Cricket

West Indies and New Zealand Battle for a Spot in the Women's T20 World Cup FinalIn a highly anticipated semi-final clash at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine called the shots and elected to bat first against the West Indies. Both teams are eager to secure a place in the final of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024.West Indies, the 2016 champions, are determined to make their second appearance in the final. New Zealand, on the other hand, is aiming to break their 14-year drought and reach the final for the first time since 2010.With the tournament favorites, Australia, eliminated in the previous semi-final, the remaining teams have a renewed sense of optimism. West Indies and New Zealand have a history of competitive matches, with the West Indies emerging victorious in their 2016 semi-final encounter.The match promises to be a thrilling contest between two evenly matched teams. West Indies boasts a formidable batting lineup led by Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor, while New Zealand relies on the explosive batting of Devine and Suzie Bates.On the bowling front, West Indies will look to Shakera Selman and Aaliyah Alleyne to restrict New Zealand's scoring. New Zealand, in turn, will count on the experience of Lea Tahuhu and the spin of Amelia Kerr.The winner of this semi-final will face either India or England in the final, scheduled for February 26th at the same venue.

New Zealand and West Indies Set for Thrilling Semi-Final Clash in Women's T20 World CupSharjah, United Arab Emirates - The stage is set for a captivating semi-final encounter between New Zealand and West Indies in the Women's T20 World Cup. Both teams have showcased impressive performances throughout the tournament, earning their place among the final four.New Zealand, led by skipper Sophie Devine, began their campaign with a resounding victory over India. Despite a setback against Australia, they bounced back with consecutive wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan to secure a semi-final berth for the first time since 2016.West Indies, captained by Hayley Matthews, faced an early setback but rallied with three consecutive victories. Their triumph over tournament favorites England in their final group-stage match propelled them into the semi-finals.The two teams have a history of competitive matches, with West Indies holding a slight edge with five wins in 23 T20Is. However, New Zealand has emerged victorious in the last two T20 World Cup semi-finals, in 2012 and 2016.Key Players to Watch:Deandra Dottin (West Indies): Known for her explosive batting, Dottin boasts the highest strike rate (167.30) and most sixes (6) in the tournament. Her quick-fire knocks have been instrumental in West Indies' success.Georgia Plimmer (New Zealand): The 20-year-old opener has made significant contributions at the top of the order for New Zealand. Her quick starts have set the tone for their chases, including a crucial 53 against Sri Lanka.Tournament Dynamics:The average first-innings total in Sharjah has been a modest 119, highlighting the importance of a strong start. Both New Zealand and West Indies possess the firepower to post competitive totals.West Indies will be without Stafanie Taylor, who missed the England game due to a knee injury. Her absence could impact their batting depth. New Zealand, on the other hand, brought in left-arm spinner Fran Jonas for Leigh Kasperek against Pakistan, adding variety to their bowling attack.Prediction:This semi-final promises to be a close and exciting contest. New Zealand's experience and recent form make them slight favorites. However, West Indies' explosive batting and their history of success against New Zealand cannot be overlooked.

The highly anticipated Women's T20 World Cup 2024 clash between England and West Indies is set to unfold, with both teams vying for a coveted semifinal spot.As the match commenced, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews won the toss and elected to bowl first. England openers Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Maia Bouchier took to the crease, determined to set the tone for their team. West Indies' Chinelle Henry opened the bowling, aiming to unsettle the English batters with her pace.The pitch analysis by Anjum Chopra and Lisa Sthalekar revealed a dry surface that could assist the pacers. The square boundaries were 53 and 63 meters, while the straight boundary stretched to 73 meters, requiring precise timing for successful clearances.England captain Heather Knight expressed her preference for bowling first, while Matthews emphasized West Indies' strength in chasing. Both teams made strategic changes to their playing XIs, with England bringing back Alice Capsey and West Indies adding Chedean Nation and Zaida James.The match promises to be an exciting battle between two formidable teams. Matthews and Dottin, who often face off in domestic cricket, are eager to outplay each other. England, with its recent momentum, aims to continue its winning streak, while West Indies seeks to prove its resilience after an early setback in the tournament.

