Livecricket.is

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hang by a thread, with their playoff chances demanding too much of them. They did not have an ideal title defense campaign. In fact, for the most part, the side seemed at sea. But if there ever were a time for them to get the fog out of their mind, this is it. Even if they gear up to face Rajasthan Royals (RR) at their home venue, where they have only won one out of four games this season, in a day game, which will be their second this season, with the only other being against…

For Quetta Gladiators (QG), this decade hasn’t been kind. They lifted their maiden PSL trophy in 2019, following which they made friends with the bottom of the table. Finishing among the top four in a competition with only six teams isn’t exactly an arduous task, but QG failed to do even that. Before they nearly missed reaching the playoffs in the last season, Quetta had finished their previous four seasons in 5th and 6th positions. But times seem to have changed for them, or so they would hope. They currently occupy third position in the table, albeit with the highest…

For the past few years, every Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fixture has come with the backdrop of the same question: Is this the last Kohli-Dhoni showdown? The question gains more traction in the reverse fixtures. While every year fans hope to witness both players share the field once again next year, simply on sentimental grounds, this time, though, they would want the same to happen to give MS Dhoni the farewell he deserves, which is certainly not one where his team is stuck at the bottom. CSK have had a season to forget. They have…

On a surface that didn’t offer much in terms of fireworks, and where Islamabad United’s (IU) power-packed lineup couldn’t put up their usual show, Peshawar Zalmi came armed with something far more lethal: control. Like a hot knife through butter Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, United began with puffed chests, looking like they might uncork something vintage. 57 without loss in seven overs heralded an incoming storm, which, if it had occurred, wouldn’t have been shocking, given how Islamabad has fared this year so far. But the storm came and passed without breaking so much as a…

It was hot in Ahmedabad. The sort of heat that doesn’t make you sweat, it questions you. It reasons with you as to why you even turned up. And with that subplot, Sunrisers Hyderabad faced a team like Gujarat Titans, who showed up with a solid plan and stuck religiously to it. Somewhere between Sudharsan’s lovely strokemaking, Buttler’s pristine form, and Gill’s surgeon-like accuracy, SRH were laid bare. Not in a dramatic way. But, in a quiet, slow tragedy of being outdone at every phase, as if they were drowning without a splash. A blistering poetry in motion Being asked…

Peshawar Zalmi (PZ) have two wins in six games and are on the brink of becoming the other team besides Multan Sultans (MS) to have their campaign done and dusted within the group stages. If it happens, it will be the first PSL playoffs without Zalmi. Of all teams, PZ have oscillated the most. The results haven’t followed any pattern. It just seems to be a matter of what mood they’re in. If they’re not up to it, they collapse like a house of cards. If they are, they can take even the Goliaths down. And Goliaths they are, who…

Even when Gujarat Titans (GT) were battling their inner issues, and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) were soaring high, both teams managed only one result: GT triumphing over Hyderabad. Barring one game in their debut season, GT have never let SRH get the better of them. Interestingly, SRH made the playoffs last year after a washout against Titans, which means even during their dominant run against other teams, they couldn’t make a statement against Gujarat. This time, though, GT have plenty of reasons to keep this pattern going. Gujarat are everything SRH wanted to be this year, or were expected to be.…

After as many as three near-misses, Rajasthan Royals (RR) were finally able to break their five-match-old losing streak. And it took them breaking the record books to do that. While a win, and the kind they got over Gujarat Titans (GT), does mean they might have rejuvenated themselves, it does not really mean they are the favourites or even have better chances at making it to the playoffs. It will still demand plenty from them. But at least they have the roadmap laid in front of them. If they wish to do better against the big guns, they ought to…

Pakistan are set to host Bangladesh for a five-T20I series starting later in May, shortly after the conclusion of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). The series will see international cricket returning to Faisalabad for the first time since April 2008. The Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, will stage the first and second T20I games of the series on May 25 and 27. This will also be the first time that a 20-over game will be played at the venue. Incidentally, it was also a Bangladesh vs Pakistan ODI that was played in Faisalabad before international cricket was suspended in the country…

It was against Lahore Qalandars (LQ) that Islamabad United (IU) began their carnage and announced that they are on a serious mission this season. And they have proved it with utmost authority. Nearly halfway through the tournament, Islamabad are still unbeaten, and their form signals that they do not have any plans of swaying one bit from their strategy. Qalandars, on the other hand, have split their wins and defeats equally. In six games, they have won three and lost as many. But more importantly, Lahore have a habit of turning into a beast at a moment’s notice. In all…