In a major twist of events, former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock who is also part of ICC's cricket committee, has spilled beans on ICC's inner workings on the relaxation of wide rule in limited-overs cricket. He has said that the governing body is working on a plan to ease the restrictions on wide deliveries, especially when the batter moves around in his/her crease. Pollock believes that the introduction of such a change can tip the balance in the favor of the bowlers ever so slightly, in a game that is heavily dictated by the batters. 

See also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Indian squad announcement likely to be delayed

Pollock assures something is in the works for the bowlers

In his recent conversation with PTI on the sidelines of the SA20, Pollock assures everyone that he is in touch with the working committee who are working on a solution to ease restrictions on wide rules. 

"So it's in the pipeline, we're all discussing. We need to give a little bit back to the bowlers."

In a game largely dominated by the batters, Pollock feels something has to go in the favor of the bowlers to make the game more balanced and enjoyable for the viewers to watch. Pollock does not appear to be a big fan of the current wide rule and feels that it is a little unfair on the bowler's part. 

"The current rule tends to suggest that if he [the batter] moves and it's that point of delivery where the batter is, and that's according to where the wide will be called, I want a little bit of a change. I want them to know exactly when they're running up why or how - how can a bowler be expected to change his game plan at the last second when he's bowling? He needs to have a clear idea where he can go." 

Prior attempts to address the wide rule

Prior to Pollock's recommendation, attempts have been made in the IPL and the WPL to use DRS to accurately adjudicate wides. Both the bowlers and the batters were given the provision to challenge the on-field decision for a wide call. However, the former Australian umpire has a different opinion on this matter and is not in favor of reviewing wide decisions with the help of DRS. Furthermore, he also states that the call of a wide is purely a judgment call which is likely to differ or vary from one umpire to another umpire and therefore, deems the intervention of a TV umpire in this matter to be unwarranted.

The harsh treatment of women in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has drawn sharp condemnation and outrage from various pockets of the world. Western nations have largely been vocal about this sensitive topic and have consistently highlighted this grave issue time and again on a global scale. This also includes England as well and there are countless voices within the country who have urged the national cricketing body to boycott England's match against Afghanistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy which is scheduled to take place on February 26.

See also: Former Australia all-rounder comes out of retirement to help injury-hit Sydney Thunder

Plea to boycott England's upcoming CT 2025 fixture with Afghanistan 

It is reported that as many as 160 politicians have reached out to the ECB in writing advising them to boycott the fixture. Moreover, they also urged the management to speak up on the atrocities that are being committed against women in Afghanistan and not turn a blind eye to the horrendous crimes that are being committed by the brutal Taliban regime. 

"We strongly urge the England men's team players and officials to speak out against the horrific treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban. We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan… to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated."

Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi also echoed the same sentiments and wrote to the ECB chief executive Richard Gould about standing up for the Afghan women and advised the ECB to deliver a powerful message to the Taliban government. 

"We must stand against sex apartheid, and we implore the ECB to deliver a firm message of solidarity and hope to Afghan women and girls that their suffering has not been overlooked."

ECB denies calls to boycott Afghanistan game

In response to growing discontent among several politicians in the UK, the ECB chief recognized the issue and strongly expressed his concerns about women's rights in Afghanistan. But at the same time, he refrained from the possibility of boycotting England's match with Afghanistan as he expects a uniform approach from all member nations rather than acting solo.

"ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. We understand the concerns raised by those who believe that a boycott of men's cricket could inadvertently support the Taliban's efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society."

ICC expects all full member nations to make adequate provisions for the growth and development of women's cricket in its own jurisdiction. But since that requirement has not been met by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the ECB has distanced itself from scheduling bilateral events with them for the foreseeable future. However, the two teams will continue to face each other in ICC events.

England is not the only member nation to voice their concerns over Afghinstan's gross women's rights issue. Australia have also withdrawn from playing several men's series against Afghanistan in the last couple of years because of the Taliban regime's harsh treatment of women.

