CPL to start on August 7; Arnos Vale to host for the first time
The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 will start on August 7 this year and run until September 20. For the first time, the league will include seven franchises with the Jamaica Kingsmen joining the league. Eight nations will participate this time in the league with fixtures in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Arnos Vale in St Vincent and the Grenadines will host the CPL games for the first time this season. While five teams will be involved in the three confirmed fixtures at the venue, the CPL is yet to release the full schedule.
“Expanding into new territories is an important part of our vision,” Pete Russell, the league’s chief executive, said in a press release. He added, “We know the fans in St Vincent and the Grenadines are passionate about the game, and we can’t wait to experience the energy and atmosphere they will bring.”
Bangladesh pacer Rubel Hossain retires from international cricket
Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain announced his retirement from international cricket on April 15. The 36-year-old Rubel played his last international match in April 2021, a T20I against New Zealand in Auckland. However, Rubel shone in the ODI format mainly where he picked up 129 wickets at an average of 34.31. He is Bangladesh’s fifth-highest wicket-taker in the format at present, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (129) looking to surpass him soon. Rubel picked up 4/33 against Sri Lanka on ODI debut in 2009. He also claimed five wickets in his fifth Test against New Zealand in 2010, but was not suitable for the longest format.
Taking to his social media account, Rubel wrote, “The national team is my passion. But at some point, I had to leave international cricket. With that in mind, I said goodbye to international cricket. However, I intend to continue playing domestic cricket. Thank you to my family, friends, media personnel and fans. I believe that you will continue to support me for the rest of my life.”
Trying to strengthen our whole system: Rob Walter
New Zealand men’s head coach Rob Walter highlights the positive side of over 50 New Zealand players presently playing competitive cricket in the subcontinent. According to him, it’s a “massive positive” sign. Currently, the senior New Zealand men’s team is in Bangladesh for six white-ball matches, their men’s A side is in Sri Lanka to play first-class and one-day matches, and there are 18 New Zealand players participating in the IPL and PSL.
Walter said, “We try to use our opportunities as much as we possibly can. It’s been reported that we have got 54 New Zealand cricketers playing right now in different parts of the world, be that IPL, PSL, here and in Sri Lanka. It’s just under half of our contracted players in the country. So for us, it’s a massive positive.” He added, “We are giving a large number of players international experience at different levels, trying to make sure that we strengthen our whole system and not just a small group of players.”
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