Pat Cummins joined the list when he went 6, 6, 6 against Shardul Thakur in Hyderabad in IPL 2025

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Mar-2025Pat Cummins vs LSG, 2025
Cummins walked out to bat at the end of the 16th over with SRH 156 for 6. He got on strike in the next over, and hit back-to-back sixes off Shardul Thakur’s last two balls to get going. The first ball was short and wide, which he thrashed over point before dumping a juicy full toss over the sight-screen next ball. He faced his third ball in the next over, off Avesh Khan, and deposited the length ball straight down the ground again. He was dismissed next ball, steering one to short third, for a four-ball 18.MS Dhoni vs Mumbai Indians (MI), 2024
Wankhede roared as MS Dhoni made his way to the middle with just four balls left in the innings against MI. They got their money’s worth when he showed no mercy to MI captain Hardik Pandya. He started by clobbering a length ball over long-off, much to the delight of the “away” crowd. The next ball was again on a length, which Dhoni deposited over long-on. Hardik next went for the yorker but dished out a low full toss that was flicked over deep square-leg. Dhoni finished unbeaten on 20 off four with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) winning the game by that exact margin.MS Dhoni hit three sixes off his first three balls against MI in IPL 2024•BCCINicholas Pooran vs SRH, 2023
Nicholas Pooran found himself in the middle with LSG needing 56 off 27 in a chase of 183. Abhishek Sharma had just broken a 43-ball 73-run partnership by dismissing Marcus Stoinis. It mattered little for Pooran, who slog-swept the left-arm spinner over deep midwicket to open his account. The next ball was full, and he powered it straight over the bowler’s head. The third ball – the last of the over – was also full and Pooran got down on his knees to bash it over deep midwicket. In all, five sixes were hit in that over – Stoinis had hit two earlier.Sunil Narine vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), 2021
In the eliminator of IPL 2021 in Sharjah, Sunil Narine went out at No. 5 when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) needed just 60 off 54 balls. He hit three successive sixes off Dan Christian to set about his task of injecting momentum to the close. Two of his sixes came to the shorter leg side – first a pull over fine leg against a short ball and then a slog over midwicket to a full ball on his pads. When Christian provided him the width on his third ball, he powered a one-handed six over long-off. Narine had earlier picked up a four-wicket haul to restrict RCB, and his 15-ball 26 ended Virat Kohli’s tenure as captain in the IPL.

Mikel Arteta remained tight-lipped on Declan Rice's fitness after the Arsenal midfielder hobbled off during the midweek win over Brentford. The Gunners are fighting several fitness issues ahead of their trip to Villa Park this weekend, and the Spaniard refused to give any firm assurances when pressed on an update on the midfielder.

• Arteta urges patience with Rice

  Rice has become the heartbeat of the Gunners’ midfield since his record move from West Ham. However, the player picked up a niggle during the 2-0 victory over the Bees and now remains uncertain for the next match against Unai Emery's side. Although Rice eased initial concerns in the immediate aftermath by insisting he felt "fine", Arteta adopted a noticeably cautious tone when pressed about the 25-year-old’s availability for the club’s next Premier League outing during Friday's press conference. 

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  Arteta provides update on Arsenal injuries

  Arteta was reluctant to discuss specifics, emphasising the need to monitor how Rice responds over the next 24 hours.

  "Well, let's see," Arteta told reporters on Friday. "I think with all the questions I'm going to get, the answer, unfortunately, is going to be the same. We have another training session in the afternoon. Every hour is going to be very important to see the availability of the players. After that, we'll decide who travels."

  Arteta’s uncertainty was not limited to Rice. The manager admitted that defender Cristhian Mosquera faces a particularly difficult race against time to feature this weekend. The prospect of being without Mosquera is a fresh headache for the Arsenal head coach, who is already navigating a defensive shortage with William Saliba and Gabriel also in the treatment room. 

  "That's the more complicated one, but again, we have another test today to see where we are with them," he said. "We need to know, because the feeling that we had after the game and yesterday, we need to corroborate with what happens with all the testing that we do today."

  While speaking on the fitness of William Saliba and Leandro Trossard, Arsenal said: "It is a matter of days with those two, for sure. After the training session, we'll know more."

