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Big Boost For Babar Azams Confidence After Defeat Against India, Wins ICC Player Of The Month Award

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently unveiled the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for August, and it was Pakistan’s star captain, Babar Azam, who stole the spotlight. In a scintillating series of performances, Babar Azam became the first male cricketer to win the coveted ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for the third time in his career.

Babar Azam’s August Brilliance

Babar Azam’s August was nothing short of exceptional. His batting prowess shone brightly in matches against Afghanistan and Nepal. While he might have started the ODI series against Afghanistan quietly, he quickly regained his form, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s series sweep with scores of 53 and 60 in the last two fixtures.

However, the highlight of his month came in the opening Asia Cup fixture against Nepal in Multan. Facing a challenging situation at 25 for two, Babar displayed remarkable control and flair to stabilize the Pakistan innings. He then unleashed a barrage of aggressive strokes, propelling Pakistan to a mammoth total of 342. His remarkable innings of 151 from just 131 balls left cricket enthusiasts in awe.

In total, Babar amassed 264 runs during the month, averaging an impressive 66, and striking at a rate of 92.30.

Babar Azam’s Reaction to the Win

Upon receiving the ICC Player of the Month award for August 2023, Babar expressed his delight, saying, “I am delighted to be named ICC Player of the Month for August 2023.” He went on to reflect on the joy of playing in front of passionate crowds in Multan and Lahore and expressed his eagerness for the upcoming Asia Cup and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

“My team and I are eager to bring joy and happiness to the millions of Pakistan fans,” Babar added.

Competition in the Men’s Category

Babar’s third Player of the Month award was hard-fought, with stiff competition from his compatriot, Shadab Khan, who excelled with the ball in the same fixtures. Additionally, Nicholas Pooran, the primary architect of the West Indies’ T20I series victory over India, was also a strong contender.

Arlene Kelly Shines in the Women’s Category

In the Women’s Player of the Month category, Ireland’s dynamic seamer, Arlene Kelly, emerged victorious. Her exceptional bowling performances played a pivotal role in Ireland’s convincing 3-0 series victory over the Netherlands in the T20I format. Kelly’s standout spell in the first duel saw her return career-best figures of 5-12, leading her team to a ten-wicket win.

With a total of ten wickets across three T20I matches and an incredible average of 4.30, Kelly was a constant threat to the Dutch lineup. Her consistency continued with three wickets for 11 runs in the second match and two wickets for 20 runs in the final outing.

Upon receiving the award, Arlene Kelly expressed her gratitude for the opportunities cricket has provided, stating, “The series win in the Netherlands was memorable, and being able to contribute with the ball made it that little bit more special.”

Kelly overcame competition from Malaysia’s all-rounder Ainna Hamizah Hashim and Netherlands’ opening batter Iris Zwilling to secure the Women’s Player of the Month prize.

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WATCH: Virat Kohli Shakes A Leg On ‘Lungi Dance’ Song During India Vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 Match

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Former India captain Virat Kohli may have failed with the bat against Sri Lanka in their Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2023 on Tuesday but that didn’t prevent him from having a gala time on the field. Kohli was seen shaking a leg during India’s bowling innings against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Kohli scored just 3 as India were bundled out for 213 with young Sri Lankan spinner Dunith Wellalage claiming 5/40 in 10 overs. In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 172 as India won by 41 runs to book their place in the Asia Cup 2023 Final set to take place on September 17.

Watch Virat Kohli shake a leg to ‘Lungi Dance’ song during India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 Super 4…

Kohli has been in sensational form with the bat over the last year, scoring 5 international hundreds in ODI cricket – same as Indian opener Shubman Gill. On Monday, Kohli scored his 47th international century in ODI cricket, scoring 122 not out against Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match.

On Tuesday, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli reached a total of 5,000 runs as a pair, becoming the fastest to do so.  The duo reached this landmark during India’s Super Four Asia Cup clash against Sri Lanka.

Though the partnership between Rohit and Virat, as the star duo is known among the fans, was short and restricted to just 10 runs after the dismissal of Virat for three, it was enough to touch this landmark.  In 86 innings, they have scored 5,008 runs as a pair at an average of 61.82. They have had 18 hundred run stands and 15 half-century stands, with their best being a partnership of 246 runs.

They are the fastest to reach the landmark, overtaking the legendary West Indies duo of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, who reached the mark in 97 innings. They are the eighth-most successful duo of all time, with the best being Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, who scored 8,227 runs as a pair in 176 innings at an average of 47.55 and 26 century and 29 half-century stands. Their best partnership is 258 runs.

