Cricket

Pakistan Women Elect to Bat First in T20 World Cup Clash Against Sri LankaIn a highly anticipated clash at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan Women have won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka Women. The match marks a significant moment for both teams, as Sri Lanka aims to continue their impressive form while Pakistan seeks to make a strong start to the tournament.Sri Lanka has enjoyed a remarkable year, securing their first-ever Women's Asia Cup title last July with a commanding victory over India. Captain Chamari Athapaththu expressed her team's underdog status and their determination to play without pressure."We are coming with underdog tag all the time. So, we don't have any pressure. I don't want to take too much pressure on my shoulders and my teammates' shoulders. But we keep it simple. I have a very young team, so we have a few seniors as well. I hope we can continue our best performance, because we've been playing really good cricket the last 16 months. This is a different format and different conditions, so we have to start again, fresh days. So, keep it simple, one ball one time, one game one time."Pakistan, led by Fatima Sana, will be eager to prove their mettle against a formidable Sri Lankan side. The team features experienced players like Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz, as well as promising youngsters like Muneeba Ali and Tuba Hassan."I will try to enjoy myself, express myself and back myself as well (as captain). Actually, our whole management is supporting me, and they told me that you just take a brave decision on the field, so just try to do this, be calm and just do whatever you want."The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with contrasting strengths and ambitions. Sri Lanka will look to maintain their momentum and upset the more fancied Pakistan side, while Pakistan will be determined to make a statement and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.

India's quest for their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title is fueled by the recent triumph of the men's team, who ended a long trophy drought by winning the Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year. The Indian women's team is eager to replicate that success and make history by becoming the first nation to win both the men's and women's T20 World Cups in the same year.Batter Jemimah Rodrigues expressed the team's renewed determination after witnessing the men's team's victory. "Seeing them win just before our World Cup made it feel so much more real," she said. "That desire and passion to win was ignited when we saw Rohit Sharma and the team lifting the trophy."Captain Harmanpreet Kaur echoed Rodrigues' sentiments, stating that a victory would be a special moment for Indian fans and cricket history. "It would be very special," she said. "If we win, it will create a similar moment for Indian fans and for cricket history back home."India's path to the title begins with their opening match against New Zealand on October 4 in Dubai. They will then face Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia in their Group A games. Pacer Renuka Singh Thakur believes that the men's team's victory has given them hope and inspiration. "When the boys won, it gave us hope that we could replicate it," she said.Opener Shafali Verma added that a victory would be a joyous occasion for the nation. "Yes, the men's team winning the World Cup was an emotional moment for the entire country," she said. "If we win too, then it will be two World Cups in a year, which is a big thing for both us and the nation."Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana emphasized the importance of focusing on the process rather than the outcome. "Winning two trophies in a year would be a different achievement, but winning the World Cup itself will be very special," she said. "It's important for us to follow the process and take it one match at a time."

Scotland vs Bangladesh: Bangladesh Opt to Bat First in Women's T20 World Cup OpenerIn the inaugural match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana elected to bat first after winning the toss against Scotland at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium.Scotland, making their tournament debut, have a 0-4 record against Bangladesh in T20Is, with their last encounter in September 2022. However, Bangladesh has not tasted victory in a T20 World Cup match in a decade.This edition of the Women's T20 World Cup marks the first time the tournament is being held at a neutral venue.Bangladesh's Batting PerformanceBangladesh openers Shamima Sultana and Murshida Khatun provided a solid start, putting on a 45-run partnership. Shamima, in particular, looked in good touch, hitting some elegant boundaries.However, Scotland's bowlers fought back, with Katherine Fraser dismissing both openers in quick succession. Bangladesh continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with only Fargana Hoque (27) and Rumana Ahmed (22) offering significant resistance.Scotland's Bowling EffortScotland's bowlers were disciplined and accurate, making it difficult for Bangladesh to score freely. Fraser was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/22. Sarah Bryce and Abtaha Maqsood also chipped in with two wickets each.Scotland's Batting ChaseIn response, Scotland got off to a shaky start, losing opener Sarah Bryce early. However, skipper Kathryn Bryce and Rachel Slater steadied the innings with a 40-run partnership.Slater played a particularly aggressive innings, hitting three boundaries and a six. But Bangladesh's bowlers kept the pressure on, with Nahida Akter and Rumana Ahmed taking two wickets each.Bangladesh's VictoryDespite a valiant effort from Scotland, Bangladesh managed to defend their total of 120/8. The Scottish batters were unable to find the boundaries consistently, and the Bangladeshi fielders were sharp in the field.Bangladesh ultimately won the match by 18 runs, securing their first victory in a T20 World Cup match since 2014.

