Cricket

In a thrilling encounter, Afghanistan secured a narrow three-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third T20I match in Dambulla, ending the series on a high note. The match witnessed a flurry of runs and fierce knocks from both sides, with Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka leading the charge.Afghanistan, electing to bat first, got off to a blistering start thanks to Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai's aggressive batting. The duo put on an 88-run opening stand in just 48 deliveries, punishing the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground. Gurbaz, in particular, looked in ominous touch, striking a 43-ball 70, while Zazai contributed with a brutal 45 off 22 balls.Sri Lanka's bowlers struggled to contain the Afghan onslaught, with none able to maintain an economy rate below eight. Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, and Akila Dananjaya all bore the brunt of the punishment, conceding more than 10 runs per over.After the dismissal of Gurbaz and Zazai, Afghanistan continued to maintain a healthy scoring rate, thanks to valuable contributions from Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, and debutant Mohammed Ishaq. Ishaq, in particular, played a crucial role in the final over, striking two boundaries to push Afghanistan's total to 209 for 5.In response, Sri Lanka got off to a solid start, with Nissanka leading the charge. The diminutive opener played a blistering knock of 60 off 30 deliveries, including six fours and three sixes, before retiring hurt due to a hamstring strain. Nissanka's departure was a significant blow to Sri Lanka's chase, but Kamindu Mendis kept them in the hunt with a valiant 65 off 39 balls.Despite Nissanka and Mendis' efforts, Sri Lanka fell just short of the target, finishing on 206 for 5. Dasun Shanaka and Mendis put on a quick-fire 35-run stand in the final overs, but it wasn't enough to seal the victory.In the end, Afghanistan's bowlers held their nerve, with Nabi and Rashid Khan picking up two wickets each. The win gave Afghanistan their solitary victory in the three-match series, while Sri Lanka secured the series 2-1.

In a remarkable achievement, former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has etched his name in the history books by becoming the fastest batter to reach the milestone of 10,000 runs in the T20 format. This extraordinary feat was accomplished in a mere 271 innings, surpassing the previous record held by West Indies legend Chris Gayle, who took 285 innings to reach the same milestone. India's batting maestro Virat Kohli stands third on the list, having taken 299 innings to achieve this remarkable feat.Babar's journey to this historic milestone was marked by consistency and brilliance. Playing for Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), he needed just six runs to set the world record. With nerves of steel and unwavering focus, he successfully achieved this milestone during a match against Karachi Kings, while also leading his team as captain.It is noteworthy that Babar narrowly missed reaching the milestone in the previous game against Quetta Gladiators, where he was dismissed for 68 runs. However, his determination and unwavering focus propelled him to become the 13th player overall to reach the coveted 10,000-run mark in the T20 format.Babar's achievement is even more remarkable considering that he is still only 28 years old, with many more years of cricket ahead of him. His ability to score runs at a rapid pace, coupled with his consistency and adaptability, makes him one of the most exciting and dangerous batters in the world today.Chris Gayle, the previous record holder, remains the leading run-scorer in T20 cricket, with an impressive tally of 14,562 runs. However, Babar's rapid ascent up the ranks suggests that he could potentially challenge Gayle's record in the years to come.Babar's achievement is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the sport. It is a moment of pride for Pakistan cricket and a reminder of the immense talent that exists within the country.

In a thrilling encounter at Wellington's Sky Stadium, Australia snatched a nail-biting six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the opening Twenty20 international. Chasing a challenging target of 216, the Aussies rode on Mitchell Marsh's blistering 72 and Tim David's last-ball heroics to seal a dramatic triumph.New Zealand, batting first, posted an imposing 215-3, powered by Rachin Ravindra's maiden T20I half-century (68 off 35 balls). The hosts' innings was characterized by aggressive strokeplay, with Glenn Phillips (43) and Mark Chapman (32) providing valuable contributions.Australia's chase got off to a solid start, with openers Travis Head (24) and David Warner (32) putting on a 46-run partnership. However, the introduction of spin stifled their momentum, as Ish Sodhi and Michael Bracewell picked up quick wickets to leave the visitors reeling at 68-3.Enter Mitchell Marsh, who took the New Zealand attack head-on. The Australian skipper unleashed a flurry of boundaries, smashing seven sixes and two fours in his 44-ball 72. He forged a crucial 42-run stand with Glenn Maxwell (25) before Josh Inglis (20) joined him in a 51-run partnership.With the match slipping away, Tim David stepped up to the plate. The hard-hitting all-rounder remained composed under pressure, striking a six and a boundary off the final two deliveries to seal a remarkable victory for Australia.New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged the power of the Australian batting lineup, admitting that their inability to take wickets proved costly. The series now moves to Auckland for the remaining two T20Is, followed by a two-Test series.

