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Reactions: India fans fuming Sanju Samson was dropped for 2nd ODI vs NZ

Charbel Coorey
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Reactions: India fans fuming Sanju Samson was dropped for 2nd ODI vs NZ

Cricket News: Reactions: India fans fuming Sanju Samson was dropped for 2nd ODI vs NZ | Samson dropped from playing XI: reactions

India fans on social media have expressed their disappointment at the news that Sanju Samson was dropped from the playing XI for the second ODI against New Zealand at Hamilton.

Samson, who made 36 off 38 balls in the first ODI, has had a fine year in the format. In nine innings, he has struck 284 runs at an average of 71.00 and strike rate of 104.76. In his ten career matches, he has batted at number three once, number five on five occasions and number six on four occasions. Fans have called for the talented right-hander to be given the benefit of a longer run of matches, rather than being in and out of the team.

Unfortunately for Samson, he was not picked for India’s upcoming three-match ODI tour of Bangladesh. Wicket-keepers Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant were preferred ahead of him, with the selectors deeming no further room given Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli are all set to return in that series.

As a result, Samson’s final chance of another appearance for India in 2022 will be in the third ODI against New Zealand at Christchurch on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: India tour of Bangladesh 2022 squads and tour dates & details

Reactions: Sanju Samson dropped from India playing XI for Hamilton ODI

“Sanju Samson got the momentum going for India in the previous ODI, but gets dropped. He needs to have a consistent run that some others get,” one tweet read.

Another fan said, “someone explain to me how Ishaan Kishaan comes directly into the Indian squad for the Bangladesh ODIs while Samson gets dropped even before a chance was given in the second ODI.”

Below are some of the reactions from the news.

BBL 2022/23: Squads & possible playing XIs of all teams

Charbel Coorey
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BBL 2022/23: Squads & possible playing XIs of all teams

Cricket News: BBL 12: Squads & possible playing XIs of all teams | All the squads for the BBL 2022/23 season

The new Big Bash League (BBL) season is upon us. The eight franchises have finalised most of their squads, with a few withdrawals due to various reasons such as injury and workload management.

Nevertheless, it is expected to be a closely fought competition. Perth Scorchers are the current champions and look strong once again, but there looks to be a number of other challengers.

BBL 12 squads and possible XIs

With that being said, here is a look at the squads for BBL 12. Also, we predict what the possible XIs may be for each team’s first match.

Adelaide Strikers

Squad: Wes Agar, Cameron Boyce, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Ryan Gibson, Travis Head, Adam Hose, Henry Hunt, Thomas Kelly, Rashid Khan, Chris Lynn, Harry Nielsen, Matt Short, Jake Weatherald, Henry Thorton, Peter Siddle

Travis Head and Alex Carey are on Australia Test duty. Chris Lynn will be aiming to make an immediate impact for his new team.

Possible XI for the first match vs Sydney Sixers: 1. Chris Lynn, 2. Matt Short, 3. Jake Weatherald, 4. Harry Nielsen (wk), 5. Ryan Gibson, 6. Colin de Grandhomme, 7. Rashid Khan, 8. Wes Agar, 9. Cameron Boyce, 10. Henry Thorton, 11. Peter Siddle

Brisbane Heat

Squad: Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Sam Billings, Max Bryant, Sam Heazlett, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Colin Munro, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Ross Whiteley, Jack Wildermuth, Spencer Johnson, Will Prestwidge

Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will be on Test duty.

Possible XI for the first match vs Melbourne Renegades: 1. Colin Munro, 2. Max Bryant, 3. Matthew Renshaw, 4. Sam Heazlett, 5. Sam Billings, 6. Jimmy Peirson (wk), 7. Jack Wildermuth, 8. Michael Neser, 9. Xavier Bartlett, 10. Mark Steketee, 11. Mitchell Swepson

Hobart Hurricanes

Squad: Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Caleb Jewell, Shadab Khan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Wil Parker, D’Arcy Short, Matthew Wade, Billy Stanlake, Paddy Dooley, Chris Tremain, Mac Wright, Zak Crawley (overseas replacement for Shadab Khan), James Neesham

Faheem Ashraf will be on national duty for Pakistan in the Tests against England. In their first game, the Hurricanes may play four seamers at the MCG, along with spin options Shadab Khan and D’Arcy Short.

