Toss: Afghanistan won the toss and chose to field first.
Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Umpires: Paul Reiffel & Richard Kettleborough
What Actually Happened
Winner: Pakistan won by 45 runs
Scores: India 210/2Afghanistan144/7
Player of the Match:Rohit Sharma 74 (47)
Best Figures
Gulbadin Naib (4-0-39-1)
Mohammad Shami (4-0-32-3), R Ashwin (4-0-14-2)
Most Runs
Rohit Sharma 74 (47)
Karim Janat 42* (22)
Moments of The Day: Rahul-Rohit & India’s Positive Intent
KL Rahul & Rohit Sharma set the tone for India. Hitting 5 sixes and 14 fours between them, they carried India to 140 in about 14 overs. Strong platform meant India could promote Rishabh Pant & Hardik Pandya ahead of Kohli. 27* (13) & 35* (13) was quite the finishing touch.
The bowling stories of the day were of Shami & Ashwin. I am happy for Shami, who had received a lot of social media hate after the game against Pakistan. Today he was India’s highest wicket taker and dented Afghanistan’s chase at the top. Ashwin playing his first T20I since 2016 showed why is still the best off-spinner in India. An economy of 3.5 with wickets of dangerous Najib & Gulbadin ensured India would win by a large margin.
At the end, Janat’s quickfire 42 (including a last ball six) and intelligent batting by Mohammad Nabi 35 (31) made sure NRR margin between the two countries was still far
Honorable Mention: Pandya’s difficult boundary catch to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was looking really good
If only they had restricted Pakistan earlier….
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: The Toss
Till this game, Afghanistan was winning the toss and choosing to bat first – Their template, bat first, score high, unleash the spinners. With Mujeeb’s injury & dew factor, Afghanistan went with bowling first and were never in the game. Without a target, Rashid’s guile (conceded 36) & Naveen-ul-Haq’s slower deliveries (conceded 59) were not potent.
Another broken dream was suggestions in social media that the match was fixed due Afghanistan’s lack of intensity. This sort of rhetoric just isn’t called for and is actually detrimental to the game.
T20 World Cup Points Table, Most Runs, Wickets, Catches, Dismissals
No need to go elsewhere for thePoints Table, Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker, Most Catches, and Most Dismissals. We will keep updating it in every article!
Image Courtesy: Graphic (original work), Kyle Coetzer – Photo by Francois Nel-ICC/ICC via Getty Images, Mahmudullah – Photo by Mike Hewitt-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
Toss: Scotland won the toss and chose to field first.
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE
Umpires: Marais Erasmus & Ahsan Raza
What Actually Happened
Winner: New Zealand won by 16 runs
Scores: New Zealand172/5Scotland 156/6
Player of the Match:Martin Guptill 93 (56)
Best Figures
Safyaan Sharif (4-0-28-2), Mark Watt (4-0-13-1)
Trent Boult (4-0-29-2)
Most Runs
Martin Guptill 93 (56)
Michael Leask 42* (20)
Moments of The Day: Martin Guptill The Difference Between The Two Sides
Sharif’s over put Scotland in the front. First was an LBW to dismiss Mitchell. Then was a brilliant captaincy ploy that you will not see in the highlights. Scotland placed a fielder over short third man. First ball, Williamson hit the ball right to the fielder with his release shot – dab to third man. Four dots later, Sharif bowled down the leg side, and Williamson edged it to the keeper.
Martin Guptill finally played the innings we were waiting for. At the end of the 10th over, NZ were tied down by Mark Watt & Chris Greaves at 70/3. Phillips was struggling at 6 (12). After the break, Leask was introduced and Phillips broke lose. 102 runs came in the last 10. Scotland was right in the battle till the end. Munsey especially was looking good with his two sixes before getting out on a full toss. Every batter scored crucial runs and Michael Leask’s 42* (20) got Scotland very close to the target.
New Zealand escaped, barely.
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: The Heat
In the afternoon game, the UAE heat was evident and affected several players. Guptill, who had batted most of the first innings, was physically strained and holed out for 93. He did not field for a few overs either.
Keeper Commentary of the Day: Cross
Matthew Cross has been pretty vocal behind the stumps in this tournament, but he took it to the next level when Glenn Phillips was batting. With India & NZ competing for that elusive 2nd qualifying spot, Cross remarked to Chris Greaves, “Come on Greavo, whole of India is behind you.” Here is the video.
