Cricket

New Zealand's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign kicks off against Afghanistan on Friday, and captain Kane Williamson is wary of their formidable bowling attack. Afghanistan boasts one of the tournament's strongest bowling units, according to Williamson, who has witnessed their growth firsthand."They have a very skillful team, one of the better bowling attacks in the competition," Williamson said. "We've seen their involvement in franchise competitions, and they're only getting better with more top-level cricket."Williamson highlighted Afghanistan's star legspinner Rashid Khan, who he has played alongside in the IPL. "Rashid is a world-class player, but they have other threats throughout their side," Williamson said.Despite playing only two matches in the IPL this season, Williamson is confident in his team's preparation for the World Cup. "I've been involved in a few IPLs now and sometimes play more, sometimes less," Williamson said. "But I'm trying to help the team as much as I can and focus on my fitness and other aspects of my game."Williamson also praised the expansion of the World Cup to 20 teams. "It's a fantastic thing," he said. "That sort of exposure is only beneficial for all teams, and anything can happen in tournament time."

Afghanistan's head coach Jonathan Trott has hailed the appointment of Dwayne Bravo as the team's bowling coach for the ongoing T20 World Cup. Trott believes that Bravo's extensive experience in franchise cricket has significantly impacted the approach of Afghanistan's bowlers, making his job easier and enhancing the overall coaching experience.In their opening match, Afghanistan showcased their bowling prowess as left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed an impressive 5/9, while openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (76) and Ibrahim Zadran (70) laid a solid foundation with the bat. The Afghans ultimately defeated tournament debutants Uganda by a commanding margin of 125 runs."DJ (Dwayne Bravo) coming into the side, fantastic. Having quality coaches also with huge experience as players (is great), but also vast franchise experience in this format of the game," Trott said in the post-match press conference."(It's) only a brilliant thing to have a player like him coming to the side as coach and it makes your job a lot easier but it also makes the coaching more enhanced, especially with the bowlers.""We've seen the start of his first game with us and we saw the bowlers bowl really well, so credit to Dwayne. So (a) nice start for the boys," he added.Despite the heavy defeat, Uganda captain Brian Masaba chose to focus on the positives, describing the experience of hearing their national anthem and seeing their flag at the World Cup as a "pretty special moment." Masaba acknowledged the nerves that came with playing their first-ever T20 World Cup match and commended his team's fighting spirit in the face of a strong Afghan side."Pretty special moment for us, hearing our national anthem and seeing our flag at the World Cup," Masaba said after the match."First game at the World Cup, (a) lot of nerves, so good to get that out of the way.""Something I will cherish for the rest of my life. We will look to come out and play better next game. They got off to a pretty good start and then it was about fighting back. It was very important how we fought back and full credit to the boys for that," he added.Uganda will next face Papua New Guinea in their second Group C match on Thursday. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will take on New Zealand at the same venue on Saturday.

Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi unleashed a devastating spell to dismantle Uganda's batting lineup, leading his team to a resounding 125-run victory in their T20 World Cup 2024 Group C match at the Providence Stadium.Farooqi's fiery pace proved too much for Uganda's openers, Ronak Patel and Roger Mukasa, who were dismissed on consecutive deliveries in the first over. Patel was castled by an inswinger, while Mukasa was bamboozled by a googly.Mujeeb Ur Rahman joined the wicket-taking party in the next over, deceiving Simon Ssesazi with a googly. Naveen-ul-Haq then scalped two in the fifth over, reducing Uganda to a precarious 18/5.Uganda's batters struggled to find their rhythm, while Farooqi continued to be economical and rattle wickets. In the 13th over, Farooqi was on a hat-trick for the second time after picking up two consecutive wickets. With the second consecutive scalp, he completed his maiden five-wicket haul for Afghanistan in international cricket.Uganda eventually bundled out for a meager 58 runs in the 16th over, succumbing to a 125-run defeat.Earlier in the innings, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran's fierce opening partnership propelled Afghanistan to a formidable 183/5 against Uganda. The duo registered a 154-run stand, the second-highest opening stand in the men's T20 World Cup.Gurbaz top-scored with 76 off 45, while Zadran smashed 70 runs in 46 balls, powering Afghanistan to a fighting total.

