Captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam have been dropped from Pakistan's T20 squad for the New Zealand series, replaced by Salman Ali Agha as captain with Shadab Khan named vice-captain. Rizwan remains ODI captain, while Babar stays in the ODI squad. Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf are also out, and opener Fakhar Zaman is injured.
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Virat Kohli's decision to move to the UK received significant support on social media, contrasting with the criticism Aamir Khan faced a decade ago. Kohli's behavior during the Boxing Day Test against Australia highlighted a broader issue of entitlement and aggression in India.
Jos Buttler said on Friday he is to step down as England's limited-overs captain after a disastrous Champions Trophy campaign ended with them failing to reach the semi-finals. "I'm going to stand down as England captain, it's the right decision for me and the team," the 34-year-old said at a press conference. England failed to retain either their T20 and 50-over World Cup titles under Buttler's captaincy.
Sam Konstas impressed during the Boxing Day Test with his explosive batting and energetic fielding. His 65-ball 60 and adventurous shots against Jasprit Bumrah earned him praise from Steve Smith, who called him 'mad.' Konstas's lively on-field behavior and confidence in his debut performance promise a bright future in cricket.
With India’s marquee Test tour of England starting just 25 days after IPL, the selectors will keep an eye on how India’s premier fast bowlers like Bumrah and Shami sustain themselves through the rigours of the league.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized Shreyas Iyer's critical role in India's ODI set-up ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. Iyer performed consistently during the three-match series against England, helping India secure a 3-0 whitewash.
Pat Cummins led Australia to a significant victory over India, securing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014-15. Cummins praised his team's efforts, highlighting their strong bond and collective dedication. Australia will face South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June.
The UAE has been a historic venue for iconic India-Pakistan ODI clashes, featuring epic contests such as India's 38-run victory in the 1985 Rothmans Cup, Javed Miandad's famous last-ball six in the 1986 Austral-Asia Cup final, and Sachin Tendulkar's memorable century in the 1996 Pepsi Sharjah Cup. These matches have seen thrilling last-ball finishes and stellar individual performances.
Sanjay Manjrekar emphasized the importance of Harshit Rana's three crucial wickets that played a significant role in sealing India's victory against England in the first ODI at Nagpur. Despite Rana having the highest economy rate, his performance was vital in restricting England to 248 runs.
Melbourne Stars' Glenn Maxwell showcased exceptional athleticism with a sensational boundary catch in their Big Bash League match against Brisbane Heat. Maxwell's effort saw him leaping over the fence, grabbing the ball mid-air, and completing the catch after re-entering the field of play, helping dismiss Will Prestwidge.
New Zealand secured a 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka by claiming the second T20 match by 45 runs. Despite strong performances from Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka faltered in their chase of 187, bowing out for 141. Jacob Duffy's four-wicket haul proved crucial, effectively curbing the Sri Lankan batting lineup's momentum.