Cricket

Mohammad Nabi, the former Afghanistan skipper, has expressed his desire to participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled for next year in Pakistan. The 39-year-old played a pivotal role in Afghanistan's 2-1 series victory over Bangladesh in Sharjah, contributing 135 runs and two wickets.Nabi's performance in the series, including a crucial 34* in the final match, helped Afghanistan chase down Bangladesh's total of 244/8 with just 10 deliveries remaining. His valuable contributions and experience were instrumental in the team's success.Despite being in the twilight of his international career, Nabi is determined to make the Champions Trophy his final chance to win an ICC trophy. "In my mind from the last (50-over) World Cup, I thought of retiring, but if I can play one Champions Trophy, it will be great for me," Nabi said. "Just small contributions from my side to the youngsters and my insight to them will be more useful."Afghanistan's recent performances in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup and ICC Men's T20 World Cup have established them as one of the most exciting white-ball teams globally. Nabi's experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team as they aim to make a mark in the Champions Trophy.Before the Champions Trophy, Afghanistan will embark on a multi-format tour of Zimbabwe, including three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Test matches in Bulawayo. These matches will provide the team with an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations and build momentum ahead of the major tournament.

Team India is poised to embark on a historic mission to Australia, aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph on foreign soil. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian squad is determined to overcome recent setbacks and secure a berth in the World Test Championship final.Despite a disappointing 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand, former India pacer and chief selector Chetan Sharma exudes confidence in the team's ability to excel in Australia. "I am 100 percent sure India will beat Australia in Australia," Sharma declared. "We have always enjoyed when India tour Australia, South Africa, or England. The best part is that we now enter as series-winning contenders whenever we tour overseas."Sharma believes the pressure will be on Australia, not India, as the hosts have been defeated twice in their own backyard by the visiting team. "They must be worried, not us," he said. "Pressure is on Australia, not India. The pressure is on Pat Cummins, not Rohit Sharma."While star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been struggling for form, Sharma remains optimistic about their contributions. "Players like Rohit and Virat are never out of form," he said. "They are never in a lean or bad patch. These words shouldn't be used for them. We are thankful to them. They are still doing it."Sharma also praised young talents Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who have been thriving under the guidance of experienced players like Kohli and Rohit. "Shubman and Yashasvi have impressed me a lot," he said. "They have learned a lot from Virat and Rohit while sharing the field and dressing room with them."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will commence with the opening Test in Perth on November 22, followed by a day-night Test at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The series will then move to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test from December 14 to 18, followed by the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The fifth and final Test will be held in Sydney, starting on January 3.

Wasim Akram's Cat Haircut Extravaganza: A Tale of Feline Indulgence and Financial MisadventureLegendary Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram recently shared a hilarious anecdote during commentary duties for the third and final Australia vs. Pakistan one-dayer. The story revolved around an exorbitant cat haircut that left Akram feeling "robbed."Akram's wife had taken their cat to a salon in Australia for a routine trim. To their astonishment, they were presented with a bill of 1,000 Australian dollars. The bewildered commentators initially dismissed Akram's claim as an exaggeration, but he promptly produced the receipt, leaving them in disbelief.The invoice revealed a breakdown of the charges: A$105 for a medical check-up, A$305 for anesthesia, A$40 for the haircut, A$120 for post-procedure care, and A$251 for a cardio test on the feline."I had a cat haircut yesterday. I had to pay 1000 dollars for it. They had to sedate the cat, they had to keep the cat, they had to feed the cat. I said I would have bought 200 cats in Pakistan for that money," Akram quipped on air.The fellow commentators couldn't help but laugh at Akram's misfortune, acknowledging that he had been "ripped off."Meanwhile, Pakistan emerged victorious in the decider against a weakened Australian side, clinching their first-ever ODI series win Down Under in 22 years. Australia had won the opener by two wickets, but Pakistan bounced back to seal the second and third ODIs by 8 and 9 wickets respectively.

India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has addressed the ongoing standoff between India and Pakistan over the 2025 Champions Trophy. The issue arose after India declined to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, prompting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to inform the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).In a video circulating on social media, Suryakumar was asked by a fan why India was not coming to Pakistan. He responded, "Brother, it is not in our hands."The PCB has since stated that it will not accept a hybrid model for the tournament, which would have allowed India to play matches at a neutral venue. According to a report in Pakistan's Dawn newspaper, the Pakistani government is considering asking the PCB to withdraw from the Champions Trophy entirely."In such a case, one of the options the government is mulling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don’t participate in the Champions Trophy," the report quoted a source.Suryakumar Yadav is currently leading the Indian T20 side in their four-match series against South Africa. The series is currently tied at 1-1, with the third T20I scheduled to be played in Centurion on Tuesday.The standoff between India and Pakistan has raised concerns about the future of the Champions Trophy. The tournament is one of the most prestigious in international cricket, and its cancellation would be a major blow to the sport.

