T20 World Cup 2024: New Zealand win toss, opt to field against Uganda

TAROUBA: New Zealand have won the toss and elected to field first against Uganda in the 32nd match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Brian Lara Stadium on Friday.

PLAYING XIs

Uganda: Ronak Patel, Simon Ssesazi (wk), Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah, Alpesh Ramjani, Dinesh Nakrani, Kenneth Waiswa, Brian Masaba (c), Fred Achelam, Juma Miyagi, Cosmas Kyewuta

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New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

READ: Tim Southee reprimanded by ICC over code of conduct breach

Tim Southee reprimanded by ICC over code of conduct breach

DUBAI: New Zealand’s experienced pacer Tim Southee was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the code of conduct breach during his side’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 fixture against West Indies.

According to the apex cricketing body, Southee was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match”.

“Southee was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match,” stated ICC.

Furthermore, one demerit point has been added to Tim Southee’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.

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The incident occurred in the 18th over of New Zealand’s innings when Southee, on his way back to the dressing room, hit a sanitiser dispenser.

According to the ICC, the right-arm pacer has accepted the sanction proposed by David Boon, ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and thus eliminated the need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Alex Wharf, third umpire Richard Illingworth and fourth umpire Michael Gough levelled the charge.

For the unversed, if a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and a player is banned.

READ: Rutherford, Joseph help West Indies edge past New Zealand

Rutherford, Joseph help West Indies edge past New Zealand

TAROUBA: Sherfane Rutherford played a blistering innings, followed by Alzarri Joseph’s four-wicket haul to help West Indies secure a narrow victory over New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Thursday.

Chasing a 150-run target, New Zealand were restricted to 136/9 in their allocated 20 overs.

The Kiwi side failed to get the desired start as they lost two wickets for 34 on the board in 5.4 overs. Finn Allen scored a 23-ball 26.

Gudakesh Motie then came to bowl and spun the web around the New Zealand batting line-up, taking three wickets in three consecutive overs to reduce the Kiwi team to 63-5.

Glenn Phillips and James Neesham (10) then stitched a 22-run partnership to pull the team out of the trouble but Joseph broke their momentum.

Phillips top-scored for New Zealand with a 40-run knock from 33 balls with the help of three boundaries and two sixes.

New Zealand kept losing wickets and ultimately required 33 runs in the last over with one wicket in hand. However, Mitchell Santner managed to hit only 19 runs with three sixes.

For West Indies, Joseph returned with figures of 4-19, while Motie claimed three wickets.

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New Zealand invited the West Indies to bat and reduced them to 22-4 inside the power play, with Tim Southee taking two wickets.

Nicholas Pooran was the only notable contributor from West Indies’ top order as he scored 17 off 12.

Rutherford came down to bat at number six and was soon joined by Akeal Hosein with the scoreboard reading 30-5 in 6.3 overs.

Together they helped the West Indies recover with an anchoring partnership of 28 off 27 before Mitchell Santner struck to remove Hosein (15).

Rutherford then added 27 runs for the eighth wicket stand with Romario Shepherd (13) but New Zealand bowlers halted West Indies’ progress with two quick wickets.

The last man Gudakesh Motie came out to bat and witnessed Rutherford turn the game on its head with belligerent hitting from the other end.

Motie faced only one ball, while Rutherford played the next two overs by himself and scored 37 runs to push West Indies’ total to 149-9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Rutherford scored an unbeaten 68 off 39 which featured two boundaries and six sixes.

For New Zealand, Trent Boult topped the bowling charts with figures of 3-16, whereas Southee and Lockie Ferguson managed two wickets each.

READ: USA hit by first-ever ‘stop-clock’ penalty against India

New Zealand win toss, elect to field first against West Indies in T20 World Cup

TAROUBA: New Zealand have won the toss and chose to bowl first against the co-host West Indies in the 26th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Brian Lara Stadium on Wednesday.

PLAYING XIs

West Indies: Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Roston Chase, Rovman Powell (c), Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie

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New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

READ: “That’s in our best interest” Hazlewood on England’s elimination

Another upset lits T20-World Cup 2024 as Afghanistan crush New Zealand

GUYANA: Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s blistering knock, followed by a brilliant bowling performance helped Afghanistan register a stunning upset victory over New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at Providence Stadium here on Friday.

Set to chase 160, New Zealand bundled out for a meagre 75 in 15.2 overs, with only two batters reaching the double figures.

Fazalhaq Farooqi wreaked havoc with the new ball as he bowled Finn Allen on the first ball of the innings, followed by two more wickets in his next two overs to reduce the Kiwi side to 28-3 in 4.2 overs.

Skipper Rashid Khan replaced Farooqi and carried the momentum, dismissing his counterpart Kane Williamson. In his next over, Khan picked back-to-back wickets of Mark Chapman and Michael Bracewell, further breaking the Kiwi’s back.

Glenn Phillips top-scored for New Zealand with a run-a-ball 18. Meanwhile, Matt Henry played a 12-run cameo before falling prey to Farooqi to finish the game.

Farooqi and Khan picked four wickets each, whereas Mohammad Nabi claimed two.

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Earlier, Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave Afghanistan a decent start after being invited to bat, scoring 44 runs in the powerplay. However, New Zealand bowlers slowed them down after the field restrictions were lifted.

Afghanistan managed 11 runs in the next overs before switching gears in the 11th over, which was bowled by Michael Bracewell. Gurbaz and Zadran collected 21 runs from this over, including three sixes.

Gurbaz attacked the bowlers, while Zadran played more of a supporting act before Matt Henry broke the 103-run opening pair in the 15th over.

Zadran departed after scoring 44 off 41 with the help of five boundaries, including two sixes.

Azmatullah Omarzai joined Gurbaz and scored a quick 22 off 13 with two sixes before Henry sent him back to the pavilion.

Gurbaz continued to attack before Trent Boult castled him in the final over after he scored 80 runs from 56 balls with the help of five boundaries and as many sixes.

Boult bowled a brilliant last over giving away only three runs and picked two wickets restricting Afghanistan to 159-6. He and Henry both claimed two wickets each while Lockie Ferguson managed one.

READ: South Africa hold Nigeria for draw in FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

T20 World Cup 2024: New Zealand win toss, elect to field first against Afghanistan

GUYANA: New Zealand have won the toss and chose to field first against Afghanistan in the 14th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at Providence Stadium here on Friday.

Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

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New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson

READ: Carlos Alcaraz outduels Jack Sinner to reach French Open final

Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Pakistan extend unbeaten run with New Zealand draw

IPOH: Pakistan extended their unbeaten run in the ongoing Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 as they held New Zealand for a 1-1 stalemate in their last group match here on Friday.

Both teams battled hard in the first half but failed to break the deadlock, however, New Zealand’s Luke Holmes earned the advantage for his side with a brilliant field goal in the 35th minute.

The lead did not last long as Pakistan’s Abu Bakr Mahmood scored from a penalty corner to equalize only eight minutes later.

The 1-1 finish ensured Pakistan would march into the final against Japan with an unbeaten streak in the round-robin stage. The final is scheduled for 11 May (tomorrow).

In their last game, Pakistan continued their dominant run as they defeated Canada 5-4 on 8 May to get closer to the finals of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

Pakistan struggled early on as Canada scored two goals in 17 minutes to take a dominant lead, however, Abu Bakr Mahmood brought Pakistan back into the game with a brace.

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Arshad Liaqat, Rana Waheed Ashraf and Ghazanfar Ali followed suit and set up Pakistan’s 5-4 victory. For Canada, Sean Davis scored two, while Harbir Sindhu and Avjot Buttar scored one each.

Pakistan crushed South Korea 4-0 to register their second consecutive victory in the ongoing Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, after a flying start to their campaign with a nerve-testing 5-4 victory over Malaysia.

Meanwhile, they held Japan for a 1-1 stalemate in their third game and continued their unbeaten run.

Pakistan squad for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

Goalkeepers: Abdullah, Muneebur Rehman.

Defenders: Usama Bashir, Ehtisham Aslam, Mohammad Abdullah, Sufiyan, Abu Bakar (vice-captain), Ammad Butt (captain).

Midfielders: Salman Razzaq, Arshad Liaquat, Moin Shakeel, Zakria Hayat, Murtaza Yaqoob, Ghazanfar Ali.

Forwards: Abdul Rehman (Sr), Abdul Hanan, Rana Waheed, Ejaz Ahmad.

Standbys: Akmal Hussain, Aqeel Ahmad, Arbaz, Hammad Anjum, Abdul Rehman (Jr), Abdul Manan, Rooman.

READ: Younis Khan offers valuable advice to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan

Colin Munro announces retirement from international cricket

New Zealand batter Colin Munro has announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday after he was left out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

Munro, who last played for New Zealand in 2020 against India, made himself available for the mega-event, starting from June 1 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). However, he failed to make it to the Kiwi squad.

“Playing for the Black Caps has always been the biggest achievement in my playing career,” Munro said in a statement.

“I never felt prouder than donning that jersey, and the fact that I’ve been able to do that 123 times across all formats is something I will always be incredibly proud of.

“Although it has been a while since my last appearance, I never gave up hope that I might be able to return off the back of my franchise T20 form. With the announcement of the Black Caps squad for the T20 World Cup now is the perfect time to close that chapter officially.”

Colin Munro represented New Zealand in one Test, 57 ODIs and 65 T20Is, since making his international debut in 2012.

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He scored a mere 15 runs in his solitary Test, while in 57 ODI appearances, he managed 1271 runs at an average of 24.92.

However, he proved his mettle in T20I cricket, scoring 1724 runs in 62 innings at an average of 31.34 and a healthy strike rate of 156.44, including three centuries.

He also scored a 14-ball half-century against Sri Lanka in 2016, which is the fastest by a New Zealand player and the fourth fastest in overall T20Is.

“Colin [Munro] was one of our first players to embrace the aggressive, 360-degree style batting that is now accepted all around the world as best practice,” New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink said.

“He was one of the pioneers of the new game, an innovative batsman who took calculated risk-taking to a new level, and led what was to become a revolution in the way short-form cricket was played.

“We thank him for his amazing contribution in more than hundred international games, and wish him well in his future pursuits.”

READ: Sri Lanka announce squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

New Zealand to go ahead with Afghanistan Test

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Tuesday that it will go ahead with a Test match against Afghanistan in September, a month after Australia scrapped a T20I series against the same opponents.

Cricket Australia (CA) postponed a three-match series due to take place in August at a neutral venue, saying the situation for women in the Taliban-ruled country was deteriorating.

It was the third time since 2021 that Australia have refused to play Afghanistan outside of international tournaments.

However, New Zealand said they will play a one-off Test against Afghanistan at a venue yet to be decided.

They also face Afghanistan in their opening T20 World Cup 2024 match in the West Indies in June.

New Zealand Cricket said the decision to go ahead had been taken after discussions at board level and with the players’ association.

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“The consensus view was that a boycott in isolation would change nothing in Afghanistan,” said NZC spokesman Richard Boock.

“It would be more constructive to keep dialogue and participation channels open, while continuing to advocate strongly for change,”

Cricket has surged in popularity inside Afghanistan in recent years, fuelled by triumphs over bigger nations on the international stage.

But under the Taliban’s brand of Islamic rule, women are effectively barred from the game.

Afghanistan also usually play their “home” fixtures at neutral venues, mainly in the UAE.

“NZC strongly believes that cricket is a game for everyone and would like to see far greater support for the women’s game in Afghanistan in the short to medium term,” Boock said.

READ: Rishabh Pant back in India squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

Pakistan defeat New Zealand to level the series

LAHORE: Captain Babar Azam’s 34th half-century, followed by Shaheen Afridi’s four-fer powered Pakistan to a narrow nine-run victory against New Zealand in the fifth T20I of the five-match series here at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

NZ 169 (19.3 Overs

NZ 167/8 (19 Overs)

Abbas Afridi to bowl the penultimate over

NZ 157/8 (18 Overs)

Amir comes onto the bowl

NZ 146/8 (17 Overs)

16.1: The ball thunders into the front pad of Sodhi and the umpire doesn’t hesitate to raise the dreaded finger. The batter tried to work it away off his pads and didn’t account for the seam movement, looks plumb.

Shaheen Afridi continues

NZ 137/7 (16 Overs)

Shadab Khan returns

NZ 127/7 (15 Overs)

14.3: Shaheen demolishes Foulkes with a pinpoint accurate yorker from round the wicket and it’s right in the blockhole.

14.2: Backs away into the leg side and Neesham tries to crunch it up and over point, Shadab takes a sprawling catch above his head.

Shaheen Afridi returns to the attack

NZ 121/5 (14 Overs)

Mir to bowl his last

NZ 108/5 (13 Overs)

12.1: Imad bowls length delivery that spins back markedly into the middle and McConchie didn’t pick him, no bat involved. The balls rap the back pad, pitching outside off, umpire’s call on impact and hitting wickets.

