IMRAN Khan’s Portrait Covered in CCI Premises
MUMBAI based Cricket Club of India (CCI) affiliated to BCCI has covered the portrait of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup winning Captain and current Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at its premises following the people’s angst after the killing of 44 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force in South Kashmir by a JeM activist on Thursday. The portrait is displayed in the restaurant of the CCI, ANI said. When approached, CCI President Premal Udani refused to confirm whether the portrait will be pulled down. The iconic CCI is home to the 82 years old Brabourne Stadium in India’s commercial city. The Pakistan Cricket Board has said it will take up with the BCCI the “regrettable” removal of pictures of its former players at a couple of venues in India, owing to the Pulwama terror attack, during an ICC meeting next month. In a statement issued late Sunday night, the PCB’s Managing Director Wasim Khan said the PCB Wasim Khan said sports has always played a key role in defusing political tensions. The ICC meeting is scheduled to be held in Dubai but the dates are not yet out.
“…We have always believed and emphasised that sports and politics should be kept separate. History tells us that sports, particularly cricket, have always played a key role in building bridges between people and countries,” Khan said in the statement. Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena founder — Chief Raj Thackeray has called for banning Pakistani stars and other film personalities including playback singers in Bollywood heightening tension between the two neighbouring nations. Meanwhile, India’s captain Virat Kohli, who recently wedded Bollywood star Anushka Sharma, retains his topmost position in the cricket world. His team-mate Cheteshwar Pujara from Gujarat has moved to the third position as per the latest rankings of international test players made public by the Dubai based International Cricket Council (ICC). Among the bowlers list, India’s Ravindra Jadeja is placed at the fifth spot with 794 points. Jadeja also features in the all-rounders’ list at the third position ahead of West Indies’ Jason Holder and Shakib-Al Hasan. Sri Lankan Kusal Perera made a quantum leap of 58 places as test cricketer. Kohli is leading the chart with 992 rating points ahead of New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson (897 points) and Pujara (881). Left-handed Perera has reached a career-best 40th position after 15 Tests, scoring 51 and an unbeaten 153 that guided his team to an improbable win partnering in the highest ever unbroken 10th wicket stand in a winning cause in first-class cricket. He added 78 runs for the last wicket with Vishwa Fernando (six not out) to beat an 83-year record set by the Australians against Madras in February 1936.In the bowlers’ list, Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has overtaken Kagiso Rabada to grab the top spot. Cummins is the first from his country since Glenn McGrath’s pole position in the list, back in February; 2006.Cummins is leading the bowlers table ahead of England’s James Anderson and Rabada of South Africa.
