The Liberty Chowk usually remains the hub of activities every time the Gaddafi Stadium hosts a cricket match. Fans queuing up near the gates and waving the flags of their team is a common sight. But Wednesday afternoon felt different. With Pakistan already knocked out of the tournament, the usual rush was missing, and so … Read more
The Champions Trophy format is designed to ensure that every game is important, and even a single loss in a three-match league stage can potentially mean a first-round exit. By having only the top eight nations, the expectation is that teams will be evenly matched. While this is the ideal scenario, it seldom happens, and … Read more
Temba Bavuma is quite bullish about South Africa’s chances in the Champions Trophy, despite the team sweating over Heinrich Klaasen’s fitness ahead of Tuesday’s marquee fixture against Australia. Having missed out on the tournament opener last week with an elbow injury, Klaasen’s fitness is being assessed by the medical team. While he has slowly resumed … Read more
As Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi started his presser on the eve of his team’s Champions Trophy campaign opener against South Africa, he was asked whether the team was under pressure. Since 2019, the two teams have played each other in five ODIs, with Afghanistan winning just twice. However, Shahidi underplayed the issue with a smile, … Read more
Rival captains Mohammad Rizwan and Mitchell Santner said on Friday that Pakistan and New Zealand’s weekend clash in a tri-nation series will be a dress rehearsal for their Champions Trophy showdown. Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa will play a warm-up series ending on February 14 before the eight-team Champions Trophy starts five days later. … Read more