New T20 League to hold in Dubai

The planner of the most anticipated cricket tournament Indian Premier League and the commissioner Lalit Modi has got the lucrative offer from the franchise of the former champions of IPL T20 Rajasthan Royals’ Raj Kundra to set up cricket league in the Gulf area. The Indian actress Shilpa Shetty’s husband contacted with the IPL maker in the last April with this proposal. 

Before discussing with Modi, Kundra discussed the plan with some important personalities in different sectors. In his mail wrote to Modi on April 8, “I have just had initial meetings with Sheikh Nayan (sports and education minister of UAE), Amitabh Bachchan, Amar Singh and Sanjay Dutt.”

It also found that to set up the new tournament that convener would get support from the Pakistan cricketer and associates. No doubt, Pakistan will help to sustain the offer. He also mentioned, “If we do don’t get the IPL or BCCI associated in some way with the Middle East league, the Pakistanis will come and make a mess of it with no financial gain to any of us and will certainly add to the dilution of our brand.”

In an answer to Modi, however, told Kundra, in no uncertain terms, to “stay out” of such ventures and that an IPL franchisee owner going out and holding discussions for a separate league could amount to breach of contract. He also added, “BCCI and IPL know how to take care of themselves. Whether Pakistan or ECB, we all are very well tuned to this,” Modi said.

The proposal is good for the players who will take part, at the same time it will brought revenue for the Gulf.

Source: The Hindustan Times

Bangladesh Earned a Place in the Final after a 5-Wicket Win over Sri Lanka

Bangladesh cricket team caused another upset by pulling off a 5-wicket victory over Sri Lankan in the last group stage match of the ongoing tri-nation series. With this victory, host Bangladesh secured a spot in the final, despite Bangladesh’s defeat in the first match against Zimbabwe. The match was reduced to 31 overs because of heavy fog in the morning, and thus, making 3 hours of delay. Winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful decided to field first. Sri Lanka managed only 147 runs after losing all the wickets with three bowls remaining in their innings. Shakib Al Hasan’s excellent batting display helped Bangladesh to reach the modest winning target after getting over the early setbacks.

Bangladeshi bowlers started off well as pacer Mashrafe Mortaza hitting twice in his first two overs, picking up the wickets of opener Upul Tharanga and Kumar Sangakkara. Sanath Jayasuria and Captain Mahela Jayawardene then added 50-run in the third wicket partnership before Naeem Islam removed Jayawardene and Mashrafe dismissed half-centurion Jayasuria. No doubt, Mashrafe Mortaza played a big role in brining up a good start for Bangladesh, but debutant pacer Rubel Hossain, who was badly-treated by Jayasuria in the first spell, came back strongly stirring up a collapse in Sri Lankan middle order and lower order batting line up, and thus, Sri Lanka got all out only for 147. Rubel Hossain ended up taking 4 wickets for 33. The man who was most creditable behind Sri Lanka’s modest total was opener Sanath Jayasuria who scored a well-played half century, before being dismissed by Mashrafe. Mashrafe bagged three important wickets for Bangladesh.

Chasing down a luring target, Bangladesh got off to a poor start, loosing three wickets at 11. From then on, Shakib Al Hasan and Captain Mohammad Ashraful brought up 91 runs for the fourth wicket stand, helping Bangladesh to come out of early setbacks, keeping the host fans hopeful for a place in the final. Mohammad Ashraful got out on 26, but Shakib remained not out on 92 off 69 balls, guiding Bangladesh to reach the winning target, losing five wickets with 43 balls remaining in hands. Shakib Al Hasan was awarded man of the match for his match winning innings. Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in the final of the tournament on Friday. Now, let us see if host Bangladesh can defeat Sri Lanka in the final of the tournament.

Indian Premier League

Indian Premier League