Bangladesh, led by Nigar Sultana, will embark on their Women's T20 World Cup 2024 journey against Scotland in the tournament opener on Thursday, October 3. The match will be played at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium, commencing at 3:30 PM IST.Bangladesh, who recently lost to Sri Lanka in a warm-up game, will be eager to showcase their talent and make a mark in Group B. The group also includes England, South Africa, West Indies, and Scotland.Captain Sultana expressed her team's determination to prove their worth. "We are excited to start our World Cup campaign against Scotland," she said. "It's a great opportunity for us to show the world what we can do."Bangladesh will be hoping to upset some of the more established teams in the group and secure a spot in the knockout stages. They will need to rely on their key players, including all-rounder Fahima Khatun, who has been in impressive form lately.Scotland, on the other hand, will be making their debut in the Women's T20 World Cup. They will be led by Sarah Bryce and will be looking to make a strong impression.The match between Bangladesh and Scotland promises to be an intriguing contest. Both teams will be eager to start their World Cup campaigns on a positive note.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 kicked off with a grand Captains' Day at the Dubai International Stadium, bringing together the leaders of all 10 participating teams. The event marked the beginning of the ninth edition of the tournament, which promises to be a thrilling spectacle for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.India's captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, emphasized the continuous learning journey in cricket. She stressed the importance of constant improvement and the value of learning from both victories and mistakes. Kaur expressed her gratitude for the support of her team and their dedication to achieving their goals.Australia's captain, Alyssa Healy, highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament. She acknowledged that all 10 teams have a legitimate chance of winning the World Cup and that her team is excited for the challenge of facing formidable opponents.West Indies captain, Hayley Matthews, reflected on the extensive preparation leading up to the World Cup. She emphasized the significance of the event and the team's aspirations for success. Bangladesh's captain, Nigar Sultana, expressed optimism despite the initial disappointment of the event being moved from Bangladesh.Scotland's captain, Kathryn Bryce, emphasized their competitive spirit and aim to perform well on the big stage. England captain, Heather Knight, discussed the challenges and growth in her captaincy, highlighting the importance of adaptability and learning from others.Pakistan captain, Fatima Sana, expressed her approach to leadership, emphasizing self-expression and support from management. New Zealand captain, Sophie Devine, highlighted the remarkable growth in women's cricket, particularly in the area of fast bowling.South Africa captain, Laura Wolvaardt, spoke about their focused approach and the team's changes. Sri Lanka captain, Chamari Athapaththu, embraced their underdog status and expressed confidence in their young squad.The World Cup will feature 23 matches held over 18 days in Dubai and Sharjah. The opening match will see hosts Bangladesh face Scotland, followed by Pakistan against Sri Lanka. The tournament promises to entertain and inspire a new generation of cricket fans while serving as a transformative platform for women's cricket.

India's women's cricket team faces a crucial opening match against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup on Friday, October 4, 2024. The match holds immense significance as India aims to erase the memories of past near-misses and secure a strong start in their quest for the coveted title.Led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who is likely making her final T20 World Cup appearance, India boasts a talented squad that rivals Australia's well-oiled unit. However, India's past performances in global events have been marred by mental fragility at crucial moments. To address this, the team underwent counseling sessions during their preparatory camp at the National Cricket Academy.While external measures can provide limited assistance, flawless execution of strategies on the field remains paramount. In that regard, India could not have asked for a better opponent than New Zealand, a team that is not as formidable as its Trans-Tasman neighbor but is known for its resilience. A victory against them would serve as a testament to India's tactical and mental preparedness, which is essential in a group that also includes Australia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.India's success hinges on the contributions of its senior stars, including Harmanpreet, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, and Deepti Sharma. Shafali and Mandhana have been in excellent form, scoring runs in the recent Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. However, Harmanpreet and Shafali have been slightly underwhelming, and their return to form is crucial for India's charge at the top and middle order.The pitches in the UAE, currently experiencing a heat wave, may not be conducive to high-scoring matches, particularly as the tournament progresses. This could play to India's strengths in the bowling department, where they possess exceptional variety in spin. Deepti and Shreyanka Patil, along with Asha Shobhana and Radha Yadav, will lead the spin attack.New Zealand, on the other hand, has a blend of experienced and young players who can overcome such obstacles. Their talismanic skipper Sophie Devine, experienced all-rounder Suzie Bates, and veteran pacers Lea Tahuhu and Leigh Kasperek form the core of the side. The addition of exciting young all-rounder Amelia Kerr adds depth to their squad.While New Zealand has a strong team, their relative inexperience compared to India could prove to be their Achilles Heel. India will need to capitalize on this advantage and execute their plans with precision to secure a positive start in their World Cup campaign.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a proactive step to combat online toxicity and foster a more inclusive environment for players and fans at the Women's T20 World Cup. The tournament, which kicks off in Sharjah on October 3, 2024, will feature a cutting-edge social media moderation tool developed in collaboration with GoBubble.This AI-powered tool monitors official and player social media channels for toxic content, including hate speech and harassment. By proactively identifying and addressing such content, the ICC aims to protect the mental health of players and create a positive atmosphere for all involved.Over 60 players have already opted in for the social media protection service, recognizing the importance of safeguarding their online presence. South Africa's Sinalo Jafta expressed her gratitude for the initiative, stating that it provides a much-needed shield against the often-degrading comments that players face on social media."That protection for me is very big because players get to share their life with the world without the fear of being judged or criticized," Jafta said.ICC head of digital, Finn Bradshaw, emphasized the organization's commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all participants and fans. "It's been great to see so many of the players and teams embrace our new initiative," Bradshaw said.The social media moderation tool is part of a broader effort by the ICC to promote gender equality and inclusivity in cricket. The Women's T20 World Cup is a significant platform for showcasing the talent and skills of female cricketers, and the ICC is determined to ensure that the tournament is a safe and welcoming space for all.

India's Smriti Mandhana Emphasizes the Importance of Giving 100% to Beat Australia in Women's T20 World CupAhead of the Women's T20 World Cup, India's vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has stressed the significance of giving their all to overcome the formidable Australian team. Australia has dominated the tournament, winning the last three editions.Mandhana acknowledged the strength of New Zealand and Sri Lanka, but emphasized that Australia demands a different level of focus. "You have to bring your best game on that particular day to get the better of them," she said. "There's always excitement when facing Australia because they're such a good team, and beating them is a great challenge."Regarding the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan, Mandhana highlighted the emotional intensity it evokes. "The India-Pakistan rivalry is more about the emotions of the fans than anything else," she said. "For me, every World Cup match is special, but there's definitely a lot of emotion attached to the India-Pakistan games."Mandhana also addressed the challenges of playing in Dubai's afternoon heat. "The afternoon game is going to be a challenge due to the heat, but when you play for India, there are no excuses," she said. "We have a couple of afternoon sessions lined up to help us get used to the conditions."Mandhana emphasized the importance of staying hydrated and mentally strong. "Mentally, we need to stay strong and keep pushing," she said. "By the time we face Pakistan, I'm sure we'll be ready."India will face New Zealand in their opening Group A match on Friday, followed by the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on October 6.

The Women's T20 World Cup is set to commence on Thursday in Sharjah, with the likes of India, England, and South Africa aiming to dethrone the dominant Australia. The tournament, originally scheduled for Bangladesh, was shifted to the UAE due to political unrest.Australia, the defending champions, have won six of the nine editions of the tournament and will be the team to beat once again. Led by Alyssa Healy, they boast a formidable squad featuring Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, and Grace Harris. Their pace duo of Tayla Vlaeminck and Darcie Brown will also be key.England, the inaugural champions, will be buoyed by their recent Ashes victory over Australia. They possess a strong spin attack led by Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, and Charlie Dean. Veteran Nat-Sciver Brunt will provide experience and leadership in the batting department.India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, has consistently challenged Australia but has yet to win a major title. They will rely on their spin-heavy attack and the batting prowess of Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet, and Richa Ghosh.South Africa, who reached the final last year, will be determined to go one better. Led by Laura Wolvaardt, they have a balanced team that includes experienced players like Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon.The tournament will feature two groups of five teams each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. Australia, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka are in Group A, while England, South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Scotland are in Group B.The pitches in the UAE are expected to favor spinners, which could benefit teams like India and England. The tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with several teams capable of challenging Australia's dominance.