Cricket

Salman Butt Defends Babar Azam Amidst Resignation and CriticismFormer Pakistan captain Salman Butt has come to the defense of Babar Azam following his resignation as the team's white-ball captain. The move came after ex-pacer Sikander Bakht criticized Azam's leadership and performance during the recent T20 World Cup.Bakht had suggested that Azam should have stepped down immediately after Pakistan's group stage exit, saying, "You finally felt ashamed!" However, Butt believes that such criticism is unwarranted."Respect is given to those who have earned it," Butt said on a TV show. "It's unfortunate to criticize a player who has been Pakistan's best for the past five years."Butt highlighted Azam's consistent contributions to Pakistan cricket, including his impressive batting record and leadership qualities. He emphasized the need to recognize Azam's accomplishments, regardless of personal opinions."You can like or dislike any person, but you should consider the player's stature while criticizing," Butt concluded.Azam's resignation has sparked mixed reactions within the cricket community. Some have questioned his decision, while others have expressed support for his leadership. Butt's defense underscores the importance of acknowledging Azam's significant contributions to Pakistan cricket amidst leadership changes.

India's Harmanpreet Kaur Left Fuming After Controversial Run-Out Denial in T20 World Cup MatchDuring the highly anticipated India vs New Zealand Women's T20 World Cup match in Dubai on Friday, a controversial incident sparked a dramatic scene on the field. India's captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, was left visibly frustrated after her team was denied a crucial run-out.The incident occurred during the final delivery of the 14th over. New Zealand's Amelia Kerr attempted a second run after completing the first, but Harmanpreet, positioned at long-off, had the ball in her hands and was looking for an over change.Despite the umpire signaling the end of the over by handing Deepti Sharma her cap, Devine decided to go for a second run. Harmanpreet quickly assessed the situation and launched a bullet throw to the keeper's end, where Richa Ghosh swiftly removed the bails, catching Kerr well short of the crease.However, to the dismay of the Indian players, Kerr was recalled after the umpires ruled the ball dead, despite Harmanpreet's visible frustration. Animated discussions followed between coach Amol Muzumdar and the fourth umpire, as play remained suspended for a few minutes. Harmanpreet even appeared ready to join the debate, but the fourth umpire eventually instructed them to resume the match, leaving the Indians visibly unconvinced by the explanation.The decision sparked controversy on social media, with many fans and experts questioning the umpires' ruling. Star India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also reacted to the development, sharing the clip of the event on his Twitter handle and questioning whose fault it was.The incident highlights the importance of clear communication and coordination between umpires and players on the field. It also raises questions about the interpretation of the rules regarding the end of an over and the subsequent actions of the players.

India vs New Zealand: A Crucial Clash in the 'Group of Death'The 2024 T20 World Cup kicks off on Friday with a highly anticipated clash between India and New Zealand. Both teams will be eager to secure a victory in their opening match, as the margin for error is slim in Group A, which has been dubbed the "group of death."India and New Zealand have a long history in T20 cricket, with New Zealand holding a slight edge in head-to-head encounters. India has won only 4 of the 13 matches played between the two sides. However, India will be looking to turn the tide in this crucial match.The match will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Friday, October 4. The toss will take place at 7 PM IST, with the match starting at 7:30 PM IST.India will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur, while New Zealand will be captained by Sophie Devine. Both teams boast a wealth of experience and talent, and the match promises to be a close and exciting contest.India will be hoping to rely on the batting prowess of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues. The bowling attack will be led by Renuka Singh, Deepti Sharma, and Pooja Vastrakar.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be looking to their star players Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, and Lea Tahuhu to make an impact.The match will be telecast live on Star Sports Network and streamed live on Disney+ Hotstar.With both teams eager to start their World Cup campaigns on a high, the India vs New Zealand clash is sure to be a thrilling spectacle.

