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Cricket World Cup 2023: 5 Emerging Players To Watch Out For

admin Sep 30, 2023 0

The Cricket World Cup, which starts in India on October 5, will bring together the cream of the white ball world. The crowds will hurry to watch established stars like Ben Stokes, Virat Kohli and Trent Boult but they will also be on the lookout for the new generation of players to emerge from the tournament. AFP picks out five who will be vying to make a name for themselves.

Noor Ahmad (Afghanistan)

It is always exciting when someone a little bit different comes along and 18-year-old Noor is certainly that, a left-arm wrist spinner with a high action and good control as well as decent pace. He made his Under-19 debut for Afghanistan when he was just 14 and was only 17 when he made his full ODI debut against Sri Lanka last year and then took 4-10 against Zimbabwe in his only T20I thus far. Noor starred for Gujarat in the IPL and is in demand from numerous franchises around the world – in India he will offer important back-up to his idol and influence Rashid Khan.

Expert view from Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan: “That little kid, he just wants to learn. He has got the opportunity now and I am so, so happy he has been delivering. It’s great news for Afghanistan cricket.”

Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka)

Since the retirement of the great Lasith Malinga after the 2019 World Cup, Sri Lanka have been looking for a shock bowler who can take wickets and tie up the batsmen at the close of the innings. In Pathirana they appear to have found the most like-for-like replacement possible. Also a slinger, with an even lower arm action than his model Malinga, the 20-year-old speedster with a penchant for yorkers, stepped into the fast lane when MS Dhoni pulled him into the Chennai IPL squad late in 2022 as a replacement for Adam Milne. With a perfect sense of theatre, he took the wicket of Shubman Gill with his first ball. He only made his ODI debut against Afghanistan in June but if Sri Lanka lift the trophy for the second time it will surely be part due to ‘Baby Malinga’.

Expert view from Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood: “He absorbs information very quickly, and he’s very quickly able to apply that to his game. He does it his way.”

Gus Atkinson (England)

When England won the 2019 World Cup, they swore by pace. In Jofra Archer and Mark Wood they had two quicks who could go beyond the 90mph mark on a consistent basis. Wood is back again but with Archer still recovering from a long-term elbow injury — he will be in India an official reserve — the mantle has been handed to Atkinson. The 25-year-old paceman broke through this year with some fine early season performances that earned him an England call-up for the ODI series against New Zealand in September. He only took one wicket in three matches but it is the promise of a 95mph bowler that is exciting the English.

Expert view from former England captain Alastair Cook: “He doesn’t look like he uses that much effort to get the ball down at a decent lick. It looks like there is a bit more untapped pace.”

Teja Nidamanuru (Netherlands)

If it is the dream of every Indian cricketer to play in a World Cup, not many of them would expect to do it for the Netherlands. Such is the case for 29-year-old Nidamanuru who was born in Vijayawada in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh but brought up in New Zealand — before hitching his wagon to the Dutch. Nidamanuru qualified for them in May 2022 and struck an impressive half-century on debut against West Indies. But it was his 76-ball 111 against the two-time World Cup winners in Zimbabwe in June as the Dutch tied the 375 target, that marked him out as one to watch. The West Indies, who lost the game in the Super Over, missed out on the World Cup for the first time with the Dutch taking their place at the top table.

What he says: “It’s surreal to even just be sitting here and talking of playing in a World Cup. The road to it has been hard but it feels worth it.”

Towhid Hridoy (Bangladesh)

From his days in the Under-19s, Hridoy was picked out as a 50-over gem and this may be the moment for the wristy middle-order dasher to take Bangladesh to their first ever World Cup final. Now 22, Hridoy began to enjoy T20 franchise success before being brought into the national side for the T20 series against England in March, guickly followed by the ODI series against Ireland. He has now chalked up five 50s in his 17 ODIs and, perhaps using a bat given to him by his mentor Mushfiqur Rahim, there may be more to come in India.

Expert view from Bangladesh assistant coach Nic Pothas: “He has a high ceiling in terms of his skills. He has a lot of potential and a desire to learn. I am excited for what he can do.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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India aiming for eighth SAFF U19 title against Pakistan in final showdown

admin Sep 30, 2023 0

India and Pakistan clashed in a SAFF final just once before, during the 2011 SAFF U16 Championship. At the Dashrath Stadium, Pakistan secured a 2-1 victory, marking their sole SAFF title to date.

Updated On – 11:24 AM, Sat – 30 September 23

India aiming for eighth SAFF U19 title against Pakistan in final showdown

Kathmandu: India is on the hunt for their eighth SAFF youth men’s title as the Blue Colts take on Pakistan in the SAFF U19 Championship Final at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu on Saturday at 17:15 IST.

The final will be streamed live on the Sportzworkz YouTube Channel. Both teams showed great resolve to emerge victorious on penalties in their tantalizing semi-finals on Wednesday.
While India beat hosts Nepal 3-2 after a 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes, Pakistan played goalless against Bhutan before edging them 6-5 in the shoot-out to reach their third SAFF final in history, as per a press release from All India Football Federation (AIFF).

India and Pakistan have met only once in a SAFF final before. That was in the 2011 SAFF U16 Championship, where Pakistan ran out 2-1 winners at the very same Dashrath Stadium to clinch what is still their only SAFF title.

As far as the higher age groups are concerned, India will look to defend their title from last year which was held in the U20 format in Bhubaneswar. For Pakistan, this is their first-ever appearance in the tournament.
Seemingly excited before the big final, India head coach Shuvendu Panda expressed his expectations from the game in the pre-match press conference.

“I am quite sure this is going to be a very good match. Of course, I do not go into the history between India and Pakistan. We are just concentrating on the final. I know they are a very good side, very disciplined and tactically strong. People always enjoy an India-Pakistan match, and I hope they will tomorrow as well,” he said.

Panda’s counterpart Shadab Iftikhar said, “Any final is a special game. You do not know when the next final is going to come along so you should enjoy it. I do not think many expected Pakistan to be here. It’s an absolute honour to be part of this moment. Hopefully, this is just one of many.”

India had beaten Bangladesh (3-0) and Bhutan (2-1) to top Group B before their thrilling semi-final win over the hosts in front of a partisan crowd. Panda explained that he expected a different sort of contest than what panned out in the semi-final.

“Nepal is an aggressive side. They focus more on attacking. However, Pakistan are a defensive side that goes for counter-attacks. Every game is a different situation and we are ready to face the challenge. Being in the final is great motivation for the boys.”

Like India, Pakistan also topped their group with a 1-0 win over Nepal and a 1-1 draw with Maldives. Iftikhar’s boys, who were put under real test by Bhutan’s quick attack, have conceded only once in the tournament.

Sharing his thoughts on the opponents, India captain Ishaan Shishodia said, “While coming into the competition, we didn’t know much about how the teams play. But now, we have seen Pakistan’s three matches and we know about them. Our coach has given us all the information we need to get the win. We feel confident.”

For the large majority of the Indian squad, this SAFF U19 Championship is their first international tournament representing their nation, and September 30 is going to be the biggest day of their young careers. The first trophy is always special, no matter what level of competition.

“First of all, when we came here, our only goal was to lift the trophy. And finally, we are one step closer and the last obstacle is Pakistan. Everyone in the team is motivated. It’s a match we all will remember for the rest of our lives,” shared Shishodia.

Panda, who has guided this batch of players since 2021, placed every ounce of trust in each of his 23 Blue Colts, who will create history for themselves and the nation should they pass the final test. The day has finally arrived.

“Definitely, we are here to make history because we have been in this process for the last two years, working hard for this moment and this day. I have two hundred per cent faith in my players. We will give our best and do everything possible to try and bring the trophy home,” concluded Panda.