Since 2014, the public sector banks' branch network in rural and semi urban has grown by a mere 4,000 while for private sector banks, it doubled from 9,673 to 18,437.
Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen appeared to have brought the curtain down on his cricket playing career on Saturday, announcing his decision to step away from the game in a series of messages on social media.
New Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has promised to do everything in his power to help disgraced paceman Mohammad Amir realise his full potential after the bowler was granted a visa for the team's upcoming tour of England. Amir will return to England six years after a spot-fixing scandal in a Lord's test resulted in bans and jail sentences for the then teenage bowler and his former team mates Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif. "He served his time, he's done it," Arthur, who coached Amir at Karachi Kings in Pakistan Super League (PSL), said in his first news conference since succeeding Waqar Younis in the post.
Another Pakistan player suspended in corruption scandal.
Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq said being confined to home due to the coronavirus-forced lockdown can become depressing and wants some cricket activities to resume soon even if the matches have to take place behind closed doors with proper safety barriers. Misbah said he would love to see some cricket activities resume at the international level and has no problems in playing in empty stadiums.
In another round of economic booster, Sitharaman announced steps to help homebuyers and push exports.
Norne Morkel, who has now retired from the international cricket, has said that he is keen to play in the Big Bash and Sheffield Shield having relocated to Sydney with his family.
Mohammad Irfan expects to avoid a backlash from Pakistan fans after the serving a six-month ban for failing to disclose approaches made by bookmakers during a domestic Twenty20 tournament and is happy for the chance to resume his career.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Thursday.
Banks to be permitted to raise long-term funds for lending to infrastructure sector with minimum regulatory pre-emption such as CRR, SLR and Priority Sector Lending.
The legendary opener has always been very touchy about how players treat their jerseys and caps.
Pakistan's head coach Waqar Younis said he was focussing on preparations for the Asia Cup and World T20 events and not thinking about an extension of his coaching contract that expires in May. "I have still three to four months of my contract left and right now I haven't given a thought to the future," he told reporters here yesterday. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shahryar Khan has said that the board had decided to extend the contract of Waqar for the tour to England which lasts from July to September. "Coaching of any team is always a tough job. It doesn't matter whether you do well or disappoint. It is a tough job and I knew about this when I accepted this challenge. I enjoy taking up tough challenges," Waqar said. The former Pakistan captain said at present, he was only focusing on preparations for the Asia Cup and World T20 events and not thinking about his contract. He said when the time came, he will think about it.
Chennai Super Kings batsman Sam Billings, on Tuesday, said it was collective effort that resulted in the team's triumph in the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League.
Former Pakistan captain and fast bowling great, Wasim Akram slammed the formation of an inquiry committee by the cricket board to probe into the team's poor show in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh. "I don't understand the purpose of announcing a probe committee when the national team is due to leave for India for the World T20," Akram told a news conference on Saturday. Akram, who was Director of the Islamabad United franchise which recently won the Pakistan Super League in Dubai, said that it was lamentable that instead of supporting the team the players were being put under pressure. "I don't agree with this thinking. This decision of the Pakistan Cricket Board to evaluate the team's performance in the Asia Cup at this time," he added. "It does not make sense as the World T20 is just a few days away."
Senior Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal says his side is good enough to upstage formidable India and lift the Asia Cup trophy when the two teams clash on Sunday. Tamim has fond memories of matches against India and no one can forget the six that he hit off Zaheer Khan during their upset victory during the 2007 50-over World Cup in Port of Spain. "I have forgotten about that match but you guys always make me remember. Yes, we have had some memorable matches against India. I believe if we play to our potential, there is every possibility of beating India. We have defeated them in 50-over format last year and there is no reason we can't repeat that in 20-over format," Tamim told reporters after practice session. Tamim is also confident that he and his teammates can tackle India's new speedster Jasprit Bumrah, who bowls with an unusual action. "We have had discussions in our team meeting about Jasprit Bumrah. We have seen footages of his bowling. I have done my homework on him and let's see how it goes.
It seems that Pakistan's long-standing wait to end their drought of international cricket at home is finally coming to an end as West Indies are mulling to tour the country for the two-match T20 series in March this year, subject to an agreement from the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) and security clearance. "There is an offer [from the PCB] to play two T20 matches in Pakistan, subject to Players' Association agreement and security clearance," ESPNcricinfo quoted Roland Holder, WICB manager of cricket operations, as saying.
Supremely confident of his pace attack, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi on Friday said his fast bowlers are capable of sending the Indian top-order packing in the first six overs itself when the two teams lock horns in the Asia Cup T20 group league match, in Fatullah on Saturday. "Pace bowlers are the main form of attack in these conditions. We have got four pacers and they are just cricketers who are considered to be wicket-taking. Our fast bowlers will try to utilise the opening six overs by removing their batsmen as that is considered to be their strength," Afridi said at the pre-match press conference. Afridi though acknowledged that Indian batsmen do play spinners very well. In the spin department, Afridi will be supported by left-arm spinner Muhammad Nawaz, who has done well in the recently concluded PSL. "Indian batsmen usually play spinners very well and they have in-form players in their squad as they have come here playing some good cricket. I think apart from me there is Mohammad Nawaz who performed really well in the domestic cricket as well as in the PSL. The fast bowlers are also in good shape whether it is Amir, Wahab or Irfan.
