Sanath Jayasuriya, Wasim Akram applaud Lanka Premier League for a successful edition

Cricket in Sri Lanka has found a new voice in Lanka Premier League 2023 as it posted the best-ever TV and digital reach in its fourth edition since its inception in 2020.

Legendary cricketers Sanath Jayasuriya and Wasim Akram applauded the league rights holder IPG Group for ensuring a milestone TV reach of 650 million and also close to 400 million unique viewers count on YouTube and other social media handles for the live matches.

In a significant landmark in the league’s history, the fourth season saw an impressive jump of more than 160 per cent in TV reach compared to the last edition and it also garnered 359 million digital reach to make the LPL 2023 a blockbuster.

“I think the Lanka Premier League was great this year. Everywhere in the world, people were very keen to watch this league. It’s all over the world and IPG Group has done a great job in ensuring that,” commented Sri Lankan batting great Jayasuriya, who was also the Director of Cricket for Dambulla Aura.

While both cricket legends praised the quality of cricket that was displayed, Samantha Dodanwela, Tournament Director, thanked LPL 2023 and all the sponsors for contributing to the growth of Sri Lankan economy in terms of revenue and foreign investments.

Anil Mohan Sankhdhar, Founder and CEO of IPG Group, the official rights holder of LPL 2023, said: “In the last four years we’ve worked hard and I am really happy that we are able to ensure a global footprint both on TV and digital. This edition was an amalgamation of amazing experiential atmosphere, packed crowd and high quality cricket being played with exceptional professionalism by top cricketers from the world. The Season 4 also received a great response not only in Asia but also across UK, USA, Canada, Middle East, North Africa and globally with rich dividends, making the LPL 2023 a superhit. We will only grow from here, there’s no stopping us now.”

Cricket icon Akram also rated the league as one of world’s top cricket leagues and credited the fourth edition for ensuring a wholesome achievement on and off the field.

“I think it’s picked up massively. It’s one of the top leagues in world cricket now. You have IPL, PSL, Big Bash and now people are talking about the Lanka Premier League. Look at the packed stadiums here, people have actually got their own teams now,” the mentor of B-Love Kandy, Akram said.

The fourth edition of the League was broadcasted in 11 countries including Sri Lanka (Swarnavahini/SBC), India (Star Sports), Bangladesh (Cricket 4US), Pakistan (A Sports), UK (TNT Sports), Caribbean (Sportsmax), Afghanistan (RTA), Middle East and North Africa (Star Sports), America and Canada (Willow TV). The digital reach was ensured as the league was shown across Sri Lanka on their official YouTube channel and the digital audience was captured with tie-ups with Fancode and Tampad in India and Pakistan respectively.

LPL Season 4 witnessed packed stadiums with a total attendance of more than two lakh, who witnessed top-notch thrilling cricket action live in the presence of popular international cricket stars such as Babar Azam, Shakib Al Hasan and David Miller along with popular Sri Lankan players including Thisara Parera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka among many others, who ensured quality contest on ground.

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Asia Cup 2023: Babar Azam truly an unbelievable player, in a league of his own, says Aakash Chopra

Former India opener Aakash Chopra heaped praise on Pakistan captain Babar Azam after the latter led from the front in their dominant victory over Nepal in the Asia Cup opener on Wednesday.

Babar helped Pakistan recover from a jittery start with a majestic knock of 151 off 131 deliveries, collecting 14 fours and four sixes along the way.

Also Read | Pakistan register their third-biggest win against Nepal

The Pakistan captain shared crucial partnerships with Mohammad Rizwan (44) and Iftikhar Ahmed (109) as Pakistan posted 342/6 on the board after opting to bat.

“Nepal seemed confident after getting the two early wickets and everything was going according to plan. But then comes Babar Azam. Nineteen centuries in 102 innings, he’s truly an unbelievable player and is in a league of his own,” Chopra said on JioCinema.

“Now, of course, there will be people saying that ‘it’s just against minnows and it’s a flat pitch’. The tournament has just begun, and Babar Azam has set it on fire. Now, everyone will be playing against minnows and on great pitches and people will then notice that while the players are very good, but they couldn’t score 150+ in the same conditions.

“Pakistan, this time out, were actually in a troubling situation against Nepal but the way Azam manoeuvred the innings was sublime, added Chopra.

Also Read | Win against Nepal will give us confidence ahead of India clash, says Babar

The cricketer-turned-commentator also praised Iftikhar, who smashed 11 fours and four sixes and struck at 153.52, bringing up his maiden international hundred and adding 214 for the fifth wicket with Babar.

“As we saw yesterday, there is an issue with Pakistan’s middle order, and they are addressing it, but Iftikhar Ahmed has papered over the cracks for the time being. Whenever he does play – it’s exceptional.

“They made a lot of runs and then with the new ball came Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf – they were all over Nepal. This is understandable as they are an inexperienced side but they must be thinking that they could have done better,” added Chopra.

The Nepal batters barely offered any resistance in reply as in-form leg-spinner Shadab Khan ran through their batting lineup. Khan grabbed 4 for 27 while pacers Haris Rauf (2/16) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (2/27) collected two wickets each as Nepal were bowled out for 104, crashing to a 238-run defeat in the process.

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Asia Cup 2023: Mohammed Shami insists he doesn't have any ego when it comes to bowling with new or old ball

Senior India pacer Mohammed Shami on Thursday insisted he did not have any ego about having to bowl with a worn-out ball, and wouldn’t mind operating at any given stage of an innings.

New-ball specialist Shami has been sharing the brand new cherry with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in recent years, and did the same with Mohammed Siraj during Bumrah’s year-long absence from competitive cricket due to a back injury.

With Bumrah returning to action in the T20I series in Ireland and regaining full fitness ahead of the Asia Cup and the ICC World Cup, it remains to be seen if Shami continues operating with the new ball, or whether the team management decides to bring Siraj into that role.

“I don’t have any hesitancy to bowl with the new ball or the old ball. I don’t have an ego like that. All three of us (Bumrah, Shami & Siraj) are bowling very well, so it depends on the management on who will play,” Shami told Star Sports ahead of Asia Cup.

“Depends on whether I have the new ball or whether the team requires me at any stage during the match, I’m always on,” said India’s best exponent of swing bowling in current times.

For someone, who has 162 wickets from 90 games with an economy rate of 5.60, Shami doesn’t get too fussy about the format and colour of the ball.

“There is too much talk about the white ball or red ball, if you bowl in the right areas I don’t think that there is any difficulty in any ball,” said the Bengal speedster.

“There is only one goal, to go and give 100 per cent, the result will come running to us if we give our 100 per cent. So it is very important to focus and execute, it’s a very simple plan.”

Also Read | Jasprit Bumrah returns in style; says ‘didn’t feel I missed out a lot’

Bumrah’s presence will certainly boost the team’s morale ahead of a big event like World Cup.

“For a long time we didn’t have Jassi (Bumrah), so we felt the loss of a good player like him. You sometimes feel like ‘I wish this player was there’, to make your combination set.

“So having Jassi, especially in the white-ball format, has made our bowling very strong. He’s looking fit and he’s playing well, hopefully, we have a good Asia Cup.”

Also Read | As a senior bowler you have to lead the way, says Mohammed Shami

The camp in Alur before the Asia Cup has been of immense help for Shami who last played a white-ball game in March and would like to hit the straps straighaway against Pakistan.

“For big games, there is always preparation as we have practised in the training camp. I don’t think we have to analyse too much into the situation, we have the skill and the bowling line-up, so we don’t have to think too much.

“But I have to say one thing, whenever One-day matches come, there has to be focus. So to be focused and to have proper planning.”

With inputs from PTI

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BCCI media rights: Viacom18 wins broadcast rights for both TV, digital

Viacom18 have secured both the TV and digital rights for international matches to be played in India for the next five years (2023-28 cycle).

