Cricket

Afghanistan's stunning 84-run victory over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup was a testament to their unwavering belief in their own abilities. Captain Rashid Khan, who played a pivotal role with a masterful bowling performance of 4/17, emphasized the importance of self-confidence and a focus on their own skills rather than dwelling on their opponents' strengths."Now, we need to beat the teams with our own skills rather than think about the opposition and that's the only thing I have been telling the guys like just make sure we look into our skills," Rashid said after the match.For Rashid, effort is paramount, as he believes that if a team is good enough, results will naturally follow. "It doesn't matter whoever we play, it's more about how good you are, how good you're going to play and what type of energy you are coming with into the ground and that for me is very important. I don't care about the result a lot to be honest. I care more about the effort we put, that's something which gives me lots of pleasure."Afghanistan's victory was particularly significant as it marked their first T20 World Cup win over a top-tier nation. In the past, they had stunned England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup, but their T20 World Cup record had been less impressive."We haven't had those victories in T20 World Cups. We had in ODI, but in T20, I feel like this was one of the best performance from the guys," said Rashid.Afghanistan's victory was also a testament to the team's resilience and determination. They had lost their opening match of the tournament to England, but they bounced back with a convincing win over Namibia. Against New Zealand, they faced a formidable opponent, but they never lost their belief."We have a very good team, we have a very good bowling attack, we have a very good batting lineup, and we have a very good fielding side," said Rashid. "We just need to believe in ourselves and we need to play our best cricket."Afghanistan's victory has sent shockwaves through the T20 World Cup and has established them as a team to watch. They will face India in their next match, and a win against the tournament favorites would further cement their status as a rising force in world cricket.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan's left-arm pace spearhead, has emerged as a formidable force in international cricket, particularly in limited-overs formats. Known for his exceptional ability to swing the ball both ways and generate significant pace, Afridi has been instrumental in Pakistan's success in T20Is and ODIs.Against arch-rivals India, Afridi has played two T20Is, with his best performance being a match-winning spell of 3/31 in the 2021 T20 World Cup clash in Dubai. Pakistan went on to win that match by 10 wickets.Ahead of the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on Sunday, a video has surfaced online showing Indian fans interacting with Afridi in New York. The fans expressed their excitement about the upcoming match and jokingly asked Afridi not to bowl well against India.Afridi responded with composure and humor, acknowledging the fans' request and wishing for the best team to win. The video highlights the camaraderie and sportsmanship between the two nations despite their intense rivalry on the field.India and Pakistan will face off at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday. India began their campaign with an eight-wicket win against Ireland, while Pakistan suffered a shock defeat via the Super Over against the United States.Afridi's performance in this match will be crucial for Pakistan's chances of victory. His ability to swing the ball and generate pace could prove decisive against India's formidable batting lineup.

Dale Steyn, the legendary South African fast bowler, recently found himself in an amusing situation during the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the Caribbean. While serving as a commentator for the tournament, Steyn encountered a member of the USA staff who, unaware of his identity, proceeded to give him bowling tips.The hilarious incident was captured on video and shared by Steyn on his Instagram account, quickly going viral on social media. In the video, the USA staff member can be seen instructing Steyn on how to keep his arm straight before delivering the ball. Steyn, known for his humility, patiently listens to the advice.Despite being a retired international cricketer, Steyn still displayed impressive pace in his delivery. However, his next ball crashed into the stumps, prompting further advice from the USA staff member. Steyn turned to the camera with a sarcastic smile, relaying the advice: "It's supposed to bounce before it hits the ground."Steyn's encounter highlights the growing popularity of cricket in the United States. The USA is co-hosting the 2024 T20 World Cup, marking its first appearance on the global stage. The tournament has witnessed some exciting matches, including South Africa's dominant victory over Sri Lanka and the USA's stunning Super Over win against Pakistan.Steyn's presence at the tournament adds to the star power, with both India and Pakistan competing in the same group. The American crowd will have the opportunity to witness some of the greatest cricketers in action.

Rohit Sharma Reassures Fans, Praises Pacers After India's T20 World Cup WinIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma allayed concerns about his fitness after India's eight-wicket victory over Ireland in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Sharma, who retired hurt on 52 during the run-chase, said his arm was only slightly sore."It's a little sore, but nothing too serious," Sharma said at the post-match presentation ceremony. "I'll be fine for the next game."Sharma's injury scare had raised concerns among Indian fans, but his reassurance will come as a relief. The Indian skipper also praised his team's bowlers for their performance on a challenging pitch."The bowlers did a great job," Sharma said. "They bowled to their plans and made it difficult for the Irish batsmen to score."India's pacers shared nine of the 10 Irish wickets, with Hardik Pandya taking three, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh claiming two each, and Mohammad Siraj chipping in with one."We knew the pitch was going to be difficult to bat on," Sharma said. "But our bowlers adapted well and executed their plans perfectly."Sharma also defended his decision to field four spinners in the squad, despite the pitch not being conducive to spin bowling."We wanted to have the balance in the team," Sharma said. "Spin will play a part later on in the tournament."India will face Pakistan in their next match on Sunday, June 9, on the same pitch. Pakistan will be coming from a game against USA in Dallas.Despite the challenging pitch, India's convincing performance with both bat and ball will give them a lot of confidence as they prepare to take on their arch-rivals.

