Author: Waqar Anwar
Sutherland’s All-Round Brilliance Leads Renegades to Victory In an unforgettable Big Bash League (BBL) showdown, Melbourne Renegades pulled off a stunning victory over Perth Scorchers by 4 wickets at Optus Stadium. Renegades were in deep trouble, reeling at 10 for 4 in pursuit of 148, but Will Sutherland rose to the occasion with a match-winning performance, scoring 70 off 45 balls and taking crucial wickets along the way. Sutherland’s efforts helped Renegades chase down the target in a nail-biting finish. After falling with just 12 runs needed, Tom Rogers took over, guiding the team to a thrilling win with a…
Khawaja Admits He Was ‘Just Getting Bumrah-ed’ Usman Khawaja, Australia’s talented opener, was once confident about facing India’s speedster Jasprit Bumrah. Heading into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Khawaja wasn’t too concerned, having never been dismissed by Bumrah in their previous seven Test innings. However, after facing him in the series, Khawaja made a surprising revelation: he was “just getting Bumrah-ed.” In an interview with ABC Sport, Khawaja shared how challenging it was to face the Indian pacer during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. He admitted, “It was friggin’ tough work. People were asking me, ‘What’s going on?’ I’m being honest, I…
Pakistan Penalized Again: Slow Over-Rate Costs Them Five Points Pakistan’s World Test Championship (WTC) hopes have taken a serious hit, with the team now being docked five points for a slow over-rate during their crushing 10-wicket defeat to South Africa in Cape Town. This penalty, which also includes a fine of 25% of the match fee for the team, is the latest setback in a series of over-rate violations that have hurt Pakistan’s chances of climbing the WTC table. In a match where they were already on the back foot, the slow over-rate only added salt to the wounds. Pakistan…
Pakistan’s Test Cricket: A Cycle of Missed Opportunities Pakistan cricket is no stranger to chaos, but the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle has exposed more than just cracks in the system. It has revealed a complete lack of direction. With inconsistent strategies, frequent leadership changes, and a muddled approach to red-ball cricket, Pakistan now stands at a crossroads. The question is: can Pakistan’s cricketing authorities and players fix these issues before the next Test cycle begins? A Confused Approach to Test Cricket Pakistan’s recent performances in Test cricket have been a mixed bag. While there were glimpses of brilliance, such…
Teenager Kwena Maphaka made an unforgettable entrance into Test cricket during South Africa’s clash against Pakistan, showcasing raw pace, maturity beyond his years, and an undeniable passion for the game. Here’s a look at the young pacer’s journey and his standout debut performance. A First Test Wicket to Remember Kwena Maphaka’s Test career began with a bang as he claimed his first wicket by dismissing none other than Pakistan captain Babar Azam, one of the world’s finest batters. Bowling with speeds exceeding 140 kph, Maphaka delivered a leg-side ball that Babar edged behind to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. “When I got…
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is facing growing pressure to address Afghanistan’s human rights issues, especially concerning the ban on women’s sports under the Taliban regime. The controversy has gained momentum as England prepares to face Afghanistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Lahore, sparking global debate about cricket’s role in advocating for social justice. The Controversy: Cricket Amidst a Human Rights Crisis Afghanistan’s women have been systematically excluded from sports, including cricket, since the Taliban regained power in 2021. This has raised questions about Afghanistan’s eligibility to participate in international cricket, as ICC rules mandate a commitment to the…
Pakistan’s journey in the World Test Championship (WTC) has been riddled with setbacks, inconsistent strategies, and missed opportunities. As they end this cycle ranked eighth, questions loom over the country’s approach to red-ball cricket. Here’s an in-depth look at what went wrong and the changes needed for a better future. A Wasted WTC Cycle for Pakistan The ongoing WTC cycle has been nothing short of disappointing for Pakistan. Despite a busy home Test season—their busiest this century—results failed to match expectations. With only two Tests left in this cycle, against the West Indies, the matches hold no significance in the…
In a surprising move, Rohit Sharma, India’s Test and ODI captain, chose to sit out the Sydney Test in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While media speculation has been rife about his future in Test cricket, Rohit clarified that his decision was not a step towards retirement but a realistic call based on his current form. Here’s everything you need to know about this development and its implications for Team India. “It’s Not Retirement”: Rohit Clears the Air Speaking to Star Sports during the lunch break on Day 2 of the Sydney Test, Rohit addressed the swirling rumors surrounding his absence.…
The three-match ODI series between New Zealand and a resurgent Sri Lanka kicks off in Wellington on Sunday. With the ICC Champions Trophy 2024 just seven weeks away, this series serves as a critical preparation ground for both teams. While New Zealand grapples with a depleted squad, Sri Lanka is eager to prove their mettle on overseas soil. Here’s what to watch for as the action unfolds. New Zealand’s ODI Rust After playing just three ODIs in the last year, New Zealand enters this series with limited match practice in the format. ODI cricket, once a staple of bilateral tours,…
India’s hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have taken a hit with captain Jasprit Bumrah leaving the field due to back spasms on Day 2 of the New Year’s Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Bumrah’s exit has raised significant concerns, as he has been a pivotal player for India throughout the tour. What Happened to Jasprit Bumrah? Bumrah, who has been in sensational form on the tour, bowled just one over after lunch on the second day before walking off the field. His speeds were notably down during the over, ranging from the low 120s to early 130s…