Cricket

Fazalhaq Farooqi, Afghanistan's bowling sensation, has emerged as a force to be reckoned with at the T20 World Cup 2024. Despite not playing a single match for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, Farooqi has made a remarkable impact, leading the bowling charts with 12 wickets in just 11.2 overs.Farooqi's left-arm angle and ability to swing the ball both ways have proved lethal, particularly in the powerplay. Seven of his wickets have come in the first six overs, the most by any bowler in the tournament. His skill was evident in his two-wicket burst against PNG, where he dismissed both Lega Siaka and Sese Bau with deliveries that moved away and into the batsmen respectively.Farooqi credits his success to his relentless pursuit of skill development. "I'm not someone big and tall and bowling very fast," he said. "I was going to learn to bowl swing and that now for me is simple."Despite not playing in the IPL, Farooqi remained focused on improving his skills. He worked closely with Afghanistan's bowling coach, Hamid Hassan, and also sought guidance from Dwayne Bravo, who is serving as a bowling consultant for the team.Farooqi's relationship with Bravo has been particularly influential. "DJ Bravo, I am with him from last four years," he said. "He just wants to give to us some tips for how we bowl in the death, how we bowl in the crucial situations. He is everyone's mentor."Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan praised Farooqi's impact, comparing him to the team's batting star, Rahmanullah Gurbaz. "Someone like Fazal, who is coming in and attacking each and every ball, that allows us to have a strong base as a bowling unit," Rashid said.Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan's head coach, believes Farooqi has even more potential. "I still think with the amount of talent, I still think he can even bowl better," Trott said.As Afghanistan prepares to face West Indies and enter the Super Eight, Farooqi is confident in his team's ability. "We now have found some confidence," he said. "Now everyone has belief in our skills… This is the first time we just qualify for the Super Eight and we are so happy."

Afghanistan's head coach Jonathan Trott has hailed the appointment of Dwayne Bravo as the team's bowling coach for the ongoing T20 World Cup. Trott believes that Bravo's extensive experience in franchise cricket has significantly impacted the approach of Afghanistan's bowlers, making his job easier and enhancing the overall coaching experience.In their opening match, Afghanistan showcased their bowling prowess as left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed an impressive 5/9, while openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (76) and Ibrahim Zadran (70) laid a solid foundation with the bat. The Afghans ultimately defeated tournament debutants Uganda by a commanding margin of 125 runs."DJ (Dwayne Bravo) coming into the side, fantastic. Having quality coaches also with huge experience as players (is great), but also vast franchise experience in this format of the game," Trott said in the post-match press conference."(It's) only a brilliant thing to have a player like him coming to the side as coach and it makes your job a lot easier but it also makes the coaching more enhanced, especially with the bowlers.""We've seen the start of his first game with us and we saw the bowlers bowl really well, so credit to Dwayne. So (a) nice start for the boys," he added.Despite the heavy defeat, Uganda captain Brian Masaba chose to focus on the positives, describing the experience of hearing their national anthem and seeing their flag at the World Cup as a "pretty special moment." Masaba acknowledged the nerves that came with playing their first-ever T20 World Cup match and commended his team's fighting spirit in the face of a strong Afghan side."Pretty special moment for us, hearing our national anthem and seeing our flag at the World Cup," Masaba said after the match."First game at the World Cup, (a) lot of nerves, so good to get that out of the way.""Something I will cherish for the rest of my life. We will look to come out and play better next game. They got off to a pretty good start and then it was about fighting back. It was very important how we fought back and full credit to the boys for that," he added.Uganda will next face Papua New Guinea in their second Group C match on Thursday. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will take on New Zealand at the same venue on Saturday.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has secured the services of legendary West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as their bowling consultant for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. Bravo, a two-time T20 World Cup champion with the West Indies, will join the Afghan team in St Kitts and Nevis for a ten-day preparatory camp ahead of the tournament.Bravo, who retired from international cricket after the 2021 T20 World Cup, brings a wealth of experience to the Afghan bowling attack. He is the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket history, with 625 scalps in 573 games. In addition to his playing experience, Bravo is also the bowling coach of the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Afghanistan's decision to appoint Bravo as their bowling consultant is a testament to their ambition to make a significant impact at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The team has already arrived in the Caribbean and will begin their preparations under Bravo's guidance.Afghanistan will play two warm-up matches before the start of the World Cup, against Oman on May 29 and Scotland on May 31. They will then face Uganda in their opening match of the tournament on June 5 in Providence.Another former West Indian player, Kieron Pollard, will also be involved in the 2024 T20 World Cup as the assistant coach of England. Pollard, who retired from international cricket in 2022, will bring his experience and leadership qualities to the English camp.The 2024 T20 World Cup will be a highly competitive tournament, with some of the best teams in the world vying for the title. Afghanistan will be hoping to make a strong impression under the guidance of Bravo and Pollard, and they will be determined to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the shortest format of the game.

Chennai Super Kings' bowling coach, Dwayne Bravo, has devised a meticulous plan to neutralize the formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore in their crucial final league encounter. The winner of this match will secure a coveted spot in the playoffs. Bravo, renowned for his exceptional death bowling skills, has guided the young CSK bowlers, Tushar Deshpandes and Simarjeet Singhs, in executing his strategies."We have immense respect for RCB, but we have prepared diligently as a bowling unit. We have devised effective plans, and RCB must find a way to counter them. If they succeed, we will applaud their efforts. However, if they fail, their season will come to an end," Bravo asserted confidently at the pre-match press conference.Despite the absence of veteran pacer Deepak Chahar for a significant portion of the season, Bravo has been impressed by the performance of the bowling group. "I won't reveal our plans, but I can say that we have a young and talented bowling unit that has performed admirably this season and last," he said.In T20 cricket, the ability to execute effective death bowling is crucial, often determining the outcome of matches. Bravo emphasized the importance of this aspect, stating, "Death bowling is a critical skill in T20 cricket. It can make or break a game."The inclement weather in Bengaluru poses a potential threat of a washout. In such a scenario, CSK (15 points in 14 games) would edge out RCB (13 in 14 games) for a top-four spot, albeit having to play the Eliminator in Ahmedabad."We have no control over the weather. We don't dwell on things we can't influence. This is another crucial game for us as we strive for a playoff berth. We are eager to face the challenge against a formidable opponent," Bravo said.

