Cricket

Liam Livingstone, England's explosive all-rounder, has revealed his struggles with a persistent knee injury that has plagued him for the past 18 months. The pain had significantly impacted his enjoyment of the game, leaving him in a "pretty crap place." However, thanks to an anti-inflammatory injection, Livingstone played "pain-free" during England's recent T20I series against Pakistan.Livingstone's injury woes began in 2022 when he rushed back from an ankle injury to represent England at the T20 World Cup. Shortly after, he injured his right knee while fielding on his Test debut in Pakistan. Since then, he has battled with both form and fitness.Despite his struggles, Livingstone played in the 50-over World Cup in India and the early stages of this year's IPL. However, his performances were underwhelming, prompting him to return home early from the IPL to address his knee issue.The injection has provided much-needed relief for Livingstone, who described the pain as "something underneath my kneecap that keeps catching" on the bone. He expressed his gratitude for the medical intervention, saying, "Just being able to play cricket pain-free for the first time in two years is the exciting part for me."Livingstone's role in England's T20 team is as a designated finisher, but he has faced limited opportunities in recent series. He acknowledged the challenges of his position, stating, "You've got to manage your expectations and realize that actually, when the time comes, I'm going to get an opportunity - at some time, at some point - to win a game of cricket for England."Despite his limited batting opportunities, Livingstone believes he can make a significant contribution to England's World Cup campaign in the Caribbean. He highlighted his value as a spin bowler, saying, "I love coming back to play for England because Jos [Buttler] and Motty [Matthew Mott] really trust my bowling, which not many people do in different competitions."Livingstone's return to form and fitness is a boost for England as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. His all-round abilities and positive mindset will be crucial to their success in the tournament.

India-Pakistan Clash at T20 World Cup: Pressure Mounts on PlayersThe highly anticipated T20 World Cup is set to commence on June 1, and one of the most eagerly awaited matches is the high-voltage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Former India pacer RP Singh believes that the pressure on the players during this encounter will be immense.India's World Cup preparations have been bolstered by their participation in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Pakistan, on the other hand, has played bilateral T20I series against New Zealand, Ireland, and England, with mixed results.Despite Pakistan's recent struggles, Singh emphasizes that the World Cup is a different ball game. "Things change during the World Cup," he said. "The match is always high-voltage, so there is a lot of pressure on the players."The intensity of the India-Pakistan rivalry was evident in their last World Cup encounter in 2022. With India needing 28 runs off 8 deliveries, Virat Kohli delivered a towering six over Haris Rauf's head, followed by another maximum on the next ball. Kohli's heroics laid the foundation for India's successful chase of 160.Before the epic clash, India will face Ireland in their tournament opener on June 5, while Pakistan will meet the USA on June 6. Fans can expect another nail-biting encounter between the two Asian giants.

Virat Kohli, India's talismanic batsman, has joined his team in New York for the upcoming T20 World Cup. His arrival comes five days after the rest of the Indian squad landed in the city.Kohli's participation in the warm-up match against Bangladesh on Saturday remains uncertain. The BCCI has confirmed his arrival, but he is expected to rest after a long flight. His involvement in the practice match will depend on his personal inclination and readiness.Despite missing three training sessions, the team management is not concerned about Kohli's preparation. They trust his experience and ability to prepare himself adequately for the tournament. Kohli has an impressive tally of 741 runs in 15 IPL matches, indicating that he needs minimal additional match practice.Kohli's arrival completes the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. The team has been arriving in batches, with the first group landing on May 25 and the second contingent reaching on May 28.The Indian team management has a history of granting special considerations to Kohli. He was allowed a break before the South Africa Test series and opted out of the entire Test series against England at home to be present for the birth of his second child.Kohli's presence in the Indian team is crucial for their success in the T20 World Cup. He is one of the most experienced and successful batsmen in the world, and his leadership and batting prowess will be vital for India's chances of winning the tournament.