Sports18 will then telecast the matches, international and domestic, on TV while it will be live streamed on JioCinema as OTT (over the top) platform.

Congratulations @viacom18 🤝 for winning the @BCCI Media Rights for both linear and digital for the next 5 years. India Cricket will continue to grow in both spaces as after @IPL, and @wplt20, we extend the partnership @BCCI Media Rights as well. Together we will continue to…

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) August 31, 2023

Also a big thank you to @starindia @DisneyPlusHS for your support over the years. You played a key role in making India Cricket reach its fans across the globe. 2/2

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) August 31, 2023

The broadcast cycle begins from September 2023 and goes until March 2028 for a grand total of 88 bilateral matches (could go up to 102 matches) involving India. It can be broken down into 25 Tests, 27 ODIs and 36 T20Is.

Disney Star, Sony Pictures Network India and Viacom 18 were the three contenders in the fray during the e-auction on 31 August.

Disney Star had bagged the rights in 2018 for Rs 6,138 crore (Rs 60 crore per match). That valuation has now reached Rs 5,966.4 crore for the five-year cycle – at Rs 67.8 crore per match.

In comparison, IPL media rights (digital and TV combined) for 2023-27 cycle had gone for a staggering Rs 48,940 crore (approximately $5.2 billion) last year with Viacom18 sealing the digital rights and Star the TV rights. It set the value of each IPL match at Rs 118 crore.

As per the Invitation to Tender, the base price of TV rights was set at Rs 20 crore per match while that for digital rights was set at Rs 25 crore. In total, it took the base price of each India match, to be broadcast in the sub-continent, to Rs 45 crore.

However, BCCI stated that if the combined value of each game falls below Rs 60 crore, they have the right to annul the e-auction.

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Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh LIVE Score, Asia Cup 2023 Group B Match in Pallekele

Toss report: Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat against defending champions Sri Lanka with Group B of the 2023 Asia Cup getting underway in Pallekele on Thursday.

The action shifts to Sri Lanka after the opening game of the tournament between Pakistan and Nepal took place in Multan, with hosts Pakistan collecting a dominant 238-run victory.

Both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh enter the Asia Cup with several key players missing.

The Lankans are without key pacers Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka and spin-bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, with the Lions naming Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan and Dushan Hemantha as their replacements.

Bangladesh’s Litton Das was ruled out of the tournament on the eve of their opening game due to viral fever, with the southpaw joining veteran opener Tamim Iqbal, who had been ruled out of the tournament much earlier due to back issues, on the sidelines. The Tigers named Anamul Haque as his replacement.

With Tamim having resigned from ODI captaincy following drama over his retirement in July, star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan takes over the reins of the side in the 50-over format.

Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the final of the 2022 edition, which took place in the UAE in the 20-over format, to win their sixth Asian title and their first major title since the 2014 T20 World Cup. Bangladesh, on the other hand, have finished runners-up thrice in the last 11 years and will be eyeing their maiden title in a major event this time around.

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England vs New Zealand: Jos Buttler goes for LBW review after ball hits Glenn Phillips' bat in 1st T20I; see video

England began their final preparations for the ICC World Cup on an ideal note, defeating New Zealand by seven wickets in the first T20I on Wednesday.

The defending 50-over world champions face the Black Caps in four T20Is and as many ODIs before flying to India for the World Cup, where they face the same team in the tournament opener on 5 October.

The series opener, though, did have a rather embarrassing moment with England skipper Jos Buttler opting for what could qualify as one of the worst reviews ever taken in the sport.

The incident took place during the 16th over of the New Zealand innings when Glenn Phillips was on strike. Phillips decided to defend a tossed up delivery from spin-bowling all-rounder Liam Livingstone, hitting the ball off the toe end of the bat.

Buttler, for some reason, though the ball had beaten Livingstone’s inside edge and rapped him on the front pad, and was the only one to appeal for LBW. As if the lack of interest from the bowler wasn’t apparent enough, he even made the ‘T’ sign, and was left with a sheepish smile after watching the replay on the giant screen.

Watch the incident unfold here:

 

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New Zealand got off to a promising start after England invited them to bat with opener Finn Allen smashing three consecutive sixes off Mark Wood in the first over. The Black Caps, however, lost their way soon after, losing four wickets for less than 50 with fellow opener Devon Conway (3) and wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert (9) departing for single-digit scores.

Phillips (41 off 38 balls) tried leading a recovery in the middle overs but didn’t quite get the support that he was looking for as wickets kept tumbling away at the other end thanks to sustained pressure from the English attack.

South African-born seamer Brydon Carse led the way for the English pacers with 3/23 on international debut as the Buttler-led visitors restricted the Kiwis to 139/9.

England, in reply, got off to a shaky start with Jonny Bairstow (4) departing off the second ball. England No 3 Dawid Malan (54) and Harry Brook (43 not out) though brought them back on course for a victory, with the visitors breaching the target with seven wickets and six overs to spare.

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Zurich Diamond League: When and where to watch Neeraj Chopra, Murali Sreeshankar

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has been on a roll since his historic gold-medal winning effort at the Tokyo Olympics last year.

During the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022, he had set a national record with a throw of 89.94 metres.

He also bagged the silver medal during the World Championships, besides claiming the gold at the Zurich Diamond League.

This year, Chopra grabbed the top spot in the Doha Diamond League, which took him to the summit of the javelin world rankings before winning the gold at the World Championships last week.

Although he has had a couple of injury setbacks since the Summer Games, it has not deterred him to lose out on confidence.

“Because of my groin injury, I didn’t compete too much this year. From May till World Championships, I just did five or six throwing sessions, and not even in full run-up.

“World Championships was challenging for me, but I was prepared in my mind. The world championships was hard not only on body but mind as well,” he said.

“In my country, there are so many people, and there was too much pressure on me. The world championships was the only gold medal I didn’t have,” he said.

Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar will also be in competition in Zurich. He will be looking to make amends after failure in qualifying for the World Championships final.

Sreeshankar, who has a season’s and personal best of 8.41m, jumped a below-par 7.74m to finish 22nd overall in the qualification round.

The 24-year-old is currently third in the long jump standings in this year’s Diamond League season, with 10 points from two events.

When is Zurich Diamond League?

Zurich Diamond League is scheduled to take place on 31 August with two Indians in action: Neeraj Chopra in javelin throw and Murali Sreeshankar in long jump.

What time is Zurich Diamond League events featuring Neeraj Chopra, Murali Sreeshankar?

Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event is scheduled to begin at 12:12 AM IST (September 1) and Murali Sreeshankar’s long jump event is at 11:54 PM IST (31 August).

Where to watch Zurich Diamond League?

Neeraj Chopra and Murali Sreeshankar’s events in the Zurich Diamond League will be telecast on Sports18 1 SD and HD. It will also be live streamed on JioCinema.

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Pakistan vs Nepal Highlights, Asia Cup 2023: PAK thrash NEP by 238 runs after Shadab Khan picks four wickets

Pakistan vs Nepal, Asia Cup 2023 Highlights: Pakistan beat Nepal by 238 runs after Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed scored centuries and Shadab Khan took four wickets.

Pakistan playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf

Nepal playing XI: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, Aarif Sheikh, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said at the toss: “The pitch looks very dry and shiny. Being the top ranked team brings a good kind of pressure, we’ll try to enjoy and do our best”

Nepal captain Rohit Paudel: “Everyone is very happy as it is our first game in the Asia Cup. Everyone in Nepal is excited for this match. This looks like a beautiful wicket to bat on.”

Pakistan vs Nepal, Asia Cup 2023, Preview: The start of the Asia Cup 2023 is here! Co-hosts Pakistan take on Nepal in the first game of the tournament on Wednesday at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Nepal who are in Group A alongside Pakistan and India are making their debut in the tournament. Nepal qualified for the tournament by winning the inaugural ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2023.

