Twenty20 World Cup

Pakistan targets right T20 combination against understrength New Zealand | Cricket

India beats United States by 7 wickets at the cricket Twenty20 World Cup

Danijones5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

WESTBURY, N.Y. — No upset this time for the United States as the home team was easily beaten by cricket heavyweight India at the Twenty20 World Cup on Wednesday. India beats United States by 7 wickets at the cricket Twenty20 World Cup Suryakumar Yadav’s half-century powered India to a seven-wicket win over the U.S., which had shocked Pakistan last week. Now catch your favourite game on Crickit. Anytime Anywhere. Find out how With the win, India reached the “super eight” round. The U.S. needs to beat Ireland on Friday to advance. Yadvav’s 50 runs came off 49 balls included two fours and two sixes. He put on 72 runs off 65 balls for the unbeaten fourth wicket with Shivam Dube, who scored 31 not out as India finished with 111-3 in 18.2 overs in reply to 110-8 by the United States. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh took 4-9 in four overs to restrict the co-hosts after India had won the toss and opted to field at the Nassau County International Stadium. After the U.S. scored 110 runs — well short of an average T20 tally — it was India’s turn to bat. India was in early trouble in its chase as Indian-born medium pacer Saurabh Netravalkar continued his golden run for the Americans. After bowling the co-hosts to the upset over Pakistan, he celebrated the wickets of Indian superstars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Kohli was caught behind for a golden duck — dismissed off the first delivery he faced — in what surely will become a career highlight for Netravalkar. Sharma fell to a slower delivery after just 3 runs, as Netravalkar finished with 2-18 in four overs. Rishabh Pant scored 18 off 20 balls batting at number three, but was bowled off an Ali Khan delivery that slowed low. India was down to 39-3 in 7.3 overs with the U.S. raising visions of an even bigger shock. Yadav and Dube absorbed the pressure, however, and battled hard to dig India out of its hole. They didn’t look to score quickly against the duo’s celebrated natural style of play, instead spending time at the difficult wicket. India crossed 50 only after 11 overs. But the chase was given a boost when five penalty runs were awarded after the 15th over, with the U.S. guilty of running the clock past 60 seconds between overs on three separate occasions. Yadav then took 15 runs off Shadley van Schalkwyk’s 17th over, as India crossed the finish line with relative ease. Earlier, Singh picked two wickets in the very first over as the Americans went down to 3-2. He trapped opener Shayan Jahangir lbw for a golden duck, while Andries Gous was out caught for two. Steven Taylor scored 24 off 30 balls to help recover the innings. Singh returned later on to dismiss top-scorer Nitish Kumar for 27. His knock anchored the innings after the U.S. was down to 56-4 in 11.4 overs. Hardik Pandya also picked 2-14 in his four-over spell, accounting for stand-in skipper Aaron Jones and hard-hitting Corey Anderson . cricket: /hub/cricket This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Australia vs Namibia Highlights: Adam Zampa’s record-setting spell propels Australia into T20 World Cup Super Eights | Cricket News

Danijones5 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Adam Zampa‘s mesmerizing spell of four wickets for a mere 12 runs in his allotted four overs propelled the undefeated Australian side into the Super Eights stage of the Twenty20 World Cup with a resounding nine-wicket triumph over Namibia in Antigua on Tuesday. Australia secured their Super 8 berth with one Group B encounter still remaining.T20 World Cup Schedule | Points TableThe leg spinner, continuing his scintillating form from the previous victory against the defending champions England, played a pivotal role in skittling out the Namibian batting lineup for a paltry 72 runs in 17 overs, marking the lowest total Australia have ever restricted an opponent to in T20 international cricket.As it happened: Australia vs NamibiaIn response, the swashbuckling David Warner set the tone with a blistering 20 off just eight deliveries before Travis Head took charge, smashing an unbeaten 34 from 17 balls to guide the 2021 champions to a comprehensive victory within six overs at the iconic Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, effectively extinguishing Namibia’s faint hopes of advancing to the next stage.Namibia’s skipper Gerhard Erasmus emerged as the top-scorer for the African nation, displaying grit and determination in his valiant knock of 36 before falling prey to a well-disguised Marcus Stoinis delivery, which he mistimed straight into the hands of Glenn Maxwell at midwicket. Zampa etched his name in the record books as the first Australian male cricketer to reach the milestone of 100 wickets in the shortest format of international cricket with his final scalp, a classic dismissal that saw him clean bowl Bernard Scholtz through the gate.“Just trying to do my thing, mate,” remarked a modest Zampa, who was deservedly awarded the Player of the Match accolade. “We’re happy, it’s the first step in trying to take the trophy home but a long way to go.”Australia will conclude their Group B fixture against Scotland in St Lucia on Saturday, while Namibia will remain in Antigua to lock horns with England on the same day.(With inputs from Reuters)

