Bangladesh were bowled out for 127 with one ball remaining in their innings during the first T20I of the three-match series against India on Sunday in Gwalior. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, returning to T20Is after over 14 months, top-scored for Bangladesh with 35 runs. The rest of the batters struggled to contend with India’s disciplined bowling attack. India won the toss and sent Bangladesh to bat on a fresh wicket at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium, which was hosting its first international match. First T20I: Bangladesh to bat first in Gwalior Bangladesh lost both openers, Parvez Hossain Emon and Litton Das, within the first three overs. Despite preserving wickets during the powerplay, Bangladesh couldn’t capitalize as runs remained scarce. Litton was dismissed first after an unclear shot attempt, resulting in an easy catch for Rinku Singh. Towhid Hridoy, known for his power-hitting, scored just 12 runs from 18 balls, failing to make a significant impact. Middle-order batters Mahmudullah Riyad and Jaker Ali also faltered. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto lingered at the crease for 25 balls but could only muster 27 runs, appearing uneasy against the Indian bowlers. Rishad Hossain briefly lifted hopes with a six and a four but departed shortly after, scoring 11 off five deliveries. Arshdeep Singh led India’s bowling effort with three wickets for just 14 runs in 3.5 overs. Varun Chakravarthy, playing his first T20I since the 2021 T20 World Cup, also claimed three wickets, making a strong comeback. Towhid or Rishad: Who will be Bangladesh’s X factor against India?

Bangladesh are set to face India in the first T20I of the three-match series in Gwalior on Sunday evening. Bangladeshi fans will be keeping a close eye on two players—Towhid Hridoy and Rishad Hossain—wondering which of them could be the Tigers' X factor. Both Towhid and Rishad have proven themselves as integral parts of Bangladesh’s T20 squad. Towhid has drawn attention with his big-hitting abilities, while Rishad has impressed with his leg-spin and his knack for clearing the boundary at crucial moments. Before this series, Bangladesh faced India in 14 T20Is, with only one victory. But this time, the Tigers are bringing more experience than the Indian squad, as India have rested some key players. Who will replace Shakib in T20Is for Bangladesh? This Indian side has collectively played fewer than 400 T20Is, whereas the Bangladesh team has collectively played more than 600, which places Bangladesh in the rare position of being a more experienced side than India, who have always been considered a big team for Bangladesh.  However, this difference in experience may have little impact, as the Indian players possess a broader diversity of skills, which the Bangladesh team lacks. If Bangladesh are to improve their T20I record against India, Towhid and Rishad will need to perform well. Towhid has played 29 T20Is so far, amassing 600 runs at a strike rate of over 130. Rishad, with 24 T20Is under his belt, has taken 29 wickets, including 10 in the recent T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, where he was among the tournament’s top bowlers. Bangladesh will certainly miss the services of Shakib Al Hasan, who recently announced his retirement from the format. To fill the void, Bangladesh has included Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the squad. Najmul eyes India series to begin preparations for next T20 World Cup Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed confidence that Mehidy could step up and help fill the gap left by Shakib. The match will begin at 7:30 pm(Bangladesh time) in Gwalior. This city is hosting an international match for the first time in over a decade, and the venue, Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium, will be hosting its first-ever international match.

The Bangladesh team is set to begin their T20I campaign on October 6 without the services of long-time stalwart Shakib Al Hasan. The former Bangladesh captain recently announced his retirement from the format, leaving the team with a pressing question: who will replace Shakib in the T20I format? It was expected that Shakib would play in the three-match T20I series against India following the two-match Test series. However, ahead of the second Test in Kanpur, Shakib surprised everyone by announcing his retirement from both Test and T20I formats, making him unavailable for the T20I series. Mashrafe sued over hostile takeover of shares in BPL franchise In response, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) included Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the squad. But the question remains: will Mehidy truly replace Shakib in this format? Shakib played 129 T20Is, amassing over 2,500 runs and taking 149 wickets. In contrast, Mehidy has played just 25 T20Is, scoring 248 runs and claiming 14 wickets. These stats clearly demonstrate that Shakib has been an irreplaceable figure in Bangladesh’s T20 setup. While Mehidy is a spinning all-rounder like Shakib, he cannot yet replicate what Shakib brings to the table. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed hope that Mehidy can rise to the challenge left by Shakib. However, he stopped short of calling Mehidy a direct replacement. “It will be a bit difficult to adjust now. There will be some challenges in forming the playing eleven,” Najmul said. “Shakib used to provide balance on both fronts—batting and bowling. We have brought Mehidy into the team, and I hope he will quickly adapt to that role.” Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging that finding a like-for-like replacement for Shakib would be difficult. Authorities unable to provide Shakib 'guarantee of safety' from public anger After the Kanpur Test, which Bangladesh surprisingly lost in just over two days, Hathurusingha expressed his shock at Shakib’s sudden retirement announcement. In T20Is, Bangladesh has struggled to perform consistently, but Shakib was a steady presence, which earned him spots in various private leagues worldwide. While Bangladesh may find someone capable of performing well in the format, Shakib’s absence will undoubtedly haunt the team for some time.

In their third match in the Women’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh beat Malaysia by 114 runs. It was Bangladesh’s second win in the tournament.  In their first two matches, against Sri Lanka and Thailand, Bangladesh beat Thailand but lost to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh won the toss on Wednesday in Dambulla and opted to bat first.  Read more: Shathira Jakir Jessy: First Bangladeshi Woman to Become an International Umpire Opener Murshida Khatun and captain Nigar Sultana proved the decision of batting first as justified, hitting a 50 each. While Murshida hit 80 with 10 fours, Nigar scored 62 with five fours and two sixes.  Riding on their excellent batting show, Bangladesh posted 191 for two.  In reply, Malaysia managed only 77 for eight in 20 overs and suffered a heavy defeat.  Nahida Akter took two wickets for Bangladesh. Read more: ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup 2024: Match Fixtures, Schedule, Groups, and Teams

The 2024 ACC Women's Asia Cup Tournament starts this month. Sri Lanka will host this T20I tournament, consisting of 15 matches. Eight teams are participating in this contest. Let’s look at the fixtures, teams, and schedules of the 2024 Women's T20I Asia Cup tournament. Participating Teams and Groups The 2024 ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup tournament will be played by eight teams, divided into two groups. The teams in Group A are India, Nepal, Pakistan, and United Arab Emirates, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand are in Group B. Group A Group B India, Nepal, Pakistan, and UAE Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand . The four full members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan, have been automatically qualified for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024.  Besides, the finalists (Malaysia and UAE) and semi-finalists (Nepal and Thailand) from the 2024 ACC Women's Premier Cup will join the tournament.  Read more: Bangladeshi players' performance in foreign cricket leagues: Updates from LPL and MLC Fixtures of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 Table: Match Schedules of Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 (Time Adjusted to BST) Stage Date (BST) Time Teams Venue Group July 19, 2024 (Friday) 2.30 PM UAE vs Nepal (Group A) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Group July 19, 2024 (Friday) 7.30 PM India vs Pakistan (Group A) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Group July 20, 2024 (Saturday)  2.30 PM Malaysia vs Thailand (Group B) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Group July 20, 2024 (Saturday)  7.30 PM Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (Group B) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Group July 21, 2024 (Sunday)  2.30 PM India vs UAE (Group A) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Group July 21, 2024 (Sunday)  7.30 PM Pakistan vs Nepal (Group A) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Group July 22, 2024 (Monday)  2.30 PM Sri Lanka vs Malaysia (Group B) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Group July 22, 2024 (Monday)  7.30 PM Bangladesh vs Thailand (Group B) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Group July 23, 2024 (Tuesday)  2.30 PM Pakistan vs UAE (Group A) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Group July 23, 2024 (Tuesday)  7.30 PM India vs Nepal (Group A) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Group July 24, 2024 (Wednesday)  2.30 PM Bangladesh vs Malaysia (Group B) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Group July 24, 2024 (Wednesday)  7.30 PM Sri Lanka vs Thailand (Group B) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Semi-Final 1 July 26, 2024 (Friday)  2.30 PM TBD vs TBD Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Semi-Final 2 July 26, 2024 (Friday)  7.30 PM TBD vs TBD Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Final July 28, 2024 (Sunday) 7.30 PM TBD vs TBD Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka . Read more: BCB uncertain about Mushtaq Ahmed's role as long-term spin bowling coach Conclusion Starting on July 19, the 2024 Women’s T20 Asia Cup tournament will end on July 28. The tournament will be played in the round-robin and knockout format. Therefore, each team will play with other teams. The current champion, India, will enter the tournament as a favorite. However, Bangladesh is expected to try to regain the title they won in 2018. Read more: BCB announces women's cricket team for ACC Women's Asia Cup 2024

Right up to the Twenty20 World Cup final, there were question marks about whether India should persist with playing Virat Kohli. One of the greatest cricketers India has ever produced just wasn't scoring. He'd tallied 75 runs in seven games, including two ducks. India won every game but Kohli was reduced to a concerning afterthought, saved by the middle order and bowlers. The humbling scores followed a spectacular Indian Premier League for Kohli, who set or extended tournament records in scoring 741 runs at an average of nearly 62. Captain and fellow opener Rohit Sharma, despite their low-scoring partnerships at the World Cup, insisted throughout that he and Kohli were the first names on the team list. His faith was repaid in the final against South Africa on Saturday, when Kohli led India's batting with 76 from 59 balls in a competitive total of 176-7. The bowlers brilliantly defended the total to win a thriller by seven runs and make India a world champion for the first time in 13 years. “None of us doubted him,” Sharma said of