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Arvind Apte, the former India batsman who played one Test in 1959, has died in Pune aged 74, of prostate cancer

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Aug-2014Arvind Apte, the former India batsman who played one Test in 1959, has died in Pune aged 79, of prostate cancer. He was the younger brother of Madhav Apte, who played seven Tests for India in the early 1950s. Arvind Apte was survived by a daughter.Born in Bombay in 1934, Arvind Apte was taken on the tour of England in 1959 as a reserve opener. An attacking opening batsman with a wide range of strokes, he met with modest success on the tour, scoring 881 runs in 19 matches with three centuries, averaging 27.53. His best score was 165 against Derbyshire. Given a chance in the third Test at Leeds following an injury to Nari Contractor, Arvind Apte was out for 8 and 7, falling to Alan Moss both times.He continued to play first-class cricket till the early 70s, finishing with an aggregate of 2782 runs at 33.51, with six centuries. He represented Bombay and Rajasthan in first-class cricket.

Fawad Ahmed is expected to make his long-awaited debut for Australia during the limited-overs series that follows the Ashes after being named in an 18-man squad at the expense of Xavier Doherty

Brydon Coverdale15-Aug-2013Fawad Ahmed is expected to make his long-awaited debut for Australia during the limited-overs series that follows the Ashes after being named in an 18-man squad at the expense of Xavier Doherty. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has also been included and should play his first ODI in three years, while Doherty and the allrounder Mitchell Marsh were the only players dropped from the squad that contested the Champions Trophy in June.The most fascinating inclusion is that of Ahmed, a legspinner who arrived in Australia in 2010 as an asylum seeker from Pakistan, where he had played ten first-class games over four years. Ahmed impressed for Victoria during the 2012-13 season and his Australian citizenship was fast-tracked this year in an effort to make him available for the Ashes, although he was ultimately not chosen in the Test squad.But Australia’s selectors remain keen on Ahmed as an international option and have been impressed by his bowling during the ongoing Australia A tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. Although Ahmed has collected only two wickets in the five one-day games on the tour, the selectors believe he has bowled better than his figures indicate, and he will be the lead spinner alongside allrounder Glenn Maxwell in the limited-overs games in England.Changes to Australia’s ODI squad from the Champions Trophy

In: Fawad Ahmed, Josh Hazlewood, Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Steven Smith

Out: Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Marsh

“Fawad Ahmed gets his opportunity as the squad’s lead spinner,” the national selector John Inverarity said. “Fawad has been a consistent wicket-taker on the Australia A tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. He is a mature and very good leg-spin bowler, and the national selection panel is keen to see how he fares in international competition … He has been bowling very well in South Africa and turning the ball and troubling the batsmen so we’re keen to have a look at him.”He takes Xavier Doherty’s place. Xavier has been a fine performer for Australia over the years. We haven’t selected the side for India, for the seven ODIs there in October, but it’s likely that both players will be on that tour. He [Doherty] is very much a known quantity and he’s a wonderful young man and a very good cricketer. He can be hopeful that further opportunities will come his way.”The 18-man squad will gather for the two Twenty20s against England that follow the Ashes and the group will then be trimmed to 15 for the one-off ODI against Scotland and five against England in September. While Mitchell Marsh was replaced by Steven Smith after having limited impact in the Champions Trophy, his brother Shaun was included and is likely to play in the T20s, but whether he remains part of the squad for the ODIs is unclear.The same can be said of Aaron Finch, who has been captain of Australia A during the African tour, while the rest of the batting line-up was largely as expected. However, there was no place for Nic Maddinson, the young New South Wales batsman who has played a number of eye-catching innings for Australia A in the British Isles and Africa over the past couple of months, including a remarkable 181 from 143 balls against Gloucestershire in Bristol.”While he hasn’t been selected in this squad, the national selection panel also notes the strong performances of Nic Maddinson in recent months for Australia A,” Inverarity said. “We look forward to him continuing to build on that good form and pressing his claims for higher honours in the future.”The pace attack will be led by the experienced Mitchell Johnson and Clint McKay, but also features younger talent including Nathan Coulter-Nile, who made his T20 international debut in February, and Hazlewood, who also reappeared in the national side via February’s T20 against West Indies. Hazlewood, 22, made his ODI debut in England in 2010 but has always been regarded by the selectors as a player to watch.”We’re looking forward to him showing his wares in international cricket again,” Inverarity said. “He made his debut for Australia in 2010 at the age of 19. Three years later he’s a stronger young man and a better bowler. He has been very impressive with his form in Zimbabwe and South Africa.”I’ve been talking with Andy Bichel, who’s the selector on duty in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and Josh has been very impressive, has bowled with good pace and good accuracy and has been moving the ball. I think it’s the right time for him to come through and join the international squad.”Squad Michael Clarke (ODI capt), George Bailey (T20 capt), Fawad Ahmed, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Phillip Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Shane Watson.

