Author: Waqar Anwar
Big Picture: A Crucial Test for Australia The upcoming pink-ball Test in Adelaide will determine how this series unfolds. Was India’s big win in Perth just a rare off-performance for Australia, or is it a sign of deeper problems for the home side? We’ll soon find out. For Australia, a win is essential to avoid a daunting comeback scenario. Only Don Bradman’s team in 1936-37 has ever overturned a 2-0 deficit in a five-match series. On the other hand, if India secures another victory, they’ll be well on their way to dominating the series. India’s Challenges and Changes Despite their…
India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma has announced a strategic change for the upcoming day-night Test match against Australia in Adelaide. Instead of opening the batting, Rohit will move to the middle order to accommodate the successful partnership of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top. This decision highlights India’s team-first approach, focusing on maintaining momentum after their dominant win in Perth. Why is Rohit Moving Down the Order? Since 2019, Rohit has been a regular opener in Test cricket, but after watching Rahul and Jaiswal build a 201-run partnership in Perth, he decided not to disrupt their chemistry. “We…
In a potential breakthrough for the 2025 Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed using a hybrid hosting model. However, the PCB insists this model must be reciprocated for any global events hosted in India. The PCB made this offer during meetings with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Dubai. This proposal seeks a fair, long-term agreement that extends beyond the 2025 Champions Trophy and guarantees Pakistan the same rights when global tournaments are hosted in India. India’s Upcoming Global Cricket Events India is set to host three…
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…