Cricket

Zimbabwe's T20I World Record: A Masterclass in Batting DominanceIn a historic display of batting prowess, Zimbabwe shattered the T20I world record with a staggering total of 344 against Gambia in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier. This remarkable feat surpassed Nepal's previous benchmark of 314, set against Mongolia in 2023.Leading the charge was Zimbabwe's talismanic skipper, Sikandar Raza, who etched his name in history as the first Zimbabwean to score a century in T20 internationals. His blistering knock of 133* off just 43 balls was a testament to his exceptional skill and form. Raza's innings was a whirlwind of aggression, as he dispatched the Gambian bowlers to all corners of the ground, hitting 15 sixes and 7 fours.Openers Brian Bennett and T Marumani set the tone for Zimbabwe's record-breaking innings with an explosive partnership of 98 runs in just 5.4 overs. Bennett's brisk 50 off 26 balls and Marumani's blistering 62 off 19 deliveries showcased their batting prowess and intent from the very start.Clive Madande maintained the momentum with a rapid unbeaten 53 off just 17 deliveries, further adding to Zimbabwe's record-breaking total.This landmark victory not only established Zimbabwe as a force to be reckoned with in T20I cricket but also highlighted the exceptional talent of Sikandar Raza. His century and the team's record-breaking total will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Zimbabwean cricketers.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to announce the host nation for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as the frontrunner. The BCCI's refusal to host the event has opened the door for alternative venues, with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe also expressing interest.The UAE boasts three world-class cricket stadiums in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, making it an ideal location for the tournament. The ICC is expected to make a final decision this week, as time is running out to finalize arrangements.Meanwhile, Thailand has withdrawn as co-host of the 2025 Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup, leaving Malaysia as the sole host. The tournament will feature 16 teams, including debutants Samoa, and will be played at four venues. Defending champions India are grouped with West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia in the tournament, which begins on January 18, 2025.The ICC's decision to move the Women's T20 World Cup out of India has sparked controversy. BCCI secretary Jay Shah cited monsoon conditions and the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup in 2023 as reasons for declining the offer. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains keen on hosting the tournament despite ongoing political turmoil in the country.The ICC's decision will have a significant impact on the development of women's cricket. The Women's T20 World Cup is a prestigious event that showcases the best female cricketers in the world. Hosting the tournament in a country with a strong cricketing infrastructure and a passionate fan base will help to raise the profile of women's cricket and inspire future generations of players.

Zimbabwe will make history as the first country to receive a "touring fee" from the host board in bilateral cricket when they visit England for a two-Test series in the summer of 2025. This groundbreaking development was announced by ECB chief executive Richard Gould, who has been advocating for measures to address the financial disparities among Full Member nations and maintain the quality of Test cricket.Gould's proposal, which he initially presented in 2022, calls for host boards to compensate touring teams. He believes this will help offset the significant revenue gap between wealthier boards like the ECB, BCCI, and Cricket Australia, and those from smaller nations."There's a huge responsibility for the ECB and other financially strong boards to ensure Test cricket remains competitive," Gould stated. "The current revenue-sharing model is outdated and needs to be revised."The escalating costs of maintaining Test cricket in smaller countries, where broadcasting rights have become less valuable, have raised concerns about the sustainability of the format. CWI CEO Johnny Grave has criticized the ICC's revenue-sharing model, arguing that it has failed to support weaker boards.Gould expressed sympathy for boards like CWI and emphasized the need to find solutions to keep them competitive. "We've had conversations with the West Indies about providing assistance," he said. "It's not just about money; there are other ways to support them, such as organizing additional tours or providing opportunities for their players to gain experience in different conditions."ECB chair Richard Thompson has also highlighted the importance of ensuring a strong level of competition for both men's and women's teams. He noted that only 4% of the ECB's annual income comes from ICC revenue distribution, with the majority derived from bilateral cricket broadcast rights."We need to share the value that the game creates to keep Test cricket strong," Thompson said. "It's an accepted principle, and we're exploring different tactics to achieve it."The ECB's decision to pay a touring fee to Zimbabwe is a significant step towards addressing the financial challenges faced by smaller cricket nations. It sets a precedent that could lead to a more equitable distribution of resources and help maintain the health and competitiveness of Test cricket worldwide.