Nepal have never played against Pakistan so far in ODIs and will enter the contest as the underdogs. A lot will depend on 23-year-old leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane who has already made a name for himself in the T20 circuit for his wily bowling. He has also played in the IPL for Delhi Capitals.

Pakistan on the other hand are two-time champions but their last trophy win came in 2012 with the first title triumph coming in 2000. They reached the final last year but lost to Sri Lanka in the final.

The last edition, in 2022, however, was played in T20 format. The 2023 edition returns to the ODI format with the 50-over World Cup slated to take place in October-November this year.

In total, 13 out of 15 editions have been played in the ODI format with India winning six of them. India also won the first Asia Cup T20 in 2016 with Sri Lanka winning the second one in 2022.

Pakistan would be more than happy to see the tournament return to the 50-over format as they are the No 1 side currently and have been in top form in ODI cricket. Since the 2019 World Cup, Pakistan have won 22 out of 31 ODIs and recently clean swept Afghanistan 3-0 in a series.

Squads:

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, Usama Mir

Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel(c), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sundeep Jora, Pratis GC, Arjun Saud, Mousom Dhakal, Kishore Mahato, Aarif Sheikh

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England men and women cricketers to earn equal match fee; Heather Knight hails 'fantastic' move

In a major development, the England’s women cricketers are set to receive equal match fees as their men’s counterpart following a record-breaking attendance during the Women’s Ashes in the United Kingdom this summer. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the news of equal pay for men and women, on Wednesday.

It was only in June this year when the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) recommended a fundamental upgrade to the pay structure.

England women’s cricket team skipper, Heather Knight, said it was a “fantastic” development for both England’s men and women’s cricketers.

A major step forward for the Women's game ⚖️

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 30, 2023

“It’s really important that we continue to drive the women’s game forward and it’s fantastic to see equal match fees for England Women and England Men,” she said.

“The direction of travel for the women’s game has always been the most important thing, creating a sustainable product that people want to watch and play, and I’m sure this will make cricket an increasingly attractive sport to girls and young women as we continue to grow the game,” she added.

“I would also like to thank the PCA and England Women’s Player Partnership for their support in representing the players and the growth of the professional game,” continued the 32-year-old.

More than 110,000 spectators witnessed the seven-match Women’s Ashes series in England, thereby setting new records in Edgbaston, The Oval and Lord’s.

The new equal pay policy will come into effect from the upcoming limited-overs series between England women and Sri Lanka women.

“This summer’s thrilling Metro Bank Women’s Ashes series demonstrated how women’s cricket is continuing to grow at pace in this country, with record attendances and TV viewing. Growing the women’s and girls’ game is a key priority for us, and in recent years we have considerably increased investment both in building a domestic women’s structure to produce the players of the future, and in increasing player rewards,” said Richard Gould, the CEO of ECB.

“In the years ahead, we will continue to invest ahead of revenues. We are currently considering all the recommendations made by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, but equalising match fees is one immediate step we are pleased to make now. We all want cricket to be the team sport of choice for female athletes, and with the investments we are making – and increasingly lucrative opportunities around the world – we are seeing cricketers become some of the highest earning female athletes in UK team sports. However, we know there is still much further to go as we ultimately strive for equality across the game.

“As we continue to grow women’s cricket, we will continue to focus on making considered investments that stretch far and wide across the women’s cricket structures, delivering a thriving, profitable and future-proofed game,” he added.

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Arshad Nadeem frequently watches Neeraj Chopra's videos on his mobile phone: Father Muhammad Ashraf

India’s Neeraj Chopra secured the gold medal in the 2023 World Athletics Championship men’s javelin throw event, while Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem earned the silver medal. These two athletes have been in friendly competition for some time and share a strong bond. Neeraj has gained iconic status in India due to his accomplishments in recent years, while Arshad has consistently elevated Pakistan’s reputation through his outstanding performances.

Arshad’s father, Muhammad Ashraf, discussed his nephew’s achievements, noting that the entire village stayed awake throughout the night to support Arshad’s competition. People were eager to cheer him on, even though they had work commitments the following day.

Ashraf admitted that he had limited knowledge about javelin throw initially, but he is profoundly impressed by Nadeem’s progress and accomplishments. He takes immense pride in Arshad’s successes, which extend beyond their village and Pakistan to encompass all of Asia.

“A boy from India has won the gold. Arshad often talks about him whenever he is at home,” Ashraf told The Indian Express.

Ashraf also disclosed that Arshad would learn by watching Neeraj Chopra’s videos as part of his preparations.

“He would tell us that it’s as precise as tent pegging, and achieving the right angle and velocity is crucial in javelin too. He would frequently watch YouTube videos, and we would often see the Indian boy on his mobile phone,” Ashraf further elaborated.

Ashraf also revealed that the family faced financial struggles, and there were times when Nadeem struggled to make ends meet. However, the father ensured that Nadeem received a proper diet, including essentials like milk and ghee.

“Even now, when he returns to the village after winning a medal at the World Championship, he asks for a glass of milk and dishes made with desi ghee,” Ashraf concluded.

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Pakistan vs Nepal LIVE Score, Asia Cup 2023: Babar Azam opt to bat first in opener

Pakistan vs Nepal, Asia Cup 2023 LIVE: Pakistan win the toss and decide to bat first against Nepal in the tournament opener.

Pakistan playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf

Nepal playing XI: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, Aarif Sheikh, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said at the toss: “The pitch looks very dry and shiny. Being the top ranked team brings a good kind of pressure, we’ll try to enjoy and do our best”

Nepal captain Rohit Paudel: “Everyone is very happy as it is our first game in the Asia Cup. Everyone in Nepal is excited for this match. This looks like a beautiful wicket to bat on.”

Pakistan vs Nepal, Asia Cup 2023, Preview: The start of the Asia Cup 2023 is here! Co-hosts Pakistan take on Nepal in the first game of the tournament on Wednesday at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Nepal who are in Group A alongside Pakistan and India are making their debut in the tournament. Nepal qualified for the tournament by winning the inaugural ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2023.

Nepal have never played against Pakistan so far in ODIs and will enter the contest as the underdogs. A lot will depend on 23-year-old leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane who has already made a name for himself in the T20 circuit for his wily bowling. He has also played in the IPL for Delhi Capitals.

Pakistan on the other hand are two-time champions but their last trophy win came in 2012 with the first title triumph coming in 2000. They reached the final last year but lost to Sri Lanka in the final.

The last edition, in 2022, however, was played in T20 format. The 2023 edition returns to the ODI format with the 50-over World Cup slated to take place in October-November this year.

In total, 13 out of 15 editions have been played in the ODI format with India winning six of them. India also won the first Asia Cup T20 in 2016 with Sri Lanka winning the second one in 2022.

Pakistan would be more than happy to see the tournament return to the 50-over format as they are the No 1 side currently and have been in top form in ODI cricket. Since the 2019 World Cup, Pakistan have won 22 out of 31 ODIs and recently clean swept Afghanistan 3-0 in a series.

Squads:

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, Usama Mir

Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel(c), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sundeep Jora, Pratis GC, Arjun Saud, Mousom Dhakal, Kishore Mahato, Aarif Sheikh

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Asia Cup 2023 opening ceremony: Pakistan singer Aima Baig and Nepal's Trishala Gurung to perform

The 16th edition of the Asia Cup will kickstart on 30 August. The tournament this year will take place in Pakistan as well as in Sri Lanka. In the opening match, Pakistan will take on Nepal at Multan International Cricket Stadium. Before the first match of the tournament, Multan Cricket Stadium will also witness an extravagant opening ceremony. The event is set to showcase electrifying performances, headlined by the talented Pakistani vocalist Aima Baig and Nepal’s very own Trishala Gurung, both aiming to set the stage on fire.

