T20 World Cup
T20 World Cup: Australia opt to bowl first vs Pakistan in 2nd semifinal
Australia have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup on Thursday in Dubai.
Pakistan have won all the five matches they have played in this World Cup so far while Australia lost one out of five they played.
For Pakistan, captain Babar Azam, opener Mohammad Rizwan, veteran-duo Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez have been tremendous in the field.
In contrast, David Warner, Aaron Finch, Adam Zampa were also fabulous in this World Cup.
Both the teams have a great chance to join New Zealand in the final of November 14 which will also take place in Dubai.
In the first semifinal, New Zealand beat England riding on the wonderful batting show by Jemmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchel.
Australia have won three out of six matches they have played against Pakistan in the T20 World Cups while Pakistan won the others.
Pakistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam(c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Pakistan vs. Australia 2nd Semi-final Preview: ICC T20 World Cup 2021
Pakistan and Australia will play in the second semi-final of the Twenty20 World Cup 2021 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on November 11 (Thursday). The match will commence at 8:00 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time). Pakistan played in two finals and won the 2009 tournament. On the other hand, Australia only played one final match in 2010, losing to arch-rivals England. Both teams haven't played in a final since 2010, so they will be keen to get to the final this time around. Let's take a look at Pakistan vs. Australia semi-final match preview.
Read New Zealand take down high-flying England to advance to third WC final since 2019
Pakistan vs. Australia: Important T20I Records
Pakistan and Australia last played in a Twenty20 International match in Perth two years ago. The Australian team won the match by a margin of ten wickets. Pakistan have the upper hand in a head-to-head contest. Here are some of their notable T20I records against one another.
Crucial T20I Record between both sides
Pakistan
Australia
Matches Played (23)
13
9
Most Runs
Kamran Akmal (366 runs in 11 innings)
David Warner (348 runs in 15 innings)
Highest Score
Umar Akmal (94)
Shane Watson (81)
Most Fifties
Babar Azam (4)
Aaron Finch (3)
Most Wickets
Saeed Ajmal (19)
Mitchell Starc (13)
Best Bowling Figures
Umar Gul (4/8)
James Faulkner (5/27)
Most Matches
Shoaib Malik (16)
David Warner (15)
Highest Partnership
Shoaib Malik & Misbah-ul-haq (119*)
Aaron Finch & Glen Maxwell (118)
Most Catches
Shoaib Malik (10)
David Warner (11)
Most Dismissals
Kamran Akmal (12)
Alex Carey (5)
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Pakistan
Pakistan's biggest strength is that they have the most well-balanced team among the competitors. Skipper Babar Azam and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan have been outstanding with the bat. They hold the best partnership (152*) in the competition, which they set against India in their opening match. They have given Pakistan a strong start, and the following batters keep the momentum going till the end. This strategy has worked out pretty well thus far for Pakistan.
Read T20 World Cup: Moeen Ali guides England to 166 vs New Zealand
Apart from them, Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik have shown their capability in the death overs. Particularly, Asif Ali’s has been a nice find, who almost single-handedly took Pakistan home against New Zealand and Afghanistan respectively.
Besides, Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik have shown their talents in death overs. Particularly, Asif Ali has been a nice find. He single-handedly led Pakistan to victory against New Zealand and Afghanistan.
Read: Premier Hockey: Mariner Youngs, Abahani Ltd maintain all-win run
Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi probably bowled the best two deliveries of the competition against India. Since then, he has become a real threat, particularly in the power play. The pinpoint accuracy of Afridi at the start of the innings might put Australia's top order under pressure. Haris, Shadab, and Imad all have performed well in the middle overs.
Hasan Ali’s bowling discipline is a major concern. He has bowled an excessive number of no-balls in the tournament, which needs to be addressed. Otherwise, Australian batters may take advantage of it and take the game away from them. The Pakistan dressing room is in a jovial mood right now, and they are ready to face Australia.
Read T20 World Cup 1st semifinal: NZ choose to bowl against England
Probable Playing XI
Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Australia
Australia's opening pair, David Warner and Aaron Finch are having a great time in this competition. They made a century partnership (124) against the West Indians, and it seems they have a solid understanding between them. However, one major issue is that the following batters have not tested much in the tournament. So, if they lose early wickets in the game that could halt them to build the innings for a challenging total to defend. In this regard, Australia should be cautious, and they must retain wickets in hand in order to unleash in the death overs.
