Cricket news

Pratika Rawal smashes half-century in second women’s ODIs

Rawal, who had already scored a match-winning 89 in the first ODI, continued her excellent form in this match.

Published

2 years ago

January 12, 2025

Young Indian women’s cricket team opener Pratika Rawal made an impressive contribution with a solid 67 runs off 61 balls during the second ODI against Ireland at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Sunday. Rawal, who had already scored a match-winning 89 in the first ODI, continued her excellent form in this match.

Teaming up with Smriti Mandhana, who scored 73, Rawal established a strong 156-run opening partnership, laying a solid foundation for the innings. Throughout her innings, Rawal displayed remarkable maturity beyond her years. Tejal Hasabnis also made a notable return, scoring a fifty, as India comfortably defeated the inexperienced Ireland team by six wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match women’s ODI series on Friday.

In the first ODI, Rawal was instrumental in anchoring the chase for 239 runs, following a brisk 41 from stand-in skipper Smriti Mandhana, who made a career-best 89 off 96 balls, hitting 10 fours and one six. Hasabnis, who had not played ODI cricket since October 2024 against New Zealand, marked her comeback with an innings of 53 not out off 46 balls, striking nine boundaries.

Rawal and Hasabnis formed a match-winning partnership of 116 runs off 84 balls, leading India to victory with 93 balls remaining. Continuing her dominant form from the West Indies series, Mandhana scored a rapid 41 runs off just 29 balls, marked by six fours and a six, and, in doing so, became the second Indian and the 15th overall player to surpass 4,000 runs in ODIs.

Mandhana’s aggressive stroke play unsettled the Irish bowlers, especially in the eighth over against seamer Dempsey, where she struck a boundary, a six, and another four in quick succession. Rawal, who made her debut during the West Indies series, provided excellent support, and the pair successfully shared their third fifty-plus opening partnership in four matches.

Ireland managed to break through at the end of the powerplay when Mandhana mistimed a shot and was caught, falling just nine runs short of her half-century. Despite Harleen Deol (20) and Jemimah Rodrigues (9) looking promising early on, clever bowling by left-arm spinner Aimee Maguire (3/57 from 8 overs) temporarily halted India’s progress. Maguire successfully stumped Rodrigues, who was well out of her crease after stepping out excessively.

During this phase, India lost three wickets for just 46 runs. However, thanks to Mandhana’s explosive start, the team remained well on track. Ireland’s lack of experience was evident as they allowed 21 runs through extras, with Laura Delany particularly struggling in the bowling department, bowling two no-balls and delivering waist-high full tosses, which Hasabnis capitalized on with back-to-back boundaries.

Earlier, India’s fielding let Ireland off the hook as they dropped several catches, allowing visiting captain Gaby Lewis to score a classy 92 runs and lift her team to a competitive total of 238 for 7. Opting to bat first, Ireland faced early trouble at 56 for 4 by the 14th over. However, Lewis and Leah Paul (59 off 73 balls) mounted a recovery, adding 117 runs for the fifth wicket, marking the team’s first-ever century partnership against India.

Lewis’s innings came off 129 balls, featuring 15 boundaries, while the duo of Lewis and Paul navigated through the innings with calculated precision. India’s first breakthrough came from medium pacer Titas Sadhu, who took the wicket of Sarah Forbes (9) after a misplayed shot edged to slip where Deepti Sharma made the catch.

In their first trip to India, Ireland stumbled to 34 for 2 after a disastrous mix-up led to the run out of Una Raymond-Hoey (5), who attempted a single after hitting the ball directly to Jemimah Rodrigues in cover. Orla Prendergast (9) soon followed her back to the pavilion, stumped by Ghosh off the bowling of leg-spinner Priya Mishra (2/56), leaving Ireland in a precarious position at 56 for 3 by the 14th over.

Cricket news

Irfan Pathan takes dig at Pakistan after India’s seven-wicket Asia Cup win

Irfan Pathan took a cheeky dig at Pakistan after India defeated them by seven wickets in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026.

Published

5 hours ago

September 6, 2026

APNLive Desk

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan took a playful dig at Pakistan after India registered a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over their arch-rivals in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 on Saturday.

Soon after India completed the one-sided win in their Group A encounter, Pathan posted a short message on X: “Aaj Sunday hai kya?” The remark quickly drew attention as it recalled his earlier social media banter involving Pakistan.

Irfan Pathan’s ‘Sunday’ jibe returns

Pathan’s latest post was a reference to his social media remarks from last year, when he had repeatedly poked fun at Pakistan after India won three T20I matches against the Men in Green on consecutive Sundays.

Following those victories, Pathan had used the phrase “Sunday kaisa raha padosiyo”, turning Sundays into a recurring reference in his posts aimed at Pakistan.

His latest comment came after another emphatic India victory, this time in the Women’s Asia Cup.

