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Afghanistan recall fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq for ODI World Cup

Fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has returned to the Afghanistan one-day squad for the upcoming World Cup in India more than two years after playing his last ODI. The right-arm quick has featured regularly in Twenty20 Internationals but played the last of his seven ODIs against Ireland in Abu Dhabi in January 2021. The 23-year-old joins Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai in Afghanistan’s pace attack for the showpiece event beginning next month.Most Read 1 Deepika Padukone noticed Ridhi Dogra was sitting separately on set, so she moved her seat closer to hers: Jawan actor recalls kind gesture 2 Nipah virus in Kerala: 9 panchayats in Kozhikode district declared containment zones as contact list expands to 789 ...
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Ben Stokes crosses 3,000 run mark in ODI cricket

Ben Stokes of England poses with the Player of the Match award after the 3rd Metro Bank ODI between England and New Zealand at The Kia Oval on September 13, 2023 in London, England. | Photo Credit: Getty Images England all-rounder Ben Stokes crossed the 3,000-run mark in ODI cricket. The veteran all-rounder, who just came out of ODI retirement to help his side in ICC Cricket World Cup defence, reached this landmark against New Zealand in the 3rd ODI on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. Stokes was at his most explosive during the match. He smashed 182 in just 124 balls, consisting of 15 fours and nine sixes. He was striking at a strike rate of over 146. With this, Stokes also surpassed the previous highest individual score by an England player in ODIs, Jason Roy (180) against Australia in ...
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How India can leave Pakistan and Australia behind to become world No.1 in ODIs | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The race for the number one spot in one-day internationals (ODIs) is heating up with less than a month to go for the ICC World Cup. The ODI World Cup, scheduled to be hosted in India later this year, will kick off on October 5. Currently, three teams are in contention to claim the top position in the ODI rankings just before the ICC showpiece event begins.Australia's recent loss to hosts South Africa in the third ODI of their series has significantly boosted India's chances of regaining the top spot in ODIs, a position they held until March 22 of this year.As of now, Australia and Pakistan share the pinnacle of the ICC ODI standings, with both at 118 points, while India closely trail in the second spot with 116 points.Image credit: BCCIPakistan's upcoming Super Four match aga...
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WATCH: Sri Lankan fan gifts Virat Kohli a portrait of his made by her | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli's exceptional talent and consistent performance on the cricket field have earned him a legion of admirers. Virat also shares glimpses of his personal life on social media, allowing fans to connect with him.Virat, who is in ominous touch in the ongoing Asia Cup, recieved a hand-made portrait of himself from a fan. A video, posted by a user on X (formerly Twitter), a fan can be seen gifting a hand made portrait to Virat in Colombo. WATCH: Virat is on a run-making spree in the Asia Cup, which is vital preparation for the Men in Blue for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup, commencing on October 5.Indian batting run-machine Virat has 129 runs so far in 4 matches at an average of 64.50.Virat also notched up his 47th century in ODIs recently and is just 2 centuries short of ...
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AIFF name Sunil Chhetri for Asian Games but silent on coach | undefined News – Times of India

PANAJI: Sunil Chhetri will be the lone senior player in the Indian team and will lead a relatively inexperienced 17-member squad for the Asian Games 2023 in China later this month. Significantly, the AIFF has not announced the coach. Igor Stimac has been registered as coach for the Asian Games, but should be choose not to take charge since several players are unavailable, assistant coach Mahesh Gawli will be the coach. AIFF will hold talks with Stimac on Thursday.Chhetri is the lone senior player in the 17-member squad as several ISL clubs refused to release key players. The other two seniors – Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan – won’t make the trip after their clubs refused to release them outside the FIFA international window and during the Indian Super League (ISL). The footb...
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3rd ODI: Record Ben Stokes ton leads England to huge win over New Zealand | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Ben Stokes' remarkable century shattered records and propelled England to a dominant 181-run victory over New Zealand in the third one-day international on Wednesday, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.In a stunning display of his prowess, Stokes, who had recently come out of retirement from ODI cricket, blazed a trail with a magnificent 124-ball 182. This outstanding innings not only secured the win but also etched his name in history as he surpassed Jason Roy's previous record of 180, marking the highest individual score for England in the 50-overs format.The England test captain's remarkable performance featured a staggering nine sixes and 15 fours, providing a thrilling spectacle and propelling the hosts to a formidable total of 368, all this after being...
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New Zealand hope to avoid another Stokes masterclass at World Cup

New Zealand coach Gary Stead hopes Ben Stokes will not produce another batting masterclass against the Black Caps at next month’s World Cup after the England all-rounder’s record-breaking knock at The Oval. Stokes hammered a 124-ball 182 on Wednesday to record England’s highest individual score in the 50-overs format and drive his team to a rollicking 181-run victory in the third ODI. Champions England will meet New Zealand in the opener of the one-day World Cup in India on Oct. 5, a repeat of the 2019 final. Asked whether he was sick of the sight of New Zealand-born Stokes, Stead told reporters he hoped his bowlers had seen the best of him. “Ben Stokes played an amazing innings, England’s best,” he said. “That was pretty special to watch. “I don’t mind Ben Stokes. I’d rather he score t...
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ENG vs NZ, 3rd ODI | Record Stokes ton leads England to huge win over New Zealand

