Cricket

Afghan Women Cricketers Seek ICC Support for Refugee TeamIn the wake of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, 17 female cricketers who were contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in 2020 have appealed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for assistance in establishing a refugee team based in Australia.The players, who have been unable to represent their country since the Taliban banned women from participating in sports, have requested the ICC's "support and guidance" in formalizing their team. They acknowledge that the ACB cannot recognize them as a national team due to government policies.Instead, the players have proposed being administered by the East Asian Cricket office based at Cricket Australia as a refugee team. This would allow them to "represent all Afghan women who dream of playing cricket but are unable to in Afghanistan."The players' request comes as the Afghan men's cricket team has achieved unprecedented success, reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. While expressing pride in the men's achievements, the women's players lamented their own inability to represent their country."A profound sadness remains that we, as women, cannot represent our country like the male cricketers," they wrote in a letter to ICC Chair Greg Barclay.The ICC currently cannot offer the players official status because it relies on individual boards to compile and recognize teams. The ACB, due to the Taliban's stance on women, cannot recognize a women's team.To address this, the exiled players have requested recognition as a refugee team. They emphasize that only Afghan refugee cricketers would be included in their proposed set-up."Our goals in having a refugee team are to develop and showcase our talent, give hope to the women remaining in Afghanistan, and to draw attention to the challenges women of Afghanistan face," the players stated.The ICC has been contacted for comment on the players' request.

Indian Cricket Team's Return Delayed by Hurricane BerylThe Indian cricket team's triumphant return to India has been temporarily halted due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, recently emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup, bringing an end to an 11-year drought for an ICC championship.Hurricane Beryl, which originated in the Atlantic, has intensified into a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds reaching 210 kmph. The hurricane is currently located approximately 570km east-southeast of Barbados and is expected to strengthen further. As a result, the airport in Bridgetown, where the Indian team is currently based, is expected to cease operations in the evening.The Indian team's original travel itinerary involved taking an Emirates flight from New York, with a stopover in Dubai. However, given the current circumstances, a source informed PTI that the revised plan is to arrange a charter flight to bring the team back to India."The team was supposed to leave from here (Bridgetown) to New York and then reach India via Dubai. But now the plan is to get a charter flight straight from here to Delhi. A meeting with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also being considered," a source said.The Indian delegation, comprising players, coaching staff, family members, and officials, totals around 70 individuals. The team's return to India is eagerly anticipated by fans and officials alike, who are keen to celebrate their historic victory.

Virat Kohli's illustrious career reached its zenith with the addition of the elusive ICC T20 World Cup title to his trophy cabinet. Having already conquered the ODI World Cup (2011), Champions Trophy (2013), and U19 World Cup (2008), Kohli's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup marked a historic milestone.Despite facing scrutiny over his place in India's T20 team, Kohli silenced his critics with a match-winning half-century against South Africa in the final. His gritty 59-ball 76 propelled India to a competitive total of 176, which Rohit Sharma's men defended resolutely.Kohli's achievement is unparalleled in the annals of cricket. He became the first player to win all four major ICC white-ball trophies: the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, and U19 World Cup. Even the legendary MS Dhoni, who holds all three ICC white-ball titles, did not manage to win the U19 World Cup.By adding the T20 World Cup trophy to his collection, Kohli joined Yuvraj Singh as the only players to have won all four ICC white-ball titles. However, Kohli's accomplishment is unique as he secured victory in all four titles, while Yuvraj shared the Champions Trophy in 2002.The only trophy missing from Kohli's collection is the Test Championship. He has been a part of two ICC Test Championship finals but has suffered defeats on both occasions. The talismanic batter will undoubtedly aim to complete his cricket legacy by winning the WTC title while donning the Team India whites.Kohli's T20 World Cup triumph is a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing criticism and doubts, he rose to the occasion and delivered a match-winning performance. His achievement is a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers and a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

