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Tag: Imran Tahir

  • Star Sports flagship show ‘Cricket Live’ garners immense popularity amongst viewers of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023

    Star Sports flagship show ‘Cricket Live’ garners immense popularity amongst viewers of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023

    Mumbai: Cricket Live, the exclusive in-depth analysis show on Star Sports, has redefined storytelling during the ICC World Cup 2023, presenting compelling narratives of Indian and foreign players. From Bumrah’s much-anticipated return to Shami’s stellar performances, Virat’s pursuit of glory, and Rohit’s captaincy, the coverage resonated with fans worldwide. The stories extended beyond borders, highlighting Rachin’s journey, Pakistan’s cricketing odyssey, and exclusive confessions from Australian players about their rivals. Adding a personal touch, Cricket Live celebrated the birthdays of stars like Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli, fostering a deeper connection with fans. Not limiting the narrative to players, an anthem titled ‘Tum ho apne saath mein’ was curated for Team India, aiming to galvanize fans in unwavering support of the entire squad. The most watched Cricket show has collaborated with influencers and content creators from across the country to build the fandom for Team India. Fans have also been able to ask compelling questions to the StarCast and get featured on the broadcast via #AskStar.

    As per BARC, till Match 34 of the tournament, Cricket Live has captivated a staggering 273 million viewers, with an impressive watch time of 19 billion minutes, a growth of 6 per cent compared to the 2019 edition. Additionally, the show witnessed an uptick of 10 per cent in average time spent by viewers, compared to the 2019 edition. In the pre-show, the first half-hour has experienced the most significant surge, with consumption levels up by 27 per cent, and average time spent per viewer up by 18 per cent. The post-shows have also flourished, boasting an incredible 117 per cent higher consumption and an impressive 38 per cent higher reach compared to the previous edition. Cricket Live on regional feeds (Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada) has grown in consumption by 122 per cent (3.4 billion minutes), compared to the last edition and its viewership has increased by 46 per cent (62.2 Mn), compared to 2019.

    In its commitment to delivering an all-encompassing cricketing experience, Cricket Live on Star Sports has gone above and beyond with exclusive interviews featuring Team India heroes. A special content campaign, “We for Virat,” celebrated Kohli’s historic feats, offering a comprehensive glimpse into various facets of his life, personality, and illustrious career. The coverage extended to behind-the-scenes moments, backstories of players from the ICC World Cup 2023, and engaging debates pitting experts against each other on burning topics and contextual big stories of the day. Special segments like “What’s Trending,” “Unboxing,” “Wow Factor,” “Versus,” and “Cheeky Singles” capture all aspects of the World Cup, ensuring a diverse and engaging viewing experience.

    Cricket Live on Star Sports is also at the forefront of technological innovation. Utilizing a decibel meter for real-time crowd noise data, holographic teleportation to virtually transport commentators, and 3D-rendered graphics placing players next to iconic monuments like the Gateway of India, have made Cricket Live a visually dynamic experience. The usage of augmented reality (AR) graphics to display stats seamlessly on the pitch, and Quad replay technology to enhance the replay experience for a comprehensive view of key moments have made the cricket viewing and analysing experience more immersive for fans globally.

    With a remarkable line-up of former players who have graced the Cricket World Cup since its inception in 1975, the StarCast for Cricket Live served as a treasure trove of in-depth analysis, insights, and expertise. The iconic World Cup winners, including legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, K Srikanth, Gautam Gambhir, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, and S Sreesanth, graced the panel, bringing their invaluable experience and championship wisdom to the audience. The panel further boasted multiple Former Indian chairmen of Selectors, such as MSK Prasad, Sandeep Patil, and Sunil Joshi, along with the esteemed former India batting coach, Sanjay Bangar.

    Adding to the international flavor were former cricket legends and World Cup winners Shane Watson, Aaron Finch, Matthew Hayden, Dale Steyn, Faf Du Plesis, Imran Tahir, Shane Bond, and Paul Collingwood. Their presence amplified the depth of analysis and championship-winning insights, creating a dynamic and insightful panel for Cricket Live viewers.

    In a celebration of India’s linguistic diversity and cricketing fervour, Star Sports provided an immersive experience for fans with exclusive broadcasts in various regional languages. The Tamil feed featured former World Cup winners K Srikanth and S Sreesanth, complemented by insights from players S Ramesh and Russel Arnold. The Telugu feed was enriched by former India Chief Selector MSK Prasad, seasoned campaigner, and former Indian women’s captain Mithali Raj, and experienced cricketer Venugopal Rao. The Kannada feed showcased the esteemed presence of former Indian legend Gundappa Viswanath and former India cricketers Vijay Bharadwaj, Vinay Kumar, and Sunil Joshi, alongside local cricketing talents. This diverse and talented roster ensured that Cricket Live not only entertained but also educated cricket enthusiasts with unparalleled insights and perspectives.

    Adding a touch of glamour and excitement, Cricket Live has welcomed a plethora of celebrities, including Bollywood Superstars Salman Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon and the entire cast of ‘The Archies’. South superstars like Shiva Rajkumar, Upendra, Venkatesh Raghupathi, Ravi Teja and more also graced the regional shows. All these celebrities shared their love for Team India, adding a captivating dimension to the cricket-watching experience.

    As the World Cup enters its knockout stages, Star Sports is committed to redefine the boundaries of delivering a compelling viewing experience. Upcoming appearances from global pop sensation Dua Lipa, and Bollywood and South stars Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Naga Chaitanya promises an unforgettable spectacle for viewers and fans alike. Cricket Live’s coverage is set to expand with extended 2-hour pre-shows starting from 12 PM across five languages – English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada throughout the knockout stages.

    Cricket Live on Star Sports continues to be the ultimate destination for cricket enthusiasts, offering unparalleled insights, entertainment, and star-studded appearances, making it an integral part of the ICC World Cup 2023 experience. 

  • Abu Dhabi T10 2023 to begin from 28 November

    Abu Dhabi T10 2023 to begin from 28 November

    Mumbai: The eight teams of Abu Dhabi T10, the fastest format of cricket, have made their picks, and – the road to another exciting season is officially underway with the players draft for 2023 coming to a close on Monday evening.

    It was a fantastic evening that saw some exciting picks, with former Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis and India heavy hitter Robin Uthappa being the Bangla Tigers’ prominent signings. Strategically, the Tigers also bolstered their pace attack with Reece Topley.

    The Chennai Braves went for veteran spinner Imran Tahir who has been showcasing unbelievable skills across various leagues for the past several years. The defending champions Deccan Gladiators made bold moves straightaway, packing their squad with Sherfane Rutherford and Fabian Allen. Picking David Wiese as their first optional pick, Gladiators showcased their intentions of bringing on all-rounders among their ranks.

    Delhi Bulls picked up the popular fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq along with the rising Sri Lankan youngster Dunith Wellalage, who has been predicted to be an unexpected trump card by cricket pundits, being a massive signing for the franchise. Morrisville Samp Army had their plans well laid out as they brought on young England allrounder George Garton and Netherlands fast bowler Bas de Leede. With Monank Patel and Obus Pienaar as their optional picks, Morrisville showed that they are relying on youth in the shortest format.

    New York Strikers picked Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Odean Smith in their team, along with youngster Lasith Croospule as their Emerging player. Northern Warriors made the first draft pick of the day with Kiwi batting-allrounder Colin Munro who has growing among the ranks in the T20 format recently. Warriors also picked Indian talent Ankur Sangwan and Abhimanyu Mithun.

    Team Abu Dhabi packed powerhouses Dwaine Pretorius and Colin Ingram on their squads, while Keemo Paul was also picked up by Team Abu Dhabi.

    Speaking at the draft, T10 Global chairman Shaji Ul Mulk said, “The franchises have picked some of the best players in the world this season. The fans will get to witness real skillsets on display which will truly give an international dynamic to the tournament. T10 is already going global, and these are exciting times for us. The format has really captured the imagination of young people around the world, and it is also reflected in the quality of young players we saw in the draft today. We have kept the essence of cricket exactly the same, but the fast-paced format and the quality of players each season make it exciting every year for the fans. I am sure it will be yet another fantastic season, one that we await eagerly!”

    Abu Dhabi T10 Season 7 full teams:

    Bangla Tigers:

    Draft Signings: Kusal Mendis (Cat A), Dominik Drakes (Cat B), Reece Topley (Cat B), Saim Ayub (Cat B), Matiullah Khan (Cat C), Haider Ali (UAE-RES), Abdul Ghaffar (UAE-RES), Amartya Kaul (Emerging), Rassie van der Dussen (Opt 1), Taskin Ahmed (Opt 2), Robin Uthappa (Opt 3)

    Retained: Shakib Al Hasan (Icon), Iftikhar Ahmed (Cat C), Matheesha Pathirana (Cat C), Rohan Mustafa (UAE-RES), Daniel Sams (Cat A)

    Pre-Signings: Carlos Brathwaite (Platinum), Azam Khan (Asian Super Star)

    Chennai Braves:

    Draft Signings: Sam Cook (Cat B), Imran Tahir (Cat B), George Munsey (Cat C), Kobe Herft (Cat C), Richard Ngarava (Cat C), Junaid Siddique (UAE-RES), Aayan Khan (UAE-RES), Vriitya Aravind (UAE-RES), Kai Smith (Emerging), Stephen Eskinazi (Opt 1)

    Retained: Obed McCoy (Cat A), Sikandar Raza (Cat B)

    Pre-Signings: Jason Roy (Icon), Charith Asalanka (Platinum), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Cat A), Hassan Ali (Asian Super Star)

    Deccan Gladiators:

    Draft Signings: Sherfane Rutherford (Cat A), Fabian Allen (Cat B), Joe Clarke (Cat B), Zahir Khan (Cat C), Waqar Salamkheil (Cat C), Mohammad Zahid (UAE-RES), Nav Pabreja (UAE-RES), Khawaja Nafay (Emerging), David Wiese (Opt 1), Nuwan Thushara (Opt 2)

    Retained: Nicholas Pooran (Icon), Andre Russell (Cat A), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Cat B), Joshua Little (Cat C), Zahoor Khan (UAE-RES)

    Pre-Signings: Trent Boult (Platinum), Imad Wasim (Asian Super Star)

    Delhi Bulls:

    Draft Signings: Naveen-ul-Haq (Cat A), James Vince (Cat B), Usman Khan (Cat C), Richard Gleeson (Cat C), Dunith Wellalage (Cat C), Muhammad Rohid Khan (UAE-RES), Wasim Akram (UAE-RES), Ali Abid (UAE-RES), Sufiyan Muqeen (Emerging), Johnson Charles (Opt 1), Usama Mir (Opt 2), Abbas Afridi (Opt 3)

    Retained: Dwayne Bravo (Cat A), Rilee Rossouw (Cat B), Fazalhaq Farooqi (Cat B)

    Pre-Signings: Quinton de Kock (Icon), Rovman Powell (Platinum), Ambati Rayudu (Asian Super Star)

    Morrisville Samp Army:

    Draft Signings: George Garton (Cat B), Bas de Leede (Cat B), Andries Gous (Cat C), Najibullah Zadran (Cat C), Salman Irshad (Cat C), Ansh Tandon (UAE-RES), Muhammad Irfan (UAE-RES), Tadiwanashe Marumani (Emerging), Peter Hatzoglou (Opt 1), Monank Patel (Opt 2), Obus Pienaar (Opt 3)

    Retained: Moeen Ali (Cat A), Maheesh Theekshana (Cat B), Basil Hameed (UAE-RES), Karim Janat (Asian Super Star)

    Pre-Signings: Faf du Plessis (Icon), Jason Holder (Platinum), Dewald Bravis (Cat A)

    New York Strikers:

    Draft Signings: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Cat A), Odean Smith (Cat B), Mohammad Haris (Cat B), Lahiru Kumara (Cat C), Chamika Karunaratne (Cat C), Kusal Perera (Cat C), Muhammad Jawadullah (UAE-RES), Chundangapoyil Rizwan (UAE-RES), Lasith Croospule (Emerging), Will Jacks (Opt 1), Ali Khan (Opt 2)

    Retained: Kieron Pollard (Icon), Akeal Hosein (Cat B), Muhammad Waseem (UAE-RES)

    Pre-Signings: Sunil Narine (Platinum), Mohammad Amir (Cat A), Shoaib Malik (Asian Super Star)

    Northern Warriors:

    Draft Signings: Colin Munro (Cat A), Romario Shepherd (Cat B), Mohammad Hasnain (Cat B), Tabraiz Shamsi (Cat B), Ziaur Rahman (Cat C), Rahul Chopra (UAE-RES), Rameez Shahzad (UAE-RES) Kaunain Abbas (UAE-RES), Shamar Joseph (Emerging), Ankur Sangwan (Opt 1), Abhimanyu Mithun (Opt 3)

    Retained: Wanindu Hasaranga (Icon), Kennar Lewis (Cat C), Adam Hose (Cat C)

    Pre-Signings: James Neesham (Platinum), Hazratullah Zazai (Cat A), Angelo Mathews (Asian Super Star)

    Team Abu Dhabi:

    Draft Signings: Dwaine Pretorius (Cat A), Rumman Raees (Cat B), Leus de Plooy (Cat B), Mohammad Nawaz (Cat C), Keemo Paul (Cat C), Colin Ingram (Cat C), Asif Khan (UAE-RES) Alishan Sharafu (UAE-RES), Ethan D’Souza (UAE-RES), Allah Mohammad (Emerging), Dilshan Madushanka (Opt 1)

    Retained: Philip Salt (Icon), Tymal Mills (Cat A), Alex Hales (Cat B)

    Pre-Signings: Noor Ahmad (Asian Super Star), Kyle Mayers (Platinum)

  • T20 Global League incentivises cricket infra & aids other sports, say Ajay Sethi & SA official

    MUMBAI: The T20 Global League is making all the right noises nowadays and two prominent Indians have associated with Cricket South Africa by acquiring franchises. The player draft is scheduled for 19 August, with almost 400 players from 10 countries confirming their interest.

    While Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who also owns IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, has been named owner of the Cape Town franchise of Cricket South Africa’s upcoming T20 League, businessman and media mogul Ajay Sethi has acquired the Port Elizabeth franchise.

    Outlining his plans to local media and stakeholders at a welcoming event in Port Elizabeth, Sethi said, “Port Elizabeth is a beautiful city and is deeply entrenched with interesting cricketing history. I am very pleased and proud to represent this city as my franchise team. In the coming weeks, we look forward to working very closely with the Mayor and City Council to put together a robust plan of action to create value for both the city and the team.”

    He further added, “In addition, I would like to extend my thanks to CSA (Cricket South Africa) in accepting our bid and giving us an opportunity to become a part of this exciting T20 Global League journey. This tournament is about the fans, the players, rekindling the magic and reviving the battles, between bat and ball, between heart and mind, showing the world what makes this game extraordinary.”

    Marquee player Imran Tahir, who has great expectations, gushed, “I’m really looking forward to the new team; I hope we as Protea players and the international marquee players make this league the best league in the world and show what South Africa is all about.”

    Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture for Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Andrew Whitfield also attended the event. He too is excited by the possibilities presented to the city by the T20 Global League.

    “This franchise has further incentivised us to invest and support our cricket infrastructure for the city. The T20 Global League will show the youth in PE that there is opportunity in sport. Working together with Ajay Sethi and CSA, we can leverage opportunities beyond cricket,” Whitfield concluded.
    Former ICC CEO and incumbent CEO of Cricket South Africa (CSA) Haroon Lorgat, who feels they have a winner up their sleeves, said, “Fans can look forward to epic game experiences, complimented by action-packed stadiums, big entertainment, top class broadcasters and accessible ticket prices. We can firmly say that the era of ‘sportainment’ has dawned upon us. It’s now South Africa’s time to capitalise while reigniting and celebrating our love for the game.”

  • India – South Africa match garners 2 billion impressions: TO THE NEW report

    India – South Africa match garners 2 billion impressions: TO THE NEW report

    MUMBAI: India’s stellar performance against South Africa during the Sunday match did not enthral fans at just the stadium and homes but also set social media abuzz. Digital services provider – TO THE NEW has come up with a comprehensive report on the post match analysis of India versus South Africa that trended on social media platforms.

     

    According to the report, the match generated an estimated two billion impressions, which were garnered from 4,16,339 Twitter mentions by 3,18,041 users. Close to 77 per cent of these came from males while 23 per cent was by females.

     

    When the conversation is further broken up, 58 per cent (2,40,509 mentions) came from re-tweets, 39 per cent (1,62,852 mentions) came from regular tweets while the remaining three per cent (12,978 mentions) were from replies.

     

    In terms of tweet volume, the top five cities from where tweets came from are Mumbai (25 per cent), New Delhi (19 per cent), and Bangalore (10 per cent). Pune and Chennai complete the list with five per cent each volume.

     

    The report also provides the geographical breakup of the social media buzz. India stands at 73.80 per cent followed by Saudi Arabia at a distant 9.40 per cent. Neighbouring Pakistan is placed at 4.50 per cent, USA at two per cent while other countries put together made up for 7.40 per cent.

     

    When these tweets were analysed in terms of sentiments, a majority of 75 per cent of the tweets were positive in nature while 23 per cent were negative. A minor two per cent were neutral in nature.

     

    When it came to player mentions M.S Dhoni topped the Indian list as the Indian captain was the most mentioned on Twitter. The list is then followed by Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and Mohammad Shami. From South Africa, Hashim Amla topped the charts followed by AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir and Quinton De Kock.

     

    The top trending hash tags were #INDvsSA, which received 145,356 mentions, #CWC15 received 38,636 mentions. The hash tag #SAvsIND came third with 7,777 mentions. The other prominent hash tags were #maukamauka, #wontgiveitback, #dhawan, and #poonampandeykobulao.

     

    The report also states that compared to the pre-match buzz, there is around 7,384 per cent increase in mentions around the hashtag #INDvsSA.