Cricket

The T20 World Cup Group 1 race for the final semi-final spot reaches its climax on Tuesday as Afghanistan and Bangladesh face off in a virtual quarter-final at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, Saint Vincent.With India securing their semi-final berth after defeating Australia, Afghanistan's fate now rests on their encounter with Bangladesh. A victory for the Afghans would propel them into the semis alongside Group 2 toppers South Africa. India, meanwhile, will face defending champions England in Thursday's semi-final in Guyana.Weather conditions are expected to play a crucial role in the high-stakes match. AccuWeather forecasts severe thunderstorms and a 41% chance of rain, with temperatures ranging from 25-32 degrees Celsius. The sky is anticipated to be obscured by clouds approximately 58% of the time, adding to the challenging conditions for the players.In the event of a washout, Afghanistan would qualify for the semis as the second-placed team in Group 2 with three points, eliminating Australia from the tournament. However, if Bangladesh emerges victorious, all three teams (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia) would finish on two points, with net run rate (NRR) becoming the deciding factor. Bangladesh would need a significant margin of victory to have any chance of reaching the semis, while Australia's fate hangs in the balance.Group 2 has already seen South Africa and England qualify for the semi-finals, while the co-hosts West Indies and USA have been eliminated.

Australia's T20 World Cup hopes now hinge on the outcome of the Afghanistan-Bangladesh match after they suffered a 24-run defeat to India in their must-win Super 8 clash.The Aussies ended their Super 8 campaign with just one victory in three matches and now require Bangladesh to beat Afghanistan and become the second team from Group 1 to qualify for the semifinals.Australia will fail to reach the last four if Afghanistan, who defeated them by 21 runs in a stunning upset last time out, beat Bangladesh in the concluding game of the Super Eights stage.Despite the defeat, Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh said his team technically still stands a chance for the last four berth and expressed his support for Bangladesh to win."It's disappointing. Still technically a chance to go through, and today India got the better of us. I think over the course of 40 overs there's a lot of small margins, but honestly, India were the better team," Marsh said at the post-match presentation.He also lavished praise on Indian captain Rohit Sharma for his blistering knock of 92, emphasizing the impact he can have on the game once he settles in at the crease."We've seen for 15 years what Rohit Sharma can do in that kind of mood, and he got off to an absolute flier. In a run chase like that, you're in it if you can keep it at tens for as long as possible, but India were too good for us. Come on, Bangladesh!"Rohit led from the front with a 41-ball knock, including seven fours and eight sixes, as his side posted a total of 205-5.Australia was then held to 181-7, with opener Travis Head top-scoring with 76 in an innings where left-arm paceman Arshdeep Singh took 3-37.India will now play defending champions England in Thursday's semi-final in Guyana.

India's 3-0 ODI series sweep against South Africa has provided a timely boost to the team's preparations for the T20 World Cup later this year. The series not only erased the bitter memories of the 0-3 loss to Australia earlier this year but also allowed the team to assess players' form, fitness, and overall fielding standards.Smriti Mandhana emerged as the star of the series, scoring a remarkable 117, 136, and 90 in her three outings. Her exceptional strokeplay and remarkable endurance, having spent 122.3 overs at the crease out of India's total of 140.4, were highly impressive.Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also returned to form, scoring a brilliant century in the second match, her first since September 2022. However, the form of Shafali Verma, who managed only 52 runs in three innings, raised concerns.India experimented with D. Hemalatha and Priya Punia at No. 3, a move that is likely to continue in the upcoming T20Is against South Africa. The series also witnessed promising ODI debuts for leg-spinner Asha Sobhana and pacer Arundhati Reddy.Asha, 33, made an immediate impact, taking a four-wicket haul in her first outing. Arundhati, 27, who has played 26 T20Is since her debut in 2018, also impressed with her bowling, particularly in the second ODI, where she bowled the penultimate over and helped India secure a narrow four-run victory.One of the most heartening aspects of the series was India's improved ground fielding. Jemimah Rodrigues was particularly impressive, saving more runs than the margin of victory in the second game. Coach Amol Muzumdar expressed his satisfaction with the team's fielding efforts, emphasizing the importance of saving runs.The 3-0 sweep has provided India with a solid foundation as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. The team will now play three T20Is against South Africa in Chennai before participating in the inter-zonal multi-day tournament. These matches will offer further opportunities to evaluate players and fine-tune their preparations for the global event.

