Cricket

India's skipper, Rohit Sharma, has emphasized the importance of composure and simplicity for his team as they prepare for the high-stakes T20 World Cup semifinal against England. Acknowledging past struggles with the fear of failure, Rohit stressed the need to approach the match with a clear mind.The Indian team is eager to avenge their crushing 10-wicket defeat to England in the 2022 semifinal at the Adelaide Oval. Rohit believes that treating the match as a normal game and focusing on their strengths will be crucial."We want to be a smart cricket team," Rohit said. "We have done well with role clarity and rely on the players making good decisions on the field."Rohit praised the team's performance in the Super Eight stage, particularly his own blistering 92-run knock against Australia. He emphasized the importance of staying calm under pressure, a strategy that has served him well throughout his career.Regarding the team's bowling strategy, Rohit remained non-committal on whether they would field four spinners. Wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel have been impressive in the West Indies leg of the tournament, but Rohit indicated that the team would assess the conditions before making a decision.

Afghanistan's charismatic captain, Rashid Khan, has faced disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a breach of the code of conduct during their Super Eight match against Bangladesh in Kingstown on July 24.The incident occurred in the 20th over of Afghanistan's innings. Rashid, after hitting the ball into the offside, attempted to secure the second run to retain strike. However, his teammate, Karim Janat, sent him back. An enraged Rashid was forced to turn around mid-pitch and hurled his bat in Janat's direction.As a consequence, Rashid has received a demerit point on his disciplinary record. This is his first offense within a 24-month period. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of a reprimand and a maximum penalty of a 50% fine of a player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points.Despite the incident, Rashid played a pivotal role in Afghanistan's eight-run victory over Bangladesh via the DLS method. He scored a quickfire 19 off 10 balls and claimed impressive figures of 4 for 23, leading his team to their first-ever semi-final appearance at a T20 World Cup.Afghanistan will now face South Africa in Trinidad on June 26 for a place in the final. Rashid's leadership and all-round abilities will be crucial as they aim to create history and reach the pinnacle of the tournament.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant's Animated Chat Sparks ConcernIndian cricket icons Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant have sparked a heated debate on social media after an animated conversation on the bench during India's match against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup.A video surfaced online showing Kohli and Sharma discussing Pant's dismissal, which came after he attempted a risky reverse sweep. Kohli appeared visibly displeased, and the conversation continued as Pant joined them in the dugout.Kohli, who has been a mentor to Pant, expressed his frustration over the young wicket-keeper batter's repeated mistakes. Pant has been a revelation for India at the No. 3 spot in this tournament, but his tendency to play reckless shots has raised concerns."If he commits the same mistake twice - right now it's fine - but in big matches he can face problems because big teams don't let these opportunities slip," said former India spinner Piyush Chawla.Commentators also weighed in on the conversation, suggesting that Kohli and Sharma were discussing Pant's dismissal. "Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in agreement there. Because they know what Pant is capable of," said Chawla."You could see Kohli talking to him now. He was playing really well, Rishabh. Was there a need to play such a shot in that situation?" said Deep Dasgupta.Sanjay Manjrekar added: "If you noticed Virat Kohli's reaction... when Rishabh Pant got out, Kohli didn't know that the camera was on him. He immediately reacted and then hid his face with a towel. The way fans would have reacted to his dismissal, Kohli did the same way."With India set to face Australia in their next match and potentially the semi-finals, the team will be hoping to address these concerns and improve their overall performance.

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has predicted that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will retire from T20Is after the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. This speculation stems from the struggles both star batters have faced in the tournament, with Rohit scoring 99 runs in 5 matches and Virat managing just 66 runs.Jaffer believes that this could be the last T20I competition for both Rohit and Virat, but he insists that they will continue to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he emphasizes that the final decision lies with the players and the selectors."I think they both (Virat and Rohit) will retire from T20Is after the T20 World Cup. It is their call eventually and also the call of the selectors. While they will continue to play in the IPL, I believe we are seeing them for the last time in T20Is at the T20 World Cup," Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.Despite their recent struggles, Jaffer remains confident in Kohli's ability to score 100 international centuries. Currently, Kohli has 29 Test centuries, 50 ODI centuries, and one century in T20 Internationals."Yes, I think Virat Kohli will score hundred international hundreds. He has a lot of time left and the way his fitness is and the way he scores his runs with consistency, I hundred percent expect him to cross hundred hundreds," Jaffer added.Meanwhile, Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, and Nitish Reddy have received maiden India call-ups for the upcoming white-ball tour of Zimbabwe under the captaincy of Shubman Gill. This opportunity is a reward for their impressive performances in the last IPL.Senior players competing in the ongoing T20 World Cup in the Americas, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah, have been rested ahead of a grueling season.The Zimbabwe tour comprises five T20 Internationals, beginning July 6.

