Cricket

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has vehemently defended his son-in-law, Shaheen Shah Afridi, amidst rumors of his potential removal as the national T20 captain. Afridi emphasized the importance of providing Shaheen with ample time to prove his worth."If you appoint someone as captain and entrust them with responsibility, you must also grant them time," Afridi asserted. He criticized the tendency in Pakistani cricket to overhaul the system with every change in leadership. "Whoever takes charge believes their approach is the best for Pakistan cricket," he lamented.Afridi believes Shaheen deserves a fair chance to demonstrate his capabilities. "If you change the captain, it implies either the initial decision to appoint him was flawed or the current decision to replace him is misguided," he reasoned.Afridi played a pivotal role in Shaheen's appointment as T20 captain after Pakistan's disappointing performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup. Babar Azam was subsequently removed as white-ball captain, and he later resigned from the red-ball captaincy.Afridi also advocated for the appointment of a high-profile foreign coach, such as Andy Flower, who possesses a proven track record. However, he stressed the importance of having a Pakistani support staff to foster the development of local talent.Regarding the inclusion of Imad Wasim and Muhammad Amir in the national training camp, Afridi expressed reservations about their fitness. "It would have been prudent to assess their fitness first," he said. However, he acknowledged that if they can endure the rigorous two-week camp in Kakul, they will emerge as exceptional players.Amir, who recently returned from retirement, has also voiced his support for Shaheen as T20 captain. "Shaheen is not lacking in ability, and I believe he should be given time to prove himself," he tweeted.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has been penalized with a hefty fine of Rs 12 lakh for violating the Indian Premier League's (IPL) over-rate regulations during their match against Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday. This marks the first offense for the Gujarat Titans under the IPL's Code of Conduct for slow over rates.Gill's team suffered their maiden defeat in the ongoing IPL season, succumbing to a 63-run loss against the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings. Despite leading the Gujarat Titans to victory in their opening match against Mumbai Indians, Gill's side faced a setback in their second outing.The IPL's statement regarding the fine emphasized that it was Gill's team's first offense of the season under the relevant Code of Conduct. As a result, Gill was imposed with a fine of Rs 12 lakh.This incident highlights the importance of maintaining the prescribed over rate in IPL matches. The league's regulations aim to ensure a fair and consistent pace of play, preventing teams from intentionally delaying the game.Gill's fine serves as a reminder to all IPL captains and teams to adhere to the over-rate guidelines. Failure to do so can result in significant financial penalties and potential disciplinary action.

England's T20I and ODI campaign against New Zealand has been dealt a blow with the news that legspinner Sarah Glenn has been ruled out due to concussion. Glenn sustained the injury during the third T20I in Nelson, where she landed heavily after dropping a catch.Despite initially staying on the field and bowling the next over, Glenn was eventually substituted out for Holly Armitage at the change of innings. She missed the fourth T20I in Wellington and will now miss at least the first two ODIs as she follows the ECB's Graded Return to Play Protocols.Glenn's absence is a significant loss for England, as she is a key member of their spin attack. However, the team was able to replace her with Sophie Ecclestone in Wellington, who returned to the squad after featuring in the Women's Premier League (WPL).Alongside Ecclestone, Danni Wyatt, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Alice Capsey also became available for the fourth T20I, which England won by a commanding 47 runs to wrap up the series.Offspinner Charlie Dean claimed four wickets in the fourth T20I, and with Ecclestone and Glenn also available, England could field a formidable spin attack for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.Meanwhile, New Zealand have an injury concern of their own after captain Sophie Devine sustained a quad strain in Wellington. Devine was limited to one over and did not bat, and will undergo an MRI scan on Thursday to determine the extent of the injury."Probably just a small niggle," Devine said. "Just looking ahead with the one-dayers being really important with WC [World Championship] points. I probably wanted to get back out there but someone with a bit more of a rational brain kept me off."

