Cricket

Oman's skipper, Aqib Ilyas, expressed disappointment over his team's batting performance in their eight-wicket defeat to England in the T20 World Cup 2024 match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.Ilyas acknowledged that Oman's top order struggled to score runs throughout the tournament, particularly against bowlers bowling at speeds of 150 kph. "We couldn't do well with the bat. Top order couldn't score runs throughout the tournament. It was good exposure but there wasn't much we could do," he said.The Oman skipper also highlighted the pressure faced by his batters, who had not scored runs in their previous matches. "The batters were also under pressure having not got runs in the last few games. Unfortunately bad shot selection and they bowled in good areas. You can't blame the bowlers for anything, throughout the tournament they're the ones that did really well," he added.Recapping the match, England won the toss and elected to field first. Oman's openers, Pratik Athavale and Kashyap Prajapati, made a slow start, scoring only six runs before Athavale was dismissed by Jofra Archer. Shoaib Khan was the only standout batter for Oman, scoring 11 runs. The Three Lions bowlers ended Oman's inning in the 14th over, with Adil Rashid leading the attack with four wickets.In the chase, England's openers, Philip Salt and Jos Buttler, displayed a dominant performance, scoring 12 runs in the first over. Jonny Bairstow and Buttler remained unbeaten on the crease, helping England win the match in just four overs.Despite the loss, Ilyas praised his bowlers for their performance throughout the tournament. "Would have liked to finish on a great note," he said.

The India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 match in New York on Sunday was a thrilling encounter that saw India emerge victorious by a narrow margin of six runs. Despite Pakistan's top-order batters putting up a valiant fight, the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya proved decisive in the end.India's decision to bat first backfired as they were restricted to a modest total of 119/7 in 20 overs. However, their bowlers rose to the occasion, led by Bumrah's exceptional spell of 3/25. Pakistan's chase got off to a strong start, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan putting on a 50-run partnership.But the introduction of Pandya into the attack turned the tide in India's favor. The all-rounder dismissed both Azam and Rizwan in quick succession, and Pakistan's innings began to unravel. Despite a late surge from Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah, Pakistan fell short of the target, finishing on 113/7.The match was also notable for the presence of Virat Kohli's wife, Anushka Sharma, in the stands. A video that went viral on social media showed Sharma engaged in an animated conversation with someone during the match. The reason for her apparent anger is unknown.Meanwhile, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has downplayed concerns about Kohli's form after a string of low scores in the group stage. Gavaskar believes that Kohli is a proven match-winner and that he just needs to show patience and faith in himself.

Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, has vehemently denied any possibility of his team manipulating their net run rate to eliminate England from the T20 World Cup 2024. Cummins emphasized that such tactics would violate the Spirit of Cricket.Initially, Australia had the potential to defeat Scotland by a margin that could have eliminated England. However, England's emphatic victory over Oman significantly boosted their net run rate, rendering the scenario moot.Despite Josh Hazlewood's earlier comments suggesting that it would be in Australia's best interests to knock out England, Cummins dismissed them as non-serious. He reiterated that Australia's focus is always on playing to the best of their abilities, regardless of the potential impact on other teams."I think when you go out and play, you are trying your best every time," Cummins said. "Haven't really thought too deeply because it's never really popped up."Cummins acknowledged that net run rate is a factor in the tournament format, but he stressed that it does not alter Australia's approach to the game."It's something you kind of discuss as one of the quirks of the set-up, but in terms of does it change the way we play, absolutely not," he said.With no points or net run rate carried forward to the Super Eight stage, Australia is likely to rest some players against Scotland. Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, and Ashton Agar are potential candidates for inclusion.Mitchell Starc is expected to be available after recovering from calf soreness. Cummins himself was rested for the opening match against Oman.Cummins indicated that player rotation may occur during the group stage but not in the Super Eight stage, despite the demanding schedule."It's a bit of a luxury now in this first section of the tournament, but once we get to the Super Eights, don't think they'll be any resting," he said.