Zimbabwe's erratic bowling and fielding gifted Ireland a 40-run lead in the first Test in Belfast. Peter Moor, a former Zimbabwean, tormented his former team with a record-breaking 79, the highest Test score by an Ireland opener.Zimbabwe's bowlers struggled to contain Moor and his opening partner Andrew Balbirnie, who set a new Ireland record for the highest opening partnership of 71. Moor's innings was characterized by his aggressive square drives, helping Ireland reach 115 for 2 at lunch.However, Zimbabwe's fortunes turned after the break. Tanaka Chivanga and Blessing Muzarabani claimed three wickets each, including the prized scalp of Moor. Paul Stirling survived a no-ball but failed to capitalize, as Muzarabani triggered a collapse with two wickets in two balls.Ireland's middle order crumbled, with Sean Williams and Victor Nyauchi also contributing to the wickets. Zimbabwe seemed poised to take a first-innings lead, but a defiant tenth-wicket partnership between Andy McBrine and debutant Matthew Humphreys denied them.The pair counterattacked after a rain break, smashing 47 runs in 44 balls. Zimbabwe's wicketkeeper Clive Madande endured a challenging day, dropping catches and conceding a record-breaking 59 extras, the most in Test history.Despite their poor bowling and fielding, Zimbabwe's openers, Kevin Kasuza and Takudzwanashe Kaitano, showed resilience in the final session, adding 12 runs before stumps. Ireland's lead remains a modest 28 runs, but Zimbabwe will need to improve their discipline and execution to avoid a deficit.

VVS Laxman, India's head coach for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, honored star finisher Rinku Singh with the 'Fielder of the Series' award following India's 4-1 triumph. The series marked the beginning of the post-Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma T20I era, and the tradition of awarding the 'Fielder of the Series' continued.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video of the ceremony on Instagram, where Subhadeep Ghosh announced the winner. Before the ceremony, a video message from former India fielding coach T Dilip was played, emphasizing the importance of fielding."Boys, fielding has always been paramount to us in Indian cricket, and it's an aspect of the game where we have set high standards over the years. We should aim to continue to strive for excellence in this area. As we all know, we follow a tradition, which is the fielding medal. The medal is given to a player that makes a significant impact in the game with their fielding," Dilip said.Ghosh, who served as India's fielding coach for the series, praised each player for their contributions. While highlighting the importance of catches, he announced Rinku as the winner of the 'Fielder of the Series' award."Another good day in fielding. I think it was a terrific effort from each and every one. I think, in the last five months, we have been thrown into different scenarios and different challenges. As I always say, catching is very, very important. If you take the catches, you can control the game, and you can dominate the game, which we did today," Ghosh said."Every time he steps on the ground, I think he always says, I stand up. I think he always steps on the ground, putting no tools from me. I think this is going to Rinku Singh," he concluded.Ghosh called Laxman to present the medal to Rinku for his efforts throughout the series, which saw him complete six catches."I really enjoyed playing with everyone. It was my 4th or 5th series, so I really enjoyed it. To be honest, I like batting and fielding a lot. I enjoy it a lot. It's a lot of fun. It's a lot of fun to run. So what else can I say, God's Plan," Rinku said.India's next tour will be against Sri Lanka, marking the first assignment of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. The tour will begin with a three-match T20I series on July 27 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The T20I series will be followed by a three-match ODI series, beginning on August 2 at R Premadasa Stadium.

Riyan Parag, the Indian all-rounder, expressed his delight at making his international debut alongside his former U19 teammate Abhishek Sharma. Parag, who played a crucial role in India's series win against Zimbabwe, praised skipper Shubman Gill's leadership skills.After India's 42-run victory in the fifth and final T20I, Parag reflected on his journey. "It was special to make my debut with Abhishek," he said. "We opened our jerseys together, remembering our time at the 2018 U19 World Cup."Parag also spoke about his partnership with Sanju Samson, his Rajasthan Royals teammate. "We had a chat about having a partnership like we used to have at RR," he said. "We're glad we could do well."Parag lauded Gill's captaincy, saying, "He has been like a captain even when he wasn't. He's been exceptional in the field."Despite his impressive IPL performance, Parag had a modest debut, scoring just 24 runs in two innings. However, India secured a 4-1 series victory.In the match, Zimbabwe elected to field first and restricted India to 167/6. Samson (58) and Parag (22) led the Indian batting, while Blessing Muzarbani took two wickets.Zimbabwe started well in the chase, but Shivam Dube's spell and a crucial run-out of Sikandar Raza turned the tide. Mukesh Kumar then cleaned up the tail, dismissing Zimbabwe for 125.Dube was named 'Player of the Match' for his all-round performance, while Washington Sundar, who scored 28 runs and took eight wickets in the series, received the 'Player of the Series' award.

