Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Amir fit and plays in Champions Trophy final

Pace bowler Mohammad Amir is fit and will play for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final at The Oval on Sunday, coach Mickey Arthur has told a news conference.

A back spasm kept Amir out as Pakistan defeated hosts England brilliantly on Wednesday but Arthur is now pinning his hopes on a full-strength attack to contain India's batsmen better than most other sides have managed so far.


"If we can get amongst them with the new ball, we can expose the middle order that hasn't batted much in this competition, so that's pretty much our aim and focus," the South African Arthur said on Saturday.

Arthur believes that the way his players recovered from a heavy defeat by India in the group stage with impressive victories over South Africa and England proves that it was merely "an aberration".

"That was something we hadn't prepared for," he said.

"We knew how hard the guys had prepared. So what we've produced after that doesn't come as any surprise because that's how we trained, and that's what we worked at.

"It was very disappointing to see that go wrong in the Indian game. But we've closed the chapter on that. We're now moving forward. And the guys have played really well."

With eight wins in the teams' previous 10 World Cup and Champions Trophy meetings, India are firm favourites but Arthur has taken confidence from their defeat in the group stage by Sri Lanka.

"Sri Lanka batted exceptionally well there. They played fielders' cricket. They took the game on. But we've got to look at our strengths, and our strength has been the fact that we've been able to take wickets consistently through the middle periods.

"We've got to play to our strengths, and our strength certainly is with the ball. I said it before the England game, if we put our "A" game together and do the basics well, we can beat anybody."

As for the intense pressure that will surround the final, Arthur said he hoped his young players could draw on their experience of the Pakistan Super League.

"Exposure to high-pressure situations is what India have had above Pakistan," he said.

"The PSL has been a very, very successful competition. So that exposes more and more young players to pressure situations, and I think the more we can expose our guys to those situations, the better results we get out on the ground."

More For You

Sam-Konstas-getty

Konstas, playing his first Test match, scored an impressive 60 off 65 balls, including 18 runs in one over off Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo: Getty Images)

Australia’s top order dominates day one of fourth Test against India

AUSTRALIA’s top four batters made significant contributions on day one of the fourth Test against India, with 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas making a memorable debut.

Australia ended the day at 311-6 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, having been put in to bat by captain Pat Cummins.

Keep ReadingShow less
Salah-Liverpool-Getty

Mohamed Salah’s outstanding form has been instrumental in Liverpool’s campaign. (Photo: Getty Images)

Boxing Day: Liverpool eye win; Arsenal and Spurs face key tests

Liverpool enter the festive period atop the Premier League table for the first time since the 2020/21 season.

On Boxing Day, they host Leicester City, aiming to maintain their four-point lead over second-placed Chelsea.

Keep ReadingShow less
travis-head-getty

Head fit for Boxing Day Test against India, Boland to replace Hazlewood

AUSTRALIA’s Travis Head has been declared fit for the Boxing Day Test against India, providing a significant boost to the team.

Skipper Pat Cummins confirmed Head's availability on Wednesday after the batsman passed final fitness checks following a minor thigh strain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rohit-Gambhir-Getty

The pitch is predicted to favour fast bowlers, according to the curator earlier this week, but Rohit hinted at the possibility of a change in strategy. (Photo: Getty Images)

Rohit Sharma considers playing second spinner in Melbourne

INDIA captain Rohit Sharma remained non-committal about his team’s lineup for the Boxing Day Test against Australia, indicating that a second spinner could be included.

The match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is expected to see temperatures soar to 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The pitch is predicted to favour fast bowlers, according to the curator earlier this week, but Rohit hinted at the possibility of a change in strategy.

Keep ReadingShow less
India-openers-Getty

India managed to escape defeat in the third Test at the Gabba, which was affected by rain, despite being in trouble at 74-5 in reply to Australia’s 445. (Photo: Getty Images)

India's top order under scrutiny ahead of Boxing Day Test

A HARD-FOUGHT draw in Brisbane has provided the Indian team with some relief and renewed hope that their underperforming top order will improve in the remaining two Tests of the series against Australia.

India managed to escape defeat in the third Test at the Gabba, which was affected by rain, despite being in trouble at 74-5 in reply to Australia’s 445. Ravindra Jadeja’s crucial performance and a 47-run last-wicket partnership between Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah helped India avoid the follow-on.

Keep ReadingShow less