Month: December 2023

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has highlighted the lack of planning while bowling to the South African batters in the first Test in Centurion last week. The Proteas defeated India by an innings and 32 runs in the first Test at the SuperSport Park, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Barring Jasprit Bumrah, who bagged four wickets in South Africa’s first innings, the Indian pacers struggled against the Proteas, with Dean Elgar smashing 185.
While analysing the match, Irfan said that India did not understand when to attack and when to defend against the South African batters.
“India did not have any sharpness in their bowling. The Indian bowling unit did not get the balance of attack vs defence right. When Elgar got set, even then India continued their attacking bowling as if they would get him out with one delivery,” Irfan said on Star Sports.
Irfan also suggested that the Indian bowlers did not bowl well against Elgar, who has had struggles against short ball early on his innings. He pointed out that the Indian batter started bowling short balls to him when Elgar was well set.
“Elgar is known to have problems with the short ball. You bowled short balls to him when he was batting at 60-70. In the next match, please bowl short balls to him early. He got out to short balls in 4 times in Australia and I talked about that too in the commentary. You have to bowl very well in the second match to level the series,” he added.
After the defeat, India captain Rohit Sharma admitted that Bumrah lacked support from other end as there was no reason to concede 400 plus runs on a bowling friendly track where South African speedsters showed how to go about the job.
“This was not a 400-run wicket and we gave too many runs. We sprayed the ball all around, but it happens. One can’t depend on one particular bowler (Bumrah), the other three pacers also needed to perform their roles, we could learn from how South Africa bowled,” Rohit said after the match.
He also said that although there wasn’t lack of effort but Bumrah couldn’t alone keep the pressure on Proteas batters.
“Bumrah bowled well and we all know his quality. All he wanted was a bit of support which he didn’t get. That happens. All three tried hard, bending their backs but didn’t happen the way we wanted to. But games like these teaches you a lot as to what you want to do as a bowling unit,” the skipper observed.
The second and final Test will be played in Cape Town from January 3.
(With PTI Inputs)

Arsenal succumbed yet again in the Premier League and slipped down to fourth in the table after they were beaten 2-1 by Fulham at Craven Cottage.
After toiling for 90 minutes without reward on Thursday night, the Gunners took the lead after just five minutes – their second quickest goal of the campaign – through Bukayo Saka, who tapped into an empty net after Bernd Leno denied Gabriel Martinelli.
Fulham have been the better side since the goal. Arsenal losing out on duels, the press has been bypassed with relative ease, too. #FULARS
Pain In The Arsenal (@PainInThArsenal) December 31, 2023
The visitors then proceeded to produce a beleaguered first-half display with Fulham in the ascendancy. Arsenal’s press was bereft of intensity, and Fulham’s slick possession play allowed them to take control of the contest. There were a few warning signs before Raul Jimenez equalised midway through the opening period.
A territorial shift ensued in the second half, but Fulham were content with holding Arsenal at arm’s length and springing in transition. The Cottagers continued to boast the greater threat, but their second goal was woeful from the Gunners’ perspective as they failed to clear a corner which allowed Bobby De Cordova Reid to poke home.
Mikel Arteta drastically changed tack after his side fell behind, switching to a 3-5-2 as he did in midweek. However, after Saka missed a brilliant chance to score his second and restore parity, Arsenal did little else to threaten Leno’s goal.
Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their 2-1 defeat at Fulham.
David Raya (GK) – 7/10 – This was a very positive Raya performance. Could do little to prevent Fulham’s goals. Proactive off his line and thought his distribution was excellent. Made a great save to deny Tom Cairney.
Ben White (RB) – 5/10 – Fulham overloaded his flank in the first half and White, who often wasn’t aided by Saka, struggled to contain Willian and Antonee Robinson. Rarely ventured forward.
William Saliba (CB) – 4/10 -Jimenez was excellent against the Gunners backline, and his cunning occasionally caught Saliba out. Like many of his teammates, Saliba was off the boil somewhat – typified by his booking sequence.
Gabriel (CB) – 5/10 – The Brazilian certainly didn’t command the Arsenal box as we know he can. This was a pretty sloppy showing from Gabriel.
Jakub Kiwior (LB) – 4/10 – Came into the side as a result of Oleksandr Zinchenko’s calf injury, but there were far too many loose actions during his 45-minute display.
Continued on the next slide…

News”The environment in the dressing room is much better” with Shanto in charge, says the head coach

Sandesh Jhingan, upon his arrival at the airport in Doha, said, ‘No group in the Asian Cup is easy. Of course, we’ve got Australia, and they need no introduction. But what we have learned in the last few years is that we must never fear any opposition.’
 
