Cricket

Confusion over T20I Status at Africa GamesThe recent Africa Games witnessed a mix-up in communication, resulting in some matches being granted T20I status while others were not. The International Cricket Council (ICC) clarified that fixtures involving South Africa's men's and women's teams, as well as Zimbabwe's men's team, were not considered T20Is. However, games between the other six men's teams and seven women's teams were recognized as T20Is.The confusion arose after Cricket South Africa (CSA) inquired about the official status of the matches. According to the ICC's "Classification of Official Cricket" document, all T20 matches played under ICC regulations are considered internationals, except for those involving A teams or age-group sides.South Africa sent an emerging women's team and a university men's team to the Africa Games due to player commitments elsewhere. Zimbabwe selected an under-25 men's side but fielded a first-choice women's squad. The other participating countries, all Associate nations, sent their strongest available sides and believed they were playing internationals.The miscommunication raised concerns for South Africa and Zimbabwe, who are Full Members of the ICC. They questioned whether the results would affect their T20I rankings. CSA also expressed concerns about the impact on 16-year-old wicketkeeper Karabo Meso, who played at the Africa Games and was subsequently named in the senior squad to face Sri Lanka.Additionally, there were concerns about the infrastructure in Accra, particularly the suitability of the cricket venues. CSA intervened, and a ground consultant from Zimbabwe assisted in preparing the pitch and outfield.The Africa Games organizers were contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of writing.

New Zealand's dramatic three-run victory over England in the third T20I kept the series alive, thanks to a captain's performance from Sophie Devine and a late collapse from the visitors.Devine led the charge with a blistering 60 off 37 balls, while Amelia Kerr contributed 44* as New Zealand posted 155 for 3. England appeared to be cruising towards victory with Maia Bouchier's 71, but Devine's dismissal of Bouchier sparked a middle-order meltdown.Kerr ran out Heather Knight and removed Amy Jones, leaving England needing eight off the last over. Suzie Bates, bowling her first over of the match, held her nerve to secure the win for New Zealand.The final over was filled with drama, as Devine's penultimate delivery looked to be a wide but was not called. England needed eight off the last ball, and Bates delivered, removing Holly Armitage and then Charlie Dean to seal the victory.Devine and Kerr had earlier laid the foundation for New Zealand's total, adding 99 for the third wicket. Devine's fifty came off 30 balls, while Kerr remained unbeaten on 44*.Bouchier gave England a strong start with her maiden T20I fifty, but her dismissal proved to be the turning point. Tammy Beaumont and Bouchier had put on 92 for the second wicket, but New Zealand's bowlers tightened their grip after Beaumont's departure.England's attack suffered a setback when Sarah Glenn was forced off the field after failing a concussion test. Her absence will be a blow, but the return of Sophie Ecclestone in the fourth match will provide some compensation.

