Cricket

Shafali, Deepti power India into 10th Asia Cup final

Both teams were sub-par with their fielding, but India comfortably prevailed over Bangladesh in Dubai

Womens Asia Cup: Shafali Verma's 64, Deepti's Three-fer Help India Beat Bangladesh, Reach Final

Opener Shafali Verma: Opener Shafali Verma slammed a fiery 64 off 40 balls while seasoned spinner Deepti Sharma claimed 3-26 as India surged to a comprehensive 40-run victory over Bangladesh in the first semifinal of the Women's Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium here on Thursday. Asked to bat first, seven-time Asia Cup winner India recovered from early setbacks with Shafali Verma slamming another half-century, hitting seven boundaries and three sixes in her 40-ball knock, to help India post a competitive 149/6 in their 20 overs. Deepti then delivered a superb performance, along with the Indian women spinners, and helped them derail Bangladesh's chase and restrict them to 109/7 in 20 overs, winning the match and made i9t to the final. Chasing a stiff target of 150 runs, Bangladesh women made a slow start, with openers Dilara Akter (21) and Juairiya Ferdous (14) raising 26 runs for the opening wicket in the sixth over. But Juairiya's departure for am 18-ball 14 gave India the chance, and they established their ascendancy. Shree Charani made the breakthrough by sending back Juairiya, and though Sohana Mostary (18) and captain Nigar Sultana (19) made starts, they got out to Deepti Sharma to turn things in India's favour. With wickets falling at regular intervals, seasoned Sharmin Akter (1) and Fahima Khatun (14) could not provide Shorna Akter enough support as they went down tamely against an Indian side that was never threatened in the match. Shorna finished with 3-26 while Nandini Sharma (2-10) struck two blows in the last over; Shree Charani (1-14) and Prema Rawat (1-21) tied the Bangladesh batters in the middle overs as India romped to victory. Earlier, on a slow pitch, where conditions aided spinners, and every other batter struggled to time the ball well, Shafali was calculative in her shot selection playing mostly in the V to hit seven fours and three sixes to reach her 20th T20I fifty. Her innings was also a blend of brute force and wristy bottom-hand power, apart from playing an inventive reverse sweep. Bangladesh, though, will have themselves to blame as they dropped Shafali on 6, 11 and 56 and also missed a straightforward run-out chance. In all, they had a sloppy fielding unit performance. With run-scoring tough on the pitch, India will fancy her chances to enter the final on Sunday. Invited to bat first, India got off to a quiet start as Marufa Akter conceded just seven runs in the opening over, as Shafali opened her account with a flicked four. But Bangladesh got a breakthrough in the second over when off-spinner Sultana Khatun removed vice-captain Smriti Mandhana for two, who top-edged a catch to mid-on. Sultana had previously dropped a sitter off Shafali on the third ball of the same over. Shafali capitalised on the reprieve by hitting back-to-back sixes off Sultana in the fourth over before Pratika Rawal joined the act with a cover-driven four off Marufa. Pratika then launched leg-spinner Rabeya Khan over cow corner for a maximum in the sixth over to take India to 45/1 at the end of the Powerplay. The 50-run partnership for the second wicket came up in the tenth over before Rabeya broke the stand by removing Pratika for 20, as her top edge was caught by cover. After skipper Harmanpreet Kaur survived a direct hit on her very first delivery after a mix-up with Shafali at the non-striker's end, the latter brought up her half-century off 35 balls in the 13th over. She smashed two consecutive boundaries off Sultana before the off-spinner finally had a catch when substitute fielder Farjana Easmin took the catch at deep mid-wicket. Richa Ghosh provided late-order impetus, clearing the ropes off Rabeya and Shorna Akter in her 16-ball 21 before being stumped by Nigar Sultana off Nahida Akter in the 19th over. Harmanpreet, who struggled to find her timing for most of her innings, broke free with a towering maximum over deep mid-wicket off Nahida in the same over. Despite her being scratchy, Deepti Sharma turned on the screws in the final over by launching Marufa for a four and a six off consecutive deliveries to score a quickfire 13 off six balls. But Deepti was caught at mid-off on the fifth delivery, while Bharti Fulmali was run out on the final ball of the innings as India collected 12 runs from the 20th over to finish one run shy of the 150-mark. Richa Ghosh provided late-order impetus, clearing the ropes off Rabeya and Shorna Akter in her 16-ball 21 before being stumped by Nigar Sultana off Nahida Akter in the 19th over. Harmanpreet, who struggled to find her timing for most of her innings, broke free with a towering maximum over deep mid-wicket off Nahida in the same over. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories India 149/6 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 64, Harmanpreet Kaur 24 not out; Sultana Khatun 2-30, Rabeya Khan 1-22) beat Bangladesh 109/7 in 20 overs (Shorna Akter 22 not out, Dilara Akter 21; Deepti Sharma 3-26, Nandani Sharma 2-10, Shree Charani 1-14) by 40 runs Article Source: IANS

India women defeat Bangladesh by 40 runs, storm into Asia Cup 2026 final

Riding onto the blistering innings by Shafali Verma and a strong bowling performance by Deepti Sharma, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women's cricket team defeated Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday to storm into the final of the Asia Cup 2026, which will be played on Sunday.

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Womens Asia Cup: Getting To Almost 150 Meant A Lot To Us, Says Richa Ghosh

Dubai International Stadium: India wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh expressed satisfaction over the team reaching almost 150 in the Women's Asia Cup semifinal against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Thursday. Richa, who chipped in with a vital 16-ball 21 featuring two sixes, noted that the team had been actively working towards setting such totals in recent matches, as India ended up making 149/6 on a slow pitch. A win for India, seven-time champions, over 2018 edition winners Bangladesh will help them seal their spot in the title clash on Sunday. It meant a lot because we had to continue. We had been trying to do this for a few matches before as well, but today we managed to do it, and that feels really good. I think everyone supports us, whoever bats first and whoever goes in to bat. They help me a lot in reading the pitch, Richa said to broadcasters at the mid-innings break. Propelled by opener Shafali Verma's fiery 64 off 40 balls, India recovered from early stumbles, including the early loss of vice-captain Smriti Mandhana for two, to put up a competitive total. Apart from Richa, Deepti Sharma's quickfire 13 off six balls pushed India within touching distance of the 150-mark, despite skipper Harmanpreet Kaur being off-colour. It meant a lot because we had to continue. We had been trying to do this for a few matches before as well, but today we managed to do it, and that feels really good. I think everyone supports us, whoever bats first and whoever goes in to bat. They help me a lot in reading the pitch, Richa said to broadcasters at the mid-innings break. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Speaking on the conditions at the Dubai International Stadium, where Bangladesh spinners Rabeya Khan and Sultana Khatun thrived by maintaining tight lines during the middle overs, Richa noted that the pitch offered assistance to the spinners. It's really important because you need to understand how the wicket is reacting. It was slow, and there was some turn, so it's really important. Article Source: IANS

Womens Asia Cup: Shafali Verma's 64 Propels India To 149/6 Against Bangladesh

Dubai International Stadium: Opener Shafali Verma slammed a fiery 64 off 40 balls as India recovered from early stumbles to post a competitive 149/6 in their 20 overs against Bangladesh in the first semi-final of the Women's Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium here on Thursday. On a slow pitch, where conditions aided spinners and every other batter struggled to time the ball well, Shafali was calculative in her shot selection playing mostly in the V to hit seven fours and three sixes to reach her 20th T20I fifty. Her innings was also a blend of brute force and wristy bottom-hand power, apart from playing an inventive reverse sweep. Bangladesh, though, will have themselves to blame as they dropped Shafali on 6, 11 and 56 and also missed a straightforward run-out chance. In all, they had a sloppy fielding unit performance. With run-scoring tough on the pitch, India will fancy her chances to enter the final on Sunday. Invited to bat first, India got off to a quiet start as Marufa Akter conceded just seven runs in the opening over, as Shafali opened her account with a flicked four. But Bangladesh got a breakthrough in the second over when off-spinner Sultana Khatun removed vice-captain Smriti Mandhana for two, who top-edged a catch to mid-on. Sultana had previously dropped a sitter off Shafali on the third ball of the same over. Shafali capitalised on the reprieve by hitting back-to-back sixes off Sultana in the fourth over before Pratika Rawal joined the act with a cover-driven four off Marufa. Pratika then launched leg-spinner Rabeya Khan over cow corner for a maximum in the sixth over to take India to 45/1 at the end of the Powerplay. The 50-run partnership for the second wicket came up in the tenth over before Rabeya broke the stand by removing Pratika for 20, as her top edge was caught by cover. After skipper Harmanpreet Kaur survived a direct hit on her very first delivery after a mix-up with Shafali at the non-striker's end, the latter brought up her half-century off 35 balls in the 13th over. She smashed two consecutive boundaries off Sultana before the off-spinner finally had a catch when substitute fielder Farjana Easmin took the catch at deep mid-wicket. Richa Ghosh provided late-order impetus, clearing the ropes off Rabeya and Shorna Akter in her 16-ball 21 before being stumped by Nigar Sultana off Nahida Akter in the 19th over. Harmanpreet, who struggled to find her timing for most of her innings, broke free with a towering maximum over deep mid-wicket off Nahida in the same over. Despite her being scratchy, Deepti Sharma turned on the screws in the final over by launching Marufa for a four and a six off consecutive deliveries to score a quickfire 13 off six balls. But Deepti was caught at mid-off on the fifth delivery, while Bharti Fulmali was run out on the final ball of the innings as India collected 12 runs from the 20th over to finish one run shy of the 150-mark. Richa Ghosh provided late-order impetus, clearing the ropes off Rabeya and Shorna Akter in her 16-ball 21 before being stumped by Nigar Sultana off Nahida Akter in the 19th over. Harmanpreet, who struggled to find her timing for most of her innings, broke free with a towering maximum over deep mid-wicket off Nahida in the same over. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories India 149/6 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 64, Harmanpreet Kaur 24 not out; Sultana Khatun 2-30, Rabeya Khan 1-22) against Bangladesh Article Source: IANS

Asia Cup Semis: Shafali's Lucky 64 Powers India to 149 Vs B'desh

Shafali Verma's fortunate innings of 64 runs, despite being dropped three times, was instrumental in helping India post a competitive total of 149 for five against Bangladesh in the Women's Asia Cup semifinal. Other Indian batters struggled on a challenging pitch, but Verma's aggressive play ensured India reached a defendable score.

