Former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan has been appointed as Afghanistan cricket team's mentor for the 2025 Champions Trophy, beginning February 19. The high-stakes tournament, with 15 matches held across Pakistan and Dubai, will see eight teams competing. Naseeb Khan, Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO, expressed confidence in Younis' expertise given the conditions.
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Ravi Shastri criticized England for not putting in enough training effort during their tour in India, implying it affected their performance. However, Jos Buttler defended the team's training regimen, stating they had trained sufficiently despite some skipped sessions due to the tour's length.
Usman Khawaja wore a black armband during the Sydney Test against India to honor the late Melissa Prince, wife of his friend Ashwell Prince. Melissa passed away on Sunday after battling cancer. Khawaja and Prince became close friends during their time playing for Lancashire in English County cricket.
Ben Duckett's half-century in Rajkot helped England secure a victory and strengthened his position in the T20 lineup. Facing pressure after low scores, Duckett trusted his game and focused on handling spinners aggressively, which proved successful.
England's Jamie Smith returns for their Champions Trophy opener against Australia in Lahore. Absent from the previous ODI series against India, Smith will bat at No. 3 and keep wickets. England has included Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Mark Wood in their pace attack.
Axar Patel's elevation to the No. 5 slot in the Indian cricket team lineup has paid off, as he proved his batting prowess with significant contributions, including a crucial knock of 47 runs in the T20 World Cup final. His performance demonstrates his capability as a batting allrounder, complementing his left-arm spin and reliable fielding skills.
ICC chairman Jay Shah attended the Brisbane 2032 Olympic committee meeting, discussing cricket's exciting future in the Olympics. Shah played a key role in cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, highlighting its global fanbase and potential for growth. He believes Olympic participation will boost the sport's reach into new markets.
Nitish Reddy's remarkable unbeaten century as India's lower-order batsman, accompanied by his guidance to Mohammed Siraj, bolstered the team's performance in the Boxing Day Test. Former coach Ravi Shastri proposes Reddy's promotion in the batting order to enhance India's balance and strategy for the final Test in Sydney. India's batting has appeared fragile, especially with skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant struggling for runs in the five-Test series so far.
Gautam Gambhir's tenure as India's head coach faces scrutiny with mixed results across formats so far. While successful in T20Is (6/6 wins), the Test performance, especially the 1-3 defeat in Australia and batting issues, raises concerns. Support staff's effectiveness is also under scrutiny going forward. India's next Test assignment is the five-match series in England in June-July.
England's fast bowler Brydon Carse is likely to miss the crucial Group B match against Afghanistan due to a blister on his left foot. His absence could impact England's chances of securing a semi-final spot, with Jamie Overton being considered as a replacement in the playing XI. England seeks a win to stay in contention after their defeat to Australia.
Steve Smith, Australia's Test captain, is dealing with an elbow injury but is expected to attend the pre-tour camp in Dubai. Spinner Matthew Kuhnemann is recovering from thumb surgery and may join the squad in Sri Lanka. Pat Cummins continues to be monitored for ankle soreness, missing Tests for the birth of his second child.