New Zealand's T20 World Cup campaign is set to begin with a challenging start, facing Afghanistan and West Indies in their first two matches. Despite a late start and jetlag, head coach Gary Stead remains optimistic about their chances.The squad has had limited training sessions due to rain and the absence of warm-up matches. However, Stead believes the time leading up to their first game will be sufficient for preparation and gathering intel from other matches.Stead emphasized the importance of adaptability in the squad, given the potential for different conditions and the challenges of DLS in shortened games. He also highlighted the need to monitor the weather, as rain could impact qualification.Finn Allen has recovered from a back injury and is training fully, giving New Zealand a clean bill of health. Stead will be closely observing the Afghanistan-Uganda match to assess the dew factor, which could affect the ball's movement.New Zealand's squad includes players who have demonstrated adaptability in the past, and Stead is confident in their ability to adjust to different roles and situations. He anticipates a difference in playing conditions between daytime and evening matches, with a higher dew factor expected in the evenings.Despite the challenges, Stead remains hopeful that New Zealand's late start will provide them with enough time to prepare and gain an advantage from observing other teams' performances.

Afghanistan vs Uganda: A Clash of Titans and UnderdogsThe T20 World Cup 2024 kicks off with a tantalizing encounter between Afghanistan, a formidable force in international cricket, and Uganda, a debutant team eager to make a mark.Afghanistan, fresh from their impressive sixth-place finish at the 2023 ODI World Cup, boasts a star-studded lineup. Their batting prowess is led by the explosive Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, while their spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman forms one of the most potent T20I attacks.Uganda, on the other hand, has earned their place in the tournament through the Africa qualifiers, where they stunned Zimbabwe. Their strength lies in their all-rounders, particularly Alpesh Ramjani, who has been a consistent performer with both bat and ball.Despite the gulf in experience and talent, Uganda will be no pushovers. Their bowling attack features three left-arm fingerspinners, which could pose a challenge to Afghanistan's right-handed batters.The match promises to be an intriguing battle between a team looking to make a statement and a team determined to prove their worth. Afghanistan will be keen to start their campaign with a convincing victory, while Uganda will be aiming to pull off an upset and announce their arrival on the world stage.

Scotland and Afghanistan Gear Up for T20 World Cup with Final Warm-Up ClashScotland and Afghanistan will face off in their final warm-up match ahead of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup at Trinidad's Queen's Park Oval. Both teams will be eager to get a full 20-over match under their belts after rain disrupted their previous warm-up games.Scotland's previous match saw them restrict T20 World Cup debutants Uganda to a modest 90 runs in 18 overs. However, their explosive start with the bat was cut short by rain. Afghanistan, on the other hand, were unable to bat against Oman in their previous game due to the same weather conditions.Both Scotland and Afghanistan will be looking to fine-tune their preparations for the World Cup. Scotland will be hoping to build on their impressive performance against Uganda, while Afghanistan will be keen to get some batting practice after being denied the opportunity in their last match.Scotland's batting lineup boasts experienced players like Kyle Coetzer, George Munsey, and Matthew Cross. They will be looking to set a solid foundation and accelerate the scoring rate in the middle overs. Afghanistan, meanwhile, has a formidable bowling attack led by Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. They will be aiming to restrict Scotland's scoring and create pressure with their spin and pace variations.The match will be a crucial test for both teams as they finalize their strategies and combinations for the World Cup. Scotland will be looking to gain momentum and confidence, while Afghanistan will be eager to prove their credentials as one of the favorites for the tournament.

