Tag: ICC T20 World Cup 2022

HOBART: Sri Lankan spinners stormed through the batting line to restrict Ireland to 128/8 before Kusal Mendis’ magnificent knock of 86 propelled Sri Lanka to their first Super 12 victory of the ICC men’s T20 World Cup, here on Sunday.

Set to chase 129, Sri Lanka eased through to victory in just 15 Overs with nine wickets to spare, thanks to a brilliant knock of Mendis up the order.

The right-handed batter scored an unbeaten 68 off just 43 deliveries, laced with five boundaries and three sixes.

The right-handed batter stitched two important partnerships with his fellow opener Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka respectively.

Opener de Silva fell in the ninth over to Gareth Delany after scoring 31 off 25 deliveries.

Sri Lanka’s No.3 Asalanka then batted sensibly with Mendis and put on a match-winning 70-run partnership with Mendis.

The left-handed batter scored 31 off 22 deliveries with the help of two boundaries.

Ireland, batting first, endured an early attack from the Sri Lankan spinners as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, which halted them from amassing a big total.

Opening batter Paul Stirling put on a brief fight in the early phase of the innings as he played a brilliant knock of 34 off 25. He smashed four boundaries and a six before falling to Dhananjaya de Silva in the ninth over.

Amid his vital knock, Stirling partnered briefly with Harry Tector for the third wicket and added 29 runs.

Following Stirling’s dismissal, Tector held his ground firm and kept the scoreboard ticking singlehandedly when wickets were tumbling at the other end.

Binura Fernando then put on an end to Tector’s valiant knock in the 17th over, who walked back in disgust despite top scoring for the side with a gritty knock of 45 in 42. His inning featured two boundaries and a six.

The rest of the Irish batters had no answers to the Sri Lankan bowling attack and could amass 128/8 in their quota of 20 Overs.

Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva bagged two wickets each, while Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara and Fernando struck out a batter each.

HOBART: Ireland won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka in the Group 1 match of the Super 12 round of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, here on Sunday. 

PLAYING XIs

Ireland: Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Ashen Bandara, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando

MELBOURNE: India’s captain Rohit Sharma claimed that his side is ready for a shorter game as well if the rain interrupts the most-talked clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 between Pakistan and India on Sunday.

Rohit, while addressing the pre-match press conference here, Rohit emphasised the need to acclimatize to the circumstances if rain disrupts a game.

“I’ve been hearing about Melbourne weather for a while now, and it keeps changing,” Sharma said. “You don’t really know what is going to happen tomorrow. The things that are in our control, we’ll try and control that.

“We need to come here thinking that it’s a 40-over game. We will be ready for that. If the situation demands that it’s a shorter game, we will be ready for that, as well. A lot of the guys have played such kinds of games before.

“Luckily, we played one game in India against Australia which was an eight-over game. I don’t think it’s going to make much of a difference, but we just certainly need to come here very well prepared.”

Rohit then replied to a query regarding whether the Indian cricket team should tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, saying the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) will make a decision.

“The BCCI will decide whether India will tour Pakistan for Asia Cup or not. We are just focusing on our match tomorrow,” he said.

On a question regarding the unavailability of their ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and top all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit insisted that the Indian team is strong enough to cope with the challenge.

“The bowlers, who have come with us in the World Cup, have played enough matches,” Rohit said.

The Indian captain then went on to respond to a query regarding India’s inability to win the ICC tournament and stated that he takes it as a challenge.

“India not winning the ICC tournament is not a pressure but a challenge,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan will start their T20 World Cup campaign on Sunday (October 23) as they take on their traditional rivals India.

READ: England win toss, opt to field first against Afghanistan in T20 WC Super 12s

PERTH: England won the toss and elected to bowl first against Afghanistan in the Group 1 fixture of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

PLAYING XIs

England: Jos Buttler (c & wk), Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 2, England 2, Afghanistan 0

MELBOURNE: Left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the most-talked clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 between Pakistan and India, scheduled for October 23.

