Ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025, Afghanistan announced their squad with opening batsman Ibrahim Zadran making a return to the side. Spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman missed the cut for the marquee event scheduled to be in action in Pakistan. Afghanistan's white-ball performances have been notable with the side finishing sixth in the ODI World Cup 2023 and reaching the semi-finals berth of the T20 World Cup 2024. For Afghanistan, this will be the first time that they will feature in the eight-nation Champions Trophy beginning on February 19. Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Mitchell Santer to take on the leadership duties, know the full squad "Zadran, who was away from action due to an ankle injury, has returned to the squad," said a statement from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). "However, Mujeeb Ur Rahman misses out on the selection, as AM Ghazanfar, a similar mystery spinner, has made the cut for the mega event." Rahman was left out because "he has been advised by his doctor to focus on T20s for a while to ensure his full recovery", added acting ACB chief selector Ahmad Suliman Khil. But fast-rising opener Sediqullah Atal did secure a place in the squad, the ACB said. Afghanistan beat England and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup and Australia and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup. Afghanistan will kick start their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against South Africa on February 21. Later, they will clash with England and Australia to conclude their group-stage matches. Afghanistan squad for the Champions Trophy 2025: Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik. The Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to kick start from February 19 with Pakistan hosting all the matches except for Team India's games. The "Men in Blue" will play all their upcoming marquee event matches in Dubai. (With AFP Inputs)
13 January,2025 10:48 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner opened up on his side which will feature in the marquee event starting from February 19. As the "Black Caps" announced their squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, several fresh faces have emerged in the pace attack. New Zealand will kick start their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Pakistan on February 19. "If there is a little bit of turn, we can have Bracewell bat at No. 7, and I can go at No. 8. We have options, which is great for our squad. We've got raw pace, we've got the spin, and the allrounders as well," Santner said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. Further, the Kiwi all-rounder heaped praise on the spinners of the side, especially the off-spinner Glenn Phillips. "They're both very good offspinners in their own right. They're both different, I think. On a wicket like that, Bracewell can get a bit more bounce - a little more over the top. Even the three overs that GP bowled were good for us, and Glenn has worked a lot on his bowling, as we've seen, in the longer format," the left-arm spinner added. Also Read: Punjab Kings announce Shreyas Iyer as skipper for IPL 2025 In the end, the Blackcaps player said that if the management and team are happy with the playing XI then the same team will play in Karachi, Rawalpindi and against India in Dubai. "We like to stick to the same team once we've picked it, but that's conditions-dependent. Karachi could play a lot different to Rawalpindi, which could play differently to Dubai. With the short nature of the tournament, if you're happy with your XI, you want them to perform for all three games. But we're open to changes," the 32-year-old concluded. For Mitchell Santner, the Champions Trophy 2025 will be the first major ICC tournament after successfully registering victories in the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka at home. The likes of William O'Rourke, Ben Sears and Nathan Smith will feature in their maiden senior ICC event. Mitchell Santner will be shouldered by other spinners such as Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra. Senior figures Kane Williamson and Tom Latham lend valuable experience to the side, with Latham set to take the wicketkeeping gloves for the tournament. Santner, Williamson and Latham were all part of New Zealand's squad for the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in England and Wales in 2017. Williamson also featured at the 2013 edition in England. Matt Henry will spearhead the pace bowling attack alongside veteran Lockie Ferguson, who is set to play his fifth ICC event having played a key role in the last two ICC ODI and T20I World Cups. Jacob Duffy could also feature in the squad - he is named as a reserve player - should Lockie Ferguson become unavailable because of franchise cricket commitments. After their Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Pakistan, the Kiwis will lock horns with Bangladesh and India on February 24 and March 2, respectively. New Zealand squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young. (With ANI Inputs)
13 January,2025 10:22 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India's middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as Punjab Kings captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Shreyas Iyer helped Kolkata Knight Riders to clinch the title in 2024. Punjab Kings bought the services of Shreyas Iyer for Rs 26.75 crore. With this, the right-hander became the second-most expensive player during the auction in November. At the Punjab's camp, Iyer will reunite with Ricky Ponting, with whom he shared a successful stint at Delhi Capitals, guiding the team to the 2020 IPL final. "I am honoured that the team has reposed its faith in me. I am looking forward to working again with coach Ponting. The team looks strong, with a great mix of potential and proven performers. I hope to repay the faith shown by the management to deliver our maiden title," said Shreyas Iyer in a statement. Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Pat Cummins to lead the Australian pack, know the full squad The 2024 season has been nothing short of a dream run for Shreyas Iyer. He not only won the IPL with KKR but also under his leadership, Mumbai secured their second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He was also part of the Mumbai team that won the Ranji and Irani Trophy. PBKS will be Iyer's third franchise in the IPL after KKR and DC, who made his debut in 2015. DC had appointed him as their captain midway through 2018. Ponting hoped under Iyer's captaincy PBKS will be able to go the distance in the upcoming edition of the IPL. PBKS (formerly Kings XI Punjab) have never won an IPL title so far. "Shreyas has a great mind for the game. His proven capabilities as captain will enable the team to deliver. I have enjoyed my time with Iyer in the past in IPL, and I look forward to working with him again." "With his leadership and the talent in the squad, I am excited about the seasons ahead," said Ponting. PBKS CEO Satish Menon said the partnership between Iyer and Ponting bodes well for the franchise. "We had identified Shreyas as our captain and were delighted with the auction result. He has already proven himself to master the format, and his vision for the team aligns perfectly with our goals. With him and Ponting joining hands again, we are confident our team has a solid leadership group to guide us to our first title," said Menon. (With PTI Inputs)
13 January,2025 09:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the Champions Trophy 2025, Australia announced their 15-member squad for the mega event set to be scheduled in Pakistan from February 19. Australia will play all of their Champions Trophy 2025 matches under Pat Cummins' captaincy. Earlier, the side clinched a victory by 3-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Team India. They will lock horns with Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series. Pat Cummins will miss the tour as he and his wife are due to give birth to their second child. In his absence, Steve Smith has been handed over the leadership duties. Also Read: Sunny day for Mumbai cricket captains at Wankhede In Champions Trophy 2025, Australia will play three group-stage matches. They will begin their campaign against England on February 22, followed by the clashes against South Africa and Afghanistan on February 25 and 28, respectively. From their ODI World Cup 2023-winning squad, only three changes have been made. Matt Short, Aaron Hardie and Nathan Ellis have been added to the side by replacing David Warner, Cameron Green and Sean Abbott. The "Men in Yellow" will look to end their 15-year Champions Trophy drought after sealing the titles in 2006 and 2009. Speaking about Australia's Champions Trophy 2025 squad, chief selector George Bailey said, "It offers a variety of options for touring management depending on the opposition and the conditions that may present in Pakistan." Australia preliminary squad for Champions Trophy: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa. The Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to kick start from February 19 with Pakistan hosting all the matches except for Team India's games. The "Men in Blue" will play all their upcoming marquee event matches in Dubai.
13 January,2025 08:42 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVidarbha outclassed Rajasthan by nine wickets, while Haryana edged out Gujarat by two wickets to move into the semi-finals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In the semi-finals, Haryana will be up against Karnataka on Wednesday, while Vidarbha will face Maharashtra on Thursday here. Karun Nair continued his red-hot form in this edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, striking his fifth hundred, a whirlwind unbeaten 82-ball 12, which was also his fourth ton in the last five innings. Also Read: Start of a new Ira Karun had able support from fellow centurion Dhruv Shorey (118*) as they added 200 runs for the second wicket, propelling Vidarbha past the target of 292 in 43.3 overs. Meanwhile, Haryana survived a fine spell by India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (4-46) as they made a heavy weather of the chase of a seemingly easy 197 set by Gujarat. Earlier, Hemang Patel made 54, but Anuj Thakral and Nishant Sindhu took six wickets among them to derail Gujarat. Himanshu Rana, who made 66, anchored Haryana’s chase, with help from the rest of the batters to reach home. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 January,2025 07:52 AM IST | Vadodara | PTIRiding on 14-year-old opening batter Ira Jadhav’s 157-ball 346 not out, the Mumbai U-19 women’s team outclassed Meghalaya by 544 runs in the women’s one-day tournament at Alur, Karnataka, yesterday. Mumbai posted a mammoth 563-3 in 50 overs, thanks to Jadhav’s triple-hundred, which consisted of 42 fours and 16 sixes. Her 346* is a record for the highest under-19 score by an Indian, as per PTI. One-drop Hurley Gala, who smashed a 79-ball 116 with the help of 14 fours and one six, stitched a 313-run stand with Jadhav. In reply, Meghalaya were bundled out for a mere 19 runs in 25.4 overs. Also Read: Habib is first Lebabon man to win a Slam singles match Nearly doubled her best Jadhav’s previous high-score was an unbeaten 183, at a Mumbai Cricket Association’s League game. “I just kept it simple and decided to play shots on the merit of the ball. I am very happy that I scored a triple century. I didn’t have any target in my mind, but just played according to the ball,” Jadhav told mid-day. “I am feeling good and more confident now after today’s [Sunday] innings. Their bowling attack was okay, it was slightly easy to score against them compared to others,” she added. Mumbai U-19 team’s coach, Sarvesh Damle, termed Jadhav’s knock, a special one. Coach heaps praise “Though it was against Meghalaya, her attacking innings was exceptionally good. Even the boundary was a full 65-yard boundary. And smashing all the bowlers with that consistency throughout 50 overs is very creditable,” Damle said. It was a must win game for Mumbai, and Jadhav was playing just her second match of the tournament, as she was a reserve player in India’s U-19 camp.Elaborating on her strength, Damle said, “She plays with a straight bat. Her cover drives and straight drives are well-timed. Her footwork is her biggest asset, she can easily step out and hit. That is a big advantage.”
