Shabnim Ismail Breaks 130kph Barrier in Women's Cricket History

Shabnim Ismail Breaks 130kph Barrier in Women’s Cricket History

South African speedster Shabnim Ismail has etched her name in the annals of women’s cricket history by becoming the first bowler to breach the 130kph barrier. During the Women’s Premier League (WPL) match between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, Ismail unleashed a thunderbolt that clocked in at an astonishing 132.1kph.

This remarkable feat marks a significant milestone in the evolution of women’s cricket, as it is the first time such a high speed has been recorded since the introduction of speed guns. Ismail’s delivery was not only a testament to her exceptional pace but also a testament to the growing competitiveness and skill level in the women’s game.

Ismail’s blistering delivery came in the third over of the match, targeting Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning. The ball was full and straight, narrowly missing Lanning’s bat and striking her front pad. Mumbai appealed for leg before wicket (lbw), but the umpire turned down the appeal.

Despite her impressive speed, Ismail struggled to find her rhythm in the match. Her first two overs yielded 14 runs, and she was punished by Shafali Verma, who smashed consecutive sixes off her bowling. However, Ismail managed to regain her composure and eventually dismissed Verma for 28, giving her an aggressive send-off.

Ismail’s record-breaking delivery is not an isolated incident. She has consistently showcased her exceptional pace throughout her career. In international cricket, she holds the record for the fastest delivery, having bowled at 128kph against West Indies in 2016. She also breached the 127kph mark twice in the 2022 ODI World Cup.

Ismail’s achievements are a testament to her dedication, hard work, and unwavering determination. She has become an inspiration for young cricketers around the world, proving that anything is possible with passion and perseverance.

Nassau County International Cricket Stadium Progresses for T20 World Cup

Nassau County International Cricket Stadium Progresses for T20 World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has provided an update on the construction progress of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, the venue for the highly anticipated T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan.

Over the past month, significant strides have been made in the stadium’s construction, with the East Stand framework taking shape. Cranes have been lifting the modular framework into place, and the stadium’s outfield is also being prepared. Additionally, work has commenced on the north and south premium hospitality and media pavilions.

The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium is set to host the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan on June 9, which promises to be an electrifying encounter. India will also play against Ireland and the host country, the USA, at the stadium during the group stage.

ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley expressed excitement about the progress made in the stadium’s construction. “It is extremely exciting to see the progress made in the construction of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York over the past month,” he said. “Work on the outfield commenced in January and in the past few weeks the East Stand framework has really started to take shape.”

The following T20 World Cup fixtures will be hosted in New York:

* Sri Lanka vs South Africa, June 3
* India vs Ireland, June 5
* Canada vs Ireland, June 7
* Netherlands vs South Africa, June 8
* India vs Pakistan, June 9
* South Africa vs Bangladesh, June 10
* Pakistan vs Canada, June 11
* USA vs India, June 12

The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium is expected to be completed in time for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will commence on June 1.

Pakistan Cricketers to Train with Pakistan Army in Intensive Fitness Camp

Pakistan Cricketers to Train with Pakistan Army in Intensive Fitness Camp

Pakistan’s cricket team is set to embark on an intensive 10-day training camp in collaboration with the Pakistan Army from March 25 to April 8. The camp, announced by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, aims to enhance the players’ fitness and prepare them for upcoming international commitments.

Naqvi expressed concerns about the team’s fitness levels, particularly their lack of six-hitting ability. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive training plan to improve their physical capabilities. The camp will be held at the Kakul military academy, where the players will undergo rigorous training under the guidance of the Pakistan Army.

The timing of the camp has raised concerns among players, as it falls during the holy month of Ramzan, when fasting from sunrise to sunset can impact physical performance. However, Naqvi believes the camp is essential to address the team’s fitness issues.

Naqvi also addressed the ongoing debate over players prioritizing T20 leagues over national commitments. He urged the players to prioritize Pakistan first, citing his own experience as caretaker chief minister of Punjab, where he made financial sacrifices to serve the country.

