Tag: T20 World Cup 2024

Right-handed batter Virat Kohli played down the hype of the highly-anticipated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India.

Two of the most fierce competitors in the game of cricket — Pakistan and India — will lock horns at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 9.

The anticipation and excitement of cricket fans around the globe have soared to the top but Virat Kohli asserted that the frenzy is way more than what happens on the field.

“The frenzy around and outside the game is way more than what happens on the field. An instinctive person always remains in the present. So, forget June 9, I can just do what I have to do now after one hour,” stated Kohli.

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Virat Kohli then went on to express his hunger to excel in the tournament while also claiming that India will do well in the T20 World Cup 2024.

“I can say I’m as hungry as ever. Once there is no hunger, you won’t see my in any tournament. If I don’t have that mindset, I can’t play. There is an energy in such tournaments and once there’s a good atmosphere within the team, it’s a beautiful journey. We had one in the last World Cup. We really enjoyed the World Cup. I’m sure we’ll have a really good tournament this time as well,” Kohli said.

Kohli boasts a dominant record against arch-rivals Pakistan in T20Is, the highlight of which was his unbeaten 82-run knock in the blockbuster ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 bout at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

He is currently enjoying a purple patch with the bat, currently leading the run charts in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

Inaugural champions India will start their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland on June 5 before taking on Pakistan in the blockbuster clash on June 9.

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Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez shared his opinion on Pakistan’s campaign in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, stating that the former champions will struggle in the mega event considering their current performance.

Hafeez appeared in ARY News’ show Sports Room and revealed where he foresees the Green Shirts in the 20-team mega event.

“Look, as a Pakistani, my heart will always remain in the favour of Pakistan regardless of their performance. But, considering the facts, I think the Pakistan team will struggle,” stated Hafeez.

“The only reason behind that is they are not ready in terms of the right formation and the mindset. Also, their roles are not defined yet like a controlled team,” he added.

Mohammad Hafeez further named his semi-finalists for the T20 World Cup 2024, including Pakistan despite claiming that the 2009 champions would struggle in the tournament.

“Look, I would say the same thing again, if I were to say what my heart wants, I would pick Pakistan first. If I consider tactics and right formation then I think India can perform better in the West Indies.

“West Indies themselves could perform better there and alongside them, England could perform really well.”

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Mohammad Hafeez then went on to term the national men’s team’s recent performances “below-par” when they settled for a 2-2 home series stalemate against an inexperienced New Zealand side and a 2-1 away series victory against Ireland after succumbing to a shock loss in the series opener.

“Look, the lead-up wasn’t good, like 2-2 against New Zealand at home wasn’t in Pakistan’s favour. It is by no means justifiable. You just can’t do that because it was Pakistan’s full-strength side.

“Unfortunately, the results we were hoping for, as fans, did not come.

“Pakistan then went to Ireland. There as well, Pakistan fielded a full-fledged side. But, after losing the first game, their recovery was very good. Like, the attitude they showed to win that series.

“At a certain stage, it seemed as if Pakistan would not be able to win this series. But their comeback was strong.

“They have every player in their arsenal but unfortunately, as of now, such mindset, body language and dominance, which we think Pakistan should have achieved, were not attained,” Hafeez concluded.

READ: Shaheen Afridi aims to win T20 World Cup, denies rift within team

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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DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday, unveiled the schedule of the warm-up matches for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 except for former champions Pakistan.

According to the apex cricketing body, a total of 17 teams will feature in the warm-up matches, scheduled to run from May 27 to June 1, including South Africa, who are playing an intra-squad match on the 29th in Florida.

Besides Pakistan and England, New Zealand will also miss the warm-up matches while inaugural champions India will only play one warm-up match against Bangladesh on June 1, the venue of which will be decided in due course.

For the unversed, Pakistan and England are poised to engage in a four-match T20I series, scheduled to begin on May 22 and will conclude on May 30, just a day before the commencement of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

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The 16 warm-up matches will be held across the United States of America (USA) and Trinidad and Tobago at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Texas, Broward County Stadium in Florida, Queen’s Park Oval and Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.

These warm-up fixtures will be 20 overs per side and will not have international T20 status, allowing teams to field all members of their 15-player squad.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Warm-up Fixtures

Monday 27 May
Canada v Nepal, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Grand Prairie, Texas
Oman v Papua New Guinea, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
Namibia v Uganda, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago

Tuesday 28 May
Sri Lanka v Netherlands, Broward County Stadium, Broward County, Florida
Bangladesh v USA, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Grand Prairie, Texas
Australia v Namibia, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

Wednesday 29 May
South Africa intra-squad, Broward County Stadium, Broward County, Florida
Afghanistan v Oman, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

Thursday 30 May
Nepal v USA, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Grand Prairie, Texas
Scotland v Uganda, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
Netherlands v Canada, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Grand Prairie, Texas
Namibia v Papua New Guinea, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
West Indies v Australia, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

Friday 31 May
Ireland v Sri Lanka, Broward County Stadium, Broward County, Florida
Scotland v Afghanistan, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

Saturday 1 June
Bangladesh v India, Venue TBC USA

READ: Edgbaston to “transform” into Fan Park for Pakistan-India T20 World Cup clash

BIRMINGHAM: Edgbaston Cricket Ground is all set to transform into the Fan Park for the highly-anticipated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India on June 9.

