Author: Waqar Anwar
Babar Azam and Naseem Shah are back in Pakistan’s Test squad for the two-match series against South Africa, but the spotlight is on Shaheen Shah Afridi’s absence. Afridi, once a key player in Pakistan’s red-ball squad, has been excluded, raising questions about his future in the Test format. Afridi’s Omission: A Shift in Priorities? Shaheen Afridi’s exclusion suggests a shift in focus away from Test cricket. After being dropped during Pakistan’s Test series against England in October, many expected him to make a comeback for the pace-friendly pitches of South Africa. However, Afridi has struggled since returning from a knee…
England found themselves in a tough spot early on Day 2, but Harry Brook’s dazzling century turned the tables. His seventh Test century and sixth away from home wasn’t just brilliant—it was crucial. England recovered from a shaky 45/3 to close at 319/5, just 29 runs behind New Zealand’s 348. However, New Zealand’s fielding left much to be desired, as six dropped catches played a pivotal role in England’s fightback. England’s Struggle Under Overcast Skies The day began under cloudy skies, perfect for swing bowling. New Zealand took full advantage, applying pressure early. Zak Crawley fell for a 12-ball duck,…
ICC’s Crucial Meeting: Three Options on the Table The ICC Board will meet on Friday to determine the venue and format for the 2025 Champions Trophy, with just three months left before the tournament’s scheduled start. Three primary options are being considered: However, the first option—hybrid hosting—seems less likely, with the PCB reiterating to the ICC that it is no longer an option. PCB’s Stance on the Hybrid Model On Thursday, a PCB official confirmed that the hybrid model is “off the table” unless the ICC proposes a fair alternative for Pakistan. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi hinted that any ICC decision…
Pakistan showcased a dominant performance in Bulawayo, securing a 99-run win over Zimbabwe and clinching the ODI series 2-1. Kamran Ghulam’s maiden ODI century and an impressive bowling effort highlighted Pakistan’s emphatic victory. Match Summary Pakistan: 303/6 (Ghulam 103, Shafique 50, Raza 2-47)Zimbabwe: 204 all out (Ervine 51, Bennett 37, Ayub 2-29) Ghulam’s First ODI Century Kamran Ghulam scored his maiden ODI hundred, playing a crucial role in Pakistan’s total of 303. He showed resilience after a cautious start, eventually finding his rhythm and dominating the Zimbabwean bowlers. His knock included consecutive boundaries and well-timed shots, ensuring Pakistan posted a…
Australia’s cricket coach and selector, Andrew McDonald, has announced that the same 13-player squad from the Perth Test will be retained for the second Test in Adelaide. Despite the crushing 295-run defeat to India, the team management has decided to stick with the current lineup while addressing fitness concerns surrounding all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. Unchanged Squad, Extra Practice Session Scheduled The squad, which includes spare batter Josh Inglis and reserve fast bowler Scott Boland, will arrive in Adelaide earlier than planned to hold an extra net session. The decision comes after Australia’s dismal performance in Perth, where the team struggled both…
India’s impressive victory in Perth has put them back at the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) table. However, the race to secure a spot in the final at Lord’s is far from over. With 17 Tests remaining in the current cycle, the standings are dynamic, and no team is guaranteed a place in the top two. Here’s a breakdown of how the contenders are shaping up. 1. India India’s win in Perth has kept their WTC final hopes alive. To ensure qualification without relying on other results, India needs a 4-0 sweep against Australia, which would raise…
Marnus Labuschagne, once the world’s top-ranked Test batter, is going through a rough patch. His long-time batting mentor, Neil D’Costa, advises him to trust his abilities, avoid overtraining, and adopt a more flexible gameplan as he strives to rediscover his form. A Challenging Phase for Labuschagne Labuschagne’s struggles were evident in the first Test in Perth, where he managed only 2 runs off 52 balls in the first innings and then misjudged a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah in the second. This brought his tally to just 123 runs in his last 10 Test innings, with an average of 24.50 this…
Big Picture: A Clash Between WTC Contenders Sri Lanka and South Africa are both in the race for a place in the WTC Final. Sri Lanka currently sits third on the table with a win percentage of 55.56, while South Africa closely follows at 54.17. With India, Australia, and New Zealand also in contention, this series in Durban adds another layer of intrigue to the championship race. This matchup brings added excitement as Sri Lanka remains the only Asian team to have won a Test series in South Africa, a historic 2-0 victory in 2019. Seven players from that iconic…
New Zealand opener Georgia Plimmer will miss cricket for the remainder of 2024 due to a bone stress reaction in her groin. This injury rules her out of key matches, including the home ODI series against Australia in December. Details of the Injury Plimmer experienced discomfort in her left hip joint during New Zealand’s recent ODI series in India. After returning home, an MRI and specialist evaluation confirmed the bone stress reaction. Key points about her recovery: Impact on Plimmer’s Schedule Due to this injury, Plimmer will miss: Coach’s Statement Ben Sawyer, New Zealand women’s head coach, expressed his disappointment…
Zimbabwe Triumphs in Rainy Opener: A Historic Win in Bulawayo Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan by 80 runs (DLS method) in the first ODI of the series, thanks to a stellar performance by Blessing Muzarabani and the spinners. Despite challenging batting conditions, Zimbabwe posted 205 before dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup, with rain arriving just in time to seal the result. Match Summary Rain and Records: A Day to Celebrate for Zimbabwe Bulawayo’s long-awaited rains coincided with a memorable day for Zimbabwean cricket. After battling tough conditions to set a defendable total, Zimbabwe’s bowlers exploited the spin-friendly surface to devastating effect. The match…