Pakistan clinched a resounding ODI series victory against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium, thanks to Saim Ayub's stellar century (101 off 94 balls). This marks Ayub's third century in five innings, earning him both Player of the Match and Player of the Series. Despite Heinrich Klaasen's rapid 81, South Africa fell short of the rain-adjusted target of 308.
Related news
Punjab Kings, under new captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, aim to break their 17-year IPL trophy dsrought. Ponting, emphasizing a winning mindset, has high hopes for young talents like Musheer Khan and Priyansh Arya as the coach aims to transform Punjab into a championship team.
Ruturaj Gaikwad's unbeaten 148 led Maharashtra to a nine-wicket victory over Services in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Maharashtra easily chased the target of 204 in just over 20 overs. Mumbai and Delhi also secured wins in their respective matches while Baroda triumphed over Kerala in a high-scoring game.
India celebrated a historic win in the Champions Trophy final, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in Dubai. Skipper Rohit Sharma scored 76, leading the team to their third title. KL Rahul contributed with an unbeaten 34, sealing the victory with six balls remaining. The win sparked widespread celebrations and congratulatory messages on social media from fans, former cricketers, and politicians.
Australia secured the second spot in the World Test Championship standings after a 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka. They confirmed their place in the final following their 3-1 Border-Gavaskar series victory over India. South Africa topped the standings to qualify for the final, slated for June 11 at Lord's.
Mohammad Yousuf expressed excitement about Pakistan hosting their first ICC event in 29 years and praised the PCB's effort in renovating the stadiums. He remains realistic, acknowledging New Zealand and India as formidable opponents. Yousuf encouraged the Pakistani team to play calculated cricket and address weaknesses exposed in recent matches to capitalise on home advantage.
Rewinding from 2017 to 2024, the IPL celebrated unforgettable moments: Ravindra Jadeja seized the 2023 final for CSK with last-over heroics, Mumbai clinched the 2019 title by one run, Gujarat Titans' spectacular 2022 debut, and CSK's triumphant 2018 return from suspension. Rinku Singh's 2024 five-six finale against Gujarat turned him into an overnight hero, epitomizing IPL's magic.
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.
Cheteshwar Pujara analyses Virat Kohli's struggles against the new ball in the ongoing Gabba Test, suggesting his technique isn't suited for it. Kohli's success with the old ball in Perth contrasts with his recent low scores. Pujara highlights the need for a mental shift, urging Kohli to resist playing deliveries outside off-stump, despite practicing leaving them in the nets.
Beau Webster debuted for Australia in the fifth Test against India in Sydney. His family's hurried trip to Sydney caused a viral social media request for a dog sitter. Webster, called up just 24 hours before the Test, bowled 13 overs without taking a wicket. Australia ended Day 1 at 9 for one after dismissing India for 185.
Virat Kohli discussed his balance between calmness and aggression in his on-field persona, stating that he faces criticism regardless of his approach. He emphasised that his competitiveness remains strong despite a more subdued demeanour. Kohli remains a key player for RCB in the upcoming IPL 2025 season, targeting both a maiden title and new batting records.