Despite being the official hosts of the Champions Trophy final, none of the members of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were present during the presentation ceremony. This has raised speculations about their dissatisfaction with the tournament being held in Dubai instead of Lahore. Former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar expressed his disappointment and questioned the absence of the board during such a significant event. Meanwhile, India clinched the title for the third time after defeating New Zealand in a thrilling final.
South African cricketer Wiaan Mulder's unbeaten knock of 367 not out has put him in an elite club of players who have scored 350 or more in a Test match. He is also only the third batsman in Test history to hit 100+ runs in two different sessions of the same innings. With this, he has also broken records for the highest individual South African score in Tests and the highest Test score in Zimbabwe.
On his 44th birthday, MS Dhoni, affectionately known as 'Mahi' by fans, received a flood of well-wishes from fans and former teammates. Among those sending their regards was cricketer Deepak Chahar, who shared a special bond with Dhoni both on and off the field. As one of India's most successful cricket captains, Dhoni has amassed impressive records in all formats, including leading the Indian team to the top of the ICC Test rankings and securing five IPL titles with the Chennai Super Kings.
After a lot of debate and speculation about whether Akash Deep's delivery that clean bowled Joe Root in the recent England-India Test match was a no ball or not, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has officially stated that it was indeed a legal delivery. Despite some confusion regarding the positioning of Deep's back foot, the MCC has clarified that the first point of contact of the foot with the ground is what determines a no ball, not subsequent positioning. The dismissal was a crucial breakthrough for India, helping them to seal a convincing series-levelling win against England.
Akash Deep led the charge for India against England in the second Test at Edgbaston, becoming the first visiting fast bowler to pick a five-wicket haul in the fourth innings at the venue. He finished the match with an impressive 10 wickets and also reached a unique milestone of being the first bowler in 49 years to dismiss four of England's top five batters in an innings on his own. Shubman Gill also played a crucial role in India's victory, earning the player of the match award for his 430 runs throughout the Test. This historic win brings the series level at 1-1 and cements India's dominance in the longest format of the game.
South Africa's stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder created history on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe by becoming the fifth-highest individual scorer in cricket history with an unbeaten 367*. Mulder, who also holds the record for the highest individual score by a Proteas batter in Test cricket, came dangerously close to surpassing Brian Lara's legendary 400*, but decided to declare the innings at 626/5. Despite missing out on breaking Lara's record, Mulder's scorching strike rate of 109.88 is the best among all triple-centurions in Test cricket.
India's fast-bowling sensation Akash Deep dedicated his extraordinary performance in the 2nd Test match against England to his elder sister, who is currently battling cancer. Tears of joy and emotion flowed as he revealed her personal struggle during a post-match interview, marking a poignant moment in cricket history. Despite facing hardships in his own journey, Akash's resilience and dedication have propelled him to the forefront of Indian cricket and his message to his sister is a powerful reminder of the bond between family and the support behind every success.
Wiaan Mulder's decision to declare his innings at 367, just 34 runs short of breaking Brian Lara's record, has sparked debates in the cricket world. Despite breaking multiple records, including the highest score by a first-time captain, Mulder chose to put the team's victory above personal achievements and respect Lara's legendary status. However, many are questioning if Mulder should have taken the chance to surpass the record and cement his name in history.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Grigor Dimitrov was unable to finish his Wimbledon match against Jannik Sinner despite holding a 2-0 lead. Dimitrov showed impressive form throughout the first two sets, but was ultimately hindered by an elbow injury that impacted his ability to hit powerful forehands. The audience was left in awe of Dimitrov's relentless determination and resilience, but ultimately had to watch as the Bulgarian had to retire from the match.
As Wimbledon enters its second week, top names like Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek continue to dominate in their matches. Meanwhile, rising star and world No 1 Jannik Sinner is also proving his worth on the court. Stay tuned for all the updates and analysis from another exciting day of tennis at Wimbledon.
After retiring from professional tennis in 2022, iconic player Roger Federer has been a guest of honour at Wimbledon every season. This year, he is back in the Royal Box, not as a competitor, but to watch his once rival Novak Djokovic. Federer's presence adds to the excitement of the tournament after a mass exodus of seeds in both the men's and women's draws. The Swiss legend's return to Centre Court, where he holds the record of eight titles, is a reminder of his dominance in the competition.