India vs Australia Test Series: News Corp Australia Unveils Multilingual CoverageThe highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) between India and Australia is set to ignite the cricketing world, and News Corp Australia is pulling out all the stops to provide comprehensive coverage for fans across the globe. The media giant has announced an extensive eight-page wrap in English, Hindi, and Punjabi in both print and digital editions to capture the essence of the five-Test series.The Indian team has already arrived in Australia, eager to defend their BGT title. The tour kicks off with the first Test in Perth on November 22, followed by matches in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.News Corp's special edition will be distributed across its various publications in Australia, ensuring that fans have access to in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights. The coverage will commence on November 12, with a "16-page ultimate launch guide" scheduled for November 17, featuring additional content in Hindi and Punjabi.India's recent dominance in Australia has made this series even more intriguing. The visitors have emerged victorious in their last two Test tours Down Under, leaving the Aussies without a BGT triumph since 2014. However, India's recent form has been a cause for concern, with a 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand and key batsmen like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma struggling for runs.The announcement of multilingual coverage has generated excitement among cricket enthusiasts, particularly those from the Indian diaspora in Australia. The inclusion of Hindi and Punjabi content aims to cater to the growing number of Indian cricket fans who prefer to consume content in their native languages.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batsman, is approaching the twilight of his illustrious career. While his recent form has raised concerns, many believe he still has much to offer. However, Australian media reports suggest that the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) could mark Kohli's farewell from the Australian shores.Kohli's prolific batting has waned in recent times. In 2024, he has scored only 488 runs in 25 innings across formats, averaging a meager 20.33. In Test cricket, he has managed just 192 runs in 10 innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand.Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains a formidable force. He has a proven track record of success in Australia, having scored India's lone century in the 2012 series. The Herald Sun report acknowledges Kohli's impact on the Australia-India rivalry, stating that he "defined" it for the past decade.However, the report also suggests that Kohli's time in Australia may be coming to an end. It highlights the emergence of Yashasvi Jaiswal, a left-handed opener who is seen as Kohli's potential successor. Jaiswal has impressed in recent months, establishing himself as one of India's most exciting young batters.While Jaiswal's potential is undeniable, it would be premature to write off Kohli just yet. India, the current holders of the BGT, have won their last two Test series in Australia. Kohli's experience and leadership will be crucial as India aims to retain the trophy.The BGT begins with the Perth Test on November 22. It will be a fascinating series, with Kohli's future in Australia hanging in the balance.

Nathan McSweeney, the Australian opener poised to make his Test debut against India in the upcoming Perth Test, is eagerly preparing for the formidable challenge posed by the Indian pace attack. McSweeney, who has been in impressive form domestically, was recently included in the 13-man squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener.Despite typically batting at number four, McSweeney has been tasked with opening alongside Usman Khawaja against India. To prepare for this crucial role, he has been diligently studying videos of India's quicks, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj."I'll definitely dive a lot deeper into it when I get to Perth, but I can't help myself," McSweeney told Australian radio station SEN. "I've looked at a few clips of what their bowling attack stacks up like. I'm just trying to visualize how I'm going to go about it."McSweeney acknowledges the unique challenges of facing a new bowler, particularly one with an unorthodox action like Bumrah. "Facing a new bowler can be a slight challenge to just pick up their action," he said. "I've got a whole week before I head off to Perth so I can get mentally ready and I guess it starts now in preparation to hopefully start really well."Despite the daunting task ahead, McSweeney is confident in his abilities and eager to seize the opportunity. "In the last month or so I really feel like I'm batting the best I ever have," he said. "I think I'm the best I've ever been prepared to take this opportunity, so hopefully I can do that."McSweeney's inclusion in the Test squad is a testament to his consistent performances in domestic cricket. He is currently the fifth-highest run-scorer in Australia's domestic competition and earned his place in the side after solid performances during the 'A' matches against India.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence on November 22 in Perth, and McSweeney is determined to make a positive impact on his debut. "There's plenty of learning and experiences that I haven't experienced yet and I'm looking forward to learning all about the challenges of Test cricket and challenging my game against the very best," he said.

IPL Mega Auction: Franchises Gear Up for Bidding FrenzyWith the highly anticipated IPL mega auction scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, the 10 franchises are meticulously planning their strategies to acquire the world's top cricketing talent. Having already retained their core players, the franchises will now engage in intense bidding wars to build their teams.Premier Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, recently released by Rajasthan Royals, has added a touch of entertainment to the auction proceedings by conducting a mock auction on his YouTube channel. Ashwin, acting as the auctioneer, auctioned himself off to various "franchises" represented by fans and cricket enthusiasts.The franchises will have a vast pool of 1,574 players to choose from, including 1,165 Indians and 409 overseas players. The list features 320 capped players (48 Indians and 272 internationals), 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations.Rajasthan Royals, having retained their full quota of six players, will not have the Right to Match (RTM) option during the auction. This gives other franchises an opportunity to bid for their former players, such as Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.The auction will be a crucial event for the franchises as they aim to assemble balanced and competitive teams. With a wide range of players available, the bidding is expected to be fierce, with franchises eager to secure the services of the best talent in the world.

Pakistan's historic ODI series triumph in Australia, their first in 22 years, was a testament to their resilience and determination. The team's 2-1 victory in the three-match series was sealed with an emphatic eight-wicket win in the decider at Perth.Pakistan's coach, Jason Gillespie, expressed his delight with the team's performance but also raised concerns about the lack of promotion for the ODI series in Australia. "I saw no promotion of our one-day series by Cricket Australia," Gillespie said. "It's pretty obvious that they're prioritizing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series against India."Gillespie acknowledged that Australia's decision to rest key players for the series, including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne, gave Pakistan an advantage. "We knew that there was probably going to be some change," he said. "We anticipated that, and that's the nature of modern cricket."Despite the lack of promotion and the absence of Australia's top players, Pakistan played with unwavering determination. They bowled out Australia for a paltry 140 in the decider, with Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf sharing seven wickets between them. Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq then led Pakistan's chase with half-centuries, guiding the team to victory with eight wickets in hand.Gillespie praised his team's performance, saying, "It was pleasing not just to beat Australia but beat them pretty convincingly. The reality is we should have won the first game as well."Pakistan's ODI series win in Australia is a significant achievement for the team and a testament to their growing strength in the format. It also highlights the need for greater promotion and recognition of ODI cricket in Australia.