Tag: T20 World Cup 2024

NORTH SOUND: Andries Gous’ unbeaten 80-run knock failed to trump Quinton de Kock’s blistering 74 as South Africa beat the United States of America (USA) by 18 runs in the 41st matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Chasing a daunting 195-run target, USA could only amass 176/6 despite a gutsy knock by Gous.

The USA had a decent start to the pursuit as Gous led the charge in the batting powerplay while Kagiso Rabada bagged two wickets  — Steven Taylor (24) and Nitish Kumar (8) — for South Africa.

The associate nation then sustained another blow to their run chase as their captain Aaron Jones (0) perished in the next over.

Gous then put together brief partnerships with Corey Anderson (12) and Shayan Jahangir (3) before being joined by Harmeet Singh in the 12th over with the scoreboard reading 76/5.

Gous and Singh stitched a brilliant 91-run partnership for the sixth wicket which lasted with the latter’s dismissal on the first delivery of the penultimate over when USA needed a further 28 runs.

Singh remained a notable contributor for the USA with a 22-ball 38, which included two fours and three sixes.

The timely breakthrough fuelled South Africa with momentum and Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, bowling the last two overs respectively, displayed nerves of steel to steer their side to an important victory.

Andries Gous remained unbeaten on 80. His 47-ball knock featured five fours and as many sixes.

Kagiso Rabada led the bowling charge for South Africa with three wickets while Keshav Maharaj, Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi chipped in a wicket apiece.

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Sent into bat first, South Africa registered a formidable total on the board, courtesy of a marathon second-wicket partnership between de Kock and Markram.

The Proteas, however, got off to a contrasting start to their innings as their opener Reeza Hendricks perished in the third over with just 16 runs on the board. He made a run-a-ball 11 with the help of a six.

The early blow did not trouble South Africa much as Quinton de Kock smashed 28 runs off Jasdeep Singh in the fourth over.

The eventful over gave South Africa an upper hand and de Kock and Markram then took calculated risks to keep the momentum in their favour.

The duo had added 110 runs for the second wicket before Harmeet Singh provided a much-needed breakthrough to the USA by dismissing de Kock in the 13th over.

The left-handed batter remained the top-scorer for South Africa with a swashbuckling 74 off just 40 deliveries, peppered with seven fours and five sixes.

Harmeet struck again for the USA on the next delivery to send David Miller packing for a golden duck as South Africa slipped to 126/3 in 12.3 overs.

Markam then put together a brief partnership for the fourth wicket with Heinrich Klaasen before finally perishing in the 15th over.

He smashed four fours and a six on his way to a 32-ball 46.

Following Markram’s dismissal, Klaasen and Tristian Stubbs knitted a crucial partnership and added valuable runs for South Africa at the backend.

The pair added 53 runs amid their unbeaten stand, conceding only 30 deliveries.

Klaasen scored an unbeaten 36 off 22 balls, featuring three sixes while Stubbs remained not out with a 16-ball 20.

For the USA, Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh bagged two wickets each.

It is pertinent to mention that South Africa and the USA are placed in Group 2 of the Super Eight stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

READ: Former India cricketer says Babar Azam does not fit in Pakistan’s T20 team

Legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag lambasted Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam following the national team’s group-stage exit from the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan captain Babar had a tournament to forget as he only managed 122 runs at a dismal strike rate of only 101.66 with the best score of 44 which came in a losing cause against the United States of America (USA).

Commenting on Pakistan’s early exit, Virender Sehwag stated if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decides to remove Babar Azam as white-ball captain then he should not be considered for selection in T20Is.

“But as a leader you have to think whether this game is useful for his team. If not, then demote yourself and send someone who can play big shots in the six overs and get the team 50-60 runs,” stated Sehwag.

“I may sound harsh, but if the captain changes, Babar doesn’t deserve a place in the T20 team. His performances are not as per the demands of today’s T20 cricket,” he added.

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Meanwhile, Babar Azam broke silence on his future as Pakistan captain after the national team bowed out of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a consolation victory over Ireland.