In a thrilling Super 8 clash at the 2024 T20 World Cup, Indian all-rounder Axar Patel etched his name in the annals of cricket history with an extraordinary catch to dismiss Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh.After Marsh had survived a couple of earlier dropped catches, Axar produced a moment of brilliance on the final ball of the ninth over. Kuldeep Yadav's length ball was slog swept by Marsh, sending it hurtling towards the deep backward square-leg fence.As the ball approached, Axar, despite being a left-handed fielder, instinctively raised his right hand and timed his jump to perfection. The ball, traveling at a rapid pace, stuck in his grasp, sending shockwaves through the Australian camp.The catch not only ended Marsh's dangerous 37-run knock but also broke the 81-run partnership between him and opener Travis Head. It was a pivotal moment in the match, as Australia were chasing a formidable target of 206 set by India.Earlier, Rohit Sharma had played a blistering innings of 92 off 41 balls, propelling India to a commanding total. On a batting-friendly surface, Rohit unleashed his full repertoire of shots, hitting seven fours and eight sixes, including a record-extending 200th six in the T20 format.Axar's catch and Rohit's innings were the highlights of a memorable match that showcased the skill and excitement of the T20 World Cup.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team captain, showcased his exceptional batting prowess in the T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Australia on Monday. Known as the "Hitman," Sharma lived up to his reputation by dismantling the star-studded Australian bowling lineup with an explosive innings.Facing the likes of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, Sharma unleashed a barrage of eight sixes and seven fours, amassing 92 runs off just 41 deliveries. His strike rate of 224.39 left the Australian bowlers in awe.Sharma's innings not only propelled India to a crucial victory, securing them a semi-final spot, but also etched his name in the record books. He became the first player to hit over 200 sixes in T20Is, surpassing the previous record held by Chris Gayle.Additionally, Sharma now holds the record for the most sixes against an opponent in all international cricket, with 132 sixes against Australia. This surpasses Gayle's previous record of 130 sixes against England.Sharma's record-breaking performance also included becoming the highest run-scorer in T20I cricket, surpassing Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. He now has 4165 runs in the format.His innings also marked the fastest 50 for India in T20Is, achieved in just 19 balls. It was the second-highest individual score for India in T20 World Cups, behind Suresh Raina's 101 against South Africa in 2010.As captain, Sharma's 92 runs is the highest individual score by a captain in T20 World Cups, surpassing Chris Gayle's 98 against India in 2010.Sharma's exceptional batting display has once again highlighted his status as one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world. His ability to dominate even the best bowling attacks with his power and precision makes him a formidable force in the game of cricket.

Liam Livingstone, England's lower-middle order batter, has faced a unique challenge in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Despite scoring 61 runs at a strike rate of 184.84 in three innings, he has been left disappointed by his inability to finish games.Livingstone's frustration stems from the atypical conditions and slower pitches in Australia, which have forced top-order batters to bat deeper. This has left him with limited opportunities to bat, and when he has, he has faced the pressure of needing to finish the game quickly.In England's loss to South Africa, Livingstone's dismissal for 33 off 17 left his team needing 25 runs off 16 balls. He was also disappointed with his performance against the West Indies, where he bowled one over and took a wicket but did not get to bat.Livingstone acknowledges that his role in the team is to be ready to perform whenever needed, even if it means not always batting or bowling. However, he admits that it is a mental challenge to adjust to this limited involvement.Despite the challenges, Livingstone remains confident in his abilities. He has been striking the ball well and bowling effectively, and he believes he is ready to make a significant contribution if needed.Livingstone's situation highlights the unique demands of being a lower-middle order batter in a short and sharp tournament. It requires a high level of mental resilience and the ability to perform under pressure, even with limited opportunities.