Abhishek Bachchan Becomes Part-Owner of European T20 Premier League

Abhishek Bachchan, who likes performing in plays and movies, business, and loves sports, just became a part-owner of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL). This partnership of quality is a partnership between private owners and the cricket organizations of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. The whole event is recognized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), so it's legitimate.

They're planning to kickoff the matches from July 15 to August 3, 2025. Playing cricket is not the only thing  it mainly focuses on bringing together the best players from these three countries, and other top-notch cricketers from around the world. With Abhishek Bachchan now in the mix, the event is getting a lot of hype and looks set to be a massive deal in European cricket circles.

The European T20 Premier League, or ETPL, is a contest owned by private people, involving the cricket places of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. It just made a large jump by adding Abhishek Bachchan as part owner. Mr. Bachchan also does business and likes sports. The ETPL, approved by the International Cricket Council, or ICC, will start on July 15 and run to August 3, 2025.

It will include good players from those countries and good players from everywhere, celebrating European cricket. A group with people from the cricket boards and Rules Sport Technology is making fully sure the league is progressing. This group will build a location to run the contest. Abhishek Bachchan had something to say about investing.

Mr. Bachchan said cricket makes people one, and the ETPL can show how more people in the world enjoy cricket. Mr. Bachchan said the 2028 Olympics having cricket makes it important, so he's happy to work with the places for Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. His goal is to make the ETPL successful and show cricket to millions of people in Europe.

Mr. Bachchan ended by saying it's only beginning, and they should begin working hard. Pertinently, or perhaps, Warren Deutrom, who is in charge of Cricket Ireland and the ETPL, is happy that Abhishek joined the team. Mr. Deutrom feels Abhishek's energy for sports and talent for doing business will cause the league to gain importance.

ALSO READ: Champions Trophy: Key Deadlines and Updates

🚨 A GAME CHANGER IN EUROPEAN CRICKET 🚨

- Abhishek Bachchan invests in the ICC Sanctioned European T20 Premier League as Co Owner.

ETPL set to start on July 15th to August 3rd, 2025, players from Ireland, Scotland & Netherlands. pic.twitter.com/QF3SdiKttD

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 6, 2025

ETPL Plans Exciting Launch with Six Teams and Global Appeal

Also, Saurav Banerjee, who directs the ETPL, said that Europe has a lot of hidden potential for cricket. To summarize my case, with thirty-four ICC member areas in Europe, the league has a possibility to start something new for both players and watchers. The start needs some reworking, so maybe a return to the drawing board. Priyanka Kaul, a different leader for ETPL, let it slip that the first go-around will have six groups.

These groups will be in Dublin, Belfast, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Because major-name media people are helping out, a large number of people all over, mainly in places such as Europe, India, Australia, and England, will likely watch. S. Ravi, who started the Ravi Rajan Group, and Abhishek Ravi, who gives money advice to the league, stressed that being honest about financial matters is really important for ETPL.

They've obtained KPMG giving them tips, so, theoretically, it may be really proficient at keeping things organized with their spending, the rules, and keeping everyone who has a stake in things happy. Soon, there's going to be a party to reveal which teams there are, what their names will be, and when and how people become players.

The ETPL is getting everything ready for a very exciting tournament. ETPL wants to make major changes to cricket in Europe. The idea is to motivate young players, get fans together, and provide entertainment worldwide.

Ravi Shastri Calls for Two-Tier Test System Post MCG Epic

Former India cricket coach Ravi Shastri has reiterated his stance on the need for a two-tier system in Test cricket. Shastri's comments come after the historic Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) drew record-breaking crowds. Over five days, a total of 373,691 spectators attended the match, setting a new benchmark for Test cricket in Australia.

