Gulf nations convened in Dubai to chart a unified course for cricket's advancement, building on the success of the ILT20. The ILT20 Gulf Cricket Championship witnessed thrilling matches, with UAE dominating the league stage. Saudi Arabia and Qatar also secured key victories. The final between UAE and Kuwait promises a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
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Shubman Gill's century in the ODI against Bangladesh was marked by immense satisfaction and maturity. Despite a slow start, Gill adapted his game to counter Bangladesh's spin pressure, maintaining control and clarity. His innings ensured India’s win, showcasing brilliant strokes and a contained performance, earning him the Player of the Match award.
India's T20 cricket team, under the guidance of coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, has adopted a fearless, high-risk, high-reward batting strategy. This approach has led to impressive high scores and a recent series win against England, emphasizing intent and selflessness despite occasional setbacks.
Pakistan cricket is facing instability, particularly affecting star player Babar Azam, whose performance has declined amid frequent changes in leadership and management. Saeed Ajmal criticised former cricketers' harsh comments and urged a more supportive environment. The removal of Babar and Rizwan from captaincy roles is viewed as a hasty decision that may further harm the team's prospects.
India's women's cricket team triumphed over West Indies by 60 runs in the T20I series decider at DY Patil Stadium. Richa Ghosh equaled the fastest T20I half-century record (18 balls), while Smriti Mandhana scored her third consecutive fifty, setting a new record for most T20I runs in a calendar year.
The decline of cricket in Pakistan has raised concerns, with former player Inzamam-ul-Haq blaming the Pakistan Cricket Board for constant team changes. He emphasizes learning from the past mistakes and cautions against repeated errors.
Sunil Gavaskar criticized the selection of Harshit Rana as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube in the fourth T20I against England in Pune, calling it unfair and not like-for-like. Rana, primarily a pacer, replaced the concussed all-rounder Dube, helping India win but sparking controversy. Gavaskar argues such substitutions tarnish victories and should be reassessed.
Veteran Australian opener Usman Khawaja, 38, plans to continue his Test career as long as he feels he is contributing effectively. Despite a below-par performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Khawaja remains focused on contributing to the Australian team's success, maintaining regular communication with coach Andrew McDonald and chief selector George Bailey.
Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan's 97-run partnership helped Pakistan recover to 143-4 after a shaky start against the West Indies on the first day of the first Test in Multan. Their innings was crucial after Jayden Seales struck early, leaving Pakistan at 46-4. The match faced initial delays due to fog and poor air quality.
Australia face a significant setback as senior pacer Josh Hazlewood is likely to miss the two-Test series against Sri Lanka due to a recurring calf issue and side strain. This, coupled with Pat Cummins' unavailability, weakens Australia's pace attack. Selectors prioritize Hazlewood's long-term fitness ahead of the Ashes and WTC final.
Pat Cummins led Australia to a significant victory over India, securing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014-15. Cummins praised his team's efforts, highlighting their strong bond and collective dedication. Australia will face South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June.