Sad to see T20 leagues influencing international cricket: Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi is concerned to see Cricket South Africa allowing its players to travel to India for the IPL 2021. The 44-year-old has called for some rethinking after raising his doubts about T20 tournaments influencing international cricket. The former skipper's remarks came after Pakistan won the One Day International series 2-1 against South Africa. Proteas stars Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, David Miller, and Lungi Ngidi left to play in the IPL. All the players headed to India after South Africa's 17-run win over Pakistan in the second ODI. A four-match T20I series between South Africa and Pakistan is scheduled to start on April 10.

With the 14th IPL season set to start on April 9, Rabada and Nortje (Delhi Capitals), de Kock (Mumbai Indians), Miller (Rajasthan Royals) and Ngidi (Chennai Super Kings) have joined their respective franchises in India. As for the IPL, the Proteas cricketers who recently flew to India will need to complete a 7-day quarantine period. All the players should have successive Covid-19 negative reports before being eligible to join their respective teammates in the bio-bubble.

Pakistan seal the 3-match ODI series 2-1

Pakistan is now the second visiting side after Australia to win at least two ODI series against South Africa. Fakhar Zaman's superb 101 innings and captain Babar Azam's quickfire 94 helped the visitors defeat South Africa by 28 runs in the 3rd ODI at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday. With the victory, the Men in Green sealed the 3-match ODI series 2-1.

The 14th season of the IPL is set to start on Friday, April 9. 5-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match. The game will take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. IPL 2021 is going to be played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 threat. Last year the mega tournament was held in the UAE.

As the tournament returns to India, there is an air of uncertainty surrounding the mega event. Axar Patel, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Rana, and Daniel Sams have tested positive for COVID-19. Padikkal and Rana tested negative in subsequent reports and joined their respective squad for training. Keeping the safety factor in mind, IPL 2021 will occur at a few selected venues across India in a bio-secure environment.

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