Cricket

India vs Pakistan: Danish Kaneria Declares Virat Kohli Superior to Babar AzamAhead of the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan, former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria has sparked a debate by declaring Virat Kohli as the superior player to current Pakistani captain Babar Azam.Kaneria's comments stem from ongoing comparisons between Azam and Kohli, particularly following Azam's recent performances. While acknowledging Azam's talent, Kaneria believes that Kohli's achievements and skill level are unmatched."As soon as Babar Azam scored a hundred the next day you'll see comparisons with Virat Kohli. Virat k jute k barabar bhi nahi hai (He is not even equal to Virat's shoes)," Kaneria told IANS.Kaneria pointed to Azam's performance against the USA in Pakistan's opening match of the tournament. Despite starting strongly, Azam failed to carry his team through a crucial phase of the game, getting dismissed after scoring 40 runs."USA Bowlers had him stuck, he was unable to play the bowlers. As soon as he reached 40 odd runs he got out. He should have stayed and won the game. Pakistan should have won the game one sided," Kaneria added.Kaneria also criticized Pakistan's over-reliance on their bowling strength, which he believes contributed to their loss against the USA."Whenever Pakistan come to the World Cup they keep praising their bowling and say that their bowling will win them the game but that was the reason they lost the first game,” remarked Kaneria.Looking ahead to the match between India and Pakistan, Kaneria predicted a strong victory for India."India will beat them badly. They are not capable of beating India," Kaneria said.Kaneria's comments have reignited the debate over who is the better player between Kohli and Azam. While both players have their strengths and weaknesses, Kohli's consistent performances and leadership qualities have earned him widespread recognition as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

The highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is set to take place on Sunday at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York. The match promises to be a high-voltage affair, with both teams boasting a massive fan base and a history of intense rivalry.India, led by Rohit Sharma, will enter the match with confidence after their emphatic eight-wicket victory over Ireland. The team will be looking to continue their dominance against Pakistan, who suffered a humiliating defeat against co-hosts USA.Pakistan, on the other hand, will be desperate for redemption after their disappointing start to the tournament. Led by Babar Azam, the team will be hoping to rely on their star pacer Shaheen Afridi to make an impact against India.Ahead of the blockbuster clash, Afridi had a light-hearted interaction with Indian fans in New York. In a video that went viral on social media, the fans teased Afridi, asking him to consider Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as his friends."Rohit aur Virat ko apne acche dost samjho (Consider Rohit and Virat as your good friends)," said one fan.Another fan hilariously requested Afridi, "Please kal acchi bowling mat karna (Please don't bowl well tomorrow)."Afridi, who proved to be a thorn in India's side in the 2021 T20 World Cup, will be looking to repeat his heroics and help Pakistan open their win tally in the tournament.Speaking about the match, India skipper Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of collective effort. "I don't want to rely on one or two individuals to win us the game. I think all 11 of us need to contribute," he said.With both teams eager to prove their supremacy, the T20 World Cup 2024 clash between India and Pakistan is set to be a thrilling spectacle for cricket fans around the world.

Virat Kohli's Unparalleled Popularity in Pakistan: A Testament to His Global StardomFormer Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has expressed his astonishment at the immense love and admiration that Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli enjoys among Pakistani fans. Despite not having played in Pakistan for over a decade, Kohli's fan base in the country remains unwavering and continues to grow.Latif draws parallels between Kohli's popularity and that of legendary figures like Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. He believes that Kohli commands a level of respect on par with cricket greats like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, as well as Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan."Virat's popularity in Pakistan is on par with Dilip sahab, Mr. Bachchan, and Shah Rukh," Latif said. "Like in India, you guys loved our bowlers – Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar became household names. Here in Pakistan, we adored Gavaskar sahab, Tendulkar, then Dhoni and now Kohli – they are all icons."Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali, who has played against Kohli, echoed Latif's sentiments. He believes that if India were to play a match in Pakistan, Kohli alone would attract a massive crowd."The day Virat plays in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, or Multan, only then you guys will understand his craze in Pakistan," Ali said. "The stadium will be filled with green jerseys, but the name on the backs won't be Babar Azam or Shaheen Shah Afridi, it will be Virat Kohli's along with his jersey No 18."As India and Pakistan prepare for their highly anticipated T20 World Cup encounter in New York, the fervor surrounding Kohli continues to grow. His status as a cricketing icon is undeniable, revered by fans on both sides of the border.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic Indian batter, is poised to make amends in the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash at the T20 World Cup on Sunday. Despite a forgettable outing against Ireland, Kohli's reputation as a big-match player precedes him.Kohli's preparation for the marquee encounter has been meticulous, as evidenced by a video shared by Star Sports. The footage showcases Kohli's sharp fielding drills and effortless ball-striking in the nets. The Indian team will be banking on Kohli's experience and match-winning abilities to guide them to victory.The two former champions have had contrasting starts to the tournament. India's emphatic eight-wicket win over Ireland has boosted their confidence, while Pakistan's shock defeat to USA has put them on the back foot. A victory for India would propel them to the top of Group A, while Pakistan's hopes of qualification would hang in the balance.The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the 'Super 8s' phase. India's victory would not only secure their place in the next round but also push Pakistan to the brink of elimination.Kohli's performance against Pakistan will be crucial for India's chances. The 33-year-old has a remarkable record against their arch-rivals, having scored 1,020 runs in 26 T20Is at an average of 51.00. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate at the death makes him a formidable force in the shortest format.With the eyes of the world upon them, Kohli will be determined to deliver a match-winning performance and lead India to victory in this high-stakes encounter.

