour and pride for me and my country that I have been chosen to support one of cricket’s oldest and most loyal members. I don’t think it will be incorrect to say that a number of cricketers from this and previous generations were inspired and attracted to cricket due to the heroics of the West Indies sides of the 70s, 80s and 90s. And if the West Indies are now looking upon us for help, then there shouldn’t be a hesitation for even a second.



“Apart from my cricket obligations and responsibilities, the incentive of playing in this great match at the Home of Cricket at the age of 19, with and against some of the best cricketers of this generation, is just too tempting, irresistible and an icing on the cake.



“I urge all cricket fans and supporters to join hands with the match organisers and the players in making 31 May a hugely successful day so that the funds raised from this match can be reinvested into cricket that, in turn, will not only bring the smiles back on the faces of local cricket supporters but will also lead to the resumption of cricket activities in those regions.”



Tamim Iqbal said: “Cricket is a sport which unites people, bridges gaps, and in which players and teams support each other. This match is a testament to this statement and I am delighted to have been chosen to once again represent the ICC World XI for a cause which will only make cricket a bigger and better sport.



“The West Indies’ contribution to the global game is unmatched and unparalleled, and if the cricket fraternity can get together to play a small role in the rebuilding of their damaged venues following last year’s hurricanes, then this is a very small price with hugely positive results.



“Playing at Lord’s is itself a great honour for any cricketer. My only international appearance there was in 2010, so I look forward to reliving those memories. Playing with and against some of the best cricketers of this era will only make this occasion better and more memorable.”



The Windies, reigning ICC World Twenty20 champions, are being led by Carlos Brathwaite and the side includes other top names like Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Samuel Badree and Andre Russell.



The tickets for the match are available at https://tickets.lords.org/ with all proceeds going towards rebuilding and renovating five major venues as well as other community cricket facilities that were damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.



The venues that will benefit include the Ronald Webster Park in Anguilla, the Sir Viv Richards Stadium in Antigua, the Windsor Park Stadium in Dominica, the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground in the British Virgin Islands and the Carib Lumber Ball Park in St. Maarten.

JADEJA CATCHES UP WITH ASHWIN but SHAKIB OVERTAKES ASHWIN !!! - ICC RANKINGS

JADEJA CATCHES UP WITH ASHWIN AT THE TOP OF THE RANKINGS

·       Smith overtakes Ponting in reign at the top of batsmen’s rankings

·       Shakib overtakes Ashwin to No. 1 spot among all-rounders

·       India’s Test win assures it top-ranking on April 1 and $1 million cash prize

India’s Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have become the first pair of spinners to be jointly top-ranked in the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers as Jadeja has caught up with his spin-partner in the rankings released today after the second Test against Australia in Bengaluru.

Jadeja’s seven wickets in the match, which included a crucial six for 63 in the first innings, have helped him move up one rank to reach the top position for the first time in his career. The last time two bowlers shared the top spot was in April 2008 when Dale Steyn and Muttiah Muralidaran were at the top.

Ashwin too played an important role in the match, which India won by 75 runs to level the four-match series 1-1, so as not to concede the top ranking. His eight wickets took him past spin legend Bishan Bedi’s tally of 266 wickets and made him the fifth-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 269 wickets.

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon’s eight wickets in the match have lifted him two places to 16^th rank while his team’s left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe and India pace bowler Umesh Yadav have gained one place each to reach career-best 28^th and 29^th places, respectively.

In the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen Australia captain Steve Smith has maintained his reign at the top for 77 Tests, going past Ricky Ponting’s 76 matches and now has the third longest stint at the top among Australians after Steve Waugh (94) and Don Bradman (93).

His team-mates Matt Renshaw has gained six places to reach a career-best 28^th rank with knocks of 60 and five while left-hander Shaun Marsh has moved up five places to 37^th position with scores of 66 and nine.

India captain Virat Kohli has conceded the second rank to England’s Joe Root after managing only 27 runs in the match and 40 in the series so far. Root is now one point ahead of Kohli at 848 points.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s innings of 17 and 92 have lifted him up five places to sixth rank while Ajinkya Rahane has moved up two places to 15^th rank after scoring 17 and 52 in Bangalore. Player of the match Lokesh Rahul has gained 23 places to reach 23^rd spot after scores of 90 and 51.

The list of all-rounders saw a change at the top as Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan moved ahead of Ashwin, who has scored only 20 runs in four innings against Australia so far. Ashwin had overtaken Shakib in December 2015.