England’s Ben Stokes and England’s Moeen Ali leave the pitch as England win by 181 runs during the One Day International cricket match between England and New Zealand at The Oval cricket ground in London. | Photo Credit: AP A record-breaking century by Ben Stokes propelled England to a crushing 181-run win over New Zealand in the third one-day international on Wednesday as the hosts took a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.Stokes, who last month reversed his retirement from ODI cricket, hammered a 124-ball 182 to record England's highest individual score in the 50-overs format, bettering Jason Roy's previous record of 180.The England test captain hit nine sixes and 15 fours in an entertaining knock to lift the hosts to a total of 368 after being put into bat at The Oval."Coming back in...
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Richarlison to seek psychological help on return to England

Tottenham Hotspur’s misfiring forward Richarlison said he will seek psychological help on his return to England after shedding tears when he was substituted during Brazil’s 5-1 thrashing of Bolivia last Friday. The 26-year-old Brazilian was photographed crying on the bench after being taken off 71 minutes into the 2026 World Cup qualifier in Belem. The striker, who has scored only four goals in 40 games for his Premier League side, told Brazilian newspaper O Globo that he had been through a “turbulent time off the pitch” over the last five months but the storm had passed. “Now things are right at home. People who only had an eye on my money have walked away from me,” he explained. “Now things will start to flow and I’m sure I’ll have a good run at Tottenham and make things happen again...
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Asia Cup 2023: India now sporting a settled look ahead of the World Cup

Crucial knock: Axar’s batting proved that India’s lower order can boost the total when need be. | Photo Credit: AP A day after India hammered Pakistan in an ODI that spanned two days, it was dismissed for only 213 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. And yet won with some ease. Though records tumbled in the India-Pakistan match — joint-highest score against this opposition and biggest win in terms of runs, the story was different against Sri Lanka. For starters, it was a game of two halves against Sri Lanka. When India batted, the ball stopped and came on to the bat erratically. Some batters were rushed into their shots while others finished their swing by the time contact was made, resulting in soft dismissals. Though it was not an ideal surface for white-ball cricket, the Indian bo...
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Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka and Pakistan vie for spot in the summit clash

High-stakes encounter: A lot rides on Babar Azam against Sri Lanka in a virtual knock-out game.  | Photo Credit: AFP    After contrasting defeats against India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan will meet in a virtual semifinal in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Thursday. While Pakistan was outplayed by Rohit Sharma’s men in a rain-marred two-day contest, Sri Lanka gave India a scare by bundling it out for 213 before its batting unravelled in a 41-run defeat. A record 228-run defeat against India means that Pakistan is at the mercy of the weather. It needs to win at all costs as a washout will put Sri Lanka, which has a superior Net Run Rate, in the final. While the skies were overcast, the rains steered clear of Colombo on the eve of the match. On the fiel...
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Asia Cup: PoK-born pacer Zaman Khan set to make ODI debut for Pakistan

Pakistan Occupied Kashmir-born cricketer Zaman Khan is all set to make his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in the must-win Asia Cup match in Colombo on Thursday. Zaman, a young fast bowler who has had a typical rag to riches story, belongs to a poor family from Mirpur in PoK. He played first for Rawlakot Hawks in the Kashmir League and has now appeared in T20 leagues in Canada and Sri Lanka. Zaman has not played any first class game but has represented Pakistan in six T20 Internationals against Afghanistan and New Zealand. He is set to replace injured Naseem Shah, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a shoulder injury. Our playing XI for the #PAKvSL match 🇵🇰#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/lhT5Vl8RtX — Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 13, 2023 The playing el...
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Pakistan should pick players on merit and improve body language, feel former players

Former captain and PCB chief Ramiz Raja has urged Pakistan captain Babar Azam and team management to pick players on merit and reassess Fakhar Zaman’s form ahead of the team’s must-win Asia Cup game against Sri Lanka. Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka on Thursday in a Super 4 match which will act as a virtual semifinal, since the winner will face India in the final on Sunday, September 17. Following Pakistan’s heaviest loss to India in ODIs by 228 runs in the Asia Cup, Raja has come down hard on Babar’s team over their reluctance to drop the out-of-form Zaman. Raja said, “Babar should not just follow a straight line and decide against making changes in the line-up. The team management and Babar need to realise their love affair with Fakhar is not beneficial for the team as he is not in fo...
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Novak Djokovic: International acknowledgment of his greatness may be grudging, but Serbian legend is intent on making more history