India's Stalwarts Gear Up for T20 World Cup Showdown Against PakistanAs the ICC T20 World Cup approaches, all eyes are on Team India's key players who have consistently delivered against arch-rivals Pakistan across all formats. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav have been instrumental in India's past victories over Pakistan.Virat Kohli:Kohli, India's batting mainstay, has an impressive record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups, averaging 308.00 with four half-centuries. In T20Is, he averages 81.33 with five half-centuries. Across all formats, Kohli has amassed 1,166 runs against Pakistan, including three centuries and seven half-centuries.Rohit Sharma:Sharma, India's captain, has a modest record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups, averaging 17.00. However, in T20Is, he averages 14.25 with a high score of 30*. Across all formats, Sharma has scored 987 runs against Pakistan, including two centuries and eight half-centuries.Hardik Pandya:Pandya, India's all-rounder, has made significant contributions against Pakistan in both T20 World Cups and T20Is. In T20 World Cups, he averages 25.50 with a top score of 40 and has taken four wickets. In T20Is, he averages 21.00 with a high score of 40 and has taken 11 wickets.Jasprit Bumrah:Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, has limited experience against Pakistan in T20 World Cups, with just one wicket in two matches. However, in T20Is, he has taken two wickets in three matches with an economy rate of 6.20. Across all formats, Bumrah has taken nine wickets against Pakistan, including best figures of 2/19.Kuldeep Yadav:Yadav, India's left-arm spinner, has been particularly effective against Pakistan in ODIs, taking 12 wickets in six matches at an average of 14.16. His standout performance came in the Asia Cup finals last year, where he took 5/25 to restrict Pakistan to 128 runs.With these key players in their ranks, India will be confident of extending their dominance over Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup clash.

Virat Kohli's Strike Rate Adjustment Crucial for India's T20 World Cup SuccessFormer Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has emphasized the need for star batter Virat Kohli to adjust his strike rate during India's highly anticipated ICC T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan on Sunday.After a comprehensive victory over Ireland, India is brimming with confidence and momentum. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be looking to rebound from their defeat to co-hosts and World Cup debutants USA by triumphing over their biggest rival in the sport.Kaif believes that while Kohli is a threat to every team, he will need to moderate his aggression against Pakistan. In the last match against Ireland, Kohli stepped out of his crease to play a big shot but was dismissed for just one run off five balls."Forget Pakistan, Virat Kohli is a danger for every team. Any team that plays against him would not find it that easy to get him out. However, I feel he will have to tone down his aggression a little. He could score only one run off five balls in the last match, stepped down the wicket, got a top edge, and got out," Kaif said.Kaif noted that Kohli is in excellent form, entering the tournament after a remarkable IPL season with the bat for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He scored 741 runs in 15 innings at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69, including a century and five fifties. Kohli registered his highest-ever strike rate in his IPL career and was exceptional against spinners, adopting a more aggressive approach against them.Kaif urged Kohli to aim for a strike rate of around 130, instead of 140-150, and to be patient, waiting for bad balls to capitalize on."Virat Kohli has form and is coming after playing exceptionally well in the IPL. He scored close to 700 runs. We saw the domination where he was attacking in the powerplay and hitting boundaries, playing slog sweeps, and hitting sixes against spin," Kaif said."He is able to play every shot but I feel he needs to tone down his strike rate slightly. Go at a strike rate of around 130 and do not run close to 140-150. His role will be to bat 15 to 20 overs and score 60-70 runs. 70 runs from Virat Kohli's bat will be a very good knock. Take a little time at the start, wait for the bad balls, and then play your shots," he added.Kaif also suggested that Virat Kohli could bat at number three, as it is his ideal position on a tricky surface."I feel he can probably play at No. 3 as well. He opened and I can understand that he will open tomorrow as well, but I feel No. 3 is Virat Kohli's right position on such a pitch where the ball is moving. He can play till the end, run in the middle overs, and punish the bad balls," he said.At number three in T20Is, Virat has scored 3,076 runs at an average of 53.96 and a strike rate of 135.26, with 32 half-centuries. His best score is 94*.

