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  • Cricket World Cup: Training with lighter ball helped Mujeeb Ur Rahman

    Growing up within the scenic city of Khost, Mujeeb Ur Rahman barely went anyplace and not using a cricket ball in his fingers and it’s not an exaggeration, his childhood coach Mohammad Khan Zadran stresses.

    “Ball haath mai hi raha hai humesha (he’s always kept the ball in his hands). Whether he was at the academy, at home or traveling from one place to another,” he tells The Indian Express. It shouldn’t come throughout as a shock that when it got here to Afghanistan gorgeous the world champions on Sunday, it was the cricket ball addict from the Khost province who led the dismantling of the English batting in Kotla.

    Zadran, who additionally coached the opposite Afghanistan protagonist of the World Cup upset in Rahmanullah Gurbaz, takes us 12 years again when he first met Mujeeb.

    A boy not older 10-11, who’d misplaced his father at a younger age with no different supply of earnings within the household, however with an immense ardour for cricket. “Bowling se mohabbat thi usey (He was in love with bowling),” the Khost province coach recollects earlier than sharing a selection that he gave the younger spin-bowling fanatic an early lifeline within the sport.

    “I told him, ‘Don’t worry about the fees.’ We don’t take it from the boys who come from poor households,” Zadran shares. The funding from the regional coach proved invaluable for Afghanistan, who registered solely their second win in a 3rd ODI World Cup outing.

    xxx

    Following his three-wicket haul in opposition to the defending champions, Mujeeb revealed of a dialog he’d have along with his skipper earlier than they got here out to defend 284 in Delhi. “We knew that dew was going to come into play later on, which is why I was asking the captain to throw me the ball in the powerplay,” Mujeeb would say on the finish of the sport.

    It was a technique that labored nicely for the Afghans as their off spinner eliminated England’s high scorer at this World Cup, Joe Root. An angled supply that held its line saved low earlier than rattling the off stump. It might have been the most important wicket he registered on the eve, however it actually wasn’t his most dexterous.

    Despite having misplaced six wickets, England have been nonetheless within the chase with extra batting to return and difficult situations to grip the ball on supply. Enter Mujeeb for a closing spell to provide a few rippers contained in the span of two overs. A flighted unsuitable ‘un took an inside edge off Woakes earlier than cleansing him up, and a 100kph plus carrom ball that induced the skin edge off to ship again the final batter standing in Harry Brook.

    While taking the initiative with the brand new ball is one thing Zadran recollects Mujeeb has had from his early days, the long-time coach elucidates on what’s made his ward good with gripping the ball below robust situations.

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    “He used to shuffle between the hard ball and the light tennis one. Bowling with the latter, the force being generated from your finger to turn the ball is tested. If you’re able to turn the light ball, it becomes easier to do so with the hard one. Also helps that his fingers are huge,” Zadran has a crack.

    On the velocity of the carrom ball Mujeeb used, Zadran provides, “The gripping habits of the tennis ball also help with the speed. Getting those revolutions with the lighter one helps when you switch to the hard ball which skids more.”

    It’s now a behavior that Zadran inculcates to all of his younger lovers. “Be it the quicks or the spinners, we ask them to train with the lighter ball at least twice a week. So that the the hard ball grips nicely in the hand.” Just like Mujeeb.

  • Afghanistan bowler pulls out of Big Bash after Cricket Australia withdraws from ODI collection

    Afghanistan seamer Naveen-ul-Haq slammed Cricket Australia for his or her resolution to withdraw from the ODI collection towards Afghanistan scheduled in March.

    Naveen ul Haq referred to as the choice “childish” and accused Australia of taking away Afghans’ solely motive for happiness as a substitute of being supportive.

    He additionally stated that he wouldn’t be taking part within the Big Bash League (BBL).

