Cricket

New Zealand Opt to Bowl First in Series-Deciding T20I Against PakistanIn a crucial encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium, New Zealand have chosen to field first after winning the toss against Pakistan. The visitors, aiming to secure a 3-1 series victory, have made three changes to their lineup, two of which are enforced.Tim Robinson, Dean Foxcroft, and Jacob Duffy have been replaced by Zakary Foulkes, Tim Seifert, and Cole McConchie. Robinson suffered a groin injury, while Foxcroft was ruled out due to a back complaint.Pakistan, seeking to level the series, have recalled Shaheen Afridi to their side, with Zaman Khan making way. This is the final T20I Pakistan will play at home before embarking on tours to Ireland and England ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.Pakistan Team:1. Babar Azam (capt)2. Saim Ayub3. Fakhar Zaman4. Usman Khan (wk)5. Iftikhar Ahmed6. Shadab Khan7. Imad Wasim8. Shaheen Afridi9. Usama Mir10. Abbas Afridi11. Mohammad AmirNew Zealand Team:1. Tom Blundell2. Tim Seifert (wk)3. Mark Chapman4. Cole McConchie5. Michael Bracewell (capt)6. Josh Clarkson7. James Neesham8. Zakary Foulkes9. Ish Sodhi10. Ben Sears11. Will O'RourkeWith the series on the line, both teams will be eager to put in a strong performance. New Zealand will look to their experienced bowlers, including Ish Sodhi and Ben Sears, to restrict Pakistan's batting lineup. Pakistan, on the other hand, will rely on their explosive batsmen, led by Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, to post a competitive total.The match promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams determined to end the series on a high note.

Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I: Pakistan Aims to Level Series, New Zealand Eyes ClinchPakistan and New Zealand will face off in the decisive fifth T20I on Saturday, with both teams vying for victory. Pakistan seeks to level the series, while New Zealand aims to clinch it.In the fourth T20I, New Zealand emerged victorious by a narrow four-run margin. Tim Robinson's blistering knock and William O'Rourke's impressive bowling performance proved pivotal in their triumph. The match was a nail-biting thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats.Pakistan will be determined to bounce back and level the series. Their batting lineup, led by captain Babar Azam, will need to fire on all cylinders. Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, and Asif Ali are also key players to watch.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be confident of sealing the series victory. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Trent Boult and Tim Southee, has been in excellent form. Devon Conway and Martin Guptill have also been consistent performers with the bat.The fifth T20I promises to be another exciting encounter. Both teams have the potential to win, and the match could go down to the wire. Pakistan will be eager to level the series, while New Zealand will be determined to clinch it.