“When I gave up the captaincy [in 2023], I thought that I shouldn’t be doing it now, that’s why I left it and I announced it myself,” Babar Azam said. “Then when they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB.”

The right-hander then addressed the speculations about him leaving captaincy, stating that he is currently not thinking about it.

“When I go back, we will discuss all that has happened here. And if I have to leave the captaincy, I will announce it openly. I will not hide behind anything. Whatever happens will happen in the open. But for now, I have not thought about it. It is eventually PCB’s decision,” he added.

READ: Kane Williamson steps down as New Zealand captain

NORTH SOUND: Co-host United States of America (USA) have won the toss and chose to field first against South Africa in the first match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Super Eights here on Wednesday.

PLAYING XIs

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.

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USA: Shayan Jahangir, Steven Taylor, Andries Gous(w), Aaron Jones(c), Nitish Kumar, Corey Anderson, Harmeet Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar.

READ: Kane Williamson steps down as New Zealand captain

Right-handed experienced batter Kane Williamson shook the cricket fraternity on Wednesday as he stepped down as New Zealand’s white-ball captain following the team’s poor run in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Besides relinquishing captaincy, Williamson also declined New Zealand’s central contract in “an effort to prolong his international career”.

The announcement came a day after the conclusion of New Zealand’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, where they were eliminated in the group stages for the first time since 2014.

The 2021 finalists suffered gut-wrenching defeats against the West Indies and Afghanistan, the two teams that advanced to Super Eight from Group C.

Meanwhile, Kane Williamson reiterated his dedication to represent New Zealand at the international level and expressed his willingness to participate in eight World Test Championship (WTC) matches in the coming months and the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year.

Williamson, however, shared that he is open to exploring the possibility of accepting New Zealand central contract in future.

“Helping push the team forward across the formats is something I’m very passionate about and something I want to keep contributing towards,” Kane said

“However, pursuing an overseas opportunity during the New Zealand summer means I’m unable to accept a central contract offer.

“Playing for New Zealand is something I treasure, and my desire to give back to the team remains undiminished.

“My life outside cricket has changed however – spending more time with my family and enjoying experiences with them at home or abroad is something that’s even more important to me.”

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New Zealand Cricket (NZC) CEO Scott Weenink responded to Kane Williamson’s decision and stated that the experienced cricketer deserved the chance to take a break.

“This is a good way to help keep Kane in the international game so that he continues to play a major role for the BLACKCAPS – both now and in the years to come,” said Mr. Weenink.

“We have very little international cricket in New Zealand through January and outside that period he’s still available for the BLACKCAPS.

“NZC has a strong preference to select centrally contracted players for the BLACKCAPS, however we’re happy to make an exception for our greatest ever batter – especially as he remains so committed to the team.

“I know it sounds a bit counterintuitive, but I’m very encouraged by this development.”

For the unversed, Kane Williamson assumed New Zealand’s captaincy in 2016 and led the side in 202 matches across formats, winning 105 out of them.

READ: Cricket fraternity backs Haris Rauf after altercation with fan

Several current and former Pakistan cricketers threw their weight behind right-arm pacer Haris Rauf after a video of him involved in an altercation with a fan went viral on social media.

In the viral video, Rauf can be seen charging towards a fan, who allegedly said derogatory remarks about his family.

The incident occurred on Tuesday when Rauf can be seen having a heated argument with a trolling fan in the United States of America (USA).

While strolling with his wife, Rauf was apparently confronted by a fan whose comments enraged the cricketer.

Despite efforts from his wife and friends to restrain him, Rauf charged towards the fan.

The altercation caught the attention of several former and current cricketers, who offered support to Haris Rauf and backed his actions.

https://x.com/MHafeez22/status/1803017025020629300
https://x.com/shani_official/status/1803108117296681011

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi condemned the incident involving Rauf and asked the fan to apologise and vowed to take legal action against the fan, if he fails to do so.

“Strongly condemn the appalling incident involving Haris Rauf. Such actions against our players are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” wrote PCB Chairman Naqvi on X, formerly Twitter.

