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Afghanistan’ to play first bilateral series against West Indies in the first week of June. The series will include three ODIs and three T20Is, that will be played concurrently with the Champions Trophy, starting on June 1 in England.  "It will also be an important series for our side," Roland Holder, WICB Manager of Cricket Operations, said , "as they look to move up in the ICC World Rankings in the two formats, and continue their quest to qualify for the 2019 ICC World Cup in England and Wales.” All three T20s international will be held at Warner Park in St Kitts, from June 2. Whereas, all the ODIs, will be played at St Lucia, starting on June 9.

With the 2003 purchase of Chelsea, Roman Abramovich changed the finances in the English Premier League forever. He presided over a massive increase in spending that saw players switching teams for massively inflated fees and on wages that had never been seen before. This inflation has continued with the purchase of Manchester City by Sheikh Mansour in 2008. This has now culminated in the Chinese Super League spending what is seen as obscene amounts of money for players and paying wages in excess of £300,000 per week. It’s not just football that has seen massive increases in investment, after their exploits at the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2012 London Olympics cycling has had millions of pounds invested into it to create a sustainable and successful team. This has also been apparent in boxing in recent times, a resurgence of interest and rivalries along with up-and-comer Anthony Joshua has seen millions spent and invested in the sport. Cricket, one of the oldest sports played in th...

West Indies batsman Jason Mohammed has been called up to the Twenty20 International squad for the first time for two of the four matches against Pakistan from March 26 in Barbados. The Trinidad quartet - Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Lendl Simmons and Samuel Badree are all will make a return to the 16-man squad for the upcoming T20 international series against Pakistan. The remainder of the matches to be played in Trinidad and Tobago’s Queen’s Park Oval on March 30, April 1 and April 2. West Indies T20I squad: Samuel Badree, Carlos Brathwaite (capt), Jonathan Carter, Andre Fletcher, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, Keswick Williams

Leicestershire have signed New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi as a replacement overseas player for Sharjeel Khan, who was charged with corruption by the PCB. Ronchi, who has previously enjoyed spells with both county Warwickshire and Somerset, will instead join as the Foxes second overseas player for this season's Natwest T20. The 35-year-old explosive batsman, who has a strike rate of 141.89 in 114 T20 matches, is likely to be available in all 14 group games. "I am delighted to have signed with Leicestershire Foxes for the NatWest T20 Blast. I love playing county cricket and can't wait to get started with my new teammates," said the New Zealander. Ronchi has represented his nation in only four Tests and 71 ODI’s and 32 T20 internationals, and is looking forward to getting to work with English county.

Here is some good news for the Pakistani fans.!   Seven Pakistani players have been included into the upcoming season of the Caribbean Premier League 2017. 7 players drafted into the CPL: Sohail Tanveer: $160,000 (Guyana Amazon Warriors) Shoaib Malik: $110,000 (Barbados Tridents) Imad Wasim: $90,000 (Jamaica Tallawahs) Mohammad Sami: $70,000 (Jamaica Tallawahs) Shadab Khan: $30,000 (Trinbago Knight Riders) Wahab Riaz: $30,000 (Barbados Tridents) Kamran Akmal: $15,000 (St. Lucia Stars)

West Indies allrounder Dwayne Smith confirmed his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday. The 33-year-old, who is currently playing for Islamabad United in the ongoing Pakistan Super League, has announced the decision before the qualifying final game between Islamabad United and Karachi Kings at Sharjah. Smith was part of two World Cup squads in 2007 and 2015, where his last appearance for the national team came against UAE in Napier at the 2015 World Cup. He made his international debut during the tour of South Africa 2003-04, in Cape Town in January 2004. The Caribbean batsman scored 1560 runs at a strike rate of 92.69 in 105 ODIs. He also claimed 61 wickets in ODIs. Smith has been a well known cricketer on the T20 format, over the last couple of years, turning out to play in the Indian Premier League, the Caribbean Premier League, the Bangladesh Premier League and now the Pakistan Super League, as well as the NatWest Blast in England.

South Africa have announced their 16-member squad for the three-match series against New Zealand starting next month. With two uncapped players, Heinrich Klaasen and Theunis de Bruyn are included in the squad. The 32-year-old Morne Morkel returns to the Test after missing the recent series against Sri Lanka, while there is also the inclusion for fellow pacer Chris Morris, who was sidelined due to injury. “Heinrich Klaasen was one of the top performers throughout the season and he is rewarded for his form by being included in the test squad,” said CSA selection convener Linda Zondi. “With Dane Vilas no longer available for selection, it was an opportunity to reward someone else. This will be an excellent opportunity for Heinrich and we wish him all the best.” The squad will depart for NZ on Saturday, 25 February ahead of the first test starting in Dunedin on 8 March. TEST SQUAD : Faf du Plessis (Capt), Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Aml...

England captain Joe Root has stated that he is experienced enough to lead England Lions, despite having just four first-class games as captain. Root, 26, was named as Alastair Cook's successor earlier this week after being given the nod by the ECB over the likes of Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad. Root is pretty confident that he has got the skills required to guide his team into a new era. "I've played 50-odd Test matches now and I think that counts for a lot," the Right-handed batsman told Sky Sports News . "I think it's very different, Test cricket to county cricket. I've added that responsibility of the vice-captaincy. "Even though I haven't been captain I've been trying to think like a captain to try to help Cooky out, and add value where I can to the bowlers or anyone in the team. I'd like to think that's how a lot of the guys will go about their business going forwards as well. "It feels amazing. It...

South Africa have retained their ODI squad for the tour of New Zealand starting next week. The same 14 players that has outplayed Sri Lanka in a five-match home series will leave for New Zealand the next day. However, the squad for three Test matches will be announced later this month. Cricket South Africa selection convener Linda Zondi said: "We are very happy with the way the squad has jelled over the past six months and consistency in selection is very important as we continue our build-up towards the ICC Champions Trophy tournament (in England in June). "New Zealand are playing very good cricket at the moment and as always will provide very tough opposition, particularly under their home conditions." South Africa ODI Squad: AB de Villiers (ODI captain), Faf du Plessis (T20 captain), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Ph...

Former Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum has re-joined Middlesex as one of their overseas players for the NatWest Blast this summer. The 35-year-old is due to play up to nine matches and split his time with Caribbean Premier League which runs simultaneously throughout July. McCullum has scored 2140 runs with an average 35.66 in 71 T20Is for New Zealand. Middlesex have claimed the County Championship in 2016 for the first time since 1993.