Fakhar Zaman's impressive 67 off 52 balls helped Desert Vipers secure a five-wicket win over MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium. Contributions from Alex Hales and Sam Curran were crucial in chasing down a target of 160. Despite a late effort from Kieron Pollard and Romario Shepherd, Zaman's performance was pivotal for the Vipers' victory.
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The ICC praised former Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who retired after his 100th Test. Karunaratne, 36, scored 7222 Test runs at an average of nearly 40 and played 50 ODIs. He captained Sri Lanka in 30 Tests, achieving a historic series win against South Africa in 2019. ICC chairman Jay Shah lauded his commitment and contributions to cricket.
Mitchell Starc is included in Australia's XI for the final Border-Gavaskar Test against India despite a rib issue. Starc, along with Cummins, Boland, and Lyon, will spearhead the bowling attack in Sydney. Beau Webster replaces struggling Mitch Marsh for his debut. A win or draw secures Australia's series victory and a spot in the World Test Championship final.
Rohit Sharma's batting struggles continued in the Brisbane Test, dismissed for just 10 runs. His move to the middle order, accommodating KL Rahul's return as opener, has added to his difficulties, according to teammate Cheteshwar Pujara. Rohit's recent scores reflect his struggles, aggregating low totals in previous series against New Zealand and Bangladesh.
As the Paarl Royals gear up for the 2025 SA20 season, they aim to capture their maiden title. The team has strengthened their squad with international stars like Dinesh Karthik and Joe Root, despite Jos Buttler's absence. Under David Miller's leadership, the Royals are set to face Sunrisers Eastern Cape in their opening match.
India spinner Kuldeep Yadav is gearing up for a comeback ahead of the white-ball series against England starting January 22. After recovering from a chronic left groin issue, Kuldeep shared a video of his bowling practice on Instagram. He is aiming for 300 international wickets as India looks forward to the ICC Champions Trophy starting February 19.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated R Ashwin on his international cricket retirement, praising his exceptional 14-year career. Modi's letter highlighted Ashwin's surprise retirement, comparing it to an unexpected "carrom ball." The Prime Minister lauded Ashwin's 765 international wickets, numerous Player of the Series awards, and crucial contributions to India's victories, including the 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead acknowledges India's 'mystery' spinner Varun Chakravarthy as a significant threat for the ICC Champions Trophy final. He plans to strategize against Chakravarthy's skills. Despite India's familiarity with Dubai conditions, Stead is optimistic about his team's adaptability and preparation, emphasising the importance of the crucial match against India on Sunday.
Kagiso Rabada's two wicket-maiden overs led MI Cape Town to a 33-run victory over Paarl Royals in the first Cape Derby of SA20 Season 3. Rabada praised teammate Trent Boult's support and the unique atmosphere at Newlands. Highlighting team continuity, he emphasised the importance of resetting for their upcoming rematch with the Royals.
As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is tied at 1-1, former India coach Lalchand Rajput emphasised the necessity for the Indian batters to post a significant first innings score in the decisive Test at Melbourne. Highlighting the strength of India's bowling, he acknowledged the need for batters' contributions and anticipates a smooth transition despite recent retirements.
Falcon Risers Hyderabad triumphed over KVN Bangalore Strikers by 6 runs in a thrilling ISPL match. Vishwajit Thakur top-scored with 26 runs, helping Hyderabad post 84/9 despite early setbacks. Irfan Patel's 4/14 stood out for Bangalore. Bangalore's chase fell short as Hyderabad's bowlers held their nerves, ensuring a tense finish.