Kohli praises youngsters in team, ICC ban WI coach for 2 games, and more - Cricket News Today, 16 October 2018

Welcome to Sportskeeda's Cricket News Today for October 16, 2018.

The second Test between Australia and Pakistan began today at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

After opting to bat first, Pakistan were in a spot of bother as Nathan Lyon ripped through the top-order. Fakhar Zaman and captain Sarfraz Ahmed got Pakistan back into the game as both of them scored 94.

Currently, Pakistan are batting with 251 runs on the board for the loss of 8 wickets.

There has been no cricketing action apart from this match. The Vijay Hazare Trophy semifinals will commence from tomorrow while the final stages of the APL 2018 group stage will take place later tonight.

Let's take a look at the trending news from today.

#1 Virat Kohli praises Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant

Both Rishabh Pant and Prithvi Shaw were spectacular with the bat in India's 2-0 win over the Windies in the recently concluded Test series held in India.

Virat Kohli, the captain of the side, was extremely proud of their performances and had a lot to say about the two youngsters after the series.

"Prithvi was outstanding, Rishabh was fearless. I am really happy that these guys have grabbed their chances," he said to the media at the post-match press conference.

"I know the conditions were not as challenging as they might get in future, but in Test cricket, the first and the most important thing is confidence and understanding that you can score runs at the Test level," said Virat while hinting at Shaw's and Pant's inclusion in the Test series against Australia.

"From that point of, I'm very happy that these guys have taken their chance so well," he concluded.

#2 Stuart Law banned for two ODIs against India

Stuart Law

West Indies coach Stuart Law has been banned for the first two ODIs against India after receiving three demerit points and after being fined 100% of his match fees in the recently concluded Test against India held in Hyderabad.

Law received the demerit points and fine after he was found guilty of using inappropriate language against the TV umpires. He was disappointed with a decision made by the umpire when Kieran Powell was given out after a catch taken by Ajinkya Rahane at slips.

Law will be moving to Middlesex in December and has already handed in his resignation to West Indies Cricket.

#3 Australia desperately need Smith and Warner, says Warne

Steve Smith

With Australia currently taking on Pakistan and getting ready to take on India later this year, former Australian spinner Shane Warne opened up about the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner.

Both Smith and Warner are currently serving a year's ban after being found quilty of tampering the ball against South Africa earlier this year.

However, Warne felt that the punishment was too harsh and it should have been reduced.

"It can be uncomfortable coming back but Australia cricket desperately need them back," Warne told Omnisport. "There is not enough talent coming up to replace players of this standard.

"They have played a lot of cricket, which I wasn't able to do, which is a surprise. I would have encouraged them to take their minds off cricket by jumping into something else.

"At the time, I thought the punishment of Smith, Warner and Bancroft was very harsh. For Smith and Warner to get a 12-month ban was a punishment that didn't fit the crime – they were playing against an opposition captain [Faf du Plessis] who had been done twice for ball tampering," he said.

#4 Sanath Jayasuriya makes statement after being charged by ICC

Sanath Jayasuriya

Former Sri Lankan cricketer and captain Sanath Jayasuriya opened up to the media about the charges laid on him by the ICC

He was found guilty of violating the anti-corruption code. Due to this, the ICC has charged the former cricketer.

"The charges allege that I have not been cooperative and not assisted their investigations," Jayasuriya said in a widely released statement on Tuesday.

"I have always conducted myself with integrity and transparency with matters concerning the sport and I will continue to do so.

"The charges do not contain any allegations pertaining to match fixing, pitch fixing or any other similar corrupt activity, but I am not in any position to release any comments at this moment," he said.