Cricket

Pakistan's cricket calendar for the 2024-25 season is set to be their busiest in over two decades, with seven Test matches scheduled to be played on home soil. The PCB has announced the dates and schedule for the entire home season, which also includes hosting the Champions Trophy.The home season will begin with the arrival of Bangladesh for a two-Test series in August, followed by a three-Test series against England in October. After a limited-overs tour of Australia and Zimbabwe, Pakistan will host South Africa for a T20I series and two Tests in December.The home Tests against West Indies will start nine days later, with the matches to be played in Karachi and Multan. All seven home Tests will be part of the World Test Championship, where Pakistan are currently ranked fifth.After the West Indies Tests, Pakistan will also host an ODI tri-series, which will have South Africa and New Zealand as the visiting teams. The Champions Trophy, the first ICC event Pakistan will host in 29 years, is scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9.However, it remains to be seen if India, the only team in the Champions Trophy to not have travelled to Pakistan since international cricket resumed in the country in 2015, agree to make the trip.

India's T20 World Cup semi-final against England proved to be another disappointing outing for star batter Virat Kohli, who once again failed to deliver a substantial performance. Batting first, India made a promising start with skipper Rohit Sharma and Kohli showing some intent. However, England pacer Reece Topley quickly struck, dismissing Kohli for nine in the third over of the innings. This marked Kohli's fifth single-digit score at the ongoing T20 World Cup, setting a new career low for the right-handed batter.Kohli's dismissal was particularly significant as it was the first time he had failed to score a half-century in a T20 World Cup knockout match. In previous knockout matches, Kohli had scored 72* off 44 balls against South Africa in the 2014 semi-finals, 77* off 58 balls against Sri Lanka in the 2014 final, 89* against West Indies in the 2016 semi-finals, and 50 against England in the 2022 semi-finals.The match was eventually interrupted by rain, with India reaching 65 for two in eight overs. Skipper Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav were batting on 37 and 13 respectively when the heavens opened up. Sent into bat after the start of the match was delayed by more than an hour, India lost Kohli early and Rishabh Pant cheaply, but Rohit remained positive and kept England on their toes with regular boundaries.Kohli's dismissal came as a blow to India's hopes of posting a competitive total. The right-handed batter has been struggling for form throughout the tournament, and his latest failure will raise further questions about his place in the team. With India's hopes of reaching the final now hanging in the balance, the team will need to find a way to overcome Kohli's poor form and produce a strong performance in the second half of the innings.

Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has etched his name in the history books of the T20 World Cup by becoming the second-highest wicket-taker for India in a single edition of the tournament. Bumrah's remarkable performance against England in the semi-final match of the 2024 T20 World Cup propelled him to this milestone.With two wickets against Jos Buttler's side, Bumrah now has 13 wickets in the ongoing marquee event. He trails only left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has 15 wickets and holds the distinction of being the highest wicket-taker for India in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.Bumrah's achievement is a testament to his exceptional bowling skills and consistency throughout the tournament. He has been a key cog in India's bowling attack, providing crucial breakthroughs and economical spells.Former India cricketer RP Singh holds the third place in the chart with 12 wickets in the 2007 T20 World Cup.In the semi-final clash against England, India posted a competitive total of 171/7, thanks to half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja also made valuable contributions.England's chase faltered as they struggled to adapt to the surface, eventually being bowled out for 103 in 16.4 overs. Harry Brook and Jos Buttler were the only notable performers for the Three Lions.Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were the stars of India's bowling attack, each claiming three wickets. Bumrah chipped in with two wickets, while defending the 172-run target.India's victory sets up a tantalizing final against South Africa, who have also remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. The two sides will clash in Barbados on Saturday for the coveted T20 World Cup trophy.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has heaped praise on Indian captain Rohit Sharma, calling him a "selfless captain" who prioritizes the team's interests. Akhtar's comments came after India's convincing 68-run victory over England in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024.Sharma led from the front with a crucial 57-run innings off 39 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes. His knock helped India set a challenging target of 171/7. Other notable contributions came from Suryakumar Yadav (47 runs from 36 balls), Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja.Akhtar, in his analysis on his YouTube channel, expressed his support for the Indian team, suggesting they were deserving of the T20 World Cup title, especially under Sharma's captaincy."Rohit Sharma has repeatedly said he wants to make an impact and win the trophy and so, deserves to win the cup. He is a big player, and it should end on a big note. He is a selfless captain, plays for the team and is a complete batter," said Akhtar.Akhtar also shared his disappointment over India's failure to secure the ODI World Cup in 2023, indicating his ongoing support for the team in international tournaments."I was always in favour of India winning the tournament. I was hurt last year when India could not win the World Cup as they should not have lost it because they deserved to win," he added.England's chase was hampered by a lack of adaptation to the pitch conditions, culminating in a total of 103 all out in 16.4 overs. Harry Brook and Jos Buttler were the main contributors for England, but their efforts were insufficient against the Indian bowling lineup. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were instrumental for India, each taking three wickets, with Jasprit Bumrah also adding two wickets to the tally.Akhtar's praise for Sharma is a testament to the Indian captain's leadership qualities and his ability to inspire his team to perform at their best. With Sharma at the helm, India will be confident of their chances of lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has praised the exceptional performance of his spin duo, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, in their semi-final victory over England in the ongoing T20 World Cup.After England's Jos Buttler had aggressively hit Arshdeep Singh for three boundaries in the third over, Axar Patel turned the tide with his first delivery. Patel dismissed Buttler by spinning the ball away from his usual skidding style, forcing the English skipper to attempt a reverse sweep that resulted in a catch for Rishabh Pant.Patel continued to trouble the English batters, while Kuldeep Yadav joined the fray to further increase their woes. Patel's influential spell of 3/23 included the removal of the opening order, while Kuldeep provided excellent support with figures of 3/19, effectively neutralizing England's middle order.Rohit Sharma lauded the left-arm spin duo, revealing their strategy to counter England's aggressive approach. "They (Axar and Kuldeep) are gun spinners. When the conditions like that are in front of them, it's difficult to play some shots. The pressure is on them as well to come and execute those balls, but they were calm and knew what to bowl. We had a little chat after the first innings - try and hit the stumps as much as possible, keep the stumps in play," Rohit said in the post-match presentation.The spinners played a crucial role in England's downfall, with Jasprit Bumrah adding the finishing touches. England, aiming to replicate their 2022 World Cup semi-final triumph, fell short and saw their title defense crumble.The challenging nature of the pitch, with some deliveries staying low and others taking flight, further hindered England's chase of 172. Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions, which paved the way for India's first appearance in the final in ten years."Very satisfying to win this game. We worked really hard as a unit. To win this game like that was a great effort from everybody. We adapted to the conditions really well. The conditions were a little challenging, we had to adapt, and that's been the success story for us so far till this game. The bowlers and the batters, if they play according to the conditions, things fall in place, and that's exactly what happened for us today," Rohit said.After losing Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant early in their innings, India relied on Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav to build a competitive total. The duo's 73-run partnership took India to a respectable 171/7."Very pleasing to see how we came through this game. At one stage, we were feeling 140-150, and as the game went on, we got some runs in the middle, me and Surya. We got that partnership. I can set the target in my mind, but I don't want to let anyone know about it, to the batters ... because ... they are instinctive players, and I want them to go out there and play freely without thinking too much about what's the par score. We bat well, we understand the condition well, we will get to a good score, and that's exactly what happened. We got to 170, which I thought was a very good score on that pitch, and then the bowlers were fantastic," he added.England's failure to comprehend the pitch's nature led to their eventual collapse, with the team managing only 103 runs in 16.4 overs. The T20 World Cup final is now set to be a thrilling clash between the unbeaten sides, India and South Africa, in Barbados on Saturday.

Rohit Sharma's Stump Mic Banter: "Uppar Dega Toh Deta Hoon Na"Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has once again provided entertainment for fans with his candid stump mic conversations. In a recent match against England, Rohit was caught on camera engaging in a playful exchange with his batting partner Suryakumar Yadav.As England bowler Liam Livingstone prepared to deliver the last ball of the 11th over, Rohit turned to SKY and said, "Uppar dega toh deta hoon na" (If he pitches it up, I'll hit him for a six). True to his word, Livingstone obliged, and Rohit duly dispatched the ball over the long-on boundary.The video of the exchange quickly went viral on social media, showcasing Rohit's relaxed and confident approach to batting. It also highlighted the camaraderie between the Indian players, who have been in impressive form throughout the tournament.Rohit's six not only entertained the crowd but also helped him reach his half-century and bring up India's 100th run. He eventually fell for 57, but his contribution played a crucial role in India's victory.The Indian team will now face South Africa in the final of the tournament on Saturday. The Proteas have also been in excellent form, having crushed Afghanistan by nine wickets in their semifinal. The final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams.

India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah experienced an amusing moment after India's triumph over England in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024. A viral video captured Bumrah's awkward attempt to shake hands with the umpire, who inadvertently overlooked him. The incident sparked laughter among fans on social media.Bumrah's performance in the tournament has been exceptional, earning him accolades as the "best player in the team." The video of his handshake mishap has gone viral, providing a lighthearted moment amidst the intense competition.In the match, England elected to field first, but India's openers Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav put up a formidable partnership, scoring 57 and 47 runs respectively. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja also contributed to India's total of 171/7.England's chase faltered as they struggled to adapt to the pitch conditions, managing only 103 runs in 16.4 overs. Harry Brook and Jos Buttler were the only notable performers for England.Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were the standout bowlers for India, claiming three wickets each. Bumrah also chipped in with two wickets, helping India secure a convincing 68-run victory.The T20 World Cup final will witness an exciting clash between undefeated India and South Africa in Barbados on Saturday.

Axar Patel's masterful bowling performance in the fourth over of England's chase of 172 proved pivotal in India's victory in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup. Patel's captain, Rohit Sharma, had informed him of the pitch's low and skidding nature, making big shots difficult.Patel's plan was to keep things simple and force the batters to take risks. His first delivery, a reverse sweep attempt by England captain Jos Buttler, resulted in a wicket. Patel then dismissed Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali in quick succession, leaving England reeling at 46 for 4.Patel's strategy was based on the difficulty of batting on the pitch. He knew that the batters would try to attack him early on, so he opted for accuracy and consistency. His first delivery to Buttler was not particularly quick, but it was accurate and skidded on with low bounce, knocking over the off stump.Patel's third wicket came after he had conceded just 11 runs in his first two overs. Moeen Ali attempted to clip a delivery off his pads but only deflected it towards wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who whipped off the bails.Patel's performance was a testament to his skill and adaptability. He recognized the conditions and adjusted his bowling accordingly, forcing the England batters to make mistakes. His 3 for 23 earned him the Player-of-the-Match award.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has praised his team's composure under pressure after their emphatic 68-run victory over England in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final. This victory marks India's third consecutive ICC final across formats, and they will now face South Africa on Saturday in an attempt to end their 11-year trophy drought at a world event."We've been very calm as a team," Rohit said after the match. "We understand the occasion, but for us, it's important to keep calm and composed. That helps us make good decisions. We need to make good decisions through the 40 overs. In this game too, we were steady and calm, and didn't panic too much. That has been the key for us. Yes, we do understand the occasion is important, but we need to play good cricket as well."Rohit described the semi-final win over England as "very satisfying," especially given that it was a repeat of the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final. In that match, India suffered a humiliating ten-wicket defeat as Jos Buttler and Alex Hales chased down England's target of 169 with ease.This time, however, it was India's spinners who turned the tables on England on a slow, low turner. Rohit set the tone with a well-paced 57 off 39 balls, helping India post a competitive total of 171 for 7."Yeah, it's very satisfying to win this game," Rohit said. "We've worked really hard to come to this stage, and to win the game like that was a great effort from everyone. I thought we played to the conditions really well; that's been the success story for us so far. If bowlers and batters understand and play according to the conditions, things fall in place. It's very pleasing how we came through."Rohit was particularly impressed with the performance of India's spinners, who applied relentless pressure on England's batsmen. Axar Patel started England's slide by dismissing Buttler off his very first delivery, and then had Jonny Bairstow with an arm-ball in his second. He finished with 3 for 23 off his four overs to walk away with the Player-of-the-Match award.Axar was complemented by Kuldeep Yadav, who also was magnificent. His dismissal of Harry Brook after being reverse swept was particularly noteworthy because of the subtle change in his line of attack. Kuldeep, like Axar, also picked up three wickets."They are gun spinners," Rohit said. "When conditions are like that in front of them, it's very difficult to play some shots. Yes, the pressure is on them to execute those balls, but they were very calm and knew what to bowl. We had a chat after the first innings: the plan was to hit the stumps as much as possible and keep the stumps in play, [and] that's what they did."Amid the cheer, Rohit also backed Virat Kohli to come out of his string of low scores in this T20 World Cup. Kohli was dismissed for 9 on Thursday as he was clean bowled by Reece Topley looking to slog one over the leg-side boundary. Kohli has so far aggregated 75 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 100 this World Cup."Look, he's a quality player, and you can go through that," Rohit said. "We understand his class and importance in big games. Form is never a player when you've played for 15 years. He's looking good, the intent is there, [and] probably he's saving himself for the final."