Cricket

England's captain, Heather Knight, has emphasized the team's commitment to their aggressive batting approach, which proved successful in their recent T20I series sweep against Pakistan. However, she acknowledges the need for adaptation to the different rhythms of the 50-over format as they prepare for the first ODI against the same opponents on Friday.Knight's crucial innings of 49 from 44 balls in the first T20I at Edgbaston helped rescue England from a precarious position. She expressed confidence in the team's ability to post competitive totals, as demonstrated by their varied performances in each match."We posted pretty good totals each time, which was really pleasing," Knight said. "Knowing different ways to punch out a score is really important. That's a good sign, and I think it's a real strength of ours, that depth we have in our batting."Knight praised the team's response to the slower pace of Pakistan's bowlers, highlighting the importance of learning how to approach such conditions. She believes this experience will be valuable for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh."The response from the top-order from that first game was really good," she said. "I feel like it's a really good learning for us about how we're going to approach those bowlers on potentially slower wickets."While maintaining their aggressive mindset, Knight recognizes the need for a more calculated approach in ODI cricket. "In ODI cricket, you have a little bit more time to read situations and cope with the ebbs and flows of the games," she explained. "There's obviously a lot of space to be aggressive, but you've got to do it for longer and be a bit more calculated."Tammy Beaumont, who missed the T20Is, is expected to return to the ODI squad, alongside Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt. Kate Cross will also play a key role as a senior seamer, especially with Nat Sciver-Brunt's limited availability as a bowler.Knight acknowledged the intense competition within England's batting lineup, with Sophia Dunkley also pushing for a recall. She believes this competition will drive individual improvement.However, Knight recognizes the challenges that the switch to the ODI format may pose, particularly for younger players who are more accustomed to T20 cricket. She cited Alice Capsey as an example, who has played significantly more T20 matches than List A games."Alice is still working out the tempo that she wants to go at," Knight said. "She's had success in dominating the powerplay, but it's about expanding her game and learning to adapt to different situations."Knight also faces a dilemma in balancing her spin attack, with Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, and Sarah Glenn all vying for selection. "It's something that we haven't really done, but it's so hard to leave one of them out there," she said.While the T20 World Cup remains England's primary focus, Knight is mindful of the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2025. "For me, it's about improving as a team, be it in the T20 format or the one-day format," she said. "I want us to focus on what we're doing now, which is trying to win the series against Pakistan."

Gautam Gambhir Slams Two New Balls Rule in ODI Cricket, Calls for Return to Single BallFormer Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has vehemently criticized the use of two new balls in One-Day International (ODI) cricket, arguing that it severely disadvantages finger spinners and diminishes the art of reverse swing.Gambhir, who currently serves as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, pointed out the glaring absence of prominent finger spinners like Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin from ODI teams despite their exceptional records in Test cricket. Both Lyon and Ashwin have taken over 400 wickets in Test matches, but their effectiveness is significantly reduced in ODIs due to the two new balls rule."Two new balls in one-day cricket is probably the worst thing that can happen to one-day cricket," Gambhir asserted in a recent episode of the podcast series 180 Not Out. "Imagine how many finger spinners play one-day cricket. There's Nathan Lyon who's got 400 wickets, there's R Ashwin who's got 400 wickets, and they are not a part of the One Day team, and the only reason is that there is nothing for a finger spinner."Gambhir explained that the two new balls rule diminishes the effectiveness of finger spinners because the ball remains relatively new throughout the innings, providing less grip and turn for the bowlers. "Imagine someone who has taken 400 Test wickets will not play one day cricket because they don't become a wicket-taking option or they end up becoming a defensive option," he said.The former Indian international also lamented the impact of the two new balls rule on reverse swing, a crucial skill in the arsenal of fast bowlers. "Reverse swing... It has gone out of the game completely," Gambhir said. "I want to see reverse swing, I want to see batters getting challenged, and someone bowling at 150 and reversing the ball is always a challenge."Gambhir proposed a return to the traditional use of a single ball throughout the innings, which would allow for more wear and tear, thereby bringing reverse swing back into play and providing spinners with a greater opportunity to influence the game. "One rule that needs to change is getting rid of two new balls and having only one," he insisted.

