Cricket

Ahead of England's crucial T20 World Cup match against Oman, head coach Matthew Mott expressed his hope that Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood's comments about eliminating England from the tournament were made in jest.England's victory over Oman in their Group B clash at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday kept their hopes alive, but they face the risk of elimination. Currently fourth in the group after a no result against Scotland and a loss to Australia, defeat against Namibia in their final match will end their title defense.Australia has already secured a spot in the Super Eight, and if Scotland defeats them on Sunday, the Scots could also advance alongside the 2021 champions.In a pre-match press conference, Hazlewood had stated that eliminating England would be in the best interests of everyone. "In this tournament, you potentially come up against England at some stage again and they are probably one of the top few teams on their day and we have had some real struggles against them in T20 cricket, so if we can get them out of the tournament that's in our best interest as well as probably (that of) everyone else," Hazlewood said, according to ESPNcricinfo.Mott downplayed Hazlewood's remarks, suggesting that they were made in good humor. "To be honest, I was informed of that this morning. Look to me, that is things out of our control and I think I know Josh pretty well and I know his integrity. I do not think that is a thing. He has got a very good sense of humour and hopefully, that is what he was doing," Mott said at the pre-match press conference.Mott emphasized that the team is focused on winning their next game, regardless of Hazlewood's comments or any other external noise. "I know Jos (Buttler) spoke really well yesterday about how we need to push hard in this game as well and I think that is what teams do. Nice, cool, calculated response. It is going to be a good wicket out here by the looks of it. We are going with a lot of confidence, I think. We have played good T20 cricket for a while now. It did not quite come off against Australia in the last game but I think we have got our structure in place, we are really confident. Those who saw us train yesterday, you can see a buoyant group up and about that is ready for the challenge ahead," he added.Mott acknowledged that while England has shown glimpses of its fearless cricket, the tournament has been disjointed for them. He also stated that the team aims to take quick wickets during the powerplay. "I do think it is a different ball game when you do take wickets in the power play, it is something we aim to do and hopefully comes off in this game. It does make your life a lot easier when you can come out of the power play and batters are not set but I think over time we will sort that out and certainly that is a big aim for our guys in this contest out here," he said.

Saurabh Netravalkar's journey from Mumbai journeyman to T20 World Cup sensation has been a remarkable one. After struggling to break into the Indian cricket scene, Netravalkar pursued a career in coding at Oracle. However, his passion for cricket remained, and he continued to play for the USA national team.Netravalkar's breakthrough moment came in the T20 World Cup Super Over against Pakistan, where he dismissed Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to secure a thrilling victory. His performance caught the attention of the cricketing world, and he followed it up with the wickets of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in India's match against the USA.Netravalkar's success is a testament to his perseverance and determination. Despite facing setbacks in his cricket career, he never gave up on his dream. He also credits his success to his ability to balance his passions for cricket and coding."I am just happy that I can pursue both my passions," Netravalkar said. "It is all happening very fast and I am in the process of digesting it."Netravalkar's performance has not only been a personal triumph but also a boost for cricket in the USA. The co-hosts of the T20 World Cup are hoping to use the tournament to grow the sport in the country, and Netravalkar's success is a major step in that direction."If our performances help the sport grow here and become part of the school and college curriculum, we will know we are on the right track," Netravalkar said.

Ahmed Shehzad, a former Pakistan international batsman, has once again launched a scathing attack on Pakistan captain Babar Azam, accusing him of poor leadership and hindering the growth of young players.Shehzad's criticism came on the heels of Pakistan's disappointing performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they are on the verge of elimination. During an appearance on the Pakistan talkshow "Haarna Mana Hai" (Losing Is Not An Option!), Shehzad mocked Babar's tag of "King" by calling him a "Fake King."Shehzad presented a humiliating comparison between his and Babar's T20 World Cup stats. Babar has scored 517 runs in 16 games at a poor strike rate of 112, while Shehzad has slammed 250 runs in 9 games at a strike rate of 126, including a century."I feel I could've done better than those stats. But your (Babar's) stats are worse than mine," said Shehzad. "You've faced 205 balls in powerplays in T20 World Cups, but you haven't managed to hit one six!"Shehzad also accused Babar of sacrificing good performers in domestic cricket to adjust his friends in the team. He specifically blamed Babar for mishandling 22-year-old batsman Saim Ayub's development."It was your responsibility to take care of Saim Ayub's development, but now his career is over at such a young age. People are criticising Ayub after just 25 games," said Shehzad.Shehzad urged Babar to take accountability for his and the team's poor performances. "The least you can do now is raise your hand, accept that you had the support and apologize for not being able to deliver a trophy for Pakistan," said Shehzad.