The Pakistan cricket team, led by Babar Azam, has faced intense criticism following their early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024. The team's performance has sparked a barrage of social media attacks, with some former cricketers and fans issuing "defamation" statements against Babar and his team.Amidst this "targeted campaign," reports have emerged that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering legal action against those who have made unwarranted attacks on the team. Several YouTubers and former cricketers, who accused Babar of "misconduct" during the World Cup, have been issued warnings.However, veteran Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shahzad has doubled down on his criticism of Babar and the team. In a recent interview, Shahzad questioned Babar's leadership and decision-making, which he believes have led to Pakistan's recent failures."The former players that he (Babar) is talking about, they should also file a case on him asking when you had a team for 5 years, where have you brought the team, to the 7th spot?" Shahzad said.Shahzad also criticized Babar for his handling of domestic cricketers, claiming that he has favored certain players over others. He also questioned the selection of players who have failed to perform consistently."The domestic cricketers whom you didn't select for the team, you went ahead with one group, kept on saying that this group will win you matches, but that didn't happen," Shahzad said.Shahzad's comments come as the PCB's legal team reportedly explores options to reprimand those who have defamed Babar and the team. However, Shahzad has dismissed these threats, arguing that criticism is a part of sports."After losing 3 World Cups, 2 Asia Cups, you (Babar) were made captain again after 2 months, you should have asked the question how you were made the captain? Is it only you whose sentiments are getting hurt, not of the fans?" Shahzad said.Shahzad's criticism has sparked a debate on social media, with some fans supporting his views while others have defended Babar and the team. The PCB has yet to comment on Shahzad's remarks.

South Africa and Afghanistan Set for Thrilling Semi-Final Clash in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024The highly anticipated Semi-Final 1 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 will witness a captivating encounter between South Africa and Afghanistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago.South Africa, fresh off a thrilling three-wicket victory over West Indies, will be eager to continue their impressive run in the tournament. Their top fantasy performer, Tabraiz Shamsi, with 85 fantasy points, will be a key player to watch.Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence after their eight-run victory over Bangladesh. Rashid Khan, who amassed 157 fantasy points in their previous match, will be the one to lead their charge.Pitch Report and Weather ConditionsThe pitch at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy is known for its balance, with an average 1st innings score of 117 runs in the last 20 matches. The team winning the toss may opt to bowl first, as the majority of games played on this ground have been won by the chasing side.The weather forecast predicts a temperature of around 23.56 degrees Celsius, with high humidity and winds at a speed of 1.89 m/s.Head-to-HeadIn the two previous encounters between these teams, South Africa has emerged victorious on both occasions. Protea wicket-keepers have been the most prolific fantasy point earners for their team, while all-rounders have been the top performers for Afghanistan.Fantasy Top Captain and Vice-Captain PicksFazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan): With an average of 61 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 9.3, Farooqi is a valuable asset for any fantasy team. His impressive economy rate of 6.38 and 16 wickets in the last seven matches make him a formidable choice.Quinton de Kock (South Africa): De Kock, with an average of 48 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 7.8, is a reliable fantasy pick. His left-handed batting prowess and strike rate of 148.50 in the recent seven matches make him a potential game-changer.Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan): Naveen-ul-Haq, with an average of 60 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 9, is a consistent performer. His 13 wickets in the last seven matches at an economy rate of 6.12 make him a valuable bowling option.Tristan Stubbs (South Africa): Stubbs, with an average of 41 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 7.7, is an explosive batter. His 134 runs in the recent seven matches at an average of 33.50 make him a potential match-winner.Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): Khan, with an average of 75 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 8.2, is a spin wizard. His 14 wickets in the last seven matches at an economy rate of 6.10 make him a must-have for any fantasy team.SA vs AFG Possible Playing XIsSouth Africa (SA): Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Marco JansenAfghanistan (AFG): Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Nangeyalia Kharote, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad NabiSA vs AFG Fantasy TeamWicket-Keeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Quinton de KockBatters: Ibrahim Zadran, Tristan StubbsAll-Rounders: Marco Jansen, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad NabiBowlers: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Rashid Khan, Keshav MaharajCaptain: Fazalhaq FarooqiVice-Captain: Quinton de Kock