Wellington have emerged victorious as the Plunket Shield champions after the final day of their match against Northern Districts in Hamilton was washed out due to inclement weather. The match at Seddon Park was a virtual final, with Wellington and Northern Districts being the only two teams in contention for the title in the final round.Wellington entered the game with a narrow lead at the top of the table and managed to accumulate sufficient bonus points during the first two innings to maintain their advantage. Northern Districts had a glimmer of hope after Tim Seifert's century gave them a slender lead of 88, and they had Wellington reeling at 127 for 4 in their second innings. However, they were unable to take the field on the final day, handing the title to Wellington.Wellington captain Tom Blundell expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "Ideally, you want to see the game go the distance, but it's a competition where you work hard throughout the season. We're unbeaten the whole season, so I think for me, we are the deserving winners." He added, "It's a pretty special day. For me, the Plunket Shield is probably the most rewarding trophy in domestic cricket. You play a whole season, and to come away with the Plunket Shield is a pretty special memory."Blundell played a pivotal role in Wellington's triumph, scoring a century in their first innings to lift them to 323. He shared a crucial 77-run partnership with Ben Sears for the final wicket, earning vital bonus points.Otago's Dale Phillips emerged as the leading run-scorer for the season, amassing 686 runs at an average of 49.00, including two centuries in the final two rounds. Central Districts' Greg Hay, who finished third with 643 runs at 49.46, announced his retirement from the game at the end of the season, signing off with an impressive 179 off 434 balls against Otago.Wellington's Nathan Smith was the top wicket-taker with 33 wickets at an average of 17.18, including two five-wicket hauls.

Cricket Fans Resort to Unconventional Methods to Witness IPL ClashThe Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for its electrifying atmosphere and passionate fans. However, the high ticket prices often make it difficult for many enthusiasts to attend matches. This was evident during the IPL 2024 season opener between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Chepauk Stadium.A viral video circulating on social media captured the ingenuity of cricket fans who resorted to unconventional methods to catch the action. The video shows a large crowd of fans queuing up in front of vents at Chepauk railway station. By positioning themselves near these vents, they were able to catch glimpses of the match without having to purchase expensive tickets.This incident highlights the unwavering passion of IPL fans, who are willing to go to great lengths to witness their favorite teams in action. Despite the financial constraints, they found a creative way to enjoy the spectacle.CSK, led by legendary captain MS Dhoni, has made a strong start to the 17th edition of the IPL. With two wins in their first two matches, they currently sit atop the points table. The team's success has further fueled the enthusiasm of their fans, who are eager to see them lift the trophy once again.The IPL has become a global phenomenon, attracting fans from all walks of life. The tournament's unique format and high-octane matches have made it one of the most popular sporting events in the world. While ticket prices can be a barrier for some, the passion and dedication of fans like those at Chepauk railway station serve as a reminder of the true spirit of the game.

IPL 2023: Home Dominance, Indian Stars Shine, and the Impact of the Two Bouncer RuleThe Indian Premier League (IPL) has kicked off with a bang, and six games in, there are already some notable trends emerging.Home DominanceOne striking feature of the tournament so far has been the dominance of home teams. All six games have been won by the team playing at their home venue. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gujarat Titans (GT), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have all emerged victorious on their home turf. It remains to be seen whether this trend will continue throughout the tournament.Indian Players ShiningThe IPL has always been a platform for Indian players to showcase their talent, and this year is no exception. Despite the presence of several foreign stars, Indian players have made a significant impact in the early stages of the tournament. Harshit Rana for KKR, Virat Kohli for RCB, Mohit Sharma and Sai Kishore for the Titans, Naman Dheer's cameo for MI, Harpreet Brar's squeeze act for Punjab vs RCB, and Yash Dayal and Mohd Siraj's timely strikes for Punjab have all been standout performances.Two Bouncer RuleAnother notable aspect of the tournament has been the effective use of the two bouncer rule by pacers. This rule allows bowlers to bowl two bouncers per over, and it has been used both defensively and offensively. Mohit Sharma and Spencer Johnson used the large field and biggish square boundaries at Ahmedabad to bang the ball in the surface and make the MI batters hit the ball in the air, resulting in catches in the deep. RCB also used the ploy to strangle Shivam Dube of CSK. Former South African pace great Dale Steyn tweeted, "Short ball tactic is already showing who can and who can't. Gana (sic) be a long tournament for some batters."