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Sher-E-Punjab T20: Naman Dhirs 95 powers Amritsar Soormas to third straight win

Digital Desk | Mohali, Sep 10 (IANS) Amritsar Soormas continued their impressive late-season surge in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League with a thrilling nine-run win over Jalandhar Warriors, securing their third consecutive victory and strengthening their playoff push. Batting first, the Soormas posted 178/9, powered by another sensational knock from Naman Dhir, who followed his match-winning 173 in the previous game with a blazing 95 off 48 balls, including six fours and eight sixes. Dhir struck at 197.92, once again putting the opposition under pressure and giving Amritsar a strong platform. Jalandhar mounted a spirited response, led by Randeep Singh (32 off 22), with Prabhsimran Singh (28) and Aryan Yadav (26) also contributing. However, Amritsar kept striking at crucial moments to restrict the Warriors to 169/8. Jaipartap Singh Johal, Akash Pandey and Shubham Rana picked up two wickets apiece, while Dhir also chipped in with 1/15. The win takes Amritsar Soormas to second place with eight points from seven matches, ahead of Jalandhar on net run rate. Having won their last three games, the Soormas are now firmly in contention for a top-four finish, with just one league-stage game remaining. Amritsar will close out their league campaign against Ludhiana Lions on Friday (September 11) at 7 PM at the I.S. Bindra Stadium, Mohali. With the playoff race finely poised, the Soormas will look to carry their winning momentum into the final game and strengthen their case for a top-four finish. Skipper Ramandeep Singh led from the front with a blistering, unbeaten 71 off 36 balls as Mohali Kings stormed into the semifinals of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League with a five-wicket win over Bathinda Royals at the I.S. Bindra Stadium on Wednesday. Chasing a competitive target of 185, Mohali Kings got off to a disastrous start, losing two wickets with just four runs on the board. But skipper Ramandeep and Anmolpreet Singh (49 off 28 balls) revived the chase with a crucial 52-run stand for the third wicket before Ramandeep took control to take his side over the line.

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Why You May Not Be Able to Watch India-Afghanistan T20I in Delhi? Here

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'Sher-E-Punjab T20 League is an opportunity for IPL': Ludhiana Lions' Salil Arora

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Ludhiana Lions wicketkeeper-batter Salil Arora has called the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League an opportunity for the young players to catch the attention of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises and play in the cash-rich league. Speaking to IANS, Arora emphasised that the players who do well in this tournament can have a bright future, as the Indian national selectors also pay a visit to watch matches. This is a very good league. It's an opportunity for youngsters to play IPL. A strong performance here can lead to an IPL contract, Arora told IANS. On top of that, you get experience by playing in a big league like this. And there are selectors who come here, like the IPL selectors and the Indian selectors. So this is a very big opportunity for us, he added. Arora has been a strong performer for Ludhiana as they sit close to a place in the semifinal. He has played a few fiery knocks, including a 38-ball 78 against Fazilka Falcons. The young batter reflected on his performances in the tournament. I am getting a lot of confidence (from these knocks). So, I will try to carry this momentum forward in the next match. We want to win the next match and play the semifinals. Salil, who has played U19 cricket for India, is currently part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and has been impressive in the limited time he got to bat in the death overs. He opened on his first-year IPL experience and the time he spent with the likes of Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma. Yes, they told me beforehand that my role would be as a finisher. And players like Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma, they used to back me all the time. Like, there were 1-2 matches that didn't go well. They used to back me and motivate me that I will do it. And the coaches used to tell me that I am a good player and I will do it. So they didn't let my confidence go down. So in the end, positive results came, he added. Arora wants to play for India next as he aims for another strong Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, having scored 358 runs in the previous edition, when he was Punjab's leading run-scorer in the domestic T20 tournament. Yes, I see the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as a strong opportunity. I want to perform there and then go to IPL. And then I want to perform in the IPL and play for the Indian team. This is my dream and my goal, he said.

India vs Bangladesh LIVE Score, Women's Asia Cup Semi-Final: Shafali Verma Stunned By Bangladesh Pacer In 1st Over

India vs Bangladesh Women LIVE Score Updates: The focus is on the opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma as India are batting first against Bangladesh.

Womens Asia Cup: Both teams unchanged as Bangladesh elect to bowl against India

Digital Desk | Dubai, Sep 10 (IANS) Bangladesh have won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the first semi-final of the 2026 Womens Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday. Both teams are unchanged from their previous clashes in the high-stakes knockout clash. The winner of this clash will seal their place in the final to be played on Sunday. Seven-time champions India enter the crucial semi-final on the back of an unbeaten run in Group A, where they recorded a series of clinical victories over Thailand, Hong Kong-China and Pakistan. To be honest, we thought of batting first only because we thought having runs on the board would give us a lot of confidence, and it's good that we got batting first. Definitely. T20 format is like that - you can't take any team lightly, and the result is always uncertain. Today is a fresh game, and we have to go with a positive approach. I've been saying that this pitch is really tricky. You can't really set something in your mind, but let's see how our batting power play goes, and accordingly we'll see how much we can put on board, said India captain Harmanpreet Kaur. In contrast, 2018 edition winners Bangladesh navigated a turbulent time to reach the last four stage, including emerging victorious in a must-win game against the UAE on Tuesday to finish second in Group B. We want to bowl first, seeing the conditions. We want to give our bowlers the wicket to work on. I think it's just a new day. We're just looking forward to playing good cricket here because it's been a long time. We definitely have some good memories from (2018 triumph), but it's an important day for all of us because it's our last game in this tournament. It could not be the last game because if we could do well here, maybe we might get another chance (in the final), said Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty. Playing XIs: India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Deepti Sharma, Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (wk), Prema Rawat, N Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, and Nandni Sharma Bangladesh: Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana (captain & wk), Sharmin Akhter, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, and Marufa Akter

Bangladesh bowl against India, both teams unchanged

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Gavaskar, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Launch Guwahati International Marathon; 12,000 Runners Expected

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa: The inaugural Guwahati International Marathon was officially launched in Guwahati on Thursday, with the first edition scheduled to be held on February 7, 2027, and around 12,000 participants are expected to take part in various race categories. The marathon was formally announced at a press conference by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the presence of Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar. Promoted by PMG Sports LLP, the event will feature a 42.195km full marathon, 21.097km half marathon, 10km run, 5km run and 1.5km run. The organisers have announced a total prize purse of Rs 1.25 crore, giving the event a strong competitive edge and attracting elite athletes and professional runners from India and abroad. The full marathon is expected to feature 30 leading male and female distance runners from around the world, along with Indias top long-distance athletes. Speaking at the launch, Sarma said the marathon was a matter of pride for Assam and would help establish Guwahati as a destination for sport, fitness and sports tourism. This is more than a marathon; it is a powerful statement of Guwahatis readiness to emerge as a leading destination for sport, fitness and sports tourism. The event will bring together runners and communities from across India and the world, while showcasing Assams rich culture, natural beauty and renowned hospitality, Sarma said. He added that the event could develop into an annual sporting tradition and inspire greater participation in fitness and sport across the state. In a symbolic moment at the launch, Gavaskar presented Bib No. 1 to Sarma, marking the Chief Ministers endorsement of the event. Gavaskar said Guwahati had the potential to become one of the worlds recognised marathon destinations. Running has a unique power to bring people together, across communities, cultures and every walk of life. I believe this is the right time for Guwahati to join the worlds great marathon cities, Gavaskar said. Our vision is to build the Guwahati International Marathon into an iconic global event, attracting leading runners from across the world, he added. Indian badminton star P.V. Sindhu will be the brand ambassador of the event. The marathon and other races will start and finish at the historic Judges Field. The proposed route will take runners towards Gauhati University, across the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, towards IIT Guwahati and back to Judges Field, including another crossing of the bridge. The course has been measured by Australias Kim Vivian, a Grade A Certified Road Race Course Measurer of World Athletics. Richard Hunter of the UK will serve as Race Director, while Ian Ladbrooke will be the International Elite Athlete Coordinator. Former Asian Marathon Champion Sunita Godara will be the India Elite Athlete Coordinator. The course has been measured by Australias Kim Vivian, a Grade A Certified Road Race Course Measurer of World Athletics. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The organisers said the marathon aims to develop into an annual international event while promoting fitness, sports tourism, community participation and the global sporting profile of Guwahati and Assam. Article Source: IANS

Afg-India T20I opener on schedule despite BRICS Summit

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'Dream is to play for India': Salil Arora wants more SMAT, IPL success for national cap

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Salil Arora is looking ahead to the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Indian Premier League as he looks to fulfil his dream of playing for India in the future. The 23-year-old, who is currently playing for Ludhiana Lions in the ongoing Sher-E-Punjab T20 League, had a stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign in 2025-26 and also impressed many with his exploits in the IPL 2026. Arora was Punjab's leading run-scorer in the SMAT 2025-26, having scored 358 runs in eight innings, including a maverick unbeaten 125 off 45 balls against Jharkhand. His SMAT exploits helped him earn an IPL contract with the SRH ahead of the 2026 season, and he impressed in his limited time at the crease in the death overs, with a notable knock of 30 off just 10 balls being one of his major highlights from the season. Speaking to IANS, Arora revealed that his dream remains to play for India as he is eyeing another strong SMAT and an IPL and is not looking to take pressure from his previous strong outings. Yes, I see the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as a strong opportunity. I want to perform there and then go to the IPL. And then I want to perform in the IPL and play for the Indian team. This is my dream and my goal, he told IANS. Arora, the wicketkeeper batter, is currently part of the leadership group of Ludhiana in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League and has led the side in the absence of Arshdeep Singh. He has played a few fiery knocks, including a 38-ball 78 against Fazilka Falcons, and has also batted higher up the order at No.3 in the tournament. The young batter shared that the outings in the state franchise league have helped him, while he also opened on the change in batting position in the league. I am getting a lot of confidence (from these knocks). So, I will try to carry this momentum forward in the next match. We want to win the next match and play the semifinals. I felt the need to bat higher up the order, as per the requirements of the team. So as I changed the batting order, the result was also positive. So I thought I should play up, he said, highlighting his unbeaten 78 off 38 deliveries.