Kohli. Virat Kohli latest victim of deepfake? “We know his quality. He has been at the top of his game for 15 years now. Big players will step up in big occasions and he played a crucial knock today. It was a team effort to get to that total but we knew we needed someone to bat time and he did that perfectly, using all his experience.” After being named man of the match, Kohli said it was his last T20 international. “One day you feel like you can't get a run, but one day things just click,” he said. “I am so proud to get the runs for the team on the day it mattered most. The occasion prompted that change for me, I felt like it was now or never. We have wanted to lift a trophy for a long time. The occasion made me put my head down, respect the situation and play the innings that the team needed from me.” Class prevails when it comes to Kohli. He's produced so often when it's mattered. In the 2014 final in Dhaka, he led all scorers with 77 off 58, though India lost to Sri Lanka. In the 2016 semifinal in Mumbai, he hit an unbeaten 89 off 47 in the loss to West Indies. Asia Cup: India overpower Afghanistan as Virat Kohli hits ton after 1,000 days He finished as the T20 captain at the 2021 World Cup, and hit 50 off 40 in the 2022 semifinal loss to England in Adelaide. After six T20 World Cups, he's the highest scorer in tournament history, just ahead of Sharma, but he's decided to finish his 14-year T20 career on a high than stay to the next World Cup in 2026 co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. He'd be 37 by then. “It is time for the new generation to come through for India,” Kohli said. "We have some amazing players coming through and they have to take this team forwards now. Virat Kohli steps down as India's Test skipper “I wasn't feeling myself before today. I wasn't confident. So I am very grateful and humble right now. It has been difficult, so there are a lot of emotions. It hasn't quite sunk in for me yet. It's an amazing day, I am so thankful.”

A month-long Men’s T20 World Cup cricket tournament is about to end with a blockbuster final between two unbeaten sides India and South Africa. Both teams will face each other at Bridgetown, Barbados on 29th June, 8:30 PM BST. Details of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Final Match Match Date (BST) Teams Time (BST) Venue 55 29/6/2024 South Africa vs India  8:30 PM Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados . Preview of the 2024 T20 World Cup Final between India and South Africa It is a fascinating and fitting World Cup final in so many ways. The battle for the trophy is supposed to be between the two undisputed best teams in the world. And no one’s more fitting for that other than the two unbeaten teams of the tournament.  South Africa is making their debut appearance in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. Previously, they failed to win the World Cup semi-finals twice but got 3rd time lucky this time in the ongoing tournament against Afghanistan. India, on the other hand, won the initial edition of the tournament in 2007 hosted by South Africa, but failed to repeat it afterward. India lost one final (2024) and two semi-finals (2016 and 2022) since winning the 2007 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In 2024, team India are on their mission for their 2nd T20 World Cup championship. This time, South Africa appears to be unbeatable. Not only do they have a wonderfully balanced team in every department, but they also have a propensity to deliver the desired outcome in every case. They have a perfect winning record and are the only team participating in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 to do so. Additionally, South Africa are not reliant on a single player, just like any champion team. Only one of their batters is among the top 15 run-scorers in this World Cup. This may be primarily due to the kinds of pitches they were playing on. However, it is quite unexpected given the number of superstars in their bowling lineup that they have only one bowler in the top 5. However, there will be cause for concern with their close matchups. This concern might be erased from their head after a dominant win against Afghanistan. They showed in that match why they were the better side and gave a silent warning to the Indian team as well.  Across this World Cup tournament, India appears to be the most coordinated and skilled team. They played flawlessly and won the majority of their games comfortably to advance to the semi-finals. As of now, they appear to be the overwhelming favorite to win the trophy because of the way they have dominated their opponents. Up to this point, they have depended on the collective output. In almost every situation during the games, almost every player of the team contributed significantly as per their might. They are now a team that faces no fear and is capable of defeating anyone in any circumstance. They can now at last sense that their 11-year wait for an ICC trophy is about to come to an end. But they will desperately hope for Virat Kohli's form to be back in line despite they may not even require his assistance very much. Read more: South Africa beats Afghanistan to reach the Twenty20 World Cup final, ending a long cricket drought India Performance in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Played 8 Won 7 Lost 0 Tie/NR 1 Highest Run-scorer Rohit Sharma (248) Highest Wicket Taker Arshdeep Singh (15) . South Africa Performance in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Played 8 Won 8 Lost 0 Tie/NR 0 Highest Run-scorer Quinton de Kock (204) Highest Wicket Taker Anrich Nortje (13) . India vs South Africa Head-to-Head T20I Records So Far Matches Played India Won South Africa Won TIE/NR 26 14 11 1 . IND vs SA H2H Records T20World Cup Tournaments So Far Matches Played India Won South Africa Won TIE/NR 6 4 2 0 India have mostly proven to be the better side when these two teams faced each other in the World Cup.  