Possible XI for the first match vs Melbourne Stars: 1. Matthew Wade (c & wk), 2. Ben McDermott, 3. Caleb Jewell, 4. D’Arcy Short, 5. Tim David, 6. Asif Ali/James Neesham, 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Joel Paris, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Riley Meredith, 11. Billy Stanlake

Melbourne Renegades

Squad: Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Akeal Hosein, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, Nic Maddinson (c), Shaun Marsh, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Will Sutherland, Jon Wells, Jack Prestwidge, Ruwantha Kellapotha, Marcus Harris, Andre Russell (first four matches), Martin Guptill (ten group matches and finals), Peter Handscomb

Liam Livingstone withdrew from BBL 12. Martin Guptill will join the franchise after Andre Russell’s four game stint. Nic Maddinson is the captain. Marcus Harris is in the Australia Test squad.

Possible XI for the first match vs Brisbane Heat: 1. Aaron Finch, 2. Shaun Marsh, 3. Sam Harper (wk), 4. Nic Maddinson (c), 5. Jon Wells, 6. Andre Russell, 7. Will Sutherland, 8. Kane Richardson, 9. Akeal Hosein, 10. Tom Rogers, 11. Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Melbourne Stars

Squad: Trent Boult, Joe Burns, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Brody Couch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Luke Wood, Adam Zampa, Cam McClure

Glenn Maxwell is a chance to miss the entire BBL due to a broken leg.

Possible XI for the first match vs Sydney Thunder: 1. Marcus Stoinis, 2. Joe Clarke (wk), 3. Joe Burns, 4. Nick Larkin, 5. Hilton Cartwright, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 8. Luke Wood, 9. Trent Boult, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Clint Hinchliffe

Perth Scorchers

Squad: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Peter Hatzoglou, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Tymal Mills, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Phil Salt, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Faf du Plessis (first seven matches), Mitchell Marsh (ruled out due to ankle surgery).

Englishman Laurie Evans has had his contract terminated after failing a drug test. Perth Scorchers have replaced him with Faf du Plessis for seven games. Jhye Richardson may miss the early part of the tournament due to a heel problem.

Unfortunately, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is out of the competition after ankle surgery.

Possible XI for the first match vs Sydney Sixers: 1. Phil Salt, 2. Faf du Plessis, 3. Cameron Bancroft, 4. Josh Inglis (wk), 5. Ashton Turner (c), 6. Aaron Hardie, 7. Ashton Agar, 8. Jhye Richardson, 9. Andrew Tye, 10. Peter Hatzoglou/Tymal Mills, 11. Jason Behrendhorff

Sydney Sixers

Squad: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Dan Christian, Ben Dwarshuis, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Izharulhaq Naveed, Chris Jordan, Steve O’Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, James Vince

Sydney Sixers are stacked once again. The likes of Kurtis Patterson may have to wait for their chance.

Possible XI for the first match vs Adelaide Strikers: 1. Josh Philippe (wk), 2. James Vince, 3. Daniel Hughes, 4. Moises Henriques (c), 5. Jordan Silk, 6. Dan Christian, 7. Hayden Kerr, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Chris Jordan, 10. Ben Dwarshuis, 11. Steve O’Keefe

Sydney Thunder

Squad: Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Baxter Holt, Nathan McAndrew, Alex Ross, Rilee Rossouw, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ben Cutting, Usman Qadir, Gurinder Sandhu

David Willey recently withdrew from BBL 12. He has been replaced by Afghan seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi. The left-armer will be available for the first nine matches.

Pakistan legspinner Usman Qadir has joined the franchise. Local legspinner Tanveer Sangha will miss the early part of the season due to a stress fracture injury. David Warner will be on Test duty for the early part of the tournament.