• Transfer window already open in Arteta's mind

  Despite Arsenal investing more than £250 million on eight new arrivals during the last window, Arteta hinted the club may still dip back into the market if the right conditions present themselves. He stressed that unpredictability is part of the sport, and that the club must be prepared to act if injury setbacks or unexpected departures force their hand.

  "We always have to be prepared," said Arteta. "The moment that we have an option to touch the squad, to improve the squad or to protect the squad, depending on what happens, I think we need to be open for it. From what is going to happen from here until the window is closed as well, is football. So, we don't know but we're certainly going to be on alert and we know where the risk can come in terms of the squad and be ready just in case we have to do something."

  Arsenal played against Brentford on Wednesday night, and they kick off against Villa on Saturday lunchtime. Speaking his mind on the busy football schedule, Arteta said: "The only thing I can say is that whenever it's possible to help and give the players an extra day or hours to fulfil the maximum potential, let's do it. That's it. We are ready for tomorrow's game, that's for sure."

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  Title race tension builds as Arsenal extend lead

  Arsenal’s win against Brentford means they travel to Birmingham with a five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League. Manchester City briefly narrowed the deficit on Tuesday evening after their breathless 5-4 triumph at Fulham, though Pep Guardiola’s men do not kick off until later on Saturday. That scheduling quirk gives Arsenal the chance to stretch the gap to eight points before City take on Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium. It is an opportunity, but not one that will come easily. Villa, under Unai Emery, have surged into third place following a thrilling 4-3 win at Brighton and have turned Villa Park into one of the most formidable venues in the division. Arteta knows the challenge ahead will require some creative problem-solving if several of his first-choice players fail to recover in time.

One of the biggest troubles for Leeds United this season is how poorly they have performed in front of goal. Daniel Farke’s side find themselves in a relegation battle, which many people expected would be the case. ESPN journalist Bill Connelly said they need “random bursts of quality attacking” to help them stay up.

Well, things haven’t worked out that way so far for the Whites. They’ve found the back of the net just nine times, better than just two sides, including bottom of the league Wolverhampton Wanderers. Leeds’ expected goals tally is just 12.94xG, the 12th best in the top flight.

One man who has struggled for his best goalscoring form is Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Calvert-Lewin’s struggles in front of goal

Leeds secured the signing of Calvert-Lewin in the summer on a free transfer, after his contract at Everton expired. He was brought in with the aim of bolstering their Premier League goalscoring stocks, although it hasn’t really worked out that well so far.

The experienced 28-year-old, who has 11 caps and four goals for England, has not quite hit the ground running in a Leeds shirt.

In nine games for the club so far, Calvert-Lewin has only found the back of the net once, against fellow strugglers Wolves.

It was a good finish, too, from the new Leeds number nine. He got on the end of a loopy cross from Jayden Bogle, finding space between the Wolves defenders and heading home. That is the kind of striking instinct Leeds fans may have expected.

However, it hasn’t really worked out for Calvert-Lewin, aside from that goal. His underlying numbers are surprisingly low, averaging just 2.8 shots per 90 minutes, with an expected goals per game of 0.33xG. That places him in the 25th percentile for Premier League strikers.

With a huge game against Nottingham Forest next up, Farke may decide to rotate the striker out of the side in favour of a man who knows where the back of the net is.

Leeds’ Calvert-Lewin alternative

Ultimately, Leeds need to start finding the back of the net more consistently soon. Goals win you football matches, and right now, they could do with a few victories to help propel them up the table.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Well, Farke could well make the decision to axe Calvert-Lewin against Forest this weekend, and bring in Joel Piroe.

The Dutchman is someone who knows where the back of the net is, and Farke even called him the “best finisher” he’s ever seen as a manager.

With strikes like this one against Bristol City in the Championship last season, it is easy to see where the Whites’ boss is coming from.

Piroe bagged from quite a tight angle outside of the area, which takes some doing.

Indeed, he has put up some impressive numbers in a Leeds shirt so far. In 102 games for the club, the striker has 33 goals and ten assists. Last term in the Championship, Piroe was the main man up front and bagged 19 goals with seven assists in 46 games.

His underlying stats showcase how deadly he can be, too. During the league-winning 2024/25 season, the Dutch striker averaged 0.56 goals per 90 minutes, with an expected goals tally of 0.49xG. Both of those stats placed him in the top 5% of Championship strikers.