Probable Lineups  India Rohit Sharma (Captain), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav. South Africa Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram (Captain), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi. Read more: Analysis of India Squad for the ICC Men's T20 World 2024 Key Players to Watch in India Team  Rohit Sharma Following a quiet start to the competition, Rohit Sharma really turned things up when it mattered the most. With his explosive 92-run innings against Australia and fiery 57 runs against England, he has shown his urge to be the first captain in 11 years to lead India to an ICC trophy glory. The Indian captain's role has become increasingly important in the last few matches. He has a century against South Africa in his career as well. India will undoubtedly be hoping that their captain performs as well as he did against Australia. Jasprit Bumrah India's strike bowler will be crucial in this match. He is the best at getting wickets early on. In a match where they need to pick up the likes of Quinton De Kock and Aiden Markram early, he is the most key player for the team. Although he has been poor against South Africa, he along with India would be eager to change it this time.  Kuldeep Yadav By taking significant wickets in the middle overs and keeping the opposition away from settling down, Kuldeep Yadav has been one of the most instrumental bowlers for India. He has completed his work to perfection so far and now needs to do it again. A middle-order consisting of Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller need to be dispatched early, or else India could be in serious trouble. Kuldeep Yadav must take care to prevent that from occurring. Read more: After a disastrous T20 World Cup, what's next for Bangladesh cricket? Key Players to Watch in South Africa Team Anrich Nortje He has been a major factor in South Africa's success in this competition. The captain handed him the bowl, and he did a good job of it wherever the opposition tried to establish a solid foothold in the match. After witnessing what Rohit Sharma can do in the last two matches, taking his wicket would be South Africa's primary goal in this match. South Africa will rely on Anrich Nortje, who is an expert in this field.   Heinrich Klaasen Right now, he is probably one of the game's best hitters. He can easily alter how the match plays out. The Indian spinners are benefited from the pitches regardless of the condition. In the middle overs, the Indian spinners have been the best and Heinrich Klassen would be essential to maintaining South Africa's run rate in the face of India's lethal spin attack. Quinton de Kock Of course, the top run-scorer for South Africa have a huge role to play in their first-ever final. He averages 44.57, the most in his career, against India. If he gives the Proteas a good start, South Africa might be able to cope better against Indian spinners. He would love that too.  Verdict The India vs South Africa final is going to be an exciting and competitive match where both teams could win given the option. There is not much differentiating point between the two finalists. However, India is a slight favorite because of their experience in playing finals over the years compared to South Africa, for whom it is the first time in history. This controlling nerve might be the only point between these two where India have an advantage. But for the fans, they should sit tight to witness an epic battle between the two invincibles of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Read more: T20 World Cup: India beat England comfortably, setting up final with South Africa

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finals will kick off with a match between South Africa and Afghanistan. Both teams have performed astonishingly to reach this far and are on their way to their first-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final. Here’s everything you need to know.  Table: Details of South Africa vs Afghanistan Semi-final Match in the 2024 T20 World Cup Match Date (BST) Teams Time (BST) Venue 53 27/6/2024 South Africa vs Afghanistan 6:30 AM Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba Preview of SA vs AFG Semi-final Match in the 2024 T20 Men’s World Cup This match will start with an exciting prospect for cricket fans. Whoever wins this game, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will see a brand new finalist. South Africa have been participating in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup since its initial edition but never reached the final. They were semi-finalists in 2009 and 2014. But lost to the Asian giants Pakistan and India. This time, in their 3rd semi-final appearance, they are facing a strong Afghanistan that is on the rise.   The rise of cricket in Afghanistan has been astounding, to say the least, and the latest edition to their fairytale journey is reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Having first participated in the 2010 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, this is the first time they are playing in this phase of the tournament.   