Cricket

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh faced off in a crucial T20 World Cup match in Dallas, with Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto winning the toss and electing to bowl first. Sri Lanka, reeling from a heavy defeat to South Africa in their opener, needed a strong performance to revive their tournament hopes.Bangladesh's bowlers made an early impact, with Mustafizur Rahman dismissing Sri Lanka's top scorer Pathum Nissanka for 47. However, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva steadied the innings, forming an unbeaten partnership to guide Sri Lanka to a respectable total.Bangladesh's batting lineup struggled to match Sri Lanka's efforts. Opener Liton Das was dismissed cheaply, and the middle order failed to provide any substantial contributions. Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's star all-rounder, was dismissed for just 16 runs.Sri Lanka's bowlers, led by Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, maintained a tight grip on the Bangladesh batsmen. Theekshana claimed three wickets, while Hasaranga picked up two. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for a paltry 103 runs, handing Sri Lanka a comfortable victory.The win was a much-needed boost for Sri Lanka, who had been under pressure after their opening defeat. They will now face Afghanistan in their next match, while Bangladesh will take on South Africa.

Salman Butt Slams Haris Rauf's Performance in Pakistan's T20 World Cup Loss to USAFormer Pakistan captain Salman Butt has launched a scathing attack on fast bowler Haris Rauf following his underwhelming performance in Pakistan's T20 World Cup match against the USA. Rauf, entrusted with bowling the final over with the USA needing 15 runs to win, conceded a boundary on the last ball, leading to a dramatic finish.Butt, speaking on the 'Cricket Baithak' podcast, expressed his frustration with Rauf's lack of awareness and failure to bowl to the field. "It is not a surprise that he conceded so many runs because he is that kid who doesn't look at his field at all," Butt said. "Mid-off is inside the circle, and yet he bowls full and gets hit for a boundary on the last ball. You can see the captain also screamed at him. When you have mid-off up, then you don't bowl full balls. This is a basic of cricket."Rauf's erratic bowling drew further criticism from Butt, who questioned his professionalism and ability to learn from his mistakes. "He (Haris Rauf) has some weird style when he bowls a ball and just sits on his knees with his hand on his head," Butt continued. "It is as if he incurred a loss in shares or someone robbed him. I don't know what he tries to portray but that is so unprofessional. You never learn anything. They lacked common sense and game awareness."Butt's criticism comes as Pakistan prepares for a high-stakes clash against India on Sunday in New York. The former captain's comments highlight the pressure on Rauf and the Pakistan team to perform in the crucial match.

Canada's skipper, Saad Bin Zafar, acknowledged the slowing down of the pitch at the Nassau County ground during the second half of their T20 World Cup match against Ireland, which they ultimately won by 12 runs. Canada's victory marked their first in the tournament.Zafar attributed their success to the strategic inclusion of an extra spinner, praising the performances of both himself and Junaid Siddiqui. The pitch at this venue has been under scrutiny for its challenging batting conditions, with low-scoring games being the norm, especially with the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan scheduled for Sunday."The wicket got a bit slow today, so it worked to our advantage. We gambled with an extra spinner and I feel both myself and Junaid (Siddiqui) bowled really well," Zafar said at the post-match presentation.Zafar expressed hope that Canada will be able to carry the momentum into their next game against Pakistan. "One game at a time, we need to enjoy this win and come back strong against Pakistan. We are here to play positive cricket," Zafar said.Describing their win as a "proud moment," Zafar praised his side for a unified show. "(It's a) very proud moment for the team. The way Kirton and Movva batted, we knew we had a good total to defend. We needed a good performance from the bowling unit and I am so proud of my bowlers for putting their hand up and delivering," he said.Ireland skipper Paul Stirling, whose batting struggles continued with a meager score of nine, acknowledged that his team was not at their best and hoped for improvement in all aspects of the game. "(It was a) tough loss, we weren't at the races today. The target was gettable and we didn't think we'd struggle too much," he said."We were off in all three facets today, we need to show a better game when we go to Miami and Florida. We don't want to look too far into the future, we've got USA next," Stirling added.Nicholas Kirton, who played a match-winning knock of 49 off 35 balls, emphasized the importance of Canada bouncing back after their heavy defeat against the USA in the tournament opener. He found the pitch to be generally good for batting, with only a small area in the middle causing some inconsistency."Bouncing back from the first game was important. Trust me, it wasn't that easy. (I) just tried to get in, get the pace of the wicket. Honestly it wasn't that bad. There was an area in the middle of the wicket that was a bit up and down, but otherwise it was a good wicket to bat on," he said."It is very good to get our first win in the World Cup. Hopefully we can continue from strength to strength. Our next focus is Pakistan. Two spinners bowled very well (as there was a) bit of purchase on offer," he added.

Hardik Pandya's recent struggles have been well-documented. After a successful stint as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, his move to the Mumbai Indians for IPL 2024 was met with criticism from fans. The all-rounder, who had been lauded for his astute leadership, replaced fan favorite Rohit Sharma at the helm. Supporters expressed their displeasure by booing Hardik during matches.The noise surrounding his move undoubtedly affected Hardik's performance. He struggled with both bat and ball in the tournament, raising concerns about his form ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, much to the relief of Indian fans, Hardik delivered with the ball in the opening game against Ireland.The pitch at the Adelaide Oval aided his swing bowling, but Hardik also showcased his skill and accuracy. His first wicket came with a classic inswinger that foxed Lorcan Tucker. A hint of away swing next up proved too good for Curtis Campher. Mark Adair fell soon after, giving Hardik satisfying returns of three for 27.The early stage of Hardik's comeback was complete. The tough times in IPL 2024 forced him to introspect. "I'm very happy to start on a good note. Everything falls into place for people who work hard," Hardik told bcci.tv.India batting coach Vikram Rathour was pleased to have a fit-and-firing Hardik ready for duty. "Hardik looked really good. He's been bowling really well. He looks fit enough to go through four overs, and he's been bowling with pace and some accuracy," Rathour said.Hardik's performance in the opening game of the T20 World Cup is a positive sign for India. His ability to swing the ball and take wickets will be crucial to the team's success in the tournament. The all-rounder has shown that he can overcome adversity and deliver when it matters most.

Nassau County Prepares for High-Security ICC Men's T20 World Cup India-Pakistan ClashNassau County officials have implemented comprehensive security measures to ensure the safety of attendees at the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup India-Pakistan match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.In response to a vague terror threat circulating online, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman emphasized that "none of this is unanticipated." He stated that the county is prepared to "leave no stone unturned" to protect the public.Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder outlined the extensive security detail, which includes over 100 additional patrol officers, inter-departmental collaboration, and the involvement of federal agencies such as the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection."The scale and magnitude of the security for this India-Pakistan match will be more compared to when we hosted the USA President Barack Obama some years ago," Ryder said.The security measures include increased patrols in the vicinity of the stadium, coverage of houses of worship, small businesses, and malls, and the deployment of cameras throughout the stadium and its surrounding pathways.Ryder emphasized that the county has "the best of intelligence" and is "very confident" in its ability to keep everyone safe.Despite the heightened security, officials stressed that the event is expected to be a celebration of cricket and a showcase of the sport's growing popularity in the United States.

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu believes that India holds a significant advantage over Pakistan in their upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup clash on Sunday. Sidhu, who played 51 Tests and 136 ODIs for India, cited several factors that give India the edge.Firstly, Sidhu highlighted Pakistan's recent loss to the United States in a warm-up match. "Pakistan has lost to the USA. The mental scars will remain," he said. This defeat could have a psychological impact on the Pakistani team, especially considering that the USA is a relatively inexperienced side in international cricket.Secondly, Sidhu pointed out that Pakistan will have to adjust to the conditions at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, where the match will be played. "Pakistan has not played here yet. Adjusting to this track will not be easy," he said. The pitch at the stadium is known for its undulations, which can make it challenging for batters to score runs consistently.Thirdly, Sidhu believes that the Indian team has a better understanding of the conditions in the United States. "The Indian team has already played two matches here (including the warm-up game), but Pakistan is yet to play here," he said. This familiarity with the pitch and the surrounding environment could give India a slight advantage.However, Sidhu also acknowledged that Pakistan has the potential to upset India on their day. "On their day, Pakistan can beat the best in the world," he said. Pakistan has a talented squad with experienced players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi.Despite these factors, Sidhu remains confident that India will emerge victorious in the highly anticipated clash. "India holds the edge over Pakistan in this match," he said. "The Indian team is more experienced, has a better understanding of the conditions, and has a stronger mental state."

