Cricket

Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, opted to field first in their final T20 World Cup match against Ireland in Lauderhill, Florida. The match marked the only T20 World Cup game to be played in Florida during this tournament.Pakistan made one change to their lineup, bringing in fast bowler Abbas Afridi for Naseem Shah. Ireland also made a single substitution, with Ben White replacing Craig Young.Both teams' hopes of advancing to the Super Eight stage were dashed after the washout between USA and Ireland confirmed the hosts' qualification. Pakistan had only one victory, against Canada, while Ireland remained winless after losses to India and Canada.Pakistan's batting lineup featured Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Amir.Ireland's batting order included Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little, and Ben White.The match commenced with Ireland batting first, aiming to post a competitive total against Pakistan's formidable bowling attack. Pakistan, on the other hand, sought to restrict Ireland's scoring and secure a victory to end their tournament on a positive note.

Canada vs India: Rain Threat Looms Over T20 World Cup ClashCanada and India are set to face off in a crucial T20 World Cup match on Saturday, June 15, in Lauderhill, Florida. However, the fixture is under threat due to a high probability of rain.India, who have won all three of their group games, are aiming to maintain their perfect record and secure a spot in the Super 8 stage. Canada, on the other hand, have been eliminated after losing their first three matches.Despite their elimination, Canada have shown resilience and competitiveness throughout the tournament. They scored an impressive 194 runs against USA in their opening game and secured a comfortable victory against Ireland.India, meanwhile, have been in dominant form. They have played the same XI in all three group games, but with qualification secure, they may consider resting some key players and giving opportunities to others.One player who could be in line for a start is Kuldeep Yadav. The wrist-spinner has not yet featured in the tournament, but his skills could be valuable in the Super 8 stage.Another player to watch is Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder has been a key contributor with the ball, taking seven wickets in three games. He has also been economical, with an economy rate of 5.41.The match will be played at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida. The venue has hosted eight T20Is, with India playing the most matches (eight). Rohit Sharma is the top-scorer at the venue, with 196 runs in five innings.The weather forecast for Saturday is not promising, with scattered thunderstorms predicted throughout the day. If the match is washed out, it will be a disappointing end to Canada's T20 World Cup campaign.

Nepal vs Sri Lanka: A Clash of Contrasting FortunesIn the heart of Lauderhill, Florida, Nepal and Sri Lanka will face off in a crucial T20 World Cup 2024 encounter. While Sri Lanka desperately seeks a lifeline to the Super 8s, Nepal aims to create history against a formidable opponent.Sri Lanka's Redemption QuestAfter two consecutive defeats, Sri Lanka's hopes of qualifying for the next round hang precariously. Only outright victories against Nepal and Netherlands will suffice, coupled with favorable results from other matches. The drop-in pitches in Lauderhill, with their more seasoned surfaces, offer a glimmer of hope for Sri Lanka's struggling batters.Nepal's Historic OpportunityNepal, despite being placed in a challenging group, has never faced Sri Lanka before. Their bowling attack, led by the experienced Karan KC, poses a threat to Sri Lanka's top order. With Sri Lanka's batting woes well-documented, Nepal senses an opportunity for an upset.Key Players in the SpotlightKaran KC, Nepal's second-highest T20I wicket-taker, will be crucial in containing Sri Lanka's batters. Nuwan Thushara, Sri Lanka's slingy pacer, has been a force in the powerplay, and Nepal's batters must be wary of his deceptive swing and trajectory.Team News and Pitch ConditionsNepal is likely to stick with its seam-heavy combination, while Sri Lanka may consider bringing in a third frontline seamer. The pitch in Lauderhill is expected to favor batters, but rain could disrupt the match.Stats and Trivia* Nuwan Thushara has the best strike rate (9.4 deliveries per wicket) among Full Member bowlers with at least 10 T20I wickets since January 2023.* Eleven of the 15 completed matches in Lauderhill have been won by the side batting first.* The average score in Lauderhill is 160, with the average first innings score being 168.Quotes"We are very well prepared for tomorrow's game," said Nepal captain Rohit Paudel."The morale is there, the spirit is there," said Sri Lanka fast bowling coach Aqib Javed.