Cricket

Nepal's star leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane faces a major setback as his US visa application has been rejected for the second time, jeopardizing his participation in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. The tournament is scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the United States.Lamichhane's initial visa application was denied last week, prompting the Nepali government and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) to intervene. Despite their efforts, the application was rejected once again. CAN expressed disappointment in a statement, stating that despite diplomatic support from the government and various organizations, the US Embassy has declined to grant Lamichhane travel permission."Despite taking necessary initiatives, along with the diplomatic note, from the government of Nepal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Council, CAN, and International Cricket Council (ICC), for cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane's visit to participate in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies, the US Embassy has expressed its inability to give travel permission (visa) to national player Lamichhane to play in the World Cup," CAN said.A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Kathmandu declined to comment on individual visa cases, citing confidentiality under US law. However, the embassy emphasized its commitment to facilitating visas for members of national cricket teams who qualify for the appropriate visa class.Nepal has been placed in Group D alongside Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands. They will kick off their campaign on June 4 against the Netherlands in Texas.The absence of Lamichhane, who is Nepal's leading wicket-taker in T20Is, will be a significant blow to the team's chances in the tournament. He has been a key player for Nepal in recent years, helping them achieve historic victories and qualify for major international events.The Nepali government and CAN have expressed their disappointment and are exploring all possible options to secure Lamichhane's visa. They have appealed to the US Embassy to reconsider its decision and grant him travel permission.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has urged fans to rally behind the national team throughout the upcoming T20 World Cup, regardless of the outcome. With the tournament set to commence in two days, Naqvi emphasized the importance of unwavering support for the players."Support the team and assure them that we [the fans] are with you [the team] whether you win or lose," Naqvi told the media in London. "I just want to request one thing which we really need for the next four weeks. Let us all support our players."Pakistan's preparations for the World Cup have been hampered by rain-affected matches in their ongoing T20I series against England. However, Naqvi expressed confidence in the team's strategy and urged the players to perform to their potential."Overall, a strategy is in place that they don't have to panic and give their best [on the field]," Naqvi said.Pakistan's squad for the World Cup features a pace-laden attack, a departure from the trend of other teams opting for more spinners. Naqvi defended this decision, stating that the team has a plan in place."We have a strategy in place. We have a plan. We have a combination. We have a team. We have a captain. We have a coach. We have a management. We have everything in place," Naqvi said.Pakistan is placed in Group A and will face co-hosts USA in their opening match on June 6. The team will be looking to make a strong start to their World Cup campaign and secure a place in the Super 12 stage.

Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav has once again proven his dominance in the T20 format, securing his second consecutive ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year award. This prestigious accolade is a testament to Yadav's exceptional talent and unwavering contributions to the Indian team.Yadav's remarkable performances in T20 internationals during the past year have solidified his position as a key player. In 2023, he amassed an impressive 733 runs in 17 innings at a striking rate of 155.95 and an average of 48.86. His explosive batting prowess and ability to consistently deliver under pressure have made him a formidable force in the shortest format of the game.Despite facing challenges during the 2024 Indian Premier League season with the Mumbai Indians, Yadav showcased his resilience and determination. Despite injuries that sidelined him at the start of the tournament, he managed to score 345 runs at a striking rate of 167.47, including a remarkable unbeaten century off just 51 balls.Yadav's leadership abilities were also evident when he captained the Indian team during a T20I series in South Africa in December. However, an unfortunate ankle injury sustained during the series hampered his subsequent participation in matches, including Mumbai Indians' initial games in the 2024 IPL season.As Yadav prepares to represent India in the upcoming T20 World Cup, his ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year award serves as a source of motivation and inspiration. His exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and ability to perform under pressure make him a key player for the Indian team and a formidable opponent for any opposition.

Pakistan cricket legend Shahid Afridi has expressed optimism about the national team's chances of reaching the final of the upcoming 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. Afridi believes that the conditions in the West Indies and the USA, where the tournament will be held, will favor Pakistan's strengths.Pakistan has a strong track record in the T20 World Cup, having won the title in 2009 and finishing as runners-up in 2007 and 2022. They have also reached the semi-finals in 2010, 2012, and 2021.Afridi highlighted the team's exceptional bowling attack as a key factor in their success. "I think in any cricket team in the world, nobody has such a strong bowling line-up," he said. "All our four fast bowlers have a lot of skill and even the bowlers sitting on the bench like Abbas (Afridi)...has a lot of skill with a good slower ball."He also praised the team's batting lineup, but urged them to improve their strike rate in the middle overs. "The thing that bothers me is the strike rate of our batters, especially in between the seven to thirteen over phase," he said. "I hope that the strike rate improves in that phase. In terms of runs per over, eight or nine runs per over are needed."Afridi declined to single out any one player as the key to Pakistan's success, but he emphasized the importance of captain Babar Azam's leadership. "But if I had to pick one, I would pick the captain Babar Azam, because he is the leader," he said. "I want him to perform well, and make timely decisions which will take the team to victory."Overall, Afridi is confident in Pakistan's ability to make a deep run in the 2024 T20 World Cup. "I feel Pakistan should make the final," he said. "The reason is that the conditions (in the West Indies and the USA) suit our team. If we look at the spinners in our team, they are outstanding. They might not be in form but I know they will return in form. If we talk about fast bowling, it’s an incredible attack. In batting, we have great strength.”

