The cricketing fraternity was once again swamped up with several headline-making stories throughout June 21. Pakistan, as usual, dominated the news with PCB eyeing to make some tough calls after the T20 World Cup 2024 debacle. India, on the other hand, continued on their tiresome World Cup schedule, getting involved in a training session before their Super 8 clash against Bangladesh.
ICC to approve Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan?
While the final say for BCCI still remains on the Indian government, it looks like there is ICC’s greenlit the PCB’s draft schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan (February 19th – March 9th). This eight-team tournament will see Lahore host the most games (7), including the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash and the final. Karachi and Rawalpindi will hold 3 and 5 matches respectively. While the schedule is set, a question mark hangs over India’s participation. They previously refused to play the Asia Cup in Pakistan, and a similar decision for the Champions Trophy is a possibility.
Virat & Rohit aim to get their midas touch back
Indian batting legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were spotted putting in extra work at an optional training session after their win against Afghanistan. This dedication is a welcome sight after their struggles in the T20 World Cup and ahead of the Bangladesh tie. After travelling more than 500 kms from Barbados to Antigua, they could’ve easily opted to take rest.
Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan to get punished?
Pakistan cricket stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan could face a potential demotion from the PCB’s top tier (Category A) of central contracts. This follows their team’s disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup group stage. While their salaries wouldn’t be cut, the move reflects a significant drop in status within the board’s ranking system.
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1st HAT-TRICK OF T20 WORLD CUP 2024!
Pat Cummins wrote his name in T20 World Cup history by grabbing the first hat-trick of the 2024 tournament against Bangladesh. He achieved this across two overs, dismissing Mahmudullah and Mahedi Hasan in his 18th over, then taking Towhid Hridoy’s wicket with the first ball of his 20th over to complete the feat. This makes him only the second Australian bowler ever to achieve a T20 World Cup hat-trick after Brett Lee.
Stimac Blasts Kalyan Chaubey, as AIFF vs Igor Stimac wages on
Former India Football Team head coach Igor Stimac called for a press conference with the media. He went on to delve all the secrets of poor administration of All India Football Federation President Kalyan Chaubey. AIFF then went on to claim that they would issue a statement within 48 hours. This is clear signing that the war between the two has just begun and will continue for a long time.
France and Netherlands share spoils of war!
In EUFA Euro 2024, it was Ukraine who shook off their previous defeat to clinch 3 points with a 2-1 win over Slovakia. In the second game of the day, Austria too shook off their defeat to secure a comfortable 3-1 win over Poland. But the most important game of the day was between France and Netherlands. The two powerhouses shared a goalless stalemate in the end.
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