A Test for the Ages

The match at the MCG triumphed in the exciting environment, or world, of cricket lovers, really showing why the classic five-day match is still spectacular. Shastri took to The Australian to point out how amazing Test cricket match was, especially when top teams go head-to-head, proving the game's still doing very well.

"To break crowd records that have stood for nearly a century is a testimony to the fact that when the best teams play, the toughest and best format of the game is still alive and thriving," wrote Shastri.

ALSO READ:Gautam Gambhir's Viral Dressing Room Chat After Loss at Melbourne

Advocating for Two Tiers

The ex-coach really thinks Test cricket needs to change to stay both competitive and appealing worldwide. He came up with an idea for a two-tier system that puts the best six to eight teams in a top division. Teams that do well in the second division could move up, and the teams that aren't performing very well in the top division could be dropped down.

Shastri said you must have the best 6 or 8 teams play in a two-tier system, where teams can go higher or lower based on how they do. He reckons games won't pull in large groups unless the teams playing against each other are really good.

The Five-Day Debate

Shastri was into keeping test matches five days long. He didn't agree with making them four days just to attract more people to watch. He used the silly ending of the MCG test as proof that five days are the way to go. Shastri had his say on whether test matches should be shorter or not during the entire debate.

"The MCG Test is further proof of why we need five days for a classic Test match," he said.

Revisiting the Two-Tier Proposal

In 2016, the International Cricket Council (ICC) came up with a plan to have a two-tier system for Test cricket but a large number of cricket boards didn't enjoy it and said no, so it was completely stopped. Some people didn't like the idea because they thought it would leave out the weaker teams and stop cricket from becoming popular worldwide.

Shastri thinks that if only the top players compete at the highest level, test cricket would be significantly more interesting for fans. This setup means teams in the second tier would really want to do better to move up the rankings.

A Vision for the Future

Cricket's oldest and most impressive form, Test cricket, is currently facing tough rivals mainly those short and quick T20 matche but there's a push to keep it popular and relevant. Shastri threw out an idea to help with this mission, working to keep Test cricket strong as part of a larger plan.

For people who really love cricket, the MCG test that broke records showed the special characteristics that only test cricket can give. Wanting to make sure the fun stays, Shastri wants to introduce a two-tier system to make sure test cricket stays key in the sport for a long time.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the final shortlists for the ICC Awards 2024, celebrating the exceptional performances of cricketers in various categories. These include the Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year, and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year.

Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy: ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year

The nominees for this prestigious accolade feature some of the finest names in cricket.

• Harry Brook (England): Brook lit up the cricketing world with his explosive performances across all formats. He maintained an incredible average of over 50 in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, showcasing his versatility and power hitting.
• Joe Root (England): Root had a phenomenal year in Tests, scoring more runs (1,556) and centuries (six) than any other batter. His form in the longest format has been nothing short of remarkable.
• Jasprit Bumrah (India): Bumrah shone as India’s pace spearhead, excelling in World Test Championship duels and leading India to victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He was named Player of the Tournament, claiming 15 wickets at a staggering average of 8.24.
• Travis Head (Australia): Known for his flair, Head scored nearly 1,400 runs across all formats in 2024. As the top-ranked Men’s T20I batter, he aims to better his nomination from last year.

ALSO READ:Rohit Sharma on Rishabh Pant: Balancing Flair with Responsibility

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy: ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year

This category honors the most outstanding women cricketers, with four deserving nominees.

• Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka): Athapaththu led from the front for Sri Lanka, amassing over 1,100 runs and taking 30 wickets across formats. She also guided Sri Lanka to their first Asia Cup victory in front of a jubilant home crowd.
• Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa): Wolvaardt had a sublime year, scoring over 1,500 runs and leading South Africa to their second consecutive Women’s T20 World Cup final.
• Amelia Kerr (New Zealand): Kerr excelled as an all-rounder, scoring 651 runs and taking 43 wickets. She was the Player of the Tournament at the Women’s T20 World Cup, where her performances were pivotal to her team’s success.
• Annabel Sutherland (Australia): The young star had a breakthrough year, smashing the fastest double-century in women’s Test history and contributing significantly with both bat and ball.

ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year

This category recognizes the best performers in the longest format of the game.

• Harry Brook (England): Brook scored 1,100 Test runs at an average of 55, including four centuries and a memorable triple-hundred in Multan.
• Joe Root (England): Root continued to dominate Test cricket, becoming England’s all-time highest run-scorer and reclaiming the top spot in the ICC Men’s Test Batter Rankings.
• Jasprit Bumrah (India): With 71 wickets at an average of 14.92, Bumrah was the leading wicket-taker in Tests. His fiery spells were key to India’s success against top teams like South Africa, England, and Australia.
• Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka): Mendis had a record-breaking year, scoring 1,049 runs at an average of 74.92. He became the first batter in history to hit a half-century in each of his first eight Tests and the fastest in 75 years to reach 1,000 Test runs.

These nominations showcase the remarkable talent and dedication of the players, highlighting their impact on international cricket. The winners, decided through votes from cricket experts and fans, will be announced in early 2025.

🚨 THE COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINEES FOR ICC AWARDS 2024. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/NZRvQhT9lO

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 30, 2024

Arshdeep Singh Shortlisted for ICC T20I Cricketer of the Year

Arshdeep Singh, a young fast bowler from India, got a nomination for the Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year. It was on December 29 that the International Cricket Council put out the list of nominees. During the T20 World Cup 2024, Arshdeep really showed what he could do. Singh ended up as one of the top bowlers by taking the same number of wickets as the highest wicket-taker. In eight matches, he managed to get 17 victims, boasting a very low average of 12.64 and keeping his runs per over down to 7.16.

Arshdeep not only did an excellent job in the World Cup but also became the top spot for most wickets taken in Test matches among countries that play tests. He got 36 wickets across 18 games, with an impressive average of just 13.50 and giving 7.49 runs per over. What's surprising is that Jasprit Bumrah, even after getting the Player of the Tournament title at the T20 World Cup, didn't even get a nominee spot for the celebrated ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year award now.

ALSO READ:Arshdeep Singh's Five-Wicket Masterclass Stuns Mumbai in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Bumrah performed admirably during the World Cup, finishing as the tournament's second-highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets in eight games, boasting an incredible average of 8.26 and an economy rate of just 4.17. Another nominee is Pakistani star Babar Azam, who was the leading T20I run-scorer for both Test-playing teams and globally, accumulating 738 runs in 23 innings with an average of 33.54 and a strike rate of 133.21, including six half-centuries.

Travis Head from Australia is competing for the award too. This year, he was amazing in T20Is and obtained the most runs for Australia, hitting 539 in 15 games. Head managed to achieve an average of 38.50 and had an inordinately speedy strike rate of 178.47, which included scoring four half-centuries -- proving he can effectively challenge the bowlers.

Sikandar Raza from Zimbabwe completes the list of nominees, with a stellar 2024. Earlier this year, he got everyone to notice him by making the second-fastest century ever in T20 International games.Raza performed well overall, hitting a total of 573 runs over 23 innings, which gives him an average of 28.65. His hitting was very strong too, with a strike rate of 146.54.  Raza even managed to score one century and two fifties. When it comes to bowling, he wasn't unsuccessful either, taking 24 wickets in 23 matches and averaging 22.25 for each wicket he took. Raza shone in one game where he took 5 wickets and only gave up 18 runs.

Arshdeep Singh nominated for ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year.

- Nominees: Raza, Head, Babar, and Arshdeep.#ArshdeepSingh #INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND #AUSvINDIA #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/fFHTfSuZMZ

— OP VIN (@vinsaa96) December 29, 2024

Now, fans can vote for their favorite players on the ICC website to help decide this prestigious accolade!

