Cricket

Scotland and Australia are set to face off in their first bilateral men's T20I series in Edinburgh this September. The three-match series will mark Australia's first tour of Scotland in 11 years and will serve as a warm-up for their five-match ODI series against England.The games will be played at The Grange on September 4, 5, and 7, ahead of the first ODI against England at Trent Bridge on September 19. The announcement comes as the two sides prepare to meet in a T20 World Cup Group B fixture in St Lucia, which will determine whether England or Scotland join Australia in the Super Eight stage.Scotland and Australia have a limited history in bilateral matches, having played only five ODIs against each other over the years. Australia has emerged victorious on each occasion, including a thumping 200-run win in their last meeting in 2013.Despite their past record, Scotland is eager to make a statement on home soil. The series will provide a valuable opportunity for the team to showcase their skills and gain experience against a top-ranked opponent.For Cricket Scotland, the tour is also a chance to highlight Edinburgh as a cricket destination and to move forward from recent controversies surrounding institutional racism and sexism."What a way to end the year to have Australia coming to Scotland, playing in three T20 internationals at the Grange, when we have been through such incredibly difficult times," said Cricket Scotland CEO Trudy Lindblade. "It will be a celebration of cricket in Scotland and we hope that everybody gets behind us."Lindblade hopes the tour will lead to more visits from Full-Member countries in the future. "We need to play high-quality cricket more often," she said. "This will demonstrate, not just our on-the-field performance, but also the people in Scotland get to see the best possible cricket."

Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi has ascended to the pinnacle of the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings, while India's Suryakumar Yadav maintains his dominance as the top-ranked batter.Nabi's remarkable performances in the ongoing T20 World Cup have propelled him to the summit. The 39-year-old's all-round brilliance, including two wickets against New Zealand, has earned him the coveted no. 1 spot.In a significant shake-up, Nabi has leapfrogged Australia's Marcus Stoinis, who now occupies the second position. Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, the previous no. 1, has dropped to fifth.Suryakumar Yadav's consistent brilliance has kept him at the top of the T20I batter rankings. Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz has achieved a career-high ranking of 12th, becoming the leading run-getter in the T20 World Cup with 156 runs.Pakistan's Babar Azam has moved up to third, while England's Jos Buttler has secured fifth place. Australia's Travis Head has entered the Top 10, rising six places to tenth.In the bowlers' rankings, England's Adil Rashid remains at the top, followed by Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga. Afghanistan's Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi have moved to third and fourth spots, respectively, while South Africa's Anrich Nortje shares fourth place with Farooqi.Rashid Khan has six wickets in two matches, while Farooqi leads the tournament with nine wickets. Nortje is the second-highest wicket-taker with eight scalps.Bangladesh's trio of Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Rishad Hossain have made significant progress, moving to 13th, 19th, and 30th positions, respectively.

Haris Rauf Joins Elite Club with 100 T20I WicketsIn a moment of personal triumph amidst Pakistan's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, pacer Haris Rauf has etched his name into the history books by becoming only the second Pakistani player to reach the 100-wicket milestone in T20I cricket.Rauf's blistering pace and pinpoint accuracy proved too much for the Canadian batsmen during Pakistan's Group A match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Tuesday. He finished the first innings with figures of 2/26 in his four-over spell, with Shreyas Movva and Ravinderpal Singh becoming his 100th and 101st victims in the shortest format, respectively.This achievement makes Rauf the third-fastest player to reach the 100-wicket landmark in T20I cricket, behind only Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan and Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga. Rashid achieved the feat in an astonishing 53 matches, while Hasaranga reached the 100-wicket mark in 63 games.Rauf's rise to prominence has been nothing short of meteoric. Since making his T20I debut in 2020, he has consistently impressed with his raw pace and ability to swing the ball both ways. His performances have played a crucial role in Pakistan's recent successes, including their victory in the 2022 Asia Cup.Rauf's achievement is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and natural talent. It is also a source of pride for Pakistan cricket, which has produced some of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the game.As Pakistan continues its T20 World Cup campaign, Rauf will be looking to add to his wicket tally and help his team secure a place in the knockout stages. With his pace, skill, and determination, he is sure to play a key role in Pakistan's quest for glory.

On the seam-friendly pitches of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Axar Patel's left-arm spin has taken a backseat to the pacers. However, Patel has emerged as a valuable asset with the bat. Promoted to No. 4 in the Pakistan outing on Sunday, he anchored the Indian innings with an 18-ball 20.Patel's primary task was to navigate the PowerPlay safely. By hanging around long enough to neutralize the new ball, he paved the way for the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Shivam Dube to bat with greater ease. "Rohit (Sharma) bhai has made it clear that the only fixed batting positions are those of the openers. Everything below that is flexible," Patel explained. "I got a brief—I don't have to slog wildly. The plan was to bat as long as possible and make the new ball a bit older. This would make it easier for batters coming after me."Patel's 39-run third-wicket partnership with Rishabh Pant proved crucial in the low-scoring affair. "The partnership with Rishabh was crucial. We got to a good position after 10 overs. We knew that batting second on this pitch would not be easy, so we remained positive even though we scored only 119," Patel said.Despite bowling only three overs in India's two matches, the 30-year-old left-arm spinner has made an impact. He trapped Usman Khan leg-before off the first ball he bowled and later tightened the screws on Pakistan by conceding just two runs in the 16th over. Left-hander Imad Wasim, expected to have it easy against a left-arm spinner, was beaten three times in a row. "Some pressure built up because I bowled a tidy over. There is not much in the wicket for the spinners. I did not want to let them free their arms and go for big shots," Patel said.

Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has ascended to the third spot among India's highest wicket-takers in T20I cricket, surpassing all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Bumrah's remarkable achievement came during India's thrilling six-run victory over Pakistan in their ICC T20 World Cup clash at New York's Nassau County International Stadium.Bumrah showcased his lethal bowling prowess, claiming three crucial wickets for just 14 runs in four overs, with an impressive economy rate of 3.50. His victims included Pakistan's star opening pair of skipper Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan, as well as Iftikhar Ahmed.With 79 wickets in 64 T20Is, Bumrah boasts an impressive average of 18.67 and an economy rate of 6.44. His best figures of 3/11 highlight his ability to strike at crucial moments. Hardik Pandya, who previously held the third spot, has 78 wickets in 94 T20Is, with best figures of 4/16.India's leading wicket-taker in the T20I format remains spin veteran Yuzvendra Chahal, who has amassed 96 wickets in 80 games. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India's swing specialist, occupies the second spot with 90 wickets in 87 matches.In the match against Pakistan, India's batters struggled on a challenging surface, with star openers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failing to make significant contributions. However, Rishabh Pant's valiant 42 off 31 balls, including six fours, provided some momentum.Pakistan's bowlers, led by Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, who claimed three wickets each, kept India's total to a modest 119 in 19 overs.In the run-chase, Pakistan adopted a cautious approach, with Mohammed Rizwan anchoring the innings with a steady 31 off 44 balls. However, Bumrah and Hardik Pandya's crucial wickets kept the pressure on Pakistan.With 18 runs required in the final over, Naseem Shah attempted to snatch victory for Pakistan, but Arshdeep Singh's composure ensured India's triumph by six runs.India's victory places them atop Group A with two wins in two games and four points. Pakistan, on the other hand, languishes in fourth place with two losses, diminishing their chances of reaching the knockout stage.Bumrah's match-winning performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award, further solidifying his status as one of the world's premier fast bowlers.

Canada's Jeremy Gordon, haunted by a costly over in their previous match against USA, redeemed himself with a stellar performance against Ireland in the ongoing T20I series. Gordon's opening spell proved crucial as he exploited the variable bounce of the New York strip, claiming two wickets and conceding just 16 runs in four overs.After the disastrous over against USA, Gordon was determined to make amends. He focused on hitting the back-of-a-length area, which proved effective as Ireland's batters struggled to adjust. Gordon's first wicket came when he dismissed Ireland's captain, Paul Stirling, who mistimed a pull shot and was caught at mid-on.Gordon's redemption was complete when he returned to bowl the final over with Ireland needing 17 runs to win. He bowled a short-of-a-length delivery that Mark Adair miscued, giving Gordon a straightforward catch. Gordon's figures of 4-0-16-2 helped Canada secure a narrow victory.The match also highlighted concerns about the pitch conditions at the New York stadium, which will host the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on Sunday. While the wicket was improved from the previous match between Ireland and India, Canada's Nicholas Kirton, who scored 49 runs, admitted that it was still challenging to bat on.Despite the pitch concerns, Gordon's performance was a testament to his resilience and ability to adapt to difficult conditions. Canada will now face Pakistan and India, two of the world's top teams, in their upcoming matches. Gordon's confidence is high, and he believes that Canada can give a good account of themselves if they remain disciplined and focused.

