Tag: Asia Cup 2025

Legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting has dismissed a viral social media post that falsely attributed remarks to him regarding the handshake controversy during the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025.

India chased down Pakistan’s 128-run target at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav sealing the win in the 16th over.

The post-match proceedings, however, took a controversial turn as Yadav and Shivam Dube bypassed the customary handshake, opting for fist bumps before walking off, leaving Pakistan players waiting.

In the aftermath, a fabricated statement began circulating online, claiming that Ponting had criticised India’s behaviour while praising Pakistan as “true champions of the gentleman’s game.”

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“This match will be remembered forever, India the big loser. Pakistan’s gesture to shake hands despite defeat has immortalised them as true champions of the gentleman’s game, while India remains the perpetual sore loser,” the rumoured comment.

However, Ricky Ponting swiftly denied ever making such comments. Taking to social media platform X, the 50-year-old clarified:

“I am aware of certain comments being attributed to me on social media. Please know that I categorically did not make those statements and indeed have made no public comment about the Asia Cup at all.”

READ: ICC rejects PCB’s demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft: report

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

The PCB wrote a letter to the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on Monday, demanding the removal of Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after the handshake controversy in the India clash.

The fixture, played under a tense backdrop, witnessed unusual scenes from the start, with both captains skipping the customary handshake at the toss.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

According to the PCB, this was on the instructions of match referee Pycroft, a directive they believe went against the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s code of conduct.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB said in its letter, stressing that Andy Pycroft “failed to fulfil his responsibilities as match referee.”

However, according to a report by Cricbuzz, the ICC rejected PCB’s request and conveyed their decision formally to the cricket board on Monday night.

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“The ICC has reasoned it out, saying the ACC officials on the ground are understood to have told Pycroft that there will not be any handshake at the toss,” the report stated.

“The ICC letter cleared the air and refuted Pakistan’s belief that the match referee was acting on behalf of the Indian team.”

Meanwhile, ARY News has reported that Pycroft is unlikely to officiate in any matches for Pakistan during the tournament and will be replaced by West Indian Richie Richardson.

READ: Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza proud despite Sri Lanka defeat

DUBAI: Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza expressed pride in his team’s spirited performance despite their narrow defeat to Sri Lanka in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 on Monday.

Batting first in the must-win clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Hong Kong posted a competitive 149/4, powered by a composed 48 from opener Anshy Rath and an unbeaten half-century from veteran Nizakat Khan.

Murtaza then played a key role with the ball, striking twice in the middle overs to jolt Sri Lanka’s chase. His efforts briefly turned the tide as Sri Lanka stumbled from 119/2 to 127/6, raising hopes of an upset.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

But Wanindu Hasaranga’s counterattack, coupled with opener Pathum Nissanka’s 68, proved decisive as Sri Lanka edged home with four wickets in hand.

Speaking after the match, Yasim Murtaza praised his batters for their resilience while admitting that missed opportunities in the field proved costly.

“I am really proud of the way the boys stood up today, especially in the batting. Nizakat and Anshy, their partnership was crucial,” he said.

“We wanted 150–160, so we got what we wanted. But we dropped a few catches, and that cost us the game.”

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The Hong Kong skipper described their Asia Cup campaign as a “dream come true” and vowed his side would return stronger after reflecting on their shortcomings.

“The positive thing is that playing on the big stage is like a dream come true. We will think about a lot of things when we go back and work on that,” Murtaza added.

The defeat marked the end of Hong Kong’s Asia Cup journey, but their spirited showing against the defending champions left a lasting impression.

READ: There is no competition between India and Pakistan: Sourav Ganguly

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has taken a dig at the Pakistan team, stating that they are no longer competitive in international cricket.

The former BCCI official made these comments while interacting with the media in Kolkata late on Monday, following Pakistan’s defeat against India in the Asia Cup 2025.

Ganguly said that he switched to watch the Manchester derby just after 15 overs into Sunday’s blockbuster match.

The 53-year-old explained that he doesn’t find the Pakistan side worth watching because of how bad their standards have fallen.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

“Pakistan are no longer a competitive side now, I switched my TV sets to watch the Manchester derby after the first 15 overs,” said Ganguly.

“I would watch India play Australia, England, South Africa, even Afghanistan, rather than watching Pakistan.”

He recalled Pakistan’s golden days when they had players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Javed Miandad, etc.

“There is no competition between India and Pakistan anymore,” Ganguly further stated.

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“I always say, we think of Pakistan as Waqar Younises, Wasim Akrams, the Saeed Anwars and Javed Miandads. But that’s not the case with this modern-day Pakistan; it’s now like chalk and cheese.

“It’s the lack of quality in the side. This (Indian) team has played without (Virat) Kohli and Rohit (Sharma), who were the two stalwarts of Indian cricket for such a long period of time.

