Sri Lankan fast bowler Nawantha Tharanga has taken his own cricket board to court over a dispute regarding his participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Tharanga has filed a petition against the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, its chairman, treasurer, and CEO, requesting them to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to allow him to play in the IPL. The move comes after Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whopping 25.20 crore rupees, making him the third-most expensive overseas player in the IPL.
Tharanga’s decision to take the board to court is a result of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board’s refusal to issue him an NOC after he failed to pass the fitness test. Tharanga has claimed that he had informed the board of his intention to retire from international cricket, but they refused to grant him the NOC. The case is set to be heard in the Colombo District Court on April 9.
In other sports news, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams are set to shift to Karachi for their matches starting from April 8. Pakistan’s Asim Khan has qualified for the World Squash Championship. In football news, Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time has led to a major resignation.
In a separate incident, a non-resident digital creator has been spotted wearing a Pakistan cricket jersey in India, sparking controversy. Former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi has clarified that the video was recorded before a recent hike in petrol prices.
In other developments, Indian sports presenter Sania Balu has come under fire for a viral video on social media. Asim Khan has been named the man of the match for his impressive batting performance. Pakistan’s Fakhr Zaman has appealed to the Pakistan Super League’s technical committee against allegations of ball tampering and a two-match ban, which was rejected.
In international news, the US has given Iran 48 hours to decide whether to restore the 2015 nuclear deal or re-open the Arak reactor. Russia’s state-owned nuclear company has evacuated 198 employees from the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran after a rocket attack by the US and Israel. In other developments, Pakistan has maintained its ties with China, while US President Trump prefers Pakistan’s Field Marshal as a mediator.
