Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan showered praise on Afghanistan as their impressive World Cup 2023 journey concluded, labeling them the second-best Asian team in the tournament. Despite falling short of the semifinals, Afghanistan’s performance garnered praise, with Pathan commending their top-quality cricket.

Led by skipper Hasmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan’s campaign stood out as a fairytale, marked by victories against cricket powerhouses Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and England. Notably, they had only secured two World Cup wins before this remarkable tournament.

In their final group match against South Africa, Afghanistan displayed resilience, posting 244 runs with Azmatullah Omarzai’s impressive unbeaten 97. Despite their efforts, South Africa secured victory by five wickets.

Pathan, a vocal supporter of Afghanistan, expressed his admiration for their cricketing prowess throughout the tournament. He declared Afghanistan as the second-best Asian team, trailing only behind India.

In a tweet, he applauded their performance and expressed hope for the team to continue creating magic on the field.

“Top quality cricket by Afghanistan this World Cup. Second best Asian team for sure. Hopefully from here on this team will create magic on the field. Good luck going forward @ACBofficials @rashidkhan_19,” he wrote on X. 

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The controversial dismissal of Angelo Mathews during the 2023 World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh has stirred up a storm in the cricketing world. Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan appealed, leading to the timed-out dismissal of the former Sri Lanka captain, Angelo Mathews. Mathews failed to face the next delivery after the dismissal of Sadeera Samarawickrama.

Mathews expressed his discontent, labeling Shakib’s act as “disgraceful” and criticizing the fourth umpire.

The MCC, guardians of the Laws of Cricket, have given their verdict on the dismissal and have responded to”video evidence.”

According to ICC, the incoming batter must be ready to face the ball within two minutes of the previous batter’s dismissal or retirement. In their statement released five days after the match, MCC emphasized the crucial aspect of Law 40.1.1. The law states that merely being on the field or the crease is insufficient to avoid this form of dismissal. The batter needs to get ready to face the bowler within the given time.

In Mathews’ case, the umpires determined that he wasn’t ready to face the delivery within the allowed time. The veteran had signaled his dugout for a spare helmet without informing the on-field officials. Shakib, alerted by a teammate about the Timed Out dismissal, appealed.

MCC clarified that if the umpires had been informed about a significant and justifiable equipment-related delay within the two-minute allowance, they could have considered it a new type of delay. However, they stated that both umpires determined the delay happened after the two minutes had passed, and Time had not been called before the appeal.

Mathews, disputing that he took more than two minutes, shared a “video evidence” on social media, stating he had “5 more seconds.” MCC, in their verdict, countered this by providing insights into Mathews’ arrival at the crease, including the time taken and the moment of his helmet malfunction.

“Mathews took more than 90 seconds to reach the 30-yard circle. He seemed to realize he was running out of time and jogged the final few yards to the wicket. His helmet malfunction occurred 1 minute and 54 seconds after the previous wicket fell. At this point, he hadn’t started taking guard and wasn’t ready to receive the ball. When the helmet broke, it seemed Mathews didn’t talk to the umpires. A player would typically talk to umpires when needing new equipment. Instead, he signaled to the dressing room for a replacement. There was no other action for the umpires to take within the Laws of Cricket,” the statement explained.

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Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has taken a swipe at Pakistan’s bowling attack, suggesting that he should have had an average of 200 against them. The remark came in response to Pakistan’s dwindling chances of making it to the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup after New Zealand’s victory over Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s hopes relied heavily on a Sri Lankan win, but the setback has made their task against England even more challenging. To secure a semi-final berth, Babar Azam’s team now needs to defeat England by at least 287 runs in their final group match.

Sehwag, known for his outspoken nature, had earlier stirred controversy with a ‘Pakistan Zindabhaag’ tweet, hinting at Pakistan’s premature exit from the tournament. This tweet sparked a heated exchange between fans from both sides of the border.

In response to a Pakistan fan claiming their bowlers troubled Sehwag, an Indian fan pointed out Sehwag’s impressive average of nearly 91 against Pakistan. Sehwag quoted this tweet and took a dig at Pakistan’s bowling attack.

“Nahi yaar, Wasim bhai ke retirement ke baad jaise yeh thhey, 200 ki avg honi chahiye tha inke saath. But jo bhi ho, tab bhi aur ab bhi Inke Mazzey lene mein maza aata hai.” Translated, he expressed that considering the quality of Pakistan’s bowling after Wasim Akram’s retirement, he should have had an average of 200 against them, but regardless, it is still enjoyable to play against them,” he wrote on X.

Sehwag’s comment adds to the speculation that an India-New Zealand semi-final is imminent, as many former cricketers have already accepted this likelihood. Meanwhile, Pakistan faces a tough challenge against England, and the cricketing world eagerly awaits the outcome of their final group match.

