A round-up of the Group C matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy played on March 6, 2017

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Mar-2017

Mumbai crashed out of the Vijay Hazare Trophy despite chasing down 96 against Goa in 5.4 overs in Chennai. After allrounder Abhishek Nayar’s 4 for 23 skittled Goa for 95, Suryakumar Yadav and Aditya Tare shared an unbroken 76-run stand off 20 balls to mow down the target and seal an eight-wicket win.Mumbai, chasing the second quarter-final spot from Group C, won with 266 balls to spare – the second biggest (in terms of balls remaining) in List A history in India – but it was not enough. Gujarat pipped Mumbai on net run rate and qualified along with Bengal.Earlier, Goa’s innings lasted only 35 overs with only captain Sagun Kamat and Darshan Misal passing 20. Nayar did the bulk of the damage and was assisted by Dhawal Kukarni and Shardul Thakur who took five wickets between them.Bengal suffered their first loss of this season’s Vijay Hazare Trophy, against Gujarat at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Captain Parthiv Patel struck an 82-ball 88 in Gujarat’s seven-wicket win; Bengal were also through to the quarter-finals. Mohammed Shami, playing his first competitive match after four months, conceded 36 runs in seven overs without picking up a wicket.Jasprit Bumrah, though, had sparkled with 3 for 27 to help bowl Bengal out for 168. Ashav Panchal and Rujul Bhatt, meanwhile, shared four wickets between them. Abhimanyu Easwaran (37), Aamir Gani (37), and Ashok Dinda (33) flickered briefly before Bengal were dismissed in 49.1 overs.Parthiv and Priyank Panchal then laid the foundation for the chase with a 69-run opening stand. Parthiv then fell with his team two runs away from the target, but Bhargav Merai and Bhatt completed the victory.Hanuma Vihari’s career-best 135 not out helped Andhra ace their chase of 236 against Rajasthan in Chennai. He added 146 with Prasanth Kumar, who scored 62 off 84 balls before falling to Salman Khan. Vihari, however, stayed till the end to give Hyderabad a consolation win.Having been sent in, Rajasthan were quickly reduced to 49 for 4 with Manender Singh, Salman, and Puneet Yadav bagging ducks. However, 17-year-old Mahipal Lomror’s second successive fifty and Tajinder Singh’s first List A fifty revived Rajasthan to 235 for 7. Seamer P Vijaykumar was the pick of the bowlers for Andhra, finishing with 3 for 17 in 10 overs.

أثنى أشرف صبحي وزير الشباب والرياضة على التنظيم والأداء بـ بطولة كأس عاصمة مصر والتي فاز بها منتخب كرواتيا على حساب الفراعنة بنتيجة 4-2.

وحضر أشرف صبحي نهائي بطولة كأس عاصمة مصر ضمن سلسلة الفيفا بين منتخبنا الوطني بقيادة حسام حسن ومنتخب كرواتيا، بحضور قيادات اتحاد الكرة، والشركة المتحدة للرياضة، ولفيف من الشخصيات العامة والرياضية والإعلامية.

وقال أشرف صبحي في تصريحات صحفية خلال حضوره نهائي كأس عاصمة مصر: “المباراة النهائية شهدت حضورًا جماهيريًا مُبهرًا، وأداء تنظيمي على أعلى مستوى يعكس قدرات الدولة المصرية في ظل دعم القيادة السياسية والرئيس عبد الفتاح السيسي”.

وأكمل: “توجيهات الرئيس السيسي، ودعمه ومتابعته المتواصلة لملف العمل بمنظومة الشباب والرياضة، وضعت مصر في مكانة عالمية غير مسبوقة سواء من حيث استضافة البطولات والمحافل الرياضية العالمية أو من خلال النتائج التي يحققها أبطالنا في مختلف المنافسات”.

طالع | ميدو يشن هجومًا عنيفًا على لاعبي منتخب مصر بعد الخسارة أمام كرواتيا في نهائي كأس العاصمة

وتابع: “ذلك بفضل توافر البنية الإنشائية الرياضية ذات المواصفات العالمية التي أصبحت تتمتع بها مصر حالياً، الأمر الذي جعلنا جاهزين دائما وبشكل مستمر لاستضافة البطولات الدولية والقارية”.