A round-up of the HRV Cup matches on January 1, 2012

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jan-2013
ScorecardA 165-run opening partnership between Anton Devcich and Brad Wilson, the highest stand for any wicket in the HRV Cup this season, helped Northern Districts chase down a stiff target of 198, for a nine-wicket victory against Wellington. The win ensured a top spot for Northern Districts in the points table.The openers were in control of their chase throughout, and by the halfway mark, had knocked off 110 runs. Wilson regularly played through the gaps in the field, and scored his half-century in just 32 deliveries. He was out, though, in the 16th over, but by then his team was in control of the chase. His partner, Devcich, scored an unbeaten 92 off 57 deliveries, with the help of 11 fours and two sixes. Three bowlers gave away runs at more than 10 per over.The stand was the second-highest opening stand in the HRV Cup, behind that of 201 by Jamie How and Peter Ingram in January last year, and the 12th highest in all Twenty20 cricket.It overshadowed a decent batting performance by Wellington, led by their Bangladesh-import Tamim Iqbal and Jesse Ryder. The duo put on 90 runs, also for the first wicket, in ten overs before Ryder, the highest run-getter in the HRV Cup this season, departed after scoring 62 off 37 deliveries, which featured five sixes. Quick wickets fell thereafter, but the boundaries kept coming, and at 197 for 4 at the end of 20 overs, Wellington looked in control. However, Northern Districts made up for their ineffective bowling through the record opening stand.
ScorecardGareth Andrew’s aggressive half-century helped Canterbury achieve a four-wicket win, their first in five games. Chasing 153, Andrew struck four fours and four sixes in an unbeaten 25-ball 53 after he came out to bat at the score of 63 for 4 in the eleventh over.Central Districts chose to bat after winning the toss and Mathew Sinclair and captain Kieran Noema-Barnett put on 54 off 34 balls for the third wicket. They looked set for a big total but regular fall of wickets, including two in an over from Mitchell Claydon towards the end of the innings, restricted Central Districts to 152.Canterbury got off to a stable start led by the No. 3 George Worker but once he and Tom Latham were dismissed, they were in trouble and were soon 72 for 5. But this was followed by a counter-attacking partnership between Andrew and Todd Astle, who added 77 from six overs. This took the momentum away from Central Districts and Canterbury won the match with seven balls to spare.

Gujarat Lions will play two matches in Kanpur as per the original IPL schedule after the fixtures were confirmed by IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla on Sunday.

ESPNcricinfo staff01-May-2016Gujarat Lions will play two matches in Kanpur as per the original tournament schedule after the fixtures were confirmed by IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla on Sunday.There had been concerns over the floodlight facilities at the Green Park Stadium, but Shukla said that the “problem” had been sorted out. The Green Park Stadium has not hosted an international day-night fixture or an IPL match so far.”The problem has been sorted,” Shukla told ESPNcricinfo. “There were a few areas in the floodlights when the lux level was not adequate. We have now increased the number of bulbs and the brightness has been enhanced. [BCCI’s chief cameran SK Srikanth] gave the approval.”The venue will host Lions’ last two league matches on May 19 on May 21 against Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. Lions are currently placed at the top of the table with six wins in eight matches.

In a further blow to the already delayed Dhaka Premier League, BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said he wouldn’t perturbed if it didn’t take place.