Australia and England Clash in Match 17 of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024The highly anticipated Match 17 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 will witness a thrilling encounter between Australia and England at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 8 at 10:30 PM IST.Match PreviewAustralia, currently ranked second on the points table, will face England, ranked fourth, in a crucial match that could shape their tournament destiny. Both teams have played one match each, with Australia emerging victorious and England suffering a defeat.Pitch and Weather ConditionsThe Kensington Oval pitch is known for its balanced nature, with an average first innings score of 155 runs. The team batting first has a 65% win rate at this venue. Weather forecasts predict a cloudy day with light rain, which could favor pacers.Fantasy PicksTop Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:* Matthew Short (Australia): All-rounder with high fantasy points average and rating.* Sam Curran (England): Consistent performer with both bat and ball.Other Fantasy Picks:* Jos Buttler (England): Wicket-keeper batter with impressive recent form.* Chris Jordan (England): Reliable fast bowler with a strong record against Australia.* Mitchell Marsh (Australia): All-rounder with high-risk, high-returns potential.* Mark Wood (England): Fast bowler with a proven track record against Australia.* Adam Zampa (Australia): Leg-spinner with a good record against England.* Travis Head (Australia): Explosive batter with a solid fantasy points average.SquadsAustralia: Matthew Wade, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Tim David, Nathan EllisEngland: Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Jordan, Mark Wood, Reece Topley, Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Tom HartleyConclusionThe clash between Australia and England promises to be a captivating encounter, with both teams eager to secure a crucial victory. The balanced pitch and unpredictable weather conditions add an element of intrigue to the match. Fantasy cricket enthusiasts will have a wide range of options to choose from, with several players in both squads boasting impressive fantasy points averages and ratings.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has raised concerns with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the pitch conditions at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York ahead of India's highly anticipated match against Pakistan on June 9.The issue arose after Indian captain Rohit Sharma suffered a blow to his thumb during a practice session. Sharma had also experienced discomfort in his arm during India's match against Ireland, forcing him to retire hurt. Notably, Sharma was not the only player affected by the unpredictable bounce of the pitch. Star batter Virat Kohli also faced difficulties while batting in the nets.The pitch has been a major talking point in the tournament, with teams struggling to score runs consistently. In the six innings played at the stadium so far, only two teams have managed to cross the 100-run mark. Former players have expressed concerns that the low-scoring conditions may hinder the promotion of cricket in the American market.The four drop-in pitches at the venue, installed under the supervision of Adelaide Oval groundsman Damian Hough, have yet to settle down properly. The uneven bounce has raised safety concerns for batters, particularly after Sharma's injury."I don't know what to expect from the pitch to be honest. We will prepare as if the conditions are going to be like this (for Pakistan game). This is going to be a kind of game where all XI of us will need to contribute," Sharma said after the Ireland match.The ICC has acknowledged the concerns and released a statement addressing the issue. "The ICC recognize that the pitches used so far at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have not played as consistently as we would have all wanted," the statement read.Meanwhile, the Pakistan team is yet to acclimatize to the conditions at Nassau Stadium. They arrived in New York after their surprising defeat to tournament debutants USA and took the next day off.

Mitchell Starc Declared Fit for Australia's Clash with England in T20 World CupDespite concerns over an injury scare, Australia's captain Mitchell Marsh has confirmed that star bowler Mitchell Starc will be available for their upcoming match against England in Barbados.During Australia's opening match against Oman, Starc was forced to leave the field after bowling just one delivery in the 15th over. The left-arm pacer appeared to be in discomfort, prompting physios to attend to him on the field.However, Marsh has since revealed that Starc's injury was merely a case of cramps and that he will be ready to play in the crucial match against England."Starc is all good. Just a bit of cramp from the other night. So, as I said, there was no unnecessary risk taken and he's fit," Marsh said in a pre-match press conference.The availability of Starc is a major boost for Australia, who will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to New Zealand in their opening match. Starc's pace and experience will be invaluable against a strong England batting lineup.Marsh also highlighted the versatility of Australia's 15-man squad, which allows them to adapt to different conditions and select the best team for each match."Yeah, I think with the 15 we've got, we've got a lot of options with our team that we can pick and it will just be conditions-based and we're certainly not set on anything, just we want to pick the right team for winning a certain match and then go from there," he added.England possesses a formidable bowling attack, led by the likes of Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Chris Jordan. However, Marsh is confident that Australia can counter their threat with their own pace attack, which includes Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins."Well, they bowl 150 k's an hour, so that's always a threat. Yeah, they're two quality bowlers and yeah, looking forward to that challenge," Marsh said.Australia will be hoping to secure a victory against England to keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive. With Starc back in the lineup, they will be confident of putting up a strong performance and challenging for the title.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh faced off in a crucial T20 World Cup match in Dallas, with Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto winning the toss and electing to bowl first. Sri Lanka, reeling from a heavy defeat to South Africa in their opener, needed a strong performance to revive their tournament hopes.Bangladesh's bowlers made an early impact, with Mustafizur Rahman dismissing Sri Lanka's top scorer Pathum Nissanka for 47. However, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva steadied the innings, forming an unbeaten partnership to guide Sri Lanka to a respectable total.Bangladesh's batting lineup struggled to match Sri Lanka's efforts. Opener Liton Das was dismissed cheaply, and the middle order failed to provide any substantial contributions. Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's star all-rounder, was dismissed for just 16 runs.Sri Lanka's bowlers, led by Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, maintained a tight grip on the Bangladesh batsmen. Theekshana claimed three wickets, while Hasaranga picked up two. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for a paltry 103 runs, handing Sri Lanka a comfortable victory.The win was a much-needed boost for Sri Lanka, who had been under pressure after their opening defeat. They will now face Afghanistan in their next match, while Bangladesh will take on South Africa.

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.