'If they want us to announce our retirements we will do it, but we can't waste an opportunity to earn good money.'
West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo on Friday announced his return to international cricket, little over a year after he called it quits due to a bitter fallout with the West Indies Cricket Board. He said the decision was prompted by the change of guard in WICB, where former team manager Ricky Skerritt took over as the new president replacing Dave Cameron earlier this year.
Sunil Narine has been one of the chief architects behind KKR's success in the Indian Premier League in 2012 and 2014 editions and he, along with Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla will prove a strong bowling combine for KKR.
The former Pakistan captain said he is aware that expectations would be high but he is confident he can work well with some of the most talented and exciting cricketers in the country.
Pakistan national selectors have delayed announcement of the national squad for the Asia T20 and World T20 after some sterling performances in the ongoing Pakistan Super League in Dubai. A source told PTI that chief selector Haroon Rasheed had sent a 15-member squad to the chairman of the cricket board for final approval but then asked for some more time to revise the squad. "Haroon has held consultations with head coach Waqar Younis and captain Shahid Afridi over the selection of the squad and apparently the biggest issues are the selection of Ahmed Shehzad, Khurrum Manzoor, Kamran Akmal, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan, Rumman Raees and uncapped left arm spinners, Muhammad Nawaz and Muhammad Ashgar," a source said.
The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shahryar Khan has conveyed to Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq that the board wants him to retire after the tour to the West Indies in March-April.
Jamshed, who has played 48 one-day internationals for Pakistan, was suspended from all forms of cricket in February for violating the PCB's anti-corruption code.
West Indies batting legend Vivian Richards has lauded swashbuckling New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum for posting the fastest ton in Test cricket off just 54 balls, bidding adieu to the game on an incredible high. Richards, who held the record for the quickest hundred in Tests off 56 balls jointly with Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq till McCullum broke it yesterday, was all praise for the Kiwi skipper for his record-breaking feat. "Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Brendon...(I've) been a great fan of yours for many years. Well done on your achievement," said Richards in the video on Twitter, posted by Pakistan Super League (PSL) side Quetta Gladiators. "And if there was going to be an individual who you would've liked to have surpassed whatever you would've achieved in life, certainly it would be you. You're one of those individuals who help to put bums on seats. Long may that continue. Well done, man," he added.
The money-spinning Indian Premier League has mulled a closed-door edition in a desperate bid to avoid cancellation as the deadly COVID-19 sent Indian sports into quarantine after a government directive for fans to be kept away from all action to prevent the pandemic from spreading.
Chennai Super Kings comprises some of the oldest players in the Indian Premier League, and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni knows fully well that they cannot be a great fielding outfit but can make it up in batting and bowling.
Dwayne Bravo believes that the West Indies will pose a threat to all the teams in the coming World Cup.
'Warner overstepped the line a lot in his early career. He then changed into a more placid player but was then told by Cricket Australia to be the enforcer and was doing what he was told'
Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed feels the categorisation of Test and limited overs spinners is the need of the hour. According to Mushtaq, skill-wise, Lyon and Ashwin are on par with greats like Saqlain Mushtaq and Muttiah Muralitharan but not best suited for the one-day game.
Left-arm pacer Junaid Khan on Wednesday shrugged off rumours about him considering options regarding switching to England cricket team after being repeatedly ignored by Pakistan selectors. The reports stated that Junaid is looking to permanently settle in England and gradually represent The Three Lions in international cricket. The left-arm pacer admitted that he was immensely disappointed for not being selected for Pakistan's upcoming England tour.
Thanks to Watson's knock, CSK chased down a target of 176 with six wickets to spare.
World cricket's most intriguing rivalry will once again be renewed when India take on an unpredictable Pakistan with rehabilitated pacer Mohammad Aamir being the focus of attention in a round-robin league encounter of the Asia Cup T20 tournament, in Mirpur, on Saturday.
Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar, who started his international career in 2000, will stand in a record 129th Test match when Australia take on New Zealand in the first Test in Perth on Thursday.
One of the most formidable batsmen of his era, Inzamam-ul-Haq has said India are way ahead of other teams in T20s due to their much-improved lower-order batting.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is holding negotiations with legendary West Indian batsman Sir Vivian Richards to appoint him as mentor of the national team for the forthcoming Asia Cup and ICC World T20 in Bangladesh and India. A highly placed source in the Board confirmed to PTI that talks were being held with Richards as the PCB was keen to have him on board as mentor for the two premier T20 events. "Yes the board is very impressed with the way Richards has worked as mentor with the Quetta Gladiators team in the Pakistan Super League and also want him to mentor the Pakistan squad in the Asia Cup and World T20," the source said. He said one obstacle in the appointment of Richards as mentor was that he had some media commitments in the ICC World T20. "They are trying to find a solution because the Board is keen Richards should mentor the Pakistan team but he has not agreed to anything as yet," the source said. Richards himself this week expressed interest in any assignment with Pakistan cricket.
Afghanistan cricket broke a new barrier when Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan became the first from the war-torn nation to be picked in the Indian Premier League Player's Auction, in Bengaluru, on Monday.
West Indian batting legend Vivian Richards is open to the idea of coaching Pakistan national cricket team though he feels that the current coach Waqar Younis is doing a 'great job'.
Gail India has received bids from seven firms for the Rs 973 crore (Rs 9.73 billion) Dahej-Uran pipeline project.
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