Cricket

India's Women's T20 World Cup hopes now rest on Pakistan's ability to defeat New Zealand on Monday after a heartbreaking nine-run loss to defending champions Australia on Sunday.Australia secured their semi-final berth by topping Group A with an unblemished record of four wins. India, with four points from two wins and two losses, must rely on Pakistan's victory to keep their semi-final chances alive. A New Zealand win, however, would eliminate India."It's something which is not in our control," admitted India captain Harmanpreet Kaur. "If we get the opportunity to play another game, that will be great. But otherwise, whoever deserves to be there, that team will be there."Australia, despite missing skipper Alyssa Healy due to a foot injury, became the first team to guarantee a semi-final spot. Tahlia McGrath led the team in Healy's absence, while Grace Harris top-scored with 40 and McGrath contributed 32. Australia posted 151-8 after electing to bat first.India's response was valiant, with Kaur hitting an unbeaten 54 and Deepti Sharma contributing 29. However, Australia's Annabel Sutherland restricted India to just four runs in the final over, sealing the victory.Meanwhile, Pakistan stand-in captain Muneeba Ali expressed optimism about her team's chances of reaching the semi-finals. "We know that the pool is still open. We have a chance to win tomorrow's match and if we win by a good margin, we have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals," said Muneeba.In Group B, England crushed Scotland by 10 wickets, with openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge putting on an unbeaten century partnership. England's disciplined bowling attack, led by Sophie Ecclestone's 2-13, restricted Scotland to 109-6.England's victory propelled them to the top of Group B, ahead of South Africa and the West Indies. England will face the West Indies on Tuesday, with the Caribbean side needing a win to stay in contention for the semi-finals."Just try and win, exactly the same way we have approached (the tournament so far)," said England captain Heather Knight. "You want to keep winning, keep that momentum and we want to go again, get some momentum and make it to the semis."

Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins will lead the team in the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan, while Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head will miss the three-match contest due to paternity leave. Cummins will prepare for the Test summer by gaining match experience in the 50-over format.The 14-man squad announced on Monday includes Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, but the bowling attack is likely to be rotated as both bowlers aim to play at least one Sheffield Shield match before the ODIs. Marcus Stoinis returns to the ODI side after a hiatus since the 2023 World Cup, while Josh Inglis is the sole wicketkeeper in the squad.The absence of Head and Marsh opens up opportunities for new opening combinations, with Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk likely to partner throughout the series. Cooper Connolly, who made his ODI debut in England, is the only player named in both the ODI and Australia A squads.Australia's ODI series against Pakistan will serve as preparation for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next February. The team will aim to build on their successful ODI campaign in the UK, where they overcame illness and injury challenges.

India's hopes of reaching the Women's T20 World Cup semifinals suffered a setback after a narrow nine-run defeat to Australia in their final Group A match. Chasing a target of 152, India fell short, finishing at 142 for 9, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur leading the way with an unbeaten 54 off 47 balls. Deepti Sharma contributed 29, while Shafali Verma added 20.Despite the loss, India remain in second place on the points table with two wins and two losses, but their net run rate has dropped to 0.322. Australia, on the other hand, became the first team from the group to advance to the last four with an unbeaten run, registering four wins in as many games.India's fate now hinges on Monday's match between Pakistan and New Zealand. A win for Pakistan would pave the way for India to reach the semifinals. New Zealand, currently in third place with four points, will secure the last semifinal spot if they win against Pakistan.If Pakistan triumphs, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan will all be tied with four points each. In this scenario, India will advance to the semifinals due to their superior net run rate (NRR). However, with a NRR of -0.488, Pakistan would need an extraordinary win to qualify for the semifinals alongside Australia from Group A.India's performance against Australia was a mixed bag. The bowlers restricted the defending champions to a manageable total, with Renuka Singh taking three wickets and Deepti Sharma claiming two. However, the batters struggled to build partnerships, with only Harmanpreet Kaur managing to score a half-century.India will now have to rely on Pakistan to beat New Zealand in order to keep their semifinal hopes alive. If Pakistan wins, India will need to improve their net run rate in their final match against Ireland on Tuesday.

