England's vice-captain cites smog in Kolkata as a significant challenge in reading Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who played a key role in their defeat by taking three wickets. He expects clearer conditions in Chennai for the second T20I, hoping that England can throw a punch back to level the five-match series.
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Pakistan's Azam Khan lauded teammate Saim Ayub's unbeaten 98-run knock against South Africa despite a seven-wicket loss in the second T20I. Ayub's impressive innings, featuring 11 boundaries and 5 sixes, anchored Pakistan's 206/5 total. Khan emphasized the importance of consistent opportunities for players to perform at their best.
The ICC is looking for a new CEO to replace Geoff Allardice, stepping down in March after the Champions Trophy. Gaurav Saxena, currently General Manager Operations at BCCI, will join the ICC as Head of Events and Communications. This change follows the resignation of key officials and a review of the 2024 T20 World Cup in USA.
The PCB showcased the upgraded Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, emphasizing their readiness for the Champions Trophy amid concerns over venue preparations. Scheduled to start on February 19, the event's first game is between Pakistan and New Zealand. With PKR 12 billion spent on renovations, doubts remain until PCB confirms stadium possession.
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and chose to bat first against India in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash. Pakistan made one change with Imam-ul-Haq replacing the injured Fakhar Zaman. India fielded an unchanged lineup. This crucial match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium will see both teams vying for a chance to advance in the tournament.
India, trailing 2-1 in the Test series, face a challenging task against Australia to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The final match begins on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where India have a poor record, winning only once since 1947.
Jasprit Bumrah, recovering from a lower back injury, has resumed bowling at the NCA, raising hopes of his return. The 31-year-old pacer bowled in a video shared online. Bumrah missed Mumbai Indians' first two IPL 2025 matches and will not play against KKR on March 31, but may return by mid-April.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has retained national selector Aaqib Javed as interim head coach for the New Zealand white-ball tour, with the process of appointing a permanent head coach underway. Salman Ali Agha has been appointed as the new T20I captain, and Mohammad Rizwan continues to lead the ODI team.
Suresh Raina highlights the crucial roles of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for India's success in the ICC Champions Trophy. He praises Rohit’s improved strike rate and aggressive captaincy, emphasizing the need for key performances from spinners and proper team combinations to navigate the tournament challenges.
Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma expressed pride in the batter's achievements after the win against Pakistan in Champions Trophy. Kohli went past the 14,000 ODI run mark enroute his 51st international century. Sharma addressed the high expectations and criticism Kohli faces, affirming his continued potential and dedication. He highlighted how Kohli's maturity and humility have grown.
India's Mohammed Shami cites the advantage of playing all Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, leading to their win against Australia. Shami advocates for the reintroduction of saliva for ball polishing to aid in obtaining reverse swing. India's consistency in Dubai strengthens their chances in the final.