Cricket

Ahead of their highly anticipated clash against Pakistan in the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup 2024, India's bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi urged his team to "stay united and believe in their abilities." The blockbuster match between India and Pakistan will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.Harmanpreet Kaur's side enters this match after suffering a disappointing 58-run loss against New Zealand in their tournament opener. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Salvi emphasized that the match against Pakistan is a fresh opportunity for the Women in Blue. He added that the team management only asks the team to stay strong."The next game is a fresh opportunity for us. The girls have gone through the grind and have been through this [similar results] before. We only tell them to stay strong, stay united, and believe in our abilities and plans," Salvi said.The bowling coach also praised India's fielding efforts against New Zealand and noted that there has been significant improvement. "We have been working on it. If you see the results, the errors are lesser than what it was earlier. So there has been a lot of improvement in that aspect. If you see the way we fielded yesterday, barring a few moments and a couple of deliveries, the rest of the time the speed of the girls was superb, the angle cutting was nice, and the way they were moving across the field, that was great," he added.Team India has been placed in Group A of the prestigious tournament along with New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

India faces a crucial challenge in their second Women's T20 World Cup match against Pakistan on Sunday after a disappointing defeat to New Zealand. The loss has left India with a poor run-rate of -2.99, making it imperative for them to secure big victories in their remaining matches.India's performance against New Zealand was lackluster in all departments. They opted for an extra pacer in Arundhati Reddy, which led to a reshuffling of the batting order. Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh were forced to bat out of their usual positions, affecting their rhythm.The decision to include three pacers was questionable, as there was no dew and the Kiwis' pacers exploited the hard deck. India also missed the presence of left-arm spinner Radha Yadav, their second-most successful T20I bowler.Head coach Amol Muzumdar faces a dilemma in selecting the right combination for the Pakistan match. India may consider adding Dayalan Hemalatha to bolster their batting.Pakistan, on the other hand, will be confident after defeating Sri Lanka in their opening match. Their bowling attack, led by Nida Dhar, Fatima Sana, and Sadia Iqbal, is formidable. However, they will be monitoring the fitness of lead pacer Diana Baig, who suffered a calf strain.India holds a 12-3 head-to-head advantage over Pakistan in T20Is, but Pakistan has the potential to upset any opposition. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter with both teams desperate for a victory.

Shahid Afridi's Blazing Century: A Record-Breaking Moment in ODI HistoryOn October 4, 1996, the world of cricket witnessed a remarkable feat that would forever etch the name of Shahid Afridi in the annals of the sport. In a match against Sri Lanka at the KCA Centenary Tournament, the Pakistani all-rounder unleashed a blistering century that shattered the record for the fastest century in One Day Internationals (ODIs).Afridi, batting at number three, was tasked with providing quick runs for Pakistan. He responded with an astonishing display of power hitting, reaching the century mark in a mere 37 balls. This eclipsed the previous record of 48 balls held by Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya.Afridi's innings was a symphony of destruction. He smashed 11 sixes, equaling Jayasuriya's record for the most sixes in an ODI century knock. One over from Sri Lankan bowler Pramodya Wickramasinghe yielded 28 runs, a record at the time.Afridi's century propelled Pakistan to a formidable total of 371 for 9. Opener Saeed Anwar also contributed a century (115). Sri Lanka, despite a valiant effort from Aravinda de Silva (122), fell short by 82 runs.Afridi's record stood for 17 years until it was broken by New Zealand's Corey Anderson in 2013. Anderson reached the century mark in 36 balls, one delivery faster than Afridi. However, South Africa's AB de Villiers later surpassed Anderson with a stunning 31-ball century.Afridi's blazing century remains a testament to his exceptional talent and the impact he had on the game of cricket. It was a moment that showcased his raw power and the excitement he brought to the sport.

