Cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering adjustments to the schedule of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which it is hosting, to accommodate matches involving India in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This move comes after the Indian government expressed concerns about its team traveling to Pakistan due to security and socio-political reasons.The PCB is exploring a "Hybrid Model" similar to the 2023 Asia Cup, where India played its matches in Sri Lanka. Sources within the PCB believe that even if India is not permitted to tour Pakistan, minor adjustments can be made to the schedule, with India likely playing its matches in Dubai or Sharjah.The International Cricket Council (ICC) cannot force any board to go against its government's policy, and it remains to be seen when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will make a final decision. By the time the decision is made, the ICC will be chaired by India's Jay Shah.The PCB is urging the ICC to announce the tournament schedule by next week, as officials from the governing body are expected to visit Lahore. The PCB has proposed a tentative schedule that includes a marquee match between India and Pakistan in Lahore on March 1, 2025.The tournament is scheduled to begin on February 19, 2025, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi. The final is set for March 9 at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. According to the proposed schedule, all of India's matches would be held in Lahore for security and logistical reasons.The PCB is investing heavily in upgrading its stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, where the Champions Trophy matches will be played. The board is spending approximately 13 billion rupees on these renovations.

Mohammad Haris Channels Virat Kohli with Spectacular Swat Flick in Emerging Asia CupIn a thrilling encounter during the Emerging Asia Cup 2024 match between Pakistan A and the UAE, Mohammad Haris showcased his exceptional batting prowess with a remarkable stroke that drew comparisons to the legendary Virat Kohli.The Pakistan A captain, who had struggled in the tournament's opening matches, made a stunning comeback with a blistering 71 off 49 deliveries. His innings was highlighted by a spectacular swat flick for six, a shot that has become synonymous with Kohli's batting style.Facing Sanchit Sharma in the 17th over, Haris remained deep in his crease and unleashed a powerful whip over deep square leg. The ball soared over the boundary, leaving both the opposition and spectators in awe. The audacious stroke was a testament to Haris's talent and the depth of Pakistan's emerging squad.Haris's innings included six fours and three sixes, helping his side post an impressive total of 179 against the UAE. His half-century was brought up with the trademark swat flick, a shot that has become a staple in Kohli's arsenal.In addition to Haris's batting heroics, Pakistan A's bowlers delivered an outstanding performance. Led by Shahnawaz Dahani's remarkable figures of 5 wickets for just 12 runs, the bowlers restricted the UAE to a mere 65 runs, securing a commanding 114-run victory.Haris's swat flick and Pakistan A's overall performance in the match showcased the immense talent and potential within the team. As the Emerging Asia Cup continues, all eyes will be on Haris and his teammates as they aim to make a deep run in the tournament.

India A Dominates UAE in Emerging Teams Asia Cup, Secures Semi-Final BerthIndia A emerged victorious in their Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), securing a seven-wicket win and a spot in the semi-finals.Led by captain Tilak Varma, India A's bowlers put on a stellar performance, restricting UAE to a mere 107 runs. Pacer Rasikh Salam Dar was the star of the show, claiming three wickets in his opening over, leaving UAE reeling at 40 for 5 within the power play. Ramandeep Singh also contributed with two wickets, helping India A bundle out UAE with over three overs to spare.In response, India A's openers made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 10.5 overs with seven wickets in hand. Abhishek Sharma led the charge with a blistering 58 runs off 24 balls, including five fours and four sixes. Skipper Varma chipped in with 21 runs before being dismissed.Apart from the low-scoring chase, the match also witnessed a spectacular catch by Ayush Badoni. On the final delivery of the 15th over, Badoni dived towards his right and grabbed a stunning catch in the air, dismissing UAE batter Jawadullah for 1.India A's victory marks their second in the ongoing tournament, following their thrilling seven-run win against Pakistan on Saturday. They will now face Oman in their final Group Stage match on Wednesday in Al Amerat.

India's Emerging Team continued their impressive run in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, securing a dominant seven-wicket victory over UAE in Al Amerat, Oman. This triumph marks their second consecutive win in the tournament, following their narrow seven-run victory over Pakistan in the opener.Opener Abhishek Sharma played a pivotal role in India's success, smashing a scintillating half-century in just 24 deliveries. His blistering knock included five fours and four sixes, setting the tone for India's chase. Skipper Tilak Varma also contributed with a steady 21 off 18 balls.UAE, opting to bat first, struggled to gain momentum against India's formidable bowling attack. Seamer Rasikh Salam emerged as the star performer, claiming three wickets in his opening over. Ramandeep Singh also chipped in with two strikes, as India bundled out UAE for a meager 107 in 16.5 overs.UAE skipper Basil Hameed and Rahul Chopra provided some resistance with a 41-run partnership, but Abhishek's brilliance broke the alliance. Chopra's valiant 50 off 50 balls proved to be a lone bright spot for UAE.With a target of 108, India's chase was a mere formality. Ayush Badoni sealed the victory with a six and a four, completing the chase with 55 balls remaining.India's dominance in the tournament is evident, as they currently top Group B with four points. They will face hosts Oman in their final group game on Wednesday, aiming to maintain their winning streak and secure a place in the semifinals.