Who will perform in the Asia Cup 2023 Opening Ceremony?

Pakistani singer Aima Baig and Nepali singer Trishala Gurung will be among a few other star performers taking the stage at the Asia Cup 2023 Opening Ceremony. Biag is a huge figure in Pakistan and has more than 6 million followers on Instagram. Tishala, on the other hand, is one of the stars in Nepal and boasts more than 2 lakh followers on Instagram.

 

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A post shared by Dr. Trishala 🍃 (@trishalaofficial)

The official Twitter (now X) handle of Pakistan Cricket Board took to social media to inform that the opening ceremony will start at 2 PM Pakistan time (2.30 PM IST).

“Witness the Super 11 Asia Cup 2023 curtain-raiser live on 30 August at the Multan Cricket Stadium Enjoy live fireworks and performances by Aima Baig and Nepal’s Trishala Gurung, followed by the opening match between Pakistan and Nepal,” the post from PCB read.

Witness the Super 11 Asia Cup 2023 curtain-raiser live on 30 August at the Multan Cricket Stadium 🏟️

Enjoy live fireworks and performances by Aima Baig and Nepal's Trishala Gurung, followed by the opening match between Pakistan and Nepal 🎆✨#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/NtWbLfoSu1

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 29, 2023

Post the glittering opening ceremony, players will take the stage as Pakistan and Nepal will lock horns for the first time. Nepal have been one impressive unit and their presence in the tournament is a testament to their consistent performances. They qualified for this main tournament by winning the 10-team ACC Men’s Premier Cup in April-May.

Pakistan have already announced their playing XI. They have included three pacers in the squad – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf – apart from two spinners – Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, who can also be very handy with the bat.

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Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan vs Nepal to kick things off, live streaming, head-to-head

Asia Cup gets underway on Wednesday with Pakistan taking on Nepal in their first-ever meeting in Multan. It is the first Asia Cup for Nepal who have come through the qualifiers. This is a big moment for cricket in Nepal regardless of the outcome at the end of the day.

Nepal qualified for the Asia Cup by way of emerging top in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup in April-May. They came ahead of teams such as UAE and Hong Kong, who have featured in the continental event in the past. By making it to the Asia Cup, it is a proof of their growth in international cricket.

Nepal, who won 11 of 12 ODIs to reach the ODI World Cup qualifier, have made giant strides since gaining ODI status in 2018. They’re now 15th in the world in the rankings and could well automatically make it to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Hosts Pakistan would be galvanised by playing the Asia Cup at home. Even though they are the host nation, Pakistan could play just two home games in their own backyard – the first one being against Nepal in Multan. However, it is unlikely to keep fans away, neither would intense heat, from showing up for the clash.

The Babar Azam-led team are one of the best teams in the limited overs matches. They reached the final of Asia Cup and T20 World Cup but failed to go over the winning line.

They come into the Asia Cup on the back of a 3-0 win over Afghanistan in Sri Lanka. It helped them climb to the top of the ODI rankings. However, they are yet to back that up with a major trophy.

Nepal Squad: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh(w), Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel(c), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sundeep Jora, Pratis GC, Arjun Saud, Mousom Dhakal, Kishore Mahato, Aarif Sheikh

Pakistan Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Tayyab Tahir, Abdullah Shafique, Usama Mir

Pakistan vs Nepal head-to-head

Pakistan and Nepal have never played against each other. It will be their first meeting across formats.

Pakistan vs Nepal time

Pakistan vs Nepal is to take place on 30 August at 3 PM IST.

Pakistan vs Nepal live streaming

Pakistan vs Nepal will be available for TV broadcast on Star Sports Network. It will be live streamed on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website.

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Asia Cup 2023: What seven-time champions India and other World Cup-bound teams will be hoping to achieve

The 16th edition of the Asia Cup is just a day away with Pakistan hosting Nepal in Multan on Wednesday. Having taken place in the T20I format last year, the continental showpiece event returns to the ODI format this time around as a precursor to the ICC World Cup that takes place in similar conditions later this year.

Asia Cup 2023: All you need to know

While traditionally having been a standalone event in the ODI format, the Asia Cup has evolved in recent years; not only has it been switching between the two white-ball formats since the tournament made its T20I debut in 2016, it has also become valuable practice for the teams involved ahead of the ODI and T20 World Cups besides the continental bragging rights.

This year’s edition will also be the first in which matches will take place in two separate nations, though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) retains the hosting rights for all matches. While Pakistan had been awarded the hosting rights for the entire tournament initially, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later expressed reluctance to travel to Pakistan and managed to get a majority of the matches, including all games involving India as well as the final, shifted to Sri Lanka.

Asia Cup ODI Stats: Past winners, most runs, wickets, hundreds, biggest win and more

With the Asia Cup likely to have a significant impact on the participating team’s plans for the World Cup, we take a look at what the teams, barring Nepal, will be hoping to achieve in the tournament:

India

Team India had won back-to-back editions in 2016 and 2018, albeit in different format, and were heavily favoured to go the distance in last year’s edition in the UAE, only for their campaign to fizzle out with defeats against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue start favourites once again and will certainly be backing themselves for a seventh ODI Asian title and an eighth overall.

Prep mode 🔛

Energy levels high 💪

Getting into the groove in Alur 👌#TeamIndia | #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/rHBZzbf4WT

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 29, 2023

The spotlight will fall on the pair of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, who will be returning to action after a long break due to a thigh and a back injury respectively. While Iyer will be available for team selection right away, KL Rahul will end up missing the group fixtures as he’s not a hundred percent yet, and will be available from the Super Four stage onwards.

Also Read | Top Indian performers at the Asia Cup

India’s top-order is set in stone and the bowling unit is also fairly set with Jasprit Bumrah having made a successful return from a year-long absence in the T20I tour of Ireland, it is the middle-order that remains an area of concern for the Men in Blue. And how Iyer and Rahul shape up in the Asia Cup could go a long way in helping the team leadership find the missing piece in the jigsaw.

Iyer and Rahul will likely be backed even if they underwhelm in the Asia Cup, but India have more than capable back-ups in Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson.

Pakistan

Pakistan enter the Asia Cup high on confidence after their 3-0 whitewash of Afghanistan in an ODI series in Sri Lanka and will be carrying that momentum over to the tournament.

Pakistan have surplus options in bowling with the pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah as well as lead spinner Shadab Khan firing on all cylinders so far, and they might be inclined to test out someone like Mohammad Waseem ahead of the World Cup.

Also Read | Shadab responds after Agarkar claims Kohli will be able to handle PAK attack

The only change in their squad from the Afghanistan ODIs is the inclusion of Saud Shakeel as one of their middle-order options with Tayyib Tahir getting relegated to being a travelling reserve, Shakeel will hope to lend further stability to the middle order that is already in the able hands of Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman.

Sri Lanka

Defending champions Sri Lanka will be playing as a home team this year even though they are not the official hosts, with a majority of matches scheduled to take place in their backyard. As a result, the Dasun Shanaka-led side will be backing themselves to win two titles in a row and catch up with India in terms of Asia Cup title count.

The Sri Lankans have had a mixed run this year as far as ODIs are concerned, suffering defeats in India and New Zealand to start the year on a shaky note before pulling one back against Afghanistan at home with a 2-1 series win. They were even more clinical in the ODI World Cup qualifier where they managed to pull off an unbeaten run.

Like Pakistan, their top order appears to be in good hands with openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne and wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis having scored consistently in recent fixtures. Skipper Dasun Shanaka’s form however, has been a bit of a concern of late — both in ODIs as well as in the recently-concluded Lanka Premier League — and he will hope to regain it ahead of the World Cup.

Bangladesh

The Bangladeshis are among the most improved sides in the sport in recent years and their performances in the Asia Cup — where they have finished runners-up thrice in the last 10 years — is indicative of that.

Two of those three Asia Cup final defeats were narrow encounters, including a two-run loss against Pakistan in 2012, and the Tigers, who have never won a major trophy at the highest level, will feel a maiden title is around the corner, and could possibly happen in Colombo on 17 September.

The biggest development for the Bangladesh team ahead of the Asia Cup was the drama surrounding opening batter and ODI captain Tamim Iqbal — who abruptly announced his retirement during a home series against Afghanistan only to reverse it around 24 hours later following the intervention of none other than Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself.

Tamim also has been ruled out of the Asia Cup due to a back injury, for which he had undergone treatment in the UK. Though he is expected to return to action in the New Zealand ODIs ahead of the World Cup, Bangladesh will hope to find an ideal back-up for him should he not make it in time for the World Cup.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan too have made rapid strides in world cricket and are the newest members in the Test club. Having made their first appearance in a major tournament in the 2014 edition of the Asia Cup, Afghanistan have made three appearances in the tournament and have made it to the Super Fours in each of the last two editions, both of them in the UAE.

The Afghans do have a fair amount of star power in their ranks with the presence of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz among others, but their inability to finish off games from a winning position is what has haunted them of late. It had happened to them in last year’s Asia Cup in the three-wicket defeat against Pakistan. It happened again in the one-wicket loss against the same side in the 3-0 ODI series sweep earlier this month. Conquering the mental block that has prevented them from winning key games is something they will be hoping to overcome in the build-up to the World Cup.

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Asia Cup ODI Format Stats: Past winners, most runs, wickets, hundreds, biggest win and more

The 16th edition of the Asia Cup 2023 will get underway on 30 August 2023 with a game between co-hosts Pakistan and Nepal. This year the tournament will be played in the traditional ODI format.

Asia Cup 2023: All you need to know

Two out of the past 15 editions of the Asia Cup have been played in the T20 format including the last one in 2022 but with the ODI World Cup slated to take place in October-November this year, the tournament will be returning to the 50-over format.

We take a look at the winners from the previous 15 editions and the teams and individual stats and records for the Asia Cups played in the 50-over format.

Past winners:

Year	Winner	Runners-up	Host	Format
1984	India	Sri Lanka	UAE	ODI
1986	Sri Lanka	Pakistan	Sri Lanka	ODI
1988	India	Sri Lanka	Bangladesh	ODI
1990–91	India	Sri Lanka	India	ODI
1995	India	Sri Lanka	UAE	ODI
1997	Sri Lanka	India	Sri Lanka	ODI
2000	Pakistan	Sri Lanka	Bangladesh	ODI
2004	Sri Lanka	India	Sri Lanka	ODI
2008	Sri Lanka	India	Pakistan	ODI
2010	India	Sri Lanka	Sri Lanka	ODI
2012	Pakistan	Bangladesh	Bangladesh	ODI
2014	Sri Lanka	Pakistan	Bangladesh	ODI
2016	India	Bangladesh	Bangladesh	T20
2018	India	Bangladesh	UAE	ODI
2022	Sri Lanka	Pakistan	UAE	T20

Highest score: 385/7 by Pakistan vs Bangladesh in 2010

Lowest total: 87 by Bangladesh vs Pakistan in 2000

Biggest win: 10 wickets for India vs Sri Lanka in 1984; 10 wickets for Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh in 2004; 10 wickets for Pakistan vs Bangladesh in 2008

Smallest win (by runs): 2 runs for Pakistan vs Bangladesh in 2012

Smallest win (by wickets): 1 wicket for Pakistan vs India in 2014

Most runs: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) — 1220 runs from 25 matches

Highest score: Virat Kohli (India) — 183 in 2012 vs Pakistan

Highest strike rate (minimum 500 balls faced): Sanath Jayasuriya — 102.52

Most hundreds: Sanath Jayasuriya — 6 from 25 matches

Most fifties: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) — 12 from 24 matches

Most ducks: Rubel Hossain (Bangladesh) — 3

Most sixes: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) — 26

Most sixes in an inning: Sourav Ganguly (India) — 7 vs Bangladesh in 2000

Highest strike rate in an innings: Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) — 275 vs Pakistan in 2014

Most runs in a series: Sanath Jayasuriya — 378 runs in 5 matches in 2008

Most wickets: Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) — 30 wickets in 24 matches

Best bowling figures in an innings: Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) — 6/13 vs India in 2008

Bowler with most 4-wicket spells: Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) — 3

Bowler with most 4-wicket spells: Ravindra Jadeja (India) and Ajantha Mendis — 2

Most runs conceded in an inning: Shafiul Islam (Bangladesh) — 95 in 10 overs vs Pakistan in 2010

Most wickets in a series: Ajantha Mendis — 17 wickets in five matches in 2008

 

Most wicket-keeper catches: MS Dhoni (India) and Kumar Sangakkara — 36

Most wicket-keeping dismissals in an innings: Romesh Kaluwitharana (Sri Lanka, 1995) and MS Dhoni (2010) — 5

Most wicket-keeping dismissals in a series: MS Dhoni — 12 in six matches in 2018

Most catches: Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) — 15 in 28 matches

Most catches in an inning: Shikhar Dhawan (India) — 4 vs Bangladesh in 2018

Most catches in a series: Shikhar Dhawan (India) — 6 in five matches in 2018

Highest partnership: 224 runs between Pakistan’s Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez vs India in 2012

Most matches played: Mahela Jayawardene — 28

Most matches as captain: MS Dhoni — 14

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Asian Games 2023: Mirabai Chanu to only attend weigh-in at World Weightlifting Championships

Mirabai Chanu is focussed on the elusive Asian Games medal and is going to give the World Weightlifting Championships a miss. However, considering the compulsory nature of the Worlds, she will mark her attendance with the weigh-in but not lift any weights.

World Weightlifting Championships, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from September 4, is a qualifying event for the Paris Olympics next year. Asian Games are due to take place in Hangzhou, China just 20 days later.

“There is very less time between the Asian Games and the World Championships. Since there is compulsory participation at the World Championships, we have decided that Mirabai only travel to Riyadh and give the body weight.

“She will complete all the mandatory protocols like give the dope test, if required. But she will not lift any weight. She is only going there to participate,” head coach Vijay Sharma told news agency PTI.

Chanu, placed in Group D at the World Weightlifting Championships based on her entry weight of 60kg, will travel to tick the boxes necessary to compete at the Paris Olympics. As per the qualification requirement for Summer Olympics, lifters are needed to compete at the Worlds and World Cup.

Even with Asian Games just days apart from World Weightlifting Championships, things are not going to be easy for the lifter who competes in the 49kg weight class.

“We are aiming to cross the 90kg mark (in snatch) at the Asian Games. It’s been a while since we have been trying to get over that line. We have been focussing on Mira’s snatch here in training,” Sharma said.

At the Asian Championships in May, Chanu’s last tournament, she had to withdraw with a dodgy hip.

“We have to keep in mind Mira’s body as well. She is ageing, the chances of injuries increase with age. So we have to be careful with the workload.

“Currently, her body is well. Small niggles here and there keep happening but nothing serious,” Sharma said.

Besides the World Weightlifting Championships this year and 2024 World Cup, a lifter is also required to participate in three of the following events — the 2022 World Championships, the 2023 Continental Championships, the 2023 Grand Prix 1, the 2023 Grand Prix II and the 2024 Continental Championships.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) will publish the Olympic Qualification Ranking (OQR) of each weight category at the end of the qualification period.

The best three performances at the qualifying events will be taken into consideration for final assessment.