Mohammad Isam25-Jul-2013In a further blow to the already delayed Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said he wouldn’t be perturbed if it didn’t take place as the preparation of the grounds in Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar, Dhaka and Chittagong for the World Twenty20 in March 2014 was his priority.”We are trying our best to hold the Dhaka Premier League in the first week of September instead of August 29. If it happens, it happens; if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen,” Hassan said. “The World Twenty20 should get top-most priority, ahead of all domestic tournaments. The month of August is a very important one for me because the ground inspection team is coming, and all the grounds are undergoing work at the moment.”The comment comes a day after the tournament, which will primarily require the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka where the groundstaff have only just started to repair damaged parts of the outfield, was postponed for the fourth time in five months.Earlier in June, Hassan expressed anxiety over the mentions of more Bangladesh players in the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit’s report on corruption in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He said at the time he was not confident of holding the Dhaka Premier League, because he might have to pull up players from clubs after the transfer/recruiting programme is completed. The league was subsequently delayed from July to the end of August, and now it has been shifted to September.Hassan said that the league’s delay was because of the space the BCB needed to create in the calendar to hold the BPL this year. But the fact remains that the Dhaka Premier League clubs were reluctant to compete when the national cricketers were away in Sri Lanka in March, when it was first scheduled to be held. It was two weeks after the BPL ended on February 19.”We needed to correct the slot because of the BPL,” he said. “I personally feel that the Dhaka Premier League is a very important league, and it has the biggest contribution to our cricket. It should get top priority.”We have asked for the full calendar on July 29. I am not too worried if for some reason the games don’t take place. The old thing could be interrupted to make room for the new tournament,” he said.In this case, the schedule of the National Cricket League (NCL), the first-class tournament, has become vulnerable as the Dhaka Premier League could spill over to after the New Zealand tour in October, when the NCL was supposed to be held. BCB are also planning to host the Bangladesh Cricket League, a zonal first-class tournament, and the BPL, after the New Zealand’s tour to Bangladesh.If the BCB president’s comment is anything to go by, Bangladesh’s domestic season could be compromised to prepare and host the World T20. The last time the Dhaka Premier League was not held in a season was when the Under-19 World Cup was held in Bangladesh in 2004.

England ended the first day miles in front after Stuart Broad’s 6 for 25 helped bowl India out for 152