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Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik has shared valuable insights with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup semifinals. Malik shares the need for a broader pool of players in every cricket format, drawing inspiration from India’s approach to the game.

“In the World Cup, India covered all aspects—not just bowling, batting, and fielding. They faced injuries but had a backup plan. Looking ahead, it’s crucial to have a pool of players in every format. Players should receive equal chances so that they’re prepared when opportunities arise. While we go through rebuilding, we often don’t stick to our decisions and lack consistency in implementation,” Malik said on A Sports.

Misbah-ul-Haq, Malik’s former teammate and co-panelist, identified another problem—the team’s resistance to constructive criticism when performing well.

“After winning every series and delivering strong performances, we are not receptive to suggestions for improvement. This applies not just to players but the entire system,” Misbah said.

“We should identify areas for improvement, even when winning. Facing strong teams in top tournaments gives us a clearer picture. Those who bring up these issues often encounter resistance from the entire system,” he added.

Misbah also expressed concern about Pakistan’s spinners, whose vulnerabilities were exposed once the pacers struggled.

“When our pacers were doing well, they masked the weaknesses of our spinners. As a team management, it is essential to address areas that need improvement, particularly in high-pressure situations against top teams. Then again, NRR concerns will arise,” he said.

Wasim Akram and Moin Khan added their perspectives.

“There was a lack of planning and poor fitness, “Moin Khan said.

“There is no quick fix. The issue is that we’ll forget about it the moment the World Cup is over,” Wasim Akram added.

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In the ongoing ODI World Cup, former Pakistan captains Wasim Akram and Shoaib Malik expressed their belief that Afghanistan has displayed superior cricket compared to Pakistan. Shoaib Malik, acknowledging Afghanistan’s impressive performance, stated that Afghanistan played better cricket than Pakistan.

“Afghanistan played better cricket. I believe that considering this World Cup alone, Afghanistan has played better cricket than us, “Shoaib Malik said A sports.

Wasim Akram concurs with Malik’s assessment, noting that the Afghan team appeared stronger. Akram suggests that the Pakistani players may have been fatigued due to continuous cricket.

“Afghans looked stronger. Maybe, our boys looked fatigued because they were playing cricket continuously. Afghanistan cricketers looked better than Pakistan, there is no doubt,” he said.

Looking ahead, Pakistan is set to play their last league match against England at Eden Gardens. To qualify for the semi-finals, the scenario for Babar Azam and his team is challenging.

If Pakistan bats first and scores 300, they must bowl England out for 13. Alternatively, if Pakistan bowls first and dismisses England for 50, they need to chase the target in around 2.3 overs. The upcoming match holds significant implications for Pakistan’s journey in the Cricket World Cup.

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After facing several setbacks in the 2023 World Cup, Babar Azam is reportedly going to step down as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. The team’s early exit from the Asia Cup final and their current struggle in the World Cup have raised questions about Babar’s leadership.

Facing criticism regarding his captaincy, Babar Azam defended himself ahead of a crucial match against England in Kolkata. He expressed frustration with pundits and suggested they share their opinions directly with him instead of discussing them on live television.

Pakistan’s World Cup journey has been disappointing, with four defeats in the opening half, including a surprising loss to Afghanistan. Despite wins against Bangladesh and New Zealand, their chances of making the semis with one game remaining appear highly unlikely.

Reports also surfaced about a possible rift in the dressing room, with the team allegedly divided, led by Shaheen Afridi. Babar Azam, however, maintained his focus on the game and urged critics to communicate with him privately.

While publicly defending his captaincy, a report from Geo Super indicates that Babar is likely to resign from leadership roles in ODIs and T20Is after the World Cup. He has sought guidance from former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, engaging in a lengthy discussion with him before the England game.

Babar Azam may step down as Pakistan’s Test captain because other captains have struggled in Australia. Pakistan will tour Australia for three Tests in December. Babar will decide whether to step down after returning to Pakistan.

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Allan Donald is set to end his stint as the pace bowling coach for the Bangladesh cricket team once their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 journey concludes. The decision comes after Bangladesh’s exit from the World Cup semifinals race, with their final league match against Australia scheduled for Saturday.

During a team meeting, Donald informed the players about his choice to step down, as reported by Cricbuzz. A top official from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the news.

“He told us in the team meeting that he won’t continue with us after this World Cup,” the official said.

Donald joined the BCB in March last year for the T20 World Cup in Australia, and his contract was extended until the ODI World Cup in India after performing well in the role.