Canada and Ireland Face Off on Tricky New York PitchThe spotlight turns to New York on Friday as Canada and Ireland clash in a crucial match that could shape their paths to the Super Eights. However, the focus has been on the challenging pitch at the venue, which has drawn criticism for its uneven bounce and excessive movement.No team has managed to cross the 100-run mark in four innings played on this surface, raising concerns about the quality of the cricket being played. Fast bowlers have dominated, accounting for 18 of the 26 wickets to fall.Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan expressed frustration after their loss to India, stating that the pitch made it difficult to adjust. He hopes for a flatter surface on Friday to allow for more competitive cricket.Both Canada and Ireland are coming off losses in their opening games, making this match even more significant. Canada has struggled in recent T20Is, losing their last five matches. Their batter Navneet Dhaliwal acknowledged the challenges posed by the New York pitch, emphasizing the need for conventional cricket.Ireland, on the other hand, will look to Mark Adair for inspiration. The all-rounder has been in excellent form this year, leading Ireland's wicket-taking charts with 18 scalps in 10 T20Is. His ability to bowl accurate lengths on this surface could prove crucial.Team news suggests that both sides may opt for pace-heavy attacks. Canada may consider bringing in Rishiv Joshi to bolster their bowling resources, while Ireland could include Ross Adair if Harry Tector is unavailable due to an injury sustained in the India match.The weather forecast for Friday is favorable, with temperatures hovering around 29 degrees Celsius. However, humidity could be a factor.

Mark Wood's Unplayable Delivery Stuns Azam Khan in England's T20I VictoryEngland's Mark Wood unleashed an astonishing delivery that left Pakistan's Azam Khan bewildered during the fourth T20I at the Oval on Thursday. Wood's 88.4mph rocket stunned Khan, forcing him to take evasive action and ultimately leading to his dismissal.The incident occurred in the 11th over of Pakistan's innings. Wood charged in and delivered a vicious bouncer that angled in from back of length. The ball rose sharply and hurried onto Khan, who was caught off guard. Khan attempted to duck out of the way, but the ball kissed his glove and looped off his shoulder to England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.The unplayable delivery sent Khan packing for a five-ball duck. The dismissal was a testament to Wood's exceptional pace and accuracy. The England speedster has been in impressive form throughout the series, consistently troubling Pakistan's batters with his raw pace and movement.In the match, England restricted Pakistan to 157 all out, with Wood claiming two wickets. England then chased down the target with 27 balls remaining, securing a 2-0 series victory over Pakistan. The win gives England a boost of confidence heading into the defense of its T20 World Cup title.Wood's delivery has been widely praised by cricket experts and fans alike. It is a reminder of the devastating impact that a well-executed bouncer can have on a batter. The dismissal also highlights the importance of quick reflexes and anticipation in the game of cricket.

England vs Pakistan 4th T20I: A Crucial Clash Before the T20 World CupThe fourth T20I between England and Pakistan holds immense significance as it marks the final competitive match for both teams before they embark on their T20 World Cup 2024 campaigns. England, the reigning T20 World Cup champions, and Pakistan, the runners-up, will be eager to fine-tune their preparations in this crucial encounter.The series has been marred by rain, with the first and third T20Is being washed out. England emerged victorious in the second T20I, giving them a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. Pakistan, however, will be determined to level the series and gain momentum heading into the World Cup.Both teams boast formidable lineups. England's batting is anchored by the likes of Jos Buttler, Dawid Malan, and Ben Stokes, while their bowling attack features the likes of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Adil Rashid. Pakistan, on the other hand, will rely on the experience of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi to guide them to victory.The match will be played at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London, which is expected to witness a thrilling contest between two of the world's top T20 sides. The outcome of this match could have a significant impact on the confidence and morale of both teams as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.