Page 23 - Cricket

Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan cricket team's white-ball captain

Babar Azam led Pakistan for 43 One Day Internationals out of which he won 26 and lost 15 matches. His T20I record as Pakistan skipper saw him win 48 matches out of the total 85 while the 29-year-old l

CSK fast bowler Tushar Deshpande undergoes ankle surgery in London

India and Mumbai pacer Tushar Deshpande underwent an ankle surgery in London after missing the second round of the recently-concluded Duleep Trophy. The right-arm pacer informed about his surgery in a social media post on Tuesday. He was left out of Mumbai's 30-man probable list for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. This post comes as an update about my ankle surgery which was done yesterday and went very well, he said. It is a great relief as I was dealing with it for quite a long time. I am very grateful to my family, friends and all my fans for the well wishes, love and trust they have shown towards me. Here on, I start my journey to recover better than before and comeback stronger, added Deshpande, who made his international debut during India's tour of Zimbabwe in July. Deshpande claimed 15 wickets in five matches as Mumbai clinched their record-extending 43rd title win in the Ranji Trophy during the 2023-24 season. The defending champions will take on Baroda in an away game

Bangladesh to give Shakib enough time to decide on retirement: Abdur Razzak

Bangladesh selector and former player Abdur Razzak on Wednesday said the selection committee will give veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan enough time to decide when he wants to call time on his international career. The 37-year-old Shakib, considered one of the greatest all-rounders to come out of Bangladesh, has struggled for form and fitness of late and didn't make much of an impact during the opening Test against India in Chennai. "Someone is waiting to take his place. Definitely, there are some players, but I would say that it is Shakib's call, Razzak told PTI in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Legends League Cricket here. "Whenever he feels he (has played) enough, we will welcome him. (But there is) nothing much to say (right now), because a player like him, he was (in the) last 15 years (the) No. 1 all-rounder in the world, so I can't say that he is not good anymore so we don't want him," he said. "We always want him, but at the same time, you have to leave a

Never played under a more supportive captain than Rohit Sharma: Akash Deep

Akash Deep, the latest addition to India's ever-growing pace battery, on Wednesday credited skipper Rohit Sharma for his seamless transition from domestic to international cricket and said the exceptional work ethics of the legends in the team inspire him to push himself even harder. The 27-year-old made his Test debut against England in Ranchi early this year and made an impression with a three-wicket haul. "When I came here, I witnessed a different level of dedication and hard work from the players who are legends of the game, and considered the gods of cricket like Rohit, Virat bhai," Akash said ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh. "I realised that they have achieved so much and are still working so hard during training. Their thought process is at a different level, this motivates me to work even harder." Akash has gone through a lot in his personal life. Probably those tough days when he lost his father and brother in the space of two months made him mentally resilient

IND vs BAN T20Is: Jitesh could pip Ishan Kishan for 2nd keeper's slot

Jitesh Sharma could well pip Ishan Kishan for second wicketkeeper's slot in the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian T20 team which will play three T20Is against the Bangladesh starting October 6 in Gwalior. The squad is expected to be announced this week. The second and third T20Is will be held in New Delhi and Hyderabad on October 9 and 12 respectively. With Rishabh Pant's focus being 10 Tests this season, Sanju Samson will be India's No 1 glovesman in the shortest format for now with Jitesh from Vidarbha believed to be ahead of Kishan in the race for second keeper's slot. Kishan's selection in Rest of India squad also means that his international comeback could be slightly delayed. With Test series against New Zealand starting October 16 in Bengaluru, top players like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be rested as a part of workload management programme. Some players could miss out as they will be part of Irani Cup between Rest of India and Mumbai in Lucknow fro

Cricketer Musheer Khan stable after road accident, set to miss Irani Cup

Mumbai all-rounder Musheer Khan, younger brother of India batter Sarfaraz, is "stable" after suffering a road accident on the outskirts of Lucknow but is set to miss cricketing action for a prolonged period starting with the upcoming Irani Cup. The 19-year-old is expected to be out of action for at least three months due to neck injuries he sustained in the accident, effectively ruling him out of Mumbai's matches at the start of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, starting from October 11. It is learnt that Musheer was en route to Lucknow from Azamgarh, his hometown, for the Irani Cup beginning on October 1. He was accompanied by his father Naushad Khan, who also suffered minor scratches in the accident that took place on the Purvanchal Expressway after his car hit a divider and overturned. Dr. Bhola Singh, Medical Superintendent at Medanta Hospital, Lucknow, said in a statement that the cricketer is out of danger. "Cricketer Musheer Khan, injured in a road accident on the Purvanchal