Pakistan's all-rounder Fawad Alam has highlighted the significance of neutralizing the impact of Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah in their upcoming high-stakes T20 World Cup encounter on Sunday. A victory against their arch-rivals is crucial for Babar Azam's team to regain momentum in the tournament.The contrasting starts to the competition for the two sides have set the stage for an intriguing clash. India commenced their campaign with a commanding eight-wicket triumph over Ireland, while Pakistan suffered a stunning defeat against co-hosts USA, with the match being decided in a dramatic Super Over.Alam, who has represented Pakistan in 19 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 24 T20Is, emphasized the need for left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir to deliver a match-turning performance against India, similar to his burst against them in the Champions Trophy final 2017. He also expressed confidence in captain Babar Azam, who has a decent record against India.Despite Amir's ordinary Super Over against the USA, Alam warned against writing him off, stating that he remains Pakistan's best and most experienced bowler. However, Alam acknowledged that losing to the USA was unacceptable and that Pakistan would feel pressure against India.Alam also expressed concerns about Pakistan's lack of good spin options, particularly with Imad Wasim's injury and Shadab Khan's poor form. He noted that India's bowling attack, featuring Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav, poses a significant threat.The left-arm spinner also criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) for not inspecting the drop-in pitch in New York well in advance of the tournament. He questioned why games were not hosted in Dallas or Florida, where the wickets were better prepared.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has raised concerns over India's decision to open with Virat Kohli in the T20 World Cup, labeling it a "significant mistake." Akmal believes Kohli should be positioned at No. 3, where he can anchor the innings and guide the team through the middle overs.Akmal's criticism stems from Kohli's dismissal for just 1 run off 5 balls in India's tournament opener against Ireland. Despite this setback, the Indian team management appears set to continue with this batting order for their crucial match against Pakistan on Sunday.Akmal argues that Kohli's experience as an opener for his IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, does not translate to the international stage. He points out that Kohli's role in the IPL is to provide a quick start, while in the T20 World Cup, India needs him to play a more substantial role."Virat Kohli can take the pressure at No.3 and finish the match. That is very important for Team India," Akmal said. "If India stick to this batting order (of Kohli) opening, then they may get stuck at some point."Akmal also criticized the quality of the pitches in New York, calling on the ICC to ensure better playing surfaces for the marquee matches. "ICC will have to produce better pitches for big matches. Otherwise, people will go away from this World Cup," he warned.As India prepare for the high-stakes clash against Pakistan, all eyes will be on their batting order and whether they stick with Kohli as an opener. Akmal's comments have sparked a debate among cricket experts, with some agreeing with his assessment and others defending India's decision.

Virat Kohli's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign got off to a disappointing start as the Indian batter was dismissed for a mere 1 off 5 balls in the team's opening match against Ireland. Kohli's dismissal raised concerns about his form and approach, particularly in light of his recent struggles with strike rate.Kohli's innings was characterized by an eagerness to hit big shots from the outset. However, his attempts to force the issue resulted in his downfall. He danced down the track to a Mark Adair delivery and attempted a lofted shot, only to edge the ball to third man.Former India player Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Kohli was feeling the pressure to maintain a high strike rate, a criticism that has plagued him in the past. Given that India were chasing a modest target of 97 runs, Manjrekar felt that Kohli could have taken a more measured approach."I am very surprised that he got out. He got out while trying to play a shot. Somewhere he was feeling the pressure of strike rate. In IPL he managed it. In this match, he didn't need to play a brisk knock. He would have played normally as in such pitches he would not get out if he plays normally as he has the class of Test cricket," said Manjrekar.Kohli's strike rate has been a subject of intense scrutiny in recent times, particularly during the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he silenced his critics with a career-best performance in the tournament, winning the Orange Cap with 741 runs at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.70.Despite his impressive IPL performance, Kohli's dismissal in the T20 World Cup opener has raised questions about his ability to adapt to different match situations. With India facing a tough challenge in the tournament, Kohli will need to find his form quickly and contribute significantly to the team's success.