The Report by Andrew McGlashan07-Aug-2014
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsA couple of weeks ago it appeared unlikely Stuart Broad would make it through this series and until a few days ago it was by no means certain that James Anderson would be available, either. As it was, the pair combined to take nine wickets – Broad the bulk of them with 6 for 25 – as India were removed for 152 inside two sessions at Old Trafford and by the close England were strongly placed only 39 runs behind to suggest a significant swing in the series.Within six overs India were in tatters at 8 for 4; three of the top four having collected ducks, including the struggling Virat Kohli who fell second ball to his nemesis Anderson. From the rubble of the first half an hour, their final total was something of a recovery. MS Dhoni, back at No. 6 after another reshuffle of the batting order, played excellently for his 71 but Broad, who according to reports will have knee surgery after the series, cleaned up the lower order.Stuart Broad dismissed Gautam Gambhir and Cheteshwar Pujara before running through the lower order•Getty ImagesThe six ducks in India’s innings equalled the world record as, for the first time this season, England managed to exploit what could be termed ‘English’ conditions although they were by no means frightful. It was certainly the quickest pitch seen so far but, by and large, England found the correct, full length which found the edges which they had failed to do at Headingley against Sri Lanka and Lord’s in this series.England did not have it all their own way in reply, certainly against the new ball as Sam Robson and Alastair Cook departed cheaply to leave them 36 for 2. However, on a gloriously sunny evening Ian Bell, after wild pull first ball, clicked into gear with a string of boundaries which included advancing down to loft R Ashwin for a straight six.Gary Ballance continued his fine form and the third-wicket pair looked set to see out the day but Ballance was trapped lbw by the impressive Varun Aaron, playing his second Test and first since November 2011, from around the wicket in what proved the final over the day. It should be noted that eight overs were lost.There was a stroke – or should that be a flip – of fortune for England before a ball was bowled. Cook lost the toss and Dhoni was happy to bat first; it has been the route taken by every Test captain at this ground since Graham Gooch against Australia in 1993. Cook admitted he would have batted, but as he said that he glanced skywards at the clouds, which had been heavy enough to delay the start by half an hour with drizzle, and pondered what could be on offer.Stood at first slip, Cook would immediately have been delighted by what he watched. A manic 13-ball period began when Broad made the opening incision in the fourth over when Gautam Gambhir, playing his first Test since December 2012 in place of Shikhar Dhawan, was squared up in a manner similar to the 2011 tour and edged to gully.Anderson had already found his groove and now started to find the edges. M Vijay, the pillar of India’s batting in the series, nicked a perfect outswinger to Cook at first slip and two deliveries later there was a near replay when Kohli moved across his crease and felt for another delivery which curved away. It was one of those spells where another wicket, if not more, felt inevitable and Dhoni’s uncertain technique was given a working over by Anderson.There has been some criticism this season of the length of spells Anderson has been asked to bowl, but the nine-over opening burst today was fully understandable in the circumstances. It was a reminder, not that any was needed, of the significance of the not-guilty verdict.The next stage of the match came when Cook changed the bowling – would Chris Woakes and Chris Jordan maintain the stranglehold? Woakes could have struck – for just the second time in Test cricket – with his third ball when Dhoni edged a booming drive which flew high towards Jordan at fourth slip but he could not time his jump to intercept the chance.Dhoni was always keen to try and get onto the front foot and England’s response was to bowl a touch shorter, which took them away from what had provided all the earlier success. It was not a complete dereliction of their duties as happened at Lord’s, but they were perhaps sucked in by Dhoni’s method. Whenever the ball was full, it kept moving.As it did at Lord’s, Ajinkya Rahane’s technique, playing the ball late with a straight bat, stood him in good stead and he was the most comfortable of India’s batsmen in the morning session only to be let down by a rare misjudgement, driving at a swinging delivery, although it was a timely reminder to England’s bowlers that the cost of a few boundaries is worth the potential reward of the outside edge. For Jordan, the weakest link of the attack at the Ageas Bowl, it was an important wicket after two barren outings although the support for Anderson and Broad was still not as exacting as it could have been.Shortly after lunch the other half of the recent off-field drama, Ravindra Jadeja, who had not been given an overly welcoming reception from the partisan crowd, was pinned lbw by a classic Anderson set-up, almost identical to how he fell at the Ageas Bowl. At 63 for 6 three figures was looking some way off for India.Ashwin counter-attacked, picking off England’s bowlers when they were drawn into bowling too straight, and the total was doubled during the 14-over stand with Dhoni. However, when there was just a hint that England could let frustration get to them, Ashwin picked out deep square-leg from a short delivery. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s batting mojo has deserted him since Lord’s and he left a delivery that hit middle stump and after Dhoni collected a few defiant boundaries managed to pick out the only fielder within acres on the leg side.It was not perfect from England. Early in England’s reply, Robson shouldered arms to a well-disguised inswinger from Bhuvneshwar which took his off stump. It was an unconvincing stay from Robson, who twice nearly edged to slip, and he is the one new member of the batting order who, despite his hundred against Sri Lanka, has yet to wholly convince.If Robson is feeling any pressure, he could glance over at his opening partner. Cook revived his fortunes last week and, as he slotted away an on- and off-drive off Pankaj Singh, and was moving smoothly only to be outdone by a slippery short delivery from Aaron who touched 90mph during a lively spell. Going for the hook, Cook was not in control and top-edged to Pankaj at long leg. Pankaj took it nonchalantly, but surely will have wished the dismissal was the other way around: his wait for a maiden Test wicket goes on.

