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Former all-rounder named new Pakistan red-ball head coach  ICC World Test Championship

Former all-rounder named new Pakistan red-ball head coach ICC World Test Championship

Pakistan are confident Azhar can thrive in the role given his expertise as a player and coach prior.
"A seasoned cricketing mind, Azhar Mahmood steps into the role with an impressive portfolio of experience," Pakistan said via a release.
"Having served as the assistant head coach of the national side, Azhar has long been a pivotal part of the team's strategic core. His deep knowledge of the game, combined with hands-on international exposure and proven success in the English county circuit, make him exceptionally well-suited for this position.
"His red-ball pedigree is underscored by two County Championship titles—an achievement that speaks volumes about his leadership, tactical acumen and unwavering commitment to excellence.
"The PCB is confident that under Azhar's guidance, the red-ball squad will continue to grow in strength, discipline and performance on the global stage."
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Emirati badminton prodigy makes history with medal in Bulgaria
Emirati badminton prodigy makes history with medal in Bulgaria

Al Etihad

time2 days ago

  • Al Etihad

Emirati badminton prodigy makes history with medal in Bulgaria

2 July 2025 22:54 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Abdulaziz Yahya has etched his name in UAE sporting history by becoming the first Emirati badminton player to win a medal at an official international tournament sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). His bronze in the men's doubles event at the Victor Bulgaria Junior Challenge 2025 – won alongside teammate Riyan Malhan – marks a watershed moment not just for Yahya, but for the sport's trajectory in the historic result came during a standout week for UAE badminton, as both junior and senior national players showcased their growing prowess across Europe. At the Bulgaria tournament, which featured some of the best under-19 talent from around the world, Yahya and Malhan's performance in the men's doubles stood out not only for the medal itself but for the significance it carries – the first-ever international BWF medal by an Emirati athlete. For Yahya, it was the culmination of years of disciplined training, guided development, and an unwavering belief in his potential. For the UAE, it was confirmation that its investment in the sport is beginning to yield world-class same event saw UAE juniors dominate the podium, with Malhan claiming gold in the boys' singles and Mysha Omer winning gold in the girls' singles, while Vaidehi Kalidasan earned a bronze in the same category. The performances underscore the depth of young talent emerging in the country – but it was Yahya's groundbreaking achievement that added historical weight to the tournament for the the juniors excelled in Bulgaria, the UAE's senior players were making waves at the Yonex Italian Open 2025. Representing the country in the highly competitive BWF senior circuit, twin brothers Dev and Dhiren Ayyappan – affectionately known as 'DD' on the national scene – fought their way to a bronze medal in the men's doubles. Their campaign ended in the semi-finals against the top-seeded English pair, but the result served as another marker of the UAE's growing competitiveness in international badminton, not only among juniors but also at the senior these breakthroughs lies the Elite Player Pathway, a development initiative launched by the UAE Badminton Federation in partnership with the Ministry of Sport's Elite Sport UAE. The programme is designed to identify and cultivate top-tier back-to-back international titles, including a hard-fought three-game semi-final win over the top seed from Chinese Taipei, and Omer's journey from silver in Spain to gold in Bulgaria highlight the mental resilience and tactical sophistication emerging among Emirati on the string of international successes, Noura Al Jasmi, the UAE federation president, said, 'This is a proud moment for UAE sport. These medals symbolise the result of years of planning, structure, and faith in our athletes. The Elite Player Pathway is delivering real outcomes – and this is just the beginning.' As Yahya's bronze reshapes expectations for what Emirati athletes can achieve in badminton, the nation's next generation appears poised to deliver even more.

