Pakistan to Tour Ireland for Three T20Is in May

Pakistan to Tour Ireland for Three T20Is in May

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the schedule for Pakistan’s three-match T20I tour of Ireland. The matches will be played at Castle Avenue in Dublin on May 10, 12, and 14. This series is part of Pakistan’s 12-match preparation for the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies.

Before heading to Ireland, Pakistan will host New Zealand for five T20Is in April, with the first match scheduled for April 18. The final game of the series will take place on April 27. Following the New Zealand series, Pakistan will embark on a tour of England, where they will play four T20Is starting May 22.

Pakistan’s last T20I outing was against New Zealand in January, where they played a five-match series in New Zealand. Ireland, on the other hand, recently faced Afghanistan in the UAE, losing both the ODI and T20I series. However, they secured a historic first Test win in Abu Dhabi.

The T20I series against Pakistan will be Ireland’s first international matches since their tour of the UAE. Pakistan was initially scheduled to play three T20Is against the Netherlands in May, but the series was postponed indefinitely due to scheduling conflicts and concerns about player workload.

The PCB is actively seeking an alternative window to reschedule the Netherlands series. The upcoming T20I series against Ireland will provide Pakistan with valuable preparation for the T20 World Cup. The team will be looking to fine-tune their skills and build momentum ahead of the global tournament.

Steve Smith Praises MS Dhoni's Unparalleled Cricketing Acumen and Leadership

Steve Smith Praises MS Dhoni’s Unparalleled Cricketing Acumen and Leadership

Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has heaped praise upon former Indian captain MS Dhoni, hailing him as an unparalleled cricketing mind and exceptional leader. Smith, who played alongside Dhoni during his stint with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), described the experience as “tremendous,” highlighting Dhoni’s exceptional skills behind the stumps and his profound understanding of the game.

“There’s no one better in India to have behind the stumps than MS Dhoni,” Smith remarked. “The way he understands the game and the angles of the game is second to none. So look, he was a tremendous person to play with. I really enjoyed his company on and off the field.”

Smith also lauded Dhoni’s calm demeanor and his significant contributions to his cricketing development. “He’s such a chilled guy, obviously extremely busy with loads of things outside the game, but extremely chilled down to earth and a wonderful person,” Smith said. “There were many occasions where MS was fantastic. You know, I really enjoyed playing with him. I enjoyed leading him as well. He certainly helped me out.”

Dhoni’s illustrious reign with CSK came to an end when the franchise appointed Ruturaj Gaikwad as the new captain. However, despite Dhoni’s departure from the leadership role, CSK has commenced their IPL 2024 campaign with remarkable victories against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT).

Smith’s admiration for Dhoni is a testament to the latter’s enduring legacy in Indian cricket. Dhoni’s exceptional cricketing acumen, leadership prowess, and calm demeanor have made him one of the most respected and successful captains in the history of the game.

Danielle Collins Reaches Miami Open Final in Farewell Tour Triumph

Danielle Collins Reaches Miami Open Final in Farewell Tour Triumph

Danielle Collins’ farewell tour has reached its peak at the Miami Open, where the American has stormed into her first WTA 1000 final. Collins’ impressive run continued with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova, setting up a championship clash with 2023 finalist Elena Rybakina.

Collins’ announcement that 2024 would be her final season has been followed by some of her best tennis. The unseeded American has dismissed three seeds en route to the semis, including former world No. 4 Caroline Garcia. Against Alexandrova, Collins’ unyielding determination and tactical brilliance proved too much for the Russian.

Alexandrova, who had stunned world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula, was unable to match Collins’ consistency and precision. Collins broke serve twice in the opening set, forcing Alexandrova into errors. The second set was even more one-sided, as Collins opened with another break and powered to victory with a total of 21 winners to 17 unforced errors.

Collins’ victory marks her biggest final since the 2022 Australian Open, where she finished runner-up to Ashleigh Barty. She will now face No. 4 seed Rybakina, who leads their head-to-head record 3-1. Collins’ lone win over the Kazakh came in their first meeting in San Jose in 2021.

Collins’ success in Miami is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite announcing her retirement, she has played with renewed vigor and focus. Her ability to overcome adversity and perform at her best under pressure is a testament to her character and unwavering spirit.

Mumbai Indians Face Uphill Battle After Two Consecutive IPL Defeats

Mumbai Indians Face Uphill Battle After Two Consecutive IPL Defeats

Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2024 campaign has started with two consecutive defeats, raising concerns among fans and experts alike. The franchise’s decision to trade Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans and appoint him as captain has come under scrutiny after the team’s poor start.

In their opening match, Mumbai narrowly lost to Gujarat Titans, but their second match against Sunrisers Hyderabad was a heavy defeat, with Hyderabad scoring a mammoth 277 runs in 20 overs. Pandya has faced criticism for his leadership and performance, while his wife, Natasa Stankovic, has been targeted by trolls on social media.

Despite the setbacks, Pandya remains optimistic and has urged his team to stay united. “Toughest soldiers get the toughest test; we are the toughest team in the competition,” he said in a video posted on Mumbai Indians’ social media handle. “Let’s make sure we will help each other; worst or good, we will be together.”

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who is a mentor for Mumbai Indians, believes the team has the potential to turn things around. “The game was very much open. The target was very much achievable,” he said. “Let’s stick together, tighter. There are going to be tougher moments, we will stick together as a group and pull it through.”

Mumbai Indians will be looking to bounce back in their next match against Chennai Super Kings on April 15. The team will need to find a way to improve their bowling and fielding, while also finding consistency with their batting.

IPL 2024: RR-DC Match Halted Due to Foreign Player Substitution Confusion

IPL 2024: RR-DC Match Halted Due to Foreign Player Substitution Confusion

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) witnessed a controversial interruption due to a misunderstanding regarding the tournament’s rules on foreign player substitutions.

The incident occurred when RR decided to field Rovman Powell as a substitute fielder after starting the match with three overseas players: Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, and Trent Boult. They had earlier brought in Nandre Burger as their impact player in place of Hetmyer.

However, the DC camp raised concerns, pointing out that RR would be fielding five overseas players if Powell entered the field. This prompted a discussion between DC head coach Ricky Ponting, director of cricket Sourav Ganguly, and the fourth umpire.

According to IPL rules, a team cannot have more than four overseas players on the field at any time. If a team fields four overseas players in its starting XI, an overseas player can only substitute another overseas player. If a team fields less than four overseas players in its starting XI, overseas players can enter the field as substitutes only if the total number of overseas players on the field does not exceed four.

In this case, RR had already fielded three overseas players in their starting XI. By bringing in Powell as a substitute fielder, they would have exceeded the permissible limit of four overseas players on the field.

The confusion stemmed from the fact that RR had initially named only three overseas players in their starting XI. However, they later decided to bring in Burger as an impact player, which effectively increased the number of overseas players in their starting XI to four.

The issue was eventually resolved, and RR was allowed to field Powell as a substitute fielder. However, the incident highlighted the importance of clear understanding and adherence to tournament rules.

Despite the controversy, RR went on to defeat DC by 12 runs. Riyan Parag smashed an unbeaten 84 off 45 balls, while Nandre Burger and Yuzvendra Chahal picked up two wickets each.

Maple Leafs Crush Capitals 5-1, Bertuzzi Scores Twice

Maple Leafs Crush Capitals 5-1, Bertuzzi Scores Twice

Toronto’s Maple Leafs emerged victorious over the Washington Capitals 5-1 on Thursday night, fueled by Tyler Bertuzzi’s two goals and Joseph Woll’s impressive performance in net.

Bertuzzi, who has now scored six goals in his last seven games, opened the scoring for Toronto in the second period, followed by a goal from Mark Giordano, who returned to action after a lengthy injury absence. Conner Dewar and Bobby McMann also contributed goals to the Maple Leafs’ tally.

Washington’s lone goal came from Nic Dowd, while Charlie Lindgren made 43 saves in a valiant effort. The Capitals, who are battling for a playoff spot, fell to 36-27-9 with the loss.

Woll, who had struggled in his previous two starts, rebounded with a solid performance, making 24 saves and helping Toronto improve to 41-22-9.

Despite missing top-line winger Mitch Marner and several key defensemen due to injuries, the Maple Leafs managed to secure the win. Auston Matthews, the NHL’s leading goal scorer, played for Toronto despite missing the morning skate due to illness.

Giordano, the oldest player in the league at age 40, scored his first goal in 31 games, a poignant moment as he celebrated by pointing to the sky in honor of his late father.

Bertuzzi’s second goal of the night came off a turnover with less than 10 minutes remaining, sealing the victory for Toronto.

Dimitrov Stuns Alcaraz, Rybakina Reaches Miami Open Final

Dimitrov Stuns Alcaraz, Rybakina Reaches Miami Open Final

In a stunning upset, eleventh-seeded Grigor Dimitrov dethroned top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-4 in the Miami Open quarterfinals, marking his first victory over a top-five player in nearly five years. Dimitrov’s triumph sets up a semifinal clash with fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev, who defeated unseeded Fabian Marozsan 6-3, 7-5.

Alcaraz, the reigning champion, struggled to find his rhythm against Dimitrov’s aggressive play. The Bulgarian broke Alcaraz’s serve twice in the first set, taking it 6-2. In the second set, Alcaraz rallied back from a 4-2 deficit, breaking Dimitrov at love and holding serve to level the set at 4-4. However, Dimitrov regained control, winning the final two games to seal the victory.

This win marks a significant milestone for Dimitrov, who had not defeated a top-five player since his victory over Roger Federer in the 2019 US Open quarterfinals. It also boosts his confidence ahead of the upcoming clay-court season, where he has historically performed well.

On the women’s side, fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina battled through a grueling three-set match against No. 27 Victoria Azarenka, ultimately prevailing 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (2) in the semifinals. Rybakina will face either No. 14 Ekaterina Alexandrova or unseeded Danielle Collins in the final.

Rybakina, ranked fourth on the WTA Tour, has been pushed to three sets in all but one match this tournament. Despite the physical toll, she remains determined to capture her third title of the year.

Abhishek Sharma's Record-Breaking Knock Revives SRH's Hopes

Abhishek Sharma’s Record-Breaking Knock Revives SRH’s Hopes

Abhishek Sharma’s blistering knock against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday night has reignited hopes for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The 23-year-old left-hander smashed the fastest fifty for SRH, a 16-ball masterpiece that earned him the player of the match award.

Sharma’s performance is a testament to SRH’s persistence with domestic talent. Despite inconsistent returns since joining the franchise in 2019, the team has remained steadfast in their support for Sharma, along with other promising players like Abdul Samad, Rahul Tripathi, and Mayank Markande.

This season, Sharma’s improved form is evident. He was the second-highest scorer for Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20, amassing 485 runs with a strike rate of 192. His two centuries and three fifties in 10 outings showcased his potential.

Batting at No. 3 instead of opening has seemingly benefited Sharma, allowing him to thrive alongside Travis Head. “The domestic season gives us a lot of confidence,” Sharma said. “I enjoyed batting with Head. He’s one of my favorite batters. He told me to go for it if it was in my zone.”

Sharma’s confidence was further boosted by a conversation with Brian Lara, SRH’s former batting coach and head coach. Despite Sharma’s ordinary performances in previous seasons, Lara consistently praised his abilities.

In 2022, Sharma scored 426 runs in 14 matches at an average of 30.43 and a strike rate of 133. In 2023, he batted down the order and made 226 runs in 11 matches.

“I had a chance to talk to Brian Lara last night and that helped me massively,” Sharma revealed. “He told me to back myself and play my natural game.”

Sharma’s performance against Mumbai Indians is a sign of things to come for SRH. With his newfound confidence and improved form, he is poised to play a pivotal role in the team’s success this season.

Martini's Historic Homers Power Reds to Opening Day Victory

Martini’s Historic Homers Power Reds to Opening Day Victory

Nick Martini’s historic opening day performance propelled the Cincinnati Reds to an emphatic 8-2 victory over the Washington Nationals. The 33-year-old outfielder, making his first opening day start, electrified the crowd with two towering home runs, becoming the first Reds player to achieve the feat since Adam Dunn in 2007.

Martini’s first homer, a two-run shot in the second inning, set the tone for the Reds’ offensive onslaught. He followed it up with a three-run blast in the third, giving Cincinnati an early 5-0 lead. The veteran outfielder’s heroics were a testament to his resilience and determination, having played for four different teams since 2018.

Frankie Montas, making his Reds debut, was equally impressive on the mound. The right-hander pitched six shutout innings, allowing only four hits and striking out four. Montas’ dominant performance was a welcome sight for the Reds, who had high expectations for the former New York Yankees starter.

The Nationals, on the other hand, struggled to keep pace with the Reds’ offense. Isaiah Gray, making his first start for Washington, allowed seven runs in four innings. Eddie Rosario provided the Nationals’ only offense with a two-run homer in the seventh inning.

Reds manager David Bell praised Martini’s performance, saying, “We’ve known this guy can hit, so for it to all come out opening day and his first one, which us surprising or shocking when you think about it because this guy has been a good player for a long time.”

The Reds will look to continue their winning ways on Saturday when they face the Nationals in the second game of the series. Patrick Corbin will start for Washington, while Hunter Greene will take the mound for Cincinnati.

Tigers Open Season with 1-0 Win Over White Sox Behind Skubal's Gem

Tigers Open Season with 1-0 Win Over White Sox Behind Skubal’s Gem

The Detroit Tigers kicked off their season with a 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, thanks to a stellar performance from starting pitcher Tarik Skubal.

Skubal, making his first opening-day start, was dominant over six innings, allowing just three hits and striking out six batters without issuing a walk. The 27-year-old left-hander picked up where he left off last season, when he went 4-0 with a 0.90 ERA in his final five outings.

The Tigers’ offense provided just enough support for Skubal, scoring the game’s only run in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Andy Ibáñez. Javier Báez singled to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a groundout before Ibáñez drove him in.

The White Sox, who finished with just six hits, were unable to mount any serious threats against Skubal or the Tigers’ bullpen. Garrett Crochet, making his first professional start, pitched six strong innings for Chicago, allowing one run on five hits while striking out eight.

However, the White Sox bullpen was unable to hold the lead, with Michael Kopech allowing a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning. Jason Foley came on to strike out Yoán Moncada and Luis Robert Jr. to earn the save.

The victory was a promising start for the Tigers, who are looking to improve on their 77-85 record from last season. The White Sox, on the other hand, opened their season on a familiar note, coming off a 101-loss campaign.

Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart