Sports
T20 World Cup: Looking to get into Super Eight, regardless of other teams in group, says Wheal
Bridgetown, June 6 (IANS) Scotland fast-bowler Brad Wheal insists his side are looking to qualify for the Super Eight stage of the Men’s T20 World Cup as one of the top teams from Group B.
Scotland had their match against defending champions England abandoned due to rain at the Kensington Oval and wins over Namibia and Oman along with not losing to Australia by a big margin will give them a good chance of qualifying for the Super Eight stage.
“We’re coming into this tournament looking to get into that Super 8, regardless of the rest of the teams in our group. Obviously, it’s something that guys look towards, but we’re just taking it one game at a time.”
“I know it’s cliche, but realistically our best chance of getting into that Super 8 stage and competing and turning some big teams over is looking at tomorrow’s game and then the Oman game after that. So just one game at a time, we’ll take the belief in what we’ve done yesterday into those games,” said Wheal to reporters.
Namibia won their T20 World Cup opening game against Oman after a thrilling Super Over and have a 3-0 record over Scotland in T20Is since 2019, which makes them a stern opposition for the Richie Berrington-led side on Thursday clash. “At the end of the day every game at a World Cup is a big game regardless of who the opposition is, so nothing changes in terms of process and preparation.”
“Guys are still going to turn up to training and do what we do as if we’re playing England or India or whoever it may be tomorrow so I don’t think that changes anything. Obviously, the mindset might be slightly different but you might turn up and yes, we might not have as big a crowd watching us but we still know it’s just as big a game and we need to win to really compete here,” added Wheal.
Scotland cleared their intentions of dominating games when openers Michael Jones and George Munsey shared an unbeaten stand of 90 in 10 overs against England. Rain meant the target for England was revised to 109 via DLS, but Scotland never got the crack to have a ball due to abandonment.
“A bit of a frustrating result in the end for us (against England). The boys went into that game with a lot of confidence. We’ve had a pretty decent run up over the last couple weeks and we feel like we’re in a good position to win some games out here. We showed a small glimpse of what we could have done yesterday against the current world champions.”
“But it was definitely something that our bowling lineup could have defended and we’re pretty confident going into that. That was definitely something we could do and achieve. So, a frustrating one, but unfortunately, as is the way with the weather here at the moment. But in all, we’re happy to come out here and play our cricket and do what we do.”
“So, all good, as Munsey and Jonesy, going out there and just sort of putting the right foot forward has just given the rest of the squad some good confidence to go on through the rest of this tournament.”
“It’s also given us sort of belief that we’re good enough to be here and we’re good enough to compete and beat the best teams in the world. So, definitely a good starting point and hopefully we can build off that and get the ball rolling for the rest of the tournament,” concluded Wheal.
–IANS
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New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha thanked the Olympic Council of Asia’s Executive Board (EB) for readily agreeing to her proposal to include Yoga, the ancient Indian discipline that foster physical and mental health, in the Asian Games programme.
She said OCA president Raja Randhir Singh had informed her about the decision and thanked him for his unflinching support for the proposal to make Yoga a competitive sport in the Asian Games. “I am delighted that the OCA Executive Board spontaneously agreed to India’s request to give Yoga the recognition that it deserves. The proposal shall now move through the Sports. Committee to the General Assembly for confirmation,” she said.
Usha said it was a natural step for the competitive sports community to embrace Yoga, especially after the world had taken to it thanks to the Hon’ble. PM Narendra Modi’s vision and initiatives. “It has a universal appeal and people around the world have embraced Yoga and drawn benefits,” she said.
She also thanked the Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya for his push ahead of the OCA meeting. “When we make a collective effort, led by the PM himself, we can achieve success seamlessly. I am glad India’s effort to have Yoga included in the biggest celebrations of sport is finding resonance,” said the IOA president.
–IANS
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New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) The T20 World Cup 2024 final’s ‘Player of the Match’ Virat Kohli certainly bowed out on a high from the T20I format of the game. He ended his international career in the format with the most runs of any player at Men’s T20 World Cups (1,292 runs) between 2012 and 2024, in 33 innings across 35 matches.
After delivering a match-winning knock for his team of 76 runs against South Africa in the final which led India to a seven-run victory, Kohli hung his boot from the T20I format ending his T20I career as India’s second-highest run-scorer in the format, through 4188 runs in 125 games at an average of 48.69 and strike rate of 137.04.
As he stepped back from representing India in T20 internationals, it’s a fine time to look back at some of his superlative performances in T20 World Cups.
78 not out vs Pakistan, 2012
In a memorable match in Colombo during the Super Eights, Kohli scored an unbeaten 78 off 61 balls, forming a vital third-wicket partnership with Yuvraj Singh to secure an eight-wicket win for India. Kohli’s all-round skills shone as he also contributed with the ball, taking 1/21, earning him the Player of the Match award.
72 not out vs South Africa, 2014
The 2014 semifinal against South Africa was a stage set for Kohli. Chasing a target of 173, he hit 72 off 43 balls, including five fours and two sixes, steering India to the final. Despite India finishing as runners-up, Kohli was named Player of the Tournament, having scored the most runs with 319 to his credit.