Goals

0.56

95th

Shots on target

1.14

89th

Expected goals

0.49xG

95th

Shot-creating actions

2.43

84th

Goal-creating actions

0.38

91st

Bringing Piroe into the side for the trip to the City Ground could be a stroke of genius from Farke. He has a point to prove, having fallen out of favour this season. He’s only played 164 top-flight minutes, but would surely love to get more regular game time.

Calvert-Lewin has been out of form this season. With someone who Farke himself has admitted is a deadly finisher waiting in the wings, he could be the difference in helping find the back of the net more often.

Farke can get DCL firing by ditching Aaronson for "unstoppable" Leeds star

Daniel Farke can finally get Dominic Calvert-Lewin firing at Leeds United by unleashing this speedy winger.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 6, 2025

As far as Sri Lanka are concerned, they are defending champions at this year’s Asia Cup. The case they are making is that the ODI version of the Asia Cup – which India last won in 2023 – is a different tournament entirely.The tournament alternates between the two white-ball formats based on which World Cup is around the corner. In 2023, it was the 50-over World Cup. In 2025, it is the T20 World Cup. And as far as the T20I version of the Asia Cup goes, Sri Lanka are the most-recent victors, having taken the title in 2022.”Mentally, the fact that we are defending champions is a really good thing,” Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said ahead of his team’s first Asia Cup game, against Bangladesh on Saturday. “It was a lot of these players that played in that last tournament here [in UAE] as well. We know that because we are champions we can go far. The players are using that as motivation.”Related

• Familiar foes Bangladesh and Sri Lanka meet in high-stakes contest

• Hridoy hits back at critics as Bangladesh opt for safety over speed

• Why are Sri Lanka and Bangladesh so poor at T20I batting?

• Hasaranga fit for Sri Lanka's Asia Cup campaign

At home, both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh tend to play on slower tracks not especially suited to batting. But Asalanka expected the Abu Dhabi surface to be different.”When you’re rating these conditions with other venues in the UAE, I think Abu Dhabi is the best pitch for batters. Once the ball gets softer it’s much easier to bat here, and the outfield is very nice. Every batsman wants to play in Abu Dhabi.”Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are very familiar with each other, having played three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests since the start of the year. Sri Lanka won the ODI and the Test series but Bangladesh took the T20I series.

Currently, it feels like Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract last year and sign for Real Madrid has benefitted nobody.

The Spanish giants have yet to find a starring role for the right-back in Xabi Alonso’s system; Trent is out in the cold vis-à-vis Thomas Tuchel’s England; Liverpool keenly miss their starboy’s creativity and flair.

All of this is premature. Much can change, and it has only been three months since the 2025/26 campaign kicked off. But Arne Slot’s Liverpool are lacking ideas at the moment; and just as importantly, they cannot find the answers to their opponents’ tactics.

Slot sought to reorient Liverpool’s creative focus to a more typical area, working with Anfield sporting director Richard Hughes to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for what stood as a record-breaking £116m fee for a few months.

Now, Liverpool are looking into new attacking midfielders to rival Wirtz for a place in the Reds’ starting line-up.

Why Liverpool are looking to sign Wirtz rival

Liverpool have landed a generational talent in Wirtz. The 22-year-old proved across years of age-defying quality in his homeland that he is destined for greatness.

However, we cannot deny it’s been a rocky road since the start of the season.

Wirtz is yet to register a goal involvement in the Premier League and he has not scored in any competition. However, his struggles stand against the backdrop of Liverpool’s wider issues this season. Slot’s side are worryingly imbalanced and sapped of confidence, having lost five of their past six top-flight fixtures.

But Wirtz has demonstrated his skill for Germany during the current international break, with analyst Raj Chohan saying his “creative passing has been insane”.

Florian Wirtz’s International Break
Match Stats	vs LUX	vs SVK
Minutes played	90′	77′
Goals	0	0
Assists	0	2
Shots (on target)	4 (2)	2 (0)
Accurate passes	46/56 (82%)	72/77 (94%)
Chances created	1	6
Crosses	0/5	2/5
Dribbles	5/6	1/3
Recoveries	5	9
Ground duels	8/10	3/5
Data via Sofascore

But, with Harvey Elliott struggling out on loan with Aston Villa and bound to depart for good in the near future, Liverpool have lined up 19-year-old midfielder Kees Smit as a potential rival for Wirtz in Slot’s system.