The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup is set to witness a thrilling battle in Group C, where two-time champions West Indies will face off against New Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea.West Indies, the co-hosts, will be aiming for a record third T20 World Cup title. Led by Rovman Powell, they boast a formidable squad with all-rounders and big-hitters like Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Shamar Joseph. Their campaign begins with matches against lower-ranked PNG and Uganda, giving them a strong start.New Zealand, under the leadership of Kane Williamson, has a well-rounded team with a blend of experience and youth. They have a strong pace attack led by Trent Boult and Tim Southee, and a versatile spin department featuring Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi. New Zealand will face Afghanistan in their opening match.Afghanistan, ranked 10th in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, is a formidable opponent. They have a strong spin department led by Rashid Khan, who returns after an injury layoff. Afghanistan will be looking to pull off big wins and challenge the top teams in the group.Uganda, making their T20 World Cup debut, has an impressive record leading up to the tournament. Led by Brian Masaba, they have a squad with plenty of experience and will be aiming to spring a surprise.Papua New Guinea, also making their second T20 World Cup appearance, has a versatile unit with all-rounders. Led by Assad Vala, they will be looking to test the bigger teams in the group.The group stage promises intense competition, with each team aiming to make it to the second round. West Indies and New Zealand are the favorites, but Afghanistan, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea will be determined to make their mark.

Group C Preview: West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New GuineaThe 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup is set to commence in the West Indies and USA on June 2, and Group C promises to be a thrilling contest. Let's take a closer look at the teams involved:West Indies:The co-host enters the tournament in excellent form, having won four of its last five T20I series. With a star-studded lineup featuring Andre Russell, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, and Shimron Hetmyer, the West Indies are a formidable force. However, they will miss the services of experienced all-rounder Jason Holder due to injury.New Zealand:The Kiwis rely on their experienced core in their quest for a maiden T20 World Cup title. Kane Williamson leads the side for the fourth time, while pacers Tim Southee and Trent Boult make their seventh and fifth tournament appearances respectively. The likes of Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, and Boult are in top form after the IPL 2024 campaign.Afghanistan:Afghanistan's rise from minnow to contender was evident in the 2023 50-over Cricket World Cup. Their T20 style suits them well, with Najibullah Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Nabi providing explosive batting and a well-rounded spin attack. Several Afghan players gained valuable experience in the IPL 2024.Uganda:Uganda makes its World Cup debut, having overcome Zimbabwe and Kenya in the Africa leg of the qualifiers. An upset win over one of the favorites would be a major boost for cricket in Uganda. Veteran all-rounder Frank Nsubuga, at 43, is the oldest player in the tournament.Papua New Guinea:PNG had a relatively easy path to the main draw, cruising past Vanuatu, Japan, and Philippines. Former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu is the head coach of PNG. Tony Ura is their most successful batter with 1618 runs in 56 T20Is.Key Players:* Andre Russell (West Indies): The all-rounder has enjoyed a career resurgence and is a crucial part of Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL title-winning team.* Trent Boult (New Zealand): The left-arm pacer's dangerous shape and curl with the new ball can swing the early momentum towards New Zealand.* Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan): The pacer finished as LSG's highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024 with 14 wickets.* Frank Nsubuga (Uganda): The veteran all-rounder brings experience and leadership to the Ugandan team.* Tony Ura (Papua New Guinea): The nation's most successful batter will be crucial for PNG's hopes of making an impact.

Poor Weather Disrupts International Cricket Fixtures in UAEUnfavorable weather conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have forced the cancellation of the second One-Day International (ODI) between Afghanistan and Ireland and the postponement of the ICC ODI World Cup League 2 match between UAE and Scotland.The UAE vs Scotland game in Dubai was postponed on Friday due to severe weather conditions, as per a directive from the relevant government department. On Saturday, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced the cancellation of the Afghanistan vs Ireland ODI in Sharjah due to heavy and persistent rain."The decision to call off the game was made after extensive discussions between the event's technical committee, match officials, and ground staff," the Afghanistan Cricket Board stated.Afghanistan currently holds a 1-0 lead in the series after their 35-run victory in the first ODI in Sharjah on Thursday. The third and final game of the series is scheduled to take place on March 12 at the same venue.Reports from UAE media outlets indicate that the inclement weather has led to flight cancellations and a yellow weather alert has been issued, suggesting the possibility of worsening conditions.In Abu Dhabi, thunder, lightning, and heavy rain have been reported, resulting in the suspension of bus services between Dubai and Sharjah. However, marine transport services in Dubai have resumed after morning disruptions.The weather conditions have significantly impacted international cricket fixtures in the UAE, highlighting the challenges posed by unpredictable weather patterns.