Possible XI for the first match vs Melbourne Stars: 1. Alex Hales, 2. Ben Cutting, 3. Rilee Rossouw, 4. Jason Sangha (c), 5. Alex Ross, 6. Daniel Sams, 7. Matthew Gilkes (wk), 8. Nathan McAndrew, 9. Chris Green, 10. Gurinder Sandhu, 11. Fazalhaq Farooqi/Usman Qadir

The BBL 12 season begins on December 13 with Sydney Thunder taking on Melbourne Stars at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

SLC calls ICC ACU head to investigate match-fixing allegations

Tarkesh Jha
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SLC calls ICC ACU head to investigate match-fixing allegations

Cricket News: SLC calls ICC ACU head to investigate match-fixing allegations | Sri Lanka cricket match-ficing allegations

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has invited International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) head Alex Marshall to probe into match-fixing allegations made by Sri Lankan Member of Parliament (MP) Nalin Bandara in the floor of the house earlier this month.

The accusations were related to the Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Test match at the Galle International Stadium in July this year. The Babar Azam-led side had chased down a mammoth target of 343 runs powered by a century by opener Abdullah Shafique (160*).

Cricket News: Highest run chases in Test cricket by Pakistan | What is Pakistan's highest successful run chase in Tests?

Bandara had made a sensational claim of everyone from the pitch curators to people higher up the hierarchy receiving payoffs to throw that match away. The MP did not offer any evidence to back his statements though.

SLC invites ICC to investigate match fixing claims

“In the last Pakistan series, our team scored 400-odd [Sri Lanka had set a target of 342, a ground record if achieved], and still lost in the last innings. From the person who rolls the pitch, everyone has been given money. The board has become a gambling den,” Bandara was quoted in a report by ESPNcricinfo.

Bandara had also put light on his ongoing tussle with SLC president Shammi Silva in the Parliament. His speech was mainly concerned around the board’s alleged mismanagement of its players. More importantly, his statements are protected under the parliamentary privileges and hence cannot be sued for either libel or defamation.

The SLC came out with an official release wherein they did not name Bandara but acknowledged that his comments had brought great disrepute to Sri Lankan cricket and its stakeholders.

Pakistan had pulled off a major coup in that test by batting 127.2 overs to get to their target of 342 runs. Shafique’s knock of 160 runs was ably supported by Azam’s 55 along with Mohammed Rizwan’s innings of 40 runs. Sri Lanka, however, managed to bounce back in the following Test by emerging victorious by 246 runs to level the series 1-1.

Top 5 richest cricket boards in the world 2022

Charbel Coorey
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Top 5 richest cricket boards in the world 2022

Cricket News: Top 5 richest cricket boards in the world | MPL announces top five richest cricket boards in the world for 2022

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unsurprisingly topped the latest net worth figures. According to data posted by Mobile Premier League (MPL), the BCCI has a net worth of over US$2 billion, easily the largest in the world.

List of richest cricket boards

Who follows the BCCI? Here is a look at the top five richest cricket boards in the world.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI): US$2.2 billion (approx.)

The remarkable growth of the Indian Premier League (IPL) sees the BCCI’s net worth rise at a rapid rate. The IPL 2023-2027 media rights were sold for a whopping US$6.2 billion earlier in 2022, which makes up a significant portion of the BCCI’s worth.

Also, according to Sportsamaze, the broadcasting rights for India matches is worth INR 1227 crore (approx. US$150.4 million). Jersey sponsor Byju’s is valued at INR 292 crore or approx. US$35.8 million. PayTM’s title sponsorship (INR 81.5 crore or approx. $10 million) and ICC broadcast revenue (INR 250 crore or approx. US$30.6 million) make up a significant part of the BCCI’s huge earnings.

Cricket Australia (CA): US$347.96 million (approx.)

CA, backed by a major broadcast rights deal worth around $1.2 billion in 2018, sit in second spot. With a longer BBL, fast-growing WBBL and all three international formats, Australia has a huge season with lots of cricket played between October and February. While this is a factor for the low crowds, the broadcasters have plenty of content.

Also, CA has the backing of various sponsors including Alinta Energy and Dettol.