13 January,2025 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureBombay, My Bombay is a chapter in batting legend Sunil Gavaskar’s autobiography Sunny Days, released in late 1976 long before the city of his birth changed to Mumbai. The penultimate chapter of the bestselling book consisted of Gavaskar’s views on why the city is such a formidable force in the willow game. In there he also emphasised that Bombay players are the “friendliest” although the “Bombay cricketer will not suffer fools gladly.” Indeed, the atmosphere at Wankhede Stadium was friendly on Sunday. Gavaskar was delighted to spend his morning and noon at the Wankhede Stadium, whose golden jubilee celebrations kicked off with a match between the Mumbai Cricket Association Apex Council members and the Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai (SJAM). MCA won by six runs. Also Read: Second seed Alexander Zverev cruises Sunil Gavaskar (left) being felicitated by MCA president Ajinkya Naik. Pics/Satej Shinde A felicitation for Mumbai captains (men and women) followed while a function for India captains like Gavaskar, who represented Mumbai, will be held later in the week. However, Gavaskar decided to make his way to D Road nevertheless. He joked that he had come uninvited and the MCA officials could have stopped him from entering. On a serious note he stressed that he was a Mumbai captain before he became India captain. He also revealed that functions like these give him the pleasure of meeting people from the Mumbai cricket fraternity, his friends and he comes alive. The Wankhede is a special ground for Gavaskar for multiple reasons. He scored his first Test hundred on home soil here — against New Zealand in 1976-77 and followed it up with another in the series against England the same season. The next Test at Wankhede was the India v West Indies one in 1978-79 when Gavaskar then captaining India for the first time at home, carved a double century against Alvin Kallicharran’s men. The fourth century on the trot in Wankhede Tests came against Kim Hughes’ Australians the following season while the second last of Gavaskar’s 34 Test hundreds was at the Wankhede in 1986-87 (against Australia). Among the Mumbai captains felicitated was Milind Rege, his childhood friend. It was sunny Sunday in every sense.
13 January,2025 07:41 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentAjit Agarkar and his national selection committee will meet on Sunday in Mumbai to pick India’s squad for the Champions Trophy. The 50-over tournament will be played in Pakistan and UAE from February 19. “India’s Champions Trophy squad will be announced on January 19 in Mumbai,” BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla told reporters at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Also Read: Jemimah Rodrigues' maiden ODI century helps India clinch victory in the second game vs Ireland Meanwhile, Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia were elected BCCI secretary and treasurer respectively during the SGM. “I have to take the support of all Apex Council members and continue whatever good work Jay bhai [Shah] has done during his tenure for the last five years,” Saikia said.
13 January,2025 07:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureA collective batting performance headlined by Jemimah Rodrigues’ maiden hundred formed the cornerstone of India’s commanding 116-run win against Ireland in the second women’s ODI here on Sunday as the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. India scored a massive 370 for five riding on three half-centuries and a hundred before restricting Ireland to 254 for seven in the stipulated 50 overs. It was the elegant skipper, Smriti Mandhana, who was first off the blocks with an attacking 73 off just 54 balls, while Rodrigues’ first hundred (102 off 91 balls) ensured a smooth finish for the hosts. Also Read: Given Bumrah's fitness record, selection committee might not think of him as long-term Test captain Newcomer Pratika Rawal (67 off 61 balls) and the seasoned Harleen Deol (89 off 84 balls) also made merry against a sub-par bowling attack. Ireland batted steadily but never had the firepower to surpass a gigantic Indian total. Save Christina Coulter Reilly’s 80, there wasn’t much fight from the other batters as off-spinner Deepti Sharma emerged as the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 3-37. Seamer Titas Sadhu got 1-48 in 10 overs. Prior to the game, Rodrigues’s record has been one that flattered to deceive with just six half-centuries across 40 games. But once she got the boundary off medium pacer Arlene Kelly, the relief was palpable as she did a mock guitar-playing act with her willow. “It has been a long wait to get this hundred. Glad that the team gave me a role at No. 4 and I could deliver,” Rodrigues told Star Sports at the innings break. “Today, the important thing for me was to be [there] till the 50th over. Getting runs is not a problem, I am good at that, but staying till the end was important and glad I could do that.” Despite the daunting total, Rodrigues said India didn’t feel home and dry. “We can’t take any team lightly, we have followed domestic cricket here, 