Sachin Tendulkar's Heartbreaking Heroics: The Chennai Test of 1999In the annals of cricket history, Sachin Tendulkar's performances against Pakistan stand as some of the most unforgettable moments. His battles with Pakistan's formidable bowling attack, featuring legends like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar, have become iconic. One such encounter, the 1999 Chennai Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, remains etched in the memories of cricket enthusiasts as a testament to Tendulkar's indomitable spirit and unwavering determination.The Test was part of Pakistan's tour of India in 1999, marking the resumption of bilateral series between the two nations after nearly a decade. The series was highly anticipated, with both sides carrying immense expectations. In the first innings, Tendulkar was dismissed for a duck by Saqlain Mushtaq, leaving India with a modest total of 254.However, in the second innings, with India chasing a target of 271 for victory, Tendulkar produced a heroic knock that would forever be remembered. Coming in to bat with India in trouble at 6/2, Tendulkar faced an uphill battle. The situation worsened as India lost more wickets, reducing them to 82/5.Undeterred, Tendulkar put together a crucial partnership with Nayan Mongia (52) to revive India's hopes. Battling against Pakistan's world-class bowling attack, Tendulkar displayed a blend of defense and aggression, particularly against Saqlain Mushtaq, who had dismissed him in the first innings. Despite suffering from severe back spasms, Tendulkar remained resolute.With India needing just 17 more runs to win, Tendulkar was dismissed by Saqlain Mushtaq, caught by Wasim Akram at mid-off. His wicket turned the tide of the game, and India collapsed from 254/6 to 258 all out, falling short of the target by just 12 runs.Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Tendulkar's 136 is considered one of his greatest innings. He single-handedly brought India to the brink of victory, battling both the opposition and his own physical pain. His decision to play through severe back pain showcased his dedication and fighting spirit, cementing his reputation as a master of tough situations.Tendulkar's effort in the Chennai Test remains legendary, demonstrating his resilience and class in one of the most dramatic Test matches between India and Pakistan. Though India lost the match, Tendulkar's performance serves as a testament to his unwavering determination and the indomitable spirit that has made him one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

India's Smriti Mandhana Emphasizes the Importance of Giving 100% to Beat Australia in Women's T20 World CupAhead of the Women's T20 World Cup, India's vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has stressed the significance of giving their all to overcome the formidable Australian team. Australia has dominated the tournament, winning the last three editions.Mandhana acknowledged the strength of New Zealand and Sri Lanka, but emphasized that Australia demands a different level of focus. "You have to bring your best game on that particular day to get the better of them," she said. "There's always excitement when facing Australia because they're such a good team, and beating them is a great challenge."Regarding the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan, Mandhana highlighted the emotional intensity it evokes. "The India-Pakistan rivalry is more about the emotions of the fans than anything else," she said. "For me, every World Cup match is special, but there's definitely a lot of emotion attached to the India-Pakistan games."Mandhana also addressed the challenges of playing in Dubai's afternoon heat. "The afternoon game is going to be a challenge due to the heat, but when you play for India, there are no excuses," she said. "We have a couple of afternoon sessions lined up to help us get used to the conditions."Mandhana emphasized the importance of staying hydrated and mentally strong. "Mentally, we need to stay strong and keep pushing," she said. "By the time we face Pakistan, I'm sure we'll be ready."India will face New Zealand in their opening Group A match on Friday, followed by the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on October 6.

India's bowling attack has drawn comparisons to Pakistan's legendary fast-bowling trio of Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Waqar Younis, according to former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali.Ali's praise comes after India's comprehensive 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai. India's pacers, led by Jasprit Bumrah (4/50), Mohammed Siraj (2/30), and Akash Deep (2/19), outclassed Bangladesh's batting lineup, dismissing them for a meager 149 in the first innings.Bumrah's four-wicket haul and Akash Deep's early breakthroughs, combined with Siraj's consistency, left Bangladesh reeling. The dominant performance has drawn comparisons from Basit, who likened India's current pace attack to Pakistan's legendary fast-bowling trio."The Indian bowling unit is so impactful that they are on the level with pacers Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Waqar Younis. Right now, Mohammed Shami is not even playing," Basit remarked on his YouTube channel.Basit also expressed excitement about India's emerging pace talent, particularly 22-year-old Mayank Yadav. The young speedster impressed during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), clocking the fastest delivery of the season at 156.7 kph for Lucknow Super Giants. Basit believes Mayank's pace could be a game-changer in India's upcoming Test assignments, specifically against Australia."Mayank Yadav's ball is very dangerous. His bouncer is accurate. I wish to see him play a Test match in Australia," Basit said.With India's established pacers performing brilliantly, all eyes will be on how the selectors integrate budding talents like Mayank Yadav into the squad for future challenges.