“India are just too far ahead in cricket for Pakistan and most of these Asia Cup teams.”

READ: Pakistan set to face India at neutral venue in FIH Pro League

DUBAI: Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka shared his thoughts on his side’s narrow win over Hong Kong in the eighth fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Sri Lanka chased down the 150-run target, losing six wickets with seven balls to spare.

At one stage, the Islanders were cruising at 119 in 15 overs. However, three wickets in the 15th and 16th overs halted their progress.

It was eventually up to Wanindu Hasaranga, who struck 20 off nine to help his team cross the finishing line.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Charith Asalanka highlighted areas of improvement and opened up on quick wickets.

“In that moment, I think our heart was in our mouths. Few areas I am really disappointed about. First three overs when we were bowling, and then the 16th over, we lost a couple of wickets, and then I lost my wicket,” he said.

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Asalanka stressed the importance of improvement and stated that they cannot afford for it to happen too often.

“In the shorter format, these things can happen but it cannot keep happening consistently. We have to analyse it and improve ourselves,” he added.

Regarding the first innings score, he expressed confidence, mentioning the conditions and praising Hong Kong for batting really well.

“Felt confident because the pitch was looking good. Credit goes to them, they batted really well and we bowled badly in the first three overs. This is not the way we wanted to play.

When we are playing these sides, there is a pressure always. But we are professionals and as professionals, we have to do much better than this,” Sri Lanka captain concluded.

READ: Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka survive scare to beat Hong Kong

DUBAI: Wanindu Hasaranga helped Sri Lanka secure a nervy four-wicket win over Hong Kong in the eighth fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Monday.

Set a 150-run target, Sri Lanka’s lower-order held their nerve as Wanindu Hasaranga starred with a brisk cameo, scoring 20 from just nine balls.

Eventually, the Islanders reached the target in 18.5 overs, losing six wickets in the process.

Sri Lanka lost their opening wicket in the form of Kusal Mendis, who made 11 from 14. As the scorecard read 26-1 in 4 overs, Kamil Mishara joined Pathum Nissanka and steadied the team’s total.

The pair added 36 for the second wicket, not before Mishara’s removal, who added 19 to the total.

Meanwhile, Nissanka held firm and forged a crucial stand with Kusal Perera (20 off 16), which kept Hong Kong bowlers at bay in the middle overs.

Yet, Hong Kong struck, and it was the match’s 15th and 16th over which made things interesting.

First, it was Yasim Murtaza’s 15th over, which yielded two wickets on successive deliveries to halt Sri Lanka’s progress. Perera was the first to go, followed by skipper Charith Asalanka, who could only manage to score two.

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Then, in the very next over, another wicket fell, which reduced them to 127-6 in 17.1 overs. Kamindu Mendis did not trouble the scorers much as he was caught long on after making five.

Nonetheless, Hasranga arrived at the crease, capitalising on the no-ball to hit six four to leave the equation nine required from 12 balls. In the second last over, he sneaked two doubles on third and fourth ball before cracking two consecutive fours to seal an emphatic win.

Patthum Nissanka was awarded Player of the Match for his 68 off 44 balls, an innings laced with half a dozen boundaries and two maximums.

For Hong Kong, Yasim Murtaza picked up two wickets.

Earlier, Nizakat Khan’s composed half-century helped Hong Kong set a competitive total.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, Hong Kong chalked up 149 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allocated 20 overs. They made a strong start as they raced to 41 in 4.5 overs, before losing core aggressor Zeeshan Ali.

Ali scored 23 off 17 balls with the help of two fours.

Sri Lanka made a comeback after the power play, removing Babar Hayat for four runs. As a result, Hong Kong were reduced to 57-2 in 8.4 overs.

Nevertheless, Anshy Rath and Nizakat Khan paired up for a 61-run partnership off 43 deliveries, which brought their total to 118 in 15.5 overs.

Rath departed after scoring 48 from 46 with the aid of four boundaries, whereas Nizakat ensured that Hong Kong finished strong at the end of their 20 overs.

He top-scored with 52 from 38 deliveries, striking four boundaries and two sixes.

For Sri Lanka, Dushmantha Chameera picked up two wickets. Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka managed to scalp one apiece.

READ: Asia Cup 2025: Waseem shines as UAE cruise to big win over Oman

DUBAI: Sri Lanka have won the toss and decided to bowl first against Hong Kong in the eighth fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Monday.

Playing XIs

Hong Kong XI: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Anshuman Rath, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Shahid Wasif, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Aizaz Khan, Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan

Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (capt), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD: 

This will be the first time Sri Lanka and Hong Kong will be squaring off in the T20I format.

