Latest news with #T20Cricket
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
AP PHOTOS: In cricket-crazy India, the Indian Premier League is a reason to celebrate
The world's richest franchise cricket league is ongoing in India, a cricket- crazy country of 1.4 billion. The Indian Premier League features top players from around the world and attracts hundreds of millions of TV viewers. While the format leads to high-tempo action on the field, Twenty20 cricket has also sparked an evolution in off-field entertainment in cricket. Cheerleaders dancing on podiums, DJs sitting behind decks spinning tunes, and fancy dress themes are all part of the T20 game for crowds, bringing a colorful new twist for those at the stadium and broadcast viewers. This year, 65 international cricketers from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, England and Afghanistan have joined India's high-profile players in the tournament. The tournament started March 23 and the final is set for June 3 at Ahmedabad. The championship decider will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium, the world's largest cricket venue with a seating capacity of 132,000. _______ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
AP PHOTOS: In cricket-crazy India, the Indian Premier League is a reason to celebrate
NEW DELHI (AP) — The world's richest franchise cricket league is ongoing in India, a cricket- crazy country of 1.4 billion. The Indian Premier League features top players from around the world and attracts hundreds of millions of TV viewers. While the format leads to high-tempo action on the field, Twenty20 cricket has also sparked an evolution in off-field entertainment in cricket. Cheerleaders dancing on podiums, DJs sitting behind decks spinning tunes, and fancy dress themes are all part of the T20 game for crowds, bringing a colorful new twist for those at the stadium and broadcast viewers. This year, 65 international cricketers from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, England and Afghanistan have joined India's high-profile players in the tournament. The tournament started March 23 and the final is set for June 3 at Ahmedabad. The championship decider will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium, the world's largest cricket venue with a seating capacity of 132,000. _______ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Hasan and Agha lead new-look Pakistan to 37-run win over Bangladesh in T20
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — Fast bowler Hasan Ali grabbed a 5-30 and led a new-look Pakistan T20 cricket team to a thumping 37-run win over Bangladesh in the opening game of their three-match series on Wednesday. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha made a career-best 56 as Pakistan posted a competitive 201-7 after Agha won the toss and elected to bat in Mike Hesson's first assignment as Pakistan's new white-ball head coach. Hasan, playing only his second Twenty20 international in more than 2-1/2 years, dismissed both openers with the new ball and claimed three more wickets in the death overs to bowl out Bangladesh for 164 in 19.2 overs. Pakistan dropped seasoned batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in a bid to look for youngsters, who could bat aggressively — especially in the power play. The selectors also overlooked fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi for the home series despite the left-arm fast bowler leading Lahore Qalandars to their third Pakistan Super League title in four years last Sunday. Hasan rocks Bangladesh In the absence of Afridi, Hasan provided Pakistan early breakthroughs despite Tanzid Hasan smashing three sixes and two fours in his brisk 31-run knock off 17 balls. Parvez Hossain Emon, who scored a century against United Arab Emirates in a T20 last week, could score only four as he mistimed a pull shot against Hasan and was caught on the edge of the circle. Tanzid's aggression was also cut short by Hasan's knuckle ball as the left-hander got deceived by slowness of the delivery and was clean bowled in the fourth over. Skipper Litton Das (48) and Towhid Hridoy (17) combined in a 63-run stand off 48 balls but the asking rate always kept creeping as Shadab Khan bowled a tidy four-over spell of 2-26. Das was smartly caught at point by Fakhar Zaman as he tried to square cut Shadab in the 12th over and Hridoy was out plumb leg before wicket when he tried to play across the line against left-arm spinner Khushdil Shah in the next over. Jaker Ali countercharged briefly with 36 off 20 balls that included three sixes and a boundary but was caught at short fine leg as he tried to play Hasan's short ball but top-edged to Abrar Ahmed. Hasan also took a brilliant running catch to dismiss Tanzim Hasan Sakib before he finished off Bangladesh innings when No. 11 Shoriful Islam was caught at long-off. Agha and Shadab spur Pakistan Pakistan had a bumpy start when Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, both returning to international cricket after injuries, fell inside the first eight balls. Saim offered a tame return catch off the first ball he faced against Mahedi Hasan and Zaman played Shoriful across the line and was adjudged leg before wicket. But Mohammad Haris, replacing wicket-keeper batter Rizwan, didn't hold back and counterpunched in the power play with a brisk 31 off 18 balls. Fast bowler Tanzim intelligently varied his pace and dismissed Haris soon after the powerplay before Agha and Pakistan's new T20 batting sensation Hasan Nawaz took charge. Agha smashed eight fours and a six while Nawaz, who was adjudged PSL player of the tournament, smashed four sixes and a two fours in his belligerent 44 runs off just 22 balls. Agha fell to a soft dismissal when he chipped an easy catch to extra cover of Mahmud's high full toss while Nawaz smashed Rishad Hossain for two fours and a six before offering a straightforward catch to the spinner in the 14th over. But Shadab took charge in the final four overs as Pakistan scored 51 off the last 23 balls before Shadab holed out at mid-on off the penultimate ball. All the six Bangladesh bowlers were amongst the wickets with Shoriful bagging 2-32, but Rishad returned with expensive figures of 1-55. Lahore will also host the remaining two games on Friday and Sunday. ___ AP cricket:
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
T20 Blast Prediction: Will we see a repeat champion?