The Indian cricket team's performance in the New York leg of the World Cup has been a mixed bag, with the batting superstar Virat Kohli's poor form as an opener being the only jarring note.In the three games played at the Nassau County Ground, India faced Ireland, Pakistan, and USA. While the Ireland match was a comfortable victory, the Pakistan game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with India eventually emerging victorious. The match against USA was a battle of attrition, with India triumphing after enduring some difficult phases.Amidst all this, Virat Kohli's form has been a concern. The thousands of fans who filled the stands on all three days had one common wish: a meaningful contribution from their favorite superstar. However, Kohli has scored just 1, 4, and 0 in three consecutive games, a far cry from the magnificent knocks he produced in the IPL.Kohli's struggles as an opener have prompted questions about his suitability for the role. Captain Rohit Sharma had earlier stated that Kohli's and his own slots were "fixed," while the rest of the team would be flexible. However, Kohli's recent performances have cast doubt on this strategy.The conditions in New York have been challenging for batters, with the ball dominating the bat. The movement and up-and-down nature of the track have kept batters on their toes. Kohli's late arrival to the team and subsequent lack of practice at the venue may have contributed to his struggles.Despite his poor form, the team management remains confident in Kohli's abilities. Shivam Dube, who has also faced some challenges, said, "Who am I to talk about Kohli? If he hasn't got runs in three games, he may well get three hundreds in the next three and there will be no more discussions."Captain Rohit Sharma has the option of bringing in Yashasvi Jaiswal as his opening partner and dropping Kohli down to his regular No. 3 spot. However, Sharma believes that Kohli is best suited at the top and that the team will not be able to include four all-rounders if Kohli comes down the order.The team's faith in Kohli has prevented them from making any harsh decisions. It is now up to the batting great to flick on that switch and prove that "class is permanent."

England captain Jos Buttler has responded to criticism of his team's performance in the T20 World Cup, stating that he has been around long enough to understand what people are saying.England revived their campaign with a record-breaking victory over Oman by eight wickets in Antigua. The reigning champions needed a significant win to improve their net run rate (NRR) as they strived to surpass Scotland and qualify for the second-round Super Eights.England's triumph over Group B was nothing short of spectacular, setting a new record for the largest win in the history of the T20 World Cup when considering the number of balls remaining. This resounding success had a profound impact on England's NRR, propelling it to an impressive 3.081, surpassing Scotland's 2.16.Despite this remarkable achievement, England remained in third place with three points, trailing behind Scotland, who held the lead with five points."Thought the tone was set by the bowlers, take early wicket and restrict them. Job done today, another game in two days' time. Bowled brilliantly, there was extra bounce. Topley with his height... I thought they bowled a good line and length. Don't think anyone expected the wicket to play like it did, looked a really good surface. Just looked to be positive, try to take advantage of the NRR," Buttler said after the match.Buttler acknowledged that while negative feedback can be challenging, it also presents an opportunity for the team to reflect and improve. He stressed the importance of staying focused on their goals and maintaining confidence in their abilities, regardless of outside opinions."Been around long enough to know that people make comments. We know what's going on in the dressing room. We have another huge match to come. We can only control what we do, all focus is on that," Buttler added.England's victory over Oman has given them a much-needed boost in confidence as they prepare for their next match against South Africa on Saturday. A win against the Proteas would secure England's place in the Super Eights and give them a chance to defend their title.

England's T20 World Cup defense is back on track after a dominant performance against Oman. Led by Jos Buttler's captaincy and Adil Rashid's bowling brilliance, England secured a resounding victory, boosting their net run rate and putting them in contention for Super Eight qualification.Buttler praised his team's ability to block out external noise and focus on the task at hand. England's bowlers set the tone, with Rashid claiming 4 for 11 and Mark Wood and Jofra Archer each taking 3 for 12. Oman was restricted to a modest 47 runs, which England chased down in just 3.1 overs.Buttler's unbeaten 24 from eight deliveries sealed the victory, transforming England's net run rate from -1.8 to +3.08. This puts them ahead of Scotland, who currently sit at 2.16. England's progress depends on avoiding any further upsets or washouts in the remaining fixtures.Buttler acknowledged the criticism surrounding England's campaign but remained confident in his team's abilities. He emphasized the importance of the bowling display, particularly the effectiveness of Topley, Archer, and Rashid on the Antigua pitch.England's run-chase was ignited by Phil Salt's two sixes from the first two balls, a rare feat in T20I cricket. Jonny Bairstow's four in the final over sealed the victory. Buttler stressed the importance of positivity and taking advantage of opportunities to improve their net run rate.England's focus now shifts to their match against Namibia on Saturday. A victory will further enhance their chances of qualifying for the Super Eight. Buttler remains optimistic, stating, "We can only focus on ourselves. We've got a huge game against Namibia and all focus now is on that."

