Tag: ICC World Cup 2023

South Africa crush New Zealand to top ICC World Cup 2023 standings

Posted on by A Sports

PUNE: Keshav Maharaj’s four-fer after dominant centuries by Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen propelled South Africa to thump New Zealand by 190 runs in the 32nd match of the ICC World Cup 2023 here on Wednesday.

Set to chase a daunting 358, the in-form New Zealand batting lineup failed and could only raise 167 before being bundled out in the 36th over.

Middle-order batter Glenn Phillips waged a lone battle for New Zealand with a gutsy half-century, scoring 60 off 50 with the help of four boundaries and four sixes.

Opening batter Will Young (33) and Daryl Mitchell (24) were the other significant contributors for New Zealand while the rest of their batters failed to amass the double figures.

Keshav Maharaj led the bowling attack for South Africa with 4/46, followed by Marco Jansen’s 3/31.

New Zealand after winning the toss invited South Africa to bat and removed their captain Temba Bavuma in the ninth over with the scoreboard reading 38.

Rassie van der Dussen then joined hands with Quinton de Kock to accumulate 200 runs for the second wicket in 189 balls.

Quinton de Kock completed his fourth century in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 during the partnership before Tim Southee sent him back courtesy of Glenn Phillips’ catch at the backward point.

His innings finished at 114 from 116 balls, featuring ten boundaries and three sixes.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

South Africa were at 238-2 in 40 overs, when David Miller joined Van der Dussen and added a quick 78 runs off 43 balls for the third wicket.

Tim Southee once again broke the partnership as he castled South Africa’s other centurion Van der Dussen, who scored his second century in the tournament.

Van der Dussen scored 133 runs from 118 balls with the help of nine boundaries and five sixes.

David Miller, however, carried on with his aggression on the other end, scoring 53 off 30 balls, featuring two boundaries and five sixes.

Miller got out on the penultimate ball of the innings courtesy of a brilliant catch at the boundary by Daryl Mitchell, which brought out Aiden Markram to the crease, who sent the final ball out of the park to lift South Africa to 357.

Tim Southee picked two wickets for New Zealand while Trent Boult and James Neesham picked one apiece.

READ: Shaheen Afridi soars to Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings summit

David Willey to retire from international cricket after ICC World Cup 2023

Posted on by AFP

England seamer David Willey said on Wednesday he will retire from international cricket following the ICC World Cup 2023 after missing out on a national central contract.

The 33-year-old left-armer, also a hard-hitting lower-order batsman, was the only member of reigning champions England’s struggling 15-man squad in India not to be given a deal of any kind.

That decision left Willey in the strange position of trying to turn around England’s woeful title defence while knowing his bosses were not prepared to secure his future as an international cricketer.

“I never wanted this day to come,” said Willey in a post on Instagram announcing his retirement.

England have won just one of their six matches played and are currently bottom of the 10-team table of ICC World Cup 2023 in India.

Willey took 3-45, including dismissing star batsman Virat Kohli for nought, in Lucknow last weekend although his haul could not prevent England from suffering a 100-run defeat by the unbeaten hosts.

“From a young boy, I’ve only ever dreamed of playing cricket for England,” added Willey.

“So, with careful thought and consideration, it is with great regret that I feel the time has come for me to retire from all forms of international cricket at the end of the World Cup.

“I have worn the shirt with immense pride and given my absolute everything to the badge on my chest.”

David Willey made the announcement even though Jos Buttler’s men still have three group games to play in the ICC World Cup 2023, starting with a clash against arch-rivals Australia in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Willey has played 70 one-day internationals and 43 Twenty20s for England.

He missed out on their 2019 World Cup triumph after he was dropped from the squad shortly before the tournament, with fast bowler Jofra Archer taking his place.

But David Willey was a member of England’s T20 World Cup-winning squad in Australia last year.

He insisted his decision to retire from international cricket had “nothing to do” with England’s performances, during the World Cup.

