Cricket

Afghanistan A emerged victorious in the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, defeating Sri Lanka A by seven wickets in a thrilling final at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground.Sri Lanka A, after winning the toss, opted to bat first. However, their innings faltered as they struggled to build partnerships. Sahan Arachchige stood out with an unbeaten 64 off 47 deliveries, including six towering sixes. Nimesh Vimukthi (23) and Pawan Rathnayake (20) provided some support, but Sri Lanka A could only muster 133/7 in their allotted 20 overs.Afghanistan A's bowlers were in top form, led by Bilal Sami's impressive three-wicket haul. Allah Ghazanfar also chipped in with two wickets.In the chase, Afghanistan A lost Zubaid Akbari for a duck in the first over. However, Sediqullah Atal (55) and Darwish Rasooli (24) steadied the ship with a crucial partnership. Karim Janat (33) and Mohammad Ishaq (16) then accelerated the scoring, guiding Afghanistan A to a comfortable seven-wicket victory.Sri Lanka A's bowlers failed to make an impact, with only Eshan Malinga, Dushan Hemantha, and Sahan Arachchige claiming wickets.Afghanistan A's triumph marks a significant achievement for the nation's cricket development program. The team's success in this tournament showcases the growing talent and potential within Afghanistan's cricketing ranks.

Pakistan Cricket Legend Basit Ali Condemns On-Field Incident in Asia CupFormer Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his dismay over an unsavory incident involving Pakistan A's Sufiyan Muqeem and India A's Abhishek Sharma during the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024.In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Ali criticized Muqeem's behavior, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship and respect for opponents, especially among young cricketers."The cricket was top-notch, but one thing that really upset me was the incident involving Sufiyan Muqeem and Abhishek Sharma," Ali said. "If I were sitting in the dugout or the team manager, I would have told Sufiyan, 'Son, pick up your things and go back.' You haven't even played proper cricket for Pakistan yet, and you're already using abusive language—what kind of behavior is this?"Ali referred to Muqeem's send-off gesture after dismissing Sharma, adding, "You're hurling abuses—did you take a hat-trick or something? You're not at that level yet. The management needs to teach young players how to respect the opposition."The incident occurred during a tense clash between India A and Pakistan A at Al Amerat. Sharma had gotten off to a flying start, scoring 35 off 22 balls, but his innings ended when he mistimed a shot off Muqeem's bowling.After the dismissal, Muqeem made a "silence gesture" toward Sharma, which infuriated the Indian opener, leading to a heated exchange. Umpires had to intervene to restore order.Despite the tension, India A held their nerve to secure a narrow 7-run win, posting 183/8 and restricting Pakistan A to 176/7.Ali's comments highlight the importance of maintaining a high standard of conduct on the field, especially for young players who are still developing their skills and character. Sportsmanship and respect for opponents are essential values that should be instilled in all cricketers.

In a thrilling encounter at the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, India A emerged victorious over Pakistan A by a narrow margin of 7 runs. Led by captain Tilak Varma, India A posted a competitive 183/8 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to contributions from Abhishek Sharma (35), Prabhsimran Singh (36), and Varma himself (44).Pakistan A's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost their captain Mohammad Haris early on. Yasir Khan provided some resistance with a quickfire 33, but his dismissal proved to be a turning point. Anshul Kamboj and Rasikh Salam kept the pressure on with crucial wickets, while Qasim Akram (27) and Arafat Minhas (41) tried to steady the ship.However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, and Abdul Samad's late surge (25 off 15) was not enough to prevent Pakistan A from falling short. Kamboj's impressive bowling performance (3/33) earned him the Man of the Match award.India A's victory was a testament to their collective effort, with contributions from various players. Their bowlers, led by Kamboj and Salam, kept the Pakistan A batsmen in check, while their batsmen provided a solid foundation.Pakistan A, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance, particularly their inability to build substantial partnerships. They will need to regroup and improve their execution in their upcoming matches.India A will now face United Arab Emirates on Monday in their next match, while Pakistan A will look to bounce back against Afghanistan.

The Indian cricket team is embracing a fearless approach under the leadership of coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav. This aggressive mindset is part of a strategic plan to prepare the team for the upcoming challenges of the Champions Trophy, Asia Cup, and T20 World Cup in the next 18 months.Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate emphasized the team's commitment to pushing the limits of their abilities. This was evident in the recent Test match in Kanpur, where India's attacking batting approach led to a decisive victory despite challenging weather conditions.The team's fearless approach extends to their batting, where they aim to expand their game and move cricket forward. Players like Sanju Samson are encouraged to take risks and push the boundaries, even in high-pressure situations.Another key aspect of India's strategy is the emphasis on multi-skilled players. In the second T20I against Bangladesh, India used seven bowlers, with each taking at least one wicket. This versatility provides the team with greater flexibility and depth in their bowling attack.With the T20I series against Bangladesh already sealed, India is expected to rotate their squad and give opportunities to players on the bench. This will allow them to assess their depth and prepare for the upcoming challenges.Despite the high-scoring nature of the pitch in Hyderabad, where the third T20I will be played, ten Doeschate cautioned against relying solely on data. The team will carefully assess the wicket and adjust their approach accordingly.

On September 14, 2023, Rohit Sharma etched his name into the annals of cricket history by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record for the fastest player to reach 10,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs). The Indian captain achieved this remarkable feat in just 241 innings, 18 fewer than the legendary Tendulkar.Sharma's record-breaking moment came during an Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The "Hitman" reached the milestone in style, smashing a towering six off the bowling of Kasun Rajitha. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause as Sharma celebrated his historic achievement.Despite Sharma's impressive 48-ball 53, India was bowled out for a modest 213 in 49.1 overs. However, the Indian bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav, put in a spirited performance to secure a 41-run victory. Yadav claimed four wickets for 43 runs, while Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with two wickets each.Sharma's journey to 10,000 ODI runs has been marked by his exceptional batting prowess. Known for his aggressive style and ability to hit big shots, Sharma has scored three double centuries in ODIs, including a career-best 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014.In the match against Sri Lanka, Sharma's opening partnership with Shubman Gill (19 off 25 balls) gave India a solid start. However, the Sri Lankan spinners, Dunith Wellalage and Charith Asalanka, tightened their grip on the game, taking five and four wickets respectively.Despite the setback, India's bowlers rallied on the spin-friendly Colombo pitch. Yadav's four-wicket haul proved decisive, while Jadeja and Bumrah also made valuable contributions. Ultimately, India dismissed Sri Lanka for 172, securing a crucial win by 41 runs.Sharma's record-breaking achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. He has established himself as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of cricketers to come.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced the launch of the Women's Under-19 T20 Asia Cup, a biennial tournament designed to foster the development of young female cricketers in Asia. This initiative follows the successful inaugural edition of the Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup held last year.The ACC's executive board meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday marked the official announcement of the tournament. The inaugural edition is scheduled for mid-December 2024, serving as a preparatory event for the Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia from January to February 2025. The venue and number of participating teams for the 2024 Asia Cup are yet to be determined.ACC President Jay Shah hailed the tournament's launch as a "pivotal moment for cricket in Asia." He emphasized the importance of providing a platform for young women cricketers to hone their skills and showcase their talent. Shah expressed confidence that the initiative would have a lasting impact on women's cricket in Asia and the global cricketing community.The Women's Under-19 T20 Asia Cup will complement the existing Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup, providing a regular competitive environment for young Asian cricketers. The tournament will offer opportunities for players to gain valuable experience, develop their abilities, and prepare for the highest level of international cricket.The ACC's commitment to promoting women's cricket aligns with the International Cricket Council's (ICC) strategic plan to grow the game among women and girls. The launch of the Women's Under-19 T20 Asia Cup is a significant step towards achieving this goal and ensuring a bright future for women's cricket in Asia.

Anton Roux, Sri Lanka's national fielding coach, has announced his resignation from the role, effective August 14, 2024. Roux, a former first-class cricketer for South Africa and coach for the Netherlands, joined Sri Lanka Cricket in March 2022.In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Roux expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Sri Lankan national cricket team. He highlighted the team's resilience and unity during challenging times, particularly during their historic series win against Australia on home soil.Roux's tenure as fielding coach witnessed significant achievements for Sri Lanka. The team reached two Asia Cup finals, winning the 2022 Asia T20 Cup. He also praised the progress of the Sri Lanka Women's Cricket Team, commending their passion and athleticism.Roux acknowledged the support of Mahela Jayawardene, Tom Moody, Tim McCaskill, and Chris Silverwood for entrusting him with the responsibility of overseeing the fielding duties. He expressed his deep respect and appreciation for Sri Lanka and its people, stating that the country holds a special place in his heart.Roux's final international game as Sri Lanka's fielding coach was the third and final Test at the Oval, where the visitors secured a memorable eight-wicket victory over England. This triumph marked Sri Lanka's first Test win over England in a decade.

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket legend, continues to etch his name in the annals of the sport, surpassing yet another milestone held by the iconic Sachin Tendulkar. On September 11, 2023, Kohli led India to a resounding 228-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup encounter at Colombo (RPS), breaking Tendulkar's record for the most ODI runs against Pakistan.Kohli and KL Rahul forged a formidable partnership of 233 runs, propelling India to a mammoth 356/2. Kohli remained unbeaten on 122*, reaching the milestone of 13,000 ODI runs in just 267 innings, a feat that Tendulkar had achieved in 321 innings. This marked Kohli's 47th ODI century and his 77th international hundred.Pakistan's batsmen struggled to cope with India's bowling attack, managing only 128 runs in reply. Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav shone with an exceptional performance, taking five wickets for just 25 runs.Kohli's record-breaking innings and India's emphatic victory over Pakistan have further cemented his status as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He is now within striking distance of several other records held by Tendulkar, including the most ODI runs and centuries.Kohli's relentless pursuit of excellence and his ability to perform under pressure have made him a role model for aspiring cricketers worldwide. His achievements serve as a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering determination.

Virat Kohli's century drought, spanning 1020 days and 83 innings, came to an end on September 8, 2022, during the Asia Cup Super 4 match against Afghanistan in Dubai. The Indian batting maestro, who had been struggling to find his rhythm in recent times, silenced his critics with a masterful knock of 122 off just 61 balls.Kohli's innings was a testament to his class and resilience. Opening the innings for India in the absence of Rohit Sharma, he seized the opportunity and played with a freedom that had been missing from his game for some time. His knock was a blend of power and finesse, as he effortlessly dispatched the Afghan bowlers to all parts of the ground.The century was Kohli's first in T20Is and his 71st across all formats internationally. It was also his first century since November 2019, when he scored a hundred against Bangladesh in a Test match.Kohli's unbeaten knock propelled India to an imposing total of 212 for 2, a target that proved insurmountable for Afghanistan. The Indian bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar's five-wicket haul, restricted Afghanistan to 111 for 8, securing a comfortable 101-run victory.Kohli's return to form is a major boost for India ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. The former Indian captain has been a key figure in India's success in the shortest format of the game, and his return to form will give the team a much-needed confidence boost.