IND vs WI: Real Reason Behind Sarfaraz Khan’s Omission from India’s Test Squad Revealed
Sarfaraz Khan last featured for India during the home Test series against New Zealand in 2024. On Thursday (25th September), the Indian squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies—scheduled from October 2 to 14—was announced in Dubai, with Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar addressing the media. Although the squad looked well-balanced, a few notable exclusions stood out. Among them was Sarfaraz Khan, who had made his Test debut earlier in 2024 against England under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. Following his debut, Sarfaraz remained part of the Indian setup and even travelled to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, though he didn’t get a chance to play. Later, he was dropped for the England Tests. Reports suggested that the BCCI had advised Sarfaraz Khan to work on his fitness. The batter responded impressively, shedding nearly 17 kilos and marking his return to domestic cricket with a century in the Buchi Babu Tournament. Given this turnaround, many expected him to earn a recall for the West Indies Tests. However, his omission from the squad has raised questions and criticism directed at the BCCI’s decision-making. Sarfaraz Khan Ruled Out Due to Injury – Ajit Agarkar When asked about Sarfaraz Khan’s selection, Ajit Agarkar clarified that the batter is currently unavailable, stating simply: “Sarfaraz is injured.” The right-hander is recovering from a quadriceps injury at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). However, reports suggest he may regain full fitness by September 29. The development comes as a surprise, considering Sarfaraz Khan is among the most consistent performers in India’s domestic circuit. Notably, the 27-year-old was also left out of the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup 2025-26. In his Test career so far, Sarfaraz Khan has amassed 371 runs at an average of 37.1, including one century and three half-centuries. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav Explains Reasoning Behind ‘Failed Experiment’ of Promoting Shivam Dube to No. 3 vs Bangladesh
India Storm into Asia Cup 2025 Final Under Suryakumar Yadav’s Leadership. Suryakumar Yadav’s India became the first team to book a spot in the Asia Cup 2025 final after defeating Bangladesh in their second Super Four clash on Wednesday, September 24. Skipper Suryakumar credited his bowlers for the win, stating that if they can deliver 12–14 quality overs in a match, India would come out on top more often than not. Asia Cup: Opting to bat first with an unchanged XI, India got off to a strong start. Openers Abhishek Sharma (75) and Shubman Gill (29) stitched together a 77-run stand. However, the middle order faltered, with Shivam Dube surprisingly promoted to No. 3 and Sanju Samson not getting a chance to bat, which disrupted the flow of the innings. Hardik Pandya’s crucial 38-run knock lifted India to 168/6, a total that looked challenging for Bangladesh. In reply, opener Saif Hassan (69) fought valiantly with a fine half-century, but lacked support from the other end. Bangladesh eventually collapsed for 127, handing India a 41-run win. India’s bowlers were the stars of the night. Kuldeep Yadav shone with a three-wicket haul, while Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy claimed two wickets each. Axar Patel and Tilak Varma also chipped in with one apiece, sealing a comprehensive victory. Asia Cup: Suryakumar Yadav Praises Indian Bowlers After Win Over Bangladesh Following India’s victory against Bangladesh, Suryakumar Yadav hailed the bowling unit for their consistent performances. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he highlighted the importance of disciplined bowling spells. “If the outfield had been quicker, the total could have been around 180-185. But with the quality of our attack, if we deliver 12-14 good overs, we back ourselves to win most games,” Suryakumar said. Asia Cup: He also explained the reasoning behind promoting Shivam Dube to No. 3 in the batting order.“We hadn’t batted first much in this tournament—only against Oman. So, we wanted to test ourselves in the Super Fours. Considering their bowling attack, with a left-arm spinner and a leg spinner, Dube was the ideal option between overs 7-15. It didn’t work out, but that’s how the game goes,” he added. Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Match for his brilliant half-century. Looking ahead, India will take on Sri Lanka on September 26 in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours. They will also be watching the Bangladesh vs Pakistan clash on September 25 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, as the winner of that match will meet India in the final. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Top 5 Highest Individual Scores in Asia Cup T20Is
