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Hans India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
UAE to host Afghanistan and Pakistan in T20I tri-series ahead of Asia Cup
Dubai: UAE will host Pakistan and Afghanistan in a seven-match T20I Tri-Series at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium from August 29. The three teams will play each other twice in the six-match group stage. The top two teams will then compete in the final on September 7. Afghanistan will take on Pakistan in the tournament opener on August 29. Host UAE will open their campaign against Pakistan on August 30 followed by Afghanistan's clash against UAE on September 1 and their second group-stage match against Pakistan on September 2. Pakistan and UAE's second group-stage match will be played on September 4 followed by the Afghanistan-UAE match on September 5. The tournament will provide the ideal preparation opportunity to the three teams ahead of the eight-team ACC Asia Cup 2025 which will be played in the UAE from September 9. According to the ICC's Future Tours Programme, Pakistan were initially scheduled to host Afghanistan for a three-match T20I series during the window now taken up by the upcoming tri-series. Among the three participating teams, Pakistan are the highest-ranked in the ICC T20I rankings at No. 8, followed by Afghanistan at No. 9 and UAE at No. 14. Pakistan are currently playing a bilateral white-ball series against the West Indies, having won the opening game. Their Asia Cup campaign begins on September 12 against Oman. Afghanistan, who last played a T20I series in Zimbabwe at the end of the previous year, will open their Asia Cup campaign on September 9 against Hong Kong. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan have already secured direct qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan qualified by finishing among the top seven teams (excluding the hosts) in the last T20 World Cup, while Pakistan earned their spot based on their ICC ranking as of June 30, 2024 cut-off. UAE, however, are yet to confirm their place in the tournament and will need to go through the Asia-East Asia Pacific Qualifiers, scheduled in Oman from October 8 to 17.


Malaysia Sun
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Malaysia Sun
Mukuhlani appointed ACA chairman, eyes Africa T20 League and wider reach for cricket
Harare [Zimbabwe], July 19 (ANI): Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) boss Tavengwa Mukuhlani has been appointed as the new chairman of the Africa Cricket Association (ACA). Mukuhlani had held the post in an acting capacity since November and was formally voted unanimously by all 23 member boards at the ACA's annual general meeting in Singapore on Friday. 'We stand today at the threshold of a new era for African cricket - an era defined by stronger governance, broader opportunity and renewed ambition,' Mukuhlani said in a statement issued by ZC, according to ESPNcricinfo. 'Let us continue building on the progress we have made, united by a common purpose and driven by a shared love for the game,' he added. The ACA, whose membership includes two ICC Full Members, South Africa and Zimbabwe, has just completed a sweeping administrative clean up, adopting a fresh memorandum of incorporation aimed at better governance. Next on its to do list is launching a long planned Africa T20 league, reviving the Afro Asia Cup, and ensuring cricket's presence at the 2027 Africa Games in Egypt. 'These engagements are crucial not only for visibility but also for opening new doors of investment, policy support and continental collaboration,' he said. Mukuhlani has led ZC since 2015, winning three re elections, and currently serves on the ICC's finance and commercial affairs committee. Under his watch ZC clawed its way out of debt, survived a temporary ICC suspension for government interference, and secured a place for the women's team on the Future Tours Programme. The men's side, however, remains outside the World Test Championship (WTC) and missed the last two ODI World Cups as well as the previous T20 World Cup. They do have brighter times ahead as Zimbabwe will co host the 2027 50 over World Cup alongside South Africa and Namibia, and partner Namibia again for the 2026 Under 19 World Cup. (ANI)


News18
19-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Tavengwa Mukuhlani Appointed ACA Chairman, Promises New Era For African Cricket
Last Updated: Tavengwa Mukuhlani is the new chairman of the Africa Cricket Association. He plans to improve governance and transparency, with initiatives like the Africa T20 competition. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani has been unanimously appointed as the chairman of the Africa Cricket Association (ACA), following his interim role since November 2023. His appointment was confirmed at the ACA's annual general meeting in Singapore on Friday, where all 23 member associations endorsed his leadership. Mukuhlani's confirmation comes at a crucial time for African cricket, which is undergoing structural reform. The ACA has recently adopted a new memorandum of incorporation aimed at enhancing governance and transparency across the continent. 'We stand today at the threshold of a new era for African cricket – an era defined by stronger governance, broader opportunity and renewed ambition," Mukuhlani said in a statement issued by Zimbabwe Cricket. 