Lucknow Super Giants' Nicholas Pooran showcased his batting prowess on Sunday with a spirited 32-ball 45 against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League match, but his efforts ultimately ended in vain as his side succumbed to an eight-wicket defeat.

Despite Lucknow's loss, Pooran's aggressive innings stood out as he struck four sixes and two fours to provide a much-needed boost to his team's total. His performance, coming in at number six, helped Lucknow Super Giants post a competitive score of 161 for 7.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Mitchell Starc proved to be a significant obstacle for Lucknow, claiming three crucial wickets for 28 runs, including that of Pooran in the final over. Starc's exceptional bowling performance played a pivotal role in restricting Lucknow's run-scoring capabilities in the latter stages of the innings.

Starc got support from Sunil Narine, who failed with the bat, only making six, but bowled well, picking up 1-17 from his quota of overs. Andre Russell was expensive conceding 16 runs but also taking a wicket in the emphatic victory.

Lucknow's hopes were further dashed as Kolkata Knight Riders' Phil Salt dominated the chase with an unbeaten 89 off 47 balls, steering his team to victory with ease. Salt's aggressive batting display, combined with a composed innings of 38 not out from Shreyas Iyer, propelled Kolkata Knight Riders to their target with eight wickets in hand.

The fixtures for the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) have been confirmed with the tournament set to run from Thursday 29 August to Sunday 6 October. For the first time since 2019 the event will visit six host countries with matches set to take place in Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago.

There will be 34 matches in total with each of the six teams playing 10 group matches. The knockout stages will take place in Guyana with the home team, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, looking to defend the title they won in 2023.

(See full fixture schedule below)

The tournament gets underway with the newest CPL franchise, the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, hosting their nearest rivals the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. The tournament will have two legs running concurrently with all six teams hosting home matches.

Michael Hall, Tournament Operations Director for the Republic Bank CPL, said: “We are looking forward to getting underway in Antigua & Barbuda with matches back in the country for the first time in 10 years. It is also very pleasing to be back having home matches for all six teams with the Biggest Party in Sport set to have an even wider footprint in 2024.”

Men’s Caribbean Premier League 2024 Fixtures:

Thurs 29 August, 7pm: Antigua & Barbuda Falcons vs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.

Fri 30 August, 7pm:  Antigua & Barbuda Falcons vs Guyana Amazon Warriors, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.

Sat 31 August, 7pm:  St Kitts & Nevis Patriots vs Trinbago Knight Riders, Warner Park Sporting Complex, St Kitts.

Sun 1 September, 10am:  Antigua & Barbuda Falcons vs Barbados Royals, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.

Sun 1 September, 7pm:  St Kitts & Nevis Patriots vs Saint Lucia Kings, Warner Park Sporting Complex, St Kitts.

Tues 3 September, 7pm:  Antigua & Barbuda Falcons vs Saint Lucia Kings, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.

Wed 4 September, 7pm: St Kitts & Nevis Patriots vs Guyana Amazon Warriors, Warner Park Sporting Complex, St Kitts.

Thurs 5 September, 7pm:  Antigua & Barbuda Falcons vs Trinbago Knight Riders, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.

Fri 6 September, 7pm:  St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Barbados Royals, Warner Park Sporting Complex, St Kitts.

Sat 7 September,7pm: Saint Lucia Kings vs Guyana Amazon Warriors, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia.

Sun 8 September,10am: St Kitts & Nevis Patriots vs Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, Warner Park Sporting Complex, St Kitts.

Tues 10 September, 7pm: Saint Lucia Kings vs Trinbago Knight Riders, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia.

Wed 11 September, 7pm: Barbados Royals vs Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Thurs 12 September, 7pm: Saint Lucia Kings vs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots vs Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia.

Fri 13 September, 7pm: Barbados Royals vs Trinbago Knight Riders, Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Sat 14 September, 7pm: Barbados Royals vs Guyana Amazon Warriors, Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Sun 15 September, 7pm: Saint Lucia Kings vs Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia.