Read more: Afghans celebrate their men's cricket team reaching first Twenty20 World Cup semifinals South Africa seems to be unbeatable this time. Not only because they have a brilliantly balanced side but also because they tend to bring the result anyhow. They are the only team in this ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a 100% winning record. And like any other triumphant side, South Africa were not dependent on any single player. They have only 1 batter in the top 15 run-scorers of this World Cup. This might mainly be because of the type of pitches they played on. But they also do not have any bowler in the top 5 as well, which is a bit surprising for a bowling line-up consisting of so many superstars. Yet their four bowlers picked at least eight wickets showing how equally everyone chipped in.  But their close matches will be something to worry about. It is a good sign that they are winning these close games. Yet they would not want their opponents to strangle them every time. They would want to win a game comprehensively for a change and the semi-final is a perfect place to do that.  Afghanistan had been blessed by both individual brilliance as well as team performance in their dream run of this ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Two of the top three run-scorers of this World Cup are from their side. The same is the case in the top wicket-takers list as well. But their bowlers have done it better and took three places in the top five wicket-takers list. This just shows how well every player has played their role. In one tournament, they have beaten both Australia and New Zealand in their fairytale journey. And they will look to keep making it better by winning the semi-final as well. From the start of the tournament, Afghanistan were the ‘Dark Horse’ of the tournament because of the condition. And they did justice to it.  Read more: India, Afghanistan into T20 World Cup semifinals after dramatic Super 8 finale However, they still have a lot to improve. Their batting is too dependent on their opening pair which is a worrying side and something they will look to do better forward.  Table: South Africa Team Performance in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Played 7 Won 7 Lost 0 Tie/NR 0 Highest Run-scorer Quinton de Kock (199) Highest Wicket Taker Anrich Nortje (11) Table: Afghanistan Performance in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Played 7 Won 5 Lost 2 Tie/NR 0 Highest Run-scorer Rahmanullah Gurbaz (281) Highest Wicket Taker Fazalhaq Farooqi (16) . Read more: T20 World Cup: Afghanistan march to semifinals after dramatic win against Bangladesh SA vs AFG H2H T20I Records So Far Table: Head-to-Head T20I Records Between South Africa and Afghanistan So Far Matches Played South Africa Won Afghanistan Won TIE/NR 2 2 0 0 Table: SA vs AFG H2H Records in T20 World Cup Tournaments So Far Matches Played South Africa Won Afghanistan Won TIE/NR 2 2 0 0 These two sides only met twice in T20Is, both at T20 World Cups (2010 and 2016). South Africa came victorious every time.  Read more: T20 World Cup: England secures spot in the semis, South Africa beats West Indies by 3 wickets Probable Lineups Most Probable XI of South Africa Team  Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram (Captain), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi. Most Probable XI of Afghanistan Team  Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (Captain), Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi Key Players to Watch in South Africa Team Anrich Nortje  He is one of the key reasons South Africa have been so good in this tournament. Wherever the opponents looked to gain a strong foothold in the game, the captain handed him the bowl and he delivered well. In this game, South Africa’s main objective would be to break Afghanistan’s opening pair. Anrich Nortje is an expert in this job and South Africa will rely on him for this.   Read more: BCB announces women's cricket team for ACC Women's Asia Cup 2024 Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj  Tabraiz Shamsi was Man of the Match in their win against West Indies which took them to the semi-final. Afghanistan have some lacking dealing with spin. It is evident when they have lost 17 wickets this tournament to a leg-spinner or a left-arm spinner. Therefore, the combination of these two ace spinners from South Africa, in a condition that might very well favor the spinners, will be massive in deciding this game.   Heinrich Klaasen  He is arguably among the best hitters of the game currently. He can easily change the course of the game. The pitches at Trinidad and Tobago have favored the spinners. The spinners of Afghanistan come in the attack in the middle-overs. As a result, Heinrich Klassen would be crucial to keep South Africa’s run rate flowing against the deadly spin attack of Afghanistan.  Key Players to Watch in Afghanistan Team Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran   They have been almost 90% of the batting for Afghanistan. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the highest run-scorer while Ibrahim Zadran is the 3rd highest run-scorer of this tournament.  Both combined scored 510 runs in this World Cup which is almost 53% of the total runs Afghanistan scored in this World Cup. They have in total made 455 runs together which is the highest by some distance by any pair. They also have the 3 100+ partnerships, the only pair to do so, along with another 50+ runs partnership. Similarly, 3 of the 6 highest partnerships were scored by them. They have carried Afghanistan in the batting so far and they need to do it again in the biggest game of their career so far.  