The stage is set for an epic clash at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, as India and South Africa face off in the final of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Both teams have navigated a challenging tournament, and now they stand on the cusp of history.India, led by Rohit Sharma, is seeking its second T20 World Cup title, while South Africa, captained by Aiden Markram, is chasing its first major ICC trophy. The Proteas have overcome adversity throughout their campaign, shedding the unwanted "chokers" tag.The pitch report suggests a dry surface with a short boundary on one side. Seamer-friendly conditions are expected, with pacers likely to find it difficult to hit down the ground.India has opted to bat first after winning the toss. The team remains unchanged from its previous match, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav forming the core of the batting lineup. South Africa has also fielded an unchanged XI, with Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, and David Miller leading the charge.The weather conditions are favorable for play, with bright and sunny skies. However, the possibility of rain remains, and a reserve day has been allocated.India has been dominant throughout the tournament, with straightforward victories in most of its matches. South Africa, on the other hand, has faced tougher challenges but has found ways to pull through.Both teams have faced formidable opponents, and the final promises to be a thrilling contest. India will look to its experienced players to guide them to victory, while South Africa will rely on its newfound resilience and determination.The match will be a test of both teams' adaptability and ability to handle pressure. The team that executes its plans better and remains calm under pressure will emerge victorious.

Amidst the ongoing T20 World Cup, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has criticized the accusations of favoritism towards India by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Butt argues that India's success in reaching the final is a result of their superior cricket and professionalism.Butt dismisses the claims of ICC bias, stating that India's performance on the field has been exceptional. He highlights the team's clarity of roles and professionalism, which have contributed to their consistent success across formats.In contrast, Butt points to Pakistan's lack of planning and organization. He cites the team's botched up scheduling ahead of next year's Champions Trophy as an example of their haphazard approach.Butt emphasizes that India's success should not be attributed to favoritism but rather to their hard work and dedication. He urges Pakistan to adopt a more positive mindset and acknowledge India's achievements.Butt's comments come in response to criticism from former England captain Michael Vaughan and Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq, who have accused the ICC of favoring India. Inzamam specifically alleged that India was "working on the ball" to generate reverse swing during the tournament.However, Butt maintains that India's success is a result of their superior cricket and professionalism. He believes that Pakistan should focus on improving their own game rather than making excuses.

Chris Gayle, the legendary West Indies batsman and T20 World Cup ambassador, has attributed the low-scoring matches in the USA leg of the tournament to "jet-lagged and tired" pitches. According to the ICC, drop-in pitches were prepared in Florida since late December, employing proprietary techniques honed over a decade at Adelaide Oval in Australia.The drop-in pitches were transported from Florida to New York in semi-trailer trucks for installation at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, which proved to be one of the most difficult wickets for batting during the tournament. "It's been a low-scoring World Cup without a doubt, and the wicket is on the slower side sometime. It's a batting format... going to give bowlers edge from time to time, bowlers pretty much in control of T20 World Cup," Gayle said during a press conference on Friday.The tournament will conclude with the final between India and South Africa at Kensington Oval in Barbados. "Barbados has been one of the best for batting, hope batters are going to get some runs tomorrow. "We want to see better surface but the wicket in States was a bit jet-lagged as well, as we know. It was tired, all that travel from Australia, didn't get time to recover properly. That's why we had some low-scoring games," Gayle added.The development of the pitches was undertaken by Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions, led by renowned Adelaide Oval head curator Damian Hough. The drop-in square - the type used around the world including at Adelaide Oval and Eden Park - was curated in Florida and transported by road to New York via a convoy of more than 20 semi-trailer trucks in April.The matches in New York took place at a state-of-the-art 34,000-seat modular stadium located at Eisenhower Park in Nassau County, east of Manhattan. The former West Indies captain lauded the ICC for efforts to promote the game in mainland America. "The ICC did a fantastic job, the trophy tour, did well to promote the game within the US. They have taken the trophy to the football games, baseball games, they have done a very good job from the marketing point of view," Gayle said.Coming back to the big-ticket title clash, Gayle said lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah could decide India's fate against South Africa. Inaugural edition winners India and first-time finalists South Africa will battle it out at the Kensington Oval in their bid to be crowned the world champions in the game's shortest format. "India are going to be so hard to beat. They bat so deep and in Jasprit Bumrah, have a world-class death bowler who can break the hearts of the opponents," Gayle wrote in a column for the ICC."In contrast, I picked South Africa as a dark horse before the tournament began, and it is very special to see them finally reach their first final after so many semi-final upsets. "Getting over the hump and winning a World Cup is so special and if they can do it, it will create memories that will last a lifetime for the players and the nation." The final pits two undefeated teams with India seeking to reclaim the trophy they last won in the 2007 edition, and South Africa seeking to etch their name on a senior World Cup trophy for the first time. Gayle found it tough to predict a winner. "It is going to be so hard to call – with two teams who have played clean and aggressive cricket throughout the tournament," he said. "We have a final fit for the occasion."