Afghanistan's historic journey to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 semifinals has been a testament to their unwavering determination and remarkable progress in the shortest format of the game. Led by the charismatic Rashid Khan, the Afghan team has overcome formidable challenges and emerged as a force to be reckoned with.Their path to the semifinals has been marked by impressive victories over top-ranked teams like New Zealand and former world champions Australia. In the group stage, Afghanistan showcased their resilience and adaptability, bouncing back from a disappointing loss to the West Indies with a series of convincing wins.As they prepare to face South Africa in the semifinals, the Afghan team is brimming with confidence and eager to make history. Rashid Khan, in a heartfelt message to his supporters, urged them to rally behind the team as they embark on this momentous occasion.Afghanistan's journey to the semifinals has been a source of inspiration for cricket fans around the world. Their success is a testament to the power of perseverance and the belief in one's abilities. The team's unwavering spirit and determination have made them a symbol of hope and resilience for their nation.The semifinal match against South Africa promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams possessing the talent and experience to reach the final. Afghanistan will rely on their spin-bowling prowess, led by Rashid Khan, while South Africa will look to their explosive batting lineup to secure victory.Regardless of the outcome, Afghanistan's performance in the T20 World Cup has been a resounding success. They have proven that they belong among the elite teams in the world and have set a new benchmark for their cricketing future.

The T20 World Cup semi-finals are set, with India and England facing off in a rematch of last year's final, while South Africa takes on Afghanistan in the other match.Afghanistan will make their T20 World Cup semi-finals debut in the first semi-final in Trinidad, which begins at 6 AM IST on Thursday. India's match against England will be played from 8 PM IST in Guyana, also on Thursday.There are different rules for the semi-finals and finals. While there is a reserve day in place for the first semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan, the same is not the case for the India-England humdinger.This is because India's semi-final was pre-decided to be played in Guyana, which has no reserve day. However, it has an extra 250 minutes scheduled if needed since it is a day game as per local time.If the India vs England semi-final is washed out, India will advance to the final by virtue of their higher group standing. The same is the case with the other semi-final, with South Africa advancing if no play is possible.In case of a rain interruption on the day's play, there won't be a fresh start on the rain reserve day. For the first semi-final, there's an extra 60 minutes at the end of the day's play and a further 190 minutes on the reserve day.

T20I Batting Rankings Reshuffle: Travis Head Dethrones Suryakumar YadavThe ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings have undergone a significant shakeup, with Australia's Travis Head dethroning India's Suryakumar Yadav from the top spot. Yadav, who has held the number one position since December 2023, has been displaced after Head's impressive performances in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.Head's ascent to the summit was fueled by his remarkable 76-run innings against India, despite Australia's defeat and early exit from the tournament. This performance, coupled with his other strong showings, propelled him four places up the rankings, relegating Yadav to second place.Phil Salt, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan complete the top five, with Johnson Charles of the West Indies making a notable entry into the top ten. Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz also climbed five spots, narrowly missing out on a top-ten ranking.In the All-rounders Rankings, Australia's Marcus Stoinis relinquished his number one position, dropping to fourth. Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga reclaimed the top spot, with Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi and India's Hardik Pandya occupying the second and third positions, respectively.The bowling rankings remain unchanged, with England's Adil Rashid holding onto the top spot. However, there were some notable movements, including Rashid Khan of Afghanistan moving up to second place after his impressive performances in the T20 World Cup.Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood also made a significant jump, climbing three places to fourth. India's Kuldeep Yadav moved up 20 places to 11th, while Jasprit Bumrah jumped 44 spots to 24th. England's Jofra Archer also made a notable ascent, climbing 19 places to 38th.