Australia vs Sri Lanka: Aussies Aim to Extend DominanceAustralia, the reigning T20 World Champions, will face Sri Lanka in a crucial Group 1 encounter in Sharjah. The Aussies have never lost to Sri Lanka in T20Is, and they will be looking to maintain their perfect record.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are under pressure after losing their tournament opener to Pakistan. They will need to improve their fielding and batting if they want to challenge Australia.Australia's strength lies in their all-rounders, who can contribute with both bat and ball. Beth Mooney, the Player of the Tournament in the 2023 edition, will be key for Australia. She has been in good form in the lead-up to the tournament, scoring a half-century in the warm-up against England.Sri Lanka will rely on their captain, Chamari Athapaththu, to lead the charge. Athapaththu is a dangerous batter who can take the game away from the opposition. She will need support from her teammates, especially Nilakshika Silva and Vishmi Gunaratne.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Australia will be the favorites, but Sri Lanka will be determined to prove that they can compete with the best.Bangladesh vs England: England Eye Dominant StartBangladesh will face England in a Group 2 match in Sharjah. Bangladesh started their tournament with a win against Scotland, but they will face a much tougher challenge against England.England are one of the favorites to win the tournament, and they have a strong team on paper. They have a good mix of experience and youth, and they are led by the experienced Heather Knight.Bangladesh will need to play their best cricket if they want to beat England. They will need to bat well and restrict England's scoring. Nigar Sultana, the Bangladesh captain, will be key for her team. She is a good all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.England will be confident of victory, but they will not underestimate Bangladesh. They know that Bangladesh can be a dangerous team on their day.The match is expected to be a competitive one, with both teams having a chance of winning. England will be the favorites, but Bangladesh will be determined to cause an upset.

Zimbabwe has unveiled its 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup regional qualifiers in Kenya, featuring two uncapped players: allrounder Tashinga Musekiwa and fast bowler Tinotenda Maposa. The team, led by experienced Sikandar Raza, aims to secure a spot in the main tournament in 2026.The squad boasts a blend of youth and experience, with an average age of 26. Musekiwa, 24, has limited T20 experience but has impressed in domestic cricket. Maposa, 21, has shown promise in first-class matches.Fast bowler Trevor Gwandu returns to the side after a brief absence. He last played for Zimbabwe in December 2023 and has since performed well in domestic competitions.Zimbabwe's head coach, Justin Sammons, expressed confidence in the young squad's ability to qualify. "We have picked a young squad that is good enough to make us qualify and I am confident they will deliver in Kenya," he said.The team will face competition from Gambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, and the Seychelles in the six-team qualifier. The top two teams will advance to the regional final, where they will join Namibia and Uganda.Zimbabwe's squad includes:* Sikandar Raza (captain)* Akram Faraz* Brian Bennett* Ryan Burl* Trevor Gwandu* Clive Madande* Wessly Madhevere* Tinotenda Maposa* Tadiwanashe Marumani* Wellington Masakadza* Brandon Mavuta* Tashinga Musekiwa* Blessing Muzarabani* Dion Myers* Richard Ngarava

Rishabh Pant, the charismatic wicketkeeper-batsman, celebrates his 27th birthday on October 4th. Known for his infectious smile and unwavering humor, Pant has emerged as a vital cog in India's cricketing machinery.2024 has been a remarkable year for Pant, marked by his triumphant return to international cricket after a horrific car accident in December 2022. In the recently concluded Test series against Bangladesh, he announced his comeback with a scintillating century, joining MS Dhoni as the Indian wicketkeeper with the most Test hundreds.Pant's resurgence has solidified his position as India's first-choice Test wicketkeeper-batsman, bolstering the team's defense ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia later this year. His heroics in the 2021 Brisbane Test, where he guided India to a memorable victory with an unbeaten 89, will serve as a reminder of his resilience and match-winning abilities.Beyond his Test exploits, Pant has also made significant contributions in limited-overs cricket. He led Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2023.With 2432 runs in 35 Tests, 871 runs in 31 ODIs, and 1209 runs in 76 T20Is, Pant has established himself as a prolific run-scorer across formats. His aggressive batting style and fearless approach have made him a fan favorite and a formidable opponent.As Pant celebrates his birthday, the Indian cricket fraternity and fans alike will be eager to witness his continued brilliance on the field. His infectious enthusiasm and unwavering determination will undoubtedly inspire the team to greater heights in the years to come.