According to Soccer News, the AZ Alkmaar talent is emerging as a serious candidate for a transfer to Liverpool, and FSG are further drawn to the player after Slot’s personal advocacy, having worked with the young prospect during his stint with AZ back in 2019/20.

The teenager is valued at around £22.5m, and Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the circling sharks.

What Kees Smit would offer Liverpool

Smit is young and inexperienced, but the word on the Dutch streets is that he is one of the nation’s most exciting up-and-comers. Indeed, analyst Ben Mattinson has acknowledged Smit for his “superstar potential”, not just naturally gifted but intelligent, industrious and strong in defensive phases.

The Netherlands U21 star has made 50 senior showings already, scoring four goals and supplying six assists. Increasingly important in the Eredivisie, he’s started all 11 matches this term, notching two goals and two assists apiece while completing 88% of his passes, creating two chances on average each game and recovering six balls a match.

He’s so energetic, mobile and athletic while bearing the shrewdness to apply himself in the correct phases, never over-exerting. This is a rare trait for one so young, and emphasises the midfielder’s potential for success in the Premier League.

As per FBref, Smit ranks among the top 14% of midfielders in the Dutch top flight this season for pass completion and successful take-ons, and the top 8% for shot-creating actions per 90.

Should Wirtz be worried for his starting berth? While all of the above is true, stepping into the harsh English footballing climate is no easy task. Wirtz would testify for that argument.

But Smit is less of an out-and-out attacking midfielder than his older counterpart, and in this, he could be a glove-tight tactical fit under Slot’s management, instilling more creativity while adding to the steel and compactability of the engine room.

His more balanced approach differs from Wirtz’s own. The new Merseyside recruit has faced criticism for a perceived lack of physicality in the Premier League. Some pointed fingers regarding this matter have been unfair, but there’s no question that Wirtz needs to be more active in the duel, more combative when pitted against defenders.

The aforementioned Mattinson has singled Smit out as a “duel monster”, further underlining his potential in Slot’s Liverpool set-up.

The Reds have options in midfield, and they have creative players too. But it doesn’t take someone with Slot’s football-tuned mind to conclude that something isn’t working for the Premier League champions, who need to find a way out of this present rut, else a concerning start will devolve into a disastrous campaign with far-reaching ramifications.

If Liverpool succeed in sealing Smit’s signature this winter, there’s every chance that the perfect dimension would be added to ease the offensive issues at the club.

Who knows, perhaps the competition would help Wirtz grow into his Liverpool skin and begin to show that ability that was promised when Liverpool spent a staggering sum on bringing him over from Germany.

But if not, Smit has the potential to stand proud as one of the world’s best, and this could give Liverpool’s German maverick cause for concern.

Forget Ngumoha: 19-year-old star is Liverpool's new Luis Diaz in the making

Liverpool could now be brewing their next Luis Diaz in this rising 19-year-old star.

By
Kelan Sarson

Nov 18, 2025

Leicestershire close in on victory that would sign off their Division Two title triumph in style

