Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has questioned the performance of pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, urging the PCB to find new talent and hold senior players accountable. He pointed out their inconsistency and emphasized the dependency on the pace attack for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
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The three venues in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy will be ready by the end of this month , according to the PCB. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the National Stadium in Karachi and the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium are undergoing renovations. The tournament begins on February 19, featuring eight teams, with India playing their matches in Dubai.
Australia are on the brink of sealing a 2-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka, needing just two more wickets as the hosts finished day three at 211 for 8. Angelo Mathews' significant 76-run innings ended shortly before stumps, with Nathan Lyon leading Australia's bowling attack. Sri Lanka are ahead by only 54 runs in their second innings.
Australia chief selector George Bailey is optimistic that Cameron Green will play as a batsman in the World Test Championship final against South Africa. Green, recovering from back surgery, is expected to return to batting by May. Mitchell Marsh was dropped for the Sri Lanka series, but Bailey remains hopeful about his future contributions.
Star Australian batter Steve Smith expressed frustration after finishing with 9,999 Test runs in the series against India. Despite a tough pitch and challenging opponents, Smith praised the team's collective effort. Mitchell Starc highlighted the gruelling series, while Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne celebrated Australia's achievement of winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after ten years.
Chennai Super Kings, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, are gearing up for IPL 2025 with the goal of clinching their sixth title. After a lackluster 2024 season under the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK hopes to bounce back, leveraging their strong batting lineup and balanced bowling attack. CSK's dominance can be attributed to the legendary Dhoni, under whose captaincy the team has secured five titles, reached the final ten times, and advanced to the playoffs on 12 occasions.
India captain Rohit Sharma confirms KL Rahul will continue as wicketkeeper for the ODI series against England despite Rishabh Pant's return. Rahul's performance in the 2023 World Cup solidifies his position, while Pant's comeback provides valuable flexibility for the team.
South Africa's coach Rob Walter remains optimistic despite the team's failure in the ICC semifinal against New Zealand. The Proteas fell short by 50 runs. Walter emphasized the importance of learning from each game and remains focused on the 2027 ODI World Cup at home.
India's T20 cricket team, under the guidance of coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, has adopted a fearless, high-risk, high-reward batting strategy. This approach has led to impressive high scores and a recent series win against England, emphasizing intent and selflessness despite occasional setbacks.
Virat Kohli shared his views on retirement, stating he's playing for the joy of the game, not achievements. He highlighted the growth of Indian cricket in fitness, women's cricket, and the impact of IPL. Kohli addressed India's recent Champions Trophy win and the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics, emphasizing adaptability and the importance of creating a fun team environment.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape continued their bid for a third consecutive SA20 title with a 32-run win over Joburg Super Kings. Captain Aiden Markram's 62 not out helped them score 184/6, with their opponents only managing 152/7. Markram praised their improved performance and highlighted strong bowling and a crucial start. They now face Paarl Royals in Qualifier 2.