Cricket

Sri Lanka's triumphant women's cricket team, fresh from their Asia Cup victory, will embark on a historic tour of Ireland from August 11-20. This will mark Sri Lanka's maiden bilateral tour of Ireland and Ireland's first home series of the year.The tour will feature two T20Is and three ODIs, with the first T20I scheduled for August 11 in Dublin. The second T20I will also be played in Dublin on August 13, followed by the ODI series in Belfast. The ODIs will be part of the 2022-2025 ICC Women's Championship cycle.Sri Lanka has enjoyed a remarkable run of form in 2024, winning 18 of their 23 white-ball matches. They also boast an unblemished record against Ireland, having won all six previous encounters. However, Ireland has yet to lose a bilateral series this year, making this tour a significant test for both teams.The tour will provide a valuable opportunity for both sides to prepare for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup in February 2023. Sri Lanka will be eager to continue their winning ways, while Ireland will be determined to prove their mettle against a top-ranked opponent.The full schedule of Sri Lanka's tour of Ireland 2024 is as follows:* August 11: 1st T20I, Dublin* August 13: 2nd T20I, Dublin* August 16: 1st ODI, Belfast* August 18: 2nd ODI, Belfast* August 20: 3rd ODI, Belfast

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer, has expressed his unwavering support for the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games. During a panel discussion in Paris, Dravid revealed that current players are eagerly anticipating the prospect of competing in the global sporting spectacle.Dravid's presence in Paris was part of a discussion titled 'Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of a New Era.' The event celebrated the momentous decision to include cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, a significant milestone for the sport."I've already heard conversations in the dressing room. People are talking about the 2026 T20 World Cup, the 2027 ODI World Cup, and the Olympics in 2028," Dravid said. "Players are determined to win that gold medal and be a part of the Games Village."Dravid expressed his desire for India to dominate both the men's and women's cricket competitions in Los Angeles. "The dream for me is to have Indian men and women winning the gold," he said. "But more than that, I want Indian fans to come to LA and support cricket, showing the world how great a sport it is."Dravid also defended the 10:30am start time for T20 World Cup matches in the United States. "I don't think starting at 10:30am was a problem," he said. "We are in the entertainment business, and we need to cater to people who want to watch the sport."Geoff Allardice, the CEO of the ICC, echoed Dravid's sentiments, stating that cricket will be one of the "star attractions" in Los Angeles. "Cricket is starting to dawn on the global sporting community," he said. "We are going to be very, very strong come 2028."Dravid also praised the progress of women's cricket, noting the increasing participation of young girls. "Women's cricket is already going forward," he said. "It's fantastic to have it going on concurrently with the men's competition. Cricket is becoming a lot more inclusive and attractive."

Chamari Athapaththu, the enigmatic Sri Lankan cricket captain, has put an end to speculation about her international retirement, confirming her intention to lead her team until at least next year's ODI World Cup.Athapaththu, 34, has been a cornerstone of Sri Lankan cricket for over a decade, amassing an impressive record as both a batter and a leader. Her recent performances at the Asia Cup, where she emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer and guided her team to victory, have further cemented her status as one of the most influential players in the women's game.Despite hinting at a possible retirement in the past, Athapaththu has now clarified that she remains committed to representing Sri Lanka on the international stage. "Hopefully I'll still play till the next 50-over World Cup," she stated in a recent interview.This announcement is a significant boost for Sri Lankan cricket, as Athapaththu's experience and leadership will be invaluable in the team's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and the ODI World Cup in India next year.Athapaththu's decision to continue playing is a testament to her unwavering passion for the game and her desire to inspire the next generation of Sri Lankan cricketers. Her presence in the team will provide stability and guidance, while her exceptional batting skills will continue to be a major asset for Sri Lanka.As Sri Lanka gears up for the challenges ahead, Chamari Athapaththu's commitment to the national team is a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for both players and fans alike.

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team made history on July 28th by capturing their first-ever Women's T20 Asia Cup title. The triumph was a testament to the team's resilience and determination, as they overcame a formidable Indian side in the final.Chasing a challenging target of 166, Sri Lanka's openers, Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama, set the tone with a blistering start. Athapaththu, the team's captain, led from the front with a 43-ball 61, while Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 69 from 51 deliveries. Their partnership of 113 runs laid the foundation for Sri Lanka's victory.India's bowlers struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batters, with only Deepti Sharma managing to pick up a wicket. Kavisha Dilhari was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, claiming two wickets for 36 runs.Earlier, India had posted a competitive total of 165/6 in their 20 overs. Smriti Mandhana top-scored for India with a 47-ball 60, while Richa Ghosh provided a late flourish with a rapid 30.Sri Lanka's victory was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. The team had shown glimpses of their potential in recent years, but they had never managed to reach the pinnacle of Asian cricket. This triumph is a testament to the team's growth and development, and it will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Sri Lankan cricketers.

Beth Mooney, Australia's star opening batter, believes that women's cricket must continue to push for equal pay in global competitions. As she prepares to return to the Hundred after a year's absence, Mooney acknowledges the progress made in the tournament but emphasizes the need for further advancements.Mooney, 30, was Manchester Originals' top pick in this year's draft, earning a top-tier £50,000 deal. While this represents a significant increase from previous years, it still falls short of the men's top-tier salary of £125,000.Despite the disparity in pay, Mooney praises the Hundred for its efforts in providing equal opportunities for men and women. She highlights the shared facilities and double-header match-days as positive steps towards gender equality in cricket.However, Mooney believes that there is still work to be done. She points to the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket's (ICEC) recommendation that English cricket should offer equal salaries for the Hundred by 2025. While the ECB has pushed back on this commitment, Mooney argues that it is essential to keep pushing the boundaries."We've got to keep asking the right questions of the ICC, and of each of the different boards of the countries, and make sure that we're still striving to get, first and foremost, more girls in the game, but making sure there's equal opportunities across the board for each country and the females as well," Mooney said.Mooney also discusses the growing competitiveness of women's cricket globally. She believes that the gap between teams is narrowing, as evidenced by England's recent success in the Women's Ashes. However, she does not anticipate the same level of secrecy and reluctance to face teammates in the nets as seen in the men's game."We play so much franchise cricket now, and a lot of us are really good mates. And there really aren't any secrets in the global cricket game anymore, because there's so much vision on everyone," Mooney said.As she returns to the Hundred, Mooney is aware of the high expectations surrounding her. She is determined to score runs and help Manchester Originals win games, but she also recognizes the fickle nature of cricket."I certainly don't look at it as anything more or less than that. Like any tournament I play in, whether it's for Australia or back home in the Big Bash, I've got a job to do, and that's that doesn't change, no matter what colour shirt I put on," Mooney said.

Bangladesh, seeking to advance to the semi-finals of the Asia Cup 2024, elected to bat first after winning the toss against Malaysia. The decision came after Bangladesh's opening game loss to Sri Lanka and subsequent seven-wicket victory over Thailand.Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana expressed her team's desire to establish a strong total on the board, given the favorable batting conditions. The team made one change, bringing in experienced all-rounder Jahanara Alam in place of Marufa Akter.Malaysia, despite losing both their previous matches, still harbored hopes of reaching the semi-finals. However, they were forced to chase after Bangladesh's decision to bat. Malaysia made two changes to their lineup, introducing Nur Aishah and Irdina Beh Nabil while omitting Dhanusri Muhunan and Amalin Sorfina.For Malaysia to qualify for the semi-finals, they must defeat Bangladesh by a significant margin and rely on Sri Lanka to do the same against Thailand.

