Cricket

Afghanistan's Rashid Khan Loses Temper, Throws Bat at Teammate in Tense T20 World Cup MatchDuring a crucial ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 Group 1 match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, Afghanistan's captain Rashid Khan displayed an uncharacteristic outburst of anger. The incident occurred in the 20th over of Afghanistan's innings, with the team struggling at 107 for 5.Rashid Khan, known for his aggressive batting style, attempted a helicopter shot off Tanzim Hasan Sakib. However, he mistimed the shot, sending the ball looping over the covers. Spotting an opportunity to add pressure to the fielders, Rashid sprinted for a second run.However, his partner Karim Janat, who had already settled at the striker's end, decisively sent him back. Frustrated by the missed chance, Rashid threw his bat in anger towards Janat, an act that left spectators stunned.Janat, trying to diffuse the situation, approached Rashid for a chat, but the captain was visibly disinterested and walked away, still fuming. The incident highlighted the pressure and intensity of the match, as Afghanistan struggled to build momentum in their batting innings.Despite the confrontation, Janat managed to score a valuable 7 off 6 balls, while Rashid Khan remained unbeaten on 19 off 10, showcasing his ability to accelerate in the death overs. However, their efforts were hampered by disciplined bowling from Bangladesh.Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, and Rishad Hossain kept the Afghan batsmen in check, with Rishad claiming three crucial wickets. The powerplay didn't go in Afghanistan's favor, scoring only 27 runs in the first six overs. With a total of 115 for 5 in 20 overs, Afghanistan's hopes rested on their bowlers to defend the modest target.

Australia's hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024 now hinge on the outcome of the final group game between Bangladesh and Afghanistan. After their 24-run defeat to India, Australia's fate rests on Bangladesh's ability to defeat Afghanistan by a significant margin.For Australia to qualify, Bangladesh must beat Afghanistan by a margin of less than 62 runs if they bat first (assuming a total of 140). If Bangladesh chases, they must reach 141 in at least 12.4 overs to give Australia a higher run rate.Bangladesh's net run rate currently stands at -2.489, significantly lower than Australia's -0.331. To surpass Australia, Bangladesh needs a resounding victory on Monday night. A win by 62 or more runs, or a chase of 141 in 12.3 overs or earlier, would propel them to second place in the points table.If Afghanistan scores 160, Bangladesh can stay ahead of Australia by chasing it down in 12.5 overs or sooner (if they score 161), or in 13.3 overs if they level scores and win with a six.For Afghanistan, the equation is simpler: a win guarantees them second place in the group and a semi-final berth, while a defeat eliminates them. Even a Super Over defeat would only improve their NRR to -0.433, still below Australia's -0.331.The team that qualifies in second place from this group will face South Africa, the Group 2 toppers, in Tarouba in a night game on Wednesday. India will take on England in the second semi-final in a day game on Thursday in Providence.

The T20 World Cup Group 1 race for the final semi-final spot reaches its climax on Tuesday as Afghanistan and Bangladesh face off in a virtual quarter-final at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, Saint Vincent.With India securing their semi-final berth after defeating Australia, Afghanistan's fate now rests on their encounter with Bangladesh. A victory for the Afghans would propel them into the semis alongside Group 2 toppers South Africa. India, meanwhile, will face defending champions England in Thursday's semi-final in Guyana.Weather conditions are expected to play a crucial role in the high-stakes match. AccuWeather forecasts severe thunderstorms and a 41% chance of rain, with temperatures ranging from 25-32 degrees Celsius. The sky is anticipated to be obscured by clouds approximately 58% of the time, adding to the challenging conditions for the players.In the event of a washout, Afghanistan would qualify for the semis as the second-placed team in Group 2 with three points, eliminating Australia from the tournament. However, if Bangladesh emerges victorious, all three teams (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia) would finish on two points, with net run rate (NRR) becoming the deciding factor. Bangladesh would need a significant margin of victory to have any chance of reaching the semis, while Australia's fate hangs in the balance.Group 2 has already seen South Africa and England qualify for the semi-finals, while the co-hosts West Indies and USA have been eliminated.

