Cricket

Jos Buttler, England's captain, has expressed his support for Australia in their upcoming match against Scotland, as England's T20 World Cup hopes hang in the balance.England's victory over Namibia in Antigua was crucial for their qualification to the Super Eight, but the match was marred by a three-hour rain delay that threatened to wash out the fixture. Despite the challenging conditions, England managed to secure a 41-run win, with Harry Brook's unbeaten 47 leading the way.Buttler admitted that the rain delay had been stressful, but praised his team's performance under pressure. "We put in a really good performance," he said. "I thought everyone managed that situation well. We were well prepared when we did play, and we played well."England's victory may not be enough to secure their place in the Super Eight, as Scotland could still qualify if they defeat Australia in their final Group B match. Buttler acknowledged this possibility, saying, "We've done all we can do. We'll see what happens."Despite the uncertainty surrounding their qualification, Buttler remains optimistic about England's chances in the tournament. "We've dealt with everything that's been thrown at us really well," he said. "We've got a lot of talent in this team, and we're confident that we can go all the way."

Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment as they failed to qualify for the Super Eight stage. Angelo Mathews, the team's most experienced player, expressed his heartfelt apology to the nation for their dismal performance.The Lankans lost both their completed matches, against South Africa and Bangladesh, and had their fixture against Nepal washed out. Their early exit marks a decade since they last reached the semi-finals of a men's T20 World Cup.Mathews acknowledged the logistical challenges faced by the team, with their group games scheduled at four different venues. However, he emphasized that these factors should not be used as excuses."We've let the entire nation down and we are really sorry because we've let ourselves down. We never expected this," Mathews said. "We came across a lot of challenges but those are not something to worry about. It's unfortunate that we didn't make the second round."Despite their elimination, Mathews stressed the importance of playing for pride in their final match against Netherlands. He warned against underestimating their opponents, citing Nepal's near-victory over South Africa."We can't take any given team lightly," Mathews said. "We saw Nepal almost beat South Africa yesterday. It's unfortunate that our Nepal game was washed out, but it is what it is. We have just one more game in the tournament and we'll play for our pride."Mathews expressed frustration over the team's inability to replicate their recent T20I series wins. He acknowledged that they had not done justice to their capabilities."That's something we regret because [with] the way we played Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh in Bangladesh, I thought we didn't do justice to our capabilities in this tournament," Mathews said. "When you come into a World Cup, you can't take any team lightly but unfortunately, the way we played against those teams just before the World Cup, and then once we came back here and the way we played, obviously the wickets were quite different but we didn't do justice to ourselves."

Virat Kohli's recent string of low scores in the ongoing T20 World Cup has not raised any concerns for India's batting coach, Vikram Rathour. Rathour emphasized that Kohli has been performing exceptionally well in practice sessions and is more motivated than ever as the Super Eight approaches.Despite being the highest run-scorer in the IPL, Kohli has managed to score only 1, 4, and 0 in his recent matches against Ireland, Pakistan, and USA, respectively. However, Rathour believes that these dismissals are not a cause for concern."He (Kohli) has been batting superbly from the tournament that he came from (IPL). Couple of dismissals here, doesn't change anything, he is batting really well," Rathour said.Rathour expressed confidence that India's top batter will deliver when it matters the most. "Actually, it's good that he is a little hungrier, he is really keen to do well and really switched on. It's a good space to be as a batsman, I think."The batting coach also addressed questions about the team's strategy of playing four all-rounders, including Shivam Dube and Axar Patel. Rathour suggested that the team will be flexible based on conditions."Again, we need to be a flexible team. We need to look at the conditions that are in front of us and be ready to deal with those. So as a team, we are going to be really flexible, I think."Rathour acknowledged that some game time in Florida ahead of the Super Eights would have been beneficial, but he expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt to the tight schedule."Again, not ideal. It would have been great if we could have gotten a game today. But now this is what it is. So, we look forward to having a couple of good practice days in Barbados and getting into the game. So again, now the matches will happen simultaneously after one day.""So, as a team I think we are ready. We are used to this kind of schedule. We have done it in the past and I am sure we will do it really well this time as well."Rathour also commented on the issue of the ground in Florida not being fully covered, raising concerns to the ICC."This question should be asked to the ICC people. I won't be able to answer that. I don't know the reason why it was not covered and why it didn't have enough covers to cover the whole ground."Regarding the challenging New York drop-in strip, Rathour downplayed its impact on the team's performance."It's good. You should be able to play on all types of wickets. We have the skills to play in all types of conditions and do well. So, we have got the difficult wickets. Hopefully, we will get good wickets in the tournament.""And if we get turning wickets, we have 4 spin options, we have enough fast bowlers as well. So, whichever conditions come, I think we are really equipped to deal with that," he added.

