Cricket news round-up – November 12: West Indies sweep series, Babar enthralls Perth

West Indies completed their whitewash of Afghanistan in the 3-match ODI series, while Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq got hundreds in Pakistan’s tour match. In other news, Sri Lanka became the first Asian country to criminalise match-fixing charges, while AB de Villiers will not feature in PSL 2020.

West Indies cruise to series win

West Indies completed a 3-0 rout of Afghanistan with a 5-wicket win at Lucknow. Asked to bat, Afghanistan were reduced to 118/5 by Keemo Paul (3/44) – this, despite Hazratullah Zazai’s 59-ball 50 at the top. Asghar Afghan (86 in 85) and Mohammad Nabi (50* in 66) then led the charge, adding 127 to help Afghanistan post 249/7. Roston Chase (10-0-26-1) continued with his excellent form.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/49) then struck twice in the third over to reduce West Indies to 4/2, but Shai Hope – who became the first West Indian in 13 years to score 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year earlier in the series – held the fort at one end, remaining unbeaten on 109. He was assisted by cameos from Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, and Chase as West Indies reached home with 8 balls to spare.

Hundreds for Babar, Asad

Babar Azam was at his imperious best in Pakistan’s tour match against an Australia A side at Perth Stadium. Coming out at 60/3, Babar took full control, opening up in an array of exquisite strokes. In all he hit 24 fours in his 197-ball 157 not out, a significant part of which took place under lights. With Asad Shafiq also unbeaten on 119, the tourists finished the day on 336/3.

The hosts fielded a phalanx of quality fast bowlers, in Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Sean Abbott, and Riley Meredith, whose potence increased even more with the pink ball. Meredith, fast-tracked into the side presumably because of his raw pace, picked up two early wickets but did not find enough control to trouble Babar.

Sri Lanka criminalises match-fixing

The Sri Lankan Parliament passed a bill to enhance “Prevention of Offences Related to Sports”. Violation of the same will result in imprisonment of up to ten years, reported ESPNCricinfo.

The bill found strong support from, among others, Sports Minister Harin Fernando and cabinet minister and former captain Arjuna Ranatunga. The charges also include failure to report approaches of fixing.

No de Villiers in PSL 2020

AB de Villiers has opted out of the 2020 edition of the Pakistan Super League, and will not be part of the December 6 drafts. He had played for Lahore Qalandars in 2019. “Just managing workload. On-off as much as possible,” he explained, as per an ESPNCricinfo report.

De Villiers had last played competitive cricket for Middlesex in the Vitality Blast, and before that, for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. He is also set to play for Brisbane Heat in the upcoming BBL.