Tag: T20 World Cup 2024

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to run from June 1 to 29 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Aiden Markram will lead South Africa in the T20 World Cup, which will be his first ICC event as captain after being appointed last year.

Star fast bowler Anrich Nortje returned to the squad and is set to make his international comeback during the tournament after a nine-month hiatus due to an injury.

Meanwhile, uncapped opening batter Ryan Rickelton and seamer Ottniel Baartman have also earned their maiden call-ups on the back of their impressive performance during SA20.

Rickelton ended the tournament as the highest run-scorer with 530 runs at an average of 58.88 and a tremendous strike rate of 173.77.

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On the other hand, Baartman was the second-highest wicket-taker in SA20 with 18 wickets at an average of 11.77.

Wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock also returned to the squad after being left out of the CSA’s central contract recently.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 will kick off on June 1 with co-hosts USA taking on neighbouring country Canada.

South Africa will commence their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Sri Lanka on June 3 in New York.

South Africa squad

Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Tristan Stubbs.

Travelling reserves: Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi.

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Pakistan’s newly-appointed white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten expressed his determination to provide clarity to the players ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Kirsten appeared in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) podcast and acknowledged the challenge of a quick turnaround but remained hopeful of creating a structure within the team over the course of the three weeks to provide ample clarity to the players heading into the World Cup.

He also lauded Azhar Mahmood for doing a great job as the “interim head coach” and revealed they have been contacting as a team.

“It just so happened that I am on an assignment. So, it was difficult to move away. I’ve got to see my contract out here.

“But the plans are already in place. Azhar Mahmood as interim head coach is doing a great job. We are communicating at the moment. I’m getting to understand the team and how they’re playing.

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“I’m watching them play, which is great. I certainly have get my head in the space, but at an arm’s length. We’re in communication as a team but at the moment he’s running the show, I don’t want to lead from a distance because I don’t think that that is a healthy space to be in. It’s difficult actually, but we are doing the best we can.

“It is going to be a quick turnaround (for me), there’s no doubt, we just have to accept that. But, we are hoping that we can build some structures into the team over the course of the next three weeks or so to provide clarity that the players need going into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”

Notably, Gary Kirsten is serving as the coach and mentor of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Gujarat Titans.

During his tenure, besides the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and other bilateral white-ball series, Kirsten will also be in charge of the side for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, ACC T20 Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

READ: Jason Gillespie wants Pakistan Test side to play “their way”

AUCKLAND: A 15-member New Zealand squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to run from June 1 to 29, was announced Monday at an event held at the ANZ Centre in Auckland.

The 2021 finalists will kick off their campaign against Afghanistan on June 7 and will be led by experienced batter Kane Williamson.

Williamson, who will be featuring in his sixth T20 World Cup, will be leading New Zealand for the fourth time. His experience would only be bettered by Tim Southee, poised to represent the Black Caps seventh time in the showcase event.

“This is Williamson’s sixth appearance in a T20 World Cup squad and his fourth tournament as captain,” NZC said in a press release.

“His experience is bettered only by Tim Southee, who has earned selection in his seventh T20 World Cup squad and currently sits as the leading wicket taker in the history of T20 Internationals.

“Further to the experience offered by Williamson and Southee, Trent Boult has been selected in his fifth T20 World Cup squad.

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“The squad also boasts significant recent experience in the conditions with 13 of the 15-man group featuring on the team’s last tour to the West Indies in 2022.

“As well as that, six of the squad have also featured in the Caribbean Premier League T20 competition.

“Bowler Matt Henry and batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra are the only two members of the 15 without ICC T20 World Cup experience.”

Right-arm speedsters Adam Milne and Kyle Jamieson failed to make a cut into the New Zealand squad for the T20 World Cup owing to their ankle and back injuries respectively.

Gary Stead will serve as New Zealand’s head coach for the mega event with James Foster as his deputy, while Luke Ronchi and Jacob Oram will continue as the batting and bowling coaches respectively.

New Zealand Squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Kane Williamson (C), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee. Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears.

READ: All-round Hayley Matthews powers West Indies women to sink Pakistan

The International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s T20 World Cup 2024 trophy reached Lahore on Saturday. The coveted trophy has been on a three-day Pakistan tour since April 25.