Only two batsmen have managed to score centuries in the T20I Asia Cup. The Asia Cup, first held in 1984, is organised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) every two years and brings together the cricketing powerhouses of the Asian subcontinent. The tournament alternates between ODI and T20 formats, with 2016 marking its debut in the T20 format. Over the years, numerous batsmen have produced memorable and dominant innings in Asia Cup history. Focusing on the highest individual scores in T20I Asia Cup history, just two players have reached the three-figure mark. Interestingly, among the top five highest innings, two belong to Indian batsmen. With that in mind, let’s explore the top five highest individual scores in T20I Asia Cup. Sabbir Rahman – 80 vs Sri Lanka, 2016 Bangladesh all-rounder Sabbir Rahman takes the fifth spot with a brilliant 80-run innings against Sri Lanka in the 2016 Asia Cup. His knock helped Bangladesh post 147/7 in the first innings. Bangladesh then restricted Sri Lanka to 124/8 in response, winning the match by 23 runs. Rahman was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance. Rohit Sharma – 83 vs Bangladesh, 2016 India’s opener Rohit Sharma scored 83 runs against Bangladesh during the 2016 Asia Cup. He struck three sixes and seven fours to propel India to 166/6 in the first innings. India later bowled Bangladesh out for 121/7, securing a 45-run victory. Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 84 vs Sri Lanka, 2022 Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed 84 off 45 balls against Sri Lanka in the 2022 Asia Cup, hitting six sixes and four fours. Afghanistan posted 175/6 in the first innings, but Sri Lanka chased the target successfully, winning by four wickets. Babar Hayat – 122 vs Oman, 2016 Hong Kong batsman Babar Hayat played a sensational 122-run knock against Oman in the 2016 Asia Cup qualifiers. Facing 60 deliveries, he struck seven sixes and nine fours, nearly guiding his team to victory. However, Oman defended their total of 180/5, winning the match by five runs. Virat Kohli – 122 vs Afghanistan, 2022* India’s Virat Kohli tops the list with an unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan in the 2022 Asia Cup, marking his first T20I century. He smashed 122 runs off 61 balls, taking India to 212/2. Afghanistan could only manage 111/8 in response, handing India a commanding 101-run win. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Asia Cup 2025: Salman Agha Reacts to Fakhar Zaman’s Dismissal in IND vs PAK — “Ball Bounced Before Reaching the Keeper”
Pakistan captain Salman Agha suggested that umpires may have erred in ruling Fakhar Zaman out during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against India on Sunday, September 21. Salman Agha argued that the ball appeared to bounce before reaching wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. Batting first, Pakistan lost their opener early when Zaman edged Hardik Pandya’s delivery in the third over and was caught behind by Samson. The on-field umpires were uncertain whether the catch was clean and referred it to the third umpire, who eventually confirmed the dismissal. Zaman had shown promise with three boundaries but managed only 15 runs from nine balls. Following his exit, Sahibzada Farhan (58) and Saim Ayub (21) put together a vital 72-run partnership for the second wicket, ensuring Pakistan a solid platform. “To me, it bounced before reaching the keeper”: Salman Agha on Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal Pakistan captain Salman Agha hinted at a possible umpiring error regarding Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal during the post-match press conference. He suggested that the Men in Green might have posted a much bigger total had Zaman batted throughout the powerplay. “I don’t know about the decision. Obviously, it’s the umpire’s call. Umpires can make mistakes, and I have no problem with that. But it did look to me like it bounced before reaching the keeper,” Salman Agha said. He added, “I might be wrong, though. Judging by the way he was batting, if he had stayed through the powerplay, we probably could have scored around 190. But yes, it’s the umpire’s call, and they can make mistakes.” Salman Agha also reflected on Pakistan’s innings, admitting that the team should have posted a total exceeding 180 after a solid start. Pakistan reached 91/1 after 10 overs, but a brilliant spell from the Indian bowlers slowed the run-rate in the latter half, and the Men in Green finished at 171/5. “It wasn’t a disappointing total, but we should have added 10-15 more runs. After 10 overs, when the ball gets softer, scoring becomes difficult at this venue. But given our start, we should have easily crossed 180,” he said. India’s openers, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, showcased outstanding batting during the 172-run chase, putting together a 105-run opening partnership. Gill fell just short of his half-century, scoring 47, while Abhishek smashed 74 off 39 balls to claim the Player of the Match award. India ultimately outclassed Pakistan by six wickets, marking their fourth consecutive victory in the tournament. The defending champions will next face Bangladesh on September 24 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Asia Cup 2025: Adding to Pakistan’s woes! Andy Pycroft named match referee for IND vs PAK Super Four clash
