England have decided to play against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy match in Lahore on February 26, despite calls for a boycott from over 160 British politicians. The ECB believes that a coordinated international approach will be more effective and wants to support ordinary Afghans who gain enjoyment from watching their national team.
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The national selectors face a tough decision regarding Ravindra Jadeja's future ahead of the Champions Trophy, as his recent performances across formats are concerning. With coach Gautam Gambhir focusing on building a core for the 2027 ODI World Cup, there is a push to move on from Jadeja.
Venkatesh Iyer expresses his excitement about playing under Ajinkya Rahane's leadership as KKR's vice-captain. He highlights Rahane's initiative and experience, stating it will be a valuable learning experience. Venkatesh is ready to embrace his new role and contribute to the team's success. Despite stepping into a leadership position, Venkatesh revealed that he has not had direct discussions with former KKR captain Shreyas Iyer or mentor Gautam Gambhir regarding his new role.
Harbhajan Singh shared how his feud with Andrew Symonds transformed into a deep friendship after the infamous "Monkeygate" scandal. Symonds' visit to Harbhajan's home with a bottle of rum initiated their reconciliation. They later won the IPL championship together. Harbhajan expressed grief over Symonds' untimely death, highlighting their strong bond.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape secure a playoff spot with a dominant win over Durban's Super Giants. Captain Aiden Markram attributes success to disciplined execution and strong starts. He praises the team's resilience and the exceptional home crowd support, fostering newfound confidence for a strong championship push in the SA20 League.
Pakistan have been fined for a slow over-rate during their second ODI against New Zealand, having fallen one over short even with time allowances. This marks their second consecutive penalty, having also been fined in the first ODI. In Hamilton, Pakistan lost by 84 runs with notable performances from Mitchell Hay and Ben Sears.
Gus Atkinson shone on his debut year, grabbing three crucial wickets on Day 1 of the third Test against New Zealand. His impressive performance included breaking a century-opening stand and dismissing Southee in his farewell match. Atkinson's 51 Test wickets in 2024 place him second only to Terry Alderman's debut year record.
Dubai Capitals achieved a remarkable eight-wicket victory over the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Sunday. They successfully chased a daunting target of 204, led by a 135-run partnership between Shai Hope and Gulbadin Naib, setting a new record in ILT20 history.
Shubman Gill showcased his batting prowess with an impressive 52-ball 46 against Pakistan in Dubai, reminiscent of master balster Sachin Tendulkar's style. After a challenging tour in Australia, Gill has returned to form, hitting a century against Karnataka and excelling in recent matches. He enjoys a successful partnership with Rohit Sharma, providing thrilling performances in ODIs.
Dilip Vengsarkar criticizes the pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground for being excessively seamer-friendly during the final Test of the BGT. He urges the ICC to take control of Test match pitches to ensure good quality cricket for fans, highlighting how pitches can heavily influence match outcomes.