The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad witnessed a historic moment as the home team, Hyderabad, clinched a thrilling five-wicket victory over Meghalaya in the final of the Ranji Trophy Plate Group on Tuesday. The triumph marked a remarkable end to a season filled with consistent performances and unwavering determination by the Hyderabad cricketers.Resuming the fourth day at 71 for one, Hyderabad needed 198 runs to secure victory. G. Rahul Singh, known for his aggressive batting, played a pivotal role in the chase, scoring a quickfire 62 runs off just 40 deliveries, including eight boundaries and two sixes. However, his dismissal in the 12th over of the morning brought captain Tilak Varma and Rohit Rayudu to the crease.The duo forged a crucial 82-run partnership, dashing Meghalaya's hopes of a comeback. Varma, in particular, looked set for another century this season but was unfortunately caught in the slips off a leading edge, just seven runs short of the milestone. Rayudu, too, departed soon after, giving a leading edge to a delivery from left-arm spinner Aryan Bora.Despite these setbacks, Hyderabad remained focused on the task at hand. K. Nitesh Reddy and Chandan Sahani steadied the innings, guiding the team to victory with an unbroken partnership of 12 runs. Sahani sealed the deal with a six over mid-on, sparking jubilation among the Hyderabad camp.The victory was a testament to the team's resilience and fighting spirit throughout the season. Hyderabad President A. Jagan Mohan Rao, along with officials from the Meghalaya Cricket Association, presented the prizes to the winning team. Rao announced a cash incentive of ₹10 lakh for the Hyderabad team and individual rewards for outstanding performances.

The Indian cricket team will be without the services of key players KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming fourth Test against England in Ranchi, starting February 23. Rahul, who has been struggling with a right quadriceps injury, has not been able to recover in time, while Bumrah has been released from the squad as part of workload management.Rahul's absence is a significant blow to India's batting lineup. The right-hander was in impressive form in the opening Test in Hyderabad, scoring a century before succumbing to the injury. He was also the only Indian centurion in the drawn two-match Test series in South Africa in December.Bumrah's release from the squad is a precautionary measure, considering the heavy workload he has endured in the first three Tests. The pace spearhead has bowled 80.5 overs so far in the series, taking 17 wickets, including a match-winning spell in the second Test in Visakhapatnam.India are well-placed to seal the series in Ranchi, leading 2-1 after the first three Tests. However, if they are unable to do so, they will desperately need the services of Bumrah for the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala, beginning March 7.In the absence of Rahul and Bumrah, India have called up pacer Mukesh Kumar to the squad. Kumar, who was released from the squad for the third Test in Rajkot to play a Ranji game for Bengal, has joined the team in Ranchi.India's updated squad for the fourth Test:* Rohit Sharma (C)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Shubman Gill* Rajat Patidar* Sarfaraz Khan* Dhruv Jurel (WK)* KS Bharat (WK)* Devdutt Padikkal* R Ashwin* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Washington Sundar* Kuldeep Yadav* Mohd. Siraj* Mukesh Kumar* Akash Deep

In the realm of cricket, where innovation and audacity reign supreme, batsmen are constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity to gain an edge over their opponents. One such instance recently took the cricketing world by storm, leaving commentators and fans alike in awe. During a T10 match between Spain and the Czech Republic, a batsman named Mohammad Babar showcased an extraordinary display of unorthodox shot-making that has since gone viral on social media.Babar, a right-handed batsman, stunned spectators with his audacious one-handed sixes, executed with impeccable timing and precision. The incident occurred when Babar faced S Hossain, a bowler from the Czech Republic. Instead of employing the conventional two-handed technique, Babar deliberately used only his right hand to strike the ball, sending it soaring over the boundary with effortless ease.The manner in which Babar executed these one-handed shots was truly remarkable. With his backhand, he generated immense power and control, dispatching the ball to various parts of the ground. The commentators were left speechless, marveling at the sheer audacity and skill of Babar's strokeplay.While it is not uncommon for batsmen to occasionally lose one hand from the bat while attempting big hits, Babar's deliberate and consistent use of the one-handed technique was unprecedented. His ability to generate such power and accuracy with just one hand highlighted his exceptional talent and mastery over the art of batting.Babar's one-handed sixes have sparked a wave of excitement and admiration among cricket enthusiasts worldwide. The video of his exploits has been widely shared on social media platforms, garnering millions of views and comments. Many have hailed Babar as a pioneer of a new era of innovative shot-making in cricket, pushing the boundaries of what is possible on a cricket field.

The Indian Premier League (IPL), a highly anticipated cricket tournament, is set to commence on March 22, 2024, as confirmed by league chairman Arun Dhumal. This year's edition, the 17th in the series, will be held entirely within India, despite the upcoming general elections.The schedule for the tournament is yet to be announced due to the elections, which are expected to take place in April and May. Dhumal stated that initially, only the schedule for the first 15 days will be released, with the remaining games to be decided after the election dates are announced."We are looking at a March 22 start for the tournament. We are working closely with the government agencies and we will first release the initial schedule. The entire tournament will be held in India," Dhumal told PTI.The IPL has been held entirely overseas only once, in 2009, when it was hosted in South Africa. In 2014, a portion of the tournament was held in the UAE due to the elections. However, in 2019, the IPL took place in India despite the elections.The final of the IPL is likely to be held on May 26, just before the T20 World Cup begins. India's first World Cup match will be against Ireland in New York on June 5. The tournament will start with a clash between the USA and Canada on June 1.The IPL opener will follow the tradition of being played between the previous year's finalists, with the Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans taking the field. The players' auction for the 2024 season took place in December last year, with Australian pacer Mitchell Starc becoming the most expensive player in IPL history after being bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 24.75 crore.The IPL is one of the most popular cricket tournaments in the world, attracting millions of viewers and generating significant revenue. The tournament features some of the best cricketers from around the world, and it is known for its exciting matches and high-scoring games.