India's head coach, Amol Muzumdar, expressed disappointment after their semi-final hopes were dashed by a nine-run loss to Australia. However, he praised his team's effort and urged them to learn from the experience.India's fielding was subpar, conceding "10-15 more" runs than necessary. They dropped three catches, missed a stumping, and a run-out opportunity. A crucial lbw call against Phoebe Litchfield also went in Australia's favor.Muzumdar acknowledged the importance of the Litchfield decision, saying it was "a crucial one." He also revealed that India's strategy during their chase was to keep the net run rate in check and take the game deeper.Despite the loss, Muzumdar emphasized that India's preparation had been thorough. They had two dedicated camps, one for fitness and fielding and another for skill development. He also praised captain Harmanpreet Kaur for her resilience, despite battling physical discomfort.Muzumdar expressed confidence in his team and their ability to bounce back. He said, "I couldn't have asked for more from my support staff and I couldn't have asked for more from the players. They gave their best in those camps. Preparation about this World Cup was thorough."India's build-up to the game had been smooth, with Pooja Vastrakar returning to the XI after recovering from a hamstring niggle. Muzumdar explained that Vastrakar's inclusion was a no-brainer, given her impressive record as one of the team's best bowlers.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan Clash in Women's Asia Cup 2024 Semi-FinalSri Lanka and Pakistan will lock horns in the second semi-final of the Women's Asia Cup 2024 on Friday in Dambulla. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams.Sri Lanka has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, remaining unbeaten in the group stage. They topped Group B with three wins and a tie, showcasing their consistency and resilience. Their batting lineup has been led by Chamari Athapaththu, who has scored two half-centuries, while the bowling attack has been spearheaded by Oshadi Ranasinghe, who has taken seven wickets.Pakistan, on the other hand, finished second in Group A with two wins and a loss. Their only defeat came against arch-rivals India, who they will face in the final if they can overcome Sri Lanka. Pakistan's batting has been anchored by Nida Dar, who has scored 102 runs in the tournament, while their bowling has been led by Fatima Sana, who has taken six wickets.The winner of this semi-final will face India in the summit clash on Sunday. India has been the dominant force in women's cricket in the region, having won the last six editions of the Asia Cup. However, both Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be determined to upset the favorites and claim the title.The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Sri Lanka will be looking to continue their unbeaten run, while Pakistan will be eager to avenge their loss to India. The outcome of the match will have a significant impact on the tournament and will set the stage for an exciting final.

Sri Lanka Opts to Bowl First in Women's Asia Cup Semi-Final Against PakistanIn a crucial semi-final clash of the Women's Asia Cup, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu elected to field first after winning the toss in Dambulla. Athapaththu expressed her team's intention to restrict Pakistan to a modest total of 140 or less.Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan fielded unchanged lineups for the high-stakes encounter. Pakistan skipper Nida Dar, on the other hand, preferred to bat first in a knockout match to alleviate pressure. She also stated that a score above 140 would provide a solid foundation for their defense.Sri Lanka, who have remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, and Pakistan have experienced contrasting fortunes in T20I cricket this year. Athapaththu's team has triumphed in 12 of their 15 matches, while Pakistan has managed only three victories in 11 outings, with two of those wins coming in the ongoing Asia Cup.The winner of this semi-final will advance to the final to face India, who have already secured their place.Sri Lanka Playing XI:1. Vishmi Gunaratne2. Chamari Athapaththu (c)3. Harshitha Samarawickrama4. Hasini Perera5. Anushka Sanjeewaniu (wk)6. Kavisha Dilhari7. Nilakshika Silva8. Inoshi Priyadharshani9. Udeshika Prabodhani10. Sugandika Kumari11. Achini KulasuriyaPakistan Playing XI:1. Gull Feroza2. Muneeba Ali (wk)3. Sidra Amin4. Nida Dar (c)5. Omaima Sohail6. Aliya Riaz7. Fatima Sana8. Tuba Hassan9. Sadia Iqbal10. Nashra Sandhu11. Syeda Aroob Shah