According to the latest development, the hard-hitting batter failed to recover from his injury, which he sustained in the recently-held Asia Cup 2022 as he landed awkwardly on his right knee.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam, during the pre-match press conference, confirmed Fakhar’s unavailability for the all-important clash against India on Sunday.

“Fakhar Zaman is not fully fit which is why he won’t be available for our first match,” said Babar.

Following Fakhar’s exclusion, Pakistan are likely to carry on with Shan Masood at Number 3 as he has been declared fit after being hit on the head during the team’s training session on Friday.

“Shan Masood is fit and he cleared all the tests. He is ready for tomorrow,” Babar shared.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) updated on Shan’s injury status and shared the left-handed batter has cleared all of his medical tests and only sustained ‘superficial bruising’.

“All of Shan Masood´s neurological observations are normal. His CT scan only shows superficial bruising where the ball struck him,” PCB said in a statement.

“He will be re-tested [on Saturday] for concussion”, the PCB added.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan will start their T20 World Cup campaign on Sunday (October 23) as they take on their traditional rivals India.

READ: Conway, Allen power New Zealand to 200/3 against Australia in T20 WC

SYDNEY: New Zealand openers Devon Conway laid the foundation with an unbeaten 92 before bowlers displayed a combined bowling effort to power their side to a thumping 89-run victory over Australia in the first fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12s.

Defending champions Australia had a dismal start to their T20 World Cup campaign as they suffered a frustrating 89-run defeat at the hands of last year’s finalists New Zealand.

Set to chase a massive 201, the Australian batting lineup failed and bundled out for a skimpy 111 in the 18th over.

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell could put on a brief fight as he top-scored for the hosts with a gritty 28 off 20 delivery.

The rest of the Australian batters failed to chip in the run chase and Australia, as a result, bundled out for a mere 111.

Tim Southee led the bowling attack for New Zealand as he picked up three wickets for a mere six runs, while Mitchell Santner picked as many wickets for 31.

Trent Boult picked two wickets in his economical spell, while Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson made one scalp each.

Batting first on the invitation of Australian captain Aaron Finch, New Zealand batters charged on the hosts’ bowlers to finish at a massive 200/3 at the back of their openers.

Finn Allen took New Zealand to a flying start with his blistering knock that featured five boundaries and three sixes.

The right-handed batter scored a quickfire 42 off just 16 balls up the order and set the foundation of a big total before Josh Hazlewood struck in the fifth over to hand Australia a much-needed breakthrough.

With the side at 56/1 in the fifth over, Conway and Kane Williamson stitched an anchoring second-win stand as they added 69 runs for 53 deliveries.

Australian bowlers, on the other hand, did well to stop the flow of runs and slowed down the proceedings.

Their comeback bolstered in the 13th over when Adam Zampa removed Williamson on a run-a-ball 23, who was struggling to score rapidly.

Glenn Phillips then also failed to make an impact with the bat as he could score 12 off 10 before falling in the 16th over and New Zealand consequently, slipped to 152/3.

All-rounder Jimmy Neesham then joined Conway in the middle and put on an astonishing partnership as they added 48 runs in the last four overs.

Neesham was the core aggressor of the fourth wicket stand as he scored an unbeaten 26 off just 13 deliveries, laced with two sixes.

Conway, on the other hand, carried his bat till the final ball and top-scored for New Zealand with an unbeaten 92 off just 58 deliveries. His magnificent knock featured seven boundaries and two sixes.

Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers for Australi as he bagged two wickets, while Zampa made one scalp.

MELBOURNE: Pakistan captain Babar Azam asserted that he will try to keep things simple in the much-anticipated clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 between two arch-rivals – Pakistan and India.

Babar, while talking to the media ahead of the high-octane clash of the T20 World Cup Super 12s against India is hopeful to take less pressure off the big match against India.

“No doubt it’s a high-pressure game but we will try to keep it simple and keep faith in our abilities and the practice we’ve done,” said Babar.

“It is going to be a good game of cricket while I am unsure about how the wicket would react,” he added.