Cricket Ireland has confirmed a historic first men's tour of Pakistan in August and September 2024. The series will feature three T20 Internationals (T20Is) and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), marking a significant milestone in the development of Irish cricket.The tour was originally scheduled for September 2025 as part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP). However, following discussions between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Cricket Ireland Chair Brian MacNeice, the series was brought forward to 2024.The decision to tour Pakistan is a testament to the growing strength of Irish cricket and the improving security situation in the country. Ireland Women successfully toured Pakistan in November 2022, playing three ODIs and three T20Is.The PCB initially released a statement suggesting that Ireland would also play a Test series in Pakistan, but this was later denied by both the PCB and Cricket Ireland. A Cricket Ireland spokesperson stated that the details of the tour's fixture list would be discussed by the two boards in the future.The Pakistan men's team is currently in Ireland for a three-match T20I series. The sides have split the first two games 1-1, with the series decider scheduled for Tuesday.The upcoming tour of Pakistan will be a major test for Ireland, who have never played a Test match in the country. It will also provide a valuable opportunity for the Irish players to experience the passionate and knowledgeable Pakistani cricket fans.

Pakistan's women's cricket team has announced a 17-member squad for their upcoming tour of England, which will feature three T20Is and as many ODIs. The squad is led by experienced all-rounder Nida Dar and includes several key players from the ongoing white-ball series against West Indies.The only notable omissions from the squad are Bismah Maroof, who recently retired from international cricket, and Sidra Nawaz, who was part of the ODI squad but did not play a game. The official squad announcement does not distinguish between players selected for the T20I and ODI legs of the series, suggesting that all 17 players will be available for both formats.Pakistan's tour of England comes after a disappointing home series against West Indies, where they narrowly missed out on victories in several matches. West Indies, led by the impressive Hayley Matthews, won the ODI series 3-0 and have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.Pakistan will be hoping to turn their fortunes around in England, where they will face a tough challenge against one of the world's top teams. The T20I matches will be played on May 11, 17, and 19, while the ODIs will follow on May 23, 26, and 29. Pakistan will also play a warm-up T20 on May 9 and a one-day game on May 21 against an ECB Development XI side.The ODIs are part of the ICC Women's Championship 2022-25, with this being Pakistan's eighth and final series in the current cycle. Pakistan are currently fifth with 16 points on the ten-team table, with the top five qualifying for the 2025 ODI World Cup directly.

West Indies emerged victorious in the second ODI against Pakistan, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The thrilling encounter witnessed a late twist, with West Indies snatching a two-wicket win off the final ball.Pakistan, opting to bat first, posted a competitive total of 223 thanks to half-centuries from Sidra Ameen and Bismah Maroof. However, West Indies' bowlers, led by Chinelle Henry and Karishma Ramharack, kept the Pakistani batters in check, restricting them to a manageable target.In the chase, West Indies lost early wickets but Hayley Mathews kept the innings afloat with a solid 44. Shemaine Campbelle and Stafanie Taylor then forged a crucial 88-run partnership, putting West Indies in a commanding position. Taylor, who top-scored with 73, anchored the innings even after Campbelle's departure.However, Pakistan captain Nida Dar staged a remarkable comeback, claiming four wickets in quick succession to bring her team back into contention. With West Indies needing five runs off the final six balls, Fatima Sana conceded just two off the first five deliveries, including the wicket of Afy Fletcher.But in a dramatic twist, Ramharack managed to edge the final ball past the wicketkeeper for a boundary, sparking jubilation in the West Indies camp. The victory not only secured the series for West Indies but also extended their unbeaten streak in ODIs to 10 matches.

West Indies Women's team kicked off their tour of Pakistan with a resounding 113-run victory in the first ODI, extending their winning streak in the country to seven matches. The triumph was orchestrated by a dominant all-round performance from Hayley Matthews, who notched up an unbeaten century and claimed three wickets.Matthews, who elected to bat first, anchored the West Indies innings with a masterful 140 off 150 deliveries, laced with 15 boundaries and a six. She forged a crucial 101-run partnership with Shemaine Campbelle for the second wicket, providing a solid foundation for the team's total.Despite losing early wickets, West Indies managed to post a formidable 269 for 8 thanks to contributions from Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, and Aaliyah Alleyne. Matthews' century was her fifth in ODIs and her highest score in the format.Pakistan's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost their top order cheaply. Matthews' bowling prowess came to the fore as she dismissed Nida Dar, triggering a collapse that Pakistan failed to recover from.Apart from Matthews' three-wicket haul, Afy Fletcher and Zaida James also chipped in with two wickets each. Pakistan's innings folded for a mere 156 in the 36th over, falling well short of their target.The victory marks a successful start to West Indies' tour of Pakistan, with the second and third ODIs scheduled to take place in Karachi on April 23 and 26.