It was supposed to be a celebration of the silver medal won by the Serbian national basketball team at the FIBA World Cup, but the occasion was proverbially gatecrashed by a history-maker.A 24th Grand Slam singles title and fourth US Open in tow, Novak Djokovic arrived in his home country to a raucous reception, thousands waving flags and cheering as the World No.1, who is now the outright record-holder in Open Era Majors, was overawed by the occasion. “This is a childhood dream come true, because once upon a time I was down there and celebrating,” he was quoted as saying by tennismajors.com, holding back tears.Djokovic has always worn his Serbian heritage on his sleeve, in acknowledgment of all that he has had to overcome to achieve what he has, and in defiance of the kind of stereotyp...
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Sunil Chhetri only known face in 17-member Indian football team for Asian Games, Stimac’s status not known | undefined News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In the 17-member Indian squad for the Hangzhou Asian Games, veteran striker Sunil Chhetri emerged as the sole notable figure. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) managed to assemble a second-rung team, although there remains uncertainty regarding head coach Igor Stimac's participation with the team.The majority of clubs initially expressed reluctance to release the 22 players originally named in the Indian squad due to scheduling conflicts between the Asian Games' football competition and the Indian Super League (ISL), which is set to commence on September 21.After prolonged and intensive negotiations, the AIFF was able to unveil a somewhat under-strength team, which retained nine players from the original 22, including Sunil Chhetri. The remaining slots were filled with...
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Asia Cup: PoK-born pacer Zaman Khan set to make ODI debut for Pakistan | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Zaman Khan, a talented fast bowler hailing from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, is on the brink of making his ODI debut in a crucial Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Thursday.Zaman's journey to this point is nothing short of inspiring, characterised by a classic rags-to-riches narrative. Born into a modest family in Mirpur, PoK, he initially began his cricketing career with the Rawalakot Hawks in the Kashmir League. Over time, Zaman's skills caught the eye of scouts, and he went on to participate in T20 leagues not only in Canada but also in Sri Lanka.Remarkably, Zaman hasn't had the opportunity to feature in any first-class cricket matches yet. However, he has already represented Pakistan in six T20 Internationals, facing off against teams like Afghanistan and New Z...
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Shreyas Iyer’s back stiffness keeps India worried as squad for Australia series set to be named this week – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Shreyas Iyer's back injury isn't apparently very serious but concerns remain about his availability for India's final Super 4 game against Bangladesh on Friday as the national selection committee is set to name the squad for the three-match series against Australia sometime during the week.Iyer, who has come back after a long lay-off and a back surgery to cure his stress fracture, played against Pakistan and Nepal in the group league stage before pulling out of the match against the arch-rivals at the eleventh hour, complaining back spasms.A clearer picture will emerge on Thursday during the optional training ahead of the Bangladesh game.Those in the know of the things said that there seems to be "some amount of stiffness", which will definitely impact his movements during fi...
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Sunil Chhetri to lead makeshift football side to Asian Games as most players selected initially not released by ISL clubs

Indian national team skipper Sunil Chhetri will lead a 17-member squad at the Hangzhou Asian Games with only nine of the 22 players initially requested by coach Igor Stimac released by Indian Super League (ISL) clubs for the event that falls outside the FIFA international window. It is unclear whether Stimac and his coaching staff will be a part of the Asian Games after most of the players he was looking for after a successful SAFF Cup at home will be a part of their respective ISL teams, participating in the domestic league and the Asian Champions League/ AFC Cup tournaments. The Croatian had made it clear earlier that the Asian Games was an important tournament in the lead-up to the World Cup qualifiers and the AFC Asian Cup. When Stimac had initially announced his 22-member squad in ...
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Ben Stokes hits 182 for highest score by an England player in ODIs | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Ben Stokes achieved a remarkable feat, smashing the highest-ever score by an England player in one-day internationals in the third match of the series against New Zealand at The Oval. He blazed his way to 182 runs off just 124 balls, helping his team reach a total of 368 all out.Stokes surpassed the previous record set by Jason Roy, who scored 180 against Australia in Melbourne back in 2018. This outstanding innings also ranks as the 24th highest individual score in the history of 50-over cricket. Stokes' exceptional performance included nine sixes and 15 fours, showcasing his extraordinary batting prowess.This incredible innings reaffirmed why England were eager to bring Stokes out of ODI retirement, especially with the team's upcoming campaign to defend their Cricket World ...
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‘This is the identity of a big player’: Veteran India spinner on Rohit Sharma | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Veteran Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla is of the opinion that captain Rohit Sharma's impressive performance in the Asia Cup is a clear indication that form tends to make a comeback, especially in anticipation of a major tournament like the upcoming Men's ODI World Cup in India.Rohit has emerged as the leading run-scorer in the Asia Cup, amassing 194 runs in four innings at an impressive average of 64.66. He has registered three half-centuries during this tournament and maintained a strike rate of 108.98.It's worth noting that Rohit had previously topped the run-scoring charts in the 2019 Men's ODI World Cup, accumulating 648 runs, including five centuries."This is the identity of a big player, just as we approach a big tournament, he comes back into form some way or the oth...