New Zealand's fate in the Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals hangs in the balance once again, as they face a net run-rate scenario similar to their heartbreaks in 2014 and 2023. However, captain Sophie Devine remains unfazed, emphasizing their focus on controlling their own destiny.The outcome of India's match against Australia will determine the margin of victory New Zealand needs against Pakistan to qualify. Devine believes this situation is advantageous, as they can assess the situation before their final game.Despite the potential pressure, Devine is confident in her team's ability to adapt and execute. She acknowledges the threat posed by Pakistan, who recently defeated New Zealand in a T20I series. However, she stresses the importance of focusing on their own performance and not being distracted by external factors.New Zealand's tournament has been a rollercoaster, with a win against India followed by a loss to Australia. Against Sri Lanka, they overcame a challenging start to restrict their opponents to a manageable total and chase it down comfortably.Devine attributes their resilience to their ability to remain calm and level-headed amidst the ups and downs. She believes this approach will be crucial in their upcoming match against Pakistan, where they must balance the need to win with the potential emotional impact of Fatima Sana's return to the team after her father's funeral.

Defending champions Australia continued their dominance at the Women's T20 World Cup, crushing Pakistan by nine wickets in Dubai on Friday. The victory marked Australia's third consecutive win and secured their spot in the semi-finals.Pakistan's batting faltered against Australia's formidable bowling attack, with the team dismissed for a mere 82 runs. Australia's bowlers, led by Megan Schutt and Jess Jonassen, shared the wickets, restricting Pakistan to a low total.In response, Australia's batters made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 11 overs. Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney led the charge with unbeaten half-centuries, guiding their team to a comfortable victory.The win has significant implications for the tournament standings. Australia's impressive net run rate (NRR) of +2.786 has virtually guaranteed their semi-final berth. Pakistan's heavy defeat has pushed them to fourth place in Group A, while New Zealand has moved up to third.India, who are currently second in the group with four points, will now face Australia in their final league match. A win for India would secure their place in the semi-finals, while a loss would leave them vulnerable to New Zealand's challenge.New Zealand, with two matches remaining, needs to win both games and improve their NRR to overtake India. However, India's superior NRR of +0.576 gives them an advantage in the race for the second semi-final spot.In a complex scenario, if India loses to Australia and New Zealand wins both their remaining matches, the team with the better NRR will advance. If both teams finish with the same number of points, the NRR will determine the semi-finalist.Sri Lanka, who have already been eliminated from the tournament, could still play a role in India's qualification. If they defeat New Zealand in their final game, it would boost India's chances of reaching the semi-finals.

Tayla Vlaeminck's Injury Woes Continue as She Dislocates Shoulder in T20 World Cup OpenerAustralian fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck's injury nightmare has struck again, with the 25-year-old dislocating her bowling shoulder just moments into her team's T20 World Cup match against Pakistan.The incident occurred on the fourth ball of the match in Dubai on Friday, as Vlaeminck attempted to stop a boundary off Muneeba Ali's edge. Running back from short third, Vlaeminck slid but her knee got stuck in the turf, causing her to dislocate her shoulder as she reached for the ball.Vlaeminck was visibly distressed as she lay on the boundary's edge, clutching her shoulder and crying out in pain. Captain Alyssa Healy looked visibly concerned as Australia's team medical staff rushed to her aid.Vlaeminck's shoulder was later relocated, but the extent of the injury will be known following further assessment in the coming days. The injury is a major blow to Australia, who were relying on Vlaeminck's pace and experience in the tournament.It is the latest in a long line of injuries for Vlaeminck, who is playing her first World Cup match since 2018. She has previously dislocated her left shoulder twice, undergone two ACL reconstructions, and suffered stress fractures in her foot.Vlaeminck's foot injuries led her to spend time training with professional dancers at the Australian Ballet as part of her rehab work. Despite her setbacks, Vlaeminck has remained determined to return to the top of her game.The injury to Vlaeminck is a reminder of the physical toll that cricket can take on players. It is also a testament to Vlaeminck's resilience and determination that she continues to fight back from adversity.

