Cricket

Jacques Kallis, the legendary South African all-rounder, is renowned for his exceptional talent and unwavering focus. A recent anecdote shared by former Pakistan spinner Imran Tahir sheds light on Kallis's remarkable abilities and the unique approach he adopted before batting.During an online chat with former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif, Tahir recounted an incident from his early Test career. Playing against Sri Lanka in Cape Town, Tahir witnessed Kallis fast asleep in the dressing room just before he was due to bat at number three.Tahir's initial concern turned into astonishment as he observed Kallis's nonchalant demeanor. Despite the gravity of the situation, Kallis remained unperturbed. As soon as Alviro Petersen was dismissed, Kallis opened his eyes, grabbed his bat, and casually walked out to the crease.To Tahir's disbelief, Kallis proceeded to score an unbeaten 237, leaving him in a state of shock. Latif remarked that such behavior would have resulted in a hefty fine in the Pakistan dressing room, while Tahir quipped that the player would have been banned from playing altogether.Kallis's ability to remain calm and focused under pressure is a testament to his exceptional mental strength. His unique approach to batting, which involved sleeping before an innings, allowed him to clear his mind and enter the crease with a clear and composed mindset.This anecdote highlights the extraordinary talent and dedication that made Jacques Kallis one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. His ability to perform at the highest level, even in the most challenging situations, is a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide.

India and South Africa will face off in a crucial ODI match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, with both teams seeking to achieve their respective goals. India aims to stabilize its ODI form, while South Africa seeks vital qualification points for the 2025 ODI World Cup.India's recent ODI performances have been underwhelming, with only one victory in their last six matches. However, they will be bolstered by the return of Jemimah Rodrigues, who missed the recent T20I series against Bangladesh due to a back injury. Medium pacer Pooja Vastrakar is also fit to play.South Africa, on the other hand, comes into the contest after losing the T20I series against Sri Lanka and drawing the ODIs. They will also begin a new era without Hilton Moreeng, who served as head coach for over a decade.The Proteas will welcome back opener Tazmin Brits, who has recovered from a knee-ligament tear. With just six matches remaining in their qualification bid for the 2025 ODI World Cup, her return is a significant boost.The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has traditionally favored heavy-hitting batters due to its flat pitches and small boundaries. However, the weather may play a role, as the monsoon has taken a break on match-eve.

Nepal's valiant effort against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 fell just short, but captain Rohit Paudel believes that increased exposure to top-tier opposition will ultimately lead to success.Chasing a modest target of 116, Nepal dominated the proceedings until the 18th over, when Tabraiz Shamsi's double strike shifted the momentum. Anrich Nortje and Ottneil Baartman then held their nerve in the final overs, denying Nepal the two runs they needed from the last ball to force a Super Over."We're incredibly proud of the team's performance, especially our bowling and batting," Paudel said. "We came close but fell just short. We performed well in crucial moments, and our fighting spirit was commendable. With more regular exposure, we'll be on the winning side in future matches."Nepal's spinners, Dipendra Singh Airee and Kushal Bhurtel, were the architects of their near-upset, claiming seven wickets for just 40 runs in their combined eight overs. Sandeep Lamichhane, returning from injury, bowled four economical overs for 18 runs.Paudel acknowledged the spinners' effectiveness on the pitch. "When we inspected the wicket yesterday, we anticipated it to be slow," he said. "As we bowled, we realized it favored the spinners, so we introduced Bhurtel and continued with our spin attack."Bhurtel's impressive 4 for 19 included the dismissals of Aiden Markram, Henrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada.Despite the narrow defeat, Nepal's performance has instilled confidence in the team. With increased exposure to top-level competition, they are poised to achieve their first victory against a Full Member side in the near future.