ReadHigh on self-confidence, Kiwis eyes a slot in T20 WC final
In the middle-order, Steven Smith and Glen Maxwell have been struggling with strike rates, which is a major issue for them. Therefore, in-form Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis must perform well in this game.
Leg-spinners are occasionally expensive in white-ball cricket, but they have the capability to take wickets at critical stages of the innings. As a result, leg-spinner Adam Zampa will be Australia's go-to bowler in this encounter. He has the best bowling figure (5/19) in the competition, which he obtained against Bangladesh. In addition, Zampa has one of the best economy rates (5.73) in the tournament.
Read: Women’s ODI: Bangladesh make flying start beating Zimbabwe by 8 wkts
Hazlewood has been in excellent form, taking 8 wickets with a 6.87 economy rate. But, Starc and Pat Cummins have been struggling a bit since the start of the World Cup. They need to step up in this big match against Pakistan. Especially breaking the Babar-Rizwan partnership would be the highest priority for Australia. Overall, Australia's T20 team has the ability to defeat Pakistan and progress to the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 final.
Probable Playing XI
David Warner, Aaron Finch (captain), Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wicket-keeper), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Read Bangladesh a better team than their T20 performance: Dale Steyn
Verdict
The Pakistan team dominated the Super 12 Round, winning all of their matches. They came out on top in Group 2 as the table toppers. Australia won four games and lost to England in the Super 12s. They just edged out South Africa in the net run rates for a semifinal berth.
Going into the semi-final matchup, Pakistan are full of confidence and in better form than Australia. However, Australia will be very determined to win this match in order to improve their position in the T20 format. Therefore, Pakistan vs. Australia match has grabbed the curiosity of supporters.
Read National Cricket: Chattogram thrashes Barisal by an innings defeat
ICC T20 World Cup 2021 1st Semi-Final Preview: England vs. New Zealand
The first semi-final match of the Twenty20 World Cup 2021 between England and New Zealand will take place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on November 10 (Wednesday). The game will start at 8:00 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time).
England have already played two finals in the T20 World Cup, and they will be aiming for a third. New Zealand have failed to reach a final despite appearing in two semifinals in the previous six editions of the competition. Let’s look at the preview of the England vs. New Zealand semi-final match.
Read: Pakistan Announce Squad for the Upcoming Bilateral BAN vs. PAK 2021 T20I Series
Noteworthy T20I Records between England and New Zealand
England and New Zealand last met in a T20I match two years ago, at Eden Park in Auckland. The English side won in a super over after the game was tied. Overall, England have a big edge in a head-to-head battle. Here are some of their important T20I records against one other.
Significant T20I Record: England vs. New Zealand
England
New Zealand
Matches Played (21)
13
7
Most Runs
Eoin Morgan (424 runs in 14 innings)
Martin Guptill (467 runs in 14 innings)
Highest Score
Dawid Malan (103*)
Brendon McCullum (74)
Most Fifties
Dawid Malan (4)
Martin Guptill (4)
Most Wickets
Stuart Broad (14)
Mitchell Santner (16)
Best Bowling Figures
Stuart Broad (4/24)
James Franklin (4/15)
Most Matches
Eoin Morgan (15)
Ross Taylor (21)
Highest Partnership
Dawid Malan & Eoin Morgan (182)
Hamish Rutherford & Brendon McCullum (114)
Most Catches
Jonny Bairstow (8)
Martin Guptill (11)
Most Dismissals
Jos Buttler (6)
Brendon McCullum (4)
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Read High on self-confidence, Kiwis eyes a slot in T20 WC final
England
England must decide who will replace Jason Roy to open the innings with Jos Buttler. Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan are the two front-runners. But it won't be a major issue for the team's management because both players are capable of playing as an opener or at no.3 position. Whether chasing or defending, the lone centurion in this World Cup so far in-form Jos Buttler is England's most effective batting weapon. Skipper Eoin Morgan would offer a much-needed flair to the middle order, particularly in the middle overs. Down the order, Livingstone and Moeen may keep their cool at the crease or go all out against opposition bowlers.
Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid might be England's two damaging weapons in Abu Dhabi. Captain Morgan will rely on these two to make timely breakthroughs or to keep the run flow under control. England are prepared to use all of its arsenals during the match.
Read: T20 World Cup Upset: BCB may take big decisions for the Pakistan series
Probable Playing XI
Jos Buttler (wicket-keeper), Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan (captain), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
New Zealand
Kane Williamson has been playing with an elbow injury, but it hasn't stopped him from doing his job as captain and the team's most reliable batter. However, other veteran Kiwi players will have to rise to the occasion if they are to beat England.
The experience of Guptill, Phillips, and Neesham will be crucial for the Blackcaps. Guptill presently has the tournament's third-best score in an innings and will be looking to unsettle England's front-line bowlers. Kiwi power hitters must be in top form in the death overs, as this is when the match's scenario and momentum might shift.
Read Bangladesh a better team than their T20 performance: Dale Steyn
Indian-origin spinner Ish Shodi could be a major concern for England. Skipper Williamson will be hoping Shodi to do his magic in this match. Because he was amazing against India in the Super 12 Round. The impact of pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee in the playing XI cannot be understated. Particularly, Boult has the ability to demolish opposition batting lineups on his own. Overall, New Zealand's campaign should be prepared to surprise England and earn a spot in the T20 World Cup final for the first time.
Probable Playing XI
Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (captain), Devon Conway (wicket-keeper), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
Read National Cricket: Chattogram thrashes Barisal by an innings defeat
Verdict
The English team had won four consecutive games before narrowly losing their last fixture to South Africa in the Super 12 Round. England took first place in Group 1, while New Zealand came in second in Group 2. The Blackcaps lost their first match against a resurgent Pakistan team but came back strong with four straight victories in the Super 12s.
England are in better shape than New Zealand going into the semi-final showdown. However, New Zealand will be very motivated to win this match. Because they want revenge for their heartbreaking loss to England in the 2019 ODI World Cup final. So, England vs. New Zealand encounter has sparked a lot of interest among fans.
Read T20 World Cup: England to take on New Zealand in first semifinal Wednesday
T20 World Cup: England to take on New Zealand in first semifinal Wednesday
After the final of the 2019 World Cup, England and New Zealand are all set to lock horns in another knockout clash in the T20 World Cup on Wednesday(at Bangladesh time 8pm) in Abu Dhabi.
Both England and New Zealand have won four matches each in the Super 12s stage of the World Cup. England, though, registered a better run rate— +2.46 than New Zealand’s +1.16.
However, this difference between the two team’s run rates might play a little role in the semifinal on Wednesday.
Also Read: Pakistan Announce Squad for the Upcoming Bilateral BAN vs. PAK 2021 T20I Series
England have been the most dangerous white-ball cricket team over the last few years while New Zealand managed to book a place in three out of four major ICC tournaments in recent years.
This history should be enough to justify the fact that the matches between England and New Zealand are the biggest cricketing contests in the current age.
Ahead of another white-ball clash, New Zealand will surely be looking to beat England who won the last World Cup riding on the controversial boundary count law against the Blackcaps.
In contrast, England will be under pressure to keep its dominance over New Zealand intact.
England will miss the service of Jason Roy who sustained a blow in the Super 12s stage and was ruled out of the event. England recalled James Vince to replace him.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2021: Top Performers at the end of Super 12 Round
English allrounder Moeen Ali said that losing Roy is a massive blow for the World Champions. But he insisted that who got the chance to replace Roy also has the ability to shine.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead was asked if their memory of losing the final at Lord’s in 2019 will bear anything in the T20 World Cup final. He said that memory has nothing to do with this World Cup.
While Jos Buttler to the semifinal scoring 240 with a hundred, New Zealand were guided by Martin Guptill who posted 176 runs in five matches.
In the second semifinal, Pakistan will take on Australia on November 11 in Dubai. The final will take place on November 14.
Tigers directly qualify for Super 12s of next T20 World Cup
Bangladesh have directly qualified for the Super 12s of the next T20 World Cup, which will take place in Australia, despite failing to win a single match in this year's edition of the stage.
In their last match in this year's T20 World Cup, the West Indies lost by eight wickets to Australia. As the Caribbean side slipped to ninth place in the ranking, Bangladesh jumped to number eight.
The defending champions West Indies will now have to play Round 1 of the next year's T20 World Cup.
And for the first time in the tournament's history, Bangladesh will not have to play the qualifying round.
Along with the West Indies, three more teams – Sri Lanka, Scotland and Namibia who played in the Super 12s this year – will have to play the qualification round for the next T20 World Cup.
According to the ICC rules, the top eight teams in the ICC ranking – which will be updated on November 15 – will directly qualify for the Super 12s in next year's T20 World Cup.
Since there are not many matches left for the West Indies to earn rating points in this short time to top Bangladesh, they will not be able to secure a place among the top eight teams in the next ranking update.