IMAGE: Indian football fans welcome Chhetri and Co on their arrival at Doha airport ahead of the Asian Cup tournament on Sunday. Photograph: Indian Football/X
They might be up against formidable and higher-ranked opponents such as Australia in the upcoming Asian Cup but star Indian stopper Sandesh Jhingan on Sunday said “we respect all but fear none”.
India are clubbed with continental heavyweights and World Cup regulars Australia, strong central Asian side Uzbekistan and tricky Syria — all above Stimac’s team in the FIFA rankings — in the group stage of the Asian Cup from January 13 onwards.
Jhingan, one of head coach Igor Stimac’s key players bracing up to appear in the Croat’s toughest test of his coaching tenure, remained unperturbed by the task that awaits his team in the coming days.
Jhingan, upon his arrival at the airport in Doha, said, “No group in the Asian Cup is easy. Of course, we’ve got Australia, and they need no introduction. But what we have learned in the last few years is that we must never fear any opposition.
“Believe in the work you do, believe in your group, and the sky’s the limit for this batch. We must stay humble, keep improving, and hopefully do something special.”
At the Hamad International Airport, the players were greeted by more than a hundred Indian fans.
While this will be India’s fifth appearance in the AFC Asian Cup, the Blue Tigers have never made it past the group stage after finishing runners-up in 1964, which was played in a round-robin format.
IMAGE: Sandesh Jhingan says the players are full of belief and hope to do something special in Doha. Photograph: AIFF Media
Jhingan looked at the positives of the recent past.
He said, “We have been getting some great support at home, and we’ve had a great year, which shows how fast we are improving. Now it’s all about putting in our best effort here and seeing where we can land up.”
Representatives from the Indian embassy in Qatar also came down to the airport and the hotel to greet the members of the national team.
Stimac had arrived a day earlier in Doha and was there at the team hotel to greet every player.
Drawn in Group B, India will kick-off their campaign against Australia on January 13 followed by matches against Uzbekistan on January 18 and Syria on January 23).
The Blue Tigers have had a great year so far, winning three trophies (Tri-Nation Cup, Intercontinental Cup, and the SAFF Championship) at home, before putting in commendable performances away from home in the King’s Cup in Thailand, Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia and in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers away game against Kuwait (1-0).
Stimac’s boys will undergo a camp in Qatar’s capital to prepare for the tournament, where the top two teams in each group, along with the four best (out of six) third-placed teams will qualify for the Round of 16.

Another action-packed cricketing year nears its end another couple of hours. Team India did have their near misses in two heartbreaking finals – WTC and the ODI World Cup – which prolonged their wait for an ICC trophy since 2013, but the side also have their moment in the sun as well with the Asia Cup trophy haul. And before 2024 kicks off with lot of promise and hope, former India cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan picked their best performer from the Indian side in 2023 and the breakout star as well.
Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan pick their best moments in Indian cricket in 2023
Shubman Gill was the common choice for the two as they revealed it during their conversation on Star Sports on Sunday. The youngster emerged as the leading run-getter in 2023, scoring 2154 runs in 48 matches across formats, laced with seven boundaries and 10 fifties. 1584 of those runs were scored in ODI cricket where he averaged 63.36 in 29 games, hitting five hundreds, including a double ton, and and nine fifties.
Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here
Gavaskar feels that although Gill lost his rhythm in Test cricket towards the close of the calendar year, he was exception in white-ball cricket throughout.
It will be for how he batted in all formats in international cricket. He was unstoppable at the start but tapered off towards the end in Tests, although his performances in ODIs and T20Is were exceptional, he said.
Pathan too was all praise for Gill, who is considers as the future of Indian cricket and feels he could soon emerge as a captaincy candidate as well.
The year he had, especially in one-day cricket…for a young player, who is probably the future of Indian cricket, and he has a future in leadership. He was on a century spree this year, his average has been exceptional, and ODI cricket seems to be the perfect format for him, he added.
Gavaskar and Pathan were also given the task of picking the best performer from 2023 and both named Gill, yet again, alongside Mohammed Shami, who produced a stellar show in the World Cup, picking 24 wickets in seven innings, the most by a player in the tournament, with record three five-wicket hauls.
There are plenty of contenders. Gill himself, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, for the way he bowled in the Asia Cup final, the comeback of Jasprit Bumrah and the absolutely incredible batting from Virat Kohli in the World Cup where he scored three centuries and five fifties, said Gavaskar.
The former India all-rounder added KL Rahul to his list as well for the superb comeback he made post his injury return in September.
Gill’s name has to be there. Then there is KL Rahul, who averaged over 70 in ODIs this year after returning from injury and also picked up wicketkeeping duties across formats. Not to forget, that century in Centurion from Rahul, which will be remembered for ages. Third is Shami, who was bowling first-change and the sort of comeback he made, he said.

