Cricket

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign got off to a disastrous start with a shock Super Over defeat to USA, leaving captain Babar Azam visibly shaken and disappointed. Azam admitted that his team had underestimated their opponents, leading to a lackluster performance across all aspects of the game.Azam's post-match comments reflected the collective disappointment and frustration within the Pakistani camp. He acknowledged that the team's complacency had cost them dearly in a crucial tournament opener. However, his public criticism of his players did not go well with former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik.Karthik believes that a skipper should find ways to support his players, even in the face of adversity. He argued that Azam's comments in the press conference would undoubtedly demoralize the players ahead of their high-octane encounter against arch-rivals India on Sunday."As a leader, you need to find a way to be diplomatic in press conferences, somehow find a way to back your players," Karthik told Cricbuzz. "Inside the four walls of the dressing room, you can say what you want and have a go at a few people, but you need to find a way to back your players."Karthik pointed out that Azam's comments in the press conference would undoubtedly demoralize the players ahead of their high-octane encounter against arch-rivals India on Sunday."I fear Pakistan players reading it, which they will be, will feel he's 'letting us down'," Karthik said. "The way he's conducted himself at the field, having a go after the boundaries or his shoulders dropping, isn't a sign of a good leader."Karthik believes that Azam needs to find a way to find body language to suggest he's fine with whatever's happening, and they can come around. "Yes, showing disappointment is fine, but there's a way to show it where the players don't get even more nervous than they already are," he said.

Canada vs Ireland: Maiden Win Ambitions Collide in T20 World Cup ClashIn a crucial Group A encounter at the T20 World Cup, Canada and Ireland will lock horns in New York, both seeking their first victory in the tournament.Ireland, who suffered an eight-wicket defeat to India in their opening match, will rely on their experienced batting trio of Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling, and Harry Tector to guide them to a much-needed win. Balbirnie, the captain, is known for his aggressive style, while Stirling and Tector are renowned for their consistency and ability to anchor the innings.Canada, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back from a seven-wicket loss to co-hosts USA. The Canadian team boasts a blend of youth and experience, with young guns like Navneet Dhaliwal and Dillon Heyliger looking to make an impact. Veteran all-rounder Nikhil Dutta will be crucial to their chances, providing stability with both bat and ball.The match promises to be a close contest, with both teams desperate for a win to keep their hopes of reaching the Super 12 stage alive. Ireland will be favored due to their superior experience and batting depth, but Canada has shown that they are capable of upsetting the odds.The match will be played at the Queens Sports Club in New York, starting at 10:00 AM local time (3:00 PM GMT).

Virat Kohli's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign got off to a disappointing start as the Indian batter was dismissed for a mere 1 off 5 balls in the team's opening match against Ireland. Kohli's dismissal raised concerns about his form and approach, particularly in light of his recent struggles with strike rate.Kohli's innings was characterized by an eagerness to hit big shots from the outset. However, his attempts to force the issue resulted in his downfall. He danced down the track to a Mark Adair delivery and attempted a lofted shot, only to edge the ball to third man.Former India player Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Kohli was feeling the pressure to maintain a high strike rate, a criticism that has plagued him in the past. Given that India were chasing a modest target of 97 runs, Manjrekar felt that Kohli could have taken a more measured approach."I am very surprised that he got out. He got out while trying to play a shot. Somewhere he was feeling the pressure of strike rate. In IPL he managed it. In this match, he didn't need to play a brisk knock. He would have played normally as in such pitches he would not get out if he plays normally as he has the class of Test cricket," said Manjrekar.Kohli's strike rate has been a subject of intense scrutiny in recent times, particularly during the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he silenced his critics with a career-best performance in the tournament, winning the Orange Cap with 741 runs at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.70.Despite his impressive IPL performance, Kohli's dismissal in the T20 World Cup opener has raised questions about his ability to adapt to different match situations. With India facing a tough challenge in the tournament, Kohli will need to find his form quickly and contribute significantly to the team's success.

