Cricket

Cricket Namibia has made history by becoming the first sports governing body in the country to offer professional contracts to both its men's and women's national cricket teams. This groundbreaking move marks a significant milestone for women's sports in Namibia.The contracts, negotiated and signed in February, were officially announced on Tuesday. Cricket Namibia chief executive Johan Muller expressed his excitement, stating, "For the first time, we have been able to professionalize the women's game. This is a significant moment for sports in the country. It's the first time ladies have been signed on contracts where cricket is their occupation."The contracts provide financial support to ten talented women cricketers, enabling them to pursue their passion while supporting their households. The value of the contracts and other details remain confidential.The contracted players include Kayleen Green, Sune Wittmann, Arrasta Diergaardt, Edelle van Zyl, Bianca Manuel, Irene van Zyl, Wilka Mwatile, Mekelaye Mwatile, Naomi Benjamin, and Saima Tuhadeleni.The Namibia women's team, known as the "Capricorn Eagles," currently holds the 17th position in the ICC Women's T20I team rankings, their highest ranking to date. Despite a recent setback at the African Games, where they won only one group-stage game, the team has made significant progress since receiving T20I status in 2018.In their 72 international matches, Namibia has emerged victorious in 44. In 2019, they represented Africa in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier but narrowly missed out on advancing to the main event in 2020.Cricket Namibia's commitment to professionalizing women's cricket is a testament to the growing recognition of women's sports in the country. The contracts will not only provide financial stability to the players but also inspire young girls to pursue their dreams in cricket.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has vehemently denied allegations of delayed player payments in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), following a report by the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA). FICA's "leagues hub" report highlighted widespread payment issues in several major franchise leagues, including the PSL.However, Usman Wahla, the PCB's director of international cricket operations, categorically stated that the PSL has never experienced any payment delays. He emphasized that the league's contract terms stipulate prompt payments, with 70% of player fees due within seven days of arrival in Pakistan and the remaining 30% within 40 days of the final league match.The PCB's denial comes after Australian all-rounder James Faulkner withdrew from the 2022 PSL season, alleging contract breaches. The board had previously denied any wrongdoing, stating that no player had ever complained about unfulfilled contractual obligations in the PSL's history.FICA's report also raised concerns about payment issues in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women's Premier League (WPL), as well as other major franchise tournaments. Tom Moffat, FICA's CEO, emphasized the need for global regulation and increased accountability to protect players' interests.The PCB has maintained its commitment to fair and timely payments, while FICA continues to advocate for minimum contract standards and effective pay enforcement mechanisms in domestic leagues. The organization aims to support players and their representatives by providing information and resources to assist their decision-making.

Viral Video Sparks Outrage: Security Staff Allegedly Assaults Fan After Virat Kohli IncidentA disturbing video has emerged on social media, allegedly showing a fan being brutally beaten by security staff at a cricket stadium. The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the excessive use of force by security personnel.The video, which has gone viral, shows a group of security guards repeatedly hitting a fan with batons. The fan, who is seen lying on the ground, is unable to defend himself as the guards continue to assault him.Social media users have claimed that the fan in the video is the same person who breached security to meet Virat Kohli on the pitch during a recent Indian Premier League (IPL) match. The fan had touched Kohli's feet and hugged him, leading to his removal from the ground.However, it has not been confirmed whether the fan in the video is the same individual who met Kohli. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of fans at sporting events and the need for proper crowd management.The video has drawn widespread condemnation, with many calling for an investigation into the incident. Some have accused the security staff of using excessive force and violating the fan's rights."This is absolutely unacceptable behavior," said one Twitter user. "Security guards have no right to assault fans. They should be held accountable for their actions."Another user wrote: "This is a disgrace. The fan may have breached security, but that does not justify this level of violence. The authorities need to take action."The incident has also raised questions about the role of security personnel at sporting events. Some have argued that security guards should be trained to handle crowd situations in a more professional and humane manner."Security guards need to be trained to de-escalate situations and use force only as a last resort," said one expert. "They should not be allowed to use excessive force or violate the rights of fans."The authorities have not yet commented on the incident. However, it is expected that an investigation will be launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the assault.

