Tag: (ICC)

Dubai, April 12, 2023 (PPI-OT): The race for number one batting position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings continues between Pakistan duo Mohammed Rizwan and his captain, Babar Azam. The pair hold second and third place respectively in the rankings, behind India’s Suryakumar Yadav, who comfortably occupies number one with 906 rating points. Rizwan sits with 811 points, with Babar on 755. A new number one could emerge at the conclusion of Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand beginning on Saturday. Meanwhile, New Zealand opening batter, Tim Seifert, soared 1 245 slots to 36th after hitting back-to-back half-centuries in his side’s victorious, 2-1 home series against Sri Lanka over the past week.

The Islanders’ spinner, Maheesh Theekshana leaped five places to a career-best number five spot in the bowling list, sharing his place with England’s Adil Rashid. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan continues to inhabit the top position with 710 rating points but is also closely followed by his teammate, Fazalhoq Farooqi, with 692 points in second place. The MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings saw few movements following Bangladesh’s match against Ireland. Only Mushfiqur Rahim made significant gains in the batting list, moving up five slots from 22nd to 17th. Ireland’s Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector made their first entries to the list in 70th and 90th place respectively.

India’s Ravichandran Ashwin continues to lead the bowling list, with the only significant movements coming from Bangladesh’s duo of Taijul Islam who slid three places to 20th and newly announced ICC Men’s Player of the Month and skipper, Shakib Al Hassan skipping two places to number 26. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off saw the rise of several Associate Member players in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings. While Babar continues his reign over the batting list, the USA’s Steven Taylor jumped leaped 13 slots to 61st, with the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Muhammad Waseem jumping 12 spots to 65th, with his teammate Asif Khan going up nine places to 88th. Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Tony Ura rose six places to reach his career-best place of 93rd. Namibia’s Ruben Trumpelmann now also occupies a personal best place of number 41 in the bowling list which is led by Australia’s Josh Hazlewood at 705 points.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Dubai, April 12, 2023 (PPI-OT): The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for March 2023, with Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan scooping the ICC Men’s Player of the Month, and Rwanda’s Henriette Ishimwe named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month. Both all-rounders edged out their fellow contenders following a vote conducted among a specialist panel – comprising ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives – and global cricket fans registered at icc-cricket.com, who had been voting since the nominees were announced last week.

In claiming the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March, Shakib wins his second Player of the Month crown after first winning back in July 2021. He triumphs following a string of fine displays with bat and ball, cementing his position at the summit of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings for all-rounders. As well as an impressive series win over Ireland, Shakib was instrumental in securing an historic 3-0 T20I series victory over touring world champions England. All-rounder Ishimwe started the year at the heart of the Rwandan team that lit up the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. Her breakout tournament included a memorable four wickets in four balls in the win over Zimbabwe, and she carried that form into the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Women’s T20I Tournament last month. 92 runs and 9 wickets in March, which included another hattrick sees her become only the second female from an Associate Member to win the ICC Player of the Month award.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month, March 2023 – Shakib Al Hasan with 12 short format games throughout the month, Bangladesh had plenty of game-time in March, and their formidable short-format maestro Shakib was once again a key contributor to their success against England and Ireland. Opening the month with an ODI series against England, the all-rounder registered two half-centuries, the second of which coming in a familiar scintillating all-round display. A consolation win in Chattogram was inspired by Shakib, first thanks to his 75 in 71 balls and then with the ball as he took four for 35 in ten overs to seal a 50-run win. In the T20I series that followed, Shakib skippered his side to a decisive 3-0 victory, with valuable runs in the first encounter, and key wickets across all three matches, in a string of impressive team displays characterised by excellent fielding and disciplined bowling.

