The big news: BCCI rules out cricketing ties with Pakistan

The Board of Control for Cricket in India slammed the door shut on an India-Pakistan bilateral series in the wake of the terrorist attack at an Indian army base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, last week. BCCI president Anurag Thakur came down hard on Pakistan, calling them a "nation which sponsors terrorism".

The two countries last played a bilateral series in 2012. The situation at the border has seeped into matters away from the cricket field as well. Pakistan's Kabaddi team withdrew from the World Cup, which will be held in Ahmedabad in October. Former Indian skipper Kapil Dev lashed out at a journalist in a press conference when questioned about Pakistan's absence.

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  1. After bowling out India for 318, New Zealand were yet again on the front foot as Tom Latham and skipper Kane Williamson's half-centuries too the side to 152/1 before the clouds opened up in Kanpur on day two. Both Latham and Williamson had luck smiling brightly on them before an entire session was washed out because of rain.
  2. Imad Wasim (5/14) became only the second Pakistani bowler to take five wickets in a T20 International as he helped his side hammer West Indies by nine wickets in Dubai. The left-arm spinner skittled through the top order to bundle out the world champions for 115. Babar Azam's breezy fifty took Pakistan home with 34 balls to spare.
  3. Middlesex won their first County Championship since 1993 as they held off traditional giants Yorkshire with just 28 balls to spare on the final day. It was heartbreak for Somerset, who were within touching distance of the title. Yorkshire, the 32-time champions, were handed the task of chasing down 240 in 40 overs. Middlesex's Toby Roland-Jones took a hat-trick.
  4. T20 world champions West Indies have the chance to bounce back from their embarrassing defeat in the first T20 against Pakistan. The two teams will play the second match of the series in Dubai on Saturday. 
  5. Bangladesh bowlers Arafat Sunny and Taskin Ahmed were given the all-clear by the International Cricket Council after working on their bowling actions. Both Sunny and Ahmed were handed bans during the World T20 earlier this year in India.