    “Time to say won’t be participating in big bash after this until they stop these childish decisions that’s how they went about the one-off test now ODI when a country is going through so much in place off being supportive you want to take the only reason of happiness from them,” he wrote on Twitter.

    time to say received’t be taking part in massive bash after this till they cease these infantile selections that’s how they went in regards to the one off check now ODI when a rustic goes by means of a lot in place off being supportive you need to take the one motive of happiness from them #CA

    — Naveen ul haq Murid (@imnaveenulhaq) January 12, 2023

    Another Afghan participant Najib Zadran tweeted and wrote: “iI was not expecting a country like Australia Really shocked & suprised by the decision of @CricketAus Sports & politics are 2 different things & sports definitely should not be suffered due to politics.but at the end of the day politics win @ACBofficials @MirwaisAshraf16”.

    iI was not anticipating a rustic like Australia Really shocked & suprised by the choice of @CricketAus Sports & politics are 2 various things & sports activities positively shouldn’t be suffered as a result of politics.however on the finish of the day politics win @ACBofficials @MirwaisAshraf16

    — Najib Zadran (@iamnajibzadran) January 12, 2023

    Australia on Thursday pulled out of an upcoming males’s one-day worldwide cricket collection towards Afghanistan, citing extra restrictions on ladies’s rights within the nation by the Taliban authorities.

    Australia was to fulfill Afghanistan within the United Arab Emirates for 3 matches in March. But following session with the Australian authorities and different teams, Cricket Australia stated Thursday it scrapped the collection.

    In a press release on Thursday, Cricket Australia stated the choice to withdraw from the boys’s ODIs adopted latest Taliban restrictions on ladies’s and women’ training and employment alternatives and their means to entry parks and gymnasiums.

    “CA is committed to supporting growing the game for women and men around the world, including in Afghanistan, and will continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country,” CA stated.

    The Afghanistan Cricket Board stated it could subject a press release in a while Thursday.

  • Afghanistan seal ODI World Cup spot in India after washout recreation in opposition to Sri Lanka

    Afghanistan have cemented their place in subsequent yr’s ICC ODI World Cup in India after the second ODI in opposition to hosts Sri Lanka in Pallekele was deserted resulting from rain.

    Afghanistan acquired 5 additional factors within the World Cup Super League standings due to the no outcome that took their complete to 115 factors within the present cycle.

    Handshakes 🤝 throughout after Afghanistan’s 2⃣nd ODI match in opposition to Sri Lanka has been referred to as off resulting from persistent rain 🌧️ in Kandy.

    We go once more on Wednesday for the third & closing ODI of the sequence. #AfghanAtalan | #CWCSL | #AFGvSL | #SuperCola | #KamAir pic.twitter.com/qfEyDhET6x

    — Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) November 27, 2022

    Afghanistan are sitting safely in seventh place on the present standings, with the highest eight sides on the finish of the Super League incomes automated spots. While the 5 factors was outcome for Afghanistan, it was the precise reverse for Sri Lanka as their hopes of automated qualification had been hanging by a thread.

    Dasun Shanaka’s facet are in tenth place on the standings with simply 67 factors and solely have 4 matches remaining on this interval to try to sneak into the highest eight.

    Sri Lanka will look to choose up useful 10 factors and tie the three-ODI sequence by defeating Afghanistan within the third ODI in Pallekele on Wednesday.

  • Away from crises at residence, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan kick off Asia Cup 2022

    The phrases of Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka rang loud and clear forward of Asia Cup 2022. The island nation was imagined to host the match however the sport hasn’t been the vortex of late for the nation going through the worst financial disaster in its historical past. Cricket although has continued concurrently within the warmth of all of it.

    When 1000’s took to the streets for protests condemning former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for mismanagement of the nation’s funds, a couple of lots of climbed the partitions of the Galle Fort, just some metres away from a Test match that includes gamers who wore their crest. The gamers, as Australia captain Steve Smith would later agree, may hear them ‘but it didn’t get to anybody or play a component in what was taking place out right here’. And so, the cricket continued. A month and a half later, simply as Shanaka was addressing the media in Dubai forward of the match, a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is on their go to to Sri Lanka to proceed discussions with the authorities on financial and monetary reforms and insurance policies. But cricket will proceed. Almost as if it has to.

    “Winning matches is the most thrilling thing for Sri Lankan people,” Shanaka added through the interplay.

    Some 3,000 km away from residence, Sri Lanka Cricket are nonetheless internet hosting the fifteenth version of Asia’s continental cricket match. It’s barely the identical and the skipper is aware of it.