No fewer than four days separated England’s departure and the first ODI against Ireland, and Shakib once more took up the task with aplomb, top scoring with 93 in 89 balls as Bangladesh comfortably won by 183 runs, setting the tone for another series victory. His final performances in the month came in the form of three T20Is against Ireland, and Bangladesh sealed the series thanks to another outstanding display from the top-ranked all-rounder. A quick-fire 38 from 24 balls rocketed the hosts to 202 for 3 from their 20 overs, before Shakib’s bowling prowess dismantled the Ireland chase with a brilliant five for 22 from his four overs. Reflecting on another ICC Men’s Player of the Month prize, Shakib added, “I am honoured to win the award and would like to thank the expert panellists who have voted for me. This is a recognition I greatly value because there are so many special performances in a month from a number of amazing cricketers.

“If I was to pick my highlight from the past month, it has to be the T20 series sweep against England and, with the team continuing to perform beautifully as a unit in all departments, it is easier for me now to concentrate on my role and contribute.” Shakib overcame fellow nominees Asif Khan of UAE and Kane Williamson of New Zealand in the global vote, and former Sri Lanka international Farveez Maharoof elaborated on Shakib’s win, “Shakib gets my vote for his overall contribution to Bangladesh’s success last month, notably beating a top side like England.

“While all three candidates have enjoyed excellent periods, for me he has been the standout player and a deserving Men’s Player of the Month for March.” Ishimwe’s blistering start to 2023 at the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup helped her make a name for herself on the world stage, and a little over two months later, she finds herself in the headlines again after enjoying plenty of success in March’s NCF Women’s T20I Tournament in Lagos. The 20-year-old was the star player in Rwanda’s opening match against Ghana, firstly coming in at number three and smashing a brisk 32 in 22 balls. Defending a healthy total, Ishimwe and her fellow bowlers then took apart the reply, taking wickets at regular intervals and ending with a flourish, as the pacer took another hattrick to end the game and seal a 117-run victory.

Despite a quieter display with the ball in the next match against Sierra Leone, Ishimwe contributed significantly once more by top scoring at the crease and steering her side home in a five-wicket win. She saved her most complete performance for the third and final fixture in the calendar month against Cameroon. Coming to the crease early on, Ishimwe starred in a 90-run partnership with her namesake Gisele Ishimwe, and her 43 in 33 balls steered her side to a competitive total. Cameroon faltered in their reply, and Ishimwe took advantage – her full, straight pace bowling securing a five-wicket haul for 6 runs conceded, cementing her status as an eye-catching prospect in the women’s game. Reacting to her award win, Ishimwe commented, “I am humbled and honoured to win this award for my performances in the last month.

“I owe this award to the many people who have supported me throughout my journey in cricket. To my coaches, who have invested countless hours into my training and development, to my teammates, who have been my source of inspiration and motivation, and to my family and friends, who have always stood by me, and above all, the almighty God, who has made all this possible. “I look forward to continuing to contribute to the world of cricket and win more matches for my country.” Ishimwe emerged victorious in the voting process, beating Sibona Jimmy and Ravini Oa (both PNG), who were shortlisted based on strong performances in the Pacific Island Women’s Cricket Challenge.

Former South Africa international and ICC Player of the Month voting panel member, Ashwell Prince added, “Henriette boasts some incredible statistics from her games in March and it’s clear to see that she’s a talented prospect in the women’s game. In what is a really exciting time for women’s cricket, I’m looking forward to seeing how she develops in the years to come.” Fans can continue to vote every month for their favourite male and female cricketers across all formats of international cricket as part of the ICC Player of the Month initiative by registering at www.icc-cricket.com/awards.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Dubai, April 10, 2023 (PPI-OT):The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 cycle was full of thrills and drama as the world’s top teams fought for precious points and an eventual place in the final, the Ultimate Test, over a two-year period. That 57 out of 69 Tests produced results with a mere 12 draws, is testament to the fact that the championship witnessed teams pursuing victories. Australia confirmed their first-ever final when they sealed a nine-wicket victory over India in the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at Indore last month. India secured their second successive Ultimate Test by virtue of a draw in the subsequent fourth and final Test of the series in Ahmedabad coupled with Sri Lanka’s corresponding defeat to New Zealand in one of the most thrilling Tests ever. The first match of that series at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch finished on the last ball on the fifth and final day with the hosts scampering home courtesy a brilliant unbeaten century by former captain Kane Williamson.

