Cricket

Australian batting maestro David Warner has set his sights on amassing runs at the Harare Sports Club in the upcoming Zim Afro T10 tournament. However, Zimbabwean captain Sikandar Raza hopes that a local player will outshine the international stars.Raza, who was impressed by the quality of cricket in the inaugural edition, believes that the second season will be even more exciting with the addition of international players like Warner, Dawid Malan, James Neesham, and Colin Munro."We have attracted a lot more international cricketers, with the likes of David Warner, one of the main signings of the season this year," said Raza. "This is going to be a very exciting tournament for sure."However, Raza's primary goal is for a Zimbabwean player to excel in the tournament. "I'm really hoping and praying that it's a Zimbabwean who scores the most number of runs, takes the most number of catches, and takes the most number of wickets," he said. "The growth for Zimbabwean cricket in this tournament is very crucial."While Warner is a major signing, pacer Blessing Muzarabani is the only Zimbabwean to be named a Global Icon for the NYS Lagos. Raza expressed his pride in Muzarabani's achievement."Certainly, very happy with that," said Raza. "Blessing has done really well over the past year and he has suddenly earned that right to be a Global Icon as well. As long as there is Zimbabwean representation, it makes me happy."Raza, who was a standout performer in the inaugural edition, is determined to contribute to his team's success. "The mentality is the same: to win the trophy," he said. "Cricket is a team game, but filled with individual brilliance, and if I can contribute for the success of the team, it will go a long way."Raza also encouraged young Zimbabwean players to learn from the international stars. "Enjoy as much as you can, and learn and grow as much as you can," he said. "Try and spend as much time as you can with the overseas players that are here, because they only here for 9-10 days. Try and learn as much as you can and you'll see that you can take this learning in your personal growth and that will help you to become a better cricketer."Raza believes that the T10 format has the potential to grow the sport and even make it an Olympic event. "T10 is a format that can definitely take cricket to the Olympic Games," he said.

The second season of the Zim Afro T10 league is set to commence from September 21 to 29 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Ahead of the draft scheduled for September 8, the six participating franchises have announced their direct signings, featuring a host of international superstars.Bulawayo Braves Jaguars have secured the services of Australian opener David Warner and West Indian all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite as their icon and global superstar, respectively. Cape Town Samp Army has signed up England's David Willey and Dawid Malan, Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib and Qais Ahmed.Durban Wolves have acquired the services of New Zealand's Colin Munro and Mark Chapman, along with Pakistan's Yasir Shah. Zimbabwe's Blessing Muzarabani has been signed by New York Strikers Lagos, while Bangladesh's Rishad Hossain will join Harare Bolts alongside New Zealand's James Neesham and Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka.Harare Bolts also boasts the presence of George Munsey (Scotland), Shehan Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), and Kennar Lewis (West Indies). Bulawayo Braves Jaguars have added Nick Hobson and Kobe Herft (both Australia) to their squad. Durban Wolves have signed Will Smeed (England), Sharjeel Khan (Pakistan), Muhammad Irfan (Pakistan), and Yasir Shah (Pakistan).Cape Town Samp Army has secured the services of Haider Ali (Pakistan), Adam Rossington (England), and Shahnawaz Dahani (Pakistan). NYS Lagos has signed Asif Ali (Pakistan), Najibullah Zadran (Afghanistan), Binura Fernando (Sri Lanka), Akhilesh Bogudum (USA), and Oshane Thomas (West Indies).Jo'Burg Bangla Tigers have acquired the services of Chris Lynn (Australia), Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka), Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka), Hazratullah Zazai (Afghanistan), Adam Milne (New Zealand), Luke Wood (England), and Karim Janat (Afghanistan).The Zim Afro T10 league will be followed by the second season of the US Masters League, Abu Dhabi T10, and the inaugural Lanka T10, which will conclude the season in December.

David Warner and Steven Smith, two of Australia's most decorated cricketers, have committed their futures to the Big Bash League (BBL) with new contracts. Warner has signed a two-year deal with Sydney Thunder, while Smith has inked a three-year contract with Sydney Sixers.Warner, who recently retired from international cricket, will be available for a full BBL season for the first time in his career. The explosive opener has played just eight games for Thunder over the past two seasons, but he is now set to be a mainstay in the team's lineup.Smith, on the other hand, could potentially play a full BBL season beyond his Test career. The former Australian captain has not ruled out retiring from Test cricket over the next three years, which would free him up to play more games for Sixers.The Test stars are set to be available for a handful of games between the end of the Sydney Test against India and their departure for the Sri Lanka tour on January 21. This includes the BBL's knockout stage, which begins on the same day.Other Test team-mates Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey have also re-signed with their respective BBL franchises, Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers. Labuschagne will return to Heat, the reigning champions, after India's Australia tour concludes on January 7. Carey has signed a four-year deal with the Strikers, with whom he has played all 56 BBL games of his eight-year career.The signings of Warner, Smith, Labuschagne, and Carey are a major boost for the BBL, which is set to begin its 14th edition in December. The league has been struggling to attract fans in recent years, but the presence of these star players is sure to generate excitement and interest.

Suryakumar Yadav, the dynamic Indian T20I captain, has etched his name among the elite cricketers with the most Player of the Series awards in T20 Internationals. His fifth such accolade places him just behind Virat Kohli, who holds the record with six awards. Yadav now shares this distinction with Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan and Australia's David Warner.Yadav's rise to this milestone has been marked by his aggressive batting and ability to perform under pressure. In his 71 T20I appearances, he has amassed 2432 runs at an impressive average of 42.67. His recent performances have solidified his position in the team and earned him recognition as one of the most formidable T20I players globally.Yadav's Player of the Series awards have come through match-winning performances, highlighting his consistency and importance to the Indian cricket team. His inclusion in the ranks of Shakib Al Hasan and David Warner, who have been pillars for their respective teams, underscores Yadav's significant impact in international cricket.Shakib is known for his all-round capabilities, while Warner is renowned for his explosive batting. Yadav's inclusion in this elite list reflects his calibre and potential to shape the future of T20 cricket.Meanwhile, Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir have kickstarted their new partnership with a 3-0 T20I series win over Sri Lanka. This victory marked a successful beginning for Gambhir's tenure as head coach and highlighted Yadav's crucial role in leading the team to success.Yadav's journey to this milestone is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and ability to perform under pressure. His aggressive batting and match-winning performances have made him a vital cog in the Indian cricket team and one of the most exciting players to watch in T20 cricket.

George Bailey, the chief selector for the Australian men's cricket team, has confirmed that David Warner, the seasoned left-handed opening batsman, will not be considered for selection in the Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025.Following Australia's exit from the Super Eights stage of the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, Warner had indicated his intention to retire from international cricket. However, he had expressed a willingness to make a final appearance in the 2025 Champions Trophy.Bailey has now put an end to any speculation, stating unequivocally that Warner has fully retired from representing Australia in international cricket. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating Warner's legacy as a crucial player across all formats of the game."Our understanding is that David is retired, and (he) should be commended on what has been an incredible career across all three formats. You never know when Bull's joking…think he's just stirring the pot a bit," Bailey said to reporters."He's had a wonderful career, can't celebrate it enough, and think as time goes by, his legacy of what he has done for Australia and we reflect back on that, the legend of a player is only going to continue to grow. But as far as this team goes and the journey to transition to some different players, in his case across all three formats, it's going to be exciting."Bailey also affirmed that Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc remain integral to the team's plans for the 2025 Champions Trophy and possibly the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup. This statement comes in the wake of the decision to rest the two players from the T20I matches against Scotland and England, respectively, in September."I don't think there's anyone who's not there that we've put a line through permanently besides David. This is the way we are going with this squad. If opportunities arise or there are gaps at different points there's nothing to say that Wadey might not come back, but certainly, at this point, we are excited about giving Josh (Inglis) a run," Bailey said."The next T20 World Cup is 2026, so I imagine there may be some more changes than what we are seeing in this squad but specifically to those guys (Starc and Maxwell), no we haven't had any conversations about where they think their T20 journey may finish. Certainly for Glenn and Mitch, the Champions Trophy is very much on the horizon, (and is a) very important tournament for those guys.""And Starcy in particular, I think he's going to have a huge summer. Clearly, some of the decisions made around this series are around prioritising and getting guys right for what will be a really big summer. As far as ending players, seeing where guys might finish up, we haven't had those conversations," he elaborated.Bailey commended Mitchell Marsh for his leadership of the Australian team during the T20 World Cup. Although Australia was eliminated in the Super Eights stage after losing to Afghanistan and India, Bailey recognized Marsh's captaincy skills."I loved the way he captained through the T20 World Cup. He was really clear on how he wanted to lead that team. He was as disappointed as anyone that we didn't get to the end goal that everyone was hoping to achieve, but if you look at his early success rate as a captain across T20 he's done a really great job."

David Warner, the former Australian opener, has hinted at a potential return to international cricket for the Champions Trophy next year, despite announcing his retirement from all formats over the past year.Warner retired from Test cricket in January 2023, followed by his ODI retirement after the 2023 World Cup. However, he has consistently expressed his willingness to play in the Champions Trophy if selected.In a recent Instagram post, Warner reiterated his availability for the tournament, which will be held in Pakistan from February to March 2024. "I will continue to play franchise cricket for a while, and I am also open to playing for [Australia] in the Champions Trophy if selected," he wrote.Despite Warner's desire to return, it remains unlikely given his absence from Australia's upcoming matches leading up to the tournament. The team will tour England for ODIs in September and face Pakistan in November, where Jake Fraser-McGurk is expected to be a frontrunner for the opening spot.Australian captain Pat Cummins has previously expressed reservations about Warner's return for the Champions Trophy, suggesting that it would be an "emergency option." However, he acknowledged Warner's continued ability to score runs and left the door open for a potential recall.Warner's ODI career ended with an impressive tally of 6932 runs at an average of 45.30, including 22 centuries. He is second only to Ricky Ponting in Australia's all-time ODI run-scoring list.In his Instagram post, Warner expressed gratitude for his international career and the support of his family and fans. "It's been an unbelievable experience to play at the highest level for such a long period," he wrote. "Australia was my team. The majority of my career was at the international level. It's been an honour to be able to do this."Warner's future plans include playing in Canada's GT20 and a T10 tournament in the Cayman Islands. He is also expected to return to the Sydney Thunder for the BBL and has a deal with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20.

David Warner, the legendary Australian cricketer, has bid farewell to international cricket after a remarkable 15-year career. The 37-year-old announced his retirement via an emotional Instagram post, following Australia's disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup.Warner's international career has been a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. He has played over 100 matches in all three formats, amassing an impressive 18,995 runs. His 49 centuries place him second only to Ricky Ponting among Australian batters.In his final international appearances, Warner showcased his trademark aggression and power-hitting, scoring 178 runs in seven innings. Despite the anticlimactic end to his international career, Warner's legacy will endure.In his Instagram post, Warner expressed his gratitude to his family, teammates, and fans. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by his wife and daughters, and thanked the cricket community for their support.Warner also reflected on his impact on the game, particularly in Test cricket. He believes his aggressive approach has helped to revolutionize the format, making it more exciting and fast-paced.While Warner's international career has come to an end, he intends to continue playing franchise cricket. He has also left the door open for a potential return to the Australian team for the 2025 Champions Trophy.Warner's retirement marks the end of an era for Australian cricket. His dynamic playing style and infectious enthusiasm will be sorely missed. However, his contributions to the game will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.

