Tag: T20 world cup

DHAKA: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to take place in the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies.

Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead the squad in the mega-event while Taskin Ahmed will serve as his deputy.

Ahmed is currently sidelined due to a side strain he suffered during the recent series against Zimbabwe and will not be taking part in the three-match T20I series against the USA leading up to the T20 World Cup.

However, it is expected that he will recover in time for the tournament.

The Bangladesh squad also features veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is set to make his record-ninth appearance in the T20 World Cup.

He and India’s captain Rohit Sharma are the only two players to have participated in every T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 2007.

Meanwhile, pacer Mohammad Saifuddin was dropped and instead, young pacer Tanzim Hasan made the cut for the World Cup.

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Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf of Bangladesh clarified that both players were assessed during the Zimbabwe series. Saifuddin failed to impress selectors due to a lack of yorkers in the death overs.

“We wanted to observe and analyse Saifuddin’s performance in the Zimbabwe series. But when we considered what the team needs at the moment, Tanzim was ahead of Saifuddin. It was a close call between the two,” Ashraf said.

“We saw Tanzim against Sri Lanka. His dedication and hunger kept him ahead. He is also a good fielder. We didn’t see enough yorkers in the death overs from Saifuddin.”

Bangladesh are placed in Group D of the T20 World Cup 2024 alongside Sri Lanka, South Africa, Netherlands and Nepal.

They will kick start their campaign on June 7 against Sri Lanka in Dallas.

Bangladesh squad for T20 World Cup

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed (vc), Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Tanvir Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan

Traveling Reserves: Hasan Mahmud, Afif Hossain

READ: Saim Ayub opens up about his trademark ‘no-look’ shot

Pakistan opening batter Saim Ayub has recently revealed how he started playing his trademark ‘no look’ shot.

During a recent interview with a local news channel, the 21-year-old batter shared that the ‘no look’ shot was not planned and just happened unintentionally.

“I think it was the National T20 in 2022 where I played the no look shot for the first time but it was not something that I had pre-planned,” said the young batter.

“I was not able to find scoring options so when I saw that the fine leg was up in the circle, I played that shot. It was not my intention to not look at the shot, it just happened automatically.

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“However, I don’t prioritise this since it is a high-risk shot. I try to play the other shots more often and only play the no-look shot when it is absolutely necessary,”

Saim Ayub also stated that he doesn’t aim for personal milestones, but instead strives to play his best and contribute to the team’s success.

“My target is Man of the Match, not fifty or a hundred. I don’t think about numbers as I aim to win the match for my team. It can be any figure, 50, 70 or 100, but I don’t think about that since I’m focused on winning the match,”

The young batter has represented Pakistan in 19 T20Is since making his debut against Afghanistan last year, scoring 270 runs at a strike rate of 131.06.

READ: Sri Lanka squad departs for USA to partake in T20 World Cup 2024

COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka cricket team departed for the United States of America (USA) on Tuesday to participate in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, commencing on June 1.

Sri Lanka are the first team to leave for the mega event, however, star spinner Maheesh Theekshana is not travelling with the squad, owing to his commitment to IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings.

The squad features a blend of experienced and young players and will be led by star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga.

Sri Lanka opted to rely on the experience of veteran Angelo Mathews, who made his T20I comeback in January after being away from the setup for nearly three years.

Notably, this will be Mathews’ sixth T20 World Cup appearance. He was also a part of Sri Lanka’s victorious campaign in 2014.

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Besides the experience, Sri Lanka emphasised on the team balance and thus picked multiple all-rounders in their squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.

Skipper Hasaranga is one of the spin-bowling all-rounders beside Dunith Wellalage, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Kamindu Mendis. Whereas, Matthews and Dasun Shanaka are the pace-bowling all-rounders.

Right-arm pacer Dushmantha Chameera will spearhead Sri Lanka’s pace bowling attack which features Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara.

Sri Lanka are placed in Group D of the T20 World Cup 2024 alongside South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal.

The former champions will kick start their campaign on June 3 against South Africa in New York.

Sri Lanka squad: Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dilshan Madushanka

Traveling Reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Janith Liyanage.

READ: Kylian Mbappe wins award for France’s player of the year

AMSTELVEEN: The Netherlands have announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to take place in June in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

The Netherlands have left out experienced all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe and batter Colin Ackermann from their T20 World Cup squad, in favour of younger and more promising players.

Young hard-hitting batter Michael Levitt, who rose to prominence after hitting a scintillating century against Namibia in February, made it into the Dutch squad for the mega-event.

Wicketkeeper Scott Edwards will continue to lead the squad, which also features star all-rounder Bas de Leede.

“We have been able to select a well-balanced team which we are confident will be able to perform in the conditions against the opposition we face in the US and West Indies,” Netherlands head coach Ryan Cook said.

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“All of the players have been training well and have been involved in the recent ProSeries with some exciting performances showing the growing depth and quality in Netherlands cricket.

“We have managed to perform admirably in the last two World Cups we have participated in and will be determined to rise to the challenges we face ahead to reach the next round of the tournament.”

The Dutch team is placed in Group D with South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. They will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Nepal on June 4 against Nepal at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.

Netherlands squad for T20 World Cup

Scott Edwards (c, wk), Aryan Dutt, Bas de Leede, Daniel Doram, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Logan van Beek, Max O’Dowd, Michael Levitt, Paul van Meekeren, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Teja Nidamanuru, ⁠⁠Tim Pringle, Vikram Singh, Viv Kingma, Wesley Barresi

READ: Shahid Afridi lauds Pakistan batters’ strike rates in second Ireland T20I

Former Pakistani captain and renowned commentator Ramiz Raja has warned that the United States of America (USA) could pose a challenge to the national team during the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Raja expressed thoughts in a video on his official YouTube channel after Pakistan suffered a shocking loss against Ireland in the first T20I of the three-match series.

The former captain questioned Pakistan’s performance in the match against Ireland and their preparation for the T20 World Cup, scheduled in the USA and West Indies.

“You can’t defend losing against Ireland. The body language looks weak, you have made combinations that have affected the team,” Ramiz Raja said.

“The team was doing well, but the captaincy was changed and then the new captain was replaced with the previous one. In a World Cup year, the team has fallen to seventh position in the T20I rankings and this shows the actual condition of the team,” he added.

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He further raised concerns over Pakistan’s chances to win the World Cup, citing the team’s recent performances.

“How will Pakistan win the World Cup, you don’t have a combination, the opening pair is not set, the set batters lose their wickets and the middle order doesn’t function well. In the current situation, how will Pakistan go to the semi-finals?” Raja questioned.

The former PCB chairman also warned that co-hosts USA, who are set to play their first-ever T20 World Cup, might prove to be a difficult opposition for Pakistan due to the presence of expats from India and Pakistan in their squad.

“I think the USA might give tough time to Pakistan because they also have some expats from India and Pakistan playing for them,” he added.

Notably, Pakistan will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on 6 June in Dallas.

READ: Pakistan women’s team to depart for Northampton today

Papua New Guinea (PNG) announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be co-hosted in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

This will be their second appearance in the T20 World Cup, having debuted in the 2021 edition held in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

36-year-old Assadollah Vala, who led the team in the 2021 edition, will continue as captain, while all-rounder Charles Amini will serve as his deputy in the Carribean.

PNG squad features as many as ten players from the previous campaign, as well as 23-year-old Jack Gardner, who was a reserve player in the 2021 edition.

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“The energy has been great within the team. For some of the boys who went to the last T20 World Cup, it’s a different feeling now with a lot of the training because the last time was during Covid, and the preparation wasn’t as good as what we’re going through now,” said captain Assadollah Vala.

“I am looking forward to this event because I know we are going to do well.”

PNG are placed in Group C alongside co-hosts West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Uganda. They will play their opening game in the T20 World Cup against West Indies on June 2.

Papua New Guinea squad for T20 World Cup

Assadollah Vala (c), CJ Amini (vc), Alei Nao, Chad Soper, Hila Vare, Hiri Hiri, Jack Gardner, John Kariko, Kabua Vagi Morea, Kipling Doriga, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Sema Kamea, Sese Bau, Tony Ura

READ: Pakistan squad reaches Ireland for T20I series

Uganda have announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be co-hosted in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

The African country has booked their place in the competition for the first time and will be among 20 teams at the tournament, starting from June 1.

Brian Masaba will lead Uganda in their first-ever T20 World Cup campaign, kicking off on June 3 against Afghanistan in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Pakistan-born all-rounder Riazat Ali Shah will serve as the vice-captain.

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The squad also features 43-year-old all-rounder, Frank Nsubuga, who will be the oldest player in the T20 World Cup 2024.

He first represented Uganda in ICC events as a 17-year-old in the 1997 ICC Trophy, a pathway event on the road to Cricket World Cup 1999.

Uganda are placed in Group C alongside co-hosts West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Papua New Guinea.

Uganda squad for T20 World Cup

Brian Masaba (c), Simon Ssesazi, Roger Mukasa, Cosmas Kyewuta, Dinesh Nakrani, Fred Achelam, Kenneth Waiswa, Alpesh Ramjani, Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Bilal Hassun, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah (vc), Juma Miyaji, Ronak Patel.

Travelling Reserves: Innocent Mwebaze, Ronald Lutaaya

READ: Babar Azam responds to criticism over Hasan Ali’s selection

LAHORE: Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has announced that each player in the national squad will receive a prize money of $100,000 in the event of Pakistan’s victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Naqvi met the players at Gaddafi Stadium after the training session for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, in a build-up to the mega-event.

Team selectors Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Yousuf, assistant coach Azhar Mehmood and director of international cricket Usman Wahla were also present in the meeting.

Chairman PCB also hosted a lunch in honour of the players and the team management after which he talked to players and encouraged them for the upcoming tours as well as the T20 World Cup 2024, starting from June 1 in the United States and West Indies.

He announced the cash prize for each player and motivated them to give their best and lead Pakistan to victory in the World Cup.

“I hope that you [players] will raise the Pakistani flag high and lead the team to success,” said Mohsin Naqvi.

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“You should not care about anything, but to play and give your best for Pakistan. Just demonstrate teamwork and the victory will be yours.”

Chairman PCB also presented special green shirts to Mohammad Rizwan for completing 3000 runs in T20 matches, and Naseem Shah for taking 100 wickets in international cricket.

It is worth mentioning here that the Pakistan men’s cricket team is currently participating in a three-match training session here ahead of their three-match T20I series against Ireland.

All three matches will be held at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12 and 14 May 2024 and will start at 3 PM local time.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, 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).

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

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.

READ: ICC unveils schedule for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday, unveiled a list of 26 match officials for the first-round matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to take place in the West Indies and USA.

The match officials comprising 20 umpires and six match referees, all set to officiate in the ninth edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup.

The sublime list of umpires includes last year’s winner of the David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year, Richard Illingworth, along with Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney and Paul Reiffel.

Notably, all the aforementioned umpires officiated in the T20 World Cup 2022 final between Pakistan and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The match referees’ team, on the other hand, features Ranjan Madugalle, who officiated the 2022 final, alongside the format’s most experienced referee, Jeff Crowe.

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ICC General Manager Cricket Wasim Khan reflected on the selection of top match officials for this year’s cricket extravaganza and expressed his confidence in their abilities to perform well.

“We are pleased to announce our team of match referees and umpires for the historic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

“Within the selected cohort, we have a compliment of experienced match officials and other high performing members who have been recognized for their strong and consistent performances.

“The throughput from the pathway programme will continue to see the development and emergence of high-quality match officials across the game.

“With 20 teams and 55 matches played over 28 days, this will be the biggest T20 World Cup ever and we are proud of the team we have assembled. We are confident that our officials will perform strongly.

“We wish them all the best of luck for what promises to be a very exciting tournament.”

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is slated to run from June 1 to 29 and will be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies. The tournament kicks off with co-host USA taking on Canada in the curtain raiser at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.

The ninth edition of the mega event features a record 20 teams, divided into four groups. The top two teams from each of the groups will qualify for the Super Eight phase, where the sides will be split into two groups of four.

The top two in each group will then make their way to the semi-finals.

The Match Officials for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024:

Umpires: Chris Brown, Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Allahudien Paleker, Richard Kettleborough, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Nitin Menon, Sam Nogajski, Ahsan Raza, Rashid Riaz, Paul Reiffel, Langton Rusere, Shahid Saikat, Rodney Tucker, Alex Wharf, Joel Wilson and Asif Yaqoob.

Match referees: David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson and Javagal Srinath.

READ: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 official anthem released

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday, released the highly-anticipated anthem “Out of this World” for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, featuring Sean Paul and Soca Superstar Kes.

Produced by Michael “Tano” Montano, the enthusiastic soundtrack features appearances by some of the most notable figures in sports.

That includes eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt and West Indies cricket superstars Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

The music video also features current cricket players like West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor and the United States of America (USA) bowler Ali Khan and other Caribbean personalities.

Speaking about the official T20 World Cup 2024 anthem, Grammy award-winning singer Sean Paul stated that the soundtrack is about Caribbean pride and positive energy.

“I have always believed that music, like cricket, has the power to bring people together in unity and celebration.

“This song is all about positive energy and Caribbean pride and I can’t wait for the carnival of cricket to get started and hear everyone singing along to the anthem, bringing the party to stadiums across the West Indies and USA.”

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Kes, on the other hand, shared that he feels honoured to write and record the official anthem for the T20 World Cup.

“Cricket has always been a major part of Caribbean culture, so I’m honoured to write and record the official anthem for the T20 World Cup.

Respect goes out to the entire crew whose creative input inspired this anthem. The track embodies the vibrant culture and energy of cricket and is a real anthem for people to sing out and feel the spirit of unity.”

T20 World Cup 2024 is slated to take place from June 1 to 29 and will be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies. The tournament kicks off with co-host USA taking on Canada in the curtain raiser at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.

The ninth edition of the mega event features a record 20 teams, divided into four groups. The top two teams from each of the groups will qualify for the Super Eight phase, where the sides will be split into two groups of four.

The top two in each group will then make their way to the semi-finals.

READ: Pakistan selectors reveal reason behind Hasan Ali’s selection