Category: International Cricket

Indian gaming firm Dream11 named IPL main sponsor

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“VIVO and the IPL parted ways after the deadly border clash between India and China. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – The Indian Premier League on Tuesday named Indian fantasy gaming company Dream11 as its lead sponsor, replacing China’s Vivo which was dumped following a deadly border clash between the countries in June. IPL chairman Brijesh Patel told AFP that the four-month deal for sponsoring the glitzy Twenty20 cricket tournament was worth almost $30 million. Dream11, which beat separate bids from local online educational firms Byju’s and Unacademy, was already…

England-Pakistan second Test restarts as draw looms

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“Rain pain – Groundstaff work on the outfield as rain delays the start of the fifth day’s play in the second Test between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, on Monday. ©AFP” /> Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Play in the fifth and final day of the second Test between England and Pakistan in Southampton on Monday got under way at 3:20 pm local time (1420 GMT) after a match plagued by bad weather was interrupted by another rain delay. Only 96.2 overs had been bowled so far…

Fans urge BCCI to retire Dhoni’s number seven jersey

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“Fans are calling for Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s India number 7 shirt to be retired. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – Players and fans Sunday urged India’s cricket board to retire Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s number seven jersey in a tribute to the two-time World Cup winning captain. Dhoni, 39, called time on his 16-year-old international career Saturday with a cryptic message on his Instagram post that read “From 1929hrs consider me as retired”. The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed the news in a statement, saying: “The boy from…

‘Nuggety’ Rizwan impresses England’s Trott before rain checks Pakistan’s progress

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“On the attack – Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan hits a boundary on the fourth day of the second Test against England at Southampton . ©AFP” /> Southampe dismissed for under 200. He was eventually last man out after an innings that spanned four days. Rizwan batted for three and three-quarter hours, facing 139 balls with seven boundaries during his second fifty in eight career Tests following the 95 he made against Australia in Brisbane in November. “The way he plays, the skill in batting with the tail as well is something…

‘You’ll always be my captain’ – Kohli hails mentor Dhoni

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“India captain Virat Kohli (L) frequently consulted his predecessor, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – India skipper Virat Kohli told Mahendra Singh Dhoni “you will always be my captain” as he hailed the influence of the cricketing great, who has called time on his international career. Kohli, who made his India debut under Dhoni’s leadership in 2008, heaped praise on the talismanic captain who led his country to Twenty20 and 50-over World Cup triumphs. “Words fall short a lot of times in life and I think this…

Waqar hopes Pakistan can ‘cash in’ on Stokes’ absence

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“Swing king – Pakistan great Waqar Younis . ©AFP” /> Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pakistan assistant coach Waqar Younis said on Wednesday he hopes the tourists will be able to “cash in” on England being without Ben Stokes during this week’s second Test. Star all-rounder Stokes is heading to New Zealand, where his father is convalescing following a serious illness and will miss both the second Test, which starts in Southampton on Thursday, as well as the series finale, which also takes place at Hampshire’s headquarters ground. As well…

Uncapped Robinson in England squad for second Pakistan Test

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“England’s Chris Woakes was crucial in the first Test win over Pakistan. ©AFP” /> Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Uncapped Sussex seamer Ollie is replacing the County Championship in a season cut short by the coronavirus. But whether he makes a Test debut at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl ground on Thursday could depend on how the England attack that played in a three-wicket win in the first of a three-match series recovers from their exertions at Old Trafford last week. Star all-rounder Ben Stokes has already been ruled out after playing in…

IPL’s Chennai expect Dhoni to play past 40

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“Chennai Super Kings expect their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to keep playing well past his 40th birthday. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – Indian Premier League favourites Chennai Super Kings expect former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to keep playing past his 40th birthday — until at least 2022, the team’s chief executive said. Dhoni has not played a competitive game since India’s World Cup semi-final defeat last year, but is due to return to action when the delayed IPL begins in the United Arab Emirates next month. While Dhoni…

New Zealand Cricket confirms upcoming tours to go ahead

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“Crowds have been allowed back into Super Rugby matches in New Zealand which this week marked 100 days without community coronavirus tranmission. ©AFP” /> Wellington (AFP) – New Zealand Cricket said Tuesday that Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh and the West Indies had all confirmed they will tour during the upcoming home season, despite the coronavirus pandemic. New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said managed isolation arrangements for the visiting teams were still being worked out with officials in Wellington, but the tours would proceed. “I was just on the phone…

Three things we learned from the first Test between England and Pakistan

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“Cut above – England’s Chris Woakes on his way to a match-winning 84 not in the first Test at Old Trafford as Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan looks on. ©AFP” /> Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – England’s dramatic three-wicket win over Pakistan in the first Test at Old Trafford was a brilliant advertisement for the red-ball game. Pakistan, despite not having played international cricket for several months because of the coronavirus, dominated the majority of the match and were still favourites when they reduced England to 117-5, chasing a target of 277,…