Tag: Virat Kohli

LAHORE: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam on Monday, revealed that the team will do the “best possible planning” to counter India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Arch-rivals Pakistan and India are slated to go face-to-face on June 9 at New York’s Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in the group stage of the upcoming mega event.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar Azam, during a press conference here at Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the national men’s team’s departure to Ireland, was asked whether the team would plan differently to counter Kohli.

The star Indian batter holds a phenomenal record against Pakistan, the highlight of which was his unbeaten 82-run knock against the 2009 champions in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup at the sold-out Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

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Babar Azam acknowledged Virat Kohli’s skills and termed him one of the best players in the world before emphasizing the need to plan against all eleven players instead of only one.

“As a team, you always plan against different teams and according to their strengths. We don’t plan anything against only one player. We plan for all eleven players,” said Babar.

“We don’t know much about the conditions in New York and we will plan accordingly. He [Virat Kohli] is one of the best players and we will come up with the best possible planing against him as well,” he added.

The Pakistan captain then went on to reveal that Pakistan will field full-strength Playing XIs in the upcoming series against Ireland and England as the time to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024 is running short.

“I think there is less time for rotation now because the World Cup is around the corner, and in the remaining matches, we will try to give the team we want to play with in the World Cup a proper opportunity.

“We will sort out whatever our bowling and batting combination is, and we have almost done that. We will play with our best possible XI in the remaining matches.”

READ: Pakistan’s jersey for T20 World Cup 2024 unveiled

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan is close to breaking a significant T20I record, currently held by teammate Babar Azam and Indian star batter Virat Kohli, during the upcoming New Zealand series.

Kohli and Azam are the joint-fastest to score 3000 runs in T20I cricket, taking 81 innings each, followed by Australia’s Aaoron Finch who took 98 innings.

However, Rizwan needs only 19 runs in his next two innings to become the fastest to reach the milestone. He has scored 2,981 runs in 78 innings so far.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam is closing in on Virat Kohli’s record for the most runs in T20I cricket.

Azam has scored 3,698 runs in T20I cricket and is third among the highest run-scorers in the format.

Kohli tops the list with 4,037, followed by his teammate Rohit Sharma, who has amassed 3,974 runs.

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Azam needs 340 runs in five games to become the highest-scorer as well as the second batter to surpass the 4000-run mark in T20I cricket.

For the unversed, Pakistan will host New Zealand for a five-match T20I series, scheduled to run from April 18.

Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium will host the opening three T20Is between Pakistan and New Zealand on 18, 20 and 21 April before action shifts to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium where the last two matches will be played on 25 and 27 April.

Pakistan squad

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Reserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

New Zealand squad

Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi, Tom Blundell, Zak Foulkes.

Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series schedule

April 18 — 1st T20I, Rawalpindi

April 20 — 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi

April 21 — 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi

April 25 — 4th T20I, Lahore

April 27 — 5th T20I, Lahore

READ: National Women’s One-Day Tournament set to start tomorrow

Former Pakistan pacer Junaid Khan took a dig at India’s batting superstar Virat Kohli after his failure in the India Premier League (IPL) match on Thursday.

Kohli had a rough outing for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Mumbai Indians as he managed just three runs before falling victim to Jasprit Bumrah in the third over.

The right-handed batter conceded nine deliveries, meaning that he batted at a dismal strike rate of just 33.33.

Consequently, Junaid Khan took to his X, formerly Twitter, and took a dig at Virat Kohli’s below-par knock.

The left-arm pacer did not mention Kohli in his Tweet but wrote the strike rate with which the latter scored, followed by a hashtag of the IPL match between RCB and Mumbai Indians.

“Strike rate 33.33,” wrote Junaid.

Strike rate 33.33 😶#RCBvsMI

— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) April 11, 2024

 

Last week, Junaid Khan trolled Kohli for scoring the joint-slowest century in the history of IPL.

“Congratulations Virat kholi on the slowest 100 in the history of IPL,” wrote Junaid.

Congratulations Virat kholi on the slowest 💯 in the history of IPL#RRvRCB #IPL2024

— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) April 6, 2024

 

For the unversed, Kohli took 67 balls to score his eighth hundred in the cash-rich league but the milestone turned out to be an undesired one for the star batter as he equalled his former RCB teammate Manish Pandey’s record of the slowest IPL hundred which came against Deccan Chargers in 2009.

Junaid Khan boasts an extremely dominant record against Virat Kohli in ODIs.

The left-arm pacer bowled 24 deliveries and leaked just three runs against Kohli while dismissing the batter three times.

READ: Mohammad Amir opens up after Pakistan comeback

Former Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Irfan has commented on the speculations of India dropping star batter Virat Kohli from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

The speculations arose after a report by The Telegraph India, which shed light on Kohli’s possible exclusion from India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled to be played in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

According to the report, the Indian selectors are considering the possibility of choosing Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh instead of Kohli for the upcoming mega-event.

The selectors believe that these players are better suited for the shorter format and the conditions in which the tournament will be played.

However, Kohli’s former rival, Irfan has disagreed with the idea and showered high praise on the star batter.

“I have no doubts about it. You can’t have a team without Virat Kohli because he is a tremendous batsman,” said Irfan while talking to a local news channel.

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The 41-year-older shed light on Kohli’s performance during the ICC World Cup 2023, where the star batter was instrumental to India’s dominant performance throughout the tournament.

“We witnessed it in the ODI World Cup last year, where he won 3-4 matches almost single-handedly. Had Kohli not stepped up on those occasions, India would have lost group-stage encounters against Australia and New Zealand,”

For the unversed, India crashed out of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 after a humiliating ten-wicket loss in the semi-final against champions England.

Kohli and Rohit Sharma stayed out of the T20I format since then, before making a comeback in the format during the Afghanistan series last month.

Hardik Pandya led India in T20I during Sharma’s absence, while Suryakumar Yadav took charge in the T20I series against Australia after the 50-over World Cup 2023.

Notably, the last global tournament team India won was in 2013 when they clinched the Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni.

READ: Iftikhar Ahmed fined for code of conduct breach

Pakistan-born Riazat Ali Shah from Uganda national cricket team has expressed his desire to play against Babar Azam and Virat Kohli in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Uganda have recently booked their tickets for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA after a top-two finish in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier.

Uganda’s allrounder Riazat Ali Shah, who hails from Gilgit, while talking to ARY News opened up about his wish to play against Azam and Kohli.

“It is an honour for me to play in the T20 World Cup for Uganda,” said Riazat Ali Shah.

“I wish that my team [Uganda] gets placed in the same group as India and Pakistan in T20 World Cup,” he added.

“I want to play against Babar Azam and Virat Kohli,” he concluded.

Upon being asked, Riazat Ali Shah shared which players are his ideals in batting and bowling.

“I like Wasim Akram in bowling and Kevin Pietersen in batting.”

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Notably, this will be the first-ever appearance of Uganda in an ICC World Cup event as they will become only the fifth African nation to feature in the T20 World Cup.

During the T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifiers, Uganda overcame Tanzania in their opening game by a comfortable margin of eight wickets.

However, in the next game, a brilliant 4/17 from Namibian all-rounder David Wiese handed them a six-wicket defeat.

The African side made a comeback in grand style in the next game, defeating the Test-playing Zimbabwe by five wickets.

While skipper Sikandar Raza’s 48* starred for his side, Uganda’s bowling effort led by Dinesh Nakrani (3/14), restricted the Chevrons to 136/7.

During the chase, the Cricket Cranes were guided by Riazat Ali Shah (42) and Alpesh Ramjani (40). They won with five wickets to spare in a major cricketing upset.

Lifted by this effort, the side then overcame Nigeria with ease. They followed up with a 33-run win over Kenya, to have one foot into the T20 World Cup.

They ensured the same with a comfortable nine-wicket win over Rwanda. They rendered a top-notch bowling effort, which bowled out Rwanda for merely 65.

The target was then chased down by the ninth over mark.

READ: Brian Lara backs Shubman Gill to break his record of 400 in Test cricket

Australian batter Usman Khawaja heaped high praise on former Pakistan captain Babar Azam and termed him ‘the best batter in all three formats’ on par with Australia’s Steve Smith and India’s Virat Kohli.

In a recent interview, Usman Khawaja drew parallels between the upcoming clash of batting titans, Babar Azam and Steve Smith during the Test series between Pakistan and Australia.

“Babar Azam is one of the best batsmen in all three formats. Steve Smith is the greatest batsman of our era,” said Khawaja.

“When they both will be playing here in the Benaud-Qadir series, it would be exciting. Matching Babar with Smith is almost like matching Smith with Kohli.”

He commended Babar Azam’s ability to perform consistently both at home and overseas.

“One of the great things about Babar is he does not score only in Pakistan; he scores runs overseas as well. He has scored a hundred here in the past.”

Usman Khawaja also shared his thoughts on the last series played between Australia and Pakistan, highlighting the excellent spirit of cricket displayed during the Lahore Test encounter between Shaheen Shah Afridi and David Warner.

“The last series between Australia and Pakistan was an excellent series. It went very well on and off the field. Shaheen was bowling excellent in the Lahore test, and Warner was playing really well.”

“Even when Warner got out, he got pat on the shoulders with a smile on Shaheen’s face. It was the epitome of the spirit of cricket. That’s what Australians want; you play hard, and when the game is over, you are all good and mates off the field,” Khawaja remarked.

Expressing his admiration for the Pakistani team, Usman Khawaja praised their batting skills and the strength of their fast-bowling attack.

“Pakistan is one of the better teams in the world. They have good batting and always have great fast bowlers.”

“Looking at the past teams, I think this is the strongest Pakistan batting lineup coming over. Babar Azam is one of the best batsmen in the world. Imam ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique have scored a lot of runs. I am very excited about this challenge.”

Khawaja also acknowledged the challenge posed by Pakistan’s fast bowlers in Australian conditions.

“I think Shaheen Shah and Mitchell Starc, both are very fast bowlers, and both can bowl up to 145. We know Starc can swing the new ball. Shaheen has a very good wrist. He definitely swings the ball.”

“When it’s overcast in Australian conditions, if a fast bowler is swinging the ball, it makes our job as an opener a bit tough. This is what you rebel for, this is what you play for,” Khawaja concluded.

READ: Pakistan Test squad to reach Australia tomorrow

DUBAI: Star Indian batter Virat Kohli claimed the third position and is now in striking distance from top-ranked fellow Indian batter Shubman Gill and second-ranked Pakistani batter Babar Azam in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s ODI Batting Rankings.

Virat Kohli jumped one place to third, earning the reward for his record-breaking performance during the ICC World Cup 2023.

He scored 765 runs during the mega-event, setting the record for most runs in a single edition of the World Cup, a record previously held by Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar.

Kohli scored three centuries during the ICC World Cup 2023 and became the first batter to score 50 centuries in ODI cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s 49 centuries.

The third-ranked Virat Kohli has closed the gap with top-ranked Shubman Gill to only 35 rating points with 791 rating points, while Gill has 826 rating points, holding on to a close lead over Babar Azam who has 824 rating points.

The top three batters in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings are followed by Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who also jumped one place to fourth with 769 ratings, owing to his scintillating during the ICC World Cup 2023.

Sharma scored 597 runs during the tournament at an average of 54.27 and ended as the second-leading run-scorer in the tournament only behind fellow-batter Virat Kohli.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were instrumental to India’s dominant performance during the ICC World Cup 2023, where they remained undefeated until the final, losing to champions Australia.

Quinton de Kock dropped two places to fifth as a result of Indian batters gaining a spot each. Meanwhile, New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell jumped five spots to sixth with 752 rating points after scoring 552 runs at the ICC World Cup 2023.

Australia’s opening batter Travis Head jumped 28 places to reach the 15th position, courtesy of his brilliant performances during the mega-event.

Head scored 329 runs in six innings, including a century in the final against India after missing out on earlier games due to an injury.

South African spinner Keshav Maharaj held on to his position at the top of the ICC ODI Bowling rankings, while the Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood jumped four places to claim the second spot.

Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah remained firm in third and fourth positions respectively, however, their fellow Indian bowler Kuldeep Yadav dropped one spot to equal sixth position with Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan.

READ: ICC moves Under 19 World Cup 2024 from Sri Lanka to South Africa

AHMEDABAD: India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli has been named the ICC World Cup 2023 Player of the Tournament.

Kohli’s brilliance with the bat was a defining feature of the ICC World Cup 2023, with India’s number three scoring at least a half-century in nine of his 11 innings.

His 765 runs in the tournament is the most ever scored by an individual batter at a men’s Cricket World Cup, surpassing the previous record set by Sachin Tendulkar, who hit 673 in the 2003 tournament.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Kohli finished with an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.31 in the tournament, hitting three centuries along the way – against Bangladesh and South Africa in the league stage and then once more against New Zealand in the semi-finals.

That third century took Kohli’s career tally to 50 One Day International hundreds, making him the leading century-maker in the history of the format.

Virat Kohli broke Tendulkar’s long-standing record at the ‘Little Master’s’ home ground, the Wankhede Stadium, and said that it was the perfect moment.

“This all feels like a dream,” Kohli said after his 117 steered India to the final.

“If I could paint the perfect picture, I would want this to be the picture. My life partner, the person I love the most, she is sitting there. My hero Sachin is sitting there. I was able to get the 50th in front of them and these fans in such a historic venue. It’s amazing.”

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Kohli finished his ICC World Cup 2023 campaign with yet another half-century, hitting 54 from 63 balls against Australia in the final. But his efforts proved in vain as India missed out on victory, falling at the final hurdle.

India enjoyed a dream run in the league-stage and the knockout-stage, but their winning streak ended after Australia humbled them in the marquee contest.

Despite losing in the final, India’s World Cup campaign was laced with some brilliant batting and bowling prowess.

Most Wickets, Best Bowling Figures – Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami finished the ICC World Cup 2023 as the leading wicket-taker and clinched the “most wickets” award with 24 scalps to his name.

The seasoned pacer also registered the best bowling figures in the semi-final against New Zealand where he claimed seven wickets.

Most Sixes – Rohit Sharma

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma struck the most sixes in the tournament (31).

READ: Head-inspired Australia thump India to lift record sixth World Cup title

BENGALURU: Star Indian batter Virat Kohli stunned the cricketing world as he picked up an ODI after nine years during his side’s ICC World Cup 2023 clash against the Netherlands.

While the bottom-ranked side were batting cautiously in their 411-run pursuit, Indian captain Rohit Sharma handed the ball to Virat Kohli.

The right-arm medium pace bowler struck in his second over when a delivery drifting down the leg side, marked the end of Dutch skipper Scott Edwards’ knock.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

It was Virat Kohli’s fifth wicket in ODIs and his first since 2014 when he dismissed New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum in Wellington.

His last wicket in international cricket, however, came back in 2016 when he dismissed the West Indian opener Johnson Charles in a high-octane T20 World Cup semi-final.

Virat Kohli had a brief stint with the ball earlier in this World Cup when all-rounder Hardik Pandya limped off the field midway through an over against Bangladesh.

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In his usual role for India, Virat Kohli contributed significantly with an anchoring half-century.

The right-handed batter scored 51 in 56 deliveries with the help of five boundaries and a six.

He was one of the five Indian batters, who scored fifty-plus runs against the struggling Dutch bowling attack.

Indian openers Rohit Sharma and top-ranked ODI batter Shubman Gill gave India a flying start with a sensational 100-run partnership.

Gill was the first batter to be perished. He departed after scoring a 32-ball 51, laced with three boundaries and four sixes.

Sharma soon followed him after a 54-ball 61 which included eight boundaries and two sixes.

Virat Kohli then anchored the proceedings for India amid his 71-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer before the former perished soon after reaching his half-century.

Iyer was then joined by KL Rahul and the duo bolstered India’s total past the 400-run mark with brisk centuries.

Shreyas Iyer top-scored for India with an unbeaten 128 in 94 deliveries with the help of 10 boundaries and five sixes.

Rahul, on the other hand, scored 102 in 64 deliveries, peppered with 11 boundaries and four sixes.

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