The highly anticipated clash between defending champions England and the formidable Australian team at the T20 World Cup promises to be a thrilling encounter. The match, a rematch of the 2010 World T20 final, carries significant historical weight and has the potential to shape the tournament's outcome.England, under the leadership of Jos Buttler, aims to become the first team to retain the trophy. However, they face pressure after a rain-affected draw against Scotland in their opener. A loss to Australia could jeopardize their Super 8 prospects.Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh, seeks to add to England's woes. They have a strong head-to-head record in T20s, having won six of the last seven completed encounters. Despite a batting wobble against Oman, the experience of David Warner and Marcus Stoinis proved crucial.The match will be played on a new surface at Kensington Oval, which has produced varying results for batting. The conditions may favor teams that adapt quickly to the pitch.Key players to watch include Glenn Maxwell, who has struggled for form recently, and Jos Buttler, who needs a strong performance to silence critics.Australia's probable XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (capt), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis/Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh HazlewoodEngland's probable XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (capt & wk), Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley/Mark WoodEngland holds a slight edge in the overall T20I head-to-head with Australia, but Australia has won the last two T20 World Cup encounters.

New Zealand vs Afghanistan: Preview, Pitch Report, Weather Conditions, and Fantasy PicksPreview:Afghanistan and New Zealand will face off in their first match of the tournament. Afghanistan has won their only match so far, while New Zealand is playing their first game. New Zealand has a 2-2 record in their last four games.Pitch Report and Weather Conditions:The average first-innings score at the Guyana National Stadium is 149 runs. The pitch is balanced, offering assistance to both batters and bowlers. The temperature is expected to be around 26 degrees Celsius, with high humidity and light rain forecasted.Head-to-Head:New Zealand has won the only match played between these two teams.Fantasy Picks:Top Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:* Finn Allen (NZ): Top-order batter with an average of 71 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Ibrahim Zadran (AFG): Consistent batter with an average of 63 fantasy points in the last 10 games.Other Top Picks:* Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG): Left-arm fast-medium bowler with an average of 60 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Timothy Southee (NZ): Right-arm medium-fast bowler with an average of 61 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Michael Bracewell (NZ): All-rounder with an average of 58 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* James Neesham (NZ): All-rounder with an average of 54 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Rashid Khan (AFG): Leg-break googly bowler with an average of 49 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG): All-rounder with an average of 43 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Mark Chapman (NZ): Left-handed batter with an average of 27 fantasy points in the last 10 games.Fantasy 11 Team:* Wicket-Keeper: Finn Allen* Batters: Ibrahim Zadran, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra* All-Rounders: Michael Bracewell, James Neesham, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat* Bowlers: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq, Mitchell Santner* Captain: Rachin Ravindra* Vice-Captain: Naveen ul HaqConclusion:The match between New Zealand and Afghanistan is expected to be a close contest. Both teams have strengths and weaknesses, and the weather conditions could play a factor. Fantasy players should consider the pitch conditions and weather forecast when making their selections.

South Africa vs Netherlands: Third Time's the Charm for the Proteas?The T20 World Cup stage is set for a tantalizing clash between South Africa and Netherlands, with the Dutch aiming to complete a remarkable hat-trick of victories over their formidable opponents. In their previous two World Cup encounters, Netherlands stunned South Africa, exposing their vulnerabilities in the chase.South Africa, however, is determined to turn the tables after their impressive opening performance against Sri Lanka. Their stable middle-order, featuring Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller, provides a solid foundation for their batting. Additionally, they have the advantage of experience, having played at Eisenhower Park and understanding the challenges of run-scoring on this surface.Netherlands, on the other hand, will rely on their conservative approach to batting, building their innings on singles and doubles. They will be wary of the uneven bounce of the surface and will need to devise strategies to counterattack South Africa's potent seam attack. Their bowlers, who were exemplary against Nepal, will look to exploit the conditions and keep the South African batters in check.In the spotlight for South Africa is Reeza Hendricks, who is eager to prove his worth as the first-choice opener. He will need to combine patience with aggression, while Vivian Kingma will be a key threat for Netherlands with his ability to swing the ball away from right-hand batters.South Africa may opt to retain their bowling combination from the Sri Lanka match, with Anrich Nortje in stunning form. Netherlands, meanwhile, may consider including an extra seamer, Kyle Klein, but risk shortening their batting line-up.The pitch conditions in New York could play a significant role, with a new surface set to be used for the first time. The inconsistent bounce observed on the previous pitches has been acknowledged by the ICC, and efforts are being made to improve the quality.Statistically, Netherlands have a 2-0 record against South Africa in World Cup matches, while Ottneil Baartman is the leading South African wicket-taker in T20s this year. Max O'Dowd boasts the highest career strike rate in the Dutch squad, but several South Africans have higher numbers.Heinrich Klaasen has emphasized the importance of South Africa avenging their previous defeats against Netherlands, acknowledging their ability to "squeeze" opponents with their relentless basics.