England's historic Test victory over Pakistan in Rawalpindi marked a significant milestone in the annals of cricket. The hosts, despite posting a formidable 579 runs in their first innings, succumbed to an innings and 47-run defeat, becoming the first Test-playing nation to suffer such a fate after scoring over 500 runs in the opening innings.Pakistan's batting woes continued on the final day as they were bowled out for 220 within the first session. Salman Ali Agha (63) and Aamer Jamal (55 not out) provided some resistance with their fighting half-centuries, but it was not enough to prevent England from securing a memorable triumph.Left-arm spinner Jack Leach played a pivotal role in England's victory, claiming all three wickets on the final morning to finish with figures of 4/30. Fast bowlers Gus Atkinson and debutant Brydon Carse had earlier dismantled Pakistan's top order on Day 4.The result extended Pakistan's dismal run in Test cricket under captain Shan Masood, who has now overseen six consecutive defeats. It was also Pakistan's seventh loss at home in 11 Test matches.Pakistan's last Test victory came in July 2023, when they defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs in Colombo. Since then, they have played six Test matches and lost all.The defeat in Rawalpindi also marked Pakistan's seventh consecutive Test loss at home, a streak that dates back to February 2021. Their last home victory came against South Africa in Rawalpindi, a staggering 1342 days ago.England's victory, on the other hand, was a testament to their resilience and determination. They had been outplayed by Pakistan in the first innings, but they fought back admirably to secure a famous win.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup is reaching its climax, and India's semi-final hopes hinge on the outcomes of the remaining Group A matches. With Australia and India tied on four points, the fate of both teams is intertwined.Australia's match against Pakistan on Friday will significantly impact India's chances. If Australia wins, they will move to six points and virtually secure a semi-final berth. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be eliminated from contention, as a win against New Zealand in their final group match would only take them to four points.In this scenario, India would need to compete with New Zealand for the remaining semi-final spot. New Zealand has two matches remaining, against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. If they win both, they would also reach six points. India must win their final match against Australia to reach six points and force a three-way tie. The semi-finalists would then be determined by net run rate (NRR).However, if Pakistan upsets Australia, the group will become even more competitive, with Pakistan, Australia, and India all tied at four points. If New Zealand defeats Sri Lanka on Saturday, all four teams would be tied on four points, making it a four-way race.In this scenario, India's match against Australia becomes a must-win, as the winners of the final group matches - India vs Australia on Sunday and Pakistan vs New Zealand on Monday - would advance to the semi-finals.Regardless of the outcome of the other matches, India must beat Australia in their final group match to remain in contention for a semi-final spot. Defeat against the defending champions would leave India's fate entirely dependent on other results, a scenario they would surely like to avoid.

Pakistan's hopes of salvaging the Multan Test against England dwindled further as the visitors piled on a mammoth 823/7d in their first innings, leaving the hosts with a daunting task to avoid a crushing defeat.Despite posting a formidable 556 in their first innings, Pakistan's bowlers were unable to contain the English onslaught, with Harry Brook and Joe Root amassing a record-breaking 454-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Brook (317) and Root (262) both registered career-best scores on a flat Multan pitch, feasting on the Pakistani bowling attack.The Pakistan bowlers endured a torrid time, with six of them conceding over 100 runs in an innings for the first time in 20 years and only the second time in Test cricket history. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Aamer Jamal, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ali, and Salman Ali Agha joined an infamous group of bowlers who conceded centuries in an innings.England resumed Day 4 on 492-3 and continued their relentless scoring, adding 166 runs in 29 overs in the first session. Root and Brook remained unyielding, despite Pakistan's defensive leg-side bowling.Root's previous best of 254 was also against Pakistan in Manchester in 2016. Brook, in his maiden Test double hundred, displayed equal dominance, hitting 20 boundaries and a six off just 245 balls. His previous best was 186, scored against New Zealand at Wellington last year.Pakistan's only glimmer of hope came in the first hour when Root, on 186, failed to keep down a pull shot off Shah. However, Babar Azam dropped a regulation chance at mid-wicket, allowing Root to continue his onslaught.Root eventually completed his sixth Test double-century, which came in 517 minutes off 305 balls. Pakistan were without frontline spinner Abrar Ahmed, who suffered a fever and did not take the field on Thursday.With England's massive lead, Pakistan face an uphill battle to avoid a heavy defeat in the Multan Test.