Sachin Tendulkar's Rebirth: The Day He Opened for IndiaMarch 27, 1994, marked a pivotal moment in the illustrious career of Sachin Tendulkar. On this day, 30 years ago, the legendary batter accidentally opened for Team India in an ODI against New Zealand in Auckland. The decision by skipper Mohammad Azharuddin to send Tendulkar to the top of the order proved to be a game-changer.Tendulkar, who had previously played 69 ODIs and scored 1758 runs at an average of 30.84, grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He smashed 82 runs off just 49 balls, hitting 15 fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 167.35. His blistering knock helped India chase down New Zealand's target of 143 in just 24 overs, winning by 7 wickets.This match marked the beginning of Tendulkar's dominance as an opener. He went on to open the innings in 344 ODIs, amassing 15,310 runs at an average of 48.29. A staggering 45 of his 49 ODI centuries came while opening the batting.Tendulkar's partnership with Sourav Ganguly became one of the most formidable opening pairs in ODI cricket history. Between 1996 and 2007, they shared the crease in 136 innings, remaining undefeated twice. They amassed a staggering 6,609 runs at an impressive average of 49.32, with the highest partnership of 258 runs. Their partnership included 21 century stands and 23 fifty-plus partnerships, solidifying their status as one of the most prolific opening pairs in the game.Tendulkar's opening exploits not only transformed his own career but also had a profound impact on Indian cricket. He became a symbol of hope and inspiration for a nation that was hungry for success on the international stage. His ability to dominate the opposition from the very first ball set the tone for India's aggressive approach to ODI cricket.

Bangladesh's fast bowlers continue to shine, with Tanzim Hasan Sakib emerging as the latest star in their ODI triumph over Sri Lanka. The 21-year-old pacer played a pivotal role in the team's victory, claiming three crucial wickets in his opening spell.Tanzim's early strikes, which included the dismissals of Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, and Sadeera Samarawickrama, halted Sri Lanka's momentum and set the tone for Bangladesh's dominance. Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed also contributed with three wickets each, marking only the third time in Bangladesh's ODI history that their fast bowlers have combined for nine or more wickets in an innings.This impressive performance is a testament to Bangladesh's ongoing pace revolution, which has seen the emergence of several talented fast bowlers in recent years. Taskin and Shoriful have established themselves as key members of the team, while Tanzim's emergence provides further depth to the bowling attack.Tanzim's success is particularly noteworthy as he was replacing Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh's most experienced fast bowler. However, Tanzim has shown maturity beyond his years, impressing with his discipline, fitness, and unwavering determination.Mushfiqur Rahim, who witnessed Tanzim's performance firsthand, praised the young bowler's attitude and work ethic. He believes that Tanzim's positive mindset and commitment to excellence will inspire his teammates and contribute to Bangladesh's success in the future.The rise of Bangladesh's fast bowlers has been a major factor in their recent ODI victories, including their historic series win in South Africa in 2022. The team's bowling coach, Allan Donald, has played a significant role in transforming the attitude and fitness of the fast-bowling group, leading to improved performances.While Tanzim may not be a regular starter in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, he will be eager to maintain his discipline and performance in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup later this year. Bangladesh's fast-bowling stocks are at an all-time high, and Tanzim is determined to prove that he belongs among the best.

Sri Lanka's opening batsmen, Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando, got off to a solid start in the first ODI against Bangladesh in Chittagong on Wednesday. Nissanka struck a six over mid-wicket off Taijul Islam, while Fernando hit a boundary through covers off Tanzim Hasan Sakib.However, Sakib provided the breakthrough for Bangladesh, dismissing Fernando for 24. The left-arm spinner bowled a full and wide delivery outside off, which Fernando edged to the keeper.Nissanka continued to play aggressively, hitting another boundary off Sakib and a four off Shoriful Islam. He was eventually dismissed for 35, caught behind off Taijul Islam.Kusal Mendis, the Sri Lankan captain, came to the crease and played a patient innings, scoring 25 off 40 balls. He was supported by Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made 22 off 33 balls.Bangladesh's bowlers kept the Sri Lankan batsmen in check, with Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam taking two wickets each. Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib also bowled economically.At the end of 20 overs, Sri Lanka were 105/3, with Mendis and Samarawickrama at the crease.