POPE, HAIN HELP ENGLAND LIONS DRAW VS INDIA ‘A’

WAYANAD: Ollie Pope (63) and Sam Hain (57) stood out on the final day with fighting half centuries as England Lions drew the first unofficial Test against India ‘A’ at the Krishnagiri stadium here on Sunday. Hain and 21-year old Pope, a highly rated batsmen who has played two Tests so far, defied the India ‘A’ bowlers to put up a 105-run partnership. India ‘A’ opener Priyank Panchal, who slammed a double century, was named man of the match. The second unofficial Test begins in Mysuru on February 13. Brief scores: England Lions 340 &

214/5 in 83 overs (Ollie Pope 63, Sam Hain 57, Jalaj Saxena 2/41). India ‘A’ 540/6. Match drawn.

No home game, Pak to host Australia matches in UAE

KARACHI: Australia have refused to any of the ODI series matches in Pakistan due to security concerns and the two teams will now compete in the World Cup preparatory five-match series in the UAE. After much delay the

PCB on Sunday announced that the one-day series would be played entirely in the UAE from March 22 to 31. The PCB had invited CA to send its team to Karachi to play one or two matches and were hopeful of convincing the Australians to come to Pakistan for the first time since 1998. PCB Director Cricket, Zakir Khan, however, said that the CA has assured them that they will send their security expert to oversee the execution of security plans for the PSL 2019 matches.

Bangladesh confident of success in New Zealand

DHAKA: Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza is confident his team can break their drought in New Zealand during the upcoming series, even without their talismanic all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib was ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series with a fracture to the little finger on his left hand. Bangladesh have not defeated New Zealand in any format during their previous four visits. The ODI series starts in Napier on Wednesday and the first of three Tests begin in Hamilton on February 28.