Election of BCCI representatives to ICC focal point of the 93rd AGM

The primary focal point of the BCCI's 93rd Annual General Meeting, to be held here on Sunday, will be to elect two representatives of India to the ICC meetings, as finding a successor to incumbent secretary Jay Shah is not on agenda. The meeting assumes importance because the International Cricket Council has scheduled a conclave in Dubai at the end of the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE. The final of the marquee event is slated for October 20 in Dubai, and Shah will still be in the chair of the BCCI secretary on that date, as he will take over as ICC chairman from December 1. After the tenure of Sourav Ganguly as BCCI president, usually Shah represented India in the ICC parleys and the last such instance was in Colombo earlier this July. The current board president Roger Binny is the Alternate Director who can represent BCCI at the global body's meetings, but he seldom performs that duty. With a year left in his tenure, it remains to be seen whether Binny will continue

Rickelton, Hendricks fire South Africa to T20 win over Ireland in Abu Dhabi

Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks blasted South Africa to an eight-wicket win over Ireland in a Twenty20 here. Rickelton's career-best 75 and Hendricks' 16th fifty powered South Africa to 178-2 in the 18th over in reply to Ireland's 171-8 on Friday. Ireland looked like it would pass 180 but lost three wickets in its last over as medium-pacer Patrick Kruger finished with a career-best 4-27 in his fifth T20. Rickelton's previous best score in six T20s was 27, and he passed that after consecutive sixes off medium-pacer Fionn Hand. Rickelton then took Matthew Humphreys over cow corner and smoked Ben White over deep midwicket. He reached his maiden T20 fifty off 30 balls. White went for another couple of sixes in the 11th over and South Africa's run rate passed 10. Hendricks reached his fifty off 31 balls by hitting Hand for six over deep square leg and was out in the next over, pinned in front by Craig Young for 51 off 33. Rickelton was caught in the following over, the 14th, for 76

England takes ODI series into the decider with 186-run win vs AUS at Lord's

Australia endured another uncomfortable experience at the home of cricket. Playing at Lord's for the first time since a heated Ashes Test last year when they were accused in crowd chants of cheating, the Australians were steamrollered in a 186-run loss to England in the fourth match of their ODI series on Friday. "In the end, they thoroughly outplayed us today," Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said. The series is tied at 2-2 heading into the decider in Bristol on Sunday. In a match reduced to 39 overs per side because of wet weather, England powered to 312-5 thanks to 87 from stand-in captain Harry Brook and an unbeaten 62 from Liam Livingstone, who hit 28 runs off the final over by Mitchell Starc. Australia was bowled out for 126 in 24.4 overs, losing its 10 wickets for 58 runs having been 68-0 early in its chase. Australia's cricket team the world champion in the 50-over format rarely gets beaten as heavily as this. After winning 14 straight games, the tourists have now los

ECB's financial projections for 'The Hundred' not realistic: Lalit Modi

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)'s financial projections on the profitability of its pet project 'The Hundred' is largely "disconnected from reality" reckoned Lalit Modi, who conceptualised the vastly successful Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. Modi had little doubt that The Hundred will never be able to attain the international audience like the mega-hit IPL. The ECB is looking at potential Indian investors with deep pockets, preferably owners of IPL teams, who have stakes in other global leagues. But the former IPL commissioner's series of tweets with charted numbers showed that none of The Hundred franchises can be valued at anything between GBP 5 million to 25 million, let alone USD 1 billion. The ECB's financial projections for The Hundred, particularly beyond 2026, appear overly optimistic and disconnected from reality. The International TV rights figures make little sense, given the global competition from other cricket leagues like the IPL. It's unlikely The .

IND front-runners in UAE conditions, but don't underestimate AUS: Jonassen

Five-time winner Jess Jonassen knows what it takes to lift the Women's T20 World Cup, and the veteran Australian spinner rated India as the front-runner at the upcoming edition of tournament to be played on spin-friendly, low and slow UAE pitches. The 31-year-old left-arm spinner played a key part Australia's title triumphs in 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023, and feels with little knowledge of the conditions, it will be challenging for Australia to defend the title but it will be a mistake to underestimate her country. "India are well and truly the front-runner because of the depth and versatility that they have. They have better knowledge of UAE conditions. We have never played there, but Australia know how to play in big tournaments and can't be underestimated," Jonassen told a select group of journalists during the ABC International Development's five-day cricket commentary and mojo program at Australian High Commission here. "We have played in different sub-continent pitches and

Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar to retire after 2024-25 domestic season

Aleem Dar, the Pakistan umpire who has officiated in 448 international matches so far during his over 20-year career, on Friday decided to bid adieu to the profession at the end of the 2024-25 domestic season. Respected for his umpiring judgement and a clean career sheet, Dar has been a distinguished member of the ICC's Elite and International Panels from 2003. It reflected in the 56-year-old Dar winning the David Shepherd Trophy for the ICC Umpire of the Year (2009-2011) thrice in his career. Umpiring has been my life for nearly 25 years and I have cherished the privilege of officiating some of the most iconic matches involving the greatest players of this generation, Dar said in a statement. Throughout my career, I've strived to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, and it has been an honour to work alongside some of the finest match officials in the world, he added. Dar said he will now focus on charity work. However, all great journeys must eventually come to an end,

