Shakib Al Hasan: the 'nucleus' of Bangladesh
Shakib, an attacking middle-order batsman and canny left-arm spinner, is arguably one of the only players in world cricket who would justify his place in the team as either a specialist bowler or batsman after the retirement of South Africa?s Jacques Kallis. Preparing to play his 199th ODI, he is just one wicket away from joining a select group ...
'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle targets World Cup swansong
Even in his 40th year, in what looks likely to be his final major international tournament, the left-handed West Indies opener is planning on having a big say at the World Cup in England and Wales. It is only a few months since Gayle scored 424 runs at an average of 106, including 39 sixes, in four innings against ...
World Cup dream Taylor-made for Black Caps great
Ross Taylor has been rejected, written off and wracked by injury but the veteran New Zealand batsman is in the form of his life and focused on capping a late career surge by finally lifting the World Cup. Despite his age, Taylor remains pivotal to the Black Caps' hopes of going one better than their appearance in the 2015 ...
ICC warns off 'corruptors' from 2019 World Cup
The film also contains names and imagery of potential fixers, although their identities were obscured when the tape was shown Friday during a media briefing at the Oval ? where the World Cup starts with a match between England and South Africa on May 30. "It's around a dozen people who have had the 'disinvite' to the Cricket World ...
Babar Azam brushes aside ‘selfish’ criticism
While talking to media in a press conference, after the conclusion of World Cup warm-up match against Afghanistan, Azam said that he always tries to play in accordance with the plan given to him by the team management. Speaking about team?s batting, Azam said: "When we started batting, the wicket wasn't easy to bat on and it was a ...
Afghanistan down Pakistan in World Cup warmup match
Hashmatullah Shahidi's unbeaten 74 paved the way for Afghanistan to clinch a surprise three-wicket win over Pakistan in Friday's World Cup warm-up match in Bristol. From that point on, the asking rate was always in control, with Hashmatullah's 102-ball innings aided by Nabi's quickfire 34 as Afghanistan sealed the win with two balls left.
Cricket World Cup: five memorable moments
AFP Sports recalls five of the most memorable moments: Tournament hosts England were well aware of the threat posed by fearsome fast bowlers Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson ahead of a World Cup semi-final against old rivals Australia. Perhaps the most thrilling World Cup game of them all, this Edgbaston semi-final saw Australia make 213, with South Africa paceman Shaun ...
Sangakkara laments Sri Lanka's 'chaotic' build-up to World Cup
The 1996 champions head into this year?s edition in England, which starts next week, having lost eight of their last nine one-day internationals -- with the lone win in that run Tuesday?s rain-affected victory over Scotland, a non-Test nation who have not qualified for the World Cup. "It?s been quite chaotic, both in terms of continuity in selection and ...
Du Plessis leads by example as South Africa beat Sri Lanka
LONDON (AFP) - South Africa captain Faf Du Plessis led by example with a confident 88 as his side cruised to an 87-run win over Sri Lanka in their World Cup warm-up on Friday. Sri Lanka?s response revolved around captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who hit 87, and 64 in 66 balls from Angelo Mathews, but the South African bowling attack ...
ICC warns off 'corruptors' from Cricket World Cup
The film also contains names and imagery of potential fixers, although their identities were obscured when the tape was shown Friday during a media briefing at the Oval -- where the World Cup starts with a match between England and South Africa on May 30. "It?s around a dozen people who have had the ?disinvite? to the Cricket World ...
Jos Buttler: England's destroyer in chief
LONDON (AFP) - Jos Buttler?s ability to single-handedly change the course of matches is a key reason why tournament hosts England head into the World Cup as favourites to win it for the first time. England fast bowler Jofra Archer found himself up against some of the world?s best batsmen during the recent Indian Premier League but he still ...
Precocious Rabada is South Africa's World Cup weapon
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - In a World Cup expected to be dominated by batsmen, South Africa hope to buck the trend with a bowling attack led by the precociously talented Kagiso Rabada. Rabada has topped the International Cricket Council?s bowler rankings in both Tests and one-day internationals, making the paceman one of South Africa?s key figures at the World Cup. ...
South Africa unveil England cricket tour dates
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - South Africa on Friday announced the dates for a tour by England which will include four Tests, three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals. December 17-18 Invitation XI, Benoni 20-22 South Africa A, Benoni 26-30 First Test, Centurion January 3-7 Second Test, Cape Town 16-20 Third Test, Port Elizabeth 24-28 Fourth Test, Johannesburg 31 SA Invitation XI, Paarl February 1 Invitation XI, Paarl 4 First one-day international, ...
English crowds excite Australia's Haddin ahead of World Cup
The disgraced batsmen, who served year-long bans for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal, are set to face tournament hosts England in a World Cup warm-up match in Southampton on Saturday. "All anyone wants is a fair contest and I think every time Australia play England, we all know we?re going to get one hell of a great contest."
India's Rahul inspired by memories of 2011 World Cup glory
LONDON (AFP) - KL Rahul knows exactly what it would mean to win this year?s World Cup in England, having seen for himself what a 2011 triumph on home soil meant to his fellow Indians. Eight years ago, Rahul was a teenager watching television in a Bangalore bar as Gautam Gambhir?s 97 and then-captain MS Dhoni?s 91 not out ...
PCB bans wives of players from traveling during World Cup
(Web Desk) ? The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants to ensure its players stay focused during the upcoming World Cup and has banned wives and families of the cricketers from accompanying them during the course of the showpiece event beginning May 30 in England and Wales. This comes after Pakistan lost the just concluded series against England, when wives ...
Finch, Morgan and Kohli reveal their favourites to win World Cup 2019
Not just the captains, but all fans and analysts have agreed that the hosts England, the defending champions Australia and the two-time World Cup winner India are the top three selections and favourites to lift the title. ?England are probably the strongest side but all ten teams are very well balanced,? Kohli said at the ICC 2019 Cricket World ...
England captain Morgan expected to make World Cup opener after injury scare
LONDON (AFP) - England captain Eoin Morgan suffered a "small fracture" to his left index finger on Friday, but is expected to be fit in time for the hosts? World Cup opener against South Africa next week. It was a major scare for England just six days before the World Cup favourites start their bid to win the competition ...
Afridi critical of Junaid Khan’s protest
?Sarfaraz doesn?t have big shots in his repertoire, hence he should not bat in the lower-order.? Afridi was also hopeful of a strong performance from veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik in his last World Cup. ?Malik is playing his final World Cup, thus he should aim to finish on a high.? Afridi was confident that Wahab Riaz selection in the World Cup ...
Hasan Ali delighted with return of Riaz, Amir
Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali is delighted with the return of fast-bowlers Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir , in the Men in Green 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup squad. ?Wahab has the experience of playing in World Cup before while Amir is a world class bowler.? He also spoke about the impact this will have on the young pacers ...