“Those who are involved must immediately apologise to Haris Rauf, failing which we will pursue legal action against the individual responsible,” he added.

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Following the incident, Haris Rauf released a statement on X and pledged that he would not step back from responding to those who say demeaning things about his parents and family.

“I decided to not bring this to social media, but now that the video is out, I feel it is necessary to address the situation.”

“As public figures, we are open to receiving all kinds of feedback from the public. They are entitled to support or criticize us. Nevertheless, when it comes to my parents and my family, I will not hesitate to respond accordingly. It is important to show respect towards people and their families, irrespective of their professions,” Rauf wrote.

READ: Nicholas Pooran steers West Indies to dominant win over Afghanistan

Pakistan’s right-arm speedster Haris Rauf broke silence after a video of him involved in an altercation with a fan went viral on social media.

In the viral video, Rauf can be seen charging towards a fan, who allegedly said derogatory remarks about his family.

Following the incident, Rauf released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, and pledged that he would not step back from responding to those who say demeaning things about his parents and family.

“I decided to not bring this to social media, but now that the video is out, I feel it is necessary to address the situation.”

“As public figures, we are open to receiving all kinds of feedback from the public. They are entitled to support or criticize us. Nevertheless, when it comes to my parents and my family, I will not hesitate to respond accordingly. It is important to show respect towards people and their families, irrespective of their professions,” Rauf wrote.

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The incident occurred on Tuesday when Haris Rauf can be seen having a heated argument with a trolling fan in the United States of America (USA).

While strolling with his wife, Rauf was apparently confronted by a fan whose comments enraged the cricketer.

Despite efforts from his wife and friends to restrain him, Rauf charged towards the fan.

The confrontation, recorded on video, shows Rauf referring to the fan as “Indian hoga” (he must be Indian), to which the fan retorted, “Pakistani hoon” (I am from Pakistan).

The altercation escalated, with both parties trading expletives before others intervened to prevent any physical altercation.

READ: India to interview ‘sole candidate’ Gautam Gambhir for coaching job

Charles was joined on the crease by Pooran and together launched an onslaught on Afghanistan bowlers. They took only 38 balls to score 80 runs for the second wicket.

Pooran decimated Omarzai in the fourth over, which went for 36 runs, hitting 26 runs with three sixes and two fours.

Charles and Pooran propelled West Indies to 92-1 in the powerplay, which is the highest in a T20 World Cup game.

However, Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed Charles in the eighth over to break the partnership with 102 runs on the board. Chares scored 43 off 27 with eight boundaries.

Pooran slowed down briefly after the powerplay, while Shai Hope played a quick 25-run cameo off 17 balls with two sixes to keep West Indies in control.

Skipper Rovman Powell joined Pooran and they started things cautiously before switching gears after the 15th over.

During the 64-run stand, Pooran hit Rashid Khan for 24 runs in the 18th over before Gulbadin Naib sent Powell back. The West Indian captain scored 26 runs from 15 balls.

Meanwhile, Pooran fell courtesy of a runout in the last over after playing a blistering knock of 98 runs from 53 balls, laced with six boundaries and eight sixes.

Andre Russell (3) and Sherfane Rutherford (1) remained unbeaten as West Indies posted a mammoth 218-5 in 20 overs.

Gulbadin Naib led the bowling charts for Afghanistan with two wickets, while Omarzai and Naveen-ul-Haq managed one each.

READ: France edge Austria in Euro 2024 opener as Mbappe gets broken nose

SAINT LUCIA: Afghanistan have won the toss and chose to field first against West Indies in the 40th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Monday.

PLAYING XIs

West Indies

Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shai Hope, Rovman Powell (c), Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Obed McCoy

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Afghanistan

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

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo shows us ‘anything is possible’: Portugal’s Dias

TAROUBA: Lockie Ferguson’s record bowling figures, followed by a combined batting effort led New Zealand to crush Papua New Guinea (PNG) by seven wickets in the 39th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here on Monday.