390 has been chased,” she said. Brief scoresIndia 370-5 (J Rodrigues 102, H Deol 89, S Mandhana 73, P Rawal 67; O Prendergast 2-75, A Kelly 2-82) beat Ireland 254-7 (C Coulter Reilly 80, S Forbes 38, G Delaney 37; D Sharma 3-37, P Mishra 2-53) by 116 runs This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 January,2025 07:09 AM IST | Rajkot | PTIIndia, riding on Jemimah Rodrigues' maiden century in 50-over cricket, defeated Ireland by 116 runs in the second Women's ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here on Sunday. Opting to bat, India amassed a mammoth 370 for 5 with skipper Smriti Mandhana (73), newcomer Pratika Rawal (67) and Harleen Deol (89) smashing half-centuries, while Jemimah cracked a 91-ball 102 against hapless Ireland bowlers. In reply, Ireland keeper-batter Christina Coulter Reilly scored a fine 80 but her efforts were not enough with India spinner Deepti Sharma grabbing three wickets for 37 runs. Priya Mishra was the other successful India bowler taking two wickets. Brief Scores: India 370 for 5 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 73, Pratika Rawal 67, Harleen Deol 89, Jemimah Rodrigues 102; Orla Prendergast 2/75). Ireland 254 for 7 in 50 overs (Sarah Forbes 38, Christina Coulter Reilly 80, Laura Delany 37; Deepti Sharma 3/37, Priya Mishra 2/53). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
12 January,2025 07:06 PM IST | Rajkot | PTIJasprit Bumrah is the frontrunner to replace Rohit Sharma as India's Test captain going forward but the peerless pacer doesn't seem to be a long-term option given his nagging fitness concerns, the latest being a back spasm which has rendered him doubtful for next month's Champions Trophy. Indian selectors are hopeful that he still might have some role in the Champions Trophy since it's a swelling, but when one looks at the bigger picture the question arises whether he can be deemed a permanent skipper in Tests, now that Rohit's days in whites look as good as over. If Bumrah is fit and ready to lead the Test side in England, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his four colleagues need to have a strong name as vice-captain so that in case of an unforeseen scenario, the deputy is good enough to take charge. For now, in Tests, only two names are in the reckoning -- Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal -- with the former looking the most suitable for that role. It is understood that during BCCI's review meeting on Saturday with Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir and Rohit, Bumrah's issues with the lower back cropped up. Post the review meeting, one can conclude that it is very unlikely Rohit will travel to England for the five Tests, and the 31-year-old Bumrah will certainly lead the team in the first Test at Headingly if all goes well. The pacer with 443 international scalps across formats in just 203 games led India at Perth and Sydney in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy and was the 'player of the series' with 32 wickets, the highest by an Indian on foreign soil. But the back spasm in the final Test proved to be his undoing as he could not bowl in the second innings and is set to undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru with an eye on playing the Champions Trophy. The injury has raised questions whether Bumrah can remain fit for long periods given his workload as the pace spearhead in Tests, who is also required for ICC white-ball events. There is no guarantee that Bumrah won't have more breakdowns during the next WTC cycle from June 2025 to June 2027, now that he is on the wrong side of 30s. Hence, the selectors might be tempted to have a Plan B ready, which is to have another equally strong captaincy candidate, who can be groomed as vice-captain. "For me, it is a very simple thing. You look at the data and find who is a sure-shot pick in Test cricket. Bumrah has played 45 Tests and Pant has 43 Tests. He (Pant) is 27 now and by the time he was only 23, he had singlehandedly won India one of its greatest Tests at the Gabba. He is a match-winner, a good sounding board for bowlers and should be the vice-captain," former national selector Devang Gandhi said. Another former India keeper Deep Dasgupta agreed that Bumrah cannot be a long-term solution as Test captain given his bowling workloads. "It is not just the marquee series (England, Australia) that we are talking about. In between Test matches, there will be ICC events where Bumrah's presence is a must. Like this year, it is Champions Trophy and next year it will be the T20 World Cup. He is managing it well by not playing bilaterals but nearer to events, he would need to. Then the bowling workload becomes paramount. Don't forget two months of IPL," Dasgupta explained. "So even as Bumrah starts as the next Test captain, there is a need for a strong vice-captain, and yes Pant fits the bill," he said. Both felt that Jaiswal should not be burdened with vice-captaincy considering that he will spearhead India's batting challenge in the coming days and there is still some time before the establishment can think of him in a leadership role.
12 January,2025 05:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