England Cricket Board (ECB): US$261.3 million (approx.)

England makes up the “big three” of world cricket. They sit in third, with tournaments such as The Hundred and Vitality Blast introduced to reach new audiences and boost the ECB’s net worth.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB): US$99.2 million (approx.)

Pakistan being able to host cricket once again is not only a big boost to fan morale, but also the PCB’s finances. The subcontinent nation hosts all three international formats, with high-profile visits from Australia and England in 2022. Also, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) continues to grow, and will continue to trend upwards.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB): US$98.9 million (approx.)

Cricket-crazy Bangladesh is in fifth place. The Tigers have enjoyed good progress in ODI cricket over the past 15 years, qualifying for the knockout phases of various international tournaments including the 2015 World Cup, along with three Asia Cup Finals.

Also, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) continues to contribute as a key revenue source for the BCB.

India tour of Bangladesh 2022: Schedule & squads

Tarkesh Jha
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India tour of Bangladesh 2022: Schedule & squads

Cricket News: India tour of Bangladesh: Schedule & squads | BAN vs IND tour details: schedule and squads

The Indian team will be touring Bangladesh for three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Tests in a tour that will last from 3 December to 26 December. Most of the senior stars who sat out of the three-match T20I series in New Zealand are likely to return to the squad against Bangladesh.

The ODI leg will set in motion India’s preparations for the World Cup at home next year. The Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka will host the first couple of ODIs as well as the second Test. Meanwhile, the third ODI along with the first Test will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

Furthermore, the Tests are equally important as they will be a part of both the team’s campaigns in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23. India is currently placed at the fourth spot in the WTC standings and has to secure a good run of results; both in the series vs Bangladesh and also when Australia come visiting for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in February.

India tour of Bangladesh 2022 schedule

MatchDateTime (IST)Venue
1st ODI3rd December11:30 amDhaka
2nd ODI6th December11:30 amDhaka
3rd ODI9th December11:30 amChattogram
1st Test14th-18th December9:00 amChattogram
2nd Test22nd -26th December9:00 amDhaka

The All India Senior Selection Committee (Men’s), which was sacked in the aftermath of the T20 World Cup, had announced India’s squads for the ODI and Test series vs Bangladesh on 30th October itself.

Squads

India ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), KL  Rahul (VC), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shahbaz Ahmed, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Sen

On Thursday, the Indian team management replaced the duo of Ravindra Jadeja and left-arm pacer Yash Dayal from the original ODI squad with Bengal all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed and Rajasthan Royals (RR) express pacer Kuldeep Sen respectively.

Jadeja has not recovered from a knee injury that he suffered during the Asia Cup. He will continue his recovery under the supervision of the medical team of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Dayal, on the other hand, has suffered a lower back injury. 

Bangladesh ODI Squad: Tamim Iqbal (C), Liton Das, Anamul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Afif Hossain, Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mahmudullah Riyad, Najmul Hossain, Nurul Hasan

From Bangladesh’s side, the key news is the return of Shakib Al Hasan to the ODI squad after sitting out of the team’s last two 50-overs series against West Indies and Zimbabwe respectively. Batsmen Yasir Ali and Najmul Hossain have also paved their way back to the ODI roster.

India Test Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (VC), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav

Note: Bangladesh is yet to announce their squad for the Test series.

Fears of a record-low crowd for AUS vs WI Perth Test

Charbel Coorey
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Fears of a record-low crowd for AUS vs WI Perth Test

Cricket News: Fears of a record-low crowd for AUS vs WI Perth Test | Australia vs West Indies Perth Test expected to have low crowd

After a record-low MCG crowd for the third Australia-England ODI, crowd figures are not looking particularly promising for the upcoming Australia-West Indies Test at Perth. This is according to veteran cricket journalist John Townsend, who was The West Australian’s Chief Cricket writer for 27 years.

Speaking to Sportsday WA, Townsend said “I’m hearing that ticket pre-sales, it’s only a week before the match, are in the hundreds. Not the thousands, but in the hundreds of sales.”

