Cricket

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) season draws to a close, former Zimbabwe captain and renowned wicketkeeper-batter Andy Flower eagerly anticipates the upcoming T20I series between India and Zimbabwe, commencing in Harare on Saturday. Flower, who currently serves as an IPL coach, expressed his keen interest in observing the performance of the young Indian team against Zimbabwe."This second-tier Indian team — and I am not disparaging — is the next best bunch of Indian cricketers," Flower remarked in an interview with The Hindu. "It is going to be fascinating to watch. Because I am an IPL coach at the moment, it is very interesting for me to get up close and personal, watching them play and getting to know some of them."Flower's comments highlight the depth of talent within the Indian cricket system, with the second-tier team representing a formidable force in its own right. The series against Zimbabwe provides an opportunity for these young players to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a place in the senior national team.Flower also praised the Indian team that triumphed in the recent T20 World Cup, particularly the performances of Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. "I thought the big difference would be Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav," he said. "I was surprised the spinners didn't do better in that match, but Bumrah was outstanding again. He is a different gravy, isn't he? He is a class apart from all the other seamers in world cricket, in the white-ball game."Bumrah's exceptional pace and accuracy have made him one of the most feared bowlers in the world, while Yadav's variations and ability to deceive batsmen have proven invaluable to the Indian team.Flower also commented on the departure of Rahul Dravid as the Indian coach, expressing his admiration for Dravid's contributions to Indian cricket. "He has been on the road for a while as coach and he also worked at the NCA for a number of years and that would have benefited Indian cricket hugely," Flower said. "And he has done an outstanding job with the Indian team. In everything that he has taken on, he has always handled himself with grace, dignity, and integrity."Dravid's tenure as coach was marked by a renewed focus on discipline and professionalism, as well as a commitment to developing young players. His departure leaves a significant void in Indian cricket, but his legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of players.

India's T20 team embarks on a new chapter without its talismanic duo, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as they embark on a five-match series against Zimbabwe starting July 6 in Harare. This series marks a transition for the team, as they seek to identify and nurture future stars for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India.Shubman Gill, who was a reserve in the T20 World Cup-winning squad, will lead the young Indian team. He will be joined by a host of IPL performers, including Punjab's Abhishek Sharma, Assam's Riyan Parag, and Sanju Samson. All these players are expected to make their international debuts during the series.The absence of Rohit and Kohli will be felt, but it also presents an opportunity for the new faces to showcase their skills. Zimbabwe may not be the most formidable opposition, but in T20 cricket, the gap between teams is relatively smaller. The hosts, led by the gutsy Sikandar Raza, could prove to be a handful on nippy afternoons at the Harare Sports Club.The series will provide valuable experience for the young Indian players, who will be vying for a place in the team for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal will join the squad from the third match onwards, giving them a chance to impress.The Indian team will play 34 T20 matches between now and the 2026 World Cup. The likes of Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav will also be back in the fold, but there will be limited vacancies in the playing eleven.The series against Zimbabwe will be a crucial step in India's preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The young players will have the opportunity to prove their mettle and stake their claim for a place in the team.

India's Second-String Team Embarks on Zimbabwe Tour for T20I SeriesA second-string Indian cricket team, led by Shubman Gill, has departed for Zimbabwe to participate in a five-match T20I series beginning on July 6. The tour marks a significant opportunity for India to assess its T20 future following the retirements of senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja.The Indian squad boasts a strong contingent of openers, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Abhishek Sharma. Gill and Jaiswal are expected to form the opening partnership in the first T20I in Harare on Saturday.The series will also provide a platform for several T20 World Cup standbys to showcase their skills. Pacers Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, and finisher Rinku Singh, along with Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, are all part of the touring party.The Indian team will be eager to make a strong impression in Zimbabwe, particularly with the T20 World Cup scheduled for later this year. The series will offer valuable experience for the younger players and help the team identify potential replacements for the departed veterans.The Zimbabwean team, led by Sikandar Raza, will be looking to put up a strong fight against the Indian visitors. The series will be played entirely in Harare, with the first T20I scheduled for July 6.

Zimbabwe's captain, Sikandar Raza, opted to field first against Bangladesh in the fifth and final T20I match in Dhaka. The visitors made one change to their lineup, bringing in Sean Williams for Richard Ngarava.Bangladesh, who have already secured the series 4-0, made three changes to their team. Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, and Mohammad Saifuddin replaced Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, and Tanzim Hasan.Bangladesh XI:1. Tanzid Hasan2. Soumya Sarkar3. Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt)4. Towhid Hridoy5. Shakib Al Hasan6. Mahmudullah7. Jaker Ali (wk)8. Mahedi Hasan9. Rishad Hossain10. Mohammad Saifuddin11. Mustafizur RahmanZimbabwe XI:1. Brian Bennett2. Tadiawanashe Marumani3. Sikandar Raza (capt)4. Sean Williams5. Clive Madande (wk)6. Ryan Burl7. Johnathan Campbell8. Luke Jongwe9. Wellington Masakadza10. Faraz Akram11. Blessing MuzarabaniThe match marks the end of a successful tour for Bangladesh, who have dominated Zimbabwe throughout the series. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will be looking to salvage some pride and end the tour on a positive note.

