Learn More the Latest News About Former Cricket Captain Arrested, Sri Lanka to Host Asia Cup, and India Vs. Pakistan at Ahmedabad

In today’s cricket news, learn more about former Pakistan cricket captain and current Prime Minister Imran Khan who was detained by paramilitary officers in front of the Pakistani High Court. Meanwhile, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is planning to relocate the impending Asia Cup from Pakistan to Sri Lanka. Lastly, it has been learned that the BCCI will announce the World Cup schedule at a grand presentation once the Indian Premier League concludes.

Former Cricket Captain Imran Khan Arrested in Islamabad

Original Source: Former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan arrested at Islamabad court

On corruption charges, Khan appeared in Islamabad court.

Mr. Khan “is accused of commission of the offence of corruption and corrupt practices under section 9(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance” according to the charge sheet.

Sky News authenticated viral footage of Khan being escorted into an armoured vehicle by security officers.

Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party officials stated he is in security forces custody and complained to the Islamabad High Court, which has ordered a police report on the arrest.

Anti-corruption officials told the Associated Press that Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau had issued a warrant for Khan’s arrest last week in a different case, but he had not been granted bail.

Khan will face a tribunal later Tuesday, according to anti-corruption officials.

Khan was taken to Rawalpindi for a medical exam and police questioning before his hearing.

On Tuesday morning, the former leader recorded a video from an undisclosed place alleging officials were out to arrest him to prevent him from campaigning.

Last year’s expelled 72-year-old has spent his time campaigning against his replacement, alleging his dismissal was illegitimate.

With rallies in every major city, this escalation is a crucial step in Pakistan’s political crisis. Sky News in Pakistan showed civilians breaking into army bases in Lahore and Rawalpindi and setting army vehicles on fire. Politically and socially, Pakistan is in an uneasy and unpredictable 12-48 hours due to public displeasure with the military.

After widespread demonstrations, Army sources told Sky News that a “high-level” meeting of Pakistan Army Core-Commanders is slated for Tuesday evening.

It follows a letter from Pakistan’s Army HQ urging commanders to “extremely vigilance” and “stay put in units”.

“Under a low profile,” the Sky News document instructs army officers to return to their bases.

The country’s interior minister Rana Sanaullah said Khan’s scam is worth 5bn rupees (£5.9m) and tied to the money laundering of a UK property billionaire.

Mr. Sanaullah claimed that Khan’s wife registered the “corruption” and that followers of the politician will be dealt with if they “create any law and order situation”.

Tear gas was hurled at demonstrators in Karachi and Lahore to disperse supporters of the former Prime Minister.

Raoof Hasan, a Khan party leader, described the arrest “blatant interference in the judicial affairs by the powers-that-be”.

“We’re completely in the dark,” he remarked. He was kidnapped from the courtroom.”

Sri Lanka to Host Asia Cup

Original Source: Asia Cup set to be moved from Pakistan to Sri Lanka

The Asia Cup may shift from Pakistan to Sri Lanka, according to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Since BCCI secretary Jay Shah indicated the Indian team would not cross the border, the event was always going to be moved from the original host country.

Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are backing the island nation to host the tournament, which will be decided by the end of the month. Pakistan’s participation in the tournament is uncertain, with reports suggesting it may boycott.

While Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continues to express interest in keeping the tournament at home, BCCI has found support from other ACC member nations, making the decision a formality. The PCB suggested a hybrid plan to organize the Asia Cup in Dubai, hosting India’s matches only, after the BCCI refused to come to Pakistan due to government clearance issues.

The tournament broadcaster also expressed concerns about the suggestion, which was rejected. The other boards also have reservations about playing in the Gulf region a month before the 50-over World Cup due to September being peak summer in the UAE. During a recent informal ACC meeting, Oman proposed to host the event, but Sri Lanka was chosen due to the conditions.

In September 2018, Dubai hosted the Asia Cup, when participants faced difficult conditions. With the World Cup starting in October’s first week and nations wanting to utilize the Asia Cup as a warmup, the UAE has been ruled out. Hardik Pandya broke down with a back injury during the event. Even the BCCI’s September 2020 IPL matches, held in the second half of summer, were problematic for players.

Pakistan’s involvement uncertain

With nations unwilling to risk players in harsh temperatures and Sri Lanka Cricket interested in hosting the tournament, the ACC will decide in the coming weeks. Since Colombo experiences monsoons in September, Dambulla and Pallekele may host the event if Sri Lanka hosts it.

The World Cup’s impact is unknown. The PCB may not play in the Asia Cup if it is shifted from Pakistan, according to reports. If they skip that competition, they may not play in the World Cup, which India will host in October-November.

Sri Lanka won the 2022 Asia Cup, which was played in T20 format before the T20 World Cup in Australia. The tournament uses 20- or 50-over formats depending on the ICC event. It’ll be 50-overs this time. India defeated Bangladesh in the final of the 50-over event in Dubai.

If Pakistan plays, the Asia Cup will include six teams. Nepal, along with India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, qualified for the tournament by winning the ACC Premier Cup.

Between September 2 and 17, the event is tentatively scheduled.

India Vs. Pakistan at Ahmedabad’s Modi Stadium in October-November

Original Source: Cricket World Cup: Coming up in Oct-Nov, India vs Pak at Ahmedabad’s Modi Stadium

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is the favorite to host the October-November ICC 50-over World Cup match between India and Pakistan, the first between the archrivals on Indian territory since 2016.

In anticipation of a huge number of foreign spectators traveling to India for the match, the BCCI has decided to host the high-voltage match in the Ahmedabad stadium. The Narendra Modi Stadium is the nation’s largest with 1 lakh seats.

The BCCI will announce the World Cup schedule in a major launch after the Indian Premier League ends, according to reports.

If all goes well, the 50-over World Cup will begin on October 5 in Nagpur, Bengaluru, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Rajkot, Indore, Mohali, and Dharamshala.

However, only seven of these stadiums will host India’s league matches. If India makes the final, Ahmedabad may be the sole location for two matches.

Due to security concerns, Pakistan may play most of their matches in Chennai and Bengaluru. Eden Gardens in Kolkata is another possibility. Bangladesh might also play most of their matches in Kolkata and Guwahati to avoid fan travel.

Since October-November is monsoon season, the BCCI plans to finish southern matches before the first week of November.

The Indian Express reported that the BCCI conferred with the Indian team management for matches other than the one with Pakistan.

According to insiders, the Indian squad requested that the BCCI assign matchups against Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa to spinner-friendly locations. As it has done for years, it notified the board that it likes slow deliveries to maximize home advantage.

In recent years, the Indian team has performed well on slow courses at home. So the team management suggested that the Indian squad play top teams on slow surfaces during scheduling. “They wanted a home advantage,” a BCCI source claimed.

According to sources, the state units have given the BCCI their wish list, but the BCCI will decide where the matches would be played. But they noted there’s a great probability Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium would host India’s match against Australia, while games against New Zealand, England, and South Africa will be played in other places with slow fields.

Before the 50-over World Cup, the BCCI would refurbish venues nationwide with approximately Rs 500 crore. After recent stadium criticism, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said the board would upgrade its facilities, prioritizing clean toilets, simple access, and clean seats.

“All infrastructure will be upgraded before the World Cup. To reach more IPL and World Cup fans, the stadium was assessed. “We’ll upgrade infrastructure during this time,” Shah added.

Summary of Today’s Cricket Sports News

Overall, Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, was reportedly arrested while appearing in court in Islamabad on charges of corruption on many occasions, according to members of his political party.

On the other hand, with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) planning to relocate the event from Pakistan to Sri Lanka, it’s likely that the next Asia Cup will be played in that country. After BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced that the Indian team would not travel across the border, it became clear that the event would be moved from its original host country.

Finally, India and Pakistan’s highly anticipated first encounter on Indian soil since 2016 is set to take place in the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during the ICC 50-over World Cup in October/November.