India’s win in the second Test assures it the No.1 spot in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings on the April 1 cut-off date and a cash prize of $1 million. The fight is now for the second, third and fourth places.

MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings (as on 8 March, after the first Test between India and Australia in Bengaluru)

Batsmen (top 10)

Rank    (+/-)      Player              Team      Pts       Avge   Highest Rating

   1       ( - )       Steve Smith      Aus      936      59.32   939 v Ind at Pune 2017

   2       (+1)      Joe Root           Eng      848      52.80   917 v Aus at Trent Bridge 2015

   3       (-1)       Virat Kohli         Ind       847      49.90   895 v Ban at Hyderabad 2017

   4       ( - )       K.Williamson     NZ        823      50.07   893 v Aus at Perth 2015

   5       ( - )       David Warner    Aus      794      48.27   880 v NZ at Perth 2015

   6       (+5)      C. Pujara          Ind       793      49.84   851 v SA at Durban 2013

   7       (-1)       Hashim Amla    SA        787      49.99   907 v Pak at Abu Dhabi 2013

   8       (-1)       Azhar Ali           Pak      779      47.07   787 v Aus at Melbourne 2016

   9       (-1)       Younus Khan    Pak      772      53.06   880 v SL at Lahore 2009

  10      (-1)       Q. de Kock       SA        760*    51.04   769 v SL at Cape Town 2017

Other selected rankings

Rank    (+/-)      Player               Team     Pts        Avge    Highest Rating

15        (+2)      A. Rahane        Ind       719      45.96   825 v NZ at Indore 2016

23        (+23)    Lokesh Rahul    Ind       656*!   40.88   656 v Aus at Bengaluru 2017

28        (+6)      Matt Renshaw   Aus      631*!   53.22   631 v Ind at Bengaluru 2017

37         (+5)     Shaun Marsh    Aus      576*    38.27   591 v SA at Perth 2016

64=      (+3)      W. Saha           Ind       431*    29.82   457 v Ban at Hyderabad 2017

Bowlers (top 10)

Rank    (+/-)      Player                Team     Pts      Avge      Highest Rating

  1=      ( - )       R. Ashwin         Ind       892      24.79    904 v Eng at Mumbai 2016

            (+1)      R. Jadeja          Ind       892!     23.44   892 v Aus at Bengaluru 2017

   3       (-1)       J. Hazlewood    Aus      863!     24.38   863 v Ind at Bengaluru 2017

   4       ( - )       R. Herath          SL        827      28.31   867 v Zim at Harare 2016

   5       ( - )       K. Rabada        SA        821*!   21.76   821 v SL at Johannesburg 2017

   6       ( - )       Dale Steyn        SA        819      22.30   909 v WI at Centurion 2014

   7       ( - )       J.Anderson       Eng      810      28.50   884 v SL at Durham 2016

   8       ( - )       Stuart Broad     Eng      803      28.54   880 v SA at Johannesburg 2016

   9       ( - )       V. Philander      SA        798      21.40   912 v Ind at Johannesburg 2013

  10=    ( - )       Mitchell Starc    Aus      757      28.35   805 v Pak at Brisbane 2016

            (+1)      Neil Wagner      NZ        757      28.58   760 v SA at Centurion 2016

Other selected rankings

Rank    (+/-)      Player               Team      Pts      Avge    Highest Rating

16        (+2)      Nathan Lyon     Aus      654      33.09    696 v NZ at Wellington 2016

28        (+1)      Steve O'Keefe   Aus      528*!   20.86   528 v Ind at Bengaluru 2017

29        (+1)      Umesh Yadav   Ind       517*!   36.53    517 v Aus at Bengaluru 2017

All-rounders (top five)

Rank    (+/-)      Player                Team      Pts      Highest Rating

   1       (+1)      S. Al Hasan       Ban      441      443 v NZ at Christchurch 2017

   2       (-1)       R. Ashwin         Ind       434      493 v Eng at Mohali 2016

   3       ( - )       R. Jadeja          Ind       360      407 v Ban at Hyderabad 2017

   4       ( - )       Mitchell Starc    Aus      332      347 v Ind at Pune 2017

   5       ( - )       Ben Stokes       Eng      327/*   351 v Ind at Mohali 2016 

*indicates provisional rating; a batsman qualifies for a full rating after playing 40 Test innings; a bowler qualifies for a full rating when he reaches 100 Test wickets.