Cricket, a game of intense competition and skill, often provides moments of hilarity and amusement. During the fourth T20I between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in Dhaka, an incident occurred that left both players and commentators in disbelief.In the final over of Bangladesh's innings, Blessing Muzarabani bowled a slower ball to Tanvir Islam. Islam defended the ball to Muzarabani's right, who missed an opportunity to run out Mustafizur Rahman. The ball reached third man, and the batters attempted a second run. However, Mustafizur had run a considerable distance, making it an easy run-out at the bowler's end.As the throw came from third man to the non-striker's end, Jonathan Campbell fumbled but still had ample time to run out Mustafizur. However, in a comical turn of events, Campbell under-armed the ball from a few meters away and missed the stumps. The Zimbabwean players and commentators were left in disbelief at the missed opportunity.Campbell could have easily dived and removed the stumps, but his close-range miss provided a moment of laughter and amusement. Bangladesh went on to win the match by five runs, securing the series victory after winning the first three matches. Zimbabwe will wrap up their tour with the fifth and final match of the series in Dhaka on Sunday.

Zimbabwe's captain, Sikandar Raza, opted to field first in the fourth T20I against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. The visitors made two changes to their lineup, bringing in left-arm quick Richard Ngarava and batter Ryan Burl in place of wicketkeeper Joylord Gumbie and middle-order batter Craig Ervine.Bangladesh's captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, also expressed his preference for bowling first. The hosts welcomed back Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, and Mustafizur Rahman to their squad, replacing Mahmudullah, Litton Das, and Mohammad Saifuddin.Shakib's return marked his first T20I appearance since July 2023, having been sidelined by an eye condition and a finger injury. Mustafizur, on the other hand, rejoined the team after a brief rest following his stint with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.This match marked the first T20I to be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium since March 2023. Bangladesh had played their previous 11 T20Is in Sylhet or Chattogram.Bangladesh currently holds a commanding 3-0 lead in the five-match series, having won the first three matches by eight wickets, six wickets, and nine runs, respectively.

Bangladesh's 3-0 lead in the T20I series against Zimbabwe has been met with mixed reactions. While some fans celebrate the victories, others dismiss them due to Zimbabwe's lower ranking. However, Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed emphasizes that the team remains focused on improving ahead of the T20 World Cup."Our goals are World Cup-oriented," Taskin said. "We have to give our best in all conditions. If we can get into the World Cup with five or ten percent improvement, we can start well in that tournament."Taskin has been a standout performer for Bangladesh, taking six wickets in three games. He attributes his success to improved rhythm and hard work."I struggled with my rhythm in the BPL and Sri Lanka series, but it's improving now," he said. "I'm working hard, and the team expects me to bowl at high pace."Despite the low-scoring nature of the series, Taskin believes Bangladesh is giving its all."Conditions are different here than in the IPL," he said. "We're giving our 100 percent, even against Zimbabwe."Bangladesh's top-order batters have struggled, but Taskin remains optimistic."We're working on it," he said. "I hope we can do better in these two matches."Taskin is also encouraged by the emergence of young fast bowlers in domestic cricket."It's a great sign that more fast bowlers are coming into the scene," he said. "It's an additional motivation for us in the national team."

Zimbabwe's captain, Sikandar Raza, opted to field first in the third T20I against Bangladesh in Chattogram. This decision mirrored that of his Bangladeshi counterpart, Najmul Hossain Shanto, in the previous two matches.Zimbabwe made two changes to their lineup. Richard Ngarava was ruled out due to injury, with Faraz Akram taking his place. Wellington Masakadza returned from concussion concerns, replacing Ainsley Ndlovu.Bangladesh also made alterations, resting Shoriful Islam and Mahedi Hasan. Tanzim Hasan and Tanvir Islam were brought in as replacements. These changes resulted in a shorter batting lineup for Bangladesh, with Rishad Hossain likely to bat at number seven.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, boasts a strong batting order with seven batters before their all-rounders.

Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, opted to field first after winning the toss in the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Chattogram. The hosts fielded an unchanged XI from their eight-wicket victory in the series opener.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, made two alterations to their lineup. Johnathan Campbell, the son of former Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell, made his T20I debut, while Ainsley Ndlovu replaced Sean Williams. Wellington Masakadza was ruled out due to concussion symptoms sustained in the first match.The third T20I will be played in Chattogram on May 7, followed by the final two matches in Dhaka on May 10 and 12.Bangladesh XI:1. Tanzid Hasan2. Litton Das3. Najmul Hossain Shanto (c)4. Towhid Hridoy5. Mahmudullah6. Jaker Ali (wk)7. Mahedi Hasan8. Rishad Hossain9. Mohammad Saifuddin10. Taskin Ahmed11. Shoriful IslamZimbabwe XI:1. Joylord Gumbie (wk)2. Craig Ervine3. Brian Bennett4. Sikandar Raza (c)5. Clive Madande6. Johnathan Campbell7. Ryan Burl8. Luke Jongwe9. Ainsley Ndlovu10. Richard Ngarava11. Blessing Muzarabani