'Let us continue building on the progress we have made, united by a common purpose and driven by a shared love for the game." Among the key initiatives on the ACA's agenda are the long-awaited launch of a continent-wide Africa T20 competition, the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup, and the integration of cricket into the 2027 Africa Games in Egypt. Cricket made its debut at the Africa Games in 2023 in Ghana, where Zimbabwe won both the men's and women's events. South Africa had sent experimental squads, while Zimbabwe fielded an emerging men's team. An experienced administrator, Mukuhlani has led Zimbabwe Cricket since 2015, securing re-election three times. Under his leadership, ZC has reduced its debt, recovered from an ICC suspension over government interference, and secured a place for the women's team in the ICC's Future Tours Programme. (With IANS Inputs) view comments First Published: July 19, 2025, 18:33 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
18-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
ICC To Set Up 'Working Group' To Sort Out LA28 Qualification, Format Restructuring
Last Updated: ICC to form a Working Group to decide LA28 Olympic qualification, review cricket formats, and explore Test restructuring. Minimum age for internationals remains 15. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to form a Working Group to take care of some of the pressing issues globally. This was among the key takeaways of the Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) meeting held in Singapore on Friday. The meeting was chaired by new ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta, and ICC Chair Jay Shah attended in his ex-officio capacity. According to Cricbuzz, the Working Group will look after the structure of various formats of the game and the qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Also, the formation of this group is expected to be fast-tracked and could be finalised as early as Saturday, during the upcoming ICC Board meeting. The Working Group will reportedly include members from both the CEC and the Board, and will be given clear responsibilities — the top priority being to recommend a qualification system for the LA28 Olympics. The gentlemen's game will return in the Olympics with six teams each in the men's and women's categories. However, the qualification process still remains a concern. The global body seems divided on this, as many believe that world rankings should be used to determine the qualifiers, whereas some have suggested organising a qualifying tournament. But holding a tournament seems unlikely due to the tight schedule and a packed Future Tours Programme (FTP). Meanwhile, the proposal for a two-tier Test format — a hot topic in recent times — was not discussed at the CEC meeting. However, it is expected that the Working Group will explore this issue and suggest whether changes are needed in the structure of Test cricket. The same applies to possible adjustments in ODI and T20I formats. Minimum Age To Play International Cricket Another key decision taken at the meeting was to keep the minimum age for playing senior international cricket at 15, based on recommendations from the ICC's Medical Advisory Committee. However, exceptions may be allowed in special circumstances. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India's tour of Bangladesh postponed; BCCI issues statement
India vs Bangladesh (PTI Photo) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have officially agreed to postpone India's white-ball tour of Bangladesh, originally scheduled for August 2025. The series, comprising three One Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals, has now been deferred to September 2026. In a statement released on Saturday, the BCCI said, 'The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have mutually agreed to defer the white-ball series, three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals, between Bangladesh and India in August 2025 to September 2026. "This decision has been reached following discussions between the two Boards, taking into account the international cricketing commitments and scheduling convenience of both teams. Poll Do you agree with the decision to postpone the India-Bangladesh white-ball series? Yes, it was the right move. No, it should have gone ahead as planned. "The BCB looks forward to welcoming India in September 2026 for this eagerly anticipated series. Revised dates and fixtures for the tour will be announced in due course." 'Jay Shah Deserves Credit for How He Ran BCCI' | Arun Dhumal on BCCI's Commitment & Leadership The decision follows weeks of speculation, especially as the tour, part of the ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP), was due to begin on August 17 in Dhaka. Diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh have risen since the political upheaval that saw former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ousted in August 2024. These developments, alongside logistical and security concerns, appear to have played a role in the postponement. While India last hosted Bangladesh in a red- and white-ball series in late 2024, the upcoming white-ball series was eagerly anticipated as Bangladesh's opportunity to host a full-strength Indian side again. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.