Cricket

Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has ascended to the third spot among India's highest wicket-takers in T20I cricket, surpassing all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Bumrah's remarkable achievement came during India's thrilling six-run victory over Pakistan in their ICC T20 World Cup clash at New York's Nassau County International Stadium.Bumrah showcased his lethal bowling prowess, claiming three crucial wickets for just 14 runs in four overs, with an impressive economy rate of 3.50. His victims included Pakistan's star opening pair of skipper Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan, as well as Iftikhar Ahmed.With 79 wickets in 64 T20Is, Bumrah boasts an impressive average of 18.67 and an economy rate of 6.44. His best figures of 3/11 highlight his ability to strike at crucial moments. Hardik Pandya, who previously held the third spot, has 78 wickets in 94 T20Is, with best figures of 4/16.India's leading wicket-taker in the T20I format remains spin veteran Yuzvendra Chahal, who has amassed 96 wickets in 80 games. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India's swing specialist, occupies the second spot with 90 wickets in 87 matches.In the match against Pakistan, India's batters struggled on a challenging surface, with star openers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failing to make significant contributions. However, Rishabh Pant's valiant 42 off 31 balls, including six fours, provided some momentum.Pakistan's bowlers, led by Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, who claimed three wickets each, kept India's total to a modest 119 in 19 overs.In the run-chase, Pakistan adopted a cautious approach, with Mohammed Rizwan anchoring the innings with a steady 31 off 44 balls. However, Bumrah and Hardik Pandya's crucial wickets kept the pressure on Pakistan.With 18 runs required in the final over, Naseem Shah attempted to snatch victory for Pakistan, but Arshdeep Singh's composure ensured India's triumph by six runs.India's victory places them atop Group A with two wins in two games and four points. Pakistan, on the other hand, languishes in fourth place with two losses, diminishing their chances of reaching the knockout stage.Bumrah's match-winning performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award, further solidifying his status as one of the world's premier fast bowlers.

Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten has defended the playing surface at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium following his team's narrow six-run defeat to India in a low-scoring T20 World Cup match.Despite India's modest total of 119, their lowest ever against Pakistan in a T20 game, Pakistan fell short in their chase, sparking discussions about the pitch conditions. The venue, featuring a 'drop in' square laid a month before the tournament, has seen all five games produce low scores, raising concerns about the pitch's quality.After India's previous win over Ireland, former Zimbabwe international and ex-England team director Andy Flower labeled the pitch "dangerous" due to its uneven bounce. However, Kirsten downplayed these criticisms, suggesting that the pitch, while challenging, was not hazardous."I think it wasn't dangerous, I mean the odd one rose up, but not many. Generally, it kept a little bit lower, it was difficult to score from both batting sides and also a fairly slow outfield so it was never going to be a big total," he stated.Kirsten acknowledged that a score of 140 would have been competitive, indicating that Pakistan had a strong chance to win after restricting India to 119. "I would have said 140 would have been a really good score on that pitch, so India didn't get that and so I thought we had the game," added the South African.He also emphasized that low-scoring games could be equally entertaining and offered a different kind of contest compared to the high-scoring encounters typical of T20 cricket. "We knew it was going to be tight, but you know sometimes it's fun seeing games like that as well, it's not always about sixes and hitting, getting 260 and 240's, you can actually have a really entertaining game on a 120 chase, so I don't think it's bad for the game," Kirsten explained.In response to the criticism, the International Cricket Council (ICC) admitted that the pitches at the venue had not met the expected standards and committed to improving them for the remaining matches. Three games remain at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, with the final match scheduled for Wednesday, when India will face co-hosts USA.

