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DERBY: Sophie Ecclestone’s economical bowling figures of 3/26 powered England women to a comfortable 37-run victory over Pakistan women in the first ODI of the three-match series here at County Ground on Thursday. England went 1-0 up in the three-match series against Pakistan, part of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Championship. Put into bat first, England notched up a commendable total of 243/9 in the allotted 50 overs despite Nida Dar’s three wickets. In-form Alice Capsey top-scored for the home side with a gutsy 44-run knock with the help of three boundaries. Besides her, wicketkeeper Amy Jones made a notable contribution with her 38-ball 37. Jones was closely followed by opener Tammy Beaumont (33), Nat Sciver-Brunt (31) and skipper Heather Knight (29). For Pakistan, Nida Dar picked up three wickets, followed by Aliya Riaz, Nashra Sandhu and Umm-e-Hani, who bagged two wickets each. Follow us on our Official  WhatsApp channel Set to chase 244, Pakistan wom...

HOUSTON: Skipper Monank Patel’s anchoring 42-run knock, followed by Ali Khan’s three wickets led the United States of America (USA) to edge past Bangladesh in the second T20I of the three-match series here on Thursday. The victory marked USA’s first bilateral T20I series win over a Test-playing nation as they went 2-0 up with a game to spare. The home side, one of the hosts of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2024, scheduled to commence on June 2, registered an upset victory over Bangladesh in the series opener on Tuesday. More to follow… The post USA stun Bangladesh to seal historic T20I series win appeared first on ASports.tv . from ASports.tv https://ift.tt/pLmsBXM

England great James Anderson has said there are moments when he questions his upcoming retirement from Test cricket, although he is happy with his decision “90 per cent” of the time. The most successful fast bowler in the format’s history, with 700 wickets, Anderson announced earlier this month that the first Test against the West Indies at Lord’s in July would mark his farewell to England duty. Anderson, who will turn 42 next month, said Wednesday he had thoughts about playing on, having reached an age where most pace bowlers are long since retired. “In my head I feel like I could play for 10 years,” Anderson told his BBC Tailenders podcast. “Obviously I realise that is not realistic. “Some days I wake up and wish I was not retiring but then 90 percent of the time I’m happy with it. “Not many people in sport get the chance to retire from sport at over 40. I’m happy I’ve made it this far.” Only spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan have taken more Test wickets than James ...

LEEDS: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam on Tuesday, stated that his team have a “golden opportunity” to win the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to commence on June 2. Babar, in a press conference here ahead of Pakistan’s four-match T20I series against England, responded to a question regarding his reinstatement as Pakistan captain, just months after he stepped down from the role. “To be honest, [I returned as the captain] because of the World Cup. In the past, we have played semi-final and final but this time I have the opportunity to win the World Cup,” Babar said. “Second thing is that we have good bunch of players. We have a good batting lineup and specially our bowling is good because Amir is back. [We have] Shaheen, Haris and Naseem, they are good fast bowlers so yeah, we have a golden opportunity to win the World Cup,” he added. Follow us on our Official  WhatsApp channel Babar further shared that Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan will continue to...

Germany’s Alexander Zverev equalled compatriot Boris Becker’s record by reaching an 11th Masters final on Friday when he ended the Rome Open giant-killing run of Alejandro Tabilo. World number five Zverev, who lifted the Rome trophy in 2017, battled back to see off the Chilean 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in their semi-final. The 26-year-old Tabilo had shocked Novak Djokovic in the third round and the 32nd-ranked player showed little fear of Zverev until he began to play more passively in the second set tie-break. Follow us on our Official  WhatsApp channel Third seed Zverev then raced through the decider to make the Rome final for the third time. “I was just hanging on in the second set. I brought my energy up. I was really just hanging on and waiting and the patience was kind of good today,” Zverev said on court. “He hit me off the court in the first set and I did not play well at all, but he was a big reason why. He gave me no rhythm and I am happy I turned it around in the ti...