82 not out vs Australia, 2016
In Mohali, Kohli once again showcased his mastery in run-chases. With India needing 161 but teetering at 49/3, Kohli anchored the innings. As the chase reached a critical point, India required 39 from the final 18 balls. Kohli delivered, hitting 32 off 11 balls, leading India to a Super 10 stage win.
82 not out vs Pakistan, 2022
In a thrilling Super 12 match at the MCG, Kohli proved he never knows when he’s beaten. With India struggling at 31/4 while chasing a target of 160, Kohli partnered with Hardik Pandya to orchestrate an unlikely victory on the final ball. His unbeaten 82 off 53 balls captivated the crowd and secured a memorable win for India.
76 vs South Africa, 2024
Kohli saved his best for last, signing off with a match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. Despite an ambivalent form earlier in the tournament, he stepped up to hit 76 off 59 balls, earning yet another Player of the Match award.
His knock was instrumental in India clinching the T20 World Cup title by seven runs, marking a fitting end to his illustrious T20I career.
–IANS
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Sports
'The world lost a remarkable talent': Sindhu condoles death of Chinese teen shuttler Zhang Zhi Jie
New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) China’s 17-year-old shuttler Zhang Zhi Jie passed away after collapseing in court during a match against Japan’s Kazuma Kawano at the Asian Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Zhang was rushed to the hospital immediately but any attempt to help him went in vain as he passed away at 11:20 PM local time on Sunday night.
Following the devastating news, ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu paid her respect for the ‘remarkable talent’.
“Absolutely heartbreaking news coming from the Junior Asian Badminton Championships about the loss of young badminton player Zhang Zhi Jie. I offer my deepest condolences to Zhang’s family during this devastating time. The world has lost a remarkable talent today,” read the post by Sindhu on X.
A moment of silence was held at the tournament on Monday with the Chinese contingent wearing black armbands in his honour. Zhang joined China’s national youth squad last year.
Earlier this year, he won the singles title at the prestigious Dutch Junior International young competition.
“China’s Zhang Zhijie, a singles player, collapsed on the court during a match in the evening.He was sent to the hospital where he passed away at 23:20 local time yesterday. He was attended to by the tournament doctor and medical team. He was taken in the standby ambulance in less than two minutes and sent to hospital. The world of badminton has lost a talented player,” read a joint statement by the Badminton Asia and the Badminton Association of Indonesia on Monday.
“Zhang Zhijie loved badminton and was an outstanding athlete of the national youth badminton team. At present the local hospital has not yet identified the cause of death,” Chinese Badminton Association said in a statement.
–IANS
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Sports
2024 Copa America and Euro schedule: France, Portugal gear up for Round of 16; USA faces elimination
New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) The Round of 16 stage is on in full swing in the 2024 European Championship as Switzerland, Germany, England and Spain have already booked four of the eight spots in the quarterfinals.
France will be gearing up to take on a feisty Belgian side in their matchup. Les Blues have only scored two goals in three games with no goal coming from open play, one being an own goal and the other a penalty. Belgium on the other hand scraped through to the net round after all four teams of Group E ended the Group Stage with four points to their name.
Portugal, on the other hand, will take on Slovenia, a side they lost to in friendlies in March. Slovenia has been in top notch form, they have only lost one game in the past 15 games which was the 2-1 loss against Denmark in the group stage of the tournament.
A win for both Portugal and France would see the two face each other in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
The Copa America, on the other hand, is nearing the completion of it’s Group Stages and all attention will be on USA as they get ready to face the record holders of the competition, 15-time champions Uruguay.
The hosts won their opening encounter against Bolivia but were awarded a red card in the opening 20 minutes of their second game against Panama which saw them lose 2-1.
If the USA were to lose against Uruguay, only Panama losing against Bolivia would keep the hosts in the tournament.
Euro 2024 schedule-
France vs Belgium 9:30 PM IST
Portugal vs Slovenia 12:30 AM IST
Copa America 2024
Bolivia vs Panama 6:30 AM IST
United States of America vs Uruguay 6:30 AM IST.
–IANS
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New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) Vancouver Knights have appointed Mohammad Rizwan as their captain for the GT20 Canada 2024, opting for his leadership over that of Babar Azam.
“The Vancouver Knights have chosen their captain for GT20 Season 4: Sir Mohammad Rizwan. With his exceptional batting skills and sharp wicketkeeping, he’s ready to lead us to victory. Get ready, Knights!” GT20 Canada franchise said in a statement.
While Rizwan has never captained Pakistan at the international level, he has led Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Babar, on the other hand, currently leads Pakistan’s national team and Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL.
The Knights’ squad includes four Pakistani cricketers: Rizwan, Babar Azam, veteran fast bowler Mohammad Amir, and middle-order batter Asif Ali. The team is also bolstered by international players like Dwaine Pretorius, Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Singh Airee, Paul van Meekeren, and Ruben Trumpelmann.
The season four of the league is scheduled from July 25 to August 11 in the city of Brampton.
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