Read more: Afghanistan-South Africa T20 World Cup semifinal pits cricket's overachievers against underachievers Rashid Khan There would not be much reason needed for one of the best bowlers in the world to be important in his nation’s biggest match. However, South Africa historically struggles against spin. Therefore, his role would be crucial in dispatching the dangerous middle order of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Marco Jansen Fazalhaq Farooqi  He is the highest wicket-taker of this tournament. As a result, he is an automatic important player for the game. However, he needs to be his best version for this game in particular. Quinton de Kock can give a killer blow at the beginning of the innings. So it is necessary to get him early. Fazalhaq Farooqi with his record against lefty batters is the right person for it.  Verdict South Africa will start the match as favorites because of their higher pedigree. Also, they are yet to lose in this tournament. However, given their history in World Cup semi-finals, Afghanistan might very well feel they are in it equally and fancy their chances for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Finale. On the whole, it is expected that the SA vs AFG Semi-final will be competitive and enjoyable.  Read more: India vs England Semi-Final Preview: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

The Super 8 phase of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 will conclude with the all-important match of Bangladesh vs Afghanistan. The two dark horses of the tournament will face each other on the 25th of June at 6:30 AM BST at St. Vincent.  Match Details of Bangladesh vs Afghanistan  Match Date (BST) Teams Time (BST) Venue 52 25/6/2024  Bangladesh vs Afghanistan 6:30 AM Arnos Vale Ground, Arnos Vale, St Vincent . Read more: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: Groups, Match Fixtures, and Venues Preview of BAN vs AFG Match at Super 8 Stage After the groups were set, the general idea was that India and Australia would qualify for the semi-finals. However, Afghanistan made this group interesting after their brilliant and historic performance against Australia. As a result, the semi-final spot became open for everyone now. Equation Afghanistan have earned their position to be in this place. They have a genuine chance to qualify for the semis. But they have to wait for things to go in their favor in the match of Australia vs India. If Australia doesn’t win then a win for them is more than enough for their first-ever semi-final appearance. Even if Australia wins that game, they can get there by winning by a margin which will see them ahead in the net run rate. Additionally, they still might have a chance to go through even if they lose. But for that, Australia needs to lose by a big margin and they lose by a small one to give them the advantage in the net run rate.  Everyone thought Bangladesh to be done and dusted after their abysmal performance against India. But Afghanistan have given them a chance. However, it’s the most difficult for them among the four teams to qualify. And their fate is not fully in their own hands either, courtesy of their poor performance in the Super 8. Their chances rely on the match between Australia and India. Any outcome other than an Indian win will blow away their chances even before the game starts. The only chance they have is that Australia lose to India and they beat Afghanistan by such a margin that will give them the necessary advantage in the net run rate. Read more: India vs Australia Match Preview: T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 Performance and Team Situation The stats would say Afghanistan dominated the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Both the highest run-scorer and highest wicket-taker are from their team. Not only that, two of the top 4 run-scorers of this tournament are from Afghanistan. Their openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have scored 449 runs combined which is the highest by any opening pair in this World Cup. Similarly, three of the top 10 wicket-takers are from Afghanistan this time. Therefore, Afghanistan looks solid in every aspect of the match. No wonder they have come this far. However, a major problem is their over-reliance on their openers for runs. The openers produced heavily for the Afghans as mentioned earlier. But none of the other batters could score even 100 in the tournament. That is one aspect they would like to sort out before this match.  On the other hand, Bangladesh is in a grave situation currently. Their bowling line-up has been productive. Bangladesh and Afghanistan are two of the three sides that have multiple bowlers with 10 wickets in this tournament (the other is India). Yet they are in a dire situation due to their batting lineup. The misery of their top-order continues. Even though skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto scored some runs in the Super 8, it did not prove to be enough. And other batters are also in miserable form and critically inconsistent. To give a picture of their batting, they are the only side from the Super 8 which does not have a batter who scored 150 runs. The good news for them is that the match is at St. Vincent where they have an excellent record and the conditions are bowling-friendly. Still, there is little to no hope with this batting lineup. Read more: Venue Guide: Stadiums of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Table: An overview of Afghanistan’s performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Match Played 6 Won 4 Lost 2 Tie/NR 0 Highest Run-scorer Rahmanullah Gurbaz (238) Highest Wicket Taker Fazalhaq Farooqi (15) Table: An overview