“I’m sure everybody who knows me does not doubt that, whatever my involvement in the remainder of this campaign, I will give my everything and more! That’s the only way I know,” he wrote.

READ: Shaheen Afridi soars to Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings summit

Shaheen Afridi soars to Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings summit

Posted on by A Sports

DUBAI: Pakistan’s left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi made a big leap to top the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings.

Shaheen Afridi, the spearhead of Pakistan’s pace attack, jumped nine places to claim the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings, owing to his impressive showing in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.

He has taken the joint most wickets in the tournament alongside Australia leg spinner Adam Zampa, with both bowlers taking 16 wickets each.

He added three wickets to his tally yesterday during Pakistan’s thumping seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Kolkata, helping his side remain in contention for the semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023.

Shaheen Afridi also became the fastest pacer to take 100 wickets in ODI cricket during the match against Bangladesh. He achieved the milestone in 51 innings, piping previous record-holder Mitchell Starc, who conceded 52 innings.

Shaheen Afridi overtook the likes of Australia’s Josh Hazlewood (second), India’s Mohammed Siraj (third) and South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj (fourth) in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings, who lost one place courtesy of his big leap.

He has occupied the number one ranking in any format for the first time, meanwhile, his teammate and Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam has clung to his number one spot in the ICC ODI Batting Rankings by the barest of margins.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Babar Azam is holding onto his position with 818 rating points, however, right-handed Indian batter Shubman Gill is ranked second with a difference of a mere two rating points.

Azam has accumulated a total of 216 runs from seven innings in the ICC World Cup 2023, while Shubman Gill has managed only 104 runs in four innings.

Moreover, Australian opening batter David Warner, who is currently the second-highest run-scorer in the ICC World Cup 2023 jumped one spot to fourth. Warner has scored 413 in six innings at an average of 68.83.

Netherlands’ skipper Scott Edwards also made a big leap of 11 places to equal 16th position after scoring 204 runs from six innings at the ICC World Cup 2023.

South Africa’s Marco Jansen moved two places to ninth in the ICC all-rounders rankings, while New Zealand youngster Rachin Ravindra climbed 14 spots to 17th.

READ: Shaheen Afridi becomes fastest pacer to 100 ODI wickets

ICC World Cup 2023 not over for Pakistan, says Babar Azam

Posted on by AFP

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said Tuesday that he still clings to the hope that his team can squeeze into the ICC World Cup 2023 semi-finals despite the odds stacked against them.

“Yes. We are trying to win our next two matches and let’s see where we stand,” said Babar Azam after a seven-wicket romp over Bangladesh gave them a third win in seven matches.

“We will take a lot of confidence into those matches.”

Pakistan have six points and sit in fifth place in the ICC World Cup 2023 points table.

Australia, in fourth place, have eight points and a game in hand while third-placed New Zealand are third, also on eight points, having also played one game fewer.

Pakistan face the Kiwis on Saturday in Bengaluru before finishing their ICC World Cup 2023 group campaign against defending champions England in Kolkata on November 11.

As well as two wins, the 1992 champions will need other results go their way if they are to stay in the tournament.

On Tuesday, Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed three wickets while openers Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique made 81 and 68 respectively as Pakistan chased down a 205-run target for the loss of three wickets with 105 balls to spare.

“We know when Fakhar [Zaman] plays the way he can for 20-30 overs it is a different ball game. So we let him play his natural game and it is good to see,” said Babar Azam of Zaman, the only Pakistan batsman to have scored a double century in one-day international cricket.

Babar Azam added: “We started well. Shaheen took early wickets. The main thing is we stuck to our length in the middle overs and we took wickets.”

Fakhar, a 33-year-old left-hander, was playing only his second match of the tournament after being sidelined with a knee injury.

“We were anxiously waiting for this win,” said Zaman.

“Every win in the World Cup boosts the confidence and our aim is to win the remaining two matches. Our target is semi-final.”

Zaman admitted the defeat to India earlier in the tournament had been a bodyblow but the team had gained new confidence by pushing South Africa all the way.

Pakistan fought hard against the Proteas only to lose by a narrow one-wicket margin in Chennai on Friday.

“That loss to India made the difference, every match against India does but we fought well in the South Africa match and that fight gave us much-needed rhythm,” said Zaman.

Zaman also said the impact of his injury was not as severe as first feared.

“I was batting well in the nets and had the team needed me before I would have played but my aim is to always score runs that help the team win.”

Bangladesh became the first team to be eliminated after six losses in seven games.

“At this moment we have to perform together in all three departments. It’s not any individual that can win us games,” said captain Shakib Al Hasan.

His team still have two games to play in the round-robin stage against Sri Lanka in New Delhi on November 6 and against Australia in Pune five days later.

“We need collective performances. Two more matches hopefully we can bounce back,” said Shakib, playing in his fourth World Cup.

“The fans supported us and are behind us whether we are doing well or not. We have to give something back to them so they can smile.”

READ: Shaheen Afridi becomes fastest pacer to 100 ODI wickets

ICC World Cup 2023: New Zealand win toss, elect to field first against South Africa

Posted on by A Sports

PUNE: New Zealand have won the toss and elected to field first against South Africa in the 32nd match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

South Africa

Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

New Zealand

Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (c)(wk), Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Trent Boult

READ: Shaheen Afridi becomes fastest pacer to 100 ODI wickets

Shaheen Afridi becomes fastest pacer to 100 ODI wickets

Posted on by A Sports

KOLKATA: Pakistan’s ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi on Tuesday, added another feather to his cap as he became the fastest pacer to take 100 wickets in ODI cricket during his side’s ICC World Cup 2023 clash against Bangladesh.

Shaheen achieved the milestone in 51 innings and overtook previous record-holder Mitchell Starc, who conceded 52 innings.

The left-arm pacer had 99 wickets before taking the field against Bangladesh and he did not have to wait much to reach the landmark as he dismissed Tanzid Hasan for a five-ball duck in the first over.

Shaheen Afridi then picked up two more wickets including the prized scalp of Mahmudullah to return magnificent figures of 3/23 in his nine overs.

He reminded cricket fans of legendary pacer Wasim Akram when he disturbed Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah’s woodwork.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

In the 30th over of the Bangladesh innings, the left-arm pacer pitched the ball on good length and between the middle and off stump. The delivery went through Mahmudullah’s defences and hit the middle stump.

The dismissal was similar to that of former England batter Alan Knott by Wasim Akram in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 1992.

The International Cricket Council shared a video of the moment on Instagram.

Notably, Shaheen also became the fastest Pakistan bowler to complete 100 ODI wickets, overtaking legendary spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who took 53 innings.

Coming back to the match, Pakistan pacers ran through the Bangladesh batting lineup to book them on a paltry 204.

Mahmudullah top-scored for Bangladesh with a 70-ball 56, hitting six boundaries and a six. Litton Das (45) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (43) also made significant contributions but failed to power their side to a big total.

Fastest pacers 100 ODI wickets (matches)

51 – Shaheen Shah Afridi
52 – Mitchell Starc
54 – Shane Bond
54 – Mustafizur Rahman
55 – Brett Lee

READ: Pakistan’s fiery pace attack books Bangladesh at 204

Pakistan crush Bangladesh to keep ICC World Cup 2023 hopes alive

Posted on by A Sports

KOLKATA: Fakhar Zaman’s brisk 81-run knock after a combined bowling effort propelled Pakistan to a thumping seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Set to chase a modest 205, Pakistan comfortably amassed the total for the loss of just three wickets and 105 balls to spare.

Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique gave their side a head start with a dominating 128-run partnership with both scoring half-centuries.

Abdullah, who reached the milestone first, could not stretch his knock into a big total as he fell victim to Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the 22nd over.

He scored 68 in 69 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries and two sixes.

