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New Zealand have climbed to second in the ICC World Test Championship standings after a commanding 2-0 series victory over the West Indies. Pacer Jacob Duffy’s exceptional bowling and twin centuries from openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham powered the Black Caps’ dominant performance, marking a strong start to their WTC campaign. Source link

Morgan Rogers’ brace secured a 2-1 victory for Aston Villa against Manchester United, extending their winning streak to ten games across all competitions. This remarkable run places Villa just three points behind league leaders Arsenal, showcasing their strong title challenge under Unai Emery. Source link

New Zealand’s batting maestro Kane Williamson, 35, hinted at a potential Test retirement after the West Indies series, prioritising family and a flexible playing schedule. His casual contract allows him to choose national assignments, with significant gaps before potential future series. Despite nearing milestones, Williamson emphasises team success over personal records. Source link

Sanju Samson’s long-awaited T20 World Cup opening spot comes after a decade of uncertainty and a revolving door of wicketkeepers. Despite strong performances, he faced confusion and batting order shifts, highlighting the team management’s struggle for consistency in selecting their T20I wicketkeeper and openers. Source link

Hardik Pandya’s stellar comeback from injury in the T20I series against South Africa has cemented his status as India’s T20 MVP. His explosive batting and crucial wickets, including a 16-ball fifty, were instrumental in India’s 3-1 series win. South Africa’s coach lauded Pandya’s impact, highlighting his vital role in the series. Source link

Pakistan’s chief selector Aaqib Javed revealed he’s studied India’s white-ball success to improve Pakistan’s cricket structure. He stressed that quality talent, fostered by robust infrastructure and competition, is key to sustained success, not just individual brilliance. Javed expressed optimism about Pakistan’s current team, especially with the upcoming T20 World Cup in familiar conditions. Source link

Former India captain Rohit Sharma revealed he considered quitting cricket after the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia. The emotional toll of the defeat, after investing heavily since becoming captain, left him feeling drained. It took months of recovery and self-reflection to regain his passion for the sport. Source link

Pakistan’s U19 team triumphed over India in the Asia Cup final by a commanding 191 runs. Mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed’s presence resonated with fans, leading to an emotional plea for his appointment as T20 World Cup mentor. This victory marks Pakistan’s first U19 Asia Cup title in 13 years, with Sameer Minhas starring with 172 runs. […]

Jemimah Rodrigues starred with an unbeaten 69 off 44 balls as India beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the first Women’s T20I. India restricted Sri Lanka to 121/6 before chasing the target with 32 balls to spare. Rodrigues built key partnerships, while Deepti Sharma and debutant Vaishnavi Sharma impressed with disciplined bowling. Source link

Smriti Mandhana made history in the first Women’s T20I against Sri Lanka by becoming the first Indian to score 4,000 T20I runs. She is only the second woman globally after Suzie Bates to achieve this feat and did it faster than anyone. India’s bowlers then restricted Sri Lanka to 121 runs. Source link