Cricket

Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi sparked controversy on social media after labeling teammate Mohammad Rizwan as the "Don Bradman of T20 cricket." The comment came after Rizwan reached the milestone of 3000 runs in T20 international cricket, becoming the fastest player to achieve the feat in just 79 innings.Afridi's tweet, which read, "Cheers to Muhammad Rizwan - the Bradman of T20 cricket and Pakistan's SuperMan for hitting 3,000 T20I runs! Your impact has transformed the game and silenced the skeptics. Keep soaring, champion! You're an inspiration to many," drew criticism from fans who questioned the comparison to the legendary Australian batsman.Bradman, widely regarded as the greatest batsman of all time, dominated Test cricket with an astonishing batting average of 99.94. His dominance in the longer format of the game stands in stark contrast to Rizwan's achievements in T20 cricket, a shorter and more explosive format.Fans took to Twitter to express their disapproval of Afridi's comparison. "Is this a sarcastic post, or do you really mean it?" asked one user. Another commented, "Bradman hit a total of 6 sixes in his entire career and he played test matches only. Rizwan is definitely the Bradman of T20."Despite the controversy, Rizwan's achievement remains a significant milestone in his career. He has established himself as one of the most consistent and prolific batters in T20 cricket, with an impressive average of over 50 and a strike rate of over 130.While Pakistan celebrated Rizwan's achievement, they suffered a disappointing defeat in the third T20I against New Zealand. The Kiwis secured a comfortable 7-wicket victory, leaving Pakistan with a 1-2 deficit in the series.Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his disappointment with the team's performance, saying, "We were 10 runs short unfortunately. I think Shadab recovered well and built a good partnership. I think 180-190 was a par score according to me. We tried to play according to the situation."Pakistan will look to bounce back in the fourth T20I on April 24th as they aim to level the series and avoid a series defeat.

With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan has shared his top three picks for the Indian squad. Pathan believes these players will have a significant impact on India's campaign.1. Rohit SharmaRohit Sharma, the current Indian captain, is in excellent form and has been leading the team effectively. His experience and ability to score runs consistently make him a crucial asset for India.2. Yashasvi JaiswalDespite his young age, Yashasvi Jaiswal has impressed Pathan with his performances for Team India and in the IPL. His ability to score runs quickly and consistently makes him a valuable addition to the squad.3. Virat KohliVirat Kohli, despite recent criticism, remains a world-class batsman. His strike rate in T20Is is 138+, better than Chris Gayle, and his IPL strike rate this season is 150. His experience and ability to perform under pressure make him indispensable for India.Pathan's selections have sparked discussions among fans and experts. Some agree with his choices, while others believe there are other players who deserve to be included. However, Pathan's insights provide valuable perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian team.The T20 World Cup will be held from June 2 to 29 in the USA and West Indies. India will be looking to defend their title and will face stiff competition from other top teams. Pathan's top three picks will be key to India's success in the tournament.

Chennai Super Kings Gear Up for Crucial Clash with Lucknow Super GiantsAhead of their highly anticipated encounter with the Lucknow Super Giants, the Chennai Super Kings have unveiled a glimpse of their preparations on social media. A video posted on the official CSK handle showcases the iconic Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sameer Rizvi showcasing their formidable hitting abilities in the nets.Dhoni, known for his legendary six-hitting prowess, was seen unleashing powerful strokes, reminiscent of his trademark style. The video serves as a reminder of the Thala's ability to turn the game around single-handedly.In their previous encounter, despite Dhoni's heroics with the bat, LSG emerged victorious over CSK. Dhoni's innings of 28 off just nine balls showcased his ability to inspire his team. CSK will look to use that inspiration as an impetus to secure a positive result in this crucial match.With both sides tied at eight points in the league standings, a win in this encounter becomes imperative for their playoff aspirations. CSK, known for their formidable record at home, will be eager to redeem themselves after their recent loss to LSG.The last match witnessed stellar performances from LSG's KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, whose record-breaking opening partnership led their team to victory against the five-time IPL winners. CSK will need to find a way to counter their formidable batting lineup.The match promises to be a thrilling contest between two evenly matched teams. CSK will look to rely on their experience and home advantage, while LSG will aim to continue their impressive form. The outcome of this match could have a significant impact on the playoff race.

