Month: October 2023

Babar said he was particularly disappointed by his bowlers’ inability to pick up wickets in the middle overs, and his fielders not being focused and proactive. Batting first, Pakistan posted 282 for 7 – a total Afghanistan chased down with ease, with an over to spare. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave them a positive start of 130, before Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi took Afghanistan home with an unbroken…

Afghanistan’s victory over Pakistan in the World Cup game in Chennai is so monumental that it could inspire the next generation in the country to take up cricket, their head coach Jonathan Trott says. “I think it just shows the amount of talent in the side for the country again, as when we were fortunate enough to beat England,” Trott said at his post-match press conference. “It inspires another generation…

The Men’s 2023 ODI World Cup is underway in India and runs from October 5 until November 19. Each morning we will round up the latest action and news from the event and bring you the insights from our reporters on the ground. — Top Story: Gurbaz, Ibrahim, Rahmat boss 283 chase in Afghanistan’s first ODI win over Pakistan Afghanistan 286 for 2 (Ibrahim 87, Rahmat 77*, Gurbaz 65, Shahidi…

After seven defeats to Pakistan in ODIs, Afghanistan finally got one back, in Chennai on Monday. While Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, who scored the winning run, said the win “tastes sweet”, veteran allrounder Mohammad Nabi said this win was bigger than the one against England earlier in the tournament. “This win tastes nice. The way we chased was very professional,” Shahidi said at the post-game presentation ceremony. “The quality cricket…

Afghanistan 286 for 2 (Ibrahim 87, Rahmat 77*, Gurbaz 65, Shahidi 48*, Hasan 1-41) beat Pakistan 282 for 7 (Babar 74, Shafique 58, Noor 3-49, Naveen 2-52) by eight wickets 8-0 or 7-1? Nah, we are not about that one. Coming into their fifth game of the 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan had not beaten Pakistan in an ODI in seven attempts. They had run them close on at least two…

Shakib Al Hasan strolling past the Wankhede Stadium pitches and towards the North Stand meant that he was indeed going to attend a press conference for the first time at the World Cup. It also meant, more importantly, that he had likely recovered enough to play against South Africa on Tuesday. What happened next wasn’t surprising at all – Shakib was testy, especially when asked about Tamim Iqbal and his…

Big picture: Crucial game for Bangladesh Who wants to face the team that smashed 399 in their previous game? And at the venue they did it too. Bangladesh have that privilege, as they take on a South African unit fresh – or are they, given the searing Mumbai heat? – from their dismantling of defending champions England on Saturday. With three wins in four games, South Africa are comfortably placed…

Former India captain Bishan Bedi has died at the age of 77 in Delhi. Bedi was ailing for the last two years and had undergone multiple surgeries including one on the knee about a month ago. He is survived by his wife Anju, and two children: Neha and Angad. Considered by many as one of the game’s greatest left-arm spinners, Bedi represented India in 67 Tests and ten ODIs from…

Mohammed Shami didn’t “feel bad” sitting and watching the first four games from the sidelines. He was only focusing on preparing as if he was going to play, and grab opportunities when they come his way. On Sunday, an injury to Hardik Pandya forced India to alter their balance. Out went Shardul Thakur and Shami had the chance he’d been after. He struck with his very first delivery to remove…

England hope that Brydon Carse can replicate Liam Plunkett’s success in the middle overs after drafting him into their World Cup squad as a replacement for the injured Reece Topley. Carse will arrive in Bangalore ahead of England’s match against Sri Lanka on Thursday, though is unlikely to be considered for selection having last played competitively four weeks ago. He featured in one of England’s four ODIs against New Zealand…