!indicates career-highest rating

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is the new King - wins ICC Cricketer of the Year 2016

·       No.1 ranked India off-spinner also clinches ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award

·       De Kock named ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year; Brathwaite bags ICC T20I Performance of the Year award for his match-winning innings in the ICC WT20 2016 final

·       Mustafizur claims ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award; Afghanistan’s Shahzad named ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year

Ravichandran Ashwin has become the third India player and 12^th player overall to win the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy after being named as the ICC Cricketer of the Year 2016.

Ashwin follows in the footsteps of Rahul Dravid (2004) and Sachin Tendulkar (2010), while other recipients of the Sir Garfield Trophy include Andrew Flintoff and Jacques Kallis (joint-winners in 2005), Ricky Ponting (2006 and 2007), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (2008), Mitchell Johnson (2009 and 2014), Jonathan Trott (2011), Kumar Sangakkara (2012), Michael Clarke (2013) and Steve Smith (2015).

Ashwin was also adjudged the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year, which has made him only the second India player after Dravid (2004) to bag the two coveted prizes in the same year. Kallis (2005), Ponting (2006), Sangakkara (2012), Clarke (2013), Johnson (2014) and Smith (2015) are the other players to annex both the awards in the same year.

During the voting period, which ran from 14 September 2015 to 20 September 2016, the 30-year-old from Chennai played eight Tests in which he took 48 wickets and scored 336 runs. Ashwin also claimed 27 wickets in 19 T20Is.

Ashwin had finished 2015 as the number-one ranked Test bowler in the world, a position he twice reclaimed in 2016.

Reacting to the news, a delighted Ashwin said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be awarded with this great honour. It feels great to follow the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in being named as the ICC Cricketer of the Year. To also win the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year makes it even better.

“There are a lot of people to thank for this wonderful achievement I have made. It has been a great couple of years but this year has been even more special. What is very noticeable is the way I have bowled and batted and the way I have gone about doing my business. What is more important, as far as I am concerned, is the number of people who have gone behind my success.

“I’d like to dedicate this award to my family. I’d like to thank ICC and most importantly my team-mates. I’d also like to thank the support staff for our success. We’ve had a great transition ever since Mahendra Singh Dhoni hung up his boots. A young captain has taken over, we fell on the right track, and we now have a new bunch of boys.”

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson congratulated Ashwin, saying: “It has been a memorable period for Ashwin, whose consistent all-round and match winning performances have been reflected in the MRF player rankings. He is justifiably now being counted among the best spinners of his generation.

“To win both the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year awards is a major accomplishment. Ashwin’s performances speak for themselves and he is a deserving recipient of the honours. I congratulate him on behalf of the ICC.”

South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has been named as the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year. He is the second South Africa player after AB de Villiers (2010, 2014 and 2015) and ninth overall to clinch this award.

In the voting period, de Kock scored 793 runs in 16 ODIs with four centuries and a half-century. He averaged over 56 and held a strike-rate of just under 98. With the gloves, de Kock dismissed 15 batsmen behind the wickets.

A happy de Kock said: “It’s great to hear that I’ve been named as the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year. To be named as the best from among so many good cricketers gives one utmost satisfaction.

“This award obviously rewards consistent performances at the top level and I’m happy to have done well for my team over this period. To join a select group of players that include my senior AB de Villiers makes this a special moment, one that I’ll cherish for long. I thank the ICC for selecting me for this award and to my team-members and support staff for all their help and support.”

Carlos Brathwaite of the West Indies has won the ICC T20I Performance of the Year award for his match-winning 34 not out off 10 balls in the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 final against England in Kolkata. The innings included four consecutive sixes in the final over, which helped the West Indies snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The 24-year-old from Barbados is the first West Indies cricketer to win this award.

Reflecting on that innings, Brathwaite said: “I graciously accept this award. I want to thank God and I also want to say a huge thanks to my family. Special mentions go to Marlon Samuels for a fantastic knock in the finals that got us to the position where we were. I also want to make a special mention of the West Indies’ women’s team and the West Indies’ under-19 team, who together helped cap off an incredible 2016 for West Indies cricket.

“I always dreamt of hitting the final ball of a game for six to win it. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine hitting four consecutive sixes to win the World Cup (ICC World Twenty20) final for the West Indies.”

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has won the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award. In the period under consideration, Mustafizur played three ODIs and took eight wickets, while he yielded 19 wickets in 10 T20Is. He is the first Bangladesh cricketer to win an annual ICC award.

