Cricket

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed openness to the possibility of playing bilateral series with India if the Indian team visits Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy next year.Naqvi's comments came in response to a recent interview by Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who praised the Pakistan cricket team and said it would be "awesome" to play the neighbors in a Test series overseas."If any options in this regard come, we will consider it, but our target right now is to host the Champions Trophy and first let India come for the tournament," Naqvi said. "Right now, till the CT, there is no slot available as our team has a packed itinerary.""Once they come here first, then we can look at any proposal whenever it comes before us," he added.The two teams last played a bilateral limited-overs series in 2012-13, when Pakistan visited India. However, India has refused to play any Tests against Pakistan since 2007, when the two countries engaged in a rubber on Indian soil.Last year, India declined to send its team for the Asia Cup matches in Pakistan, forcing the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to adopt a hybrid model for the event, with most matches being held in Sri Lanka.Naqvi met with BCCI secretary Jay Shah during an ICC meeting in Dubai in February. The meeting was seen as a positive step towards improving relations between the two cricket boards.If India does agree to play a bilateral series in Pakistan, it would be a significant development in the cricketing rivalry between the two nations. The series would likely attract a huge amount of attention and would be a major boost for Pakistan cricket.

Zak Crawley, England's leading run-scorer in the recent Test series against India, believes that the team will not abandon their aggressive approach despite their shortcomings in the subcontinent. However, he acknowledges the need for refinement to capitalize on their dominant positions.Crawley emphasized that England's faith in their attacking methods remained unwavering throughout the series, despite their eventual 4-1 defeat. He pointed to the fourth Test in Ranchi, where England squandered a significant first-innings lead, as a missed opportunity."We never really lost faith and had the same attitude," Crawley said. "We genuinely believed in ourselves and thought we could win the series. We were in all the games."Crawley expressed satisfaction with his personal performances, having emerged as England's most consistent batter with 407 runs at an average of 40.70. He attributed his improved form to a more positive mindset and a focus on smothering the spin."I am trying to embrace failure more and accepting it is part of the game," Crawley said. "So, I'm trying to stick with that."Despite his success against India's spinners, Crawley admitted that he was unable to replicate his remarkable 189-run innings from the Ashes against their seamers. However, he emphasized his confidence against pace bowling and his willingness to engage with the opposition's best bowlers."I just thought, 'there are a couple of good balls in here, I just need to put them under pressure early'," Crawley said. "I feel like a bit more pace on the ball has always suited my game a little bit more."Crawley also revealed that he had undergone laser surgery to correct his short-sightedness, which had previously required him to wear contact lenses. He believes that this has improved his ability to pick up the ball.While Crawley's series record paled in comparison to India's Yashasvi Jaiswal, he insisted that he is not driven by a desire for big scores. Instead, he focuses on staying present and playing one ball at a time."Whenever I have looked too far ahead like that, that is how you get out straight away," Crawley said. "Actually, a couple of those occasions I was thinking, 'I need to get a big score' and I wasn't in the process."Crawley believes that England need to refine their approach to absorbing pressure and putting it back on the opposition. He emphasized that the team will not become more negative but will seek to identify the right moments to absorb pressure."We always talk about absorbing pressure and putting pressure back on," Crawley said. "The last couple of years we've done the putting back on pretty well, and we've spoken about maybe picking those moments to absorb at the right times as well."

Bangladesh's Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid has made history by becoming the first umpire from his country to be inducted into the prestigious ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. This significant achievement marks a milestone for Bangladesh's cricket fraternity and underscores the country's growing stature in the international cricketing arena.Sharfuddoula's elevation to the elite panel is a testament to his exceptional skills and experience as an umpire. He has officiated in numerous international matches, including 10 Tests, 63 ODIs, and 44 T20Is. His calm demeanor, sharp decision-making, and ability to handle pressure have earned him the respect of players, coaches, and fans alike.Alongside Sharfuddoula, India's Nitin Menon has also been inducted into the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for an unprecedented fifth time. Menon, who joined the elite panel at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, remains the only Indian in the 12-member club. His inclusion is a recognition of his consistent performances and his ability to adapt to the evolving demands of the game.The ICC Elite Panel of Umpires is the highest level of umpiring in international cricket. Umpires who are selected for this panel have demonstrated exceptional abilities and have consistently met the rigorous standards set by the ICC. They are responsible for officiating in the most high-profile matches, including Test matches, One-Day Internationals, and Twenty20 Internationals.The induction of Sharfuddoula and Menon into the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires is a significant development for both Bangladesh and India. It reflects the growing strength of umpiring in these countries and their commitment to promoting fair play and integrity in the sport.

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has kicked off with a record-breaking opening day, attracting an unprecedented number of viewers. According to the host broadcaster, Disney Star, the opening ceremony and the first match drew a massive 16.8 crore viewers.The opening day also witnessed the highest-ever watch-time of 1276 crore minutes, surpassing all previous seasons. Additionally, the peak TV concurrency for an opening day reached a staggering 6.1 crore viewers, indicating the immense popularity of the tournament.Defending champions Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious in the opening match, defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets. The match was played in front of a packed crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.The record-breaking viewership is a testament to the growing popularity of the IPL, which has become one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. The tournament has attracted a global audience, with fans tuning in from over 200 countries.The IPL's success can be attributed to several factors, including the high level of competition, the presence of world-class players, and the exciting format of the tournament. The IPL has also benefited from the rise of digital platforms, which have made it easier for fans to watch the matches live and on-demand.The record-breaking opening day viewership is a positive sign for the IPL, which is expected to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come. The tournament is a major revenue generator for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and has helped to promote the sport of cricket in India and around the world.

