Cricket

Legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi has lauded Pakistan's dominant 9-wicket victory over Australia in the second ODI in Adelaide, praising newly-appointed captain Mohammad Rizwan while subtly criticizing former skipper Babar Azam.Afridi took to social media to express his admiration for the team's remarkable comeback performance, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership in motivating players. He wrote, "When a captain inspires, the team fires!"Pakistan's victory was spearheaded by paceman Haris Rauf's stunning 5-29, which restricted Australia to a mere 163 in 35 overs. Rizwan, making his debut as white-ball captain, made a significant impact with six dismissals behind the stumps, equaling the world record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in an ODI.Saim Ayub's blazing 82 and Abdullah Shafique's steady support sealed Pakistan's chase in just 26.3 overs. Afridi praised the team's overall performance, highlighting the contributions of Rizwan, Haris, Shaheen, Saim, and Abdullah.Afridi's comments come amidst speculation about Babar Azam's leadership style. The former skipper has faced criticism for his conservative approach and lack of aggression on the field. Afridi's praise for Rizwan's inspiring leadership suggests that he believes the new captain possesses the qualities necessary to lead Pakistan to success.Pakistan's victory in Adelaide has leveled the three-match ODI series 1-1. The final match will be played on Sunday in Perth, where Pakistan will aim to secure a series victory against the world champions.

Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Lions have joined forces to urge Premier David Crisafulli to reconsider his ban on new stadiums and support the construction of a $3.4 billion Victoria Park venue as the centerpiece of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.The sporting bodies have sent a letter to the Premier expressing their concerns over the future of the Gabba, which was initially slated for demolition and rebuilding under the previous Labor government but has since been put on hold. They argue that the Gabba is in poor condition and will reach the end of its life by 2030, and that a new stadium is essential for both cricket and AFL to thrive in Brisbane.Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson said the sporting bodies are seeking assurances from the government that they will have a viable venue to play in, regardless of the Gabba's future. "We're hoping to meet with the new premier and his team over the next couple of weeks," Svenson said. "It's just really to talk about what our expectations are but I guess more the frustrations that we have had over the last 18 months."The uncertainty over the Gabba's future has already had a negative impact on Queensland Cricket, which is struggling to attract prestige international cricket matches due to the venue's aging infrastructure. Svenson said the sporting bodies need a decision on the Gabba's fate sooner rather than later so they can plan for the future."If displacement is back on the table we actually need to have that conversation with the government," Svenson said. "If this place gets knocked down and rebuilt where do the Lions play, where does Australian cricket play? It's important for us to have certainty that it doesn't send us broke."Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said he had not seen the letter but was "happy to look into it." However, he reiterated the government's stance that there will be no new stadium built for the Olympics.

India vs South Africa T20I Series: A Clash of TitansIndia and South Africa are set to face off in a highly anticipated T20I series, with the first match scheduled for Friday, November 8, at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. The two cricketing giants have a rich history of intense rivalry, and this series promises to be no different.Head-to-Head RecordIn the 20-over format, India and South Africa have met 27 times, with India holding a slight edge with 15 wins to South Africa's 11. This series will provide an opportunity for both teams to add to their respective tallies.India's Recent FormIndia is entering the series on the back of a dominant 3-0 series victory over Bangladesh in October. The team has been in impressive form, with key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav in top shape.South Africa's StrugglesSouth Africa, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistency since their defeat in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. They suffered a 3-0 loss to the West Indies and drew 1-1 against Ireland in subsequent series.Young Guns in FocusThe series will also be a platform for young players to showcase their talent. India will be led by the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav, while South Africa will be captained by the promising Aiden Markram. Both teams have a number of exciting young players who could make a significant impact.Match ScheduleThe India vs South Africa T20I series will consist of four matches, with the remaining fixtures scheduled as follows:* 2nd T20I: November 10, St George's Park, Gqeberha* 3rd T20I: November 13, SuperSport Park, Centurion* 4th T20I: November 15, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

The ongoing unofficial Test series between India A and Australia A has been marred by a series of ball-tampering controversies. In the first Test in Mackay, India A players were accused of altering the condition of the ball, leading to its replacement overnight. The incident sparked a heated exchange between the players and umpire Shawn Craig, with former Australia captain David Warner also questioning the decision.Cricket Australia (CA) later dismissed the allegations against India A, stating that the ball was changed due to deterioration. However, in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, India A players were once again involved in a ball-related incident.In a viral video, the players can be seen having a conversation with the umpire, pointing out a substance on the ball. Commentators suggested that the substance could be either mud or white paint. Pacer Prasidh Krishna appeared particularly agitated during the discussion.The incident occurred as India A struggled in their second innings, losing five wickets for just 25 runs. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy were the only batsmen to offer any resistance, with India A trailing by 11 runs at the end of day two.The ball-tampering allegations have cast a shadow over the series, which is intended to provide opportunities for players to impress ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The incidents have raised questions about the integrity of the game and the need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Alice Capsey's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup has cost her a place in England's T20I squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa. The 18-year-old, who made her England debut in 2022, has been in poor form, scoring just 19 runs in three innings at the World Cup and 27 runs in five innings for the Melbourne Renegades in the Women's Big Bash League.Capsey's omission is a blow to England, who are looking to rebuild after their disappointing World Cup campaign. The team has been criticized for its fitness levels and its ability to handle pressure, and Capsey's absence will only add to the pressure on the remaining players.Paige Scholfield, who made her England debut in September, has been called up to the T20I squad, along with fast bowler Lauren Filer. Dani Gibson misses out after undergoing knee surgery.The tour will include a first Women's Test in South Africa since 2002, for which Freya Kemp and Maia Bouchier could be the notable debutants. Heather Knight retains her role as captain across formats.The tour is seen as a vital opportunity for England to reset their ambitions against a team that has now reached each of the last two T20 World Cup finals. The selected players have been training at Loughborough in the build-up to the series, with the T20I squad due to leave for South Africa on November 16, with the ODI and Test squads following on November 27.England Women's head coach Jon Lewis has hit back at criticism of the team's fitness levels, saying that the players are "in really good shape." He added that he would like to see more specific criticism from those who have questioned the team's fitness.The South Africa tour is seen as a vital staging post for England ahead of their next key objective, the Women's Ashes in Australia in January. Clare Connor, the ECB deputy chair and former women's captain, said that the tour is "a really good next experience" and "another preparation tour" for the Ashes.Connor also addressed the heightened scrutiny that the players had been under in the wake of the World Cup, and the sense that they had collapsed under the pressure. She said that the team will be looking at how to build in resilience to pressure and improve decision-making and skill retention under pressure.

Marcus Harris, the 32-year-old opener, has expressed his readiness to take on the challenge of opening the batting for Australia in the upcoming first Test against India in Perth. Harris has been in impressive form for Australia A, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.In the final game against India A at the MCG, Harris produced a gritty 74 on a difficult batting surface. Despite the other Test contenders failing to impress, Harris remained composed and played a crucial role in Australia A's innings.Australia's chairman of selectors, George Bailey, was present at the MCG but has yet to confirm the Test squad. However, it is widely expected that Harris and Nathan McSweeney will be included in an expanded squad of 13 players.Harris acknowledged the external pressure surrounding his potential selection but emphasized his readiness to perform if called upon. He highlighted his improved batting form and mental resilience compared to previous seasons.Harris has been the only player in the Australia A squad to open the batting in both matches against India A. He believes that the selectors' decision to have him open in both games may indicate their intentions.Despite the scrutiny and speculation, Harris has remained focused on his performance. He has embraced the media attention and learned from his experiences in the past.Harris has also credited his improved batting technique to the guidance of Victoria coach Chris Rogers. Rogers has emphasized the importance of rotating the strike and scoring with control, rather than relying solely on boundaries.Harris acknowledged the element of luck involved in his innings, but he also emphasized the importance of playing and missing well and edging the ball close to the wicketkeeper. He also benefited from a fortunate not-out decision when he was given the benefit of the doubt on a potential edge.Overall, Marcus Harris is confident in his abilities and believes he is well-equipped to handle the pressure of opening the batting for Australia in the first Test against India.