Cricket West Indies has announced a formidable 15-member 'A' squad for their upcoming tour of Nepal, featuring a host of experienced T20 specialists. The tour, scheduled for later this month, marks the first time a West Indian side will visit Nepal and serves as a crucial preparation phase for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.Led by Roston Chase, the squad boasts a wealth of talent, including Fabian Allen, Johnson Charles, Mark Deyal, Andre Fletcher, Obed McCoy, and Hayden Walsh. Chase, initially known as a Test specialist, has made significant strides in T20 cricket since his debut in 2021.Desmond Haynes, West Indies' lead selector, emphasized the importance of the tour for players not involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL). "It provides an invaluable opportunity to get our players back on the park playing competitive T20 cricket," he said. "It also allows us to expose emerging prospects."The World Cup, to be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies in June, will feature Nepal among the 20 participating teams. West Indies white-ball coach Daren Sammy believes the Nepal tour will be crucial in refining the World Cup squad. "It offers us a chance to define roles and personnel more clearly," he said.Nine West Indians are currently participating in the IPL, including Andre Russell, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, and Rovman Powell. Their performances in the IPL will be closely monitored as West Indies seeks to gauge the depth of its T20 team.The West Indies 'A' squad will be coached by Floyd Reifer, assisted by Rayon Griffith. The tour will consist of five T20 matches, providing ample opportunities for the players to showcase their skills and prepare for the upcoming World Cup.

Cricket Team Manager Indicted for Match-Fixing in Legend Cricket League 2024Yoni Patel, the team manager of the Legend Cricket League 2024, has been indicted before the Colombo High Court on charges of match-fixing. The indictment stems from allegations made by former New Zealand legend Neil Broom and Sri Lankan cricketer Upul Tharanga, who claimed they were pressured into engaging in match-fixing deals by Patel.According to the initial investigations, an alleged match-fixer approached players with offers of money to underperform and manipulate the outcome of matches. The allegations have cast a shadow over the Legend Cricket League, which featured seven teams comprising retired international cricketers from England, Australia, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and the West Indies.The tournament, held from March 8 to 19 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, was intended to rival the Legends championship titled the Road Safety series in India. However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was not officially involved in the tournament and only provided the venue.The indictment against Patel is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into match-fixing in the Legend Cricket League. The Colombo Magistrate had previously issued a travel ban on Patel and another team manager, P. Akash, to prevent them from leaving Sri Lanka.The allegations of match-fixing have raised concerns about the integrity of the sport and the need for stringent measures to combat corruption. The indictment of Patel sends a strong message that match-fixing will not be tolerated and that those involved will be held accountable.

Delhi Capitals' playoff hopes in IPL 2024 are dwindling, with the team currently languishing in eighth place in the standings after eight matches. In a bid to boost morale and keep the spirit high, the franchise has released a playful video on social media featuring veteran opener David Warner.In the video, Warner is seen speaking a little Hindi while being tempted with various offers, including watching a movie and getting a free meal. However, Warner politely declines each offer with a "nahi yaar (no)." The video takes a humorous turn when Warner is offered a free Aadhaar card, a unique 12-digit identity number that only Indian residents can apply for. Warner jokingly agrees to get his Aadhaar card made, perhaps a nod to his long association with the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009.Warner joined the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2009 and played for the franchise until 2013. He then moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014 and captained the team to the IPL title in 2016. Warner returned to the Delhi franchise in 2022 after his relationship with the Sunrisers soured.Despite Warner's experience and leadership, Delhi Capitals have struggled to find consistency in IPL 2024. The team has won only three of its eight matches so far, putting them in a precarious position in the standings. Delhi's next match is a crucial home game against the Gujarat Titans on April 24. The team will be hoping to secure a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Despite a string of defeats in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign, Mumbai Indians players found solace in the unwavering support of their fans in Jaipur. As their team bus navigated through traffic, fans gathered around, chanting "Rohit Sharma" and "Hamara captain kaisa ho."Rohit Sharma, the beloved captain of Mumbai Indians, has consistently drawn massive crowds wherever he plays. In Jaipur, despite the team's struggles, fans turned out in droves to show their appreciation. The chants and cheers echoed through the streets, bringing smiles to the faces of the players.Earlier, Mumbai Indians shared a heartwarming video on social media, showcasing a fan named Sunny who helped clear traffic for the team bus. Sunny, wearing a shirt with his name emblazoned on the back, played a crucial role in ensuring the team's timely arrival at the stadium.Despite the team's disappointing performance in the match against Rajasthan Royals, which resulted in a 9-wicket defeat, captain Hardik Pandya acknowledged the need for introspection. "We have to admit our flaws and rectify them," he said. "Progression is very important. We will have to accept our flaws and work on those."Pandya also highlighted the team's subpar fielding performance. "I don't think it was our best day in the field as well," he admitted. "Overall, we did not put the right foot on the park and eventually, they outplayed us."Despite the setbacks, Mumbai Indians remain determined to turn their fortunes around. The team's unwavering fan base provides a constant source of motivation, reminding them of the importance of perseverance and resilience.

Australia's David Warner, a seasoned opening batsman, anticipates a significant shift in batting dynamics at the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies. Unlike the flat pitches of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which have witnessed record-breaking scores, Warner predicts that the Caribbean wickets will offer more challenges for bowlers.Warner, who has extensive experience in the Caribbean Premier League, believes that the pitches in the West Indies tend to be slower and offer more turn. This will require batters to adjust their approach and adopt a more cautious strategy."The wickets tend to get a little bit lower and slower," Warner explained. "Even when we played there in the 2010 World Cup, the pitches weren't high-scoring."Warner emphasized the importance of an anchor role in the West Indies, where batters will need to build partnerships and rotate the strike effectively. "That's when you did need an anchor, someone like Mike Hussey came out and scored runs for us," he said.In contrast to the IPL, where teams have piled up mammoth totals, Warner expects a more balanced contest in the T20 World Cup. "It's gonna be completely different there," he said. "Add the natural elements as well. They're going to be predominantly day games, I think, because of the timings. So that plays a big factor."Warner acknowledged the exceptional batting performances in the IPL, particularly from his fellow Australian Travis Head, who has scored at a strike rate of 216. However, he believes that such high-scoring matches are unlikely to be replicated in the West Indies."The wickets have been very good. They've been very flat, very compact, and very high-scoring," Warner said of the IPL pitches. "And when you've got small boundaries, you're going to see very high scores."Warner emphasized that the conditions in the West Indies will require a different approach from batters. "Back in the day, there used to be turn, and you couldn't get those scores," he said. "Also, the lacquer on the ball is staying longer, and hence it's not getting chewed up, and hence very little turn on offer."

Matthew Kuhnemann, the 27-year-old left-arm finger spinner, has joined Tasmania in a bid to secure regular red-ball game time ahead of Australia's tour of Sri Lanka next summer. Kuhnemann, who has played three Tests for Australia, was overlooked by his home state Queensland last season and has made the move south to become Tasmania's No.1 Shield spinner.Kuhnemann has 20 first-class matches under his belt and impressed during his three Tests in India earlier this year, taking 5 for 16 in his second Test to help Australia beat the hosts at Indore. He will be eyeing a spot in Australia's Test squad for their tour of Sri Lanka in February, after a summer series on home soil against India.Kuhnemann's move to Tasmania is a significant boost for the Tigers, who lost to Western Australia in March's Sheffield Shield final. Jarrod Freeman was their first-choice spinner last season, but Kuhnemann's experience and quality will provide Tasmania with a different option.Kuhnemann will also be available for 50-over selection for Tasmania and remains contracted to the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. Tasmania's high-performance manager Salliann Beams said: "We are excited to have a player of Matt's calibre join the Tigers and believe he will play a key role for us in the white-ball format of the game."In addition to Kuhnemann, Tasmania has also signed 22-year-old Queensland quick Will Prestwidge, who played two one-day games for the Bulls across three summers. These signings will bolster Tasmania's squad and give them a strong chance of challenging for silverware in the upcoming season.