Cricket News Today: Sourav Ganguly clarifies criteria for chief selector role, Hardik Pandya ruled out of New Zealand Test series and more

Hello and welcome to the daily roundup of all the major narratives dominating the world of cricket on the 1st of February, 2020.

A number of intriguing stories came to the fore on Saturday, with those ranging from Sourav Ganguly clarifying the selection criteria for the chief of selectors while Hardik Pandya, India’s premier pace-bowling all-rounder, was ruled out of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand after failing to recover sufficiently from his back injury.

Elsewhere, Shoaib Akhtar and Virat Kohli opened up on the brace of Super Overs that has engulfed the series between the Black Caps and India while Faheem Ashraf and Bilal Asif were recalled for Pakistan’s first Test against Bangladesh.

Here is a detailed look at the aforementioned news.

#1 Sourav Ganguly says most capped Test player will become chief selector

A few weeks ago, a couple of selectors, including chief selector, MSK Prasad’s tenure culminated. Subsequently, there has been a lot of chatter about the criteria for the incumbent selector, with several yardsticks being thrown about.

However, on Saturday, BCCI President, Sourav Ganguly put to rest all speculation, stating that the cricketer to have played the most number of Tests among those applying, would be preferred for that role.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, he said -

It will be the one with the most Tests.

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Earlier, the likes of Ajit Agarkar, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and Venkatesh Prasad had showcased an interest for the job, with the general consensus being that Sivaramakrishnan would be handed the mantle of being chief selector, in light of his seniority.

However, if the aforementioned criteria were to be followed, the former leg-spinner could miss out with Agarkar and Prasad having played more Tests.

Moreover, there still seems to be no clarity on whether the selectors would be chosen on a zonal basis or if it would purely be based on merit.

Read the full article here: Sourav Ganguly makes stance clear, most capped Test player to become chief selector

#2 Hardik Pandya ruled out of Tests against New Zealand

Hardik Pandya has been nursing a back injury since the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, although many expected him to be fit and firing for the Men In Blue’s tour to New Zealand. However, the all-rounder’s road to recovery has been marred by several obstacles and in the most recent development, Hardik was ruled out of the upcoming Test rubber against the Kiwis.

Furthermore, it was revealed that he would be continuing his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

He travelled to London and was accompanied by NCA Head Physio Ashish Kaushik for a review by spinal surgeon Dr James Allibone. Hardik will be under rehab at the National Cricket Academy until he regains full match fitness.

Earlier, there had been rumours about the Mumbai Indians star failing a workload test prior to the white-ball series against the Black Caps.

India are slated to play South Africa post the assignment in New Zealand. Thus, at this juncture, that particular rubber seems the appropriate time to pencil down a return for the all-rounder.

Read the full article here: NZ vs IND 2020: Hardik Pandya ruled out of New Zealand Test series

#3 Virat Kohli opens up on effects of two consecutive Super Overs

The past few days have seen India and New Zealand embroil themselves in a pair of Super Overs, despite the latter looking likely to win the encounter for large swathes. In fact, on both occasions, the Men In Blue have managed to claw their way back into the match and have subsequently, forced a one-over eliminator.

Consequently, India got their first taste of the Super Over, having never been called into such a situation before the 3rd T20I at Seddon Park. On the above, Virat Kohli quipped,

There's something new I've learned in the last couple of games: when the opposition is playing well, you stay calm till the end and try to come back. We couldn't have asked for more exciting games, we've never played Super Overs before and now we've won two. It shows the character of the team.

The final game of the five-match T20I series takes place at the Bay Oval on the 2nd of February, 2020 as the hosts look to get on the board whereas India would be hoping to complete an unprecedented white-wash on Kiwi shores.

Read the full article here: Two Super Over finishes have taught me to stay calm, says Virat Kohli

#4 Shoaib Akhtar terms New Zealand ‘new chokers’ after another Super Over defeat

Back in July 2019, the Kiwis had the World Cup carpet swept from under them when a bizarre rule decided that the Three Lions, courtesy the number of boundaries, were the winners of the competition. A few weeks later, the Kiwis lost to the same opposition in another Super Over.

And, over the past week, the Black Caps have again spurned presentable openings to forego the initiative and hand their opponents a route back into the match via the Super Over.

Unsurprisingly, New Zealand’s tendency to handle pressure has come under the scanner and it seems that former Pakistan fast-bowler, Shoaib Akhtar hasn’t been too impressed by the Kiwis’ propensity to wilt under pressure.

They have tied 6 matches and have managed to win only 1 Super Over. Looks like they have done specialization in losing. Despite being a good team they could not achieve an easy target like 166. It’s very sad to see New Zealand struggling like this. I think New Zealand choke under pressure.

He further added,

166 should have been an easy chase but the Kiwis made life difficult for themselves. This goes to show they don’t have the nerves to handle pressure scenarios. Are they new chokers of the world? Are they the new South Africa who could never win in a tough situation?

Read the full article here: New Zealand are new chokers: Shoaib Akhtar after Kiwis lose another Super Over contest

#5 Faheem Ashraf and Bilal Asif called up for 1st Test against Bangladesh

All-rounder, Faheem Ashraf and off spinner, Bilal Asif have been recalled into Pakistan’s Test setup for the Asian side’s first Test against Bangladesh, which begins on the 7th of February at Rawalpindi.

Ashraf began his career encouragingly when he notched up a knock of 83 against Ireland. However, post that, the all-rounder has been ravaged by injuries, meaning that he hasn’t been able to string together a consistent run in the national side.

Bilal, meanwhile, has featured for Pakistan five times in the longest format, although the latest of those appearances came against New Zealand in 2018.

Fortunately for the duo though, they seem to boast the confidence of the team management with Misbah-ul-Haq praising Ashraf in particular, ahead of the series.

We have this option of playing a pace-bowling allrounder against Bangladesh and Ashraf took five wickets in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy final so we have selected him.

Read the full article here: Pakistan vs Bangladesh 2020: Faheem Ashraf and Bilal Asif recalled by Pakistan for first Test