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Amid all the talk around the Ahmedabad pitch after the tourists were steamrolled in under two days in the Pink-Ball Test, India skipper Virat Kohli – on the eve of the fourth and final Test – said that India plays to win and not to play for the entire duration of five days. “We play to win and people should be happy that we won and shouldn’t care about how long the match is lasting. You have to look at things objectively. I totally believe that too much noise is being made about spinning tracks,” Kohli said while addressing a virtual press conference ahead of the fourth and final Test against England, which starts on Thursday (March 4). Citing the example of the New Zealand tour in 2020, Kohli recalled that India did not complain – of how much the ball was moving and the amount of grass on the pitch – after losing a Test in three days. “We lost to New Zealand inside three days but no one commented how much the ball was moving or the amount of grass on the pitch. We have never … [Read more...] about India vs England 4th Test: ‘We Play to Win But Not to Play For Five Days’ – Virat Kohli on Ahmedabad Pitch

NEW ZEALAND V AUSTRALIA, 2021 by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on Share Tweet Maxwell cracked a breezy, 31-ball 70 © Getty After two uneven performances that allowed New Zealand to take an early 2-0 lead, Australia hit back with an all-round clinical display to keep themselves alive and kicking in the five-match series. Pleasingly for the visitors, the match-turning performances came from Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell and Ashton Agar - the three players who have made a less than desirable start to this series. Entertaining fifties from the first two led Australia to a total of 208 for 4 before Ashton Agar's 6 for 30 derailed the home side's valiant start in chase. The end of Finch's prolonged rut Tim Southee nearly extended Aaron Finch's recent, unending misery. The first ball that the Aussie skipper faced, he failed to judge the subtle inward movement and got struck on the front pad. Vociferous appeals were followed by a … [Read more...] about Maxwell and Agar keep series alive

AFGHANISTAN V ZIMBABWE IN UAE, 2021 by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on Share Tweet Blessing Muzarabani and Victor Nyauchi ran through the heart of Afghanistan's batting line-up. © Getty Blessing Muzarabani and Victor Nyauchi ran through the heart of Afghanistan's batting line-up in the second innings to put Zimbabwe on top at Tea on Day 2. Afghanistan were in deep trouble at 49 for 6, still needing 70 to make Zimbabwe bat again. In what turned out to be a decisive second session, Nyauchi gave the African side the perfect start by dismissing Abdul Malik for no score, with the Test debutant ending up with a pair. Muzarabani followed it up by prising Munir Ahmed out LBW with a delivery that straightened. Afghanistan's woes didn't end there as Nyauchi used the inswinger to castle Rahmat Shah. The pace duo continued to make crucial incisions as they bagged the scalps of Hashmatullah Shahidi and Asghar Afghan in quick … [Read more...] about Muzarabani, Nyauchi extend Zimbabwe’s dominance

Trailing 2-0 in the five-match series after a nail-biting defeat last time out in Dunedin, Australia produced an impressive response in the third T20I. Maxwell smashed 70 from 31 balls with captain Aaron Finch adding 69 as Australia posted 208-4 after losing the toss. Agar took 6-30 as New Zealand slumped to 144 all out in reply, setting up an intriguing fourth match on Friday (March 5). 1 49342 Spin bowler Agar is the first Australia player to record six wickets in a T20 match and only the fourth ever in international cricket. Australia are looking to avoid a third consecutive T20I series defeat following losses to England and India, while the hosts are seeking a third straight triumph. The clash on Wednesday went against that formbook, as well as the trend of this series so far, with Finch's 44-ball knock setting the tone. After Matthew Wade (5) fell early, the skipper - who had not registered a fifty in his previous 26 innings - put on stands of 83 with Josh Philippe … [Read more...] about New Zealand vs Australia, 3rd T20I: Agar and Maxwell keep visitors’ series hopes alive

AFGHANISTAN V ZIMBABWE IN UAE, 2021 by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Share Tweet Williams' 105 gave Zimbabwe a decisive lead. © Getty Ibrahim Zadran ended up with 76. Afghanistan skittled out for a mere 135. The simple stat capsulises Afghanistan's below par performance with the bat and also Ibrahim's valiant hand on Day 2 of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi. The pace trio of Blessing Muzarabani, Victor Nyauchi and Donald Tiripano picked eight of the 10 wickets to fall in the second innings, as Afghanistan crashed to 135 all out. Zimbabwe then chased down the meagre target of 17 without losing a wicket to go 1-0 up in the series. When the final session commenced, Afghanistan were in dire-straits at 49 for 6. At that stage, Ibrahim decided to take the aggressive route, essaying drives and punches off Nyauchi, Tiripano and Muzarabani. Abdul Wasi, who got a reprieve in the second session, then fell to Ryan Burl's … [Read more...] about Williams, pacers help Zimbabwe take 1-0 lead