Shivnarine Chanderpaul: ICC Cricketer of the year

West Indian cricketer, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, has been chosen as the ICC cricketer of the year at the annual awards ceremony in Dubai. English female cricket team captain, Charlotte Edwards, was chosen as the female cricketer of the year. She was very much delighted with the award. She said:

"This is a massive night for women's cricket. It's a huge honour for me to be involved with a ceremony like this - I'm so glad that the ICC is recognising the women's game.

Edwards also said that it was big moment for other female players who were nominated for the award. Women’s cricket has a bright future. Along with Charlotte Edwards Claire Taylor was a strong candidate for the award.

The qualifying process of the award started on August 9, 2007 and candidates had to be below 26 years of age and appeared in five tests and ten one day matches.

Sri Lankan spin bowler, Ajantha Mendis, was chosen as the emerging player over English cricketer, Stuart Broad. Two English cricketers, Kevin Pietersen and Ryan Sidebottom were included in the World Test team. England's Kevin Pietersen and Ryan Sidebottom made the World Test team.

Related article:

BBC

Champions Trophy: ICC is concerned over security issues

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will decide whether the upcoming Champions Trophy will be held in the Pakistan or not. The match is scheduled to be held in Pakistan but due to security reasons, ICC is planning to shift the venue. Till the final decision comes, the Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board has ensured to take all necessary precautions still ICC is concerned about threats beyond PCB’s control. Reuters reports:

"These concerns will now be taken to the ICC Board during the course of this week with the Board then arriving at a definitive decision on the location of this year's Champions Trophy.

"Until or unless the Board decides otherwise, the tournament will proceed in Pakistan."

The tournament is scheduled from September 11-28.

Haroon Lorgat, CEO of the ICC is hopeful that the board will take a good decision. He said that it would be a difficult decision to make as one can never be satisfied with compromise on safety and security issues. It was not some light issue and they were confident to work it through.

Related article:

Reuters

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