Tues 17 September, 7pm: Barbados Royals vs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Wed 18 September, 7pm: Trinbago Knight Riders vs Guyana Amazon Warriors, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad.

Thurs 19 September, 7pm: Trinbago Knight Riders vs Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad.

Friday 20 September, 7pm: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Sat 21 September, 10am: Saint Lucia Kings vs Barbados Royals, Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Sat 21 September, 7pm: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Sun 22 September, 10am: Barbados Royals vs Saint Lucia Kings, Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Sun 22 September, 7pm: Trinbago Knight Riders vs St Kitt & Nevis Patriots, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad.

Tues 24 September, 10am: Trinbago Knight Riders vs Saint Lucia Kings, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad.

Wed 25 September, 7pm: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Barbados Royals, Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Fri 27 September, 7pm: Trinbago Knight Riders vs Barbados Royals, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad.

Sat 28 September, 10am: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Saint Lucia Kings, Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Sun 29 September, 7pm: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight Riders, Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

 Tues 1 October, 7pm: Eliminator – 3rd place vs 4th place, Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Wed 2 October, 7pm: Qualifier 1 – 1st place vs 2nd place, Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Fri 4 October 7pm: Qualifier 2 – Winner of Eliminator  vs Loser Qualifier 1, Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Sun 6 October, 7pm: Final – Winner Qualifier 1 vs Winner Qualifier 2, Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League and Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League created a total economic impact of US$55,258,616 for Trinidad & Tobago during the 2023 tournament. This is a 15 per cent increase from the total generated in 2022.

 There were six men’s matches and four Women’s matches in Trinidad between 5 and 10 September with games taking place at the Queen’s Park Oval and the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, including the WCPL final.

 The total event impact is calculated by world renowned research organization, YouGov Sport. The figure is based on organizer spend, visitor spend and media value for Trinidad & Tobago.

The tournament filled 13,961 hotel room nights in Trinidad, made up by CPL’s significant cohort which included players, coaches, administrators, TV and media crews, team owner groups, league and franchise event management teams, alongside overseas visitors who arrived to watch the games. A large part of the total economic impact figure stems from the money spent by these overseas visitors who spend time in Trinidad & Tobago during the event.

Trinidad & Tobago also benefited from the tournament being broadcast around the world with CPL’s audience reaching 853.5million total viewers in 2023. As always, the tournament worked closely with the local tourism authorities to create world class content which highlighted the unique sports tourism opportunities that Trinidad & Tobago had to offer. These exclusive features and vignettes were shown during the CPL matches, further promoting the tourism message.

Pete Russell, Republic Bank CPL’s CEO, said: “History was created in Trinidad & Tobago in 2023 when the Barbados Royals won an expanded WCPL in front of a sell-out crowd at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, and it was fantastic to once again be somewhere that is the beating heart of CPL cricket. ”

Also weighing in in on the League’s impact was Minister of Sport and Community Development, the Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis, who said: “Once again, the Caribbean Premier League had demonstrated its remarkable impact on generating economic activity in Trinidad and Tobago. CPL’s statistics underscore the league’s pivotal role in advancing and developing our nation’s sport tourism portfolio. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, through the Ministry of Sport and Community Development and the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SporTT), looks forward to the return of the CPL in 2024, as we remain committed to harnessing the power of sport to drive economic growth and fostering community development across the nation.”

In a run-fest at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians secured their first win of the IPL 2024 season with a commanding 29-run victory over Delhi Capitals. The highlight of the match was Player of the Match Romario Shepherd's explosive batting display in the final over, where he smashed 32 runs off Anrich Nortje to lift Mumbai to a formidable total of 234 for 5.

Mumbai's innings began with a blazing start from Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, who put on an impressive 80-run partnership in just seven overs. Rohit, in particular, was in devastating form, dispatching the Capitals' bowlers to all parts of the ground. He accelerated rapidly, hitting boundaries at will and setting the tone for Mumbai's innings.