Australia's dominance over Bangladesh continued in the third and final ODI in Dhaka, as they secured an emphatic eight-wicket victory to complete a clean sweep of the series.Opting to bowl first, Australia's opening bowlers Kim Garth and Ellyse Perry wreaked havoc on Bangladesh's top order. Garth dismissed Fargana Hoque and Sumaiya Akter for ducks, while Perry removed Murshida Khatun for 8. Bangladesh's innings never gained momentum, as they lost wickets at regular intervals.Captain Nigar Sultana top-scored for Bangladesh with a gritty 16 off 39 deliveries, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to provide any substantial support. Garth finished with impressive figures of 3 for 11, while Ash Gardner (3 for 25), Perry (2 for 17), and Sophie Molineux (2 for 23) shared the remaining wickets.Australia's chase was a formality, as Alyssa Healy (33), Perry (27*), and Beth Mooney (21*) guided them to victory in just 18.3 overs. Healy fell leg before to Rabeya Khatun, while Phoebe Litchfield was caught and bowled by Sultana Khatun for 12.Gardner's outstanding performance throughout the series earned her the Player-of-the-Series award. She claimed 3 for 22 and scored 32 in the first ODI, and in the second, she took 2 for 22 and made an unbeaten 20.Australia's victory extends their unbeaten streak against Bangladesh in ODIs to 10 matches. The two teams will now face off in a three-match T20I series, starting on March 31 in Dhaka.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Harshit Rana's cheeky send-off to Sunrisers Hyderabad's Mayank Agarwal during their IPL 2024 match in Kolkata has sparked controversy. Rana's act of blowing a flying kiss towards Agarwal after dismissing him has drawn criticism from some quarters.Rana's celebration resulted in a hefty fine from the IPL. The league fined him 60 percent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. Rana committed two Level 1 offenses under Article 2.5 of the code, which prohibits "conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game."The incident has also drawn attention to the issue of sportsmanship in cricket. Legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar expressed his disapproval of Rana's actions, stating that "cricket can be played without these antics."However, some have defended Rana's celebration, arguing that it was a harmless expression of joy. Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma even recreated the gesture with Agarwal ahead of their match on Wednesday.The incident has sparked a debate about the boundaries of acceptable behavior in cricket. While some believe that Rana's actions were disrespectful, others argue that they were simply a playful expression of emotion.Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they find Rana's celebration to be appropriate. However, it is important to remember that cricket is a game that should be played with respect for both the opposition and the spirit of the game.

Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli's childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, hailed the batter's match-winning performance against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday. Kohli's batting masterclass, combined with finishing touches from Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror, sealed a four-wicket win for RCB at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.Kohli's 77-run innings was a testament to his class and experience. He registered a unique record during the match, becoming the first Indian and overall only third player to score 100 T20 fifty-plus scores. The 35-year-old was back at his vintage best, scoring 77 runs in 49 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes. He scored his runs at a strike rate of over 157.In 378 appearances, Kohli has scored 12,092 runs at an average of 41.26, with eight centuries and 92 fifties. His best score is 122*. Virat is India's leading T20 run getter and overall sixth.In terms of most fifty-plus scores, above Kohli are West Indies batting great Chris Gayle (110 fifty-plus scores including 22 centuries) and Australian great David Warner (109 fifty-plus scores including eight centuries).Coming to the match, Punjab Kings (PBKS) saw their batters getting starts but none of them could convert it into something big. Skipper Shikhar Dhawan (45 in 37 balls with five fours and a six), Jitesh Sharma (27 in 20 balls with a four and two sixes), and Sam Curran (23 in 17 balls) played decent knocks, but on a batting-friendly Chinnaswammy track, PBKS could muster only 176/6 in 20 overs.Mohammed Siraj (2/26) and Glenn Maxwell (2/29) took two scalps each. Yash Dayal and Alzarri Joseph took a wicket each.In the chase of 177, RCB continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, but Kohli (77 in 49 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes) held the ship steady at the other end. After his dismissal, things got tricky for RCB, but finishing from Dinesh Karthik (28* in 10 balls, with three fours and two sixes) and Mahipal Lomror (17* in eight balls, with two fours and a six) guided the team to a four-wicket win with four balls left.Harpreet Brar (2/13) and Kagiso Rabada (2/23) were the pick of the bowlers for PBKS.Kohli was awarded the Player of the Match for his marvelous innings.