    “Had this tournament happened in Sri Lanka, it would have favored us as the ground support would have been good,” he mentioned. “Playing in home conditions always has an advantage.”

    Facing them within the Asia Cup opener can be a staff whose instance was cited by Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State in 2010.

    “I might suggest that if we are searching for a model of how to meet tough international challenges with skill, dedication and teamwork, we need only look to the Afghan national cricket team,” Clinton mentioned, standing alongside the then Afghan President Hamid Karzai within the White House. “For those of you who don’t follow cricket, which is most of the Americans, suffice it to say that Afghanistan did not even have a cricket team a decade ago. And last month, the team made it to the World Twenty20 championships featuring the best teams in the world.”

    The echo of Clinton’s phrases has gone silent in 2022. The nationwide males’s cricket staff has certainly gone from taking part in world match qualifiers to being an automated qualifier however the phrases on the crux of that white home gathering have barely stood the take a look at of time.

    “As we look toward a responsible, orderly transition in the international combat mission in Afghanistan, we will not abandon the Afghan people. Our civilian commitment will remain long into the future.”

    In 2022, as Afghanistan males’s cricket staff go into their first Asia Cup fixture, it has been simply over one yr since the Taliban took management of Afghanistan. With ladies’s cricket and the nationwide staff being compelled out by the regime, the boys’s facet is among the few standing teams within the leisure phase. Barely, nevertheless.

    Dr Sarah Fane, referred to as ‘mother of Afghan cricket’ as a result of her NGO “Afghan Connection”, based in 2011, aimed to remodel younger lives by training and sport. The charity funded the constructing of 46 colleges in rural Afghanistan for 75,000 children and she or he acquired an OBE in 2013. They constructed cricket pitches in colleges, held tournaments, supplied clothes and package and ran teaching camps.

    She give up the nation in 2020 after she began to get threats that they must begin paying taxes to the Taliban, and she or he didn’t wish to drag her donors into that scenario.

    Fane, referred to as ‘mother of Afghan cricket’ as a result of her NGO “Afghan Connection”, based in 2011, aimed to remodel younger lives by training and sport. (Photo: MCC basis)

    A yr earlier than that, she had spoken to this newspaper in regards to the impact of cricket in Afghanistan. “Eight million kids are in school, seven million more than (in) 2001. I haven’t faced any problems with parents sending boys to play cricket. With girls, yes; it’s a conservative society but hopefully things are changing. Kids play cricket everywhere in the country – streets, grounds, front of houses, everywhere. It’s a national obsession. Great source of joy for everyone. Afghanistan doesn’t have popstars or politicians to celebrate. Cricketers are the heroes.”

    She recounted a “most emotional” story from 2009 that also offers her goosebumps.  The Afghanistan nationwide staff had come to a college for a camp, funded by MCC. “Jalalabad was flooded that day. Rickshaws looked like bizarre half-submerged fish as they battled through waters,” says Sarah. The children didn’t know they’d be there and I can nonetheless bear in mind their faces. It was unimaginable, actually. I’m amazed that in some way in my life as a physician I ended up with cricket and Afghanistan. I by no means even dreamt about it.”

    But of late, that dream is drying up. “The passion for the game has increased but the flow of money has started to dry up,”  Asadullah Khan, a former Afghanistan Cricket Board selector, had mentioned in a current interview to Cricinfo.“… corporate sponsorships for the game have come down. ICC funds are not coming directly, hence money is an issue. ACB is still surviving but [we’re] not sure how long it can be sustained.”

    It is with all this taking place that Mohammad Nabi will lead the staff in UAE. And they could as effectively win the primary one.

    Not simply on paper, Afghanistan stands even vs Sri Lanka on floor

    It was in 2014 that Afghanistan made their first look within the Asia Cup, the identical yr when Sri Lanka gained their final. Imagine telling both of these groups that in eight years time the 2 can be robust to choose from within the match’s opener. But that is the place we’re.

