Cricket

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has launched a scathing attack on the national team following their dismal performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 clash against India. Pakistan suffered a humiliating six-run defeat in a low-scoring encounter, leaving them with zero points after two matches.Akram expressed his frustration with the team's lack of fight and poor decision-making. He criticized the batsmen for failing to chase down a modest target of 120, despite having experienced players like Mohammad Rizwan in the lineup."Pakistan doesn't need an enemy, they have plenty themselves," Akram said. "Now should we put a pacifier in their mouths? Now we have to explain to them what situation awareness is? Babar will explain, the coach will explain."Akram pointed out that the batsmen have been playing for several years and should have the experience to handle pressure situations. He questioned their lack of effort and inability to hit boundaries, even after 10 overs."These batsmen have been playing for the last 8-10 years," Akram said. "Now should I tell Rizwan that the main bowler has come for one over, to take a wicket? You didn't hit a boundary after 10 overs. Didn't even try. So even 120 couldn't be chased."Akram's criticism reflects the growing frustration among Pakistani fans and experts. The team's performance has been below par in recent months, and the defeat to India has raised serious questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.Pakistan now face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages. They need to beat Canada and Ireland by a big margin to improve their net run rate. Their qualification hopes also depend on India winning their remaining matches and the USA losing their remaining matches.

Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional adaptability and unique skillset make him a crucial player for India's success in the T20 World Cup, believes legendary Indian cricketer Anil Kumble. Bumrah's ability to perform consistently, regardless of the conditions, sets him apart from other bowlers.In the highly anticipated match against Pakistan in New York, Bumrah showcased his match-winning capabilities by delivering a stellar performance, taking 3 wickets for just 14 runs. His efforts played a vital role in India's thrilling six-run victory over their traditional rivals.Despite India being bowled out for a modest 119 on a challenging two-paced track at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, the pace duo of Bumrah and Hardik Pandya (2/24) brought the team back into the game with their incisive bowling spells. Pakistan, in response, could only manage 113 for seven in their allotted 20 overs, falling short of the target."We saw that with that 15th over where he got that wicket (of Mohammad Rizwan), and then the 19th over, when you knew that in that over if he had given a couple of boundaries, then last over 10 runs, 12 runs, possible," Kumble said on ESPNCricinfo."But once it gets to that 18 runs, 19 runs, on a surface like this, (it's) impossible for the tail-enders to come and get those runs. So Jasprit Bumrah, if India go on to win this tournament, he would have to play a major role," Kumble said.Pandya's effective use of the short ball was complemented by Bumrah's crucial wickets in the latter stages of the innings. Bumrah removed the dangerous Mohammad Rizwan in the 15th over and followed it up by dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed in the penultimate over, which yielded only three runs.With Pakistan requiring 18 runs off the final six deliveries, Arshdeep Singh displayed remarkable composure under pressure to secure yet another memorable victory for India against their arch-rivals on the global stage.Kumble was full of praise for Bumrah, emphasizing his importance to the team. "Jasprit Bumrah should be your number one in your team list. Forget about the format, Jasprit Bumrah is your number one. Yes, this is a pitch where it was not easy for the bowlers but the variations and also the kind of pressure he puts on the batters..." Kumble said."Knowing that it's not going to be easy, forget the surface, any surface, we have seen that right throughout his career, it's not easy. Any batter coming in front of Bumrah knows that it's going to be tough, and on a surface like this, he just builds the pressure," he added.Bumrah's exceptional skills and adaptability make him a key player for India in the T20 World Cup. His ability to perform consistently, regardless of the conditions, gives India a significant advantage in their quest for the title.

