Latest news with #ODICricketeroftheYear
Int'l Cricket Council
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Three players in Grade A as BCCI announce Women's central contracts for 2024-25
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the retainership for the Indian Women's team for the 2024-25 season, covering the period from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025. All-format skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, alongside star batter Smriti Mandhana and stylish all-rounder Deepti Sharma have been slotted in Grade A, thanks to their consistent performances over the years. Grade-wise Player List: Grade A: Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma Grade B: Renuka Singh, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Shafali Verma Grade C: Yastika Bhatia, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Titas Sadhu, Arundathi Reddy, Amanjot Kaur, Uma Chetry, Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar WATCH: Smriti Mandhana on winning the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year India's batting talisman opens up on winning the prestigious honour for a second time! Renuka Singh, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh and Shafali Verma have all been retained in Grade B, while Yastika Bhatia, Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar join them in Grade C in the central contracts list from the 2022/23 season. Rajeshwari Gayakwad from Grade B, alongside Meghna Singh, Devika Vaidya, Sabbineni Meghana, Anjali Sarvani and Harleen Deol who were in Grade C missed out. Shreyanka Patil, Titas Sadhu, Arundathi Reddy, Amanjot Kaur and Uma Chetry are the fresh new faces who made the cut in the retainership. WATCH: Shreyanka Patil gets the big wicket of Chamari Athapaththu at the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 India will next take on Sri Lanka and South Africa in an ODI tri-nation series in Sri Lanka, set to start on 27 April. The ICC Women's Championship 2022-25 runners-up are also gearing up for the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 which is all set to be held on home soil later in the year. Women's News India Women News
Express Tribune
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
A Pakistan without Babar and Rizwan
PCB's mismanagement, uncertainty, and poor infrastructure threaten Pakistan cricket's future despite immense talent. It is early morning, I have just finished having Sehri. Pakistan is playing cricket in New Zealand. Batting first a typical collapse has started, nothing new for a Pakistani cricket fan. However, looking at the batting line up, my confidence is at its dimmest. For perhaps the first time in 40 years, television was turned off and I went back to sleep, unable to bear watching further. Later, I discovered Pakistan had been dismissed for a mere 91 runs, playing at a little over 4 runs an over. While New Zealand effortlessly chased the target, scoring nearly ten runs per over, losing just one wicket. Pakistan cricket has always been a factory of raw, unpolished talent. From the streets of Karachi to the mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, cricket runs in the veins of the nation. Yet, despite a big talent pool, Pakistan continually falters internationally. The reason? A system designed not to groom talent, but to destroy it. The PCB has become synonymous with chaos and instability. Coaches change frequently, chairmen come and go based on political affiliations rather than cricketing expertise, and players are discarded at will. This revolving door of leadership has led to a culture of insecurity among players, preventing them from developing into world-class athletes. Let's look at the summary of ICC Awards of current Pakistan cricketers. Babar Azam: Multiple ODI Cricketer of the Year awards, T20I Cricketer of the Year, the ultimate Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (only Pakistani ever to have won this). ODI Team of the Year four times and T20 team of the year multiple times. Test Team of the year. He is by far the most decorated Pakistani cricketer at the ICC awards ever. Mohammad Rizwan: T20I Cricketer of the Year and T20I Team of the Year Shaheen Afridi: Cricketer of the Year, Test Team of the Year, T20I Team of the Year Hasan Ali: Emerging Cricketer of the Year, ODI Team of the Year Fakhar Zaman: ODI Team of the Year Shadab Khan: T20I Team of the Year Imad Wasim: T20I Team of the Year Despite their proven capabilities and the promise they held for Pakistan's cricketing future, it's astonishing that what should have been the peak of their careers, none of these players currently enjoys a permanent place or genuine security within the national team's setup. Instead of being groomed into confident, assured players, athletes consistently face uncertainty about their roles, even amidst discussions around their potential to captain the side. This lack of stability and foresight not only undermines their confidence but also vividly illustrates the troubling state of Pakistan cricket. Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan's best wicketkeeper-batsman and one of the finest in the world, has been a cornerstone of the team's batting lineup in the last few years. He is in super form with the bat and his consistency and reliability behind the stumps makes him indispensable to any team. Yet, inexplicably, PCB dropped him from the national squad, clearly masking their own administrative failures. Babar Azam, specifically, has faced significant criticism, often accusing him of not being a "match-winner," yet he holds an impressive 23 international Man of the Match awards across all formats. If a man of the match award does not signify a match winning performance, what does? Interestingly, Javed Miandad, widely celebrated as one of Pakistan's greatest-ever match-winners, also accumulated exactly 23 such awards, albeit in more games played than Babar. Negative public perception frequently overpowers objective reality and statistical evidence in Pakistan. Babar has indeed gone through a difficult patch in the last year or so, experiencing technical issues such as challenges in facing spin bowling, low strike rate, maybe problematic footwork? Who knows? Such difficulties are common even among the greatest players—Alastair Cook, Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar amongst countless others also experienced similar downturns. These players, however, had consistent coaching support from their national teams to address and rectify such issues. And they came back stronger than ever Who can Babar Azam turn to for support, considering how frequently PCB changes coaches and selectors? Is it Babar Azam's fault that he lacks stable guidance from the national coaching setup? Who does he speak to about his technical batting complications? Perhaps, his father. Who is to blame for this? The Pakistani public also significantly contributes to deteriorating player morale. Fans rapidly elevate young players to legendary status after a few outstanding performances, comparing them to greats like Virat Kohli, or Wasim Akram. However, as soon as these players face even minor setbacks, they quickly turn from heroes into villains, facing intense criticism and negativity. Some people call Babar and Rizwan the best things in Pakistan cricket and others accuse them of being the biggest problem in the country. Star performers like Misbah-ul-Haq, and Shahid Afridi have previously experienced this duality, where public opinion swings wildly between hero-worship and severe criticism or hate speech. The lack of respect for national heroes and a balanced, objective perspective deeply impacts player confidence and emotional well-being. PCB's neglect extends to medical and rehabilitation support. Promising fast bowlers like Ihsanullah have seen their careers compromised due to inadequate injury management. Shaheen Shah Afridi, had to privately fund his treatment due to PCB's failure to provide appropriate medical support. Naseem Shah also returned from injury without proper rehabilitation, gaining weight and losing fitness, highlighting the absence of professional nutritionists and trainers at PCB. Mohammad Hasnain provides an example of how proper management can transform a player's career. Hasnain sought private professional guidance and made a remarkable comeback, underscoring the critical necessity of structured management and support—something the PCB has failed to provide consistently. See how proper management transformed Mohammad Hasnain's career. PCB's poor financial management further exacerbates the problem. Millions of dollars have been spent by the current administration on hastily constructed stadiums lacking proper drainage and infrastructure, rather than investing in the players directly. The National Cricket Academy in Lahore, a cornerstone of player development, now lacks essential professional staff, including coaches, trainers, and medical personnel, due to administrative negligence and corruption. While PCB always had its shortcomings, this current leadership has emptied out the treasury like nobody before it. It is a top heavy, ad hoc joke that is not funny anymore. Where modern sports teams rely heavily on data analysis for all things related to cricket, PCB's reliance on data can only be described as ancient. The PCB's management of player participation in international leagues further illustrates its inefficiency. Pakistani cricketers contractually can play two international leagues annually. Players like Shaheen Afridi (Trent Rockets), Mohammad Rizwan (Southern Brave), and Shadab Khan (Trent Rockets) were picked in The Hundred two seasons ago, and franchises had structured their teams around these players. However, the PCB abruptly denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs) at the last minute, causing significant frustration, damaging international trust, and leading to franchises avoiding Pakistani players altogether. Forty-five Pakistani cricketers registered their names for The Hundred, in 2025. The result? Not a single one was selected. This shocking outcome marks perhaps the lowest point in the proud history of Pakistani cricket. The rejection is not just due to a lack of form or talent but also because international franchises no longer trust the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to handle players professionally. Pakistan should take heed from West Indies cricket, where prominent players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Evin Lewis, Sheldon Cottrell, Fabian Allen, Shimron Hetmyer, and Oshane Thomas prefer franchise leagues over national duties. Mismanagement by Cricket West Indies (CWI), including contract disputes and poor player welfare, pushed these players towards more lucrative and professionally stable leagues worldwide. If PCB continues on this destructive path, Pakistani players may also prefer league cricket, weakening the national side, similar to the West Indies' current struggles. Muhammad Amir and Imad Wasim have long retired from national duties. And now Azam Khan, Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman are extremely disgruntled with lack of contracts, or NOCs from the board. These are dangerous signs. In today's cricketing landscape, raw talent alone is no longer enough to secure victories. Success demands rigorous fitness programs, data analytics, professional nutrition plans, structured rehabilitation protocols, competent coaching staff, and stable, consistent administration. Modern cricket relies heavily on professional infrastructure and support systems. Until the PCB adopts holistic player development, responsible investment, and balanced fan engagement, Pakistan cricket will continue to decline. With, or without Babar and Rizwan.
Int'l Cricket Council
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Azmatullah Omarzai hopes to inspire Afghan youth after becoming ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year
'It is a matter of great happiness for me to become the first Afghan player to win the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year award," said Omarzai, who finished as Afghanistan's second-highest run-scorer and wicket-taker in 2024, trailing only to Rahmanullah Gurbaz and AM Ghazanfar respectively. "This will also be an inspiration for our youth of the future generation. I will try to play better in the future. There is still a lot to achieve.' Omarzai also lauded Rashid Khan, who recently became the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket. "It is a matter of great happiness that a player emerges from Afghanistan, who creates a world record. We hope that Rashid takes so many wickets that no one can break his record."
Int'l Cricket Council
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
ICC AWARDS 2024: Bumrah, Mandhana and Azmatullah honoured as Test and ODI winners crowned
Jasprit Bumrah crowned ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year Azmatullah Omarzai and Smriti Mandhana triumph in ODI Cricketer of the Year awards Announcements conclude on Tuesday as top prizes revealed More information about the ICC Awards is available here The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the latest set of winners in the ongoing ICC Awards 2024, with the outstanding cricketers in Men's Tests and Men's and Women's ODIs revealed on ICC channels. A double success for India sees Jasprit Bumrah crowned the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year, with compatriot Smriti Mandhana sealing her second ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year. Elsewhere in the ODI category, Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai has clinched the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year award after his impressive all-round exploits in a memorable 2024. Bumrah claims the Men's Test Cricketer of the Year award after a sensational year with the ball saw him take 71 wickets in the longest format at a staggering average of just 14.92. The 31-year-old returned his best Test haul in 2024, taking 19 more than his nearest rival and consolidating his position as the number one ranked bowler in the ICC Men's Test Bowler rankings. A landmark year saw him grab the headlines with sensational wicket-taking spells in Tests against South Africa, England, Bangladesh and more recently in Australia, where he led the wicket-takers in a Player of the Series display down under. Bumrah overcame fellow nominees England's Harry Brook and Joe Root, plus ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year Kamindu Mendis to win the award, becoming the first Indian cricketer since Virat Kohli in 2018 to do so. ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year, Jasprit Bumrah: 'I am deeply honored to receive the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year award. Test cricket has always been a format I hold close to my heart, and to be recognized on this platform is truly special. 'This award is not just a reflection of my individual efforts but also of the unwavering support of my teammates, coaches, and fans who continue to believe and inspire me every day. Representing India is a privilege I deeply cherish, and knowing my efforts bring smiles to people around the world makes this journey even more special.' Elsewhere, Smriti Mandhana won her first ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year award since 2018 after a stellar year in which she amassed 747 runs at an average of 57.46. The Indian opener continues to thrive on the international stage, and ended the year with more runs and centuries than any other player, passing three figures in sublime knocks against New Zealand, Australia and in back-to-back contests against South Africa. The 28-year-old triumphed in a hotly contested category, seeing off South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, Australia's Annabel Sutherland, and 2023's ODI Cricketer of the Year, Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu. ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year, Smriti Mandhana: 'It's been an absolute honour to win the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year Award for 2024. I remember how special it was to have won this award in 2018 for the first time. It had fuelled my ambition to do well for my country. And now, having won the award for the second time it will motivate me even more to strive for excellence. 'It is an immense joy and a matter of pride to represent my country at the highest level and it makes me happy to play a role in helping the team succeed. I want to dedicate this award to my teammates, coaches and family who have been my absolute pillars of support.' Rounding off Monday's announcements was the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year, won by Afghanistan's talented all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, who capped a thrilling year with 417 runs at an average of 52.12, and 17 wickets at 20.47. Azmatullah began the year hitting his maiden century in the format, a career-best score of 149 not out against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. Another half-century followed two matches later against the same opposition before more impressive scores came against South Africa and Bangladesh. The all-rounder's wicket haul lands him in the top ten in the format across the year, highlighted by another career milestone when he took his best figures of four for 18 against Zimbabwe in December. A remarkable year of sustained performances saw the 24-year-old land the award from the West Indies' Sherfane Rutherford and Sri Lankan pair Kusal Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga. ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year, Azmatullah Omarzai: 'I am very proud to have been named the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year after a memorable year. It is an honour that I cherish both as an individual and as part of a talented Afghanistan team. 'I would like to thank my teammates, coaches, support staff and fans for their support and prayers. It is thanks to these that I have been able to win this award.' Announcements in the ICC Awards 2024 will conclude on Tuesday, with the highly anticipated announcement of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year The winners in 12 individual categories are determined by both the ICC Voting Academy and global fans, who registered over 1.5million votes at during a twelve-day voting period between 30 December 2024 and 10 January 2025. For more information on the ICC Awards, including a summary of the winners announced to date, click here. ENDS
