Cricket

Afghanistan has bolstered its squad for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh with the inclusion of opening batter Sediqullah Atal and left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmad. The 19-man squad will face Bangladesh in three ODIs from November 6 to 11 in Sharjah.Atal, who has six T20I caps, has been in impressive form at the Emerging Teams Asia Cup T20 tournament, scoring 52, 95 not out, and 83. Noor, on the other hand, returns to the squad after a stellar performance in the Caribbean Premier League, where he was named Player of the Series for his 22 wickets for the St Lucia Kings.Afghanistan Cricket Board chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil explained the squad changes: "Ibrahim Zadran is currently undergoing rehabilitation and continues to recover from the surgery he recently had. Mujeeb Ur Rahman also remains unavailable due to ongoing treatment.""However, Noor Ahmad is back in the squad, and we have included a promising top-order batter in Sediqullah Atal, who has impressed everyone with his consistent top performances."Afghanistan will use the Bangladesh series as part of its preparation for the Champions Trophy in February 2025. In their previous assignment, the three ODIs against South Africa, Afghanistan created history with their first series win against an opposition ranked in the top five of the ICC rankings.

St Lucia Kings, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise, have bolstered their squad for the 2024 season with the signings of South African batter Heinrich Klaasen and Afghanistan wristspinner Noor Ahmad. The Kings have also retained key players from their 2023 campaign, including Faf du Plessis, David Wiese, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa.Klaasen, a dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, has been in exceptional form in T20 cricket since 2023. He was the second-highest run-getter in the inaugural SA20 league and impressed in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with 479 runs in 16 games. His strike rate in the format since 2023 is an impressive 176.80. This will be Klaasen's second stint in the CPL, having previously represented the Guyana Amazon Warriors in 2022.Noor Ahmad, a rising star in Afghanistan cricket, is known for his deceptive leg-spin bowling. He has represented his country in international T20 matches and has impressed with his ability to take wickets and restrict runs.The Kings have retained the core of their Caribbean players, including Johnson Charles, Alzarri Joseph, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, and Khary Pierre. Fast bowlers Shadrack Descarte and McKenny Clarke have also been retained.Faf du Plessis, who missed the majority of the 2023 season due to injury, will return to lead the Kings. The experienced South African batter is a key figure in the team's batting lineup.David Wiese, the Namibian all-rounder, has been a consistent performer for the Kings. He provides valuable contributions with both bat and ball.Bhanuka Rajapaksa, the Sri Lankan batter, is known for his explosive batting style. He has the ability to accelerate the scoring rate and hit big boundaries.The Kings have released Colin Munro, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, and Chris Sole. Munro was signed as du Plessis' replacement last year, but he failed to make a significant impact.The 2024 CPL season will run from August 30 to October 7. The Kings will open their campaign against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on September 1 in Basseterre.

Noor Ahmad's Spectacular Catch Stuns Delhi Capitals in IPL ThrillerIn a breathtaking display of athleticism, Gujarat Titans' Noor Ahmad soared through the air to claim a stunning catch that sent Delhi Capitals' Prithvi Shaw packing during an enthralling Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.The incident unfolded on the fifth delivery of the fourth over, as Sandeep Warrier unleashed a short-pitched delivery. Shaw, cramped for space, attempted a pull shot but mistimed it, sending the ball looping towards the boundary.With lightning-fast reflexes, Ahmad charged forward, timing his dive to perfection. In a moment of sheer brilliance, he extended his fingers and somehow managed to get a grip on the ball, leaving spectators in awe.The third umpire meticulously reviewed the catch, scrutinizing it from multiple angles before finally awarding the decision in Gujarat Titans' favor. Ahmad's remarkable effort not only showcased his exceptional fielding skills but also proved to be a pivotal moment in the match.The catch highlighted the unpredictable and electrifying nature of cricket's shortest format. In a matter of seconds, the momentum of the game can shift dramatically, and Ahmad's stunning grab was a testament to the importance of fielding prowess in T20 cricket.Ahmad's athleticism and agility were on full display as he demonstrated his ability to anticipate the trajectory of the ball and execute a flawless catch. His effort not only contributed to Gujarat Titans' victory but also left an indelible mark on the IPL, showcasing the exceptional talent and skill that grace the tournament.

Noor Ahmad, the 19-year-old Afghanistan spinner, has been handed a 12-month ban by the UAE's International League T20 (ILT20) for breaching his player agreement with the Sharjah Warriors franchise. The ban stems from Noor's refusal to sign a retention notice offered by the Warriors ahead of the second season of the ILT20, opting instead to play in the South Africa's SA20 with the Durban Super Giants.The ILT20 disciplinary committee, comprising league CEO David White, head of security and anti-corruption Col Azam, and Emirates Cricket Board member Zayed Abbas, investigated the matter and heard the perspectives of both Noor and the Warriors before reaching their verdict. Initially, the committee recommended a 20-month ban for Noor, considering the severity of the breach. However, taking into account Noor's age at the time of signing the original agreement and his explanation that his agent had not fully informed him of the contract terms, the committee decided to reduce the ban to 12 months.Noor's ban marks the second such incident involving a Warriors player in recent months. In December 2022, Naveen-ul-Haq, another Afghanistan cricketer, was banned for 20 months by the ILT20 for a similar breach of contract. This effectively rules out both Noor and Naveen from participating in the ILT20 in 2024 and 2025.During his stint with the Warriors in the inaugural season of the ILT20, Noor featured in seven matches, claiming four wickets at an average of 37 and an economy rate of 7.04. His ban serves as a reminder to players of the importance of adhering to contractual obligations and the consequences of breaching such agreements.