IND vs SL | Day-Night Test: Dimuth Karunaratne scores fighting ton but SL remain on back foot

Shreyas Iyer, Amelia Kerr voted ICC Players of the Month

India batter Shreyas Iyer and New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr have been voted as the ICC Player of the Month for February 2022. Iyer has been in brilliant form against Sri Lanka in the home fixtures after he scored three unbeaten fifties on the trot in the T20Is and has been among runs in the on-going Test series as well. “Iyer contributed a match-winning 80 against West Indies in the final ODI, before following it up with a 16-ball 25 in the final T20I of the subsequent series,” an ICC statement read. “Promoted in the order to bat at number three, Iyer made three unbeaten half-centuries for the series and amassed an outstanding 204 runs from three hits at a strike rate of 174,” it added. Former Sri Lanka batter and voting panel member Russel Arnold lavished praise on the right-handed batter and said that he showed a lot of consistency and during the course. "Throughout the month Shreya's showed tremendous consistency and control," Arnold said. "He totally dominated opposition bowlers and proved very hard to bowl at, scoring runs all around the wicket and attacking the bowlers at the right moments.” "What really stood out for me was his composure as he battles for a regular place in the India line-up,” he added.

ICC Women's CWC 2022 | SAW vs ENGW: Marizanne Kapp scalps fifer, SA etch win despite hiccups

South Africa etched a three-wicket win against England in the on-going ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 in Mount Maunganui after chasing down a target of 236 runs in the final over. The South African team lost an early wicket after Lizelle Lee was undone by Shrubsole for 9 off 15 but Laura Wolvaardt held the fort at one end and stitched crucial stands with Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus respectively. Wolvaardt was involved in a 56-run partnership with Brits who scored 23 and then chipped in with 74 runs for the third wicket along with Luus. Luus was eventually out for 36 while Wolvaardt went on to score 77 off 101. But the latter’s dismissal certainly broke the shackles as South Africa then lost a few wickets and were 226/7 in the penultimate over before Trisha Chetty and Shabnim Ismail made sure that the side didn't lose any more wickets and go over the line. Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers as she scalped one wicket for just 23 runs in 10 overs. Earlier, in the day, England were off to a struggling start as they lost three wickets for 42 before Beaumont and Jones joined hands and came in for the rescue. The two batters scored 107 runs for the fourth wicket and also notched up individual fifties. But the departure of the two batters once again saw wickets falling at regular intervals and England concluded the innings at 235/9 in 50 overs. Kapp scalped a fifer for her side. “We do our best when we put the opposition under pressure (bowling first). Happy that it worked out tonight. Oh, world class (Kapp). She's an inspiration for young girls and boys out there. Lizelle hasn't played much cricket in the past few months. Don't want to put pressure on her. Glad everyone chipped in,” Luus said after the match.

PAK vs AUS | Watch: Umpire makes an absolute howler on Rizwan decision

Pakistan were reeling at 81/6 trying to hunt Australia’s mammoth first innings total of 556 runs on Day 3 of the second Test match at National Stadium Karachi. Pakistan were put to bat after visitor’s captain Pat Cummins decided to declare in the morning session. Coming into bat, the home team were dealt with two quick wickets, first a runout from Mitchell Swepson and then Nathan Lyon removing Imam-ul-Haq. Once the ball started showing hints of reverse swing around 24th over, Cummins removed Lyon (7-4-9-1) from the attack and let his pacers have a go. A spirited spell from Mitchell Starc brought two wickets, after which the captain himself took matters into his own hands. There was an extended phase of play where batsmen were put under immense pressure and they started crumbling against a line of bowling aimed straight at the stumps. Pakistan were not helped by the umpiring standards on the day as Ahsan Raza made a howler of a decision against Mohammad Rizwan off the bowling of Pat Cummins. The Australian captain’s inswinger struck Rizwan on the backpad, leagues outside the off stump. As Rizwan chose to not offer any shot, he was on for an LBW decision, and umpire Ahsan Raza rose his finger after a vociferous appeal by Cummins. A baffled Rizwan looked at the umpire and chose to review the decision straightaway. Replays revealed that the ball was nowhere close to the stumps, be it in the matter of height or line and the keeper batsman was rescued from a howler. Rizwan, however, could not do much after being saved and edged a ball back to the slip cordon, once again against Pat Cummins who troubled him throughout his stay at the crease.

2 weeks away from IPL, CSK have no idea about Ruturaj & Chahar’s return

The 2022 season of the Indian Premier League starts within two weeks’ time and defending champions Chennai Super Kings have no official date on the return of their star players Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad. CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanathan while speaking to PTI late on Sunday, 13 March evening revealed that CSK were not aware of the current fitness status of the two players and they have no idea as to when the duo will join the squad. The four-time IPL winners are currently training in Surat ahead of the season and are heavily dependent on the two players. While Gaikwad has been their best batsman last season, piling on 635 runs and forming an important partnership at the top alongside former yellow Faf du Plessis, Chahar on the other hand would have been extremely important with his all round ability with bat and ball. Vishwanathan further revealed that both players are in the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, nursing their injuries and BCCI would intimate the franchise once they are match-fit. Both players suffered their respective injuries in the white-ball series against West Indies. Ruturaj concurred a wrist injury which was not deemed to be dangerous, but Chahar tore his quad muscles which initially sidelined him for six to eight weeks. It was later reported that the swing bowler chose to not get surgery done and aims to return mid-April to play in the IPL.