Jon Pike Cricket Column - players.bio

Relocating World Cup matches unlikely despite Trump rhetoric, current and former officials say

NEW YORK: Senior figures behind the 2026 World Cup dismissed concerns that US president Donald Trump could move matches from cities he does not deem “safe.” Republican president Trump said last month that he would consider moving games from Democrat-controlled San Francisco and Seattle if they did not cooperate with his immigration and crime initiatives. He raised the issue again this week, this time targeting Boston and its Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu, suggesting he could appeal directly to FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. John Kristick, who led Canada, Mexico and the United States’ successful bid to jointly host the 2026 finals, emphasized that planning has been underway for nearly a decade and remains unaffected by political rhetoric. “From what I’m seeing, there’s been zero distraction in terms of the preparedness,” Kristick, co-head of global events at Playfly Sports Consulting, told Reuters. “Tickets are already being sold.

Azeem Rafiq stays true to his cause

LONDON: It is two years since I first met Azeem Rafiq in Dubai to discuss the launch of his book, “It’s not banter, it’s racism.” A video of our wide-ranging discussion was published by Arab News, along with a summary of the interview.

‘Feels Incredible’: DP World ILT20 auction sees Muhammad Rohid and Junaid Siddique lead UAE surge

DUBAI: UAE pace bowlers Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Rohid were among the most coveted cricketers at the DP World ILT20 Season 4 player auction on Oct. 1, landing blockbuster deals worth $170,000 with Sharjah Warriorz and $140,000 with MI Emirates respectively.

Aston Villa must build on Europa League win over Bologna, says Emery

Aston Villa must use their 1-0 home win over Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday as a springboard, manager Unai Emery said after his side picked up their first win of the season. John McGinn scored Villa’s first home goal of the season to earn the win and provide Emery with a measure of relief after their dismal start to the season left them 17th in the Premier League and out of the League Cup. Villa have three draws and two defeats from their five league games so far and Emery urged his side to build on the momentum from their win over the Italians when they host Fulham on Sunday. “We have to try to keep consistent, we had not been consistent until today,” Emery told reporters. “Today we won and it is important we have to try and keep consistent on Sunday. Different match, different rival, but a lot of things tactically we have to keep on building.

‘It’s not cricket’: Political divisions cast a growing shadow over the game

In England and across Europe, the sun is setting on an eventful 2025 cricket season. It will be remembered for the visit of India to England for a hard fought, sometimes acrimonious, five-match Test series, which was shared two wins apiece.

No Pakistan handshake aligned with government, says India captain

DUBAI: India’s victorious captain Suryakumar Yadav defended his team’s decision not to shake hands with the defeated Pakistan players on Sunday, saying that it was taken in alignment with their government and cricket board. India thumped Pakistan by seven wickets in a Group A Asia Cup clash in Dubai which ended on a bitter note as Indian players headed into their dressing room without a customary handshake. Pakistan, in protest, refused to attend the post match ceremony as tensions flared in a match which was the first between the bitter rivals since May’s military action. The cross border clashes were sparked after an attack in Pahalgam in Indian Kashmir in April which killed 26 people, with India blaming Pakistan. New Delhi resisted the calls to boycott the match and cleared the team to play Pakistan only in multi-national events. “We are aligned with the government and Board of Control for Cricket in India,” said Suryakumar after scoring 47 not out as India chased down a modest Pakistan target of 128 in 15.5 overs. Left-armer Kuldeep Yadav led India’s spin rout with 3-18 as Pakistan were restricted to a below-par 127-9 in 20 overs. Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson termed said he was disappointed with the Indian players’ refusal to shake hands. “We were ready to shake hands at the end of the game,” said Hesson.

Emotions run high as India and Pakistan face off after May clashes

DUBAI: An India-Pakistan cricket match is always a blockbuster but emotions will run even higher in Sunday’s Asia Cup clash between the nuclear-armed neighbors, who engaged in a four-day military conflict earlier this year. Even before the clashes in May, which nearly escalated into a full-blown war, bilateral cricket ties had been suspended. The arch-rivals now play each other only in multi-team tournaments. Political relations have deteriorated further since the clashes, with several former Indian players urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to boycott what will be the first meeting between the teams since the recent hostilities. While the threat of a boycott is over, sparks may fly with India captain Suryakumar Yadav and his Pakistan counterpart Salman Agha ruling out dialing down aggression in the much-anticipated Group A fixture. India, the reigning 20-overs world champions, are firm favorites to retain their Asia Cup title and are determined not to let geopolitics derail their campaign. “Once the BCCI said they are aligned with the government, we are here to play,” India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak told reporters on Friday. “Once we are here to play, I think players are focused on playing cricket.

Sri Lanka sprints to six-wicket win over Bangladesh for crucial Asia Cup T20 win

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates: Pathum Nissanka became the quickest Sri Lankan batter to reach 2,000 T20 runs as the opener sprinted his team to a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in a crucial Asia Cup match on Saturday. Nissanka perfectly manipulated the line and lengths of the Bangladeshi bowlers to score 50 off 34 balls and Sri Lanka breezed to 140-4 in a strong start to its campaign. Bangladesh, which handed Hong Kong a seven-wicket drubbing in its first Group B game, recovered from a horror start to score 139-5 after it lost both openers to fast bowler Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera’s successive wicket maidens with the new ball. Nissanka batted fluently and scored six fours and a six as he reached the 2,000-run landmark in his 68th T20 innings when he completed his half century. Kusal Perera had the previous Sri Lanka record, achieving the feat in 76 innings. Nissanka fell soon after his entertaining 95-run stand with Kamil Mishara (46 not out) had all but sealed the game, when Shoriful Islam held on to a spectacular two-handed catch at deep backward square leg. Bangladesh had to pay a heavy price of dropping Mishra on 1 when Mahedi Hassan couldn’t hold on to a two-handed catch close to the 30-meter circle at wide mid-on.

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Jon Pike Cricket Column Sport News

Relocating World Cup matches unlikely despite Trump rhetoric, current and former officials say

Azeem Rafiq stays true to his cause

‘Feels Incredible’: DP World ILT20 auction sees Muhammad Rohid and Junaid Siddique lead UAE surge

Aston Villa must build on Europa League win over Bologna, says Emery

‘It’s not cricket’: Political divisions cast a growing shadow over the game

No Pakistan handshake aligned with government, says India captain

Emotions run high as India and Pakistan face off after May clashes

Sri Lanka sprints to six-wicket win over Bangladesh for crucial Asia Cup T20 win