Nepal, led by skipper Rohit Paudel, opted to field first after winning the toss against South Africa in their crucial T20 World Cup 2024 Group D encounter in Kingstown. Paudel cited the anticipated dew factor as the reason for his decision, believing it would aid their batters in the chase. South African captain Aiden Markram revealed that they would have batted first regardless, giving their batsmen valuable time at the crease.South Africa made a single change to their lineup, bringing in Tabraiz Shamsi in place of Keshav Maharaj. Nepal, on the other hand, welcomed back Sandeep Lamichhane, who missed their previous match 10 days ago.The pitch at Kingstown offers a balance of challenges and opportunities. The square boundaries measure 61 and 67 meters, while the shortest boundary behind the batter is 58 meters. The wicket features some grass, which could assist spinners and seamers. However, runs have been scored on this pitch in the past, suggesting a par score of around 160.South Africa, having already secured qualification, will aim to maintain their perfect record in the group. Nepal, on the other hand, must win to keep their slim qualification hopes alive.

South Africa vs Nepal: Proteas Aim for Super Eight Sweep, Nepal Fight for SurvivalSouth Africa, the undefeated juggernaut of Group D, will face Nepal in a crucial T20 World Cup match on Saturday. The Proteas have already secured their place in the Super Eight stage with three consecutive victories, while Nepal desperately needs a positive result to keep their tournament hopes alive.Nepal, currently fourth in the group with a solitary point from two games, must earn at least a point against South Africa to remain in contention for the Super Eight. The Aiden Markram-led Proteas, on the other hand, will be aiming to maintain their perfect record and cement their position at the top of the table.South Africa's batting lineup has been in scintillating form, with Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw, and David Miller all contributing significant runs. The bowling attack, led by Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, has also been impressive, restricting opponents to low totals.Nepal, meanwhile, will rely on their experienced captain, Sandeep Lamichhane, to lead their charge. The leg-spinner has been Nepal's most potent weapon, taking five wickets in the tournament so far. However, the team's batting has struggled, and they will need to find a way to post a competitive total against the formidable South African attack.The match promises to be a fascinating clash between two teams with contrasting fortunes. South Africa will be confident of extending their winning streak, while Nepal will be determined to pull off an upset and keep their Super Eight hopes alive.

As the men's T20 World Cup concludes, preparations for the women's ODI World Cup next year are underway. South Africa, currently third in the championship table, aims to secure automatic qualification and gain experience by playing hosts India.India, as hosts, automatically qualify for the World Cup, but their ODI form has been inconsistent. After sweeping Sri Lanka and England in 2022, they tied a series in Bangladesh and lost 3-0 to Australia at home. However, they have over a year to improve their consistency.South Africa, on the other hand, faces a crucial challenge. They need to win four of their remaining six matches to secure automatic qualification. If they win fewer games, they may still qualify but will rely on other results.South Africa embarks on this journey without former coach Hilton Moreeng, who resigned in May. Assistant coach Dillon du Preez has taken over as interim coach, with Baakier Abrahams and Bongani Ndaba joining the coaching staff.Tazmin Brits returns to the South African squad after recovering from a knee injury. She will partner Laura Wolvaardt, the leading run-scorer in ODIs this year, at the top of the order.India's squad includes Jemimah Rodrigues, who missed the Bangladesh series with a back niggle. Pooja Vastrakar's availability is uncertain due to an undisclosed injury. Arundhati Reddy may be the second seamer in support of Renuka Singh if Vastrakar is unavailable.Rain could impact the series, as showers have been frequent in Bengaluru. If play is severely interrupted, it would disappoint the local crowd, who have shown strong support for women's cricket.India will look to improve their performances after disappointing showings against Australia. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur will be under scrutiny, while youngsters Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh will aim to make an impact.

South Africa vs Nepal: Spinners to Play a Role in Kingstown Clash?The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 continues with a fascinating encounter between South Africa and Nepal in Kingstown, St. Vincent. This match marks the first-ever meeting between the two nations on the international circuit.South Africa, who have advanced to the Super Eight, are in impressive form, having won all three of their matches so far. Their fast bowlers, particularly Anrich Nortje and Ottneil Baartman, have been exceptional. However, the role of spinners in this match remains uncertain.Nepal, on the other hand, have yet to win a match but have shown glimpses of promise. Their supporters have been a vocal presence, cheering them on in their opening game against Netherlands. However, their batting has struggled under pressure, which could be a concern against South Africa's formidable bowling attack.The addition of Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal's best-known player, for the West Indian leg of the tournament could bolster their spin bowling options. Lamichhane, who was acquitted of rape charges earlier this year, is a match-winner and could make a significant impact.South Africa's top-order batters have been underperforming, with Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, and Aiden Markram collectively scoring just 61 runs. They will be eager to improve their performance in Kingstown.The pitch in Kingstown is expected to be conducive for run-scoring, with 58-metre boundaries on one side. The weather forecast predicts humidity, sunshine, and slight wind.

