Cricket

Pakistan Opts to Field First in Rain-Delayed T20I Opener Against AustraliaIn a rain-affected first T20I at the Gabba, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan elected to field first after winning the toss. The match, initially scheduled for a full 20 overs, was reduced to a seven-over contest due to persistent lightning and rain in Brisbane.Pakistan's batting-heavy lineup features the return of wicketkeeper-batter Sahibzada Farhan, who replaced left-arm fast bowler Jahandad Khan at the last minute. The pace attack boasts the formidable trio of Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf, while Babar Azam and Rizwan will open the batting.Australia's captain, Josh Inglis, echoed Rizwan's decision to field first. Their top five remains largely unchanged from the ODI series, with Adam Zampa as the specialist spinner and Tim David slotting into the middle order. Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson complete the bowling attack.The reduced format of the match means that only two bowlers can bowl a maximum of two overs each, while all other bowlers are restricted to one over. The powerplay consists of two overs.Australia:1. Jake Fraser-McGurk2. Matt Short3. Josh Inglis (capt & wk)4. Glenn Maxwell5. Tim David6. Marcus Stoinis7. Aaron Hardie8. Xavier Bartlett9. Nathan Ellis10. Adam Zampa11. Spencer JohnsonPakistan:1. Babar Azam2. Mohammad Rizwan (capt & wk)3. Sahibzada Farhan4. Usman Khan5. Salman Agha6. Irfan Khan7. Abbas Afridi8. Shaheen Shah Afridi9. Haseebullah Khan10. Haris Rauf11. Naseem Shah

Incessant rainfall brought on by Cyclone Dana has cast a shadow over the Ranji Trophy Group-C match between Bengal and Kerala, scheduled to commence at the Jadavpur University ground in Kolkata on Saturday. Both teams had settled for a point apiece in their respective matches in the previous round. While Bengal's encounter against Bihar was washed out due to a wet outfield at Kalyani, Kerala's first innings could not be completed in its rain-affected match against Karnataka at Alur.The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), which shifted the Kerala fixture out of Kalyani, had requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to postpone the duel due to the cyclone threat, but their plea was denied.Bengal, which has four points, finds itself in a quandary as four of its prominent players - Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Abishek Porel - will be unavailable due to national duty. Seamer Ishan Porel and wicketkeeper-batter Shakir Habib Gandhi have been picked as replacements and should be hopeful of making it to the playing XI.The Bengal batting will rely on Sudip Chatterjee, Sudip Gharami, captain Anustup Majumdar, and Wriddhiman Saha. Suraj Jaiswal and Mohammed Kaif will spearhead the bowling attack, while all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed will provide much-needed balance.Even without Sanju Samson, Kerala, which practiced indoors on Friday, will rely on its top batters Rohan Kunnumal, Sachin Baby, Baba Aparajith, Mohammed Azharuddeen, and Jalaj Saxena. Basil Thampi and spinners Aditya Sarwate and Saxena will shoulder the responsibility in the bowling department for the touring team, which has collected seven points."It's an unfortunate situation to have rains around this time. Without Bengal's stalwarts, we should be able to break through," said Kerala coach Amay Khurasiya.

Sri Lanka Opt to Bowl First in Rain-Shortened Second ODI Against West IndiesIn a rain-affected second ODI, Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to bowl first against West Indies. The toss was delayed by over two hours due to drizzle, and the match was reduced to a 44-overs-a-side affair.Asalanka explained that his decision was based on his team's preference to chase, especially in a match where Duckworth-Lewis-Stern calculations could come into play. West Indies captain Shai Hope also indicated that he would have chosen to bowl first.West Indies, trailing 1-0 in the series, fielded an unchanged lineup from their previous loss. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, replaced legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay with mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana.Sri Lanka Team:* Nishan Madushka* Avishka Fernando* Kusal Mendis (wk)* Sadeera Samarawickrama* Charith Asalanka (capt)* Janith Liyanage* Kamindu Mendis* Wanindu Hasranga* Dunith Wellalage* Asitha Fernando* Maheesh TheekshanaWest Indies Team:* Alick Athanaze* Brandon King* Keacy Carty* Shai Hope (capt, wk)* Sherfane Rutherford* Roston Chase* Romario Shepherd* Hayden Walsh* Gudakesh Motie* Jayden Seales* Alzarri JosephThe match commenced with West Indies batting first, aiming to level the series. Sri Lanka's bowlers will be tasked with containing the West Indian batters and building on their advantage in the series.

