Page 41 - T20 Cricket

WPL 2024: Chamari Athapaththu reveals reactions after initial auction snub

Sri Lanka skipper and UP Warriorz player Chamari Athapaththu on Tuesday said that not being selected initially during the WPL auction for the second season surprised her, but rejections motivate her. The captain of the 'ICC women's ODI team of the Year 2023' and Women's Big Bash League's second-highest scorer Athapaththu was not picked in the auction held here in December, but was subsequently roped in by UP Warriorz after England's Lauren Bell pulled out from the WPL. "I was not shocked, I was surprised because they didn't pick me after the auction but these things are not in my control," Athapaththu said during a virtual interaction. "I think (about) what I can control, I don't want to take too much pressure on my shoulders because these decisions are taken by someone, some coaches, some (people in the) management. "I always think (about) what I can control, I can control my batting and my bowling. I take these decisions in good spirit and do my best. If someone asks me, 'are yo

Ricky Ponting set to coach Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket

Australia legend Ricky Ponting is all set to coach Washington Freedom in USA's Major League Cricket, making him the biggest name till date to be associated with the tournament. The second edition of the MLC is scheduled to begin in early July, a few days after the ICC T20 World Cup to be held in the West Indies and USA. "We're not there yet. I haven't committed to anything just yet, but I've had some initial discussions (with Washington)," Ponting told SEN. "The time of the year sort of fits in okay for me, but I've got a really hectic off-season again. When I say off-season, there's no such thing as an off-season for cricketers anymore," he said. Ponting is set to coach Delhi Capitals in the IPL for a sixth successive season in 2024, and is also set to do commentary duties during the T20 World Cup for Channel 7. Hence, the former Australia captain is currently weighing his options before fully committing to the stint at MLC. "It's potentially another big year of time away if I w

WPL 2024: England women players in dilemma as T20Is against NZ looms ahead

England cricketers playing in the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) could be in a dilemma as staying back for the business end of the lucrative T20 League could lead to them missing out on their country's five-match T20I series in New Zealand. The final of WPL is scheduled for March 17 while the visiting England team's first T20I against New Zealand will be played in Dunedin on March 19. According to ESPNcricinfo, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has told players involved in the WPL that they will not be considered for the first three T20Is in New Zealand if they stay in India till the end of the T20 league. The ECB is expected to name the England squad next week. Seven England players are due to feature in WPL 2024: Alice Capsey (Delhi Capitals), Issy Wong and Nat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians), Kate Cross and Heather Knight (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Sophie Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt (UP Warriorz). Their salaries at WPL franchises range from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 3.2

WPL 2024: Chamari Athapaththu replaces Lauren Bell in UP Warriorz squad

English fast bowler Lauren Bell has withdrawn from the upcoming season of the Women's Premier League with UP Warriorz on Friday naming Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu as her replacement. Athapaththu has been signed for her base price of Rs 30 lakh, the WPL said in a statement. Among the most powerful hitters in the game, the Sri Lankan captain is also one of the most experienced players having featured in over 120 T20Is. Known for her attacking batting, Athapaththu is the only Lankan woman to have scored a century in T20Is. Athapaththu, who won the Player of the Tournament award having scored 552 runs in the last edition of the Women's Big Bash League, was snubbed during the WPL auction in December which surprised many. The WPL 2 will be held from February 23 to March 17 in Delhi and Bengaluru.

Shoaib Malik denies match-fixing claims in Bangladesh Premier League

Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik has vehemently refuted allegations of match-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League and unsubstantiated claims that his contract with Fortune Barishal was terminated. The rumours stemmed from social media handles insinuating that Malik's contract with the franchise was terminated due to suspicions of match-fixing. The speculation arose after he bowled three no-balls in the opening over during a match against Khulna Tigers on January 22. Despite the allegations, Malik went on to play another game for the franchise before the Dhaka leg of BPL 2024 concluded. "I want to emphasise the importance of exercising caution when it comes to rumours, especially those circulating recently," Malik wrote in his 'X' account. "I want to make it clear that I strongly refute these baseless rumuors. It's crucial for everyone to verify information before believing and spreading it. "Falsehoods can harm reputations and create unnecessary confusion. Let's prioritise

IND vs AFG: How did historic double Super Over pan out in Bengaluru?

It was the first instance where two Super Overs were played in the history of international cricket since the introduction of the rule that consecutive Super Overs will be played to determine winner

IND vs AFG 3rd T20: Rohit Sharma first player to hit 5 centuries in T20Is

Rohit Sharma overtook Glenn Maxwell and Suryakumar Yadav in the list of players with the most centuries in T20 internationals

IND vs AFG T20: Parthiv advises slower wicket for T20 World Cup practice

Former India player Partyiv Patel advised the Indian team to plate on a slower wicket to have practice for the T20 World Cup 2024

Finn Allen slams record-equaling 16 sixes; NZ beat PAK in 3rd T20

Finn Allen blasted a world-record-equaling 16 sixes in an innings of 137 from 62 balls as New Zealand beat Pakistan by 45 runs in the third Twenty20 international Wednesday to take a winning 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Allen equaled the world record set by Hazratullah Zazai of Afghanistan of 16 sixes in a T20 international innings and posted the highest score by a New Zealander in T20 internationals, beating Brendon McCullum's 123 against Bangladesh in 2012. New Zealand made 224-7 after being sent in by Pakistan for third time in the series. Pakistan again fell short in the run chase as it did when it chased 227 in the first match of the series, losing by 46 runs and 195 in the second match, losing by 21. On Wednesday Pakistan was held to 179-7. The only bright point was Babar Azam's third consecutive half century of the series, his sixth in succession batting at No. 6 in T20 internationals. Babar was out for 58 in the 16th over when the chase already was beyond ...

NZ vs PAK: Abbas Afridi to miss third T20I, Kane Williamson ruled out

Young Pakistan fast bowler Abbas Afridi was on Tuesday ruled out of the third T20I while hosts New Zealand lost the services of their captain Kane Williamson for the remainder of the five-match series. The Pakistan team management confirmed in a statement that a low grade abdominal muscle strain to Afridi will keep him out of the third T20I, with a decision on his availability for the remaining two matches to be taken later. His scan has shown no sign of significant injury, and he will be managed symptomatically. His availability for the last two games will be made at a later stage, the management statement said. The 22-year-old right-arm pacer Afridi made his international debut for Pakistan in this series. Pakistan are already without fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who played in their opening Test against Australia last month, as well as spinners Abrar Ahmed and Noman Ali owing to injuries. The spin duo did not feature in any of their three Tests in Australia. Williamson suffered

New Zealand beats Pakistan by 21 runs in 2nd T20, leads 5-match series 2-0

New Zealand overcame the loss of its captain in an innings that faltered late to beat Pakistan by 21 runs in the second Twenty20 International Sunday, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The Black Caps failed to build on the foundation of the first half of its innings, making 194 for eight batting first after being 111 for one at the end of 10 overs. The batting slump followed captain Kane Williamson retiring hurt after 10 overs with a tight hamstring. Pakistan also stumbled in the second half of its innings and was bowled out for 173 in the 20th over. Williamson is making a managed return from a serious knee injury and New Zealand would fear any setback to his rehabilitation. But, while he didn't field, Williamson was still padded up and apparently prepared to bat at the end of the New Zealand innings. Finn Allen's 74 from 41 balls set a cracking pace early on in the New Zealand innings. Allen put on 59 in 5.1 overs with Devon Conway (20) for the first wicket and 52 in 4.9

IND vs AFG: Rohit records second most ducks in T20Is, social media on fire

Rohit Sharma recorded his 12th duck in T20Is, which is the second-most for any batter in the history of the format

India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20 Highlights: Dube, Jaiswal help IND win series

India vs Afghanistan Highlights, 2nd T20 International: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube hit fifties to help the Indian team chase down 173 and win the series with one game to go

IND vs AFG: Rohit Sharma becomes first player to feature in 150 T20Is

Rohit Sharma entered the elite list of players to become the first in history to play 150 matches in a format. Allan Border of Australia was the first to play 150 Tests and ODIs