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has expressed his bewilderment at the Indian selectors' apparent reluctance to select Virat Kohli for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Ponting believes that Kohli, with his exceptional class and experience, should be an automatic pick for the tournament.Kohli's impressive performance in the ongoing IPL, where he leads the run table with 708 runs from 14 innings, has further strengthened Ponting's belief in his abilities. Despite concerns about his strike rate at the top of the order, Ponting argues that Kohli's overall value to the Indian team cannot be underestimated."He (Kohli) is the first pick for me for India. So, class and experience like that, you can't replace," Ponting told ICC. "It's funny with Virat. I think people in India just always try to find a reason not to pick him or a reason why he's maybe not as good as some of these other guys in the T20 game."Ponting suggests that Kohli should open the innings with skipper Rohit Sharma, allowing players like Suryakumar Yadav to accelerate the run rate later in the innings. He also highlights the importance of having left-handed batters in the team, which could influence the selectors' decision regarding Yashasvi Jaiswal's batting position.Kohli's adaptability and willingness to improve are evident in his improved strike rate this season, which is the highest in his 17 years with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Ponting acknowledges that while strike rates have gained prominence in recent years, Kohli's ability to anchor the innings and play according to the situation remains invaluable."The mantra I think for the teams three or four years ago, was making sure that someone at the top of the order made 80 or 100, even if it took them 60 balls, it didn't really matter," Ponting said. "I think it's sort of shifting now to be more of a strike rate based game where you can have a massive impact on a game with a 40 off 15 balls rather than getting an 80 off 55 balls sort of thing."Kohli's crucial contributions in high-pressure matches, such as his unbeaten 82 against Pakistan and half-century against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup, further demonstrate his reliability in crunch situations. Ponting believes that Kohli's experience and ability to perform under pressure make him an indispensable asset for the Indian team.

Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders Set for Thrilling Clash in GuwahatiMatch 70 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 promises an exciting encounter between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on May 19.Team Standings and Recent PerformancesRR, currently ranked second on the points table with 16 points, will be eager to maintain their momentum. They recently lost to Punjab Kings, with Riyan Parag emerging as their top fantasy player with 80 points.KKR, on the other hand, hold the top spot with 19 points. They secured a victory over Mumbai Indians in their last match, with Andre Russell scoring 86 fantasy points.Pitch Conditions and Weather ForecastThe Barsapara Cricket Stadium offers a batting-friendly surface, with an average first-innings score of 151 runs. Both pacers and spinners are expected to find success on this pitch.The weather forecast predicts a temperature of around 25 degrees Celsius with 77% humidity. Light rain is possible, which could impact playing conditions.Head-to-Head RecordIn the 29 previous encounters between these two teams, KKR's batters have earned the most fantasy points, while RR's bowlers have been the most successful.Dream11 Captain and Vice-Captain PicksCaptain: Sunil Narine (KKR) - All-rounder with an average of 106 fantasy points in the last 10 games.Vice-Captain: Sanju Samson (RR) - Consistent batter with an average of 59 fantasy points in the last 10 games.Other Top Fantasy Picks* Andre Russell (KKR) - All-rounder with an average of 54 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Riyan Parag (RR) - Consistent batter with an average of 54 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Varun Chakravarthy (KKR) - Bowler with an average of 52 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Sandeep Sharma (RR) - Bowler with an average of 41 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Yuzvendra Chahal (RR) - Bowler with an average of 33 fantasy points in the last 10 games.SquadsRajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (c), Trent Boult, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jos Buttler, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sandeep Sharma, Donovan Ferreira, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Navdeep Saini, Avesh Khan, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Nandre Burger, Riyan Parag, Tanush Kotian, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Sen, Dhruv Jurel, Abid Mushtaq, Shubham Dubey, Kunal Singh Rathore.Kolkata Knight Riders: Shreyas Iyer (c), Manish Pandey, Mitchell Starc, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Dushmantha Chameera, KS Bharat, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Phil Salt, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Sherfane Rutherford, Varun Chakravarthy, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Chetan Sakariya, Vaibhav Arora, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Harshit Rana, Sakib Hussain, Suyash Sharma.ConclusionThe clash between RR and KKR promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to secure a crucial victory. The batting-friendly pitch and the possibility of rain add an element of uncertainty to the match. Fantasy cricket enthusiasts will have plenty of options to choose from when selecting their Dream11 teams.

