Cricket

Former Pakistan women's cricket team captain Nida Dar's belated social media post congratulating the Indian men's team on their T20 World Cup victory has sparked amusement and confusion among fans.On September 5, 2024, Dar posted on Twitter, "Congrats to India on winning the @T20WorldCup 2024! A special shoutout to @ImRo45 @imVkohli for their immense contributions to world cricket. Your leadership, skill, and dedication have inspired millions around the world. Happy retirement, legends!"The post, which included photos of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rahul Dravid, caught everyone by surprise as the T20 World Cup had been won by India on June 29, 2023.Dar's post was met with a flurry of comments, with many users questioning her tardiness. "Nida Dar travelled back in time and got stuck there?" tweeted Saba S. Sheikh. "Nida Dar has just now landed from Mars!!" exclaimed Amitava.Dar later deleted the post from her social media account.Meanwhile, in men's cricket, Pakistan's Test team has dropped two places in the ICC rankings to eighth position after a 0-2 series defeat at home to Bangladesh. This is Pakistan's lowest rating points in the Test rankings since 1965.Pakistan was ranked sixth before the series against Bangladesh, but back-to-back losses on home soil have seen them slide below the West Indies. Pakistan has now lost six and drawn four of their last ten home Tests, with series defeats against Australia, England, and Bangladesh.

Rahul Dravid's cricketing journey has been a remarkable tale of resilience and triumph. Known as "The Wall" for his unwavering defense, Dravid was a batting maestro who played countless match-winning innings for India. Despite his illustrious 16-year playing career, Dravid's trophy cabinet lacked an ICC title.However, destiny had a special plan for him. After retiring as a player, Dravid took over as coach of Team India. Under his guidance, Rohit Sharma and his team clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy, India's first ICC title in 11 years.The World Cup final, where India defeated South Africa, was Dravid's last game as coach. The team rewarded him with the ultimate farewell gift, and during the trophy collection, fans witnessed a rare sight: the usually composed Dravid immersed in a wild celebration.The 51-year-old, known for his calm demeanor, opened up about the moment at the CEAT Awards. "We strived to achieve something together. When you come at the end of it, you have moments like that. It's great to celebrate," he said.However, Dravid admitted that he tries to hide his exuberant celebrations from his sons, Samit and Anvay. "I try to avoid showing that to my children, thinking I've gone mad or something," he said."But yeah, I was always telling the boys we got to maintain our balance, and remain cool, not go up and down with results. Thank god it was my last game, otherwise after that, they would have said 'you're saying one thing but doing something else'," he added.Dravid's son, Samit, recently earned a spot in India's Under-19 squad for the Australia series. The three-match one-day series will be held in Puducherry in September.

Rohit Sharma's Iconic 'Walk' Trophy Celebration: A Global PhenomenonRohit Sharma's unforgettable "walk" trophy celebration at the T20 World Cup has left an indelible mark on cricket history. Inspired by Lionel Messi's iconic walk after Argentina's FIFA World Cup triumph, Rohit's slow and deliberate stride to collect the trophy after India's victory over South Africa captivated the world.The gesture, a symbol of triumph and confidence, has since become a global phenomenon. Cricket teams worldwide have adopted the "walk" as a way to celebrate their victories. Hayley Matthews, captain of the Barbados Royals Women, recently recreated the walk after leading her team to victory over Trinbago Knight Riders Women, paying homage to Rohit's iconic moment.Rohit's celebration not only showcased his leadership and determination but also highlighted the growing influence of football on cricket. The "walk" has become a bridge between the two sports, uniting fans and players alike.Beyond its symbolic significance, Rohit's walk has also sparked a conversation about the importance of mental strength in sports. The slow and deliberate pace of the walk represents the focus and composure required to succeed at the highest level.As the second Indian captain to win the ICC T20 World Cup title, Rohit has etched his name in cricket history. His iconic "walk" trophy celebration has become a testament to his leadership, confidence, and the enduring power of sport to inspire and unite.

In the inaugural T20I between Australia and Scotland, the spotlight shifted from Travis Head's explosive batting to the unconventional tactics of left-arm spinner Mark Watt. Watt's "long ball" strategy, where he delivers the ball from a distance of 25 yards, has sparked debate over the interpretation of Law 20.4.2.5.During the match, Watt's delivery to Josh Inglis resulted in a "dead ball" call after Inglis stepped away late. The umpire deemed Inglis unprepared, but Watt believed he was ready to face the ball. A similar incident occurred with Marcus Stoinis, prompting boos from the crowd.The Law states that a "dead ball" should be called when the striker is not ready and makes no attempt to play the ball. However, the definition of "adequate reason" for the batter to pull away is left to the umpire's discretion.Watt's tactic aims to catch batters off guard by delivering the ball before they are fully prepared. In the T20 World Cup earlier this year, a similar situation arose when Oman batter Khalid Kail was "bowled" after stepping away. Umpire Chris Brown called dead ball, but commentator Tom Moody argued that Kail was ready.Australia was aware of Watt's tactic from their previous encounter in the T20 World Cup. Inglis and Stoinis, who were part of the Australian squad, had faced Watt's "long ball" deliveries.The debate over Watt's tactic highlights the gray areas in the Law and the challenges umpires face in interpreting it. While the "dead ball" calls may not have impacted the result, they have sparked discussions about the balance between innovation and fair play in cricket.

Travis Head's blistering knock of 80 off just 25 balls propelled Australia to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Scotland in their T20 international encounter in Edinburgh. The Australian opener's explosive innings, featuring five sixes and 12 fours, set the tone for a dominant performance by the visitors.Head's onslaught helped Australia establish a record-breaking first powerplay score of 113/1, the highest ever in T20 international cricket. The tourists lost an early wicket, but Head and captain Mitchell Marsh launched a relentless assault on the Scottish bowlers. Marsh contributed a quickfire 30 off one over from Jack Jarvis, while Head reached his half-century in a mere 17 deliveries.The Scottish bowlers struggled to contain the Australian duo, with Mark Watt eventually dismissing both Head and Marsh in the seventh over. However, the damage had already been done, and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis stepped up to maintain the momentum. Inglis's unbeaten 27 helped Australia chase down Scotland's total of 154 with 62 balls to spare.Earlier, George Munsey top-scored for Scotland with 28, while Sean Abbott was the pick of the Australian bowlers with three wickets for 39 runs. Scotland's innings was characterized by a steady accumulation of runs, but they lacked the firepower to match Australia's explosive batting display.Australia's victory extends their winning streak in T20 internationals to four matches. The tourists will now face England in a three-match T20 series, starting on September 8.

South East Stars secured a crucial victory over Central Sparks in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, boosting their chances of reaching the semi-finals. Batting first, Stars amassed an impressive 270 all out, thanks to a 127-run partnership between Kira Chathli (80) and Alice Davidson-Richards (70). Katie George and Charis Pavely claimed four and three wickets, respectively, for Sparks.Sparks' chase got off to a shaky start, losing four wickets within the first 13 overs. However, Davina Perrin (50), Chloe Brewer (54), and Bethan Ellis (57) staged a valiant recovery, keeping their team in contention. Despite their efforts, Sparks fell short by 20 runs, finishing on 250 for 9.The victory puts Stars on the brink of a semi-final berth. They need only to win their final game against Northern Diamonds to secure their place in the last four. However, a defeat could potentially see them edged out if Sunrisers manage a bonus-point win over Southern Vipers.Stars' innings began with an early wicket, but Alexa Stonehouse and Phoebe Franklin steadied the ship with a 70-run partnership. Chathli and Davidson-Richards then took control, punishing the Sparks bowlers with a flurry of boundaries. George's three quick wickets slowed Stars' momentum, but Priyanaz Chatterji's late cameo ensured a strong total.Sparks' top order struggled against the Stars' bowling attack, with Tilly Corteen-Coleman claiming two early wickets. Perrin's half-century provided a glimmer of hope, but her dismissal triggered a collapse. Brewer and Ellis rebuilt, but their efforts ultimately proved insufficient.

Northern Diamonds emerged victorious in a thrilling last-ball encounter against Southern Vipers, securing a home semi-final berth in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Chasing a formidable target of 241 at Headingley, Diamonds overcame adversity to triumph by a single run.The Vipers innings was anchored by Georgia Adams' measured 82-ball 57, supported by contributions from Ella McCaughan (30), Georgia Elwiss (31), Emily Windsor (33), and Naomi Dattani (30). Despite losing three wickets for 30 runs, the Vipers managed to post a competitive total.Diamonds' chase got off to a shaky start with the early dismissal of Lauren Winfield-Hill. However, Emma Marlow (52) and Rebecca Duckworth (51) steadied the innings with a 91-run partnership. After both batters departed, Erin Burns (31) kept the scoreboard ticking.As the match reached its climax, Diamonds found themselves on the ropes at 216 for 9. Debutant Rebecca Tyson impressed with three wickets, but Katie Levick and Rachel Slater remained at the crease. With nine runs required off the final over, Slater hit the winning two to long-on, securing a dramatic victory.Levick's 13 runs and three wickets played a crucial role in Diamonds' triumph, while Adams' all-round performance (57 runs, 4 wickets) highlighted her impact for the Vipers.

Joe Root's exceptional batting performance in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka has left the hosts scratching their heads for a solution. With scores of 42, 62 not out, 143, and 103, Root has been the cornerstone of England's dominance.Root's mastery against Sri Lanka is evident in his impressive average of 67.55 against them. In his previous series against the same opposition, he notched up scores of 186 and 228, showcasing his ability to dominate on Sri Lankan pitches.His technical prowess is evident in his skillful sweeps and reverse-sweeps, as well as his proactive approach against seamers. When he chooses to defend, Root's technique is considered one of the best in the game.Sri Lanka's team discussions have been dominated by the question of how to dismiss Root. Senior batter Dimuth Karunaratne revealed that they have tried various plans but have been unsuccessful due to Root's consistent excellence."We've tried a few things against Joe but they were always unsuccessful," Karunaratne said. "I think the turning points in the matches have been those Joe Root innings."Karunaratne believes that Sri Lanka may need to adopt a less aggressive approach against Root. "Maybe sometimes we attack him too much and he takes advantage of that," he said. "Some players don't like it when we ask them to be less aggressive. Sometimes boring batters out can also be a tactic."However, Sri Lanka's problems extend beyond Root's dominance. Their senior batters have failed to make significant contributions, with only six fifties in 16 combined innings. Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, and Dhananjaya de Silva have all had fifty-plus scores but have not made a lasting impact."The seniors have talked a lot about how to perform and ease the pressure on the juniors," Karunaratne said. "The juniors have been doing well, especially Kamindu Mendis. Some people adapt very fast to conditions and some struggle."Karunaratne emphasized the difficulty of batting in Sri Lanka, citing the struggles of England's openers and No. 3 batter. "In England the conditions are tough for batters, and we saw that even their openers struggled, as well as their No. 3," he said. "Apart from Joe Root the others also struggled despite this being home conditions for them."

The Blaze emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Thunder in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, securing a crucial 24-run victory at Sale. The Blaze's triumph keeps their hopes alive in the competition, while Thunder's defeat dashes their aspirations of reaching the knockout stages.The Blaze's innings got off to a promising start, with Sarah Bryce and Michaela Kirk establishing a solid foundation with a 66-run partnership. However, the introduction of Fi Morris into the Thunder attack proved pivotal, as the spinner's career-best 6 for 35 wreaked havoc on the Blaze's batting lineup.Morris's devastating spell began with the dismissal of Kathryn Bryce, who was caught at gully for 31. She then trapped Orla Prendergast lbw for 29 and Lucy Higham for 4, reducing the Blaze to 135 for 6. Hannah Jones claimed the wicket of Kirstie Gordon, before Morris completed her impressive performance by bowling Ella Claridge, Grace Ballinger, and Cassidy McCarthy.In response, Thunder's chase got off to a disastrous start as Grace Ballinger's impressive left-arm swing dismantled their top order. Ballinger's 4 for 23 included the dismissals of Eve Jones, Alice Clarke, Morris, and Dani Collins, leaving Thunder reeling at 41 for 5.Despite Ballinger's early heroics, Thunder's innings was plagued by a series of unfortunate events. Seren Smale was caught at point off Prendergast, while Ellie Threlkeld and Darcey Carter fell cheaply. Grace Johnson's dismissal left Thunder in dire straits, but a defiant last-wicket partnership of 50 between Tara Norris and Hannah Jones provided a glimmer of hope.Norris's unbeaten 53, which included three sixes, was a testament to her fighting spirit. However, it was not enough to prevent The Blaze from securing victory with 26 balls to spare. Kathryn Bryce claimed the final wicket of Hannah Jones, sealing the win for her team.The Blaze's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination, while Thunder's defeat was a disappointing end to their campaign. The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy continues to provide thrilling and competitive cricket, with every match having the potential to shape the destiny of the tournament.