Cricket

Ahead of the third T20I against Zimbabwe, the Indian cricket team, their families, and support staff embarked on a wildlife sanctuary tour in Harare. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared pictures of the visit on its official Twitter handle, highlighting the collaboration with Zimbabwe Cricket and Zimbabwe Tourism.The Indian squad has been bolstered by the addition of Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Yashasvi Jaiswal for the remainder of the series. The trio was instrumental in India's T20 World Cup triumph in the USA and the West Indies.Due to their delayed return from Barbados, the BCCI had initially included Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana in India's squad for the first two T20Is. Sudharshan made his T20I debut in the second match but did not get the opportunity to bat.Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, the Indian team registered a commanding 100-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20I, leveling the five-match series 1-1 after the hosts' stunning win in the series opener.The third T20I between India and Zimbabwe will be played in Harare on Wednesday, July 10. The Indian team will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure a series victory, while Zimbabwe will be determined to continue their impressive form and upset the visitors once again.

Ireland vs Pakistan 3rd T20I: A Thrilling Series DeciderThe third and final T20I between Ireland and Pakistan promises to be a thrilling encounter as the series is poised at 1-1. The match will be played at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin on Tuesday.In the second T20I, Pakistan bounced back from their defeat in the first match to win by seven wickets. Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan were the stars for Pakistan, scoring 78 and 75 not out respectively. Ireland will be looking to level the series and secure a morale-boosting victory ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.Ireland's batting lineup has been in good form throughout the series. Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, and Harry Tector have all made significant contributions. However, their bowling has been a concern, with the likes of Mark Adair and Josh Little struggling to contain the Pakistani batsmen.Pakistan, on the other hand, will be confident after their impressive performance in the second T20I. Their batting lineup is packed with experience and quality, with the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman all in good form. Their bowling attack, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, has also been impressive.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having a chance to win the series. Ireland will need to improve their bowling and field with greater intensity, while Pakistan will need to continue their good form with the bat.The winner of the third T20I will not only win the series but also gain valuable momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup. Both teams will be eager to put in a strong performance and secure a positive result.

Pakistan's selectors have made significant changes to their T20 squad for the upcoming series against Ireland and England. Leg-spinner Usama Mir has been dropped, while fast bowler Haris Rauf has been recalled.The selectors, Muhammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, and Wahab Riaz, emphasized that the World Cup squad will be selected based on performances in these matches. The three-match series in Ireland begins on May 10, followed by four games in England from May 22.Wahab Riaz addressed concerns about the fitness of several players, including Muhammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Azam Khan, and Irfan Khan Niazi. He expressed confidence that they will be fit for the upcoming matches.Regarding the recall of Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz explained that he is a backup for Haris Rauf. "If Haris is fit and performs well, he is our first choice. But if he doesn't come through, we have Hasan Ali," he said.Abdul Razzaq justified the omission of Usama Mir, stating that Pakistan already has Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed in the squad.Muhammad Yousuf defended the recent 2-2 result against New Zealand, emphasizing that it was the first time Pakistan fully implemented a rotation policy. He also acknowledged the need for players to be more innovative in their shot-making.Wahab Riaz highlighted the importance of removing insecurity and fear of failure from the players' minds. He emphasized that the selectors will not interfere in the captain's selection of the playing eleven.The selectors also defended Babar Azam's captaincy, expressing confidence in his improvement and experience.

West Indies 'A' Team Arrives in Nepal for Historic T20 Series, Receives Surprising WelcomeThe West Indies 'A' cricket team arrived in Nepal on Wednesday, April 25, ahead of their highly anticipated five-match T20 series against the hosts. However, their arrival at the Kathmandu International Airport was met with an unexpected sight: a tempo waiting to transport their luggage.A viral video captured the West Indies players loading their luggage into the tempo with the assistance of an airport helper. The video sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some criticizing Nepal for the perceived lack of hospitality, while others defended the use of the tempo as a practical solution.Despite the unconventional welcome, the West Indies team remains focused on their upcoming series. Roston Chase will lead the team as captain, while Alick Athanaze will serve as his deputy. This tour marks a historic occasion as it is the West Indies' first-ever visit to Nepal.The series holds significant importance for both teams. For the West Indies, it serves as a crucial preparation phase for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. For Nepal, it provides an opportunity to test their skills against a formidable opponent and gain valuable experience.Chase, who will captain the West Indies 'A' team for the first time, expressed his excitement and determination. "I am honored to lead this talented group of players. We have been working hard in preparation for this series, and we are eager to showcase our skills against Nepal," he said.Desmond Haynes, CWI's Lead Selector, praised Chase's leadership qualities and consistent performances. "Chase has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and leadership abilities. We are confident that he will lead the team with distinction," Haynes said.The five-match T20 series between West Indies 'A' and Nepal will commence on April 27 in Kirtipur. The series is expected to be a competitive and entertaining affair, with both teams eager to prove their mettle.

Pakistan Cricket: Babar Azam Breaks Silence on Captaincy Shuffle and Team DynamicsAmidst the recent captaincy shuffle in Pakistan's cricket team, Babar Azam has addressed the media, shedding light on his relationship with former skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and the team's focus ahead of the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand.Following Pakistan's 1-4 defeat to New Zealand, Babar Azam was reinstated as captain, replacing Afridi. Reports emerged suggesting Afridi's discontent with the abrupt leadership transition, compounded by enigmatic social media statements.However, Babar Azam has emphasized the enduring bond between him and Afridi, asserting their mutual support for each other. "Shaheen and my bond is not recent, it goes back a long way. We support each other in every situation," Babar clarified.Looking ahead to the T20 series, Babar hinted at experimentation within the squad, emphasizing the team's flexibility and the importance of nurturing young talent. "Our lineup is flexible. We're trying to give opportunities to our young players and bench strength. You'll see different combinations in this series," Babar remarked.Expressing satisfaction with the squad's balance of youth and experience, Babar welcomed the inclusion of new faces, emphasizing the team's collective support for players at all stages of their career. "I am very happy when I see a new player getting selected... We try to keep them in our wings," Babar affirmed.Babar's comments suggest that Pakistan is prioritizing team unity and long-term development ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The team's focus on experimentation and nurturing young talent indicates a strategic approach to building a competitive squad for the future.

New Zealand Cricket Security Delegation Inspects Pakistan Ahead of T20 SeriesA security delegation from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has arrived in Pakistan to assess the security arrangements for the upcoming T20 series between the two nations in April. The delegation, comprising two NZC officials and an independent security expert, will visit Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad to inspect match venues, team hotels, and receive briefings from government and security officials.The five-match T20 series is scheduled to take place in Lahore and Rawalpindi from April 18 to 25. The New Zealand team is expected to arrive on April 14, but may be depleted by the absence of key players due to the Indian Premier League (IPL) taking place concurrently.The security delegation's visit is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of the New Zealand team during their tour of Pakistan. In September 2021, the New Zealand team abruptly returned home without playing a match after their government received credible threat information.The delegation's assessment will focus on evaluating the security measures in place, including venue security, transportation arrangements, and the overall security environment in Pakistan. They will also meet with local authorities and security personnel to discuss the security plan for the visiting team.The New Zealand Players Association CEO is also part of the delegation, highlighting the importance of player safety and well-being. The delegation's findings will be used to determine the level of security required for the New Zealand team during their tour.The successful completion of the security delegation's visit will pave the way for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan, which has been affected by security concerns in recent years. The T20 series between New Zealand and Pakistan is a significant step towards restoring Pakistan's status as a safe destination for international sports events.