Mustafizur commented: “This award is the best gift of the year for me and will encourage me to do even better in the coming years. I’m delighted and proud to win this award, especially since it’s the first time that a Bangladesh player has won an ICC award.

“To play international cricket is the dream for every budding cricketer and it has indeed been a dream come true for me too. I want to thank everyone who has supported me over the years and promise to give my best at every opportunity.”

Afghanistan’s flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad has been named as the ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year after he finished as the leading ODI run-scorer with 699 runs in 16 one-day matches. He also scored 301 runs in four innings of three ICC Intercontinental Cup first-class matches and also contributed 533 runs in 17 T20Is. He is the first Afghanistan player to win this award which serves to recognise and reward the efforts in all international matches of outstanding cricketers from teams outside the 10 Test nations.

The player awards were judged by a voting academy, which was entirely independent of the ICC and in which members of the media from all the 10 Test playing countries were eligible to vote. The voting period ran from 14 September 2015 to 20 September 2016.

The full list of ICC Award 2016 winners is:

ICC Cricketer of the Year (Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy) – Ravichandran Ashwin (India)

ICC Test Cricketer of the Year – Ravichandran Ashwin (India)

ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year – Quinton de Kock (South Africa)

ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year – Suzie Bates (New Zealand)

ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year – Suzie Bates (New Zealand)

ICC T20I Performance of the Year – Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies ) (34 not out, 10 balls, 1x4, 4x6, ICC WT20 India 2016 final v England, Kolkata)

ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year – Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)

ICC Associate/Affiliate Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan)

ICC Spirit of Cricket Award – Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan)

ICC Umpire of the Year (David Shepherd Trophy) – Marais Erasmus

ICC Men’s Teams of the Year 2016 (in batting order, selected by Rahul Dravid, Gary Kirsten and Kumar Sangakkara based on players’ performance in the period from 14 September 2015 to 20 September 2016):

ICC Test Team of the Year 2016                             ICC ODI Team of the Year 2016

1.     David Warner (Aus)                                       1. David Warner (Aus)

2.     Alastair Cook (Eng) (captain)                                    2. Quinton de Kock (SA)

3.     Kane Williamson (NZ)                                   3. Rohit Sharma (Ind)

4.     Joe Root (Eng)                                                4. Virat Kohli (Ind) (captain)

5.     Adam Vogues (Aus)                                       5. AB de Villiers (SA)

6.     Jonny Bairstow (Eng) (wicketkeeper)           6. Jos Buttler (Eng)

7.     Ben Stokes (Eng)                                            7. Mitchell Marsh (Aus)

8.     R. Ashwin (Ind)                                              8. Ravindra Jadeja (Ind)

9.     Rangana Herath (SL)                                      9. Mitchell Starc (Aus)

10.  Mitchell Starc (Aus)                                       10. Kagiso Rabada (SA)

11.  Dale Steyn (SA)                                              11. Sunil Narine (WI)

12.  Steve Smith (Aus)                                          12. Imran Tahir (SA)

ICC Women’s Team of the Year (in batting order, selected by Clair Connor, Mel Jones

Shubhangi Kulkarni based on players’ performance in the period from 14 September 2015 to 20 September 2016):

1.     Suzie Bates (New Zealand)

2.     Rachel Priest (New Zealand) (wicketkeeper)

3.     Smriti Mandhana (India)

4.     Stafanie Taylor (West Indies) (captain)

5.     Meg Lanning (Australia)

6.     Ellyse Perry (Australia)

7.     Heather Knight (England)

8.     Deandra Dottin (West Indies)

9.     Sune Luus (South Africa)

10.  Anya Shrubsole (England)

11.  Leigh Kasperek (New Zealand)

12.  Kim Garth (Ireland)

​West Indies stuns Pakistan by five wickets to enter semi-finals

​​

West Indies stuns Pakistan by five wickets to enter semi-finals

Umaid's brilliant 113 goes in vain as half-centuries by Hetmyer and Imlach help the Windies chase down Pakistan's 227 with 10 overs to spare

·       West Indies squares off against host Bangladesh in second semi-final on Thursday

·       India meets Sri Lanka in Tuesday's first semi-final on Tuesday

Hetmyer and Imlach

Skipper Shimron Hetmyer and Tevin Imlach hit half-centuries as the West Indies upset Pakistan by five wickets to cruise into the semi-finals of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh on Monday.