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Even Kohli faces hatred; handling it is a real challenge: Kartik Chadha on tackling scrutiny

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Kartik Chadha knows that reaching the Indian cricket team is an enormous challenge. But for the young leg-spinner, getting there may not be the only battle. He believes handling the scrutiny that comes with playing for India particularly in the era of social media could be an even bigger test. Kartik identified Virat Kohli as an example of how intense that scrutiny can be, even for a player who has already achieved extraordinary success for the country. However, he was quick to acknowledge the gulf between his own career and what Kohli has achieved, but said the criticism faced by even the biggest names illustrates the mental challenge awaiting players at the highest level. Everyone has seen that my googly can be a bit deceptive. That will be my weapon. The challenging part will be how confident you are in such a large environment. Because now that social media has entered the picture, Virat Kohli also faces hatred and criticism. We are nothing compared to what he has achieved. He has done extraordinary things for India and continues to do so, but he still receives hate. Virat Kohli also faces hatred and criticism. The real challenge is figuring out how to handle this. So, mindset will be the key challenge, Kartik told IANS in an exclusive interaction on Thursday. For Kartik, the experience of being around IPL cricket has brought the India dream into clearer focus, but it has also made him more conscious of how difficult the final step is. Reaching the level of Indian cricket is extremely challenging. Playing for CSK and heading there was significant, but just going to India is a major milestone. Now, you must perform consistently to aim for India, Kartik stated. Rather than becoming consumed by the prospect of selection, Kartik wants to concentrate on the opportunities immediately available to him. My focus is on whatever platform I havewhether now or in the future. Thats what cricket demands: staying focused on the present. While representing India is important, the key is to excel in the present. He believes that looking too far ahead can actually undermine the performance required to make that future possible. Overthinking the future can jeopardise the current opportunities. Therefore, I concentrate on making the most of my present and giving my best. If I dwell on the pressure, I might perform poorly here and in franchise leagues as well. I dont think I can succeed at this level either. The fierce competition for places in Indian cricket is another factor Kartik is conscious of, particularly with so many spinners competing for limited opportunities. Considering Indias large population and the many people who play cricket, constantly thinking about the competition and the many spinners available makes me worried about my performance. Therefore, I want to focus on seizing the opportunities I have now. His philosophy is ultimately to ensure that whatever happens in the future, he does not look back with regret at an opportunity he failed to maximise. My goal is to do my best so that when I sleep, I have no regrets about not giving my all today. I believe I have tried my best, and I leave the rest to God, trusting that he will recognise my hard work and decide if I deserve success or not. That mindset also extends to how Kartik responds when a batter gets the better of him. The leg-spinner believes two successful shots can sometimes create overconfidence in the batter and an opportunity for the bowler. Its true that when batsmen get overconfidentthinking theyll hit every ball because theyve already connected twicethey tend to focus less on accuracy. They might believe that since theyve hit two balls, they can hit the third and fourth too. Kartik says the key in such moments is to erase what has already happened and concentrate entirely on the next delivery. During such moments, its important to ignore those previous successful shots and focus solely on the next ball. The margin for error should be minimal in that situation. He believes the confidence gained from hitting boundaries can also tempt a batter into taking another risk. The batsman remains confident because of those hits, which might lead him to try for the third, increasing the chance that the bowler can get him out on that ball. At that point, the batsman needs to trust his skills and back himself. For a young leg-spinner chasing the India dream, that balance between ambition and staying present may ultimately prove as important as the googly that has become his most talked-about weapon.

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England tightened their grip on Pakistan at Edgbaston, stretching their lead to 166 runs as Brook and Lawrence attacked before falling, while Smith and Atkinson survived late scares.

The Joy Of Bowling Dhoni Bhai Out Was Different: Kartik Chadha Recalls CSK Experience

Punjab T20 League: For Kartik Chadha, the spin sensation from Jalandhar, the opportunity to spend time with Chennai Super Kings during IPL 2025 was surreal from the moment he received the call. But it was an intra-squad game at Chepauk, and a dismissal of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, that gave the young leg-spinner perhaps his biggest confidence boost. Kartik, who worked with CSK as a net bowler, said that simply getting the opportunity to join the franchise was difficult to comprehend. Yes, it was a very unreal moment when I got the call that we have seen you, and you should come and join us at CSK. So it was very unreal at first. When I went there obviously Dhoni bhai is such a big name. So it was a big deal to share the dressing room with him. It was a big deal for me, Kartik told IANS in an exclusive interaction on Thursday. The experience went beyond merely being around established stars. Kartik, who is currently a part of Ludhiana Lions in the Sher-e-Punjab league, had the opportunity to bowl in intra-squad matches, and his performances in those games gradually changed how he viewed himself. Then, when I practised with him. Played matches. There were intra-squad matches. I bowled very well there, and thats when I started believing that I belong there. My confidence only boosted thereafter; I thought, yes, I can do it. One particular intra-squad game remains especially memorable. Kartik claimed four wickets, with Dhoni among his victims. I remember we had an intra-squad match, and I took four wickets. I also bowled out Dhoni bhai. It was like a normal practice game. Like a match simulation type, but I managed to bowl out Dhoni bhai there. The significance of the dismissal was not lost on Kartik, even though he was quick to point out that he was also being hit during the contest. I was getting hit equally, but the joy of bowling Dhoni bhai out was different. The CSK experience became an important part of Kartiks development, particularly because it allowed him to test his leg-spin against high-level batters in a competitive environment. His hard work was evident when he dismissed Indias ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill during one of the encounters at the ongoing league in Punjab. But the path to that opportunity had not been straightforward. Injuries had repeatedly interrupted his progress, including a fractured finger during last year's Maharaja Ranjit Cup and an ankle injury shortly before the Sher-E-Punjab League. I had been facing a lot of issues with my fitness for a very long time because there was always some injury or the other. Last year, during the Maharaja Ranjit Cup, I fractured my finger, so it was a very tough time. And 2-3 months ago, my ankle got fractured. I got a ligament tear. I thought that even after doing so well, I was getting injured my ankle got fractured before Sher-E-Punjab and after our districts. The timing of the latest injury made it particularly difficult to accept. So it was a very disturbing moment. There was a very good flow this time, but I got injured. So I was down for 1-1.5 months. I had been facing a lot of issues with my fitness for a very long time because there was always some injury or the other. Last year, during the Maharaja Ranjit Cup, I fractured my finger, so it was a very tough time. And 2-3 months ago, my ankle got fractured. I got a ligament tear. I thought that even after doing so well, I was getting injured my ankle got fractured before Sher-E-Punjab and after our districts. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories But then I did my best to recover from the ankle injury. After that, I had faith in myself that I could do it. But at that time, I felt this was not possible. But then when I came back, I played matches and practised. So that momentum started again. Then I came to Sher-e-Punjab. So I have been backing myself since then. Article Source: IANS

Sher-e-Punjab T20: 'Focus only on the next game,' says Arshdeep ahead of crucial clash

Digital Desk | Mohali, Sep 10 (IANS) Ludhiana Lions captain Arshdeep Singh said the team would not be distracted by the points table and would instead focus on executing its plans as they look to secure their place in the top four when they take on Amritsar Soormas in their final league match of the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League at the IS Bindra Stadium on Friday. Ludhiana are currently third on the points table, with most teams still in contention for the remaining three playoff spots. Mohali Kings are the only side to have already secured their place in the last four. We go into our final league match with the same mindset, focusing only on the game in front of us and not getting distracted by the points table, Arshdeep said ahead of the clash. Ludhiana enter the match with renewed confidence after ending a three-match losing streak with a six-wicket win over Shubman Gills Fazilka Falcons in their previous outing. Salil Arora starred with 78 off 38 balls, while Bikramjeet Singh and Arjun Rajput contributed 58 and 35, respectively, to help Ludhiana chase down the target comfortably. Were at the business end of the tournament. I believe we have played much better cricket than our current points suggest. With one league match remaining, the plan is simple: go out, execute our plans and do everything within our ability to fight for a place in the playoffs, said Arshdeep. It is still within our reach. Im confident that if we tighten up the small things that have gone against us in the last few matches, we can find ourselves in the final four. Arshdeep also praised the contribution of both senior players and youngsters in the Ludhiana squad. Every member of the squad, whether an experienced senior or a young talent who may not have as many games under his belt, has taken his role and responsibility extremely seriously. The boys have consistently put their hands up for whatever the team needs and have played crucial roles for Ludhiana Lions, he said. Among the emerging players, Arjun Rajput, Kartik Chadha, Sahil Bhaskar and Madhav Singh Pathania have made important contributions. Rajput scored 82 runs off 45 balls and claimed four wickets for 27 runs in the same match against Bathinda Royals, while Chadha has been among the leading wicket-takers in the tournament. He is currently second on the wicket-taking charts behind his Ludhiana teammate Sahil Bhaskar. Arjun Rajput is an obvious name. Hes slowly been making his presence felt and has also earned his U19 call-up. I genuinely believe he has a very bright future ahead, Arshdeep said. Kartik Chadha is another player who really stands out to me. He has shades of multiple Indian superstars in his game, and Im confident that whenever he gets the opportunity, hell grab it with both hands. His bowling performances already speak for themselves. Ludhiana Lions will face Abhishek Sharmas Amritsar Soormas at 7 pm on Friday in what promises to be a crucial encounter in the race for the playoffs.

India Powerhouse Of T20 Cricket; Great To Share Learnings From IPL In ETPL, Says Vikram Rathour

European T20 Premier League: Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour believes the influx of Indian expertise will significantly elevate the profile of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), while adding that developing local European talent around the year will be vital for the league's long-term sustainability. Rathour is currently serving as the head coach of Dublin Guardians, co-owned by former India captain and head coach Rahul Dravid, in the inaugural edition of the ETPL, where the Ravichandran Ashwin-led side is in fifth spot after getting their first win of the competition. It will definitely help because India has been the powerhouse of cricket, or let's say T20 cricket as well, with IPL being managed in India. So, it is great to have people from India coming to these parts of the world and sharing their experiences and what they have learned from working in the IPL or other leagues. So, that is a great thing, Rathour told IANS during a select virtual interaction organised by the tournament on Thursday. Both Dravid and Rathour worked closely during their tenure with the Indian team as head coach and batting coach respectively. Speaking about the shared philosophy within the franchise, Rathour stated that the objective extends beyond short-term match outcomes. About Rahul, of course, the good thing is that he has been on this side for long enough to understand how this game goes. So, it is great to have him as a co-owner of the team I have to deal with. So, I don't think I need to explain anything to him, because he basically knows how this game goes. We haven't had a great start as far as the results were concerned in this league. But again, having Rahul there has been really good. He has supported the team. The vision for him, for me, or for the franchise is to develop cricket and cricketers in Europe, especially in Ireland, and that is a long-term vision. So, results are definitely important, but the vision is bigger than the results, and that is how we are looking at it. So far, I think we have been extremely happy with the team we have picked and the local talent we have been able to bring on. So, we can retain them and keep working with them like Rahul wants to, and that is the vision, I think. That it needs to be not only for one month, but throughout the year, there needs to be some kind of continuity and some kind of connection with all these players where we can support them to practice and get better. That thinking has got the thumbs-up from Rathour, whos also the lead assistant coach of the IPL 2008 winners, Rajasthan Royals. That vision works for me as well as a coach, because that is one thing I want to do, that I want to coach basically. I want to improve as a coach. So far, it has been really good again. The atmosphere in the team and the whole group has been really, really good, even though we didn't win. So, yesterday was our first win and first one on the board - let's see how it goes from here. Rathour noted that Dravid has been exceptionally supportive despite the Guardians enduring a tough start to their campaign. Dravid's approach, full of empathy, stems from his deep understanding of team dynamics gained through his previous coaching roles, while having a cricket nut in captain-cum-mentor Ashwin has been fantastic, given his vast knowledge of global players and conditions. Analysing Europe's potential as the next big frontier for franchise cricket, Rathour asserted that leagues which rely on strong local participation have a far higher chance of survival compared to those composed entirely of overseas players. It can be potentially, yes. I agree with that because there's a lot of excitement in the local community. See, I always believe that for any league to work, it's your domestic talent that drives that league. We can already see it in ETPL - that, like in our team itself, we have six guys from Ireland and two from other European nations - one from Scotland, one from the Netherlands. So, this kind of mix really helps because that's the local talent which is driving the team. There are some leagues being played in the world where everybody is from outside, actually. So, it's harder for those kinds of leagues to survive, I feel. That's my personal opinion. It can be potentially, yes. I agree with that because there's a lot of excitement in the local community. See, I always believe that for any league to work, it's your domestic talent that drives that league. We can already see it in ETPL - that, like in our team itself, we have six guys from Ireland and two from other European nations - one from Scotland, one from the Netherlands. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories So, that makes it unique because it's again a great venue. It's a great place in the world to be in. So, if this league carries on and does well, I think a lot of players will want to come for this experience from all over the world, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

