Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Cricket World Cup: Five bowlers to watch

The Cricket World Cup gets under way at the Oval on Thursday, with 10 teams slugging it out for the title.

We take a look at five bowlers to watch.


Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Rashid Khan's rise has been spectacular. The wily leg-spinner made his international debut at the tender age of 17, shortly after his team's first appearance in the 50-over World Cup in 2015. Four years on, he is a globetrotting white-ball superstar who is highly sought after in franchise competitions. Khan, who tops the world Twenty20 bowling rankings and lies third in the 50-over standings, is Afghanistan's go-to bowler with 125 wickets in 59 ODI matches.

Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Currently top of the ICC ODI rankings, Jasprit Bumrah arrives in England with the wind in his sails. He has just enjoyed another productive Indian Premier League campaign, playing a key part in Mumbai Indians' fourth record title in the T20 tournament. Genuinely sharp but with a neat line in slower balls and an unorthodox sling-arm action, he is at his best in the death overs. Bumrah, 25, averages an impressive 22.15 at an economy rate of 4.51 in 49 ODIs.

Pat Cummins (Australia)

Australia's one-day side has been struggling for much of the past two years but is coming good at the perfect time. In Pat Cummins they boast a new ball bowler capable of extracting life from flat pitches and taking clusters of wickets. His history of injury suggests he may need to be managed carefully but if that part is handled with care the job of ruffling feathers in big games can safely be left to the 26-year-old.

Imran Tahir (South Africa)

At 40 years of age and with retirement beckoning, Imran Tahir might seem a less likely hope for South Africa than charismatic paceman Kagiso Rabada. But Rabada's back problems leave a question mark against him on the eve of the tournament, while Tahir has worked himself into a nice groove at the IPL. The veteran wrist-spinner comes into the big event on the back of 26 wickets -- one better than Rabada and top of the bowlers chart -- for runners-up Chennai Super Kings in the glitzy T20 league.

Jofra Archer (England)

Jofra Archer has been the focal point of much of the talk around World Cup favourites England. Adil Rashid's leg-spin could be crucial but the Barbados-born Archer looks like playing a role at the key moments -- whether it be it with new ball in hand at the start of the innings or hurling down the old one in the final overs. India skipper Virat Kohi called him the "X-factor" for England.

More For You

India vs Pakistan

The PCB had complained to the ICC, alleging that Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the toss in Sunday’s Asia Cup match.

Getty Images

ICC rejects PCB request to drop Pycroft from Asia Cup panel

THE International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Pakistan’s request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup. The decision came after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) blamed the Zimbabwean official for the “no handshake” incident during their game against India and reportedly threatened to pull out of the tournament.

The PCB had complained to the ICC, alleging that Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the toss in Sunday’s Asia Cup match.

Keep ReadingShow less
11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
'This Girl Can' calls out erasure of south Asian Muslim women from UK sport with bold new visibility drive

This Girl Can calls out erasure of south Asian Muslim women from UK sport

'This Girl Can' calls out erasure of south Asian Muslim women from UK sport with bold new visibility drive

Highlights:

  • New ‘We Like the Way You Move’ campaign launched by Sport England initiative This Girl Can.
  • Focus on improving representation of South Asian Muslim women in sport and physical activity.
  • Research highlights stark under-representation of women of colour in public sports imagery.
  • Campaign calls on providers to create inclusive, women-only and culturally sensitive spaces.

This Girl Can has unveiled a powerful new campaign spotlighting South Asian Muslim women in sport, aiming to redefine what being active looks like and tackle deep-rooted barriers. The We Like the Way You Move drive, launched by Sport England, uses strong visuals with community-driven storytelling to encourage participation and promote inclusivity. It comes alongside new data exposing how women of colour remain overlooked in public representations of physical activity.

This Girl Can calls out erasure of south Asian Muslim women from UK sport www.easterneye.biz

Keep ReadingShow less
India vs Pakistan

With this victory, India have won both their matches and are close to qualifying for the Super Fours stage. (Photo: Getty Images)

India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets in Asia Cup, no handshakes after match

Highlights:

  • India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in their first meeting since the May conflict.
  • Indian players left the field without handshakes, citing alignment with government and BCCI.
  • Pakistan lodged a protest over the post-match conduct.
  • Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to the armed forces.

INDIA defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup T20 in Dubai on Sunday. It was the first meeting between the two sides since their military conflict in May.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asia Cup 2025: India and Pakistan brace for high-stakes clash

Cricket fans with their bodies painted in the colours of the Indian and Pakistani national flags pose for photographs ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan, in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)

Asia Cup 2025: India and Pakistan brace for high-stakes clash

INDIA and Pakistan face off on Sunday (14) in their first T20 International in more than 15 months, a contest carrying both sporting and political weight.

India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has urged his players to put emotions aside after recent cross-border tensions, stressing that focus must remain on cricket.

Keep ReadingShow less