Former Australian captain Tim Paine has raised concerns about Team India's chances of winning the T20 World Cup 2024, emphasizing the crucial role of star batter Virat Kohli. Paine believes that India's success hinges heavily on Kohli's performance, drawing parallels to the importance of Glenn Maxwell for Australia."I can't see India winning the World Cup unless Virat Kohli has a really strong World Cup – bit similar to Glenn Maxwell's form," Paine stated on the 'Around the Wicket' podcast. "I know he hasn't been red-hot as of late, but I can't see Australia winning the World Cup unless Maxwell has a blinder."Kohli's recent form has been a topic of discussion, with the batter acknowledging his own mortality and the need to plan for retirement. However, he remains the leading run-scorer in the ongoing IPL 2024 and is determined to guide Royal Challengers Bangalore to the playoffs.Paine's warning serves as a reminder of Kohli's immense impact on the Indian team. His ability to anchor the innings, provide stability, and accelerate the scoring rate makes him a pivotal figure in India's batting lineup. If Kohli can rediscover his peak form, India will be a formidable force in the T20 World Cup.However, Paine's concerns are not unfounded. India's recent performances in T20 cricket have been inconsistent, and they have struggled to find a consistent winning formula. The team's over-reliance on Kohli and a few other senior players has also been a concern.To address these issues, India will need to find a way to spread the workload and develop a more balanced team. They will also need to improve their fielding and bowling, which have been areas of weakness in recent times.With the T20 World Cup just over a year away, India has time to address these concerns and prepare a team capable of challenging for the title. However, Paine's warning should serve as a wake-up call for the Indian team management and players. If Kohli fails to perform, India's chances of winning the World Cup will be significantly diminished.

Chennai Super Kings Face Rajasthan Royals in Crucial IPL ClashMatch 61 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 pits two formidable teams against each other: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). The match will be played at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.CSK, currently ranked fourth on the points table, will be eager to bounce back from their recent loss to Gujarat Titans. Their top fantasy performer in that match was Daryl Mitchell, who scored 88 fantasy points. RR, on the other hand, are ranked second and will be looking to maintain their momentum after a 20-run defeat to Delhi Capitals. Sanju Samson was their top fantasy performer in that match, scoring 124 fantasy points.Pitch Report and Weather ConditionsThe pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is known for its good batting conditions, with an average 1st innings score of 158 runs in the last 20 matches. The weather forecast predicts a temperature of around 31 degrees Celsius with 68% humidity and 7.57 m/s winds.Head-to-HeadIn the 29 matches played between these two teams, all-rounders have consistently earned the most fantasy points. In their last encounter in IPL 2023, Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal topped the fantasy points leaderboard for CSK and RR, respectively.Fantasy Prediction: Top Captain and Vice-Captain PicksCaptain:* Riyan Parag: A consistent all-rounder with an average of 59 match fantasy points in the last 10 games.Vice-Captain:* Jos Buttler: A top-order opener with an average of 52 match fantasy points in the last 10 games.Other Top Picks:* Ruturaj Gaikwad: A reliable top-order batter with an average of 69 match fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Shivam Dube: A versatile all-rounder with an average of 47 match fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Ravindra Jadeja: A left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler with an average of 55 match fantasy points in the last 10 games.Fantasy Team:* Wicket-Keeper: Jos Buttler* Batters: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Daryl Mitchell* All-Rounders: Riyan Parag, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner* Bowlers: Tushar Deshpande, Yuzvendra Chahal, Deepak Chahar* Captain: Tushar Deshpande* Vice-Captain: Jos Buttler

Pakistan's recent loss to Ireland in the first T20I of their three-match series has raised concerns about the team's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Ramiz Raja, expressed his disappointment with the team's performance, particularly their drop to seventh position in the ICC T20 Rankings.Raja highlighted the team's weakened body language and questioned the frequent changes in captaincy and squad composition. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that "you can't defend losing against Ireland."Raja also raised concerns about Pakistan's batting lineup, pointing out the inconsistencies and lack of stability in the middle order. He questioned the team's ability to perform at the highest level, especially with the T20 World Cup looming."How will Pakistan win the World Cup?" Raja pondered, expressing doubts about the team's prospects given their current form. "You know the capability of the team and you want them to play like India, Australia or you want to produce a player like Travis Head."Raja's comments shed light on Pakistan's struggles, both in batting and bowling departments. Despite posting a competitive total of 182/6, Pakistan's bowlers failed to defend it, with issues like full tosses and overpitched deliveries plaguing their performance.Pakistan's loss to Ireland has exposed the team's weaknesses and raised questions about their ability to compete at the highest level. With the T20 World Cup just months away, the team will need to address these issues quickly if they want to be competitive in the tournament.