Cricket

India's knowledge of their T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final venue in Guyana has sparked controversy, with former players and pundits questioning the fairness of the arrangement.India captain Rohit Sharma downplayed the advantage, but Sanjay Manjrekar believes it influenced India's team selection, particularly their inclusion of four spinners. Nick Knight echoed this sentiment, stating that it "didn't seem right or fair."Michael Vaughan went further, accusing the ICC of favoring India due to their financial contributions. He criticized the scheduling, which allowed India to play all their matches in the morning for prime-time viewing in India.Knight also questioned the ICC's decision to have different rules for the semi-finals, with Afghanistan and South Africa having a reserve day while India and England did not. He suggested condensing the group stages and moving the final to Sunday to avoid such situations.Manjrekar urged the ICC to prioritize a level-playing field over commercial gains. He argued that the focus should be on creating a high-quality product rather than catering solely to market demands.The controversy highlights the tension between the ICC's desire to maximize revenue and the need to ensure fairness and integrity in the sport. It remains to be seen how the ICC will address these concerns in future tournaments.

Former Indian cricketer Sudha Shah has called for a significant increase in the number of women's Test matches, advocating for a minimum of three Tests per series. She believes that this would not only enhance the quality of women's cricket but also foster a more competitive and engaging environment.Shah, who played in India's first official Test series in 1976, emphasized the importance of longer formats in developing players' skills and endurance. She suggested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should mandate a minimum number of Tests for all member nations, similar to the World Test Championship (WTC) for men."I feel, in the first place, they should stop the one-off Tests. They should be playing at least three Tests. Minimum, three-Test series," Shah said. "And I think the other (national) associations should be educated about it. Maybe, ICC should say that they have to be playing (Tests) or introduce a Test Championship."Shah also expressed her preference for the now-scrapped inter-zonal multi-day tournament over the multi-day Challenger Trophy. She believes that inter-zonal tournaments foster a sense of regional pride and encourage players to perform at their best for their respective zones."I think they should be playing inter-zonal and not the Challengers. I feel Challengers finally turns out to be like selection matches. I feel they should have inter-zonal. "I think there are a lot of girls in each zone that have the potential to be playing for the zone. And you have five zones. Here, you have three teams for challengers. Maybe, four. "So, I feel inter-zonal will help the zones and the states. And frankly, like I said, Challengers, they play like it's a selection match. When you play inter-zonal, you feel like you belong to a zone, and you have to play and win for your zone. I feel that makes a difference."Shah's insights stem from her extensive experience in women's cricket. She has witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities faced by female players and believes that a more robust Test cricket structure would significantly benefit the sport.

Team India's quest for an elusive ICC trophy continues as they enter the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2024. Led by Rohit Sharma, the team has maintained an unbeaten streak, including a resounding victory over Australia.India's last ICC triumph came in 2013 under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who guided the team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy. Since then, India has come close but failed to secure a major title, including a heartbreaking loss in the 2019 ODI World Cup final.Rohit Sharma, now 36, is determined to break this drought and lead India to glory. He has the experience and leadership qualities necessary to guide the team to success.Former India pacer S Sreesanth, who was part of India's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup victories, believes Rohit has the capabilities to achieve this goal. He praised Rohit's ability to unite the team and his understanding of each player's strengths.Sreesanth also highlighted the importance of all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been in exceptional form in the tournament. Despite a disappointing season with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Pandya has emerged as a key player for India, contributing with both bat and ball.India's semifinal clash against England will be a crucial test. In their previous encounter at this stage in the 2022 edition, England dominated an outdated Indian team. However, with Rohit Sharma at the helm and a talented squad at his disposal, India has a real chance of reaching the final and potentially lifting the trophy on June 29th.

South Africa and Afghanistan Set for Thrilling Semi-Final Clash in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024The highly anticipated Semi-Final 1 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 will witness a captivating encounter between South Africa and Afghanistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago.South Africa, fresh off a thrilling three-wicket victory over West Indies, will be eager to continue their impressive run in the tournament. Their top fantasy performer, Tabraiz Shamsi, with 85 fantasy points, will be a key player to watch.Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence after their eight-run victory over Bangladesh. Rashid Khan, who amassed 157 fantasy points in their previous match, will be the one to lead their charge.Pitch Report and Weather ConditionsThe pitch at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy is known for its balance, with an average 1st innings score of 117 runs in the last 20 matches. The team winning the toss may opt to bowl first, as the majority of games played on this ground have been won by the chasing side.The weather forecast predicts a temperature of around 23.56 degrees Celsius, with high humidity and winds at a speed of 1.89 m/s.Head-to-HeadIn the two previous encounters between these teams, South Africa has emerged victorious on both occasions. Protea wicket-keepers have been the most prolific fantasy point earners for their team, while all-rounders have been the top performers for Afghanistan.Fantasy Top Captain and Vice-Captain PicksFazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan): With an average of 61 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 9.3, Farooqi is a valuable asset for any fantasy team. His impressive economy rate of 6.38 and 16 wickets in the last seven matches make him a formidable choice.Quinton de Kock (South Africa): De Kock, with an average of 48 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 7.8, is a reliable fantasy pick. His left-handed batting prowess and strike rate of 148.50 in the recent seven matches make him a potential game-changer.Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan): Naveen-ul-Haq, with an average of 60 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 9, is a consistent performer. His 13 wickets in the last seven matches at an economy rate of 6.12 make him a valuable bowling option.Tristan Stubbs (South Africa): Stubbs, with an average of 41 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 7.7, is an explosive batter. His 134 runs in the recent seven matches at an average of 33.50 make him a potential match-winner.Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): Khan, with an average of 75 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 8.2, is a spin wizard. His 14 wickets in the last seven matches at an economy rate of 6.10 make him a must-have for any fantasy team.SA vs AFG Possible Playing XIsSouth Africa (SA): Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Marco JansenAfghanistan (AFG): Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Nangeyalia Kharote, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad NabiSA vs AFG Fantasy TeamWicket-Keeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Quinton de KockBatters: Ibrahim Zadran, Tristan StubbsAll-Rounders: Marco Jansen, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad NabiBowlers: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Rashid Khan, Keshav MaharajCaptain: Fazalhaq FarooqiVice-Captain: Quinton de Kock

T20I Batting Rankings Reshuffle: Travis Head Dethrones Suryakumar YadavThe ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings have undergone a significant shakeup, with Australia's Travis Head dethroning India's Suryakumar Yadav from the top spot. Yadav, who has held the number one position since December 2023, has been displaced after Head's impressive performances in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.Head's ascent to the summit was fueled by his remarkable 76-run innings against India, despite Australia's defeat and early exit from the tournament. This performance, coupled with his other strong showings, propelled him four places up the rankings, relegating Yadav to second place.Phil Salt, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan complete the top five, with Johnson Charles of the West Indies making a notable entry into the top ten. Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz also climbed five spots, narrowly missing out on a top-ten ranking.In the All-rounders Rankings, Australia's Marcus Stoinis relinquished his number one position, dropping to fourth. Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga reclaimed the top spot, with Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi and India's Hardik Pandya occupying the second and third positions, respectively.The bowling rankings remain unchanged, with England's Adil Rashid holding onto the top spot. However, there were some notable movements, including Rashid Khan of Afghanistan moving up to second place after his impressive performances in the T20 World Cup.Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood also made a significant jump, climbing three places to fourth. India's Kuldeep Yadav moved up 20 places to 11th, while Jasprit Bumrah jumped 44 spots to 24th. England's Jofra Archer also made a notable ascent, climbing 19 places to 38th.

ICC Urged to End Pre-Scheduled India-Pakistan Matches, Ensure Fairness in TournamentsFormer English cricketer and commentator David Lloyd has sparked a debate by calling on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to eliminate pre-scheduled matches between India and Pakistan in major tournaments. Lloyd argues that these fixtures, which have become a staple in ICC events since 2013, compromise the integrity of the sport.Lloyd's concerns stem from the belief that such practices amount to "fixing fixtures" and manipulating the game's outcomes for commercial gain. He contends that these pre-arrangements undermine the fairness and quality of the competition, as teams may be incentivized to perform differently based on the prospect of facing India or Pakistan."We talk long and hard about fixing in cricket. That's fixed. It's just fixed for a major event," Lloyd said on TalkSPORT. "You can't fix the game itself. And that's only part of what we fix. We fix loads of stuff. In this particular World Cup, you're just trying to manipulate. It's just wrong."Lloyd also criticized the scheduling of the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup, particularly the lack of rest days for teams during the Super 8s stage. He noted that the tight schedule has adversely affected teams' performance and preparation time.Another concern raised by Lloyd was the inconsistency in semi-final rules, pointing out that the India vs England semi-final had no reserve day while the South Africa vs Afghanistan match did."It just isn't fair (to the teams)," Lloyd noted. "We're just manipulating the tournament for the benefit of a few."Lloyd and his fellow experts on the discussion outlined five critical points for the ICC to consider before the next World Cup:1. India and Pakistan should not automatically play each other in tournaments. Their matches should be determined by the draw and tournament progress, not pre-arranged.2. Uniform rules in the semi-finals, including provisions for reserve days for all teams.3. No predetermined teams should be set for the Super 8 and semi-finals. Teams should qualify based solely on their performance during the tournament.4. A fair distribution of matches and locations, ensuring no team plays all their matches at a single location while others travel extensively.5. No more fixed schedules that favor certain outcomes. The schedule should not be manipulated to promote specific results, thereby ensuring a fair and unbiased competition.These criticisms and proposed reforms reflect a broader call for fairness and integrity in the organization of international cricket tournaments. Lloyd’s comments aim to preserve the competitive spirit of cricket for all teams and fans.