Former Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has unveiled his squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, featuring some surprising selections and omissions.Wicketkeeper:Zaheer has opted for Rishabh Pant as the sole wicketkeeper in his team, overlooking other contenders like Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan. He believes Pant's all-around abilities and experience make him the best choice.Pace Bowlers:Zaheer has included four pace bowlers in his squad, with the notable addition of left-arm seamer Yash Dayal. Dayal has impressed in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League, and Zaheer sees him as a valuable option to add variety to the attack. Mohammed Shami's injury layoff has also influenced this selection.All-Rounders:Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are the two all-rounders in Zaheer's squad. Dube provides a power-hitting option in the middle order, while Pandya offers a versatile skillset with his batting, bowling, and fielding.Spinners:Ravindra Jadeja is the lone spinner in the squad. His all-around abilities, including his exceptional fielding and batting, make him an indispensable asset.Batters:Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli form the core of Zaheer's batting lineup. Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are competing for the opening slot, while Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh provide depth in the middle order.Key Omissions:Zaheer's squad notably omits KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan, who are all considered strong contenders for the wicketkeeper role. He also overlooks Dinesh Karthik, who has been in impressive form in recent times.Zaheer's Rationale:Zaheer believes that his squad provides the best balance and flexibility for the T20 World Cup. He emphasizes the importance of having four pace bowlers to exploit the conditions in Australia. He also values the all-around abilities of his players, who can contribute in multiple facets of the game.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed a paradigm shift in batting strategies, with teams consistently posting mammoth totals. This has forced bowlers to adapt and adopt unconventional tactics to counter the aggressive approach of batsmen.Ryan ten Doeschate, assistant coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), emphasized the need for bowlers to employ "anti-skill" tactics. He believes that bowlers can no longer rely on traditional methods and must find innovative ways to challenge batsmen."When you get past 160, you can almost pack your bag and feel you're going to win the game. Now, you need 160 before the 13th over to have a chance to get a big score," Doeschate said.He cited the example of Sam Curran's dismissal of Phil Salt, where Curran bowled a slower ball that deceived the batsman. Doeschate believes that bowlers must come up with such innovative strategies to stay ahead of the curve."We have to come up with innovative ways... I feel sorry for the bowlers, but those are the realities," he added.Doeschate also urged KKR's bowlers to embrace the challenge and find new ways to restrict batsmen. He revealed that Mitchell Starc is set to return soon, which will provide depth to KKR's bowling attack.Meanwhile, Punjab Kings' Prabhsimran Singh praised the Impact Substitute rule, which allows teams to replace a player during the match. He believes that it provides opportunities for youngsters to showcase their talent.Singh played a crucial role in Punjab Kings' record chase against KKR, scoring 25 runs off 12 balls. He highlighted the team's strategy to capitalize on the powerplay and praised Jonny Bairstow's match-winning century."We had a plan to go after the bowlers in the powerplay and it worked out well for us. Jonny Bairstow played a brilliant innings and took the game away from KKR," Singh said.The IPL has become a breeding ground for innovative tactics and strategies, with teams constantly pushing the boundaries of the game. As batting continues to dominate, bowlers must adapt and find new ways to counter the onslaught.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has shed light on the deep involvement of Punjab Kings co-owner and Bollywood actress Preity Zinta with the team. During a mid-innings discussion on Star Sports, Pathan revealed intriguing details about Zinta's dedication and emotional investment in the team's performances.Pathan, who represented Punjab Kings for three years, spoke highly of Zinta's passion and support. "She is a wonderful woman. She was quite involved with the team. Haarne pe pareshan ho jaati thi, bahut pareshan ho jaati hai [She gets very upset when the team loses]. But she knows how to control her emotions," Pathan remarked.Drawing parallels from Zinta's acting career, Pathan emphasized her understanding of success and failure. "Since she was a fantastic actor, very experienced and very successful, she knows it is not easy. She knows that every movie can't be a hit. Similarly, she understands that we can't win every match," Pathan elaborated.Pathan reminisced about Zinta's calm demeanor, recalling only a few instances of her expressing disappointment after a defeat. He emphasized her professionalism and leadership, noting her rare displays of resentment in the face of adversity. "So, when she had a conversation with us after a defeat. In my three years with the team, we played more than 40 matches and I have seen only 2 or 3 times she showed us some disappointment, otherwise she always remains calm," Irfan added.Adding a lighter note to the discussion, Pathan shared a memorable anecdote about Zinta's gesture of celebrating victories by personally preparing paranthas for the team during their stint in South Africa. "She once made parathas with her hands in South Africa for the team. Almost 40 paranthas by hand, because we won against Chennai Super Kings. She is of a different level of team owner," Pathan concluded.Punjab Kings' remarkable run chase against Kolkata Knight Riders, spearheaded by Jonny Bairstow's explosive century and Shashank Singh's impressive batting, marked a historic moment as they surpassed the highest successful run chase record in IPL and T20 cricket history. Despite the defeat, Kolkata Knight Riders' blistering start, fueled by Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, set the stage for a thrilling encounter at the Eden Gardens, showcasing the electrifying nature of T20 cricket.

Punjab Kings' record-breaking chase of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders has left captain Sam Curran questioning the nature of cricket. The match witnessed an unprecedented display of batting prowess, with 42 sixes hit, the most in a T20 match.Curran attributed the batting explosion to improved training methods, increased confidence, and the influence of small grounds and dew. He emphasized the importance of winning small moments and acknowledged the impact of Jonny Bairstow's return to form. Bairstow, who had been dropped from the team, smashed an unbeaten 108 off 48 balls, while Shashank Singh contributed an unbeaten 68 off 28 balls.Curran praised Bairstow's determination and Shashank's emergence as a key player. He also highlighted the team's resilience after a tough few weeks.Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer expressed disappointment at his team's inability to defend their total. He called for introspection and emphasized the need to improve their bowling.The match has raised questions about the future of cricket, with Curran suggesting that it may be evolving into a more baseball-like sport. The relentless pursuit of sixes and the diminishing importance of traditional statistics have become defining characteristics of the modern game.

Surrey's opening day against Hampshire at the Kia Oval was a tale of two halves, with the hosts trailing by 28 runs after a dramatic day dominated by swing and seam bowling.Hampshire, who have been Surrey's closest challengers in recent years, were dismissed for 151 after being put in to bat. Dan Worrall, Jordan Clark, and Gus Atkinson shared nine wickets between them, with Worrall claiming three in a superb opening spell.Surrey's reply got off to a shaky start, with Kyle Abbott and James Fuller dismissing Dom Sibley and Ollie Pope cheaply. Jamie Smith and Dan Lawrence also fell before tea, leaving Surrey reeling at 44 for 4.However, Ryan Patel and Rory Burns steadied the ship with a 75-run partnership. Patel played some elegant strokes in his 41, while Burns anchored the innings with a gritty 39 not out.Patel's dismissal to Mohammad Abbas left Surrey on 123 for 5 at the close of play, still 28 runs behind Hampshire.

West Indies emerged victorious in a nail-biting one-run triumph over Pakistan in the inaugural women's T20I encounter in Karachi. The visitors, batting first, posted a modest 122 runs, thanks to a disciplined bowling performance from Pakistan, led by Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal.However, West Indies' bowlers responded with equal determination, restricting Pakistan's chase and turning it into a tense affair that went down to the wire. In the end, it came down to two runs off the final delivery, but Shamilia Connell's accurate bowling and Shemaine Campbelle's swift run-out sealed the victory for the Caribbean side.Pakistan's bowlers started strongly, with Iqbal dismissing Hayley Matthews for a duck on the second ball. Diana Baig then trapped Campbelle behind, leaving West Indies reeling at 14 for two. Qiana Joseph and Stafanie Taylor steadied the innings, but Pakistan's bowlers kept them in check.Chedean Nation and Chinelle Henry provided valuable cameos, helping West Indies reach a run-a-ball mark. However, Pakistan maintained a slight edge at the halfway point.Pakistan's chase began promisingly, with Sidra Ameen's aggressive 23 putting them ahead of the required run rate. But the loss of Ameen and Gull Feroza in quick succession brought West Indies back into the game. Karishma Ramharack's dismissal of Ayesha Zafar further boosted West Indies' hopes.Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof's 24-ball 27 gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope, but West Indies' bowlers held their nerve. The final over proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions, with Najiha Alvi's exquisite cover drive for four bringing Pakistan within touching distance of victory. However, Connell's dot ball and Campbelle's run-out ensured West Indies' triumph.

Mohammed Shami Urges Citizens to Vote, Expresses Gratitude for PM Modi's PraiseIndian star pacer Mohammed Shami cast his vote in Amroha during the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday. After exercising his franchise, Shami emphasized the importance of voting and encouraged citizens to "elect the government of their choice.""Every citizen has the right to cast their votes and elect the government of their choice," Shami told the media. "It is a matter of pride for me that PM Narendra Modi took my name during his speech (in Amroha) and praised me and my game."Shami's vote came as part of the second phase of Lok Sabha polls, which saw voting held in eight parliamentary constituencies of Uttar Pradesh: Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Aligarh, Mathura, and Bulandshahr.Earlier this year, PM Modi had wished Shami a speedy recovery after the pacer underwent a successful operation on his Achilles tendon. Shami is currently undergoing rehabilitation from the injury.On April 19, Shami provided an injury update to his fans, expressing his eagerness to make a comeback. "Injuries don't define you, your comeback will... Can't wait to be back out there with my team!" he wrote on Instagram.Shami is not participating in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, where he was expected to play for the Gujarat Titans (GT). He also missed the five-match Test series against England at home in January-March due to his injury.The 33-year-old last represented India in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November. Despite playing through pain, Shami emerged as the tournament's highest wicket-taker, claiming 24 wickets in just seven matches.Shami's performance in the World Cup was a testament to his resilience and determination. He missed the subsequent tour to South Africa and the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in January due to his injury.