Hetmyer scored 52 and Imlach made 54 to ensure a gallant 113 by Umaid Masood went in vain as the West Indies surpassed Pakistan's 227 for six with 10 overs to spare in Fatullah.

The West Indies take on host Bangladesh in the second semi-final in Mirpur on Thursday. India plays Sri Lanka in the first semi-final at the same venue on Tuesday.

Pakistan's defeat prevented an all-Asian semi-final despite Umaid's man of the match-winning performance, but the West Indies played better all-round cricket to emerge deserved winner.

Umaid came to the crease in the 15^th over with Pakistan struggling at 40 for four and rebuilt the innings in the company of Salman Fayyaz after half the side was back in the hut by the 21^st over.

Umaid, who had scored 13 not out and 10 in previous matches in the tournament, hit 15 boundaries and two sixes before he was out in the final over.

Salman remained unbeaten on a defiant half-century, which included three hits to the fence and a six.

The revival came after a two-wicket burst by seamer Chemar Holder and fiery fast bowling by Alzarri Joseph, who conceded just 28 runs in his 10 overs.

Once Joseph's spell finished in the 36^th over, Pakistan added a further 109 runs to set the West Indies a challenging target.

The Caribbean flair was evident as the West Indies raced to 100 for one by the 16^th over.

Hetmyer and Imlach put on 77 for the second wicket to take the score to 122 for one, before two needless run outs saw the total slip to 147 for four.

Shamar Springer was the fifth batsman to fall for 37 when 38 runs were still needed for victory, but Jyd Goolie (26 not out) and Keemo Paul (24 not out) saw their side home.

"This is a wonderful result for us," said Hetmyer. "It feels good to be through to the semi-finals.

"We just stuck to our plans and executed what we had worked on at practice. It was probably a good toss to lose because our bowlers did very well to take those early wickets."

Pakistan's captain Zeeshan Malik congratulated the West Indies, but felt his team should have defended its score.

"Our plan had been to get around 235 because we had the bowlers who were capable of defending it," he said. "I thought we put up a good score despite the poor start.

"But I must give credit to the West Indies batsmen for playing so aggressively and chasing down the target."

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe upset the tournament's defending champion South Africa by eight wickets to enter the Plate Championship final for teams that finished outside the top eight.

Left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava grabbed four for 10 in nine overs as South Africa was shot out for 91, a modest target that Zimbabwe overtook in 22 overs after an unbeaten 34 from Jeremy Ives.

Zimbabwe will take on the winner of the other semi-final between Afghanistan and New Zealand in the final on 12 February.

In a play-off for minor placings, Scotland defeated Fiji by 76 runs in another Plate match in Cox's Bazar.

Scores in brief:
Super League quarter-final: West Indies beat Pakistan by five wickets in Fatullah
Pakistan 227-6, 50 overs (Umaid Masood 113, Salman Fayyaz 58 not out; Chemar Holder 2-26)
West Indies 229-5, 40 overs (Tevin Imlach 54, Shimron Hetmyer 52, Shamar Springer 37)

Plate Championship semi-final: Zimbabwe beat South Africa by eight wickets in Cox's Bazar
South Africa 91 all out, 39.5 overs (Rivaldo Moonsamy 32; Richard Ngarava 4-10, Rugare Magarira 2-11)
Zimbabwe 94-2, 22 overs (Jeremy Ives 34 not out, Ryan Murray 26 not out)

Plate Championship play-off (13^th place): Scotland beat Fiji by 76 runs in Cox's Bazar
Scotland 225 all out, 48.1 overs (Finlay McCreath 60, Owais Shah 39; Cakacaka Tikoisuva 4-46)
Fiji 149 all out, 42.2 overs (Peni Vuniwaqa 80; Cameron Sloman 3-30, Finlay McCreath 3-48)

Forthcoming matches
9 Feb - India v Sri Lanka, Mirpur (Super League semi-final)
9 Feb - New Zealand v Afghanistan, Cox's Bazar (Plate Championship semi-final)
9 Feb – Nepal v Pakistan, Fatullah (5^th place play/off semi-final)
10 Feb – England v Namibia, Fatullah (5^th place play/off semi-final)
10 Feb – Ireland v Scotland, Cox's Bazar (13^th/14^th place play/off)
11 Feb - Bangladesh v West Indies, Mirpur (Super League semi-final)
11 Feb – 7^th place play/off, Fatullah (teams TBC)
11 Feb – Canada v Fiji, Cox's Bazar (15^th /16^th place play/off)