Cricket news round-up – 28 September: Sarah Taylor retires, rain hits Karachi, Zimbabwe win

Sarah Taylor announced retirement from all forms of international cricket; incessant rain washed out the first ODI between Pakistan at Sri Lanka, at Karachi, and forced the second ODI, at the same venue, to be postponed by a day; Zimbabwe beat Nepal in the first match of the Singapore T20 Tri-Series; Aiden Markram scored a hundred against the Indian Board President’s XI; and Afghanistan appointed Lance Klusener their head coach.

Sarah Taylor calls it quits

One of the greatest wicketkeepers in the history of cricket, Sarah Taylor announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket following a long battle with anxiety.

Taylor was renowned for her outstanding skills behind the stumps, a product of her incredible reflex and flexibility. Adam Gilchrist had once hailed her as the best wicketkeeper in the world. Her on-drive was also a fan’s favourite.

Taylor, part of the England Women sides that won the World Cup in 2009 and 2017 and the World T20 in 2009, had played 10 Tests, 126 ODIs, and 90 T20Is. Her tally of 6,533 international runs is the second-most for England, and her 232 dismissals is a world record.

Pakistan-Sri Lanka ODI washed out

Despite it being off-season, it rained so heavily throughout the day that National Stadium, Karachi got waterlogged, thereby ruling out any possibility of cricket in the first ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The rain did not relent, which resulted in the second ODI, scheduled on September 29, to be postponed by a day.

Zimbabwe beat Nepal

Zimbabwe beat Nepal by 5 wickets in the first match of the Singapore T20 Tri Series, at Indian Association Ground, Singapore. Batting first, Nepal put up 132/6 thanks to Dipendra Airee (40 in 33 balls) and a late onslaught from Sompal Kami (25* in 14). Sean Williams finished with 4-0-19-2 and Wellington Masakadza with 4-0-19-1.

Sandeep Lamichhane (4-0-15-3) then struck thrice with his first 11 balls, all three batsmen falling for ducks. Zimbabwe were reduced to 64/5 in 10 overs before Ryan Burl (41* in 36) and Richmond Mutumbami (40* in 28) saw them through.

Hundred for Markram

Aiden Markram (100) and Temba Bavuma (76*) helped themselves to some batting practice against India Board President’s XI when play finally got under way, on the second day at Vizianagaram.

Dharmendrasinh Jadeja picked up 2/52, while Umesh Yadav, drafted into the Test squad as replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, got 1/56.

Afghanistan get Klusener

Afghanistan have appointed Lance Klusener their head coach. Klusener, who was chosen from a list of over fifty applicants, has a contract that extends till the end of 2020.

Afghanistan’s next series, against West Indies at Dehradun, will start in November. They will play a Test, 3 ODIs, and 3 T20Is.