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Babar Azam's Test Ranking Drop: Blessing in Disguise or Cause for Concern?

Babar Azam’s Test Ranking Drop: Blessing in Disguise or Cause for Concern?

By August 30, 2024 0

Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has witnessed a significant drop in his ICC Test rankings, falling to the ninth position. This decline comes amidst a string of poor performances in the longest format of the game. In the recent Test against Bangladesh, Babar managed scores of 22 and 0, contributing to Pakistan’s stunning defeat.

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali believes that Babar’s ranking drop could serve as a catalyst for improvement. He suggests that the former Pakistan captain will be motivated to perform well in the series-deciding second Test against Bangladesh. Basit also advocates for a reduction in Babar’s ODI ranking, arguing that he is not the number one batter in that format.

Basit criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for organizing the Champions Cup, a domestic 50-over tournament, after the Test series against Bangladesh. He urged the PCB to emulate India’s approach by organizing more red-ball tournaments.

“India is right next to us, please copy their system too,” Basit said. “The Duleep Trophy is about to begin. Is it a T20 or One-Day tournament? It is a four-day tournament. They are focused on making their base stronger, which is why they are so successful.”

Basit’s comments highlight the need for Pakistan to prioritize red-ball cricket and develop a stronger foundation for its Test team. The upcoming second Test against Bangladesh will be a crucial opportunity for Babar Azam to regain his form and inspire his team to victory.

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Swiatek Powers into US Open Third Round with Dominant Display

Swiatek Powers into US Open Third Round with Dominant Display

By August 30, 2024 0

World number one Iga Swiatek cruised into the third round of the US Open on Thursday, dismantling 217th-ranked Ena Shibahara 6-0, 6-1 in a dominant display. The Polish star, seeking her second US Open title to add to her four French Open triumphs, looked shaky in her first-round victory but found her rhythm against Shibahara, who was making her Grand Slam main draw debut.

Swiatek’s victory was a testament to her mental fortitude. After struggling with focus in her opening match, she took time to reset and improve her mindset. “I kind of have the tools, but sometimes it’s just hard to use them,” Swiatek said. “I couldn’t really focus well on my first-round match, and I wanted to improve that.”

The turnaround was evident in her performance against Shibahara. Swiatek won the first seven games before the Japanese player held serve to make it 1-1 in the second set. However, Swiatek’s dominance was unwavering, as she saved three break points in a 13-minute game that would be Shibahara’s only success.

Swiatek’s victory sets up a third-round clash with either 25th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Elisabetta Cocciaretto. The Polish star has won five titles this year, including the French Open, and is aiming to extend her impressive run of success.

Despite her sustained dominance, Swiatek acknowledges that high expectations can sometimes hinder her performance. “Usually I don’t feel well on court when I have too big expectations … because of that I make wrong decisions on court,” she said. “So I just try to kind of reset and to remember that I don’t have to play perfect tennis all the time.”

Swiatek’s mental reset has paid dividends, and she will be looking to continue her impressive form as she targets a deep run at the US Open.

Categories: Tennis
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Kyrgios Slams Sinner's Steroids Case Handling

Kyrgios Slams Sinner’s Steroids Case Handling

By August 30, 2024 0

Nick Kyrgios, the outspoken Australian tennis star, has criticized Jannik Sinner’s handling of his recent steroids case. Sinner, the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up, failed two drug tests for a banned substance in March but was not suspended after successfully arguing his case in private.

Kyrgios, who has been working as a pundit and on-court interviewer at the US Open, has been vocal in his criticism of Sinner’s case. He believes that Sinner received preferential treatment compared to other players who have been suspended for similar offenses.

“It seems like every time one of these things comes up, there’s always a different process for different players,” Kyrgios said in an interview with ESPN. “It’s nothing against Sinner personally at all. I know how important he is. He’s one of the greatest tennis players we have right now… Nothing against him personally.

“If you look at Jenson Brooksby and other players who’ve had their careers taken away for up to a year… someone like Sinner just doing it his own way. I think he had it on his own terms for most of the time. I don’t think that’s fair and equal for the rest of the tour.”

Sinner has defended his handling of the case, insisting that he followed all the proper procedures. However, he has faced criticism from fans and fellow players, including Kyrgios.

“It helps me to see who my friends are and who are not my friends,” Sinner said at a press conference at the US Open. “This is all part of a growing experience, no? I wish nobody has this experience to grow, because this is a ‘different’ way of experience. But you also realize that there is also a life outside of tennis, which (is) much more important than what we do because our daily routine is to hit tennis balls and go in the gym…

“Tennis is big for me because it showed me what I am as a person and how important the sport is. But in the other way, there is a life outside of tennis, which is even more important.”

Kyrgios has said that he will not be as friendly with Sinner the next time they meet in the locker room. Sinner has not ruled out the possibility of being interviewed by Kyrgios on Arthur Ashe Stadium, but he said it would be “different.”

Categories: Tennis
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Premier League Title Contenders Maintain Perfect Records

Premier League Title Contenders Maintain Perfect Records

By August 30, 2024 0

After two matchdays, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Brighton remain undefeated in the Premier League. Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, has made an impressive start with two wins and no goals conceded.

Slot’s first major test comes this weekend as Liverpool travels to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. United has had a mixed start to the season, winning their opener against Fulham but losing to Brighton last weekend. Erik ten Hag, United’s manager, is under pressure to deliver results after the club’s disappointing eighth-place finish last season.

Another intriguing matchup this weekend is between Newcastle and Tottenham. Newcastle has four points from two games but has struggled to strengthen its squad in the transfer market. Tottenham has also had a mixed start, cruising past Everton but drawing with Leicester.

Brighton, one of the league’s biggest spenders this summer, will face a tough test against Arsenal at the Emirates. Brighton has won its first two games, but manager Fabian Hurzeler acknowledges the challenge of facing Arsenal, one of the world’s top teams.

Categories: Football
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Real Madrid Held to Draw by Las Palmas, Girona Crush Osasuna

Real Madrid Held to Draw by Las Palmas, Girona Crush Osasuna

By August 30, 2024 0

Real Madrid’s unbeaten start to the La Liga season was put to the test on Thursday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Las Palmas. The Spanish champions found themselves trailing early on after Alberto Moleiro’s fifth-minute goal, but Vinicius Junior’s second-half penalty rescued a point for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Madrid’s struggles continued in the first half, as they failed to create clear-cut chances and were punished by Las Palmas’ early strike. Moleiro’s goal came from a well-worked move, with the midfielder finding space in the box and firing a low shot past Thibaut Courtois.

The visitors improved after the break and were awarded a penalty in the 69th minute when Alex Suarez was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. Vinicius Junior stepped up and converted the spot-kick to level the scores.

Despite their dominance in possession, Madrid were unable to find a winning goal and were forced to settle for a draw. The result leaves them fourth in the standings, four points behind archrivals Barcelona.

In the day’s other match, Girona put Osasuna to the sword in a crushing 4-0 victory. Osasuna were completely outplayed and could only muster a single shot, which was not on target. Bryan Gil opened the scoring for Girona in the 34th minute, before Viktor Tsygankov and Abel Ruiz hit goals in a quick-fire three-minute period around 53 minutes to put the game out of reach. Uruguay’s Cristhian Stuani wrapped up the dominant win with a fourth goal at the death.

Categories: Football
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Pegula's Consistency Trumps Kenin's Redemption Quest at US Open

Pegula’s Consistency Trumps Kenin’s Redemption Quest at US Open

By August 30, 2024 0

In a captivating second-round clash at the US Open, two American women with contrasting motivations faced off: Sofia Kenin, a former prodigy seeking redemption, and Jessica Pegula, a steady climber aiming to break through a Grand Slam semifinal barrier.

Kenin, once a Grand Slam champion at 21, has endured a tumultuous few years. Pegula, on the other hand, has steadily risen to the top of the game, currently ranked No. 6. Despite their different trajectories, both women shared a common goal: to prove their worth.

Pegula, known for her consistency and composure, exploited Kenin’s momentary lapses to secure a 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory. The match showcased Pegula’s ability to maintain a high level of play, while Kenin struggled to close out crucial points.

Kenin acknowledged Pegula’s superior performance, stating, “She’s a Grand Slam champion. She knows she can play at a high level.” Pegula, in turn, praised Kenin’s potential, saying, “She’s capable of upsetting a lot of top players.”

Pegula’s composure has become a hallmark of her game, allowing her to withstand the pressure of facing more powerful opponents. However, she admitted to a rare moment of frustration during the match, slamming her racquet after an unforced error.

Despite her emotional outburst, Pegula remains committed to her calm demeanor. She believes that expressing too much emotion can be exhausting and detrimental to her performance.

Kenin, on the other hand, is seeking to rebuild her confidence and create a bubble of comfort similar to the one she enjoyed as a young prodigy. She acknowledges the challenges she faces but remains optimistic about her ability to regain her former glory.

Categories: Tennis
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Naomi Osaka Bows Out of US Open in Second Round, Expresses Gratitude

Naomi Osaka Bows Out of US Open in Second Round, Expresses Gratitude

By August 30, 2024 0

Naomi Osaka’s return to the US Open ended in the second round, but the two-time champion expressed gratitude despite the straight-sets loss to Karolina Muchova. Osaka, who won the title in 2018 and 2020, missed last year’s edition due to the birth of her daughter.

Osaka’s comeback has been marked by inconsistent results, with her first-round win over Jelena Ostapenko being her first top-10 victory in four years. She acknowledged that she has been struggling with her form since before her maternity break.

“I feel like I’m coming back from pregnancy, but also it wasn’t like in 2022 I was the best version of myself,” Osaka said. “So in some way I had to catch up to that, and then also I’m trying to pass it at the same time.”

Despite the loss, Osaka expressed appreciation for the support she received from the crowd. “It was really fun,” she said. “I felt very grateful that there were so many people cheering. I missed it a lot.”

Muchova, who is also on the comeback trail after missing nine months due to wrist surgery, was satisfied with her victory. “It’s a long journey,” she said. “I’m for sure in a different position than I was last year. I don’t even want to compare myself to last year — it was kind of a bumpy road.”

Muchova praised the atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium, saying, “The court and the atmosphere is amazing. They were mostly cheering for Naomi, but that’s natural. But I just think so many people coming out and the show and everything about that — I would say it’s why I play tennis and what I like about it, the atmosphere and the energy.”

Categories: Tennis
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MS Dhoni's IPL Future Uncertain, Raina Advocates for Continued Mentorship

MS Dhoni’s IPL Future Uncertain, Raina Advocates for Continued Mentorship

By August 30, 2024 0

MS Dhoni’s IPL Future Uncertain, Suresh Raina Advocates for Continued Mentorship

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is eagerly awaiting the return of legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni, but doubts linger over his participation in the upcoming season. However, Dhoni’s close friend and former teammate Suresh Raina believes that the veteran should continue playing for at least one more year to guide young captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Raina, who retired from international cricket in 2020, expressed his admiration for Dhoni’s batting prowess during the last IPL season. “I want MS Dhoni to play in IPL 2025, considering how he batted last year,” Raina said. “I feel Ruturaj Gaikwad needs one more year, the way he captained and a lot of things were said after the loss to RCB (Royal Challengers Bengaluru). However, Ruturaj has done a great job.”

Dhoni, who handed over the CSK captaincy to Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2024, has been troubled by a knee injury in recent times. Despite this, he played a crucial role as a finisher, scoring 161 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 220.25.

