The World around U

  Italy enjoyed a fairytale start to their maiden T20 World Cup campaign, registering a stunning 10-wicket victory over Nepal. In another match on Thursday, co-host Sri Lanka produced a dominant performance to defeat Oman by a massive margin of 105 runs. Nepal, who had impressed earlier by putting England under pressure, looked completely out of sorts against Italy. Batting first on the Wankhede pitch, they failed to build any meaningful partnerships and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Nepal were bowled out for 123 in 19.3 overs. Arif Sheikh was the top scorer with 27 off 24 balls, including four boundaries. Captain Rohit Paudel contributed 23 off 14 balls with two sixes, while Asif Sheikh made 20 and Karan KC remained unbeaten on 18. Italy’s bowling attack was led by Krishan Kalugamage, who picked up three wickets for just 18 runs. Ben Manenti claimed two wickets for nine runs, while Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts and Ali Hasan chipped in with one wicket each. In reply, Italy ...

  Gundappa Viswanath, often referred to as "Vishy," is a former Indian cricketer known for his stylish and elegant batting. Here are some key points about him: 1. **Birth and Debut:**    - Gundappa Viswanath was born on February 12, 1949, in Bangalore, India.    - He made his Test debut for India against Australia in 1969 scoring a 100 on debut (137)  2. **Batting Style:**    - Viswanath was a right-handed batsman known for his graceful and classical batting technique.    - His wristwork and ability to play spin and pace with finesse set him apart as one of the stylish batsmen of his era. He was a great exponent of the cut shot .  3. **International Career:**    - He played 91 Test matches for India from 1969 to 1983, scoring 6,080 runs at an average of 41.93 with 222 as his highest score  4. **Centuries and High Scores:**    - Viswanath scored 14 Test centuries, including a memorable 97 against the West Ind...

  Ten years after lifting the T20 World Cup on Indian soil by defeating England in the final, West Indies once again got the better of their old rivals in India. On Wednesday in Mumbai, the Caribbean side produced a commanding all-round performance to beat England by 30 runs. Chasing a target of 197, England were restricted to 166, falling short despite a few promising starts.  Asked to bat first after losing the toss at the Wankhede Stadium, West Indies suffered a disastrous start, losing both openers — Brandon King (1) and Shai Hope (0) — within the first three deliveries. Even the in-form Shimron Hetmyer (23) failed to convert his start, leaving the side struggling at 79 for 4 after 10 overs on a pitch considered ideal for batting. The turning point came through the brilliance of Sherfane Rutherford, who played a sensational unbeaten knock of 76 off just 42 balls. Rutherford anchored a remarkable recovery, forging a crucial 51-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Rovma...

  Nathan Ellis delivered a masterclass in deception and control as Australia opened its T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 67-run victory over Ireland in a Group B clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Chasing a daunting target of 183, Ireland never truly found its footing. By the end of Ellis’ opening spell, the Irish were already in deep trouble at 27 for four, undone by a barrage of clever slower balls and pinpoint cutters. Ellis returned later to mop up the tail, finishing with exceptional figures of four for 12 as Ireland were bundled out for just 115. Ireland’s innings began in misfortune when captain Paul Stirling pulled up injured while attempting a single off the very first ball and had to retire hurt. Ross Adair (12) briefly offered resistance with a four and a six off Xavier Bartlett, but Australia struck back swiftly. Matthew Kuhnemann removed Harry Tector, and then Ellis took over the demolition. With a beautifully disguised slower delivery, Ellis bo...

  Afghanistan had not one, but two golden opportunities to seal a famous victory. On both occasions, they let the moment slip. In one of the most dramatic encounters of the ongoing World Cup, South Africa finally prevailed after two Super Overs, leaving Afghanistan to rue missed chances and costly decisions. Batting first at the Ahmedabad stadium, South Africa posted a competitive 187 for 6 in their 20 overs. The chase that followed was nothing short of a roller-coaster. Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for exactly 187, forcing the match into a Super Over. Even that failed to produce a result, leading to a rare second Super Over, where South Africa finally emerged victorious. The heartbreak was especially cruel for former KKR batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who played a sensational innings. Opening the chase, Gurbaz smashed 84 off just 42 balls, laying a strong foundation for victory. However, despite dragging his team to the brink, he was forced to walk off in visible disappointm...

  Bill Lawry is a highly accomplished former Australian cricketer and a famous  cricket commentator, born on February 11, 1937. He was a consistent opening batter and a former captain .  Here are some key aspects of his career: 1. **Playing Career:**    - Lawry was a left-handed opening batsman who played for the Australian national team from 1961 to 1971.    - He made his Test debut against England in 1961 and played 67 Test matches for Australia. 2. **Captaincy:**    - Bill Lawry served as the captain of the Australian cricket team from 1965 to 1971. 3. **Batting Prowess:**    - Lawry was known for his solid and resilient batting style as an opener.    - He scored 5,234 runs in Test cricket at an average of 47.15, including 13 centuries. 4. **Ashes Series Performances:**    - Lawry played a crucial role in several Ashes series against England, contributing significantly with the bat. 5. **Post-Retirement:** ...