The PCB is currently in the process of appointing a new coaching setup for the national team. Naqvi assured the players that the board is exploring all available options and will spare no expense in securing the best possible coaches.

The camp is expected to be a crucial step in Pakistan’s preparations for upcoming challenges, including tours of New Zealand, Ireland, and England, as well as the T20 World Cup. The collaboration with the Pakistan Army is a testament to the board’s commitment to providing the team with the best possible training and support.

Simona Halep Cleared to Return to Tennis After Doping Ban Reduced

Simona Halep Cleared to Return to Tennis After Doping Ban Reduced

Simona Halep Cleared to Return to Tennis After Doping Ban Reduced

Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has been cleared to return to tennis immediately after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced her four-year doping ban to nine months on appeal. The ban was applied retroactively and expired last July.

Halep tested positive for the banned blood-boosting substance Roxadustat at the 2022 U.S. Open. She has maintained her innocence, claiming that the substance entered her body through a contaminated supplement.

The CAS judges agreed with Halep’s argument, stating that she had “established, on the balance of probabilities” that the positive test was not due to intentional doping. They noted that Halep had a clean doping record and had never tested positive for any other banned substances.

Halep’s ban was originally set to expire in October 2026, but the CAS ruling means she can now resume her tennis career immediately. The 31-year-old Romanian has not played since the 2022 U.S. Open and will be eager to make her return to the court.

Halep’s return is a major boost for women’s tennis. She is one of the most successful players of her generation, having won the French Open in 2018 and 2019 and the Wimbledon title in 2019. She has also been ranked world number one on multiple occasions.

The CAS ruling is a significant victory for Halep and her team. It is a testament to her determination and resilience that she has been able to clear her name and return to the sport she loves.

Hopman Cup Postponed to 2025 Due to Olympic Conflict

Hopman Cup Postponed to 2025 Due to Olympic Conflict

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) and its partner Tennium have announced the postponement of the 2024 Hopman Cup to 2025. This decision was made due to the scheduling conflict with the Olympic Summer Games in Paris, which will also take place in France this year.

ITF President David Haggerty explained the rationale behind the postponement: “With both the Hopman Cup and Olympic Games due to take place in France this year, hitting pause on the Hopman Cup until 2025 is a sensible decision. The players who had committed to this year’s event have been informed, and we look forward to seeing them in the Cote d’Azur next year.”

The Hopman Cup, which was first launched in Perth in 1989, has long been considered the premier mixed-gender event in tennis. After a three-year absence, it returned to the calendar in 2023, moving from its traditional spot as a season opener to the summer. The event was held at the Nice Lawn Tennis Club in France.

The 2023 Hopman Cup featured a week of thrilling tennis, headlined by Top 10 players such as Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune. The final saw Croatia, led by Borna Coric and Donna Vekic, claim their second Hopman Cup title with a victory over Team Switzerland’s Céline Naef and Leandro Riedi.

Kristoff Puelinckx, Tennium Founder & CEO, expressed his anticipation for the 2025 Hopman Cup: “We are already looking forward to the 2025 Hopman Cup, and I’m excited to see more of the same thrilling tennis and fantastic crowds we enjoyed in 2023.”

MS Dhoni Arrives in Chennai for CSK's IPL Preparations

MS Dhoni Arrives in Chennai for CSK’s IPL Preparations

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has arrived in Chennai to prepare for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The defending champions shared a photo of Dhoni exiting a vehicle on social media, captioning it “#THA7A Dharisanam!”

Dhoni’s arrival has sparked speculation that this season could be his last as a player. Last season, the 42-year-old often entered the crease towards the end of CSK’s innings.

CSK began their pre-season training camp on Saturday, with the first group of players arriving a day earlier. The current group includes Deepak Chahar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Simarjeet Singh, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki, Ajay Mandal, Shaik Rasheed, and Nishant Sindhu.