India's T20 World Cup Squad: Youth vs. ExperienceFormer Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has sparked a debate over the selection of India's T20 World Cup squad, suggesting that a younger team might have been more advantageous. Manjrekar advocates for injecting youthful talent like Yashaswi Jaiswal into the mix, rather than solely relying on experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.Despite the absence of Sharma and Kohli from many T20 matches last year, selectors have chosen to reinstate them, presumably banking on their experience. Manjrekar notes that the default opening pair now appears to be Sharma and Kohli, whereas he would have preferred exploring alternatives, such as incorporating the promising Jaiswal."Ideally, I would not have gone that way; I would have stuck with a slightly more younger kind of, core set of players but the selectors have committed themselves to the icons, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar doubts that Jaiswal would secure a spot in the Indian XI, expressing disappointment that the selectors have opted for a more conservative approach. He believes that a younger team would have brought more flair and unpredictability to the tournament."Unfortunately, Jaiswal will have to sit out. I would have gone completely with a new lot (and) then he would have had a lot more flair and it would be something different," he said.Manjrekar also rejected the idea that Mohammed Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi would present a significant threat to the Indian batters in the upcoming clash between the two arch-rivals on June 9th. He believes that Amir has not played at the international level for too long and that Afridi is not the same bowler he was two years ago."Mohammed Amir played his last international T20 seven years back. We have no idea what his form is like today. Shaheen Afridi is not the same bowler that he was two years ago.""India have handled him really well, if you remember the Asia Cup, even in the 50-overs World Cup we had a one-sided match. I do not see Pakistan as a major threat to India, plus the names (of) Mohammed Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi. I do not think this is a problem for India," he added.Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan labeled left-arm spinner Imad Wasim as a potential threat. He believes that Wasim's ability to bowl stumps to stumps with the new ball could pose a challenge to the Indian batters.Manjrekar expressed confidence in Hardik Pandya's ability to excel as a finisher, citing his performance in the last T20 World Cup. He believes that Pandya's ability to score quickly and under pressure makes him a valuable asset to the team."My vote will always go to Hardik Pandya. I know he had a pretty quiet IPL, but go back to the last T20 World Cup that India played, the last match, semis against England at Adelaide.""Hardik Pandya got 60 off 30 balls at a strike rate of 190 after India had got 62 in their first 10 overs."Pathan mentioned that both Pandya and Shivam Dube would fulfill distinct roles in the competition. He believes that Pandya will have a set role to finish the game, while Dube will play as a floater and provide support against the spinners.Manjrekar highlighted India's cautious approach in the first round of the tournament, drawing parallels to their early exit in the 2007 50-overs World Cup in the Caribbean. He believes that India will feel the pressure of the first round and that their performance in the knockout stages will be crucial."India will feel the pressure of the first round because (in) 2007 (in) the West Indies, funny things (had) happened. I see India up and running very quickly. (But) I'm just going to watch this Indian team in the matches that matter - semis and the finals," he said."For India, World Cups are not anymore about getting into the final round. It's about what you do in the final rounds," he added.Manjrekar also asserted that Kohli tends to face extra pressure in knockout games because of his stature, a situation not mirrored by Sharma. He believes that Kohli feels obliged to bat longer and take more responsibility, which can sometimes affect his performance."Virat does take it upon himself. You see that happening in all the big games to bat a little longer, perhaps feels obliged because of the kind of stature that he has in Indian cricket to bat longer rather than just come and bat freely," he said."But Rohit Sharma will do that, no matter his stature. We saw that in the ODI World Cup. But I'm worried about Virat really when it comes to semis and the finals," he added.