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Asia Cup 2023: 'Pressure match, world watching' — Rizwan on what makes India-Pakistan rivalry exciting

The 16th edition of the Asia Cup will start on 30 August. India will take on Pakistan on Sunday, 2 August and as is the norm, there is a lot of excitement around this match. If both sides make it through to the Super Fours stage, they will meet once again on 10 September. Ahead of the highly-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan, one of the key players for Babar Azam’s side, has spoken about the importance of handling pressure by players in such crucial matches.

“India are also a good team, we are also a good team. India have their strengths and weaknesses, and we have too. It is a pressure match with the world watching it,” Rizwan told Star Sports.

As per Rizwan, one of the key differences between a star player and a regular player is experience and how the person reacts when pressure is applied. “Whoever handles pressure will win the match,” Rizwan further added.

Rizwan has been one of the most consistent players for Pakistan and emerged as the leading run scorer in the last edition of the Asia Cup. Pakistan made it to the final but were upstaged by Sri Lanka.

Pakistan will come into Asia Cup 2023 as the number 1 ranked side in ODI cricket. Babar Azam and Co got to the top position after they beat Afghanistan 3-0 in the recently concluded ODI series.

The last time India and Pakistan clashed in ODIs was back in the 2019 World Cup. India dominated that match on the back of Rohit Sharma’s excellent 140 runs from 113 balls. Virat Kohli, too, chipped in with a fine half-century as India piled up 336 runs. In response, Pakistan faltered and went down by 89 runs (D/L method). However, the current Pakistan unit have been faring way better against India and the upcoming match is expected to be a cracking one.

India and Pakistan will also lock horns in the ICC Cricket World Cup later this year in Ahmedabad and both sides would want to draw first blood in Asia Cup.

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Watch: Rishabh Pant shares workout video on Instagram as he continues recovery from injury

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant took to Instagram on Monday to share a glimpse of his workout as he continues his recovery from a horrific accident he was involved in last December.

Pant sustained multiple injuries on 30 December last year when he was driving from Delhi to his hometown in Rourkee. His car had hit a divider and eventually the car caught fire, but Pant could miraculously escape from the accident.

Pant, who last played for India in a Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur last December, was seen working out on an exercise cycle. In the post, he captioned it: “Grip. Twist. Paddle. Good vibes only.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rishabh Pant (@rishabpant)

In another Instagram story, Pant showcased his lunch menu, which included three chapathis, salad, scrambled curry, and a beverage.

Image credit: Screengrab from Rishabh Pant Instagram

In a bid to regain fitness, the 25-year-old has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. His daily routine includes flexibility exercises, running drills and strength training.

Due to the accident, Pant has missed marquee tournaments including the Border-Gavaskar trophy, the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the World Test Championship (WTC). Pant also looks set to miss the 2023 ODI World Cup that starts in India from 5 October.

 

 

 

 

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'No one wants to win more than players': Virat Kohli on India's hopes of lifting ODI World Cup

Virat Kohli has enjoyed quite a journey in international cricket over the last 15 years. Having made his senior India debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2008, Kohli is now gearing up for what will be his fourth ODI World Cup.

The 2023 ODI World Cup will be hosted by India, and will be held between 5 October and 19 November.

Kohli said that a “difficult” challenge like the World Cup still excites him, after more than a decade of playing international cricket.

Also read: Virat Kohli is perfect for No 4, he can put the innings together: AB de Villiers

“Any challenge in front of you, you look forward to it. When difficulty comes in front of you get excited. You don’t shy away from it. After 15 years I still like encounters, and the World Cup 2023 is one (challenge). It excites me, I need something new to, you know, propel me to another level,” Kohli said during a promotional event in Bengaluru.

India have not won the World Cup since 2011, the last time the country hosted the tournament. Kohli said that Team India players were hungry to win the World Cup, despite the pressure being there.

“The pressure is always there. The fans always say we want (the team) to win a cup very badly. I’d like to say not more than me. So, I’m in the right place. Honestly, I know the expectations are there and the emotions of the people are there. But please know that no one wants to win more than players,” he added.

Kohli, who introduced himself to the world by leading India to U19 World Cup glory in 2008, is not new to being part of tournament-winning squads. He even won the 2011 World Cup with India, and he reminisced his feelings on winning the tournament.

“My career highlight ïs obviously winning the World Cup in 2011. I was 23 at the time, and I probably didn’t understand the magnitude of it. But now at 34, and has played many World Cups, which we haven’t been able to win, So,I understand the emotions of all the senior players (in 2011).”

“All the more for Sachin Tendulkar, as it was his last World Cup. He had already played many World Cups by then and to win it in Mumbai, his hometown, was very special for him. I mean, it was stuff from dreams,” added the veteran.

Kohli said there was immense pressure on the team to lift the World Cup title 12 years back.

“I remember the amount of pressure there was on all the players when we were travelling, Thankfully, there was no social media back then. It would have been a nightmare, honestly. But through the airports, it was always just one thing — we need to win the Cup.

“The senior players were always under the pump and to handle all that pressure. It was just brilliant. And that night (after the WC win) in itself was something magical,” added Kohli.

India begin their World Cup campaign against Australia in Chennai on 8 October. The marquee contest between India and Pakistan will be played in Ahmedabad on 14 October.

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'Want to get into the phase I was before the 2019 World Cup': Rohit Sharma

India skipper Rohit Sharma on Monday said that he was looking to rediscover his form he was in before the 2019 ODI World Cup that was held in England.

Rohit went onto amass 648 runs from just nine matches at the 2019 World Cup, where India lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals.

Four years later, Rohit is gearing up to lead India in the 2023 ODI World Cup on home turf.

Shouldering more than a billion hopes, the 36-year-old India skipper knows what’s at stake in the ODI World Cup, which starts October 5 with England taking on New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

“For me, it is important how I keep myself relaxed and not worry about external factors that play a role, whether positively or not negatively. I want to shut out everything,” Rohit told PTI in an exclusive interview just before joining the Asia Cup camp in Benglauru.

“I want to get into the phase I was in before the 2019 World Cup,” said Rohit, who carries an aura of Zen even in the most tense of situations.

The same calm was visible as he put across his point of view in an uncomplicated manner during the interview, just like the straight face of his bat when he hits the bowler’s back-drive.

“I was in great frame of mind and prepared really well for the tournament,” he said referring to the last edition, where he scored 648 runs with an unprecedented five hundreds to emerge as the highest run-getter.

“I was in good shape, good mindset. I want to bring that back and I have time to do that. Trying to recollect what were the right things that I was doing before the 2019 World Cup as a cricketer and as a person. I want to revisit that thought-process of mine personally,” the skipper said.

World Cups and the vagaries associated with the results can change a lot of things but for Rohit, one month of cricket can’t make or break the player that he is.

“A person can’t change overnight with his success or failures,” he said.

“I don’t think one result or one championship can change me as a person. I have not changed as a person in the last 16 years and I don’t think anything needs to change on that front,” he said.

“The focus will be on how I can achieve my goals in the next two months, for me and my team. A person can’t change in a period of one or two months.” Rohit has won five IPL titles as Mumbai Indians captain, Asia Cup as India captain (2018) and led the team to World Test Championship final as recently as June this year.

Do you ever think about your legacy in Indian cricket after being around for 16 years? “No,” pat came the reply. “I am not the person who thinks about what kind of legacy I will leave behind. My legacy will be for people to judge and talk about. Not for me to say.” He has 30 ODI hundreds, second only to Virat Kohli’s 46. Add 10 Test hundreds and four T20I tons. A total of 17,000 plus international runs aren’t bad numbers.

“I am not a firm believer in numbers. You should be happy and enjoy the time you have in-front of you, and try to live in that kind of moment. I am thinking about what gives me happiness,” he added.

“For me, it’s all about creating memories and creating a good rapport with my teammates. Be happy in whatever you get and whatever you have.”