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar is disappointed with India Cricket Team after their crushing loss to South Africa in IND vs SA 1st Test. The Centurion Test lasted only three days as Proteas inflicted innings defeat. Now as Rohit Sharma & Co head to Newlands, Cape Town for the final Test of the series, Gavaskar has proposed two changes to India Playing XI.
With Ravichandran Ashwin ineffective in Centurion, he wants Ravindra Jadeja to return if he is fit. Jadeja missed SA vs IND 1st Test with back spasm. But his absence weakened the batting with Ashwin at No 7.
“Hopefully, Ravindra Jadeja will be fit and he will be back. And Mukesh Kumar in place of Prasidh Krishna will be another option for me. Generally, wind assists deliveries in Cape Town and the bowlers who can swing the ball in the air are successful. Mukesh Kumar could be the one,” Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports show.
Ravindra Jadeja’s return will bolster the batting more than aiding the spin-bowling department. With Newlands’ pitch likely to be similar to Centurion, there won’t be much assistance for spinners. Hence, India will go with a solitary spinner, dropping Ashwin to the bench in the SA vs IND 2nd Test.
The next change Sunil Gavaskar has proposed is of Prasidh Krishna. The Karnataka fast bowler had a torrid debut, going for 93 runs in 20 overs with just one wicket in SA vs IND 1st Test.
He wants Mukesh Kumar to come back in as he can swing the ball. He will be the third seamer along side Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

United Arab Emirates vs Afghanistan Live Score :
United Arab Emirates Innings Highlights :
United Arab Emirates Score – 76/3 in 9.6 overs

• Mandatory Power play (1-6): United Arab Emirates 55/0
• United Arab Emirates 51/0 in 5.4 overs
• 1st wkt Partnership: 50 off 34 balls between M Waseem (36) and A Lakra (9)
• M …Read MoreWaseem T20: 50 runs in 29 balls (4×4) (3×6)
• Drinks: United Arab Emirates 76/1 in 10.0 overs
• United Arab Emirates 100/3 in 13.5 overs
• A Lakra T20: 50 runs in 42 balls (2×4) (3×6)
• United Arab Emirates 151/7 in 18.5 overs
• Innings Break: United Arab Emirate 166/7 in 20.0 overs

Afghanistan Innings Highlights :Afghanistan Score – 76/3 in 9.6 overs

• Mandatory Power play (1-6): Afghanistan 47/1
• Afghanistan 50/1 in 6.3 overs
• Drinks: Afghanistan 72/3 in 9.4 overs

United Arab Emirates vs Afghanistan Live Score, 2nd T20I of Afghanistan tour of UAE, 2023/24

United Arab Emirates (UAE) will cross swords with Afghanistan in the second T20I of the three-match series on Sunday.
Afghanistan carries the momentum into the match after a clinical performance in the first T20I. They exhibited batting prowess and determination, successfully chasing down the target set by UAE. With a series lead, Afghanistan aims to sustain their winning form and secure the series.
Meanwhile, the hosts face a challenging situation and are keen on a comeback in the upcoming contest. UAE are focused on regrouping and addressing the issues that contributed to their defeat in the first T20I. The team’s resilience and adaptability will be tested as they strive to keep the series alive.
United Arab Emirates vs Afghanistan, 2nd T20I

• Date and time: December 31, 02:00 pm GMT/ 07:30 pm IST/ 06:00 pm local
• Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

Sharjah Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, known for its compact dimensions, typically stages games on a pitch with a slower pace. While the surface may lack speed, the short boundaries have allowed batters to amass significant runs at this venue. As a result, the captain winning the toss might contemplate opting to bowl first.
UAE vs AFG Dream11 Prediction Picks:

• Wicketkeepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Vriitya Aravind
• Batters: Ibrahim Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai
• All-rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Aayan Afzal Khan, Basil Hameed
• Bowlers: Naveen ul Haq, Fazal Farooqi, M Jawad-Ull

