Cricket

India, buoyed by two emphatic victories, will aim to secure a semifinal berth in the 2024 Women's T20 Asia Cup when they face Nepal in their final Group A match on Tuesday.India's dominance has been evident in both batting and bowling. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have provided explosive starts, while Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh have anchored the middle order. Ghosh's blistering 64 off 29 balls against the UAE propelled India to their highest-ever T20I total of 200+.The bowling unit has been equally impressive, with Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, and Deepti Sharma leading the charge. Tanuja Kanwar, a replacement for injured Shreyanka Patil, has also impressed with her economical bowling.Nepal, despite their historic win over the UAE, faces an uphill task against India. The Himalayan nation will need a monumental effort to challenge the tournament favorites.

Bangladesh fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib has been fined 15% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct after an altercation with Nepal captain Rohit Paudel during the teams' meeting in Kingstown on June 16.The incident occurred just after the end of the third over of Nepal's innings, when Tanzim, after bowling a delivery, "walked towards Nepal batter Rohit Paudel in an aggressive manner and made inappropriate physical contact," according to an ICC release.There were a few words exchanged between the two players followed by plenty of hand gesturing, with the on-field umpire Sam Nogajski having to separate the two. The umpires were then also seen having a word with Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto after the incident.Tanzim was found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match".In addition, one demerit point was added to Tanzim's disciplinary record. This was his first offence in a 24-month period. When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and the player is banned. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.There was no need for a formal hearing as the 21-year-old Tanzim accepted the sanction which was proposed by match referee Richie Richardson. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Nogajski, along with third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal and fourth umpire Kumar Dharmasena.Meanwhile, Paudel had downplayed the incident after the game. "There's nothing between us. Just he came and he told me to hit. And I said, go and bowl. Nothing else," he said.Tanzim, with his spell of 4 for 7, broke Nepal's back in the game where they were chasing 106, but fell short by 21 runs. It was the lowest total any team had defended successfully at the T20 World Cup. Tanzim is currently the joint second-highest wicket-taker in this World Cup, with nine wickets in four games, while going at an economy of only 4.80 runs an over. Having progressed to the Super Eight at the World Cup, Bangladesh next play Australia on June 21.

Bangladesh's emphatic victory over Nepal in the T20 World Cup 2024 propelled them into the Super 8s. Despite a dismal batting performance, Bangladesh's bowlers turned the tide in their favor, securing a 21-run victory.Nepal's bowlers had initially restricted Bangladesh to a meager 106, with all their bowlers contributing equally. However, in the second innings, Bangladesh's bowlers dominated, dismissing Nepal for 85. Tanzim Hasan Sakib's career-best figures of 4 for 7, including 21 dot balls, led the charge. Shakib al Hasan (2/9) and Mustafzur Rahaman (3/7) also played crucial roles.Nepal's chase started promisingly, reaching 78 for 5. But Bangladesh's bowlers tightened their grip, taking the last five wickets for just seven runs. Nepal's skipper, Rohit Paudel, acknowledged their bowling prowess, stating, "Bangladesh bowled really well with the new ball. Losing 4 wickets in the powerplay put us under a lot of pressure."Despite their batting struggles, Bangladesh's bowling unit showcased their experience and determination. Paudel expressed confidence in his team's potential, saying, "We're up to the mark with our bowling and fielding. This team has great potential, we need to back each and every player, I feel we will do very well in the next World Cup."Bangladesh's victory highlights the importance of a strong bowling attack in T20 cricket. Their ability to restrict Nepal's batsmen, despite their own batting struggles, demonstrates their resilience and adaptability. As they enter the Super 8s, Bangladesh will be eager to continue their impressive bowling form and improve their batting performance to challenge the tournament's top teams.

DRS Controversy: Bangladesh's Jaker Ali Signals to Dressing Room Before ReviewIn a controversial incident reminiscent of Steve Smith's "brain fade" moment, Bangladesh's Jaker Ali has been accused of seeking guidance from the dressing room before requesting a review in the T20 World Cup match against Nepal.During the 14th over, Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane bowled a delivery that struck Tanzim Hasan Sakib on the pads. Sakib initially walked off but then opted for a review. However, a video emerged showing Ali signaling to the dressing room before the review was requested.This action raised eyebrows, as the DRS system explicitly states that only the non-striker can consult with the batsman on a review. Additionally, the allotted 15 seconds for a review had already passed when the umpire signaled for the third umpire's decision.The ball-tracker ultimately showed that the ball would have missed off-stump, and Sakib was adjudged not out. However, Nepal gained justice on the next ball when Lamichhane bowled Sakib with a wrong-un.The incident has sparked debate about the integrity of the DRS system and the potential for players to circumvent the rules. It also highlights the importance of umpires strictly enforcing the regulations to ensure fair play.Despite the controversy, Bangladesh went on to win the match by 21 runs and secure a spot in the Super Eights. However, the incident has left a sour taste in the mouths of some fans and raised questions about the ethics of seeking external assistance during a review.

Nepalese cricket sensation Sandeep Lamichhane has etched his name in the annals of T20I history by becoming the second-fastest bowler to reach the milestone of 100 wickets. During Nepal's T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh in St. Vincent, Lamichhane's two-wicket spell propelled him to this remarkable achievement.Prior to this match, Lamichhane had amassed 98 wickets in 53 T20I appearances, boasting an impressive average of 12.58 and an economical rate of 6.29. His latest feat places him just behind Afghanistan's Rashid Khan, who achieved the 100-wicket mark in one game fewer.Lamicchane's return to international cricket has been a triumphant one. After facing an eight-year prison sentence for a rape conviction, he was cleared and made his comeback in the match against South Africa last week. Despite not playing a competitive match since late last year, Lamichhane's rigorous training at Kathmandu's TU Ground has paid dividends.His arrival in the USA was initially delayed due to visa issues, but the ICC granted him a late addition to Nepal's World Cup squad. "We had tried hard to secure a US visa for Lamichhane, but it didn't work out," said CAN president Chatur Bahadur Chand. "We requested the ICC to allow him to be added to the World Cup squad as a late entry, and they have now approved his inclusion for the last two group stage matches."Lamicchane expressed his gratitude for the support he received in securing his visa and joining the squad. "I would like to thank the Government of Nepal, Foreign Ministry, Sports Ministry, National Sports Council, and Cricket Association of Nepal for their support," he said. "I am now joining the National team for the last two matches in the West Indies and look forward to fulfilling my dreams and the dream of all cricket lovers."In the match against Bangladesh, Nepal fell short by 21 runs, but Lamichhane's historic achievement overshadowed the result. His remarkable journey from facing adversity to reaching the pinnacle of T20I bowling is a testament to his resilience and determination.

Bangladesh's Tanzim Hasan Sakib emerged as the hero with a remarkable four-wicket haul, guiding his team to a crucial 21-run victory over Nepal in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. This triumph secured Bangladesh's place in the Super 8s, while eliminating the Netherlands from the tournament.Nepal's pursuit of 107 runs proved challenging, as they lost four wickets within the Powerplay, including the key dismissal of Sundeep Jora. Despite a valiant partnership between Kushal Malla and Dipendra Singh Airee, Nepal's hopes were dashed by Mustafizur Rahman's exceptional bowling in the 17th and 19th overs. Shakib Al Hasan's two wickets in two balls in the final overs sealed the victory for Bangladesh.Earlier, Nepal's bowlers, led by Sompal Kami and Rohit Paudel, exploited the favorable conditions to restrict Bangladesh to a modest 106. Kami's early dismissal of Tanzid Hasan set the tone for Bangladesh's batting struggles. Dipendra Singh and other bowlers continued to chip away at the wickets, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 31/4 after the Powerplay.Despite Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah's efforts to stabilize the innings, a misunderstanding led to Mahmudullah's runout. Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's last hope, fell to Paudel after scoring 17 runs. Sandeep Lamichhane claimed his 99th T20I wicket by dismissing Tanzim Hasan Sakib for 3. Bangladesh managed to reach 106 thanks to an 18-run last-wicket partnership between Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.