Pakistan's fielding woes have been a persistent issue, and the dropped catch by Shaheen Shah Afridi during the second ODI against Australia in Adelaide served as a glaring example. Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram, who was commentating on the match, had just been discussing Pakistan's fielding lapses when Shaheen's error occurred.Akram explained that during his playing days with Waqar Younis, they relied heavily on LBW and bowled dismissals due to Pakistan's poor fielding. "We didn't trust our fielders (laughs). That was one of the reasons. We only heard from slip cordon... Sorry, didn't see the ball. Every time," Akram said.The dropped catch by Shaheen came in the fourth over of Australia's innings. Naseem Shah bowled a short ball to Matthew Short, who pulled it straight to Shaheen at deep backward square-leg. Shaheen attempted a reverse-cup catch, but the ball burst through his hands and rolled to the boundary.Despite the fielding error, Pakistan went on to thrash Australia by 9 wickets in the second game, taking the series into a decider. Haris Rauf (5/29) and Shaheen (3/26) starred with the ball, claiming 8 wickets combined. Openers Saim Ayub (82) and Abdullah Shafique (64 not out) then hit fifties to guide Pakistan to victory within 27 overs.Pakistan's fielding has been a major concern for years, and the dropped catch by Shaheen highlighted the need for improvement. The team will need to address this issue if they want to compete with the top teams in the world.

Pakistan's Saim Ayub has emerged as a rising star in the cricketing world, showcasing his exceptional batting skills in the second ODI against Australia in Adelaide. His remarkable six over the fine-leg fence, reminiscent of Indian legend Yuvraj Singh, left Australian pacer Mitchell Starc bewildered.Ayub's innings of 82 runs off 71 balls played a pivotal role in Pakistan's comprehensive nine-wicket victory. The 23-year-old opener, along with Abdullah Shafique (64 not out off 69), forged a formidable opening partnership of 137 runs, laying the foundation for Pakistan's triumph.Ayub's six in the 12th over was a sight to behold. He swiftly gauged the length ball and shuffled across to flick Starc over the fine-leg fence with impeccable timing. The flair, flamboyance, and follow-through of the shot drew comparisons to Yuvraj Singh, a renowned six-hitter in the white-ball format.Pakistan's bowling attack, led by Haris Rauf's fiery spell of 5 for 29, restricted Australia to a mere 163 runs. Rauf's pace and accuracy proved too much for the Australian batsmen, who were dismissed in just 33.5 overs.The victory leveled the three-match series at 1-1, setting up an exciting decider in Perth on Sunday. Ayub's performance has not only earned him praise from cricket pundits but has also raised expectations for his future in international cricket.

The highly anticipated T20I series between India and South Africa, the finalists of the 2024 T20 World Cup, is set to commence in Durban on Friday. The two teams will face off for the first time since their thrilling encounter in the World Cup final, where India emerged victorious.For South Africa, this series presents an opportunity to avenge their World Cup defeat and test themselves against a new-look Indian side. The retirement of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja has ushered in a new era for India, led by the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav.However, the weather forecast for Durban casts a shadow over the series opener. AccuWeather predicts intermittent showers in the evening, with the chances of rain increasing to over 40% after 4:00 PM local time (match starts at 5:00 PM local time). Only after 10:00 PM local time do the chances of rain drop below 40%.The Durban pitch is known for its slow nature, but it is not as similar to subcontinental wickets as one might expect. The second T20I will be played at St George's Park in Gqeberha on November 10, followed by the third game at SuperSport Park in Centurion on November 13. The series concludes with the fourth T20I at Wanderers Stadium on November 15.India's T20I squad features a mix of experienced players and exciting young talents, including Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh. South Africa, on the other hand, will be led by Aiden Markram and will field a strong team that includes David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, and Keshav Maharaj.With the weather conditions and the quality of both teams, the T20I series between India and South Africa promises to be a thrilling contest.