Cricket

Australia's hopes of defending their T20 World Cup title were dashed after Afghanistan's stunning victory over Bangladesh in the final Super 8s match. The Afghans' triumph secured their maiden World Cup semifinal berth, while simultaneously eliminating Australia from the tournament.Australia's fate was sealed by India's 24-run victory over them in their previous match. The win held a sense of revenge for India, who had lost to Australia in the ODI World Cup final last year.Prior to their elimination, Australia had discussed "manipulating" the result of their final group-stage match against Scotland to knock England out of the tournament. However, their plans were thwarted by Afghanistan's upset victory.Australia finished third in Group 1 with two points, while Afghanistan's win over Bangladesh propelled them to second place with four points. From Group 2, South Africa qualified as the table toppers, while England finished behind them to secure the second semifinal spot.Afghanistan's victory was particularly sweet for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who have Naveen ul Haq and Rashid Khan on their IPL roster. Naveen starred for Afghanistan with four wickets against Bangladesh, while Rashid orchestrated the collapse with another four wickets.

Afghanistan's historic triumph in the T20 World Cup has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. After securing their first-ever semifinal berth, skipper Rashid Khan expressed immense pride in fulfilling the prophecy of West Indian legend Brian Lara.Lara had boldly predicted Afghanistan's semifinal appearance nearly a month before the tournament, and Khan acknowledged the team's determination to prove him right. "When we met him at a welcome party, I told him we won't let you down," Khan said.The team's confidence soared after their stunning victory over New Zealand in the group stage. "It's a dream for us to be in the semifinals," Khan exclaimed. "The way we started the tournament, the belief came when we beat New Zealand. It's unbelievable."Afghanistan's historic run continued with a memorable victory over Australia, setting the stage for their final Super 8 clash against Bangladesh. Despite a rain-interrupted match, Afghanistan emerged victorious by eight runs, securing their semifinal spot.Khan praised the exceptional performances of pacers Naveen and Fazalhaq Farooqi, who have consistently provided strong starts with the new ball. "In T20s if you get a good start, it helps us in the middle overs," Khan said. "They have given great starts to us in the whole competition."Despite the challenges posed by rain interruptions, Khan emphasized the team's mental fortitude. "Rain is something not in our hands but mentally we knew we have to play 20 overs and take 10 wickets," he said.As Afghanistan prepares for their semifinal clash with South Africa on June 27, Khan anticipates widespread celebrations back home. "It's a big achievement for us as well," he said. "We have done that at U-19 level but at this World Cup, I don't have any words to describe the feeling back home."

David Warner's illustrious 15-year international career came to a poignant end as Afghanistan's victory over Bangladesh in St Vincent on Monday night sealed Australia's elimination from the T20 World Cup at the Super Eight phase.Warner's departure from the international stage has been a gradual process. He played his final ODI in November's World Cup final triumph over India and his last Test against Pakistan in January. The T20 World Cup was widely anticipated to be his swansong, although he had hinted at a possible return for next year's Champions Trophy.His final appearance, against India, was a subdued affair. He scored a modest six runs off six balls before edging Arshdeep Singh to slip, where Suryakumar Yadav took a sharp low catch. Warner's frustration was evident as he punched his bat with his right hand and walked off the pitch with his head bowed.After the match, Warner was seen chatting with Virat Kohli on the outfield, while Josh Hazlewood indicated that the timing of Warner's send-off from his teammates would depend on the outcome of Afghanistan's game against Bangladesh."Nothing's been said yet," Hazlewood said. "It might be said after this [press conference] before the [evening] game, but I think we'll wait until after the game and then we'll [acknowledge] the career that's been. It's been unbelievable. We'll definitely miss him around the group, out in the field and off-field - an amazing all-format career."Hazlewood acknowledged that Warner's departure would mark a changing of the guard for Australia, with Cameron Green being the only player in the squad younger than 28. However, he suggested that it would not be a complete overhaul."They come around pretty quick, the T20 World Cups, every two years," he said. "There might be a couple of changes, but a lot of the guys still play in franchise cricket if they're not playing for Australia, so they're available to be picked. There's some class players in our 15, and we've got a couple on the bench as well. You'd think it'd be an actual slow change… I don't think there'd be anything drastic."Warner's retirement marks the end of an era for Australian cricket. He has been a key figure in the team's success across all formats, and his absence will be keenly felt.

Gulbadin Naib's apparent bout of cramp during Afghanistan's crucial Super Eight match against Bangladesh in St Vincent raised eyebrows among television commentators. The incident occurred at a pivotal moment in the game, with Afghanistan needing a victory to qualify for the T20 World Cup semi-finals at Australia's expense.After taking Bangladesh's sixth and seventh wickets in the 11th over, Afghanistan appeared to be in control. However, as Bangladesh approached the DLS par score, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott was seen signaling to his players with rain threatening.Between the third and fourth deliveries of the 12th over, Naib, fielding at first slip, suddenly clutched the back of his leg and collapsed to the ground. He remained motionless, requiring treatment and assistance from teammate Naveen-ul-Haq and a support staff member. As Naib was helped off the field, drizzle began to fall, and the pitch was covered.The interruption was brief, but when play resumed, Bangladesh's chase was reduced by one over, and the DLS target was revised to 114. Najibullah Zadran replaced Naib as a substitute, with Naib eventually returning to the field in the 13th over.Naib's absence raised questions about potential time-wasting tactics, as time-wasting by either the batting or bowling side is a punishable offense. However, Naib's return to the field and his subsequent bowling of the 15th over, in which he dismissed Tanzim Hasan, seemed to dispel any suspicions.The incident highlighted the intense pressure and scrutiny that players face in high-stakes matches. With Afghanistan's World Cup hopes on the line, Naib's apparent cramp raised concerns about the team's ability to maintain focus and composure under pressure.

Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been a lively presence in the Indian team's camp at the T20 World Cup 2024, despite not yet featuring in a match. In a video shared by the BCCI on social media, Chahal was seen imitating a bus conductor, enthusiastically shouting "ground, ground, ground" as the team bus approached the stadium. He also tapped the side of the bus and peered out the window, adding to the jovial atmosphere.Chahal's inclusion in the Indian squad was based on his impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. However, he has not yet been given an opportunity to showcase his skills in the T20 World Cup.The match between India and Australia was crucial for the Australian team, as a defeat could have put them on the brink of elimination. Australia had only one win from two matches in the Super 8s before facing India. A loss to Rohit Sharma's men made it two defeats and just one victory from three matches.Following their defeats to India and Afghanistan, if Bangladesh lose their final Super 8 match on Tuesday, Afghanistan will advance to the semi-finals. India, on the other hand, have secured a spot in the top four after victories over Australia, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. They will next face England.

Afghanistan's Rashid Khan Loses Temper, Throws Bat at Teammate in Tense T20 World Cup MatchDuring a crucial ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 Group 1 match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, Afghanistan's captain Rashid Khan displayed an uncharacteristic outburst of anger. The incident occurred in the 20th over of Afghanistan's innings, with the team struggling at 107 for 5.Rashid Khan, known for his aggressive batting style, attempted a helicopter shot off Tanzim Hasan Sakib. However, he mistimed the shot, sending the ball looping over the covers. Spotting an opportunity to add pressure to the fielders, Rashid sprinted for a second run.However, his partner Karim Janat, who had already settled at the striker's end, decisively sent him back. Frustrated by the missed chance, Rashid threw his bat in anger towards Janat, an act that left spectators stunned.Janat, trying to diffuse the situation, approached Rashid for a chat, but the captain was visibly disinterested and walked away, still fuming. The incident highlighted the pressure and intensity of the match, as Afghanistan struggled to build momentum in their batting innings.Despite the confrontation, Janat managed to score a valuable 7 off 6 balls, while Rashid Khan remained unbeaten on 19 off 10, showcasing his ability to accelerate in the death overs. However, their efforts were hampered by disciplined bowling from Bangladesh.Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, and Rishad Hossain kept the Afghan batsmen in check, with Rishad claiming three crucial wickets. The powerplay didn't go in Afghanistan's favor, scoring only 27 runs in the first six overs. With a total of 115 for 5 in 20 overs, Afghanistan's hopes rested on their bowlers to defend the modest target.