As the Capitals looked to regain control with spinners, Rohit continued his onslaught, unfazed by the change in bowling attack. His aggressive strokeplay kept Mumbai's scoreboard ticking at a rapid pace, pushing them to 75 for no loss after six overs.

While Rohit fell just short of a half-century, contributions from Kishan and later Tim David (45* off 21) and Romario Shepherd (39* off 10) propelled Mumbai to a daunting total. Shepherd's heroics in the final over, particularly against Nortje, turned the tide firmly in Mumbai's favor and provided crucial momentum heading into the second innings.

In response, Delhi Capitals fought bravely, led by Prithvi Shaw's attacking 66 off 40 balls and a sensational unbeaten 71 from Tristan Stubbs. Shaw's aggressive approach and Stubbs' late onslaught kept the Capitals in contention, but Mumbai's total proved too challenging to chase down.

Despite the Capitals' spirited efforts, the 20th over of Mumbai's innings, where Romario Shepherd unleashed a flurry of boundaries against Nortje, emerged as the decisive moment of the match. Shepherd's exceptional hitting display not only boosted Mumbai's total significantly but also injected momentum and confidence into the team.

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) created a total economic impact of US$39,470,999 for Saint Lucia during the 2023 tournament.

 There were six matches scheduled in Saint Lucia between 16 and 20 August with games taking place at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground with all six CPL teams visiting the island over that period.

 The total event impact is calculated by world renowned research organization, YouGov Sport with the final figure being determined by organiser spend, visitor spend and media and promotional value for Saint Lucia. During CPL’s stay in St Lucia, CPL booked 12,818 hotel room nights, made up of players, coaches, administrators, TV and media crews, team owner groups, league and franchise event management teams, alongside overseas visitors who arrived to watch the games. A meaningful part of the total economic impact figure stems from the money spent by these overseas visitors.

Saint Lucia also benefited from the tournament being broadcast around the world with CPL’s audience reaching 853.5million total viewers in 2023. As always, CPL worked closely with the local tourism authorities to create world class content which helped promote the spectacular benefits on offer to visitors to Saint Lucia. These exclusive features and vignettes were shown during the CPL matches, further promoting the tourism message.

Pete Russell, Republic Bank CPL’s CEO, said: “Saint Lucia was once again a wonderful host for CPL matches in 2023 and we enjoyed the unrivalled hospitality in such beautiful surroundings. We are looking forward to returning for the 2024 season to once again contribute positively to the Saint Lucian economy.”

 Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, said: “Through the synergy of sports and tourism, the Republic Bank CPL has not only brought thrilling cricket action to Saint Lucia but has also catalyzed a ripple effect of economic prosperity. Some of our household names have developed through the sport even beyond the boundary. The tournament's impact resonates across sectors enriching our local economy and showcasing the unparalleled beauty of Saint Lucia to a global audience."

In a riveting clash at the Indian Premier League, Kolkata Knight Riders displayed an unparalleled batting spectacle that nearly eclipsed the record set just a week ago by Sunrisers Hyderabad. With a blistering onslaught led by Sunil Narine's career-best 85, Kolkata Knight Riders left the Delhi Capitals in awe with a monumental score of 272 for 7, falling just short of rewriting history by breaking the highest IPL score record.

Narine's ferocious innings, peppered with seven fours and as many towering sixes, set the stage on fire as he found an able partner in the form of Angkrish Raghuvanshi. The young talent showcased his mettle with a scintillating 54 off 27 balls, matching Narine blow for blow. Together, they formed a formidable partnership that laid waste to the Capitals' bowling attack.

But the onslaught didn't stop there. Andre Russell, with his trademark power-hitting, unleashed havoc upon the Capitals' bowlers, plundering 41 runs in just 19 deliveries. However, a searing yorker from Ishant Sharma in the final over denied Kolkata Knight Riders the chance to etch their name in the history books by surpassing the highest IPL score.

Despite falling short of the record, Kolkata Knight Riders' colossal total proved insurmountable for the Delhi Capitals, as they succumbed to a crushing defeat by a mammoth margin of 106 runs. With this victory, Kolkata Knight Riders soared to the top of the table, joining Rajasthan Royals with three wins from three matches, solidifying their position as serious title contenders in the IPL.

The Capitals, despite a valiant effort from their batsmen, including notable half-centuries from Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs, found themselves outclassed by the Knight Riders' clinical performance. Vaibhav Arora emerged as the hero for Kolkata Knight Riders with a stellar bowling display, claiming three crucial wickets for a mere 27 runs, further sealing the Capitals' fate.

As the dust settled on the electrifying encounter, Kolkata Knight Riders celebrated their third consecutive win in the tournament, marking the first time in their history that they had started a season with three victories in three matches. With their batsmen firing on all cylinders and their bowlers delivering under pressure, Kolkata Knight Riders sent a clear message to their competitors: they were a force to be reckoned with in the race for the IPL title.

In a thrilling encounter in the Indian Premier League on Saturday, Andre Russell emerged as the standout performer, leading Kolkata Knight Riders to a nail-biting four-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad with a blistering knock of 64 not out and two crucial wickets.

 Russell's explosive innings turned the tide for Kolkata Knight Riders after a shaky start, propelling them to a formidable total of 208 for 7. After a slow start, Russell unleashed his power-hitting prowess, smashing seven sixes in his unbeaten 64 off just 25 balls. His innings proved instrumental in KKR's recovery from 123 for 6, providing the late surge that propelled them past the 200-run mark.

 However, Sunrisers Hyderabad mounted a spirited chase, with Heinrich Klaasen leading the charge with a valiant innings of 63 runs. Klaasen's assault threatened to snatch victory away from KKR, but Harshit Rana's composed bowling in the final over ensured Kolkata's triumph in a last-ball thriller.

Russell took 2-25.

 Sunil Narine's economical spell and crucial breakthroughs kept Sunrisers in check during the middle overs, setting the stage for Kolkata's dramatic victory. Despite a fierce fightback from Sunrisers, Kolkata Knight Riders held their nerve to secure a crucial win in the IPL.

 Twin 32s from Mayank Agarwal and Abhishek Sharma provided Sunrisers with a solid start, but Russell's brilliance with both bat and ball proved decisive in Kolkata's triumph. With his explosive batting display and impactful bowling, Andre Russell emerged as the hero of the match, guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to a thrilling victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in a contest that will be remembered for its pulsating finish.

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) created a record total economic impact of US$101,683,135 for Guyana during the 2023 tournament.

 There were six regular season matches and four playoff matches in Guyana between the 13th and 24th September and the tournament concluded in front of a sell-out home crowd at the Providence Stadium with the Guyana Amazon Warriors claiming their first CPL title.

 The Economic impact study was compiled by World renowned research organisation, YouGov Sport who reported on the impact CPL had on the local economy. A lot of factors are taken into account, though the key economic drivers are organiser spend, visitor spend and media value for Guyana.

During the CPL window, the tournament was responsible for filling a record 23,217 hotel room nights in Guyana, made up by CPL’s significant cohort which included players, coaches, administrators, TV and media crews, team owner groups, league and franchise event management teams, alongside overseas visitors who arrived to watch the games. A large part of the total economic impact figure came from the money spent by these overseas visitors who spent a considerable amount of time in Guyana during the CPL matches, enjoying the many activities put on as part of the Cricket Carnival.

Guyana also benefited from the tournament being broadcast around the world with CPL’s total audience reaching 853.5million viewers. As always, the tournament worked closely with the local tourism authorities to create world class content which highlighted the fantastic eco-tourism opportunities that exist in this stunning country. These exclusive features and vignettes were shown during the CPL matches, further promoting the tourism message to a global audience.

Pete Russell, Republic Bank CPL’s CEO, said: “The conclusion of the 2023 tournament was certainly dramatic, as all eyes were on Guyana to see the Amazon Warriors claim their first CPL title. This was a fantastic moment for the country and it is extremely rewarding to have seen both the social and economic impact the tournament had in Guyana, with the figures released today confirming what we all felt during those memorable 11 days last September.

