Sachin Tendulkar to Inspire Young Cricketers at NCL Finals Weekend

Sachin Tendulkar to Inspire Young Cricketers at NCL Finals Weekend

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is set to inspire young athletes during his highly anticipated visit to Texas, where he will lead a special cricket clinic as part of the National Cricket League (NCL) finals weekend. The clinic, to be hosted at the University of Texas at Dallas, aims to motivate aspiring cricketers and promote the sport at the grassroots level in the U.S.

“Cricket has given me so much, and now it’s my turn to give back,” Tendulkar said ahead of the event slated for Sunday morning. “I’m excited to meet these young players and show them that with hard work and passion, anything is possible.”

In addition to the clinic, Tendulkar, who made waves with his recent appearance at the iconic TX-OU football game, will also be a special guest at the Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday, further highlighting his high-profile engagement in the U.S. sports scene.

NCL Chairman Arun Agarwal emphasized the significance of Tendulkar’s involvement: “This is about more than cricket — it’s about inspiring hope and dreams. Having someone of Sachin’s caliber mentoring these kids is a game-changer.”

The NCL’s finals weekend is more than just a cricket tournament. Alongside the matches, fans will enjoy cultural celebrations, live Bollywood performances, and nightly themes, ranging from honoring local heroes to promoting sustainability. The tournament will conclude on October 14 at UT Dallas.

With Tendulkar’s participation and the introduction of the innovative 60 Strikes format, designed to engage U.S. sports fans with a fast-paced version of cricket, the NCL is positioning itself as a key player in the growing popularity of cricket in America.

The NCL has attracted top cricketing talent, with icons like Sunil Gavaskar, Wasim Akram, and Sir Vivian Richards mentoring players. This season also features stars like Shahid Afridi, Suresh Raina, Shakib Al Hasan, and Chris Lynn, making the NCL a premier event on the global cricket stage.

Headquartered in Dallas, the National Cricket League USA is revolutionizing cricket in the U.S. with its innovative ‘Sixty Strikes’ format. The event is endorsed by the ICC and supported by SEE Holdings.

CSA Reports Record Profits of R815 Million, Women's Cricket Benefits

CSA Reports Record Profits of R815 Million, Women’s Cricket Benefits

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced a remarkable financial turnaround, posting profits of R815 million (US$ 45.6 million) for the 2023-24 fiscal year. This significant achievement marks a departure from the losses incurred over the past three reporting periods, totaling R538 million (US$ 30.14 million).

The turnaround is primarily attributed to increased revenue from broadcast rights, which now account for 54% of CSA’s income. The successful hosting of the 2024 Under-19 men’s World Cup and a bumper SA20 tournament, in which CSA holds a majority stake, further contributed to the financial boost.

CSA’s total ICC disbursements for the period amounted to R566 million (US$ 31.63 million), a significant increase from the previous year’s R290 million (US$ 16.2 million). The organization anticipates another strong financial year in 2024-2025, largely due to hosting India for four T20Is in November, with revenue projections exceeding R150 million (US$ 8.38 million) per match.

The financial turnaround has had a positive impact on the women’s game in South Africa, with CSA investing R32 million (US$ 1.78 million) in professionalizing domestic women’s cricket. The cost of running professional cricket remains CSA’s largest expense, with R633 million (US$ 35.3 million) allocated to domestic men’s and women’s teams.

Despite the financial challenges, CSA reported strong performance across all levels of cricket. The men’s team reached the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup, while the women’s team achieved historic victories against Australia. Grassroots cricket also saw a surge in participation, with the KFC mini-cricket program reporting a 20% increase.

The CSA AGM marked the end of Lawson Naidoo’s three-year tenure as chair. A new chair will be elected at a special general meeting this month, with the selection process limited to independent directors.

Pakistan Cricket Coach Resigns Over Corruption and Nepotism

Pakistan Cricket Coach Resigns Over Corruption and Nepotism

Pakistan Cricket Coach Resigns Amidst Allegations of Corruption and Nepotism

Former fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed has resigned from his position as a regional coach at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), citing rampant political interference, favouritism, and nepotism in cricket affairs at the grassroots level.

In his resignation letter, Shabbir, who served as the head coach in the Dera Ghazi Khan region, expressed his frustration with the deplorable conditions prevalent in Pakistani cricket. He stated that merit was disregarded in player selection, with political connections and favouritism taking precedence.

“How can Pakistan cricket improve when there is no merit in selection of players at regional level and there is so much interference and nepotism and favouritism by cricket officials?” Shabbir said.

Shabbir had taken on the role of head coach in Dera Ghazi Khan with the aim of promoting and developing the game at the district and regional levels. However, he found the situation untenable and chose to distance himself from the current state of affairs.

“Unfortunately what I have experienced is very frustrating. A player who works hard throughout the year and is a good talent is overlooked in the final selection to pick a player who use political and other connections to get in,” he said.

Shabbir’s resignation comes amidst Pakistan’s recent 0-2 loss to Bangladesh, a result that has highlighted the decline of Pakistani cricket. Shabbir believes that the current system is hindering the development of talented players and contributing to the team’s poor performance.

“Even if coaches who are sincere want to do something they are helpless in the existing system,” Shabbir said.

The PCB has yet to comment on Shabbir’s resignation, but his allegations have raised serious concerns about the state of cricket in Pakistan. If the PCB fails to address these issues, it could have a detrimental impact on the future of the sport in the country.

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