Cricket

India's final Group 'A' match against Canada in the ongoing T20 World Cup was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a waterlogged outfield. The match was scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM local time at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, but umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula called off proceedings an hour later after a thorough inspection.Heavy rainfall the previous night had left the outfield saturated, making it unsafe for play. The decision was made after the umpires consulted with both teams and the match officials.India, who had already secured a place in the Super 8 stage with two wins from their first three matches, finished top of the group with seven points. They will now face Afghanistan in their first Super 8 fixture in Barbados on June 20.Canada, who had lost their first two matches, were left disappointed as they missed out on the chance to face the tournament favorites. Head coach Pubudu Dassanayake expressed his team's frustration but acknowledged the uncontrollable nature of the weather."As an associate nation, we would have loved to play against the Indian team. But nature cannot be stopped. There was heavy rain in the last two days, so it was tough to get the ground ready," Dassanayake said.India's focus will now shift to adapting to the different conditions in the West Indies. The pitches in the Caribbean are expected to be less conducive to fast bowling than those in New York, where India played their first three matches.Team combinations, batting approach, and par scores are some of the aspects that skipper Rohit Sharma and his team management will need to reassess. India batting coach Vikram Rathour expressed disappointment at not getting a game but emphasized the importance of player safety."It is disappointing for fans who have turned up to the stadium, and for us too. We were looking forward to playing the game. It was important for us to get match practice. But the rain is something we cannot control," Rathour said.Rathour also highlighted the concerns regarding injuries on a wet outfield. "The concern about sustaining an injury is always there when you play in less than ideal conditions. We are already in the Super 8, and you do not want any injuries ahead of important matches," Rathour added.

India vs. Canada: A Clash of Titans in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024Match 33 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be a captivating encounter as India, the tournament favorites, face off against Canada at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.India, boasting an unblemished record in the tournament, will be eager to extend their winning streak. Their bowling attack has been exceptional, led by the lethal pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah. Singh, with his pinpoint accuracy and ability to generate swing, has emerged as a key wicket-taker, while Bumrah's pace and yorkers have proved equally devastating.Axar Patel, the all-rounder, has also been a valuable contributor, providing both batting and bowling depth. His slow left-arm orthodox bowling has been effective in containing opposition batters, while his ability to strike boundaries with the bat adds another dimension to the Indian lineup.Canada, despite facing tougher opponents, has shown glimpses of their potential. Aaron Johnson, the top fantasy player in their last match, has been a consistent performer with both bat and ball. Kaleem Sana, the left-arm medium-fast bowler, has provided stability to the bowling attack, while Nicholas Kirton, the top-order batter, has been in good form.As India aims to maintain their dominance and Canada seeks to upset the odds, this match promises to be a thrilling contest. India's superior experience and depth will be tested against Canada's determination and home advantage. Fans can expect a blend of strategic gameplay, individual brilliance, and competitive spirit as both teams showcase their talents on the global stage.

India's impressive run in the T20 World Cup Group A has secured their place in the 'Super 8s.' However, their fate against Canada on Saturday remains uncertain due to inclement weather in Florida.The state has been experiencing flash floods, leading to a state of emergency in some areas. The wet conditions have already forced the cancellation of the USA vs. Ireland match, resulting in a major upset and Pakistan's elimination from the tournament.The weather forecast for the Lauderhill region remains grim, with a high probability of showers and thunderstorms. The afternoon forecast offers a slightly better chance of play, but the situation remains fluid.India's dominance in Group A is undeniable, with three consecutive wins against Ireland, USA, and Pakistan. They have secured six points, while USA follows with five points from two wins and a no-result.The no-result in the USA vs. Ireland match has rendered the remaining two games in Group A inconsequential. India is assured of topping the group, followed by USA.The last game of the group, between Pakistan and Ireland, will be played on Sunday at the same venue. However, its outcome will have no bearing on the tournament's progression.The weather conditions in Florida will play a crucial role in determining whether India can extend their unbeaten run against Canada. If the match is washed out, both teams will share the points, and India will still advance to the 'Super 8s.'

Canada vs India: Rain Threat Looms Over T20 World Cup ClashCanada and India are set to face off in a crucial T20 World Cup match on Saturday, June 15, in Lauderhill, Florida. However, the fixture is under threat due to a high probability of rain.India, who have won all three of their group games, are aiming to maintain their perfect record and secure a spot in the Super 8 stage. Canada, on the other hand, have been eliminated after losing their first three matches.Despite their elimination, Canada have shown resilience and competitiveness throughout the tournament. They scored an impressive 194 runs against USA in their opening game and secured a comfortable victory against Ireland.India, meanwhile, have been in dominant form. They have played the same XI in all three group games, but with qualification secure, they may consider resting some key players and giving opportunities to others.One player who could be in line for a start is Kuldeep Yadav. The wrist-spinner has not yet featured in the tournament, but his skills could be valuable in the Super 8 stage.Another player to watch is Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder has been a key contributor with the ball, taking seven wickets in three games. He has also been economical, with an economy rate of 5.41.The match will be played at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida. The venue has hosted eight T20Is, with India playing the most matches (eight). Rohit Sharma is the top-scorer at the venue, with 196 runs in five innings.The weather forecast for Saturday is not promising, with scattered thunderstorms predicted throughout the day. If the match is washed out, it will be a disappointing end to Canada's T20 World Cup campaign.

India's final group match in the T20 World Cup against Canada on Saturday will be a crucial test for star batsman Virat Kohli, who has struggled for form in the tournament so far. Despite India's three consecutive victories, Kohli's poor performance has raised concerns.Kohli entered the T20 World Cup after a stellar Indian Premier League season, where he amassed over 700 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, in three matches, he has managed only five runs, including a "Golden Duck" against the USA.The match against Canada provides an opportunity for Kohli to regain his form, but it is also a meaningless game for India, who have already qualified for the Super Eight stage. The team's focus will be on preparing for the more challenging matches ahead.Despite Kohli's struggles, India's batting has been strong, with Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant stepping up. Pant has scored crucial runs in the victories over Pakistan and Ireland, while Suryakumar overcame a slow start to make a vital fifty against the USA.India's bowling has also been impressive, with Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah leading the attack. Pandya and Arshdeep have been particularly impressive, silencing their critics after poor IPL seasons.While India is expected to defeat Canada, the match could provide an opportunity for the team to experiment with their lineup. They may consider inserting Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener and moving Kohli down to No. 3. They may also give Yuzvendra Chahal or Kuldeep Yadav a chance to bowl.Canada, despite being a tournament newcomer, has shown some tenacity. Players like Aaron Johnson can surprise on their day. However, the Canadians will need to rely on the anticipated rain to stop India's momentum.

Pakistan Faces Canada in Crucial T20 World Cup ClashPakistan, reeling from their heartbreaking loss to India, will face Canada in a must-win match on Tuesday in New York. The 2022 finalists must regroup quickly to keep their tournament hopes alive.Canada, on the other hand, has impressed with their performances so far, boasting a balanced team with strong batting and bowling lineups. They will be looking to capitalize on Pakistan's vulnerability and secure a famous victory.Pakistan's Form and Team NewsPakistan's recent form has been disappointing, with three consecutive losses in the T20 World Cup. Their batting has struggled, particularly Babar Azam, who has averaged just 20.11 in the tournament.There are no fresh injury concerns for Pakistan, but they may consider changes to their lineup. Saim Ayub could return to the side, potentially replacing Usman Khan or Shadab Khan.Canada's Form and Team NewsCanada has shown resilience and quality in their first two matches. They have a strong batting lineup led by Nicholas Kirton, who has scored two half-centuries in the tournament. Their bowling attack has also impressed, effectively restricting Ireland in their previous match.Canada is likely to field an unchanged team following their win over Ireland.Pitch and ConditionsA fresh pitch is expected to be used for the Canada-Pakistan clash. The weather forecast is favorable, with no rain interruptions anticipated.Key Players to Watch* RizBar (Pakistan): Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will be under pressure to deliver a strong performance after their slow start in the tournament.* Nicholas Kirton (Canada): The Barbados-born left-hander has been in excellent form and will be a key threat to Pakistan's bowling attack.Quotes"I was very excited by the bowling performance. Got better and better and we've tracked their stats over the last 15-odd games, and they've been an incredible bowling unit from overs 10 to 20." - Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten

Canada's Jeremy Gordon, haunted by a costly over in their previous match against USA, redeemed himself with a stellar performance against Ireland in the ongoing T20I series. Gordon's opening spell proved crucial as he exploited the variable bounce of the New York strip, claiming two wickets and conceding just 16 runs in four overs.After the disastrous over against USA, Gordon was determined to make amends. He focused on hitting the back-of-a-length area, which proved effective as Ireland's batters struggled to adjust. Gordon's first wicket came when he dismissed Ireland's captain, Paul Stirling, who mistimed a pull shot and was caught at mid-on.Gordon's redemption was complete when he returned to bowl the final over with Ireland needing 17 runs to win. He bowled a short-of-a-length delivery that Mark Adair miscued, giving Gordon a straightforward catch. Gordon's figures of 4-0-16-2 helped Canada secure a narrow victory.The match also highlighted concerns about the pitch conditions at the New York stadium, which will host the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on Sunday. While the wicket was improved from the previous match between Ireland and India, Canada's Nicholas Kirton, who scored 49 runs, admitted that it was still challenging to bat on.Despite the pitch concerns, Gordon's performance was a testament to his resilience and ability to adapt to difficult conditions. Canada will now face Pakistan and India, two of the world's top teams, in their upcoming matches. Gordon's confidence is high, and he believes that Canada can give a good account of themselves if they remain disciplined and focused.

Canada's skipper, Saad Bin Zafar, acknowledged the slowing down of the pitch at the Nassau County ground during the second half of their T20 World Cup match against Ireland, which they ultimately won by 12 runs. Canada's victory marked their first in the tournament.Zafar attributed their success to the strategic inclusion of an extra spinner, praising the performances of both himself and Junaid Siddiqui. The pitch at this venue has been under scrutiny for its challenging batting conditions, with low-scoring games being the norm, especially with the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan scheduled for Sunday."The wicket got a bit slow today, so it worked to our advantage. We gambled with an extra spinner and I feel both myself and Junaid (Siddiqui) bowled really well," Zafar said at the post-match presentation.Zafar expressed hope that Canada will be able to carry the momentum into their next game against Pakistan. "One game at a time, we need to enjoy this win and come back strong against Pakistan. We are here to play positive cricket," Zafar said.Describing their win as a "proud moment," Zafar praised his side for a unified show. "(It's a) very proud moment for the team. The way Kirton and Movva batted, we knew we had a good total to defend. We needed a good performance from the bowling unit and I am so proud of my bowlers for putting their hand up and delivering," he said.Ireland skipper Paul Stirling, whose batting struggles continued with a meager score of nine, acknowledged that his team was not at their best and hoped for improvement in all aspects of the game. "(It was a) tough loss, we weren't at the races today. The target was gettable and we didn't think we'd struggle too much," he said."We were off in all three facets today, we need to show a better game when we go to Miami and Florida. We don't want to look too far into the future, we've got USA next," Stirling added.Nicholas Kirton, who played a match-winning knock of 49 off 35 balls, emphasized the importance of Canada bouncing back after their heavy defeat against the USA in the tournament opener. He found the pitch to be generally good for batting, with only a small area in the middle causing some inconsistency."Bouncing back from the first game was important. Trust me, it wasn't that easy. (I) just tried to get in, get the pace of the wicket. Honestly it wasn't that bad. There was an area in the middle of the wicket that was a bit up and down, but otherwise it was a good wicket to bat on," he said."It is very good to get our first win in the World Cup. Hopefully we can continue from strength to strength. Our next focus is Pakistan. Two spinners bowled very well (as there was a) bit of purchase on offer," he added.

Canada and Ireland Face Off on Tricky New York PitchThe spotlight turns to New York on Friday as Canada and Ireland clash in a crucial match that could shape their paths to the Super Eights. However, the focus has been on the challenging pitch at the venue, which has drawn criticism for its uneven bounce and excessive movement.No team has managed to cross the 100-run mark in four innings played on this surface, raising concerns about the quality of the cricket being played. Fast bowlers have dominated, accounting for 18 of the 26 wickets to fall.Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan expressed frustration after their loss to India, stating that the pitch made it difficult to adjust. He hopes for a flatter surface on Friday to allow for more competitive cricket.Both Canada and Ireland are coming off losses in their opening games, making this match even more significant. Canada has struggled in recent T20Is, losing their last five matches. Their batter Navneet Dhaliwal acknowledged the challenges posed by the New York pitch, emphasizing the need for conventional cricket.Ireland, on the other hand, will look to Mark Adair for inspiration. The all-rounder has been in excellent form this year, leading Ireland's wicket-taking charts with 18 scalps in 10 T20Is. His ability to bowl accurate lengths on this surface could prove crucial.Team news suggests that both sides may opt for pace-heavy attacks. Canada may consider bringing in Rishiv Joshi to bolster their bowling resources, while Ireland could include Ross Adair if Harry Tector is unavailable due to an injury sustained in the India match.The weather forecast for Friday is favorable, with temperatures hovering around 29 degrees Celsius. However, humidity could be a factor.