Nasim Ashraf: “We are very confident our cricket will continue. The Asia Cup is very much on towards the end of June” © AFP

Despite Australia’s decision to postpone their tour to Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remains confident that future international commitments in the country will go ahead as scheduled.To fill the gap in the international calendar following the postponement, the PCB has invited Bangladesh to take part in a five-match ODI Series and a Twenty20 International in April. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has agreed in principle to the tour and the schedule will be announced shortly.Nasim Ashraf, the PCB chairman, said he was particularly disappointed Australia made the decision without sending a security team, as had been planned, to assess the situation. “Our consistent plea has been that at least the ground situation here should be assessed by Cricket Australia, but they said that they had made independent assessments and the decision was based on that,” Ashraf told .Hours before the decision was made, two suicide blasts rocked Lahore, killing at least 20 people. Once thought to be a safe venue – it was on the itinerary for the Australia series – this was the fourth attack in the city this year, highlighting how much the situation has deteriorated.Ashraf, however, pointed to recent international tours as proof cricket and cricketers remain unaffected. “Our position is that these blasts have been happening for the last two years,” he said. “That hasn’t changed now and we have had four international tours to Pakistan recently, including South Africa, Zimbabwe and Australia A. These are tragic incidents and paint a bad picture of the country, but they are targeted specifically at security institutions.”Pakistan is set to host the Asia Cup towards the end of June – the Indian and Sri Lankan boards have confirmed they will take part, though that was before Australia’s decision. As for the ICC Champions Trophy in October and the Asia Cup, assignments which may be affected by Australia’s pull-out and the generally unstable security environment in the country, Ashraf remained confident they would go ahead as scheduled.”We are very confident our cricket will continue,” he said. “The Asia Cup is very much on towards the end of June. Arjuna Ranatunga [the Sri Lanka Cricket chairman] and the Asian Cricket Council will be here soon to finalise plans for that. The Champions Trophy is on soon after that and the ICC will also try and ensure that all teams take part in that. India are due to come here at the end of the year as well.”The board is also working on plans to fill up its calendar over the coming months now that Australia has pulled out. With Bangladesh set to tour next month, the board has plans to host a tri-series in August. “A number of teams will want practice before the Champions Trophy,” Ashraf said, “so we are looking to invite sides over in the window before it as well.”

	Simon Katich has had a year to remember © Getty Images

Simon Katich ended a week in which he returned to the Australia squad by picking up the Steve Waugh Medal as New South Wales’ outstanding player. Katich’s dream season included a record 1506 runs at 94.13 and the Pura Cup trophy before his promotion to the Test outfit for next month’s West Indies tour.He dominated the judging for the medal, which included Pura and FR Cup matches, picking up 269 votes and easily beating Brad Haddin’s 129 at the ceremony in Sydney on Friday night. Katich also received back-to-back Pura Cup Player of the Year awards after posting five centuries, including a career-high 306 against Queensland. Doug Bollinger, the left-arm fast bowler, earned 111 nominations to finish 80 behind his captain.Haddin, who will join Katich in the West Indies, was the limited-overs star and was recognised for his FR Cup form after winning one more vote than Dominic Thornely’s 87. International commitments meant Haddin appeared in only six games, but his 314 runs and seven dismissals swayed the judges and ensured he matched last season’s victory.The Belinda Clark Medal was won for the third year in a row by Lisa Sthalekar, the Australia vice-captain. Sthalekar, a batting allrounder, collected 312 runs and 12 wickets as she steered the New South Wales Breakers to their third consecutive WNCL title. The campaign was a successful one for Sthalekar, who had already been named the WNCL Player of the Year and the Australian Women’s International Player of the Year.”Simon and Lisa have both had fantastic seasons in leading their respective sides to victory,” David Gilbert, the New South Wales chief executive, said. “Simon’s performances were phenomenal and winning the Steve Waugh Medal is a just reward for his outstanding, record-breaking summer. Lisa has also had an impressive summer and her form was a major factor in the Breakers winning the WNCL for an incredible 10th time in 12 seasons.”The Rising Star Awards went to Phillip Hughes, who at 19 became the youngest to score a century in a domestic final, and the 17-year-old Ellyse Perry, Australia’s record-setting Test debutant. Richie Benaud, Alan Davidson, Bob Simpson and Steve Waugh received medals and entry into the state’s Hall of Fame, which welcomed the 12 members of New South Wales’ team of the past 150 years.

