Shakib-Mathues are teammates now: Memories of 'Timed Out' and a glimpse of destiny

December 26, 2024

Because, Chittagong Kings have already added two players to the team through direct contracts. That's when some people may have remembered the incident in Delhi last November. After seeing the 20-member player list of Chittagong Kings after the players' draft yesterday, some may have gone back to that afternoon in Delhi. Shakib Al Hasan, Angelo Mathews... Wow, what else is needed!

"If someone puts thorns in your path, scatter flowers in their path," is the saying of the wise. Shakib had placed 'thorns' of intelligence and timing on the path of Mathews' arrival in Delhi. Mathews got stuck in them and could not go to the crease.
Later, there was so much debate and talk about it! The rule books were also opened and looked at. It was learned that Shakib had 'stabbed' Mathews from within the rules. The literacy rate among Sri Lankans is almost 100%. However, no instrument has yet been invented to determine how vindictive a nation is. So, although it is impossible to say how much this trend is among Sri Lankans, it can be guessed by looking at the pictures. After visiting Bangladesh in March this year and winning the T20 series
Even the Sri Lankans understand that the picture was not very pleasing to the eye. The Sri Lankans can thank Kings for that. Because Shakib will now have to spread 'flowers' in the path of Mathews!
Although it is not entirely true, it is not a far-fetched idea. Kings have brought both of them into the team. That is, Shakib and Mathews will play as teammates in the BPL starting from December 30. Since they are teammates, Shakib does not get the opportunity to 'time out' Mathews in the BPL. On the contrary, if Mathews is a victim of something like this, Shakib will have to speak up for him. Not only that, Shakib can also think of some things in advance if he wants.
Shakib and Mathews - both are all-rounders. The batting positions will also be close. That is, the possibility of both of them batting together is very high. So, Shakib can carry an extra helmet strap in his pocket if he gets out before him. Because, since Mathews will get out later, he may need it. Or, after Shakib is at the crease and the batsman on the other end is out, he can run a little forward (of course, he must stay within the boundaries of the field) and call Mathews, 'Matthews, Mathews, call, there is not much (time) left for the timed out!'

Sri Lanka batted first in that ODI World Cup match on November 6, 2023. Mathews came on the field as the new batsman after Sadira Samarawickrama was dismissed in 24.2 overs bowled by captain Shakib. Standing at the crease, he realized that there was a problem with the strap (ribbon) of his helmet, possibly torn. He pointed to the dressing room for a new helmet. There was some delay in bringing a new helmet through an additional player. Then Bangladesh captain Shakib requested Mathews to be 'timed out'. As it was legal, the on-field umpire accepted the request and declared Mathews out. New history and controversy were born.

Mathews was the first batsman to be 'timed out' in international cricket, and the cricketing world was divided over the 'spirit of the game'. That is, there was division over whether Shakib's behaviour was sportsmanlike or not.

But now is not the time to divide, it is time to work together and 'time out' the opponent. Since Mathews is the first batsman to be 'timed out' in international cricket, and Shakib is also the first captain (cricketer) to successfully request this out - who knows better than Shakib-Mathews how 'timed out' happens or when to request this out! In other words, it is not surprising to see these two cricketers together in the BPL to time out the opponent. The Sri Lankans will also find peace if they see something like this.



Bebeto-Bunocchi-Lam chose Rodrigo as the best footballer of the year, not Vinicius.

December 26, 2024

The Ballon d'Or has been a hot topic of discussion this year. A month before the award was announced, European media outlets reported that Vinicius Junior would be the winner.

Real Madrid had also completed preparations to celebrate their player's Ballon d'Or win. But the whole scene changed a few hours before the award was announced.

Real Madrid also cancelled their trip to Paris after news of Rodri's Ballon d'Or win emerged.

However, in the meantime, British media outlet The Guardian has given Real another disappointing news. Like the Ballon d'Or, they have also chosen Rodrigo as the best footballer of the year.

The Guardian's selection process for the best player of the year was made up of 23 former footballers from different countries, including legendary Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci, Germany's World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm and Brazil's World Cup-winning star Bebeto.

Among the coaches in the selection process were Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk, Iceland's Afturelding club coach Magnus Mar Einarsson, and Brazil's 2018 and 2022 World Cup assistant coach Kleber Javier. In addition, more than a hundred journalists from different countries also gave their opinions on the player selection.

In the player selection, the number one player in each judge's order of preference received 40 points and the second-choice player received 39 points. Thus, the number 40 player received 1 point. Then, all the votes were added together to determine a score.

In this voting, Rodri received 7495 points, while Rodri received 7427 points. That is, Rodri won by 68 points in the end. Of those who voted, 92 chose Rodri as the best player. And 72 people chose Vinicius as their first choice.

Although the top two are the same as in the Ballon d'Or, there have been some changes in the subsequent places. Jude Bellingham came third in the Ballon d'Or. He has dropped to number five in the Guardian's list. And Holland, who was fifth in the Ballon d'Or, is number three in the Guardian.

 



South Africa reaches Test Championship final after incredible win over Pakistan in Rabada-Jansen

December 26, 2024

The fourth day of the first South Africa-Pakistan match begins today in Centurion with a glimpse of a thrilling ending.

Those who went to watch the game at SuperSport Park today were not disappointed. Those who watched the game on television were not disappointed either. What a thrilling battle the two teams presented!

South Africa had the last laugh after that tense match. Batting for a target of 148 runs, the Proteas lost 8 wickets for 99 runs. After three years, pacer Mohammad Abbas, who was included in the Pakistan Test team, started giving Pakistan dreams of a great victory by taking 6 wickets. But Kagiso Rabada, along with Marco Janssen, took away that dream from the Pakistanis.

South Africa celebrated their 'world title' when the third ball of Abbas' 40th over was bowled out of bounds by Marco Jansen at point. The team came a step closer to winning the match they had almost lost. With this two-wicket win, South Africa became the first team to qualify for the final of the third round of the World Test Championship.

When Jansen took the last four wickets to win the match, he was unbeaten on 16 runs. Rabada's partnership of 50 runs for the ninth wicket was 31 runs off 26 balls.

South Africa started the day at 27 for 3. The team's mainstay was Aiden Markram. He had scored 22 of South Africa's 27 runs the previous day. That same Markram, along with captain Temba Bavuma, safely made it through the first hour of the day. The Proteas went into the drinks break at 62 for 3.

After the break, everything changed as soon as the game started. In the first over, Mohammad Abbas bowled Markram (37 runs off 63 balls) with a perfect length ball that went a little low. Bavuma remained steadfast even after Markram departed. The captain added 34 runs for the fifth wicket with David Bedingham.

What happened to Bavuma then? The Proteas captain wanted to drive a relatively harmless ball by Abbas across the middle of the wicket and out of bounds. But the ball flew off Bavuma's bat and into Mohammad Rizwan's gloves. The umpire gave him out after hearing a slight noise. Bavuma complied and returned to the dressing room. Back there, Bavuma must have heard the scolding of his teammates, who were sure that the Ultra Edge technology in the TV replay could not prove the connection between the ball and the bat. At the time of this incident, South Africa's score was 96/5 in 29.4 overs.

Naseem Shah bowled Kyle Verena in the next over. Pakistan, who were suddenly starting to smell victory after taking six wickets from their 99-run opponent, took two more wickets in the next over. Abbas also got debutant Corbin Bosch back in the same manner with the next ball, forcing David Bedingham to take a catch behind the wicket with a slightly short ball.

South Africa went from 99/5 to 99/8 in four balls. And Abbas returned to Tests after three years and bowled his career-best. He took six wickets for the first time in his 26-Test career, surpassing the record he set against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2018 (5/33).

It seemed that South Africa was repeating the history of repeatedly collapsing under pressure on the world stage of cricket. But Rabada and Jansen wanted to walk in the opposite direction of history. Rabada started the work of removing all the pressure by hitting a four off the fourth ball of Abbas's over. South Africa went to lunch with the team's score at 116 runs without losing any more wickets.

Then, Rabada and Jansen returned to the field and took the spoils from Pakistan within 6 overs to secure an incredible victory.

The final Test of the series will begin in Cape Town on January 3.



New Zealand: Must be kept in mind

December 26, 2024

New Zealand are no strangers to being the 'dark horse' in the World Cup. But at the end of the day, they are among the few teams that have been consistent. The T20 World Cup is no exception. They have only failed to touch the trophy. New Zealand are the only team to have reached the semi-finals of the last three T20 World Cups. Of those, they had to come back as runners-up in 2021. That is the team's best achievement so far.