With inputs from PTI

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Asia Cup 2023: India's performance in showpiece tournament — Top run-getters, wicket-takers and more stats

The 16th edition of the Asia Cup is set to commence on 30 August. The continental showpiece will be held in a hybrid format, with matches being played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. India will play all matches in Sri Lanka.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are placed in the same group and are scheduled to face each other on 2 September. If both teams advance to the Super Fours stage, they will clash once more on 10 September.

This edition of the Asia Cup will return to the 50-over format, as the teams seek to finetune their preparations for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Here’s a breakdown of key statistics ahead of the tournament:

Most titles:

Out of the 13 editions played in the ODI format, India have secured six titles (1984, 1988, 1991, 1995, 2010, and 2018), making them the frontrunners. Sri Lanka follow with five trophies.

ODI dominance in Asia Cup:

Having played 49 ODI matches in the Asia Cup, India have emerged victorious in 31, making them the second-most successful team. They faced one washout and tied a match against Afghanistan in 2018. Sri Lanka lead with 34 wins out of 50 matches.

Top performers for India:

Sachin Tendulkar tops the batting charts with 971 runs in the tournament. Following him are Rohit Sharma with 745 runs, MS Dhoni with 648 runs, and Virat Kohli with 613 runs. Kohli stands out with three centuries, the highest by any Indian batter. In terms of wickets, Irfan Pathan leads with 22 wickets in 12 matches, closely followed by Ravindra Jadeja with 19 wickets.

India’s performance in T20 Asia Cup:

The T20 format of the Asia Cup has been held twice, in 2016 and 2022. India clinched the title in 2016, while Sri Lanka secured it last year. India boast the most victories in the T20 version with eight wins out of 10 matches. Sri Lanka are second with six wins, and Pakistan follow with five.

Top performers in T20 Asia Cup:

Virat Kohli leads in this category, having scored 429 runs in 10 matches at an average of 85.80, including three fifties and a century. Rohit Sharma secures second place with 271 runs at a strike rate of 141.14. In the bowling department, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 13 wickets in six games, while Hardik Pandya claims 11 scalps.

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Neeraj Chopra: From Olympic gold to history at Worlds, exploring the Indian athlete's glittering journey

India’s star athlete Neeraj Chopra clinched the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw at the World Athletics Championships held in Budapest, Hungary, on Sunday. Chopra, who already has the Olympic Gold Medal, became the first-ever Indian athlete to secure a gold medal at the World Championship.

Neeraj scripted history when he recorded a stellar throw of 88.17 meters during his second attempt which was enough for him to claim the title.

88.17 Meters for 🥇

Neeraj Chopra becomes 1st 🇮🇳 athlete to win a gold medal at the #WorldAthleticsChampionships 😍

Watch the best of #Budapest23 – FREE only on #JioCinema ✨#WAConJioCinema pic.twitter.com/le562o9zp2

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) August 27, 2023

Here, we take a look at Neeraj Chopra’s medal wins over the years:

Silver medal, 2016 Asian Junior Championships: Neeraj Chopra showed his promise very early when he bagged the silver medal at the 2016 Asian Junior Championships in Ho Chi Minh City. He clinched silver with his best throw of 77.60m.

Gold medal, 2016 World Junior Championships: In 2016, Neeraj Chopra secured gold at the World Junior Championship in Bydgoszcz, Poland, with a throw of 86.48m.

Gold medal, 2016 South Asian Games: Neeraj Chopra was now hitting his stride as he clinched gold at the 2016 South Asian Games that took place in Guwahati, India, with a throw of 82.23m.

Gold medal, 2017 Asian Championships: Neeraj Chopra clinched gold at the 2017 Asian Championships that took place in Bhubaneswar with a throw of 85.23m.

Gold medal, 2018 Commonwealth Games: India’s star clinched his first Commonwealth Games gold medal with a throw of 86.47m in the final at the Gold Coast Games in 2018.

Gold medal, 2018 Asian Games: After his heroics in the Commonwealth Games, Chopra backed it up with another gold at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta-Palembang with a throw of 88.06m.

Gold medal, 2020 Tokyo Olympics: One of the greatest triumphs for India and for Neeraj Chopra. He became Olympic Champion during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games with a best throw of 87.58m.

Silver Medal, 2022 World Athletics Championships: After his Olympic win, Neeraj Chopra secured his first World Athletics Championships medal when he clinched silver with a throw of 88.13m.

Winner, Diamond League: Another historic moment was created when Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win the Diamond League final in Zurich with his best throw being 88.44m.

Gold medal, 2023 World Athletics Championships: India’s Golden Boy, Neeraj Chopra, has now clinched gold at Worlds with a best throw of 88.17m. He now has two medals in the World Championships as well as an Olympic Games Gold.

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Neeraj Chopra creates history in Budapest by winning India’s maiden World Championships gold medal

Neeraj Chopra scripted history yet again, winning India its first gold medal at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday.

Chopra, who won India’s maiden Olympic gold in athletics two years ago in Tokyo, finished on top in the men’s javelin throw final on Sunday with a throw of 88.17 metres in his second attempt, ending India’s four-decade wait for a maiden gold medal in the world championships since the tournament began in 1983.

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem finished second with a season-best effort of 87.82 metres while Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch won bronze with a throw of 86.67m.

India’s Kishore Jena, who nearly did not compete in the worlds after his Hungarian visa was initially rejected, finished in the top five with a personal best effort of 84.77 metres while DP Manu was sixth with a best effort of 84.14m.

This was the first time three Indians finished in the top eight in an event in the World Championships.

In other events, the Indian team of Muhammad Anas, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal and Rajesh Ramesh finished fifth in the men’s 4x400m relay finals with a timing of 2:59:92. This was the first time India qualified for the finals of the men’s 4x400m relay, with the quartet also smashing the Asian record that was previously held by Japan along the way.

Also Read | ‘Gold for our diamond’, netizens hail Neeraj Chopra’s historic feat in Budapest

Distance runner Parul Chaudhary, meanwhile, finished 11th in the women’s 3000m steeplechase finals with a timing of 9:15:31 — a new national record. She had earlier become only the second Indian to qualify for the finals of the event after Lalita Babar in 2015.

The 25-year-old Chopra achieved his best throw of the day in his second attempt. He had a foul to start with, but then got 88.17m, 86.32m, 84.64m, 87.73m and 83.98m.

Chopra’s unique feat

Chopra has now become only the second Indian — after legendary shooter Abhinav Bindra — to simultaneously hold the Olympics and World Championships title. Bindra won the World Championships title when he was 23, and the Olympics gold at 25.

88.17 Meters for 🥇

Neeraj Chopra becomes 1st 🇮🇳 athlete to win a gold medal at the #WorldAthleticsChampionships 😍

Watch the best of #Budapest23 – FREE only on #JioCinema ✨#WAConJioCinema pic.twitter.com/le562o9zp2

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) August 27, 2023

Chopra, who had become the first Indian Olympic track and field gold medallist in Tokyo Games in 2021, had won a silver in the 2022 edition of World Championships in Eugene, USA.

Before him, legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George had won a bronze in the 2003 World Championships.

The Indian superstar also became only the third javelin thrower in history to simultaneously hold the Olympics and World Championships titles after the iconic Jan Zelezny of Czech Republic and Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway.

Zelezny clinched Olympics gold in 1992, 1996 and 2000 while winning World Championships title in 1993, 1995 and 2001. Thorkildsen won gold in 2008 Olympics and 2009 World Championships.

With his feat on Sunday, Chopra has won every title his sport has to offer. He has won gold in the Asian Games (2018) and Commonwealth Games (2018), besides four individual Diamond League Meeting titles (two each in 2022 and 2023) and Diamond League champion’s trophy last year.