James Faulkner has become a central part to Australia’s World Cup 2015 plans as the team looks to be chopped and changed in preparation to the big event

Daniel Brettig18-Jan-2014James Faulkner’s rare temperament, as much as his powerful hitting, will make him a central part of Australia’s already advanced planning for the 2015 World Cup. The great escape Faulkner engineered at the Gabba to thoroughly demoralise England was not his first, evidence of the clear thinking and even temper that has made him so valued by team-mates at the age of 23.The vice-captain Brad Haddin, who watched Faulkner’s innings from the dressing room after being one of several batsmen to fall in the chase while essaying the sort of aggressive strokes the younger man would choose so wisely, placed the innings in perspective. He felt Faulkner had been fortified by engineering a similar chase in Mohali against India last year, and that he had always shown an ability to learn quickly.”That was an extraordinary finish last night. We were in no position to win the game until James hit the four through cover in the last over,” Haddin said. “The funny thing about that, it’s not the first time he’s done it. He’s done it in Mohali before, but to get us out of the position we were in last night was an extraordinary effort.”I think Mohali’s helped him. He understands now that if [he] can get the game deep he has the power to clear the rope at the end. He paced his innings pretty well last night. He’s a guy’s who learns quicker than most. He’s only young but he takes everything on board. He picks up things and puts them into action.”He has been a part of our set-up for the whole summer and he’s obviously an exceptional talent. He’s got that competitive edge you want in a cricket team.”Australia’s coach, Darren Lehmann, has outlined his desire to bring a strong squad mentality to the limited-overs dressing room, where players know their roles and can come in to fill them seamlessly, whether they start a tournament or not. Harking back to his own playing days, Lehmann has outlined the value of squad players to Australia in past World Cups, from Tom Moody in 1999 to Andy Bichel and Andrew Symonds in 2003 and Shaun Tait in 2007.Unlike the Ashes success in which the same 11 players pushed themselves through the five Tests to deliver a sweep of England, Lehmann has made it clear that he will need more than a single team’s worth of contributors for a tournament that will be played in contrasting conditions – from the slow, low drop-ins of New Zealand, to the faster tracks of Brisbane and Perth.So the emergence of role-players like Faulkner will be critical to Australia’s chances of wresting back a title they lost in 2011, as will the further perpetuation of the winning habit, now well established against an increasingly forlorn England.”We’re trying to put a squad together now leading into the World Cup, so we’re giving guys an opportunity to show their worth,” Haddin said of Australia’s burgeoning squad. “It’s massive, every game for us now, because we’re fighting for World Cup selection. We all want to be part of the World Cup.”People say winning is a habit and so is losing and I think that was no more evident than last night. We probably lost wickets at crucial times and didn’t close out the game like we should have and no one in our top four went on and got a hundred. England did all that and we won the game. Winning is a habit and so is losing.”We’re enjoying the cricket we’re playing at the moment and we’ve got a chance tomorrow at the SCG to close the series down and that’s what we’re looking to do. We go into every series hoping to win and we’re hoping after last night we can open a few more scars in Sydney and finish it off. It’s a massive achievement if we can do that tomorrow.”As for England’s surrender of such a dominant position when Australia’s ninth wicket fell, Haddin was in no mood to offer any sort of sympathy. “Obviously they won’t be feeling well but that’s not for me to judge,” he said. “We were in a position last night when England batted, bowled and fielded a lot better than us, and we won the game.”We’ll obviously take a lot of confidence out of that leading into this game in Sydney. I don’t need to worry about what Alastair Cook says to his team. We’ve all been on the end of a few floggings from England, so I’m not worried about what he says to his team.”

Sachin Tendulkar lasted just seven deliveries after Haryana were shot out for 134 thanks to Nayar’s four-wicket haul. Mumbai ended the day on 100 for 4

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Oct-2013
Scorecard
File photo: The crowds came for Sachin Tendulkar, but his short stay at the crease proved rather anti-climatic•BCCIHaryana had begun their previous season with totals of 55 and 66, and cricket fans around the country were wishing for something similar after Mumbai chose to field in Lahli. The Sachin Tendulkar retirement juggernaut had turned what would have been another anonymous first-class match, into the most anticipated Ranji game in decades.The massive Sunday crowd were thrilled as the home side were shot out for 134, but were disappointed when Tendulkar lasted just seven deliveries, with most of the fans heading home once he was dismissed, a scene not too dissimilar from that of the 1990s when India’s fate hinged on his wicket.They didn’t stick around to see two of Mumbai’s most dependable batsmen, Abhishek Nayar and Ajinkya Rahane, ensure the team didn’t lose the initiative provided by the bowlers on a greenish Lahli track. It wasn’t the easiest of surfaces to bat on, and Mohit Sharma in particular posed plenty of problems.The 56-run stand between Rahane and Nayar stabilised Mumbai after the quick losses of Tendulkar and Wasim Jaffer, and the amount of runs didn’t highlight the importance of the partnership in what is shaping as a low-scoring encounter.Nayar was dismissed shortly before close for 24, ending a day in which he had once again contributed with bat and ball. In the morning, he nipped out four lower middle-order wickets with his steady medium-pace as Haryana tumbled towards yet another sub-100 total. Before Nayar, the quicker bowlers had shared the spoils to run through Haryana’s fragile top order.In any other match, the return of Ajay Jadeja from an almost seven-year first-class hibernation would have dominated headlines. Here, it was a sidelight to the Tendulkar show. Jadeja didn’t fare too much better than Tendulkar, falling for just 14.From 71 for 8, it took some swinging from Mohit to help Haryana past 100, and he fell short of a deserved maiden half-century by one run when he was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Vishal Dabholkar. He was outstanding with the ball as well, but couldn’t prevent Mumbai from ending the day in a strong position.

Soccer legend Ronaldinho recently repped NBA superstar Jayson Tatum's Boston Celtics jersey on an episode of Survivor Turkey.

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Ronaldinho guests on Survivor TurkeyWears Jayson Tatum jerseyPlays beach soccer with contestantsWHAT HAPPENED?

In the clip posted by the survival TV show, the Brazil legend was a guest speaking to contestants, who then proceeded to play a game of beach soccer with them. Of course, Ronaldinho wore the Celtics jersey on the sandy pitch while skilling alongside contestants!

The ex-Barcelona man followed it with a game of soccer tennis on the beach with the group.

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Tatum recently met up with soon-to-be real Madrid star Endrick last December, when the duo posed for photos courtside at TD Garden. Ronaldinho, meanwhile, is thoroughly enjoying his retirement from the professional game. Last June, in another visit to Turkey, the Brazil legend scored a 120-meter long-range volley onto a boat into a river. Safe to say Turkey is treating him well!

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDINHO AND TATUM?

The Boston Celtics currently sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, with a record of 43-12 this season. Meanwhile, Ronaldinho is enjoying retirement, with his latest cameo being on the survival TV show in Turkey. Who knows where he will pop up on our screens next!

The BCCI working committee has decided to suspend all bilateral tours to West Indies, in response to the visitors pulling out of their India tour

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Oct-20146:14

‘Potentially catastrophic for West Indies’

The BCCI working committee has decided to suspend all bilateral tours to West Indies, in response to the visitors pulling out of their India tour. India were expected to play five series against West Indies in the next eight years, including four visits to the Caribbean.While a BCCI release made no specific mention of any claim for damages, the Indian board will also initiate legal proceedings against the West Indies Cricket Board.The board statement also did not mention any action against West Indies players who participate in the IPL. The players were unlikely to be suspended from participation in the league, with franchises backing them.The working committee meeting in Hyderabad was convened to discuss the aftermath of West Indies’ pullout. The members unanimously felt that strong action needed to be taken against WICB in order to prevent recurrence of such an event.A working committee member revealed that the BCCI’s legal cell said that the bilateral agreement “has been breached” and the BCCI has “every right to claim damages”. This, according to him, made the decision easy for the committee. Another member revealed that the claim amount and the jurisdiction will be decided by the legal cell.It is understood that during the informal discussions during the build-up to the meeting in Hyderabad, some members had suggested that the BCCI suspend ties with WICB for a specific period. However, the committee was convinced that the abrupt manner in which the tour was called off deserved the harshest possible punishment. As an insider revealed “the manner in which the WICB put its hands up” during the whole standoff with its players which led to the cancellation of the tour midway made the BCCI believe that the bilateral ties should be suspended “indefinitely”.”At the moment, it looks unlikely that the bilateral series would resume anytime soon. It will be up to the legal cell now to see if and when a settlement takes place,” revealed an insider.