India advised to bring in key spinner for Edgbaston bout  ICC World Test Championship
India advised to bring in key spinner for Edgbaston bout  ICC World Test Championship

Int'l Cricket Council

time4 days ago

  • Int'l Cricket Council

India advised to bring in key spinner for Edgbaston bout ICC World Test Championship

While their top and middle-order batters performed well at Headingley, India were found short in the bowling department, as England chased down a comprehensive target of 371 in the fourth innings. Discussing India's possible lineup for the second Test, former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta backed left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav to make it into the side because of the match conditions. 'Looking forward to Birmingham, where it's usually a batting friendly venue, I would love to see Kuldeep there,' Dasgupta spoke on JioHotstar programme GamePlan. Kuldeep Yadav in a net session at Edgbaston || Getty Images Dasgupta believed that with India's mainstay batters firing, the side could afford to lighten up on their late-order batting. He expected Kuldeep to fit in for Shardul. 'And now the advantage of having your top five amongst runs is that you're not too worried about contributions from your No.8 with the bat. 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We have to go back to those days when India would play three spinners no matter what, if it's New Zealand or England.' Another big dilemma ahead of the Test is with respect to the availability of Jasprit Bumrah. India had announced prior to the series, that Bumrah would feature in three out of the five England Tests. Bumrah did feature in Leeds and picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings, but there is no certainty around his availability in Edgbaston, which is a crucial game for India in the series. Manjrekar opined that the pacer's availability would boost India's prospects. 'When you break it down, he has bowled 42 or 43 (43.4) overs in total in five days, and there's going to be a break of another few days (between the first and the second Test). 'So my logic is, talk to him, you know, how are you feeling? Talk to his physiotherapist, his doctor, see him in the nets, and if he's pretty good, close to 100% fitness, you play him. 'I really worry about our bowling (without Bumrah) unless Kuldeep Yadav comes to India's rescue. 'India's great wins in the last many years have been when the bowlers came to the battles to rescue them. India just didn't get enough runs but their bowlers bailed them out.' Manjrekar also believed that Rishabh Pant would continue his sensational run with the willow in the series. The wicketkeeper-batter already has two tons in the first game (134 and 118), taking his tally of total hundreds in England to four, second best for India in Tests after Rahul Dravid. 'He enjoys batting in Test cricket. (For) any batter who scores two hundreds in Test cricket, it takes a lot out of you mentally, not so much physically. But getting a hundred in the first innings, and 48 hours later, you have the same kind of reserve to get another hundred. That is the hallmark of an exceptional player.' Pant's sensational performance comes after an underwhelming season in the Indian Premier League, wherein he scored 269 runs at an average of 24.45, and his side failed to reach the knockout stage of the competition. His shot selection was also in scrutiny during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 wherein despite getting starts, he added only 255 runs over five games. Manjrekar believed his recent poor run might strengthen his resolve further. 'Rishabh Pant enjoys Test cricket. He hasn't got enough runs so he's hungry. I see Pant carrying his form.' ICC World Test ChampionshipNewsMen's News

Pakistan name Azhar Mahmood as latest red-ball head coach
Pakistan name Azhar Mahmood as latest red-ball head coach

Khaleej Times

time4 days ago

  • Khaleej Times

Pakistan name Azhar Mahmood as latest red-ball head coach

Pakistan on Monday named former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood interim head coach of the Test side, the fourth man to take the post in the last 18 months. The 50-year-old will remain in the position until January, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said. As a pace bowling all-rounder Mahmood played 143 one-day internationals and 21 Tests for Pakistan, and has been serving as assistant coach since last year. "The PCB announces Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the Pakistan men's team," said a PCB press release. Mahmood replaces Aaqib Javed, who was interim head coach for the Test series in South Africa in December-January and at home against the West Indies. Javed left after Pakistan lost all four Tests and finished ninth and last in the third cycle of the World Test Championship. Javed took over from former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie, who quit six months into his stint in December 2024 after differences with the PCB. Before Gillespie, former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was team director and oversaw a 3-0 Test defeat in Australia. Monday's appointment is part of a series of changes the PCB has taken to improve the performances of the national team after a poor two years. Last month, New Zealand's Mike Hesson took over as white-ball head coach for two years. Pakistan will host South Africa in their first series of the latest WTC cycle in October this year and then Sri Lanka in December-January.

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