India crushes Scotland to keep alive T20 semis hopes
India couldn’t afford to lose at the T20 World Cup and it didn’t on Friday when it thrashed Scotland by eight wickets.
In doing so, the one-time champion kept alive its slim chance of reaching the semifinals next week.
Read: T20 World Cup: Bangladesh sign off with a big defeat to Australia
India squared its win-loss record at 2-2 with a last group game on Monday against Namibia. But it will be for naught if New Zealand beats Afghanistan on Sunday to advance.
Scotland was forced to bat first and was dismissed for 85 in 17.4 overs. India achieved the winning target at 89-2 in only 6.3 overs, improving its net run rate above New Zealand’s and Afghanistan’s.
NZ on track for T20 semis after beating Namibia by 52 runs
New Zealand stayed on track to reach the T20 World Cup semifinals after knocking off Namibia by 52 runs on Friday.
The Black Caps moved above Afghanistan into second place in their group behind already-qualified Pakistan. Beat Afghanistan on Sunday and they advance, too.
Forced to bat first, New Zealand was meandering until, with four overs to go, Glenn Phillips and Jimmy Neesham blew up the Namibia battery. They took an unbeaten 67 runs from the last four overs to post 163-4.
It made the difference.
Namibia was on pace with New Zealand after 14 overs, but that was the last over in which the Namibians scored double-digit runs. Unable to accelerate like Phillips and Neesham under pressure, Namibia lost 4-26 over the last six overs to fall well short at 111-7.
“We did well for 15, 16 overs in the middle but the death overs didn’t go our way,” Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus said. “We have got one more game to nail that, against India.
Read: T20 World Cup: Bangladesh sign off with a big defeat to Australia
“It was quite a tough pitch — 160 was a bit too much on that pitch today.”
Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson and Devon Conway made starts for New Zealand but Namibia did well to restrict them to 87-4 in the 14th over.
Neesham joined Phillips, who was on 4, and they started cautiously, scoring nine runs in the next two overs.
Then the gloves came off.
They took 14 runs from Erasmus’ last over; both batsmen hit sixes off David Wiese in a 21-run 18th over; Phillips pulled Ruben Trumpelmann over the fence in the 19th; and Neesham hit over the deep square leg boundary in a last over in which medium-pacer JJ Smit also conceded four wides.
The 67 runs plundered in the last four overs was the best in the tournament.
Phillips finished 39 not out off 21 balls, and Neesham 35 not out off 23.
“We knew anything above 150 would be good,” Neesham said.
The chase started OK. Michael van Lingen and Stephan Baard gave Namibia its best opening stand of the tournament, 47 to the eighth over.
Read: Bangladesh team for ICC Women’s World Cup announced
Namibia was still OK after 14 overs at 85-3, but when it needed to up the pace like New Zealand did, it couldn’t.
New Zealand pacer Tim Southee removed Wiese and Zane Green and Namibia’s hopes rapidly faded. Trent Boult took two more wickets for ducks.
Namibia, out of playoffs contention, finishes against India on Monday.
Tigers return home after World Cup failure
All members of Bangladesh cricket team except four returned home Friday afternoon after a dismal performance in the T20 World Cup.
Captain Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar and Ltion Das will return later.
Most of the coaching staff members will join the team later when the team will start preparation for the Pakistan series on November 12.
Bangladesh won two matches in Round 1 of the World Cup and qualified for the Super 12s. But they failed to win any of five matches they played in the Super 12s stage. They got close against Sri Lanka and West Indies but failed to seal the matches.
Read: T20 World Cup: Bangladesh sign off with a big defeat to Australia
The Tigers were heavily reliant on their experienced players like Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur and Shakib Al Hasan.
All of them have a dismal show in the World Cup. The players like Soumya Sarkar, Liton and Mustafizur Rahman also failed to click in this World Cup which will be remembered as a cricketing catastrophe to Bangladeshi fans.
With the scars of World Cup failure fresh, the Tigers will take on Pakistan in a three-match T20Is and two-match Test series at home starting from November 19.
Read: Bangladesh team for ICC Women’s World Cup announced
While the first match of the T20 series will take place on November 19 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, the other matches will be played on November 20 and 22. The first Test will be played in Chattogram from November 26 while the second Test will be played from December 4 in Dhaka.
Sri Lanka ends West Indies' hopes of T20 World Cup semis
Sri Lanka ended defending champion West Indies' slim hopes of advancing to the semifinals with an emphatic 20-run victory in their last T20 World Cup game on Thursday.
