Fakhar Zaman is set to return to international cricket for Pakistan's Champions Trophy after an eight-month break due to illness and fitness issues. He criticizes the PCB's handling of player selection and expresses optimism about young talent Saim Ayub's recovery from an injury.
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Batting maestro Virat Kohli highlighted the importance of India's victory over personal achievements after his crucial 84-run knock helped secure a win against Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday. Kohli stressed that team success is paramount and personal milestones occur naturally when the focus remains on winning.
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.
Australia faces setbacks as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to injuries, with Steve Smith or Travis Head likely to replace Cummins as captain. Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis are also out, leaving the team with significant selection challenges ahead of the tournament starting February 19 in Pakistan.
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.
Following his retirement, Mohammed Shami praised Wriddhiman Saha for his remarkable contributions to cricket. Saha, renowned for his glove work, played 141 First-Class games and 40 Tests for India. His IPL journey includes memorable moments, notably a century in the 2014 final. Saha retired after this Ranji Trophy season, ending an illustrious career.
Chennai Super Kings faced their second consecutive IPL defeat on Sunday, losing by six runs to Rajasthan Royals. The match showcased contrasting fielding efforts, with RR players excelling while CSK struggled. Ambati Rayudu highlighted CSK's poor fielding, stressing the impact of missed chances on close games. Riyan Parag’s game-changing catch exemplified RR's sharp fielding crucial for their victory.
18-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored an impressive 97 off 51 balls, leading the Paarl Royals to a nine-wicket win over Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Pretorius and Joe Root formed a strong partnership, while Kwena Maphaka and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman excelled in bowling. Aiden Markram's 82 off 49 balls helped Sunrisers to 175/5, but it wasn't enough.
Lucknow Super Giants aim for their first home win this season against Punjab Kings at Ekana International Stadium, with skipper Rishabh Pant eager to make a mark. After a narrow loss to Delhi Capitals and a strong comeback against Sunrisers Hyderabad, LSG looks to continue their momentum, relying on top-order batsmen and a strategic spin attack.
PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten 97 in the IPL 2025 opener against GT. He chose to prioritise the team’s total over his milestone century. His selfless leadership impressed fans and former cricketers. Shreyas has consistently demonstrated team-first mentality, as evidenced by his performance in the 2014/15 Ranji Trophy season.
India's captain Rohit Sharma has equalled Brian Lara's record of losing 12 consecutive ODI tosses, a streak that began in November 2023 and lasted until March 2025. Team India has lost 15 consecutive tosses in ODIs till date. Despite this streak, India reached the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Dubai.