Imad Wasim replaces Mir

NZ 103/4 (12 Overs)

11.3: Shadab drops it a little short on the middle, Bracewell tries to lift it up and over midwicket but can only drag it to Babar Azam at short midwicket

Shadab Khan comes into the attack

NZ 97/3 (11 Overs)

10.6: Chapman goes too far away across his stumps for an ambitious sweep shot and Usama Mir zips it quicker on off-stump, he fails to connect and the ball rips through the stumps.

Usama Mir continues

NZ 92/2 (10 Overs)

Iftikhar Ahmed replaces Ayub

NZ 81/2 (9 Overs)

8.1: Slightly shorter and drifting in at middle and leg, Seifert yanks his front foot away to slog that into the stands but loses his control and ends up dragging it back onto the stumps.

Usama Mir continues

NZ 81/1 (8 Overs)

Saim Ayub comes onto the bowl

NZ 66/1 (7 Overs)

Usama Mir to bowl

NZ 63/1 (6 Overs)

Amir continues

NZ 49/1 (5 Overs)

Abbas Afridi replaces Shaheen Afridi

NZ 35/1 (4 Overs)

Mohammad Amir comes into the attack

NZ 20/1 (3 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi continues

NZ 14/1 (2 Overs)

Saim Ayub to bowl the second over

NZ 9/1 (1 Over)

0.5: Shaheen hits the hard length and gets it to slant away just a wee bit and enough to get it through the gate, pings the top of off as Blundell goes for a wild swing over midwicket.

Tim Seifert and Tom Blundell come out to bat for New Zealand. Shaheen Afridi to bowl the first over for Pakistan.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (2nd INNINGS)

LAHORE: Babar Azam’s 34th half-century, followed by Fakhar Zaman’s anchoring knock took Pakistan’s total to 178 against New Zealand in the fifth T20I of the five-match series here at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

PAK 178/5 (20 Overs)

Foulkes to bowl the last over

PAK 171/4 (19 Overs)

18.3: Iftikhar stayed deep in the crease and tonked the full toss through the line but he didn’t get much elevation and was caught easily.

James Neesham to bowl the penultimate over

PAK 158/3 (18 Overs)

Sears to bowl his last

PAK 139/3 (17 Overs)

William O’Rourke to bowl his last

PAK 130/3 (16 Overs)

Foulkes returns

PAK 123/3 (15 Overs)

14.6: Snuffs out a terrific yorker and under the bat, smashing the middle stump, special delivery to get Babar out.

Ben Sears replaces Sodhi

PAK 116/2 (14 Overs)

William O’Rourke returns to the attack

PAK 109/2 (13 Overs)

Ish Sodhi continues

PAK 98/2 (12 Overs)

Bracewell returns

PAK 90/2 (11 Overs)

Ish Sodhi continues

PAK 86/2 (10 Overs)

Ben Sears returns to the attack

PAK 81/2 (9 Overs)

8.5: Usman prances down the track to manufacture his own length and spoons it to Michael Bracewell at extra cover.

Ish Sodhi continues

PAK 75/1 (8 Overs)

Michael Bracewell continues

PAK 60/1 (7 Overs)

Ish Sodhi comes into the attack

PAK 51/1 (6 Overs)

Michael Bracewell comes on to bowl

PAK 46/1 (5 Overs)

William O’Rourke returns

PAK 38/1 (4 Overs)

Ben Sears replaces William O’Rourke

PAK 23/1 (3 Overs)

Zak Foulkes continues

PAK 10/1 (2 Overs)

1.3: Round the wicket, fuller on off, Saim looks to go up and over mid-off, but he can only manage to mistime to wide mid-off where Michael Bracewell takes a brilliant diving catch.

William O’Rourke to bowl the second over

PAK 8/0 (1 Over)

Babar Azam and Saim Ayub come out to bat for Pakistan. Zak Foulkes to bowl the first over for New Zealand.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (1st INNINGS)

LAHORE: New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan in the fifth T20I of the five-match series here at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

PLAYING XIs

New Zealand

Michael Bracewell (c), Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Cole McConchie, James Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi.

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Pakistan

Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 43, Pakistan 22, New Zealand 19, NR 2

READ: ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy reaches Lahore