Bangladesh XI, led by Dilara Akter, faced off against Malaysia XI, captained by Winifred Duraisingam, in a crucial match of the ongoing tournament. Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first.Malaysia's opening bowlers, Winifred Duraisingam and Suabika Manivannan, started off with a tight spell, restricting Bangladesh's scoring. However, Murshida Khatun broke the shackles in the second over, driving a glorious boundary through the covers.Bangladesh continued to build their innings steadily, with Khatun and Ishma Tanjim contributing valuable runs. Khatun, in particular, looked in fine touch, hitting another boundary in the fourth over.Malaysia's bowlers fought back in the middle overs, with Duraisingam and Manivannan bowling economically and picking up wickets. Bangladesh lost Dilara Akter and Ritu Moni in quick succession, leaving them at 45/2.Despite the setbacks, Bangladesh's middle order held firm. Rumana Ahmed and Nigar Sultana played sensible innings, rotating the strike and finding the occasional boundary.In the latter stages of the innings, Bangladesh accelerated their scoring rate. Jahanara Alam and Nahida Akter hit some lusty blows, taking Bangladesh to a respectable total of 125/5 in their allotted 20 overs.Malaysia's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost Dilara Akter early on. However, Murshida Khatun and Ishma Tanjim steadied the ship with a solid partnership.Khatun, in particular, was in devastating form, hitting boundaries at will. She brought up her half-century in just 35 balls, guiding Malaysia towards victory.Malaysia's middle order chipped in with valuable contributions, with Nur Aishah Mohammed Iqbal and Mahirah Izzati Ismail playing cameos.In the end, Malaysia chased down the target with ease, reaching 126/3 in just 17.2 overs. Murshida Khatun remained unbeaten on 65, while Ishma Tanjim contributed 25.

India vs Nepal: Women's Asia Cup 2024 Match PreviewIndia will face Nepal in their third match of the Women's Asia Cup 2024 on Tuesday, July 23, at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. The match will commence at 7:00 PM IST.India has had a strong start to the tournament, defeating United Arab Emirates by 78 runs and arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets. They will be aiming for their third consecutive victory against Nepal.Nepal, on the other hand, has had a mixed start. They defeated UAE in their opening game but lost to Pakistan in their second match. They will be looking to bounce back and secure a win against India.Key Players to Watch:* India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur* Nepal: Rubina Chhetry, Sita Rana Magar, Indu BarmaMatch Prediction:India is the clear favorite to win this match. They have a more experienced and talented squad, and they have been in good form in the tournament so far. Nepal will need to play out of their skins to pull off an upset.Live Streaming and Telecast:The India vs Nepal match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network. It will also be streamed live on Hotstar.Conclusion:The India vs Nepal match promises to be an exciting contest. India will be looking to continue their winning streak, while Nepal will be aiming to cause an upset. With both teams having something to prove, the match is likely to be a close and competitive affair.

Indian Batters Rise in ICC T20I Rankings After Asia Cup PerformancesIndian batters Harmanpreet Kaur and Shafali Verma have made significant strides in the latest ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings, thanks to their impressive performances in the ongoing Women's Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.Harmanpreet, the Indian captain, and opener Shafali are now jointly ranked 11th in the T20I batting rankings. Harmanpreet's unbeaten 5 against Pakistan and 66 against the United Arab Emirates have helped her gain one spot, while Shafali's scores of 40 and 37 have lifted her four positions.Sri Lanka's off-spinner Inoshi Priyadharshani has also made a notable jump, advancing three places to a career-best fourth position after taking two wickets against Bangladesh and one against Malaysia.Other notable movers in the batting rankings include India's wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh (up four places to 24th), Bangladesh's Murshida Khatun (up six places to 47th), Sri Lanka's Vishmi Gunaratne (up seven places to 51st), and Thailand's Nattaya Boochatham (up 10 places to 76th).Among the bowlers, Bangladesh's Nahida Akter has risen nine places to 21st, while Marufa Akter is up one place to 26th. Sri Lanka's Udeshika Prabodhani has progressed four places to 30th, and India's Shreyanka Patil has surged 19 places to 41st.England captain Heather Knight has re-entered the top 20 in the batting rankings, gaining two spots after scoring a match-winning 46 not out off 31 balls in the final match of their home series against New Zealand. Her teammate, new-ball bowler Lauren Bell, has moved into the top 10 following a three-wicket haul.New Zealand's Amelia Kerr has advanced two places to 13th in the batting rankings, while her sister Jess Kerr has moved up five places to joint-42nd in the bowling rankings.