India-Afghanistan 1st T20I In Delhi Likely To Be Postponed. Report Reveals Reason

The first T20I between India and Afghanistan is likely to be pushed back by a day, according to a report.

Duleep Trophy final | If you arent self-motivated, your approach is wrong: Shami

Delhi Police requests DDCA to postpone India's opening T20I against Afghanistan, explains reason

Delhi Police has requested Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) to reschedule Indias opening T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, September 13. In an official letter, Delhi Police mentioned that they...

Brook, Lawrence miss hundreds but England build big lead

Pakistan manage just two wickets - one of them a run-out - during morning session at Edgbaston

Abhishek Nayar Shares Rohit Sharma's Four-pack Anecdote After ODI World Cup 2011 Snub

The Great Indian Cricket Show: Former India cricketer and coach Abhishek Nayar revealed Rohit Sharma's behind-the-scenes work for physical transformation after the ODI World Cup 2011 snub, as the star Indian batter worked on his fitness for the IPL 2011. Rohit was left disappointed after being left out of India's squad for the victorious 2011 World Cup. Former India coach Abhishek, who was with Rohit in their early days, has revealed how the young Rohit worked on his fitness to transform into an elite player from a more innate skill player. We used to argue a lot because I trained heavily, while he relied more on skill. I would tell him, Come on, lets hit the gym, and he would say, Leave it, I will score runs. There was nothing wrong with that mindset; fitness culture and the Virat Kohli phenomenon had not yet transformed Indian cricket. The turning point came when a news channel published his photo with a circle drawn around his belly. That image stuck in his mind, Nayar spoke on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan. Rohit was left disappointed after being left out of India's squad for the victorious 2011 World Cup. Former India coach Abhishek, who was with Rohit in their early days, has revealed how the young Rohit worked on his fitness to transform into an elite player from a more innate skill player. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Rohit has been one of the greatest Indian batters and captains of all time. He transitioned into a white-ball legend and helped India win the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, apart from the 2023 ODI World Cup runners-up finish. Article Source: IANS

Skipper Nkomo Returns As Zimbabwe Announce Squad For South Africa T20Is

T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier: Zimbabwe received a big boost ahead of their historic five-match T20I series against South Africa as skipper Josephine Nkomo is declared fit and has returned to lead the team, the Zimbabwe Cricket Board announced on Thursday. Nkomo missed the white-ball tour of Pakistan in May due to injury, but she has recovered well in the three months' time and is ready to lead the 17-member squad, with veteran batter Sharone Mayers also returning to the side after being sidelined from the team for two years. Mayers has represented Zimbabwe in 33 T20Is. All-rounder Nyasha Gwanzura is also back in the squad, while experienced members of the side, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa, Loreen Tshuma and Loryn Phiri, have retained their places after a decent outing in the Pakistan series. The squad also includes three players who featured for Zimbabwe at the ICC Under-19 Womens T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 1 in Dar es Salaam last week, including captain Lorraine Pemhiwa, Beloved Biza and Christina Mutasa, who will get an opportunity to showcase their talent on the bigger stage. The series will be the first assignment for Mark Coles as Zimbabwe's women's head coach following his appointment earlier this week. The experienced New Zealand coach brings extensive international coaching and high-performance experience to the role, having previously served as head coach of both the Pakistan and Scotland women's national sides. Zimbabwe will return to home action for the first time since hosting the United Arab Emirates in a bilateral series at Queens Sports Club in September and October 2025. The series gets underway on Friday, 11 September, at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with the remaining matches to be played at the same venue on 13, 15, 17 and 19 September. Zimbabwe will return to home action for the first time since hosting the United Arab Emirates in a bilateral series at Queens Sports Club in September and October 2025. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Josephine Nkomo (Captain), Beloved Biza, Kudzai Chigora, Francesca Chipare, Nyasha Gwanzura, Lindokuhle Mabhera, Tendai Makusha, Michelle Mavunga, Sharne Mayers, Modester Mupachikwa, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Christina Mutasa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Lorraine Pemhiwa, Loryn Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda, Loreen Tshuma Article Source: IANS

Finn Allen switches from Perth Scorchers to Melbourne Stars in record-breaking deal

Finn Allen has left Perth Scorchers for Melbourne Stars in a move that could become the biggest player contract in Big Bash League history . The New Zealand opener reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth AU$600,000 (Rs 4.12 crore) with the franchise.

Sher-e-Punjab T20: Responsibility Helps Me Grow, Says Ramandeep As Mohali Kings Storm Into Semis

Punjab T20 League: Asserting that responsibility helps him grow as a player, skipper Ramandeep Singh led from the front with a blistering, unbeaten 71 off 36 balls as Mohali Kings stormed into the semifinals of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League with a five-wicket win over Bathinda Royals at the I.S. Bindra Stadium here on Wednesday. Chasing a competitive target of 185, Mohali Kings got off to a disastrous start, losing two wickets with just four runs on the board. But skipper Ramandeep and Anmolpreet Singh (49 off 28 balls) revived the chase with a crucial 52-run stand for the third wicket before Ramandeep took control to take his side over the line. Our dressing room is very calm; as we all know, not every match can be won. I think responsibility helps me to grow, and I try to finish the game on my own, Ramandeep said after the match ended. Despite securing a spot in the semifinals, Ramandeep cautioned his side against complacency as the group stage draws to a close. My message for the team is we have two matches left, and we must keep our heads down and keep on working, he added. Earlier, Bathinda Royals staged a solid recovery after being reduced to 17/2. Harnoor Singh (43 off 36 balls) and Gourav Choudhary (35 off 22 deliveries) put on a 74-run partnership for the third wicket, before late flourishes from Ridham Satyawan (31 off 19 balls) and Shahbaz Sandhu (38 not out off 23 deliveries) propelled them to 184/6 in 20 overs. Mohali Kings coach Harvinder Singh expressed satisfaction with how the teams tactical plans and player combinations were executed to get the desired result. Our team combination is something we are working on, and players have performed the way we were thinking. As soon as the tournament started, we counselled senior players about taking responsibility, so that was the plan today also that even if wickets were down, we will not lose patience and take the game till the end, Harvinder noted. Mohali Kings coach Harvinder Singh expressed satisfaction with how the teams tactical plans and player combinations were executed to get the desired result. Our team combination is something we are working on, and players have performed the way we were thinking. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories To youngsters, I say that trust your strength. I say control the controllables. In T20 cricket, it is all about momentum. These are some mental skills you use. Now the games are a knockout, so we want to give 110 percent in the next matches to win the trophy. Article Source: IANS

Zimbabwe captain Josephine Nkomo back for T20Is against South Africa

She is set to lead the team for the first time, having missed the white-ball tour of Pakistan with injury after being named captain

Mohammed Shami Breaks Silence On India Absence, Reveals Mindset Behind His Comeback Push

Mohammed Shami has not played for India since March 2025 but the veteran pacer on Thursday asserted that his motivation level has not dipped, and is still eyeing the ext level in his career.

Ishan Kishan extends unbeaten captaincy record with Duleep Trophy win

Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 10 (IANS) India international Ishan Kishan extended his unbeaten record as captain in first-class cricket after leading the East Zone to their third-ever Duleep Trophy title on Thursday. Kishan was in stellar form in the final against South Zone, scoring 350 across two innings to lead the domestic side to a win on the first-innings lead. With the victory, Kishan has also extended his record for being unbeaten as captain in first-class cricket to 16 matches. His run began in 2018 and is now in its ninth year. This has made him enter the top 10 of the unbeaten captains list in FC cricket. As per CricViz, the list is headed by former Sri Lanka cricketer Mahinda Halangoda, who was unbeaten in 30 FC matches as skipper. Meanwhile, Kishan credited the team's collective effort for their win. We won this title as a group. I think everyone was taking care of each other, which was the most important thing for me. I think I've been a good leader (offered a cheeky smile), but I think the journey doesn't end here. You need to keep getting better in all the departments. Whether you're fielding or batting, you'll always make mistakes. So we just need to rectify that and get better day by day, Kishan said in the post-match presentation ceremony. The Duleep Trophy win is Kishan's second title as captain after winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Jharkhand in the 2025/26 season. Reflecting on his approach and mindset during his time away from the national team, the wicketkeeper-batter highlighted how the period helped him mature both as a cricketer and as a captain. I think it was more about just being calmer after the break, being more into the game, knowing what's important, how aware you are of the game and how you are reading the situation. You need to take care of each other, try and help each and every ball, so they don't get into that zone where I was. So I was just trying to help everyone, and it's been a good transformation for me as well. I've been more calm, more aware of situations, and more hungry. You want to perform for your team. You need to make your team win, and that is something which changed in me. Hundred percent, that is going to be there (on being that cheeky guy) till I turn ninety, he added.

Mohammed Shami: 'There are plenty of reasons to stay motivated'

Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami discusses his undiminished motivation and desire to reach the ext level in his career, despite not playing for India since March 2025. He reflects on East Zone's Duleep Trophy final victory, which coincided with his 100th first-class match, and shares insights on playing domestic cricket, mentoring young players, and his tactical approach to bowling in challenging conditions.