This time too, the favourites may not be the same, but no one would want to rule out a balanced team. Williamson is going to be the first New Zealand player to lead the team in four T20 World Cups. However, he was away from international T20s for a long time due to injuries, rest and paternity leave. Williamson played in only two of New Zealand's first 35 T20s after the 2022 T20 World Cup.

The Kiwi selectors have prioritized experience in selecting the team, which can be understood by comparing this year's team with the last T20 World Cup. Only two players have been left out of the last edition's team - Martin Guptill and Adam Mee. Rachin Ravindra and Matt Henry, who have been given a chance to replace them, will be playing their first T20 World Cup.

Tim Southee is the most experienced member of the 15-member team. Southee, the highest wicket-taker in international T20s, will be playing his seventh T20 World Cup. On the other hand, this will be the fifth T20 World Cup for Southee's long-time bowling partner Trent Boult. The pace attack formed by the Southee-Boult pair of Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry can trouble any team. Two pace bowling all-rounders Jimmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchell can also be effective in Caribbean conditions.

Spin bowling all-rounders Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips have also been quite consistent. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi is also in rhythm. Another spin all-rounder, Michael Bracewell, who missed the 2023 ODI World Cup due to injury, has also returned to the team. With the top-order cricketers busy with the IPL, the second-tier team toured Pakistan in April, led by Bracewell. New Zealand drew the series against a full-strength Pakistan.

The batting lineup is also quite strong. Finn Allen can give a flying start with devastating batting. Ravindra can also score quick runs by taking advantage of the powerplay. Devon Conway, who missed the IPL due to injury, will return with the World Cup. Conway is also the team's first-choice wicketkeeper. Williamson and Mitchell are in the middle order to take care of the team if the top order fails. Mark Chapman, Phillips, and Neesham can change the course of the match towards the end. Chapman has been doing great in the role of finisher in recent times, which is an extra credit for New Zealand.



Rituparna's dream come true

December 26, 2024

The soccer girl is more colorful in the field, her left-wing football style is just a fascination with a stunning free kick with amazing dribbling, Rituparna Chakma is like a poster girl of Bangladesh women's football. 

The goal that she scored against Nepal in the 81st minute against Nepal in the women's saf final in Kathmandu yesterday, commentators, was forced to say ‘Oanderful’. After scoring a goal, he asked the gallery to keep quiet in the mouth of Rituparna.

Rituparna, the daughter of Mogachi village of Kaukhali upazila of Rangamati, won Nepal 3-1 in the final of the tournament on Wednesday.

The playmaker is floating in the excitement of fulfilling the dream, I am really happy. I can't express the language. We are clear champi as the second time. My family has supported me a lot. We are grateful to the people of Bangladesh.‘

When Rituparna attacked on the left side, the opponent was arguing. In the semi-final against Bhutan, his bullet-speed shot of the bullet went to the net in the 7th minute of the match against Bhutan.

In 2022, Adar's younger brother Parvan Chakma, who established himself as a footballer of the match, fell into the life of Rituparna. Death came to him a trauma, and afterwards Sinitare Saaf Jathar, Prat Bhai thought of Parvan every time. This time too, the trophy of the tournament best has been dedicated to the younger brother of the midfield artist Rituparna Chakma.



Babar has no fifty in Tests for 651 days, when will the misery end?

December 26, 2024

Babar Azam seems to have forgotten to raise the bat in Test cricket! This is not unusual. In December 2022, he played the last fifty-run innings in white-clothes cricket. After that, time did not decrease. 651 days as days.

The chance came against England yesterday. Couldn't use that opportunity either. In Multan's batting-paradise, Chris Woakes was dismissed for 30 at the very end of the day.

Babar's last fifty-run innings was against New Zealand in December 2022. Scored 161 runs in Karachi. What happened next! After that innings, Babar played 17 innings in this edition.

Where his highest innings was 41 runs, in the tour of Australia. Babar averaged only 21.23 in these 17 innings. Babar has never raised his bat for such a long time in his Test career. Before that, he did not get a fifty in 7 consecutive innings between November and January 2016. Where 7 innings, where 17!