In a peculiar turn of events, the final match of the 2024-25 Super50 competition in the Caribbean had to be forfeited in extreme circumstances as the captains of both teams failed to turn up for the toss. The concerned umpires had deemed the conditions to be safe enough for a 20-over contest.  

But amidst the gloomy overhead conditions, captains from Jamaica Scorpions and Barbados Pride were concerned about taking the field, and with no one present at the toss, no trophy was awarded and the final had to be forfeited. 

See also: WI vs BAN Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI For 1st ODI Match

Skipper Campbell penalized with a four-match suspension for "no show"

The Jamaica Scorpions skipper expressed his regret for not turning up for the Super50 final and apologized for bringing the game to disrepute. He has been reprimanded by Cricket West Indies (CWI) and handed a four-match suspension which will bar him from the upcoming four games of the next Super50 season.

"I sincerely regret any disruption caused during the final and acknowledge that my actions may have been perceived as resistance to the match officials' decision. It was never my intention to undermine their authority or bring the game into disrepute. I fully acknowledge the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game and the need for adherence to the rules and decisions of the officials." 

On the other end of the spectrum, Barbados captain Raymon Reifer is also expected to meet a similar fate. He faces similar charges as Campbell but is yet to respond officially to the charges leveled against him by the match referee Reon King.  

The forfeiture of the Super50 final also meant that no match fees or prize money for the winners or the runners-up was possible to be distributed which was subsequently made clear by the national body. 

More about John Campbell 

The Jamaican-born John Campbell has represented West Indies in all formats of the game. The 31-year-old bats left-handed and generally opens the batting for his national and domestic side. 

While his appearance in the T20I format was very shortlived, Campbell played a major chunk of his games in the red-ball format scoring 888 runs in 20 matches at an average of 26.11. However, in FC cricket, his average jumps to nearly 30 and has managed to slam six centuries and 50 half-centuries under his belt. 

As per widespread reports, it is believed that the PCB, headed by Mohsin Naqvi has given in to ICC & BCCI's demands to host the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid model. As per sources from PTI, it has been "agreed in principle" by the Jay Shah-led International Cricket Council (ICC) and its member associates to host the Champions Trophy with a hybrid model.

The marquee event will comprise eight teams and will be played in the month of February and March in 2025. While the majority of the matches would be played in Pakistan, India will have their matches scheduled in a natural venue which in all likelihood would be Dubai. As per a top ICC source, the decision has more or less been finalized during an informal meeting between the body's new President Jay Shah and the Board of Directors, including Pakistan.

See also: Champions Trophy Venue debacle to be settled over this weekend

Hybrid model but with a twist

Whilst accepting the proposal to go ahead with a hybrid model, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi stressed having a reciprocal arrangement for its national side till 2031 and urged the BCCI to comply with their request. Although BCCI is yet to respond to this request, ICC has come forward and formally accepted PCB's plea to have a similar arrangement till 2027. 

"It's been agreed in principle by all parties that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan with India playing its matches in Dubai. It's a win-win situation for all stakeholders."

However, such a development can spell bad news for BCCI and its supporters. Between 2025 and 2027, India will play host to two World Cup editions. The Women's ODI World Cup will be held in 2026 whereas the Men's T20 World Cup will be held a year later in 2027. 

Should Pakistan abstain from visiting India as per the newly proposed hybrid model agreement, Indian fans could be devoid of high-octane Indo-Pak rivalry on their home turf. More importantly, both the BCCI and the ICC will have to cope with some significant financial blows if that were to happen. 

What does the future look like for the Indian team?

Being the host of an ICC event, India will have to go the extra mile by visiting a neutral venue to play its fixtures with Pakistan. Such a move may not only be unsustainable but also be unprecedented from BCCI's standpoint. 