Pakistan's recent 2-0 T20I series loss to England has raised concerns among cricket enthusiasts, with former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja expressing his dissatisfaction with the team's management. Raja criticized the team's experimentation and lack of a consistent approach, which he believes has hindered their performance.In the fourth T20I at Kennington Oval, England dominated Pakistan in all aspects of the game, chasing down a target of 158 with ease. Pakistan's batting lineup lacked power in the middle order, while their pace bowlers failed to provide the necessary support.Raja expressed his concerns about the constant changes in Pakistan's white-ball setup. He criticized the management for experimenting with the team's composition, which has led to a lack of stability and consistency."They should stop experimenting with the team. Go into a game with a proper combination. You need to get out of the phobia of strike rate because you don't have that kind of players. Aapne is team ka satyanash kar diya hai (You have completely made a cock-up of this team)," Raja said on his YouTube channel.Raja also questioned the decision to introduce Saim Ayub as an opening batsman, which disrupted the successful partnership between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Ayub's performance at the top of the order has been underwhelming, and Pakistan's middle-order batsmen have also struggled to contribute consistently."You have ruined the team by breaking the opening pair (of Babar and Rizwan). The role of the middle order is not defined. You have put all-rounders in the middle and two wicket-keepers are playing. You are changing the fast bowlers. Your spinners don't spin the ball and don't have the confidence. You put Imad Wasim out of the playing XI. There is no sideways movement and you have completely dismantled the team just before the T20 World Cup," he added.Pakistan's batting woes were evident in their recent T20I series against New Zealand. Ayub struggled to find form initially but showed some improvement in the first match. However, his overall performance was underwhelming, and Pakistan's middle-order batsmen failed to step up.Heading into the upcoming T20 World Cup, Pakistan finds itself in a challenging position. They are placed in Group A alongside India, Canada, USA, and Ireland. Their journey begins with a match against the USA at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas on Thursday.

Scotland and Afghanistan Gear Up for T20 World Cup with Final Warm-Up ClashScotland and Afghanistan will face off in their final warm-up match ahead of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup at Trinidad's Queen's Park Oval. Both teams will be eager to get a full 20-over match under their belts after rain disrupted their previous warm-up games.Scotland's previous match saw them restrict T20 World Cup debutants Uganda to a modest 90 runs in 18 overs. However, their explosive start with the bat was cut short by rain. Afghanistan, on the other hand, were unable to bat against Oman in their previous game due to the same weather conditions.Both Scotland and Afghanistan will be looking to fine-tune their preparations for the World Cup. Scotland will be hoping to build on their impressive performance against Uganda, while Afghanistan will be keen to get some batting practice after being denied the opportunity in their last match.Scotland's batting lineup boasts experienced players like Kyle Coetzer, George Munsey, and Matthew Cross. They will be looking to set a solid foundation and accelerate the scoring rate in the middle overs. Afghanistan, meanwhile, has a formidable bowling attack led by Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. They will be aiming to restrict Scotland's scoring and create pressure with their spin and pace variations.The match will be a crucial test for both teams as they finalize their strategies and combinations for the World Cup. Scotland will be looking to gain momentum and confidence, while Afghanistan will be eager to prove their credentials as one of the favorites for the tournament.

Group D of the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup promises thrilling encounters between former champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, Netherlands, and Nepal.Sri Lanka:Led by Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka boasts a balanced squad with a strong batting lineup featuring Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, and Charith Asalanka. Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka provide experience as seam-bowling all-rounders, while Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage offer spin-bowling options. Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana are expected to play key roles in the bowling department.Bangladesh:Bangladesh enters the tournament with some uncertainty, as they continue to search for their strongest XI. Experienced opener Litton Das has been out of form, but teammate Tawhid Hridoy is confident of his comeback. Vice-captain Taskin Ahmed's fitness is a concern, but the Tigers have experience in Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah. Mustafizur Rahman's deceptive off-cutters could prove valuable in slow conditions.Nepal:Nepal will field a young side led by 21-year-old Rohit Paudel. Paudel's recent form against West Indies A is a positive sign, and Gulshan Jha and Pratis GC are other young stars to watch. Sompal Kami and Karan KC provide experience, but Nepal remains the least experienced side in the group.Netherlands:The Netherlands have a history of surprising in ICC tournaments, having beaten South Africa in the last two editions. They will face the Proteas again on June 8, aiming for a hat-trick of wins. Michael Levitt has earned a place in the absence of Colin Ackermann, and the Dutch have restored their core players for this edition. Bas de Leede, who was named ICC Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year last year, is a key all-rounder.South Africa:South Africa is arguably the strongest side in the group and the tournament. Their batting lineup boasts Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Reeza Hendricks, while Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Marco Jansen lead a formidable fast-bowling attack. However, the Proteas lack a genuine all-rounder.Key Players to Watch:* Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka): A lethal pacer with a dangerous yorker* Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa): A versatile middle-order batter with a high strike rate against spin* Dipendra Singh Airee (Nepal): A hard-hitting batter who holds the record for the fastest T20I fifty* Bas de Leede (Netherlands): An all-rounder who was named ICC Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year last year* Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh): A skilled spinner with deceptive off-cutters