UAE vs AFG Dream11 Prediction Captain and Vice-Captain:

• Choice 1: Azmatullah Omarzai (c), Ibrahim Zadran (vc)
• Choice 2: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (c), Mohammad Nabi (vc)

UAE vs AFG Dream11 Prediction Backups:
Waseem Muhammad, Noor Ahmad, Qais Ahmad, Junaid Siddique
UAE vs AFG Dream11 Team for today’s match (Dec 31, 02:00 pm GMT):
UAE vs AFG Dream11 Team for today’s match (Screengrab: Dream11)
Squads:
United Arab Emirates: Waseem Muhammad (c), Vriitya Aravind (wk), Khalid Shah, Nilansh Keswani, Basil Hameed, Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Samal Udawaththa, Raja Akifullah Khan, Muhammad Jawadullah, Junaid Siddique, Omid Rahman, Tanish Suri, Dhruv Parashar
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad, Qais Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Ishaq, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Sharafuddin Ashraf

MINNEAPOLIS — After a potential tying shot by LeBron James in the waning seconds Saturday was ruled a 2-pointer rather than a 3 following a video review, James expressed frustration after the Los Angeles Lakers lost 108-106 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and questioned the efficacy of the NBA’s replay process.
“What the hell do we got replay for?” James said as he sat back in his chair inside the visitor’s locker room at Target Center. “What do we have replay for if even the replay gets it wrong? It’s just like, who is a part of the replay center? Like, do we got robots in there making Teslas? Like, what’s going on?”
James’ transition shot from the left wing with 2.3 seconds left would have tied the score at 107, completing a furious rally by L.A. after the Lakers fell down by seven in the final minutes to the No. 1 team in the West. However, referee Brent Barnaky determined James’ toe was on the 3-point line when he shot it, thus making the basket worth only two points.
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During an ensuing timeout, James pointed to a monitor at center court to plead his case to the referees while the sequence was being analyzed at the NBA replay center in Secaucus, New Jersey. James told officials that his sneaker was not touching the 3-point line.
“I mean, it’s obvious it’s a 3,” James said. “My foot was behind the line. You can see the space between the front of my foot and the 3-point line. You can clearly see the wood on the floor, the space in between the front of my foot and the 3-point line. Stevie Wonder can see that, champ.”
Crew chief Tony Brothers, speaking to a pool reporter after the game, explained why the initial 2-point call was not overturned.
“The play was ruled a 2-point field goal on the floor during live play,” Brothers said. “After video review, there wasn’t clear and conclusive evidence to overturn it from a 2 to a 3, and that’s why it stood as a 2-point field goal.”
The Lakers vehemently disagreed.
“The view I had, I thought it was a clear-cut 3,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “Our guys on the sideline replayed it. We thought it was a good 3.”
Added Anthony Davis: “You can see the space between his foot and the 3-point line. You can see the floor, which indicates his foot was behind the line. If it was on the line for a 2, you wouldn’t be able to see the floor.”
James questioned the credentials of the employees working at the replay center, jabbing that it could have been “somebody over there eating a ham sandwich” who was left making the crucial call.
He said it brought to mind “five or six” times from last season when James believes the Lakers had incorrect calls work against them in late-game scenarios, including a memorable no-call when Jayson Tatum clearly slapped James’ arm on a drive to the hoop in an eventual L.A. loss to the Boston Celtics.
James said, as was the case in those games last season, the referees would “look stupid” when the league releases its Last Two Minute Report grading the calls from the end of Saturday’s game.
The Lakers got one more chance to tie the score against the Wolves, inbounding the ball with 1.4 seconds left to James on the left baseline, but he was doubled by Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert and unable to get a shot off before the buzzer.
“I kind of misread that,” James said. “I’ve been in that situation before. I just got to do a better job of knowing time. I could have caught it and shot it right away.”
The disappointing closing seconds spoiled a 26-point night for James on his 39th birthday and wasted a dominant 33-point, 17-rebound, 8-assist, 4-block performance by Davis.
And the loss dropped L.A. to just 3-7 in its past 10 since winning the inaugural in-season tournament championship in Las Vegas earlier this month.
“We’re all trying to figure this out, man,” James said. “What are we? 33 games now? 17-16, I think. Thirty-three games in and we’re still just trying to figure out lineups and rotations and who to have on the floor at certain moments.”