	The Mumbai Metropolitan court adjourned the hearing for the case filed against Jagmohan Dalmiya by the Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai police © AFP

Jagmohan Dalmiya, the former ICC and BCCI president, got a further reprieve after the Mumbai Metropolitan court adjourned the hearing for the case filed against him by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police for alleged embezzlement of funds from the 1996 World Cup jointly hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The court set June 16 as the next date of hearing after Dalimya’s lawyers asked for more time to study the case.Last month the court had granted Dalmiya bail after the EOW had filed a chargesheet accusing him of misappropriating funds to the tune of Rs 2.9 crore (approx US$725,000). It alleged that Dalmiya diverted funds from a bank account in Kolkata that was originally set up for paying legal fees towards various other expenses. There was a “technical arrest” but Dalmiya received a swift bail after he said he would produce surety of Rs 25,000 ($625).Dalmiya was absent from the hearing on Friday but his lawyer Satish Maneshinde said his client had been granted exemption from personal apperance. “The surety bonds were furnished in front of the court and since he [Dalimiya] had to attend to some [religious ceremonies], we requested the court that there was no impediment in granting him exemption.”

Scorecard

	Michael Carberry reached a century for England Lions but had to retire hurt straight afterwards © Getty Images

The day before England name their squad for the first Test against New Zealand the batsmen with the most realistic prospects of a call-up in the near future failed to make the most of their second innings for the Lions at The Rose Bowl. On a sleepy Saturday, Robert Key and Owais Shah fell when well set while Ravi Bopara failed for the second time in the match.The one man to make the most of ideal batting conditions was Michael Carberry – a long way from an England call-up despite his presence in this team – with a 183-ball century. However, his innings ended almost immediately when he pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring strain after his celebrations and was carried off on a stretcher. At one stage the groundsman’s truck was also on the ground in case Carberry needed a lift off, although an ECB spokesman said it was “a severe case of cramp.”It was an unfortunate way for his innings to end after he’d pressed the accelerator during his second fifty, which took 56 balls compared to 127 for the first. He was the stand-out batsman on the Lions tour of India in January and February where they took part in the Duleep Trophy and received some positive reviews.But for Carberry the prospect of an England cap is a long-term aim needing another impressive summer’s work for Hampshire. Other members of the top order are much closer, and one could be called into the Test squad on Sunday if cover is needed for Paul Collingwood after he required an injection in his right shoulder yesterday.Key would be an unlikely option given that he is an opening batsman and wasn’t involved with England during the winter. For the second time in two days he fell when well set, trapped lbw by Jacob Oram for 30. For a long while as Carberry and Shah pottered along it wasn’t clear what the Lions were trying to achieve form the match, but there were plenty of personal agendas at stake.Shah travelled around all winter without a look-in at the Test side. After a typically nervous start, he expanded his strokeplay against Jeetan Patel, lofting him for six over deep midwicket and another down the ground. But just as he was beginning to flow Chris Martin returned to trapped him lbw playing across the line.However, England would likely want to cover for Collingwood’s bowling should he miss out. That, therefore, opens the door for Ravi Bopara – although he was only given a single over by Key in the first innings. Bopara failed in the first innings here, dragging Tim Southee into his stumps, trying to leave and couldn’t cash in second time around when he top-edged a hook which looped to second slip.Matt Prior provided some welcome impetus during the final session with a confident 47 until he fell sweeping at Patel, a first wicket for the offspinner who has bowled better than his figures suggest. The Lions’ lead grew at increasing speed – Wright swinging his arms before being trapped by Southee – setting up the prospect of a declaration at some stage during the morning of the final day if they are serious about trying to win the match.The New Zealanders will look upon this as another useful workout ahead of the Tests, but while their seamers were economical they lacked bite. They were without Iain O’Brien with a sore calf but he is hopeful of being able to bowl on the last day. Daniel Vettori has had his stitches removed from the finger injury on his left hand he picked up at Chelmsford and can now start assessing how bowling feels. Aaron Redmond, who was the last man out in New Zealand’s innings for 146, was given an extended run with his legspin, but he’ll be hoping there isn’t too much work for him at Lord’s.