of Bangladesh’s performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Match Played 6 Won 3 Lost 3 Tie/NR 0 Highest Run-scorer Towhid Hridoy (139) Highest Wicket Taker Tanzim Hasan Sakib (11) . Read more: T20 World Cup: Afghanistan stun Australia Bangladesh vs Afghanista H2H T20I Records So Far Table: Head-to-Head T20I Records Between Bangladesh and Afghanistan So Far Matches Played Bangladesh Won Afghanistan Won TIE/NR 11 5 6 0 Table: H2H Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Records In the T20 World Cup Tournaments So Far Matches Played Bangladesh Won Afghanistan Won TIE/NR 1 1 0 0 Bangladesh somehow managed to stay unbeaten against Afghanistan in the ICC tournaments so far. But Afghanistan have more wins against them in the overall T20I scenario. Probable Lineups  Most Probable XI of the Bangladesh Team Tanzid Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman. Read more: T20 World Cup: Bangladesh aims to unleash full potential despite challenges. Most Probable XI of the Afghanistan Team Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (Captain), Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi. Key Players to Watch in Bangladesh Team Tanzim Hasan Sakib Bangladesh have been relying on their bowlers largely to get a result in this campaign. This match will not be any different either. Tanzim Sakib has been a real menace for the opponent's top-order batters. Afghanistan’s top order secures a lion’s share of their batting performance. Therefore, the best bowler of Bangladesh in this World Cup has to pick up early wickets and give Bangladesh a real chance in this match.  Rishad Hossain He can be the answer to Rashid Khan for Bangladesh. Rishad Hossain has been a revelation of this T20 World Cup. Afghanistan also have a weakness against the leg-spin like Bangladesh. Therefore, his role would be key to restricting the middle order of the Afghanistan team. Litton Kumer Das Despite his form, Litton Kumer Das remains a key in this match. It is mostly because of his numbers against Afghanistan. Given their spinners will operate in the middle overs, someone from the top-order of Bangladesh needs to play a good knock to give them runs in the powerplay. Litton Kumer Das has to take that role for Bangladesh.  Read more: Analyzing Bangladesh Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Key Players to Watch in Afghanistan Team Rashid Khan The Afghanistan skipper will always be the most important player for them. Bangladesh have a historical weakness in dealing with leg spinners. And arguably the best leg-spinner of the generation in the condition of St. Lucia can take Bangladesh batting apart. Afghanistan would want that. Rahmanullah Gurbaz The highest run-scorer of this tournament has a lot to do in this match. The net run rate would be a huge factor in their qualification for the semis. Therefore, his early power in the batting would not only make life difficult for Bangladesh but give a huge boost to their semi-final hopes.  Fazalhaq Farooqi The highest wicket-taker of the tournament playing against one of his favorite opponents. The prospects are highly attractive for Afghanistan at this point. It can be crucial to take early wickets of the already struggling Bangladesh top-order and restrict them to a low total which will take them to the semis.  Read more: BCB announces women's cricket team for ICC Women's Asia Cup 2024 Verdict Despite the history of these two teams being neck-and-neck, Afghanistan have to be the favorite at this point due to the way they have been performing in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. However, it is expected that the BAN vs AFG match at the Super 8 stage will be thrilling, and exciting.  

The ICC men’s T20 World Cup 2024 tournament is advancing towards the semi-final stage. Currently, at the Super 8 stage, finalists of the World Test Championship 2023 and ICC ODI World Cup 2023, India and Australia will take on each other once again on 24th June at 8:30 PM BST. Match Details of India vs Australia Match Date (BST) Teams Time (BST) Venue 51 24/6/2024 India vs Australia 8:30 PM Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St. Lucia Preview of IND vs AUS Match in the World Cup Super 8 Stage Everyone thought this match to be a dead rubber following the grouping. But after Afghanistan’s historic win against Australia at St. Vincent, this match has become ever more important for both teams. It is not a must-win game for any of them. But not winning might have dire consequences afterward. Equation India is in a more comfortable position than Australia at this point. If they win then there’s no stopping them from going to the semi-finals. An abandonment also works fine for them as it would still make them group champions. India have a positive net run rate of 2.425 which gives them a handsome advantage. So, they might still comfortably qualify even after losing this game. But they need to depend on the Bangladesh vs Afghanistan match for that. Australia have been put into a delicate position after their loss to Afghanistan. Although they are not sure to be knocked out, a win doesn’t guarantee them a place either. If they wish to secure their place in the semi-finals, they need to win by a margin that puts India behind them in the net run rate. A loss or an abandoned game means that they have to pray for a lot of ifs and buts to go their way in the match of Bangladesh vs Afghanistan to advance to the semi-final. Read more: T20 World Cup: Afghanistan stun Australia Performance and Team Situation India will approach this match with a lot of confidence after being the only