Australia and India will now compete in a mouth-watering final from 7 June at The Oval. Australia finished the nine-team table with a tally of 152 points and a 66.67 PCT – percentage of points won compared to India’s 127 and a 58.8 PCT. South Africa finished third ahead of a resurgent England who introduced the “Bazball” to Test cricket in the latter half of the 2021-23 cycle, producing a series of astonishing results with their breath-taking stroke play, all-time high run rates and an all-out aggressive style of play. Sri Lanka’s 2-0 defeat to New Zealand meant a slip to number five for the Asians, New Zealand finished sixth, Pakistan seventh, West Indies (eight) and Bangladesh (ninth).

Batting performances and highlights – ICC World Test Championship 2021-23: A total of 68,175 runs were scored in the 69 Tests played in the two-year ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle with the help of 7,563 fours and 579 sixes. Batters from the nine teams amassed a total of 119 centuries with England’s run machine Joe Root topping both the run-getters and centuries tally for the cycle with 1,915 runs at 53.19 (22 matches). The former England captain hit eight centuries with a best of 180 not out.

A total of 287 half-centuries were scored in the two-year period. The batters also registered 299 ducks in the two-year championship cycle. Australia opener Usman Khawaja was number two on the run-getters list, the southpaw tallying 1,608 runs at 69.91 in 16 matches with the help of six centuries. Usman’s highest was 195 not out. Pakistan captain Babar Azam also had a dream run in the 2021-23 cycle, the stylish right-hander scoring 1,527 runs at 61.08 in 14 Tests with the help of four centuries and a best of 196 in an epic match saving second innings century at the National Stadium, Karachi against Australia in March 2022. New Zealand opener Tom Latham’s 252 against Bangladesh at Christchurch was the highest individual score of the 2021-23 cycle. England captain Ben Stokes led the “Bazball” mission in style by hitting 28 sixes in the cycle, the most by any batter.

The highest partnership in the tournament came in the final match, when Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls added 363 runs for New Zealand’s third wicket against Sri Lanka at Wellington. The highest team total was England’s 657 against Pakistan at Rawalpindi in December 2022, which came in just 101 overs – a scoring rate of 6.50 runs per over. The total of 1,768 runs in that Rawalpindi Test set a new record for any time-limited Test in history. The only two Tests with more runs have been the 1939 Durban and 1930 Kingston timeless Tests. Bangladesh were bowled out for just 53 by South Africa at Durban in March 2022, the lowest total in the competition.

India’s Ravindra Jadeja was the only player to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test. He made an unbeaten 175 and took five for 41 against Sri Lanka at Mohali in March 2022. Bowling performances and highlights – ICC World Test Championship 2021-23: During the 2021-23 cycle 2,241 wickets fell, a total of 127,876 balls were bowled in 69 Tests. Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon captured 83 wickets at 26.97 in 19 matches with an innings best of eight for 64. The seasoned spinner took five, five-fors and one 10-wicket match haul.

South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada took 67 wickets in 13 Tests at 21.05 with the help of three five-fors. Rabada’s innings best was six for 50. India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took 61 wickets in 13 Tests at 19.67, including two five-fors and a best of six for 91 in an innings. New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel’s innings figures of 10 for 119 and match figures of 14 for 225 for against India at Mumbai in December 2021 were both the best (innings and match figures) in the 2021-23 cycle.

A total of 85 five-fors (innings) and ten 10-fors (match) were registered by bowlers from the nine participating sides. Biggest and narrowest wins – ICC World Test Championship 2021-23: There were 12 innings victories in the cycle, with the largest being New Zealand’s victory by an innings and 276 runs over South Africa at Christchurch in February 2022. The narrowest margin of victory in terms of wickets came at Kingston in August 2021 when the West Indies defeated Pakistan by just one wicket.

Wicket keeping and fielding highlights – ICC World Test Championship 2021-23: Australia’s Alex Carey made the most dismissals with 62 in 19 Tests – 60 catches and two stumping’s. Next came Joshua da Silva of the West Indies with 57 dismissals (54 catches and three stumping’s). Da Silva was helped by being the only keeper to record seven dismissals in an innings, which he achieved in South Africa’s second innings at Centurion in March 2023. The leading keeper in terms of stumping’s was remarkably Tom Blundell of New Zealand, a team not normally feted for their spinners. He effected seven stumping’s in the cycle.

Steve Smith and Joe Root led all fielders with 31 catches each – Smith in 19 Tests and Root in 22 Tests. There were five instances of a fielder taking four catches in an innings, and four instances of fielders taking six catches in a match. Marnus Labuschagne played a part in five run-outs in the field, more than any other fielder.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Dubai, April 08, 2023 (PPI-OT):United States players Ali Khan and Jasdeep Singh, and Jersey’s Elliot Miles have been penalised for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off match in Windhoek on Tuesday. Khan will miss the USA’s next two ODIs or T20Is, whatever comes first, as his accumulated demerit points have reached four within a 24-month period following his latest Code of Conduct breach for which he received a 15 per cent fine and one demerit point.

Khan was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.” Khan had received three demerit points for two separate incidents during a T20I match against Bermuda in November 2021 and with the addition of the latest demerit point, he has reached the threshold of four demerit points which, pursuant to article 7.6 of the Code, have been converted into two suspension points.

Meanwhile, Singh has been fined 30 per cent of his match fee and handed two demerit points after he was found to have breached Article 2.12 of the Code, which relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.” Miles has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee and handed one demerit point after he was found to have breached Article 2.3 of the Code, which relates to “use of an audible obscenity during an International Match.”

Singh and Miles have not had any other offences in the previous 24-month period. All three players admitted their offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Owen Chirombe of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for formal hearings. On-field umpires Andrew Louw and Claus Schumacher, and third umpire David Odhiambo levelled the charges. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Dubai, April 06, 2023 (PPI-OT): The United States of America (USA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have secured a place at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier after finishing in the top two places of an evenly contested, six-team ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off. USA finished on top of the table with four wins from their five matches, ahead of the UAE on head-to-head, who scored a final-day win over Jersey to level the USA on points. Hosts Namibia and Canada put in some strong performances but fell just short of progressing with three wins each from their five fixtures.

Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus was named Player of the Tournament, with 279 runs in five games at an average of 69.75. USA’s Ali Khan topped the wicket charts with 16 wickets at an average of 12.37. The USA and UAE are now just one stage away from securing a guaranteed nine matches at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 that will be hosted in India later this year.

USA captain Monank Patel said: “It’s a great feeling to be able to progress to the Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, even though we see this as a big accomplishment for USA Cricket, we the players also know that it’s going to require lots of improvements for us to compete with the bigger teams. The players and support staff has worked tirelessly prior and during this event, and the hard work paid off. As I said prior to the play-offs, we have an opportunity to play in two World Cups in less than twelve months, and this group continues to believe and work towards that goal.”

UAE captain Mohammad Waseem said: “We are absolutely delighted to confirm our spot for the qualifiers in Zimbabwe. Heading into the tournament in Namibia, we had a clear objective of delivering our best and playing positive and fearless cricket. I want to thank the players and our entire support staff for their untiring efforts that have resulted in our success. “Our batters have been exceptional for us recently and the bowlers and fielders have backed them up really well. The entire team needs to perform at the same level and display the same commitment and passion for us to excel in Zimbabwe.”

To reach the pinnacle global event of One-Day International cricket, USA and UAE will be vying with eight other teams in Zimbabwe for two places. These will include the three automatic qualifiers from ICC CWC League 2 – Scotland, Oman and Nepal – in addition to the bottom five-placed teams in the ICC ODI Super League. Currently, Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, West Indies are confirmed to feature at the Qualifier in Zimbabwe, while Ireland must beat Bangladesh 3-0 in their upcoming Super League series to leapfrog South Africa and gain direct entry to the World Cup. The Qualifier will be the culmination of four years of hard-fought competition where 32 teams started out in search of a place at what will be the biggest ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup ever.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com