Centuries from Nakul Verma and Soumya Ranjan Swain went in vain as Punjab won by three wickets in a thriller to secure their quarter-final berth. Services posted an imposing 323 for 7 courtesy a 186-run stand for the fifth wicket between Verma and Swain. But the knocks were consigned to being second-best on the day as Punjab rode Yuvraj Singh’s 83-ball 98 to chase down the steep target with six balls to spare.Jiwanjot Singh (41) and Pargat Singh (49) added 82 in just 10.1 overs to set up the chase that was then driven around Yuvraj’s knock, with Mandeep Singh (45) and Mayank Siddana (46) chipping in with vital contributions. The winning runs were hit by Harbhajan Singh, who finished 16 not out courtesy two fours and a six.Tamil Nadu bossed their way to a fifth win in six matches courtesy centuries from Dinesh Karthik and B Aparajith and a six-wicket haul from Rahil Shah. Rajasthan, who were chasing 385, were bundled out for 132 in 26.2 overs.Rajasthan’s decision to field backfired as Karthik (108) and Aparajith (137) added 199 for the second wicket to set the platform for a final onslaught. M Vijay, batting at No. 5, provided the final flourish by smashing six fours and three sixes in his 44-ball 74 as TN smashed 161 off the last 15 overs.Rajasthan lost the top three inside the third over, and from there on, it was simply a procession as Shah, the left-arm spinner, finished with 6 for 37, his best List A figures. Rajat Bhatia, who made 94 in Rajasthan’s thrilling win over Mumbai on Thursday, was the lone ranger with the bat. He was unbeaten on 29 when the last wicket fell. Rajasthan finished sixth in the group with three wins and as many losses.Mumbai cruised to a seven-wicket win over Hyderabad, but Punjab’s win meant they were eliminated from the knockouts despite winning four out of their six matches. Hyderabad’s 217 for 8, achieved largely on the back of Hanuma Vihari’s 95, was chased down quite easily in 44.2 overs, with Akhil Herwadkar (85) and Shreyas Iyer (84) hitting the high notes. Their 134-run stand flattened Hyderabad, even before Ajinkya Rahane made a sprightly unbeaten 31 to take Mumbai home by seven wickets.

Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Darren Sammy will be eligible for selection for upcoming tournaments, including the World Twenty20, despite not being given annual retainer contracts by the West Indies Cricket Board. The only condition the WICB has placed is that the players will need to meet criteria set in place by the selection panel, led by former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd. The six players are not part of the group of 15 who were given retainer contracts for the period between October 1, 2015, and September 30, 2016.According to Michael Muirhead, the WICB’s chief executive, the selectors had shortlisted 15 players for the contracts based on certain criteria that were drawn keeping in mind the future of West Indies cricket. Muirhead pointed out that the aforementioned six players – including Sammy who captains the West Indies T20 side – did not fit into the selection panel’s vision and hence were not given a contract.”The selectors did the retainers based on where they saw West Indies cricket going and the philosophy which they wanted to encourage and adopt, principally being loyal to commitment and really build for the longer form of the game,” Muirhead told ESPNcricinfo on Tuesday. “Lloyd had previously said how and where he was projecting our cricket to go, and how he wanted to build it.”According to Muirhead, the 15 players were shortlisted by the panel and endorsed by the WICB based on the “combination of their performances in the regional tournaments as well as their attitude”.Still, Muirhead insisted the six players should not misread the situation as they would be eligible for forthcoming series, if the selectors deemed fit.Some of the six players have failed to feature in the list of contracted players in the past, for reasons ranging from disputes with the WICB to voluntarily declining the retainer. In January 2015, Gayle and Narine had refused the retainer contracts as they wanted to focus on playing domestic Twenty20 leagues around the world, where they are marquee players.”When Chris Gayle and Narine refused our retainer contracts some years ago it was so that they had the freedom to do what they wanted,” Muirhead said. “But they are eligible to play all our games if they meet our criteria. This not a penalty.”Muirhead said most of the players had made the decision to make themselves unavailable because they wanted to be free to play in T20 leagues to earn more. “And they took that business decision to do so,” Muirhead said.Muirhead also stressed that most of the six players had already made public their intentions of not playing Test cricket. “Many of those players have withdrawn from the long form of the game officially and are not interested in playing for the West Indies in all formats,” he said.In the last two years, Bravo and Sammy announced their retirement from Test cricket. Pollard has never played Test cricket and is seen by selectors as a limited-overs specialist. Although Lloyd has always been keen for Russell to play Test cricket, the allrounder told the chairman of selectors he would like to play only limited-overs cricket due to a bad knee. Narine, who has played six Tests, is busy remodelling his bowling action after he was suspended by the ICC in November last year. Only Gayle, a 103-Test veteran, has openly stated he is still keen to return to Test cricket in 2016.