Selaqui Strikers lift first-ever Dehradun T20 League after Vijay Sharma's unbeaten 31-ball 103

Selaqui Strikers became the first champions of the Dehradun T20 League after defeating Mussoorie Thunders by 39 runs in a rain-shortened final at Abhimanyu Cricket Academy in Dehradun. The match was reduced to 16 overs...

Dinusha, Robinson, Mahmud Shortlisted For ICC Men's Player Of The Month For August

Galle International Stadium: Sri Lanka batter Sonal Dinusha, England pacer Ollie Robinson and Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud were on Thursday nominated for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for August 2026. All three nominees produced match-defining performances as per various situations encountered in the longest format during the month. Left-handed batter Dinusha was in imperious form during Sri Lanka's two-match series against India, which they lost 1-0 at home. The youngster set the tone in the opening Test at Galle International Stadium with a fine century, before following it up with a fighting 84 in the second innings. He raised the bar further in the second Test at the SSC Ground in Colombo, striking 103 in the first essay and remaining unbeaten on 133 in the second to help Sri Lanka secure a hard-fought and epic draw. Dinusha finished the series as the leading run-getter on either side, accumulating 420 runs at a staggering average of 140 across the two matches. On the other hand, England seamer Robinson proved to be the wrecker-in-chief in his side's dominant start to the home Test series against Pakistan. The right-arm pacer delivered a career-best performance in the opening Test at Headingley with figures of 8-80. He raised the bar further in the second Test at the SSC Ground in Colombo, striking 103 in the first essay and remaining unbeaten on 133 in the second to help Sri Lanka secure a hard-fought and epic draw. Dinusha finished the series as the leading run-getter on either side, accumulating 420 runs at a staggering average of 140 across the two matches. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Meanwhile, Bangladesh fast bowler Mahmud came into the spotlight via being the architect of his country's landmark Test victory on Australian soil. The pacer produced a match-winning display during the Darwin Test triumph, picking up 6-55 in the first innings and 3-56 in the second essay to engineer a famous victory for Bangladesh. Hasan finished the two-match Test series in Australia, which ended in a 1-1 draw, with nine wickets at an average of 19.77. Article Source: IANS

'I Can Only Focus...': Arshdeep Singh Opens Up on Test Ambitions

Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh discusses his aspirations for Test cricket, acknowledging his limited first-class appearances but asserting his readiness. He highlights the importance of understanding body mechanics, managing workload, and adapting to various pitch conditions. Arshdeep also touches upon the strong contingent of Punjab players in Indian cricket and his preparations for upcoming international assignments like the T20I series against Afghanistan and the Asian Games.

Sophie Ecclestone Returns To Adelaide Strikers For WBBL 12

Big Bash League: England's star Sophie Ecclestone will return to the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Womens Big Bash League (WBBL) season after re-signing with the franchise for WBBL 12. The 27-year-old left-arm spinner made her Strikers debut last season and will once again add experience and quality to their bowling attack. Ecclestone is regarded as one of the leading bowlers in womens cricket and has spent significant periods as the ICCs No. 1 ranked bowler in both the womens T20I and ODI formats. She played a key role in Englands run at the 2022 Womens Cricket World Cup, claiming 21 wickets at an economy rate of 3.83, including career-best figures of 6/36 in the semi-final against South Africa. In 2023, Ecclestone took 10 wickets in a Test against Australia, becoming just the second-youngest woman to achieve the feat. She was also the leading wicket-taker at the 2025 Womens Cricket World Cup, finishing the tournament with 16 wickets. More recently, she claimed 10 wickets as England reached the final of the 2026 Womens T20 World Cup. In July this year, Ecclestone became England's womens all-time leading wicket-taker across international cricket, surpassing Katherine Sciver-Brunts previous record during the one-off Test against India at Lords. I cant wait to get back around the group and continue building on what we achieved last season. Were determined to take the next step and put ourselves in a strong position to push for finals, Ecclestone said. Strikers coach Luke Williams said Ecclestones return would provide a major boost to the squad. I cant wait to get back around the group and continue building on what we achieved last season. Were determined to take the next step and put ourselves in a strong position to push for finals, Ecclestone said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The Strikers will begin their WBBL 12 campaign against Melbourne Stars at Karen Rolton Oval on October 31. Article Source: IANS

Exemplary Performance: Ganguly Congratulates Ishan Kishan-led East Zone On Duleep Trophy Triumph

MA Chidambaram Stadium: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly congratulated Ishan Kishan and East Zone after their Duleep Trophy triumph on Thursday, highlighting the teams unbeaten campaign and praising the contribution of Bengal players. Congratulations to east zone under the leadership of Ishan Kishan to win the Duleep trophy after so many years .. they went unbeaten in the competition .. well done to the Bengal boys for their exemplary performance right throughout the tournament and the other members of the team, Ganguly wrote on X. East Zone secured the title after the final against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai ended in their favour on the basis of a first-innings lead. The victory brought the trophy back to the zone for the first time since the 2012-13 season, ending a 13-year wait. Kishan was at the centre of East Zones dominant campaign. The captain produced a spectacular 270 in the first innings as his side amassed 708, while Kumar Kushagra added 101. Kishan followed it with an 80 in the second innings, finishing the final with 350 runs. The title-winning effort also featured significant contributions from Bengal and Jharkhand players, a point specifically acknowledged by Ganguly. Shikhar Mohan marked his Duleep Trophy debut with an impressive 85, while Kushagra played a key role alongside Kishan. On the final day, Md Kounain Quraishi provided another landmark performance, making an unbeaten 116 for his maiden first-class century. Anukul Roy contributed 64 as the pair shared a 150-run seventh-wicket stand before East Zone declared at 388/7. The title-winning effort also featured significant contributions from Bengal and Jharkhand players, a point specifically acknowledged by Ganguly. Shikhar Mohan marked his Duleep Trophy debut with an impressive 85, while Kushagra played a key role alongside Kishan. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories With the declaration confirming the result, East Zone players celebrated on the Chepauk field, bringing an end to a campaign in which they remained unbeaten and finally reclaimed the Duleep Trophy after more than a decade. Article Source: IANS

'This Pakistan Team Looks Dispirited'

Former England cricketer Michael Atherton has sharply criticised Pakistan's batting performance in the final Test against England, highlighting their woefully low confidence and dispirited state. The team was skittled out for just 133 runs, failing to cross 200 even once in the series, with key players like Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique struggling. Atherton attributes this decline partly to the controversial decision to send home seven players and two coaches. Despite the batting struggles, young pacer Razaullah offered a glimmer of hope with an impressive bowling display.

Md Kounain Quraishi: The East Zone injury replacement who stars in Duleep Trophy final

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Md Kounain Quraishi was hardly a familiar name in Indian domestic cricket when he walked out for East Zone in the 2026 Duleep Trophy semifinal. Two matches later, the 23-year-old Jharkhand all-rounder has a first-class century, seven wickets and a Duleep Trophy title to his name. Quraishis latest contribution came on Thursday in Chennai, where he remained unbeaten on 116 against South Zone. His hundred capped a breakthrough tournament in which he played a crucial role in East Zones title-winning campaign, despite entering the competition with no previous first-class experience. Quraishis entry into red-ball cricket was anything but conventional. He was drafted into the East Zone squad as an injury replacement for Shahbaz Ahmed ahead of the semifinal against Central Zone. Most domestic players make their way into the Duleep Trophy after establishing themselves in the Ranji Trophy. Quraishi had not even played a Ranji game for Jharkhand. Instead, his first-class debut came directly in the Duleep Trophy, and he wasted little time making an impression. In the semifinal, the off-spinning all-rounder picked up three wickets across the two innings. He dismissed Harsh Dubey and Saransh Jain in the first innings before removing Rinku Singh in the second, finishing with figures of 2/49 and 1/14. Quraishis selection did not come entirely out of the blue. Earlier this year, he had produced remarkable numbers for Jamshedpur Steelers in the Jharkhand Premier League. Used primarily as a finisher, he scored 203 runs in six innings while being dismissed only once. That gave him a remarkable average of 203 and a strike rate of 170. He also contributed six wickets during the tournament as Jamshedpur finished runners-up. Those performances helped earn him the opportunity to step into a much bigger arena. Quraishi showed his value again in the Duleep Trophy final. He scored 40 in East Zones mammoth first innings of 708 and then bowled close to 40 overs, claiming two wickets for 99 runs. His biggest moment arrived on the final day. Batting in East Zones second innings, Quraishi played a composed unbeaten knock of 116 from 190 balls to register his maiden first-class hundred. The innings helped East Zone extend their advantage before they declared at 388/7, securing the title on the basis of a first-innings lead. Quraishis unusual entry into first-class cricket places him alongside a select group of Indian cricketers, including Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane, Piyush Chawla and Bharath Reddy, who played Duleep Trophy cricket before featuring in the Ranji Trophy. His List A numbers remain modest, 43 runs and three wickets from four matches. But after his extraordinary JPL campaign and statement-making Duleep Trophy run, Quraishi has ensured that his name will no longer be an unfamiliar one in Indian domestic cricket.

Rohit Sharma refuses to comment on ODI World Cup 2027 plans, keeps door open

Star India batter Rohit Sharma has declined to commit himself to Indias 2027 World Cup campaign. He left his international future open as questions continue to grow over his place in the ODI team. When the Mumbai cricketer was asked directly about his intentions during an event, the former India captain noted that he hasnt quite made up his mind and will decide accordingly.

Zaheer Khan's big new role with Yuvraj Singh revealed

Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan has joined the ownership group of Vancouver Anchors, a franchise in the Canada Super 60 league, reuniting with his former teammate Yuvraj Singh. Khan brings his extensive international cricket experience to the league, which features men's and women's competitions and aims to promote global cricket growth.

