Sarfaraz Ahmed retires from international cricket
Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed announced his retirement from international cricket yesterday. Pakistan won the Champions Trophy 2017 under the leadership of Sarfaraz. He was also the captain of the Under-19 World Cup in 2006. In his international cricket career spanned from 2007 to 2023, Sarfaraz finished with 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20Is. He was also the first Pakistan captain since Imran Khan to win a 50-over ICC title.
“It has been the greatest honour of my life to represent Pakistan,” he said in a PCB release. “From leading the U-19 team to a world title in 2006 to lifting the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, every moment in Pakistan colours has been special. I am grateful to my teammates, coaches, family and the fans for their unwavering support throughout my career.”
“Captaining Pakistan across all formats was a dream come true. I always tried to play fearless cricket and build a united team. Seeing players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali and others grow into match-winners during my captaincy is one of my proudest achievements.”
Ish Sidhi ruled out of the remainder of T20I series against SA
Ish Sodhi, the New Zealand leg-spinner has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series against South Africa with a broken thumb. During the training session ahead of the opening match in Mount Maunganui, Sohail was struck while bowling. Scans later revealed a that he broke his thumb which would require four weeks of rehabilitation.
“Ish is very passionate about playing for New Zealand and we know he was looking forward to turning out in front of home fans after the World Cup campaign,” head coach Rob Walter said. “He is hugely experienced in the T20 format and so will be a big miss for the remainder of the series.
As Lockie Ferguson is available for the second and third matches in Hamilton and Auckland, New Zealand haven’t called for any replacement with Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie fulfilling the spin needs.
“We’re confident with Lockie coming in, as well as Mitch and Cole that we have appropriate cover for the next two matches, before the squad transitions for the last two matches.”
Shubman Gill identifies the “ultimate goal” for India in ODI
India ODI captain Shubman Gill said on Star Sports during the BCCI awards that winning the 2027 ODI World Cup as the “ultimate goal”. According to him, especially after reaching the final of the 2023 World Cup, the next ODI World Cup will be the goal for the team.
“Definitely, it does. That is the ultimate goal,” Gill said on Star Sports during the BCCI awards. “We felt like we were so close last time when we were here in [the final] in India. To be able to get another crack at it in South Africa, it’s going to be a great opportunity for us.”
He continued, “Winning a World Cup in any format for the country is the ultimate goal. So obviously, that is something that sometimes runs in my mind.”