CSK will open their IPL 2024 campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22. Ahead of the clash, Dhoni praised the IPL for bringing together players from around the world.

In a video posted by Star Sports, Dhoni recalled the CSK team of 2008, which included Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Muttiah Muralitharan, and others. He emphasized the importance of understanding each player’s strengths and weaknesses as a leader.

Dhoni’s arrival in Chennai has generated excitement among CSK fans, who are eager to see their captain lead the team to another IPL title. The upcoming season promises to be a memorable one for Dhoni and CSK, as they aim to defend their crown and create more unforgettable moments in the history of the tournament.

Chahal's Match-Winning Spell Powers Income Tax to T20 Cup Victory

Chahal’s Match-Winning Spell Powers Income Tax to T20 Cup Victory

Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal showcased his exceptional skills in a DY Patil T20 Cup match on Tuesday, leading Income Tax to a resounding 135-run victory over Canara Bank. In his first appearance in the corporate tournament, Chahal delivered a match-winning spell of 4-0-22-4, restricting the opposition to a meager total.

Income Tax had earlier set a formidable target of 244 for five, thanks to Vishal More’s blistering 28-ball 61 and Sumit Kumar’s unbeaten 18-ball 53. More’s innings featured eight boundaries and three sixes, while Kumar’s knock included five sixes and four fours.

Chahal’s spell was a masterclass in spin bowling. He bowled 10 dot balls and conceded only two fours, effectively stifling Canara Bank’s batting lineup. His performance highlights his continued excellence and versatility as a bowler.

Prior to the match, Chahal had made headlines by predicting the potential Orange Cap winners in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. In a video on his YouTube channel, he expressed his belief that either Jos Buttler or Yashasvi Jaiswal would emerge as the highest run-scorer.

Chahal’s prediction is based on his observations of Buttler’s consistent performances for Rajasthan Royals and Jaiswal’s impressive form in domestic cricket. He also picked himself as the potential leading wicket-taker, followed by Gujarat Titans spinner Rashid Khan.

Chahal’s exclusion from the BCCI’s central contracts has raised eyebrows among cricket experts. Former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed surprise at the decision, suggesting that the selection committee may be considering other options.

Chahal’s performance in the DY Patil T20 Cup serves as a reminder of his exceptional talent and his ability to make a significant impact on matches. As the IPL 2024 season approaches, his predictions and his own performances will be closely watched by cricket enthusiasts.

Shahbaz Nadeem Retires from Cricket to Focus on T20 Leagues

Shahbaz Nadeem Retires from Cricket to Focus on T20 Leagues

Shahbaz Nadeem, the left-arm spinner from India and Jharkhand, has bid farewell to all forms of cricket in the country. This decision stems from his desire to participate in T20 leagues worldwide, including legends competitions.

“I’ve been contemplating this decision for a while, and now I’ve decided to retire from all three formats,” Nadeem told ESPNcricinfo. “I’ve always believed that if you have the motivation to play for India, you’ll always push yourself to perform well. However, I recognize that I may not get another chance in the Indian team, so it’s best to give younger cricketers a chance. I also intend to play in T20 leagues around the world.”

Nadeem, 34, has amassed 542 wickets in first-class cricket, including eight in two Test matches for India. He made his Test debut in Ranchi against South Africa in 2019 and had to wait nearly two years for another opportunity, which proved to be his last. In the IPL, he represented Delhi Daredevils from 2011 to 2018 and Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2019 to 2021, claiming 48 wickets. Despite being acquired by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2022, he did not feature in any matches.

“I always put emotions aside when making decisions,” Nadeem said. “I’ve been with the Jharkhand team for 20 years. While we haven’t won the Ranji Trophy, we’ve built a strong team that consistently reaches the knockout stages of the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments. As a result, no one takes the Jharkhand team lightly anymore. I believe it’s time to pass the torch to the younger players, and I’m confident they’ll bring home trophies in the future.”

Nadeem began playing for Jharkhand at the age of 15 and received his India call-up at the age of 30. He was the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy in 2015-16 (51) and 2016-17 (55). He also finished the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19 with the most wickets (24), including a List-A record spell of 8 for 10 against Rajasthan.

Nadeem was named Player of the Match in Jharkhand’s victory in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2010-11 final, which remains one of his most memorable matches. “Apart from winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the most memorable game for me would be the one against Rajasthan. But nothing can compare to playing for India. Looking back on my career, I feel I could have accomplished more, but I’m content.”

Nadeem expressed his gratitude to his childhood coach, Imtiaz Hussain, saying, “He taught me how to bowl. I still seek his advice on my bowling. I’ll never forget how much S Rahman of Indigo Club assisted me. I’ve been able to continue my cricket journey for so many years because of these individuals and my family.”

Nadeem joins Saurabh Tiwary and Varun Aaron (only red-ball cricket) as the third Jharkhand player to announce his retirement this Ranji Trophy season, in which he claimed 23 wickets, the most for Jharkhand.

Suryakumar Yadav Hilariously Trolls Jasprit Bumrah on Instagram

Suryakumar Yadav Hilariously Trolls Jasprit Bumrah on Instagram

Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav, currently sidelined during the Test series against England, took to social media to playfully tease teammate Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who is set to return for the final Test against England, posted images with support staff Yogesh Parmar and Arun Kanade on Instagram. The pictures featured similar poses, prompting Suryakumar to comment, “Find the difference wala game hai kya?”

Bumrah, who was released from the squad for the fourth Test in Ranchi as part of the team’s workload management policy, will lead the Indian attack in the final Test in Dharamsala, beginning March 7. India has already taken an unassailable 3-1 lead, following their victory in the fourth Test in Ranchi.

Suryakumar, who was recently spotted with his wife Devisha Shetty at the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, has been a key player for the Mumbai Indians since 2018. He has played a crucial role in the team’s success, contributing with both bat and ball.

Suryakumar’s playful comment on Bumrah’s post highlights the camaraderie within the Indian team. Despite the intense competition on the field, the players share a strong bond off the field. This camaraderie is essential for team success, as it fosters a positive and supportive environment.

Bumrah’s return to the Indian team is a significant boost for the side. The pace spearhead is one of the best bowlers in the world and his presence will strengthen the Indian bowling attack. With Bumrah leading the charge, India will be confident of securing a series victory against England in the final Test.

PCI Suspension Revoked Ahead of Para Shooting World Cup

PCI Suspension Revoked Ahead of Para Shooting World Cup

The Ministry of Sports has lifted the suspension imposed on the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) after the body initiated the process for its long-pending elections. The elections, which were initially scheduled for January 31, 2024, were postponed to March 28 due to the impending Para Shooting World Cup.

The PCI has now proposed March 9 as the new date for the elections and has begun the process of nominations. Most of the top posts are set to be filled without any contest, including the position of President, which will be held by multiple-time Paralympic medallist Devendra Jhajharia.

The Ministry of Sports stated that the “main ground for suspension of government recognition” has been addressed. The ministry also noted that the PCI is hosting the 2024 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup from March 6-15 in New Delhi, which was a factor in the decision to revoke the suspension.

The Para Shooting World Cup offers 24 Paris Paralympic quota places, and over 500 shooters from 52 countries are expected to participate in the event. Jhajharia, who has won gold medals in the 2004 Athens and 2016 Rio Paralympics, is the only candidate who filed nomination papers for the PCI chief’s post.

Other key positions that will be filled unopposed include Secretary General (Jayawant Hammanawar), Vice-Presidents (R Chandrashekhar and Satya Prakash Sangwan), Treasurer (Sunil Pradhan), and Joint Secretaries (Lalit Thakur and T Diwakara).

The PCI had received support from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) after the suspension. The IPC had stated that it would continue to recognize the PCI as the only body for para sports in India.

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