Cricket

India vs Afghanistan: A Clash of Titans in the Super EightThe highly anticipated clash between India and Afghanistan in the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams possess formidable strengths and will be eager to secure a victory that could propel them towards the semifinals.Afghanistan's Bowling ProwessAfghanistan's bowling attack is their primary weapon. Led by the enigmatic Rashid Khan, they have a lineup capable of troubling even the most experienced batters. Fazalhaq Farooqi, with his left-arm angle and new-ball swing, will be crucial in removing India's top order.India's Batting DepthIndia, on the other hand, boasts a formidable batting lineup anchored by the experienced Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, Afghanistan's bowling will test their mettle. If India can overcome the early challenge posed by Farooqi, they will need to find a way to counter Rashid's spin wizardry.Suryakumar Yadav: India's Trump CardSuryakumar Yadav has been a thorn in Rashid's side in T20 cricket, scoring runs at a blistering pace. His ability to dominate spin bowling could prove decisive for India. Shivam Dube, another left-handed batter, has also enjoyed success against Rashid.Afghanistan's Batting ChallengeWhile Afghanistan's bowling is their strength, their batting will need to step up against India's quality attack. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with his aggressive style, could be a key player for Afghanistan. However, India's left-arm spinners, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, could pose a significant threat to their top order.Pitch and ConditionsThe match will be played at Bridgetown, which has offered decent batting conditions. The weather is expected to be favorable, providing both teams with an opportunity to showcase their skills.Stats and Trivia* Afghanistan has never defeated India in any format.* Gurbaz and Farooqi are the highest scorer and wicket-taker, respectively, in the T20 World Cup 2024.* India has faced Rashid only twice in T20Is, scoring 69 runs without losing a wicket.

The North Zone selector's position in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to become vacant with the departure of former India speedster Salil Ankola. Several candidates are vying for the crucial role, including former Delhi captain Mithun Manhas, current junior national selection panel member Krishan Mohan Sharma, ex-Haryana cricketer Ajay Ratra, former Punjab all-rounder Reetinder Singh Sodhi, and ex-Delhi off-spinner Nikhil Chopra.Ankola, who may transition to the junior selection setup, will be required to relinquish his current position as a national selector due to the presence of two individuals from West Zone (Mumbai) in the senior selection panel. The BCCI leadership is reportedly considering appointing Ankola as the chairman of the junior selection committee.Among the contenders, Manhas and Sharma are considered the leading candidates. Manhas, who has the backing of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, is a former Delhi skipper with a strong track record. Sharma, a current member of the junior national selection panel, has also garnered support from an influential former BCCI office-bearer.Ratra, a former Haryana cricketer, has previously been interviewed for the role. Sodhi, an ex-Punjab all-rounder, and Chopra, a former Delhi off-spinner, are also in contention.If appointed, Sharma could serve a two-year term as per the BCCI constitution, which permits a total of five years for individuals who have been members of both the junior and senior selection committees.The BCCI is expected to make a decision on the North Zone selector's position soon. The appointment will be crucial in shaping the future of cricket in the region.

South Africa's Batting Prowess Faces USA's Spirited Challenge in Super 8 OpenerAntigua, [Date]: South Africa, the formidable batting powerhouse, will face a spirited challenge from the United States in the opening Super 8 match of the 2024 T20 World Cup. The Proteas have maintained an unblemished record in the tournament thus far, with their bowlers playing a pivotal role in their four victories.However, against the USA, South Africa's batters will be eager to showcase their world-class abilities. Led by the explosive Quinton de Kock and the experienced Faf du Plessis, the Proteas possess a formidable batting lineup capable of dominating any opposition.The USA, on the other hand, have exceeded expectations in the tournament, qualifying for the Super 8s with some impressive performances. Their bowling attack, led by the experienced Ali Khan and the promising Jaskaran Malhotra, has been a key factor in their success.The match promises to be a fascinating contest between two teams with contrasting strengths. South Africa will rely on their batting prowess to overcome the USA's spirited bowling, while the Americans will look to exploit any weaknesses in the Proteas' lineup.The Super 8 stage of the tournament will be a true test of character for both teams. South Africa will be determined to maintain their unbeaten run and establish themselves as one of the favorites for the title. The USA, meanwhile, will be aiming to cause an upset and prove that they belong among the elite teams in world cricket.