Rain Interrupts Karnataka's Ranji Trophy Campaign, Frustrating Players and FansKarnataka's Ranji Trophy Elite Group C campaign has been hampered by inclement weather, with the team's match against Kerala at the Alur Grounds delayed by six hours on Friday due to wet spots on the field. This follows a similar experience in their opening match against Madhya Pradesh, where they were forced to settle for a solitary point.The persistent rain and drizzle have left the Alur field in a precarious state, with the wet patches refusing to dry out even under the blazing sun. The umpires were unmoved by two close shouts for leg-before against Kerala opener Rohan Kunnummal, adding to the frustration of the Karnataka players.Kunnummal, who was batting positively, made the most of the conditions, driving superbly in the 'V' and breaching the fence multiple times. His standout shot was a hoick over long-off against left-arm spinner Hardik Raj. Vathsal Govind, in contrast, played a more sedate innings, eschewing expansive stroke-play and focusing on clipping off his pads and steering behind square.At stumps, Kerala had reached 88 for no loss, with Kunnummal batting on 57 and Govind on 31. The match was called off owing to bad light with seven overs remaining.The weather delays have put Karnataka in a difficult position. If Saturday's play is also affected, they could end up with another frustrating draw, which would jeopardize their chances of progressing in the tournament.

The highly anticipated first Test match between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was marred by incessant rain on Day 1, delaying the toss and preventing any on-field action. However, the crowd found solace in the appearance of local hero Virat Kohli, who emerged on the field under an umbrella, sparking thunderous applause from the stands.Kohli, a beloved figure in Bengaluru due to his long association with the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has a special connection with the city's fanbase. His presence on the field, albeit briefly, provided a much-needed boost to the spirits of the rain-soaked spectators.The heavy showers, which began overnight, continued throughout the morning, forcing the ground staff to keep the pitch covered. The scheduled 9:30 AM (0400 GMT) start time was pushed back indefinitely, with rain forecast to disrupt play for the first two days of the match.The inclement weather also affected preparations for the series opener. Training sessions for both teams were canceled on Tuesday, leaving them with limited time to acclimatize to the conditions.Despite the weather setbacks, India remains the firm favorite in the three-Test series. Rohit Sharma's in-form side is coming off a 2-0 sweep of Bangladesh, while New Zealand will be without injured leading batsman Kane Williamson for at least the first match.New Zealand, who lost both Tests in Sri Lanka last month, will be led by Tom Latham for the first time in a full-time capacity after Tim Southee stepped down as captain following the Sri Lanka series.The second Test of the series will begin in Pune on October 24, while the third and final Test will be played in Mumbai from November 1.

Rain and wet outfield conditions can be a major hindrance for outdoor sports like cricket. When matches are disrupted due to weather, players must find ways to manage their time effectively. Former India pacer RP Singh provides insights into how cricketers utilize these weather-induced breaks.During the second day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh, persistent rain and a wet outfield prevented any play at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. The teams remained in their respective hotels, with no chance of play resuming.Despite the setback, India remains confident of pushing for a result in the remaining three days, provided the rain abates. In the meantime, players engage in various activities to stay focused and maintain their fitness.According to RP Singh, many players use the downtime to focus on personal tasks and physical conditioning. "Most players continue doing their fitness work, even while sitting in the dressing room," Singh said. "They keep ticking off all the boxes."Players often try to achieve their gym targets during this free time. Some do cardio, while others focus on weights. They utilize this period to complete any pending tasks related to their fitness regimen.While players do enjoy their leisure time, they never lose sight of the job at hand. "Cricket is their primary objective, and everyone stays focused on the game plan," Singh added. "In such situations, strategies keep evolving with every passing minute."On the opening day of the Test, India's decision to field first under overcast conditions paid off. Akash Deep claimed two quick wickets, removing Zakir Hasan for a duck and trapping Shadnam Islam LBW. Bangladesh began to rebuild through a steady partnership between Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque, but Ravichandran Ashwin intervened, dismissing Shanto for 31.At the close of play on Day 1, Bangladesh stood at 107/3, with Mominul unbeaten on 40 and Mushfiqur Rahim on six runs.