Sanju Samson's Mammoth Six Powers India to Series Victory Over ZimbabweIn a thrilling conclusion to the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, Sanju Samson unleashed a colossal 110-meter six that left cricket fans in awe. Facing Brandon Mavuta in the fifth and final match, Samson sent the ball soaring over the roof and out of the ground, showcasing his immense power.Samson's innings of 58 off 45 balls, studded with four sixes, played a pivotal role in India's 42-run victory. He shared a crucial 65-run partnership with Riyan Parag, who contributed 22 off 24 balls, to stabilize the innings after a shaky start.Alongside Samson, Shivam Dube's quickfire 26 off 12 balls propelled India to a competitive total of 167 for six. In response, Zimbabwe's batting faltered against the disciplined bowling of Mukesh Kumar, who claimed an impressive 4/22. Dube (2/25) and Washington Sundar (1/7) also chipped in with wickets as India bowled out Zimbabwe for 125 in 18.3 overs.Samson's six was not only a testament to his power but also a symbol of India's dominance in the series. The hosts won the first four matches comfortably, with Samson playing a key role in each victory. His ability to pick the right moments to attack and his fearless approach made him a constant threat to the Zimbabwean bowlers.Mukesh Kumar's bowling performance was equally impressive. The young pacer consistently troubled the Zimbabwean batsmen with his accuracy and variations. His early breakthroughs set the tone for India's bowling effort, and he continued to pick up wickets throughout the innings.India's victory in the series is a testament to the depth and talent of their squad. Despite missing several key players due to injuries, the team managed to overcome a spirited Zimbabwean challenge. Samson's six and Mukesh Kumar's bowling were the highlights of the final match, but the entire team deserves credit for their consistent performances throughout the series.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the Indian opener, has etched his name in the annals of men's T20I cricket by becoming only the second batsman to hit sixes off the first two deliveries of a match. This remarkable feat was achieved during the fifth and final T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday.Jaiswal's historic achievement began with a slog sweep over midwicket off Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza's first ball, which was later deemed a no-ball for overstepping. Undeterred, Jaiswal took full advantage of the free-hit and launched the next delivery straight down the ground for another maximum. India's score soared to 13 off just one ball, setting the tone for an aggressive innings.However, Jaiswal's momentum was short-lived as Raza's yorker-length ball targeted his toes, resulting in his leg stump being dislodged. Despite his dismissal, Jaiswal's sixes off the first two deliveries will forever be etched in the history books.Tanzania's Ivan Selemani holds the distinction of being the first batter to achieve this feat in 2022 against Rwanda's Martin Akayezu. England's Phil Salt also showcased his power-hitting prowess by launching two consecutive sixes off the first two deliveries of an innings, albeit while chasing a target set by the opposition.Jaiswal's achievement highlights the growing trend of aggressive batting in T20 cricket, where batsmen are increasingly looking to score boundaries from the outset. His sixes off the first two deliveries not only set the tone for India's innings but also sent a clear message to the opposition that they were not going to be intimidated.

Zimbabwe's captain, Sikandar Raza, broke his losing streak in the toss for the fifth T20I against India in Harare. Employing a new technique, Raza opted to bowl first, anticipating an improvement in the pitch's batting conditions later in the game."Our wickets tend to get better as the game progresses," Raza explained. "We have the motivation, confidence, and skills to finish the series on a high."Zimbabwe made one change to their lineup, resting Tendai Chatara and bringing in Brandon Mavuta for his series debut. India, on the other hand, made two changes, with Mukesh Kumar replacing Khaleel Ahmed and Riyan Parag returning in place of Ruturaj Gaikwad.India's captain, Shubman Gill, revealed that they had intended to bat first regardless of the toss outcome. He praised his team's performance, particularly the spinners and fast bowlers in the powerplay."Our players have shown great hunger despite the back-to-back games," Gill said. "We aim to complete a 4-1 series win, while Zimbabwe will be eager to end the series on a positive note after their victory in the first match."This match serves as a final opportunity for players to impress ahead of India's upcoming T20I series in Sri Lanka. The squad for that series, as well as the subsequent three ODIs, has yet to be announced.