Asia Cup: Andy Pycroft came under fire from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after being accused of advising Salman Agha not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav. In the latest development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Pycroft as the match referee for the upcoming India vs Pakistan Super Four clash in the Asia Cup 2025. The high-voltage encounter is scheduled to be played at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, September 21. Asia Cup: This appointment comes in the backdrop of a recent controversy involving both teams and Pycroft. During the league-stage clash, tensions flared when Indian players declined to exchange handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts before and after the match, citing the Pahalgam terror attack. Following the incident, the PCB lodged an official complaint against the Indian players as well as Pycroft, alleging that the match referee had instructed their captain not to shake hands with the Indian side. PCB Demanded ICC to Remove Andy Pycroft from Asia Cup 2025 The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup 2025. They even threatened to boycott their fixture against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) if the ICC did not accept their demand. The controversy delayed the game by an hour, sparking widespread debate. However, the ICC backed Pycroft, who was later reported to have apologised to the PCB. Following discussions involving the ICC, PCB, and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Pycroft retained his role and went on to officiate the Pakistan–UAE clash. Asia Cup: Looking ahead to the Super Four encounter between India and Pakistan, anticipation is sky-high. Their group-stage meeting ended in a one-sided affair as India bundled Pakistan out for 127 before chasing the target in just 16 overs with seven wickets to spare. With both sides entering the match on the back of victories, fans expect nothing short of an intense battle. India, notably, remain unbeaten in the tournament. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Daren Sammy warns India ahead of Test series: “Take inspiration from New Zealand.”
West Indies, led by head coach Daren Sammy, are set to play a two-Test series against India in Ahmedabad and Delhi. Daren Sammy, a two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain, believes his team can draw inspiration from New Zealand’s remarkable 3-0 victory over India last year. He has urged his players to prepare with the mindset of winning, even though India will begin the series as strong favourites. Since their famous win in Mohali in 1994, the West Indies have struggled in Indian conditions, losing seven of the nine Tests played there. Their closest contest came at the Wankhede Stadium in 2011, when a thrilling match ended in a tie after both teams finished level in the second innings. Daren Sammy emphasised that the West Indies must study and replicate New Zealand’s approach to succeed in India. “We’re definitely going down there with the mindset to win. We’re not just going to go down there and think, ‘Oh, it’s India.’ No. New Zealand went there and did incredibly well, and we should take inspiration from that. But again, it’s understanding the things that New Zealand did in those conditions and trying to emulate them with our guys as well,” Daren Sammy told The Indian Express. “We’ll plan carefully on how to beat India in their own backyard.” – Daren Sammy The West Indies will tour India right after the conclusion of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025. The first Test of the series is scheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 2, followed by the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi starting October 10. Daren Sammy emphasized the importance of adjusting to Indian conditions, noting that the team won’t be playing any warm-up matches ahead of the series, a common challenge for most touring sides. “In the ten days leading up to the opening Test in India, we’ll be drilling hard and preparing thoroughly to figure out exactly how we’re going to beat India in India,” Daren Sammy said. The statistics, however, paint a grim picture: West Indies have lost five Tests by an innings and one by ten wickets in India. Except for the Eden Gardens Test in 2002, they have rarely managed to truly challenge the hosts in their last eight encounters. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan captain Salman Agha warns India ahead of Super Four clash — “We’re ready for any challenge”
