Cricket

Toronto Nationals emerged victorious in the fourth season of the Global T20 Canada, dethroning defending champions Montreal Tigers by a dominant 8-wicket margin in a thrilling final.Toronto skipper Colin Munro's decision to field first proved fruitful as Montreal's batting lineup collapsed, managing a meager 96/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff led the charge with an impressive 3/8 in his four overs, triggering a top-order collapse that put Toronto in control.Despite challenging batting conditions and a rain delay, Toronto's Andries Gous played a pivotal role in securing victory. Despite suffering a broken finger, Gous remained unbeaten on 58 runs off 49 balls, guiding his team to a comfortable win.Montreal's innings was characterized by a series of early setbacks. Opener Praveen Kumar was dismissed in the second over, followed by Gerhard Erasmus and Tim Seifert in consecutive deliveries. Chris Lynn and Sherfane Rutherford also departed cheaply, leaving the Tigers in disarray.Corbin Bosch and Jaskaran Singh provided some resistance with a 46-run partnership, but it was not enough to prevent Toronto from taking control of the match.Toronto's chase got off to a shaky start with Munro dismissed for nought. However, Gous and Rassie van der Dussen (30 not out) forged an unbeaten 85-run partnership to seal the victory without further hiccups.Romario Shepherd was named the bowler of the tournament for his 14 wickets, while George Munsey was recognized as the batter of the tournament for his 218 runs. Canadian youngster Dilpreet Bajwa was awarded the Emerging Player of the tournament, and Junaid Siddique was named the Player of the tournament.Toronto Nationals' triumph marks their maiden title in the Global T20 Canada, solidifying their status as one of North America's premier T20 teams.

Global T20 Canada Controversy: Bangla Tigers Eliminated After Super Over DisputeThe Global T20 Canada tournament was marred by controversy on Friday when Bangla Tigers Mississauga were knocked out of the competition after forfeiting their eliminator match to Toronto Nationals. The incident stemmed from persistent rain that delayed the start of the match in Brampton, Ontario.With the clock ticking towards the cut-off time, match officials decided that only a Super Over would be possible. This decision was communicated to both teams, in accordance with the playing regulations. However, Bangla Tigers captain Shakib Al Hasan refused to attend the toss for the Super Over in protest.Bangla Tigers owner Zafir Yasin argued that the match should have been decided by a minimum of five or ten overs per side, rather than just a Super Over. However, GLT20 CEO Joy Bhattacharjya explained that the decision was made by the match officials to ensure a result.Bhattacharjya also clarified that the Super Over provision was not a sudden addition to the regulations. It had been in place for both Qualifier 1 and the eliminator, but it was only possible to implement it in the second game due to improved ground conditions.According to the regulations, the game could be called off if the Super Over did not begin by 7.50pm. At the time of the toss, the Toronto Nationals captain was present, but the Bangla Tigers team refused to appear. The match referee subsequently awarded the match to Toronto Nationals.Yasin expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, claiming that the organizers had compromised the integrity of the competition by seeking assistance from the Toronto owners to procure additional covers. However, Bhattacharjya explained that this was done to ensure that the crucial stage of the tournament would not be decided by the weather.Despite the match being awarded to Toronto, Bangla Tigers turned up at the venue on Saturday morning to play Qualifier 2. However, they were informed that no fresh requests would be entertained. Brampton, who lost Qualifier 1, eventually lost Qualifier 2 to Toronto, who will face Montreal in Sunday's final.

Suryakumar Yadav's Iconic Catch Inspires Nepal's Rohit Paudel to Emulate BrillianceIn the heart-stopping final of the T20 World Cup 2024, Suryakumar Yadav's gravity-defying catch against South Africa etched itself into the annals of cricket history. The moment, which turned the tide in India's favor, has become a benchmark for fielding excellence.Inspired by Suryakumar's brilliance, Nepal's rising star Rohit Paudel has showcased his own remarkable fielding prowess in the Global T20 Canada. Playing for the Toronto Nationals, Paudel replicated Suryakumar's breathtaking catch with astonishing precision.Facing a delivery from Junaid Siddique, Brampton Wolves' Akhil Kumar unleashed a powerful shot towards the boundary. Paudel, positioned at the ropes, sprinted to his right, caught the ball, and released it just as he crossed the boundary line. With lightning-fast reflexes, he then re-entered the field to complete the catch.The social media account of Global T20 Canada hailed Paudel's efforts, declaring, "A catch that would make even Suryakumar proud."Suryakumar's catch in the T20 World Cup final earned him the Fielder Medal of the Match. His dismissal of David Miller, who was threatening to snatch victory from India, proved pivotal in securing the crucial seven-run win.Needing 16 runs from the final over, South Africa had the dangerous Miller on strike. He connected with a wide full toss from Hardik Pandya, but Suryakumar, positioned at long-off, steadied himself on the ropes, caught the ball, and released it just as he went over the boundary line. With remarkable agility, he then came back in to complete the catch, extinguishing South Africa's hopes of victory.Paudel's emulation of Suryakumar's catch highlights the growing influence of the Indian star on the global cricketing landscape. His fielding prowess has set a new standard, inspiring young players around the world to push the boundaries of their abilities.

Pakistan's star cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are likely to be denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to participate in the upcoming Global T20 Canada tournament, according to sources. The decision stems from the PCB's policy of prioritizing international commitments and safeguarding player fitness.Despite the tournament schedule not conflicting with Pakistan's international fixtures, the sources indicate that the players will not receive NOCs. Pakistan is set to play a two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting August 21, while the Global T20 Canada runs from July 25 to August 11.The PCB's stance is driven by the hectic schedule ahead for the players, particularly those involved in all formats. Star pacer Naseem Shah was also denied an NOC last week to feature in The Hundred due to concerns about his injury history.Apart from the star trio, other Pakistani players with Global T20 Canada contracts include Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali, and Iftikhar Ahmed. PCB chairman Naqvi had earlier stated that NOCs would be granted based on specific criteria, including fitness and performance.However, Pakistan's red-ball head coach Jason Gillispie has hinted at the possible unavailability of Shaheen Afridi for the Test series against Bangladesh due to the impending birth of his first child.The PCB's decision to prioritize international commitments and player fitness is a significant development in Pakistani cricket. It reflects the board's commitment to building a strong and competitive team for the future.

Pakistan's star cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are still awaiting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to participate in the Global T20 Canada league. The PCB has issued NOCs to 12 other players for various leagues, but the trio, who are among the highest-paid players in Pakistan, remain in limbo.The PCB has expressed concerns about the status of the Global T20 Canada league and has sought clarification from the organizers and the International Cricket Council (ICC). This has led to the delay in issuing NOCs to Azam, Rizwan, and Afridi.The Global T20 Canada League is scheduled to take place from July 25 to August 11, while Pakistan's Test series against Bangladesh at home is set to begin around August 19. The PCB is reportedly reluctant to grant NOCs to its top players for a league that overlaps with the national team's commitments.Among the players who have received NOCs are Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan for the USA Major League, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan for the Lanka Premier League, Fakhar Zaman for the Caribbean Premier League, Usama Mir for the Hundred, and Mohammad Amir for county cricket.Notably, the PCB has not granted NOCs to young players Saim Ayub and Azam Khan for the CPL. Shadab, Salman, and Hasnain are already in Sri Lanka for the Lanka Premier League.The PCB's decision to withhold NOCs for Azam, Rizwan, and Afridi has raised questions about the board's priorities. Some critics argue that the PCB should prioritize the development of young players by allowing them to participate in overseas leagues, while others believe that the board is right to protect its top players from potential injuries or burnout.