“It could be a record-low West Australian Test,” he warned.

AUS vs WI Perth Test expected to see small crowd

Less than 8,000 fans attended day one of the Australia-Zimbabwe Test in October 2003. This remains the lowest figure for day one of a Perth Test. Townsend believes day one of the Australia-West Indies 2022 Test will hold the unwanted record.

“Remember when Zimbabwe came in October of 2003? It was one of the very few Tests played before November,” he said.

“For that game, crowds were in the low thousands and I think this could be replicated again next week. It’s very sad, at a stadium [Optus] that’s a fantastic place to play cricket.”

ALSO READ: Is cricket dying in Australia?

When providing reasons why this may be the case, Townsend pointed to the West Indies’ struggles plus the public’s disconnect with the Australia team. Former coach and Western Australian Justin Langer recently spoke of how “cowards”, i.e. players who leaked information to the media behind his back, played a role in his sacking earlier this year.

“I think there’s a lot of elements in Australian cricket and West Australian cricket at the moment that are working against the best interest of the game,” Townsend said.

“I think we’re going to see it, people will vote with their feet. Whether it’ll be embarrassing or not, that’s for the people to decide but I think it’s going to be very low.”

Australia vs West Indies Test series 2022 schedule

  • 1st Test, Optus Stadium, Perth, November 30-December 4.
  • 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval, December 8-12.

ALSO READ: How Cricket Australia has lost touch with the public

Jos Buttler: This series not the way to keep games relevant

Tarkesh Jha
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Jos Buttler: This series not the way to keep games relevant

Cricket News: Jos Buttler: This series not the way to keep games relevant | Jos Buttler not bothered by 3-0 series loss

England white-ball skipper Jos Buttler has played down concerns over the team’s whitewash defeat in the One Day International (ODI) series against Australia. 

Buttler has hit out at the scheduling of this series that concluded merely nine days after the Englishmen lifted the T20 World Cup trophy by defeating Pakistan in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on 13th November. 

Not fussed by results in a series tough to consider relevant – Jos Buttler

The captain asserted that he is unfazed with the 3-0 loss and sympathised with the upcoming youngsters who wish to play all three formats but are unable to do so due to the tightly-packed schedule. 

“I’m not fussed at all about the results, to be honest. We’ve got exactly what we wanted from (the tour to) Australia,” Buttler was quoted in a report by Reuters. 

He added, “The landscape of cricket has changed dramatically over the last few years, and we’re in a different time. Lots of people are talking about how you keep bilateral cricket relevant and I think this series is a good example of how probably not to do it.”

ALSO READ: Is cricket dead in Australia?

Buttler acknowledged that players want to put in good performances whenever England faces off against Australia. However, he remarked that it has been tough to do so coming into this series straight on the back of an action-packed, victorious World Cup campaign.

To be fair, Buttler had already asserted prior to the commencement of this ODI series that it would be a challenge for the English team to be at their best across these three games. 

“There’s no point saying all the right things, that we’ll be at our best,” Buttler mentioned last week.

Australia defeated England by a mammoth 221 runs in the final ODI of the series at the MCG on Tuesday. David Warner was adjudged as the ‘Player of the Series’.

England will now head to Pakistan to play in a three-match Test series starting from 1st December.

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

Charbel Coorey
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SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction | Pallekele Pitch Report

After a riveting T20 World Cup and irrelevant ODI series, the ODI Super League returns. Hosts Sri Lanka are in need of points if they wish to qualify directly to next year’s World Cup. Their opponents, Afghanistan, have won ten out of 12, and can move far up the table with good performances in the Island nation.

This is the first ever bilateral ODI series between the teams. It promises to be an interesting one as Dasun Shanaka’s team will aim to build on their wonderful series win against Australia earlier this year, while Afghanistan have the bowling attack to cause the hosts problems on these pitches.

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Possible Playing XIs

After a long wait, Sri Lanka finally named their squad.

They may open with Dinesh Chandimal as Danushka Gunathilaka is unavailable. Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s availability is unclear, with some reports he has withdrawn from the series. Also, Chamika Karunaratne has been banned for one year due to a disciplinary breach.

Sri Lanka: 1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Dinesh Chandimal, 3. Kusal Mendis (wk), 4. Dhananjaya de Silva, 5. Charith Asalanka, 6. Dasun Shanaka (c), 7. Wanindu Hasaranga, 8. Dunith Wellalage, 9. Maheesh Theekshana, 10. Kasun Rajitha/Pramod Madushan, 11. Lahiru Kumara

Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead Afghanistan. Rahmat Shah is the vice-captain.

Afghanistan: 1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2. Ibrahim Zadran, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), 5. Najibullah Zadran, 6. Mohammad Nabi, 7. Azmatullah Omarzai/Gulbadin Naib, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10. Fazalhaq Farooqi, 11. Fareed Ahmad

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Sri Lanka:

  • Kusal Mendis struck scores of 86* and 36 on this ground against Australia earlier in 2022.
  • Pathum Nissanka has struck three half-centuries in five ODIs at Pallekele. In five matches, he has scored 216 runs at an average of 43.20 and strike rate of 87.80.
  • Dhananjaya de Silva will be expected to fill in with the ball in the absence of Chamika Karunaratne. The all-rounder has taken five wickets and scored 240 runs in eight ODIs at Pallekele.
  • Dhanajaya recently scored 66* and took 1/9 against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup.
  • Wanindu Hasaranga recently took the most wickets in the T20 World Cup. This included 3/13. The legspinner will be keen to improve on his record at Pallekele: 8 inns, 5 wickets, avg. 37.40, SR 45.6.
  • Dunith Wellalage impressed against Australia earlier in 2022. The youngster took nine wickets in the five-match series, including four in two games at this ground.

Afghanistan:

  • Rahmat Shah is Afghanistan’s leading run scorer in ODIs this year. The right-hander has scored 484 runs at an average of 53.77 and strike rate of 68.36. This includes four fifties in nine innings.
  • Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi is Afghanistan’s second-leading run scorer this year. He has hit three fifties in nine knocks, part of 317 runs at an average of 39.62 and strike rate of 71.07.
  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be key at the top of the order. He is the only Afghan to hit two ODI centuries this year. Ibrahim Zadran is the other centurion.
  • Rashid Khan has taken four wickets in two ODIs against Sri Lanka at an average of 10.75 and superb economy of 2.83.
  • Also, Rashid has taken 18 wickets in nine ODIs overall this year at an average of 19.22 and economy of 4.07.
  • Fazalhaq Farooqi recently picked up a BBL deal and will be keen to show off his skills in the powerplay and death overs. The left-armer has taken 13 wickets in seven ODIs this year (avg. 21.23), with eight coming in the first ten overs (avg. 16.2, SR 24.8).

Other Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 4, Sri Lanka 3, Afghanistan 1.
  • Skipper Dasun Shanaka has smashed 332 runs in nine ODIs at Pallekele. He averages 41.50 with a strike rate of 111.03.
  • Mohammad Nabi took 4/30 in Afghanistan’s last ODI against Sri Lanka, back in the 2019 World Cup.
  • Fareed Ahmad in ODIs in 2022: 6 inns, 10 wickets, avg. 20.00, econ. 4.08.
  • Mujeeb Ur Rahman in ODIs in 2022: 9 inns, 9 wickets, avg. 34.22, econ. 4.01.

Pallekele Pitch Report and Weather

The Pallekele surface slowed down quickly in the Sri Lanka-Australia series earlier this year. The Lions scored 300/7 in the first ODI, with Glenn Maxwell’s 80* (51) taking Australia home by two wickets. In the next game, Sri Lanka defended 216, with Dhananjaya de Silva taking 2/16.

There is a chance of rain, but hopefully not enough to disrupt the game too much. Hot and humid conditons are forecast, with a top of about 30 degrees.

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction Today 25 November 2022

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction

Fan2Play Prediction

Base Team:

  • Wicket-Keepers: Kusal Mendis
  • Batsmen: Pathum Nissanka, Ibrahim Zadran
  • All-Rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga
  • Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

SL vs AFG 1st ODI 2022 Match Prediction: Who will win?

