Category: International Cricket

“Masakadza led his side to victory in his final match. ©AFP” Chittagong (Bangladesh) (AFP) – Hamilton Masakadza struck a blazing half-century in his farewell match to lead Zimbabwe to a seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in their last match of the Twenty20 tri-series in Chittagong on Friday. Captain Masakadza hit 71 off 42 balls with four fours and five sixes as Zimbabwe reached a target of 156 with three balls to spare after Chris Mpofu’s career-best 4-30 helped the side restrict Afghanistan to 155-8 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.“Fantastic feeling…

“Akila Dananjaya (R) has played six Tests, 36 ODIs and 22 T20 matches for Sri Lanka. ©AFP” /Colombo  Sri Lankan off-spinner Akila Dananjaya was banned from bowling in international matches for a year after his bowling action was found to be illegal, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Thursday. The 25-year-old was subjected to an independent assessment of his bowling action after umpires questioned his style in the first Test against New Zealand at Galle in August, the ICC said. It recalled that he had been suspended in December after…

Chittagong (Bangladesh) (AFP) – Mahmudullah struck a quick-fire half-century as Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 39 runs to qualify for the final of their Twenty20 tri-series in Chittagong on Wednesday. The hosts will face Afghanistan in the final on Tuesday in Dhaka, while Zimbabwe will finish their campaign against the same opponents on Friday. Riding on Mahmudullah’s 62 off 41 balls, Bangladesh posted 175-7 –- the side’s highest total against Zimbabwe in Twenty20s —- before pacer Shafiul Islam and debutant leg-spinner Aminul Islam shared five wickets to bowl out Zimbabwe for…

Afghanistan celebrate in Dhaka. Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman starred respectively with bat and ball as Afghanistan thrashed Bangladesh by 25 runs in their second match of the tri-nation Twenty20 international tournament in Dhaka on Sunday.  Nabi hit an unbeaten 84 off 54 balls under pressure to guide Afghanistan to 164-6 before Mujeeb claimed a career best 4-15 to help his side dismiss Bangladesh for 139 in 19.5 overs for their world record 12 successive Twenty20 international win. Mujeeb took three wickets in his opening spell to reduce the…

“England captain Joe Root celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia's Matthew Wade during the fifth Ashes Test. Captain Joe Root put the focus firmly on winning the Ashes in Australia after England levelled their home series on Sunday, saying he was “desperate” to take the team forward. England won at The Oval by 135 runs in the fifth and final Ashes Test to tie the series at 2-2, ending their historic World Cup-winning season on a high.It meant the series finished in a draw for the first time since…

“Australia's captain Tim Paine,(C holding the Ashes Urn), said winning the first Test at Edgbaston, where Australia triumphed by 251 runs, had been crucial for his side's confidence. Australia captain Tim Paine said it was mission accomplished even though his team lost the fifth and final Ashes Test against England on Sunday to draw the series 2-2. The tourists came into the match at the Oval seeking their first series victory in England since 2001 but came up short, losing by 135 runs. But Paine said Australia, who won at…

“Security was tight when Sri Lanka returned to Lahore for a T20 match in 2017 . Sri Lanka’s cricket board said Wednesday it had received warnings its national team could be the target of a terror attack during an upcoming tour of Pakistan. Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s Office had received “reliable information of a possible terrorist threat” against the national squad ahead of the six-match limited overs tour, the board said. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stopped short of calling off the tour, but said a reassessment of the security situation…

“England captain Joe Root bats on the first day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Oval. Joe Root was dropped twice as England made a steady start on the opening day of the final Ashes Test at the Oval on Thursday, reaching 86-1 at lunch.Visiting captain Tim Paine asked the home side to bat, hoping his bowlers could take advantage of early overcast conditions in south London but will rue the two bad fumbles. Joe Denly and Rory Burns had to dig deep to keep lively Australian pace pair…

“Bangladesh Test captain Shakib Al Hasan has expressed reluctance about staying on in the role. Bangladesh cricket chief Nazmul Hassan said Shakib Al Hasan will remain as Test captain despite disliking the format and expressing his reluctance to stay on following this week’s embarrassing defeat to Afghanistan.Nazmul admitted the all-rounder had shown little interest or enthusiasm for the five-day game an attitude which would not have been helped by Monday’s 224-run loss to Afghanistan in Chittagong.”We have noticed he did not have much interest in Test (cricket).You have seen that…

“Justin Langer has defended Australia's Ashes celebrations. Australia coach Justin Langer has defended his players’ boisterous celebrations after retaining the Ashes following claims they mocked England spin bowler Jack Leach. Langer’s side clinched a dramatic fourth Test win over England in the last hour of Sunday’s final session at Old Trafford.The victory gave Australia a 2-1 lead with just one match to play and they marked the occasion with a raucous on-field party.At one stage, Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith was seen wearing and rubbing a pair of glasses before…