The 2024 Metro Bank Final between Somerset and Glamorgan was postponed to a reserve day due to incessant rainfall and thunderstorms that rendered the Trent Bridge pitch unplayable. The match, scheduled for Sunday, was eagerly anticipated by both teams, but the inclement weather prevented any play from taking place.The heavy downpours, which affected much of the United Kingdom, particularly impacted the Midlands region, where Trent Bridge is located. The pitch and square remained covered throughout the day, with persistent showers preventing any attempts to prepare the ground for play.As a result, the teams will return on Monday to attempt a full 50-overs contest. However, the weather forecast remains uncertain, with more rain expected. In the event of a no-result, Somerset and Glamorgan would share the trophy.The introduction of reserve days for all men's and women's limited-overs finals by the ECB has eliminated the need for bowl-outs to determine the winner in such circumstances. ECB operations manager Alan Fordham expressed hope that reserve days would not be necessary, but acknowledged the unpredictable nature of British weather.This will be the third time a reserve day has been used for a men's List A final, and the first in men's domestic cricket since the Vitality Blast Final in 2020. Last summer's Charlotte Edwards Cup also required a reserve day to complete the match.Play was abandoned at 2:33pm, when the rain was at its heaviest, as the time required to dry the ground would have exceeded the 4:02pm cut-off point. Had any play been possible, the match would have begun as a 50-a-side affair and continued into Monday before any reduction in playing conditions would have been implemented.For Somerset, the wait for silverware continues, with the One-Day Cup now their only remaining chance to secure a hat-trick of titles. Their hopes of a treble were dashed last week with defeats in the Blast final to Gloucestershire and the County Championship to Lancashire.Glamorgan, on the other hand, are in need of a morale boost after failing to qualify for the Blast knockout stages and currently sitting second-bottom in Division Two of the County Championship.Both teams brought a significant number of fans to Trent Bridge on Sunday, with around 200 Somerset supporters making the early morning journey from Taunton and Glamorgan fans traveling from Cardiff and Swansea.

India vs Bangladesh Test: Rain Threatens to Delay India's Victory PushThe first India vs Bangladesh Test in Chennai has been marred by bad light and the threat of rain, forcing an early end to Day 3 and casting doubt over India's chances of securing a victory.As India tightened their grip on the match, a cloud cover descended over the Chepauk Test in the final session, prompting the umpires to call off play with 10 overs remaining. The weather forecast for Sunday is equally concerning, with showers predicted that could further delay India's bid for a 1-0 series lead.Overnight rain and thunderstorms are expected in Chennai, with cloudy weather persisting throughout the fourth day. The Weather Channel predicts rain after midnight, potentially carrying on until 5 am. This could lead to a delayed start or even a stop-start game, depending on the condition of the field.At the close of play on Day 3, Bangladesh were 158 for 4, still requiring 357 runs to chase down India's mammoth total of 515. Ravichandran Ashwin was the star performer for India, claiming three wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah took one. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan were unbeaten on 51 and 5, respectively, when play was halted.If the rain does not interfere, India will be looking to wrap up the match quickly. The overcast conditions are expected to favor fast bowling, which could give India an advantage. However, the threat of rain remains a major concern and could potentially spoil India's victory push.

Persistent rain has cast a shadow over the inaugural Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Complex near New Delhi. The relentless downpour has prevented any play for four consecutive days, leaving the fate of the match hanging in the balance.This Test marks a significant milestone for Afghanistan, as it is their first at their adopted home ground. However, the incessant rain has rendered the field unplayable, with umpires deeming it too wet for play after an inspection at the scheduled start time of 9:30 am local time. Even the toss has yet to take place.Afghanistan's Test debut has been marred by the weather, as this is only their 10th Test since gaining Test status in 2017. New Zealand, led by Tim Southee, are scheduled to embark on a two-Test tour of Sri Lanka after the scheduled final day on Friday. They will then return to the subcontinent for three more Tests against India.Greater Noida is hosting its first Test match, but the venue has faced criticism for inadequate facilities, particularly its poor drainage system. Attempts to dry the field using hand-held electric fans earlier in the week proved futile due to the ongoing rain.Afghanistan, unable to host matches at home due to security concerns, have been using the Greater Noida ground for several T20Is and ODIs since 2017, thanks to an offer from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to use its facilities. However, the wet weather has exposed the venue's limitations in handling such conditions.The persistent rain has raised questions about the suitability of Greater Noida as a Test venue, especially during the monsoon season. The BCCI, which is responsible for the upkeep of the ground, will likely face scrutiny over the drainage system and other facilities.As the rain continues to pour, the hopes of a competitive Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand dwindle. The match is now in danger of being abandoned, which would be a disappointing outcome for both teams and the fans who have been eagerly anticipating this historic encounter.