Pakistan's versatile all-rounder Imad Wasim has reversed his retirement from T20I cricket, making himself available for selection ahead of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.In a statement on social media, Wasim expressed his delight at declaring his availability for Pakistan in the T20I format leading up to the World Cup. However, he clarified that his availability does not extend beyond the tournament, which begins on June 1.Wasim's return to the international fold comes after a successful 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL) season, where he played a pivotal role in Islamabad United's title triumph. His impressive performances, including a five-wicket haul in the final, sparked speculation about his potential return to the national team.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly approached Wasim earlier this week to reconsider his retirement, and the all-rounder agreed without any conditions.Wasim's all-round abilities and his impressive record in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) make him a valuable asset for Pakistan. In the CPL, he has amassed 61 wickets at an average of 18.88 and an economy rate of 6.20.With the majority of the 2024 T20 World Cup scheduled to be played in the West Indies, Wasim's experience in the CPL could prove invaluable for Pakistan.While Wasim is not currently interested in a central contract, his availability until the T20 World Cup represents a mutually beneficial arrangement for all parties involved.Wasim has represented Pakistan in 66 T20Is, scoring 486 runs at a strike rate of 131.70 and claiming 65 wickets with an economy of 6.26. His return to the national team is expected to bolster Pakistan's chances of success in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das showcased his exceptional fielding skills with a stunning no-look run-out during the third and final T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet on Saturday. The incident occurred on the final ball of Sri Lanka's innings, leaving fans in awe of Das's quick thinking and agility.As Dasun Shanaka and Sadeera Samarawickrama attempted to steal a couple of runs, Shanaka flicked Mustafizur Rahman's delivery towards mid-on. The pair completed the first run successfully, but Shanaka's eagerness to complete the second proved costly.Rishad Hossain's throw at the striker's end was slightly off target, but Litton displayed remarkable awareness to collect the ball and execute a no-look run-out. His swift and precise action reminded fans of former India captain MS Dhoni, renowned for his no-look run-outs throughout his illustrious career.Litton's exceptional fielding effort was a highlight of the match, which saw Sri Lanka emerge victorious by 28 runs. Nuwan Thushara's maiden over hat-trick and Kusal Mendis' career-best 86 played pivotal roles in Sri Lanka's triumph.Despite late efforts from Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh were bowled out for 146 in the final over. Mendis' 55-ball knock of six fours and six sixes guided Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 174-7.Thushara's hat-trick, dismissing Najmul Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, and Mahmudullah Riyad, proved decisive in restricting Bangladesh's chase. The Sri Lankan bowler expressed his delight at his first-ever hat-trick, acknowledging its significance in the team's victory.Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain praised Thushara's exceptional bowling performance, crediting it as a key factor in Sri Lanka's success. The tour will continue with the first of three one-day internationals in Chittagong on March 15.

Noor Ali Zadran, a veteran Afghanistan batter, has bid farewell to international cricket after a distinguished career spanning two Tests, 51 ODIs, and 23 T20Is. His journey began in 2009, and his final appearance was in the one-off Test against Ireland earlier this month.Zadran's ODI career saw him amass 1216 runs at an average of 24.81, while in T20Is, he accumulated 597 runs at an average of 27.13. His Test debut came against Sri Lanka in Colombo in February 2023, followed by the Ireland Test in Abu Dhabi, where he scored a total of 117 runs across four innings.After a brief hiatus, Zadran was recalled to the Afghanistan side for the T20Is at the Asian Games in October 2023. He played a pivotal role in Afghanistan's victories over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, scoring 51 and 39 respectively. The final against India ended in a no-result due to rain, with India claiming the gold medal as the higher-ranked team.Zadran's international debut came in Afghanistan's first official ODI against Scotland in April 2009, where he opened the batting and scored a quickfire 45 off 28 balls. His T20I debut followed in February 2010, in Afghanistan's second game in the format.One of Zadran's career highlights was his half-century against India at the T20 World Cup in 2010, Afghanistan's maiden World Cup appearance. He also played a crucial role in Afghanistan's victory over Zimbabwe in the first round of the T20 World Cup in 2016.Zadran's retirement marks the end of an era for Afghanistan cricket. He has been a consistent performer for his country, contributing significantly to their rise in international cricket. His experience and leadership will be missed by the team.

Sri Lanka's frustration boiled over in the second T20I against Bangladesh after a controversial decision by third umpire Masudur Rahman overturned an on-field call.In the fourth over of Bangladesh's chase, opener Soumya Sarkar was adjudged out by umpire Sharfuddoula for edging a short delivery from Binura Fernando behind. Sarkar immediately reviewed the decision, but began walking off the field when the big screen displayed a clear spike on Ultra-edge.However, Rahman ruled that the spike was not caused by bat on ball, claiming there was a "clear gap" between the bat and the ball when the spike appeared. While there was a slight misalignment, it is customary in such situations to give the batter out, attributing the discrepancy to calibration differences in the technology.The lack of an alternative source for the spike further perplexed the Sri Lankan team. When Rahman communicated the overturned decision to the on-field umpire, Sri Lanka's players erupted in protest, surrounding Sharfuddoula and questioning the call. Coach Chris Silverwood also approached the fourth official to express his concerns.Sarkar, who was on 14 at the time, eventually fell for 26 in the seventh over. The controversial decision left a sour taste in the Sri Lankan camp, who felt they had been unfairly denied a wicket.The incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the use of technology in cricket. While Ultra-edge has been instrumental in reducing umpiring errors, it can also lead to contentious decisions when the evidence is inconclusive. In this case, the misalignment between the ball and the spike on Ultra-edge left room for interpretation, ultimately resulting in a decision that favored the batter.

Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, opted to field first in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet. The hosts retained the same lineup that narrowly lost the first match by three runs.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, made one change, bringing in left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka for spinner Akila Dananjaya. Pitch expert Farvez Maharoof noted that the surface had a more even grass covering and that dew could potentially impact the game.In the first T20I, Sri Lanka successfully defended a total of 206, thanks to a last-ball thriller. Jaker Ali's blistering 68 off 34 balls had given Bangladesh a scare, but Dasun Shanaka's composed bowling in the 20th over sealed the victory for the visitors.Bangladesh XI:1. Litton Das (wk)2. Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt)3. Soumya Sarkar4. Towhid Hridoy5. Mahmudullah6. Mahedi Hasan7. Jaker Ali8. Taskin Ahmed9. Rishad Hossain10. Mustafizur Rahman11. Shoriful IslamSri Lanka XI:1. Avishka Fernando2. Kusal Mendis (wk)3. Kamindu Mendis4. Sadeera Samarawickrama5. Charith Asalanka (capt.)6. Angelo Mathews7. Dasun Shanaka8. Maheesh Theekshana9. Dilshan Madushanka10. Binura Fernando11. Matheesha Pathirana

Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team captain, has recently gained attention for his candid conversations caught on stump microphones during matches. One such incident occurred during the third T20I against Afghanistan in January, where Rohit's frustration over a controversial umpiring decision was captured on mic.Rohit was dismissed for ducks in the first two matches of the series. In the third match, he guided a delivery down the leg side on the second ball, expecting to open his account. However, the umpire ruled it as leg-byes, leaving Rohit stranded on 0."Viru, did you give the first ball as thigh pad? It clearly touched the bat. I already have two zeroes in the series," Rohit was heard saying to umpire Virender Sharma.In a recent event ahead of the fifth Test against England, Rohit explained his reaction, stating that it stemmed from the frustration of being dismissed for two consecutive ducks."When you're coming off two zeros, we know how important scoring the first run is. I scored a four off the bat, but the umpire probably didn't notice it and signaled them as leg byes," Rohit said.Rohit emphasized that he doesn't intentionally engage in such conversations but rather communicates with fielders to assess DRS and manage the team's strategy."I stand in the slips because the angle from there helps me get a better look at the fielders and take stock of DRS. So I keep talking to the fielders, and it gets recorded," he explained.Rohit's stump-mic conversations have become a source of entertainment for fans, providing a glimpse into the on-field dynamics and the captain's thought process. However, he maintains that his focus remains on the game and that these conversations are simply a byproduct of his role as a leader.

New Zealand's women's cricket team has announced its squad for the upcoming five-match T20I and three-match ODI series against England at home. The squad features the return of seamer Rosemary Mair and batter Brooke Halliday, who missed the recent series against Pakistan due to injury.Mair, who last played for New Zealand in August 2022, has been rewarded for her impressive performances in the Super Smash, New Zealand's domestic T20 tournament. She was the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps, including a memorable 4 for 5 in the final.Halliday, who has been out with a foot injury, made a successful return to action in the Super Smash, scoring 108 in a List A game against Canterbury. Her inclusion in the squad is a boost for New Zealand, as she is a key member of the batting lineup.Offspinner Leigh Kasperek has also been included in the squad for the last two T20Is. Kasperek played a crucial role in Wellington's Super Smash triumph, picking up 17 wickets at an economy of 5.38.The tour will begin with two warm-up T20s in Queenstown on March 10 and 12, followed by the first T20I in Dunedin on March 19. Three standby players will be named closer to the series to cover for Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, or Lea Tahuhu, who are currently playing in the Women's Premier League in India.New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer expressed his satisfaction with the squad selection, particularly highlighting Mair's progress and Kasperek's consistency. He also noted that Georgia Plimmer will only be available for the ODIs, while Eden Carson will play in the first three T20Is and also feature for New Zealand A in the corresponding series against England A.