The Afghanistan cricket team is gearing up to take on Bangladesh in the first ODI match of a three-match series in the UAE. Both teams are looking to find their ideal combinations ahead of the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy, making this opener a crucial one. Afghanistan comes into the series with confidence after winning their last series in similar conditions, while Bangladesh is determined to break their recent losing streak in this format. This promises to be a thrilling and competitive match between two experienced and well-balanced teams.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Prepares for Bangladesh ODI Series in Sharjah
Background:
The Afghanistan national cricket team has emerged as a formidable force in international cricket in recent years. Despite political challenges and limited resources, the team has achieved remarkable success, including qualifying for the 2019 Cricket World Cup and winning the 2021 T20 World Cup qualifier.
Sharjah, a city in the United Arab Emirates, has become a hub for international cricket, particularly for teams from the Indian subcontinent. The Afghanistan team has played several matches in Sharjah, including the 2018 Asia Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Upcoming ODI Series:
Afghanistan is set to face Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series in Sharjah from March 23-27. This series is part of both teams' preparations for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy.
Afghanistan comes into the series with confidence after winning a recent ODI series against Zimbabwe in the same conditions. Bangladesh, on the other hand, is looking to break its losing streak in this format, having lost its last six ODIs.
Key Players to Watch:
Top 5 FAQs:
When is the first ODI match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh?
Where will the matches be played?
Why is this series important for both teams?
Who is the captain of the Afghanistan cricket team?
Which Afghanistan player holds the record for the most wickets in ODIs?
In a surprising move, 21-year-old England player Jacob Bethell has been selected to bat at number three in the first Test against New Zealand. This comes after regular wicketkeeper Jordan Cox was ruled out due to injury. Captain Ben Stokes has moved down the batting order to make room for Bethell, who has impressed in white-ball cricket and recently secured an Indian Premier League contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Bethell's elevation is seen as a testament to his talent and potential, and is eagerly anticipated by both fans and teammates.
In a disappointing match for Newcastle United, manager Eddie Howe expressed his dismay with the final 30 minutes of his team's performance against West Ham, resulting in a 2-0 loss at St James' Park. Despite a strong start, the Magpies were unable to maintain their momentum and were ultimately defeated by a more cohesive West Ham side. Howe's critique highlights the importance of maintaining consistency and focus throughout the entire game.
The IPL 2025 mega auction saw established stars fail to land a franchise, with names like Steven Smith, Pathum Nissanka, and Gus Atkinson going unsold. The Punjab Kings made the first pick of the auction, choosing uncapped Harnoor Singh, while the Rajasthan Royals quickly signed Jammu and Kashmir's Yudhvir Charak. Meanwhile, left-arm seamer Gurjapneet Singh became a big buy for Chennai Super Kings after a bidding tussle.
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have secured the services of versatile all-rounder Nitish Rana for INR 4.2 crores at the IPL 2025 auction. Rana, who has previously played for Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, is known for his aggressive left-handed batting and handy off-spin. He was highly sought after by three teams but RR emerged victorious in a last-minute battle with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Rana's addition to the team adds depth and versatility to their middle-order, giving them a strong batting line-up for the upcoming season.
Day 2 of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jedda, Saudi Arabia saw intense bidding from the 10 franchises as they competed to secure their top targets. The first day of the auction saw Lucknow Super Giants' record-breaking ₹27 crore purchase of Rishabh Pant and a total spending of ₹467.95 crore. Day 2 featured the auction of 33 capped players and an accelerated round with both capped and uncapped players. The total spend by the franchises in the two-day extravaganza reached an astounding ₹639.15 crore.
The Indian cricket team secured their position at the top of the World Test Championship 2023-25 points table with their convincing win against Australia in the first Test of the ongoing series. Captain Virat Kohli showed his batting prowess with an unbeaten century, breaking multiple records in the process. This win puts India in a strong position to qualify for the WTC 2025 final at Lord's next year.
On Day 2 of the IPL 2025 Auction, history was made when the 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi was signed by Rajasthan Royals for a record-breaking price of Rs 1.10 crore. Suryavanshi, who hails from Bihar, recently made headlines by becoming the youngest player in India's premier First-Class tournament. Along with Suryavanshi, Eshan Malinga's signing by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 1.20 crore was another notable moment in the auction. Malinga, a Sri Lankan pacer, impressed with his new-ball skills in the LPL and Emerging T20 Asia Cup.
In a shocking turn of events at the IPL 2025 auction, Mumbai Indians acquired English cricketer Will Jacks for a massive Rs 5.25 crore. The explosive power-hitter, who was previously released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, made headlines in the last season with a sensational unbeaten century off just 41 balls. RCB's decision to not use the RTM card for Jacks left fans and experts surprised, making this one of the most talked about deals at the auction.
In a dynamic and thrilling first game of the World Chess Championship, 18-year-old Gukesh took on defending champion Ding Liren and emerged victorious. Despite Ding's attempts to throw him off with an unusual opening, Gukesh confidently took control and left the champion struggling to catch up. With bold moves and confident play, Gukesh surprised pundits and fans alike, setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.
At just 13 years old, Bihar's Vaibhav Suryavanshi has already made waves in the world of cricket. On Monday, he became the youngest player ever to be auctioned in the Indian Premier League, where he was acquired by Rajasthan Royals for a hefty sum of Rs 1.10 crore. With impressive records and performances including the fastest century by an Indian in Under-19 Tests, Suryavanshi is a rising star to watch out for in the world of cricket.