    Since the final T20 World Cup, Afghanistan have gained six of their 10 T20Is throughout three bilaterals, beating Zimbabwe and taking part in a stalemate in opposition to Bangladesh within the course of. While it must be taken under consideration that Afghanistan extra usually compete in opposition to groups decrease in rating than Sri Lanka, the latter have gained just one T20I sequence since 2020. That, got here in opposition to a second string Indian facet, which barely managed to place an XI on area after seven of their gamers examined optimistic for Covid-19 submit a win within the first of the three matches. For what it’s value, Afghanistan’s win-loss ratio since 2020 is 1.857 in comparison with Sri Lanka’s 0.416.

    Powered by globetrotting T20 riches, the Afghan facet in 2022 have a number of gamers to win them video games within the format. Rashid Khan continues to be the massive title within the squad, particularly after the brand new replace of no bones cricket pictures he executes with the bat. But gone are the times when it was all about him. Mujeeb ur Rahman is an ready associate below the spin column. Together, the duo have a complete of 89 wickets in between them at economic system serving lower than 6.50. Spin, hasn’t even been essentially the most profitable outlet for the staff with the pacers choosing a wicket extra (56) in all T20Is since 2021.

    Their batting is perhaps the place the five-time Asian champions damage Afghanistan. Openers Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have solely scored two fifties in 9 innings because the 2021 World Cup. There has been an growing reliance on the staff’s main scorer from final yr’s match, Najibullah Zadran, who has additionally been Afghanistan’s main run getter within the format since. Rashid generally is a biggie decrease down the batting order however the opposition can kill the sport if the highest order collapses early.

    Game day all set and able to go 🇦🇫vs🇱🇰
    #asiacup #dubai #afghanistan #gameday #snakeshot pic.twitter.com/RljJIwrhxo

    — Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) August 27, 2022

    For Sri Lanka, spin is a key phrase with the duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana filling eight off the 20 overs with high quality. Just like their opponents, Sri Lanka do have critical batting points that haven’t been addressed pre Asia Cup. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka have a complete of solely three fifties between them because the final T20 World Cup. They are additionally the one two batters who’ve performed all 11 matches succeeding the match final yr in a batting order that has been extremely inconsistent.

    The staff, present process a transition part, want to dig a few of them good vibes from the final T20I they performed, of their homeland, in opposition to Australia. When Dasun Shanaka blasted his facet to a win, chasing 75 within the last 5 overs.

    Not the favorites however…  

    Both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan begin the Asia Cup not as favorites to characteristic within the last due two Sundays from now.

    But among the many many issues forward of the opener, 30-year-old Dasun Shanaka additionally mentioned, “…in T20 cricket, there are no favorites. If we play good cricket, we can be the favorites.”

    An announcement of proven fact that bodes effectively for each the groups taking part in on Saturday. Away from the crises of their motherlands, going through much less regarding cricket crises of their very own. A win would barely change issues for his or her loudest followers however cricket continues. For higher or worse.

  • Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 21 runs to take collection

    Afghanistan prolonged its profitable tour of Zimbabwe by clinching their Twenty20 collection after a 21-run victory within the second match.

    That gave the guests a 2-0 lead within the three-match collection.

    Afghanistan got here into the T20 internationals after sweeping Zimbabwe 3-0 within the one-day worldwide collection.

    #2ndT20I | Match abstract 👇

    Best of Express PremiumPremiumPremiumPremiumPremium

    #ZIMvAFG | #Go toZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/V8caQ3FCkL

    — Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 12, 2022

    Pace bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi took 1-19 with a show of financial bowling at Harare Sports Club. He was the important thing bowler in limiting Zimbabwe to 149-7 after Afghanistan selected to bat first and scored 170-5.

    Najibullah Zadran was Afghanistan’s prime scorer with 57 runs, earlier than being run out, whereas captain Mohammad Nabi hit 43 not out.
    Zadran smashed six fours and one six in his 46-ball innings.

    In reply, Zimbabwe opener Innocent Kaia was run out for 54 with Sikandar Raza dismissed for 41 by star Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan (2-32), because the hosts fell quick in the long run.

    “It is good that we won the series,” Nabi mentioned.