Babar, suffering from a drought of fifty, however, got off to a good start in most of the matches during this bad period. Babar scored more than 20 runs in 12 of these 17 innings. That means he is getting the start. But you can't hold it. But despite such a bad time, Babar averaged 44.35 in Tests. Before this bad period, Babar averaged around 50 in Tests.

Any batsman of Babar's current average can actually be called good without hesitation. And the main reason for his good average is the period from 2019 to 2022.
Babar averaged around 60 in Tests from early 2019 to December 2022. Babar averaged over 50 in Australia during this period—52.50.

Babar batted at an average of 48 in England-West Indies, around 70 on the soil of Sri Lanka and 75 on the soil of the country. Babar's great performances at this time led to comparisons with Virat Kohli and Joe Root. But now it seems that the comparison will not come again!

Babar will get more opportunities in the England series to return to form. The next Test of the three-match Test series is also in Multan, the last Test in Rawalpindi. In other words, in the next two Tests, Babar will bat in batting heaven. The opportunity is only if you can!



Clarke wants McGurk in World Cup squad

December 26, 2024

Former Australian captain Michael wants to see new power hitter Jack Fraser-McGurk in the national team for the upcoming T20 World Cup. 

Clarke has been impressed with McGurk's power hitting in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket. He said that McGurk's devastating batting will make the selectors consider him for the World Cup.

McGurk got his first chance to play in this year's IPL. He impressed in his IPL debut against Lucknow Super Giants. The right-handed batsman scored 55 runs off 35 balls at a strike rate of 157, with 2 fours and 5 sixes.

McGurk then showed his formidable form against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He scored 65 runs off 18 balls with 5 fours and 7 sixes at a strike rate of 361. In that match, he set the record for the fastest half-century in this year's IPL by scoring a half-century off 15 balls. McGurk's power hitting did not stop in this match.

McGurk opened the innings against Mumbai Indians yesterday. This time, he again brought up a half-century off 15 balls, crushing the Mumbai bowlers. In the match, which touched his record, McGurk played a devastating innings of 84 runs off 27 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and 6 boundaries at a strike rate of 311.

McGurk has scored 247 runs in 5 innings for Delhi so far at a strike rate of 237 and an average of 49. Because of such devastating batting, Australia's World Cup-winning captain Clarke wants McGurk in the Australian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

"The selectors have to think about McGurk now," Clarke said in the commentary box during an IPL match. "There are only a few days left to pick the team. Honestly, the way he's playing, it's hard to leave him out."

He added, "I think the conditions will be the same in West Indies. The power play on slower wickets requires extra energy. He has created his potential and I would like to see him in the 15-man squad."

 



Williamson led New Zealand in the World Cup

December 26, 2024

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced a 15-member squad for the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup, with Kane Williamson as captain.

New Zealand was the first to announce its squad for the T20 World Cup, which will be held jointly in the United States and the West Indies from June 2 to 30. Along with the team announcement on Monday, they also unveiled their jersey modeled after the 1999 World Cup.

Williamson will lead the Kiwis for the fourth time as captain, and will be playing in the T20 World Cup for the sixth time in total.

New Zealand Test captain Tim Southee will be playing in the seventh T20 World Cup. The 35-year-old experienced pacer is the highest wicket-taker in T20s with 157 wickets.

Another experienced pacer, Trent Boult, will be playing in the T20 World Cup for the fifth time in his career. The 34-year-old will be in the bowling attack with Southee.

Pacer Matt Henry and batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, who are nominated as emerging cricketers for the 2023 ODI World Cup, will be seen playing in the T20 World Cup for the first time.

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said, "When you go to play in the World Cup, you will need experience."

He added, "This is a great team with a lot of options like Kane, considering the balance, wickets and conditions."

Pacers Adam Milne and Kyle Jamieson were not included in the team due to injuries.

T-Twenty World Cup New Zealand Team: Kane Williamson (captain), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Tim Southee.

 



Mustafiz returned to the top of the list of wicket takers

December 26, 2024

Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman returned to the top of the list of wicket-taking bowlers in the tournament in Chennai Super Kings' big win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket.

Chennai defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 78 runs in the 46th match of the tournament on Sunday night.

Mustafizur Rahman took 2 wickets for 19 runs in 2.5 overs in this match. As a result, Mustafizur Rahman returned to the top of the list with 14 wickets, along with two pacers, Mumbai Indians' Jasprit Bumrah and Punjab Kings' Harshal Patel. Bumrah and Patel have played 9 matches each and Mustafizur Rahman has played 8 matches.

After losing the toss at home, Chennai managed to post a huge total of 212 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs, with opener Ajinkya Rahane out for 9 runs in the third over. However, captain Rituraj Gaekwad and New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell scored a pair of half-centuries.

In reply, Hyderabad surrendered helplessly to Chennai's bowlers. They were all out for 134 runs with 7 balls remaining.

Mustafizur Rahman was wicketless in the match, conceding 8 runs in his first over and 5 runs in his second over. In the 19th over, he attacked for the third time and took 2 wickets in 5 balls, conceding 6 runs.

The main criterion for bowlers to win the Purple Cap in the IPL is the number of wickets. If more than one bowler takes the same number of wickets, the match or strike rate is not taken into account. Economy, that is, how many runs are scored per over, is taken into account. This is exactly where Mustafiz lags behind Bumrah. Mumbai's Bumrah has bowled 239 runs in 36 overs so far, at 6.63 per over. And Mustafiz has scored 296 runs in 30.2 overs at an economy of 9.75.

Punjab's Harshal, however, has conceded more runs at a rate of 10.18 per over. Overall, Bumrah is now number one in the race for the Purple Cap, Mustafizur is second and Harshal is third.

 



Rupganj survived in the Premier League with a great victory

December 26, 2024

The match was a matter of life and death for both teams. Gazi Tyres Cricket Academy could not challenge their opponents in any category in that fight. Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club ensured their survival in the Premier League by beating them.

Rupganj Tigers won by 7 wickets at BKSP Ground No. 3 on Monday. The team bundled out Gazi Tyres for 206 runs with the combined efforts of the bowlers. Later, two openers Mahfizul Islam and Jasim Uddin paved the way for an easy win. They reached the target of 207 runs with 95 balls remaining in the last match of the relegation league.

Rupganj Tigers won 4 of their 13 matches. Despite winning against City Club in the previous match, Gazi Tyres lost the last match and were relegated to the first division. They reached the top level of Dhaka club cricket for the first time and could only survive for one season.

City Club, which has won just 2 of its 13 matches, was relegated before Gazi Tyres. In place of these two teams, Agrani Bank Cricket Club and Gulshan Cricket Club will play in the Premier League next season after being promoted from the first division.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, all five batsmen of Gazi Tires touched double figures. But none of them could extend the innings.

Captain Gazi Tahjibul Islam, who came in at number seven, scored 52 runs off 44 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes, helping the team somehow cross the 200-run mark.

No bowler from Rupganj was able to take more than one wicket, but everyone contributed collectively in the tight bowling.

Chasing the runs, Mahfizul and Jasim batted for an opening partnership of 155 runs off 151 balls for Rupganj Tigers. Both came back off Shamim Mia in the 26th over. Mahfizul scored 74 runs off 77 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes. Jasim batted for 77 runs off 75 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes.

Salman Hossain and Abdullah Al Mamun secured the victory with an unbroken partnership of 41 runs off 31 balls for the fourth wicket.

Mahfizul won the Man of the Match award for his innings of 74 runs. The opener, who played in the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, finished this league with 410 runs in 11 matches with 3 fifties.

Short Score:

Ghazi Tires Cricket Academy: 206/7 in 50 overs (Mohabbat 27, Iftekhar Hossain 27, Ashiqur 17, Hafizur 21, Shamim 32, Ashraful 2, Tahjibul 52*, Iftekhar Sajjad 14, Aridul 1*; Mohiuddin 10-0-35-1, Ariful 6-1-19-1, Mamun 8-0-35-0, Hashim 10-2-33-1, Sohag 10-0-42-1, Ghalib 5-0-27-1, Aich 1-0-11-0)

Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club: 207/3 in 34.1 overs (Mahfizul 74, Jasim 77, Shamsur 7, Salman 23*, Mamun 20*; Iqbal 3-0-23-0, Leon 5-0-16-0, Aridul 8-0-38-1, Iftekhar Hossain 4-0-36-0, Iftekhar Sajjad 4-0-25-0, Hafizur 3-0-17-0, Shamim 5-0-44-2, Ashraful 2.1-0-8-0).

Results: Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club won by 7 wickets.