Set to chase a modest 79, New Zealand amassed the total for the loss of three wickets and 46 balls to spare.

New Zealand, however, had a contrasting start to the pursuit as they lost Finn Allen (0) and Rachin Ravindra with just 20 runs on the board in 4.1 overs.

Left-handed opener Devon Conway then received subtle support at the other end in the form of Kane Williamson and the duo anchored the run chase with a sensible partnership.

Conway and Williamson put together 34 runs for the third wicket until the former fell victim Semo Kamea in the 10th over.

Devon Conway remained the top-scorer for New Zealand with 35 off 32 balls, laced up with two fours and three sixes.

Following his dismissal, Williamson joined forces with Daryl Mitchell and they made sure that there were no further hiccups in the modest run-chase.

Williamson scored a cautious 17-ball 18 while Mitchell scored a brisk 19 off just 12 balls.

Kabua Morea bagged two wickets for PNG while Kamea claimed one.

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Sent into bat first, PNG could only manage 78 as they had no answers to New Zealand’s ruthless bowling attack, led by Ferguson.

PNG had a dismal start to their innings as they lost both their openers Tony Ura (1) and Assad Vala (6) inside 4.1 overs with just 14 runs on the board.

Following the early hiccup, Sese Bau joined Charles Amini in the middle in a bid to launch recovery.

The pair batted cautiously and added 27 runs for the third wicket before Ferguson trapped Amini lbw in the 12th over to draw a much-needed success for New Zealand.

Amini remained the top-scorer for PNG with 25-ball 17 which featured two boundaries.

PNG’s other set batter, Bau, perished an over later as he fell victim to Santer after scoring 12 off 27 balls.

His dismissal sparked a collapse and PNG lost wickets at an alarming rate to eventually bundle out on 78 in 19.4 overs.

Right-handed batter Norman Vanua offered notable resistance in the death overs for PNG with a 13-ball 14. He smashed one four and a six.

Lockie Ferguson spearheaded New Zealand’s bowling charge with record figures, followed by Tim Southee and Trent Boult, who bagged two wickets each while Mitchell Santner chipped in with a wicket.

It is worth mentioning that New Zealand and PNG have been knocked out of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

READ: New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson sets multiple T20I records

TAROUBA: New Zealand’s speedster Lockie Ferguson etched his name into the records book by bowling the best bowling figures in Men’s T20I in his side’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 fixture against Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Ferguson was breathing fire in New Zealand’s last match in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 as he picked up three wickets and did not concede a single run.

He is the only second bowler in the history of cricket to bowl four maidens in a T20 Internationals after Canada’s captain Saad Bin Zafar.

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However, he is the first bowler to achieve the feat in a Men’s T20 World Cup.

Most maidens in a T20 World Cup innings

1) Lockie Ferguson (NZ) – 4 maidens vs PNG, 2024
2) Ajantha Mendis (SL) – 2 maidens vs Zimbabwe, 2012
3) Harbhajan Singh (IND) – 2 maidens vs England, 2012
4) Tanzib Hasan Sakib (BAN) – 2 maidens vs Nepal, 2024

Furthermore, Ferguson’s bowling figures of 3/0 surpassed Saad in the list of the most economical bowling figures in Men’s T20Is.

Most economical bowling figures in Men’s T20Is

1) Lockie Ferguson (NZ): 4-4-0-3 vs PNG, 2024
2) Saad Bin Zafar (CAN): 4-4-0-2 vs Panama, 2021
3) Nuwan Kulasekra (SL): 2-2-0-1 vs Netherlands, 2014
4) Junaid Siddique (CAN): 2-2-0-1 vs Belize, 2021

Earlier, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and put PNG into bat in a Group C dead rubber as both teams have been knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2024.

PLAYING XIs

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

PNG: Assad Vala (c), Tony Ura, Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Hiri Hiri, Kiplin Doriga (wk), Chad Soper, Norman Vanua, Alei Nao, Kabua Morea, Semo Kamea.

READ: USA, Ireland among 12 teams locked in for T20 World Cup 2026