Cricket

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka LIVE Updates: India-Pakistan Final Looms in ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia CupThe stage is set for a potential India vs Pakistan final in the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup on Sunday. However, both teams must first overcome their respective semi-final opponents, Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan, on Saturday.Pakistan Shaheens, the defending champions, will face Sri Lanka A in the first semi-final at the Al-Amerat Ground in Oman. The two teams have met twice in the tournament so far, with Pakistan winning both encounters.Sri Lanka A, led by Charith Asalanka, will be looking to avenge those defeats and reach their first final in the competition. They have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, winning four of their five matches.Pakistan Shaheens, captained by Mohammad Haris, will be confident of continuing their winning streak. They have a well-balanced team with a strong batting lineup and a potent bowling attack.The second semi-final will see India A take on Afghanistan. India A, led by Yash Dhull, have been the most dominant team in the tournament, winning all five of their matches. They will be the favorites to reach the final.Afghanistan, led by Noor Ahmad, will be hoping to cause an upset. They have shown glimpses of their potential in the tournament, but they will need to play their best cricket to beat India A.The winner of the two semi-finals will meet in the final on Sunday. A repeat of last year's final, when Pakistan beat India to win the Emerging Asia Cup title, is a possibility.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins has jokingly revealed his excuses for a potential loss in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Speaking on The Grade Cricketer podcast, Cummins quipped, "I will find some (laughs). Cameron Green was going to open the batting and bowling."Green's absence due to back surgery has disrupted Australia's plans. The all-rounder was expected to bat at number four and provide pace bowling support. His injury has left a void in the team's balance, forcing the management to reconsider their strategy.Cummins acknowledged the importance of a balanced contest between bat and ball. "It feels like if someone has scored a hundred, they have batted the house down. Taken them a few sessions whereas my first couple of years, some of those wickets were so flat," he said.The skipper expressed his desire for wickets that challenge both batsmen and bowlers. "I think some of those Indian spinning wickets as well, I think that last tour, Delhi we should have won, it just get the teams close to each other if you get the wickets like that, but you do not listen to our players complaining about those types of wickets," he added.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence on November 22 at Perth. The series will feature five Tests, with the second Test in Adelaide played under lights. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane, followed by the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The series will conclude with the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

New Zealand's relentless bowling attack has put India on the back foot in the second Test in Mumbai, leaving the hosts with a daunting task to avoid a series defeat.On a challenging pitch that offered significant turn, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup, claiming six wickets between them. Santner's persistent and accurate bowling proved too much for the Indian batsmen, while Phillips' variations kept them guessing.India's struggles began early on, with Shubman Gill falling to Santner in the 11th over. Virat Kohli's dismissal for 1, bowled by a full toss, further dented India's hopes. Phillips then dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, both caught behind, to leave India reeling at 57 for 4.The pressure continued to mount as Sarfaraz Khan and Ravichandran Ashwin also fell cheaply. With the pitch offering little respite, India's batsmen found it increasingly difficult to score runs.Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are now tasked with the unenviable task of rescuing India from a precarious position. However, with New Zealand's bowlers in such impressive form, the hosts face an uphill battle to avoid a series defeat.

Virat Kohli's Uncharacteristic Dismissal Stuns India in Pune TestIn a shocking turn of events, India's batting maestro Virat Kohli suffered an unexpected dismissal during the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. The incident occurred as Kohli attempted to negotiate a full toss from Mitchell Santner.Kohli, who had entered the crease following Shubman Gill's dismissal, misjudged the delivery and failed to connect with the ball. The ball slipped under his bat and crashed into the stumps, leaving Kohli visibly stunned and in disbelief.The dismissal marked a rare lapse in judgment for Kohli, who is renowned for his impeccable technique and shot selection. As he made his way back to the pavilion, his frustration was evident, clearly disappointed with the way his innings had ended.Kohli's dismissal came at a crucial juncture in the match, with India looking to build a solid foundation after losing the opening Test in Bengaluru. His departure left the team in a precarious position, with the middle order under pressure to deliver.The incident has raised questions about Kohli's form and focus, as he has struggled to find his rhythm in recent matches. In the opening Test, he managed scores of 0 and 70, failing to make a significant impact on the outcome.Kohli's dismissal has also highlighted the strength of New Zealand's bowling attack, which has consistently troubled the Indian batsmen throughout the series. Santner, in particular, has been a thorn in India's side, claiming the wickets of both Gill and Kohli in the second Test.As the series progresses, Kohli will be under immense pressure to regain his form and lead India to victory. His experience and leadership will be crucial if India is to level the series and avoid a humiliating defeat.

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket team's talismanic batter, is not only known for his aggressive batting but also for his lively on-field personality. His infectious energy and playful antics often steal the spotlight, adding an extra spark to the game.One such light-hearted moment occurred during the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru. As Kohli walked onto the field, fully padded up, he was caught on camera doing a humorous mimicry, much to the delight of the crowd. A fan humorously commented that Kohli appeared to be imitating Shubman Gill's walk, sending the audience into fits of laughter.Kohli's playful antics are not limited to the field. He is also known for his witty remarks and playful banter with opponents. During the same match, Kohli was involved in a light-hearted exchange with New Zealand's captain, Kane Williamson. After Williamson was dismissed, Kohli was seen playfully teasing him, saying, "You're not going to get a hundred today."Despite his playful nature, Kohli is a fierce competitor on the field. He is known for his aggressive batting and his determination to win. In the first Test against New Zealand, Kohli showcased his brilliance with the bat, scoring a solid 70. However, India eventually lost the match by eight wickets.Kohli's presence will be crucial for India as they head to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting November 22. India will be aiming for a historic hat-trick of series wins in the highly anticipated clash. With his form looking strong, Kohli will be one of the key players to watch in the upcoming series.

David Warner's Comeback Offer for Border-Gavaskar Trophy Dismissed by Australia Skipper Pat CumminsAustralia's Test captain, Pat Cummins, has unequivocally ruled out the possibility of David Warner making a comeback for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Warner, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, recently expressed his willingness to return to the national team.Cummins, however, has put an end to any speculation, stating that the team "loves Davey" but will not consider him for the marquee series. He acknowledged Warner's offer but labeled it as a "bit of a wind-up.""Dave, we're very interested. We're taking it very seriously and we'll be in touch, mate," Cummins said on The Grade Cricketer podcast. "I did speak to Dave a couple of days ago. I can't remember if he reached out or I did... he's like, 'What do you think?', and I was like, 'Yeah, good luck with [Sydney] Thunder and I look forward to your comments on Fox.'"Cummins believes that Warner's offer was partly a joke but also a way for the former opener to stay in the limelight. "I think the truth's somewhere in the middle. I reckon it (offer) is a bit of a wind-up but I reckon he doesn't mind seeing himself in the back page. We love Davey but he is retired," Cummins added.In Warner's absence, Steve Smith has been opening the batting for Australia, but the move has not been entirely successful. The 5-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22 in Perth, with the second Test scheduled for Adelaide from December 6. The remaining Tests will be played in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, with the series concluding on January 8, 2025.

Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler, has urged India to consider Mayank Yadav as a potential replacement for Mohammed Shami in their squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Lee believes Yadav's raw pace and potential on bouncy wickets make him a valuable asset for India.Shami's fitness remains a concern, and Lee believes Yadav could step up in his absence. "He looks like someone who is a complete package," Lee said. "If Mohammed Shami is not ready, at least get him (Mayank) in the squad. I think he would do pretty well on these Australian wickets."Lee, who has witnessed Yadav's impressive performances in the IPL, highlighted his ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 150 kmph. "He hit 157 kmph first up in his first game," Lee said. "I don't care who it is, no one wants to face that."India's bowling attack boasts world-class talent, including Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. Lee believes the combination of these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner is crucial for India's success in Australia."On wickets like Perth, Adelaide, for me it's the combination, these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner," Lee said. "You need to have those three quicks firing if India wants to win."Lee also praised India's overall strength as a team, describing them as a "powerhouse that don't want to bow down." He cautioned Australia against underestimating India's ability to win on any given day."They know how to win, and they know they can beat Australia; they know they can beat the Kiwis," Lee said. "They know they can beat anyone on any given day."Lee's comments come after India's eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test. He believes India may have been influenced by the aggressive approach of 'Bazball,' leading to some loose shots."Maybe it's Bazball brushing off on other cricketers around the world," Lee noted. "I know that India won't be proud of the way they played. They played some pretty loose shots."India will play two more Tests against New Zealand before leaving for Australia. Lee believes the team needs to better assess conditions and weigh the risk factor when making decisions.

India's women's cricket team commenced their three-match ODI series against New Zealand with a resounding 59-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.Chasing a modest target of 228, New Zealand's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of India's bowling attack. Radha Yadav emerged as the star performer, claiming three crucial wickets for just 35 runs. Debutant pacer Saima Thakor also made an immediate impact, dismissing New Zealand opener Suzie Bates with her third delivery.New Zealand's innings was plagued by a series of unfortunate dismissals. Skipper Sophie Devine was caught short of her crease, while Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green's promising partnership was broken by Thakor. Despite a brief fightback, New Zealand's batting order failed to recover, eventually folding for 168 runs.Earlier, India had posted a total of 227 after opting to bat first. The Kerr sisters, Amelia and Jess, led the New Zealand bowling attack with four and three wickets respectively. India's batters struggled to convert their starts into substantial scores, with Deepti Sharma (41), Tejal Hasabnis (42), Shafali Verma (33), Yastika (37), and Jemimah Rodrigues (35) all failing to capitalize on their promising starts.Despite their batting struggles, India's bowlers stepped up to the challenge. Yadav's three wickets and Thakor's early strike proved decisive, while Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad also contributed with two wickets each.The victory marks a positive start for India in the ODI series. They will look to continue their winning ways in the remaining two matches, scheduled for February 12 and 15.

Rohit Sharma's Test Woes Continue as Tim Southee Strikes AgainIndian captain Rohit Sharma's struggles in Test cricket extended on Thursday as he was dismissed for a duck on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Kiwi pacer Tim Southee delivered a venomous delivery that left Rohit bamboozled, marking the 14th time Southee has dismissed the Indian skipper across all formats.Southee's delivery was a masterclass in seam bowling. Pitched on a good length around middle and off, the ball moved away off the seam, leaving Rohit completely squared up in defense. As he attempted to defend from the crease, the ball nipped away slightly, clipping the top of off stump after a slight deflection off his back pad.Rohit's dismissal was a major setback for India, who were looking to bounce back from their defeat in the first Test. However, Washington Sundar provided a much-needed boost, making a spectacular return to the Test side with a seven-wicket haul.Sundar's off-spin proved too much for the New Zealand batsmen, as he ripped through their middle order. Fellow off-break bowler Ravichandran Ashwin also chipped in with three wickets, as New Zealand were bundled out for 259 in 79.1 overs.At the close of play, India were 16 for 1, with Yashasvi Jaiswal on six and Shubman Gill on ten. The hosts trail by 243 runs, but will be hoping to make a strong comeback on day two.