ICC T20 World Cup trophy tour kicked off in the United States of America (USA) last month and is currently on display at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.

The trophy will be brought to the Gaddafi Stadium and will be on display during the last T20I match of the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Before Lahore, the ICC T20 World Cup trophy reached Islamabad and was on display in front of the National Assembly of Pakistan, followed by a visit to Abbottabad.

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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 be used for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 as the groups and fixtures for the ninth edition of the 20-over showcase were announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

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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The International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh as ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador on Friday.

The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies from 1 June to 29 June.

Singh will participate in the World Cup promotional events in the United States before and during the tournament.

He will also attend the much-anticipated match between archrivals India and Pakistan in New York on 9 June.

The former all-rounder expressed his excitement about being the ambassador of the T20 World Cup and shared his best memories from the tournament.

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He set the stage on fire during the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, hitting six sixes in an over against England. India went on to win the tournament by defeating Pakistan in the final.

“Some of my fondest cricketing memories have come from playing at the T20 World Cup, including hitting six sixes in an over, so it’s very exciting to be part of this edition, which is set to be the biggest one yet,” Yuvraj said.

“The West Indies is a great place to play cricket with the fans coming to watch creating a vibe that is completely unique to that part of the world, while cricket is also expanding in the USA and I’m excited to be part of that growth through the T20 World Cup.

“India’s clash against Pakistan in New York is going to be one of the biggest sporting fixtures in the world this year, so it’s a privilege to be a part of and to witness the best players in the world playing in a new stadium.”

READ: Azhar Mahmood points out positives from Pakistan’s loss

The International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s T20 World Cup 2024 trophy reached Islamabad last night on a three-day tour of Pakistan.

ICC T20 World Cup trophy tour kicked off in the United States of America (USA) last month and is currently on display in front of the National Assembly of Pakistan in Islamabad.

The coveted trophy will be brought to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore on Saturday at 4:30 PM and will be displayed at the Gaddafi Stadium during the last T20I match of the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand.

During its stay in Pakistan, the T20 World Cup trophy will visit Abbottabad as well.

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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 be used for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 as the groups and fixtures for the ninth edition of the 20-over showcase were announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

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.

READ: Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq included in women’s selection committee

The Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) on Tuesday named former Indian first-class cricketer Abhay Sharma as the new head coach of the men’s national team in the run-up to the T20 World Cup 2024.

The Cricket Cranes have booked their place in the competition for the first time and will be among 20 teams at the tournament being jointly hosted by the United States and the West Indies from June 1.

The UCA announced Sharma’s appointment on a three-year working contract in a statement on its website, saying he brought a “wealth of knowledge and expertise to lead the Cricket Cranes into their next chapter of success”.

Coach Alert 🏏@CricketUganda unveils Abhay Sharma, an experienced Indian coach, as new gaffer on a 3-year deal.

With a distinctive background in first-class cricket & extensive coaching in the Indian set-up, Sharma is tasked to take Uganda to new heights.#WeAreCricketCranes pic.twitter.com/f7apJCu1D9

— Cricket Uganda (@CricketUganda) April 23, 2024

“Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Abhay Sharma as the new head coach of the senior men’s national team – The Cricket Cranes after both parties agreed to a three-year working contract,” the statement read.

“With a distinguished career and vast coaching experience, Sharma brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to lead the Cricket Cranes into their next chapter of success.”

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Sharma has previous coaching stints with India A and India Under-19s, as well as the Indian women’s cricket team and the Delhi Ranji Trophy team, the UCA said.

“I am here to contribute to the team’s aspirations, which include defeating the top sides in the world in the upcoming World Cup,” the 54-year-old Sharma said in the statement.

“While Uganda Cricket has performed well in the last 12 months, there are areas, particularly fielding, where we need to improve.”

READ: Shadab Khan ‘feels comfortable’ batting in top-order

Sunil Narine says the “door is closed” on his West Indies career after his sparkling IPL form prompted calls for him to come out of international retirement for their home T20 World Cup.

The bowling all-rounder has starred for Kolkata Knight Riders as an opening batsman, with 286 runs including a century and a half-ton in the current IPL.

He has taken nine wickets with his mystery spin and stifled the opposition’s run flow with an economy of 7.10 in a high-scoring season.

