Cricket
Women’s Asia Cup: Bangladesh beat Malaysia by 114 runs
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
Shathira Jakir Jessy: First Bangladeshi Woman to Become an International Umpire
While men’s cricket gets a lot of attention, the history of women in cricket is also no less impressive. The first recorded instance of women in cricket goes back to 1745 and the first Women’s One Day International (WODI) was played in 1934. Over the years, the participation and fan following surrounding women’s cricket has only increased, and one of our very own has taken the flag to new heights. We’re talking about none other than Shathira Jakir Jessy, the first Bangladeshi woman to become an international umpire.
Early Life
Shathira Jakir Jessy was born in 1990 in Lalmonirhat. Her father, a banker, and mother, a head teacher, were very supportive of her love for cricket. Through her mother, Jessy first got into Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) in shooting as women’s cricket wasn’t offered by BKSP at that time.
Over the years, Jessy persisted and when women’s cricket finally took off in 2007, Jessy found her calling. And the rest is history.
Read more: Women's Asia Cup: Bangladesh aim for semifinal spot
Career Overview
Table: Shathira Jakir Jessy’s Cricket Career at a Glance
Competition
Matches
Runs Scored
Top Score
Ball Bowled
Wickets
WODI
2
1
1
22
0
WT20I
1
-
-
-
-
WLA
9
133
62
342
15
WT20
13
57
22*
270
17
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shathira_Jakir
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
Virat Kohli ends T20 career on a high as India wins World Cup
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.
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“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.
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“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.”
Best T20 Cricket Games for Android, and iOS in 2024
The T20 Cricket World Cup has created a buzz. All cricket enthusiasts are watching the matches and supporting their favorite teams. However, cricket lovers may want to interact more with the tournament. Numerous games are on mobile platforms featuring the twenty20 cricket format. Let’s look at the top 10 high-rated T20 games for Android and iOS. These feature-enriched games offer diverse options for the players.
Top 10 Twenty20 Cricket Games for Smartphones in 2024
Real Cricket 24
Real Cricket 24, released in August 2022 by Nautilus Mobile, offers a comprehensive cricket simulation experience on mobile. With a 4.4-star rating, this free-to-download game includes in-app purchases. The game features advanced motion capture for realistic animations, dynamic stadiums, and a variety of tournament formats such as RCPL 2023 and the World Cup 2023.
Unique player faces and customizable jerseys enhance the experience. The game includes real-time multiplayer, manual fielding, and shot assist for over 600 batting shots. It requires Android 6.0 and up, with a download size of 659 MB, and offers commentary in English and Hindi from renowned commentators.
Read more: Best Animal-related Android, iOS Games to Play During Eid-ul-Azha
World Cricket Championship 3
World Cricket Championship 3 (WCC3), released in 2020 by Nextwave Multimedia, holds a 4.3-star rating on app stores. The game features real-time motion-captured actions, professional commentary, and detailed stadiums. Players can engage in T20, ODI, and Test matches, along with a Career Mode offering over 400 matches. It includes the official West Indies Cricket Team and allows advanced customization of players.
The game supports English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Urdu commentary. WCC3 is free to download with in-app purchases, with a download size of around 700 MB. Multiplayer options include 1-on-1 and team-based matches against other gamers.
World Cricket Championship 2
World Cricket Championship 2 was released in July 2015 by Nextwave Multimedia. This mobile cricket game has achieved a 4.3-star rating. It offers both online and offline multiplayer modes, 150 batting animations, 28 bowling actions, and realistic ball physics. Players can participate in numerous tournaments, including the World Cup and Ashes Test Series.
Read more: Esports World Cup 2024: List of Games, Format, Schedule, and Prizes
The game features professional English and Hindi commentary, cinematic cameras, and dynamic lighting. WCC2 is free to download with in-app purchases ranging from BDT 5.00 to BDT 5,600.00. The download size is 529 MB, and it requires Android 5.1 or higher. The game includes customizable players, manual field placement, and various gameplay modes.
Indian Cricket Premier League 2023
The Indian Cricket Premier League 2023 game was released by Rockit Game Studio on 13th March 2020. It is a popular mobile cricket game with over 5,000,000 downloads and a 4.3-star rating. This offline and online game features teams like Chennai, Delhi Devils, and Mumbai Stars, offering various modes including Quick Play, Challenges, and Tournaments.
The game supports Hindi commentary and includes realistic stadiums from around the world. Players can enjoy daily rewards and unlock items as they progress. The game requires Android 5.1 and up, with a download size of 65 MB, providing a comprehensive and engaging cricket experience with advanced AI and multiplayer modes.
Read more: June 2024 Video Games Lineup: A Burst of Exciting Releases Across Genres
Sachin Saga Cricket Champions
Sachin Saga Cricket Champions was released on December 6, 2017. The game was developed by JetSynthesys Inc. It is a 3D mobile cricket game featuring advanced AI and multiplayer modes. Rated 4.2 stars, it allows players to relive Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic matches and participate in various formats like ODIs, Tests, and IPL T20.
The game includes unique modes such as Legendary, PvP, and Quick Play. It features 24x7 live events, manual catching, dynamic camera angles, and realistic motion-captured animations. The game is free with in-app purchases ranging from BDT 50.00 to BDT 8,500.00. It requires Android 4.4 and up, with a download size of 243 MB.
T20 World Cup: Bangladesh aims to unleash full potential despite challenges
As Dallas hosts several matches of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, the city's burgeoning cricket scene remains largely unnoticed by many of its residents, including an Ethiopian cab driver who expressed surprise upon learning about the tournament.
The cab driver, who has lived in Dallas for 30 years, was astonished not only to discover that the World Cup was taking place in his city but also that a team from Bangladesh was participating. His reaction is emblematic of a broader unfamiliarity with cricket in the Texan city, despite serving as a key venue for the event.
Catherine, a rideshare driver who introduced herself only by her first name, also knew little about the World Cup. She remarked that she had a vague understanding of cricket, likening it to baseball and noting that it involved a “sort of flat bat.”
Read more: Analyzing Bangladesh Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Dallas is quickly emerging as a hub for cricket in the USA, driven by a favorable climate and a significant South Asian diaspora passionate about the sport. This positive environment is fostering the sport's growth across the country. However, for many residents like the Ethiopian cab driver and Catherine, cricket remains relatively unknown. Both were unable to pinpoint the exact location of the stadium that is becoming a focal point for cricket in the USA.
Amidst this growing but still nascent awareness, the Bangladesh team arrived in Dallas with the aim of regaining some pride after a demoralizing series defeat against the USA. Their World Cup campaign is set to begin on June 8th at 6:30 am (Bangladesh time).
On June 5th, the Bangladesh team practiced at a facility adjacent to the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, which can accommodate 7,000 fans. However, the practice area, still seemingly under development, posed challenges for the team's fast bowlers—Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib—who struggled to find sufficient space for their full run-ups.
The difficulties faced by Taskin and his fellow pacers highlighted a sense of underpreparedness as their World Cup campaign approached.
Venue Guide: Stadiums of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024
Despite having two warm-up matches scheduled before the main event, the team's preparations were hampered. Their first warm-up match ended in a heavy defeat to India, offering a chance to assess their weaknesses. The second warm-up match against the USA was abandoned due to inclement weather, further disrupting their preparation.
Afif Hossain, a left-handed batter traveling with the Bangladesh team as a standby player, hesitated when asked about the quality of the practice facilities. His reluctant “yes” suggested the facilities were less than ideal for preparing for a major tournament.
On a positive note, Taskin Ahmed, the team's key pace bowler, resumed bowling at full strength on Wednesday, providing a boost for the team. Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, Bangladesh's chief selector, expressed optimism about the team's prospects in the World Cup.
“Injury was a big concern for us even before we came to the USA,” he acknowledged during a media interaction in Dallas. “Now Shoriful (Islam) needed six stitches, which is a new concern. We need more time to assess his recovery. But the good news is that Taskin is expected to play against Sri Lanka on June 7th if there are no further setbacks.”
Stars who can be game-changers for Bangladesh in T20 World Cup
Venue Guide: Stadiums of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 tournament started this month. There’s a considerable buzz over the venues of the World Cup. The group stage matches will be played in USA and West Indies venues with the Super Eight and beyond moving exclusively to the Caribbeans. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s T20 World Cup venues.
Venues in the USA
Central Broward Park – Florida
Central Broward Park in Lauderhill, Florida is one of two dedicated cricket stadiums in the USA. The stadium started operating on 9th November 2007 at a construction cost of 70 million USD with a capacity of 25,000.
Central Broward Park marks a lot of firsts for US Cricket. It’s the first pitch to receive ICC certification, the first stadium in the USA to host a T20 series in 2010, and USA’s first ODI series which also marked the home country’s first ODI win.
The stadium will host 4 group-stage games in the World Cup including one each of the USA, India, and Pakistan along with three warm-up matches.
Read more: Squad Analysis of Sri Lanka for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Nassau County International Cricket Stadium – New York
The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium is a modular stadium made specifically for the T20 World Cup. The stadium is situated on the grounds of Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, New York. After the World Cup, the outfield is slated to be left intact as a legacy of the event.
The stadium's design was unveiled by ICC on 17th January 2024 with a seating capacity of 34,000. It was officially inaugurated by Usain Bolt on 15th May.
The stadium will host 8 group stage matches including the high voltage India vs Pakistan on 9th June.
Grand Prairie Stadium – Texas
Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas is the second of the two dedicated cricket stadiums in the USA. The stadium used to be the home ballpark of Texas AirHogs. After the AirHogs folded in 2020, American Cricket Enterprise acquired the lease of the stadium with a 20 million USD redevelopment program. It has a seating capacity of 15,000.
Read more: Stars who can be game-changers for Bangladesh in T20 World Cup
The stadium will feature 4 matches of the World Cup including Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka on 7th June. The host country USA also has two matches scheduled against Canada and Pakistan here.
Venues in the West Indies
Sir Vivian Richards Stadium – Antigua and Barbuda
Sir Vivian Richards stadium is located in North Sound, St. George. The stadium was established in 2006 for the 2007 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. It has a seating capacity of 10,000 with possible arrangements for capacity extensions.
The stadium will feature 8 games with 4 group matches and 4 super eight matches. Notable group matches include Australia vs Namibia and England vs Namibia on the 11th and 15th of June respectively.
One of the best things about Sir Vivian Richards stadium is the in-house food. Spectators can enjoy the signature local lobster, ducana, saltfish, pepperpot, and jerk chicken on the stadium grounds.
Read more: Analysis of India Squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World 2024
Kensington Oval – Barbados
Kensington Oval is the premier and the oldest cricket stadium in Barbados. The stadium was built in 1871 and has since featured local and international games in its illustrious run. It is currently under the management of the Barbados Cricket Association and has a seating arrangement of around 28,000.
Kensington Oval will host 9 matches in the tournament including the all-important final. There will be 5 group stage matches including the high voltage England vs Australia on 8th June. The stadium will also feature 3 Super Eight stage matches.
The majority of the concessionaires will be situated at the western concourse of the stadium. Additionally, each stand will have its own food operations.
Guyana National Stadium – Guyana
The Guyana National Stadium was constructed in 2006 ahead of the 2007 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The stadium has a capacity of around 20,000 and can be converted into a multi-use facility in addition to a cricket stadium. The ground is most notable for the 2007 World Cup match between Sri Lanka and South Africa where the Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga took 4 consecutive wickets in 4 balls, a first in cricketing history.
Read more: Shakib keen to play another T20 World Cup
Guyana National Stadium will host 6 matches in the T20 World Cup. Five of these matches will be group stage ones and the 2nd semi-final on 27th June.
Daren Sammy Cricket Ground – St. Lucia
The Daren Sammy Cricket Ground is situated in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. The stadium was founded in 2002 and has a seating capacity of around 15,000.
The stadium holds the prestigious position as a standard for all current and future stadiums in the Caribbean owing to its high facilities. This year, the stadium will host 6 games of the World Cup with 3 group-stage games and 3 Super Eight games. One of the group stages games will feature the host West Indies taking on Afghanistan on 17th June.
The stadium itself has several food stalls offering meats, seafood, Halal, vegan, vegetarian options, snacks, and desserts.
Read more: T20 World Cup matches to be broadcasted on Nagorik TV and Toffee
Arnos Vale Ground – St. Vincent and Grenadines
Arnos Vale Stadium is located in Kingstown, St. Vincent. The stadium held its first international match back in 1981. Today the stadium is part of the Arnos Vale Sports Complex and works as a multi-sports ground. This is the same stadium where Bangladesh recorded their maiden test victory over West Indies in 2009.
The Arnos Vale stadium will feature 3 group stages and 2 Super Eight matches. Bangladesh will face the Netherlands and Nepal in this stadium on the 13th and 16th of June respectively.
Brian Lara Cricket Academy – Trinidad and Tobago
Brian Lara Cricket Academy stadium is situated in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. The stadium was inaugurated in 2017. Initially, the plan was to inaugurate the stadium for the warm-up matches of the 2007 Men’s Cricket World Cup. However, the plan was later postponed. The stadium has a total capacity of around 15,000.
The ground will host 4 group stage matches and the first semifinal on 26th June. The stadium also hosted 4 warm-up matches leading up to the World Cup.
Read more: Fixtures of Bangladesh Team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
The stadium offers a unique gastronomic experience with Indo-Caribbean dishes, creoles, and local favorite “Bake n Shark”.
Final Words
In addition to the 9 stadiums listed above, Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago was also selected to host 4 warm-up games leading up to the main event. It’s a unique opportunity as ICC plans to make a resounding impact on cricket in North America with this mega event.
One thing to note is that no food and beverages are allowed in any of the USA stadiums. But thankfully, every ground will have cart operations right outside the stadium premises.
With the event already underway, all eyes are now on the USA and West Indies to see who becomes the champion of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Read more: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: Groups, Match Fixtures, and Venues
Squad Analysis of Sri Lanka for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
The first high-voltage match of the ongoing Men’s T20 World Cup will feature Sri Lanka when they face South Africa on the 3rd of June. Sri Lanka might not enter the tournament as the favorites but they are always a force to be reckoned with. This time they also put a strong squad to challenge. Here is a detailed look at the Sri Lanka squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Sri Lanka Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Table: List of Players in the Sri Lanka Team in the 2024 ICC World Cup Tournament
Player
Role
Wanindu Hasaranga (Captain)
Allrounder
Charith Asalanka (Vice Captain)
Batting Allrounder
Kusal Mendis
Wicketkeeper Batter
Pathum Nissanka
Top Order batter
Kamindu Mendis
Allrounder
Sadeera Samarawickrama
Wicketkeeper Batter
Angelo Mathews
Allrounder
Dasun Shanaka
Allrounder
Dhananjaya De Silva
Allrounder
Maheesh Theekshana
Bowler
Dunith Wellalage
Bowler
Dushmantha Chameera
Bowler
Nuwan Thushara
Bowler
Matheesha Pathirana
Bowler
Dilshan Madushanka
Bowler
Reserves
Asitha Fernando
Bowler
Vijayakanth Viyaskanth
Bowler
Bhanuka Rajapaksa
Top Order batter
Janith Liyanage
Batting Allrounder
The Sri Lankan side will be led by their superstar all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. Sri Lanka has kept their faith in the world’s best all-rounder and top wicket-taker of the last two ICC Men’s T20 World Cups to lead them to glory this time.
Read more: Analysis of India Squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World 2024
Analysis of Sri Lanka Squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
The Sri Lankan squad is star-studded with some of the big names of World T20 currently. It consists of a solid bunch of players who can win games single-handedly on their day. However, this team has some definitive strengths and weaknesses which are discussed here.
Strengths Of Sri Lanka Squad
Strong bowling unit
This Sri Lankan squad carries a strong bowling unit. Their skipper Wanindu Hasaranga holds the second position in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Ranking currently. Strike bowler Maheesh Theekshana occupies the 4th position in the same list.
