Shakib Al Hasan has been banned from bowling in domestic and international cricket after failing a second test of his bowling action. Despite this setback, he remains eligible to play as a batsman. Shakib is still in the running for a spot in Bangladesh's Champions Trophy team set to compete against India on February 20.
Related news
Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan believes India’s chances in the ICC Champions Trophy will hinge on the form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Muralitharan highlighted India's well-balanced bowling attack, emphasizing the role of spinners on the subcontinent-friendly pitches in the UAE.
Steve Smith, struggling with recent low scores, has adopted a "less is more" training approach advised by Mike Hussey. Hussey believes reduced training can benefit older players by maximizing freshness. Despite trying this before the Adelaide Test, Smith's struggles continued, prompting him to re-evaluate his training volume and batting technique against challenging bowling.
Vidarbha took a crucial 37-run lead against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy final on day three. Harsh Dubey became the highest wicket-taker in a single season with 69 wickets. Key performances included Sachin Baby's 98 and Aditya Sarwate's 79, but Kerala fell short of Vidarbha's first-innings total of 379, getting dismissed for 342.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are gearing up for the first ODI against England with an intense net session, showcasing their versatile strokeplay. Their preparation for the three-match series is significant, especially with the Champions Trophy approaching, where they aim to solidify their standing and achieve new milestones.
Dinesh Lad, Rohit Sharma's childhood coach, emphasizes the importance of tennis-ball cricket in developing a cricketer's skills. This format improves batting techniques, particularly pull and square cut shots. Lad highlights the role of leagues like ISPL in nurturing future stars, praising its initiative and recognizing its value for refining shot-making abilities, especially for batsmen.
English all-rounder Sam Curran has been a standout in the International League T20, leading Desert Vipers to the top of the table with 239 runs and six wickets. The Vipers aim for the title with strong team performance and confidence heading into the playoffs.
The SA20 final on February 8 at the Wanderers will be played before a sold-out crowd for the third consecutive year. Tickets for the season finale have sold out faster than the previous year. Fans are encouraged to purchase playoff tickets to see the top teams compete for final spots.
The West Indies cricket team arrived in Islamabad on Monday for their first Test series in Pakistan in eighteen years. They will play a three-day tour match against the Pakistan Shaheens before the first Test in Multan on January 17, followed by the second Test on January 25. This series concludes their current ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Kevin Pietersen has called for prioritizing domestic summer cricket in England for the sport's growth. He expressed concerns over the packed international schedule leading to player fatigue and less engagement with local fans. Despite maintaining high performance levels, the team faces a challenging future with fixtures against Zimbabwe and India in 2025.
England hopes to make an impact in the Champions Trophy after facing challenges, with three venues in Pakistan and Dubai hosting the tournament. With Ben Stokes still recovering and Joe Root's return to ODIs, the team is led by Jos Buttler. England is in Pool B with Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa.