Bowling legend Wasim Akram praised the ILT20 tournament for its high-quality cricket and competitive spirit, highlighting Desert Vipers as his favorite team. He emphasised the opportunities for UAE players to learn from international stars and urged them to capitalise on this exposure. With intense competition and emerging local talent, Akram believes ILT20 will help UAE rise as a top-performing Associate nation.
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Kerala and Gujarat have progressed to the Ranji Trophy semi-finals in contrasting fashions. Kerala narrowly edged Jammu and Kashmir by a one-run first-innings lead, while Gujarat dominated Saurashtra with an innings and 98 runs win. Despite not having players in the top 20 run-scorers, both teams exhibit strong team spirit and determination to excel.
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.
Captain Rishabh Pant aims to exhibit his potential as Lucknow Super Giants target their first home win against Punjab Kings. Despite Pant's rocky start, LSG seek redemption with notable contributions from players like Pooran and Marsh. Shreyas Iyer, leading Punjab Kings, continues his form, enhancing the competitive edge of the match.
Jammu & Kashmir cricket team registered a surprising five-wicket victory over Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match. Subsequently, JKCA filed an official complaint with the BCCI regarding poor umpiring decisions. Such issues, including a questionable lbw ruling and an ignored edge by Shreyas Iyer, left the team dismayed.
Seam bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur has joined Lucknow Super Giants as Mohsin Khan's replacement after Khan was ruled out due to an injury. Thakur, who was initially unsold in the auction, brings valuable IPL experience. Under new captain Rishabh Pant, LSG will start their campaign against Delhi Capitals on Monday.
Ravindra Jadeja will play for Saurashtra in their next Ranji Trophy match against Delhi at Rajkot, starting Jan 23. In addition to Jadeja, other top Indian players, including Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill, will also participate in various Ranji matches. The BCCI emphasizes domestic match participation for player eligibility and central contracts.
New Zealand's skipper Mitchell Santner acknowledged India's dominant performance in the Champions Trophy final, where India chased a target of 252 with six balls to spare. Key contributions came from Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy. Santner praised his team's efforts, especially Rachin Ravindra's consistent performances, and expressed gratitude for the team’s collective efforts throughout the tournament.
Varun Chakravarthy's standout performances, including a five-wicket haul, have bolstered India's Champions Trophy campaign. Former cricketer Murali Vijay praised Chakravarthy's skills and mental toughness, highlighting his potential for a long international career and India's strong overall cricketing form.
Pakistan revealed a renovated stadium in Lahore for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, marking its first major international cricket event in nearly three decades. The tournament will be held across three cities: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. India's matches will take place in the UAE. The event starts with a tri-nation series involving Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Scott Boland praised Nitish Reddy's batting skill after the 21-year-old scored an unbeaten 105 on the third day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Boland, who previously played against Reddy, acknowledged the young Indian's ability to score in all areas of the field.