Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam was conspicuous by his absence from the team's training and there was no clarity on his availability for the Champions Trophy clash against India in Dubai on Sunday, even as the country's cricket board chief Mohsin Naqvi urged the side to win "at any cost".
With the pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) expected to offer some grip to the spinners, the Indian batters did not want to leave anything to the chance.
As a mark of respect, players and match officials will wear black armbands, and a minute's silence will be observed before the start of the match.
Sri Lankan players currently touring Pakistan for a three-match ODI series want to return home due to security concerns following a deadly suicide attack in Islamabad but PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi claimed that the rubber will continue, albeit with a rejigged schedule.
Virat Kohli had a forgettable outing at the Dubai International Stadium.
Was it a lack of confidence about whether he would perform in England that influenced his decision? asks K R Nayar.
India suffered a disappointing start to their Women's T20 World Cup campaign in Dubai, facing both on-field struggles and a contentious decision against New Zealand.
Batting great Sunil Gavaskar expressed solidarity with the families of those killed in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
'For me, it's about understanding the conditions and preparing my game accordingly, Kohli said after collecting the player-of-the-match award.
Yuvi picked his four, keeping RCB out of his list and inviting a comment from Yuzvindra Chahal.
Seasoned India pacer Mohammed Shami says attention to detail and loyalty towards his craft makes him lethal in ICC events.
Mohammed Shami has etched his name in the record books, becoming the fastest Indian and the second-fastest bowler in the world to claim 200 wickets in ODIs
'He is a permanent fixture when it comes to the Indian team. He has been match referee 90 times in India's matches.'
Smriti Mandhana showered praise on skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and said that the 35-year-old is fierce and always gives her best.
Akshay was seen enjoying the company of India opener Shikhar Dhawan who has not been included in the T20 World Cup squad.
Images from the Women's T20 World Cup match between India and Sri Lanka in Dubai on Wednesday.
In Dubai, A Ganesh Nadar encountered high speeds on smooth-as-silk-roads, no bureaucracy, gold, Mr Toad's. And snow!
Richards could mentor the team in the World Cup a role fulfilled by former Australian opener, Matthew Hayden in the last two T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022 where Pakistan reached the semi-final and final.
It turned out to be a special evening in the IPL as Chennai Super Kings pace bowler Deepak Chahar proposed to long-time girlfriend Jaya Bhardwaj after the match against the Punjab Kings at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.
'When you play on slower wickets, it's more important to play with the wrists and that comes naturally to me. I took on the extra pace (of Umran) today and it came off in this game, but in another game it might not'
Women's T20 Challenge to be played in Sharjah.
India are the most successful team in the U19 Asia Cup having won the title eight times.
Almost all the Indian batters ended their batting sessions with lofted shots. Every few minutes, screams of 'Watch out!' filled the air -- not from the players, but from scribes trying to protect their laptops, cameras, and skulls.
The India-Pakistan tensions have had no impact on the bonhomie within the UAE cricket team, which is a mix of expatriates from the two countries, insisted skipper Muhammad Waseem.
The Asia Cup, which was scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka, has been shifted to the United Arab Emirates, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said on Thursday.
India's chase was built on a solid foundation laid by Ayush Mhatre (34 off 28) as he put on a stand of 91 with Suryavanshi for the opening wicket.
Kolkata Knight riders co-owner Shahrukh Khan was in Dubai on Wednesday to watch his team take on Rajasthan Royals, in the IPL match.
Can you identify the gentlemen in Rajasthan Royal colours and a red mask taking a selfie?
It took Australia seven attempts but under Aaron Finch they finally laid their hands on a maiden Twenty20 World Cup title on Sunday with an eight-wicket triumph over New Zealand.
A seemingly invincible India will be eager to sharpen their game against spin and give a run to second-line players ahead of the semi-final when they take on New Zealand in their last group match of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday.
Marcus Stoinis and Wade played unbeaten knocks of 40 and 41 respectively as Australia defeated Pakistan by five wickets to enter the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
'They haven't done a lot wrong. That's without some of their stars actually performing in that final.'
Photos from the final of the ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup
Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh mirrored that thought but went a step ahead and compared the game to the ICC 2019 World Cup final between England and New Zealand.
At the end of every Chennai Super Kings game, players from the opposing side seek out The Master and ask for advice on how to iron out the kinks in their game and attitude.
Pakistani fans forget that Dubai was once Pakistan's home ground where they played all their international matches until Imran Khan became the country's prime minister.
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy Group A match played between India and New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, in Dubai on Sunday
Pakistan defeated England by eight runs in the first of three T20 Internationals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Chasing a modest target of 145, the visitors managed only 136 for six. Umar Gul was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with figures of three for 18.
The cricketer and the techie wed in Agra on Wednesday.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson on Sunday equalled the record of scoring most runs by any batter in the T20 World Cup final.
