Cricket

In a thrilling encounter at Tarouba, West Indies secured their berth in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup with a hard-fought 13-run victory over New Zealand.Sherfane Rutherford emerged as the hero for the hosts, smashing an unbeaten 68 off just 39 deliveries. His innings, which included six towering sixes and two boundaries, propelled West Indies to a competitive total of 149 for 9 after they had slumped to 76 for 7 in the 12th over.In response, New Zealand's chase was derailed by the brilliance of Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie. Joseph, the pacer, claimed 4 for 19, while Motie, the left-arm spinner, returned with impressive figures of 3 for 25.New Zealand's openers, Devon Conway and Finn Allen, were dismissed cheaply in the powerplay. Motie then played a pivotal role, dismissing Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson in quick succession. Glenn Phillips kept the Kiwis in the hunt with a 33-ball 40, but Joseph's late burst of wickets extinguished their hopes.With three consecutive wins, West Indies have booked their place in the Super Eight stage. New Zealand, on the other hand, are on the brink of elimination after suffering back-to-back defeats.

New Zealand, a team renowned for its consistent performance in World Cups, faces the prospect of an early exit from the T20 World Cup after a disappointing start. The Black Caps, who have reached the semi-finals in all six recent editions of the ODI and T20 World Cups, find themselves at the bottom of Group C with a negative run rate of -4.2.Their dismal performance began with a stunning 84-run loss to Afghanistan in their tournament opener. New Zealand's batting lineup collapsed, with the team being bowled out for a mere 75 runs in 15.2 overs. The defeat has left them in a precarious position, with their hopes of advancing to the Super 12 stage hanging in the balance.To avoid an embarrassing group stage exit, New Zealand must deliver a much-improved performance in their upcoming match against tournament co-hosts West Indies. The match is a must-win for the Black Caps, who will be desperate to revive their campaign.New Zealand's batting woes have been a major concern. The team has struggled to find consistency, with only Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips showing any form. The bowling attack, led by Tim Southee and Trent Boult, has also been inconsistent, failing to provide the necessary support to the batsmen.West Indies, on the other hand, have enjoyed a more positive start to the tournament. They defeated Scotland in their opening match and will be confident of extending their winning streak against New Zealand. The hosts will be buoyed by the return of Andre Russell, who missed the Scotland game due to injury.The match between West Indies and New Zealand promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams desperate for a victory. New Zealand will be under immense pressure to avoid an early exit, while West Indies will be looking to secure their place in the Super 12 stage.

West Indies captain Rovman Powell believes his team has an advantage over an "undercooked" New Zealand side in their upcoming World Cup Group C clash. Both teams have faced disrupted preparations due to heavy rain and poor practice facilities at the Brian Lara Stadium.New Zealand's afternoon training session was cut short due to slippery practice strips, while West Indies' floodlit session was canceled altogether. The rainy season in Trinidad has brought adverse weather alerts, with thunderstorms likely.Powell sees this as an opportunity for West Indies to exploit New Zealand's lack of preparation. "If there's a good time to play New Zealand, I think it's now," he said. "They're a little bit undercooked. The pressure is really on them."New Zealand coach Gary Stead acknowledged the challenges his team has faced. "The practice wickets got wet out in the middle," he said. "The balls were going through the top of the surface, so we had a good fielding training instead."New Zealand's batters have struggled to face fast bowling in the nets due to the limited preparation. Stead expects a low-scoring game on Wednesday, unlike England's 267-run total at the same venue in December.Powell also hinted at a low-scoring match, citing the impact of rain on wicket preparation. "With the rain around, that can play a part in the scores," he said.New Zealand is expected to make changes to their lineup, with Ish Sodhi and James Neesham potential inclusions. Stead emphasized the importance of matching up well against West Indies' weaknesses.Despite their poor start, New Zealand needs to win their remaining three matches to qualify for the Super 8s. "We know what's in front of us: we have to win three games and win them well," Stead said. "We know things are stacked against us at the moment, but that's the challenge."

Nepal's controversial cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been cleared to join his national team in the West Indies for the ICC T20 World Cup. The 23-year-old spin bowler was initially denied a visa to enter the United States, where the tournament's opening matches were held. However, after his visa applications were denied twice, the Nepal Cricket Association (NCA) announced on Monday that Lamichhane would be joining the team for the remaining matches in the West Indies.Lamichhane's return to the national team is a significant boost for Nepal, who have struggled in his absence. The team lost their opening match of the tournament to the Netherlands by six wickets and will face Sri Lanka in Florida on Wednesday before heading to the West Indies for matches against South Africa and Bangladesh.Lamichhane's inclusion in the squad brings experience and skill to the team. He is one of Nepal's most successful cricketers, having played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Big Bash League (BBL). His return is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Nepal's chances of progressing to the Super 12 stage of the tournament.However, Lamichhane's return to the team has also been met with some controversy. In 2022, he was convicted of raping a young woman in a Kathmandu hotel and sentenced to eight years in prison. His sentence was quashed on appeal last month, allowing him to rejoin the cricketing scene.Despite the controversy surrounding him, Lamichhane remains a popular figure in Nepal. His return to the national team has been welcomed by many fans, who believe that he can help Nepal achieve success in the T20 World Cup.

West Indies' dominance in the T20 World Cup was on full display as they crushed Uganda by a resounding 134 runs, thanks to a masterful bowling performance by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein.Opting to bat first, West Indies posted a competitive 173/5, led by Johnson Charles' aggressive 44 and Andre Russell's late blitz of 30 not out. Brandon King (13) provided an early spark, while Nicholas Pooran's quickfire 22 injected momentum into the innings.Uganda's bowlers, led by skipper Brian Masaba (2/31) and Alpesh Ramjani (2/28), showed moments of control, but Russell's explosive hitting in the final overs ensured a challenging target.Uganda's chase never gained traction, as Akeal Hosein's spin bowling proved devastating. His career-best figures of 5/11 decimated the Ugandan batting lineup, restricting them to a paltry 39 runs in 12 overs – the joint-lowest total in men's T20 World Cup history.Hosein's impact was immediate, dismissing Roger Mukasa with the second ball of the innings. He then removed Alpesh Amjani and Riazar Ali Shah in quick succession, leaving Uganda reeling at 8/3 inside the powerplay.The Ugandan batsmen struggled to read Hosein's deliveries, succumbing to his relentless pressure. He returned in his final over to claim two more wickets, completing his maiden five-wicket haul and etching his name in the record books with the best bowling figures by a West Indian bowler in T20 World Cup history.This emphatic victory significantly bolsters West Indies' net run rate to a healthy 3.574, strengthening their position in Group C and bolstering their chances of securing a top-two finish.

West Indies vs Uganda: A Clash of Heroes and History-MakersOn June 8th, at the Providence Stadium, West Indies will face Uganda in their third T20I match against a Full-Member nation. This encounter holds immense significance for both teams.For Uganda, it's a dream come true to play against their idols, the West Indies. Some Ugandan players have grown up idolizing West Indian legends and consider it a blessing to share the field with them. The match will be a celebration of their journey to the T20 World Cup, where they have already made history by securing their first victory.West Indies, on the other hand, are riding a wave of confidence after five consecutive wins. They will be eager to extend their streak and showcase their power-packed batting lineup. However, they must be wary of Uganda's fighting spirit and their ability to adapt to unfamiliar conditions.Key Players to Watch:* Roston Chase (West Indies): The all-rounder has been in exceptional form, contributing with both bat and ball. He has the ability to control the game's tempo and finish it with power-hitting.* Riazat Ali Shah (Uganda): A promising talent, Shah has shown his composure in crucial chases. He will be looking to accelerate his scoring rate against the West Indies.Team News:West Indies are likely to field the same XI that defeated PNG, while Uganda may retain the players who played key roles in their victory against the same opposition.Pitch and Conditions:The Providence surface is expected to be slow, making scoring challenging. The weather forecast predicts cloudy conditions with temperatures around 23 degrees Celsius.Quotes:* Roston Chase (West Indies): "My game has evolved where I have learned and I've been practising to finish the game in the back end in terms of the power-hitting and getting stronger and stuff."* Simon Ssesazi (Uganda): "Getting our first win against PNG is a dream come true. We never thought we'd win any game... Kampala is just booming since the day we won, everyone is just calling us legends."

New Zealand will face a stern test in their T20 World Cup opener against a formidable Afghanistan side on June 8 in Guyana. The Black Caps find themselves in a challenging Group C alongside two-time champions West Indies and Afghanistan, who are brimming with IPL stars.Despite their recent rain-affected training sessions, New Zealand remains confident in their adaptability, a trait that has served them well in ICC events. Led by Kane Williamson, they boast a wealth of experience and youthful exuberance in the likes of Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra.On paper, New Zealand appears well-equipped with depth in batting and variety in bowling. Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Tim Southee form a formidable pace attack, while left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner has an impressive record in the Caribbean.Afghanistan, on the other hand, enter the tournament on the back of a morale-boosting victory over Uganda. Their opening duo of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provide a solid start, while pacers Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, and skipper Rashid Khan are known for their exceptional skills.However, Afghanistan's batting depth remains a concern, as none of the other batters managed to make a significant contribution against Uganda. Against a formidable Kiwi side, they will need to improve their consistency.In a separate Group D encounter, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will renew their rivalry in Dallas. Sri Lanka, who suffered a crushing defeat to South Africa in their opener, will be eager to bounce back. Their batters need to show better shot selection and match awareness, while the bowlers will look to exploit Bangladesh's recent struggles in the shortest format.Bangladesh, on the other hand, have had a disappointing year in T20Is, losing series to Sri Lanka and USA. They were also handed a comprehensive defeat by India in a warm-up game. Their hopes rest on the shoulders of Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, and Mustafizur Rahman.

New Zealand's T20 World Cup campaign is set to begin with a challenging start, facing Afghanistan and West Indies in their first two matches. Despite a late start and jetlag, head coach Gary Stead remains optimistic about their chances.The squad has had limited training sessions due to rain and the absence of warm-up matches. However, Stead believes the time leading up to their first game will be sufficient for preparation and gathering intel from other matches.Stead emphasized the importance of adaptability in the squad, given the potential for different conditions and the challenges of DLS in shortened games. He also highlighted the need to monitor the weather, as rain could impact qualification.Finn Allen has recovered from a back injury and is training fully, giving New Zealand a clean bill of health. Stead will be closely observing the Afghanistan-Uganda match to assess the dew factor, which could affect the ball's movement.New Zealand's squad includes players who have demonstrated adaptability in the past, and Stead is confident in their ability to adjust to different roles and situations. He anticipates a difference in playing conditions between daytime and evening matches, with a higher dew factor expected in the evenings.Despite the challenges, Stead remains hopeful that New Zealand's late start will provide them with enough time to prepare and gain an advantage from observing other teams' performances.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a record-breaking prize pool of $11.25 million for the Men's T20 World Cup 2024, set to be held in the West Indies and USA. This marks a significant increase from the previous edition's prize money of $10 million.The tournament, scheduled for 28 days across nine venues, will feature 20 teams competing for the coveted trophy. The winners will receive a staggering $2.45 million, the highest prize amount in the event's history. The runners-up will secure $1.28 million, while the losing semi-finalists will take home $787,500 each.Teams eliminated in the second round will receive $382,500, while those finishing between ninth and 12th place will earn $247,500 each. Teams ranked from 13th to 20th place will each receive $225,000.Additionally, every team will be awarded an additional $31,154 for each match won during the tournament, excluding the semi-finals and finals. This incentive aims to encourage competitive play throughout the event.The tournament will commence with 40 matches in the first round, followed by the Super 8s and culminating in the semi-finals, which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. The final match will take place at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, where the champions of the 2024 men's edition will be crowned.ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice expressed his excitement for the upcoming event, stating, "This event is historic in so many ways, so it is fitting that the prize money for players reflects that. Hundreds of millions of fans around the world will be entertained by the players in what we’re hoping to be an Out of This World event."The increased prize money is a testament to the growing popularity and financial success of the T20 format. It is expected to attract top players from around the world and generate significant revenue for the ICC and participating teams.