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has identified former Australia and New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Luke Ronchi as its preferred candidate for the vacant head coach position. Extensive discussions have been held with the 42-year-old, who has also coached Pakistan Super League side Islamabad United.The PCB's search for a high-profile coach has been hampered by a lack of interest from potential candidates, many of whom are already committed to other leagues or have reservations about working in Pakistan. Ronchi, who retired from professional cricket in 2019, has since worked as a batting consultant and coach for the New Zealand team.Sources within the PCB indicate that a contract with Ronchi is expected to be finalized in the coming days, ahead of Pakistan's home T20 series against New Zealand in April. Ronchi has reportedly requested ironclad assurances that he will be given a sufficient time frame to work with the Pakistan team, regardless of the results.The PCB has faced criticism in the past for its handling of foreign and local coaches, which may have contributed to the reluctance of some candidates to accept the position. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi recently blamed the leakage of salary details and other aspects of a possible coaching contract with Shane Watson for the Australian's withdrawal from discussions.Despite the challenges, the PCB has begun its training camp at the Kakul army base in preparation for the T20 World Cup in June. Ronchi, who has the unique distinction of representing both Australia and New Zealand in international cricket, is seen as a potential solution to the PCB's coaching woes.

Cricket Australia (CA) has expressed its eagerness to host a bilateral series between India and Pakistan, should the respective cricket boards agree to such a venture. The announcement comes as both India and Pakistan are scheduled to tour Australia in November for separate series.India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13, with their encounters limited to global ICC events. However, the thrilling T20 World Cup match between the two nations at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2022, which drew a record crowd of 90,293, has reignited interest in a potential bilateral series.CA chief executive Nick Hockley emphasized the organization's desire to host such a series, stating, "We would love to host that if the opportunity arose. If we can play a role, we'd love to play a role."Hockley acknowledged that the decision ultimately rests with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), but CA remains open to facilitating the event.CA's head of scheduling, Peter Roach, also expressed interest in hosting a tri-series involving India and Pakistan, but noted that there is currently no room for such a series in the Future Tours Programme (FTP).Despite the scheduling challenges, CA remains committed to exploring opportunities to host India and Pakistan in a bilateral series. The organization believes that such a series would not only be a sporting spectacle but also a significant cultural event.

Mukesh Kumar, the promising Indian pacer, has made a significant impact on the cricketing scene with his impressive performances in all three formats. In an exclusive interview, Kumar shared his insights on his bowling prowess, the guidance he has received from senior bowlers, and his aspirations for the upcoming season.Kumar's journey to the international stage has been marked by consistent performances in domestic cricket. His ability to deliver in all three formats has earned him recognition as a versatile bowler. In 2023, he made his international debut in all three formats, showcasing his skills against some of the world's best batsmen.One of the key factors behind Kumar's success has been his ability to execute accurate yorkers. He credits his confidence in landing the yorkers to his early days in cricket, where he honed his skills in gully cricket. Kumar's yorkers have become a potent weapon in his arsenal, helping him to restrict batsmen and create pressure situations.Kumar has also benefited from the guidance of experienced fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma. He has learned the importance of not allowing batsmen to dominate and the value of unpredictability in his bowling. Bumrah's advice to bowl yorkers with the new ball has been particularly influential in Kumar's development.In the Delhi Capitals squad, Kumar has found a mentor in Ishant Sharma. Sharma's experience and knowledge have been invaluable to Kumar, who seeks his advice on bowling techniques and strategies. Sharma's belief in Kumar's abilities has instilled confidence in the young pacer.Kumar is excited about the upcoming IPL season and is determined to help Delhi Capitals win the title. He is also looking forward to the T20 World Cup, but remains focused on the present and his short-term goals.The recent introduction of fast bowling contracts by the BCCI has been welcomed by Kumar. He believes it will recognize the efforts of young pacers in domestic cricket and provide them with a sense of security.