The Indian cricket team has made an impressive start to the T20 World Cup 2024, winning all three of their matches in the USA leg. However, two members of the traveling reserves, Shubman Gill and Avesh Khan, are set to return home after the USA leg ends on June 15.Gill and Khan were part of the traveling reserves in the side, which are sent for big events as it is not possible for the boards to send in reinforcements in case of injury. The other two traveling reserves, Rinku Singh and Khaleel Ahmed, will continue to stay with the Indian cricket team.Meanwhile, former India pacer Sreesanth expects to see a shift in the composition of the Indian bowling attack with the change of location. He believes that star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal should come into India's playing eleven once the 'Super 8s' stage of the ICC T20 World Cup begins in the Caribbean islands.India selected four spinners for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, but pace has been the major component of their assault in the first three games of the tournament. India captain Rohit Sharma used only three overs of spin against the United States on Wednesday in the Group A match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, as pace bowling proved most effective on the low-scoring New York pitch."Chahal could come in. Rahul [Rahul Dravid] Bhai knows what changes should be made in the West Indies that is why we have gone with four spinners. Even in the press conference, Rohit said that he doesn't want to reveal why they are taking four spinners. But there will be changes, especially in the spinning department. The way Axar is batting and bowling it wil be a big call for the team whom should they drop out. It will be a really difficult call," Sreesanth said.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign has been a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by both disappointment and heartwarming moments. After a shocking Super Over defeat to USA in their opener, Pakistan suffered another humiliating loss to arch-rivals India in a low-scoring thriller. However, they managed to keep their Super 8s hopes alive with a victory against Canada.Amidst the team's struggles, skipper Babar Azam's gesture of kindness towards a young fan has won hearts. After the victory against Canada, Babar revealed that he had met the same boy during the India match, where he was crying. This time, Babar gifted him his gloves, leaving the boy overjoyed."I met this kid during the India vs Pakistan match. After the anthem, he came to me and started crying. I got worried. I asked if anyone said anything to him. Then he said he is a fan," Babar told presenter Sanjana Ganesan."He did the same thing today (against Canada). He was standing in the line and crying. We all have experienced this. When you meet a star, the excitement is at a different level," he added.Babar explained that he was impressed by the boy's dedication and wanted to give him something memorable. "I thought if he is such a big fan then I should also have some responsibility to give him something as a gift. Something memorable. I had my gloves in my hands. I gave him that. He got very excited and started crying even more. I told him not to worry. Then, while crying, he requested me to sign it," said Babar.Pakistan's T20 World Cup journey will conclude with their last Group A match against Ireland on Sunday in Florida. Despite their setbacks, Babar Azam's gesture serves as a reminder that even in the midst of adversity, sportsmanship and kindness can prevail.

The T20 World Cup 2024 in Florida faces a potential weather disruption as a tropical disturbance brings heavy rainfall to the region. The first match at the Lauderhill venue, between Nepal and Sri Lanka, was washed out due to flooding. Three more fixtures—USA vs. Ireland, Canada vs. India, and Ireland vs. Pakistan—are scheduled over the next three days and could also be affected by the inclement weather.The US National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a "flood watch" for southern Florida through Friday evening. The matches are scheduled to begin at 10.30am local time, but heavy rain is forecast throughout the day.India has already secured a spot in the Super Eight after defeating USA on Wednesday. The remaining teams in Group A—USA, Canada, Ireland, and Pakistan—are vying for the other spot. All four teams still have a mathematical chance of qualifying.Pakistan, the 2022 T20 World Cup finalists, have won only one of their three games so far. They can advance to the next round if they defeat Ireland and USA loses to them. If either of these matches is washed out, USA, with two wins, will qualify. Canada (one win from three) and Ireland (no wins from two) are lower in the standings.The washout on June 11 also impacted Group D, leaving Sri Lanka and Nepal on the brink of elimination. A minimum of five overs is required to constitute a match, and there are no reserve days for the group-stage matches. The first semi-final and the final have reserve days, but the second semi-final does not, as there is only a day's gap between that match and the final.The weather conditions could significantly impact the outcome of Group A and potentially affect the tournament's overall trajectory.