Iga Swiatek won her 11th straight clay-court match on Thursday as the top seed moved closer to another record with a 6-4, 6-3 semi-final defeat of Coco Gauff at the Rome Open. World number one Swiatek now stands one victory away from duplicating the Madrid-Rome clay trophy double achieved by Serena Williams 11 years ago. The 22-year-old Pole defeated third-seed Gauff for the 10th time in their 11 encounters, with her only loss in the series coming last summer in a Cincinnati semi-final. Iga Swiatek, a four-time Grand Slam winner due to defend her Roland Garros title starting a week from Sunday, will play the Saturday Rome Open final against either second-seed Aryna Sabalenka or American Danielle Collins. The top seed spent one and three-quarter hours in dispatching Gauff, the reigning US Open champion. Iga Swiatek ended with 26 winners and broke four times. “I’m not thinking about statistics or history,” she said after the victory. “I’m just playing day by...

LONDON: Star England pacer James Anderson is likely to call time on his illustrious 22-year-long career at the end of the 2024 summer, the Guardian reported Friday. According to the details, England Test head coach Brendon McCullum reached the United Kingdom (UK) from New Zealand earlier this week and told the right-arm pacer over a round of golf that he looks forward to the future, in a build-up to the Ashes 2025-26. However, neither Anderson nor the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) commented on the reports. But the veteran pacer may address the claims this Saturday as he is scheduled to appear on the BBC’s coverage of the first Women’s T20I between England and Pakistan at Edgbaston. Follow us on our Official  WhatsApp channel Anderson will turn 42 by the conclusion of England’s three-match series against West Indies in July and could hang up his boots during their subsequent series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to commence at his home ground, Old Trafford, in August. Ja...

REDDITCH: The Worcestershire County Cricket Club on Thursday, announced the “untimely passing” of their 20-year-old left-arm spinner Josh Baker, leaving the cricket fraternity in deep shock. “Worcestershire County Cricket Club is heartbroken to announce the untimely passing of Josh Baker, who was aged only 20 years old,” wrote the county club. “More than his skills as a spin bowler, it was his vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everyone he met. “His warmth, kindness, and professionalism were remarkable, making him a true credit to his family and a loved member of our team.” Worcestershire County Cricket Club is heartbroken to announce the untimely passing of Josh Baker, who was aged only 20 years old. The love and prayers of everyone at the Club go out to Josh’s family and friends at this time. https://t.co/p5C9G0apV0 pic.twitter.com/DNNOnG4Gy7 — Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) May 2, 2024   Baker, who signed his contract with the club in 20...

KARACHI: The trophy for the five-match T20I series between Pakistan and West Indies women was unveiled here at National Bank Stadium on Thursday. The glittering trophy was unveiled by Pakistan captain Nida Dar and her West Indies counterpart Hayley Matthews ahead of their pre-series press conference. The T20I matches are scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm, with the toss taking place at 7:00 pm. The second T20I will take place on 28 April, while the third T20I will commence on 30 April. The fourth and fifth T20Is are scheduled for 2 and 3 May, respectively. Pakistan captain Dar acknowledged that the national team is “disappointed” with the outcome of the ODI series but expressed her hope to rectify the errors and continue their winning streak against West Indies in the shortest format. “We are obviously disappointed with the performances in the ODI series and our goal is to rectify our mistakes and put up a strong performance in the upcoming T20I series,” stated Dar. “As a team, we und...

Abbottabad and Rawalpindi will host 24 matches of the 50-over-a-side President’s Cup, in which seven leading departments of the country will participate from 24 April to 12 May. Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), the winner of the four-day first-class President’s Trophy, will aim to conclude the 2023-24 season with another trophy. Apart from SNGPL, the other six teams participating in the tournament are Pakistan Television (PTV), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Higher Education Commission (HEC), and Ghani Glass. The seven teams will compete in a single round-robin format, with the top four sides after 21 league matches qualifying for the semi-finals. While Shoaib Akhtar Stadium, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and Abbottabad Cricket Stadium will be used for the league matches, venues of the three knock-out matches will be confirmed closer to the matches. Follow us on our Official  WhatsApp chann...