Pakistan crush Canada by 7 wickets to notch up first win in T20 World Cup

Danijones5 months ago06 mins

Pakistan players celebrate a wicket during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024 match against Canada in New York on June 11, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI Pakistan batters finally rose to the occasion to beat Canada by seven wickets in their must-win Group A match and give their campaign a boost in the T20 World Cup here on Tuesday. Opting to bowl, Pakistani bowlers produced a unified show to restrict Canada for a modest 106/7. Chasing, opener Mohammad Rizwan and skipper Babar Azam took Pakistan over the line with 15 balls to spare. Rizwan aand Babar shared 63 runs for the second wicket to set up the platform for the win. Babar made a run-a-ball 33 with one six and a four, while Rizwan once again played the role of an anchor in a small chase, scoring 53 not out from as many deliveries with two fours and a six. Pakistan did appear to be making heavy weather of a modest chase when they had crawled to 28 for 1 in the powerplay with the Canadian seamers doing a fine job. However, run-scoring became much easier when Canada spinners came into the attack and with their vast experience, Babar and Rizwan brought the equation down with deft rotation of the strike and punishing the bad balls. Earlier in the first half, Aaron Johnson’s 52 was the only bright spot for Canada as an inspired Pakistan restricted their opponents to 106 for 7. On a two-paced wicket with the occasional uneven bounce making the rest of their batters struggle, Johnson waged a lone battle for Canada with a 44-ball 52, studded with four sixes and as many fours even as the Pakistani bowlers kept chipping away with wickets. While Mohammad Amir was the pick of the bowlers with 4-0-13-2, Haris Rauf returned with 2/26 while Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/21) and Naseem Shah (1/24) recovered well after wayward starts. The only Canadian batter to trouble the Pakistan bowlers, Johnson did not shy away from attacking on every available opportunity. It was his hits down the ground that caught the eye and he managed to clear the ropes with brute power even if he had not timed them well. But shortly after having completed his half-century, Johnson perished when he missed a Naseem Sham delivery to be cleaned up. With the burly Johnson dismissed at the team total of 73, Canada were in danger of being restricted for far less or even bowled out but skipper Saad Bin Zafar (10) and Kaleem Sana (13) took their team past the 100-run mark to give their bowlers a total to bowl at. The pressure was telling when Pakistan’s strike bowler Shaheen began with two full tosses on the pads and Johnson put them away for boundaries. Johnson cashed in again when Naseem began with a delivery moving away from the batter but he sent it flying over the field on the off-side for the third four. Pakistan’s first success came through Amir, who after being hit for a first-ball four, cleaned up Navneet Dhaliwal off the final delivery. Shaheen returned with a change of ends to get Pargat Singh (2) caught by Fakhar Zaman as Pakistan pulled things back by the end of the powerplay. Imad Wasim then produced a direct hit from cover to run out Nicholas Kirton (1) at the non-striker’s end, which piled up further pressure on Johnson who did all the heavylifting in the top order. Haris Rauf produced a double-wicket 10th over to have Shreyas Movva (2) caught behind and Ravinderpal Singh (0) caught in the first slip to leave Canada reeling at 54 for five, while also completing his 100 T20I wickets.

T20 World Cup 2024: Australia faces Namibia with an eye on Super Eight; Sri Lanka in must-win situation against Nepal

Danijones5 months ago06 mins

Living up to the favourites tag with two consecutive wins, a confident Australia will aim to secure a Super Eight berth when they face lower-ranked Namibia in their Group B T20 World Cup clash in North Sound on June 12. Australia fired in unison to become the first team in this edition of the tournament to score 200-plus runs in a one-sided 36-run win over arch-rivals England in their last group league match. It was their second win from as many matches, having started off with a 39-run triumph over Oman. Beating Nambia will be enough for them to make the cut before they take on Scotland in their concluding Group B league fixture. Scotland lead the table with five points and along with Australia, are firmly ahead in the race to make the Super Eight at the expense of defending champions England who have one point from two matches. Their opening game against Scotland was a washout. Australia defeated Namibia by seven wickets after restricting their opponents to 119/9 in their only T20 meeting, albeit in a warm-up game two weeks back. Playing his last World Cup for Australia, David Warner has been in splendid form with one half century and it was his 16-ball 39 that set the tone for their 201/7 against England. Warner incidentally scored a fifty in the warm-up against Namibia as well. He has 97 runs in the tournament at a fine strike rate of 141.79. Warner’s opening partner Travis Head has also been at his explosive best and the duo will look to give the team a fiery start. Namibia will expect their veteran all-rounder David Wiese to step up after he starred in their Super-Over win against Oman. The globe-trotting all-rounder has the experience of facing Australia four times in T20Is during his stint with South Africa. Left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz, who has been tidy conceding just one four and one six in his eight overs, will also look to make an impact. Teams (from) Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner and Adam Zampa. Namibia: Gerhard Erasmus (c), Zane Green, Michael Van Lingen, Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Jack Brassell, Ben Shikongo, Tangeni Lungameni, Niko Davin, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, JP Kotze, David Wiese, Bernard Scholtz, Malan Kruger and PD Blignaut. Match starts: 6am IST. Sri Lanka in must win clash against Nepal Former champion Sri Lanka’s campaign has gone terribly haywire after defeats to South Africa and they are now faced with a do-or-die clash against Nepal in a group D fixture in Lauderhill, Florida. Sri Lanka campaign has gone terribly haywire and they now face with a do-or-die clash against Nepal. | Photo Credit: AFP Nepal, on the other hand, lost to the Netherlands by six wickets in their only match so far. South Africa have already qualified to Super Eight following their nervy win over Bangladesh. A win for the Wanindu Hasaranga-led side will further heat up the race for the second spot with Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Nepal also in the reckoning. For that to happen, the onus will be on the batters. A loss, on the other hand, would mean curtains for Sri Lanka. Teams (from): Nepal: Rohit Paudel (c), Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Sundeep Jora, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal and Kamal Singh Airee Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka. Match starts: 5am IST.

Legends of T20 World Cup: Leading Wicket-takers, six-hitters and keepers with most dismissals

Danijones5 months ago07 mins

Known for his lightning-fast glovework and sharp cricketing mind, M.S. Dhoni holds the record for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in T20 World Cups. The legendary former India skipper effected 32 dismissals, which included 21 catches and 11 stumpings in 33 appearances. | Photo Credit: Reuters With the T20 World Cup entering its ninth edition, PTI gives a rundown on the top wicket-takers, batsmen with the most sixes and wicket-keepers with the most dismissals. Batters with most sixes 1. Chris Gayle: 63 The ‘Universe Boss’ is known for his raw power, which allows him to hit massive sixes effortlessly. With the help of his immense strength, the flamboyant Jamaican sent the ball sailing deep into the stands 63 times in the T20 World Cups. He also holds the record for hitting the most sixes in an innings — 11 against England in Mumbai. 2. Rohit Sharma: 35 The ‘Hitman’ is one of the most prolific six-hitters in T20 cricket, and his performance in T20 World Cups is a testament to his batting prowess. The Indian skipper, who has featured in all eight editions of the tournament, has launched the ball over the boundary rope 35 times in 36 innings. 3. Jos Buttler: 33 Buttler’s ability to clear the boundary has been a crucial aspect of his game and has played a significant role in England’s T20 World Cup campaigns. In 27 matches, he has cleared the boundary rope 33 times. 4. Yuvraj Singh: 33 A discussion about sixes in a T20 World Cup can never be complete without bringing up Yuvraj. He produced one of the most memorable moments in the history of the tournament when he smacked Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over to set Durban on fire in the first-ever T20 World Cup. Across the six editions of the tournament, Yuvraj tonked 33 maximums. 5. Shane Watson: 31 Australian all-rounder Watson was a dangerous striker of the ball, especially in T20s. He hit 31 maximums across six editions of the marquee event. Leading wicket-takers 1. Shakib Al Hasan: 47 wickets A versatile all-rounder and Bangladesh’s most successful bowler in T20 World Cups, Shakib has played all eight editions of the tournament, claiming 47 scalps in 35 innings with his left-arm spin. 2.Shahid Afridi: 39 wickets Known for his aggressive leg-spin and match-winning performances, Afridi had a knack for taking crucial wickets. The Pakistan all-rounder has taken 39 wickets across 34 T20 WC matches. 3. Lasith Malinga: 38 wickets Malinga has been a formidable force in T20 World Cups, known for his unique sling action and deadly yorkers. The Sri Lankan, who had the ability to deliver under pressure, snared 38 wickets in 31 games. 4. Saeed Ajmal: 36 wickets Ajmal’s mastery of spin, especially his doosra, troubled many top batters in T20 World Cups. His impressive tally of 36 wickets in 23 matches has been crucial for Pakistan’s success in the tournament. 5. Ajantha Mendis: 35 wickets Mendis, with his mystery spin, has been a significant wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in T20 WCs. His ability to dominate batters made him one of the standout bowlers in the tournament’s history. He picked up 35 wickets in 21 games. Most dismissals by wicket-keepers 1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni: 32 Known for his lightning-fast glovework and sharp cricketing mind, Dhoni holds the record for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in T20 World Cups. The legendary former India skipper effected 32 dismissals, which included 21 catches and 11 stumpings in 33 appearances. 2. Kamran Akmal: 30 Akmal, with his agility and quick reflexes, has been a key wicketkeeper for Pakistan. He has an impressive tally of 18 stumpings and 12 catches in 30 matches. 3. Denesh Ramdin: 27 Ramdin’s contributions were significant in supporting the West Indies’ bowling attack, particularly with his quick stumpings off the spinners. In 29 appearances, he has 18 catches and 9 stumpings for a tally of 27 dismissals. 4. Kumar Sangakkara: 26 Sangakkara was exceptional behind the wicket. His ability to effect stumpings and catches with ease made him a significant asset for Sri Lanka. He had 12 catches and 14 stumpings in 31 games. 5. Quinton de Kock: 22 With 22 dismissals from 18 games (17 catches and 5 stumpings), De Kock rounds up the top five. A seasoned wicketkeeper, the South African’s quick stumpings and reliable catching have often provided vital breakthroughs for the Proteas.

Rohit Sharma hopes for quick acclimatisation of New York pitch ahead of Twenty20 World Cup

Danijones5 months ago06 mins

Captain Rohit Sharma is seen during a training session for the Twenty20 World Cup in New York. | Photo Credit: PTI Marvelling at the newly-constructed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, India skipper Rohit Sharma underlined the need for his team to get acclimatised to the pitch and conditions quickly ahead of their T20 World Cup opener against Ireland on June 5. However, Rohit and company will get a chance to check the nature of the pitch and overall conditions when they face Bangladesh in a warm-up match in New York on June 1. It’s also India’s lone training game ahead of the ICC marquee event. The warm-up match is important from India’s perspective because their matches will start at 10.30 AM local time and the players need to get used to day-time matches after playing under lights in the IPL for the last two months. “We’re looking to understand the conditions more importantly (before the tournament proper) as we haven’t been here before,” Rohit told ICC. ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024: Full schedule, venues and complete squads The Mumbaikar emphasised the need for his side to get into a “rhythm” before the real action starts, and he wanted to use this side game as a springboard. “(We will) try and make the most of the conditions, get used to what it’s going to be like on June 5 when we play our first game,” he added. The challenge for the Indians will be to adapt to the drop-in turf here, something they don’t come across very often in international cricket. “It’s just about getting into that rhythm of getting the feel of the ground, pitch and stuff like that,” he said. Rohit was part of the first batch of India cricketers to arrive here on May 26, along with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. Moving beyond the match routines, Rohit also found time to take in the beauty of the venue. “It looks beautiful. It’s quite an open ground. When we come here and play our first game, I just can’t wait to feel the atmosphere in the stadium,” he said. “It’s a decent capacity as well. Hopefully it’s gonna be a good one.” Rohit hoped that fans will throng the venue for their matches. “People in New York will be very interested in coming and watching the World Cup, as it is happening for the first time here. “I’m pretty sure all the fans across various teams are quite excited and looking forward to this tournament. And also as players (we) can’t wait to get started,” he noted. Worry for Bangladesh Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto too appreciated the excellent construction here, but he would not have forgotten Bangladesh’s shocking series defeat against the USA a few days back. The United States, largely constituted by expat players, scored a stunning 2-1 win over Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series at home last week, signalling that they are no mere pushovers. Hence, Shanto might be hoping for a quick turnaround against formidable India, even though it’s a warm-up match at this scenic stadium. “To be very honest I wasn’t expecting anything like this but we all followed on social media how the wicket looks like, how the ground would be, and we are very excited as to what is going to happen here,” said Shanto. The 25-year-old top-order batter then gushed over the venue. “It’s unbelievable. I think it’s crazy. I mean we all saw on the internet there was nothing (three months ago). Now, it looks like a proper stadium and feels great,” he said. The Eastern grandstand (in particular), I didn’t expect it to be like this,” he added.

Twenty20 World Cup Group B preview: England, Australia favourites, Scotland the dark horse

Danijones5 months ago08 mins

In The Hindu’s countdown to the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which commences in the West Indies and USA on June 2, we take a look at the teams in Group ‘B’. ENGLAND: The defending champion would have hoped that the four-match T20I series against Pakistan gives them ideal preparation, but rain has played spoilsport. Nevertheless, key pieces of the puzzle have started to fall in place. Pace spearhead Jofra Archer has made a smooth comeback from injury, while captain Jos Buttler got into the groove with a 51-ball 84 against Pakistan at Birmingham last week. Liam Livingstone. | Photo Credit: Getty Images All-rounder Liam Livingstone, who played his part in the 2022 triumph, will strive to overcome a recent slump in form. T20 World Cup 2024 Group C preview | Three-way race beckons West Indies, New Zealand, and Afghanistan Key player: Phil Salt: The aggressive opening batter went at a strike-rate of 182 for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024. Salt’s PowerPlay hitting will be crucial to England’s success. The squad: Jos Buttler (Capt.), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley and Mark Wood. AUSTRALIA: As seen in the 2023 50-over Cricket World Cup, the Baggy Greens are at their best in big tournaments. This time should be no different, as the squad is packed with efficient personnel. Travis Head and David Warner will smash it at the top of the order, while left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc will swing it around corners with the new ball. T20 World Cup 2024: Final chance for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to give India an ICC Trophy after 13 years The Aussies will be happy to see fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and skipper Mitchell Marsh recover well from injury. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa should come in fresh, having opted out of IPL 2024. Glenn Maxwell’s horror run in the IPL, however, is a cause for concern. Australia’s Travis Head. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Key player: Travis Head: Head plundered runs at an outstanding strike-rate for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, rewriting the rules on a good PowerPlay score. The squad: Mitchell Marsh (Capt.), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner and Adam Zampa. NAMIBIA: With a dominant show in the Africa Region Qualifier, Namibia claimed its third straight T20 World Cup spot. The country cannot be written off, having had some success at the highest level (wins over Sri Lanka and Netherlands in previous T20 World Cups). Twenty20 World Cup countdown: South Africa has the firepower to pass the Group D test The side will hope that the first warm-up game, where it received a hiding from Australia, was an aberration. Gerhard Erasmas. Photo: Instagram/gerhard_erasmus Key player: Gerhard Erasmus: The captain has long been a consistent performer as a middle-order batter and off-spinner. The squad: Gerhard Erasmus (Capt.), Zane Green, Michael Van Lingen, Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Jack Brassell, Ben Shikongo, Tangeni Lungameni, Niko Davin, J.J. Smit, Jan Frylinck, J.P. Kotze, David Wiese, Bernard Scholtz, Malan Kruger and P.D. Blignaut. SCOTLAND: In 2018, Scotland made history when it upset neighbour England in an ODI. Memories from that grand occasion will no doubt resurface when the teams meet on June 4 at Barbados. Scotland is a regular participant on this grand stage, having competed in three ODI World Cups (1999, 2007 and 2015) and five T20 World Cups (2007, 2009, 2016, 2021 and 2022). The side made it to the 2024 T20 World Cup with a six-match unbeaten run in the Europe Region Qualifier. Scotland fast bowler Brad Wheal. Photo: X/@BradWheal Key player: Brad Wheal: The 27-year-old fast bowler is the pick of the bowlers, backed by good shows for English county Hampshire. The squad: Richie Berrington (Capt.), Matthew Cross, Brad Currie, Chris Greaves, Oli Hairs, Jack Jarvis, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole, Charlie Tear, Mark Watt and Brad Wheal. OMAN: Making a third T20 World Cup appearance, the squad is primarily made up of players with roots in Pakistan and India. Oman has failed to make it past the group stage in a World Cup, though it has managed to get wins over Ireland and Papua New Guinea. There is quality in the bowling ranks, as left-arm death over specialist Bilal Khan and the strapping Kaleemullah form a good pace duo. Aqib Ilyas. Photo: X/@Aqibilyasoffic1 Key player: Aqib Ilyas: The all-rounder, who took over from Zeeshan Maqsood as the new captain, is a reliable top-order batter and handy spinner. The squad: Aqib Ilyas (Capt.), Zeeshan Maqsood, Kashyap Prajapati, Pratik Athavale, Ayaan Khan, Shoaib Khan, Mohammad Nadeem, Naseem Khushi (wk), Mehran Khan, Bilal Khan, Rafiullah, Kaleemullah, Fayyaz Butt, Shakeel Ahmad and Khalid Kail.

ICC Twenty20 World Cup a boost to sport’s American Dream

Danijones5 months ago08 mins

A general view shows the Nassau county International Cricket Stadium for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in New York. | Photo Credit: AFP Cricket begins a campaign for the hearts and wallets of American fans this week, as the T20 World Cup kicks off on June 1 in Dallas, bringing the best of the sport to less familiar territory. The United States play Canada in the first match of the tournament co-hosted by the West Indies, while a temporary stadium in Nassau County, New York, hosts its first of eight fixtures on June 3. Lauderhill, Florida, will host four matches. Cricket boasts billion fans around the globe but few adherents in the lucrative North American market, where fans are more accustomed to watching New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge picking up a bat than Rohit Sharma or Jos Buttler. “This is the start of a journey,” International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Geoff Allardice told Reuters. “The awareness that we’re bringing in more elite cricket to the USA is something that’s been a strategic priority for us.” This aerial photo shows the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium under construction in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, New York | Photo Credit: AFP The journey started with Major League Cricket, which began play in the United States last year, and culminates with the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where cricket will be reintroduced to the Olympic programme for the first time since 1900. ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024: Full schedule, venues and complete squads “In the lead up to the Los Angeles Olympics, I think we’ll be continuing to try and raise the profile of cricket, not just for the established cricket fans in the USA but for new fans,” said Allardice. The tournament, which counts Jamaican track hero Usain Bolt as an ambassador, is a dream come true for U.S. immigrants, who comprise much of the sport’s U.S. fan base and are more used to watching the action on television than in their own backyard. “I mean, (India have) got some of the biggest names in world sport as part of their team,” said Allardice. “And to be able to get close to them and see them in action, I think it’s an opportunity that’s something that comes along (not) very often for cricket fans in the USA.” The ICC T20 World Cup runs from June 1-29. ICC ‘excited’ as cricket’s newest stadium launched in New York The newly-built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, near New York, was launched on Wednesday with the sport’s world body “excited” to conquer new territories through the T20 World Cup in June. Legends of T20 World Cup: Leading run-getters and batters with best strike rates The 34,000-capacity stadium, with infrastructure from the Las Vegas Formula 1 circuit and drop-in pitches prepared in Florida, will host the hotly-anticipated India-Pakistan clash on June 9, among its eight scheduled World Cup games. Construction workers build the Nassau county International Cricket Stadium for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow in New York. The 34,000-capacity stadium, with infrastructure from the Las Vegas Formula 1 circuit and drop-in pitches prepared in Florida, will host the hotly-anticipated India-Pakistan clash on June 9, among its eight scheduled World Cup games. | Photo Credit: AFP The showpiece 20-over event will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States starting June 1 with New York, Florida and Dallas as venues. The International Cricket Council (ICC) remains happy with the focus on the India-Pakistan clash and the Nassau project as part of bringing the game to the US. “Yeah, absolutely! We can run that game anywhere and the interest in the fixture would be immense,” Chris Tetley, the ICC’s head of events, told reporters in a media roundtable. “The news stories that we have seen and the media coverage in the US itself as well as amongst the cricket media around the world. I have not seen that before around an ICC event.” Tetley added: “We are really excited to bring the T20 World Cup cricket to the US and the opportunity that it presents to the sport and from what I can see there is an audience really waiting for us to come.” T20 Cricket will also feature as one of five new sports at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. A general view shows a media center the Nassau county International Cricket Stadium for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Eisenhower Park in New York | Photo Credit: AFP Making a cricket stadium in Nassau remained a huge challenge for the ICC, who got in Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough for the job. Hough created the first drop-in pitch in Adelaide in 2013 and the latest strips at the Nassau County ground promise good cricket and balance between bat and ball. “People shouldn’t be concerned about drop-in pitches,” said Hough. “They are proven around the world, definitely in Australia. Some of the best cricket is played on drop-in pitches and are really successful.”

