Author: Waqar Anwar
Maharaj’s Injury Blow to South Africa South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against Pakistan after scans confirmed a left adductor strain. The injury, sustained during warm-ups ahead of the first ODI, forced Maharaj to sit out of the match, where he was replaced by all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo. The South African camp announced that Maharaj will return to Durban for rehabilitation and will be reassessed ahead of the Test series starting December 26 in Centurion. South Africa’s Lengthy Injury List Maharaj’s injury is the latest setback for South Africa, adding to their…
Josh Hazlewood’s Injury Struggles Continue Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has once again been sidelined due to injury, raising concerns about his ability to sustain the demands of Test cricket. Hazlewood was ruled out of the remainder of the India series after suffering a calf strain, his second injury in three matches. The recurring injuries highlight the challenges faced by Australia’s pace attack and spark debates on adopting a rotation policy to manage workloads effectively. Hazlewood’s Injury Timeline Hazlewood’s setbacks are reminiscent of the injury patterns that disrupted his career previously, despite a successful run of 10 consecutive Tests leading…
Ravichandran Ashwin Bids Farewell to International Cricket In a heartfelt decision, Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s greatest cricketing talents, has announced his retirement from international cricket. The veteran off-spinner made the surprise announcement after India’s victory in the Gabba Test, leaving fans and teammates emotional but supportive. Despite stepping away from the international stage, Ashwin remains committed to cricket, with plans to play for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL and the Dindigul Dragons in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). Key Moments from Ashwin’s Announcement 1. An Emotional Goodbye Speaking to fans upon his return to Chennai,…
A Game-Changing Agreement: Hybrid Model for ICC Events In a landmark resolution, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a hybrid hosting model for ICC tournaments scheduled between 2024 and 2027, resolving months of uncertainty. This decision directly affects matches involving arch-rivals India and Pakistan, ensuring that these matches will be played at neutral venues to accommodate political tensions. Key Highlights of the Hybrid Model 1. Neutral Venues for India-Pakistan Matches 2. 2025 Champions Trophy as a Test Case The agreement will debut with the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is hosting. India’s matches in the tournament, including knockout…
1. Bill Ponsford’s Record-Breaking Knock (1927) On this day in 1927, Australian legend Bill Ponsford shattered his own first-class world record by scoring a monumental 437 runs for Victoria against Queensland. Ponsford remains one of the few players to have achieved two quadruple centuries in first-class cricket. 2. Usman Khawaja: From Debut to Redemption (1986) Usman Khawaja, the first Muslim to play for Australia, was born on December 18, 1986, in Pakistan. After his Test debut in 2011, Khawaja faced challenges, including being dropped multiple times. However, he made a strong comeback in 2022, scoring over 1000 Test runs, including…
Alyssa Healy’s Knee Injury Alters Plans for New Zealand ODIs Australia’s ODI captain, Alyssa Healy, will feature as a batter only in the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. A lingering knee injury has ruled her out of wicketkeeping duties, with Beth Mooney stepping in as the replacement behind the stumps. Despite her limitations, Healy is determined to use the series to regain form ahead of the Ashes in January. Key Details from Healy’s Statement Youth Stepping Up Healy’s absence as a keeper allowed Georgia Voll to debut in the recent series against India, where she delivered impressive performances,…
Sri Lanka T20I Squad Announced for New Zealand Tour Sri Lanka Cricket has unveiled a 16-member squad for the T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on December 28. The squad retains a familiar lineup, with Charith Asalanka continuing as captain. However, young all-rounder Dunith Wellalage has been dropped from the team. Wellalage’s Omission – A Strategic Move? The decision to exclude Wellalage comes as no surprise, given New Zealand’s seam-friendly conditions, which are less conducive to spin bowling. Currently, Wellalage is participating in the Lanka T10 tournament, representing the Jaffna Titans. Squad Breakdown Match Schedule NZ vs SL…
Australia faces a mixed bag of news ahead of the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test against India. While Travis Head is confirmed fit despite a quad issue, Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to a calf injury. Here’s everything you need to know. Travis Head: Fit and Ready to Play Head’s presence is crucial, given his recent back-to-back centuries in Adelaide and Brisbane, which have solidified his position as one of Australia’s most reliable batters. Josh Hazlewood: A Tough Blow for Australia Cummins acknowledged the challenge of Hazlewood’s absence, saying, “It’s really tough.…
The Many Shades of R Ashwin’s Cricketing Genius Ravichandran Ashwin is more than just a cricketer. His career reflects the journey of a problem-solver, an innovator, and a competitor who saw every challenge as an opportunity to excel. From mastering the art of off-spin to adapting to every format of the game, Ashwin redefined what it means to be a modern cricketer. The Off-Spin Maverick Who Mastered Adaptation Innovation Beyond Convention Ashwin’s career is a testament to his unyielding spirit of experimentation. Unparalleled Off-Spin Legacy With 537 Test wickets and 11 Player-of-the-Series awards, Ashwin’s stats speak volumes of his dominance.…
Bangladesh’s Bowlers Shine in Historic Victory Bangladesh pulled off a stunning 27-run victory against the West Indies in the second T20I, defending a modest total of 129 at the Arnos Vale Ground, St. Vincent. The win secured a 2-0 lead in the series, marking one of the most significant bowling performances in Bangladesh’s T20I history. Shamim Hossain Leads with a Late Blitz Batting first, Bangladesh struggled early but managed to post 129 runs thanks to an unbeaten cameo of 35 off 17 balls by Shamim Hossain. Taskin and Mahedi Dominate the West Indies Batting Line-Up Bangladesh’s bowlers delivered a collective…