On February 10 there were 3 games in the T20 World cup . The much talked about Pakistan vs USA match had its interest as USA beat Pakistan in superover in 2024 world cup but this time Pakistan was well prepared & beat USA convincingly.  Elsewhere New Zealand drubbed UAE while Netherlands outplayed Namibia.   Farhan , Babar shine as Pakistan beat USA   Pakistan had suffered a heartbreaking Super Over defeat against the USA in the previous T20 World Cup, but this time there was no such drama for Salman Ali Agha’s side. Pakistan avenged that loss with a convincing 32-run victory on Tuesday. In the day’s second match, New Zealand registered a dominant 10-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates, with Kolkata Knight Riders batters Tim Seifert and Finn Allen playing key roles. The two KKR stars also created a world record in T20 World Cup cricket. In the first match of the day, the Netherlands defeated Namibia by seven wickets. Once again, the USA challenged Pakistan i...

  Mark Spitz is a former American competitive swimmer born on February 10, 1950. He gained worldwide fame for his remarkable achievements at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, where he won an unprecedented seven gold medals, a feat that stood as a record for 36 years until Michael Phelps surpassed it in 2008. Spitz's dominance in swimming extended to various freestyle and butterfly events, and he held a total of 33 world records during his career. His versatility, speed, and success in both individual and relay events contributed to his status as one of the greatest swimmers in Olympic history. Beyond his Olympic success, Spitz had a notable college career swimming for Indiana University under coach James "Doc" Counsilman. He retired from competitive swimming at the age of 22 after the 1972 Olympics but left an enduring legacy in the sport. Spitz was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1977, recognizing his significant contributions to swimm...

   Greg Norman, born on February 10, 1955, in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia, is a highly accomplished professional golfer. Here are some detailed highlights of his achievements: 1. **Major Championships:**    - *The Open Championship (British Open):* Won in 1986 and 1993.    - *Masters Tournament:* Finished as a runner-up twice (1986, 1996).    - *U.S. Open:* Finished as a runner-up twice (1984, 1995).    - *PGA Championship:* Finished as a runner-up twice (1986, 1993). 2. **PGA Tour Wins:**    - Greg Norman secured 20 PGA Tour victories during his career, showcasing his consistency and competitiveness on the professional circuit. 3. **World Number 1:**    - Norman held the position of World No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking for a total of 331 weeks. His dominance in the late 1980s and early 1990s solidified his status as one of the greatest golfers of his era. 4. **Presidents Cup:**    - Norman pl...

South Africa, Zimbabwe & Scotland won their respective matches in the T20I World cup . The Proteas withstood Canadian challenge to win by 57 runs . Zimbabwe thrashed Oman to win by 8 wickets & Scotland outplayed debutant Italy to win by 73 runs at Eden Gardens  .  Below are how the matches panned out  South Africa cruise past Canada  South Africa produced a commanding all-round performance to register a comprehensive 57-run victory over Canada in their Group D opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Monday. Put in to bat first, the Proteas were powered by a scintillating half-century from captain Aiden Markram, whose fluent 59 off just 32 balls set the tone for a formidable total of 213 for 4. Markram played with authority and elegance, finding the boundary at will, while Quinton de Kock provided stability at the other end as South Africa raced to 65 in the powerplay. After de Kock’s dismissal, Markram continued hi...

  The T20I World cup 2016 has already provided us some exciting games between the Associated nations & the big teams and Sunday was no exception.  In the first match at Chennai Afghanistan posed a strong challenge to New Zealand with the bat but the Kiwis after initial hiccups managed to overhaul a chhallenging target . In the second match at Mumbai , Nepal played brave & attacking cricket to almost upset England but fell agonizingly short by 4 runs . The final match between Ireland & Sri Lanka also went the distance before Sri Lanka won by 20 runs . Let us go  through the matches . Sri Lanka beat sloppy Ireland by 20 runs in t20I wc Afghanistan’s fans were hopeful that Rashid Khan’s spinners would dominate on Chennai’s turning track. Expecting the pitch to slow down later, Rashid won the toss and chose to bat first. However, Afghanistan failed to score freely in the powerplay. Ibrahim Zadran was dismissed for just 10 runs off 12 balls in the final over of the...

  James Charles "Jim" Laker was born on 9 February 1922 in Shipley, West Yorkshire, England. He was one of the finest off-spinners in cricket history, best known for his remarkable accuracy, subtle variations, and ability to extract turn and bounce. Laker was a key player for England in the 1950s, achieving unparalleled success with the ball, especially in the 1956 Ashes series , where he produced one of the greatest bowling performances in Test history. Style of Play Laker was a right-arm off-spin bowler who relied on precision, drift, and spin rather than extravagant turn. His ability to bowl long spells with consistent accuracy made him a match-winner for England. Though primarily known for his bowling, he was also a competent lower-order batsman and an excellent close-in fielder. Test Cricket Records Matches: 46 Wickets: 193 Bowling Average: 21.24 Best Bowling (Innings): 10/53 Best Bowling (Match): 19/90 5-Wicket Hauls: 9 10-Wicket Hauls: 3 ...

  Glenn McGrath was born on 9 February 1970 in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. He was one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, known for his accuracy, relentless discipline, and ability to extract movement off the pitch. A key figure in Australia’s dominance from the mid-1990s to the late 2000s, McGrath played a vital role in multiple Ashes victories and World Cup triumphs . Style of Play McGrath was a right-arm fast-medium bowler renowned for his unerring accuracy, seam movement, and ability to exploit bounce . Rather than relying on sheer pace, he focused on consistency and precision, making life difficult for batsmen worldwide. His ability to bowl an impeccable off-stump line made him a nightmare for even the best batsmen. Test Cricket Records Matches: 124 Wickets: 563 Bowling Average: 21.64 Best Bowling (Innings): 8/24 Best Bowling (Match): 10/27 5-Wicket Hauls: 29 10-Wicket Hauls: 3 Catches: 38 Runs Scored: 641 Batting Average: ...

  Mohammed Azharuddin was born on 8 February 1963 in Hyderabad, India. He was one of India's most stylish and elegant batsmen, known for his wristy stroke play and exceptional fielding. Azharuddin captained India in the 1990s and played a significant role in shaping the team's performance in both Test and One-Day International (ODI) cricket . Style of Play Azharuddin was a right-handed middle-order batsman known for his sublime wristwork, particularly his flick shots off the pads. He played spin and pace with equal ease and was particularly strong against fast bowlers. His quick reflexes made him an outstanding fielder, often stationed in the slips or at cover. Test Cricket Records Matches: 99 Runs: 6,215 Batting Average: 45.03 100s/50s: 22/21 Highest Score: 199 Wickets: 12 Catches: 105 ODI Records Matches: 334 Runs: 9,378 Batting Average: 36.92 100s/50s: 7/58 Highest Score: 153* Wickets: 12 Catches: 156 First-Class Cricket Records...

To counter India’s firepower, one needs equal firepower — something the USA simply do not possess. They are still newcomers to international cricket. Yet, the match turned out to be far from as easy as it was expected to be. Asked to bat first after losing the toss, India’s powerful batting line-up collapsed helplessly in front of an unlikely threat — medium-pacer Saurabh (Shadley) van Schalkwyk. The top order, packed with big names, failed collectively. However, an extraordinary innings from captain Suryakumar Yadav rescued India and helped them post a target of 162. In reply, the USA were restricted to 132 for 8, giving India a 29-run victory in their opening match of the T20 World Cup. Luck did not favour Suryakumar at the toss, as USA captain Monank Patel chose to bowl first. Fans were expecting fireworks from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma, but instead witnessed a shocking collapse. Abhishek departed for a golden duck, caught by Sanjay off Ali Khan while attempting ...

  Kristin Otto is one of the greatest swimmers in the history of the Olympic Games and remains the most successful female swimmer of a single Olympics. Representing East Germany, she achieved unprecedented dominance in the late 1980s and became a global sporting icon after her historic performance at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Otto was admired for her versatility, as she excelled in sprint freestyle, backstroke and butterfly — a rare combination at the highest level. Date of Birth and Early Life Kristin Otto was born on 7 February 1966 in Leipzig, East Germany. She began swimming at a very young age and was quickly identified as a prodigy within the highly structured East German sports system. By her teenage years, she was already competing at international level and showing signs of becoming a future world champion. Style of Play (Swimming Style) Kristin Otto was known for her explosive sprinting ability and technical excellence across multiple strokes. Unlike most elite swimmers wh...

  India scripted a historic triumph at the Harare Sports Club with a commanding performance in the Under-19 World Cup final, crushing England by a resounding 100-run margin to claim their sixth world title. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India produced a batting masterclass, piling up a colossal 411 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs. The towering total proved far beyond England’s reach, as they were eventually restricted to 311 despite a spirited chase. The undisputed hero of the night was 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who delivered a once-in-a-generation innings. The fearless left-hander smashed a breathtaking 175 off just 80 balls, blending raw power with elegant timing. His astonishing knock featured 15 towering sixes and 15 crisp fours, leaving the English bowlers completely shell-shocked. Captain Ayush Mhatre provided valuable support with a composed 53 off 51 balls. India did suffer an early setback when opener Aaron George departed for 9, but what fo...

   Fred Trueman was an English cricketer born on February 6, 1931, and passed away on July 1, 2006. A fast bowler, he played for Yorkshire and England during the 1950s and 1960s. Trueman was the first cricketer to take 300 wickets in Test matches, achieving this milestone in 1964. His aggressive and flamboyant style made him a legendary figure in English cricket. Trueman played 67 Test matches for England between 1952 and 1965, taking 307 wickets at an impressive average of 21.57. He was known for his powerful and accurate bowling, contributing significantly to England's success during his career. Fred Trueman's impact on the sport earned him a lasting legacy as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history. Fred Trueman, a legendary English fast bowler, had a remarkable cricket career. Here are some detailed achievements: 1. **Test Cricket Records:**    - Trueman was the first cricketer to take 300 wickets in Test matches, achieving this milestone on his home ...