unbeaten side in this World Cup and comprehensively winning the first two matches of the Super 8. Their main strength has been their team performance. Almost everyone is chipping in in every game which is making them look formidable. They are unbeaten till now but still, none of their batters is in the top 11 run-scorers of this tournament. This shows that India have not been a one-man show. Their only issue was the opening pair which also clicked against Bangladesh. This team spirit has been the key throughout this campaign for them. Similarly, their bowling has also been solid. Their main frontline bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah have taken 22 wickets combined. As a result, in a World Cup where condition has been the main talking point, no condition doesn’t seem to be enough to stop them. Australia were also unbeaten until the last match. Afghanistan exposed their various lackings and gave them what seems to be a timely wake-up call. Unlike India, Australia have been more of individual brilliance. For a major part of the tournament, Marcus Stoinis played a crucial role for their wins. Travis Head also has some innings to mention. The good news is their other major batters like David Warner and Glenn Maxwell seem to have gained some ground and contributed well in the Super 8 matches. Yet there needs to be a cumulative effort for them to win the odds they are facing. Similar goes to bowling which has been more of a one-man show than their batting. Adam Zampa is the 2nd highest wicket-taker of this edition of the World Cup with 13. However, their next best is Pat Cummins who got 9 wickets courtesy of back-to-back hat-tricks. Their bowling also needs to get in good shape before that. Read more: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: Groups, Match Fixtures, and Venues Table: India Team's Performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 So Far Match Played 6 Won 5 Lost 0 Tie/NR 1 Highest Run-scorer Rishabh Pant (152) Highest Wicket Taker Arshdeep Singh (12) Table: Australia Team's Performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 So Far Match Played 6 Won 5 Lost 1 Tie/NR 0 Highest Run-scorer Travis Head (179) Highest Wicket Taker Adam Zampa (13) IND vs AUS H-to-H T20I Records So Far Table: Head-to-Head T20I Records Between India and Australia So Far Matches Played India Won Australia Won TIE/NR 31 19 11 01 Table: H2H Records Between India and Australia in T20 World Cup Tournaments So Far Matches Played India Won Australia Won TIE/NR 5 3 2 0 It has been an evenly balanced tie in the World Cup for them. However, India winning the last two World Cup matches between these two great cricketing nations gives them an additional edge for this match. Read more: Cummins makes history with back-to-back hat-tricks in T20 World Cup Probable Lineups Most Probable XI of India Team Rohit Sharma (Captain), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav. Most Probable XI of Australia Team Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (Captain), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa. Read more: Venue Guide: Stadiums of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Key Players to Watch in Team India Virat Kohli He was the man of the match in these two sides' last meeting in a T20 World Cup match. Virat Kohli has also regained some form in the match against Bangladesh. Now at St. Lucia, the highest scoring ground of this world cup, against Australia, his favorite opponents in this format of the game, very few will bet against him not making the difference in this match. Rishabh Pant He has been the most consistent of Indian batters this time. He is not necessarily playing big innings. But he makes sure to shift the momentum completely towards India’s side. India needs another similar impact from him once more Jasprit Bumrah The strike bowler of India is going to be key in this match. His ability to pick early wickets is unmatched. Also, he loves bowling against the Aussies against whom he has picked up the most wickets in his career. He must be very eager to do something similar again. Read more: Analysis of India Squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World 2024 Key Players to Watch in Australian Team Glenn Maxwell He can be for Australia what Virat Kohli can be for India in this match. After an underwhelming World Cup, Glenn Maxwell picked up his game just at the right time with his 59 against Afghanistan. It would be interesting to see what he does against the opponent he scored the most runs in his career. Travis Head Travis Head is the highest run-scorer for Australia. He has tried to give a fiery start to the team. After an IPL where he dominated, one can rely on him to thrive against this Indian bowling line-up. Australia will hope for that as well. Adam Zampa Adam Zampa literally can’t stop taking wickets at this point. Even though India always have a reputation for playing the spin better, the 2nd highest wicket-taker of this World Cup cannot be taken lightly. Also, he shines while facing an Asian side. As St. Lucia has a batting-friendly condition, he needs to pick regular wickets to stop India’s scorecard from getting out of hand. Read more: Analysis of Australia Squad in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Verdict There is a possibility of rain in this game. It is a match where nothing can be predicted. Yet with the form they are in, India might be the favorite for this game. But it would not be wise to count Australia out at any point. The IND vs AUS match at the 2024 T20 World Cup’s Super 8 Stage will be highly enjoyable and competitive.