Author: Waqar Anwar
England has revealed their 16-member squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, which includes three Test matches, starting November 28. This tour promises intense action as England faces off against New Zealand, who are still in contention for a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in 2025. Key Highlights of England’s Squad England’s Position in the World Test Championship Currently ranked sixth in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 table, England has little chance of making the final. However, they pose a serious challenge for New Zealand, who are fourth and in the running for a…
A Historic Occasion The last Boxing Day Test in Zimbabwe was back in 1996, when England toured the country. That match was affected by rain and ended in a draw in Harare. Zimbabwe has previously played in two other Boxing Day Tests, one in Wellington in 2000 and another in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) in 2017. Tour Schedule The Afghanistan tour will kick off with white-ball matches before moving to the Test series. Here’s the complete schedule: T20I Matches: ODI Matches: Test Matches: Excitement for the Series Zimbabwe Cricket Chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming matches, stating, “Boxing…
Background on Gary Kirsten’s Departure Gary Kirsten, known for leading India to victory in the 2011 World Cup, resigned without coaching Pakistan in a single ODI. His departure has sparked concerns in Pakistan’s cricket community about the stability and attractiveness of coaching roles within the team. Pakistan cricket has faced several managerial and coaching shifts lately, with players and coaching staff undergoing rapid changes. Kirsten’s resignation comes amidst other international coaches, like Shane Watson and Darren Sammy, declining PCB offers to lead the national squad. Ramiz Raja’s Concerns Ramiz Raja believes the situation makes it harder for Pakistan to secure…
Arthur, who is also Derbyshire’s director of cricket, brings extensive experience from his previous roles as head coach of South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and most recently, the Dambulla Aura team in the Lanka Premier League. His wealth of international coaching experience is expected to be a major asset for the Riders. “We have signed Mickey Arthur for the GSL and BPL this year,” said Rangpur team director Shanian Taneem. “The local players are really excited to be coached by him. He’s very active and has been working closely with us to build the squad.” Arthur is no stranger to…
During England’s troubled Ashes tour in Australia, Duckett, then part of the Lions squad, faced intense scrutiny when he poured a drink on Anderson. The England Cricket Board (ECB), already on edge from other off-field controversies, penalized Duckett, fearing a further tarnish on their reputation. This led to a fine and suspension for Duckett, who feared his England career might be over. Duckett, speaking on The Final Word podcast, clarified that Anderson had thrown a drink on him first and encouraged him to reciprocate, but the incident was misinterpreted by security and the media. Reflecting on the difficult time, Duckett…
Chohan’s cricket journey could have ended at 17 when he was let go by Middlesex. Disillusioned, he drifted away from the game but later found his way back, thanks to the support of the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA). The academy, founded in 2021, has been pivotal in helping young talent from minority backgrounds break into professional cricket—a mission that changed Chohan’s life. Under the mentorship of Adil Rashid and his brother Amar, Chohan rapidly honed his skills, impressing county scouts and earning a contract with Yorkshire. He made headlines during the T20 Blast, taking 17 wickets and playing through…
With a history of tumultuous Test preparations, Bangladesh heads into the second Test against South Africa in Chattogram already trailing 1-0. But the real struggle may be behind the scenes, where Shanto, Bangladesh’s young captain, has expressed his desire to step down from the role he took on just eight months ago. Shanto’s journey as captain began with a fairy-tale century against New Zealand last year, but things have since taken a downturn. The young skipper’s form has plummeted, averaging just 20.92 in the past seven Tests. This decline, paired with the chaos surrounding the team, has left Shanto feeling…
The Indian allrounder’s impressive bowling in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand in Ahmedabad earned her a remarkable 687 rating points, putting her just behind England’s Sophie Ecclestone. Despite the gap of 83 points between them, Deepti’s consistent performances showcase her growing dominance in women’s cricket. Across the two ODIs so far, Deepti has taken three wickets with an excellent economy of 3.42. The India-New Zealand series, which is currently tied at 1-1, has seen multiple players rising in the ICC rankings. On the New Zealand side, Lea Tahuhu moved up three places to 12th, Amelia Kerr is up…
England has announced a change to its squad for the upcoming Test tour of New Zealand, with Warwickshire allrounder Jacob Bethell replacing Jamie Smith, who will miss the tour on paternity leave. Bethell’s Rise and His Test Ambitions The 21-year-old Bethell has been a promising addition to England’s white-ball formats, having made a significant impact with a match-winning 44 off 24 balls in a T20I against Australia in September. However, he is still finding his way in red-ball cricket, with only 20 County Championship matches to his name and no first-class century yet. Bethell’s inclusion aligns with England’s recent shift…
New Zealand’s star batter, Kane Williamson, will miss the third and final Test against India as he continues to recover from a groin injury. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is prioritizing his fitness for the upcoming three-Test home series against England, starting November 28. NZC Takes Cautious Approach on Williamson’s Recovery After sustaining a groin injury on the Sri Lanka tour, Williamson’s recovery has been closely monitored. NZC has decided to keep him in New Zealand, ensuring a full recovery before the England series. Head coach Gary Stead shared, “Kane is progressing well but isn’t quite ready to join us. The…