    “The Zimbabwean guys batted very well, especially Raza and Kaia. When Rashid took the Raza wicket, that was the most important wicket for us, the game changed.” The third T20 recreation is on Tuesday.

  • Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb ur Rahman dropped by Afghanistan for limited-overs sequence towards Zimbabwe

    Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has been dropped for the away limited-overs sequence towards Zimbabwe, beginning June 4. The groups will play three T20Is and three ODIs, which might be a part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.

    Alongside Naib, who was a part of the ODI sequence towards Bangladesh in February, Qais Ahmad and Mujeeb ur Rahman, who’ve Vitality Blast commitments, have been neglected of the T20I sequence.

    While Qais has missed out on a variety in each squads as he might be enjoying Kent in England’s home event, Mujeeb will be part of Middlesex after representing Afghanistan within the ODI leg. Ihsanullah Jannat and Noor Ahmad have changed the duo within the T20I squad.

    Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rahman Akbar has acquired a call-up for the ODIs. He was the main wicket-taker within the Green Afghanistan One-Day Cup, the home 50-over event, with 14 wickets at a mean of 12. Wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad and quick bowler Nijat Masoud have been added as reserves for ODIs.

    The ODI sequence might be performed on June 4, 6 and 9 on the Harare Sports Club, adopted by T20Is on June 11, 12 and 14 on the similar venue in Harare.

    Afghanistan ODI squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhail (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Mujib ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rashid Khan, Riaz Hassan, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Akbar.

    Afghanistan T20I squad: Mohammad Nabi (c), Najibullah Zadran (vc), Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ihsanullah Janat, Karim Janat, Nijat Masoud, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rashid Khan, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Usman Ghani.

  • From Afghan avenue to Irish U-19 crew, an 8,000 km-long story

    MUZAMIL SHERZAD’S journey to the U-19 World Cup within the Caribbean is like no different.
    Irrespective of runs and wickets, the story of the one-time informal tape-ball avenue cricketer in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad, who’s now an Ireland pacer and among the many greatest junior gamers from all over the world, is already worthy of a ebook, a documentary — or perhaps a characteristic movie.

    Five years in the past, when Sherzad was simply 14, his mom paid a tout to take him to Ireland the place his uncle labored at a quick meals outlet. All he had with him was some home-cooked meals and 50 Euros.
    For the subsequent 8-9 months, Sherzad, together with different immigrants, crossed the borders of Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Italy and France. Walking, operating, hiding within the forests, sleeping in parks and hitch-hiking, he would journey shut to eight,300 km in the hunt for his uncle and a greater life.
    Once in Ireland, Sherzad, to his shock, discovered that cricket would assist him make associates and provides him a brand new id. And, in a outstanding change of a fortune, he would quickly turn out to be a World Cupper for his new nation.
    Speaking to The Indian Express on Zoom from Georgetown in Guyana, Sherzad, who misplaced his father on the age of 5, stated: “After a family dispute over property, my mother got in touch with an agent and packed me off. My life was under threat.”
    From the consolation of his lodge room for the continued U-19 event, Sherzad can’t assist however look again on all these powerful days on the highway. “At one point, I was in a camp trying to cross into Croatia for a number of months. From there, I travelled by truck for three-four days and arrived in Milan,” he stated.
    At Cherbourg in France, he received into one other truck that was on a ferry. “It was cold and dark. I was now on my own, this was the scariest night of the long journey. After a few hours, I could make out that the truck was not on the ferry anymore and was moving. I banged on the side. The driver stopped, and when he opened the back door, I jumped out,” he stated.
    Good fortune would see him lastly attain Ireland however the ordeal was removed from over. His first night time in Dublin was spent in a park as a result of he didn’t know the place his uncle stayed. In one other stroke of luck, the boy who couldn’t converse English met an Asian man who gave him instructions to a refugee centre in Dublin. “A child protection agency placed me with a family, until they found my uncle. I then went to live with him in Tipperary,” he says.
    Sherzad’s brush with cricket occurred two years in the past when he noticed a Cricket Ireland commercial a couple of fast-bowling expertise hunt, and shortly signed up by way of Facebook.
    Albert van der Merwe, Cricket Ireland’s expertise pathway supervisor, says he and his colleagues on the expertise hunt, with 50 aspirants, had been impressed by Sherzad’s pure expertise.
    “The first time I met Sherzad was at a Cricket Ireland Talent Identification Programme in October 2019. They bowled at some of the academy batsmen, and we liked what we saw in Muzamil. We took some videos and showed it to the academy manager, and Muzamil was invited to some sessions. At this stage, we didn’t really know the backstory,” says van der Merwe, who’s in Guyana with the Ireland U-19 crew.To fund his cricket tools, Sherzad joined his uncle on the quick meals joint. Van der Merwe says he received to find out about Sherzad’s journey after he joined the academy. “It has given me a glimpse into what he must have gone through. His journey to Ireland is something I struggle to wrap my head around. The furthest I went from home on my own as a 14-year-old was to the shop or to school,” he stated.