India's Triumph in T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma's Captaincy Lauded by Ricky PontingIn a thrilling encounter at the T20 World Cup 2024, India emerged victorious over arch-rivals Pakistan by a narrow margin of 6 runs. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has heaped praise on Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for his exceptional leadership during the high-stakes match.Despite a brief stay at the crease, scoring 13 runs off 12 deliveries, Rohit's impact on the game extended far beyond his individual performance. Ponting, in a video posted on the ICC's official Instagram account, commended Rohit's "outstanding" captaincy, highlighting his ability to effectively utilize his bowling resources."Rohit Sharma is a very experienced captain," Ponting remarked. "I just saw him and said, 'Mate, your captaincy today was outstanding.' I don't think he could have done much more."Ponting also praised Hardik Pandya's exceptional performance, describing him as "outstanding" in the crucial game. He noted that Rohit's familiarity with his bowlers, having worked with them in the IPL, gave him a deep understanding of their strengths and weaknesses."He understands them, knows when he can use them," Ponting said. "But it's one thing for the captain to set a plan, the bowlers are going to go ahead and execute it, and Hardik was outstanding."Ponting observed that the wicket conditions changed significantly during the second innings. As the sun emerged, the wicket dried out rapidly, favoring the seamers. However, Rohit's astute captaincy allowed India to adapt and adjust on the run."I thought he did a really good job with the ball as well," Ponting added. "Their spinner bowled four overs for 20 and Patel picked up a big wicket. The wicket was definitely different in the second innings. Pakistan got the ball to hold up through natural variation, but when the sun came out, the wicket dried out quite quickly. I thought he did that really well."Rohit's leadership played a pivotal role in India's victory, showcasing his ability to make quick decisions and inspire his team to perform under pressure. His experience and understanding of the game proved invaluable in guiding India to a hard-fought win.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri was overcome with emotion as he presented Rishabh Pant with the best fielder award following India's thrilling six-run victory over Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup. Shastri had been deeply affected by the news of Pant's potentially fatal car accident in December 2022.Despite being dropped four times and struggling for timing early on, Pant played a crucial role in India's victory with a vital 42 off 31 balls. He also took three excellent catches behind the stumps, showcasing his exceptional wicketkeeping skills."I had tears in my eyes when I heard about his accident," Shastri said in a video posted on bcci.tv. "When I saw him in hospital, it was even worse. Then for him to come back from there and be back in the A-zone playing one of the biggest games of all time, India vs Pakistan, is heartwarming."Shastri praised Pant's determination and hard work, noting that his recovery from the accident was an inspiration to millions. "Not just for yourself, it's an inspiration to millions around the globe that from adversity, from the jaws of death, you can snatch a win as well," he said.Fielding coach T Dilip also lauded the Indian players for their exceptional fielding performance on a sluggish outfield. "One thing which stood out was sheer commitment towards excellence in fielding, which led to greatness today," Dilip said. "In high pressure situations, being proactive is extremely important and this game was a great example."India's victory over Pakistan was their second in the tournament, following their opening win against the Netherlands. They will next face co-hosts USA on Wednesday in New York.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign has hit a major roadblock after consecutive losses to the United States and India. The team, once considered a formidable force in the format, now faces an uphill battle to qualify for the Super Eight stage.The Super Over defeat against the co-hosts in their opening Group A match was a major setback for Pakistan. Despite posting a competitive 159 for 7, they failed to defend the target, losing in a thrilling tiebreaker. The loss exposed Pakistan's bowling weaknesses, as the American batters took advantage of loose deliveries.The situation worsened in their second match against arch-rivals India. Pakistan's batting lineup struggled to cope with India's disciplined bowling, managing only 113 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. The Indian bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh, kept the Pakistani batters in check, conceding only 59 dot balls.Pakistan's qualification chances now hinge on winning big against Canada and Ireland, while hoping that the Americans lose heavily to India and Ireland. Even in that scenario, both teams will end on four points each, and it will boil down to which team has a better net run rate.Pakistan's dismal net run rate of -0.150 means they will need to win by comprehensive margins in their remaining matches. The team's lack of clarity in leadership and internal factions have also contributed to their struggles.Canada, on the other hand, are in a better position after winning one of their two matches. They will be looking to capitalize on Pakistan's vulnerabilities and secure a victory that could boost their own qualification hopes.Pakistan's bowlers, led by Naseem Shah and Mohammad Amir, have been a bright spot in the tournament so far. However, the team's batters need to step up and deliver if they want to revive their faltering campaign.

Jasprit Bumrah's remarkable resurgence has silenced critics who doubted his ability to return to form after a career-threatening injury. The Indian pace spearhead has reestablished himself as one of the world's leading fast bowlers, showcasing his resilience and determination.In 2022, Bumrah underwent surgery for a lower back stress fracture, sidelining him for over ten months. Skepticism arose about his ability to handle the workload of playing in all three formats. However, Bumrah has proven his doubters wrong with his exceptional performances in the past year."A year ago, people were saying I might not play again and my career is over," Bumrah said. "Now the question has changed."Bumrah's return to form has been characterized by his ability to handle pressure and focus on the controllables. "I'm not looking at whether I'm bowling at my best," he explained. "I try to solve the problem that's in front of me."Avoiding external pressure has been key to his success. "If I look at the outside noise, if I look at people and pressure and emotion takes over, then things don't really work for me," the 30-year-old said.Despite the challenging conditions for bowlers in the IPL, Bumrah and the Indian bowling unit have adapted well to the T20 World Cup pitches. "We didn't come here with that baggage," Bumrah noted.Bumrah's deep understanding with captain Rohit Sharma, developed over years of playing together for Mumbai Indians, has been crucial. "We were very clear in the huddle that we would focus on what's in our control," he said.In low-scoring matches, maintaining composure is essential. "If we go for magic deliveries and try to be too desperate, run-making becomes easy," Bumrah explained.Bumrah's advocacy for bowlers reflects his appreciation for their often under-recognized contributions. "We're very happy with the appreciation that bowlers have received," he said.With this victory, India leads Group A with two wins from two games, while Pakistan's chances of advancing look slim.

It was a balmy June evening in 2024 when the cricketing world held its breath in anticipation. The stage was set, the lights were bright, and the air was thick with tension as India and Pakistan, the age-old rivals, prepared...

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and former head coach Ravi Shastri engaged in a friendly baseball game during a fan event in New York City ahead of the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan.The event, organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and DP World, saw thousands of fans gather at the fan zone to witness the iconic duo interact and play baseball. Shastri took on the role of pitcher, while Tendulkar showcased his batting skills.After the baseball game, Tendulkar and Shastri interacted with local children and distributed cricket kits to them. Tendulkar expressed his excitement for the upcoming India-Pakistan match, noting that their previous encounters in World Cups have always been thrilling and exhilarating."India versus Pakistan has always been a big match and exhilarating. My first World Cup clash against them was in Australia. The number of WC matches we have played against them are all exciting and have tight finishes which people have enjoyed. Coming to the T20 WC from 2007 to 2022, all these matches have been tight and exhilarating as well. I would like to wish both of the teams the best of luck, though my best wishes will be slightly more towards India," Tendulkar said.The event served as a prelude to the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match, which is expected to draw a massive global audience. Tendulkar's presence and interaction with fans added to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the clash between the two cricketing giants.