Young batters Charith Asalanka (68) and Pathum Nissanka (51) toyed with the seven-man West Indies attack in raising Sri Lanka's highest total of 189-3 in their final Group 1 game by slamming powerful half centuries.
In reply, West Indies, which won the toss and elected to field, lost their power hitters cheaply before getting restricted at 169-8.
Shimron Hetmyer narrowed the defeat with a fighting unbeaten 81 off 54 balls, but Sri Lanka always looked favorite to sign off from the tournament on a winning note.
"These youngsters have been working hard, so I'm really happy," said Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanka. "They worked really hard for this. They have a long career ahead and a lot of good cricket to come."
The 42-year-old Chris Gayle could score only 1, Andre Russell made only 9 while the world's new No. 1 T20 bowler, legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga (2-19), clean bowled Dwayne Bravo (1) and captain Kieron Pollard for zero as West Indies lost wickets with regular intervals in a steep chase.
Read: T20 World Cup: Bangladesh sign off with a big defeat to Australia
"(Hasaranga) is a gem. He's a superstar in the making," Shanaka said. "There's a lot of cricket to be played, we have to protect him as well (but) as a captain, I back him in every situation."
Inexperienced Sri Lanka bowed out of the tournament with four points in Super 12s, defeating Bangladesh and West Indies while losing to England, South Africa and Australia.
Two-time champion West Indies, having a solitary win over Bangladesh, takes on Australia in their last group game on Saturday.
"We have spoken time and time again, especially from a batting perspective, what we need to do as individuals and we have not done well," Pollard said. "A couple of young guys are putting up their hands but the experienced guys, myself included, have not done well."
West Indies had a mathematical chance to go through to the last four, but Asalanka and Nissanka combined in a brilliant 91-run second-wicket stand.
The West Indies' most experienced bowler Bravo was smashed for 42 off his four overs. Bravo finally broke the stand when Nissanka holed out in the deep in the 16th over.
Ravi Rmpaul and Jason Holder also couldn't impress and finished with identical figure of 0-37.
Read: Bangladesh team for ICC Women’s World Cup announced
The Sri Lanka fielders showed plenty of athleticism on the field with Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Chamika Karunaratne holding onto stunning catches to dismiss Roston Chase and Holder, respectively.
Hetmyer, who hit eight fours and four sixes, narrowed the margin of defeat in the last three overs through some big hitting against fast bowler Karunaratne (2-43) and Dushmantha Chameera (1-41).
"We are not going to hide from the fact that it's been disappointing for us," Pollard said. "I'm sure all the guys are hurting in that dressing room. It's something we didn't see coming, but we have to face the reality."
Mahmudullah punts future as captain to BCB
After a T20 World Cup campaign that will be remembered as one of Bangladesh cricket’s catastrophes, Tigers skipper Mahmudullah Riyad said he is not thinking of stepping down as the country’s T20 captain.
Bangladesh endured defeat in all five of its Super 12s fixtures, after scraping through qualification in round 1 finishing second in a group with Scotland, Oman and Papua New Guinea.
The Tigers’ dismal showing in all departments of the game left many observers surprised. Even Mahmudullah said he has no idea about what made them play like this.
Read: T20 World Cup: Bangladesh sign off with a big defeat to Australia
“It’s tough to say something after these sorts of defeats. We have to work on many things,” Mahmudullah said after Bangladesh’s eight-wicket defeat to Australia on Thursday in a game that lasted just 21.2 overs. “The wickets we often play on are not ideal for batting. So we have to work more on our batting.”
What he possibly meant was not ideal for learning batting, particularly batting against all kinds of bowling. Bangladesh continues to be found out against genuine pace and bounce for example, and top-order collapses were a routine occurrence during the T20 World Cup campaign.
Mahmudullah’s captaincy also came under scrutiny. According to many, he failed to lead the team from the front. But Mahmudullah said he tried his best to keep the team together and play their best cricket.
Read: Bangladesh team for ICC Women’s World Cup announced
“It’s (stepping down as captain) not in my hands. Maybe there was some deficit in my captaincy. But I tried my best to lead the team, and bring out the best of the boys. Now up to the board. They will decide about it,” Mahmudullah added.
Mahmudullah scored 169 runs in eight matches with a fifty. He was the second-highest runs scorer for Bangladesh in the campaign after opener Mohammad Naim, who posted 174 in seven matches.