Author: WebDesk

Veteran New Zealand women’s batter Suzie Bates is banking on their pre-tournament preparations in Dubai to help the team adapt quickly to the challenging conditions expected at the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be played in India and Sri Lanka. After completing their training camp in Chennai, New Zealand arrived in Dubai earlier this week to prepare for the 50-over global event. To acclimatise to the hot and humid conditions of the subcontinent, the New Zealand players are putting in the hard work in Dubai, where the weather is extremely hot. Dubai is the same city where…

Pakistan T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha asserted that his team is prepared for any challenge after winning their final Group A fixture of the Asia Cup 2025 against the UAE. With the 47-run win in Dubai, Pakistan became the second team to qualify for the Super 4s after India. The Men in Green will be in action on eptember, when they take on arch-rivals India. Ahead of the high-octane match, Salman has instilled confidence in his team, saying they are capable of performing well against any opposition. “We are ready for any challenge. If we play good cricket, we can…

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has distanced himself from the on-field drama that unfolded at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium before the start of the match against the UAE, stating that the players were focused on the job at hand. There was uncertainty over whether the match would go ahead, due to the late arrival of the Pakistan team at the ground. Senior officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) held a meeting in Lahore to decide the fate of the team amid rumours that the former Asia Cup champions might pull out of the tournament. However, the match eventually…

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan accepted his share of the blame for his side’s narrow defeat to Bangladesh in the Group B fixture of the ongoing Asia Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on 16 September. Rashid was batting on 14 when Afghanistan needed 31 runs from three overs. Karim Janat was dismissed off the first ball of the 18th over, leaving the Afghanistan skipper as the last recognised batter. In the penultimate over of the run chase, Mustafizur Rahman dismissed Rashid for 20 off 11 deliveries, bringing his team closer to the brink of victory. “We were…

All-rounder Michael Bracewell will lead the 14-member squad in the three-match T20I series against Australia, in the absence of regular skipper Mitchell Santner, who is sidelined following abdominal surgery. Returning to the side are pace duo Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears. Kane Williamson, who recently signed a casual playing agreement with New Zealand Cricket, has made himself unavailable for the home series. Both Jamieson and Sears were not part of the New Zealand squad for the tri-series in Zimbabwe, which also featured South Africa. Jamieson missed the series after taking paternity leave for the birth of his first child, while…

Alick Athanaze and Tagenarine Chanderpaul have been recalled, while Khary Pierre has earned a maiden call-up in the West Indies side for the two-match Test series in India, starting on October 2. Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis, who were part of the squad in the previous Test series against Australia, have been left out. In this 15-member side, they have been replaced by Athanaze and Chanderpaul. Also omitted from the squad are middle-order batter Keacy Carty and all-rounder Johann Layne. “The return of Tagenarine Chanderpaul is to help transform our fortunes at the top of the order, given the recent…

Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott reckons his team will go into an important Group B fixture of the Asia Cup 2025 against Bangladesh as slight favourites. Historically, Afghanistan have had the upper hand over Bangladesh in the 20-over format, winning seven out of 12 T20Is. In their last five encounters, Afghanistan have emerged victorious on three occasions. “Since I’ve been with the side, we’ve had some memorable moments,” Trott recalled. “I think back to when we beat Bangladesh in a 50-over series in Bangladesh for the first time (in 2023). It had never been done before, and given how strong…

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally dismissed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request to remove Andy Pycroft from his role at the ongoing Asia Cup, stating that the match referee was not at fault during the India–Pakistan clash on 14 September. Reportedly, the ICC conveyed its decision to the PCB via letter last night, deeming their demand to be unfounded. After the match, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), called for the “immediate removal” of Pycroft from the rest of the Asia Cup. He alleged that Pycroft’s actions had…

Bangladesh’s spin consultant Mushtaq Ahmed recognises the threat posed by Afghanistan’s spinners and has also highlighted Bangladesh’s concerns during the middle overs ahead of their must-win Asia Cup fixture against Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s biggest strength lies in their spin department. They have as many as six quality spin-bowling options, capable of dismantling any batting line-up. With conditions in the UAE on the slower side, Mushtaq is well aware of the threat posed by Afghanistan’s spinners and the damage they can inflict during the middle phase of the game. “Their spin department is very good, especially in the middle overs,” he said.…

India A head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar has revealed that Abhimanyu Easwaran is highly motivated to push himself and perform in the upcoming series against Australia A. Despite being a part of the Indian Test set-up for nearly a year now, Easwaran hasn’t made his debut yet. Many players were given opportunities during the England tour, which marked the beginning of a new era for the Indian Test team, but Easwaran was not among them. “He’s an experienced player. He has captained Bengal and played a lot of senior-level cricket,” Kanitkar told reporters in Lucknow. “So we don’t have to tell…