The United States' stunning victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup has brought to light the remarkable stories of the team's players. These individuals have overcome challenges, pursued their dreams, and found a second chance at cricket in the land of opportunity.Monank Patel: The team's captain, Patel moved to the US in 2016 to pursue his cricketing career. He teaches cricket to children and runs coaching clinics when not playing for his country.Saurabh Netravalkar: A brilliant academic, Netravalkar faced some of England's best U-19 players in the 2010 World Cup. He holds an MS in computer science from Cornell University and works as a senior technologist at Oracle.Harmeet Singh: Once a promising talent, Singh lost his way but found redemption in the US. He has been a reliable player for the team, including in the recent series against Bangladesh.Nosthush Kenjige: Born in Alabama, Kenjige learned to spin at the age of 13. He moved to Bengaluru to pursue cricket but returned home to study bio-medical engineering. He eventually joined the USA's WCL Division 4 team.Milind Kumar: After a disappointing career in India, Kumar moved to the US and performed well in local competitions. He is an excellent fielder, as evidenced by his crucial catch in the Super Over against Pakistan.Nitish Kumar: At 16, Kumar became the youngest player to play a 50-over World Cup match for Canada. He hit the boundary off Haris Rauf's final delivery in the match against Pakistan.Jaspreet "Jessy" Singh: Born in New Jersey, Singh left everything to double his practice hours. He has become an essential member of the team's speed attack.These players represent the diversity and determination of the USA's T20 World Cup team. They have overcome obstacles, embraced new opportunities, and proven that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance.

Losing a World Cup Final is an excruciating experience, and for Indian captain Rohit Sharma, the heartbreak of the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final still lingers. In a recent interview with Adidas India, Rohit candidly shared his emotions and the aftermath of that fateful day."I was devastated," Rohit recalled. "I couldn't bear to stay there." After a remarkable run to the Final, where India had triumphed in every match, they succumbed to Australia in a crushing defeat.Rohit, who had been in exceptional form throughout the tournament, was particularly distraught. "I wanted it so badly," he said. "The frustration, disappointment, and anger consumed me."Before the Final, Rohit and his team were brimming with confidence. "We believed we were invincible," he said. "We had played so well, we thought we could steamroll through."The loss hit Rohit hard. "I couldn't believe it," he said. "It took days for it to sink in that we had lost the World Cup."Now, as captain of Team India in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rohit is determined to make amends. "This might be my last chance to lift a major ICC trophy," he said. "We're going all out for it."In their opening match against Ireland, Rohit once again led from the front, scoring a crucial 52 despite an injury scare. India now faces Pakistan in a highly anticipated clash on Sunday, June 9.Rohit's journey from the heartbreak of the 2023 World Cup Final to the pursuit of redemption in the 2024 T20 World Cup is a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination.

New Zealand will face a stern test in their T20 World Cup opener against a formidable Afghanistan side on June 8 in Guyana. The Black Caps find themselves in a challenging Group C alongside two-time champions West Indies and Afghanistan, who are brimming with IPL stars.Despite their recent rain-affected training sessions, New Zealand remains confident in their adaptability, a trait that has served them well in ICC events. Led by Kane Williamson, they boast a wealth of experience and youthful exuberance in the likes of Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra.On paper, New Zealand appears well-equipped with depth in batting and variety in bowling. Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Tim Southee form a formidable pace attack, while left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner has an impressive record in the Caribbean.Afghanistan, on the other hand, enter the tournament on the back of a morale-boosting victory over Uganda. Their opening duo of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provide a solid start, while pacers Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, and skipper Rashid Khan are known for their exceptional skills.However, Afghanistan's batting depth remains a concern, as none of the other batters managed to make a significant contribution against Uganda. Against a formidable Kiwi side, they will need to improve their consistency.In a separate Group D encounter, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will renew their rivalry in Dallas. Sri Lanka, who suffered a crushing defeat to South Africa in their opener, will be eager to bounce back. Their batters need to show better shot selection and match awareness, while the bowlers will look to exploit Bangladesh's recent struggles in the shortest format.Bangladesh, on the other hand, have had a disappointing year in T20Is, losing series to Sri Lanka and USA. They were also handed a comprehensive defeat by India in a warm-up game. Their hopes rest on the shoulders of Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, and Mustafizur Rahman.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign has hit a major roadblock after star pacer Haris Rauf was accused of ball tampering during their humiliating defeat against the United States. The allegation, made by former South African pacer Rusty Theron, has cast a dark shadow over Pakistan's hopes of salvaging their tournament.Theron, who is now a member of the USA national cricket team, took to social media to tag the International Cricket Council (ICC) and accuse Rauf of scratching the ball with his nails. He claimed that Rauf was attempting to reverse the ball and gain an unfair advantage over the American batters."Are we just going to pretend Pakistan aren't scratching the hell out of this freshly changed ball? Reversing the ball that's just been changed 2 overs ago? You can literally see Harris Rauf running his thumbnail over the ball at the top of his mark," Theron wrote on X (formerly Twitter).The accusation has not yet been officially lodged by the USA team, but it remains a serious allegation. If proven true, it could result in severe sanctions for Rauf and the Pakistan team.Pakistan's performance against the USA was dismal, with Rauf conceding 37 runs in four overs and taking only one wicket. Captain Babar Azam criticized his bowlers for failing to deliver, despite defending a mediocre total of 159."We are better than that in bowling, we were not able to take wickets in the first six overs. In the middle overs, your spinner is not taking wickets then pressure is on us. After 10 overs, we did come back but I think the way they finished game in the Super Over, the credit goes to the US team," Babar said in the post-match press conference.Pakistan's next match is against arch-rivals India, a crucial encounter that could determine their fate in the tournament. However, the ball-tampering allegation has cast a pall over their preparations and raised questions about the integrity of the team.

Defending champions England will face a stern test against arch-rivals Australia in a crucial Group B match of the T20 World Cup on June 8 in Bridgetown. England's opening game against Scotland was washed out, leaving them with a point. However, their bowling performance against the Scots raised concerns, as Scottish openers George Munsey and Michael Jones scored freely against all England bowlers.Australia, on the other hand, showcased their firepower in their tournament opener against Oman, with David Warner and Marcus Stoinis leading the charge. England's bowling attack will need to be at their best to contain the Australian batting lineup. Jofra Archer, who gave away 12 runs in two overs against Scotland, will be under the spotlight as he continues his comeback trail.England's batters, led by skipper Jos Buttler, will also need to fire against the Aussie attack. Buttler had a successful run in the IPL 2024, and his form will be crucial for England's chances. The Australian bowlers, even without Pat Cummins, were potent against Oman. Nathan Ellis played ahead of Cummins in that game, but Australia might bring back the premier pacer against a more formidable opponent.While Australia's batting looks settled, the misfiring Glenn Maxwell remains a concern. After a disappointing IPL campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Maxwell got out for a first-ball duck against Oman. The 2021 champions will be eager to see Maxwell return to his best, and a match against England offers him a perfect opportunity.In the other Group D match, South Africa will face a tricky opponent in Netherlands in New York on June 8. South Africa might have defeated Sri Lanka in their first match, but they have a fresh memory of their 38-run loss against the Dutch in last year's 50-over World Cup. The Aiden Markram-led side will be determined to avoid a repeat of that result.Anrich Nortje, who was a shadow of his intimidating self in the IPL, regained his rhythm against Sri Lanka, grabbing four wickets. Along with Kagiso Rabada, Nortje forms a strong combination upfront, and SA will require them in full flight against Netherlands, who started with a six-wicket win over Nepal.The Dutch side will be hoping for another clinical outing from their top players to bruise their fancied opponent once more. Max O'Dowd made a fifty in their win over Nepal, while leading pacers Tim Pringle and Logan van Beek took three wickets apiece. The Dutch side will be hoping for another clinical outing from their top players to bruise their fancied opponent once more.

Sri Lanka's cricket team has filed a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the treatment and conditions they have faced during the T20 World Cup in the United States.Sports Minister Harin Fernando alleged that other teams have received preferential treatment, citing a seven-hour flight delay experienced by the Sri Lankan squad at a Florida airport. He also claimed that upon arriving in New York, the team was accommodated over 90 minutes away from the practice stadium, while the Indian team was housed much closer."Sri Lanka Cricket has complained to the ICC," Fernando told parliament. "Different countries are being treated differently. We have called for an explanation from the organizers of the tournament."The Sri Lankan team's struggles have been compounded by poor practice facilities and subpar wickets, according to former captain Angelo Mathews. "The last four to five days have been very challenging for us," Mathews said. "We had to cancel practices because a flight was delayed. We are not going to use this as an excuse, but we want to put all this behind us and do well at the next match."Sri Lanka's parliament has expressed dismay over the alleged conditions, with opposition leader Sajith Premadasa stating, "We stand against this injustice, we should not allow this."The sports ministry has sent an officer to the United States to check on the team's welfare. Sri Lanka's next group match is against Bangladesh on Saturday.