Zimbabwe's captain Craig Ervine led the team with 75 runs, supported by Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams, to reach 243 against Afghanistan. Rashid Khan took four wickets for 94 runs. Afghanistan struggled in their second innings, trailing by 40 runs at 46-3, with Blessing Muzarabani and Sikandar Raza causing early damage.
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England's Mark Wood faces a four-month cricket hiatus due to knee surgery after sustaining ligament damage. The injury occurred during the ICC Champions Trophy game against Afghanistan, intensifying his knee issues. Despite his disappointment, Wood remains hopeful, aiming for a July 2025 comeback. He'll collaborate with the ECB medical team for his recovery, impacting England's bowling.
West Indies women snapped their nine-match losing streak against India with a resounding nine-wicket victory in the second T20I. Hayley Matthews' unbeaten 85 overshadowed Smriti Mandhana's elegant 62 as the West Indies chased down India's 159/9 with ease.
Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 106 propelled Sunrisers Hyderabad to a formidable 286/6, aiding a 44-run victory over Rajasthan Royals. Traversing a blistering start, Kishan's innings showcased his return to form, backed by notable contributions from teammates, and solidifying SRH's dominance in high-scoring IPL matches.
David Warner praised 19-year-old Sam Konstas for his bold debut in the Boxing Day Test against India, where he impressed with a 60 off 65 innings, including a challenging 18-run over against Jasprit Bumrah. Warner urged selectors and fans to support Konstas' fearless approach, emphasizing its potential to inspire other players.
Wayne Parnell will continue to lead the Pretoria Capitals in the third season of SA20. Despite a challenging second season, Parnell remains committed to improving team performance and securing a trophy. He emphasises empowering team members and maintaining an aggressive, positive approach to the game. Parnell's personal contributions with both bat and ball are also highlighted.
Pakistan cricket is facing instability, particularly affecting star player Babar Azam, whose performance has declined amid frequent changes in leadership and management. Saeed Ajmal criticised former cricketers' harsh comments and urged a more supportive environment. The removal of Babar and Rizwan from captaincy roles is viewed as a hasty decision that may further harm the team's prospects.
Jasprit Bumrah achieved two remarkable milestones in the Brisbane Test against Australia, claiming his 10th five-wicket haul outside Asia and eighth in SENA countries, surpassing Kapil Dev's records in both. His 5/72 propelled him to become the leading international wicket-taker in 2024 with 73 dismissals, including 58 Test wickets at an average of 15.
Rajat Patidar, in his first term as RCB captain, achieved a historic win against CSK at Chepauk after 17 years. His exceptional leadership and personal performance were acknowledged by teammates, including Phil Salt, showcasing Patidar's strategic decisions and impactful innings in the game's most critical moments.
West Indies legend Clive Lloyd opposes the two-tier Test cricket proposal, stating it will hinder new teams' growth by confining them to a lower division. He emphasizes Test cricket's unmatched appeal and urges the ICC to create a fair system to support all teams equally. Lloyd also highlights financial challenges in sustaining Test cricket.
Desert Vipers defeated Gulf Giants by five wickets in ILT20 Season 3 at Dubai International Stadium. Max Holden scored 70 off 54 balls. Despite Tom Curran's 64 off 34 balls, Gulf Giants managed only 129/8. Wanindu Hasaranga and Sam Curran took three wickets each. Vipers secured a top-two finish in the league.