Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja said that a tri-nation series, involving India and Pakistan, isn’t out of the cards, although he ruled out possibilities of bilateral meetings between the two Asian countries. Earlier this week, Geoff Allardice, the interim chief executive of the International Cricket Council, also ruled out chances of bilateral series between India and Pakistan.

Back in 2012, Pakistan toured India for a T20I and ODI series after which the two nations have only locked horns in tournaments, organised by the ICC and the Asian Cricket Council. Pakistan are also set to host the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2023 Asia Cup over the next decade.

There is a big update coming in ahead of the 2021 Ashes series. Australia’s Test skipper Tim Paine has announced that he will step down as the captain of the side before the Ashes series.

The same was confirmed by the official Twitter handle of Cricket Australia. “JUST IN: Tim Paine stands down as captain of the Australian Men’s Test team. More to come,” tweeted Cricket Australia. You can see the tweet from Cricket Australia below.

Tim Paine also announced his decision in a statement. He revealed that the decision has been a tough one, but it is the right one for him, his family as well as cricket at large.

Former Australia skipper Steve Waugh reckoned that Pat Cummins is the apt candidate to lead the Aussies in their opening Ashes Test against England at the Gabba in Brisbane. Prior to the start of the five-match series, Tim Paine stepped down as the Test skipper of the national team after an off-field scandal, where he sent explicit texts to a female co-worker back in 2017, came to the fore.

Paine announced his decision to step down in a press conference at Hobart on Friday, November 19. However, he made himself available for selection in the Ashes Tests. To replace him, Waugh said that Cummins, being the vice-captain, is a strong contender.

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