The BCCI has banned Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf for five years on charges of corruption and misconduct. The ban prevents Rauf from umpiring or playing or representing cricket in any form or being associated with activities of the BCCI and its affiliates.

Articles under which Rauf was charged

2.2.2 Soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging, facilitating or authorising any other party to enter into a Bet for the direct or indirect benefit of the Participant in relation to the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any Match or Event.
2.3.2 Disclosing Inside Information to any person (with or without Reward) before or during any Match or Event where the Participant might reasonably be expected to know that disclosure of such information in such circumstances could be used in relation to Betting.
2.3.3 Soliciting, inducing, enticing, persuading, encouraging or facilitating (a) any Participant to commit an offence under any of the foregoing provisions of this Article 2.3 and/or (b) any other person to do any act that would be an offence if that person were a Participant.
2.4.1 Providing or receiving any gift, payment or other benefit (whether of a monetary value or otherwise) in circumstances that the Participant might reasonably have expected could bring him/her or the sport of cricket into disrepute.

Rauf was named as a “wanted accused” in the Mumbai Police’s chargesheet for the betting scandal in IPL 2013 after he had left India during the IPL even as the Mumbai Police wanted to question him in person.The BCCI’s disciplinary committee, in a meeting on Friday, found Rauf guilty of corruption and misconduct under articles 2.2.2, 2.3.2, 2.3.3 and 2.4.1 of the board’s Anti-corruption Code. Rauf did not appear before the committee but sent his preliminary submission on January 15 and a written statement responding to the allegations on February 8. These statements, along with a report by the Commissioner of Enquiry, were considered before the decision to ban him was taken.Rauf repeatedly denied allegations of corruption made against him in the chargesheet and asked for proof. After leaving India in May 2013, where he was officiating in the IPL, Rauf held a press conference and stressed that he had not engaged in any corrupt activities. When news had emerged that Rauf was wanted for questioning by police, the ICC issued a release saying that the umpire had been stood down from his duties in the Champions Trophy in England. Rauf was later dropped from the Elite Panel of Umpires, but the ICC clarified that the situation was not a factor in his exclusion.Rauf made his first international appearance as an umpire in 2000, officiating in an ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He was included in the Elite Panel in 2006 and has officiated in 49 Tests, 98 ODIs and 23 T20 internationals.

Big picture – One last dance on memorable tour

South Africa’s memorable tour of India can still end with a nice cherry on the top. Having won the Tests 2-0 and forced a decider in the ODIs, they go into the last T20I with a chance to deny India a series win, which has been done only once in their last 14 series or tournaments in the format.However, no play in foggy Lucknow has made sure South Africa can’t win this series. And that is not an unexpected result. India have their T20I game almost sorted. They are only ironing out final wrinkles before their World Cup title defence. South Africa are playing like a side still figuring out the ideal structure for their limited-overs teams.There should be no threat of fog or need for jumpers in Ahmedabad, where day-time temperatures are still hitting early 30s. At least going by last year’s IPL, Ahmedabad also happens to be a venue least affected by the toss. In seven night games this year, sides defended successfully six times. However, you never can tell since this is a different time of the year.

Form guide

India WLWWW
South Africa LWLLL

In the spotlight – Marco Jansen and Suryakumar Yadav

This will be remembered as the tour when Marco Jansen realised his enormous potential in all its glory. With bat, ball and in the field, Jansen has been a delight to watch all tour. One final crowning achievement will be if he can win them one last match.Suryakumar Yadav has had the exact opposite time even though his side continues to win. He has not scored a T20I half-century since last October; his numbers since then: 21 innings, 239 runs, strike rate 119.5. He will want a positive turn before India go into a break of nearly a month.Sanju Samson has an outside chance of featuring in Ahmedabad•Associated Press

Team news – Bumrah back, Gill a question mark

One positive sign for India in the Lucknow no-show was that Jasprit Bumrah, who had gone on personal leave, was back with them. He should play in his hometown of Ahmedabad although the other Ahmedabadi, Axar Patel, has been ruled out with illness. However, there were reports around a possible toe injury for Shubman Gill, which could give Sanju Samson a game.India (probable) 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill/ Sanju Samson, 3 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Shivam Dube, 8 Harshit Rana/ Washington Sundar, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Varun ChakravarthyIt has been tough to get a handle on what changes South Africa make to their white-ball XIs and the reason for said changes. Ahmedabad will be no different.South Africa (probable) 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Aiden Markram (capt), 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 David Miller, 6 Donovan Ferreira, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Corbin Bosch, 9 George Linde/Keshav Maharaj/Anrich Nortje, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Ottneil Baartman

Pitch and conditions – Warmer climes of Ahmedabad

These are the parts of India that should be hosting international cricket in November, December and first half of January. It is not cold, the light stays on longer, and fog and smog are not an issue. Ahmedabad could finally give us the first close match of the series.

Stats and trivia

• Arshdeep has got Quinton de Kock out five times in 56 balls in all T20 cricket for just 66 runs.
• Ten men have opened in 80 or more T20Is. Among them, only Uganda’s Simon Ssesazi has a poorer strike rate than that of Reeza Hendricks, who has scored a three-ball duck and 8 off 10 in this series so far. In 15 innings against India, he has got to 50 only once and has struck at 118.8.

Striker Kris Boyd has revealed the need for a fresh challenge is behind his decision to leave Rangers this summer.

The Scotland striker confirmed last month that he will leave Ibrox when his present deal expires at the end of June.

Several Premier League clubs and Turkish side Kayserispor are believed to be interested in acquiring his services and now the Scottish Premier League's all-time leading goalscorer has now spoken out about his reasons for moving on.

"This has been the biggest decision of my life. I've spent months thinking about what to do and still haven't come to a final decision," he told the Scottish Sun.

"But it's time to leave Scottish football. I need a fresh challenge.

"I've won everything I hoped to win at Rangers. I've been the top goalscorer at the club every season since I arrived from Kilmarnock. It's now time to move on."

Meanwhile, Boyd has moved swiftly to rubbish rumours of a shock switch to Old Firm rivals Celtic.

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"I know there's been talk of me going from Rangers to Celtic. But, if I did that, it wouldn't be the penalty box I'd be in, it would be a wooden box!" he added.

"I'll sit down with my family over the next few days and come to a decision. But swapping Ibrox for Parkhead will not be happening."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Portugal have moved quickly to reject stories suggesting Manchester United star Nani was sent home from the World Cup for disciplinary reasons rather than injury.

The Portuguese Football Federation said last week that Nani would not be able to play in the tournament because of a shoulder injury but rumours have since hinted that there was more to the story.

The winger travelled with the rest of the squad to South Africa and trained with them for two days after suffering the injury before being ruled out. He then said on his return to Portugal that the problem was not too serious.

However, the vice-president of the Portuguese federation, Amandio de Carvalho, insisted: "There is no attempting to hide anything, there was only the hope that he could have recovered."

Twenty-three-year-old Nani had earlier said:"I thought this was going to be my World Cup, I was training and playing well, but that's life.

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"I worked a lot for this World Cup but I had the misfortune to injure myself before the start."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email