Quraishi century headlines final day as East Zone secure Duleep Trophy

With the Duleep Trophy virtually theirs because of their first-innings lead, the Jharkhand allrounder brought up his maiden first-class century before East Zone declared

Shaheen Shah Afridi to play for KRL in President's Trophy

Salman Agha, meanwhile, has been named vice-captain of Kingsmen Academy

Duleep Trophy: Tilak Varma Admits To South Zone Being 'outplayed' By East Zone

Duleep Trophy: South Zone captain Tilak Varma conceded that his side was completely outplayed by East Zone in the 2026/27 Duleep Trophy final, admitting that conceding over 700 runs in the first innings virtually sealed the title clashs outcome at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here on Thursday. East Zone piled up a colossal first-innings total of 708, riding on skipper Ishan Kishan's double century, before bundling out South Zone for 325 and eventually secured their third Duleep Trophy crown on the basis of a massive first-innings lead. The result ended South Zone's bid for back-to-back Duleep Trophy titles, while East Zone lifted the prestigious silverware for the first time since the 2012/13 season. Honestly, it is disappointing for us, but there have been a lot of learnings in this game, and hopefully we'll come back stronger. If you have seen, honestly, the first day we could have done better, but they sealed the game when they scored 700. Everyone knows, like, it is slightly tough chasing 700. But again, credit goes to their batters, how they batted. But again, there were a few phases we could have captured, but we hadn't bowled that great, said Varma, who made 99 in South Zones lone innings with the bat, in the post-match presentation ceremony. The result ended South Zone's bid for back-to-back Duleep Trophy titles, while East Zone lifted the prestigious silverware for the first time since the 2012/13 season. Honestly, it is disappointing for us, but there have been a lot of learnings in this game, and hopefully we'll come back stronger. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories But honestly, we were just thinking to just bat on for the next three days. We had tried our best. If we have played for three days, we never knew we could have scored 700 runs; otherwise the match would have been drawn. But we have tried our best, but again credit goes to them. They have totally outplayed us, added Varma, who also took the Player of the Series award. Article Source: IANS

Duleep Trophy: Kishan Credits Leadership, Team Unity After Leading East Zone To Title

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: East Zone captain Ishan Kishan on Thursday credited his team's collective effort and unity for their Duleep Trophy win after 13 years at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Kishan anchored East Zone's dominant time with a marathon 270 in the first innings, followed by hitting 80 in the second innings of the final against South Zone. Having a mammoth first-innings lead meant East Zone got their third Duleep Trophy title and their first since the 2012/13 domestic season. We won this title as a group. I think everyone was taking care of each other, which was the most important thing for me. I think I've been a good leader (offered a cheeky smile), but I think the journey doesn't end here. You need to keep getting better in all the departments. Whether you're fielding or batting, there are always some mistakes. So we just need to rectify that and get better day by day, Kishan said in the post-match presentation ceremony. The Duleep Trophy win is Kishans second title as captain after winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Jharkhand in the 2025/26 season. Reflecting on his approach and mindset during his time away from the national team, the wicketkeeper-batter highlighted how the period helped him mature both as a cricketer and as a captain. You need to keep getting better in all the departments. Whether you're fielding or batting, there are always some mistakes. So we just need to rectify that and get better day by day, Kishan said in the post-match presentation ceremony. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories So I was just trying to help everyone and it's been a good transformation for me as well. I've been more calm, more aware of situations and more hunger is there. You want to perform for your team. You need to make your team win, and that is something which changed in me. Hundred percent, that is going to be there (on being that cheeky guy) till I turn ninety, he added. Article Source: IANS

East Zone lift Duleep Trophy title for first time in 13 years after dominant batting show

East Zone ended a 13-year wait for the Duleep Trophy title after securing a decisive victory over South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Ishan Kishan-led side posted 708 runs on the...

Rohit Breaks Silence On 2027 World Cup Future

Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma has responded to speculation about his participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating that October 2027 is far away. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also dismissed concerns, highlighting Sharma's current form.

England vs Pakistan Live Updates, 3rd Test Day 2: Pakistan Aims To Bundle Out England At Earliest

England vs Pakistan Live Updates, 3rd Test Day 2: England will resume their innings from 156/4 on Day 2 on the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Josh Blake signs Leicestershire deal after opting to leave Surrey

Wicketkeeper-bat had been involved at The Oval since he was nine but saw limited opportunities

Duleep Trophy: Kishan, Quraishi Shine As East Zone Clinch Title, End 13-year Wait

Md Kounain Quraishi: East Zone clinched the Duleep Trophy for the third time on Thursday after overcoming South Zone via first innings at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday. The triumph also meant East Zone ended a 13-year drought to win the prestigious title, its last win coming in the 201213 season. Resuming their second innings on the final day, East Zone rode on a maiden first-class century from Md Kounain Quraishi (116 not out off 190 balls) and a half-century from Anukul Roy (64) before declaring at 388/7 in 99.2 overs. Once the declaration was done, the Ishan Kishan-led East Zone set off into immediate celebrations over winning the title. The contest had tilted decisively in East Zone's favour after posting a mammoth 708 in their first innings, built around captain Ishan Kishans monumental 270 and 101 made by Kumar Kushagra. Kishan followed up his double century with 80 in the second innings, and took his match tally to 350 runs. Jharkhands emerging talents played a pivotal role in East Zones triumphant run. Apart from Kushagra, Shikhar Mohan produced an impressive 85 on his Duleep Trophy debut and continued the strong touch he has displayed in the last domestic season. The duo, along with Kishan, ensured that Jharkhands influence remained central to East Zones title victory. Earlier in the morning, Quraishi and Roy extended their seventh-wicket partnership to 150 runs, and pushed East Zones total beyond the 700-run mark. South Zone were penalised five runs in the 73rd over due to an unacceptably slow over-rate, following a prolonged discussion between the match officials and South Zone captain Tilak Varma. Quraishi eventually brought up his maiden first-class century in the 96th over by driving pacer CV Milind towards extra cover for two runs to reach the three-figure mark. The young batter removed his helmet and raised his arms to celebrate as his teammates lauded him with a standing ovation from the balcony. Quraishi capped his milestone in the following over by striking back-to-back sixes off spinner Tripurana Vijay over mid-wicket and long-on. From the other end, Roy completed a patient half-century by steering Shaik Rasheed through point for a single in the 89th over. Roys resistance ended when he was caught at slip by Devdutt Padikkal off MD Nidheesh for 64, after pushing loosely at a length delivery outside off-stump. After Quraishi chipped a delivery from Milind safely down to mid-on off the second ball of the 100th over, skipper Kishan officially signalled the declaration from the pavilion. The umpires immediately removed the bails to conclude the final, thus confirming East Zone as the new champions. Quraishi capped his milestone in the following over by striking back-to-back sixes off spinner Tripurana Vijay over mid-wicket and long-on. From the other end, Roy completed a patient half-century by steering Shaik Rasheed through point for a single in the 89th over. Roys resistance ended when he was caught at slip by Devdutt Padikkal off MD Nidheesh for 64, after pushing loosely at a length delivery outside off-stump. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Brief scores: East Zone 708 and 388/7 in 99.2 overs (Md Kounain Quraishi 116, Ishan Kishan 80; MD Nidheesh 2-28, CV Milind 1-27) draw with South Zone 336 (Tilak Varma 99; Mukesh Kumar 3-62) Article Source: IANS

Rohit Sharma Breaks Silence On His World Cup 2027 Participation

The one-line response came on the sidelines of an event in Mumbai, a rare comment from the former captain amid swirling speculation around his participation in the mega-event

Truth Behind 'Harmanpreet Kaur Viral Catch' That Everybody Is Talking About

On Thursday, social media was flooded with a video of an Indian women's team player taking an unthinkable catch

Bumrah back! Harshit Rana out as Yash Thakur gets call

Yash Thakur replaces injured Harshit Rana in India's T20I squad for the Afghanistan series and Asian Games. Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Reddy, and Washington Sundar have been cleared for both assignments after recovering from injuries. India's T20I series against Afghanistan begins September 13, followed by the Asian Games campaign starting September 28.

Josh Blake To Leave Surrey At The End Of 2026 Season

One Day Cup: Josh Blake will leave Surrey at the end of the 2026 season after signing a multi-year contract with another county, the club said on Thursday. Blake, who signed his first professional contract with Surrey in 2022 at the age of 23, featured for Three Feathers 45 times. The wicket-keeper has been a mainstay of the One Day Cup side in recent years, with more than 1,000 runs in the competition. Blakes route to the professional game is a rare one, having dropped out of the Surrey pathway at U15s. Determined to succeed in the game, Blake continued playing for Sutton CC in the Surrey Championship. In the winters of 2017 and 2018, he worked in Australia and played for Sydney Shires to continue developing his game. He spent four years working as a community coach for the Surrey Cricket Foundation whilst continuing to play for Sutton. He earned an opportunity in the Surrey Second XI in 2021 before securing his contract to join the First XI squad. Blake said, It has been an honour to represent my boyhood Club for the last four years and Im hugely grateful to everyone at Surrey for giving me the opportunity to play professional cricket and prove myself in the county game. I never gave up on my dream of making a career out of playing the game and I have made some incredible memories that will stay with me for a long, long time. Whilst it is difficult to move on from the county that I first represented as a nine-year-old, I believe that this is the best opportunity for me to continue to progress my career and to develop as a cricketer. I remain totally committed to Surrey until the end of the season but I am excited about my future in the game. I never gave up on my dream of making a career out of playing the game and I have made some incredible memories that will stay with me for a long, long time. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I want to thank Josh for his time at the Club and wish him the very best for the future at his new county. Article Source: IANS

Yash Thakur Replaces Injured Rana For Afghanistan T20Is, Asian Games 2026

Afghanistan T20Is: Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and the Asian Games, with Yash Thakur named as his replacement for the two assignments, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Thursday. The Mens Selection Committee has named Yash Thakur as a replacement for Harshit Rana in Indias squads for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and the 2026 Asian Games, BCCI said. The Indian Board revealed that Harshit, who was named in the Afghanistan T20I squad subject to fitness, sustained a rectus femoris strain while bowling on September 7. The fast bowler was progressing well during his rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). He sustained a rectus femoris strain while bowling during a match simulation on September 7 and has subsequently been ruled out, the BCCI added. Meanwhile, Yash made his T20I debut in the three-match series against Zimbabwe in July. He played in two matches, taking two wickets in each game. However, he was among the bowlers dropped for the Afghanistan series, as India named a full-strength side for the three contests to be played in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17. India also has a full-strength squad for the Asian Games, which begin in Aichi-Nagoya on September 19, although India will play their quarter-final on September 28. As per the squad announced for the Afghanistan T20Is, Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar's participation was also subject to fitness. Harshit has been hampered by injuries this year. He sustained a knee injury ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 and missed the global showpiece, which India won. He underwent knee surgery, missed the IPL 2026, and made a comeback in June. However, he picked up a hamstring injury during the England tour in July and was on the mend before a rectus femoris strain ruled him out of the Afghanistan series and the Asiad. As per the squad announced for the Afghanistan T20Is, Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar's participation was also subject to fitness. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories India squad for the 2026 Asian Games: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yash Thakur Article Source: IANS

India make one change to Asian Games, Afghanistan series squad after pacer ruled out; Bumrah declared fit

Jasprit Bumrah has been cleared to return to Indias T20I setup for the upcoming series against Afghanistan and theAsian Games 2026 . He has been out of action since the ODI series against England. He missed the Test series against Sri Lanka and was doubtful for the T20I series against Afghanistan and the Asian Games, but BCCI clarified that the pacer is ready to go.