Smriti Mandhana Slips in ICC ODI Rankings, Harmanpreet Kaur RisesSmriti Mandhana, India's vice-captain, has dropped one position to fourth in the latest ICC women's ODI batting rankings, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed two spots to ninth. Mandhana, with 738 rating points, maintains her top 10 position after an impressive performance against South Africa, amassing 343 runs in the three-match series.South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt continues her ascent towards the top spot, jumping three places to second. She now trails England's No.1 ranked batter Nat Sciver-Brunt by just 16 rating points. Wolvaardt's brilliant unbeaten 135 in the second game of the series in Bengaluru was a standout performance, which she followed up with a solid 65 in the final match.Marizanne Kapp, Wolvaardt's teammate, climbs two spots to seventh on the ODI batters list, while Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues (up four places to 29th) also makes progress after solid performances against South Africa.In the ODI bowlers rankings, South Africa spinner Nonkululek Mlaba (up five places to joint 22nd) makes significant strides following her four wickets in the series against India. Sri Lankan players Kavisha Dilhari (up eight places to 34th) and Udeshika Prabodhani (up six spots to 22nd) also improve their rankings after impressive performances in their series against the West Indies. India's Deepti Sharma, however, remains unchanged at the fourth position with 671 rating points.

In a thrilling encounter at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 stage, South Africa emerged victorious over the host nation West Indies by three wickets, securing their place in the semifinals. The match witnessed a remarkable milestone as Andre Russell surpassed Dwayne Bravo to become the highest wicket-taker for the Caribbean side in T20 World Cup history.Russell's exceptional bowling performance against the Proteas saw him claim two crucial wickets in his four-over spell, conceding only 19 runs. With these wickets, the right-arm seamer extended his tally in the T20 WC to 29, surpassing Bravo's previous record of 27.The match began with South Africa winning the toss and opting to field first. West Indies faced an early setback, losing two wickets for just five runs. However, a resilient partnership between Kyle Mayers (35) and Roston Chase (52) revived their innings, guiding them to a respectable total of 135/8 in their allotted 20 overs.South Africa's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost two early wickets. Rain interruptions forced a revised target of 123 runs in 17 overs, making the contest even more intense. Despite crucial contributions from Tristan Stubbs (29) and Heinrich Klaasen (22), the Proteas found themselves in a precarious position at 110/7 in the 16th over.However, Marco Jansen (21*) and Kagiso Rabada (5*) displayed nerves of steel, finding boundaries at crucial moments to seal the victory with five balls and three wickets remaining. Chase emerged as the standout bowler for West Indies, claiming three wickets for just 12 runs. Alzarri Joseph and Russell also chipped in with two wickets each.South Africa's undefeated run in the Super 8 stage continues, with three wins from three matches. England joins them in the semifinals, while the host nation West Indies bows out of the tournament with just one win in three matches.

India Dominates Bangladesh in ICC T20 World Cup 2024 ClashIn a highly anticipated all-Asian clash at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, India extended their unbeaten streak in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with a commanding victory over Bangladesh.Bangladesh, who elected to bowl first, failed to contain the Indian batting onslaught. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, despite their recent struggles, found their rhythm and put on a solid opening partnership. Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant continued the momentum, with Yadav scoring a blistering half-century.India's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, were equally impressive. They restricted Bangladesh to a modest total, with Mustafizur Rahman being the only bright spot for the Tigers.India's Batting MasterclassRohit Sharma and Virat Kohli set the tone for India's batting dominance. Sharma, who had been criticized for his slow starts, played a more aggressive role, hitting boundaries at will. Kohli, too, looked in good touch, timing the ball sweetly.Suryakumar Yadav, known for his unorthodox strokeplay, was at his best. He played a whirlwind knock of 54 runs off just 29 balls, including six fours and three sixes. Rishabh Pant provided the finishing touches with a quickfire 35 off 20 deliveries.Bangladesh's Bowling WoesBangladesh's bowlers struggled to contain India's batting firepower. Mahedi Hasan, who had been impressive in previous matches, was taken for runs. Shakib Al Hasan, the veteran all-rounder, also failed to make an impact.Mustafizur Rahman was the only bowler who managed to trouble the Indian batters. He picked up two wickets, including the prized scalp of Virat Kohli. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent India from posting a formidable total.India's Bowling DominanceIndia's bowlers continued their impressive form, restricting Bangladesh to a below-par score. Jasprit Bumrah was once again the star performer, taking three wickets for just 15 runs.Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav also chipped in with two wickets each. Bangladesh's batters were unable to cope with the pace and accuracy of the Indian bowlers.ConclusionIndia's victory over Bangladesh was a comprehensive display of their dominance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Their batting lineup is firing on all cylinders, while their bowling attack is proving to be impenetrable.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to turn their fortunes around. They have a tough task ahead of them, with matches against South Africa and Australia still to come.