“Having the showpiece finale the Biggest Party in Sport in Guyana was certainly a huge success and these numbers show how sports tourism can leave a significant and lasting legacy.”

Kamrul Baksh, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, said: “The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has been a game-changer for Guyana’s tourism industry. More specifically, since becoming the host nation of the CPL finals in 2022, Guyana’s visitor arrivals have significantly increased by 131% from 2022 to 2023. This is the highest number of visitors for September on record. In just two years, the rush of cricket fans and travellers from around the world has filled our hotels and restaurants and provided opportunities for local businesses to thrive. The CPL has not only brought exciting matches but has also displayed Guyana’s rich culture and natural beauty worldwide, reinforcing our status as a leading tourism destination. We aim to capitalise on this success, leveraging sports tourism to drive steady economic development.”

England captain Heather Knight had no hesitation in putting country before club but admitted the T20 franchise league boom will take women’s cricket into uncharted territory.

With England’s first match on a white-ball tour of New Zealand starting on March 19, two days after the Women’s Premier League final, Knight withdrew from a planned stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Danni Wyatt and Alice Capsey had England’s blessing to go to the WPL and will therefore miss the first three of five T20s against the White Ferns this month.

It is hoped a repeat scenario can be avoided in the future with a specially-designated WPL window but Knight is aware the proliferation of domestic T20 tournaments opens avenues to women like never before.

“It was a pretty easy decision for me as England captain, it’s the right thing for me to be there for the whole of the England tour,” Knight told the PA news agency ahead of International Women’s Day.

“I’d always agreed to play the England games and wanted to, that was a given. I was trying to negotiate with the franchise around leaving a little bit early, but unfortunately that didn’t come to fruition.

“It was just unfortunately a little bit too tight with the flights and stuff and we couldn’t get the tour pushed back. As the game evolves, players have got more decisions to make as those options increase.

“It’s a sign of lots of opportunities in the women’s game but hopefully there’s a place for both franchise and international cricket to co-exist. It’s certainly interesting going forward.”

The quartet at the WPL – who will be available from the fourth T20 in a tour also including three ODIs – are earning lucrative sums at their franchises with Sciver-Brunt and Ecclestone on six-figure deals.

Knight sees the upshot for England as they can get a feel for Asian conditions before the autumn’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh but she warned that workloads must also be given consideration going forward.

“I actually think some of our players playing in the WPL would be a huge benefit for England in the future and hopefully we’ll see that benefit at the T20 World Cup,” Knight said.

“It’s great for players and there are so many more opportunities but players are now having to make tricky choices around what’s best for them and how to manage the calendar.

“It’s becoming pretty much impossible to play in all the big franchise competitions and every game of cricket for your country.

“We’ll certainly see players trying to manage their workload and try and peak at the right time for big tournaments like the T20 World Cup.”

Knight was speaking after another revolutionary past 12 months for women’s cricket, with the 2023 Ashes generating record attendances and viewing figures, while England’s male and female cricketers are now paid equal match fees.

The England and Wales Cricket Board is now attempting to implement a radical shake-up of the domestic women’s game, which will see a three-tier structure and change in ownership model introduced from 2025.

“It seems like every year is groundbreaking and lots of changes,” Knight added. “It’s the fast-paced nature of things and trying to accelerate that move towards equity with the men’s game.

“The steps have been really good and it’s another exciting place to be. Last year was another remarkable year but let’s hope for another remarkable and groundbreaking year this year.”

In a dazzling display of power-hitting, Rovman Powell emerged as the hero for Peshawar Zalmi in a nail-biting encounter against Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League on Sunday. Powell's brisk 46 played a pivotal role in setting the stage for Zalmi's thrilling eight-run victory.

The foundation for Peshawar Zalmi's imposing total of 211-4 was laid by the explosive opening pair of Sayim Ayub and Captain Babar Azam. The duo forged a formidable partnership of 136 runs before the experienced Shahid Afridi made a breakthrough in the 15th over, dismissing Azam for a well-compiled 48.