New Zealand's T20 World Cup campaign has hit a roadblock, with the team on the brink of elimination after a disappointing loss to West Indies. The Black Caps have struggled to adapt to the challenging conditions in the Caribbean, and their lack of match practice has been a major factor in their poor performances.After arriving in the Caribbean in late May, New Zealand had to wait until last Friday to play their first match due to the ICC's proposed warm-up fixture dates. Their proposed alternatives were also turned down, leaving them short on numbers and preparation time.Now, after just 75.2 overs of cricket, New Zealand are facing elimination. Unless Papua New Guinea can secure their first-ever T20 World Cup win by beating Afghanistan on Thursday night, New Zealand's final two fixtures will be dead-rubbers.Captain Kane Williamson admitted that the situation feels surreal, as it will be the first time in a decade that New Zealand have failed to progress from their initial group in a men's World Cup. Despite Williamson's denial, it does feel like the end of an era for an ageing team, with Mark Chapman, the fourth-youngest player in their squad, turning 30 this month.New Zealand's bowlers performed well against West Indies, but their batting line-up struggled once again. They have batted twice at this World Cup, and the biggest partnership they have put on is 23. Of the 14 players who have batted, only Glenn Phillips has faced more than 25 balls across two innings.Coach Gary Stead admitted that New Zealand were slow to adapt to the conditions, and that they need to find a batsman who can play the same role as Daryl Mitchell did for West Indies. Stead also expressed disappointment that the team's false start has cost them dearly.With their T20 World Cup hopes hanging by a thread, New Zealand will need to find a way to turn things around quickly. They face Ireland in their next match on Friday, and a win is essential if they want to keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.

Azam Khan, the son of legendary Pakistani wicketkeeper Moin Khan, has faced intense criticism and trolling following his disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup and subsequent actions.Khan's inclusion in the Pakistan team raised eyebrows, with many questioning his fitness and weight. In his maiden T20 World Cup outing against the United States, he was dismissed for a first-ball duck. He was subsequently dropped for the crucial match against India, which Pakistan lost by a narrow margin.After the match, a video surfaced on social media showing Khan eating street food late at night in New York. This sparked further outrage among fans and critics, who accused him of unprofessionalism.Former Pakistan captain and Team Director Mohammad Hafeez has now revealed shocking details about Khan's behavior. Hafeez, who was sacked by the PCB after a disappointing tour of Australia and New Zealand, had supported Khan during his tenure. However, he was left disappointed by the young player's lack of commitment.Hafeez stated that he had given Khan a six-week fitness program, but the player failed to follow it. He also criticized Khan's running abilities, which were significantly below the rest of the team."I found that this guy is not ready to play international cricket," Hafeez said. "I told him again that if you want to play for Pakistan, you need to show more commitment. But I didn't see that commitment in him."Khan has played 14 T20Is for Pakistan, scoring just 88 runs at an average of 8.80. His poor form and unprofessional conduct have raised serious doubts about his future in the national team.

England's T20 World Cup hopes are on the line as they face Oman in a must-win clash in Antigua. After a washout against Scotland and a heavy loss to Australia, England have no margin for error if they want to defend their title.Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to restrict Oman to a low total on a batting-friendly surface at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. England made one change to their lineup, bringing in Reece Topley for Chris Jordan.Oman, who have lost all three of their matches so far, also made changes, with Kashyap Prajapati, Fayyaz Butt, and Shoaib Khan coming into the side.England's bowling attack, led by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, will be a major threat to Oman's batters. However, Oman will be looking to upset the odds and secure a famous victory.England's secondary goal is to win by a large enough margin to improve their net run rate, which is currently behind Scotland's. Scotland's final match is against Australia on Sunday, so England will need to put in a strong performance to have a chance of progressing to the next round.