krbuzz

  By K.R. Nayar A determined Shantakumaran Sreesanth is back to prove that he is still the deadly swing bowler that the world had feared. As a reporter, I have covered almost all his international matches and travelled with him as well. We also share the same native language - Malayalam. So it was special to interact with him virtually immediately after his first match and listen to how he has worked out his plans to return to international cricket  S. Sreesanth after his first match in seven years  After seven long years, Shantakumaran Sreesanth played his first match for Kerala against Puducherry at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match on Monday. It was his return to cricket after a ban for his alleged role in the IPL spot-fixing scandal. Since his last match on May 9, 2013, for Rajasthan Royals against Kings XI Punjab at Mohali, he hadn’t played any matches. He swung the ball as brilliantly as he used to in international cricket and clean bowl...

By K.R. Nayar Kumar Sangakkara is not a mere wicket-keeper batsman but a legend whose knowledge of the game is remarkable and has the ability to talk analytically about various aspects of the game. Team Abu Dhabi has rightly appointed him as their mentor for the fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 League. The mere presence of this gentleman cricketer can lift the glamour of this event. Give Kumar Sangakkara any role and he will sparkle in it. As a batsman, it was always a treat to watch his strokes and consistency. As a wicketkeeper, he was agile. And now as a commentator, he is a delight to hear. Team Abu Dhabi could not have made a better choice than Sangakkara as their mentor to boost their chances in the fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 League commencing from January 28 to February 6 at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium. Responding to a query from  krbuzz.blogspot.com   on what was needed to be successful in T10 during a virtual interaction with media orga...

  By K.R. Nayar Plans are on to create Mumbai Cricket Association’s museum at the Wankhede Cricket Stadium premises. Shyam Bhatia, who has made one of the finest cricket museums in the world in Dubai, will back the Mumbai Cricket Association museum committee that has the legendary batsman Dilip Vengsarkar as one of its members     Shyam Bhatia with Nadeem Memon at the Shyam Bhatia cricket museum  Cricket enthusiast and businessman Shyam Bhatia, who has created one of the finest cricket museums, which traces the game’s history and has some rare memorabilia, in Dubai, has joined former Indian captain and legendary batsman Dilip Vengsarkar in providing support to the creation of the Mumbai Cricket Association’s museum at the Wankhede Stadium. Speaking to  krbuzz.blogspot.com  from Mumbai, Vengsarkar, who is a member of the Mumbai Cricket Association museum committee, said: “I'm extremely happy that Mumbai Cricket Association is working on a plan to hav...

By K.R. Nayar CP Rizwan, who hails from the small town of Tellicherry, had chased a dream of playing international cricket and help the UAE win against top teams. He cracked a century (109) along with Mohammad Usman (102n.o) to stun Ireland in the opening match of the four match series against Ireland on Friday. Rizwan’s tale is that of determination backed by a consistent performance for the last seven years CP Rizwan (left) with Mohammad Usman after scoring their centuries   A cricketer from Tellicherry in Kerala, who has been consistently  performing in the UAE’s domestic tournaments for the last seven years, carved out a historic moment for the UAE national team at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium today (Friday).   Cracking a century and bagging the man of the match award, Chundangapoyil Puthiyapurayil Rizwan, known popularly as CP Rizwan, steered UAE to a stunning six-wicket win over Ireland. This win over an ICC full member and Test playing nation is new feathe...

By K.R. Nayar UAE and Ireland will play a four-match One Day International series in Abu Dhabi from January 8, 2021. For the UAE, playing against Ireland, which is an ICC full member team, will be an experience for the squad that also includes some Under-19 cricketers UAE skipper Ahmed Raza  UAE cricket team returns to international cricket by taking on Ireland who had beaten reigning world champions England in their last One Day International match. The four-match series commences from January 8, followed by matches on January 10, 12, and 14, at the Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. Speaking at the pre-series press conference on Wednesday, UAE skipper Ahmed Raza thanked the Emirates Cricket Board and Ireland, and said: “I would like to thank Andy (Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie) and his team for coming down to the UAE and putting the trust in us, in our facilities, and Abu Dhabi Cricket for hosting this series.” According to Raza, what makes this series special is the fa...

By K.R. Nayar A new Bradman Museum book written by R. Kaushik, one of India's most renowned cricket writers, traces the rivalry between India and Australia over the years. This 196-page coffee-table book also narrates great performances by legends and interesting contests between the two nations Team India coach Ravi Shastri today launched “ India's 71-Year Test: The Journey to Triumph in Australia ”, a new Bradman Museum book written by R. Kaushik, one of India's most respected cricket writers who has reported more than 100 Tests. The release of this book comes at a time when the ongoing India-Australia series is poised one-all with the Third Test set to commence from January 11. This book throws light into the history of the intense contest between India and Australia over the years. It reflects on India’s first 12 tours to Australia – from 1947/48, to face Don Bradman’s side - and traces the dominance of the host nation since then until the turn of the millennium. Laun...

  By K.R. Nayar Oman will become the second nation in the Gulf region to host a Test match when they stage a two-Test series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in February 2021. So far only 22 nations and 122 grounds in the world have hosted a Test match. Oman Cricket Association ground  Test cricket will be played in a new ground and in a new country this year. Oman will become the second nation in the Gulf region to stage a Test match in February. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has granted approval to host Test cricket at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground 1. A two-Test series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will be played on this ground next month. As of now, only 22 nations in the world have hosted a Test match. So far, only 122 grounds have staged Test matches since the first officially recognised Test match between Australia and England was played in Melbourne in March 1877. Kanak Khimji  This is expected to be a huge leap for Oman that began as an affiliate...