Legends of T20 World Cup: Leading run-getters and batters with best strike rates

Danijones5 months ago06 mins

Despite being the highest run-getter, Virat Kohli holds the record for most runs in a single edition of the tournament — 319 in 2014. | Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji With cricket’s slam-bang version set for its ninth World Cup, PTI gives a rundown on the leading run-getters and the ones with best strike rates in the T20 showpiece. Leading run getters *Virat Kohli: 1141 runs Who else at No. 1 but the King himself? The talismanic Indian batter has been an absolute beast in the marquee event, scoring over a thousand runs across five editions. His ability to thrive under pressure and deliver match-winning performances has cemented his reputation as one of the finest batters in T20 cricket. He holds the record for most runs in a single edition of the tournament — 319 in 2014. He was also sensational in the 2016 edition, scoring 296 runs. *Mahela Jayawardene: 1016 runs The now retired Jayawardene’s performances in T20 World Cups have been instrumental in former champions Sri Lanka’s success in the tournament. He was a consistent scorer across the five editions he played. *Chris Gayle: (965 runs) One of the most prolific and entertaining hitters in cricket history, Gayle is widely regarded as one of the most destructive batters, particularly in T20s. No longer competing for the West Indies, his performances in T20 World Cups have been nothing short of spectacular, making him a fan favourite and an important player for the West Indies when they won their maiden title in 2012. *Rohit Sharma: (963 runs) The current India skipper has been a key player for his team in the T20 World Cups, especially after taking on the opening position. His ability to score big runs and provide stability at the top of the order has been crucial for India’s success in the tournament. He has played all editions, scoring 963 runs, including 91 fours at a strike rate on 127.88. *Tillakaratne Dilshan: (897 runs) The leading run-scorer in the 2009 edition with 317 runs from seven matches, the retired Dilshan, with his aggressive batting style and ability to provide quick starts at the top of the order, was a vital cog in the Sri Lankan team’s lineup across six editions. Highest strike rates *Jos Buttler: (144.48) Regarded as one of the most dynamic and destructive batters, Buttler’s greatest strength lies in his ability to score rapidly and that is why he has the best strike rate in the T20 World Cup history that fetched him 799 runs in 27 matches. *AB de Villiers: (143.40) The now retired South African has had an outstanding strike rate in T20 World Cups. His ability to score quickly and decisively made him one of the most feared batters. De Villiers collected 717 runs in 29 innings with the help of 51 fours and 30 sixes. *Chris Gayle: (142.75) Gayle’s unparalleled level of fearlessness and confidence helped him to an amazing 142.75 strike rate in the T20 World Cups. The Jamaican always backed himself to take on any bowler. Gayle is the only player to have scored two centuries in the event, both of which were match-winning efforts. *Mahela Jayawardene: (134.74) Jayawardene had an impressive average of 39.07 and a strike rate of 134.74, a fine reflection of his ability to score quickly while maintaining consistency. *David Warner: (133.22) Warner’s aggressive approach will once again be crucial for Australia. His ability to score runs quickly and efficiently has made him one of the most exciting and effective batters in T20 World Cups.