Delhi Capitals in advanced talks to buy stakes in Hampshire county: Report

Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Capitals could be eyeing a foothold in English cricket as it's in "advanced talks" to buy stakes in county side Hampshire, according to a report. A report in the 'Daily Telegraph' said former Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove, who still holds majority share in the club, is close to agreeing a deal to sell the county side to GMR Group, the co-owners of Delhi Capitals. "Hampshire County Cricket Club's majority shareholder is in advanced talks to sell his stake to the part-owners of Indian Premier League team Delhi Capitals," the report said. If the deal comes to fruition, it will make Hampshire the first county side "to be owned by an overseas franchise", it said. The benefits of buying a county side for GMR could include a foothold in the English game, it added. With The Hundred franchise tournament in England gaining popularity, the deal could give GMR a "first-mover advantage", and also help the IPL franchise "develop its own players". The .

India vs Afghanistan 1st T20 Playing 11: Jaiswal not playing in Mohali

IND vs AFG 1st T20 Playing 11: Jaiswal failed to pull up on the match day and missed the IND vs AFG 1st T20.

IND vs AFG 1st T20 preview: Spotlight only on Rohit after Kohli pulls out

The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the T20 format after 14 months will be keenly observed when India face a dangerous Afghanistan in the first ever white-ball series between the two teams, beginning here on Thursday. The three-match contest will be India's last before the T20 World Cup in June, giving the team more clarity on where it stands ahead of the ICC event in Americas. However, the final 15 will be picked on the core group's performance in the IPL, which precedes the World Cup. Rohit and Kohli, now that they are back in the T20 setup, are a certainty in that squad but the accomplished duo would first like to get the most out of the games against Afghanistan. The two India greats are also among the biggest crowd-pullers and their presence on the field would be another reason for the Mohali crowd to brave the prevailing cold wave. Rohit, who will also captain the side, will be expected to carry on with his ultra aggressive approach in the powerplay like he showed

Adams named New Zealand bowling coach for Pakistan series

Former New Zealand international Andre Adams will join the Blackcaps support staff for the home T20I series against Pakistan beginning January 12. Adams will work as bowling coach for the five-match series as part of head coach Gary Stead's coaching group, which also features regular batting coach Luke Ronchi. The decision follows Adams' work as pace-bowling coach for the New Zealand women's team during the side's 2023 tour to South Africa. New Zealand Strength and Conditioning coach Chris Donaldson and Team Performance Manager Simon Insley will both take a break during the series against Pakistan with their roles being filled by Matt Long and Dave Meiring respectively.

Pakistan likely to go in with new opening pairing in T20s vs New Zealand

Pakistan are expected to go for a new opening pair in the T20 series in New Zealand with Muhammad Rizwan to partner young Saim Ayub instead of Babar Azam. According to reports from Auckland, the team management had Rizwan and Saim batting in the nets against the new ball bowlers while Babar and Fakhar Zaman had their knocks against mainly spinners in the other nets. Babar and Rizwan have opened pretty successfully for Pakistan in the T20 format since 2021 but apparently new captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, new high performance coach Yasir Arafat and the team director Muhammad Hafeez are keen to try out something new against New Zealand in the five-match series beginning on January 12. Their 150 plus runs unbeaten partnership helped Pakistan beat India for the first time in any World Cup game during the T20 WC in Dubai in 2021. The 21-year Saim, who played 8 T20 internationals last year and made his Test debut in Sydney earlier this month, is known for his hard hitting style of batting

SA 20: For journeyman Liam Livingstone, playing for England first choice

He is an acclaimed T20 freelancer but white ball commitments for England is still a priority for Liam Livingstone, one of the world's most destructive batters in the shortest format. Livingstone, who has played 25 ODIs and 38 T20Is for England, has already plied his trade in IPL (Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings), Birmingham Phonenix in The Hundred, Perth Scorchers in Big Bash League (BBL) of Australia and Peshawar Zalmi in Pakistan Super League (PSL) to name a few. In the second edition of SA20, Livingstone will play for MI Cape Town and he, along with Kagiso Rabada and skipper Kieron Pollard, will be the guiding light for the franchise. How does he balance his calendar in terms of playing for franchise leagues and English white ball commitments? "Yeah, I think England comes first. We see our calendar at the start of the year and see where we have gaps. If we feel like it's a good opportunity for us to go away and play franchise cricket, then we'll do that," Livingstone replied t