‘Plug and play’ Oftana completes Gilas’ Asian Games roster

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed an eight-year ban on USA off-spinner B Akhilesh Reddy after he was found guilty of multiple breaches of the governing body’s Anti-Corruption Code linked to the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament. The 26-year-old cricketer, who represented Aspin Stallions during the competition, was charged following an investigation into alleged corrupt activities during the tournament. He had been provisionally suspended in November 2025 while the inquiry was underway. After a formal hearing, the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Tribunal concluded that Reddy had committed several serious offences under the Anti-Corruption Code. According to the ICC, Reddy was found guilty of attempting to improperly influence the outcome, progress or conduct of matches during the Abu Dhabi T10. He was also found to have encouraged another participant to engage in corrupt activities related to match-fixing. In addition, the tribunal ruled that the spinner obstructed the investigation by deleting data and messages from his mobile phone that could have been relevant to the anti-corruption inquiry. As a result of the findings, the ICC banned Reddy from all cricket-related activities for eight years. The sanction has been backdated to November 21, 2025, the date on which his provisional suspension first came into effect. Reddy made his international debut for the United States in April 2025 and went on to play four Twenty20 Internationals for the national team before his career was derailed by the corruption investigation. The case highlights the ICC’s continued efforts to protect the integrity of the sport through strict enforcement of its anti-corruption regulations. The governing body has repeatedly warned players at all levels that any involvement in match manipulation or attempts to obstruct investigations will result in severe penalties. The lengthy suspension effectively sidelines one of USA cricket’s emerging players for the remainder of the decade and serves as a strong reminder of cricket’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption. The ICC has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the game’s credibility by taking firm action against anyone found guilty of breaching its anti-corruption code.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir believes Shaheen Shah Afridi’s recent decline in form is largely the result of poor workload management, arguing that the left-arm pacer was overburdened during the early years of his international career. Amir made the remarks after Shaheen was left out of Pakistan’s Test squad for the ongoing series against the West Indies, a decision that has sparked fresh debate over the fast bowler’s form, fitness, and future in the longest format of the game. Shaheen was once considered Pakistan’s premier fast bowler across all three formats, but his performances in Test cricket have dipped since returning from a serious knee injury in 2023. Although he remains a key figure in Pakistan’s white-ball plans, his red-ball performances have raised concerns among former players and cricket experts. Since making his comeback, Shaheen has taken 27 wickets in 16 Test innings at an average of 40.11, with a strike rate of 67.6. His performances during Pakistan’s 2-0 home Test series defeat to Bangladesh also came under criticism, particularly because of a noticeable drop in bowling speed. The left-arm pacer, who previously relied on consistently high pace, was often clocked in the mid-120 km/h range during the series. Speaking on The Scoop by Wisden, Amir said he had predicted such challenges years ago, warning that excessive cricket without proper workload management could eventually take a toll on Shaheen’s body and performance. According to Amir, fast bowlers require careful planning throughout their careers, especially when they are expected to play regularly across all formats. He said failing to manage a pacer’s workload can affect pace, rhythm, consistency, and overall fitness over time. Amir recalled giving an interview in either 2020 or 2021 in which he expressed concern about the amount of cricket Shaheen was playing. Drawing from his own experience as a fast bowler, Amir said he warned that continuous cricket without adequate rest would eventually lead to physical and performance-related struggles. He added that the warning appears to have become reality, as Shaheen is now facing issues with pace, consistency, and fitness despite still being relatively young. Amir stressed that a player of Shaheen’s age should ideally be at the peak of his career, but the current situation suggests that something has gone wrong in his development. He maintained that poor workload management remains the biggest factor behind the left-arm pacer’s struggles. The statistics support Amir’s concerns about Shaheen’s workload before his injury. Between making his international debut and suffering a knee injury in July 2022, Shaheen bowled 809.4 overs in Test cricket, more than any other Pakistan bowler during that period. Former leg-spinner Yasir Shah ranked second with 606.2 overs, while Hasan Ali was the next-highest fast bowler with 427.3 overs. The figures highlight the significant responsibility placed on Shaheen as the leader of Pakistan’s pace attack, with many now questioning whether better workload management could have helped preserve his fitness and long-term effectiveness.

LEEDS: Pakistan’s stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha has admitted that England exposed weaknesses across the board after Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat in the opening Test, while expressing hope that Babar Azam will return for the next match. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Salman acknowledged that Pakistan were outplayed by England and failed to maintain the consistency required at international level. “England outclassed us in every department,” Salman said, adding that the team repeatedly failed to execute its plans when it mattered most. The defeat has raised fresh questions about Pakistan’s preparations for the challenging England conditions. Salman said the team had arrived only about a week before the start of the series, leaving limited time for players to adjust to the unfamiliar conditions. “We always face tough challenges in England,” he said, stressing that adapting to local conditions requires time and experience. Pakistan’s problems were particularly visible with the bat. After being dismissed for 171 in their first innings, the visitors managed only 135 in the second, allowing England to complete a comprehensive innings victory. Salman also admitted that several senior players are struggling for form. He pointed to his own performance, as well as those of Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, saying the lack of runs from key batters has become a major concern for the side. The captain nevertheless insisted that Pakistan have enough talent to improve. “We are going through a difficult rebuilding phase,” Salman said, describing the current team as a side being prepared with an eye on the future. He acknowledged that Pakistan’s bowling attack is relatively young and inexperienced but argued that the experience gained during difficult overseas tours could prove valuable in the long term. The captain’s comments come as Pakistan attempt to recover from a disappointing start to their three-Test series against England. The visitors will need a significant improvement in both batting and execution if they are to challenge the hosts in the remaining matches. One potential boost could come from the return of Babar Azam. Salman expressed hope that the former Pakistan captain would be fully fit and available for the next Test. Babar’s return could provide Pakistan with much-needed experience and stability in the batting order at a crucial stage of the series. Pakistan’s recent struggles have highlighted the difficulty of competing overseas, particularly when a team is undergoing transition. For Salman, however, the priority is clear: Pakistan must learn quickly and raise their standards. The stand-in captain stressed that the current level of performance is not acceptable and urged the team to improve its execution in foreign conditions. With two Tests still remaining, Pakistan have an opportunity to respond on the field. But after a one-sided opening defeat, the pressure will be firmly on the visitors to show that their rebuilding project can deliver results as well as promise.