ICC Champions Trophy title at Islamabad’s Faisal Mosque on November 16, 2024 – X/@TheRealPCB
DUBAI: The Champions Trophy begins on Wednesday in Pakistan and Dubai.
AFP Sport highlights 5 much less heralded gamers seeking to make a reputation for themselves on the 50-over event:
Varun Chakravarthy- India
A late entry into the Indian squad for the event, wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy provides worth to the bowling line-up on anticipated sluggish pitches in Dubai.
The 33-year-old solely made his ODI debut on this month’s England collection after claiming 14 wickets in India’s 4-1 T20 triumph.
He has been a standout within the Indian Premier League 20-over event and performed a key function with 21 wickets in Kolkata Knight Riders’ title triumph final yr.
Chakravarthy is a part of a formidable Indian spin assault, and coach Gautam Gambhir mentioned he may supply the “X-factor”.
Tayyab Tahir- Pakistan
Center-order batsman Tayyab Tahir was a breakout star for Pakistan within the 2023 Rising Groups Asia Cup when his glowing century led the staff to victory within the remaining in opposition to arch-rivals India.
Tahir, 31, loved an excellent run within the home circuit and some T20 outings for Pakistan earlier than making his ODI debut final yr.
His scores in white-ball internationals have been reasonable, together with his highest 39 not out in a T20 recreation.
However Tayyab has had reward from pundits, with quick bowling nice Wasim Akram calling him a “very exciting talent” after his batting blitz within the Pakistan Tremendous League.
Tom Banton – England
Somerset batsman Tom Banton joined England in India for the ultimate ODI of this month’s collection and confirmed glimpses of his expertise in a 38-run knock for a shedding trigger.
The 26-year-old, who took guard at quantity three in Ahmedabad, got here in as cowl for injured Jacob Bethell and changed him in England’s Champions Trophy squad.
Enjoying his seventh ODI and his first since August 2020, Banton took on the Indian spinners and made a six off Washington Sundar with a spectacular change hit over backward level.
Banton has been in high kind in T20 franchise cricket and is the main batter within the United Arab Emirates’ premier competitors, amassing 493 runs together with two centuries from 11 innings.
Aaron Hardie – Australia
Seam-bowling all-rounder Aaron Hardie, 26, will get his likelihood after the sudden retirement of Marcus Stoinis forward of the Champions Trophy.
Hardie, a right-arm pacer and highly effective batter, rattled Sri Lanka with figures of 2-13 after which made 32 with the bat earlier than Australia went down in Colombo final week.
He turned heads in 2018 when he dismissed Indian high weapons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in a tour recreation for Cricket Australia XI and hit 86 with the bat.
Hardie made his white-ball debut for Australia in 2023 however remains to be awaiting a efficiency that cements his place within the staff.
Will O’Rourke – New Zealand
Standing an imposing six toes, 4 inches (1.93 meters), the quick bowler has impressed in his 9 ODI matches and is ready to play in his first ICC event.
The 23-year-old O’Rourke made his ODI debut in 2023 however it was his opening Take a look at at dwelling final yr that obtained him consideration after he claimed a match haul of 9 wickets in opposition to South Africa.
He not too long ago performed a starring function with figures of 4-43 for the Black Caps of their win over Pakistan within the tri-series remaining in Karachi – the venue for the Champions Trophy opener between the identical two groups.
With tearaway fast Ben Sears dominated out and Lockie Ferguson recovering from a hamstring damage, New Zealand will depend upon O’Rourke and senior fast Matt Henry to fireplace.