Pakistan's disappointing loss to India in the Asia Cup has been attributed to poor decision-making, according to coach Gary Kirsten. Despite having the upper hand for much of the match, Pakistan faltered in the final overs, allowing India to snatch victory.Kirsten acknowledged that the target of 120 was challenging, but he believed Pakistan had the game in control at 72 for 2 with six overs remaining. However, a series of poor decisions cost them dearly."Decision-making," Kirsten emphasized. "Maybe not so great decision making. You have got the game on, run a ball, eight wickets in hand, decision making at that point. That's the game. That's international cricket for you. You make mistakes like that, you are going to pay."Mohammad Rizwan's dismissal, trying to slog the first ball of a new Jasprit Bumrah spell, proved pivotal. Bumrah, who won his second Player-of-the-Match award in two matches, commended the calmness shown by India's bowling unit despite the easing batting conditions."The biggest positive for us was the calmness because when we were batting in the morning, there was a lot more help," Bumrah said. "And when we started bowling, the skies cleared up and the ball stopped seaming and there wasn't a lot of lateral movement. So, we had to be more consistent and more accurate and we as a unit were very calm and very clear on what we wanted to do."Bumrah emphasized the importance of staying focused and avoiding emotional distractions. "I was trying to focus on what is the best option over here on a wicket like this," he said. "How do I make shot-making difficult? What are the best options for me? So that way, I try to stay in the present and focus on what I have to do."Kirsten acknowledged that Pakistan's chances of reaching the Super 8s now depend on other teams' results. However, he stressed the need for significant improvement in their performance."We had that game for 35 of the 40 overs," Kirsten said. "We played good cricket, we did everything we needed to."Kirsten admitted that he needs time to understand the players and get the best out of them. "Everyone's responsible," he said. "We accept the loss and we take the heat because the team has not done well. And we will do what we can to try and rectify it."

Sunil Gavaskar Slams Indian Batters for "Arrogant and Reckless" Display in T20 World Cup Loss to PakistanLegendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has launched a scathing attack on the Indian batting lineup after their dismal performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 match against Pakistan. India was bundled out for a paltry 119, losing their last seven wickets for just 30 runs.Gavaskar, speaking on Star Sports during the mid-innings show, expressed his disappointment with the Indian batters' approach. "The performance was disappointing. I think they were arrogant and reckless," he said. "There was an arrogance in the way they started as they were looking to hit every ball. This is not an Ireland attack. This is not an ordinary attack."Gavaskar criticized the Indian batters for failing to adapt to the match conditions. "There should have been just that little bit of respect given when the ball is moving quite a bit," he said. "And then, getting out with one over left tells you that you are probably not in the right kind of thinking."Pakistan's bowlers were relentless in their attack, with Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf taking three wickets each and Mohammad Amir claiming two. Rishabh Pant was the only Indian batter to offer any resistance, scoring 42 off 31 deliveries.Gavaskar's criticism is a reflection of the growing frustration among Indian fans with the team's recent performances. India has struggled to find consistency in the T20 format, and their batting has been particularly vulnerable.The loss to Pakistan has put India in a precarious position in the tournament. They will need to win their remaining matches convincingly to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals.

Legendary West Indian cricketer Chris Gayle has predicted India as the favorites ahead of their highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan on Sunday. India began their campaign with a victory over Ireland, while Pakistan suffered a setback in a Super Over defeat to co-hosts USA.Gayle acknowledged that Pakistan faces a significant challenge, stating, "Their backs are up against the wall, and coming off a loss like that straight into playing a team like India, who traditionally have the upper hand in these games, is a huge challenge."However, Gayle emphasized that underestimating the rivalry between the two nations would be a mistake. "India are in the driver's seat, definitely a more relaxed seat. But this is India versus Pakistan at a World Cup, so you can take nothing for granted," he added.Gayle believes Pakistan must regroup quickly to pose a threat to India. "As for Pakistan, they have no time to waste. They have to re-group for the biggest game of the tournament against India in New York City – that's just got even bigger," he said.Despite India's perceived advantage, Gayle believes the USA's victory over Pakistan is a positive development for cricket. "Like the rest of the cricketing world, I was gripped by the USA's victory over Pakistan. It is a huge result which is not only incredible for them but massive for cricket as a whole," he said."You always expect a few upsets at World Cups, and having started well by beating Canada, USA put Pakistan under the pump for pretty much the whole game. I think it marks the day the World Cup really started," he noted.Gayle highlighted the importance of this tournament for the West Indies, which failed to qualify for last year's 50-over World Cup in India. "Having not qualified for the last ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, this tournament is so important for cricket in the Caribbean," he said. "This is a huge thing for the players to step up and be counted."

