Cricket

Brisbane Heat have bolstered their batting lineup for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) seasons by re-signing former New Zealand international Colin Munro for two more years. Munro, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, has been a prolific run-scorer in T20 cricket, amassing over 10,000 runs in 428 matches.Munro's signing is a significant boost for the Heat, who are aiming to defend their BBL title. The 37-year-old has played a key role in the Heat's recent success, scoring over 500 runs in the past two seasons. He has also been a valuable mentor for the team's younger players.Munro's re-signing is part of a new BBL rule that allows each club to sign one international player on a multi-year deal ahead of the overseas player draft. The Heat have taken advantage of this rule to secure the services of a proven match-winner.Munro will join a strong Heat batting lineup that includes Australian internationals Usman Khawaja and Matt Renshaw. The team also has a new coach for the upcoming season, with Johan Botha replacing Wade Seccombe.Munro is excited to be part of the Heat's title defense and believes the team has the potential to achieve great things. "It's a strong squad again and I'm looking forward to being part of what we can build together," he said. "There are always opportunities to get better and as a group, we should be excited about the new goals we will pursue this summer."The Heat will be hoping that Munro can continue his impressive form in the BBL and help them to another championship.

Colin Munro, the explosive New Zealand batsman, has bid farewell to international cricket after failing to secure a spot in the Black Caps' T20 World Cup squad. Despite expressing his availability and impressing in franchise cricket, Munro's hopes of adding to his 123 caps were dashed.Munro's international career spanned over a decade, during which he played one Test, 57 ODIs, and 65 T20Is. He made a significant impact in the shortest format, scoring three centuries and setting several records. His 47-ball hundred against West Indies in 2018 was a New Zealand record at the time, while his 14-ball half-century against Sri Lanka remains the fourth fastest in T20I cricket.Munro's aggressive batting style and calculated risk-taking revolutionized the way short-form cricket was played. He was one of the pioneers of the 360-degree batting approach that has become commonplace in modern cricket.Despite not playing for New Zealand since 2020, Munro remained hopeful of a return. However, with the announcement of the T20 World Cup squad, he has officially closed the chapter on his international career."Playing for the Black Caps has always been the biggest achievement in my playing career," Munro said. "I never felt prouder than donning that jersey, and the fact that I've been able to do that 123 times across all formats is something I will always be incredibly proud of."New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink praised Munro's contribution to the team. "Colin was one of our first players to embrace the aggressive, 360-degree style batting that is now accepted all around the world as best practice," Weenink said. "He was one of the pioneers of the new game, an innovative batsman who took calculated risk-taking to a new level, and led what was to become a revolution in the way short-form cricket was played."Munro will continue to play franchise cricket, but his international career has come to an end. He leaves behind a legacy as one of New Zealand's most innovative and exciting short-form batters.

Islamabad United's relentless pursuit of a playoff berth culminated in a thrilling three-wicket victory over league leaders Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The two-time champions showcased their resilience and firepower in a high-scoring encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats.Colin Munro, the New Zealand opener, set the tone for Islamabad's chase with a blistering 84 off just 40 deliveries. His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he dispatched the Multan bowlers to all corners of the ground. Captain Shadab Khan provided able support, contributing a valuable 54 off 31 balls.The duo's 141-run partnership laid the foundation for Islamabad's victory. However, the Sultans fought back valiantly, with Usman Khan leading the charge with an unbeaten century. The left-hander struck 15 fours and three sixes in his 50-ball knock, anchoring Multan's innings and setting a formidable target of 228 for 7.Despite the early loss of Alex Hales and Agha Salman, Munro and Shadab kept Islamabad's hopes alive. Their aggressive approach put pressure on the Sultans' bowlers, who struggled to contain the onslaught. Imad Wasim's unbeaten 30 in the latter stages of the chase proved crucial, as Islamabad reached the target with three wickets to spare.The victory propelled Islamabad United into the playoffs, where they will face the Karachi Kings in the first eliminator. Multan Sultans, despite the loss, remain atop the standings with 12 points and a game in hand.

In a thrilling moment during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, a young ball-boy stole the show with an extraordinary catch beyond the boundary rope.Despite the batter earning six runs for clearing the rope, it was the ball-boy's diving catch that captivated the crowd and earned praise from Kiwi star Colin Munro. Munro, positioned near the boundary where the catch was taken, was astonished by the child's effort and embraced him in a warm hug.The incident occurred during a delivery from Islamabad pacer Faheem Ashraf, which Zalmi's Amer Jamal hit for a maximum. Earlier in the match, the same ball-boy had dropped a catch, but he redeemed himself with this spectacular effort.The ball marginally crossed the rope, but the sight of a fielder celebrating a six while sharing a light-hearted moment with the ball-boy created a memorable moment.Islamabad United emerged victorious in the match, restricting Peshawar Zalmi to 167/9 after scoring 196/4 themselves. Shadab Khan was named the player of the match.In his post-match comments, Shadab Khan praised the team's performance and highlighted the importance of momentum on the Rawalpindi pitch. He also expressed confidence in the team's pace attack and the development of young players like Hunain.The ball-boy's catch not only showcased his athleticism but also highlighted the spirit of sportsmanship and the camaraderie between players and support staff. It was a moment that will be remembered long after the match itself.