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians Set for Clash in IPL 2024Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians will face off in Match 8 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Both teams are looking to bounce back from disappointing starts to the season.Sunrisers Hyderabad, led by Mayank Agarwal, have lost their opening match to Kolkata Knight Riders by four runs. Mumbai Indians, captained by Rohit Sharma, also suffered a defeat in their first game, losing to Gujarat Titans by six runs.The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium pitch is known for its balance, providing assistance to both batters and bowlers. The average first-innings score at this venue in the last 20 matches is 166 runs.In their last head-to-head encounter in IPL 2023, Mumbai Indians emerged victorious. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad have a slight edge in the overall head-to-head record, having won 11 of the 21 matches played between the two teams.Fantasy Picks:Captain: Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)Vice-Captain: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians)Wicket-Keepers: Heinrich Klaasen (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians)Batters: Dewald Brevis (Mumbai Indians), Mayank Agarwal (Sunrisers Hyderabad)All-Rounders: Tilak Verma (Mumbai Indians), Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians), Marco Jansen (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Washington Sundar (Sunrisers Hyderabad)Bowlers: Gerald Coetzee (Mumbai Indians), T Natarajan (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Umran Malik (Sunrisers Hyderabad)Weather Conditions:The temperature in Hyderabad on Wednesday is expected to be around 32 degrees Celsius, with humidity at 24%. Winds are expected to blow at a speed of 4.26 m/s.Conclusion:The clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians promises to be an exciting contest. Both teams will be eager to secure their first win of the season and climb up the points table. With a balanced pitch and a mix of experienced and talented players on both sides, the match is likely to be a close and entertaining affair.

Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin's Heartwarming Exchange at RR Practice SessionAhead of the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Jaipur on March 28, a touching moment unfolded during the practice session involving Indian teammates Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin.RR, who commenced their campaign with a 20-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants, were eager to maintain their winning momentum. DC, on the other hand, suffered a defeat to Punjab Kings by four wickets in their opening match.During the practice session, Ashwin stood behind Pant's practice net, offering words of encouragement to boost his spirits. The accomplished wicketkeeper-batsman, who recently returned to competitive cricket after surviving a life-threatening accident in December 2022, wasted no time in displaying his prowess, sending the ball soaring into the sky.This exchange between the two Indian cricket stars evoked memories of the lively interactions they often share while representing India. It's a familiar sight to witness Pant cheering on Ashwin from behind the stumps, saying, "Come on, Ash! Come on Ash!".However, on this occasion, the roles reversed. Pant's comeback innings during DC's match against Punjab saw him scoring 18 runs off 13 balls, including two fours. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman will be eager to surpass his performance this time and captivate the Jaipur audience.The heartwarming exchange between Pant and Ashwin highlights the camaraderie and support that exists within the Indian cricket team. It also serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of Pant, who has overcome adversity to return to the field.As the IPL season progresses, fans can expect to witness more such moments of sportsmanship and camaraderie, both on and off the field.

Gujarat Titans' pace bowler Mohit Sharma expressed the difficulty of replacing a bowler of Mohammed Shami's caliber after his team's 63-run defeat to Chennai Super Kings. Shami, India's premier pacer, is recovering from ankle surgery and will miss the IPL and T20 World Cup."Any team would miss a bowler like Shami. You can't replace him with anyone," said Sharma, who played for CSK from 2013 to 2015. "But injuries are uncontrollable, and you must move ahead."Sharma acknowledged the inexperience of GT's new bowlers, Spencer Johnson and Azmatullah Omarzai. "They haven't played much cricket yet. We must be patient with them and not become too result-oriented."He emphasized the importance of focusing on execution rather than results. "We must not bother about the runs leaked or the result, but how successful we are with our plans and how we are working on it backstage."CSK posted a formidable 206 for six, with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rachin Ravindra, and Shivam Dube contributing significantly. GT bowlers struggled, with Umesh Yadav conceding 27 in two overs and Rashid Khan going for 49 in four overs.Sharma attributed CSK's success to their aggressive approach in the powerplay. "They tried to get the maximum out of the powerplay overs," he said. "We failed to execute our plans properly and judge the width and length during our bowling."Despite the loss, Sharma defended GT's decision to bowl first, citing the potential for dew in night games. "We knew that the dew might play a factor later during the game," he said.However, Sharma praised CSK bowlers for their execution. "Deepak (Chahar) started well, and at the end of the day, it all boils down to the number of variations you possess and when and how to use them."He refused to blame GT's batters for the poor show. "I won't say we failed to score runs, but credit to the CSK bowlers for bowling brilliantly," he said. "The wickets that we lost initially, leading to lack of partnerships, followed by CSK bowlers bowling the right length, led to our inability to up the run rate."