T20 World Cup Final: India's Journey from Shattered Dreams to Renewed HopeThe T20 World Cup final is upon us, and with it comes a rollercoaster of emotions for Indian cricket fans. After the heartbreak of November 19, 2023, many had vowed to abandon the sport. However, the allure of cricket is undeniable, and the Indian team has once again ignited the flame of hope in their hearts.Since the 2013 Champions Trophy, India has come tantalizingly close to ICC glory, only to fall short at the final hurdle. This has earned them the unfortunate tag of "chokers," a label that has haunted them for years.The term "chokers" is a cruel one, often used to dismiss the achievements of a team that has consistently performed at the highest level. It implies a lack of mental fortitude, an inability to handle the pressure of big moments.But the Indian team has proven time and again that they are anything but chokers. They have fought back from adversity, overcome challenges, and come within a whisker of victory. Their resilience and determination are a testament to their character and their unwavering belief in themselves.The T20 World Cup final is a chance for India to shed the choker tag once and for all. It is an opportunity to prove that they are not defined by their past failures but by their unwavering spirit and their ability to rise above adversity.Whether India emerges victorious or not, their journey to the final has been an inspiring one. They have shown that even in the face of setbacks, hope can never be extinguished. And as long as there is hope, there is always the possibility of triumph.

The highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa is set to take place on Saturday at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. However, the match is facing a potential threat from rain, with the weather forecast predicting a 51% chance of precipitation.To mitigate the risk of rain interruptions, the ICC has implemented several measures. Firstly, a reserve day (June 30) has been designated in case the match cannot be completed on the scheduled day. According to the ICC's playing conditions for the tournament, every effort will be made to complete the match on the scheduled day, with any necessary reduction in overs. Only if the minimum number of overs required for a match cannot be bowled on the scheduled day will the match be completed on the reserve day.If a full game is not possible, both teams must bat 10 overs to achieve a result. Additionally, an extra 190 minutes have been allocated to get a result on the scheduled day. If play has not resumed by the cut-off time on the scheduled day, the match will resume from the same point on the reserve day, meaning there will be no fresh start.If no play is possible on the scheduled day, the game will begin at the same time it was supposed to on the original day. Importantly, if the overs are reduced on the scheduled day and played before interruption on the same day, it will begin from the same point on the reserve day.For example, if the match starts at 20 overs per side and there is an interruption at 9 overs, the overs may be reduced to 17 overs per side. If play resumes and an over is bowled before another interruption, the match will continue on the reserve day at 17 overs per side, with the overs further reduced if necessary.The ICC's measures aim to ensure that the T20 World Cup final is completed in a fair and timely manner, despite the potential for rain interruptions.

The stage is set for an epic clash between India and South Africa in the final of the Men's T20 World Cup 2024. This will be the first time these two teams have met in the final of an ICC tournament, making it a historic occasion for both sides.India and South Africa have both been in impressive form throughout the tournament, remaining unbeaten and topping their respective groups. South Africa has faced tougher opposition, including a nail-biting win over West Indies in the Super Eight, while India has overcome challenges from Pakistan, Australia, and England.For South Africa, this final represents a chance to make history by winning their first-ever men's World Cup title. They have come close in the past, reaching the semi-finals of five ODI World Cups and two T20 World Cups, but have never reached the final.India, on the other hand, is looking to end a title drought that has lasted since 2013. They won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 but have not won an ICC trophy since then. They came close in 2014, reaching the final of the T20 World Cup, but fell short.The match will be played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, which has hosted eight matches in the tournament so far. The pitch has been favorable to teams batting first, with three of the first four completed matches won by the chasing team. However, the last two matches have seen comfortable chases by West Indies and England.Wind could be a factor in the final, with gusts predicted at up to 45 kmph. However, it is unlikely to have as much of an impact as it did in Gros Islet during India's match against Australia.Rain is also a possibility, with showers expected throughout the day. There is a 50% chance of precipitation in the morning, decreasing to 30% around the scheduled toss time. However, the forecast improves later in the day, with a 20% chance of rain during match hours.If the match is interrupted by rain, there is a reserve day scheduled for Sunday. However, if the match cannot be completed on either day, both teams will be declared joint-winners.