Twenty20 World Cup countdown: South Africa has the firepower to pass the Group D test

Danijones5 months ago08 mins

In The Hindu’s countdown to the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which commences in the West Indies and USA on June 2, we take a look at the teams in Group D. South Africa: A second-string South African side was swept 0-3 in the T20I series against West Indies a few days ago. The arrival of powerful reinforcements — Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Tristan Stubbs, to name a few — gives the T20 World Cup squad far greater depth. Quinton de Kock, who has retired from ODI and Test cricket, is a familiar face at the top of the order. The poor form of de Kock and lead pacer Anrich Nortje, however, is cause for concern. Tristan Stubbs. | Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar Key player: Tristan Stubbs: With a strike rate of 190.90 and an average of 54 for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, Stubbs excelled as a specialist finisher. The squad: Aiden Markram (Capt.), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Tristan Stubbs. Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka has won all three of its T20I series held this year, albeit against weaker teams (Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe). The team is led by experienced all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who missed the IPL due to an injury. In Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, the Lankans have two quality spinners primed to exploit slow pitches in the West Indies. Sri Lanka will hope that death-over bowling specialist Matheesha Pathirana recovers quickly from a hamstring strain. Kusal Mendis. | Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar Key player: Kusal Mendis: The 29-year-old opener will be entrusted with giving SL a flying start. His role is especially crucial given that the batting line-up lacks big hitters. The squad: Wanindu Hasaranga (Capt.), Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, and Dilshan Madushanka. Bangladesh: The Tigers had a major slip in the build up to the T20 World Cup, losing 1-2 to World No. 19 United States of America in a T20I series last week. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and coach Chandika Hathurusinghe rely on the same set of players to come good in this mega event. The unit’s lack of power-hitters is out of sync with modern T20 best practices. A warm-up match against India on June 1 serves as the last chance to get the house in order. Mustafizur Rahman | Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini Key player: Mustafizur Rahman: A career-best six for 10 against USA proved that the left-arm seamer remains a valuable T20 asset. Mustafizur’s ability to deliver yorkers is particularly useful in the death overs. The squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Capt.), Taskin Ahmed, Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Netherlands: Known to consistently punch above its weight, Netherlands earned its spot in this tournament by virtue of finishing in the top-eight of the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. That campaign included a 13-run win over South Africa in the Super 12 phase, which effectively knocked the Proteas out of the competition. Netherlands will miss the services of former SA international Roelof van der Merwe and batter Colin Ackermann, both of whom have chosen English county commitments over National duty. Netherlands batsman Max O’Dowd | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam Key player: Max O’Dowd: The Auckland-born opener is the standout batter. In the recent Tri-Nation T20I series involving Ireland, Netherlands, and Scotland, O’Dowd finished as the highest run-scorer. The squad: Scott Edwards (Capt.), Aryan Dutt, Bas de Leede, Kyle Klein, Logan van Beek, Max O’Dowd, Michael Levitt, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Teja Nidamanuru, Tim Pringle, Vikramjit Singh, Viv Kingma, and Wesley Barresi. Nepal: Nepal qualified for the 2024 T20 WC by entering the final of the ICC’s Asia region qualifiers in November last year. Nepal had previously appeared in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20. Apart from the recent five-match T20 leg against West Indies A, Nepal has not got the chance to test its mettle against quality oppositions. Nepal captain Rohit Paudel | Photo Credit: AFP Key player: Rohit Paudel: Facing a West Indies A attack which included Obed McCoy, Oshane Thomas, and Roston Chase, captain Paudel showed his class with scores of 112, 71 n.o. and 82. The squad: Rohit Paudel (Capt.), Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi, K.C. Karan, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, G.C. Pratis, Sundeep Jora, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal, and Kamal Singh Airee.