Taylor backs Smith to captain Australia again after ban expires

Former skipper Mark Taylor Thursday backed Steve Smith to captain Australia again after his incredible Ashes exploits, as support mounts for the 30-year-old to be given a second chance. Smith was banned for 12 months over a brazen attempt to alter the ball with sandpaper under his captaincy in a Cape Town Test, and slapped with […]

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PCB vows to keep working with SLC over security issue

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday vowed to continue working with the SLC in providing the Sri Lankan team with complete safety and security after the latter issued a statement that it was reassessing the security situation in Pakistan ahead of its scheduled tour later this month. “We have seen the SLC statement, […]

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Indian selectors face task to solve opening woes

MUMBAI: Finding a solution to India’s top-order batting conundrum will be top of selectors’ agenda when they meet on Thursday to pick the squad for next month’s home Test series against South Africa. Despite being the world’s top-ranked Test side, India have struggled with their opening combination, which, in turn, has heaped pressure on the […]

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Accidental captain Paine on verge of special landmark

LONDON: Greg Chappell could not do it, while Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, who had both had two attempts each, were unable to manage it either. But if his side avoids defeat in the fifth Test against England at The Oval starting from Thursday, Tim Paine will join the list of Australia captains who have […]

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Sri Lanka name depleted squads for Pakistan tour

Sri Lanka on Wednesday named depleted squads for a six-match tour of Pakistan, after 10 top players opted out citing security concerns. Lahiru Thirimanne has replaced one-day international skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, who refused to join the tour along with Twenty20 skipper Lasith Malinga. Thirimanne will lead a 15-member ODI squad, while the 16-member T20 squad […]

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Bangladesh axe Mehidy, Rubel in Twenty20 squad shake-up

Bangladesh dropped off-spinner Mehidy Hasan and pace bowler Rubel Hossain in a new-look Twenty20 squad named on Tuesday for the first two matches of the tri-nations series against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. All-rounder Ariful Haque, pace bowler Abu Hider, spinner Nazmul Islam and batsman Mohammad Mithun were also left out from Bangladesh’s last Twenty20 squad that […]

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For the generation that did not see Abdul Qadir bowl

When Abdul Qadir bowled his last for Pakistan, I wasn’t around. As a 90s kid, I know what his protege Mushtaq Ahmed was like, especially in England. I know what Shane Warne was like, especially everywhere. Anil Kumble showed me something different. I lived through Danish Kaneria. Yasir Shah gave me a new lease of […]

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Sri Lanka select squads for Pakistan tour as 10 players bow out from participation

The Sri Lankan cricket authorities on Monday announced the selection of a T20 and One Day International (ODI) squad to tour Pakistan as 10 players excused themselves from playing in the country while citing security reasons. The Sri Lankan side is set to visit Pakistan to play three ODIs and three T20I matches from September […]

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Nadal takes five-set US Open thriller for 19th Slam title

Rafael Nadal captured his 19th career Grand Slam title in thrilling fashion on Sunday by winning the US Open final, outlasting Russia’s Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 to seize his fourth crown in New York. The 33-year-old Spanish left-hander moved one shy of Roger Federer’s all-time men’s record 20 Grand Slam triumphs and […]

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