LAHORE: Wicketkeeper batter Haseebullah Khan on Sunday, replaced Azam Khan in Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand. “The national selection committee has announced wicketkeeper/batter Haseebullah as the replacement player for Azam Khan, who was sidelined from the T20I series against New Zealand due to a tear in his right calf muscle, stated PCB in a brief press release. According to the details, Haseebullah will join the Pakistan team after the third T20I and will be available for selection in the remaining two T20Is, scheduled to be played in Lahore on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. The 21-year-old Haseebullah made his sole T20I appearance against New Zealand earlier this year. Follow us on our Official  WhatsApp channel For the unversed, Azam Khan, who missed the first T20I due to discomfort in his right knee and right calf muscle, was subsequently ruled out of the entirety of the series on Saturday. “Azam Khan has been advised t...

Derek Underwood, the most successful spin bowler in England Test cricket history, has died at the age of 78, his former county Kent announced on Monday. Underwood took 297 wickets in 86 Tests with his distinctive brand of brisk left-arm spin. He was noted for being particularly effective on uncovered pitches, which were in use for much of a 24-year first-class career that ran from 1963 until 1987. He famously bowled England to a Test victory over arch-rivals Australia at The Oval in 1968 on such a surface, taking 7-50 when a draw had seemed inevitable. Underwood made his England debut as a 21-year-old in 1966 and played his last Test in 1982. Together with outstanding wicketkeeper Alan Knott, he formed a celebrated combination for Kent and England. Both Underwood, affectionately nicknamed “Deadly”, and Knott might have achieved even more success for England had they not been involved in Kerry Packer’s breakaway World Series Cricket of the late 1970s and a rebel tour of South Afri...

KARACHI: Islamabad United’s left-arm spinner Imad Wasim etched his name into the Pakistan Super League (PSL) history book as he became the first bowler to register a five-wicket haul in the tournament’s final. The left-arm spinner had a brilliant outing for the United in the blockbuster final against 2021 champions Multan Sultans, registering tremendous figures of 5/23 in his quota of four overs. At the back of his bowling exploits, the two-time champions United managed to restrict the Sultans on 159/9 in the allotted overs. Imad Wasim had a dream start to his bowling spell as he removed in-form opener Yasir Khan (6) on the third delivery of his first over. He was then hit for a six by David Willey (6) but hit back on the next delivery by castling the batter. He then conceded a mere six runs in his next over before being brought back into the attack by Shadab Khan in the 12th over of the innings. Follow us on our Official  WhatsApp channel The left-arm spinner struck ...

KARACHI: Young left-handed opener Saim Ayub on Saturday, added another feather to his cap as he became the youngest Pakistan batter to hit 100 sixes in T20 cricket. Saim, who represented Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9, had a remarkable season with the bat and the ball. The left-handed opener finished as one of the leading run-scorers of the tournament with 345 runs in 11 innings at an average of 31.36 and a strike rate of 157.53. Follow us on our Official  WhatsApp channel He concluded his dream PSL 9 campaign with a blistering 73-run knock against Peshawar Zalmi in the Eliminator 2, which included an impressive tally of six boundaries and four sixes. Consequently, Saim Ayub, 21 years and 297 days old, surpassed previous record holder Haider Ali, who achieved the milestone at 22 years and 259 days, to become the fastest Pakistan batter to 100 T20 sixes. Notably, Saim has hit the most sixes in PSL 9 thus far, smashing 21 sixes in 11 innings. Young...

KARACHI: Multan Sultans’ captain Mohammad Rizwan on Sunday, downplayed the hype of the highly-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 final, stating that he would approach it as a normal game. Rizwan, who led Sultans to their third consecutive PSL final under his captaincy, expressed his excitement for the big match but at the same time refrained from taking the toll of the big-match pressure. “We are playing the fourth consecutive final. Everyone in the team is excited but for me, the game is just like a season opener,” stated Rizwan. Whereas, Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan was upbeat about playing the PSL final after a gap of six years. “Our team bonding has always been top notch and we have stayed like a family and play like United,” Shadab said. Both captains also requested the fans to come and fill the iconic National Bank Cricket Stadium in the PSL 9 final. Follow us on our Official  WhatsApp channel For the unversed, Multan Sultans enjoyed a dream run in the o...