Bumrah fit, Thakur replaces Harshit Rana for Afghanistan T20Is and Asian Games

Harshit Rana picked up a new injury during a match simulation on September 7 at the CoE in Bengaluru

Harshit Rana Ruled Out Of Afghanistan T20Is, Asian Games; BCCI Names Replacement

Pacer Harshit Rana has been ruled out of India's squad for the upcoming T20Is against Afghanistan and the Asian Games 2026.

Finn Allen Joins Melbourne Stars For BBL 16

Big Bash League: Melbourne Stars have signed New Zealand power-hitter Finn Allen ahead of the 2026-27 Big Bash League season, with the 27-year-old set to add further firepower to an already strong batting line-up that includes Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. The 2026-27 Big Bash League season will begin on December 12, with Melbourne Renegades facing Perth Scorchers in the opening match. Allen was the top run-scorer in BBL 15, accumulating 466 runs with an average of 42.36 for the Perth Scorchers. He is set to move to Melbourne to join a formidable batting lineup. The Stars are a powerhouse team in this competition, so its going to be a lot of fun playing for them. Theyve already got a huge fanbase, and theyre only getting bigger, and I cant wait to be a part of that. I think all cricketers love playing at the MCG, so to be able to call that my home ground now is really exciting, Allen said on joining Melbourne Stars. Allen has enjoyed a prolific 2026, with several memorable innings across T20 cricket. He scored 101 off 53 balls for the Scorchers in the BBL earlier this year and later achieved the fastest century in World Cup history, reaching 100 off just 33 balls in New Zealands semi-final victory over South Africa. The explosive opener then continued his run of form in the Indian Premier League, scoring an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls for Kolkata Knight Riders. Allen, who has played 62 T20 internationals for New Zealand, most recently featured in Major League Cricket for San Francisco Unicorns, where he was coached by the new Melbourne Stars head coach, Cameron White. The New Zealand opener has a flexible, casual contract with New Zealand Cricket, enabling him to participate in international T20 franchise leagues while still being eligible for national team selection. Under the Big Bash Leagues updated player signing regulations, Melbourne Stars are permitted to directly select up to three international players, as the Overseas Player Draft is not scheduled for this year. The New Zealand opener has a flexible, casual contract with New Zealand Cricket, enabling him to participate in international T20 franchise leagues while still being eligible for national team selection. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Melbourne Stars contracted players: Finn Allen, Austin Anlezark, Hilton Cartwright, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Todd Murphy, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Marcus Stoinis and Mitch Swepson. Article Source: IANS

Finn Allen poached by Melbourne Stars in biggest BBL deal

Perth Scorchers were out-bid by Stars for the New Zealand power-hitter who helped them win a title last season

MS Dhoni's Two Conditions As Chennai Super Kings' Search For New Coach Gets A Frontrunner: Report

Over the last few seasons, Chennai's performance has not been great. The team last won the IPL in 2023. Since then, there has been inconsistency

New Zealand Opener Tim Seifert Signs Sydney Sixers Deal For BBL 16

Sixers GM Rachael Haynes: Hard-hitting New Zealand opener Tim Seifert has signed a one-year deal with the BBL franchise Sydney Sixers, moving from the Melbourne Renegades. Seifert, who was in stellar form for the Manchester Super Giants in the Hundred, will bolster the Sixers' opening firepower as Steve Smith is expected to miss the upcoming BBL 16 due to his international commitments. The move further casts Babar Azam's future with the club into limbo due to his horror outings for the Sixers last season, where he laboured to 202 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 103.06. Seifert is excited to be part of the Sixers with the famous SCG now being his home stadium. The Sixers are one of the most respected and successful clubs in the competition, so it's a privilege to be joining the group, Seifert said, as quoted by cricket.com.au. I've always loved playing cricket in Australia, and the Big Bash is a tournament I genuinely enjoy being part of. To now have the opportunity to wear the magenta and help contribute to the club's success is something I'm really excited about. Meanwhile, Sixers GM Rachael Haynes welcomed the New Zealander, emphasising the striking abilities that he brings to the table. Tim (Seifert) is one of the premier T20 batters in world cricket, and his recent player of the tournament performance in The Hundred is another example of the quality he brings, Haynes said. We've admired him for a long time, and his experience, attacking intent and match-winning ability make him a fantastic fit for the Sixers. We're thrilled to welcome him to the club, she added. With Seifert's addition, the Sixers will have two strong wicket-keeping options, including Josh Philippe, another franchise regular. We've admired him for a long time, and his experience, attacking intent and match-winning ability make him a fantastic fit for the Sixers. We're thrilled to welcome him to the club, she added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories He was also the second-highest run-scorer in the T20 World Cup 206, where he scored 326 runs and played a crucial role in New Zealand's runners-up finish. Article Source: IANS

Coco Gauff rallies to reach U.S. Open semifinals against new women's No. 1 Elena Rybakina

It's the first time since 1975 that all four of the women's top seeds reached the U.S. Open semifinals

U.S. Open: No. 1 Zverev enters semifinals with ease; to face Khachanov

French Open champ Zverev is the only man to reach all four major semis this year

Rohit Sharma's 'Non-Committal' T-Shirt Sparks Buzz, Fans Link It To BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar's Remark

Rohit Sharma is set to step into a new arena as he makes his television debut with the upcoming game show Family Full House

Were making the same mistakes: Saud Shakeel rues Pakistans batting failures against England

Digital Desk | Birmingham, Sep 10 (IANS) Pakistan batter Saud Shakeel admitted his team had been repeating the same mistakes with the bat after another poor display left them in trouble against England in the third Test at Edgbaston. Pakistan were bowled out for just 136 off 33.5 overs after being asked to bat first, with their top order once again failing to put up a fight. Shakeel, Pakistans leading run-scorer in the series, said the team needed to show greater patience and fight through difficult periods. Its depressing; were making the same mistake as a batting unit. We're getting out in bunches, and there were lots of soft dismissals today, Shakeel said, as quoted by Cricinfo. Were trying, but yes, its frustrating that we keep making the same mistakes. I dont think its a confidence issue. If you dont have the confidence to play at this level, then you dont deserve to play here. But in difficult conditions, poor form can be quite hard to break out of, he added. Shakeel has been the only Pakistani batter to consistently score runs in the series. He has scored 175 runs in four innings, while none of his teammates have reached the 100-run mark. Pakistan have already lost the first two Tests and are now in a difficult position in the ongoing third game at Edgbaston. Shakeel said Pakistan had an important opportunity to build a partnership after losing the toss and being asked to bat in overcast conditions. The pitch will improve as the Test goes on, but early on, there was juice in it. The toss isnt in our hands, but we lost it and batted first, and the overcast conditions favoured England there, he said. That was an opportunity to strike up a partnership because the pitch improved as the day went on. With the new ball, even Englands top order struggled, so it was important to see off the new ball, he added. Pakistans first five batters had a poor showing and failed to reach double figures, marking the first time their top five had failed to score 10 or more in a Test first innings in England. Shakeel once again demonstrated his ability to adapt to the conditions and situation. After scoring 140 runs across his last two innings, he said he had changed his approach as wickets continued to fall around him. I try to play according to the demands of any situation. With wickets falling around me, the best option for me was to make as many runs as I could. So I was batting quicker to adjust to the situation around me, he said. The left-hander also admitted that Pakistan had been surprised by the level of assistance available to the bowlers during the series. The conditions were challenging, especially at Lords. Over there, even someone like Joe Root struggled and has had a difficult series. I was surprised with the conditions here, Shakeel said. If you look at the New Zealand series and compare it to this one, there is a lot of lateral movement here. We are not used to that, perhaps. But we were trying our best. We accept our batting failures, but the conditions are also in favour of the bowlers, he added.

'Youve Got It Wrong Guys': UK's Anti-immigrant Protesters Mistake Pakistan U19 Cricket Team For Asylum Seekers

Wales Cricket Board: A bizarre chapter unfolded outside a Portsmouth hotel, where the Pakistan Under-19 team was based during their multi-format tour of England, when a group of masked anti-immigrant protesters mistook the team for asylum seekers. According to a report in The Guardian, a group of masked protesters gathered outside a four-star hotel in Portsmouth after reports that a group of asylum seekers had been taken there. George Madgwick, a Reform councillor who was called to the hotel to mediate between staff and the assembled crowd, said it was a massively unfortunate incident. The incident followed a clash between hundreds of people, many wearing balaclavas, and police in Portsmouth on Sunday evening, after a small boat carrying asylum seekers reached the UK coastline from France. Madgwick said the group gathered outside the hotel after reports that about 40 men who did not appear to be English had arrived at the hotel, and that the coach which took them was from the same company, which moved the asylum seekers who had come by boat. The massively unfortunate incident was brought under control when Madgwick spoke to the hotel manager, who explained that the hotel was hosting members of an under-21 cricket team from Pakistan touring the south coast and using the Marriott as their base. I also spoke to the coach of the team, who was very understanding, Madgwick was quoted in the report. I went out to the protesters and told them, Youve got it wrong guys, its a cricket club. They left within a couple of minutes. The massively unfortunate incident was brought under control when Madgwick spoke to the hotel manager, who explained that the hotel was hosting members of an under-21 cricket team from Pakistan touring the south coast and using the Marriott as their base. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The team played England Under-19s in a four-day Test last week, losing by 10 runs, and will play a one-day game against the same opponents on Wednesday at Arundel. A final one-day game is scheduled for Saturday in Guildford. Article Source: IANS

It hurried one of the greatest batters: Nasser Hussain lauds Razaullah's spell

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Former England captain Nasser Hussain praised Pakistans 21-year-old fast bowler Razaullah for bringing pace and a point of difference to the attack during Day 1 of the third Test against England at Edgbaston, after the debutant claimed two wickets on a difficult opening day for the visitors. Pakistan have been calling out for something different from their bowlers for a long while, Hussain told Sky Sports. Razaullah, one of seven additions to Pakistans squad after their heavy defeat at Lords, made an immediate impression despite having only eight first-class appearances before being handed his Test debut. Hussain was particularly impressed by the young pacers ability to generate speed and bounce, qualities that offered Pakistan a different dimension with the ball after their first-innings total of 133. It is nice to watch that spell from Razaullah that had something, that had a point of difference, had some pace, Hussain said. The right-armers most notable breakthrough came when he dismissed Joe Root, Englands captain and one of the most accomplished batters of his generation. Razaullah also accounted for opener Emilio Gay as England closed the day on 156/4, giving Pakistan a rare positive from an otherwise difficult opening day. It hurried one of the greatest batters there has ever been in Joe Root, and got him out. Razaullahs spell came after Englands pace attack had dismantled Pakistan for a modest first-innings score. Josh Tongue led the hosts bowling effort with four wickets, while Englands other quicks also made early inroads. With the hosts holding the advantage at stumps, Tongue said England had put themselves in a strong position to push for a series sweep. Really pleased with the day. Coming here this morning, winning the toss, putting Pakistan in to bat, bowling them out for 130-odd - were in a really strong position, Tongue said at stumps. For Pakistan, however, Razaullahs debut offered a glimpse of a potential answer to their search for greater variety in their pace attack. His ability to hurry batters and extract bounce provided the most encouraging feature of an otherwise challenging day in Birmingham.

