Author: WebDesk

United Arab Emirates (UAE) head coach Lalchand Rajput believes his batters were overawed by India’s big names. His remarks came after the UAE lost their opening match of the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Although spinners dominated the game, taking six of the eleven wickets that fell, Rajput denied that it was a turning track and said his team should have batted out the full 20 overs. “It was not really a turning track; it was a good wicket to bat on,” Rajput said after the match. “But the skill these bowlers possess – especially…

Australia captain Pat Cummins is hopeful of starting to bowl again a month prior to the start of the home Ashes series. Currently recovering from a back issue, Cummins has been sidelined from all forms of cricket until the Ashes later this year. The 32-year-old pacer, who had initially planned to play a few Sheffield Shield matches before the home summer, will not take part in the ODI series against India or the tour of New Zealand. While he was previously unsure about being fit for the first Test, he’s now optimistic about returning slightly earlier than anticipated. “I’d imagine…

India spinner Kuldeep Yadav reflected on his bowling performance against the UAE in the second match of the Asia Cup 2025, played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 11 September. Playing in his first T20I in over a year, Kuldeep tore through the UAE batting line-up to finish with outstanding bowling figures of 4 for 7 in just 2.1 overs. He outshone the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy and Shivam Dube, who each claimed three wickets. Kuldeep had been in England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy but did not play a match. Before arriving in the UAE, he had…

The third ODI of the three-match series between Australia Women and India Women, scheduled for 1 March 2026, has been shifted from Melbourne’s Junction Oval to Hobart’s Bellerive Oval. Cricket Australia confirmed the change of venue on Wednesday. Cricket Victoria informed Cricket Australia that the new floodlights at Junction Oval would not be ready before the match, and that ongoing installation efforts would render certain areas of the venue off-limits to spectators. “We are disappointed to have had to move this match from Junction Oval and that there will be no women’s international match in Melbourne this season,” said Peter…

Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai acknowledged the support of captain Rashid Khan and the coach after his all-round brilliance helped Afghanistan win the Asia Cup 2025 opener against Hong Kong by 94 runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Batting first, Afghanistan posted a challenging total of 188. While the in-form opener Sediqullah Atal top-scored with an unbeaten 73 and carried his bat, it was Omarzai’s innings that provided the late flourish. Coming in at number six for the seventh time in his career, Omarzai smashed five sixes and two fours en route to his maiden T20I fifty. Having…

Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen continued her march in the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool on Tuesday with a 5:0 win over Japan’s Yuma Nishinaka in the women’s 51kg pre-quarterfinals. The 29-year-old faced a spirited fight from the Japanese in the opening round but there was no stopping the Indian, who is playing her first international event this year. In fact, the Japanese even received two penalty points for excessive clinching as she tried to break Nikhat’s rhythm. India has fielded a 20-member contingent at the inaugural World Championships being held under the aegis of the World Boxing – a…

Veteran all-rounder Jalaj Saxena has decided to part ways with Kerala. The 38-year-old had been part of the Kerala setup since the 2016–17 season, marking the end of a nine-season stint. “It’s never easy to put my feelings into words, but today I want to share something close to my heart,” Jalaj wrote in his Instagram post. “I have played my last game in Kerala colours, and that thought still feels surreal. Saying this brings a strange mix of emotions – gratitude, pride, and a little ache. Over the years, this team has given me more than just cricket. It…

Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson believes that beating a spin-heavy Afghanistan side in the tri-nation series final, held in spin-friendly Sharjah conditions, will boost Pakistan’s confidence heading into the Asia Cup. In a low-scoring encounter, Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 75 runs in the triangular series. The Men in Green outclassed their neighbours in a spin fest. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz claimed a five-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, and was the architect of the win. With the Asia Cup set to be hosted in the UAE, Pakistan will head into the continental tournament better prepared. “We have beaten Afghanistan in…

The pace trio of Josh Little, Mark Adair, and Fionn Hand will miss the upcoming home T20I series against England, starting on 17 September. Uncapped Ben Calitz has been named in a 14-member squad and is in line to make his international debut against the two-time world champions. For the first time, Ireland will be hosting England for a T20I series. “While every match against England is a special occasion, this series takes on extra importance given we are now less than six months away from the next T20 World Cup,” said Andrew White, Ireland’s National Men’s Selector. “These matches…

Pakistan will host Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in a tri-nation T20I series, scheduled to be played from 17 to 29 November, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday. This will be Pakistan’s first time hosting a triangular series. It will also mark Afghanistan’s first T20I assignment in Pakistan. All three teams will play each other twice, before the top two advance to the final in Lahore on 29 November. “We look forward to hosting Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for Pakistan’s maiden T20I tri-series,” said PCB Chief Operating Officer, Sumair Ahmed Syed. “This event will not only offer excellent preparation…