Babar Azam then joined Fakhar for a brief 32-run partnership before he too, fell victim to Miraz after scoring a mere nine.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz struck again in his next over to claim the prized wicket of Fakhar Zaman, who fell shy of his well-deserved century.

He smashed three boundaries and seven sixes on his way to top score for Pakistan with a 74-ball 81.

Following his departure, Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed put together a 35-run partnership to make sure there were no further hiccups in the pursuit.

Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 26 off 21 balls while Iftikhar scored a 15-ball 17.

A comfortable seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh lifted Pakistan to fifth in the ICC World Cup 2023 standings with six points in seven matches.

Opting to bat first, Bangladesh’s batting lineup failed completely and could only raise 204 before bundling out in the 46th over despite Mahmudullah’s half-century.

Pakistan ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, alongside Haris Rauf, ran through Bangladesh’s top-order to reduce them to 23/3 in six overs.

Litton Das and Mahmudullah then anchored the innings with a gutsy partnership for the fourth wicket.

The pair added 79 runs to the total before Iftikhar Ahmed got rid of Das in the 21st over to halt Bangladesh’s progress.

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Das fell shy of his well-deserved half-century, scoring 45 in 64 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.

Mahmudullah then put together a brief partnership with captain Shakib Al Hasan before falling victim to a stunning delivery by Shaheen Shah Afridi.

He remained the top-scorer for Bangladesh with a 70-ball 56, laced up with six boundaries and a six.

Skipper Shakib then took charge of Bangladesh’s batting expedition with a cautious 43. His 64-ball featured four boundaries.

All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz then added valuable runs at the backend with a 30-ball 25 before perishing in the 44th over off Mohammad Wasim Jr.

The right-arm pacer struck again in the same over, castling Taskin Ahmed, to book Bangladesh on a paltry total.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Wasim Jr led the bowling attack for Pakistan, taking three wickets each while Haris Rauf bagged two.

READ: Messi wins eighth Ballon d’Or as Bonmati claims women’s award

Pakistan breeze past Bangladesh to end losing streak in World Cup 2023

Posted on by A Sports

Pakistan vs Bangladesh World Cup 2023

Bangladesh

204 (45.1)

 Pakistan

205/3 (32.3)

PAKISTAN vs BANGLADESH (2nd INNINGS)

FALL OF WICKETS

21.1: Abdullah Shafique 68 (69b 9×4 2×6) SR: 98.55

Fuller ball in the middle, Shafique goes for a sweep but misses and the ball thudded into his pads. He reviews it but to no avail as DRS shows three reds.

25.4: Babar Azam 9 (16b 1×4 0x6) SR: 56.25

Babar tries to pump it down the ground but holes out to long-on! It was full, floated up, spun in a bit which meant that Babar hit it off the inner half of the bat.

27.3: Fakhar Zaman 81 (74b 3×4 7×6) SR: 109.45

Miraz bowls full and outside off, tossed up and Fakhar went for a hack across. He’d found success with it for a while but not this time.

PAKISTAN vs BANGLADESH (1st INNINGS)

FALL OF WICKETS

45.1: Mustafizur Rahman 3 (7b 0x4 0x6) SR: 42.85

Yorker on the boot, it was just outside leg but reverse swing was bringing it closer to the stumps. The Fizz’s feet, in reflex, followed the line and he tried to tuck it square. Flicked it onto his pads and the ball rolled uncontrollably off the pads to the hit timber.

43.3: Taskin Ahmed 6 (13b 0x4 0x6) SR: 46.15

It was full, swung away late, Taskin tried to push it straight by playing the line but was done in by the reverse swing.

43.1: Mehidy Hasan Miraz 25 (30b 1×4 1×6) SR: 83.33

Wasim Jr bowls a length ball reverses back in and beats Mehidy’s swipe across the line. He was standing on off, trying to clobber it but the movement did him in.

39.3: Shakib Al Hasan 43 (64b 4×4 0x6) SR: 67.18

Shakib top-edged a pull shot off Haris, and Agha Salman nestles underneath to take a simple catch at midwicket.