Skipper Babar then requested the Pakistan cricket fans for their support and is hopeful of doing well in the mega event.

“We request our fans for their support and at the same time we will try to give our best and do well for our country,” he said.

The right-handed batter then opined regarding a heart whelming moment on captains’ day ahead of the commencement of the T20 World Cup when his Australian counterpart presented him with a cake on his 28th birthday.

“I felt really humbled by his gesture,” he stated.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan will start their T20 World Cup campaign on Sunday (October 23) as they take on their traditional rivals India.

READ: Australia win toss, elect to bowl against New Zealand in first Super 12s fixture

SYDNEY: Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first against New Zealand in the opening fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12s on Saturday.

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (capt), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (capt), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 15, Australia 10, New Zealand 5

MELBOURNE: Left-handed batters Fakhar Zaman and Khushdil Shah, alongside reserved players will participate in the optional training session on Saturday.

Ahead of Pakistan’s opening clash against arch-rivals India on Sunday, national players Fakhar, Khushdil and all three reserved players – Usman Qadir, Shahnawaz Dahani and Mohammad Haris – will be participating in the optional practice session.

The players will undergo a vigorous training session at 12 PM first before undergoing fielding practice under lights at 7:30 PM.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam will address the media briefing tomorrow before or after the optional training session as the International Cricket Council (ICC) will announce the schedule for the press conference in due course.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan will start their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 campaign on Sunday as they will lock horns with traditional rivals India at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

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HOBART: Zimbabwean captain Craig Ervine and right-handed batter Sikandar Raza shone in the run chase against Scotland as Zimbabwe sealed a commanding five-wicket victory to book ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12s berth.

Following their five-wicket victory over Scotland, Zimbabwe topped Group B and qualified for the Super 12s for the first time in tournament history.

Set to chase 133, Zimbabwe eased to the victory in the 19th over with five wickets to spare at the back of brilliant knocks of Ervine and Raza.

Zimbabwe were off to a poor start to their run chase as the side lost two wickets for a paltry seven runs in the second over.

Ervine then put on a gritty 35-run partnership for the third wicket with Sean Williams and stopped the flow of wickets.

Williams, on the other hand, who was struggling to get going, fell after managing to score just seven off 12 and Zimbabwe, as a result, slipped to 42/3 in eight overs.

Following the slump, Raza and Ervine stood up for their team and stitched a match-winning 64-run partnership.

Raza, who was the core aggressor of the fourth wicket stand fell in the 15 overs after a quickfire knock of 40 runs. He conceded only 23 deliveries and smashed three sixes and two boundaries.

While Ervine fell briefly after amassing his half-century, fell in the 17th over. He top-scored for Zimbabwe with 58 off 54 deliveries, laced with six boundaries.

Following their departure, Milton Shumba and Ryan Burl batted sensibly to power their side to victory in the 19th over as Zimbabwe finished at 133/5 in 18.3 Overs.

Following their qualification to the Super 12s, Zimbabwe will join Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, South Africa and the Netherlands in Group 2.

Batting first in an all-important last first-round fixture of the ongoing World Cup, Scotland could accumulate 132/6 in their quota of 20 overs despite Munsey’s half-century.

Scotland had a poor start to their innings as they lost two wickets for a mere 24 runs in the fifth over.

Skipper Richie Berrington and Munsey then attempted to anchor the innings and added 40 runs for the third wicket partnership.

The pair batted cautiously and conceded 32 deliveries before Berrington fell in the 10th over to Sikandar Raza. He could score 13 off 15.

Scotland then again witnessed a cautious partnership in the middle as Munsey partnered with Calum MacLeod for the fifth wicket that added 34 runs to the total.

Munsey top-scored for the side with 54 off 51 deliveries before falling in the 17th over. His knock remained a touch slow and failed to power Scotland to a massive total.

Besides Munsey, MacLeod was Scotland’s notable run-getter as he scored 25 off 26 deliveries.

For Zimbabwe, Tendai Chatara and Richard Ngarva bagged two wickets each, while Blessing Muzarabani and Raza struck out a batter each.