Such an agreement will effectively mean that the Indian women's team will have to travel to a neutral venue to play their league match against Pakistan whereas Pakistan's men's team will be considering the possibility of playing all its matches of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

Bilateral ties between the two countries have been at an all-time low since the 2008 terror attacks. India's last visit to Pakistan came in the 2008 Asia Cup edition with Sri Lanka being the eventual winners of it. 

The ICC is planning huge changes to revive Test and ODI cricket, to make the formats more competitive and engaging for everyone as well. And, one of the major proposals is to make sure a minimum of three games in every World Test Championship (WTC), for non-dominant nations as well.

ICC to bring major changes 

However, ICC will see a leadership change as Jay Shah will take over as Chairman from December 1. Before his official signing, ICC has already started working towards the betterment of the Test format as well. The apex body formed a committee to look for ways to promote Test cricket more and as per Insidesports, the committee decided on three major suggestions.

The first is to ensure a minimum of three-match Test series take place in the next World Series Championship (WTC) cycle. Currently, some teams, like South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, often play two-match Test series, which the ICC believes affects the viewership of the longer format of the game as well. Only India, Australia, and England play longer series now as well.

SEE ALSO: Watch: Rohit Sharma's Playful 'Rohit Bhai RCB Me Aa Jao Yaar' Query Goes Viral

Rohit Sharma backs for three-match WTC final

Another key point is the encouragement of more Day/Night (D/N) Tests with the pink ball, as well as these matches, have seen better ticket sales. The ICC also feels that D/N Tests could help grow the format by attracting larger fans. India, for example, has not played a pink-ball Test in two years as well. In addition to it, the ICC is also thinking about bringing changes in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Moreover, a proposal to limit the use of two balls to only the first 25 overs of an ODI is under consideration too.

However, Team India lost two consecutive WTC finals and captain Rohit Sharma proposed changes to the format as well. Instead of a one-game face-off, he wants to play a best-of-three series for the result. He also believes that two years' worth of hard work ends in just one game which is mostly affected by adverse weather conditions. A three-match series would help both teams to play well and the result to be decided more accurately as well.

The cricketing world received news of Zimbabwe all-rounder Sean Williams’ retirement from T20 Internationals (T20Is) with surprise and nostalgia. Left-hander made his decision after the just-concluded five-match T20I series in Bangladesh.

Player Background

Sean Williams, a prominent figure in Zimbabwe cricket, has decided to bid farewell to T20Is after the conclusion of a five-match series in Bangladesh. The left-handed all-rounder has been a stalwart for the Zimbabwean team, showcasing his skills across formats. His retirement from T20Is marks the end of an era for Zimbabwe cricket and leaves a void in the team’s lineup.

See Also: KKR into Playoffs; Golden touch of Gautam Gambhir in IPL

Retirement Announcement

A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official confirmed Williams’s decision to retire from T20Is. The official revealed that Williams informed his teammates about his retirement following the final match of the series. Despite Zimbabwe’s defeat in most of the matches, Williams managed to secure a consolation victory in his farewell game, providing a fitting end to his T20I career.

Williams’ contributions to Zimbabwe cricket extend beyond his on-field performances. As a seasoned campaigner, he was a mentor and role model for younger players, imparting invaluable knowledge and experience to the team.

“He(Williams) decided to retire from T20I and informed about his decision to his team mates following the game,” a BCB official working with the Zimbabwean confirmed Cricbuzz on Sunday.

Statistical Analysis

Throughout his T20I career, Sean Williams showcased his versatility as an all-rounder, accumulating 1691 runs at a commendable strike rate of 126.38. Additionally, his left-arm spin fetched him 48 wickets, further highlighting his value to the team. Williams’ ability to contribute with both bat and ball made him a valuable asset for Zimbabwe in the shortest-game format.

Future Plans

While Williams bids farewell to T20Is, he reassures fans that he will continue to represent Zimbabwe in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Test matches. His experience and leadership will be crucial as Zimbabwe aims to rejuvenate its cricketing fortunes in the upcoming series and tournaments.