Behind Sachin-Sourav and Rohit-Shikhar Dhawan (5,193 runs at an average of 45.15 with 18 century and 15 half-century stands), they are the third-best Indian batting pair. Coming to the match, India elected to bat first and an 80-run partnership between skipper Rohit Sharma (53 in 48 balls, seven fours and three sixes) and Shubman Gill (19) helped lay a foundation for a big score.

(with ANI inputs)

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Asia Cup 2023 Points Table: How Can Babar Azam’s Side Set Up India Vs Pakistan Final On September 17

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Team India have become the first side to book their berth in the Asia Cup 2023 Final with their 41-run win over Sri Lanka in their second Super 4 match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday. Rohit Sharma’s side had earlier thrashed Pakistan by 228 runs in a rain-hit Super 4 clash which ended on the ‘Reserve Day’ on Monday.

With 2 wins in 2 matches in the Super 4 stage, Team India now have 4 points and net run-rate of 2.690 and have booked their place in the Asia Cup 2023 Final which will take place on Sunday (September 17). After India’s win over Sri Lanka, Bangladesh are out of the race of qualification for the Final and need a miracle with 2 losses from 2 matches and a NRR of -0.749.

Check Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 Points after India’s win over Sri Lanka HERE…

Sri Lanka are still currently in second place with 2 points from 2 matches with NRR of -0.200 while Babar Azam’s Pakistan are in third place with 2 points as well but a NRR of -1.892. Sri Lanka and Pakistan will face each other in the fifth match of the Super 4 stage and the winner of the contest will book a place in the final with India.

Here are the Asia Cup 2023 Final Qualification scenario for Sri Lanka and Pakistan…

Sri Lanka – Points: 2; Net run rate: – 0.200; Matches remaining: Pakistan (Thursday)

The equation is simple for Sri Lanka, win against Pakistan and book their place in a second-successive Asia Cup final. However, if the match of Thursday is washed out due to rain, Sri Lanka will be progressing to the final on account of their superior net run-rate.

Pakistan – Points: 2; Net run rate: – 1.892; Matches remaining: Sri Lanka (Thursday)

For Pakistan also, the situation is same as Sri Lanka. The Super 4 match on Thursday between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is a virtual semifinal for Babar Azam’s side. A win will ensure a Final berth while a loss in their final Super 4 match will send the flying home.

If the SL vs Pakistan Super 4 match is washed out due to rain, hosts Pakistan will be flying back home due to their poor net run-rate after their massive loss to India on Monday.

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Asia Cup 2023: Afghan Mystery Girl Celebrates Team India’s 41-Run Win Over Sri Lanka In Super 4 Match, See PIC

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Team India has been receiving unexpected support from across the border from as far off as Afghanistan during their Asia Cup 2023 campaign in Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma’s side posted their second win in successive days – hammering Sri Lanka by 41 runs on Tuesday to book their place in the Asia Cup 2023 Final on Sunday (September 17).

Afghanistan mystery girl Wazhma Ayoubi has taken social media by storm, not only for her gorgeous look, but the way she has been supporting the Indian cricket team over the last week. On Tuesday night, she posted another picture of herself on social media platform ‘X’, formerly Twitter, with the caption, “Bharat wins by 41 runs”.

Wazhma Ayoubi is a model, business owner and philanthropist based out of Dubai. Born in Afghanistan in 1995, she left the country which was in political turmoil.

Wazhma owns the fashion brand ‘LAMAN’ and hopes to act in Bollywood someday. After Afghanistan were knocked out, Wazhma turned into fan of her second ‘home’ team – India. She cheered for the ‘Men In Blue’ vs Pakistan and Nepal during the group fixtures.

On Sunday and Monday, September 10 and 11, when India played Pakistan in the Super 4s, Wazhma supported India again. She congratulated Rohit Sharma and Co after the team thumped Pakistan by a massive margin of 228 runs.

Wazhma did not just congratulate India for the win, but also chose her words smartly. Instead of saying ‘India’, Wazhma wrote ‘Bharat’ to congratulate Rohit Sharma’s side.

Meanwhile, Team India captain Rohit Sharma was pleased to come out of a tough encounter against Sri Lanka with a win under his belt. “For us also to play a game like that under pressure on a slightly challenging pitch. It was challenging in a lot of aspects. We are definitely looking to play on pitches like this to see what we can achieve, we might as well come here and play on pitches like these,” Rohit Sharma said after the match on Tuesday.

On bowling of Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma said, “He has worked really hard in his bowling for the last couple of years. It doesn’t happen overnight and it’s pleasing to see. He looked like taking a wicket off every ball. Was not an easy target to defend as the pitch got easier at the end and we had to put it consistently in one area and I think we did quite well.”

Team India have booked their place in the Asia Cup 2023 Final and will play Bangladesh in their final Super 4 match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday.

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