David Warner, the veteran Australian opener, has passed the torch to 22-year-old Jake Fraser-McGurk, expressing confidence in his ability to fill Warner's shoes in both white-ball formats and potentially even the Test team.Warner has taken Fraser-McGurk under his wing, mentoring him during their time together at the Delhi Capitals in the IPL and at the recent T20 World Cup, where Fraser-McGurk served as a traveling reserve. With Warner's international career coming to an end, a new era is dawning at the top of the order for Australia in limited-overs cricket."All yours now champion," Warner captioned an Instagram post of himself and Fraser-McGurk sharing a drink.Speaking to reporters after Australia's exit from the T20 World Cup, Warner endorsed Fraser-McGurk's credentials as an opener in T20s and ODIs."Every time I put something out there I become a selector [but] I think he's definitely got the ability to definitely do that," Warner said. "He can lock it in. And a bit like myself, you [have to learn] how to play…50-over cricket. That's one thing that I learnt from Twenty20. I got dropped after seven games because I didn't really understand how to play the game of one-day cricket."Fraser-McGurk, who has played two ODIs for Australia and scored a world-record 29-ball one-day century in the Marsh Cup earlier this season, is likely to be included in Australia's upcoming tours of Scotland and England.However, Fraser-McGurk has downplayed the prospect of following Warner as a red-ball opener, having found an experiment at the top of the order for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield unsuited to his style.Warner acknowledged the competing demands that Fraser-McGurk will face from the franchise scene but expressed encouragement at his desire to pursue first-class cricket."Will he play Test cricket? I think he'll have to have a breakout year in the next 12-18 months to prove himself," Warner said. "I think we've all had to score hundreds to get your name up there [to] warrant that.""Hopefully when it comes to Shield cricket this year, he sticks at that. There's going to be a lot of money thrown around to him for these Twenty20 leagues and it's upon him and his management to keep him focused and aligned with what he wants to do. But I hope he does - I know he's thinking like that. He wants to play red-ball cricket."

Tanzim Hasan Sakib's Fiery Send-Off to Virat Kohli Sparks Social Media BuzzBangladesh fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib's aggressive celebration after dismissing Indian cricket star Virat Kohli during their T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 encounter has ignited a social media storm. Sakib's fiery send-off, which included a pointed stare and a few choice words, has drawn mixed reactions from fans and fellow cricketers alike.While some have praised Sakib's passion and competitive spirit, others have criticized his behavior as disrespectful and unsportsmanlike. The incident has also reignited memories of a similar send-off given to Kohli by West Indies fast bowler Kesrick Williams in 2017.Williams, who used to celebrate dismissals by writing the names of batters in an imaginary notebook, gave Kohli the infamous "notebook" send-off during a limited-overs series in West Indies. However, Kohli responded with a blistering knock of 32 off just 12 deliveries, including a mocking "notebook" celebration of his own.In the wake of Sakib's send-off, Williams took to social media to react to a meme that depicted him advising Sakib to brace himself for a similar onslaught from Kohli. "Kez 2-1 Kohli," Williams wrote on his Instagram story, referring to his previous encounter with the Indian star.Meanwhile, Australia opener David Warner has come to Kohli's defense, criticizing the excessive criticism he faces for his strike rate. "It's just his passion for the game," Warner said. "He's got a knack for determination and a hunger to score runs. He cops a lot of criticism, which is not right."Warner praised Kohli's consistency, team spirit, and competitive nature, emphasizing that he is a respected opponent.The incident has sparked a wider debate about the role of aggression and sportsmanship in cricket. While some argue that a certain level of aggression is necessary to maintain intensity and competitiveness, others believe that it should be tempered with respect for opponents.As the T20 World Cup progresses, it remains to be seen whether Sakib's send-off will have any impact on Kohli's performance. However, it has undoubtedly added an extra layer of intrigue to the already intense rivalry between India and Bangladesh.