ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Scandal light dinner
Though teams may be lighting things up on the field, this World Cup has also seen incidents on the sidelines that have gotten many a tongue wagging. Here’s a look at those...
Smoking Afghans
If Md Shahzad’s allegations weren’t enough, coach Phil Simmons further stirred the pot. He said chief selector Dawlat Ahmadzai was responsible for their woes, and Ahmadzai had played a part in removing Asghar Afghan from captaincy.
Vill he, won’t he?
Even as the Proteas left reeling courtesy a string of losses, AB de Villiers whipped up another storm by revealing CSA had shot down his suggestion of coming out of retirement. Though many felt it would have revived their campaign, a section felt it would have been unfair on those who made the cut.
Plenty in Lanka's cabin
Selection calls sparked ire in the nation. A dismal campaign has followed. Perhaps, one might tend to sympathise when they approached ICC to complain about “unfair” pitches being doled out to them.
Pakistan against the wall
Another team mired with last-second selection calls that despite delivering didn’t go down well. A loss against arch-rivals India just added more kerosene to flames. Videos of their skipper yawning, and some players allegedly partying on the eve of that match has further thrust them into turbulence.
The Hales storm and U-turn
Jason Roy’s injury has seen England do a u-turn of sorts, with Eoin Morgan not ruling out Alex Hales as a replacement. The latter had been shunted out of the squad after failing a drug test, and now Morgan is willing to bring him back.