Rasikh Salam's Hat-Trick Over Propels India A to Victory in ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia CupIn a dominant display of pace bowling, India A's Rasikh Salam wreaked havoc on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) batting lineup in the second Group B match of the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024.Salam's devastating over during the Powerplay proved to be the turning point of the match, as he ripped through the UAE's top order, claiming three wickets in quick succession. The 24-year-old pacer dismissed Nilansh Keswani, Vishnu Sukumaran, and Syed Haider in the space of five deliveries, leaving the Emirates reeling at 15 for 3.Salam's hat-trick bid was narrowly missed, but he continued to torment the UAE batsmen, finishing with impressive figures of 2 overs, 15 runs, and 3 wickets. His spell effectively dismantled the UAE's batting lineup, which was eventually bowled out for a paltry 107 runs in 16.5 overs.In response, India A chased down the target with ease, reaching 110 in just 10.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma led the charge with a blistering 58 off 24 balls, including six fours and four sixes, sealing a comprehensive seven-wicket victory.For his outstanding performance, Rasikh Salam was deservedly named 'Man of the Match'. His hat-trick over proved to be the catalyst for India A's victory, showcasing his exceptional pace and accuracy.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to ignite the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the world's top 150 female cricketers gather for the ninth edition of this prestigious tournament. Ten teams will battle it out in 23 matches, vying for the coveted title of world champions.The tournament kicks off on October 3rd with a thrilling encounter between Bangladesh and debutants Scotland. The matches will be played across two iconic venues: Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Dubai International Stadium, each offering unique challenges for the players.Australia, the reigning champions, enter the tournament with a formidable squad and a hunger for a record-breaking fourth consecutive title. However, they face stiff competition from a host of talented teams, including India, South Africa, and New Zealand.India, led by the spin duo of Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav, will pose a significant threat to Australia in their Group A clash on October 13th. South Africa, under the leadership of Laura Wolvaardt, will be eager to build on their impressive performance in the 2023 World Cup, where they reached the final.Group B promises to be equally competitive, with England, Bangladesh, the West Indies, and Scotland vying for the top two spots. England, known for their aggressive style of play, will be a formidable opponent for South Africa in their October 7th encounter.Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on October 17th and 18th, setting the stage for an unforgettable final on October 20th in Dubai. The world will be watching as two teams battle it out for the ultimate prize in women's cricket.

India's Familiarity with UAE Conditions Gives Them an Edge in Women's T20 World CupFormer Indian women's cricket captain Mithali Raj believes that India will have a significant advantage in the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 3.The UAE's conditions are similar to those found in India, giving the Indian team a familiarity that other teams may not have. "The UAE is, again, in very similar conditions, so we can say that, you know, our team has the advantage," Raj told Star Sports.However, Raj cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that every team will be well-prepared for the tournament. "But again, the World Cup means every team comes well prepared," she added.Despite reaching the finals of several ICC events, including two senior World Cups, the Indian women's team has yet to win a global title. "The Indian women's team, so far, hasn't won, other than the Under-19 World Cup," Raj said.Raj expressed her desire for the team to perform well in the tournament. "I think I will definitely want the team to do well because, like everybody else, when we get into the World Cup, we want our team to win," she said.India will open their campaign against New Zealand on October 4 in Dubai. They have been placed in Group A alongside Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to ignite the UAE with an unprecedented initiative: match tickets starting at a mere five dirhams (Rs 114.28) and free entry for fans under 18. This groundbreaking move, unveiled amidst a dazzling laser show on the iconic Burj Khalifa, aims to foster an inclusive and unforgettable tournament experience."The UAE's diversity is a key factor in this decision," stated ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice. "With fans from all over the world residing here, this tournament becomes a home World Cup for all 10 participating teams. To ensure maximum support and create a lasting legacy, we're thrilled to offer affordable tickets and free entry for our younger fans."The tournament, commencing on October 3, will witness 10 teams battling it out in 23 matches over 18 days. The teams are divided into two groups: Group A (Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) and Group B (Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies, Scotland).The round-robin format ensures that each team faces the other four in its group, with the top two advancing to the knockout stages. The tournament kicks off in Sharjah with Bangladesh facing Scotland on October 3. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 17 in Dubai and October 18 in Sharjah, culminating in the grand finale on October 20 in Dubai.Prior to the tournament, teams will engage in warm-up matches from September 28 to October 1. This initiative not only promotes accessibility but also aims to inspire future generations of cricket enthusiasts. By making the tournament affordable and inclusive, the ICC hopes to create a lasting impact on the sport in the UAE and beyond.

South Africa's white-ball squad for their upcoming tour of the UAE has been announced, with several first-choice players rested as the team prepares for the Champions Trophy.Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Tabraiz Shamsi, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen will all be absent from the ODI and T20I squads. Instead, the management has opted to widen the player pool and give opportunities to fringe players.Allrounder Jason Smith, who made his T20I debut in the West Indies last month, has been given a maiden ODI call-up. Legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter, who has recovered from a shoulder injury, has also been included in the ODI squad.21-year-old seam-bowling allrounder Andile Simelane has been named in both the ODI and T20I squads against Afghanistan. He has been part of South Africa Emerging and 'A' sides recently.Lungi Ngidi, who suffered a right calf injury during the Caribbean tour, has recovered and is expected to lead the attack. However, Quinton de Kock, who has not confirmed his retirement from T20Is, does not feature.Kwena Maphaka, who made his debut against West Indies, has not been included as he completes his final school examinations. Donovan Ferreira is the only other player from the West Indies T20I series who will not be on this tour, while Matthew Breetzke has been included in the T20I squad.Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, and Simelane are part of the ODI squad against Afghanistan, but not for the ODIs against Ireland. Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton are present only for the Ireland ODIs."We have decided to give opportunities to some of the fringe players as well as those who have impressed in recent weeks and months," said Rob Walter, South Africa's white-ball coach. "This has been a deliberate move from management, in line with our goal of building a wider pool of players to choose from, as we prepare for the major ICC tournaments taking place over the next 18 months, with a long-term view on the 50-over World Cup in 2027."