The mystery spinner even has a YouTube channel dedicated to football discussions.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started working on an alternate plan as serious doubts have arisen over Afghanistan's participation in an upcoming T20 Tri-Series amid military conflict between the two countries.
New Zealand find themselves in the a difficult group with two-time champions West Indies and Afghanistan also vying for the the top two spots.
Afghanistan's performances at the 50-overs and Twenty20 World Cups mean there is no chance of Australia taking them lightly in Friday's Champions Trophy match.
The selectors were forced to go back to seniors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli following injuries to key T20 players.
Youngsters Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy and Riyan Parag got the nod after their impressive performances in IPL 2024 earlier this year.
Kuldeep Yadav has a good record in T20 Internationals with 69 wickets in 40 matches at an economy rate of 6.77, with a best of 5/17 against South Africa.
Hosts United Arab Emirates will look to shake off the drubbing from India when they face debutants Oman in a Group A Asia Cup match in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
The two teams last met in the ODI World Cup in 2023. It was in Mumbai where Glenn Maxwell had played a once-in-a-generation knock to notch up a sensational double hundred while battling cramps all over his body, with Pat Cummins in tow who provided sturdy support from the other end.
Defending champions India had a full-fledged practice session at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Friday as they put the finishing touches to their Asia Cup preparations.
It's emotional down here, we're in final: Steyn, Smith laud SA for T20 WC final entry
Ireland were scheduled to host Afghanistan for one Test, three ODIs and three T20s in July.
Taking to his social media account, de Villiers expressed his excitement, calling it a 'moment of truth' for the team.
Pant made 18 in his first outing since that accident against Punjab Kings and Delhi succumbed to their second successive defeat on Thursday when inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals beat them by 12 runs.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had asked to move its match against Afghanistan from Chennai to Bengaluru and the game against Australia from Bengaluru to Chennai.
The PCB is still apprehensive about sending its team to India for the ODI World Cup but ICC is "confident" that the Babar Azam-led team will compete in the 50-over showpiece.
There were reports that the ICC could forbid Afghanistan from participating in the showpiece event if the team decides to play under the Taliban flag amid the ongoing turmoil in the country.
Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott feels his team is a stronger unit in a day game and expects them to optimise the conditions against a formidable India.
After the results of the Africa Qualifier, the slots for the 20 participating teams have been filled.
Unless a player picks up an injury in training, India's team is expected to wear the same look against a Pakistan squad that are without top stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, lending it a look of youth and experience.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said Babar Azam has been asked to improve certain aspects of his game.
BCCI could opt for a neutral venue with Pakistan unlikely to travel to India.
Two-time champions West Indies and former winners Sri Lanka will have to play the qualifying rounds.
Afghanistan registered a stunning 21-run win for their first ever victory against Australia in international cricket.
Without belittling the poised run of the Proteas, Afghanistan have been the revelation of this ICC showpiece.
England's torrid run in the 50-over format has plunged to alarming depths after they lost their first ODI series to South Africa since 1998.
In cricket, we have something that we can share with our families, neighbours and indeed, the whole country. It is colour-blind, language-neutral, truly secular and transcends all regions, from Kashmir to Kerala and Mizoram to Maharashtra, explains Shreekant Sambrani.
The 31-year-old Asghar had replaced Nabi as captain in 2015.
"Captaincy is a huge responsibility. I have the experience of leading my country before, there is a great bunch of guys with whom I have a good understanding and feel pretty comfortable.
Following New Zealand's shock exit from the T20 World Cup, Kane Williamson was non-committal about his future.
The collective brilliance of the Indian XI in the 2023 World Cup makes a compelling case for each player to be considered for inclusion in every World XI.
The men's Asia Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28, Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Saturday.
Kane Williamson hailed the T20 World Cup's expansion to 20 nations after co-hosts United States beat Pakistan on Thursday
Australia opener Travis head on Wednesday toppled India's Suryakumar Yadav as the number one batter in the latest ICC T20 rankings.
India is looking to win the upcoming tournament for Virat Kohli like the batch of 2011 won it for Sachin Tendulkar, feels Virender Sehwag.
Pakistan are wary of playing Afghanistan on a spin-friendly pitch in Chennai against the likes of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, who did well for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023.
Arshdeep Singh starred as India ended their wait for a major ICC trophy win with victory in the T20 World Cup last year.
The win over Ireland saw New Zealand grab the top spot with seven points and a net runrate of +2.113.
South Africa and India have advanced as the two other teams unbeaten in the group stage though both had their struggles in the United States leg of the tournament.
Despite "nervousness" creeping into the camp, Rajput is assured that his side will be ready, but it will come down to the manner in which they execute their game.
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