Cricket

Gulbadin Naib's apparent bout of cramp during Afghanistan's crucial Super Eight match against Bangladesh in St Vincent raised eyebrows among television commentators. The incident occurred at a pivotal moment in the game, with Afghanistan needing a victory to qualify for the T20 World Cup semi-finals at Australia's expense.After taking Bangladesh's sixth and seventh wickets in the 11th over, Afghanistan appeared to be in control. However, as Bangladesh approached the DLS par score, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott was seen signaling to his players with rain threatening.Between the third and fourth deliveries of the 12th over, Naib, fielding at first slip, suddenly clutched the back of his leg and collapsed to the ground. He remained motionless, requiring treatment and assistance from teammate Naveen-ul-Haq and a support staff member. As Naib was helped off the field, drizzle began to fall, and the pitch was covered.The interruption was brief, but when play resumed, Bangladesh's chase was reduced by one over, and the DLS target was revised to 114. Najibullah Zadran replaced Naib as a substitute, with Naib eventually returning to the field in the 13th over.Naib's absence raised questions about potential time-wasting tactics, as time-wasting by either the batting or bowling side is a punishable offense. However, Naib's return to the field and his subsequent bowling of the 15th over, in which he dismissed Tanzim Hasan, seemed to dispel any suspicions.The incident highlighted the intense pressure and scrutiny that players face in high-stakes matches. With Afghanistan's World Cup hopes on the line, Naib's apparent cramp raised concerns about the team's ability to maintain focus and composure under pressure.

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.

Australia's T20 World Cup hopes now hinge on the outcome of the Afghanistan-Bangladesh match after they suffered a 24-run defeat to India in their must-win Super 8 clash.The Aussies ended their Super 8 campaign with just one victory in three matches and now require Bangladesh to beat Afghanistan and become the second team from Group 1 to qualify for the semifinals.Australia will fail to reach the last four if Afghanistan, who defeated them by 21 runs in a stunning upset last time out, beat Bangladesh in the concluding game of the Super Eights stage.Despite the defeat, Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh said his team technically still stands a chance for the last four berth and expressed his support for Bangladesh to win."It's disappointing. Still technically a chance to go through, and today India got the better of us. I think over the course of 40 overs there's a lot of small margins, but honestly, India were the better team," Marsh said at the post-match presentation.He also lavished praise on Indian captain Rohit Sharma for his blistering knock of 92, emphasizing the impact he can have on the game once he settles in at the crease."We've seen for 15 years what Rohit Sharma can do in that kind of mood, and he got off to an absolute flier. In a run chase like that, you're in it if you can keep it at tens for as long as possible, but India were too good for us. Come on, Bangladesh!"Rohit led from the front with a 41-ball knock, including seven fours and eight sixes, as his side posted a total of 205-5.Australia was then held to 181-7, with opener Travis Head top-scoring with 76 in an innings where left-arm paceman Arshdeep Singh took 3-37.India will now play defending champions England in Thursday's semi-final in Guyana.

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

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has criticized Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's batting approach during their T20 World Cup Super Eight match against India. Bangladesh suffered a 50-run loss in the encounter, with Shakib scoring only 11 runs off seven balls.Sehwag expressed his disapproval of Shakib's decision to attempt a boundary shot against Kuldeep Yadav, resulting in his dismissal. He believes that Shakib should have played a more supportive role to his batting partner and stayed at the crease for a longer duration."When you have a set batter with you at the crease, at least support him. At least stay out in the middle and spend some time, try to get something out of the match," Sehwag said. "Instead, only 11 runs were scored off seven deliveries and then he walked back. So, I did not understand that."Sehwag also suggested that Shakib consider retiring from the sport to make way for younger players. "He has so much experience. So, is he not making the most of it or does he simply not care? or was he thinking that the target is too big and I just scored a six, and now I will score a six off every ball," Sehwag added.Bangladesh's chances of reaching the semifinals have become slim after suffering two defeats in the Super Eight stage. Their last match will be against Afghanistan on June 25.

Rishabh Pant's struggles in the ongoing T20 World Cup continued on Saturday as he failed to capitalize on a promising start against Bangladesh. The left-handed batter has been dismissed cheaply in all five innings he has played so far, leaving India's batting lineup in a precarious position.In the Super Eight match against Bangladesh, Pant got off to a solid start, scoring 36 runs off 28 balls. However, he once again failed to convert his start into a substantial score, falling to a reverse sweep that was caught by Tanzim Hasan Sakib at short third man.Pant's dismissal drew a frustrated reaction from his teammate Virat Kohli, who was seen shaking his head and mouthing words of disappointment. The incident highlighted the growing concern over Pant's form, which has been a major talking point throughout the tournament.Despite Pant's struggles, India managed to secure a comfortable 50-run victory over Bangladesh, thanks to a clinical performance from their bowlers. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah were the standout performers, taking three and two wickets respectively.India's victory keeps them unbeaten in the tournament and moves them closer to a semi-final berth. However, Pant's continued failure to deliver is a major concern for the team, who will need him to find his form if they are to challenge for the title.

Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli finally showcased his batting prowess in the T20 World Cup 2024, scoring a brisk 37 off 28 deliveries in India's victory over Bangladesh. This performance marked a significant improvement for Kohli, who had struggled in the tournament's initial matches.Kohli's innings in Antigua was a delight for fans, as he entertained with his trademark shots and aggressive approach. India posted a formidable 196/5 on the board, thanks in part to Kohli's contribution.Beyond his batting, Kohli also provided a moment of nostalgia for fans when he displayed his gully cricket skills. During Bangladesh's chase, a six from Rishad Hossain sent the ball underneath an advertising hoarding. Kohli, with his knees on the ground, crawled under the hoarding to retrieve the ball, evoking memories of childhood street cricket.The match's Player of the Match was Hardik Pandya, who scored a blistering 50 off 27 balls and claimed a wicket with his bowling. Pandya expressed his satisfaction with India's performance, highlighting their teamwork and execution of plans. He also acknowledged the need for improvement in certain areas, such as reducing the number of wickets lost in clusters.India's next challenge in the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8s will be against Australia. The team will be eager to continue their winning momentum and secure a spot in the knockout stages.