The 2024 T20 World Cup has witnessed the early exits of two major teams, Pakistan and New Zealand, who failed to qualify for the Super 8s. Pakistan's elimination was sealed after the match between the USA and Ireland was washed out, while New Zealand's hopes were dashed by Afghanistan's seven-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea.The Super 8s stage serves as a gateway to the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Sri Lanka and India. As per the qualification rules, 12 out of the 20 participating teams will automatically qualify for the next edition.The hosts, India and Sri Lanka, along with all Super 8 teams, will secure direct entry. India, having already reached the Super 8s from Group A, qualifies under two categories. South Africa (Group D), West Indies, Afghanistan (Group C), Australia (Group B), and the USA (Group A) have also earned their spots in the 2026 edition by advancing to the Super 8 stage.The remaining spot from Group D will be claimed by either Bangladesh or Netherlands, while Scotland and England are vying for the final Super 8 position from Group B. In total, nine teams, including Sri Lanka, will qualify directly, with three more joining them based on their ICC Men's T20I rankings as of June 30th, 2024.Currently, Pakistan holds the seventh position with 241 rating points, while New Zealand is sixth with 247 points. These two teams are well ahead of other contenders such as Bangladesh (9th, 226 points) and Ireland (11th, 195 points).The remaining eight spots will be filled through the ICC's regional qualification pathway, with two each from Europe, Asia, and Africa, and one each from the East Asia Pacific and Americas regions. In the current edition, Ireland and Scotland (Europe), Nepal and Oman (Asia), Namibia and Uganda (Africa), Canada (Americas), and Papua New Guinea (East Asia Pacific) qualified through this process. The USA secured their place as joint hosts.

India's final Group 'A' match against Canada in the ongoing T20 World Cup was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a waterlogged outfield. The match was scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM local time at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, but umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula called off proceedings an hour later after a thorough inspection.Heavy rainfall the previous night had left the outfield saturated, making it unsafe for play. The decision was made after the umpires consulted with both teams and the match officials.India, who had already secured a place in the Super 8 stage with two wins from their first three matches, finished top of the group with seven points. They will now face Afghanistan in their first Super 8 fixture in Barbados on June 20.Canada, who had lost their first two matches, were left disappointed as they missed out on the chance to face the tournament favorites. Head coach Pubudu Dassanayake expressed his team's frustration but acknowledged the uncontrollable nature of the weather."As an associate nation, we would have loved to play against the Indian team. But nature cannot be stopped. There was heavy rain in the last two days, so it was tough to get the ground ready," Dassanayake said.India's focus will now shift to adapting to the different conditions in the West Indies. The pitches in the Caribbean are expected to be less conducive to fast bowling than those in New York, where India played their first three matches.Team combinations, batting approach, and par scores are some of the aspects that skipper Rohit Sharma and his team management will need to reassess. India batting coach Vikram Rathour expressed disappointment at not getting a game but emphasized the importance of player safety."It is disappointing for fans who have turned up to the stadium, and for us too. We were looking forward to playing the game. It was important for us to get match practice. But the rain is something we cannot control," Rathour said.Rathour also highlighted the concerns regarding injuries on a wet outfield. "The concern about sustaining an injury is always there when you play in less than ideal conditions. We are already in the Super 8, and you do not want any injuries ahead of important matches," Rathour added.

England and Namibia will face off in a crucial T20 World Cup Group B match in Antigua, with both teams vying for a spot in the Super 8s.England, despite their recent struggles, remain in contention for a playoff berth. A victory over Namibia is imperative, and if Australia defeats Scotland, their chances will improve significantly. Even a washout in the England-Namibia game could see Scotland advance.Namibia, on the other hand, has been eliminated from contention but will be eager to make a statement against the former world champions. Skipper Gerhard Erasmus is just three wickets away from reaching 50 in T20Is, while Moeen Ali needs one more to achieve the same milestone.England's massive net run-rate (NRR) jump from -1.8 to +3.08 has given them a significant advantage. They now only need a win against Namibia to secure their place in the Super 8s.After their record-breaking victory against Oman, England is confident and determined to dominate Namibia. They will be looking to build on their momentum and secure a spot in the playoffs.

Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to reinstate Babar Azam as captain has backfired spectacularly, leading to the team's premature exit from the T20 World Cup 2024. Babar's reappointment, following a brief stint by Shaheen Afridi, has drawn widespread criticism, with former players questioning his leadership abilities.Amidst the ongoing debate, former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has launched a scathing attack on Babar, accusing him of neglecting to inform Shaheen about PCB's offer to him. "If Babar Azam wanted to become captain again, he should've called Shaheen Afridi and said that I've got the offer," Basit said on ARY News.Basit also highlighted the example of Younis Khan, who declined the captaincy offer after Misbah-ul-Haq's removal. He believes Babar should have followed suit or at least consulted Shaheen, as his actions have strained their friendship.PCB is reportedly considering drastic measures in the wake of the T20 World Cup debacle, with reports suggesting that up to 9 players, including Babar and Shaheen, could be axed from the squad. The board's decision-making process has come under scrutiny, with many questioning the rationale behind Babar's reappointment and the subsequent sacking of Shaheen.As the dust settles on Pakistan's disappointing World Cup campaign, PCB faces a crucial task in rebuilding the team and restoring its former glory. The board's decisions in the coming months will shape the future of Pakistan cricket and determine whether they can regain their status as a cricketing powerhouse.

The T20 World Cup has witnessed a historic moment as newcomers USA have advanced to the Super 8 stage, eliminating Pakistan in the process. This remarkable achievement has been largely attributed to the exceptional performance of Saurabh Netravalkar, a left-arm pacer who has played a pivotal role in USA's success.Netravalkar, an AI engineer by profession, has seamlessly balanced his passion for cricket with his demanding career. After matches, he diligently works remotely for his employer, Oracle, from the comfort of his hotel room.Oracle's appreciation post for their star employee has sparked a wave of support from fans, who have urged the software company to grant Netravalkar leave during the tournament and reward him with a pay hike.Netravalkar, a Cornell University alumnus, has demonstrated an unwavering love for both cricket and coding. "When you love something, it is never a job for you," he remarked. "I love bowling and out-thinking batters on the field, and I love coding off the field."The US team has capitalized on their home advantage to make a stunning debut in this major cricket tournament. Their Super 8 appearance has also secured their automatic qualification for the 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup.Netravalkar's exceptional performance has not only propelled USA to the next round but has also earned him widespread recognition. His ability to juggle his professional and sporting commitments has inspired many, showcasing the power of passion and dedication.

Match 36 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 pits Pakistan, currently ranked third in the points table, against Ireland, who sit in fifth place. The two teams will face off at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida on June 16th, 2024, at 08:00 PM IST.Pakistan has won three of their four matches so far, while Ireland has won one and lost one. In their last encounter, Pakistan defeated Canada by seven wickets, with Mohammad Rizwan emerging as the top fantasy player with 85 points. Ireland, on the other hand, lost to Canada by 12 runs, with Mark Adair being their top fantasy performer with 76 points.Pakistan will be relying on their star players, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan. Afridi, a left-arm pacer, has taken two wickets in his last two matches and will be looking to continue his wicket-taking form. Azam, the captain, has scored 90 runs in his last three outings and will be crucial to Pakistan's batting success. Rizwan, a wicketkeeper-batter, has scored 93 runs in the current World Cup and will be aiming to contribute both with the bat and behind the stumps.Ireland will be hoping for strong performances from Mark Richard Adair, Gareth James Delany, and Curtis Campher. Adair, a bowling all-rounder, has taken two wickets and scored 37 runs in this World Cup. Delany, a leg-break googly bowler, has taken one wicket and scored 29 runs in his past two matches. Campher, a batting all-rounder, has scored only 16 runs in this World Cup but will be looking to make an impact against Pakistan.The match promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams. Pakistan will be the favorites, but Ireland will be determined to pull off an upset and improve their chances of reaching the knockout stages.