Pakistan secured a dominant 127-run victory over West Indies in the first Test in Multan, with spinners Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed sharing nine wickets. Pakistan's spinners dismissed West Indies for 123 in their chase of 251. Sajid bagged five wickets, while Abrar picked up four to seal the win.
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Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma have advanced to the second and third positions, respectively, in the latest ICC ODI batting rankings following their recent century innings. They are closing in on Pakistan's Babar Azam, the current top-ranked batsman, as a thrilling competition for ranking supremacy looms ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Travis Head continued his dominance against India with a second consecutive century (103*) in the third Test at the Gabba. His blistering knock, alongside Steve Smith's steady 65*, propelled Australia to 233/4 at tea on Day 2. This marked Head's third century in seven innings against India in Test cricket. He also scored a century to win Australia the 2023 ODI World Cup final against India.
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.
Australian opener Nathan McSweeney discussed the challenging experience of facing Jasprit Bumrah early in his Test career. He acknowledged Bumrah's unique skills while emphasising the learning opportunity it presented. McSweeney reflected on his dismissals by Bumrah in Perth and Adelaide, highlighting his growing confidence and eagerness for the upcoming Gabba Test.
Steve Smith and Travis Head's centuries propelled Australia's dominance in the third Test against India at the Gabba. Rohit Sharma's captaincy and field placements drew criticism from former players like Kerry O'Keeffe and Michael Vaughan for lacking pressure tactics. Head's fearless approach, detaching from consequence, earned praise from Ravi Shastri and O'Keeffe for his impactful innings.
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday shifted the upcoming tri-series venues to Lahore and Karachi from Multan. The decision follows the renovations at Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium, where upgrades, including expanding seating, installing modern LED lights for broadcast, and enhancing player and spectator amenities, are nearing completion. The tri-series starts on February 8.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru capped off their disappointing Women's Premier League season with an 11-run victory over Mumbai Indians, denying MI direct entry into the final. Delhi Capitals secured the top spot and a direct final berth. Captain Smriti Mandhana's 53 and crucial knocks from Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, and Georgia Wareham led RCB to a commanding 199/3.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri attributes Sam Konstas' on-field aggression to youthful exuberance during his Test debut against India. Shastri advises Konstas to focus on scoring runs and believes the upcoming Sri Lanka tour will aid his growth. Ricky Ponting notes Konstas must adjust his aggressive play to succeed as a Test opener.
Tim Southee, New Zealand's second-highest Test wicket-taker and all-time top wicket-taker across formats, retired after a 16-year career. The 36-year-old concluded his Test journey with 391 wickets, just shy of the 400 mark. His final match was a victory against England at his home ground, Seddon Park.
Female Afghan cricketer Firooza Amiri declares that her team will represent millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights. The Afghanistan Women's XI will face a Cricket Without Borders XI in Melbourne, bringing together 21 players displaced by the Taliban takeover. This match signifies hope for Afghan women's education and sports amidst oppressive Taliban laws.