T20 World Cup Points Table, Most Runs, Wickets, Catches, Dismissals
No need to go elsewhere for thePoints Table, Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker, Most Catches, and Most Dismissals. We will keep updating it in every article!
Image Courtesy: Graphic (original work), Kyle Coetzer – Photo by Francois Nel-ICC/ICC via Getty Images, Mahmudullah – Photo by Mike Hewitt-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
Toss: Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first.
Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Umpires: Chris Brown & Chris Gaffaney
What Actually Happened
Winner: Pakistan won by 45 runs
Scores: Pakistan 189/2Namibia144/5
Player of the Match:Mohammad Rizwan 79* (50)
Best Figures
David Wiese (4-0-30-1)
Imad Wasim (3-0-13-1)
Most Runs
Mohammad Rizwan 79* (50)
David Wiese 43* (31)
Moments of The Day:
Rizwan & Babar rise again. A 113-run partnership. They are now establishing an iconic T20I opening partnership.
Pakistan took more positives – Hafeez finished with 32* (16) & Hasan Ali returned with spells of 4-0-22-1.
David Wiese’s 43* ensured Namibia did not collapse for a low score and got 144.
If only they had restricted Pakistan earlier….
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: Namibia Fail To Take Advantage
Pakistan had an uncharacteristically slow start. At the end of the Powerplay, Pakistan were 29/0, the fourth lowest of all time in T20Is, without losing a wicket. By the end of the 8th over, Pakistan were 45/0 with Babar Azam 33 (27) & Rizwan 12 (21).
T20 World Cup Points Table, Most Runs, Wickets, Catches, Dismissals
No need to go elsewhere for thePoints Table, Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker, Most Catches, and Most Dismissals. We will keep updating it in every article!
Image Courtesy: Graphic (original work), Kyle Coetzer – Photo by Francois Nel-ICC/ICC via Getty Images, Mahmudullah – Photo by Mike Hewitt-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
Toss: South Africa won the toss and chose to field first.
Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Umpires: Paul Reiffel & Richard Illingworth
What Actually Happened
Winner: South Africa won by 6 wickets
Scores: Bangladesh 84/10 South Africa 86/4
Player of the Match:Kagiso Rabada 3/20
Best Figures
Anrich Nortje (3.2-0-8-3)
Taskin Ahmed (4-0-18-2)
Most Runs
Mahedi Hasan 27 (25)
Temba Bavuma 31* (28)
Moments of The Day:
Kagiso Rabada & Anrich Nortje are back. The duo had captured the imagination for the Delhi Capitals. Although Nortje has been in form, Rabada has been off color for the past two years. Today a combined figures of 7.2-0-28-6 totally destroyed Bangladesh.
South Africa felt the nerves at 33/3 in 6 overs. However Rassie van der Dussen 22 (27) & captain Bavuma 31* (28) ensured stable victory.
Taskin Ahmed has been the only bright spot for Bangladesh in this poor tournament. He has looked faster and stronger after bursting onto the scene in 2015 and disappearing for a couple of years after that.
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: Bangladesh Are Having a Horror Tournament
This is now their 4th consecutive loss and 5th in 7 games this tournament. The pitch was slow enough if their batters could have mustered around 130-150, but 84 is not going to win you games. Not even in T10 cricket.
T20 World Cup Points Table, Most Runs, Wickets, Catches, Dismissals
No need to go elsewhere for thePoints Table, Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker, Most Catches, and Most Dismissals. We will keep updating it in every article!
Image Courtesy: Graphic (original work), Kyle Coetzer – Photo by Francois Nel-ICC/ICC via Getty Images, Mahmudullah – Photo by Mike Hewitt-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field first.
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
Umpires: Adrian Holdstock & Rod Tucker
What Actually Happened
Winner: England won by 26 runs
Scores: England 163/4 Sri Lanka 137/10
Player of the Match:Jos Buttler 101* (67)
Best Figures
Wanindu Hasaranga (4-0-21-3)
Adil Rashid (4-0-19-2)
Most Runs
Jos Buttler 101* (67)
Wanindu Hasaranga 34 (21)
Moments of The Day:
Jos Buttler – anyone better him in T20 cricket? In a tough pitch with England batting first, England stumbled to 35/3 in 5.2 overs. Then, with Eoin Morgan, who himself scored 40 (36) with three sixes, Buttler stitched a wonderful comeback. Buttler was 35 (38) at one stage and then accelerated with 66 runs in the next 29 balls. Is there a better combination of an anchor and finisher in world cricket right now?