Salman Agha’s Pakistan enter Super Four after UAE win, eye India clash in Asia Cup 2025. Pakistan, led by Salman Agha, booked their place in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025 with a 41-run win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The victory sets up another high-voltage clash against India on Sunday, September 21, in Dubai. The qualification comes after Pakistan’s disappointing seven-wicket defeat to India on September 14, which was followed by the no-handshake controversy. With pressure mounting, Agha assured that his side is prepared to bounce back strongly. Asia Cup: “We’re ready for any challenge. We just want to play good cricket, and if we continue the way we’ve been playing over the last few months, we’ll be good against any team,” Agha said at the post-match presentation. In the earlier group-stage encounter against India, Pakistan managed only 127/9 in 20 overs after opting to bat first. Asia Cup, Kuldeep Yadav starred with three wickets, while Suryakumar Yadav (47*), Abhishek Sharma (31), and Tilak Varma (31) powered India to victory in just 15.5 overs with seven wickets to spare. Asia Cup: “We haven’t played our best cricket yet.” – Salman Agha on Pakistan’s batting struggles Pakistan captain Salman Agha admitted that his team’s inability to capitalize in the middle overs has been holding them back from posting challenging totals in the 170–180 range. The skipper himself has found it tough to settle in the middle order, while opener Saim Ayub is still searching for his first run of the tournament after three consecutive ducks. Asia Cup: “We got the job done, but we still need to improve our batting in the middle overs. That’s been a concern for a few games now. Even though we’re managing to reach around 150, if we play better through the middle, we can consistently push for 170–180 against any side. So yes, that’s the key area we must work on,” Salman explained. All eyes will now be on Pakistan as they look to avenge their group-stage defeat to India when the two sides meet again in Dubai on Sunday. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Varun Chakravarthy rises to No.1 as Indian players dominate ICC T20I bowling rankings
Varun Chakravarthy is currently representing India in the Asia Cup 2025. The spinner has made history by becoming only the third Indian to claim the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings, thanks to his disciplined performances in the opening matches of the tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The 34-year-old climbed three places to the top after returning figures of 1/4 in two overs against the UAE and 1/24 in four overs against Pakistan. Varun Chakravarthy, With this rise, he joined the elite company of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi, the only other Indians to hold the No. 1 position. Chakravarthy’s previous career-best was second place, achieved in February 2025. He displaced New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy, who had occupied the top spot since March. Varun Chakravarthy: Other bowlers in the Asia Cup have also made significant gains. Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara surged six places to reach sixth, while Pakistan’s Sufiyan Muqeem (up four to 11th) and Abrar Ahmed (up 11 to a career-best 16th) climbed rapidly. Among Indians, Axar Patel rose to 12th, and Kuldeep Yadav jumped 16 places to 23rd. Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmed also broke into the top 25, moving up eight spots. Pace bowlers have enjoyed progress as well: Bumrah rose four places to 40th, Bangladesh’s Tanzim Hasan advanced five to 42nd, England’s Jofra Archer moved three to 13th, and South Africa’s Marco Jansen improved by five to 38th. Varun Chakravarthy: Abhishek Sharma Holds Top Spot in ICC T20I Batting Rankings India’s left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma has strengthened his position at the summit of the ICC T20I batting rankings. His explosive innings of 30 off 16 balls against the UAE and 31 off 13 against Pakistan earned him 55 rating points, taking his total to 884. England’s opening duo, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, climbed one spot each to second and third, respectively, following their stellar performances in the second T20I against South Africa in Manchester. Varun Chakravarthy, Salt’s unbeaten 141 off 60 balls—the highest score and fastest T20I century by an England batter—brought him closer to his career-best No. 1 ranking, while Buttler’s 83 off 30 deliveries propelled him to a career-high 794 rating points, marking his first entry into the top three. Varun Chakravarthy: Other notable gains in the rankings include Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka (up one place to sixth), South Africa’s Dewald Brevis (up two to 11th), Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz (up two to 19th), UAE’s Mohammad Waseem (up two to 20th), South Africa’s Aiden Markram (up 10 to 30th), India’s Shubman Gill (up four to 39th), and Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan (up 18 to 55th). Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