Bangladesh's Heartbreaking Loss to South Africa: Umpiring Error and DRS ControversyBangladesh's T20 World Cup campaign ended in a controversial four-run defeat to South Africa at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Monday. The match was marred by an umpiring error and a contentious Decision Review System (DRS) rule, leaving Bangladesh and their fans frustrated.With 27 runs needed from 24 balls and six wickets in hand, Bangladesh appeared to be in a strong position. Set batters Mahmudullah and Towhid Hridoy were at the crease when Ottneil Baartman bowled the 17th over. On the second ball, Mahmudullah attempted a flick shot but missed, and the ball brushed his pads before racing to the boundary.However, umpire Sam Nogajski adjudged Mahmudullah LBW. Mahmudullah reviewed the decision, and ball-tracking technology showed that the ball would have missed the leg stump, leading to the reversal of the on-field decision. However, under current rules, the leg-bye boundary was not added to Bangladesh's total because the ball is considered dead once the umpire signals an out, even if the decision is overturned.This dead-ball rule meant that Bangladesh did not receive the four leg-byes, which ultimately contributed to their narrow loss. Several experts and fans took to social media to express their outrage over the loophole.Former India batter Wasim Jaffer voiced his concern on social media, stating, "Mahmudullah was wrongly given out LBW, the ball went for four leg-byes. The decision was reversed on DRS. Bangladesh didn't get the 4 runs as ball is dead once batter given out, even if wrongly. And SA ended up winning the game by 4 runs. Feel for Bangladesh fans."Actor Saiyami Kher also criticized the rule, posting: "I know life is not black and white but sport has no place for grey areas. This dead ball rule really has to be looked into. Bangladesh have lost today because they didn't get those 4 runs. Definitely not fair."A fan described the incident as "daylight robbery," highlighting the frustration felt by many.The low-scoring thriller saw South Africa defend a modest target of 114 runs. Keshav Maharaj's crucial last over, where he successfully defended 11 runs, ensured South Africa's narrow victory. Bangladesh ended their innings at 109/7, falling just short of the target amidst the controversy.This incident has reignited discussions about the fairness of certain cricket rules and the impact of umpiring decisions on the outcome of closely contested matches.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his disappointment after his team narrowly lost to South Africa by 4 runs in a thrilling T20 World Cup encounter at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. The match, which took place on Monday, saw South Africa prevail in a final-ball thriller, moving a step closer to qualifying for the Super 8 stage.Shanto was confident in his team's chances with Jaker Ali at the crease in the final over, needing 11 runs to win. However, the South African bowlers, particularly spinner Keshav Maharaj, held their nerve to secure a dramatic victory."Everyone was nervous but was confident when Jaker was there. It didn't happen but that's okay. Tanzid really worked hard in the last couple of games, we needed new-ball wickets and he showed his character. This is the match we should have won, we nearly did but in the last couple of overs they bowled well," Shanto said during the post-match presentation.Reflecting on the performance of Rishad Hossain, Shanto praised the bowler's dedication and skill. "He is very good, the way he bowled the last couple of series, he practiced very hard. We've struggled with leg-spinners over the last 10-15 years so we're lucky we got one. Hopefully, he can continue. Thanks to all the supporters, hopefully, they'll come to the West Indies as well," Shanto added.The match's decisive moment came in the final over when South Africa captain Aiden Markram took a gamble by entrusting Maharaj with the ball on a pitch that had favored pacers. Maharaj's experience shone through as he dismissed both Jaker Ali and Mahmudullah, with Markram making crucial catches near the boundary to seal the win.Markram's tactical decision paid off, demonstrating the high stakes and fine margins that often characterize T20 cricket.Bangladesh will now face India in their next match on Wednesday, while South Africa will take on Pakistan on Tuesday.