Indian cricket legend Rohit Sharma's recent remarks in Marathi have ignited excitement among fans. Speaking at an event in Rashin, Maharashtra, Rohit expressed how winning the 2024 T20 World Cup has profoundly impacted his life."Our big goal was to win the World Cup, after winning the World Cup, my life has come to life," he said, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.Rohit's heartfelt words resonated with fans, as India's 11-year wait for an ICC trophy culminated in an emotional victory over South Africa in the final in Barbados. The triumph marked a significant milestone in Rohit's career, fulfilling a long-held dream.Over the years, Rohit had endured several heart-wrenching defeats, including the semi-final loss to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup final loss to Australia in 2023. However, his unwavering determination and persistence paid off in 2024 when he led India to the coveted title.Beyond the team's success, Rohit also achieved personal milestones during the tournament. He became the first player to hit 200 sixes in T20 Internationals, a record set during a high-pressure Super 8 match against Australia in St. Lucia. This achievement cemented his legacy as one of the greatest T20 players of all time.Following India's victory, Rohit made an emotional announcement, declaring the final his last T20I match. "No better time to say goodbye to this format," he said, marking the occasion with his 50th win as Indian T20 captain.Rohit's remarks have sparked a wave of excitement among fans, who are eager to witness his continued success in other formats of the game. His leadership and determination have inspired a new generation of cricketers and cemented his place as one of the most iconic figures in Indian cricket history.

Babar Azam Relinquishes White-Ball Captaincy Amidst Critical Report and Lack of SupportPakistan's star batter Babar Azam has stepped down as captain of the national white-ball teams following a critical report submitted by head coach Gary Kirsten and a perceived lack of support from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Sources within the PCB and close to the team revealed that Azam had lost his enthusiasm for the captaincy after the team's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup in July. Kirsten's report, which was partially leaked to the public, reportedly criticized Azam's leadership and blamed him for the team's failures.Azam expressed dissatisfaction with the report and felt that he was being unfairly singled out. He conveyed to the PCB that he was no longer interested in continuing as captain.The situation was further exacerbated when the PCB announced Azam as captain of the T20 team but not the ODI squad ahead of the World Cup. This decision was seen as a lack of confidence in Azam's abilities.Kirsten's report also raised concerns about the dressing room environment and the behavior of some players. He questioned whether Azam was equipped to handle the pressures of captaincy and suggested that he should focus on his role as a specialist batter.The PCB is currently deliberating on who will replace Azam as white-ball captain. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has instructed the selection committee to carefully consider all options and provide a detailed rationale for their decision.

Legendary Pakistani batter Zaheer Abbas has joined the chorus of former cricketers and pundits calling for the removal of Babar Azam from the national team. Abbas's criticism stems from Azam's underwhelming performances as both a batter and captain in recent major tournaments, including the 2023 Cricket World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.Abbas dismissed comparisons between Azam and Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli, highlighting the vast difference in their consistency levels. "The comparisons are pointless. Virat Kohli scores in every match, the other player (Babar) doesn't score in any match, so then how can you compare? The person who scores, he is the bigger player," Abbas said.After resigning from the captaincy following Pakistan's failure to reach the semifinals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Azam was surprisingly reinstated as captain ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, Pakistan's performance in the tournament was even more disappointing, as they failed to qualify for the Super 8s after losses to India and co-hosts USA.Abbas also expressed concern about the overall performance of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national team. "The performance of PCB and the team is not that good," he said.Abbas emphasized the importance of maintaining the India-Pakistan rivalry on the international stage. "If India don't come to Pakistan, that's no good for cricket. Maybe sometimes Pakistan can also refuse to go to India. But cricket without Pakistan and India playing together is not complete," he said.