Cricket

Australia's dominance in the Twenty20 World Cup continued as they cruised into the Super Eights stage with a resounding nine-wicket victory over Namibia in Antigua. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa was the star of the show, claiming four wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs, the lowest total Australia has ever restricted an opponent to in T20 international cricket.Zampa's mesmerizing spell, which included the dismissal of Namibia's top-scorer Gerhard Erasmus, saw the Namibian batting lineup skittled out for a paltry 72 runs in 17 overs. The Australian bowlers were relentless, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Marcus Stoinis all chipping in with wickets.In response, Australia's openers David Warner and Travis Head made light work of the Namibian bowling attack. Warner smashed a quickfire 20 off just eight deliveries before Head took over, smashing an unbeaten 34 from 17 balls to guide Australia to victory within six overs.Zampa's performance was particularly impressive, as he became the first Australian male cricketer to reach the milestone of 100 wickets in the shortest format of international cricket. His final scalp, a classic dismissal that saw him clean bowl Bernard Scholtz through the gate, etched his name in the record books."Just trying to do my thing, mate," remarked a modest Zampa, who was deservedly awarded the Player of the Match accolade. "We're happy, it's the first step in trying to take the trophy home but a long way to go."Australia will conclude their Group B fixture against Scotland in St Lucia on Saturday, while Namibia will remain in Antigua to lock horns with England on the same day.

Nisarg Patel, a seasoned all-rounder for the USA cricket team, is eagerly anticipating a reunion with Indian cricket icons Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Patel, who met the duo during the 2006 U-19 World Cup, is now part of the senior USA team that will face India in a crucial match.Patel's journey in cricket began in India, where he was born and raised. He relocated to the US in 2003 and made his international debut for the USA in the 2006 U-19 World Cup. Despite the team's early exit, Patel had the opportunity to interact with Sharma and Jadeja, who were then rising stars in Indian cricket.Now, 18 years later, Patel is excited to face India once again. He believes that the USA team has the potential to cause an upset, similar to their victory over Pakistan. "We are a balanced side with experienced players who can perform under any situation and condition," he said.Patel's admiration for Sharma and Jadeja is evident. He considers Sharma a versatile performer and Bumrah an exceptional bowler. He also draws inspiration from MS Dhoni, praising his leadership skills and batting prowess.Patel's meeting with batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and legendary spinner Shane Warne during the Legends Masters League was a memorable experience. He served as a net bowler and learned valuable lessons from these cricketing greats.Regarding the drop-in pitches used in the T20 World Cup, Patel expressed excitement. "All we've heard is that these are true wickets and really exciting ones," he said.Patel's passion for cricket is evident in his words. He believes that the sport is gaining popularity in the US, with large crowds attending matches. "It's an opportunity to bring the whole community together," he said.As the USA team prepares to face India, Patel is confident in their abilities. "We know how to handle it. They know how to perform in any situation," he said.

The 2024 T20 World Cup has witnessed a remarkable journey for the United States, who have made their maiden appearance at the showpiece event. Their fairytale run began with an emphatic seven-wicket win over Canada, but it was their stunning Super Over victory against Pakistan that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.USA's triumph over Pakistan is considered one of the biggest upsets in cricket history. After tying the match in regulation time, the Americans held their nerve in the Super Over, led by the heroics of Saurabh Netravalkar. Netravalkar conceded only nine runs and dismissed Iftikhar Ahmed, securing a famous victory for his team.As USA prepares to face inaugural T20 World Cup champions India, they will be buoyed by the performances of their top players. Aaron Jones has been in scintillating form, scoring an unbeaten 94 against Canada and playing a crucial role in the Super Over against Pakistan. Saurabh Netravalkar has emerged as a reliable bowler, while Andries Gous has contributed valuable runs at the top of the order.Former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson brings international experience to the USA team. Although his contributions have been limited so far, he is expected to play a more significant role against India. Captain Monank Patel has also shown his batting prowess, scoring a half-century against Pakistan.India, who have also remained unbeaten in the tournament, will need to be wary of the threat posed by USA. The Americans have shown that they are capable of upsetting even the most formidable opponents. With a strong batting lineup and a reliable bowling attack, USA will be confident of giving India a run for their money.

India vs USA: A Clash of Cultures and Cricket's Global ExpansionThe United States, a nation traditionally known for its love of baseball, football, and basketball, is experiencing a surge in popularity for cricket. This newfound enthusiasm is largely attributed to the efforts of India, a cricketing powerhouse eager to tap into the vast American market.The upcoming match between India and USA in New York City is a testament to the growing appeal of cricket in the US. The game has garnered significant media attention, with The New York Times publishing articles and Drake profiting from its popularity.India's involvement in American cricket is evident through its ownership of three franchises in the USA's premier T20 competition. The LA Olympics organizing committee has also recognized the potential of cricket, citing Virat Kohli's massive social media following as a factor in their decision to include the sport in the 2028 Games.The USA team has played a pivotal role in fueling the excitement surrounding cricket in the country. Their impressive performance, including a stunning victory over Pakistan, has captivated the American public. The team's success has created a sense of anticipation for their upcoming match against India.While India remains the clear favorite, the USA team's undefeated record and the possibility of advancing to the Super Eights have ignited dreams among American cricket fans. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, showcasing the skill and flair of both teams.

Legendary Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has launched a scathing attack on Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan following Bangladesh's disappointing loss to South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024.Chasing a modest target of 114, Bangladesh appeared in control before collapsing dramatically, losing the match by 4 runs. Shakib, who has been a key figure for Bangladesh in recent years, managed just 3 runs off 4 balls before being dismissed by Anrich Nortje.Sehwag, known for his outspoken nature, believes that Shakib should have retired from T20 cricket long ago. He criticized Shakib's recent performances in the shortest format, calling his numbers "shameful.""During the last World Cup, I thought he should no longer be picked for the T20 format. Time for retirement came a long time ago. You are such a senior player, you were the captain of this team. You should actually be ashamed of your recent numbers. You should come forward and announce yourself that enough is enough, I'm retiring from this format," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.Sehwag also questioned Shakib's batting approach, suggesting that he should adapt his style to suit his strengths."If you are picked in the World Cup squad for your experience, then show that it was actually worth it. You need to spend some time at the crease at least. You are not Adam Gilchrist or Mathew Hayden. Hooks and pulls are not your strengths. You are a Bangladeshi player. You play according to your strength."Bangladesh currently have 2 points from 2 matches after their loss to South Africa. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed disappointment with the result but praised the team's effort."We were bit nervous but we were confident we could get over the line but unfortunately it did not happen. (Tanzim Hasan) He worked really hard last couple of days, we wanted wickets with the new ball and he showed character today. This is the match we should have won, last couple of overs they bowled really well. It can happen in cricket."

Pakistan's dismal performance against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup has drawn sharp criticism from former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal. Akmal lambasted the team, calling them a "club team" and questioning their ability to handle pressure.After Naseem Shah's impressive bowling restricted India to 119, Pakistan seemed poised to chase down the target comfortably. However, a batting collapse triggered by Mohammad Rizwan's dismissal saw the team crumble. India's Jasprit Bumrah played a pivotal role in the victory, showcasing exceptional bowling skills.Akmal expressed his disappointment, stating that Pakistan's players appeared overwhelmed by the pressure. He emphasized that India would have chased the target effortlessly if they had been in Pakistan's position. "They were under pressure, and it felt like they didn't know how to play," Akmal said. "Very shameful performance from the Pakistan team."Akmal also praised India's Rishabh Pant, who played a crucial role in India's recovery from a middle-order collapse. Pant's 42 runs off 31 deliveries helped India reach a respectable total. Akmal used Pant's performance as an example to criticize Pakistan's selection process."You lost the chance to defeat a team like India just because of your mistakes," Akmal said. "The way Pant has come back is incredible. He worked hard, followed a process, and returned to the playing XI. This is how players should make a place in their team and not like ours."Akmal's comments highlight the growing concerns over Pakistan's performance in the T20 World Cup. With two wins from two matches, India is in a strong position, while Pakistan faces an uphill battle to qualify for the semi-finals.