Ayub, undeterred by the fall of his partner, continued his aggressive onslaught on the opposition bowlers. The batsman hammered eight fours and four sixes on his way to a brilliant 88 before also falling victim to Afridi. With Ayub's departure, it was Rovman Powell's time to shine.

Powell entered the crease with a bang, unleashing a flurry of boundaries and sixes to propel Peshawar Zalmi past the 200-run mark. The Jamaican's exhilarating knock, which included five fours and two sixes, provided the crucial late flourish. Contributions from Mohammed Haris (12 from 5 balls) and Paul Walker (2 from 1 ball) took Zalmi to a formidable total.

In pursuit of the challenging target, Lahore Qalandars relied heavily on Rassie van der Dussen's breathtaking century. The South African batsman displayed remarkable stroke play, amassing an unbeaten 104 from just 52 balls, featuring seven fours and six sixes. However, despite van der Dussen's heroics, Lahore Qalandars fell short by eight runs, finishing at 203-6.

Shai Hope chipped in with 29, and Ahsan Hafeez contributed 20, but they couldn't provide the partnership needed to secure victory. Naveen-ul-Haq, despite being expensive with figures of 2-50 from his four overs, played a crucial role in containing the Qalandars' batting onslaught.

Ultimately, it was Rovman Powell's blistering innings and Peshawar Zalmi's collective effort that secured the thrilling win, marking a memorable encounter in the Pakistan Super League.

In a nail-biting series-opener at Bellerive Oval, Australia emerged victorious by 11 runs against a full-strength West Indies in the first T20 International, despite a valiant effort from the Caribbean side. The match, which saw Australia post an equal-record T20I score in Hobart, featured standout performances from David Warner, Tim David, and legspinner Adam Zampa.

Australia, batting first, set the tone for an exhilarating encounter with Warner smashing a blistering half-century in his 100th T20I, scoring 70 off 36 deliveries. Tim David's explosive 17-ball 37 further fueled Australia's innings, propelling them to a formidable total of 213 for 7.

Andre Russell took two wickets off consecutive deliveries in the final over of the Australian innings to finish with 3-42. Alzarri Joseph took 2-46.

Chasing 214 for victory, West Indies displayed early promise with openers Brandon King (53) and Johnson Charles (42) forming a dynamic partnership. King, in particular, played a stellar innings, reaching a half-century off 36 deliveries. However, legspinner Adam Zampa's brilliant performance in the middle overs proved crucial for Australia as they successfully defended their total.

Zampa, with figures of 3-26, outfoxed the aggressive West Indies batsmen, preventing them from achieving the challenging target. Despite a late onslaught from Jason Holder, who scored an unbeaten 34, West Indies ultimately fell short, finishing at 202 for 8.

The match served as a platform for auditions and milestones, with Josh Inglis getting an opportunity to partner Warner as the opening batsman. In his 16th T20I, Inglis showcased his 360-degree range, contributing 39 off 25 balls.

While Warner starred in his milestone 100th T20I, reaching the elite company of players with 100 internationals in each format, West Indies' big-hitters, including King and Charles, went for broke in their pursuit of victory.

Australia's left-arm quick, Jason Behrendorff, faced early challenges in the windy conditions but managed to claim a late wicket, finishing with figures of 1 for 38 off 3 overs. The pivotal moment in the match came in the 16th over when Zampa's brilliance dismissed Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran, tilting the scales in Australia's favor.

West Indies cricketer Fabian Allen, currently representing the Paarl Royals franchise in the SA20 league, encountered a harrowing experience as he was robbed at gunpoint in Johannesburg.

The 28-year-old Jamaican all-rounder fell victim to the armed robbery outside the team hotel, near the renowned Sandton Sun Hotel, according to reports emerging from South Africa.

During the incident, the assailants brandished a firearm, confronting Allen and making off with his phone, personal belongings, and a bag. The shocking event raises concerns about the safety of players participating in the league, potentially impacting its image.

Sources affiliated with the Paarl Royals team, SA20, and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have confirmed the incident.

Reports said West Indies head coach Andre Coley has been in touch with Allen and has reported that the player was not harmed.

Cricket South Africa (CSA), Cricket West Indies (CWI), and the SA20 league have all confirmed the incident, which has raised additional concerns over player safety in South Africa.

Though physically unharmed, reports suggest that Allen is understandably shaken by the ordeal.

West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph, recently signed by Pakistan Super League franchise Peshawar Zalmi, finds himself in the spotlight as a potential replacement for the injured Tom Curran in the upcoming IPL 2024 season. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are reportedly eyeing Joseph to fill the void left by Curran, who is nursing a severe knee injury.

Tom Curran's misfortune began during his stint with Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, where a knee injury forced him out of the season. The English all-rounder has been absent from Desert Vipers' ILT20 2024 campaign, and now, he has withdrawn from the Pakistan Super League due to the severity of the injury.

RCB, having secured Curran, are actively seeking a replacement for the upcoming IPL season. Shamar Joseph, the new Test sensation who recently signed with Peshawar Zalmi for the 2024 PSL season, has emerged as a potential candidate. Joseph's toe injury, sustained during the second Test against Australia, has unfortunately ruled him out of the ILT20.

Shamar Joseph's recent stellar performance at the Gabba, where he claimed seven wickets to secure a historic eight-run victory for West Indies over Australia, has only heightened the interest in his potential IPL debut. With 13 wickets in the series at an impressive average of 17.31, Joseph has showcased his pace and ability to generate bounce, making him a valuable asset in any cricketing format.

Well, that didn’t take long!

Just over 24 hours after bowling the West Indies to a pulsating eight-run victory over World number-one Test team Australia, 24-year-old Guyanese fast bowler Shamar Joseph is already banking buck, having been signed by Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) set to begin next month.

Joseph, Player of the Series in the just-concluded two-Test series against Australia, famously took 7-68 as the West Indies bowled out Australia for 207 to hand the West Indies a narrow but hard-fought victory inside four days. It was the West Indies' first Test victory in Australia since 1997.

His performance in the series where he took 13 wickets, caught the eye of Peshawar Zalmi’s owners who have signed Joseph for the entirety of the tournament. Zalmi has initially announced Joseph’s signing as a partial replacement for England fast bowler Gus Atkinson.

Meanwhile, Johnson Charles was among the other players brought in by PSL sides in the supplementary and replacement draft.

Karachi Kings have replaced Kieron Pollard, who is partially unavailable, with left-arm spinner Zahid Mahmood.

Despite Andre Russell's scintillating 17-ball 46, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders faced an unfortunate eight-wicket defeat in the International League T20 in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Russell's explosive performance saw him smashing six sixes, propelling the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to a challenging total of 188-5 in their allotted 20 overs.

The powerful Jamaican all-rounder, known for his aggressive batting style, showcased his prowess and took ADKR to a competitive position after contributions from Matthew Pepper (38), Alishan Sharafu (37), and Sam Hain (40). However, the bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi emerged as a formidable obstacle, restricting the scoring with a solid 3-35 in his four-over spell.

Despite Russell's heroics with the bat, his bowling performance was in stark contrast. Conceding 33 runs in the three overs he bowled, Russell found himself unable to contain the MI Emirates' batting onslaught.

MI Emirates, with their eye on the chase, approached the target with determination and skill. Kusal Perera led the charge, racing to a blistering 54 from just 26 balls, while Nicholas Pooran added a quick-fire 33 from 19 balls. However, the standout performance came from Muhammad Waseem, whose remarkable knock of 89 from 62 balls propelled MI Emirates to a comprehensive victory.

The MI Emirates' batsmen displayed remarkable control and execution, ensuring that they reached the target with six balls to spare. The win also extended their lead atop the league table, moving to eight points.

They are four clear of Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants and ADKR who each have four points.