Cricket is a bat-and-ball team sport played between two teams, typically consisting of eleven players each. The game is played on a circular or oval-shaped field, with a rectangular 22-yard long pitch at the center. The objective of the game is for one team to score runs by hitting the ball bowled by the opposing team’s bowler and running between two sets of wickets, while the other team aims to dismiss the batsmen and limit the runs scored.
Cricket has various formats, including Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) matches, each differing in the number of overs played and the duration of the game. The match begins with a toss to determine which team will bat or bowl first, and it encompasses various roles such as batsmen, bowlers, and fielders.
The sport originated in England and has since gained immense popularity worldwide, particularly in countries such as India, Australia, and Pakistan. The laws of cricket are maintained and updated by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), ensuring standard rules are followed in matches. Overall, cricket is characterized by its strategic gameplay, teamwork, and the skill required in batting, bowling, and fielding.
Afghanistan's cricket team enters the Champions Trophy facing South Africa amidst political tension and calls for boycotts due to Taliban's ban on women's sports. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi emphasizes a focus…