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United News of India
5 hours ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Azhar Mahmood named new Pakistan red-ball head coach
Karachi, June 30 (UNI) Pakistan have announced former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as their new acting red-ball head coach. Azhar steps into the new role following a long stint as bowling coach and assistant head coach of Pakistan's men's side and will serve in this position until the conclusion of his current contract. 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." Former fast bowler and 1992 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup winner Aaqib Javed had been fulfilling the role as red-ball coach following the departure of Australian Jason Gillespie towards the end of last year. Mahmood's first task will be readying the side for their upcoming assignment for the new ICC World Test Championship cycle, which is scheduled to be when South Africa visit Pakistan for a two-match series later this year. UNI BM
United News of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Evans put name back out there as Eastbourne run ends
London, June 27 (UNI) British number five Dan Evans believes he has "put his name back out there" after his run at Eastbourne ended with defeat in the quarter-finals. Evans upset world number 13 Tommy Paul on Wednesday but fell 6-2 6-3 to American Jenson Brooksby a day later. The 35-year-old has claimed two top-20 wins in as many weeks, beating world number 14 Tiafoe at Queen's at the start of the grass-court season before seeing off Paul in Eastbourne. He also beat world number 49 Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia in the first round at Eastbourne. "In an hour or so I'll reflect on this week, it's been great," Evans, who was ranked inside the top 30 two years ago, told BBC Sport. "I've put my name back out there a bit. I've got a great event coming up. "It is just positives leaving Eastbourne." Evans is now back in the top 200 and has been given a main-draw wildcard for Wimbledon, which begins on Monday. Evans was convincingly beaten by Brooksby in windy conditions, losing serve four times and failing to set up a break point of his own. "It was really difficult conditions," said Evans. "It's not easy but that's tennis, you have to recover and get back out there. It all felt very quick today." Brooksby will face Ugo Humbert in Friday's semi-final after the Frenchman beat British number four Billy Harris 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 on Thursday. Harris, who will also be in next week's Wimbledon main draw, was knocked out in the quarter-finals at Eastbourne for the second successive year. Like Evans, Harris' match took place on court one and not the tournament's centre court - something Evans described as "disappointing". "I do have questions as to why no British players were on centre court today," Evans said. " "The British fans come here to watch British players." UNI BM
United News of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
West Indies quick Jayden Seales hails five-wicket haul his best yet in Tests
Barbados, June 26 (UNI) West Indies quick Jayden Seales believes his five-wicket haul against Australia on the opening day of the first Test in Barbados was his best effort yet. Seales and fellow pacer Shamar Joseph ripped through the highly-rated Australian batting order to dismiss the tourists for just 180, before the Aussies fought back to have the hosts reeling at 57/4 at stumps following an action-packed opening day to the ICC World Test Championship encounter at Kensington Oval. It was the third time in his short international career that Seales has registered a five-wicket haul and the fiery 23-year-old - who is 10th on the ICC Men's Test Bowler Rankings - said it was his favourite one yet. "This is probably my best five-wicket haul because it wasn't my best day and I didn't feel at my best any time throughout the day," Seales said. "There were times I felt good, but throughout spells I didn't feel like I was in full control of what I wanted to do or was executing or nailing my lengths and lines as consistently as I wanted, so this one is probably my most special one," he said. It was Joseph that did the early damage for the West Indies as he dismissed Sam Konstas and Cameron Green during a blistering opening spell to help reduce Australia to 22/3 and it took a 89-run partnership from Travis Head and Usman Khawaja to wrest the momentum back from the West Indies quicks. "I think that's what opened the game right up for us," Seales said of Joseph's early spell. "Blowing away the top-order is the most important thing in this cricket, and that made it a lot easier for us in the middle and in the back end of the innings, so he did a fantastic job for us today." Head, who top-scored for Australia with 59 and was the only batter on the day to surpass 50, was full of praise for the West Indies' bowling attack. "I thought Jayden bowled exceptionally well," Head said after play. "Alzarri (Joseph) is always there or thereabouts and Shamar again put the ball in the right areas and asked questions. "There were no surprises on what they were able to bring and get things out of the wicket, but vice versa. "We were able to do the same thing tonight (during the final session) and probably makes for an important couple of hours in the morning." UNI BM
United News of India
7 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Sri Lanka pacer Milan Rathnayake ruled out of second Bangladesh Test
Colombo, June 23 (UNI) Sri Lanka quick Milan Rathnayake has been ruled out for the second Test against Bangladesh after sustaining a left-side strain in the Galle Test. The hosts will also be without the services of veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews, who drew curtains on his Test career following the series opener. In their stead, the hosts have added left-arm pacer Vishwa Fernando and the prodigious tweaker Dunith Wellalage in their ranks. Fernando, who has featured across 27 Tests for Sri Lanka, has 79 dismissals to his name. Wellalage on the other hand, only has a solitary Test appearance to his name, having made his debut against Pakistan back in 2022, an ICC report said. The first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had ended in a stalemate with the visitors putting in a stellar display with the bat. The series marks the first assignment for both the sides in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle. Sri Lanka squad: Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Dunith Wellalage, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Ratnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Isitha Wijesundara UNI BM
United News of India
22-06-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Mathews bids farewell to Tests, eyes T20 World Cup glory
Galle, June 22 (UNI) Former Sri Lankan skipper, Angelo Mathews made his final appearance in royal whites against Bangladesh here, the same venue he made his debut in 2009. Mathews is the second-highest run scorer at the venue with 2253 runs in 34 Test matches. While speaking in the post-match press conference on Saturday, he spoke on the draw against Bangladesh, his final appearance in the red-ball format for Sri Lanka. 'Once you get a 400 in the first innings, it's really difficult to lose a game. So we had to bat really well in our first innings as well," he said. 'I thought we scrapped our way through and to minimize the lead. And also in the second innings, Shanto batted brilliantly,' Mathews said. Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 148 and 125 not out in both the innings as he led from the front and secured himself the Player of the Match award, an ICC report said. 'It was a tough wicket for the bowlers, to be honest. There were times where it turned a little bit but didn't really have anything for the bowlers,' Mathews said, speaking on the wicket and opportunities for the bowlers. 'We could have pushed for a win, but unfortunately, we couldn't,' he said. While Mathews stepped away from the longest format, he spoke on his World Cup aspirations in the shorter formats of the game. 'I've still got six more months to go. I'll give it my best shot for the (2026) T20 World Cup,' he said. 'I would love to sign off with a World Cup win. I'll just see how my body goes,' Mathews said. Mathews was a part of the side which won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2014, beating India in the final. The 38-year-old addressed the love he's received since he announced his retirement last month. 'I'm overwhelmed," he said. 'Ever since I announced my retirement, I just can't imagine the love that I have received up to now,' Mathews said. 'It is so special because you feel as a player, once you give your 110% to the country, the amount of appreciation that you receive is unbelievable," he said. 'It feels so special, very heartwarming and I'm so thankful to all of them,' Mathews said. While Mathews has retired from Tests, he will continue to remain available in the white-ball format," he added. UNI BM