Nepal, buoyed by their stunning victory over South Africa, opted to bowl first against Bangladesh in a crucial ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier match at the Grenada National Stadium. The decision was based on the expectation of dew in the second innings and the favorable conditions for spinners at the venue.Bangladesh, seeking a win to secure a berth in the Super Eight stage, fielded an unchanged XI from their triumph against Netherlands. Nepal, on the other hand, made one alteration, bringing in batter Sundeep Jora for fast bowling allrounder Karan KC.Nepal captain Rohit Paudel explained their decision to bowl first, stating, "We want to give our bowlers the best conditions. We expect dew in the second innings, so we want to make the most of the first innings."Pitch expert Samuel Badree predicted variable bounce, similar to the Nepal-South Africa match, which could favor the spinners once again.A victory for Bangladesh would guarantee their progression to the Super Eight stage. However, if Nepal emerges victorious, Netherlands could potentially qualify if they defeat Sri Lanka in a concurrent match in Gros Islet.

Bangladesh stands on the brink of securing a spot in the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup 2024. A victory over Nepal will seal their qualification, while a loss could only jeopardize their chances if Netherlands defeats Sri Lanka by a significant margin.Bangladesh has emerged as the second-best team in Group D, despite concerns about their top-order batting. Their middle-order batters and bowlers have stepped up, with legspinner Rishad Hossain surprising with his seven wickets. The pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Hasan have provided a solid backbone.Nepal, on the other hand, is still reeling from their heartbreaking one-run loss to South Africa. They will be eager to end the tournament on a high note, but Bangladesh's recent form suggests they will face a tough challenge.Key battles will unfold between Bangladesh's middle-order and Nepal's spinners, particularly Sandeep Lamichhane. Bangladesh's fast bowlers will aim to exploit any inexperience among the Nepal batters.Tanzim Hasan and Aasif Sheikh are players to watch. Hasan has shown promise as an opener, while Sheikh impressed with his batting against South Africa.Bangladesh may consider adding left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam or offspin-bowling allrounder Mahedi Hasan to their lineup, given the spin-friendly conditions at Arnos Vale. Nepal could also opt for more bowling options with Lalit Rajbanshi and Sagar Dhakal.Mustafizur Rahman has the lowest economy rate among bowlers in the last four overs at this T20 World Cup, while Aasif Sheikh's 42 against South Africa is Nepal's highest score against a Full Member side.Bangladesh and Nepal have only faced off once before in a T20 World Cup match, in 2014. Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, and Sompal Kami are the only survivors from that encounter.

Nepal, led by skipper Rohit Paudel, opted to field first after winning the toss against South Africa in their crucial T20 World Cup 2024 Group D encounter in Kingstown. Paudel cited the anticipated dew factor as the reason for his decision, believing it would aid their batters in the chase. South African captain Aiden Markram revealed that they would have batted first regardless, giving their batsmen valuable time at the crease.South Africa made a single change to their lineup, bringing in Tabraiz Shamsi in place of Keshav Maharaj. Nepal, on the other hand, welcomed back Sandeep Lamichhane, who missed their previous match 10 days ago.The pitch at Kingstown offers a balance of challenges and opportunities. The square boundaries measure 61 and 67 meters, while the shortest boundary behind the batter is 58 meters. The wicket features some grass, which could assist spinners and seamers. However, runs have been scored on this pitch in the past, suggesting a par score of around 160.South Africa, having already secured qualification, will aim to maintain their perfect record in the group. Nepal, on the other hand, must win to keep their slim qualification hopes alive.