Author: Waqar Anwar
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy nearing, India A’s second unofficial Test against Australia A in Melbourne offers key insights into India’s possible opening combination for the first Test in Perth on November 22. KL Rahul is expected to open alongside Abhimanyu Easwaran, giving the team a preview of what could be the chosen duo in case Rohit Sharma is unavailable. Both Rahul and Abhimanyu have shown the ability to handle overseas conditions, and this match serves as an opportunity for them to shine. If Rohit Sharma remains absent, either Rahul or Abhimanyu could end up partnering with Yashasvi Jaiswal as the…
In a fresh leadership decision, Australia’s wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis has been named as the interim T20I captain for the upcoming series against Pakistan. Inglis will also take on the role of ODI captain for the third match in Perth, as several of Australia’s regulars—including Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, and Josh Hazlewood—rest ahead of the Test series against India. This decision marks a significant step for the 29-year-old Inglis, who is set to become Australia’s 14th T20I captain and 30th ODI captain. Despite not having led in the Big Bash League (BBL), Inglis’s leadership abilities have been acknowledged previously, particularly when…
Kusal Perera is set to make his comeback to the Sri Lankan ODI squad for the series against New Zealand, joined by seamer Mohamed Shiraz. This will be Perera’s first ODI appearance in almost a year, with his selection boosted by a strong performance in a recent T20I against the West Indies, where he scored an impressive 55 not out. For Shiraz, who has a stellar domestic record with 84 wickets at an average of 18.75 in List A cricket, this series is a chance to establish himself at the international level. Key Players and Squad Overview Sri Lanka’s T20I…
An Italian in the IPL? Thomas Draca Could Be the First As the IPL 2025 mega auction approaches, cricket fans are buzzing about a new and unexpected name on the player list: Thomas Draca. This 24-year-old cricketer has put Italy on the IPL map, and he could make history as the first player from the country to join the league. Who is Thomas Draca? Draca is a right-arm fast bowler known for his tall build and ability to deliver fast, nippy balls. His bowling style makes the ball skid and has a knack for hitting the splice of the bat.…
Haris Rauf expressed disappointment over Pakistan’s mistakes as they let yet another close match slip away. In the recent ODI against Australia, Pakistan faced a tough defeat, extending a troubling trend: Australia has now won 27 of the last 28 completed games against Pakistan at home, with this match ending with a comfortable victory for Australia by 99 balls. A Glimpse of Hope Amidst Australia’s Dominance Despite the loss, Pakistan showed moments of fight that caught everyone by surprise. Australia was cruising at 139 for 3 in the 20th over while chasing a modest target of 204 runs. However, things…
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has successfully tested a new AI tool to help eliminate harmful comments on social media directed at female players during the recent Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. This tool, called GoBubble, automatically identifies and removes abusive comments, as well as unwanted messages from bots promoting unrelated products. Key Findings from the Trial The Importance of Addressing Online Abuse Many female players face a lot of negative comments on social media, which can discourage young girls from playing cricket. Finn Bradshaw, the ICC’s Head of Digital, explained, “We want to inspire more women and…
Introduction Pitches that make batting a gamble can actually help the opposing team’s spinners. Let’s explore how India’s preference for turning tracks might not be as beneficial as they think. Indian Players and Pitches Indian cricketers often dislike discussing home pitches. They want to avoid negative labels like “dustbowls” or “rank turners.” However, they often want turning pitches for their matches, even as they claim they don’t control pitch preparation, which is sometimes hard to believe. During the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, many pitches seemed to cater to India, showing that they may have influenced conditions to suit their…
The Incident Shakib made a significant impact for Surrey, claiming nine wickets in a tense match that, despite his contributions, ended in a 111-run loss for his team. His addition to Surrey’s squad was meant to fill the gap left by eight key players on England duty, including frontline spinners Will Jacks and Dan Lawrence. Shakib bowled over 63 overs during the match, but post-match, umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Millns reported his action as suspect. What’s Next? The ECB has asked Shakib to undergo further tests, which are expected to take place in the coming weeks. Although he is…
Why Afghanistan Has the Edge Afghanistan comes off a historic ODI series win against South Africa, showcasing their strength. Sharjah is a familiar venue for them, and they’ll aim to exploit that advantage. Bangladesh, on the other hand, arrives in Sharjah on the back of disappointing results against South Africa at home, where they lost both Test matches decisively. This is also Bangladesh’s first ODI series in Sharjah since the 1995 Asia Cup, giving Afghanistan a distinct home advantage. Fresh Faces for Afghanistan Afghanistan has brought in Sediqullah Atal, an impressive young opener who excelled at the Emerging Asia Cup,…
Background of the Afro-Asia Cup The Afro-Asia Cup was previously held twice—in 2005 in South Africa and in 2007 in India. The tournament brought together some of the biggest stars from both continents. The 2005 edition saw legends like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Rahul Dravid, and Anil Kumble represent Asia, while the 2007 Asia XI included icons such as MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, and Sachin Tendulkar. Asia XI won the 2007 series 3-0, while the 2005 series ended 1-1 due to a rained-out final game. With India and Pakistan currently only facing each other in ICC events due to political tensions, the Afro-Asia…