Bangladesh and Netherlands Eye Super 8 Berth in T20 World Cup 2024 ClashBangladesh and Netherlands will lock horns in a crucial Group D encounter of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Thursday, June 13, at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent. Both teams will be desperate for a victory to enhance their chances of qualifying for the Super 8 stage.Bangladesh suffered a heartbreaking four-run defeat to South Africa in their tournament opener, while Netherlands also fell short by four wickets against the Proteas. With one win and one loss each, both sides will be eager to bounce back and secure a spot in the next round.Bangladesh will be led by experienced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who will be looking to guide his team to a positive result. The Tigers have a balanced squad with a mix of youth and experience, including the likes of Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Taskin Ahmed.Netherlands, on the other hand, will be captained by Pieter Seelaar. The Dutch team has shown glimpses of their potential in recent years and will be hoping to make a mark on the global stage. Their key players include Max O'Dowd, Colin Ackermann, and Fred Klaassen.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Bangladesh will be relying on their experienced batting lineup to post a competitive total, while Netherlands will look to their bowlers to restrict the Tigers and chase down the target.The match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network in India and streamed live on Disney plus Hotstar. The toss will take place at 7:30 PM IST, with the match scheduled to start at 8:00 PM IST.

Afghanistan vs Papua New Guinea: A Clash of Contrasts in TaroubaAfghanistan, riding high on their impressive start to the T20 World Cup 2024, face a stern test against Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. The Afghans have been in scintillating form, boasting a formidable opening partnership and a potent bowling attack.PNG, on the other hand, are yet to register a win in the tournament but have shown glimpses of their potential. Their medium-pacers and spinners will be eager to make an impact on the sluggish Tarouba pitch.Afghanistan's Strengths and WeaknessesAfghanistan's success has been largely attributed to their openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. The duo has forged a formidable partnership, amassing over 250 runs in the tournament so far. However, the middle order has not had enough opportunities to prove their worth.The bowling attack, led by Rashid Khan, is another key strength for Afghanistan. Khan's exceptional economy rate and wicket-taking ability make him a formidable threat. However, the team's reliance on spin could be a concern on a pitch that is expected to favor slower bowlers.PNG's Hopes and ChallengesPNG will be desperate to break their winless streak and boost their chances of reaching the Super Eight. Their bowling attack, led by Norman Vanua, has shown promise, but they will need to be more consistent.The team's batting has been inconsistent, with only Sese Bau and Tony Ura showing some form. They will need to find a way to put up a competitive total against Afghanistan's formidable bowling attack.Pitch and ConditionsThe Tarouba pitch is expected to be sluggish and favor spin bowling. The forecast for rain could make the pitch drier and aid more spin. The captain winning the toss is likely to bowl first to take advantage of the dew factor.ConclusionThe clash between Afghanistan and PNG promises to be an intriguing contest. Afghanistan will be the favorites, but PNG will be determined to prove their worth and upset the odds. The match could have a significant impact on both teams' hopes of reaching the Super Eight.

The United States is embracing cricket, a top American diplomat said Wednesday as the country hosted T-20 World Cup matches for the first time, including the highly anticipated India-Pakistan and India-US matches in New York.Richard Verma, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, expressed his enthusiasm at a reception hosted by the Department of State. "In cricket terms, I am truly bowled over. It is really a tremendous honor and privilege for the United States to be hosting the men's T20 World Cup for the very first time," he said.Verma acknowledged the growing popularity of cricket in the US, noting that the country is starting to embrace the sport. He highlighted the establishment of Major League Cricket and the increasing number of cricket leagues and players in the country.The reception, titled "From Bouncers to Boundaries: An Evening to Celebrate the Men's T20 World Cup and Cricket in the USA," was the largest dedicated event for cricket organized by the US government. Verma emphasized the global reach of cricket and the significance of the US hosting the World Cup."The 20 participating national teams highlight not only the skill of the world's best cricketers, but also the expansiveness of cricket's global reach," he said. "Having the US host the Cricket World Cup would have seemed unimaginable just 10 or 15 years ago."Sanjay Govil, owner of the Washington Freedom, a US Major League Cricket (MLC) team, spoke about the success of the national cricket team. "We beat Pakistan, we beat Canada, and we had a very close match against India today," he said.Geoff Allardice, CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC), praised the efforts of the US in promoting cricket. "We've been having the T20 World Cup in Dallas, New York, and Florida. It's been a difficult challenge to get particularly the temporary venue up in New York, but it's all been worth it," he said.Allardice believes that the World Cup will have a lasting impact on cricket in the US. "When we reflect on the matches there and the impact it's had on cricket in the USA and raising the awareness of cricket here, it'll be looked back on as a pivotal moment for the sport in this country," he said.India defeated the US by seven wickets to enter the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup in New York on Wednesday. The tournament has generated significant interest in the US, with major news outlets covering the matches and over 200,000 cricket players registered in the country.