Tag: ICC T20 World Cup

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) named former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi as ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 ambassador on Friday.

Afridi joined the elusive list of ambassadors for the mega-event, including the fastest man on Earth Usain Bolt, West Indies’ legend Chris Gayle and Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh.

The former all-rounder expressed his excitement about being the ambassador of the T20 World Cup and shared his best memories from the tournament, including lifting the coveted trophy in 2009.

“The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is an event that is very close to my heart,” said Afridi. “From being Player of the Tournament in the inaugural edition to lifting the trophy in 2009, some of my favourite career highlights have come from competing on this stage.

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“T20 World Cups have gone from strength to strength in recent years, and I’m thrilled to be part of this edition, where we will see more teams, more matches and even more drama than ever before.

“I am particularly excited to witness the India v Pakistan fixture on 9 June. It is one of the great rivalries in sport and New York will be a fitting stage for this unmissable encounter between two great teams.”

Shahid Afridi featured in six T20 World Cups for Pakistan and was player of the tournament in the inaugural edition. He was also the man of the match in the final of 2009 edition, leading Pakistan to victory over Sri Lanka.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to be jointly hosted by the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies from 1 June to 29 June.

READ: Shakib Al Hasan terms USA series loss a ‘wake-up call’ for Bangladesh

AMSTELVEEN: The Netherlands have made two changes to their squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, due to the injuries to Fred Klaassen and Daniel Doram.

The injured duo was replaced by Saqib Zulfiqar and Kyle Klein, who was initially named as a travelling reserve. Meanwhile, Klein’s brother will now travel with the Dutch squad as a reserve player.

Left-arm pacer Klaasen was ruled out owing to recurring symptoms from a previously sustained stress fracture in his lower back, meanwhile, left-arm spinner Doran is out with a broken hand.

Leg spinner Zulfiqar has played the last of his six T20Is in 2019, however, he is an active member of the Netherlands’ ODI team. He has played 15 ODIs and was also part of the World Cup 2023 squad.

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Kyle Klein, a right-arm fast bowler, made his international debut earlier this year, representing the Dutch side in four games.

The Netherlands are currently playing a tri-series involving Scotland and Ireland.

In the T20 World Cup, they are placed in Group D with South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. They will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Nepal on June 4 against Nepal at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.

Netherlands’ updated squad for T20 World Cup

Scott Edwards (c, wk), 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, Vivian Kingma, Wesley Barresi.

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DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday revealed the on-field umpires for the high-octane clash between India and Pakistan during the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Richard Illingworth and Rodney Tucker are slated to fulfil their duties as on-field umpires during the highly anticipated Group A match. Pakistan and India will square off on June 9 in New York.

Illingworth is also named as the on-field umpire for the opening game of the event between co-hosts United States of America (USA) and Canada.

Bangladesh’s Shahid Saikat will join him on the field, becoming the first umpire from the country to officiate at the Men’s T20 World Cup.

Richie Richardson will serve as the match referee, while Sam Nogajski will be the TV umpire and Langton Rusere will serve as the fourth umpire for the tournament opener.

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The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is slated to run from June 1 to 29 and will be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies. The tournament kicks off with co-host USA taking on Canada in the curtain raiser at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.

The ninth edition of the mega event features a record 20 teams, divided into four groups. The top two teams from each of the groups will qualify for the Super Eight phase, where the sides will be split into two groups of four.

The top two teams in each group will then make their way to the semi-finals.

The Match Officials for the T20 World Cup 2024

Umpires: Chris Brown, Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Allahudien Paleker, Richard Kettleborough, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Nitin Menon, Sam Nogajski, Ahsan Raza, Rashid Riaz, Paul Reiffel, Langton Rusere, Shahid Saikat, Rodney Tucker, Alex Wharf, Joel Wilson and Asif Yaqoob.

Match referees: David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson and Javagal Srinath.

READ: Hasan Ali released from the Pakistan squad

Former West Indies all-rounder and head coach Phil Simmons has been appointed as ‘specialist coach’ by Papua New Guinea (PNG) ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to commence on June 1.

Simmons will support PNG head coach Tatenda Taibu with his extensive local knowledge, aiding players in adjusting and adapting to the Caribbean conditions.

The former all-rounder served as the West Indian head coach on two separate occasions, helping them with their second T20 World Cup in 2016 during his first tenure.

He has also worked with the national teams of Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan, in addition to his extensive coaching experience in franchise cricket.

“My role here is as a consultant coach and [will be about] how I put across my experience, not just playing in World Cups but playing in the Caribbean and the things that we should be looking at to make sure we do it right in the Caribbean and especially the venues that we play at,” said Phil Simmons.

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“As a player internationally, for fourteen years and then as an international coach for eighteen years, it’s been a long time in the game.

“It’s always brilliant to come home, always brilliant to come back to any part of the West Indies. You know how beautiful it is here. I’m looking forward to getting home, which is Trinidad.”

The PNG squad reached the Caribbean island of St Kitts last week, and are scheduled to face Oman and Namibia in warm-up fixtures in Trinidad and Tobago next week.

They are placed in Group C alongside co-hosts West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Uganda. They will play their opening game in the T20 World Cup against West Indies on June 2.

Papua New Guinea squad for T20 World Cup

Assadollah Vala (c), CJ Amini (vc), Alei Nao, Chad Soper, Hila Vare, Hiri Hiri, Jack Gardner, John Kariko, Kabua Vagi Morea, Kipling Doriga, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Sema Kamea, Sese Bau, Tony Ura

READ: West Indies rest key players for South Africa series ahead of T20 World Cup

KINGSTON: The Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, starting from May 23.

The three-match series will serve as the final preparation for both teams before the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the United States of America from June 1.

Top-order batter Brandon King will lead the Caribbean squad against South Africa as their regular captain Rovman Powell will not feature in the series owing to commitments with the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals.

Along with Powell, key players Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph and Sherfane Rutherford will also miss the series due to the ongoing IPL. However, Joseph and Rutherford will join the West Indies squad if their teams fail to reach the IPL final.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Pooran and Shai Hope have been given rest ahead of the mega-event, as their IPL teams have been knocked out.

“These are among the last competitive T20 international matches before the start of the World Cup,” lead selector Desmond Haynes said.

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“Players have the opportunity to fine-tune their skills and ensure they are as prepared as they can be for the World Cup, whether they are in the final squad or reserve pool.”

“We have not played together as a team since the Australia series, but we just completed a very high-intensity training camp in Antigua,” head coach Daren Sammy said.

“Now we have the chance to integrate some of our players returning from the IPL and build some momentum as a group going into the World Cup.”

West Indies squad for South Africa T20Is

Brandon King (c), Roston Chase, Fabian Allen, Alick Athanaze, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Series schedule:
First T20I, Jamaica, May 23
Second T20I, Jamaica, May 25
Third T20I, Jamaica, May 26

READ: Babar Azam close to surpass Virat Kohli’s T20I record in England series

Pakistan’s fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has expressed his determination to win the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, after falling short in the last two editions.

Afridi was part of Pakistan’s squad that reached the semi-final and final of the 2021 and 2022 World Cups respectively.

The 24-year-old pacer during a recent appearance on PCB Podcast, also opened up about the team dynamics and denied any disharmony or rift within the team.

“Sometimes, small disagreements happen in every family, even among brothers. But there’s nothing like that in our team,” Afridi said.

He also emphasized that the Pakistan team is at a crucial juncture with the mega-event approaching, and the players are focused on giving their best for the team.

“Our aim is to play with unity, and this is not the time for arguments or disputes; it’s the time for everyone to be on the same page,” he added.

Talking about his own form and fitness, the star pacer shared that he is fit and committed to lifting the coveted trophy for Pakistan.

“Mood is also good and fitness is also good. I am ready and hopeful that we will win the T20 World Cup,” Shaheen Afridi remarked.

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He also opened up about his conversation with newly appointed white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, who is set to join the team in England on May 19.

“Gary Kirsten told me, ‘Don’t play for the name on the back of your shirt, but for the name on the front of the shirt,'” he added.

Pakistan team is currently gearing up for the four-match T20I series against England,, starting from May 22.

Pakistan squad

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

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Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli has opened up about his retirement plans ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled in the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies.

Kohli shed light on his post-retirement plans during a recent statement at RCB’s Royal Gala Dinner recently.

“I think as a sportsman, we do have an end-date to our careers. So I am just working backwards. I don’t want to finish my career thinking ‘Oh, what if I have done this on that particular day’ because I can’t keep going on and on forever,” the former captain said.

“So, it’s just about not leaving any undone business behind and not having any regrets later, which I am sure I won’t.”

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The star batter also hinted at taking a break before embarking on a new chapter of his life.

“Once I am done, I will be gone, you won’t see me for a while. So, I want to give it everything I have till the time I play, and that’s the only thing that keeps me going,” he concluded.

Virat Kohli has represented India in 113 Tests, 292 ODIs, and 117 T20Is since making his debut in 2008 against Sri Lanka at Dambulla.

He has scored 8848 runs in Test cricket, 13848 in ODIs and 4037 in T20I, with a total of 80 centuries across all formats. He is also the first batter to score 50 centuries in ODI cricket.

READ: Irfan Pathan furious over England players leaving IPL for Pakistan series

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has expressed his support for pace bowler Mohammad Amir, stating that his experience will be crucial for the Green Shirts in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, beginning on 1 June.

Amir made his return to international cricket last month during the home T20I series against New Zealand after taking back his retirement.

The left-arm pacer has taken four wickets in five matches during New Zealand and recently concluded Ireland series.

Misbah-Ul-Haq acknowledged that Amir may not be as effective as he once was but emphasised his potential to contribute to Pakistan with his experience.

“Last time back in 2017 in the Champions Trophy, there is quite a difference between that Amir and today’s Amir. Back then, there was more pace, more swing, more zip in his bowling. But now these factors might have been slightly reduced, but there is an advantage. He has huge experience,” Misbah-ul-Haq said while speaking during the Star Sports Press Room.

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The former captain spoke highly of the fast bowler’s skill in handling pressure and bowling in the final overs. He emphasized that Amir has demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure matches, especially against India.

“And his experience as a death bowler, how to bowl under pressure and use variations. These factors will be a crucial asset in Amir’s forte this time.

“He might not be that effective with the new ball, but in the death, he will be crucial with his slower balls, aimed at outside the off stump.

“And lastly, comes the major factor of pressure handling. In big games, where you have previously faced big teams and won games, it is more for Amir while facing India.”

Notably, Amir was part of Pakistan sides that won the T20 World Cup in 2009 under Younis Khan and Champions Trophy in 2017 under Sarfaraz Ahmed.

READ: Babar Azam vows to keep momentum going against England

India will play the second semi-final of the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled on June 27 at Providence Stadium in Guyana, if they manage to reach the final four stage.

The playing conditions for the T20 World Cup, as revealed by the ICC, state that the second semi-final in Guyana will be a day game, starting at 10:30 AM local time. This translates to 8:00 PM in India.

Consequently, if team India qualifies for the semi-final, they will play in Guyana to cater to the audience back home.

Meanwhile, the first semi-final is scheduled to take place at Tarouba in Trinidad on June 26, which will be a night game, starting at 8:30 PM local time and 6:00 AM in India.

The final of the mega-event is scheduled at Bridgetown in Barbados on June 29. This will also be a day game, which will start at 10:00 AM local time (7:30 PM in India).

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Moreover, the playing conditions have also confirmed that there will be no reserve day for the second semi-final. Instead, 250 minutes of extra time will be allotted to the match, compared to the 190 minutes allotted to the first semi-final and the final, which have reserve days.

The T20 World Cup 2024 will commence on 1 June with co-hosts USA taking on arch-rival Canada, while fellow hosts the West Indies will play Papua New Guinea in Guyana on the second day of group play.

A total of three venues in the USA and six in the Caribbean will host the elusive event, featuring 20 teams for the first time.

Ten of the 20 teams will play their first match of the 29-day tournament in the USA, with 16 contests to be held in Lauderhill, Dallas and New York and the blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan scheduled for the new Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in Long Island on 9 June.

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DHAKA: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to take place in the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies.

Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead the squad in the mega-event while Taskin Ahmed will serve as his deputy.

Ahmed is currently sidelined due to a side strain he suffered during the recent series against Zimbabwe and will not be taking part in the three-match T20I series against the USA leading up to the T20 World Cup.

However, it is expected that he will recover in time for the tournament.

The Bangladesh squad also features veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is set to make his record-ninth appearance in the T20 World Cup.

He and India’s captain Rohit Sharma are the only two players to have participated in every T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 2007.

Meanwhile, pacer Mohammad Saifuddin was dropped and instead, young pacer Tanzim Hasan made the cut for the World Cup.

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Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf of Bangladesh clarified that both players were assessed during the Zimbabwe series. Saifuddin failed to impress selectors due to a lack of yorkers in the death overs.

“We wanted to observe and analyse Saifuddin’s performance in the Zimbabwe series. But when we considered what the team needs at the moment, Tanzim was ahead of Saifuddin. It was a close call between the two,” Ashraf said.

“We saw Tanzim against Sri Lanka. His dedication and hunger kept him ahead. He is also a good fielder. We didn’t see enough yorkers in the death overs from Saifuddin.”

Bangladesh are placed in Group D of the T20 World Cup 2024 alongside Sri Lanka, South Africa, Netherlands and Nepal.

They will kick start their campaign on June 7 against Sri Lanka in Dallas.

Bangladesh squad for T20 World Cup

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed (vc), Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Tanvir Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan

Traveling Reserves: Hasan Mahmud, Afif Hossain

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