India vs Pakistan: A Rivalry for the AgesThe upcoming T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan on Sunday promises to be an electrifying clash between two of cricket's fiercest rivals. India holds a commanding 6-1 record over Pakistan in T20 World Cup encounters, but the latter will be eager to level the playing field.The match will take place at the 34,000-capacity pop-up stadium in New York's Nassau County, where fans will witness a battle for supremacy. India, led by Rohit Sharma, enters the game as the favorite after an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Ireland. Pakistan, on the other hand, suffered a shocking defeat to the United States in a Super Over finish.Despite Pakistan's recent setback, experts and former players from both countries caution against underestimating their potential. The India-Pakistan rivalry is considered the greatest in cricket, surpassing even the Ashes. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has described it as a "war without weapons."The match will be a test of both teams' strengths and weaknesses. India boasts a formidable batting lineup led by Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav, while Pakistan relies on the explosive batting of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The bowling attacks of both teams will also play a crucial role, with India's Jasprit Bumrah and Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi expected to lead the charge.The match is scheduled to begin at 8 pm IST on June 9 (Sunday). It promises to be a thrilling encounter that will captivate cricket fans worldwide.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly planning to revive the Champions Trophy in 2023, with a 20-day window from February 19 to March 9 being proposed. The tournament, which features the top eight teams in the ICC's ODI rankings, was last held in 2017, with Pakistan emerging victorious.According to a report on Cricbuzz, the ICC has informed its member boards about the proposed dates. Pakistan is the official host of the tournament, but due to the Indian government's reluctance to allow its team to travel to Pakistan, the event may adopt a hybrid model similar to the recent Asia Cup, where India played all their matches in Sri Lanka.Pakistan has reportedly designated Lahore as the venue for all India matches to minimize travel time and facilitate fan attendance from the Wagah border near Amritsar. However, a final decision on the tournament's format and venues will depend on the Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The ICC's annual conference in Colombo in July is expected to provide clarity on the Indian government and BCCI's stance. If the Champions Trophy does take place in 2023, it will mark the return of a prestigious tournament that has been on hiatus for six years.

The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to take place on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. This high-stakes encounter is crucial for both teams as they aim to secure a spot in the knockout stages.India, having won their opening game against Ireland, are likely to field an unchanged playing XI. However, there are suggestions that Sanju Samson could replace Shivam Dube in the team, given his strong performance against pacers.Pakistan, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back after a loss in their first match. Their bowling attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, will be key to their success.In the head-to-head record, India holds a slight edge over Pakistan in T20 clashes, having won 8 out of 12 encounters. However, Pakistan's bowlers have been the top fantasy point earners for their side in these matches.Some of the key players to watch out for in this match include:* Shaheen Shah Afridi (PAK): A formidable left-arm fast bowler who can strike early and put pressure on the opposition.* Axar Patel (IND): A valuable all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.* Virat Kohli (IND): A top-order batter who provides stability and experience at the crease.* Babar Azam (PAK): Pakistan's captain and a top-order batter who has been in excellent form.* Jasprit Bumrah (IND): A right-arm fast bowler known for his lethal yorkers and pace.* Mohammad Rizwan (PAK): A top-order batter and wicketkeeper who has been consistent with the bat.This clash promises to be a thrilling contest between two cricketing giants, with both teams eager to claim bragging rights and crucial points in their World Cup campaign.

India's quest for an elusive ICC title continues as they embark on the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies. Led by Rohit Sharma, the Men in Blue are determined to break their title drought that has persisted since 2013.After a disappointing loss in the final of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, India is eager to make amends in the T20 format. They kicked off their campaign with a convincing victory over Ireland, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan.Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that team unity is paramount for India's success. "It's about 'we'," he emphasized. "If we play as a united team, thinking about collective success rather than individual achievements, then we can win."Rohit Sharma, at 36, is determined to secure an ICC trophy for India. The team's last T20 World Cup victory came in the inaugural edition in 2007, under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Since then, India has reached the final only once, finishing as runners-up in 2014.Harbhajan recalled the team's success in the 2007 tournament, highlighting the importance of collective decision-making. "Dhoni was a great listener, taking collective decisions that benefited the team," he said. "It was never about individual performances but about playing as 'we'."India's path to the title will not be easy, but they have the experience and talent to challenge for the trophy. With Rohit Sharma at the helm and a united team behind him, India will be hoping to end their ICC title drought and bring home the coveted T20 World Cup.