Cricket

Pakistan's all-rounder Fawad Alam has highlighted the significance of neutralizing the impact of Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah in their upcoming high-stakes T20 World Cup encounter on Sunday. A victory against their arch-rivals is crucial for Babar Azam's team to regain momentum in the tournament.The contrasting starts to the competition for the two sides have set the stage for an intriguing clash. India commenced their campaign with a commanding eight-wicket triumph over Ireland, while Pakistan suffered a stunning defeat against co-hosts USA, with the match being decided in a dramatic Super Over.Alam, who has represented Pakistan in 19 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 24 T20Is, emphasized the need for left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir to deliver a match-turning performance against India, similar to his burst against them in the Champions Trophy final 2017. He also expressed confidence in captain Babar Azam, who has a decent record against India.Despite Amir's ordinary Super Over against the USA, Alam warned against writing him off, stating that he remains Pakistan's best and most experienced bowler. However, Alam acknowledged that losing to the USA was unacceptable and that Pakistan would feel pressure against India.Alam also expressed concerns about Pakistan's lack of good spin options, particularly with Imad Wasim's injury and Shadab Khan's poor form. He noted that India's bowling attack, featuring Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav, poses a significant threat.The left-arm spinner also criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) for not inspecting the drop-in pitch in New York well in advance of the tournament. He questioned why games were not hosted in Dallas or Florida, where the wickets were better prepared.

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.

The 2024 T20 World Cup has witnessed two consecutive low-scoring matches, with India's bowlers dominating Ireland in New York. After South Africa dismissed Sri Lanka for a mere 77, India's bowling attack proved equally formidable, restricting Ireland to 96.The pitch in New York has become a major talking point, with excessive movement and variable bounce making batting a challenge. However, India captain Rohit Sharma showcased his adaptability with a comfortable eight-wicket victory.India's batting coach, Vikram Rathour, acknowledged the pitch's difficulty but expressed confidence in his team's ability to adapt. He highlighted the team's experience and skill, particularly in dealing with challenging conditions.Rathour emphasized India's adaptability, stating that they have played together in T20 cricket for a long time and have consistently performed well in different conditions. He believes this gives them an edge over other teams.The toss has become crucial on the challenging pitch, but Rathour emphasized that India needs to find ways to deal with any situation, regardless of whether they bat first or second.A significant change in India's batting strategy has been the inclusion of left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant at number three. Pant has impressed in the warm-up game and his comeback match against Ireland, indicating his potential to fill the role effectively.Rathour also praised Hardik Pandya's impressive spell of 3-27 in four overs, highlighting his fitness and accuracy.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has raised concerns over India's decision to open with Virat Kohli in the T20 World Cup, labeling it a "significant mistake." Akmal believes Kohli should be positioned at No. 3, where he can anchor the innings and guide the team through the middle overs.Akmal's criticism stems from Kohli's dismissal for just 1 run off 5 balls in India's tournament opener against Ireland. Despite this setback, the Indian team management appears set to continue with this batting order for their crucial match against Pakistan on Sunday.Akmal argues that Kohli's experience as an opener for his IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, does not translate to the international stage. He points out that Kohli's role in the IPL is to provide a quick start, while in the T20 World Cup, India needs him to play a more substantial role."Virat Kohli can take the pressure at No.3 and finish the match. That is very important for Team India," Akmal said. "If India stick to this batting order (of Kohli) opening, then they may get stuck at some point."Akmal also criticized the quality of the pitches in New York, calling on the ICC to ensure better playing surfaces for the marquee matches. "ICC will have to produce better pitches for big matches. Otherwise, people will go away from this World Cup," he warned.As India prepare for the high-stakes clash against Pakistan, all eyes will be on their batting order and whether they stick with Kohli as an opener. Akmal's comments have sparked a debate among cricket experts, with some agreeing with his assessment and others defending India's decision.

India's Captain Rohit Sharma Suffers Thumb Injury Ahead of Pakistan ClashIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma sustained a left thumb injury during a practice session on Saturday, casting a shadow over his participation in the highly anticipated match against Pakistan on Sunday.The incident occurred when Sharma, 37, was struck on the thumb during a net session. The team's medical staff immediately attended to him, and after an assessment, Sharma resumed batting practice.The injury is a concern for India, as Sharma is a key player in the team's batting lineup. He scored 52 runs off 37 balls in India's opening match against Ireland, but was forced to retire hurt after the 10th over due to the injury.The condition of the pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, where the India-Pakistan match will be played, has been a topic of discussion. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has acknowledged that the pitches at the venue have not performed as consistently as anticipated."T20 Inc and the ICC recognise 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 ICC said in a statement.The grounds team at the stadium is reportedly working diligently to address these concerns and enhance the quality of the pitches for the remainder of the tournament.Despite the injury, Sharma is expected to play in the match against Pakistan. However, his fitness will be closely monitored, and if necessary, he could be replaced by vice-captain KL Rahul.The India-Pakistan match is one of the most eagerly awaited matches in the T20 World Cup. The two teams have a long history of rivalry, and the match is always a high-stakes affair.