According to the details, the cricket stadium here will accommodate up to 8,000 fans after the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the venue among just a few of the host venues globally.

This is the first instance when the ICC is giving the United Kingdom (UK) fans an opportunity to watch the eagerly-anticipated clash on the big screen.

Comedian and cricket commentator Aatif Nawaz will take the stage, alongside former India and Pakistan players, as part of the build-up for the match.

Edgbaston Chief Executive Stuart Cain expressed his delight over being chosen as one of the few venues as the Fan Park for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

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Cain further reiterated that Pakistan and Indian fans can generate enough energy to replicate the atmosphere during their 2019 World Cup match at the Old Trafford.

“We’re the only venue in the country to have been chosen by the ICC as a T20 World Cup Fan Zone location which is amazing.

“It’s an opportunity for our local communities to really feel part of the T20 World Cup experience and I’m sure it will be a fantastic occasion.

“Pakistan and India fans generated an electric atmosphere here in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and I’ve no doubt we can get close to replicating that in the Fan Zone.”

In addition to enjoying live commentary during the game, fans may participate in cricket skill challenges and observe cultural performances from the Pakistani and Indian communities at the family picnic area.

ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley explained the importance of the Fan Parks, stating they are essential to taking the World Cup fever to more people across the globe.

“Fan parks are an important part of bringing World Cups to more people across the globe,” he said, “and we are delighted Edgbaston Stadium will be hosting the screening of one of cricket’s biggest rivalries.

“I am sure there will be a great atmosphere on the day and based on previous India and Pakistan matches that have taken place at Edgbaston it will be an occasion not to be missed.”

READ: ICC reveals details about Pakistan-India T20 World Cup 2024 venue

The International Cricket Council (ICC) disclosed important insights regarding the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, poised to host the highly-anticipated Pakistan-India clash at the T20 World Cup 2024.

The newly built cricket stadium in New York will host a total of eight matches, including two involving Pakistan and India each, amid the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Chris Tetley, head of events at the ICC, confirmed that the Nassau County ground is capable of meeting international standards with ease and is equivalent to the size of the renowned Wankhede Stadium.

The venue is also enriched with a world-class drainage facility, crucial for ensuring uninterrupted play.

“Whenever a new stadium comes up, there are a lot of questions about the size. But the Nassau County ground is not a token-sized ground – it is 75 yards east west and 67 yards north south from the centre. It is similar to the size of Wankhede. The drainage facilities, too, will be world-class,” Tetley said.

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For the unversed, Nassau County Stadium will feature drop-in pitches for the tournament. A total of 10 pitches, under the supervision of Damian Hough, head curator of Adelaide Oval, were prepared in Florida and transported to New York.

Meanwhile, Hough predicted the nature of the drop-in pitches, stating it would be bouncy and the ball would come onto the bat.

“The pitches will have pace and bounce and the ball should come on to the bat, something that the players prefer. The idea is to produce good pitches that will stay good throughout the tournament and the players will enjoy playing on,” Hough said.

READ: Shoaib Malik opines on Pakistan’s opening pair for T20 World Cup 2024

NEW YORK: Senior all-rounder Shoaib Malik commented on the ongoing debate regarding Pakistan’s opening pair for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to take place in the West Indies and USA in June.

Malik, while speaking at a media conference held at the newly-built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium here on Thursday, suggested considering Saim Ayub for the opening slot for high-scoring games.

“Look, Saim Ayub is the kind of player who plays a high-risk game. Any batter who plays with high risk has fewer chances of consistent performance, but there is a lot of talent in him,” stated Shoaib Malik.

“You need to see that if high-scoring matches are happening, then you will have to open with Saim Ayub.

“But if high-scoring games are not happening, then it depends on the conditions, if it’s those 160-170 score matches again, then I guess Babar and Rizwan should open,” he added.

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For the unversed, batting prodigy Saim Ayub has been under a lot of scrutiny as the left-handed opener is yet to score a half-century in the international circuit.

After bursting into the national side at the back of a remarkable domestic season and notable performances in the various franchise leagues across the world, Saim Ayub replaced Babar Azam as the opener in Pakistan’s away T20I series against New Zealand in January.

He then opened the innings for Pakistan with skipper Babar Azam in the home series against New Zealand before the opening slot once again got altered for the Ireland T20Is which saw him and Mohammad Rizwan starting the proceedings for the Green Shirts.

Notably, the Pakistan men’s cricket team on Wednesday, reached England to play a four-match T20I series to finalize their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, starting on June 1.

The 2009 champions will start their campaign against co-host USA on June 6 before taking on arch-rivals India on June 9 at the aforementioned venue.

READ: Gary Kirsten to help Babar Azam play his ‘natural game’

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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