Cricket

Pakistan's captain, Fatima Sana, displayed remarkable resilience and courage in the face of personal tragedy during her team's final group match of the Women's T20 World Cup against New Zealand. Despite losing her father just days prior, the 22-year-old all-rounder returned to lead her team, prioritizing her national duty over her personal loss.Sana's emotional state was evident as she stood for the National Anthem, her tears flowing freely. The visuals of her grief-stricken expression quickly went viral on social media, capturing the hearts of cricket fans worldwide.Pakistan's campaign in the tournament ended with a disappointing defeat, but Sana's unwavering spirit in the face of adversity served as an inspiration. She had rushed back home to be with her family after her father's passing, missing the game against Australia. However, she returned in time for the crucial encounter against New Zealand, determined to make a difference.Chasing a modest target of 111, Pakistan's batting lineup faltered, collapsing to a mere 56 runs. Sana emerged as the team's top scorer with a knock of 21, but it was not enough to prevent their elimination from the tournament.The defeat marked the end of the road for all three Asian teams in the tournament, with India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka finishing third, fourth, and fifth respectively in Group A. Australia and New Zealand advanced to the semifinals from the group.Sana's courage and determination in the face of personal tragedy have earned her widespread admiration. Her actions serve as a reminder of the strength and resilience that can be found even in the most challenging of circumstances.

The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) is set to witness a significant technological upgrade in its tenth season, with the introduction of a third umpire in every game and an increase in matches utilizing the Decision Review System (DRS).To enhance the accuracy of on-field decisions, the WBBL will implement a third umpire for the first time. This additional official will be responsible for reviewing close calls and providing assistance to the on-field umpires.Furthermore, the league will expand the use of DRS to 33 out of the 43 matches. DRS allows teams to challenge umpiring decisions related to dismissals, such as leg before wicket (LBW), caught behind, and run outs. The TV umpire will have the authority to overturn or uphold the on-field decision based on video replays.In addition to the expanded DRS coverage, the WBBL will introduce an innings timer. Similar to the Big Bash League (BBL), teams will have 73 minutes to be ready to bowl the first ball of the 20th over. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a fielding penalty, requiring an extra fielder inside the circle.The implementation of these technological advancements aims to improve the fairness and accuracy of the game. Alistair Dobson, the head of Big Bash Leagues, emphasized the importance of world-class technology in a world-class competition. He believes that the expanded DRS coverage, TV umpire availability, and innings timer will enhance the viewing experience and provide a more consistent and fair playing field for the players.The tenth season of the WBBL kicks off on October 27 with a triple-header day. Defending champions Adelaide Strikers will face Brisbane Heat in a rematch of last season's final, followed by Melbourne Renegades against Sydney Sixers at the same venue. Perth Scorchers will then host Melbourne Stars at the WACA.

In a thrilling encounter at the National Cricket League Sixty Strikes tournament, Chicago CC emerged victorious over Atlanta Kings by a commanding 43-run margin. Chicago's explosive batting display set the tone for the match, with skipper Robin Uthappa leading the charge with a blistering 15-ball 35. Leonardo Julien and Mikyle Louis followed suit, contributing 61 off 22 and 43 off 17 respectively, propelling Chicago to a formidable total of 160/4 in 10 overs.Atlanta's chase got off to a shaky start, with the team struggling to keep up with the required run rate. Despite valiant efforts from James Neesham (29 off 16) and Tom Bruce (61 off 21), Atlanta fell short of the target, finishing on 117/8.Chicago's bowlers played a crucial role in the victory, with Sohail Tanvir emerging as the standout performer. Tanvir's economical spell of 2/13 in 2 overs stifled Atlanta's batting lineup. Leonardo Julien, who had earlier impressed with the bat, also chipped in with a wicket.Atlanta's bowlers, led by Ben Russell's 3/28, failed to provide adequate support, allowing Chicago's batters to dominate the crease. Danish Aziz, in particular, endured a torrid time, conceding 53 runs in just 2 overs.Chicago's victory was a testament to their aggressive batting approach and disciplined bowling performance. Leonardo Julien's all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award.

New Zealand's Test series opener against India in Bengaluru has been dealt a significant blow with the absence of their star batsman Kane Williamson. The 34-year-old is still recovering from a groin strain sustained during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.Williamson's absence is a major setback for the Kiwis, who are looking to make a strong start to their India tour. The experienced campaigner has been in excellent form this year, amassing 618 runs in 12 innings, including three centuries and two half-centuries. His leadership and experience will be sorely missed in the opening game.Williamson's record in India is not particularly impressive, with an average of 33.53 in 15 innings. However, his absence as a leader will be keenly felt by the Black Caps. Tom Latham has taken over as captain, but he will be without the guidance of Williamson, who has a wealth of experience playing in India.Williamson made his Test debut against India in Ahmedabad in 2010, scoring a century against a formidable attack featuring Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh. His absence presents an opportunity for Mark Chapman to potentially make his Test debut. Chapman has played 78 white-ball matches for New Zealand and has enjoyed success while touring India with the New Zealand A side.The mouth-watering series gets underway in Bengaluru, with the second Test in Pune and the final Test in Mumbai. India will be keen to win their home series against New Zealand to strengthen their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) before their tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.New Zealand, on the other hand, are yet to win a Test series in India and will be determined to put up a strong showing against Rohit Sharma and Co.

The second Test match between Pakistan and England commenced in Multan on Tuesday, with Pakistan winning the toss and opting to bat first. The match is being played on the same pitch used for the first Test, which Pakistan lost by an innings despite scoring over 500 runs in their first innings.England welcomed back their Test skipper and star allrounder Ben Stokes, who replaced Chris Woakes in the playing XI. Pakistan made three changes to their team, with Kamran Ghulam, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan coming in for Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah.The pitch report by Michael Atherton indicated that the ground staff had taken measures to prepare the surface for the match. The pitch was watered two days prior and dried using fans and the sun. Atherton expects the pitch to play well for the first day or two.Pakistan's openers, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, faced England's opening bowler Matthew Potts. The field had two slips and a leg slip in place. The match began with Potts bowling to Shafique.Pakistan's decision to bat first was influenced by the fact that they lost the first Test in an embarrassing fashion. Despite scoring over 500 runs in their first innings, they went on to lose by an innings, giving England a 1-0 lead in the series.Pakistan will be looking to level the series in Multan, while England will be aiming to extend their lead. The match is expected to be closely contested, with both teams having a strong chance of victory.

As India embarks on a three-Test series against New Zealand, the spotlight falls on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, the young prodigies tasked with carrying the torch of Indian cricket. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma nearing the twilight of their careers, these two rising stars must prove their mettle and demonstrate their ability to lead the team into the future.Jaiswal and Gill have shown immense promise in recent times. Gill has amassed three centuries and two fifties in his last 10 Test innings, while Jaiswal boasts a 214 and five fifties in his last eight outings. However, they face challenges that they must overcome to establish themselves as reliable pillars of the Indian batting lineup.Jaiswal has a tendency to play expansive shots against pace bowlers, leading to his dismissal on several occasions. Gill, too, has struggled against incoming deliveries from pacers. These weaknesses will be tested against New Zealand's capable pace attack, featuring Matt Henry, William O'Rourke, and Tim Southee.While Kohli and Rohit remain integral to the team, their recent form has been underwhelming. Kohli has not scored a fifty in six innings this year, while Rohit has managed only one fifty in his last 13 innings. The onus is on these stalwarts to rediscover their touch and provide stability to the batting order.New Zealand, on the other hand, faces its own set of problems. Their batsmen struggled against Sri Lankan spinners in their recent away series, and they will now face the formidable duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on Indian soil. The Kiwis will also have to contend with the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been in devastating form.India has a slight edge in terms of bowling, with Bumrah, Ashwin, and Jadeja forming a formidable trio. However, they must decide whether to field a third pacer in Akash Deep or opt for a spinner like Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel, who can provide additional batting depth.The weather forecast predicts gloomy conditions, which could lead to delayed starts and truncated sessions. This may influence India's decision-making regarding their bowling lineup.As the series unfolds, the performances of Jaiswal, Gill, Kohli, and Rohit will be closely scrutinized. India will be eager to assert its dominance over New Zealand, while the Kiwis will be determined to prove their mettle against a formidable opponent.

Sanju Samson's scintillating century in the third T20I against Bangladesh has not only earned him accolades but also the admiration of his teammate, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. Despite not featuring in the series, Jitesh expressed his joy for Samson's achievement, highlighting the camaraderie within the Indian team.Jitesh, who is also vying for a spot in the Playing XI, acknowledged Samson's struggles in the first two games but remained confident in his abilities. "I understand how his first two innings didn’t go well, but I was hoping he would score because I’ve seen Sanju’s hard work, and he had a good IPL season too," said Jitesh.The Indian team's persistence with Samson at the top of the order gave Jitesh hope, even though he was warming the bench. "It was good to see the Indian team back Sanju and give him opportunities to play. Seeing that gives hope to those who are not in the playing XI, knowing that when their time comes, they will receive the same kind of support," he said.Jitesh emphasized the importance of focusing on individual growth rather than comparisons with others. "I don’t see myself comparing with others because all wicket keepers focus on their own performance and growth, rather than competing against each other. Everyone has a different role, a different playing style—each of us is unique," he explained.Instead, he is concentrating on improving his batting, keeping, and fitness. "I believe it’s better to focus on myself rather than on others. We are all doing our best. When I put myself in their shoes and imagine failing, it feels bad. Everyone feels that way, so I don’t compare myself to others. Instead, I focus on my process—my batting, keeping, and fitness," he added.Head coach Gautam Gambhir's recent emphasis on supporting players has resonated with Jitesh, who is seeking to establish himself in the squad. "Those are important things to remember because anyone playing for India has earned that place. Everyone deals with pressure differently. Some players become comfortable quickly, while others take more time. I think these words carry meaning for anyone new to the team. They offer comfort, as every player is nervous in their early stages. If the coach gives that kind of reassurance, it allows the player to play freely, knowing they won’t be judged by one or two innings. The team knows that the player has performed well before and will receive their backing," he concluded.

The highly anticipated first Test between India and New Zealand, scheduled to commence on Wednesday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, faces the threat of rain interruptions. Weather forecasts predict consistent cloud cover and thunderstorms, with a high probability of precipitation throughout the five-day match.According to local weather reports, Bengaluru is expected to witness "generally cloudy sky with heavy rain" from October 16 to 18. While the forecast slightly improves for the final two days, rain remains a possibility. This inclement weather could force frequent stoppages and impact the flow of the game.India, fresh off a 2-0 Test series sweep against Bangladesh, currently lead the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir has urged his team to avoid complacency against a formidable New Zealand side."New Zealand is a different challenge altogether. They have high-quality players who can hurt us. We respect them, but we don't fear anyone. We need to be focused from the first ball," Gambhir emphasized.India's Test schedule includes eight more matches before the conclusion of the 2024-25 WTC cycle. After the three-Test series against New Zealand, they will embark on a highly anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy tour of Australia, which will feature a five-Test series for the first time.The WTC final is scheduled to take place at Lord's in June 2024. India's performance in the upcoming Test matches will be crucial in determining their chances of reaching the final.

Hobart Hurricanes have made history by calling up 13-year-old Mia Barwick to their squad for the T20 Spring Challenge. Barwick, a promising pace bowler, replaces Heather Graham, who has joined the Australian team for the T20 World Cup following Tayla Vlaeminck's injury.Barwick has showcased her talent in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League and has represented Australia at the Under-16 and Under-19 Female National Championships. Her inclusion in the Hurricanes squad is a testament to her exceptional skills and the Hurricanes' commitment to developing young talent.The T20 Spring Challenge has provided a platform for young players to gain valuable experience in the absence of leading Australian players competing in the T20 World Cup and overseas WBBL players. Sydney Sixers have also given an opportunity to 15-year-old allrounder Caoimhe Bray, who has impressed with her performances for Australia Under-19s.The Spring Challenge was introduced to compensate for the reduced number of games in the WBBL, which will feature a 40-game regular season. Initially conceived as a state competition, it was later aligned with WBBL clubs due to pressure from New South Wales and Victoria.Barwick's inclusion in the Hurricanes squad is a significant milestone for women's cricket in Australia. It demonstrates the growing opportunities for young female athletes and the importance of providing pathways for their development. The T20 Spring Challenge is playing a crucial role in this regard, offering young players the chance to showcase their skills and gain experience at the highest level.