Bangladesh Create History, Whitewash West Indies 3-0 In Away T20I Series
Jaker Ali’s blistering unbeaten 72 highlighted a dominant Bangladesh effort as the visitors thrashed the West Indies by 80 runs in the third and final T20 International to sweep the series 3-0 at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent on Thursday. Benefiting from a huge reprieve when he thought he had been run out on 18, the attacking right-hander took heavy toll of an uninspired Caribbean team, belting six sixes and three fours off just 41 balls to pace his side to a challenging 189 for seven after skipper Litton Das opted to bat first.
Afridi trumps Klaasen after Babar-Rizwan stand sets up Pakistan
Pakistan turned in their best all-round ODI performance across all three series over the past six weeks, dismantling South Africa by 81 runs and sealing a third straight ODI series win. Shaheen Afridi sizzled with the ball after half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam and Kamran Ghulam helped Pakistan amass 329 in the second ODI in Cape Town. South Africa never quite got partnerships going despite a heroic 74-ball 97 from Heinrich Klaasen. Afridi, however, got his mojo back, menacing at the top and lethal with the reverse swinging ball at the death, finishing with four wickets as South Africa were bowled out for 248.
New Zealand v England report cards: grading every player after Test series
A first series win in New Zealand since Tim Southee’s debut season in 2008 came with a little luck and a lot of ruthless authority when it really mattered. Stokes backed his players to the hilt, the hallmark of his leadership, in the two Tests that brought home the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy and found comforting words after the Hamilton debacle. His partnerships with Harry Brook and the tail transformed a deficit of 126 with five down in Christchurch into a first-innings lead of 151, a momentum shift that went a long way to deciding the series. If his increasingly onerous spells with the ball were intended to prove (to himself as much as anyone) that his body could stand up to the demands of the fourth seamer role, he received a brutal answer in Hamilton
Dean Jones recognised as Cricket Australia names men’s domestic oneday cup in honour of ODI great
Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the men’s domestic one-day cup will be named in honour of Dean Jones. Jones, who died in India in 2020 aged 59, was one of Australia’s greatest ODI players, scoring 6,068 runs across 164 appearances in the format. He averaged 44.61 and finished with a strike rate of 72.56 at the end of his international career, which included helping Australia win its first men’s World Cup in 1987. Jones also captained Victoria to the 1994/95 men’s domestic one-day cup title. The men’s domestic one-day cup champions will receive the Dean Jones Trophy following the final on March 1. Jones’s daughter Phoebe said her family was grateful for the recognition.
Biggest men’s ODI wins, full list: Afghanistan roll over Zimbabwe for 54, set new team record
Afghanistan secured a crushing 232-run win over Zimbabwe in the second ODI in Harare, knocking over the hosts for 54 and setting a new team record in the process. Zimbabwe elected to field first in the second ODI – a decision which proved to be their undoing. Afghan openers Abdul Malik and Sediqullah Atal put on a massive opening stand of 191 and were finally separated in the 35th over when Abdul was bowled by teenage pacer Newman Nyamhuri for 84. Sediqullah managed to score his first century at international level but departed soon after for 104. Nyamhuri finished with 3-53 as Afghanistan posted 286-6.
Champions Trophy 2025 Venue Out But India, BCCI Pay Big Price Due To ICC ‘Compromise’
The confusion surrounding the venue of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is over. After months of delay, the International Cricket Council (ICC) finally officially declared the venues for the elite event. “ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 to be played across Pakistan and a neutral venue,” the ICC said in a statement. It means India will play its matches in a neutral venue, including the knockout games (if it qualifies). In another major decision, the Jay Shah-led world body has declared that all India vs Pakistan cricket matches in ICC events, hosted by the two countries, will be played at neutral venues till 2027.
Cricket West Indies And Caribbean Cage Sign Landmark 10-Year Partnership
Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Caribbean CAGE have signed a historic long-term strategic alliance and contract to generate significant recurring revenue for cricket and cricket development in the Caribbean. The long-term agreement, signed by the President of Cricket West Indies, Dr. Kishore Shallow, and the Co-Founder and Chairman of the CAGE Companies, Robert B. Washington, has been endorsed by eight CARICOM governments and will also ensure increased tax revenues for these participating governments.
The questions facing England before Women’s Ashes
After crashing out of the Women’s T20 World Cup in disappointing style in October, Heather Knight’s England responded with a successful tour of South Africa to ensure they head to January’s Ashes series in Australia on a high. The first of three Ashes ODIs takes place on 11 January (23:30 GMT), followed by three T20s and culminating in a four-day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. England thrashed an experimental Proteas side 3-0 in the T20s, won the one-day series 2-1 and were victorious in a Test for the first time since 2014 with a 286-run win. However, England will know Australia present a much tougher challenge as ODI world champions and six-time T20 winners – despite losing their crown to New Zealand this year.
‘Rested’ from South Africa Tests, Shaheen Afridi picked to play in Bangladesh T20 league
Shortly after being rested for Pakistan’s Test series against South Africa, Shaheen Afridi has been picked to play in the Bangladesh Premier League, which overlaps with the series. Pakistan’s tour of South Africa began earlier this month with a three-match T20I series from December 10-14 which ended 2-0 in favour of the hosts after rain forced the last match to be abandoned. The first of three ODIs took place on December 17, with the second scheduled for today (December 19) and the third for December 22.
Peirson ensures winning start for Heat in season opener
Jimmy Peirson carried his bat with a 56-ball 72* as Brisbane Heat kicked off their title defence with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Melbourne Stars, who in turn sunk to two losses in two games in this Big Bash League (BBL) season. Chasing a target of 163, Peirson and Jack Wood added 55 for the opening wicket before the latter was bowled by Hamish McKenzie. Matt Renshaw then chipped in with a little cameo, helping add 30 runs for the second wicket before falling victim to Marcus Stonis, who was making his 100th appearance for the Stars.