Afghanistan and Bangladesh Face Off in Crucial Super Eight ClashAs the Super Eight phase of the Men's T20 World Cup 2024 draws to a close, Afghanistan and Bangladesh will face off in a pivotal match that could determine their semi-final fate.Afghanistan, riding high after their historic win against Australia, will be looking to secure a spot in the last four. Their openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, have been in scintillating form, while their bowlers, led by Gulbadin Naib and Naveen-ul-Haq, have shown their versatility.Bangladesh, on the other hand, have struggled in the tournament, losing their first two matches against India and Australia. Their batting has been particularly disappointing, with the top order failing to fire. However, they will be eager to prove their worth and end their World Cup campaign on a high note.The match will be played at Arnos Vale in Kingstown, where teams batting first have won every game. Afghanistan will be confident after their recent victory at the same venue, while Bangladesh will be looking to break the trend.Key Players to Watch:* Gulbadin Naib (Afghanistan): The all-rounder has been in impressive form with the ball, taking four wickets against Australia.* Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): The veteran all-rounder has not had the best of tournaments, but he remains a key player for Bangladesh.* Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan): The wicketkeeper-batter has been in prolific form, scoring three century stands with Ibrahim Zadran.Team News:* Bangladesh may bring back Taskin Ahmed or Shoriful Islam to replace Jaker Ali.* Afghanistan are likely to go in unchanged.Quotes:* "We've just got to focus on our match against Bangladesh and when all the other matches are played. We'll know what we need to do and the decisions we need to make." - Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott* "One thing you've got to acknowledge is you can't fight genetics. We're looking at the strength and conditioning element, we're looking at different things of how we can do it a Bangladeshi way." - Bangladesh assistant coach Nic Pothas

Australia's decision to field spinner Ashton Agar instead of pace spearhead Mitchell Starc in their T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Afghanistan has sparked debate. Despite Agar's economical performance, Afghanistan's strong opening partnership exposed the absence of Starc's early strike threat.Head coach Andrew McDonald defended the move, citing the need for spin on the sluggish surface. "We knew we were going to need more than eight overs of spin on that surface," he explained. "Ashton was suited to these conditions."Captain Mitchell Marsh echoed McDonald's sentiments, emphasizing the team's strategic approach. "We've got 15 guys here, and we'll pick a team that we think can win us the game in those certain conditions," he said.However, Afghanistan's steady start, reaching 40 for 0 in the first six overs, highlighted the potential impact of Starc's absence. McDonald acknowledged the importance of focusing on the upcoming match against India rather than dwelling on the previous game."There was no point trying to work out what might have happened if Starc had been selected," he said. "We got what we expected from the pitch. We've got to turn our focus to India: a totally different line-up on a totally different surface."The decision to omit Starc has raised questions about Australia's team selection strategy. While Agar's performance was commendable, the absence of Starc's early wickets may have cost Australia the match.As Australia prepares for their crucial clash against India, they will need to carefully consider their team selection and find the right balance between spin and pace to overcome the challenges of the different surfaces they will encounter.

Suryakumar Yadav, the world's top-ranked T20I batter, has once again proven his mettle, guiding India to a comfortable 47-run victory over Afghanistan in their first Super 8 match of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Yadav's second consecutive half-century, a 28-ball 53, played a pivotal role in India's triumph.Post-match, Yadav and Axar Patel engaged in a playful banter, revealing an amusing exchange between Yadav and Virat Kohli during India's batting innings. Axar inquired about Kohli's advice to Yadav during a drinks break in the 10th over, as Yadav had immediately begun slog-sweeping after the break.Yadav explained his strategy, saying, "160 was a par score on this wicket. I thought if I started with a few boundaries and got the momentum going after the break, it would help the next batters."Axar jokingly accused Yadav of "bluffing" Kohli, but Yadav countered, "No, I didn't bluff! I was just being myself."Yadav's adaptability and ability to play in different modes were evident in his match-winning performance. After scoring a 49-ball 50 against USA, Yadav maintained a strike rate of over 180 on a challenging Barbados pitch.Yadav's flamboyant knock, along with contributions from Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya, propelled India to 180 in 20 overs. Afghanistan's chase proved futile, as Jasprit Bumrah continued his stellar performance, claiming three wickets for seven runs in his four overs.India will face Bangladesh in their next Super 8 match on Saturday, June 22, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Australia's hopes of advancing to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup hang in the balance after their shock defeat to Afghanistan. The Group 1 standings are now a battleground, with India virtually assured of a spot and the second berth up for grabs between Australia and Afghanistan.Australia's loss to Afghanistan has opened the door for Afghanistan to qualify for the semifinals. If Afghanistan defeats Bangladesh in their remaining match, they will join India in the last four. However, if Australia beats India and Afghanistan loses to Bangladesh, Australia will advance based on a superior net run rate (NRR).India's position is relatively secure. A win over Australia would guarantee them the top spot in the group, while a loss would still leave them with a chance of qualifying if Afghanistan loses to Bangladesh.Bangladesh's chances of reaching the semifinals are slim. They have lost both their matches and would need to beat Afghanistan and hope for a washout in the India-Australia match to have any chance of progressing.The remaining matches in Group 1 will be crucial in determining the semifinalists. India vs Australia on June 24 and Afghanistan vs Bangladesh on June 25 will hold the key to which two teams will advance to the last four.

Afghanistan's stunning 21-run victory over Australia in the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup has reignited their hopes of reaching the semi-finals. The win was orchestrated by a brilliant opening partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who shared a 118-run stand to set the platform for a competitive total of 148-6.Gurbaz and Zadran dominated the Australian bowlers in the early overs, showcasing crisp batting and aggressive running. Their partnership put pressure on the Australians, who made uncharacteristic fielding errors under the lights at the Arnos Vale Ground. Gurbaz reached his half-century before being dismissed for 60, while Zadran contributed 51.Australia's chase got off to a disastrous start as Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed Travis Head for a duck in the opening over. Mitchell Marsh and David Warner also fell cheaply, leaving the Australians struggling at 32-3. The explosive Glenn Maxwell provided some hope with a battling 59 off 41 balls, but his dismissal by Gulbadin Naib sealed the fate of the former champions.Naib emerged as the pick of the Afghan bowlers, claiming 4-20, while Naveen-ul-Haq bagged 3-20. Pat Cummins, who had taken two hat-tricks in the tournament, became the first bowler to take two hat-tricks in a single T20 World Cup. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent Australia's defeat.The win keeps Afghanistan alive in the tournament, with India and Australia still in contention for the semi-finals. India currently tops Group 1 with four points, followed by Australia and Afghanistan with two points each. Bangladesh remains in last place with no points.India and Australia will face off in St. Lucia on Monday, while Afghanistan will play Bangladesh in the final Super Eight match later that day.

Pat Cummins, the Australian fast bowler, has etched his name in the history books by claiming his second hat-trick in three days during the T20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight match against Afghanistan. This remarkable feat makes him the fifth bowler to achieve two hat-tricks in men's T20Is.Cummins' first hat-trick came against Bangladesh in Antigua, where he dismissed three batsmen in consecutive deliveries. In St Vincent, he repeated the feat in his last two overs, starting with the dismissal of Rashid Khan at long on with the last ball of the 18th over. He then removed Karim Janat in the same manner with the first ball of the 20th over, before Gulbadin Naib hoicked to deep midwicket."Yeah, remembered this one," Cummins said after the match, referring to his forgetfulness about being on a hat-trick against Bangladesh. "Crazy to get two in a row after playing 100 plus games for Australia."Cummins came close to achieving a rare feat of four wickets in four balls, but David Warner missed a chance at deep square when Nangeyalia Kharote swung to the leg side.With this hat-trick, Cummins joins an elite group of bowlers who have achieved the feat twice in T20Is. Lasith Malinga, Tim Southee, Serbia's Mark Pavlovic, and Malta's Waseem Abbas are the other bowlers to have accomplished this rare feat.Cummins' hat-trick is also notable for its timing, as he became the second player to take a hat-trick in consecutive international matches. Wasim Akram achieved this feat in consecutive Tests against Sri Lanka in March 1999. Jimmy Matthews had also taken hat-tricks in each innings of a Test match against South Africa in 1912, but both came on the same day.Cummins' hat-trick played a crucial role in Australia's victory over Afghanistan, as they restricted their opponents to a modest total of 127/9. Australia chased down the target with ease, winning by 8 wickets.