Justin Langer resigns as head coach of the Australian men’s cricket team

PSL 2022 | Babar Azam's efforts go in vain as Peshawar Zalmi register win vs Karachi Kings

Karachi Kings' skipper Babar Azam's fighting 90* off 63 didn't really help his side to go over the line against Peshawar Zalmi as they fell short of the target by 9 runs. The Kings were handed a target of 174 in 20 overs but lost a couple of early wickets before Babar was joined by Ian Cockbain in the middle. The two batters then provided some resistance to the side and stitched a partnership of 74 runs for the third wicket. But Cockbain's departure for 31 off 19 broke the shackles and the Karachi side lost wickets at regular intervals to eventually get restricted to 164/6 in 20 overs. Mohammad Umar was the pick of the bowlers scalped three wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs while Shoaib Malik who had a good outing with the bat also scalped a wicket in the only over that he bowled at the cost of just two runs. Earlier, riding on Zazai's aggressive knock of 41 off 27 and Malik's unbeaten 52 off 28, the Peshawar side put up a total of 173/4 in 20 overs. Asif picked up three wickets but at the cost of 36 runs in 4 overs. "To bowl the variations was the plan from the coach and captain. I practice a lot in the nets. I practice the slower balls and it was good to see the execution today," Umar said after the match.

"India playing the 1000th ODI is a huge milestone" - Sachin Tendulkar

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar believes that the 1000th ODI which Team India is set to play against the West Indies on February 6 is a 'huge milestone' for the cricket frenzy nation. Team India will become the first country to play 1000 ODIs when they square off against former world champion West Indies in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Sachin, who played 463 out of the 999 ODIs, paid his tribute to the past and current cricketers for their defining role in the four-decade-old journey. Speaking on 100 MB, Master Blaster said, "India playing the 1000th ODI is a huge milestone. The first ODI was played in 1974, it was only possible because of the past cricketers, current cricketers, the past and current board members." "And not to forget the most important people, our Indian cricket team well-wishers, from the past generations and the ones who are today with us," he added. "I want to say it is an achievement for all of us and the entire nation should be proud of this and hope Indian cricket continues to grow from strength to strength. I wish them all the very best for the coming series and especially for the 1000th ODI," the legendary cricketer further stated. India made their ODI debut against England back in 1974. Their first ODI win came against East Africa in the 1975 World Cup. It took India a decade to get the hang of the format and the 1983 World Cup win proved to be the cornerstone for the Men in Blue to become a powerhouse in the format. In 999 games, India has recorded 518 wins and 413 defeats with 41 matches ending in a no result and 9 tied. In terms of individual records, Tendulkar holds most of them. He has played the most games, scored most runs, 50s and of course 100s. He played in a total of 6 World Cups, finally winning the elusive silverware in 2011. India have won two WC's, two Champions Trophies and the Benson & Hedges Championship of Cricket in 1985. The Men in Blue are one of the three sides after Australia and the West Indies to win more than one World Cup and after Australia they have jointly won the most number of world events alongside the Windies.

BPL 2022 | Match between Comilla Victorians & Minister Group Dhaka washed out

The Bangladesh Premier League match between Comilla Victorians and Minister Group Dhaka was abandoned due to rain in Dhaka without a ball being bowled. This was the second fixture of the day that was called off after the game between Sylhet Sunrisers and Fortune Barishal was also washed away. The Victorians are now sitting at the helm of the points table with 9 points and four wins from six matches while the Dhaka side has three wins and as many defeats along with 7 points from seven matches. They are right placed at the number three spot.

Despite Ashes debacle, Joe Root retains his place as England Test captain

England interim director and former skipper Andrew Strauss has sacked assistant coach Graham Thorpe in the wake of the Ashes debacle but has thrown his weight behind Joe Root to continue as Test skipper. Thorpe has become the third casualty of England's Ashes cull as he joins managing director Ashley Giles and head coach + chief selector, Chris Silverwood, to leave the management as part of the fallout from the 0-4 hiding in Australia this winter. Following the defeat in Australia, Root's position had come under intense scrutiny. Root has now presided over three back-to-back Ashes defeats but Strauss believes that the 30-year-old is still the right man for the job as he is incredibly motivated and enjoys the confidence of his team members. Root will lead England in a three-match Test series in the Caribbean next month. "Having spoken to Joe it is absolutely clear the extent of his commitment to moving this England team forward," said Strauss as quoted by the Daily Mail UK. "He’s got incredible motivation and energy to do that. He’s bruised, hugely disappointed by what went on in the Ashes and I think it goes without saying there are many others in the same boat on that one," he added. "But he has the respect of the players, they all play for him, and he sets a magnificent example both on and off the field so I’m very happy to give him my support and make sure he has the right structure around him to take pressure off him and make sure he can do his job," the ECB Director added. With Silverwood and Thorpe sacked, England are without a full-time head coach, chief selector and batting coach. Strauss said that the West Indies tour could see interim appointments like Alex Stewart, Richard Dawson fill in the role before he and the ECB chart out a long-term plan for English Test cricket. He has not committed to a long-term role as managing director but has asserted that he will leave no stone unturned in charting out a road to long term recovery for the Test team. "There are decisions to be made on the focus of the tour. It’s very important we go out and win but it’s also about looking forward and we have to think about that with the interim coach and selection," said Strauss. "The only way we can look at it at the moment is to get through the West Indies tour and after that there will be some time for us to step back and think strategically about what is needed. We want someone who can add value to the team," he added. "This is short-term. My role is to help prepare the team for the West Indies series and to recommend some structural changes and help Tom Harrison with the recruitment of the roles, including the new managing director of England cricket. However long it takes I’m prepared to play that role," He also hasn't ruled out the possibility of Australian coach Justin Langer taking over as the English coach in the near future. "I know Justin well and on the surface, he’s done a very good job with Australia,’ added Strauss. "So I wouldn’t rule him out but I’m sure there are plenty of others as well." Meanwhile, under pressure ECB chief Tom Harrison has responded to the calls of people asking for his axe, stating, "I am not running away from this challenge,’ said Harrison at Lord’s. ‘It’s been exceptionally difficult but it needs leadership and consistency in how we build back and get to a place where we can recover from an extremely difficult period both on and off the field". England will look to get back on track when they lock horns with the West Indies in a three-match series in March.