    Sherzad, a die-hard fan of Virender Sehwag and a Bollywood follower, is able to make a reputation on the World Cup. He says the presence of many Afghanistan gamers, together with their prime star leggie Rashid Khan, in Sunrisers Hyderabad has received him within the IPL, too. He has already picked up Hindi from movies just like the Aamir Khan-starrer “3 Idiots”.
    And but, past cricket, Sherzad has an unfulfilled want: he desires to fulfill his household, mom, two brothers and a sister. “I never thought that I would be playing cricket for Ireland at a World Cup. I wish my mother and siblings could watch me play. I miss them a lot. I am trying to get them to Ireland. I’ve applied for their visas. Let’s see what the future has in store.”

  • Sourav Ganguly replaces Anil Kumble as ICC Cricket’s Committee chairman

    BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has been appointed because the Chairman of the ICC males’s Cricket Committee, the sport’s governing physique mentioned on Wednesday.
    Ganguly will change fellow Indian Anil Kumble, who stepped down after serving a most of three, three-year phrases.
    “I am delighted to welcome Sourav to the position of Chair of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee,” ICC Chair Greg Barclay mentioned in a launch.
    “His expertise as one of many world’s greatest gamers and latterly as an administrator will assist us form our cricketing choices shifting ahead.
    “I would also like to thank Anil for his outstanding leadership over the last nine years which has included improving the international game through more regular and consistent application of DRS and a robust process for addressing suspect bowling actions.”
    The Board additionally authorized that first-class standing and checklist A classification might be utilized to girls’s cricket to align with the boys’s sport and utilized retrospectively.
    Going ahead the ICC Women’s Committee might be generally known as the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee and can assume all resolution making accountability for ladies’s cricket reporting on to the CEC.
    Johnny Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies has been appointed to the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee.
    Ramiz Raja a part of ICC working group fashioned to overview cricket in Afghanistan
    Ramiz Raja is the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board. (File)
    Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ramiz Raja might be part of the ICC Working Group appointed by the sport’s governing physique to overview the standing of cricket in Afghanistan in mild of the current political developments within the nation.
    The group, comprising Imran Khwaja (Chair), Ross McCollum, Lawson Naidoo and Raja, will report again to the ICC Board over the approaching months.
    Afghanistan cricket was plunged into uncertainty because of the drastic modifications within the political panorama following the takeover of the nation by the Taliban.
    Taliban’s opposition to girls’s cricket additionally led to the postponement of the one-off Test of the boys’s group towards Australia.
    ICC Chair Greg Barclay mentioned: “The ICC Board is dedicated to persevering with to help Afghanistan Cricket to develop each males’s and girls’s cricket shifting ahead.
    “We believe the most effective way for this to happen will be to support our members in their efforts to achieve this through its relationship with the new government.”
    Afghanistan, nevertheless, fought towards all odds and grabbed a spot within the Super 12s for the 2022 T20 World Cup after successful two video games out of 5 within the recently-concluded editions of the ICC occasion.
    “Cricket is fortunate to be in the position to influence positive change in Afghanistan with the national men’s team a source of great pride and unity in a country with a young population that has experienced more upheaval and change than most,” Barclay mentioned.

    “We should protect that status and continue to try to influence change through the ACB but will continue to closely monitor the situation and take any decisions accordingly.”
    In different updates, the ICC Board determined to proceed “the ICC World Test Championship in its current form of a nine-team league over a two-year period with a final between the top two teams at the conclusion.”
    The Board has additionally accepted Chief Executives’ Committee’s suggestion that the first avenue for qualification for the occasion is predicated on rankings at a pre-determined cutoff date with the ten highest-ranked groups on the ODI Rankings qualifying mechanically, and the rest being decided by way of a world qualifier.”

  • India reboot in opposition to Afghanistan, hoping in opposition to hope

    How does a group bounce again from two morale-crushing defeats when its cricket just isn’t courageous sufficient, by Virat Kohli’s personal admission? How does a group return to successful methods when its bowling unit has taken solely two wickets in two matches? How does a group inspire itself understanding that its destiny on the T20 World Cup is not in its personal palms?
    Inclusion of recent faces might assist; some new gamers coming into the taking part in eleven in opposition to Afghanistan with out carrying the surplus baggage of back-to-back losses. Then once more, it’s a double-edged sword. Axing is straightforward, the message it might carry won’t be palatable. To begin with, dropping a participant would ship a damaging vibe; that he’s a cause for the failure. It can even expose choice errors within the first two matches. India are in a no-win state of affairs. Going into their third group league fixture, that is their greatest problem. Afghanistan are incidental.
    Much has been mentioned in regards to the aspect’s batting performances in opposition to Pakistan and New Zealand. Here are some bowling stats… Mohammed Shami has conceded 54 runs in 4.5 overs in two matches. Shardul Thakur gave away 17 runs in one-and-a-half overs in opposition to the Kiwis, coming in as Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s alternative. The latter appeared pedestrian throughout his three overs in opposition to Pakistan, leaking 25 runs. The two spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakravarthy have accounted for 107 runs between them with no wicket. Hardik Pandya bowled a few navy medium overs within the final recreation. Jasprit Bumrah apart, the opposite bowlers have fired blanks.
    If Varun has been the group administration’s attacking spin possibility, why did he bowl a damaging size in opposition to New Zealand was a thriller, as if he was afraid of getting hit. A safer bowling technique gave him a decent economic system price however that didn’t serve his group’s goal. Defending a paltry whole, taking wickets at common intervals was India’s solely likelihood. Will Varun be continued with? If not, who’s his alternative, Rahul Chahar or Ravichandran Ashwin?
    After nurturing wrist-spin for 4 years, why did India ditch the range within the first two video games was anyone’s guess. It hinted at a scarcity of religion in Chahar, picked forward of Yuzvendra Chahal for being faster by means of the air. Yes, Kohli was unfortunate with the toss in each matches, for circumstances have made chasing down targets simpler at this World Cup. But hiding behind the dew issue could be equal to denial, a refusal to just accept the truth that the group has didn’t play to its potential.

    Not many days in the past, Rashid Khan virtually received the sport for Afghanistan, bowling second in opposition to Pakistan.
    On Monday, on a dewy Sharjah night, England’s Adil Rashid bagged two wickets in opposition to Sri Lanka, going at lower than 5 runs per over. Australia’s Adam Zampa has claimed 5 wickets in three matches at an economic system price of lower than seven runs per over. Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga has taken 14 wickets from seven matches – Sri Lanka performed the qualifiers additionally – conceding a shade over 5 runs per over. New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi has 4 scalps from two video games with an economic system price of simply over five-and-a-half runs per over. Pakistan’s Shadab Khan, too, has bagged a few wickets for lower than six runs per over. Leg-spin to this point has proved to be efficient. Strange that India hasn’t used it in any respect, a aspect that banked closely on wrist-spin publish the 2017 Champions Trophy closing.

    Or, it might have been Ashwin even, based mostly on his efficiency within the two warm-up video games within the lead-up two the event correct. The senior off-spinners can take wickets within the Powerplay and he wouldn’t bowl with the concern of getting hit.
    “Of course, execution could be better. Definitely. Could have bowled better. Secondly, I think the wicket definitely is (a factor) when you are bowling second,” India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour mentioned on the pre-match press convention, including: “And thirdly, I think we didn’t really put up enough runs on the board to create that pressure. Once you are looking to defend only 110, it gets easier for the team batting second.”
    Given the bigger outfield in Abu Dhabi, India might convey on Chahar or Ashwin for Varun.
    As for batting, India’s T20 method has at all times been an extension of their ODI batting template – preserve wickets in hand upfront earlier than throwing the kitchen sink on the demise. When they misplaced wickets at the beginning – Pakistan recreation – their progress grew to become chequered. When singles and twos dried up within the middle-overs – New Zealand recreation – they resorted to poor shot choice.
    This template was mounted when MS Dhoni was the captain, however as England have been exhibiting, T20 cricket has developed. Batsmen must be extra adventurous now proper from the outset with out fooling around. In reality, Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings adopted the tactic within the IPL this time period, by means of Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad. India, with Dhoni their group mentor, stay old-school.
    Rathour’s reply was a tad generic when he was requested about India not taking part in fearless T20 cricket. “I think that will happen with any team. Any international team will go through that.” The reality of the matter is that though India have high quality batsmen top-down, Suryakumar Yadav is their tenuous hyperlink to batting adventurism.
    Surya recovering
    India initially didn’t have a web session on the match eve, however later opted for an elective session. Yadav, who was dominated out in opposition to New Zealand because of again spasms, was seen performing some health drills earlier than batting on the nets. He additionally did fielding follow like others. If he’s declared match, the middle-order batsman is more likely to substitute Ishan Kishan in tomorrow’s recreation.
    Afghanistan have three good spinners. But there’s a gulf between the 2 sides and India’s actual combat is in opposition to low confidence degree. Some Indian expats like enterprise tycoon and cricket patron Anis Sajan are refusing to surrender and doing their maths. “If India concede 300 runs in their last three games and chase them down in 30 overs, their net run-rate would climb to +2.” Anis sounded optimistic. He owned two Abu Dhabi T20 League franchises and is aware of his cricket.
    Embracing stoicism, nevertheless, the group just isn’t trying too far forward. “We won’t be good at maths anyways being cricketers. So I think at this time, at this moment, the focus is to play good cricket, to win games, to win the remaining three games,” Rathour mentioned.

  • Thousands of followers attempt to pressure their approach into Dubai stadium, report sought

    According to sources, massive chunks of Afghanistan followers tried to pressure their approach into the stadium via Enclosure B. The Dubai Police needed to be referred to as to cordon off the world. Outside the bottom, some real ticket holders complained that they couldn’t get in.
    The Pakistan-Afghanistan sport has a historical past of rival followers clashing. Extra safety preparations had been constituted of the beginning. Probably for the primary time on this T20 World Cup, the Dubai Mounted Police made its look.
    Fans began to throng the venue from 2 pm native time, 4 hours earlier than the beginning of the match. Afghan followers had been outnumbering their Pakistani counterparts. Lots of people had been asking for tickets close to the stadium entrance. It was a full home at 70 p.c capability. Outside, a number of lots of of followers waited.When contacted, an ICC insider mentioned: “We are waiting for a report from our security.”

    Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi condemned ticketless followers for attempting to pressure entry into the stadium.#PAKvsAFG | #T20WorldCup https://t.co/CqvQsv7B8q pic.twitter.com/JUcHjIPdhf
    — Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) October 29, 2021
    ICC issued a press release saying, “More than 16,000 tickets had been issued for tonight’s sport between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, 1000’s of ticketless followers traveled to the venue after which tried to pressure entry into the stadium.
    “Dubai Police and safety employees secured the stadium to make sure the security of everybody inside and introduced in vital further sources to disperse the group and calm the scenario.
    “At roughly 7pm, Dubai Police directed that every one gates ought to stay closed and no additional entry was permitted to take care of a protected and managed atmosphere contained in the venue.
    “The ICC has requested the ECB to undertake a radical investigation into tonight’s occasions to study any classes and can work intently with authorities to make sure there is no such thing as a repeat of this case sooner or later.
    “The ICC, BCCI and ECB apologise to any fans with valid tickets who were unable to enter the stadium tonight and request they contact the ticket provider.”