Team batting first to win? Perhaps. It promises to be a closely contested battle.

What is the format of the 2024 men’s T20 World Cup?

Tarkesh Jha
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What is the format of the 2024 men’s T20 World Cup?

Cricket News: What is the format of the 2024 T20 World Cup? | T20 World Cup 2024 format in West Indies and USA

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revamped the format for the next edition of the T20 World Cup in 2024. From the coming campaign onwards, the 20 participating teams in the World Cup will be divided into four groups of five teams each.

Then, the top two sides from the four groups will progress to the Super 8. The eight teams will then be segregated into two groups of four teams each. The sides placed in the first two spots in these groups will then head to the semi-finals prior to the final.

T20 World Cup 2024: No more Super 12s

Accordingly, the ICC has decided to do away with the first round and the subsequent Super 12 format that existed in the previous two editions of the tournament in 2021 and 2020 respectively.

The T20 World Cup will be hosted in the Caribbean and the United States of America (USA) in 2024. So, the USA and West Indies have already made their way to the competition. Additionally, the likes of England, Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have sealed their spots in the mega tournament.

The rest of the eight teams will be decided through the process of regional qualifiers. The African, Asian and European regions have been handed two qualification spots each. Further, one country each from the East Asia-Pacific and the American regions will be making it to the T20 World Cup in 2024.

So far, the tournament has taken place eight times. England (2010, 2022) and West Indies (2012, 2016) are the most successful teams of the T20 World Cup, having won the competition twice each. India (2007), Pakistan (2009), Sri Lanka (2014) and Australia (2021) have emerged victorious once each.

The tournament used to be take place a in a rather simpler, group-stage format where 12 teams were divided into four groups of three countries each in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012 respectively. In 2014 and 2016, a preliminary round was followed by the Super 10 stage. The Super 12 version was implemented in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

Liam Livingstone opts out of BBL 12 season

Tarkesh Jha
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Liam Livingstone opts out of BBL 12 season

Cricket News: Liam Livingstone opts out of BBL 12 season | Why did Liam Livingstone opt out of the BBL?

English middle-order swashbuckler Liam Livingstone has withdrawn from the upcoming 12th season of the Big Bash League (BBL) due to increasing international workload.

The 29-year-old was slated to turn up for the Melbourne Renegades for the first-half of the season. Then, he was supposed to head over to South Africa to represent MI Cape Town in the inaugural SA20 in January.

However, Livingstone has now opted out of the entirety of the BBL owing to his recent selection in the English Test squad for their series against Pakistan in December.

Melbourne Renegades lose platinum pick Liam Livingstone in BBL

The Melbourne Renegades had acquired him as their number one pick in the overseas players’ draft that was held in August. However, they made some contingency plans by signing Andre Russell on a four-game deal hoping that Livingstone will join them in the intervening period between the conclusion of the Test series vs Pakistan and the commencement of the SA20.

Renegades’ general manager James Rosengarten stated that they understood Livingstone’s decision. He explained that the club had been in regular contact with the player and his management in recent months to work out a plan that acts in the best interest of all the parties involved.

“We’ve already secured Andre Russell for the first four matches and know the match-winning ability he will add to our team,” Rosengarten was quoted in a report by ESPNcricinfo.

He added, “This news has allowed us to explore replacement options with greater availability beyond the first half of the tournament, and we look forward to being able to announce another big-name addition for the Renegades soon.”

Cricket Australia (CA) has made serious efforts to stimulate the BBL this year in the wake of the next TV rights negotiations that is set to conclude in 2024. However, the league is already suffering from an exodus of coveted overseas stars. Earlier, platinum pick all-rounder David Willey mutually terminated his contract with Sydney Thunder.

Glenn Maxwll’s leg injury has jeopardised his participation in the tournament as well whereas Perth Scorchers cancelled Englishman Laurie Evans’ deal after he tested positive for a banned ubstance following a routine anti-doping test in The Hundred this year.

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