Nepal batter Kami given out after striking ball twice

Nepal batter Kami given out after striking ball twice

Kami was given out obstructing the field in a Nepal Premier League match after striking the ball again with his bat following an under-edge. The incident came on the final ball of the 15th over, when the Pokhara Avengers wicketkeeper and bowler appealed and the decision went to TV umpire Masudur Rahman.

Wisden reported that Law 34.3 allows a batter to strike the ball again to guard their wicket before it touches a fielder. It said the video did not make clear whether Kami was trying to protect his stumps, but the umpire judged the action deliberate obstruction. Karnali Yaks needed 88 runs from five overs when Kami was dismissed and could not reach the target.

Aaryavir Sehwag’s 160 sends India into Under-19 Asia Cup semifinal

Aaryavir Sehwag scored 160 from 168 balls as India beat the UAE by 70 runs to book a place in the Under-19 Asia Cup semifinals against Afghanistan. Hindustan Times reported that his innings included 17 fours and seven sixes, and helped India post 309 for 7.

India dismissed the UAE for 239, with Ishan Sood taking 4 for 37. Sehwag dedicated his maiden India century to his father, Virender Sehwag, saying he had promised to score a big hundred. Times of India reported that the 160 was the joint fifth-highest individual score by an Indian in Youth ODIs, alongside scores by Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal.

Scotland to avoid bilateral cricket with Afghanistan outside ICC events

Cricket Scotland will not proactively schedule bilateral series or take part in tri-series against Afghanistan’s men unless there is a material change in conditions for women’s cricket and wider human rights concerns, the governing body said. Scotland will continue to play Afghanistan in ICC events.

The policy followed a board review prompted in part by requests from the Afghanistan Cricket Board for training facilities in Scotland, according to ESPNcricinfo as cited by Amu TV and Sportstar. Cricket Scotland said it would consider issuing players no-objection certificates if the Afghanistan Premier League receives ICC approval, while making clear that participation would not endorse the Afghan regime.

Brydon Carse named in England Lions squads for South Africa

England have named Brydon Carse in their Lions squads for the South Africa tour, ending his spell away from the England environment after he was stood down following an August nightclub incident in Derby. Wisden reported that Carse was charged with breaching the ECB’s professional conduct rules; AOL, citing Reuters, said a final decision on punishment had not been announced.

National selector Marcus North said England felt Carse was ready to return to the setup and that the Lions were the right place for him. The Lions will play three one-day matches from December 1 and two four-day matches from December 10, overlapping with the senior teams’ Test series.

Kane Williamson says Virat Kohli chat helped him decide to retire

Kane Williamson said he spoke with Virat Kohli the day before announcing his international retirement. On the Between the Two Beers podcast, Williamson described the conversation as like looking in a mirror, pointing to their shared experiences of long careers, captaincy and family life.

Williamson said he got off the phone and told his wife it was time. Sportstar reported that he retired after a 16-year international career, with 9,515 Test runs, 7,256 in ODIs and 2,575 in T20Is. He also said he was not driven by the goal of reaching 10,000 Test runs.

Rain washes out India-New Zealand third ODI in Hamilton

The third ODI between India and New Zealand was abandoned without a ball bowled at Seddon Park on November 10 after rain returned while the ground was being prepared for a 40-over match. India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl; the umpires called off play before the local cut-off for a 20-over match.

India therefore kept its 2-0 lead in the five-match series and cannot lose it. The Hindu reported that Shreyas Iyer will lead India in the final two ODIs as Gill and KL Rahul join the Test squad. The remaining matches are scheduled for Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15.

Pune and Vadodara among possible new IPL franchise cities

The BCCI is considering adding at least two teams to the IPL from 2028, which could take the league from 10 franchises to 12, according to reports cited by TradingView and Ratopati. Pune and Vadodara have emerged as possible host cities, though discussions are at an early stage and the choices could change.

TradingView reported that each new franchise could be valued at more than $1 billion, with investor interest from Indian business groups, family offices and investment funds. The proposed expansion is linked to the 2028-32 media rights cycle. Pune previously hosted Pune Warriors India and Rising Pune Supergiant.

Sheffield Shield round puts Australia Test hopefuls under scrutiny

ABC News reported that a full round of Sheffield Shield matches would give potential Australia Test players a chance to impress selectors ahead of the first Test against New Zealand, scheduled to begin in Perth on December 9. Two further Shield rounds were due before that series.

The report said Steve Smith would miss his next Shield match while recovering from a neck injury, and that Marnus Labuschagne would not be considered for the New Zealand Tests.

Mitchell Starc denies knowing about sandpaper plan

Mitchell Starc rejected claims in Usman Khawaja’s book that more Australian players knew about ball tampering during the 2018 South Africa tour. Starc said he was unaware sandpaper had been used in the Port Elizabeth Test or taken onto the field at Cape Town, and said his recollection matched the bowlers’ 2021 statement.

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said the governing body would not reopen its investigation, according to The Guardian. Greenberg said conflicting accounts meant he did not see a clear outcome from another inquiry.

McKinney and Rew drive England Lions to record List A total

Ben McKinney struck 145 from 65 balls, reaching his century in 43 balls, as England Lions made 487 for 5 in 50 overs against West Indies A, Wisden reported. McKinney’s hundred was the second-fastest by an England player in List A cricket, behind Graham Rose’s 36-ball century in 1990.

James Rew added an unbeaten 107 from 56 balls, including a century in 55 deliveries. Wisden reported that the total was the fifth-highest in List A cricket and surpassed the previous record for a match between two A teams.

Axar Patel’s role as India’s anchor spinner comes into focus

Hindustan Times reported that Axar Patel could be asked to anchor India’s spin attack as the team plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. The article said India may favour containment through Axar and Washington Sundar rather than relying on Kuldeep Yadav as its main attacking spinner.

Axar took 0 for 12 in five overs in Auckland and 2 for 28 in nine overs in Wellington, according to Hindustan Times. The report said the early returns in the New Zealand series were encouraging, while noting that only two ODIs had been played.

Afghanistan-Zimbabwe Test ends in draw after more than 1,500 runs

The first Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe ended in a draw in Sharjah after producing more than 1,500 runs, six centuries and a double hundred. Zimbabwe finished its second innings at 523 for 5, with Craig Ervine unbeaten on 206 and Wessly Madhevere 100 not out.

Afghanistan had made 514 in reply to Zimbabwe’s first-innings 504. Rahmat Shah scored 173, while Sediqullah Atal and Rahmanullah also made centuries. The second and final Test is scheduled to begin in Sharjah on November 13, The Hindu reported.

Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh trade receives BCCI approval

The BCCI has sanctioned a player-for-player trade sending Hardik Pandya from Mumbai Indians to Punjab Kings and Arshdeep Singh in the opposite direction, CricTracker reported. The report said both players consented and that an official announcement from the franchises was expected.

CricTracker reported that Pandya would retain his salary of INR 16.35 crore at Punjab and Arshdeep his INR 18 crore salary at Mumbai. Yahoo Sports also reported the swap, while noting that speculation had circulated about other possible IPL trades.