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Friday that it will host South Africa and New Zealand for an ODI tri-series ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. The development came after the newly-appointed PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met the Chairman of Cricket South Africa (CSA), Mr Lawson Naidoo and the Chairman of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), Mr Roger Twose on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting in Dubai. The agenda of the meeting included the ODI Tri-series between Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa, to be held in February 2025 in Pakistan, just before the ICC Champions Trophy. Follow us on our Official  WhatsApp channel The Tri-series was finalised and welcomed by the host and both the member boards. Chairman PCB also extended an invitation to Mr Roger Twose and Mr Lawson Naidoo to visit Pakistan. Pakistan Cricket Board last hosted a tri-series in October 2004, where Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe were the other two teams in the event. Cha...

France coach Didier Deschamps has cast doubt on Kylian Mbappe’s chances of representing his country at this year’s Paris Olympics, saying that it would be “very difficult” to compete at the Games straight after Euro 2024. “It is very difficult from a psychological and physical viewpoint to take part in two competitions like that one after the other, in the summer, without having any holiday,” Deschamps admitted on Thursday. The France coach confirmed that some members of his squad for the European Championship are likely to also feature in the Olympics squad, which will be named by Thierry Henry. However, Deschamps said the Euro “remains the priority” and that the identities of those players featuring at the Olympics would need to be known before the continental championship, which starts on June 14. “We don’t want any interference with our preparations, so once we are in our training camp at Clairefontaine, it needs to be clear who is going and who is not going,” Deschamps said. ...

KARACHI: West Indies’ wicketkeeper batter Johnson Charles on Saturday, linked up with Multan Sultans’ squad ahead of their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 clash against home side Karachi Kings. Charles’ inclusion would give a major boost to the 2021 champions, who are currently going strong in the tournament. Notably, Johnson Charles travelled to Pakistan after his Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) stint with Comilla Victorians, who fell short against eventual champions Fortune Barishal in the tournament’s final on Friday. The hard-hitting batter had a silent outing for the Victorians in the final as he could manage a scratchy 15 off 17 deliveries. Multan Sultans next face former champions Karachi Kings on Sunday at the iconic National Bank Stadium on Sunday. Follow us on our Official  WhatsApp channel The Sultans are at the summit of the PSL 9 standings with 10 points in six matches while Karachi Kings are fifth with four points in five matches. Earlier, players from both teams...

DUBAI: Nicholas Pooran’s swashbuckling half-century, followed by a combined bowling effort led MI Emirates to win the International League (ILT20) 2024 with a comfortable 45-run victory over Dubai Capitals in the final. Put into bat first, MI Emirates registered a mammoth total of 208/3 on the board, courtesy of Andre Fletcher and Pooran’s fifties. Earlier, openers Muhammad Waseem and Kusal Perera scripted a decent start to the innings, putting up a 77-run stand. Waseem, who was the core aggressor of the partnership, perished in the seventh over after 24-ball 43 which featured three boundaries and as many sixes. Watch ILT20 Live on  ARY ZAP Perera was then joined by Fletcher in the middle for a brief 25-run partnership which lasted with the former’s departure in the 12th over. He scored 38 off 26 deliveries, hitting six boundaries. Captain Pooran then joined forces with compatriot Fletcher and bolstered MI Emirates’ total with belligerent hitting. The duo added 56 runs for t...

RAJKOT: India’s experienced spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn himself from the ongoing third Test against England, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Friday. According to the BCCI, Ashwin opted to leave the ongoing Rajkot Test midway due to a “family emergency”. “In these challenging times, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team fully supports Ashwin,” stated BCCI in a press release. “The BCCI extends its heartfelt support to the champion cricketer and his family. The health and well-being of the players and their loved ones are of utmost importance. The Board requests respect for the privacy of Ashwin and his family as they navigate through this challenging time. “The Board and the team will continue to provide any necessary assistance to Ashwin and will keep the lines of communication open to offer support as needed. Team India appreciates the understanding and empathy of the fans and media during this sensitive period.” ...