What can Wanindu Hasaranga not do? Already the find of the year in world cricket, today he was the only Sri Lankan to provide resistance with the bat and the ball.
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: Tymal Mills Goes Home
Tymal Mills…was a beautiful story at the beginning of the tournament. For five years, he was out of the side due to form and back injury. After years of hardwork & The Hundred, he made an inspiring comeback. However he had to leave after 1.3 overs today. End of a career or does he have one more comeback in him?
T20 World Cup Points Table, Most Runs, Wickets, Catches, Dismissals
No need to go elsewhere for thePoints Table, Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker, Most Catches, and Most Dismissals. We will keep updating it in every article!
Image Courtesy: Graphic (original work), Kyle Coetzer – Photo by Francois Nel-ICC/ICC via Getty Images, Mahmudullah – Photo by Mike Hewitt-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
India Vs New Zealand Quick Review – India do not even fight as New Zealand spin defeats India again.
India have not lost to New Zealand in an ICC event since 2003. The last three, 2019 ODI World Cup, 2021 WTC & T20 World Cups especially crushing to Indian fans.
Toss: New Zealand won the toss and chose to field first.
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE
Umpires: Marais Erasmus & Richard Kettleborough
What Actually Happened
Winner: New Zealand won by 8 wickets
Scores: India 110/7 New Zealand111/2
Player of the Match:Ish Sodhi 2/17
Best Figures
Trent Boult (4-0-20-3)
Jasprit Bumrah (4-0-19-2)
Most Runs
Ravindra Jadeja 26 (19)
Daryl Mitchell 49 (35)
Moments of The Day: Sodhi-Santner Magic Strangles India Once Again
5 years ago, in the first match of the 2016 T20 World Cup, the duo of Santner & Sodhi came together to choke India for 79. They were back at it again. Although Santner did not take a wicket, 4-0-15-0 made sure Sharma-Kohli could not free themselves. Them came Ish Sodhi (4-0-17-2) and finished it off taking both those wickets.
A few days ago, I had questioned why Daryl Mitchell was opening when Williamson, Conway, Phillips, & Seifert were in the XI. Today, he showed exactly why. Low scoring chases can be tricky but he made sure NZ reaches the target with ease.
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: What Has Happened to Team India?
India has lost 2 in 2 and are still mathematically in with a chance to qualify for the semi-finals. Losing two matches is not a huge issue. Pakistan & New Zealand are world class teams. What bothers me is the manner of defeat. Shaheen Shah Afridi & Trent Boult ensured India are on the backfoot, and they just couldn’t recover. For a team with immense depth & having dominated the decade, not competing & not showing intent for 80 overs straight is a concern.
T20 World Cup Points Table, Most Runs, Wickets, Catches, Dismissals
No need to go elsewhere for thePoints Table, Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker, Most Catches, and Most Dismissals. We will keep updating it in every article!
Image Courtesy: Graphic (original work), Kyle Coetzer – Photo by Francois Nel-ICC/ICC via Getty Images, Mahmudullah – Photo by Mike Hewitt-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
Toss: Afghanistan won the toss and chose to field first.
Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Umpires: Ahsan Raza & Chris Gaffaney
What Actually Happened
Winner: Afghanistan won by 62 runs
Scores: Afghanistan160/5Namibia 98/9
Player of the Match:Naveen-ul-Haq 3/26 (officially), he symbolically gave his award to Asghar Afghan
Best Figures
Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (4-0-21-2)
Hamid Hassan (4-0-9-3)
Most Runs
Mohammad Shahzad 45 (33)
David Wiese 26 (30)
Moments of The Day: Openers, Medium Pacers Brush Namibia Aside
Openers Hazratullah Zazai (33) & Mohammad Shahzad (45) gave Afghanistan another quick start with 53 runs in 6.3 overs. After a brief collapse, Asghar Afghan (31) & Mohammad Nabi (32*) made sure that Afghanistan reached a competitive 160.
Although Naveen-ul-Haq provided the early blows and Gubadin Naib’s 2/19 squeezed Namibia, it was comeback kid Hamid Hassan that turned the match. Although he had not played any T20Is since the last T20 World Cup and only a couple of ODIs between the ODI WCs, his speed and accuracy was the moment of the day. 4-0-9-3 are figures of dreams and pace was pretty high. A true legend.
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: Asghar Afghan Retires
The leader of the Afghans for over a decade, Asghar Afghan retired surprisingly at the age of 33 in the middle of the tournament. The match was emotional. Namibia gave Asghar a guard of honor, and his teammates gave a guard of honor after he departed. In the mid-game interview, he mentioned that Pakistan’s close loss was too much to take so he decided to give way to youngsters.
Naveen-ul-Haq gave his player of the match trophy to Asghar as a tribute. Most of this team had debuted under Asghar and view him in high regard.
At the time of his retirement, he was joint highest for the most wins as a T20I captain alongside Eoin Morgan & MS Dhoni.
T20 World Cup Points Table, Most Runs, Wickets, Catches, Dismissals
No need to go elsewhere for thePoints Table, Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker, Most Catches, and Most Dismissals. We will keep updating it in every article!
Image Courtesy: Graphic (original work), Kyle Coetzer – Photo by Francois Nel-ICC/ICC via Getty Images, Mahmudullah – Photo by Mike Hewitt-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
Toss: England won the toss and chose to field first.
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE
Umpires: Marais Erasmus & Nitin Menon
What Actually Happened
Winner: England won by 8 wickets
Scores: Australia 125/10 England 126/2
Player of the Match: Chris Jordan 3/17
Best Figures
Chris Jordan (4-0-17-3)
Ashton Agar (2.4-0-15-1)
Most Runs
Aaron Finch 44 (49)
Jos Buttler 71* (32)
Moments of The Day: Jos Buttler, All-Round Bowling Performance Ensures Easy English Victory
Morgan’s captaincy has been on point this World Cup. In the earlier games, he had used Moeen Ali up front against left handers. Against Australia, Adil Rashid (4-0-19-1) and Chris Woakes (4-0-23-2) were unleashed. At 21-4, the game was done and dusted.
Bad pitch theory was put to rest when the English openers came to bat. When Jason Roy had departed, England’s score was 66 in 6.2 overs. Buttler finished it with some magnificent straight sixes. An innings worth 71* (35).
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: Australia in the Middle Muddle
This game was supposed to be the Ashes battle preview. Since the India-Pakistan match was one sided, a closer battle was expected. However, England brushed Australia aside with 74 balls to spare. The damaged NRR means that all teams are back in contention, even West Indies and Bangladesh, the two teams Australia have to face now.
No need to go elsewhere for thePoints Table, Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker, Most Catches, and Most Dismissals. We will keep updating it in every article!
Image Courtesy: Graphic (original work), Kyle Coetzer – Photo by Francois Nel-ICC/ICC via Getty Images, Mahmudullah – Photo by Mike Hewitt-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
Moments of The Day: Hasaranga’s Hat-Trick, Miller-Rabada’s Finishing Defines Close Game
Pathum Nissanka has been one of the most promising names in Sri Lanka’s domestic circuit, boasting a first class average of 64.45 & scoring his first ton within 4 Tests. With this 72, I am glad he has transferred his talent in T20Is.
Temba Bavuma has been under scrutiny ever since his Test debut and more so, since captaincy. His 46 (46) might not look inspiring, but in this World T20, each team needs a middle order batter that can grind it out. Also his leadership with the QDK saga has been brilliant. Supporting his teammate all the way, while standing up for the movement at the same time.
Let us talk about David Miller. In 2018 & 2020, he averaged 20.16 with 113.08 SR and 25.00 average at 120.48 SR respectively. He had a good 2019, which kept him in the team but he is flourishing this year – 46.50 at 148.80. This match with the World Cup on the line, he struck two of the cleanest sixes of the World Cup, with Rabada hitting the last 4 to give South Africa a close victory. Miller’s career phases- Killer Miller, Accumulator Miller, Gone Miller….and the Old Miller is back!
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: Can SL Keep Playing the Same Brand of Cricket?
SL are one of the only countries playing a positive brand of Cricket regardless of the situation. The attitude helped them win 4 in 4, but with 2 consecutive losses including a close one here might dent their confidence. Can they continue in a similar fashion?
Also Read:
T20 World Cup Points Table, Stat Alert
No need to go elsewhere for the Points Table, Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker, Most Catches, and Most Dismissals. We will keep updating it in every article!
Image Courtesy: Graphic (original work), Kyle Coetzer – Photo by Francois Nel-ICC/ICC via Getty Images, Mahmudullah – Photo by Mike Hewitt-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
Toss: Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first.
Venue: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, UAE
Umpires: Chris Brown & Joel Wilson
What Actually Happened
Winner: Pakistan won by 5 wickets
Scores: Afghanistan 147/6 – Pakistan 148/5
Player of the Match: Asif Ali 25* (7)
Best Figures
Imad Wasim (4-0-25-2)
Rashid Khan (4-0-26-2)
Most Runs
Gulbadin Naib 35* (25), Mohammad Nabi 35* (32)
Babar Azam 51 (47), Asif Ali 25* (7)
Moments of The Day: Asif Ali Rescues Pakistan
Imad Wasim & Shadab Khan Disciplined –In Pakistan’s first game, Shaheen-Rizwan-Babar performed. In the next game, Haris Rauf-Malik-Asif Ali came to the party. Although Asif Ali was the man of the moment again today, Wasim-Shadab-Fakhar’s contributions could not be disregarded. Imad & Shadab combined for 8-0-47-3. Imad bowled well both in the pwowerplay and the middle overs, while Shadab Khan’s fielding at backward point was electric.
Gulbadin Naib-Mohammad Nabi-Najibullah Zadran string a comeback. Afghanistan’s fighting spirit was on show today. To recover from 39-4 & later 76-6 in 13 overs to push towards 150 takes smart, sensible cricket. In the last three overs, Gulabdin Naib just hit Hasan Ali & Rauf out of the park.
Babar Azam Slow but Steady, Fakhar Zaman Shines, Shoaib Malik Continues His GoodForm, and Asif Ali hits 4 Sixes in 6 Balls to Wrap It Up
Afghanistan had smartly held Rashid Khan back till after the 10 over drinks break. Immediately he made an impact but DRS saved Babar Azam. The next over Fakhar Zaman departed to Nabi’s guile. Hafeez’s wicket followed. Match in balance.
In comes Shoaib Malik and hits Rashid for a big six in his last over to reduce the pressure. Then, Naveen-ul-Haq drops Babar Azam. Pakistan in front.
Final ball of his spell, Rashid to Babar, bowled ’em! Then a wonderful 2 run-1 wicket (Malik) over by Naveen Ul-Haq. Afghanistan right back in.
24 runs need in 12 balls.
6, 0, 6, 0, 6, 6. Pakistan win. That’s All. Easy as you like it.
So many ebbs and flows in this match! Brilliant game of cricket.
Another impactful innings from Asif Ali, who seems to have turned a corner. Brilliant side to watch this, Pakistan. Good fight by Afghanistan as well. They should not be disheartened.
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: Afghanistan Lose Another Close One Against Pakistan
Pakistan Vs Afghanistan is becoming a real rivalry. Throughout the match, passion and emotion was pouring from the fans and the players, but this is now the second consecutive close World Cup game between the two. In the 2019 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan had almost won before Imad Wasim’s heroics brought Pakistan back. Pakistan won with only 2 balls to spare in 50 overs.
Hopefully Afghanistan can bounce back and still fight for the semi-finals spot.
No need to go elsewhere for the Points Table, Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker, Most Catches, and Most Dismissals. We will keep updating it in every article!
Mahmudullah – 150 runs (Bangladesh, 6 Matches)
Shakib Al Hasan – 11 wickets (Bangladesh, 4 Matches)
Calum MacLeod – 6 catches (Scotland, 5 Matches)
Nurul Hasan, Matthew Cross (Bangladesh/Scotland) – 5 dismissals
Group 1 Table
Teams
Played
Won
Lost
Tied No-Result
Points
Net Run Rate
1. England
2
2
0
0
4
+ 3.614
2. Australia
2
2
0
0
4
+ 0.727
3. South Africa
2
1
1
0
2
+ 0.179
4. Sri Lanka
2
1
1
0
2
– 0.416
5. West Indies
3
1
2
0
2
– 1.598
6. Bangladesh
3
0
3
0
0
– 1.069
T20 World Cup 2021 Group 1 Points Table
Group 2 Table
Teams
Played
Won
Lost
Tied No-Result
Points
Net Run Rate
1. Pakistan
3
3
0
0
6
+ 0.638
2. Afghanistan
2
1
1
0
2
+ 3.092
3. Namibia
1
0
1
0
2
+ 0.550
4. New Zealand
1
0
1
0
0
– 0.532
5. India
1
0
1
0
0
– 0.973
6. Scotland
2
0
0
0
2
– 3.562
T20 World Cup 2021 Group 2 Points Table
Also, if you have not yet read our T20 World Cup Previews, here is a list of all of them! Check them out and share ahead:
Image Courtesy: Graphic (original work), Kyle Coetzer – Photo by Francois Nel-ICC/ICC via Getty Images, Mahmudullah – Photo by Mike Hewitt-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