Jalal-ud-Din's Historic Hat-Trick: A Landmark in ODI CricketIn the annals of One-Day International (ODI) cricket, the name Jalal-ud-Din stands tall as the pioneer who etched his name into history with the first-ever hat-trick. This remarkable feat occurred in 1982 during a match against Australia at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad, Pakistan.Pakistan, after being put into bat, set a competitive target of 229/6, with Mohsin Khan's magnificent century (104 off 101 balls) anchoring the innings. As Australia embarked on their chase, it was Jalal-ud-Din's heroics with the ball that turned the tide in Pakistan's favor.In a pivotal over, the right-arm medium-pacer unleashed a devastating spell, dismissing Rod Marsh (1), Bruce Yardley (0), and Geoff Lawson (0) on consecutive deliveries. He bowled Marsh, caught Yardley behind with the help of wicketkeeper Wasim Bari, and then rattled Lawson's stumps to complete the historic hat-trick.Jalal-ud-Din's hat-trick came at a crucial juncture, reducing Australia from 127 for 6 to 127 for 9, effectively ending their hopes of chasing down the target. Pakistan eventually emerged victorious by 59 runs.Despite Jalal-ud-Din's historic achievement, it was Mohsin Khan who was named Player of the Match for his brilliant century. However, Jalal-ud-Din's hat-trick remains a landmark in ODI cricket, showcasing how a single over can alter the course of a game.

South Africa's women's cricket team concluded their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup with a convincing eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the series decider. The Proteas chased down Pakistan's total of 153 with nine balls to spare, marking their joint fifth-highest successful chase in T20Is.Anneke Bosch, who retired four runs short of a half-century, played a crucial role in setting up the victory. Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen contributed with 45 and 44 not out, respectively.Pakistan's bowlers struggled to contain South Africa's batters, with only Tuba Hassan proving economical. The Proteas batters effectively used their feet against spin, an area that has been a concern for them in the past.In contrast, Pakistan squandered the opportunity to post a larger total. Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza provided a solid start, but their partnership was broken in the sixth over. Nida Dar, Pakistan's second-highest run-scorer in T20Is, was dismissed for 12, while Fatima Sana's 27 helped set up a strong finish.However, Chloe Tryon's left-arm spin proved difficult to get away, and Pakistan struggled to add quick runs in the latter stages of their innings. South Africa's attack, without Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka, kept Pakistan in check.Fielding remains a concern for both sides, with nine catches dropped across the three matches. South Africa and Pakistan will need to improve their judgement under the high ball ahead of the T20 World Cup in Dubai.

ICC Delegation to Inspect Pakistan for Champions Trophy PreparationsA five-member delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) will arrive in Karachi on September 17, 2024, for an inspection visit ahead of next year's Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The delegation includes top officials from the ICC's Events and Security Departments, as well as the General Manager Cricket and Production Manager.The ICC delegation's primary objective is to discuss the tentative schedule for the tournament, which was prepared and submitted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) several months ago. A key aspect of the schedule is the allocation of matches to Lahore, where the Indian team is expected to play all their games.The delegation will also address the possibility of the Indian government not allowing the Indian team to travel to Pakistan. In such a scenario, alternative arrangements will need to be considered.During their visit, the delegation will inspect ongoing construction work in Karachi and review team hotel arrangements. They will also travel to Islamabad and Lahore for similar inspections.The ICC Security Manager will hold briefings with Pakistani security officials to assess the security measures in place for the tournament.The ICC's decision on the final schedule and tournament arrangements will be announced in due course.