Cricket Australia (CA) has expressed its eagerness to host a bilateral series between India and Pakistan, should the respective cricket boards agree to such a venture. The announcement comes as both India and Pakistan are scheduled to tour Australia in November for separate series.India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13, with their encounters limited to global ICC events. However, the thrilling T20 World Cup match between the two nations at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2022, which drew a record crowd of 90,293, has reignited interest in a potential bilateral series.CA chief executive Nick Hockley emphasized the organization's desire to host such a series, stating, "We would love to host that if the opportunity arose. If we can play a role, we'd love to play a role."Hockley acknowledged that the decision ultimately rests with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), but CA remains open to facilitating the event.CA's head of scheduling, Peter Roach, also expressed interest in hosting a tri-series involving India and Pakistan, but noted that there is currently no room for such a series in the Future Tours Programme (FTP).Despite the scheduling challenges, CA remains committed to exploring opportunities to host India and Pakistan in a bilateral series. The organization believes that such a series would not only be a sporting spectacle but also a significant cultural event.

The 2024 Women's Asia Cup, scheduled from July 19 to 28 in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, promises to be an exciting spectacle in the T20 format. The tournament has expanded to eight teams, including hosts Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Nepal, Thailand, and Malaysia.Unlike the previous edition, the teams will be divided into two groups. Group A comprises India, Pakistan, UAE, and Nepal, while Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on July 26, followed by the title clash on July 28.The tournament will serve as a crucial warm-up for teams ahead of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September. India, the defending champions and most successful team with seven titles, will be eager to retain their crown.The Asia Cup will also showcase the growing talent pool in women's cricket in Asia. The inclusion of female umpires, as in the previous edition, is a testament to the ACC's commitment to promoting women in the sport.The tournament schedule is as follows:* July 19: Pakistan vs Nepal, India vs UAE* July 20: Malaysia vs Thailand, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh* July 21: Nepal vs UAE, India vs Pakistan* July 22: Sri Lanka vs Malaysia, Bangladesh vs Thailand* July 23: Pakistan vs UAE, India vs Nepal* July 24: Bangladesh vs Malaysia, Sri Lanka vs Thailand* July 26: Semi-finals* July 28: FinalThe Asia Cup will provide a platform for players to showcase their skills and compete against the best in Asia. It will also be an opportunity for fans to witness the growth and development of women's cricket in the region.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a prestigious Test cricket series between India and Australia, is set to expand to five matches for the first time since the 1991-92 season. The announcement was made by Cricket Australia (CA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The extended series will be a highlight of the 2024-25 home summer schedule for Australia. The full schedule is expected to be released soon. The opening Test of the five-match series is scheduled to be played in Perth.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been a fiercely contested rivalry between India and Australia. India has won the last four series, including back-to-back away Test series victories in 2018-19 and 2020-21. However, Australia, led by Pat Cummins, defeated India in the World Test Championship final in London last year.The extension of the series to five Tests is a testament to the intense rivalry between the two cricketing nations. It will provide more opportunities for both teams to showcase their skills and compete for the coveted trophy.The BCCI and CA have expressed their commitment to preserving the rich heritage of Test cricket. The extended series is seen as a way to elevate the significance of Test cricket and uphold its legacy.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of the most anticipated events in the cricketing calendar. The five-match series promises to deliver thrilling contests and unforgettable moments.

Cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has been hailed as a significant step for the sport, which has long been confined to the Commonwealth nations. Andy Anson, chair of the British Olympic Association (BOA) and president of the Lancashire Cricket Club, believes it was the right decision.Anson, speaking at a panel discussion in Bengaluru, India, emphasized the global reach of cricket and its commercial appeal. He noted that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized the sport's potential to attract a large audience and generate revenue.For cricket, joining the Olympic movement is seen as a major boost. India, a cricket powerhouse, has expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics, which could further elevate the sport's status. Anson believes India would be an ideal host, given its diverse population and untapped market.However, hosting the Olympics requires significant planning and investment. Deepthi Bopaiah, CEO of GoSports Foundation, stressed the need for long-term development of talent and infrastructure. She emphasized the importance of investing in youth programs and creating pathways for success.Anson pointed to the success of the British Olympic team, which won more medals across more sports than any other country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He attributed this to the funding provided by the National Lottery, which was established in 1994.The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is expected to have a positive impact on the sport's development worldwide. It will provide a global platform for cricketers to showcase their skills and inspire future generations.

Ed Sheeran, the renowned English singer-songwriter, recently embarked on a visit to India, where he engaged in a friendly cricket match with Indian cricket star Shubman Gill. The encounter, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, showcased Gill's bowling skills and Sheeran's playful spirit.In the video, Gill, shirtless and exuding confidence, bowls to Sheeran, who attempts to connect with the ball but fails. The match was played in a lighthearted atmosphere, with popular content creator Tanmay Bhat keeping the wickets.Gill's participation in the match comes ahead of his highly anticipated role as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). The young cricketer has been in impressive form, having recently concluded a successful Test series against England, where he scored a century and played a pivotal role in India's victory.Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran's visit to India has been marked by his interactions with various celebrities, including Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The singer's presence in the country has generated considerable excitement among his fans and the Indian public.