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay26-Sep-2025Northamptonshire 189 and 120 for 5 (Keogh 42, Trevaskis 3-31) need a further 381 runs to beat Leicestershire 429 and 260 for 5 dec (Patel 76, Cox 51*, Budinger 50)Liam Trevaskis and Chris Wright sliced through Northamptonshire’s top order as Leicestershire closed in on a victory that would sign off their Rothesay County Championship Division Two title triumph in style.The Foxes, already confirmed as champions last week, declared and set Northamptonshire an improbable 501 to win at Wantage Road following Rishi Patel’s 76 and an unbeaten 30-ball half-century by Ben Cox.Left-arm spinner Trevaskis took three wickets, with seamer Wright – playing his final game prior to retirement – capturing the other two to reduce the home side to 120 for 5 before bad light halted play.Northamptonshire’s Rob Keogh top-scored with 42, passing 10,000 runs across all formats in the process, but his side’s slim hopes of staving off defeat largely rest on Saif Zaib, unbeaten on 20 at stumps.Leicestershire resumed with an overall lead of 326 and eight wickets in hand, but they were initially stifled by a tight spell from George Scrimshaw, who found some movement in both directions.However, it was a straight delivery from the seamer that removed Lewis Hill, leg-before for 38 and Patel then took command, punching a series of boundaries and bringing up his half-century with a straight drive off Stuart van der Merwe.Van der Merwe was also slog-swept for six by the Foxes opener, but there was success for his fellow rookie Nirvan Ramesh when Stephen Eskinazi reverse-swept the off-spinner and deflected onto his stumps.Although Patel’s hopes of another century to back up his 114 against Kent last week were dashed shortly before lunch when he nicked Zaib behind, the champions chose to bat on into the afternoon session.Yet Cox’s lightning half-century ensured that the innings continued for only five more overs – enough time for Leicestershire to pile up another 53 runs and extend their advantage to exactly 500.Cox bludgeoned the vast majority of those, scooping Scrimshaw for six and then flicking Ben Whitehouse over square leg and out of the ground before a booming four over the bowler’s head signalled both his 50 and the declaration.Logan van Beek and Wright gave away very little at the start of Northamptonshire’s second innings, with the ball rolling across the boundary rope just once during the first 11 attritional overs.Wright, bringing down the curtain on a 22-year professional career, dismissed both openers as Arush Buchake was caught behind pushing at a ball that left him before Lewis McManus drove straight to gully.Having edged Wright to the third boundary to reach his career landmark, Keogh gained a life soon afterwards when he nudged Josh Hull through the slips for four more, but settled down as he and James Sales steered their side to tea.The partnership progressed to 67, but Keogh’s good fortune ran out soon after the restart as he aimed an ambitious drive at Trevaskis and this time Patel safely pouched the chance at slip.Sales departed in the left-armer’s next over, caught behind off a bottom edge and Trevaskis then trapped Justin Broad lbw in a prolonged spell – partly enforced by the darkening clouds which restricted Leicestershire to slower bowling.Patel came on to deliver a single over of leg-breaks before the deteriorating light brought an end to proceedings, with Leicestershire needing five more wickets to wrap up victory on the final day of the season.

Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz was substituted against Manchester City after another torrid performance from both the Germany international and his teammates.

Pep Guardiola celebrated his 1,000th game as a manager with a convincing win over an old rival as Manchester City overpowered Liverpool 3-0 on Sunday. Typically Erling Haaland was on the scoresheet, opening the scoring for a dominant City side at the Etihad Stadium with his 99th Premier League goal after missing an earlier penalty.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had an equaliser controversially disallowed, but the champions were second best for much of a sodden afternoon and fell further behind to a deflected Nico Gonzalez strike before the break.

The outstanding Jeremy Doku, who tormented Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley, added a sublime third on his 100th appearance for the club. Victory lifted City back up to second in the table and within four points of leaders Arsenal, and condemned Liverpool to yet more soul-searching.

Arne Slot’s side had emerged from a recent slump with impressive back-to-back wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, but the defeat was their fifth in six league games and left them eight points adrift of the Gunners. During the game, City fans made a point of criticising one particular Liverpool player as he was withdrawn from the match.

Liverpool signing Wirtz was a "waste of money"

Though they would spend more on Alexander Isak just weeks later, Liverpool broke the British transfer record when they signed Florian Wirtz for £116 million in the summer. Much has since been said about the German, who has struggled to swiftly adapt to English football.

Across all competitions, not including the Community Shield, Wirtz has racked up no goals and two assists in 14 games, hardly the return expected by a player who commanded such a transfer fee. Due to his form, questions have been asked about Wirtz’s position in the first team.

Against Man City, Wirtz’s Premier League struggles continued. The German was replaced by Federico Chiesa in the 83rd minute and as per Adam Bate of Sky Sports, was serenaded by the home support.

Minutes Played

83′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Key Passes

0

Shots on Target

0

Total Shots (Shots Blocked)

2 (2)

Accurate Passes in Opposition Half

11/16 (69%)

(All stats are from SofaScore)

Given the money spent across the summer, there is little excuse for Liverpool’s form throughout the 2025/26 season. Wirtz, however, similar to fellow new arrival Isak, has yet to showcase anything that represents the fee that was paid for him. The German midfielder is still, of course, in the infancy of his Liverpool career, but it is apparent that he needs to quickly find a vein of form on Merseyside.