The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup is set to witness a thrilling battle in Group C, where two-time champions West Indies will face off against New Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea.West Indies, the co-hosts, will be aiming for a record third T20 World Cup title. Led by Rovman Powell, they boast a formidable squad with all-rounders and big-hitters like Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Shamar Joseph. Their campaign begins with matches against lower-ranked PNG and Uganda, giving them a strong start.New Zealand, under the leadership of Kane Williamson, has a well-rounded team with a blend of experience and youth. They have a strong pace attack led by Trent Boult and Tim Southee, and a versatile spin department featuring Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi. New Zealand will face Afghanistan in their opening match.Afghanistan, ranked 10th in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, is a formidable opponent. They have a strong spin department led by Rashid Khan, who returns after an injury layoff. Afghanistan will be looking to pull off big wins and challenge the top teams in the group.Uganda, making their T20 World Cup debut, has an impressive record leading up to the tournament. Led by Brian Masaba, they have a squad with plenty of experience and will be aiming to spring a surprise.Papua New Guinea, also making their second T20 World Cup appearance, has a versatile unit with all-rounders. Led by Assad Vala, they will be looking to test the bigger teams in the group.The group stage promises intense competition, with each team aiming to make it to the second round. West Indies and New Zealand are the favorites, but Afghanistan, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea will be determined to make their mark.

Former Indian pacer Rudra Pratap Singh believes that Punjab Kings underutilized young left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh during the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL). However, Singh believes that Arshdeep can be a valuable asset for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup, especially alongside Jasprit Bumrah.Arshdeep finished the IPL with 19 wickets in 14 matches, but his economy rate of 10.03 raised concerns. Singh believes that Arshdeep's usage was not optimal and that he should have been given more opportunities to bowl in the death overs."If we assess Arshdeep on the basis of his IPL performance, I think he hasn't been utilized well," Singh said. "The utilization of the bowlers also depends on their captain, in which conditions he uses them, in which situation he makes them bowl and how best that he thinks his bowler is."Singh believes that Arshdeep's left-arm action and variations make him a potent threat in the death overs. He suggests that Arshdeep should focus on using cutters effectively on the slower wickets in the United States, where the T20 World Cup will be played."Talking about the length on the tracks in the USA during an early morning start, as per my understanding, there should be a bit of slowness in the wicket," Singh said. "So, the ideal length will be somewhere around just short of good length."Singh also believes that Bumrah should bowl three overs in the death overs, with Arshdeep as his preferred partner. He feels that Arshdeep's variations give him an edge over Mohammed Siraj in this role."Death bowling is really important in T20 cricket," Singh said. "Bumrah may bowl three overs in the death overs. He is our mainstay there. My preference alongside Bumrah in the death is Arshdeep over Siraj because of the variations he has."Singh also highlighted the importance of Hardik Pandya bowling his full quota of overs, which would allow India to field three specialist spinners. He believes that Shivam Dube can also be a valuable addition to the team as a batting all-rounder."Hardik bowled in the IPL and bowled four overs so there's no injury scare," Singh said. "Hardik's bowling will be important and he will have to bowl all his quota of 4-overs."