Author: WebDesk

Vaibhav Tripathi Bangladesh has suffered a major setback ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 as Litton Das, their wicket-keeper batter, has been ruled out of the tournament due to a viral fever. In his absence, 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Anamul Haque Bijoy has been designated as his replacement. Bijoy is scheduled to join the team in Sri Lanka on Wednesday, August 30. Minhajul Abedin, the Chairman of the National Selection Panel, revealed that Das didn’t travel to Sri Lanka for Bangladesh’s inaugural match in Pallekele, scheduled for August 31. “He (Anamul) has been in the runs in domestic cricket and we have…

Vaibhav Tripathi Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam, has downplayed the pressure associated with their top-ranking status in ODIs, asserting that entering the Asia Cup as the world’s number one team only bolsters their confidence. “I would not say that there is a pressure. Rather, we enter this tournament with more confidence. This team has put in a lot of hard work and effort over the last few years and we achieving the top spot is a testimony of it,” Babar said in the pre-match press-conference of the Asia Cup opener in Multan. Speaking on the eve of the Asia Cup opener…

Vaibhav Tripathi Ahead of their opening match in the Asia Cup, against Nepal at Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday (August 30), Pakistan have declared their playing XI. In the midst of selection deliberations, Pakistan had to choose between Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir for their second spinner’s role. Ultimately, they opted for left-arm spinner Nawaz, who is handy with the bat lower down the order. Faheem Ashraf’s name was also discussed, but the team management placed their trust in the dynamic trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf for spearheading the fast bowling unit. Entering the Asia Cup…

Vaibhav Tripathi Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the 15-member squad for this year’s Asia Cup, with four key players unfortunately ruled out due to injuries. Leg-spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who shone as the top run-scorer and highest wicket-taker in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), is absent due to a thigh strain incurred during the tournament. Additionally, pacers Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara won’t be part of the squad due to their respective injuries. Chameera is grappling with a pectoral injury, Madushanka sustained an injury during a practice match last week, and Kumara is sidelined with a side…

Vaibhav Tripathi Recognising the weight of expectations before and during the World Cup, Virat Kohli has acknowledged there is pressure on him and the Indian team. At the same time, the players are high on desire to win, the ace batter said. “Pressure is always there. The fans always say we want (the team) to win a cup very badly. I’d like to say not more than me. So, I’m in the right place. I know there are expectations and emotions of the people. But please know that no one wants to win more than the players,” Kohli said during…

Vaibhav Tripathi Amid the various conjectures surrounding KL Rahul’s fitness, the head coach of the Indian team, Rahul Dravid, has offered a status update on the wicket-keeper batter. Dravid mentioned that Rahul is recovering satisfactorily, yet he won’t be participating in the first two matches of the forthcoming Asia Cup 2023, set to commence tomorrow on August 30. “KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the Asia Cup 2023,” said Head Coach Rahul Dravid ahead of the 2023 Asia Cup (as quoted by BCCI).…

Vaibhav Tripathi Suryakumar Yadav, India’s middle-order batter, shared his commitment to unlocking success in the 50-over format ahead of the Asia Cup. He mentioned engaging in discussions with head coach Rahul Dravid, skipper Rohit Sharma, and talismanic batter Virat Kohli regarding this endeavor. “I feel the role which will be given to me, I will try to maintain that role, and if it’s a changed role I will try and do that. But yeah, this is one format which I’m really looking forward to doing well in. Everyone is saying that ‘T20 is going good for me, both are white…

Vaibhav Tripathi India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma, recently shared his experience of receiving crucial support from Yuvraj Singh during a challenging phase in his career. After being excluded from India’s ODI World Cup 2011 squad, Rohit was disheartened. Expressing his emotions, Rohit recounted how Yuvraj reached out to him, taking him out for dinner. “I was sad and sitting in my room and didn’t know what to do next. I remember Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh) calling me to his room and taking me out for dinner. He (Yuvraj) explained to me how it feels when you are left out. “He told me,…

Vaibhav Tripathi New Zealand has suffered a setback as seasoned all-rounder Jimmy Neesham pulled himself out of the upcoming 4-match T20I series against England, commencing in Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, August 30. Neesham will be returning home to be by the side of his wife who is expecting their first child. In place of Neesham, spin-bowling all-rounder Cole McConchie will step into the 15-man T20I squad for the series against England. McConchie had recently been part of the Blackcaps team that secured a 2-1 victory over UAE, contributing 40 runs across two matches, with a top score of 31*. Initially slated…

Vaibhav Tripathi Karim Janat, who last played an ODI game six years ago, has been recalled alongside Sharafuddin Ashraf. Afghanistan’s 17-member squad for the 2023 Asia Cup, scheduled from August 30 to September 17, was unveiled by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday, August 27. Azmatullah Omarzai, recovering from an injury sustained in the Pakistan ODI series, has been left out. Meanwhile, veteran all-rounder Gulbadin Naib retains his spot. Notably, Shahidullah Kamal, Fareed Ahmed Malik, and Wafadar Momand are among the other exclusions alongside Omarzai. Afghanistan is slated to kick off their campaign against Bangladesh in Lahore on September 3,…