Apart from that Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana can rattle any batting line-up with their fiery toe-crushers. Allrounders Dhananjaya De Silva and Angelo Mathews can bowl pivotal overs. Dasun Shanaka is still their go-to death-over bowler, especially in close encounters. Scoring against this bowling line-up won’t be easy at all. Sri Lanka must capitalize on these assets they have.
Read more: Fixtures of Bangladesh Team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Variety of All-rounders
The Sri Lankan squad has an abundance of genuine all-rounders who can equally contribute with both bat and ball. Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka are effective medium pacers. Wanindu Hasaranga is one of the best bowlers and Dhanajaya De Silva works as a trump card as well. And all of these players play crucial roles for the team with the bat. This increased the depth and efficiency of the side which is one of their greatest strengths without a doubt.
Drawbacks Of Sri Lanka Squad
Lack of Depth in Batting
Sri Lanka have an explosive and fiery top order with batters like Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pathum Nissanka, and Charith Asalanka. However, one problem they consistently face is their batting in the middle overs. It happens because their lower-middle order often fails to chip in. This overreliance on the top order might hurt them in the current World Cup campaign.
Non-performing Veterans
Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka have a combined 184 T20Is under their belt. This kind of experience is priceless for any team. However, Sri Lanka could not generate enough return from them because of their less contribution. Dasun Shanaka only scored 139 runs in his last 10 innings averaging only around 17. His 6 wickets still cover that up.
Read more: Stars who can be game-changers for Bangladesh in T20 World Cup
However, Angelo Mathews had a decent year with the bat averaging 29.43 while scoring 206 runs. Yet the quality of opponents indicates that these numbers could have been better. With the experience these two bring, they have much more to contribute and if they don’t, it is unfortunate for Sri Lanka.
Key Players to Watch in Sri Lanka Squad
Wanindu Hasaranga
The current best all-rounder in the world, 2nd best bowler in the T20I format, and the 2nd highest wicket-taker ever for Sri Lanka to date. The remarks are enough to explain the importance of this team. If Sri Lanka is to succeed in this World Cup, this skipper will have to play the most pivotal role in that.
Maheesh Theekshana
Maheesh Theekshana is one of the most in-form bowlers in the world. He is the current no.4 ranked bowler in T20I format and a key figure in the Sri Lankan bowling line-up. He has 10 wickets in the last 8 games. Sri Lanka needs someone to complement Wanindu Hasaranga and have the right man for it in Maheesh Theekshana. Now it has to be his time to shine.
Read more: Analyzing Bangladesh Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Angelo Mathews
He is the most experienced and seasoned campaigner on this team. He is in great form this year. He is also among the all-time greatest for Sri Lanka in the shortest version of the game. Apart from that, he is the only player in this squad who was there when Sri Lanka won the trophy in 2014. His team needs that experience now more than ever.
Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis is the 3rd highest run-scorer ever for Sri Lanka and has a good chance of becoming 2nd. He is in great form this year being Sri Lanka’s top scorer scoring at an average of 30+ with 2 half-centuries. The tone of the innings for Sri Lanka is often set by him and he needs to do it this time as well.
Conclusion
In the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka is drawn in the “group of death” with Bangladesh, South Africa, Netherlands, and Nepal. They have a difficult job in hand but also have enough resources to tackle the competitors. If team Sri Lanka can mitigate their weaknesses, they might have a serious go for the title.
Read more: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: Groups, Match Fixtures, and Venues
Analysis of India Squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World 2024
India is again heading as favorites of the tournament in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Ahead of this competition, they have put up a strong squad to win the trophy again after winning the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup. Here, you will find a detailed analysis of the Indian team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Full Squad for India in 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Table: List of Players in India Team in the T20 World Cup 2024
Player
Role
Rohit Sharma ©
Top Order Batter
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Opening Batter
Virat Kohli
Top Order Batter
Rishabh Pant
Wicketkeeper Batter
Sanju Samson
Wicketkeeper Batter
Suryajumar Yadav
Batter
Hardik Pandya (VC)
Allrounder
Shivam Dube
Allrounder
Ravindra Jadeja
Allrounder
Axar Patel
Bowling Allrounder
Arshdeep Singh
Bowler
Jasprit Bumrah
Bowler
Yuzvendra Chahal
Bowler
Kuldeep Yadav
Bowler
Mohammad Siraj
Bowler
Reserves
Shubman Gill
Opening Batter
Rinku Singh
Middle-Order Batter
Khaleel Ahmed
Bowler
Avesh Khan
Bowler
The senior selection committee of the BCCI announced the squad on the 30th of April. The squad will be led by the magnificent opener Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya will be his deputy. India have such a large pool of players available that it is always a testing job for the selectors to pick the best 15 for a tournament. However, the selectors did a good job at this but the ultimate result will be known after the tournament.
Read more: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: Groups, Match Fixtures, and Venues
Strength of India Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
The selectors of BCCI have put together a powerful squad to fight for the trophy of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA. They have an abundance of strong zones in the team. A few of them are discussed here:
World’s Best Players
If we look at India's squad, we will see two of the top 10 batters in the world here. That includes Suryakumar Yadav, the topper in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings. Besides, Yashasvi Jaiswal is the other entrant at no.6 on the same ranking. The India squad includes Axar Patel, who holds the third position in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings.
Furthermore, two of the top three highest run-scorers ever in the T20I format, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, are a part of this team. These two cricketers also happen to be the highest and 4th highest run-scorers respectively in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Therefore, their top order seems to be consisting of the current no.1 batter, the all-time greatest, and one of the all-time greatest players of the T20I format. That is kind of a dream batting order for any team.
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Excellent core of all-rounders
The middle order of India comprises players like Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are top-class all-rounders. Having them in the team not only ensures fire-power in the batting but also an effective pair of seamer and spinner. Shivam Dube can hit the ball hard and be explosive. But he can also bowl a couple of handy and game-changing overs every match. The same goes for Axar Patel but in the opposite role. He can bowl extremely well and can be effective with the bat gathering valuable runs later in the innings.
This brilliant set of all-rounders gives India a very long batting line-up and gives the captain many options while fielding. This might be the greatest differential point for India this time.
Bowling Depth
The selection committee has done a good job in selecting a variety of bowlers. Their set of bowlers for this T20 World Cup covers all types of bowlers possible. They have three express bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammad Siraj along with a medium-pacer Hardik Pandya.
Read more: Shakib keen to play another T20 World Cup
Their spin department is far richer with leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, left-arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Right-arm off-spinner Shivam Dube. Once again this makes the work for the captain a lot easier as he can now turn things instantly with so many options.
Spin department
Their spin bowlers can be instrumental to their success in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The conditions of the West Indies and the USA provide a lot of room for the spinners to thrive. They have an exceptional quality of spinners for every type of spin bowling, The opponents would have to go through a testing period for it.
Reserves
There is no denying India’s excellent pipeline in world cricket. Therefore, they always have suitable reserves ready for them. this time it was no different. If any of the top-order batter gets injured, Shubman Gill is there to replace them who was the best batter as per many last year.
Similar is the case for Rinku Singh if any of the middle-order batters go out and for Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan in case of injury to one of their bowlers, especially seamers. Therefore, they have less stress for injuries than others.
Read more: USA vs BAN T20I Series 2024: Analysis of Bangladesh’s Series Defeat Against USA
Weakness of India Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
As the pipeline strength of India Squad is already mentioned, there will always be players in the discussion who could have been included and who did not. Even though they put up a good squad, there are some drawbacks to be mentioned:
Exclusion of Rinku Singh
Even though they have a brilliant hard-hitter in the form of Shivam Dube, many feel not taking Rinku Singh is somewhat unjust given the way he has been performing in the last couple of years. Regardless of whoever was selected, Rinku Singh might have given the extra gear that this team needed.
Form
They have brilliant individuals in their squad without a doubt. However, their form is a big concern. Rishabh Pant is coming back after almost 1.5 years in the team since the potential career-threatening injury. There has never been doubt about the IPL version of Sanju Samson but he couldn’t shine in international cricket as per expectation. His career average is around 18 only. In the last 8 matches for India, he scored only 123 averaging 20.5. The form-related issue also stands for the skippers Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya.
Read more: Mushfiqur, Miraz, and Saifuddin join Bangladesh Tigers camp
Not being position-specific
It is a blessing for a team whose players can play in a lot of positions and roles. Yet India could have done better here. For example, they have only two openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. If one does not click, they do not have an alternative.
Virat Kohli is a great option for that but it is not sure if India would like to compromise his performance in no.3 position. Therefore, maybe it would have been better to pick someone like Abhishek Sharma or Ruturaj Gaikwad. Or maybe Shubman Gill.
Similarly, they have no specific expert players in positions no. 4 and 5. The potential candidates are Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant but both are used to playing in position 3 or 4. Therefore, the question remains whether picking someone like Tilak Verma, Rajat Patidar, or Shreyash Iyer was better or not.
No-off-spinner
Among all the variations they possess in their bowling, having no genuine off-spinner is surely a big miss. Considering the condition, it would have been quite influential for them.
Read more: Analyzing Bangladesh Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Key Players to Watch
Virat Kohli
It is not possible to write about India’s key players and not keep Virat Kohli in it. He is the highest-ever run-scorer in the history of Men’s T20I format cricket and in the ICC T20I World Cup as well. He was the highest run-scorer in the recently finished IPL by some margin and almost single-handedly took RCB to the play-offs. As a result, if India is going to win this T20 World Cup, he has to play a crucial role in it.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is the trump card for India. He is a handy spinner and a handy slogger as well. Having him in the team gives a great balance. He is one of the potential match-winners for India and it might be the same this time also.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is supposed to lead India’s bowling attack this time. As a result, there are huge responsibilities on him to ensure India’s victory. He is the right man to do that as well. He picked 20 wickets in IPL 2024 playing only 13 games and almost carried the bowling of Mumbai Indians alone. This time it does not need to be like that as India is already packed with brilliant bowlers. Still, he has to play the main role in it.
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Rohit Sharma
The skippers' influence goes beyond question in this team. He did not have a great IPL and was not in great form as per his standards. He only played 3 T20I matches since the last T20I World Cup which makes his inclusion doubted. However, he has a century in his last T20I supporting his class. There has been a lot of talk going around him and this is the best moment for him to answer all of them.
Final Words
Like every time, the India squad are going to participate in the 2024 ICC T20 Men’s World Cup tournament being the favorites for the title. They have built a strong team in both batting and bowling. However, there are a few questions about the inclusions. Nonetheless, India are looking to win the trophy in this tournament.
Read more: Fixtures of Bangladesh Team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Fixtures of Bangladesh Team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Bangladesh is going to participate in their 9th T20 World Cup. So far, the Tigers have participated in every T20 World Cup; but couldn’t go beyond the group stage once. The team and fans hope for their best campaign of the T20 World Cup in 2024. Bangladesh have been placed in Group D along with South Africa, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, and Nepal. Let’s look at the Bangladesh team’s fixtures at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Bangladesh’s Fixtures at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Bangladesh will start their group stage campaign on 8th June against rival Sri Lanka at Dallas. Their last group game would be against Nepal on 17th June at St. Vincent.
If Bangladesh manage to go beyond the group stage, the Tigers will be able to participate in at least 3 more matches.
Read more: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: Groups, Match Fixtures, and Venues
Table: Match Schedules of Bangladesh Team in the T20 World Cup 2024 (Adjusted on Bangladesh Standard Time)
Date (BST)
Opponent
Time (BST)
Ground
Warm-Up Matches
01/6/2024
India
8:30 PM
Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
Group Stage
8/6/2024
Sri Lanka
6:30 AM
Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas
10/6/2024
South Africa
8:30 PM
Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
13/6/2024
Netherlands
8:30 PM
Arnos Vale Ground, Arnos Vale, St Vincent
17/6/2024
Nepal
5:30 AM
Arnos Vale Ground, Arnos Vale, St Vincent
Read more: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Warm-up Matches: Fixtures, Teams and Venues
Conclusion
On the whole, a challenging journey awaits Bangladesh in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Their recent series loss against the USA doesn’t generate much hope either. However, the Tigers always have the support of the fans and this time will not be any different for sure.
Read more: USA vs BAN T20I Series 2024: Analysis of Bangladesh’s Series Defeat Against USA