India bowl Pakistan out for 55

India’s victory was set up by a superb performance from their spin attack. Pakistan were dismissed for just 55 in 18.1 overs, which the report described as their lowest-ever total in T20 cricket.

Young spinners Shree Charani and Prema Rawat played a major role in dismantling Pakistan’s batting line-up.

Charani, a 22-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner, finished with figures of 3/7 from four overs. Leg-spinner Prema Rawat also claimed three wickets, returning figures of 3/9 from her four overs.

Shafali Verma picked up one wicket for 10 runs in three overs, while Deepti Sharma completed the innings with two wickets for five runs in 3.1 overs.

Pakistan initially reached 27 without losing a wicket, but their innings soon collapsed. After Muneeba Ali scored 13 and Shawaal Zulfiqar made 14, Pakistan lost six wickets for just nine runs and slipped to 36/6.

India’s bowlers also delivered 78 dot balls during the Pakistan innings, making it difficult for the batting side to recover.

Harmanpreet Kaur makes history

The match was also significant for India captain Harmanpreet Kaur. She became the first international captain, male or female, to lead India in 150 T20Is.

Harmanpreet’s milestone was followed by another strong team performance as India comfortably chased down Pakistan’s total.

India reached the target in just 8.4 overs. Shafali Verma was dismissed for 12, Smriti Mandhana made nine and Pratika Rawal scored four.

Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 18, while Deepti Sharma finished unbeaten on 12. Harmanpreet also hit the winning six to seal India’s victory.

India continue their dominance over Pakistan

The victory further strengthened India’s record against Pakistan in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup.

According to the report, India have now won seven of their eight matches against Pakistan in the tournament, with Pakistan’s only victory coming once.

With India completing another comfortable win, Pathan’s “Aaj Sunday hai kya?” post added a social media twist to an already dominant performance by the Indian team.

Cricket news

No discussion on Ajit Agarkar’s extension, BCCI clarifies after key meeting absence

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia explained Ajit Agarkar’s absence from a key meeting and denied that his tenure extension was discussed.

Published

3 days ago

September 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday addressed speculation surrounding chief selector Ajit Agarkar after he was absent from an important meeting involving India’s senior cricket leadership.

The meeting was attended by India captains Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, head coach Gautam Gambhir, BCCI officials and Centre of Excellence director of cricket VVS Laxman. Agarkar, however, was not present either in person or virtually.

His absence led to speculation about his future as chairman of the men’s senior selection committee.

BCCI explains Agarkar’s absence

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said Agarkar was out of station when the meeting was called at short notice.

According to Saikia, Agarkar was in an area where he could not join the meeting online despite making efforts to do so.

Saikia’s clarification came amid reports and speculation over whether Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector could be extended.

No discussion on Agarkar’s extension

Asked whether the BCCI discussed extending Agarkar’s tenure during the meeting, Saikia said there was no such discussion.

He also rejected speculation about VVS Laxman being appointed as the BCCI’s director of cricket, saying the board had neither discussed such a move nor had any intention of doing so.

Agarkar’s tenure marked by key decisions

Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector has included several high-profile decisions involving India’s leadership and squad selection.

One notable decision was the backing of Suryakumar Yadav as a long-term T20I captain ahead of Hardik Pandya.

Another major call involved replacing Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain. Both decisions attracted considerable attention and criticism, but Agarkar publicly defended the selection committee’s decisions.

For now, the BCCI has made it clear that Agarkar’s absence from Thursday’s meeting was due to logistical circumstances and that no discussion on extending his tenure took place during the meeting.

Cricket news

Jasprit Bumrah returns as India name squad for Afghanistan T20Is

Jasprit Bumrah returns to India’s squad for the Afghanistan T20I series, while Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also make the cut.

Published

5 days ago

September 1, 2026

APNLive Desk

India have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, with Jasprit Bumrah making a return after an injury break.

Bumrah last represented India in an ODI against England on July 16, when he suffered a left-knee injury. His inclusion in the Afghanistan squad is subject to fitness clearance. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana are also part of the squad subject to fitness clearance.

The Afghanistan series will begin on September 13 in New Delhi and will be played ahead of the 2026 Asian Games. The second T20I is scheduled for September 15, followed by the third match on September 17.

Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi included

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has returned to the T20I squad, while teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also been included following his strong performances against Zimbabwe.

Sooryavanshi will be among the top-order options alongside Abhishek Sharma, Samson and Ishan Kishan. Samson and Kishan are the two designated wicketkeepers in the squad.

Shreyas Iyer has been named captain, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. Shivam Dube is also part of the middle order.

Bumrah to lead pace attack

Bumrah is set to spearhead the pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh, with Harshit Rana providing another fast-bowling option.

The all-rounder group consists of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi form the spin options.

Hardik Pandya does not feature in the announced squad.

India squad for Afghanistan T20Is

Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar*, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah*, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana*.

*Subject to fitness clearance.