وتحدث أشرف صبحي عن مدينة مصر الدولية للألعاب الأولمبية كإحدى المنشآت الرياضية الجديدة الذكية، والمُقامة على مساحة 468 فدانًا، وبها استاد يسع 94 ألف متفرج، وصالتين مغطاة بإجمالي سعة 23 ألف متفرج، ومجمع صالات تنس وسباحة واسكواش، وصالات منافسات الرماية والفروسية.

وأضاف: “تطوير المنشآت الشبابية والرياضية من أهم أولويات خطة الوزارة في جميع أنحاء الجمهورية، مع وضع تصور متكامل لتطوير منشآت ومرافق البنية الأساسية للمنظومة الرياضية بما فيها مراكز الشباب والأندية والاستادات”.

وأتم: “هذا كله اتساقًا مع استراتيجية الدولة لبناء الإنسان المصري”، لافتاً إلى الدعم الكامل واللا محدود للأنشطة الرياضية على كافة المستويات والرياضيين، وتقديم الرياضة في شكل جديد يليق بالمصريين في عهد الرئيس السيسي.

Middlesex overcame a 153-run deficit on first innings, as well as a Craig Overton hat-trick, to secure a tense one-wicket win over MCC in Abu Dhabi.

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Mar-2017
ScorecardCraig Overton’s hat-trick couldn’t rescue MCC•Getty ImagesMiddlesex overcame a 153-run deficit on first innings, as well as a Craig Overton hat-trick, to secure a tense one-wicket win over MCC in Abu Dhabi. John Simpson’s unbeaten 89 provided the crucial plank in Middlesex’s chase of 305, as the wicketkeeper helped the last three wickets chisel out 64 runs after Overton had appeared to swing the match towards MCC.Harry Podmore and Tom Helm, who had shared six wickets to help skittle MCC for 151 in their second innings, kept Simpson company in partnerships of 36 and 22 respectively and, although Mason Crane removed both as part of a four-wicket haul, No. 11 Ravi Patel hung on to help complete victory.Simpson was the hero when Middlesex chase 302 eight down at Taunton last year, on the way to the club’s first title in 23 years. MCC’s Somerset trio of Overton, Lewis Gregory and Jack Leach did their best to undermine Middlesex again, taking 15 wickets between them, but the champions ultimately proved too strong.MCC saw their last two wickets fall on the third morning with only four added to the overnight score; Liam Plunkett was unable to bat after straining a calf earlier in the match. That still meant Middlesex needing to score considerably more than the 179 they managed in the first innings for victory.They were given a much stronger base by the top order second time around. Nick Gubbins and Nick Compton both struck half-centuries and they looked to be cruising to their target on 242 for 4 in the 54th over.Enter Overton, wicketless to that point. He pinned Steve Eskinazi lbw for 44, had Middlesex captain James Franklin caught behind first ball and then won another lbw decision against James Harris to change the complexion of the innings. Simpson, however, stayed calm and ticked off the runs with the lower order to ensure Middlesex would start their season with a win under lights.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the India Test batsman, has signed for a four-match Championship stint with Nottinghamshire

ESPNcricinfo staff04-May-2017Cheteshwar Pujara, the India Test batsman, has signed for a four-match Championship stint with Nottinghamshire. He comes in as a replacement for Nottinghamshire’s main overseas signing, James Pattinson, who has been called up by Australia for the Champions Trophy.Pujara, who has previously played county cricket with Derbyshire and Yorkshire, will arrive in the UK later this month for the resumption of Championship cricket following the Royal London Cup group stage. He will be available for Notts’ trip to play Glamorgan starting on May 19, as well as home and away fixtures against Gloucestershire and the visit of Derbyshire to Trent Bridge.Nottinghamshire have made an excellent start to life in Division Two, with three wins from three putting them top. Pattinson has been a particular success, with 20 wickets at 11.15; although, less encouragingly, he was also the second-leading run-scorer, with Riki Wessels the only Notts batsman to reach three figures so far this season.”We have looked around the world to find the right player,” Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket, Mick Newell, said. “The most important thing was to sign someone with the quality to make us better, rather than limiting our options by saying it had to be a bowler.”We have depth in our squad with regards bowling and – particularly as we’ll be without Alex Hales during that period – we’re more than happy to welcome a world-class batsman to the club.”Pujara finished India’s domestic season with 1316 runs at 62.66, which included two centuries against England on their November-December tour, but was not picked up for the IPL and spent April either practising in the nets or working on his fitness.One of the few India players to take part in the Championship in recent years, Pujara has averaged more than 50 on both of his previous stints, in 2014 and 2015. He has twice played at Trent Bridge – on India’s 2014 tour and while with Yorkshire.”I’m ready for it. I’m already working on my skills and preparing for competitive cricket,” Pujara said. “I love playing county cricket and Trent Bridge is a great venue. I’m really looking forward to my first experience there as a home player. The aim is to win as many games as possible so the team stays on top of the points table.”