Indian cricket team's star batter Virat Kohli's dismal form at the T20 World Cup 2024 continued on Monday as he was dismissed for a duck during the Super 8 match against Australia. Kohli faced just five deliveries before he completely miscued a shot off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood and the catch was comfortably taken by Tim David at wide mid-on.Kohli's dismissal sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with many fans expressing their disappointment and frustration. Some even called for him to be dropped from the team."Someone send him back to 3," tweeted Waqiullah Budye."TV Off," wrote Lokesh Saini."Pull is not everyone's cup of tea," added Jaunism.Kohli's poor form in the tournament has been a major concern for India. He has scored just 66 runs in six matches, with four single-digit scores.Earlier, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to field."We are going to bowl first. Looks a belter, it looks lovely. It's a quarter final, looking forward to it, big challenge against India. We have had ourselves in this situation before, every game is a must-win now. We got an experienced group, a great staff. Starc comes in for Agar," Marsh said at the toss.India skipper Rohit Sharma said that he would have fielded if India won the toss."We would have fielded first as well, looks a bit sticky. We wanted to chase. We know what exactly we are doing, will try to do our best. I hope it doesn't change much. The overhead conditions also matter in this part of the world. We have adapted well, hopefully another game where we put up a show. Every game matters in this tournament, nothing changes. We are playing the same team," Rohit said.

India and Australia Clash in Crucial T20 World Cup MatchThe highly anticipated clash between India and Australia in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup is set to take place at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia. With both teams vying for a spot in the semifinals, the stakes are incredibly high.India, led by Rohit Sharma, has been in impressive form, securing commanding wins over Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Their batting lineup has been firing on all cylinders, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav leading the charge. The bowling unit, anchored by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, has also been solid.Australia, on the other hand, has had a mixed tournament so far. After a disappointing loss to Afghanistan, they bounced back with a victory over Bangladesh. Captain Mitchell Marsh will be looking for his team to put in a complete performance and overcome the challenge posed by India.The pitch report suggests that there will be some assistance for both pacers and spinners. The dimensions of the square boundaries are 66 meters and 69 meters, with a 78-meter straight hit. The weather forecast is uncertain, but the hope is that the rain will stay away.India will be aiming to secure a win by any margin to guarantee their qualification for the semifinals. Australia, on the other hand, needs a big enough win to surpass India on NRR. If they fail to do so, they will be hoping for a favorable outcome in the match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh.The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the world's top cricket teams. The atmosphere is sure to be electric as both teams battle it out for a place in the semifinals.

Afghanistan and Bangladesh Face Off in Crucial Super Eight ClashAs the Super Eight phase of the Men's T20 World Cup 2024 draws to a close, Afghanistan and Bangladesh will face off in a pivotal match that could determine their semi-final fate.Afghanistan, riding high after their historic win against Australia, will be looking to secure a spot in the last four. Their openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, have been in scintillating form, while their bowlers, led by Gulbadin Naib and Naveen-ul-Haq, have shown their versatility.Bangladesh, on the other hand, have struggled in the tournament, losing their first two matches against India and Australia. Their batting has been particularly disappointing, with the top order failing to fire. However, they will be eager to prove their worth and end their World Cup campaign on a high note.The match will be played at Arnos Vale in Kingstown, where teams batting first have won every game. Afghanistan will be confident after their recent victory at the same venue, while Bangladesh will be looking to break the trend.Key Players to Watch:* Gulbadin Naib (Afghanistan): The all-rounder has been in impressive form with the ball, taking four wickets against Australia.* Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): The veteran all-rounder has not had the best of tournaments, but he remains a key player for Bangladesh.* Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan): The wicketkeeper-batter has been in prolific form, scoring three century stands with Ibrahim Zadran.Team News:* Bangladesh may bring back Taskin Ahmed or Shoriful Islam to replace Jaker Ali.* Afghanistan are likely to go in unchanged.Quotes:* "We've just got to focus on our match against Bangladesh and when all the other matches are played. We'll know what we need to do and the decisions we need to make." - Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott* "One thing you've got to acknowledge is you can't fight genetics. We're looking at the strength and conditioning element, we're looking at different things of how we can do it a Bangladeshi way." - Bangladesh assistant coach Nic Pothas