Sri Lanka have kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a dominant victory over Bangladesh by 6 wickets.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong have suffered crushing defeats against Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

READ: Major blow for Afghanistan as key player ruled out of Asia Cup 2025

ABU DHABI: Mohammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu’s impressive fifties alongside Junaid Siddique’s four-wicket haul helped UAE seal a comprehensive 42-run win over Oman in the seventh fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Set 173 to chase, Oman were bowled out for a mere 130 in 18.4 overs.

Oman started their innings on a poor note as half of their side went back to the pavilion inside seven overs.

Junaid Siddique made early inroads with the new ball, removing openers Jatinder Singh (20 off 10 balls) and Aamir Kaleem for two runs.

Left-arm spinner Haider Ali and pacer Muhammad Rohid supported Junaid well from the other end, cutting through Oman’s middle order.

As a result, Oman were reduced to 50-5 in 6.5 overs. After early hiccups, Vinayak Shukla and Aryan Bisht stitched a brief stand of 38 runs, which took their total to 88.

However, the partnership was the only silver lining in a shambolic batting display from inexperienced Oman. Bisht remained the top scorer for Oman with 24 off 32 balls.

For UAE, Junaid Siddique remained the standout bowler, scalping four wickets in his four overs.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, UAE racked up 172-5 in their allocated 20 overs, courtesy of a strong opening partnership.

Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem stitched an 88-run stand in 11 overs. Both batters scored briskly, finishing the powerplay on 56 with a run rate of 8.00.

Jiten Ramanandi broke the dangerous stand with Sharafu’s wicket, who made 51 from 38 balls. He hit seven fours and a maximum in his half-century.

Oman bowlers made a comeback after being toiled in the first 10 overs. Samay Shrivastava picked up dangerous Asif Khan for one run to lift his team.

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As a result UAE were 96-2 in 13 overs. Meanwhile, Waseem continued from the other end and paired up with Muhammad Zohaib for another partnership of 49 runs, bringing the total to 145 in 17.5 overs.

Zohaib made 21 off 13 balls with the aid of two sixes and a four, whereas Waseem continued until the run-out in the final over. UAE skipper hit three sixes and six fours on his way to 69 from 54 deliveries.

For Oman, Jiten Ramanandi picked up two wickets in his quota of four overs.

READ: Major blow for Afghanistan as key player ruled out of Asia Cup 2025

Afghanistan suffered a major blow as fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq was ruled out of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 due to a shoulder injury.

Naveen was initially named in Afghanistan’s Asia Cup squad after missing out on the tri-series featuring UAE and Pakistan. However, he was unable to recover from a shoulder injury and was eventually ruled out of the tournament.

The announcement came via the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) statement.

“The ACB wishes Naveen Ul Haq a speedy recovery and extends its best wishes to Abdullah Ahmadzai for the matches ahead,” the board said in a statement.

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“Naveen will return home to continue to undergo intensive treatment and rehabilitation,” it added.

Naveen-ul-Haq last played for Afghanistan in December 2024 against Zimbabwe in a T20I. He is a regular in global T20 leagues after having announced his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket in 2023.

Nonetheless, fast bowler Abdullah Ahmadzai is inducted into the Afghanistan squad as Naveen’s replacement. The pacer recently made his international debut in the match against UAE.

Afghanistan has started strongly with a big win over Hong Kong in the Asia Cup 2025 after losing the tri-series final against Pakistan. They defeated them comprehensively by 93 runs.

Their next fixtures are scheduled against Bangladesh on September 16 and against Sri Lanka on September 18.

Afghanistan Updated Asia Cup 2025 Squad

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

READ: PCB demands removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from Asia Cup

DUBAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after the handshake controversy in the India clash.

The fixture, played under a tense backdrop, witnessed unusual scenes right from the toss, where both captains skipped the customary handshake.

According to the PCB, this was on the instructions of match referee Pycroft, a directive they believe went against the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s code of conduct.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB said in its letter, stressing that Andy Pycroft “failed to fulfil his responsibilities as match referee.”

Pakistan’s discontent grew after India’s seven-wicket win on Sunday. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who struck the winning runs, celebrated with teammate Shivam Dube before both walked straight to the dressing room.

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While Indian players congratulated each other at the dugout, they refrained from acknowledging or shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts.

Pakistan’s players, meanwhile, lined up and waited for the customary handshake, only to see the Indian team retreat to their dressing room and close the doors.

The snub left Pakistan visibly disappointed, with head coach Mike Hesson confirming the team had been waiting for the gesture that never came.

In protest, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha refused to attend the post-match presentation ceremony, breaking away from broadcast norms where captains usually share their thoughts after the game.

“The refusal of Indian players to shake hands is against sportsmanship, and the match referee’s instructions only made matters worse,” the PCB maintained in its letter, repeatedly emphasising the “spirit of the game.”

READ: Former Pakistan captain slams India over handshake controversy