James Faulkner, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle and Steve O’Keefe have all been jettisoned from Cricket Australia’s proposed list of centrally contracted players for the 2017-18 season, amid pay negotiations that show few signs of a swift resolution.The Australian board named 33 male and female players on the list on Monday, and offered contracts for the first time to the left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, the tall fast bowler Billy Stanlake and the batting allrounder Hilton Cartwright, who made his Test debut at the SCG in January. The young batsmen Matthew Renshaw and Peter Handscomb, who impressed on the tour of India, have also been offered their first full contracts, having earned incremental deals over the 2016-17 season.

Cricket Australia’s contract offers for 2017-18

• Male cricketers: Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Matthew Renshaw, Steven Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

• Female cricketers: Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Meg Lanning, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Apart from Faulkner, O’Keefe, Siddle and Marsh, the wicketkeeper Peter Nevill and batsmen Joe Burns and George Bailey were also not on the list this season. Faulkner, incidentally, was left out of the team for the Champions Trophy, his first omission from an Australia squad for an ICC event since 2012. All the above players are now cast as domestic cricketers who, according to CA’s pay offer to the players, do not contribute to the game’s financial returns. The chief executive of the Australian Cricketers Association, Alistair Nicholson, emphasised that much still needed to be done before the current MOU expires at the end of June.”It is important to remember that the in the absence of an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) agreement beyond 30 June, all the terms and conditions that underpin any contract have not been finalised,” he said. “The ACA has expressed a commitment to working with CA to reach a new agreement before the end of June, but in reality we are still a long way apart on a number of issues.”The uncertainty created for a number of key stakeholders is not ideal as we know that alongside the players, it is their families, state associations, corporate partners and broadcasters all wanting to understand what lies ahead for the game.”The absence of a Revenue Sharing Model in CA’s proposal is the number one element that drives a wedge between the players and the administrators at this point in time. The Revenue Share Model has underpinned a very successful period in Australian cricket for the past 20 years, and we consider it vital that all playing groups are afforded the opportunity to be partners in the game going forward.”Trevor Hohns, chairman of Australia’s selection panel, said players had been picked on their potential to play for Australia in all three formats over the next 12 months, with assignments like the Ashes in the home summer and an away Test series in South Africa in March next year.”We have selected 20 players for this year’s contract list with a focus on players who we believe could play a part in an exciting 12 months of cricket, which includes the Ashes and an important away Test Series against South Africa,” Hohns said. “Consideration has also been given to some players who we believe could potentially play in all three formats for Australia.”Cartwright, the second-highest run-getter in the 2016-17 Sheffield Shield, Renshaw and Peter Handscomb all made their Test debuts over the home summer as Australia sought to revamp their side following a stunning defeat against South Africa in Hobart, where they were dismissed for totals of 85 and 161.Agar, who has not played a Test since his debut in the Ashes in 2013, last played an international for Australia in March last year but was one of the four spinners the team picked for the India tour. He has effectively taken the place of O’Keefe, recently fined and suspended for offensive behaviour at the New South Wales end of season awards night following a strong performance on the India tour.Stanlake, meanwhile, was given a debut in the limited-overs matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka and Hohns said the selectors wanted to monitor his progress, similar to what they had done with Pat Cummins, who has held a national contract continuously since 2011 despite a raft of injuries that have only recently shown signs of abating.”Hilton has thoroughly earned his spot in the list this year,” Hohns said. “He was the second-highest runs scorer in the Sheffield Shield last season and, when given his opportunity with the Test side last summer, he impressed. He is an exciting prospect for Australian cricket and we look forward to seeing him perform for Australia in the coming 12 months, if given his opportunity.”Ashton is a talented young player who we consider offers a fantastic package with his batting, bowling and fielding, and someone who is capable of playing all forms of the game.”Billy has picked up the last spot on the contract list for the coming season. We see him as a player of immense talent and a great option for Australia in the future. We want to be able to monitor his progress in the coming 12 months, not dissimilar to what we have done with Pat Cummins in the past.”Among the women’s cricketers, the 19-year-old legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington was offered a contract for the first time, while Rachael Haynes was given a contract for the first time in four years. Wellington impressed over the summer, snaffling 17 wickets in eight limited-overs appearances, while Haynes recently made a comeback to the ODI side after three years.

Liverpool have already strengthened their first-team squad but could move to bring in a younger talent soon, with AS, via Sport Witness reporting that the Reds want Assane Diao from Real Betis.

Who is Assane Diao?

The Anfield outfit have already poached Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig and Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton, but it appears the Premier League side may be changing tack with one of their newest targets.

That's because they appear to have one eye on the future and a more youthful addition in this transfer window in the shape of Real Betis' Diao. The 17-year-old has yet to feature in the first-team for his club, but has already featured heavily for their reserve side despite his youth. In fact, he has played 20 times for them in the Segunda Federacion and the signs are promising – in 20 games for the Spaniards, he has already bagged four goals and two assists.

He hasn't just shone for his club's reserve side though. The forward has also been capped for his country's youth team as well, featuring once for the Spain Under-19 team. Diao also qualifies for Senegal citizenship, but it is Spain he plans to play for at the time of writing.

The wonderkid, who can play as either a central striker or on the wing, joined his current side from Balon de Cadiz back in 2021 but only began to really feature for the Betis Under-19 team last year. However, he hasn't let his age hold him back and he has now caught the eye of teams from afar because of his showings in Spain.

Are Liverpool signing Assane Diao?

That's because, according to a report from AS, via Sport Witness, Premier League side Liverpool are now circling the player and are considering a move to bring him to Anfield this summer.

It won't be a straightforward deal to pull off though, with the club also facing competition for his signature from RB Leipzig. Both clubs look set to launch moves for Diao this window and with his deal expiring in 2024, there is every chance that they could get it done. That's because the report adds that he is yet to put pen-to-paper on a fresh agreement with his current side, who are panicked by the interest from both suitors.

There isn't much to go off with Diao yet, who is described as "powerful" in the same report. With very little in terms of first-team appearances, this would be a signing for the future from either club if they did manage to land the player.

Considering that he is still only 17-years-old, he would not slot straight into the Liverpool first-team, and he wouldn't be able to head to England under new rules that forbid foreign youngsters from moving below the age of 18.

Therefore, any signing would only take real effect on his next birthday, and one has to assume the Reds may struggle to land a work permit immediately, so we could see what the teenager is made of during loan spells if FSG can get a deal done.

أعلن نادي الزوراء العراقي، عن تطورات جديدة في موقف المدرب المصري حسام البدري، المدير الفني لفريق الكرة الأول.

وأكد نادي الزوراء في بيان رسمي نشره عبر حسابه الرسمي بمنصة “فيس بوك”، أن البدري تقدم باستقالته عن مهمته لظروف خاصة.

حسام البدري يوجه نصيحة لـ حسام حسن بعد توليه قيادة منتخب مصر: تمتلك الآن ما افتقدته في حقبتي

وأوضح النادي العراقي أن إدارة الفريق قد قدرت موقف البدري، ووافقت على الاستقالة، موجهين له الشكر على الفترة التي قضاها.

وكان فريق الزوراء قد حقق 7 تعادلات وحقق فوزًا وحيدًا فيما نال خسارتين على مدار آخر 10 مباريات في دوري نجوم العراق.

ويحتل فريق الزوراء المركز الخامس في سلم ترتيب الدوري العراقي هذا الموسم بعد مضي 20 جولة، برصيد 31 نقطة، بفارق نقطة واحدة عن صاحبي المركزين الثالث والرابع.

Crystal Palace are keeping tabs on Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun following an impressive loan spell in Ligue 1, according to Ryan Taylor.

Is Balogun leaving Arsenal?

It's truly amazing what just one season can do to a player's transfer value.

The evidence of this is plain for all to see in the case of Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun, who has now been valued at £50m by the Gunners following a sparkling season on loan in France. This time last year, that figure would have been significantly lower.

Balogun has come through Arsenal's youth setup and has always stood out as a striker with great potential. Thierry Henry, a forward who knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed in north London, had praised the youngster's decision to choose a loan to a foreign club rather than staying in England (via Evening Standard).

This move to Stade Reims proved hugely beneficial for both player and club; the USA international netted 22 goals in 39 games for the French outfit. Balogun's strikes helped a team expected to struggle in Ligue 1 to an 11th-placed finish.

Such a fruitful loan spell has naturally attracted attention from clubs around Europe, with Arsenal open to selling the 22-year-old for the right price given they cannot guarantee him the minutes he wants at first-team level.

One club who are keen to keep him in the Premier League, however, are Crystal Palace. With Jordan Ayew, Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Odsonne Edouard far from the most clinical forward line, Roy Hodgson may look to Balogun to help provide a more consistent source of goals next campaign.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Taylor stated: "They [Crystal Palace] are looking at him, from what I understand. I've had conversations about Balogun's future. There are a lot of clubs informed on his situation.

"Palace are one, Inter Milan, Monaco, Marseille, Leipzig, AC Milan, but I think ultimately, the price tag's going to prove complicated for a lot of these clubs because Arsenal know he's a really talented player."

If Arsenal refuse to budge on their high valuation of Balogun, a deal for any club may be beyond reach. £50m would make the starlet by far and away Palace's most expensive signing of all-time and may prove to be too risky for the Eagles given Balogun's lack of Premier League experience.

They will also have to fend off competition from some colossal forces, as Taylor states, with last year's Champions League finalists Inter among the clubs vying for his signature.

With Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and new signing Kai Havertz all available to Mikel Arteta at the Emirates, there is no natural opening for Balogun in the near future.

What kind of player is Balogun?

Someone who now knows Balogun better than most is English Reims manager Will Still. He has been effusive in his praise of the attacker in the past: "He is a super complete striker, he is able to play with his back to goal, in depth. It is technically very clean. He scores, he is decisive."

His goal tally in Ligue 1 speaks for itself, but Arsenal fans have seen first-hand glimmers of the youngster's talent. He managed two Europa League goals in five games for the Gunners, despite only playing a total of 63 minutes.

Journalist Alex Barker (via CNN) has waxed lyrical about the forward's goalscoring instincts, with Balogun often scoring from close range with one-touch finishes or quickfire strikes.

At just 5ft8 and with a fairly slight build, Balogun will not bully defenders, instead using his pace and tactical awareness to find space in the penalty area, constantly keeping opposition centre-backs on their toes.

Even if his future lies away from Arsenal, he has all the tools to be a top striker in the Premier League and beyond.

Everton have now held talks with Swansea City over a potential swap deal for striker Joel Piroe, with Ellis Simms going in the opposite direction, according to a report from The Daily Mail.

What's the latest Everton transfer news?

Everton have set their sights on bringing in a new striker this summer, and journalist Sacha Tavolieri has recently reported they have "formally expressed" their interest in Almeria's El Bilal Toure, having made it clear they are willing to pay his €40m (£34m) release clause.

However, the situation involving the Mali international is a "bit messy", with Fulham also named as potential suitors, so the Toffees could look at other options, including Leeds United's Rodrigo, with journalist Paul Brown recently backing the Spaniard for a move to Goodison Park.

The Goodison Park outfit have continued to run the rule over Saletnitana forward Boulaye Dia, who has a release clause of just €25m (£21.5m), which is due to expire on July 25th, so they may have to move swiftly to secure his services.

According to recent reports, Piroe is also on Everton's wish list, with the Swansea forward available for a fee of just £12m due to the fact he has one year remaining on his contract, meaning this summer is the Welsh side's last chance to cash-in before they lose him for free next time around.

The Toffees have now been offered another way of acquiring the striker's services, however, as The Daily Mail report Swansea have discussed a potential swap deal, with Simms going in the opposite direction.

Simms is attracting the interest of a number of Championship clubs, with Stoke City and Coventry City being named as potential suitors, as the latter club need to replace Viktor Gyokeres, who has previously been linked with a move to Goodison Park.

It remains to be seen whether Everton would be willing to facilitate a swap deal, but it could be a good way of bringing in a new attacking option for a reduced fee.

How many goals has Joel Piroe scored?

The Dutchman found the back of the net 20 times for Swansea last season, following up an equally impressive 2021-22 campaign, in which he registered 22 goals and six assists in the second tier.

Those performances indicate the 23-year-old is ready to make the step up to the Premier League, and it is very clear the Toffees are in need of some fresh impetus in attack, having scored just 35 league goals last season, the second-fewest in the top flight.

Hailed as a "danger man" by journalist Josh Bunting, the former PSV man could be exactly the type of signing Everton need to get them firing, but the only question is whether they will be willing to let Simms leave.

The English forward only managed to score one goal in 11 league games last season, although he did show very promising signs at Sunderland earlier in the campaign, netting seven goals in 17 outings.

As such, we feel Everton should try and pursue a deal for Piroe without including Simms in the negotiations, with the former's contract situation putting his club in a very limited negotiating position.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan believes an increase in the board’s share of the revenue is a boost for cricket in the country, which has undergone a change as a market for the sport

Mohammad Isam28-Apr-2017

The Bangladesh Cricket Board pursued a larger share of the ICC revenue on the basis of the team’s improved results on the field and the emergence of a stronger market for the game in the country, board president Nazmul Hassan has said. Under the new revenue model, approved by the ICC Board and to be ratified at the annual conference in June, the BCB will received US $132 million in the 2015-2023 rights cycle, compared to the $76 million they had received previously for the same period.Hassan, who attended the ICC Board meeting earlier this week, said the increased share of revenue is a boost to Bangladesh cricket, and he had persuaded the ICC Board to re-evaluate Bangladesh’s stature as a cricket market.”There used to be a notion that Bangladesh doesn’t generate any revenue, that the market here is weak,” Hassan said at a press briefing in Dhaka on Friday. “But I think Bangladesh generates more revenue than many nations. Bangladeshi companies are sponsoring our away tours. The market here has changed. I asked them to reevaluate our situation, because now there’s a new perspective about Bangladesh.”We used to get $76 million but now are going to get $132 million [during the eight-year cycle]. This means while we used to get $9.5 million per year, the amount will be $16.5 million per year. It is almost double, a big boon for Bangladesh.”Hassan said that during discussions over the new financial model, he had insisted Bangladesh should receive an amount larger than what had been decided in 2014. Hassan is also a member of the ICC board and was part of the working group that had proposed changes to the ICC’s constitution and financial models.”Bangladesh deserved to get more [revenue] than West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka whichever criteria is being considered,” Hassan said. “Performance is not the only factor. My first objective was to increase Bangladesh’s share. We agreed on the financial model that not just Bangladesh, everyone else should get more money.”When I am at the ICC, I have two roles. I am an ICC director so I have to consider everyone, I cannot leave out anyone. But because I was representing Bangladesh as the BCB president, I have to look at Bangladesh’s interest. So definitely, I feel this model is highly acceptable.”When asked why the BCB did not support the BCCI’s objections to the proposed revenue model, Hassan said he could not support his board getting less money. He was hopeful, however, of a new formula being worked out.”India’s concern is only with the finances. We support them for everything,” Hassan said. “I spoke to the BCCI, and assured them of our support in everything. But I cannot support Bangladesh getting less money. I personally believe that the BCCI is against this model. They have no problem with the amount we are getting, but they are trying to come up with a new formula.”There’s still time till June although it won’t go to the AGM since this is not part of the constitution. If they can give us an agreeable proposal by June, we will agree with it. If they can find a logical way to show that they should get more money, we would have no objections. I feel, that’s what they will do. They will come with a new formula, which we can all agree upon, and the issue will be solved.Hassan pointed out that the instability in the BCCI’s governance structure was also hampering the Indian board’s discussions with the ICC.”I think it is more of an ego issue. They have an interim board running at the moment,” Hassan said. “They have different people coming to the ICC meeting. We saw someone in the last meeting who was appointed by their Supreme Court, and this time we saw someone else, BCCI’s joint secretary. There’s no continuity, and it is hard to deal with a new person every few months. If someone comes to the ICC meeting and agrees with us, he will be blamed for agreeing to a lesser amount. So I don’t think anyone wants to take this responsibility. I am hopeful that soon, we will be able to come to an agreement.”Commenting on the BCB’s opposition to any changes in the ICC constitution that would compromise a board’s Full Membership, Hassan said the board had objected to such a change with the objective of saving Zimbabwe and any new Associate Member who may be granted Full Member status in the future.One part of the governance reforms was the proposal to look at membership as a fluid concept, with Full Members being regularly evaluated against set criteria. If the Full Member failed to meet certain requirements, it would be relegated to Associate status. The response from the BCB earlier this week, however, had suggested that such reclassification should apply only to Associates who were given Full Member status on a “temporary” or a “provisional” basis. Hassan’s letter had also stated that the Full Membership status of the ten Test nations should “not be compromised under any circumstances and should be made irrevocable.””Bangladesh isn’t going to be relegated in the foreseeable future but we raised the objection about relegation,” Hassan said on Saturday. “We could see that Zimbabwe was in danger of relegation, even though it wasn’t entirely connected to performance.”Associate Members who become Full Members, you can’t leave them out too. I considered all nations when I said that a Full Member can never be relegated.”