SMAT 2021 | Venkatesh Iyer produces splendid bowling performance, may press for spot in India’s squad

After India's Mithali Raj, Jaya Sharma, Deandra Dottin becomes only third batter to hit ODI ton in Pakistan

West Indies Women opener Deandra Dottin has become only the third batsmen in the history of the Women’s game to score an ODI century in Pakistan after India’s pair of Mithali Raj and Jaya Sharma. Dottin scored the landmark century in the ongoing first ODI of the series against Pakistan Women in Karachi. She was the top-scorer from her side and scored 132 runs to take the Windies women to a respectable total of 253 runs. Mithali Raj had scored his century in Pakistan in the year 2006 while Jaya Sharma scored the landmark century that was the first century at that time in 2005. West Indies Women are touring Pakistan for a three-match long series and all the matches of the series are scheduled to take place in Karachi.

First in 24 years: Pakistan announce Australia's visit for full-fledged tour

In a welcome development for Pakistan cricket, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a full-fledged tour by Australia early next year that will be the first Australian visit to the nation in a long 24-years’ time. The sides will play a three-match long Test series and an equally longer ODI series followed by a T20 spread across Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore. The tour will start with a Test at Karachi starting March 3 and the T20 will be played on April 5 that will mark the end of the tour. PVB chairman Ramiz Raja who lambasted the New Zealand cricket team and then the England and Wales Cricket Board for withdrawing from their tours of Pakistan, called the Australian tour a “connoisseurs delight”. He said that having the opportunity to host Australia after such a long wait for a full series will be a “special treat” for the fans of Pakistan cricket. "It pleases me no end that we'll be engaged in a three-Test match series, connoisseurs delight," Raja said in a statement. Australia are one of the high-performing sides and them playing in our backyard for the first time after a gap of 24 years will be a special treat for the fans.” “Likewise, it will be a great opportunity for the Australia cricketers to not only play at our iconic venues but also feel and enjoy the respect, love and hospitality that this great country offers, something which most of their previous generation of cricketers missed out by playing offshore."

T20 World Cup | Head coach confident Namibia exceeded expectations in ‘emotional rollercoaster’ event

Namibia were one of the most unknown sides coming into the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup and hence they were also not expected to make it to the Super 12 stage of the tournament. They were stacked against sides such as Ireland and Netherlands, who have been playing the format and at the world stage for a long time if they were to qualify beyond the group stages. They did defeat both of them to advance to the main stage and when the coach Pierre de Bruyn looks back at their journey in the tournament, he is very proud of their achievements. He declared that the Namibians have exceeded what was expected of them in the competition. He added that the quality of cricket they played in the tournament against some of the best sides of the world must have left some lasting impression not only on Namibian people but also on the fans across the world. "It's been an emotional rollercoaster for all of us. We came here with expectations but I think we exceeded that and with that the pressure mounted and these players have really announced themselves. We thought it was a cricket Namibia story for our country but it's become a global story where we've inspired not just our kids back home but globally we have won a lot of hearts," said de Bruyn. Namibia have not won their last three games against Pakistan, New Zealand and Afghanistan but their win against Scotland, Ireland and Netherland gives a lot of moments to treasure to their coach. De Bruyn said that they have not won too many games in the highly competitive Super 12 stage but they have not been decimated by any side either. He said that Namibia have been in the contest for as long as entire 40 overs of their games and that should give some confidence to players about their ability to compete with the best in the world. Rating his side’s journey in the tournament as “emotional rollercoaster”, he also drew some lessons by referring to their last game against New Zealand and said that the Kane Williamson-led side had scored just 94 runs by losing four major wickets in 16 overs before they ran away with the game. He said that their bowlers have shown heart to challenge the best batsmen and have not provided an easier path for opposition to roll them over and score two easy points. "We have played 40-overs cricket in this group, we have not been blown away by any team in 10 overs or 12 overs or anything like that. We've been willing to stretch the game and give ourselves a good chance against these top oppositions. Tomorrow's a classic game where you go in and you need to hold your own, you need to take brutal accountability for what you're going to bring to the team. It's the last little push. It's been a long tour and it's been an emotional rollercoaster to say the least,” he added. "Facing the best in the world can be overwhelming and it's all about staying composed and this team, especially with the ball, has shown that they are willing to hold on and compete like we showed in the game against New Zealand - they were 94 for 4 after 16 overs - so the learnings for us is that we're going to treasure that, we're going to hold on hard to that because these lessons - good or bad - are only going to make you a better team and they're to make you a better player.” Namibia are set to play the star-studded India under Virat Kohli, who is set to lead the Men in Blue for the last time in the international T20 format and Namibia will be looking forward to spoiling their farewell in order to leave an unforgettable mark on world cricket.

T20 World Cup | ‘Self-obsession’ keeps old horse Shoaib Malik going for Pakistan

Shoaib Malik was not included in the first squad picked by Pakistan for the T20 World Cup, currently underway in the UAE. He found himself back in the scheme of things after personnel change in the team management and was scheduled to play his 7th T20 world tournament. His place was always contentious as he has been an underachiever for Pakistan and there were words that the Pakistan selectors are doing injustice to young players by keeping on calling Malik and others such as Mohammad Hafeez. Malik was not in great form with the bat in the Caribbean Premier League either when he was selected for the T20 World Cup and hence his selection came under stern criticism from fans and many Pakistani media persons. He was there in the last ODI World Cup in England and the last edition of the T20 World Cup in 2016 as well, but his failures with the bat never settled him in the Pakistan side. However, he has been the engine room for the men in green so far in the tournament. He was ballistic with the bat in the last game against Scotland and scored the fastest half century by a Pakistan batsman in just 18 balls, surpassing Umar Akmal who had taken 22 balls to get to fifty. Discussing his innings and hunger to keep on playing for decades, Malik said that the “self-obsession” of remaining fit while he talks to himself and sees himself in the mirror has been the crucial factor behind his continued success at the world level. The game against Scotland was Malik’s 121st appearance in the international T20 games and he is one of the most-experienced players across the world. He said that he is not sure of continuing playing for Pakistan in the near future but he is not bothered about his future beyond this World Cup and is thinking solely about winning this tournament. "...Well, to be honest, I would say I have self-obsession of seeing myself fit when I look at it in the mirror, and most importantly I'm still enjoying playing cricket, and it's helping, as well, end of the day towards the team," Malik said at the post-match press conference. "I guess if you want to stay fit, then you've got to train every day, and that's what I have been doing. I'm not sure about playing a year more or two more years. Right now, I'm in [the] middle of a very important thing and not thinking about all that." Pakistan have been the only side that have advanced to the semi-finals stage without suffering any defeat and they will meet Australia in the big game to seek a place in the final. Malik conceded that the clash against Australia would be a “tough challenge” while also maintaining that the Pakistan side won’t carry any unnecessary pressure on their shoulders and instead will try their best to play it as just “another game”. "Of course we have seen Australia, the way they have been playing. They have been playing really good cricket. So are we. But of course it's going to be a tough challenge for both the teams," said Malik. "It's another game, then I guess the other batters have made plans, execute and just take it as another game. we have a few days in between before the semis, so I'm sure management will sit, our team is going to sit and they'll definitely talk about and they'll make plans, as well, for the semis," he said. Malik’s success with the bat gives Pakistan batting another dimension of depth which could come in handy in big games such as the semi-final against Australia. They have their openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in red-hot form and having Malik in good touch lower down the order will boost the top order’s confidence to play aggressive cricket. This could well be the point of difference between a par score and winning total in the key phase of the tournament.