The decision to part ways with Donald reportedly follows BCB seeking an explanation from him regarding comments on Angelo Mathews‘ timed-out dismissal, despite being part of Bangladesh’s coaching staff.

“He had the option to share his personal views later. As a part of the team management, speaking about team decisions publicly violates the code of conduct. He could have discussed it within the team or directly with the player. Informing the BCB could have been done privately, not in public,” the official added.

In response to the BCB seeking an explanation, Donald remained composed.

“I’m fine with it if they (BCB) want an explanation. As far as I’m concerned, the explanation was already in the news today,” Donald said.

Bangladesh’s World Cup campaign has been disappointing, with only two wins in eight matches. They began with a victory over Afghanistan but faced six consecutive defeats, leading to their elimination from the semifinal race.

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Sri Lanka’s disappointing performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 has stirred controversy, with Chief Selector Pramodaya Wickramasinghe attributing it to an alleged external conspiracy.

Following their worst World Cup display since 1992, winning only two of nine games, the island nation faced turmoil. The sports minister initially dismissed the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), later reinstated by the court of appeal, deepening the crisis.

Upon the team’s return, Chief Selector Pramodaya Wickramasinghe claimed that the poor show was a result of an external conspiracy. Pressed for details, Wickramasingha, a member of the 1996 World Cup-winning team, requested two days to disclose everything, taking responsibility for the situation.

Sri Lanka’s 5-wicket loss to New Zealand marked the end of their troubled World Cup campaign. Injuries led to squad replacements and even a mid-tournament change in captaincy. A joint resolution in parliament demanded the resignation of the SLC’s management. It caused a split in the government over the decision to sack them.

Addressing the team’s inconsistency, head coach Chris Silverwood acknowledged that missed opportunities and inconsistency were the key factors leading to an untimely exit.

“I believe inconsistency is a fitting term. We’ve shown some good cricket, and looking back, we’ll regret missed chances. There were specific games where seizing opportunities could have changed our outlook. The reality is that despite our efforts, inconsistency persists. It’s a long-standing issue we’ve been addressing and must keep working on. So, yes, inconsistency accurately describes our situation,” he said.

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Rohit Sharma’s childhood coach, Dinesh Lad, is thrilled with India’s flawless performance in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023. Expressing his admiration, Lad voiced his desire to witness the Men in Blue’s captain, Rohit Sharma, lift the coveted trophy.

In the ODI World Cup journey, India has emerged victorious against formidable opponents, including five-time winners Australia, arch-rivals Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. With an unbeaten streak of eight wins, India aims to secure a ninth victory in the league stage, propelling them to the semifinals.

Dinesh Lad shared his enthusiasm during the collaboration between Indian Railways and Legends League Cricket, which launched a national campaign. The campaign involves transporting the league’s trophy on Vande Bharat trains. It commences from Mumbai to Surat and traverses 17 states and union territories.

Reflecting on Rohit Sharma’s exceptional performance, Lad highlighted the captain’s dominance with the bat, amassing over 400 runs in eight innings with a striking rate exceeding 120. Lad expressed confidence in India’s World Cup victory, citing the outstanding performances of both batsmen and bowlers.

“I’m thrilled by this fantastic experience. Numerous seasoned players participate in the league. I’m confident that India will clinch the World Cup this year. Our players are delivering exceptional performances. Both our batters and bowlers are doing exceptionally well. I eagerly anticipate witnessing the World Cup trophy in Rohit Sharma’s hands. I’ve been coaching him since he was 12,”Lad said ANI.

As India prepares for its final league match against the Netherlands at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the Legends League Cricket and Indian Railways’ collaborative campaign continues to capture the nation’s cricketing fervor. The 15-day extravaganza aims to engage cricket enthusiasts across the country through this unprecedented experience.

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Rachin Ravindra, the 23-year-old New Zealand cricketer, is basking in the surreal experience of Indian fans chanting his name during the ODI World Cup 2023. The young sensation, who hails from Bengaluru, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support, particularly in his hometown.

Ravindra has emerged as the breakout star of the tournament, amassing an impressive 565 runs in nine innings, making him the highest run-getter. His stellar performance has not only caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide but has also endeared him to Indian fans.

During the 41st game of the ODI World Cup between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the crowd passionately chanted Rachin Ravindra’s name as he stepped up to bat during the run chase. Ravindra’s family originally lived in Bengaluru before moving to New Zealand, adding significance to the moment.

Reflecting on the overwhelming love and support, Ravindra shared his thoughts in an interview with Star Sports.

“It feels incredibly surreal, and I appreciate the support, especially in Bangalore. The fans chanting my name is something I’ll always cherish. It’s a childhood dream come true. I’m really happy to be here, fortunately, everything fell into place,” he said.

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