The IPL will hold a mega players’ auction ahead of the 2025 season, and Dhoni is expected to make a decision on his future after the auction rules on player retention are announced. “We have to see what decision they take on player retention, etc…So once the rules and regulations get formalised, I will take a call, but it needs to be in the best interest of the team (CSK),” Dhoni had said earlier.

Raina’s comments highlight the importance of Dhoni’s experience and leadership for the CSK franchise. Gaikwad, who led the team to the IPL final in 2023, is still relatively inexperienced as a captain. Dhoni’s continued presence would provide invaluable guidance and support for the young skipper.

Categories: Cricket
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Pakistan's Collapse Baffles Ashwin: 'Teams Don't Surrender on Pitches Like This'

Pakistan’s Collapse Baffles Ashwin: ‘Teams Don’t Surrender on Pitches Like This’

By August 30, 2024 0

Ravichandran Ashwin Baffled by Pakistan’s Collapse Against Bangladesh

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his astonishment at Pakistan’s dramatic defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Rawalpindi. Pakistan’s capitulation on the final day, losing for the first time ever to Bangladesh in Tests, has left Ashwin perplexed.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood’s decision to declare the first innings at 448, despite losing only six wickets, has been a major talking point. On a flat wicket, Bangladesh went on to post a higher total, before Pakistan’s batting collapsed in the second innings.

“Teams don’t surrender on a pitch like this. In first-class cricket, strong teams will bat first and hit big,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel. “When I saw the highlights of the match, I understood that it was a proper, tiring collapse on the final day. I haven’t seen that for a long time.”

Ashwin was particularly critical of Pakistan’s lower order, who failed to provide any support to Mohammad Rizwan, who was the star of Pakistan’s batting throughout the match.

“In the end, when Mohammad Rizwan was staging a fight, Naseem Shah played a shot and got out cheaply. I did not understand what happened. There was nothing on the pitch,” said Ashwin.

Former South Africa performance analyst Prasanna Raman, known as ‘PDogg’, who often joins Ashwin for his videos, was equally scathing in his critique of Pakistan’s batting.

“Bangladesh have no mystery spinners or wrist spinners. There is no threat. If you can’t bat for four sessions on a pitch like that at home, it can mean only one thing. Division 1 and Division 2 cricket needs to be brought in. Otherwise, Test cricket in Pakistan will be destroyed,” said Raman.

Pakistan will have a chance to redeem themselves in the second Test against Bangladesh, which begins on August 30 at Rawalpindi. However, they will need to show a significant improvement in their batting if they want to avoid another embarrassing defeat.

Categories: Cricket
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Pakistan Recall Abrar Ahmed for Second Test Against Bangladesh

Pakistan Recall Abrar Ahmed for Second Test Against Bangladesh

By August 30, 2024 0

Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to face off in the second Test match in Rawalpindi, with the visitors aiming to secure their first Test series victory over the hosts. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be looking to level the series after losing the first Test by 10 wickets.

The home team has recalled spinner Abrar Ahmed to their squad after opting for an all-pace attack in the first Test. Former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie, who is in his first series with Pakistan, admitted that it will be a challenge to square the series.

“We want to go out there and play positive,” said Gillespie. “It’s about scoring lots of singles and with our bowling we want to be ruthless and challenging the opposition batters.”

Gillespie also backed under-pressure skipper Shan Masood, who failed with the bat in the first match. “Shan is a very positive captain,” said Gillespie. “He wants to play and win games …. we showed that with our intent in the first game but it didn’t quite work out and that’s credit to our opposition.”

Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be hoping to continue their impressive form after their clinical performance in the first Test. The visitors upset Pakistan with a ten-wicket display, their first win in over 14 encounters against the hosts.

Star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been left out of Pakistan’s squad for the second match to spend time with his new-born son and family. Afridi struggled to find his rhythm in the first Test, and his absence will be a blow to Pakistan’s bowling attack.

The second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams eager to secure a series victory.

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