Virat Kohli's performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 has been a topic of discussion among cricket enthusiasts. Despite being a star batter, Kohli's scores so far have been underwhelming: 1, 4, 0, 24, 37, and 0.Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has analyzed Kohli's batting technique and identified an area for improvement. According to Gavaskar, Kohli's balance while stepping out needs to be enhanced."The way he batted in Barbados, made 24, but the ball was hitting the middle of the bat. The same thing happened in Antigua. One technical thing that I want to talk about is that during the IPL, when he used to step out and play, his balance was great. But here his balance is not that good. For that reason, the ball is going on to the stumps when he misses or the ball is not being middled," Gavaskar said on Star Sports before the India vs Australia match.Gavaskar emphasized the importance of balance in Kohli's batting. "If his balance is right, then there is nothing else to worry about. The amount of time he spends on the pitch will give him more confidence."Gavaskar's analysis comes after Kohli's dismissal against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup. Kohli was well set on 37 when he was clean bowled by a slower delivery from Tanzim Hasan Sakib.Gavaskar's reaction to Kohli's dismissal was in contrast to his praise for Rohit Sharma's aggressive approach. Rohit had scored a quickfire 11-ball 23 to get India off to a flying start in the powerplay."Someone who has hit 10 runs in two balls would not go for a big shot, but for Rohit Sharma, it is all about the team," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.The difference in reaction from Gavaskar to Rohit and Kohli's dismissals left several fans unhappy on social media. The former India batter was tagged "biased" and a "hypocrite" by fans.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has emerged as a formidable force in the T20 International (T20I) format, etching his name in the record books with his exceptional performances as both a captain and a batsman.Sharma's recent triumph in the T20 World Cup against Australia marked a significant milestone in his career. With this victory, he equaled Pakistan captain Babar Azam's record for the most wins as a captain in this format, with both players boasting an impressive tally of 48 wins.Moreover, Sharma has surpassed his teammate Virat Kohli to become the leading run-scorer in T20Is. Over 157 matches, he has amassed a staggering 4,165 runs, averaging 32.03 and striking at a remarkable 140.75. This achievement places him ahead of Azam (4,145 runs) and Kohli (4,103 runs), who have played 123 and 123 matches respectively.Sharma's leadership has been instrumental in India's recent success in the T20I format. Under his guidance, the team has secured 48 wins, including a thrilling 24-run victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup. This match marked Sharma's 60th as captain, and his record includes wins in all formats, including Super Overs.Sharma's return to form has been a crucial factor in India's resurgence. In the match against Australia, he played a pivotal role, scoring a blistering 92 runs off just 41 deliveries. This significant contribution, along with the efforts of other team members, helped India set a challenging target of 205 runs.Despite a strong performance from Australia's Travis Head, the Indian team, under Sharma's leadership, managed to secure the win by 24 runs. This victory not only highlighted Sharma's effective captaincy but also secured India's place in the semi-final against England, set to take place in Guyana on Thursday.Sharma's achievements have garnered widespread praise, including from Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Shah took to social media to commend Sharma's performance and express optimism for India's success in the tournament.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has revealed the tactical adjustments he made to overcome the challenging conditions and lead his team to a crucial victory against Australia in their final T20 World Cup Super Eight match.Despite losing his opening partner Virat Kohli early on, Rohit played a match-winning knock of 92 runs off just 41 deliveries, showcasing his skill with seven boundaries and eight sixes. His impressive performance helped India post a formidable total of 205/5, which proved to be a challenging target for Australia. The Indian bowlers then restricted Mitchell Marsh's team to 181/7, securing a 24-run victory and advancing to the semifinals.The persistent wind at the venue posed a significant challenge for the batsmen, prompting Rohit to adapt his batting style. He revealed that he had to play more strokes on the off side to minimize the wind's impact on his shots, ultimately leading to his match-winning contribution."I thought right from over number one, there was a strong breeze blowing across. They (Australia) changed their plan, bowling against the breeze, so I realized I had to open up the off side as well," Rohit said after the match. "You've got to factor in the breeze and understand that the bowlers are smart as well and open up all sides of the field. When you keep an open mind and not just think of one shot, you can access all areas of the field."Rohit also expressed his confidence in Kuldeep Yadav's ability to perform exceptionally well in the West Indies, following the wrist-spinner's experience with seamer-friendly conditions in the United States. Kuldeep returned excellent figures of 2/24 in his four overs."Kuldeep, we understand the strengths he has, but you have to use it when you need it. The pitches in New York were seamer-friendly, but we knew he would play a big role later," Rohit said.Rohit remained focused on the game's rhythm, asserting that his primary goal was to sustain the "tempo" of the match. He made it clear that personal milestones, such as reaching a century, were not his concern at that moment."It was a good wicket, and you want to try and back yourself to play those kinds of shots. I've been trying to do that for a few years now, and I'm glad it came off today. The fifties and hundreds don't matter, I wanted to bat with the same tempo and carry on," he added.Rohit expressed his desire for the Indian team to maintain their current style of play as they progress into the knockout stages of the tournament."We don't want to do anything different (in the knockouts). We want to play the same way, understand what the individuals need to do in a given situation, and play freely," Rohit said. "So far we've been doing that consistently, and semifinals, we have to try and do the same thing. It'll be nice (to play England in the semifinal). Nothing changes for us, we want to focus on what we can do as a team, and take the game on."