Shakib Al Hasan is eligible for selection: Bangladesh coach Hathurusinghe

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe on Wednesday said Shakib Al Hasan is available for the second Test against India, downplaying concerns around his fitness owing to an injury that he picked up in the opening game. Shakib had suffered a finger injury during the game in Chennai while facing India pacer Jasprit Bumrah. The second game is scheduled to start on Friday. The 37-year-old spin all-rounder was introduced into the attack quite late and he bowled only 21 overs in two Indian innings. "At the moment, I haven't heard from my physio or from anyone. He is still eligible for selection," Hathurusinghe said after the team's first training session in Kanpur. The coach praised Shakib for putting up a great fight against the quality Indian attack in the second innings, in which he scored 25 off 56 balls. In the first innings, he was the top-scorer for the visitors, adding 32 off and 64 balls. However, Shakib's form, of late, has not been great. He did not score heavily in ...

Women's T20 World Cup 2024: India full schedule, live time and streaming

The 2020 runner-up team will be looking to get their maiden World Cup title this year but will face tough competition ahead of them.

Shikhar Dhawan: Didn't have inspiration left to play domestic cricket

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan on Wednesday revealed that he didn't have the "inspiration" left to take the domestic cricket route for a place in the national side and that was the reason why he chose to retire from the game last month. The 38-year-old Dhawan retired from international and domestic cricket late in August after having played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs and 68 T20Is for India between 2013 and 2022. "I didn't want to play domestic cricket, which I started playing at the age of 18 or 19 and I didn't have that inspiration from inside to play that (form of) cricket," Dhawan told PTI in an interview on the sidelines of the Legends League Cricket, an event for retired cricketers that he signed up for after calling it quits from the game internationally. Dhawan became India's 25th ODI skipper in an ODI against Sri Lanka in June 2021 when he stood in for Rohit Sharma and went on to lead the country in 12 matches, winning seven and losing three. However, before the ODI World Cup l

Women's T20 World Cup 2024: How teams qualified for the global event

Teams from across the globe will be competing for the title this year, each having earned their spot through different pathways to the tournament.

Pant re-enters top 10; Rohit and Kohli slip in ICC Test batting rankings

Riding on a sensational century in his Test comeback, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant on Wednesday re-entered the ICC rankings at an impressive sixth position but India skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli slipped in a major shake-up in standings. Pant (731), who smashed a stunning century in the opening game of the two-Test series against Bangladesh in Chennai, was placed sixth, while opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (751), moved up to fifth thanks to a half-century in the first innings of the Test match. India skipper Rohit Sharma retained his place in the top ten, though he moved down five places with two underwhelming scores. He has 716 rating points. Kohli also dropped five spots to go out of the top-10 and he is now placed 12th in the standings. The Sri Lanka-New Zealand Test in Galle brought about top 10 bowling rankings shifts, with Prabath Jayasuriya solidifying his reputation as one of the game's best spinners, moving five spots into eighth after a nine-wicket haul. Jayasuriya (

If Brendon McCullum calls, it's a 'yes': Ben Stokes on white-ball return

England Test skipper Ben Stokes is open to rejoin the white-ball set up, especially following the appointment of Brendon McCullum as the head coach for both limited-overs and Test cricket. McCullum, who has already transformed England's Test team, is set to take over the reins of the limited-overs squads when England tour India next January. "If I get the call and (Baz) says, 'Do you want to come and play?' Then obviously, it's definitely going to be a yes," Stokes told Sky Sports on the sidelines of the third ODI against Australia here, which the hosts won by 46 runs. "But, I'm not going to be too disappointed if I don't, because I can just sit back and watch everyone else go out and smack it." The 33-year-old last played for England in the limited overs format during their unsuccessful ODI World Cup defence in India last year. While he has not featured in a T20 International since 2022, England's selector Luke Wright has hinted that both Stokes and Joe Root remain in contention

Root will go down as England's greatest in Test cricket: Ian Bell

Joe Root will go down as England's greatest batter in Tests even if he is not able to break Sachin Tendulkar's gargantuan record of 15,921 runs, reckons his former teammate Ian Bell. Root went past Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara recently to move to the sixth spot in the list of highest run-getters in the longest format. He's played incredibly well in the last 12 months. I don't think he's overthinking too much what's ahead. He's just sort of living in the moment as we are, Bell told PTI in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of Legends League Cricket. To think that he can even get close to someone like Sachin, a real great of the game, someone that we've all admired growing up, as a hero to not just people and fans in India, but around the world. To think that Joe could get close is an amazing achievement on his behalf. He'll go down as England's greatest batsman. There's no doubt whether he does get to Sachin or not, said the 42-year-old who played as many as 118 Tests for

All you need to know about the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 venues in UAE

Originally scheduled to take place in Bangladesh, the matches have now been shifted to the UAE. The opening tie between Bangladesh and Scotland will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.