He also became junior world champion in 2016 and won the Asian Championships title in 2017.

With inputs from PTI

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/npKg1SO

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 Highlights: Neeraj Chopra wins India's maiden gold medal with 88.17m throw

01:47 (IST)

That brings us to the end of our coverage of Day 9 of the 2023 World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary, with India signing off with a gold medal on the final day! Who else but Neeraj Chopra to deliver India's first-ever gold at the premier athletics event!

Thank you all for staying tuned to our live coverage. On behalf of my colleagues at Firstpost, this is Amit signing off, wishing you all a good night!

01:28 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

The quartet of Muhammad Anas, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal and Rajesh Ramesh finish fifth in what is India's maiden appearance in the men's 4x400m relay final! They register a final timing of 2:59.92!

The United States (Quincy Hall, Vernon Norwood, Justin Robinson and Rai Benjamin) wins gold. France (Ludvy Vaillant, Gilles Biron, David Sombe and Teo Andant) and Great Britain (Alex Haydock-Wilson, Charles Dobson, Lewis Davey, Rio Mitcham) win silver and bronze respectively

01:16 (IST)

Here's the gold-clinching effort from Neeraj Chopra!

pic.twitter.com/tGFUCvFvrU

— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) August 27, 2023

01:14 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

The top five in the men’s javelin throw final contains two Indians and a Pakistani, with Arshad Nadeem collecting silver with an effort of 87.82 and Kishore Jena finishing in the fifth spot with a personal best score of 84.77m!

Czech Republic’s Jakub Vladejch wins bronze with 86.67m!

01:09 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

The men’s 4x400m relay final is next on the list and is also the second-last event of the 2023 world championships!

India's Muhammad Anas, Muhammed Ajmal, Amogh Jacob and Rajesh Ramesh will hope to create history tonight!

01:02 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

 

 

NEERAJ CHOPRA WINS GOLD! He becomes the first Indian to win a gold medal in the World Athletics Championships!

 

 

Finishes on top with a throw of 88.17m in his second attempt!

00:57 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

Kishore Jena registers his personal best attempt of 84.77m in his fifth attempt! He moves into the fifth spot as a result! Meanwhile, Chopra registers a throw of 87.73 in his fifth attempt, and is still occupying the gold medal spot thanks to his second effort. Arshad Nadeem, who is 2nd currently, fouls in his fifth attempt. Jakub Vadlejch moves to the third spot with 86.67m in his fifth!

00:52 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

Parul Chaudhary finishes 11th in the women’s 3000m steeplechase final! She finishes with a timing of 9:15:31, which is a National Record no less!

Bahrain’s Winfred Mutile Yavi wins gold in the event with a timing of 8:54.29 while Kenyans Beatrice Chepkoech (8:58.98) and Faith Cherotich (9:00.69) win silver and bronze respectively!

00:43 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

Neeraj Chopra registers 84.64 in his fourth attempt. Well short of Arshad Nadeem’s fourth attempt, which measures 87.15m. Nadeem certainly is breathing down Chopra’s neck at the moment!

What matters now however, is the fact that Chopra is still on top thanks to his 88.17m effort in his second effort, with Nadeem currently 2nd. Can the Haryanvi hold on to the lead?

00:29 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

Arshad Nadeem moves to the 2nd spot with a season-best effort of 87.82 metres! He relegates Germany’s Julian Weber to the bronze medal spot with his superb effort, and his sent out a warning to Neeraj Chopra, signalling his intent to go for gold!

Here's the updated table three attempts into the men's javelin final

00:16 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

Germany’s Julian Weber meanwhile jumps to the second spot with a throw of 85.79m while Jakub Vadlejch is third with 84.18m.

Kishore Jena moves to the 2nd spot with a throw of 82.82m in his second attempt while DP Manu’s second attempt is a foul, and he remains second from bottom with his first attempt of 78.44m.

00:13 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

Neeraj Chopra jumps right to the top! He started with a false throw, but is back on top with a throw of 88.17 metres in his second place! Can he hold on to the top spot in the remaining attempts?

00:06 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

Finland’s Oliver Helander leads the way at the end of the first attempt with a distance of 83.38 metres with Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch second (82.59m).

00:00 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

Not the best start for Neeraj Chopra as he starts off with a foul! Compatriot DP Manu, meanwhile, starts off with a throw of 78.44 metres. Kishore Jena's first attempt reads 75.70 metres.

23:52 (IST)

World Athletics Championships 2023 Day 9 LIVE

The men's javelin throw final is getting underway at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, with the Indian trio of Neeraj Chopra, DP Manu and Kishore Jena hoping to open India's medal count on the final day of the competition.

Stay tuned for more updates.

23:36 (IST)

India smash Asian record...medal next?

Not only did the quartet of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi and Rajesh Ramesh give heavyweights USA a scare during the men's 4x400m relay qualifying round, with the Indians qualifying for a maiden final with a second-place finish, but they ended up smashing the Asian record that was previously held by Japan with a timing of 2 minute 59.05 seconds!

Can they go a step further and win a maiden medal? Time will tell

23:25 (IST)

Can Manu and Kishore join Chopra on javelin podium?

While Neeraj Chopra's season-best effort of 88.77 metres in the qualifying round of the men's javelin throw event hogged the limelight, fellow Indians DP Manu and Kishore Jena too managed to enter the finals — both breaching the 80-metre mark.

Though there will be intense competition in the final, especially with Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem going past the 86-metre mark in qualfiying, there is a possiblity of the Indians sweeping the podium later tonight. Difficult, but not entirely impossible.

23:15 (IST)

India schedule for Day 9 of World Athletics Championships:

11.45 pm IST: Men's Javelin Throw Final (Neeraj Chopra, DP Manu and Kishore Jena)

12.35 am IST: Women's 3000m Steeplechase Final (Parul Chaudhary)

1.07 am IST: Men's 4x400m Relay final (Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi and Rajesh Ramesh)

23:05 (IST)

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the final day of 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, with India in contention for a medal in as many as three events.

Indians will be in contention in three different finals on the ninth day of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Highlight of the candidates is Neeraj Chopra in the javelin throw event.

Neeraj Chopra, who won silver at the last World Athletics Championships, sent his javelin a distance of 88.77m in the first, and only, attempt in the qualification round to qualify for the final and the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was his season’s best effort and fourth best throw of his career.

Chopra has won gold medals in the Olympics (Tokyo in 2021), Asian Games (2018) and Commonwealth Games (2018), besides becoming the Diamond League champion last year. What’s missing is the World Championships gold and he’d be out to vie for it on Sunday.

DP Manu (81.31m) and Kishore Jena (80.55m) have also made the cut and qualified for the men’s javelin throw final.

Late at night, on Monday morning, Parul Chaudhary will participate in the women’s 3000m steeplechase final.

Parul is only the second Indian female athlete to progress to the final of a track event at a World Athletics Championships. She had finished fifth during the heats, clocking a personal best of 9 minutes 24.29 seconds.

In the penultimate event of this year’s World Athletics Championships, quartet of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi and Rajesh Ramesh will take the track in the 4x400m relay event.

They had shattered the Asian record during the qualifying round with a time of 2 minute 59.05 seconds. They finished second in the heats behind USA (2:58.47). Previous Asian record (2:59.51) belonged to Japan with the previous national record set at 3:00.25 in 2021.

India on Sunday (27 August) at World Athletics Championships:

Men’s Javelin Throw Final – Neeraj Chopra, D P Manu, Kishore Jena – 11:45PM IST

Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Final – Parul Chaudhary – 12:35AM IST

Men’s 4x400m Relay Final – India (Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal, Rajesh Ramesh) – 1:07AM IST

Where to watch World Athletics Championships in India?

World Athletics Championships are being live streamed on the JioCinema app and website in India. There is no live TV broadcast of the event in India.

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