England captain Jos Buttler believes their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan should proceed despite calls for a boycott due to the Taliban's restrictions on women's rights. Over 160 British lawmakers urged the ECB to avoid the match, but Buttler argues politics should not influence sports. ECB CEO Richard Gould plans to advocate for ICC to take collective action.
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Key members of India's victorious ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, including skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir, have returned home after their successful campaign. The team created history by winning the Champions Trophy for the third time, defeating New Zealand in the final held in Dubai. India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir also touched down in Delhi, marking his return after successfully guiding the team to the prestigious Champions Trophy title.
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.
Australia's top-order struggles continue as they drop struggling opener Nathan McSweeney and call up 19-year-old Sam Konstas for the Boxing Day Test. Konstas, who boasts impressive Sheffield Shield form, offers a different approach against India's bowling attack. Despite retaining Usman Khawaja, the Aussies seek a spark after openers have averaged a dismal 22 since David Warner's retirement.
Vidarbha seeks revenge against Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy semifinals. Vidarbha, led by Akshay Wadkar, boasts seven wins from eight matches, showing strong form. Despite Mumbai's star-studded line-up, their top-order struggles, relying on lower-order players like Thakur. Karun Nair, Yash Rathod, and others drive Vidarbha's success. Rahane acknowledges Vidarbha's home advantage.
England captain Jos Buttler has indicated that all possibilities are open regarding his captaincy after England's early exit from the Champions Trophy following a defeat to Afghanistan. Despite Joe Root's century, England lost by eight runs, highlighting another disappointing ICC tournament for Buttler's leadership.
Shakib Al Hasan, former Bangladesh captain, has been banned from bowling in English cricket competitions due to an illegal action. An assessment revealed his elbow extension exceeded the allowed limit. The ban, effective December 10, 2024, follows a report during his stint with Surrey where he took nine wickets during their loss to Somerset.
England's Mark Wood faces a four-month cricket hiatus due to knee surgery after sustaining ligament damage. The injury occurred during the ICC Champions Trophy game against Afghanistan, intensifying his knee issues. Despite his disappointment, Wood remains hopeful, aiming for a July 2025 comeback. He'll collaborate with the ECB medical team for his recovery, impacting England's bowling.
Namibia's Gerhard Erasmus has won the ICC Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year award for 2024. His consistent performances in ODIs and T20Is, including scoring eight half-centuries and taking 36 wickets, have been pivotal. Notable achievements include his all-round contributions during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, solidifying his status as a premier all-rounder.
Shan Masood and Babar Azam led Pakistan's fightback with a record 205-run opening stand against South Africa after following on in the second Test. Masood remained unbeaten on 102, while Babar scored 81. Pakistan ended day three at 213 for one, still needing 208 runs to make South Africa bat again.
Trisha Gongadi became the first player to score a century in women's U-19 T20 World Cup history, leading India to a 150-run victory over Scotland with an unbeaten 110 off 59 balls. India posted 208 for 1, with support from Kamalini G and Sanika Chalke. Scotland were bowled out for 58, with Ayushi Shukla taking 4 wickets for 8 runs.