India's batting stars are eager to break free from the constraints of the much-criticized drop-in pitch and unleash their full potential against an impressive but inexperienced USA team in their T20 World Cup group league match in New York on June 12. India, classified as A1, needs just one more win to secure their Super Eight berth. Despite the inconsistent nature of the Nassau County track, they are determined to avoid a repeat of their match against Pakistan, where they lost their last seven wickets for a mere 28 runs.Against USA, India's approach could be high-risk, similar to their strategy against Pakistan, but with potentially higher rewards. While their dreams of representing India remain unfulfilled, a spirited group of Indian Americans will take the field against their country of birth. Players like Saurabh Netravalkars and Harmeet Singhs will once again aim to be the proverbial David against the Goliaths of the game.Although the pitch has significantly reduced the gap between teams, the USA, a diverse mix of eight Indians, two Pakistanis, a West Indian, a New Zealander, a South African, and a Dutch player, may find the gulf with India too wide to bridge. They have not received significant airtime on American channels, nor have major newspapers devoted much attention to them, even after their Super Over victory over Pakistan. However, Wednesday could be the day when their adopted country takes note of their performance.Monank Patel, Harmeet, Netravalkar, Jessy Singh, and Noshtush Kenjige all have their own Indian stories to tell. While India boasts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant in its ranks, the USA team's presence adds a touch of endearment to the match.It's not every day that one gets the opportunity to bowl at Kohli and Sharma or face Bumrah, even if it's far from a pleasant experience. But it's an experience nonetheless, and one that will last a lifetime. For India, it will be their last match in the 'Big Apple' extension, and one where they wouldn't mind batting first. If India bowls first, there's a high chance that USA might not be able to reach the three-figure mark against Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja.There will be some beautiful and emotional subplots as well. If Netravalkar gets a chance to bowl to his former Mumbai teammate Suryakumar Yadav, with whom he played in Mumbai U-15, Ranji, and Vijay Hazare Trophy, it will be a special moment. "It will be an emotional moment to play against India and especially Surya as we go back a long way," Netravalkar said recently.For the two left-arm spinners Harmeet and Kenjige, the challenge of trying to keep Rishabh Pant quiet will be on a completely different level. Both Harmeet and Kenjige will try to maintain dart-like accuracy, but that could well be dismantled by Pant, who is sure to use his feet.For Ali Khan, his extra pace and the bounce he extracts from even benign surfaces would certainly provoke Rohit to use his pull shot frequently. There's Nitish Kumar, who could be cheeky with his shot selection and prove to be a thorn in India's flesh.In the first game, India's weakest link was Shivam Dube. The Chennai Super Kings' most valued 'Impact Player' is finding it tough on two-paced tracks where the ball is gripping and coming late onto the bat. But unlike tactician-par-excellence Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who could bench him during CSK's bowling in the IPL, national skipper Rohit Sharma doesn't have such luxury and needs to hide him in areas of the field where the ball is expected to travel less. Dube is a monstrous hitter of spinners on good flat decks, and his military medium seam-up stuff does give the Indian skipper cushion to maneuver with the bowling combination. But in a format like T20, the team management, which asked for Dube at the expense of Rinku Singh, would want him to come good. Else, there is Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 15, who is a way more rounded batter than the big-bodied Mumbaikar.Two wrist spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, should be given some game time or else they might just enter the Super Eights a bit undercooked in the Caribbean where the pitches will be more spin-friendly.

The T20 World Cup, hosted by the US and the Caribbean islands, witnessed a thrilling encounter between India and Pakistan, with former champions Yuvraj Singh and Shahid Afridi in attendance as ICC ambassadors.Pakistan dominated the early stages of the match, reaching 73 for 2 in 12.1 overs. However, Hardik Pandya's dismissal of Fakhar Zaman triggered a collapse, with Jasprit Bumrah's return in the 15th over proving decisive. Pakistan lost wickets in quick succession, eventually falling short by six runs at 113 for 7.In a video shared on social media, Afridi expressed his disappointment to Yuvraj, who had prematurely congratulated Pakistan when they needed 40 runs with seven wickets in hand. Afridi reminded Yuvraj that 40 runs were still a significant target on that pitch.Pakistan's defeat leaves them in a precarious position after their shock loss to USA in their opening match. They must now beat Canada in their next match to stay alive in the tournament.Despite the rivalry between India and Pakistan, Yuvraj and Afridi emphasized the importance of maintaining their friendship. "Winning and losing is part of the game," said Yuvraj. "What's important is that our bonhomie should continue."Pakistan will face Canada in New York on Tuesday, while India will take on South Africa in a crucial match on Wednesday.

Pakistani YouTuber Shot Dead by Security Guard in New York Ahead of India-Pakistan T20 World Cup MatchA tragic incident has occurred in New York City, where a Pakistani YouTuber named Saad Ahmed was shot and killed by a security guard on June 9, 2024. The incident took place in the lead-up to the highly anticipated T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan.According to reports, Ahmed was filming a video segment for his YouTube channel in Nassau County Stadium, where the match was scheduled to be played. He approached a security guard for an interview, but the guard refused to be filmed. Ahmed persisted, and the guard eventually lost his temper and shot him.Ahmed was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. A friend of Ahmed's stated that he was the sole breadwinner for his family.CCTV footage from the area shows Ahmed interacting with the guard before the shooting. The guard has been arrested by the police and is reportedly claiming that he fired in self-defense.The incident has sent shockwaves through the Pakistani community and the cricketing world. Pakistan lost the match to India by 6 runs, and are now on the brink of elimination from the T20 World Cup.