47-Year-Old Bowler Just Tore Through CPL Batting Line-Up, Broke World Record

At 47, when most of his contemporaries have retired, Imran Tahir continues to marvel

Dhoni, Kohli Get Stunning 80s Makeover

AI has taken Indian sports stars back to the 1980s, and the results are getting plenty of attention online. From retro hairstyles to colourful outfits, cricketers and athletes are enjoying the viral trend and sharing their vintage avatars with fans.

Representing India brings unique pressure; tennis will keep delivering results: Rohit Rajpal

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Playing for the country in marquee events like the Asian Games and Davis Cup brings a distinct level of responsibility compared to when playing individual events all around the year, said Rohit Rajpal, the non-playing captain for India in the Davis Cup. Rajpal, a bronze medallist in tennis in the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing, further expressed confidence in tennis continuing its strong medal-winning tradition at the upcoming multi-sport event, to be played in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. The event will happen right after India takes on hosts South Korea in the Davis Cup World Group Qualifiers Round 2 in Seoul on September 18 and 19. No, it's just completely different. I mean, there, you're playing for yourself and your career. You do what you want. Here, you do have a responsibility because you're playing for your country. So, it's a different kind of pressure that playing for your country and your flag brings to you when in Davis Cup or playing in Asian Games, Rajpal told IANS in an exclusive conversation, facilitated by subscription-free OTT platform VETO. Though Indias tennis contingent was shockingly slashed from 12 to seven, leaving them with no womens singles representation, Rajpal expressed optimism of a good performance coming out from Japan. But from my times, I was saying earlier as well, I'm an Asian Games medallist. So, even before me, we have always contributed to the medals tally. Tennis has always contributed and we've done well for India. Even in the last Asian Games, we had three or four medals (one silver and one bronze in mixed doubles and mens doubles in Hangzhou), if I can recollect. So, we will definitely be contributing this time too. Rajpal also shed light on the perennial challenge Indian players face when transitioning from dominant junior careers on the ITF circuit to established professionals on the ATP tour. He attributed part of the lag to cultural and developmental factors, while noting that modern training methods and support systems are rapidly closing the physical gap. So, the transition traditionally has been a very difficult task because genetically, Indians mature later than, for example, Europeans or Americans. We've seen that they mature later - their bodies and mind matures later. That is because of how we are brought up - our family values, etc. We still treat them as children when they are 17 and 18. Over there, you need to leave your home and start working and fending for yourself at that age. Once you're done and you're expected to build your own life from there. So, all those things really come into play as your personality development, etc and that kind of reflects on the court as well or in sport, any sport that you play. But that is changing as we go along because the game has gotten much more physical. He further added that bridging the physical and mental gulf requires structured support as players step up to face seasoned competitors on tour who are often years older. Then we have good physios and the boys are really, really focused on bridging that gap. Also, what happens is that when you're suddenly playing juniors and you cross that 18 mark and you start playing or even earlier, feature in the men's game, you're suddenly playing against players who are 10 years older to you - stronger and more mature. So, you need to match up to them and that's where the problems start coming - that if you're not physically or mentally not strong enough to match them. So, these are transitional issues that every player faces. But we are getting better and better at that now. I think more and more effort will be needed so that the transition period you spend in the same ecosystem where everybody else is transitioning - that it's a level playing field for everybody, he concluded.

Amid Harshit Rana's Injury Blow, India Get Two Massive Boosts Ahead Of Afghanistan T20Is

Both the players have been deemed fit for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, beginning on September 13. The duo are set to join the team in the national capital on Thursday.

80s Look Trend: 'What Happened to Me?'

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has gone viral with his hilarious and candid reactions to AI-generated 1980s makeovers of fellow cricketers Stuart Broad and Eoin Morgan, showcasing the popular social media trend.

Pakistan U-19 team mistaken for group of asylum seekers during England tour, protestors gather outside hotel

Pakistan U-19 team faced major controversy after a protest was staged outside their hotel in Portsmouth. The visiting players were reportedly mistaken for asylum seekers, which prompted a group of people to gather at the...

Craig Youngs Five-Wicket Haul Powers Dublin Guardians to First ETPL Win in Malahide

After 17 matches in Voorburg, the ETPL has crossed the Irish Sea for the second chapter of its inaugural season. The opening leg produced unforgettable performances, fierce rivalries and plenty of history, and now the action has moved to Malahide, where the Irish phase began with another chapter in the Dublin Guardians-Belfast Wolves rivalry. For Dublin, this was a landmark night. Having gone through the opening leg without a victory, the Guardians finally had their breakthrough, and they did it on Irish soil, in front of a home crowd at Malahide. At the centre of it all was one of Ireland's own. Craig Young, the local seamer, produced a sensational five-wicket haul to lead Dublin's bowling attack and deliver the standout performance on a night that will be remembered as the moment the Guardians opened their account in the ETPL. His 5 for 21 helped bowl Belfast out for 107 and gave Dublin the perfect platform to secure their first win of the campaign on home soil. Young's three wickets in the 10th over proved particularly important, breaking Belfast's momentum just as the Wolves were looking to build their innings. Reflecting on the impact of the win, he said the Guardians now had the opportunity to build on what they had been doing throughout the campaign. It would be great for us now that we've got that first win out of the way. Hopefully, that will push us on, showing that what we have been doing has been good enough, but just not quite good enough to get the wins. With the Malahide leg now underway, Young believes the Guardians have everything they need to carry that momentum forward. Again, just keep doing what we're doing. It's a nice place to be now. We've got a fresh changing room, fresh hotel, fresh pitching ground. So, nothing but good memories so far here, he added. Young's three wickets in the 10th over proved particularly important, breaking Belfast's momentum just as the Wolves were looking to build their innings. Reflecting on the moment, he explained that Dublin had already planned for Belfast's key batters at the back end and that removing them quickly had a major impact on the game. For David Willey, the victory was also a reflection of the spirit within the Guardians camp, and he was pleased with the morale in the group after finally getting their first win. He spoke about the importance of enjoying the game, particularly when results are not going your way, saying, when we first started playing the game, it was enjoyment. And generally, you play your best cricket and you're having fun as well. Willey acknowledged that it can be easy to get in a bit of a rut when you're not winning, but praised the atmosphere within the group, adding that the team spirit is really good and that the players were enjoying each other's success out there today. With that positive energy now carrying through the camp, the Guardians will hope the win can be the beginning of a strong run in Malahide. On the field, Dublin's bowling attack set the tone. Young struck repeatedly to finish with 5 for 21, while Belfast were restricted to 107 in 19.4 overs. The Wolves struggled to build sustained partnerships as Dublin kept finding breakthroughs at crucial moments. The chase was then handled with confidence. David Willey top-scored with 44 from 25 balls, while Daryl Mitchell finished unbeaten on 35 as Dublin reached 111 for 2 in 14.3 overs, sealing an eight-wicket victory with 33 balls remaining. It was more than two points for the Guardians. It was the first win of their ETPL campaign, their first victory in the Irish leg, and a performance delivered on home soil by a local hero. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories For Dublin, Malahide has already provided a fresh beginning and after this result, the Guardians have every reason to believe their Irish chapter can be something special.

Selaqui Strikers crowned champions of Dehradun T20 League 2026

Digital Desk | Dehradun, Sep 10 (IANS) Selaqui Strikers defeated Mussoorie Thunders by 39 runs in the final of the Dehradun T20 League 2026 at Abhimanyu Cricket Academy to clinch the inaugural title after a dominant all-round performance. Due to rain, the final was reduced to 16 overs per side. After losing the toss, Selaqui Strikers were asked to bat first and got off to a steady start. However, wicketkeeper-batter Vijay Sharma then took complete control of the innings, producing a spectacular display of power-hitting as Selaqui Strikers went on to post a huge total. Vijay Sharma smashed an explosive unbeaten 103 off just 31 balls, including five fours and 12 sixes. His sensational knock provided the foundation for Selaqui Strikers to put up a formidable 192/3 in 16 overs. Captain Piyush Joshi contributed 27 runs, while Sanskar Rawat scored 28. For Mussoorie Thunders, Anmol Shah, Shubham Naithani and Anshul Kumar picked up one wicket each. Chasing 193 for victory, Mussoorie Thunders endured a disastrous start, losing both their opening batters with just nine runs on the scoreboard. However, Anmol Shah (28), captain Akhil Singh Rawat (32) and Jonty (29) played attacking knocks to revive Mussoories hopes. Despite their efforts, Selaqui Strikers bowlers continued to strike at regular intervals and never allowed Mussoorie to build a sustained partnership. Nishu Patel and Siddharth Gupta were the standout performers with the ball, claiming three wickets each, while Priyank Singh and Abhay Kshetri picked up one wicket apiece. Mussoorie Thunders were eventually bowled out for 153 in 14.4 overs, giving Selaqui Strikers a convincing 39-run victory and making them the champions of the first season of the Dehradun T20 League. Following the successful conclusion of the tournament, outstanding performers were recognised with individual awards. Vijay Sharma of Selaqui Strikers was named Player of the Match for his breathtaking unbeaten 103 off 31 balls in the final. Piyush Joshi, who scored 193 runs in five innings during the tournament, was awarded the Best Batter title. Priyank Singh was named Best Bowler after taking 13 wickets in six innings. Mussoorie Thunders Anshul Kumar, who claimed eight wickets in three innings, was declared the Emerging Player of the Tournament. Priyank Singh was also named Player of the Tournament for his impressive all-round contribution, having scored 24 runs and taken 13 wickets during the competition. With Selaqui Strikers lifting the inaugural trophy, the Dehradun T20 League concluded its first season on a high, with several impressive individual performances and an exciting final (like we see in international tournaments) bringing the league to a memorable close.