Dwayne Bravo: Yorkers, Fast Bowlers, and CSK's Bowling DominanceIn the lead-up to the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against the Lucknow Super Giants, Chennai Super Kings' bowling coach Dwayne Bravo shared his insights on the significance of yorkers, his preferred fast bowlers within the squad, and the team's unwavering commitment to being the most astute bowling unit in the tournament.The Importance of YorkersBravo emphasized the pivotal role of the yorker as the primary weapon for pacers, stressing that sustained success in the T20 format hinges on mastering this delivery. He highlighted the consistent use of yorkers and their diverse variations by some of T20 cricket's most accomplished bowlers, including himself, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, and Matheesha Pathirana."You cannot last long without a yorker. If you look at players who have had most of the success in T20 cricket, Lasith Malinga, Bumrah or Pathirana, myself when I played, we had a similar plan, try to bowl as many yorkers as possible, with our variations," said Pathirana.CSK's Preferred Fast BowlersBravo praised the young Pathirana, who shot to fame with his slingy, Malinga-like action. During the last season, he took 19 wickets in 12 matches for CSK. Currently, he has nine wickets in four games of IPL 2024."Pathirana is very special. I call him Baby Malinga. I also call him Baby GOAT (Greatest of All Time). He is not someone you try to coach because he has a natural ability and skill," Bravo said.Bravo also pointed out that Bangladesh veteran Mustafizur Rahman is also very special to him. He has taken 11 wickets in six games in the ongoing season."He has the reputation of having one of the best slower balls in the world. You don't try to over-coach these players. You just empower them with knowledge, and information and try to keep it simple," he added.CSK's Bowling PhilosophyThe West Indies legend is also impressed with pacer Tushar Deshpade, who made a name for himself with a breakthrough IPL 2023. He took 21 wickets in 16 games to guide CSK to their fifth title win.Bravo said that during the team meetings, CSK asserts its resolve to be the "smartest bowling team in the competition" and prepares for all possible scenarios and does not look to repeat its mistakes."We do drills, especially by keeping in mind the ground dimension. We practice with vision, with a purpose. When people look at us, they should see a plan, sometimes it does not work, but most times, it will," Bravo added.

Dwayne Bravo, the legendary all-rounder who graced the Indian Premier League (IPL) with his Caribbean flair, has transitioned into a mentor for young bowlers. As the bowling coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Bravo is now dedicated to imparting his vast experience to the next generation of cricketers.On the eve of CSK's match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Bravo was spotted engaging with Shamar Joseph, a promising Caribbean pace sensation. Joseph, who made a remarkable debut in Australia earlier this year, recently played his first IPL game for LSG.Bravo shared his wisdom with Joseph, emphasizing the importance of consistent practice and developing a strong foundation. "If you want to bowl, you have to get in the habit of bowling more than what you bowl in the game," Bravo advised. "Never finish a training session without bowling 12 yorkers. Stay on the top of the off stump. Do your skills. Do your pace."Joseph, who was acquired by LSG as a replacement for Mark Wood, had a forgettable IPL debut, conceding 47 runs without taking a wicket. Bravo's guidance aims to help Joseph overcome these initial setbacks and unlock his full potential.Bravo's mentorship extends beyond Joseph. As CSK's bowling coach, he works closely with the entire bowling unit, sharing his insights on strategy, technique, and the art of deception. His experience as a world-class all-rounder provides invaluable lessons for the young bowlers under his tutelage.Bravo's transition from player to coach is a testament to his passion for the game and his desire to give back to the sport that has given him so much. As he continues to guide and inspire young bowlers, Bravo's legacy in the IPL will extend far beyond his own playing days.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the most successful franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), attributes its dominance to minimal external interference and a relaxed environment. Bowling coach Dwayne Bravo, a key figure in CSK's success, emphasizes the importance of allowing players to perform without undue pressure.CSK's consistent playoff appearances and five IPL titles are a testament to their unwavering success. Bravo highlights the franchise's unique approach, which empowers players to be themselves and focus on their game. This lack of external interference creates a positive and supportive atmosphere that fosters team unity and performance.Ahead of the upcoming IPL season, Bravo expresses confidence in CSK's squad. The team boasts a strong bowling attack, including the return of Shardul Thakur and the experience of Mustafizur Rahman. Bravo also praises young talents like Matheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande, who impressed last season.Bravo, a former IPL star, retired from playing in 2022 but remains an integral part of CSK as bowling coach. He has replaced L Balaji, who took a break due to personal commitments. Bravo's experience and knowledge have been invaluable to the team's success.Bravo acknowledges the potential of young Indian players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad. He believes Jaiswal is an exciting talent to watch, while Verma is another promising prospect. Bravo also backs Gaikwad to perform well for CSK this season.CSK will begin their IPL campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22. The team's success is built on a foundation of minimal interference, a relaxed environment, and a talented squad. With Bravo's guidance, CSK aims to continue their dominance in the IPL.