India vs Bangladesh: Women's Asia Cup Semifinal 1 Live ScoreIn the highly anticipated semifinal clash of the Women's Asia Cup, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and elected to bat first against India. The match is being played at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.India, the overwhelming favorites, have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, winning all three of their group matches convincingly. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has shown glimpses of their potential, but they will need to play at their best to upset the Indian juggernaut.Bangladesh's slow bowlers, led by Nahida Akhter and Rabeya Khan, will be key to their chances of success. Both bowlers have claimed five wickets apiece in the tournament so far and will look to put pressure on India's experienced batting lineup.India will be relying on their star-studded batting unit to deliver once again. Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Harmanpreet Kaur are all in good form and will be looking to make significant contributions.The start of the innings will be crucial for India, and Shafali Verma will be eager to give her team a solid foundation. The young opener has been in excellent touch throughout the tournament and will be looking to continue her impressive run.India will also need their bowlers to step up and deliver. The likes of Renuka Singh, Deepti Sharma, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad will be tasked with containing Bangladesh's batters and picking up regular wickets.The match promises to be an exciting contest between two teams with contrasting styles of play. India will be looking to impose their dominance and secure a place in the final, while Bangladesh will be aiming to pull off an upset and make history.

Shafali Verma Emphasizes All-Round Improvement for India Ahead of Asia Cup SemifinalIndian opener Shafali Verma has highlighted the need for her team to enhance their performance in all aspects of the game as they prepare for the women's Asia Cup semifinal clash against Bangladesh on Friday.Despite India's impressive run in the tournament so far, Verma believes there is room for improvement. "We are winning the matches and gelling well as a team, but the semifinal is very important for us," she said. "We are practicing very hard, and hopefully we will execute (plans) tomorrow."Verma, who has been the second-highest run-scorer in the competition with 158 runs from three appearances, emphasized the importance of the batting unit continuing to perform. "As a batting unit, we are backing our strength," she said. "Bowlers are also doing well at nets. But we need to keep improving ourselves."The 20-year-old also mentioned that the lower-order batters have been working hard in practice, despite not having had the opportunity to showcase their abilities in the tournament. "They haven't had much of a chance (to bat), but Deepti (Sharma), Pooja (Vastrakar), and all other lower batters are practicing well, and I am sure they are ready to hit a few sixes whenever their opportunity comes," she said.Verma stressed that the current title holders are particularly focused on improving their fielding. "We are working hard on our fielding," she said. "Hopefully, we will be able to tick the boxes in all three departments - batting, bowling, fielding - tomorrow against Bangladesh."

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team, led by Chamari Athapaththu, has opted to bat first in their crucial Asia Cup semi-final clash against Malaysia. The match holds immense significance for both teams, with Sri Lanka aiming to secure a spot in the final and Malaysia seeking their first win of the tournament.Sri Lanka has made significant changes to their lineup, introducing four new players to the XI that defeated Bangladesh in their previous match. Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani, and Achini Kulasuriya have been replaced by Ama Kanchana, Inoshi Priyadharshani, and Sachini Nisansala in the bowling department. Kawya Kavindi has also been included in the batting lineup, replacing Hasini Perera.Malaysia, on the other hand, has made a single change, handing a debut to 16-year-old Nur Izzatul Syafiqa in place of Jamahidiya Intan. The Malaysian team is under immense pressure to win this match after suffering a convincing defeat to Thailand in their opening fixture.The Sri Lankan team boasts a strong batting lineup, with Chamari Athapaththu, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Kavisha Dilhari being key players to watch. Their bowling attack, led by Ama Kanchana and Inoshi Priyadharshani, will be crucial in containing the Malaysian batters.Malaysia will rely heavily on their captain, Winifred Duraisingam, and wicket-keeper Wan Julia for runs. Their bowling attack, featuring Elsa Hunter and Mahirah Izzati Ismail, will need to step up and restrict the Sri Lankan batters.The match promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams eager to secure a place in the final. Sri Lanka will be the favorites, but Malaysia will be determined to cause an upset and make history.