The Blaze, led by an impressive Marie Kelly, secured a five-wicket victory over Central Sparks in a thrilling encounter at Edgbaston. This victory propelled Blaze to the top of the final table with nine wins in ten games, while Sparks dropped to fourth after Southern Vipers' bonus point win.Sparks' innings began cautiously, with Kirstie Gordon and Grace Ballinger restricting them to a modest 138 for eight. Abi Freeborn (39), Davina Perrin (37), and Amy Jones (36) provided solid contributions, but the rest of the batting lineup faltered. Josie Groves and Heather Graham each claimed two wickets, while Gordon and Ballinger chipped in with one apiece.In response, Blaze's Marie Kelly played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 89 off 63 deliveries. Her classy innings guided her side to victory in just 19.2 overs. Kathryn Bryce (27) provided valuable support, adding 106 runs with Kelly for the second wicket.Despite a slow start, Blaze's innings gained momentum as Kelly found her rhythm. She reached her half-century in 37 balls and continued to dominate the Sparks bowling attack. Sarah Bryce, Pavely, and Claridge all fell in quick succession, but Kelly remained resolute, ensuring her side's victory at her former home ground.

The United States and South Africa will clash in a highly anticipated Super 8 match at the 2024 T20 World Cup on Wednesday, June 19 (IST). The match will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, and will start at 8:00 PM IST.USA's remarkable journey in the tournament continues as they enter the Super 8 stage, where they will face a formidable South African team that dominated Group D. However, the USA will no longer enjoy the home support and conditions that fueled their success in the group stage.South Africa, led by David Miller, has yet to see any player apart from Miller score more than 80 runs in the tournament. Their batting lineup will face a stern test against the in-form USA duo of Saurabh Netravalkar and Ali Khan, who have been oozing confidence and fire.The USA's success in the tournament has been built on their strong bowling attack, led by Netravalkar and Khan. They will need to continue their impressive form against a South African batting lineup that includes Miller, Quinton de Kock, and Rilee Rossouw.South Africa, on the other hand, will rely on their experienced bowling attack, which includes Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Wayne Parnell. They will need to find a way to contain the dangerous USA batting lineup, which has shown the ability to score quickly and consistently.The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with contrasting strengths and weaknesses. The USA will be looking to continue their dream run, while South Africa will be determined to prove their dominance and advance to the next stage of the tournament.

Howrah Warriors Triumph Over Medinipur Wizards in Bengal Pro T20 LeagueIn a thrilling encounter at the ongoing Bengal Pro T20 League, Howrah Warriors secured their maiden victory by defeating Medinipur Wizards by five wickets. Opting to bat first, the Wizards were dismissed for a modest 132, thanks to a devastating five-wicket haul by Saksham Chaudhary.The Warriors' chase got off to a shaky start, losing early wickets. However, a crucial partnership between Pramod Chandila (46*) and Pankaj Shaw (36*) steadied the innings. With just one ball remaining, the Warriors reached the target, much to the delight of their supporters.Apart from the nail-biting run-chase, the match was also marked by an extraordinary catch by Abhishek Das. In the 19th over, Das displayed remarkable reflexes to dismiss Deepak Mahato with a single-handed catch at the long-on boundary. The catch drew widespread praise and was reminiscent of Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan's signature thigh slap celebration, which Das imitated after taking the wicket.For the Wizards, Vivek Singh and Kaushik Maity were the standout performers with the bat, scoring 34 and 32 runs, respectively. However, Chaudhary's five-wicket haul proved too much for their batting lineup. Sujit Yadav and Kanishk Seth also contributed with two wickets each for the Warriors.In the chase, the Warriors faced some early setbacks, losing five wickets for just 69 runs. But Chandila and Shaw's partnership of 77 runs turned the tide in their favor. For the Wizards, Vaibhav Yadav claimed two wickets, while Shreyan Chakraborty, Deepak Kumar, and Kaushik Maity took one wicket each.The Warriors will now face Malda Smashers in their next Bengal Pro T20 League match on Sunday. With their first win under their belt, they will be looking to build momentum and continue their winning ways.

Virat Kohli's Form: Aakash Chopra Advocates Patience and Time on the FieldAhead of India's crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Afghanistan, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed his views on Virat Kohli's recent performance. Chopra believes that Kohli's form will improve if he spends more time on the field.Kohli has struggled in the group stage, scoring only 1, 4, and 0 runs against Ireland, Pakistan, and the United States, respectively. Chopra emphasized that Kohli's return to form is not solely dependent on the opponent but rather on his exceptional caliber as a player."I believe Virat Kohli should return to form against Afghanistan, not because of the opponent, but because of the calibre of player he is and the form he exhibited coming into this World Cup," Chopra said. "Considering the venue, there is hope the ball will come onto the bat well, and the side boundaries aren't very large. I think he has been overly aggressive."Chopra further analyzed Kohli's dismissals during this World Cup, suggesting that an overly optimistic approach has hindered his performance. "In India's last match against Afghanistan in Bengaluru, he attempted a six on the first ball and got out. His dismissals during this World Cup suggest an overly positive approach that hasn't worked for him. I hope he gives himself some time because Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq are in excellent form, plus they have a strong spin attack. If Kohli gives himself some time, his form won't be a concern," Chopra said.Chopra's advice aligns with the need for Kohli to regain his composure and focus on building an innings. By spending more time at the crease, Kohli can assess the conditions, adjust his approach, and regain his rhythm.

The Hundred, England's domestic 100-ball cricket competition, is attracting interest from Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. According to Mark Nicholas, the MCC president and future chairman of London Spirit, five IPL teams have expressed a "soft" interest in acquiring a stake in the Lord's-based franchise.This development comes as MCC considers accepting the ECB's offer of a 51% stake in London Spirit as part of the Hundred's privatization drive. Under the proposed model, the eight Hundred "hosts" will receive majority stakes in their respective teams, with the ECB selling the remaining 49% to private investors through a bidding process.Nicholas emphasized the importance of member support for MCC's decision, describing the move towards private equity as a "monumental" step that will ultimately benefit cricket at all levels. He highlighted the global boom in cricket franchises and the need for English cricket to capitalize on this opportunity.The ECB has appointed Raine Group and Deloitte as advisors for the Hundred privatization. While there is no formal deadline, the ECB aims to finalize terms by the end of the year. However, Nicholas acknowledged that several issues still need to be resolved, including the bidding process and the rollout of franchises.The World Cricket Connects symposium, hosted by MCC on July 5, will provide a platform for influential figures in cricket to discuss the future of the game. BCCI secretary Jay Shah, senior IPL officials, and prominent current and former cricketers are expected to attend. Nicholas believes it is crucial to listen to the voices of potential bidders, who have driven the success of cricket franchises worldwide.

Bangladesh fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib has been fined 15% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct after an altercation with Nepal captain Rohit Paudel during the teams' meeting in Kingstown on June 16.The incident occurred just after the end of the third over of Nepal's innings, when Tanzim, after bowling a delivery, "walked towards Nepal batter Rohit Paudel in an aggressive manner and made inappropriate physical contact," according to an ICC release.There were a few words exchanged between the two players followed by plenty of hand gesturing, with the on-field umpire Sam Nogajski having to separate the two. The umpires were then also seen having a word with Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto after the incident.Tanzim was found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match".In addition, one demerit point was added to Tanzim's disciplinary record. This was his first offence in a 24-month period. When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and the player is banned. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.There was no need for a formal hearing as the 21-year-old Tanzim accepted the sanction which was proposed by match referee Richie Richardson. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Nogajski, along with third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal and fourth umpire Kumar Dharmasena.Meanwhile, Paudel had downplayed the incident after the game. "There's nothing between us. Just he came and he told me to hit. And I said, go and bowl. Nothing else," he said.Tanzim, with his spell of 4 for 7, broke Nepal's back in the game where they were chasing 106, but fell short by 21 runs. It was the lowest total any team had defended successfully at the T20 World Cup. Tanzim is currently the joint second-highest wicket-taker in this World Cup, with nine wickets in four games, while going at an economy of only 4.80 runs an over. Having progressed to the Super Eight at the World Cup, Bangladesh next play Australia on June 21.