31.3: Towhid Hridoy 7 (3b 0x4 1×6) SR: 233.33

Usama flighted it outside off, making him reach for it. No footwork, casual from Hridoy, and Iftikhar takes a straightforward catch at first slip.

30.4: Mahmudullah 56 (70b 6×4 1×6) SR: 80

Shaheen came from around the wicket, landed it on length and shaped away slightly to hit the top of the pad and then the top of the middle stump.

20.5: Litton Das 45 (64b 6×4 0x6) SR: 70.31

Iftikhar bowled off-break on a length, landed around off and spun in, Litton went back and closed the bat-face, in an attempt to work it square but got a leading edge that popped straight to Salman.

5.6: Mushfiqur Rahim 5 (8b 1×4 0x6) SR: 62.5

Haris went back to a good length and hung it just outside off. Mushfiqur squared up as he tried to block it and feathers it to the keeper.

2.4: Najmul Hossain Shanto 4 (3b 1×4 0x6) SR: 133.33

Shaheen bowled full and the shot was on, but Shanto had the ball hover low, right in the fielder’s direction and Usama lunged forward to take it.

0.5: Tanzid Hasan 0 (5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

Shaheen darts it in off a length. Tanzid was stuck on the crease and tried to turn it across. Got beat on the inside edge, and the ball hit the top of the front pad. Hawk-Eye shows it’d go on to clip the top of the leg stump.

KOLKATA: Bangladesh have won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the 31st match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at Eden Gardens.

Bangladesh

Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Pakistan

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Shah Afridi

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Overall ODIs: Matches 38, Pakistan 33, Bangladesh 5

ODI World Cup: Matches 2, Pakistan 1, Bangladesh 1

READ: Messi wins eighth Ballon d’Or as Bonmati claims women’s award

ICC World Cup 2023: Bangladesh win toss, elect to bat first against Pakistan

Posted on by A Sports

KOLKATA: Bangladesh have won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the 31st match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at Eden Gardens.

Bangladesh

Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Pakistan

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Shah Afridi

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Overall ODIs: Matches 38, Pakistan 33, Bangladesh 5

ODI World Cup: Matches 2, Pakistan 1, Bangladesh 1

READ: Messi wins eighth Ballon d’Or as Bonmati claims women’s award

Pakistan squad holds practice session for must-win Bangladesh clash

Posted on by A Sports

KOLKATA: Pakistan Men’s cricket team held a full-strength training session on Monday at the Eden Gardens here ahead of their ICC World Cup 2023 clash against Bangladesh.

According to the details, Pakistan, who are on a four-match losing streak, engaged in a rigorous practice session for a crucial fixture against Bangladesh.

The players partook in several batting, bowling and fielding drills to boast their preparations for their seventh World Cup fixture.

Pakistan is currently in sixth position in the World Cup standings with four points in six matches, with a net run rate of -0.387.

Whereas, Bangladesh currently hold the ninth spot in the standings with two points in six matches.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

In their previous ICC World Cup 2023 fixture, Pakistan suffered a narrow one-wicket defeat against South Africa.

Set to chase 271, South Africa’s number nine Keshav Maharaj scored the winning boundary off Mohammad Nawaz on the second delivery of the 48th over.

Aiden Markram top-scored for South Africa in a tricky run chase with a gutsy 91 in 93 deliveries, laced up with seven boundaries and three sixes.

Hard-hitting batter David Miller was the other notable run-getter for the Proteas with a 33-ball 29.

Shaheen Shah Afridi led the bowling attack for Pakistan with 3/45 while Haris Rauf, Usama Mir and Mohammad Wasim Jr bagged two wickets each.

Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.

Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan

Pakistan’s remaining ICC World Cup 2023 fixtures

  • October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
  • November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
  • November 11 – vs England in Kolkata

The day matches will start at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures, starting at 01:30 pm (PST).

READ: Farooqi takes four as Afghanistan book Sri Lanka at 241