Liverpool want another Newcastle star after Isak

Khary Pierre, the left-arm spinner who is yet to play in Tests, has also been called up

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Sep-2025

Chanderpaul could replace Brathwaite at the top•Associated Press

West Indies have dropped former captain Kraigg Brathwaite from their 15-member squad for the two-Test series in India beginning on October 2, while Alick Athanaze and Tagenarine Chanderpaul have been recalled with an emphasis on players well equipped to play spin.Brathwaite, a veteran of 100 Test caps, lost his place in the XI in the final Test against Australia earlier this year, a series which West Indies lost 0-3 and resulted in an emergency meeting which involved the likes of Clive Lloyd and Brian Lara. Also missing from the squad against Australia are Keacy Carty, Johann Layne and Mikyle Louis.Khary Pierre, the left-arm spinner who is yet to play in Tests, has been called up too. Pierre is the second specialist spinner in the squad alongside vice-captain Jomel Warrican, and has been selected after taking 41 wickets at an average of 13.56 in the West Indies championship. Gudakesh Motie, meanwhile, has been rested “given the demands of the upcoming limited-overs schedule,” according to a CWI release.”The return of Tagenarine Chanderpaul is to help transform our fortunes at the top of the order given the recent struggles, with Alick Athanaze being added for his strengths and qualities against spin bowling,” head coach Daren Sammy said in a statement. “Khary is included for the first time as our second spinner in what we expect to be helpful conditions.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Athanaze’s last Test appearance was in the subcontinent against Pakistan in January. Chanderpaul, who last played a Test in January 2024 on the tour of Australia, is likely to partner John Campbell at the top. Kevlon Anderson, who has a first-class average of 42.05, keeps his place in the squad. The other batters are the captain Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach and Brandon King.The spin contingent will be led by Warrican, Pierre, and Chase. The seamers are Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip and Jayden Seales.West Indies are set to arrive in Ahmedabad on September 24. Only four players – Chase, Hope, Alzarri and Warrican – were part of the West Indies squad that last toured India in 2018-19. The first Test is set to be played in Ahmedabad and the second one in Delhi from October 10.West Indies have a busy season ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in February-March. Later this month, they play Nepal in Sharjah for three T20Is, then play two Tests in India before flying to Bangladesh for a multi-format white-ball tour in October-November. They close out the year with an all-format tour of New Zealand from November 5 to December 22 comprising five T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests.West Indies Test squad for India series
Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.

The reason for cancellation is not yet clear, but it is the second time in as many games Pakistan have scrapped their customary pre-match media duties

Danyal Rasool20-Sep-2025Pakistan have cancelled another scheduled pre-match press conference, this one ahead of their Super Fours game against India on Sunday. According to the schedule the Asian Cricket Council released, a Pakistan player or member of the coaching staff was scheduled to do a press conference at 6pm local time on Saturday. The team was also slated to train from 6pm onwards for three hours at the ICC Academy in Dubai. ESPNcricinfo has learnt that training is set to go ahead as scheduled.The reason for cancelling the press conference is not yet clear. It is the second time in as many games Pakistan have scrapped their customary pre-match media duties. They had declined to hold a press conference ahead of their must-win game against UAE, while the handshake saga with match referee Andy Pycroft raged on.Meanwhile, Pycroft has been confirmed as the match referee for the India vs Pakistan game on Sunday too.Related

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Pycroft to stand as match referee in Ind vs Pak Super Fours game

In the days since, that feud has largely been put to rest after the ICC organised a meeting between Pycroft and Pakistan’s coach, captain, media and team managers where Pycroft offered his regrets for the way events at the toss against India had unfolded. He had told Salman Ali Agha there would not be a handshake with the India captain Suryakumar Yadav, which Pakistan had interpreted as Pycroft’s failure to uphold the ICC’s code of conduct and demanded his “immediate removal” from the tournament.The meeting before the UAE game appeared to have placated the PCB somewhat; they put out a short video of it, with no audio, and said in a statement that Pycroft had apologised. That, in turn, appeared to have angered the ICC, who took exception to the recording of that video, writing a strongly-worded e-mail to the PCB, saying the board had breached protocol by filming without consent in the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA). There is no official confirmation that the PCB ever responded to that email.India will not hold a press conference on Saturday either. As is customary for sides who play their next game after only a day’s gap, they held an embargoed press conference looking ahead to the Pakistan clash, following the conclusion of their game against Oman on Friday night.Sunday will be both sides’ first game in the Super Fours stage.