T20 Blast tips: The Vitality Blast returns on Thursday, aiming to be bigger and better than ever and, as always, we're expecting big hitting, lots of boundaries and players making a real name for themselves. This is the first time the men and women have played side by side in the competition with the Women's Finals Day at the Kia Oval on July 27 and Men's Finals Day at Edgbaston on September 13. All 18 first-class counties will host at least one women's and men's Vitality Blast double-header during the season, starting this weekend. The men's competition is entering its 22nd year, and each team plays 14 group-stage matches against the counties in their regional section, with the draw split into north and south. The top four teams in each group progress to the quarter-finals, with those winners then qualifying for Finals Day in September. Gloucestershire, who are the reigning champions, have set their intent for the season with the signing of D'Arcy Short, who is a two-time Big Bash League player of the tournament. He previously played in the competition with Durham in 2019 and Hampshire in 2021, and he will play alongside his Western Australia teammate Cameron Bancroft. Durham have themselves strengthened with the signing of New Zealander Jimmy Neesham, who will link up with his compatriot Zak Foulkes. Who will come out on top in the south? Essex will be hoping the return of Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir can help them return to their glory days. The left-arm spinner is back for his third spell at the club, but his last in 2019 saw him take 24 T20 wickets in 21 matches as they won the County Championship and Blast Final. Another player who will be hoping he can roll back the years is James Anderson, who signed a contract with Lancashire to feature in the tournament for the first time since 2014. He took four wickets in four matches then and he will be hoping for a bigger impact this time around. Cricket betting sites have Surrey as the favourites for the tournament outright at 6/1, just ahead of Somerset at 7/1. Somerset were the runners-up last season and the winners the season before, so they definitely know what this tournament is all about, but can they reach the final for the third campaign in a row? New Zealand international Matt Henry will be key to their success after returning to the club for the season. He was previously at the club in 2023, was the leading wicket taker in the competition and claimed the Player of the Match award in the final as Somerset beat Essex to lift the trophy. Bears the standouts up north? When it comes to the northern teams, Birmingham Bears are the best placed at 15/2 to win the tournament outright. With Moeen Ali playing his swansong, plus the prospect of having Jacob Bethell and Chris Woakes in their line-up as well as Barbadian fast bowler Che Simmons, it's no surprise that the Bears are among the favourites, betting sites offering 3/1 to win their group. They last won the tournament in 2014 and were runners-up in 2017. A first placed finish in 2024 did justice to their abilities but they'll face stiff competition from Nottinghamshire, who will hope to come back strongly after finishing last in the group, while northern stalwarts Lancashire and Yorkshire can always be counted on to provide a fierce test. Gloucestershire to go back-to-back? One of the quirks of the T20 Blast is just how difficult a tournament it is to win in consecutive years. Since its inception in 2003 the no winner of the competition has won it again the following year and 2025 will see Gloucestershire attempt to end that. They finished fourth in the South Division in 2024 and were a surprising team to reach finals day. Yet, they hammered Somerset in the final with an eight-wicket win and should they get to Edgbaston again they'll have a chance. At 16/1 with betting apps confidence is low but they provided a blueprint of how to win last season. Only occasionally does winning a division lead to winning the tournament. Somerset achieved it in 2023 and reached the final again in 2024. They will get to finals day this season too barring a shockingly awful campaign. Should they win the tournament it would not be a surprise but we think the overall winner will emulate Gloucestershire. As such, Northamptonshire are our pick after impressing in 2024. They've had an indifferent start to County Championship season but tend to be stronger inthe white-ball format and at 14/1 are being favoured more than the current champions. T20 Blast prediction 3: Northants to win T20 Blast - 14/1 William Hill Please gamble responsibly When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. Betting can be addictive, and it's important to stay in control of your betting. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop. Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self exclusion options, to help them stay in control. But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Leg-spinner Lintott signs new Warwickshire contract
Left-arm wrist spinner Jake Lintott has signed a new one-year contract extension with 32-year-old is a key player in the Bears' white-ball sides and has taken 73 wickets in 63 T20 matches with an economy rate of 7.82 runs per was the Bears' top wicket-taker in 2022 with 22 and picked up 18 last year, second only to Danny Briggs' 29, as the Bears were beaten by eventual champions Gloucestershire in the signed a three-year contract at the start of 2023, and his new deal will see him stay at Edgbaston until at least the end of the 2026 season. "I love this club," Lintott told the club website. , external"They've shown me great support and the opportunity to be a professional cricketer - that was my dream as a kid, and before Warwickshire showed faith in me, I thought that dream was gone. "It's nice to repay them with seven years of service, and hopefully there will be a few more to come - I'm delighted to have signed a new deal."Lintott, who gave up his teaching job to sign his first professional deal with Warwickshire in 2021, won the inaugural Men's Hundred with Southern Brave in 2021 and has played in the Caribbean Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League T20 his success in the white-ball game, Lintott has expressed his "burning desire" to play more red-ball cricket, having made only three appearances in the last four seasons."It's a big year for me, no secret about that," Lintott said."I want to get back to playing at the highest level in competitions around the world. To do that I have to put in good performances for the Bears and take lots of wickets. That's what I'm in the team for."The Bears start this season's T20 Blast on Friday against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge (18:30 BST).