ICC denies PCB’s demand to remove Andy Pycroft as Asia Cup 2025 match referee
Andy Pycroft served as the match referee during Sunday’s high-profile clash between India and Pakistan. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request to remove Pycroft from his role in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The demand came after the PCB alleged that Pycroft had instructed India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan captain Salman Agha not to shake hands at the toss. According to MCC guidelines, shaking hands with the opposition before or after a match is not mandatory, which partly explains the PCB’s frustration over the Indian players’ actions. The ICC may respond by clarifying this rule to the PCB. Asia Cup: The PCB claimed that the refusal of Indian players to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts constitutes a breach of the player code of conduct. “The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the match referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws relating to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded the immediate removal of the match referee from the Asia Cup,” PCB chairman Naqvi stated in a social media post on Monday. Asia Cup: PCB Faces Negative Response from ICC on Demand to Remove Match Referee Cricbuzz has reported that it is highly unlikely the ICC will accede to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s request to remove Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup match refereeing panel. It remains unclear whether the ICC has formally responded to Naqvi’s letter. However, the general consensus is that there are insufficient grounds to approve the PCB’s demand. If an official reply has not yet been issued, one is expected shortly. Asia Cup: In response to the PCB’s concerns, the ICC stated that Pycroft had clarified the situation, refuting Pakistan’s claim that he was biased toward the Indian team. Pycroft reportedly informed Salman Agha about the ACC officials’ observations on the ground, effectively addressing Pakistan’s allegations. This issue has now cast a spotlight on Wednesday’s Pakistan-UAE match. The PCB has publicly stated that it will refuse to play if Pycroft (69) officiates the game. While it is uncertain whether the ACC, under PCB president Mohsin Naqvi, can influence the appointment of the match referee for the Pakistan-UAE clash, the ICC generally holds sole authority over all match official appointments, including umpires and referees. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Asia Cup 2025: Top Run-Scorers and Leading Wicket-Takers After Match 8 – Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong
Match 8 of the Asia Cup 2025 between Sri Lanka and Hong Kong was played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday, September 15. Sri Lanka registered a four-wicket victory, successfully chasing down a target of 150 runs. Opener Pathum Nissanka anchored the innings with a crucial 68, while Wanindu Hasaranga provided the finishing touch with a brisk 20 runs in the latter stages. Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first. Hong Kong’s innings was anchored by opener Anshuman Rath, who scored 48, and Zeeshan Ali, who added 23 in a 41-run opening partnership. Skipper Nizakat Khan, batting at No. 4, remained unbeaten on 52 to guide Hong Kong to a respectable total of 149/4. Asia Cup 2025: Leading Run-Scorers Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka has risen to the top of the run-scoring chart with 118 runs, following his brilliant 68-run knock in the latest encounter. Hong Kong skipper Nizakat Khan, with a composed half-century, secures the second spot with 94 runs. UAE captain Muhammad Waseem (88) and Bangladesh leader Litton Das (87) occupy the third and fourth places, respectively. Afghanistan’s Sediqullah Atal and UAE’s Alishan Sharafu follow closely behind, both tallying 73 runs so far. Asia Cup 2025: Leading Run-Scorers Rank Player Team Runs 1 Pathum Nissanka Sri Lanka 118 2 Nizakat Khan Hong Kong 94 3 Muhammad Waseem UAE 88 4 Litton Das Bangladesh 87 5 Sediqullah Atal Afghanistan 73 5 Alishan Sharafu UAE 73 Asia Cup 2025: Leading Wicket-Takers Rank Player Team Wickets 1 Kuldeep Yadav India 7 2 Saim Ayub Pakistan 5 2 Junaid Siddiqui UAE 5 4 Ayush Shukla Hong Kong 4 5 Shivam Dube India 3 Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration