Gulbadin Naib shone brightly in ILT20 2025, scoring 381 runs and claiming 11 wickets for the Dubai Capitals. His performances, both with bat and ball, were pivotal in the team's success, including a crucial one-run win in the opener and a decisive role in the final games, leading to their tournament victory.
Related news
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.
The Boxing Day Test saw debutant Sam Konstas confront Virat Kohli on the first day, leading to Kohli's fine by the ICC after an accidental shoulder-bump. Despite Kohli's patient innings, he fell for 36 runs, intensifying their on-field rivalry as Konstas celebrated Kohli's dismissal vigorously.
Cheteshwar Pujara voiced concerns over India's bowling attack ahead of the Boxing Day Test, questioning its ability to take 20 wickets. He highlighted the struggles of bowlers besides Bumrah and Siraj, and the lack of a strong supporting bowling unit. Pujara also praised Mitchell Starc's improved performance, emphasizing the need for Indian batsmen to navigate his potent opening spells effectively.
Shardul Thakur showcased his resilience with a quickfire 51, rescuing Mumbai from a precarious position on day one of their Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir. Despite his impressive performance and expressing disappointment over being overlooked for the national team, he remains focused.
Star India batter Virat Kohli, after his match-winning 84-run knock against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal, expressed his enduring love for cricket and batting. Praising teammates Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer for their crucial contributions, Virat emphasized the importance of staying motivated for big matches and meeting team expectations for successful results.
India's spirited avoidance of the follow-on in the Brisbane Test against Australia, thanks to a late partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep, surprised the Australian team. The Indian dressing room's exuberant celebration, particularly over Akash Deep's boundary, prompted speculation from Nathan Lyon that India's top-order batsmen were keen to avoid batting late on day four.
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.
Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant didn't stress over a missed stumping amid a tense IPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals. Ashutosh Sharma's unbeaten 66 led DC to a narrow win. Pant emphasised focusing on positives; despite LSG's strong start, DC's successful partnerships ensured a thrilling finish.
Ben Stokes, England's Test captain, underwent surgery for a hamstring tear sustained during the third Test against New Zealand in Hamilton. The injury, sustained while fielding, requires three months of recovery. Stokes will miss upcoming matches but aims to recover before the home series against India.
Pat Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah, and Dane Paterson have been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of December 2024. Cummins led Australia to a 3-1 series win against India, claiming 17 wickets. Bumrah excelled with 32 wickets despite India’s series loss. Paterson's key performances helped South Africa secure their spot in the WTC25 Final.