In the ninth edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, taking place in the U.S.A and West Indies, major upsets were recorded in back-to-back days with Pakistan losing against the co-hosts, United States of America on Thursday while another associate nation Canada defeating a full-member nation Ireland. On the other hand, Afghanistan dominated New Zealand on Friday.
In this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Friday, June 7, but before that, let's check the matches scheduled for the day.
Today's match preview
ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024:
- Netherlands vs South Africa: In the 16th clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the Netherlands will take on South Africa. The match is scheduled to take place at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, on Saturday, June 8 (IST). In their season opener, Netherlands were up against Nepal where they registered a six-wicket win over their rivals. South Africa, on the flip side, faced Sri Lanka in their first game of the tournament and took down them by a margin of six wickets.
- Australia vs England: Australia will take on England in the Group B match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. The former champions from 2021, Australia, will be coming into this match after their 39-run win against Oman in their tournament opener after they initially faced some hiccups in their travel as they assembled in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, England are yet to kickstart their campaign as their opener was washed out against Scotland.
Major cricket events that happened on June 7
Kirton, Gordon, and Heyliger shine as Canada beat Ireland by 12 runs
Batting first, Canada lost four wickets at 53 runs in 8.1 overs, however, Nicholas Kirton (49) and Shreyas Movva (37) stitched a 75-run partnership for the fifth wicket to help their side register 137 runs on the board at a loss of seven wickets. During the chase, Ireland lost wickets at regular interval as Canadian bowling attack led by Jeremy Gordon and Dilon Heyliger picked up two wickets each. Ireland all-rounder Mark Adair was close to clinch the win for his team, however, his wicket in the last over ended Ireland's hopes to win the game.
Gurbaz, Rashid, and Farooqi lead Afghanistan to crushing victory over New Zealand
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson's decision to bowl first at the Providence Stadium, Guyana against Afghanistan backfired as the Kiwis faced a crushing loss to Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan. Afghanistan opener and wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed 80 runs off 56 balls with 5 sixes and fours each and combined for a 103-run opening stand with Ibrahim Zadran (44 off 41). Chasing a 160-run target, Kiwi batters couldn't spend much time on the pitch as Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan picked up 4 wickets each while Mohammad Nabi took two wickets to bowl out New Zealand at 75 runs.
Towhid Hridoy's spectacular knock helps Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 2 wickets
Following a spectacular bowling display by Mustafizur Rahman (17/3), Rishad Hossain (22/3), and Taskin Ahmed (25/2), Towhid Hiridoy's spectacular 40 off 20 guided Bangladesh to beat Sri Lanka by two wickets. Batting first Sri Lanka posted 124 runs with Pathum Nissanka scoring 47 off 28 and four other batters scoring in double digits. During the chase, Bangladesh lost three quick wickets, however, Litton Das (36 off 38) and Towhid Hridoy put their side in the dominant spot. Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by two wickets with 6 balls remaining.
USA's Super Over hero Saurabh Netravalkar took leave from work till June 17 to play in T20 WC'24: Reports
Saurabh Netravalkar, the star performer for the USA in their famous win against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024, reportedly took a leave from work till June 17 to be a part of the tournament. The software engineer from Oracle had previously applied for leave until the group stage of the tournament, but he might have to extend it if the USA keep up their current form.
USA cricketer lands ball tampering allegation over Pakistan's Haris Rauf after Super Over win
Team USA, who are the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 co-hosts, pulled off a sensational upset in their second match of the competition as they defeated the 2009 T20 World Cup winners Pakistan. However, things got worse for Pakistan after the loss as veteran USA and former South African cricketer Rusty Theron accused Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf of ball tampering.
SA20 Season 3 to start from January 9; final to be played on 8 February 2025
SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith today announced that the third season of South Africa’s premier T20 competition will take place from 9th January to 8th February 2025. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape will be aiming for a third title, having won the first two iterations of the tournament and Smith stated that franchises’ planning is well underway to secure some of the biggest names on the T20 circuit for the 2025 event.
Pakistan postpones paid fan meet-up after embarrassing loss to USA in T20 World Cup 2024, claims Rashid Latif
Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif claimed that the Pakistan team decided to postpone a paid fan meet-up after they suffered an embarrassing loss against the USA. Notably, Latif had earlier revealed that Pakistan is holding paid ‘meet and greet events’ in the USA for the fans and have been charging $25 from them. As per Latif, the meet-up was scheduled to be held on June 7.