West Indies captain Rovman Powell had urged the 35-year-old to make a comeback for the World Cup in June, which the West Indies will co-host with the United States.

“I’m truly flattered and humbled that my performances recently have moved many people to publicly express their wish for me to come out of retirement and play in the upcoming T20 World Cup,” Narine wrote on social media.

“I have made peace with that decision and whilst I never wish to disappoint, that door is now closed and I will be supporting the guys who take the field in June for West Indies.”

 

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A post shared by Sunil Narine (@sunilnarine24)

Narine announced his international retirement in 2023, four years after he last played a T20 for the West Indies.

He added in his post: “Guys who have worked hard for the past few months and deserve to show our wonderful fans that they are capable of winning another title, I wish you all the best.”

Narine has represented the West Indies in 51 T20Is, 65 ODIs and six Test matches since making his debut in 2011. He has taken 52 wickets in T20Is, 92 in ODIs and 21 in Test cricket.

READ: Mark Selby considers retirement after ‘pathetic’ World Championship exit

Pakistan will kick off their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 preparations on Thursday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium when they will take on New Zealand in the first of the five matches.

The venue will also host matches on Saturday and Sunday, while Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will be the stage for the remaining two matches next week on Thursday and Saturday.

This will be the third five-match series between the two sides inside a 12-month period. Last year, Pakistan and New Zealand drew the series at two-all in Pakistan, while New Zealand clinched the series 4-1 earlier this year in their backyard.

Pakistan have named uncapped Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Irfan Khan and Usman Khan in the 17-player squad, which also sees the return of Babar Azam as the white-ball captain.

Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim are also back in national colours along with fast bowler Naseem Shah.

Naseem last played for Pakistan in the ACC Asia Cup 2023 before suffering a shoulder injury in the match against India in Colombo that sidelined him from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and tours of Australia and New Zealand.

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Azhar Mahmood, for the first time in his career, will be the head coach of the Pakistan men’s team. The former Test all-rounder has previously worked as the national side’s bowling coach from 2016-2019.

Babar Azam: “This five-match T20I series holds a lot of importance for us as we look forward to preparing for the all-important mega-event. We had a great fitness camp in Kakul and are looking forward to express ourselves as unit.

“New Zealand will challenge us at different points in the series, serving as a fine work out for the Pakistan side. The prospect of having a blend of youth and experience in the side excites me as a leader.”

Michael Bracewell: “I’m proud to be leading the team on this tour. We’ll look to play entertaining cricket as a side and take the game forward. Most of the players in our squad have played a lot of T20 Cricket growing up and they are very well equipped with the knowledge of this format. Pakistan are formidable side at home and we’ll look to put challenges in their backyard.”

The toss is scheduled to take place at 7 pm local time and the first will be bowled at 7:30 pm local time.

Squads:

Pakistan – Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan and Zaman Khan

New Zealand – Michael Bracewell (c), Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi and Zak Foulkes.

READ: Babar spills the beans about team combination for New Zealand T20Is

DUBLIN: The Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team will tour Ireland for a three-match T20I series in May 2024, the Cricket Ireland announced Thursday.

According to the details, Pakistan will take on Ireland at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12 and 14 May 2024. All the matches will start at 3 PM local time.

👉 BIG NEWS

Here are the first international fixtures announced for 2024 home season, with general public tickets on sale tomorrow: https://t.co/QoCZToX9kF

These matches start at 3pm.

We will be announcing the full summer programme in coming weeks.#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/rtTATBnvIe

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) March 28, 2024

The three-match away series will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Notably, Pakistan and Ireland are placed in the same group of the mega event and are slated to lock horns on June 16 at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.

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Following the three-match series against Ireland, Pakistan will travel to England for a four-match T20I series against the defending champions.

As per the schedule revealed by the England Cricket Board (ECB), the Pakistan men’s team will play a four-match T20I series against England, scheduled from May 22 to 30.

Pakistan and England Men last locked horns in a T20I series in September 2022 where the latter side emerged victorious 4-3 on Pakistan’s home soil.

The two sides also came face to face in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and England once again emerged victorious against Pakistan to claim their second title after Ben Stokes’s heroics.

For the unversed, Pakistan last played a T20I series in England back in 2021 when they suffered a 2-1 thrashing from the dominant hosts.

READ: Pakistan-New Zealand T20I series tickets to go on sale from Friday