Hardik Pandya's recent struggles have been well-documented. After a successful stint as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, his move to the Mumbai Indians for IPL 2024 was met with criticism from fans. The all-rounder, who had been lauded for his astute leadership, replaced fan favorite Rohit Sharma at the helm. Supporters expressed their displeasure by booing Hardik during matches.The noise surrounding his move undoubtedly affected Hardik's performance. He struggled with both bat and ball in the tournament, raising concerns about his form ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, much to the relief of Indian fans, Hardik delivered with the ball in the opening game against Ireland.The pitch at the Adelaide Oval aided his swing bowling, but Hardik also showcased his skill and accuracy. His first wicket came with a classic inswinger that foxed Lorcan Tucker. A hint of away swing next up proved too good for Curtis Campher. Mark Adair fell soon after, giving Hardik satisfying returns of three for 27.The early stage of Hardik's comeback was complete. The tough times in IPL 2024 forced him to introspect. "I'm very happy to start on a good note. Everything falls into place for people who work hard," Hardik told bcci.tv.India batting coach Vikram Rathour was pleased to have a fit-and-firing Hardik ready for duty. "Hardik looked really good. He's been bowling really well. He looks fit enough to go through four overs, and he's been bowling with pace and some accuracy," Rathour said.Hardik's performance in the opening game of the T20 World Cup is a positive sign for India. His ability to swing the ball and take wickets will be crucial to the team's success in the tournament. The all-rounder has shown that he can overcome adversity and deliver when it matters most.

Former England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen has extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his third consecutive term in office. Pietersen, who is known for his love for India, took to social media to express his admiration for Modi's leadership."Many congratulations on securing another term to lead India @narendramodi," Pietersen wrote in Hindi on the social media platform X. "Every time I come to India, the country goes from better to better. What a great job, sir! Best wishes and lots of love."Pietersen's message was accompanied by a photograph of himself and Modi engaged in a handshake. The exact date and location of the photograph remain undisclosed.Pietersen, 43, was born and raised in South Africa, where he first learned to play cricket. He made his Test debut for England against Australia in 2005 and played his final Test match, also against Australia, in 2014.During his Test career, Pietersen played 104 Tests for England, scoring 8181 runs at an average of 47.28, hitting 23 centuries and 35 half-centuries with a top score of 227.In addition to his Test career, Pietersen represented England in ODIs and T20Is. He also participated in various franchise cricket leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League, where he played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), and Rising Pune Supergiants in 2018.Following his retirement from franchise cricket, Pietersen transitioned into a career in cricket commentary. He frequently travels to India to work with various broadcasting networks.Pietersen's message of congratulations to Modi reflects his deep admiration for India and its leadership. He has often expressed his love for the country and its culture, and has been a vocal supporter of Modi's policies.

Virat Kohli's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign got off to a disappointing start as the Indian batter was dismissed for a mere 1 off 5 balls in the team's opening match against Ireland. Kohli's dismissal raised concerns about his form and approach, particularly in light of his recent struggles with strike rate.Kohli's innings was characterized by an eagerness to hit big shots from the outset. However, his attempts to force the issue resulted in his downfall. He danced down the track to a Mark Adair delivery and attempted a lofted shot, only to edge the ball to third man.Former India player Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Kohli was feeling the pressure to maintain a high strike rate, a criticism that has plagued him in the past. Given that India were chasing a modest target of 97 runs, Manjrekar felt that Kohli could have taken a more measured approach."I am very surprised that he got out. He got out while trying to play a shot. Somewhere he was feeling the pressure of strike rate. In IPL he managed it. In this match, he didn't need to play a brisk knock. He would have played normally as in such pitches he would not get out if he plays normally as he has the class of Test cricket," said Manjrekar.Kohli's strike rate has been a subject of intense scrutiny in recent times, particularly during the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he silenced his critics with a career-best performance in the tournament, winning the Orange Cap with 741 runs at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.70.Despite his impressive IPL performance, Kohli's dismissal in the T20 World Cup opener has raised questions about his ability to adapt to different match situations. With India facing a tough challenge in the tournament, Kohli will need to find his form quickly and contribute significantly to the team's success.

Losing a World Cup Final is an excruciating experience, and for Indian captain Rohit Sharma, the heartbreak of the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final still lingers. In a recent interview with Adidas India, Rohit candidly shared his emotions and the aftermath of that fateful day."I was devastated," Rohit recalled. "I couldn't bear to stay there." After a remarkable run to the Final, where India had triumphed in every match, they succumbed to Australia in a crushing defeat.Rohit, who had been in exceptional form throughout the tournament, was particularly distraught. "I wanted it so badly," he said. "The frustration, disappointment, and anger consumed me."Before the Final, Rohit and his team were brimming with confidence. "We believed we were invincible," he said. "We had played so well, we thought we could steamroll through."The loss hit Rohit hard. "I couldn't believe it," he said. "It took days for it to sink in that we had lost the World Cup."Now, as captain of Team India in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rohit is determined to make amends. "This might be my last chance to lift a major ICC trophy," he said. "We're going all out for it."In their opening match against Ireland, Rohit once again led from the front, scoring a crucial 52 despite an injury scare. India now faces Pakistan in a highly anticipated clash on Sunday, June 9.Rohit's journey from the heartbreak of the 2023 World Cup Final to the pursuit of redemption in the 2024 T20 World Cup is a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination.