The Pakistan Cricket Board and the Sri Lankan Cricket Board are not on the best of terms at the moment. The PCB is not happy with the Sri Lankan board for offering to host the Asia Cup and has refused to play a one-day international series in Sri Lanka.  

Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka in July to play two Tests of the next ICC World Test championship. Apparently, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board had suggested that Pakistan play a few one-day international matches as they were positive the Sri Lankan team will book a spot for the ODI World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe. Hence, they would need more exposure before the event in October.

The PCB had initially said that they would consider the offer but refused it later. This sends a clear message that the PCB is not happy with the Sri Lankan Cricket Board’s proposal to host the Asia Cup as it was Pakistan’s turn to host the regional event.

PCB chief Najam Sethi was also upset with the response from the boards of Bangladesh and Afghanistan as well over the Asia Cup issue. Sethi had expected that Sri Lankan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan boards would convince the BCCI to go with the hybrid model as proposed by PCB.

The PCB chief did not refute media reports that the BCCI has rejected Sethi’s hybrid model and wants the tournament to be held in Sri Lanka. The bone of contention in the controversy is the Indian board is unlikely to send its team to play in Pakistan, though it has not formally announced the same, it has been making gestures to that effect.

A senior BCCI official said that there is absolutely no chance that Pakistan could hold the Asia Cup. The BCCI would like it if the ICC Champion’s Trophy is also moved out of Pakistan. According to reports, Sri Lanka was likely to hold the event. But the final decision will be made at the ACC meeting.

With strong relations between the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket, the BCCI wants the event to happen in Sri Lanka. At the next ACC meeting, the PCB chief will be conveyed the message.

On Thursday night, the Indian cricket team’s new jersey designs were unveiled. Adidas, a brand-new kit sponsor, designed the jersey. This season, India’s ODI and T20I shirts will have distinctly different styles. Beginning with the World Test Championship final against Australia on June 7 at The Oval, the men’s Indian cricket team will don their freshly designed jerseys. The three stripes on each jersey are a reference to the team’s new uniform sponsor, Adidas.

Adidas was named the BCCI’s gear sponsor in May 2023, by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The agreement, which is valid through March 2028, would grant Adidas exclusive rights to manufacture jerseys for all types of competitive play. For all match, practise, and travel apparel for the BCCI, including the men’s, women’s, and youth teams, Adidas will serve as the only provider. Team India will don the three stripes for the first time beginning in June 2023, and they’ll show off the new gear at the World Test Championship Finals, according to a statement from the BCCI.

Adidas India posted a video of the India cricket team’s jersey on Instagram. The first glimpse at the Test, ODI, and T20I kits was revealed, and the fans weren’t let down after seeing that. Using the Wankhede Stadium as the stage for the jersey debut, Adidas introduced the new jersey.

Meanwhile, BCCI’s Honorary Secretary Jay Shah, said in a statement regarding the agreement, they are committed to assisting in the growth of the game of cricket and could not be more excited to partner with one of the world’s leading sportswear brands, Adidas, in this journey. He added Adidas will play a significant role in influencing the performance and long-term success of several categories of Indian cricket because of its extensive sporting heritage, top-notch goods, and broad worldwide presence.

Australia’s former skipper Steve Smith turns 34 today, June 2.  The cricketer has experienced an incredible ascent in his international career, going from being a leg-spinner to one of the best batters of the modern age. However, today the ‘Barmy Army’ of England’s official fan club mocked Steve Smith with a repulsive tweet.

Happy birthday, Steve Smith! The Barmy Army tweeted a picture of Smith crying. They also wished to see him soon. Smith is in England right now, which is significant because he is set to face India in the World Test Championship final on June 7 and then England in the five-match Ashes series, which starts on June 16.

The image was taken during Steve Smith’s tearful news appearance at Sydney Airport in 2018, during which he accepted full responsibility for the ball-tampering controversy. Cricket Australia imposed one-year bans on Smith and David Warner as well as a nine-month ban on Cameron Bancroft. The supporters criticised England’s fan army after reading the Barmy Army’s birthday greeting for Smith.

Steve Smith, who was suspended for a year in 2018 for his role in the ball-tampering controversy against South Africa, however, made an astonishing comeback to the longest format of the game. He is one of the best batters of this era, having scored 42 international hundreds. Smith made his debut in international cricket in February 2010.

 In the third Test of the 2014 Border-Gavaskar Trophy versus India, Smith recorded an amazing score of 192. His outstanding at-bats helped the hosts to a respectable first-inning total of 530. With 8792 runs in 96 games, the 34-year-old has primarily thrived in Test cricket. Smith has recently served as the lynchpin of Australia’s batting order.