T20 World Cup: Team-by-team guide and predictions as England and India bid to take Australia’s crown
England and India are among the teams bidding to take Australia’s crown as the Twenty20 World Cup begins on Sunday.
Cricket Sport News
We don't really have a choice in what people call us: Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson, who says they "don't really have a choice in what people call" the last edition's runner-up team heading into the T20 World Cup. New Zealand reached the final of the T20 World Cup in the UAE last year where they lost to Australia. After losing the 2019 World Cup by the smallest of margins to England, New Zealand went on to win the inaugural ICC Test Championship title, beating India in the final last year.
Harmanpreet Kaur Registers This Big T20I Record During Women's Asia Cup Final
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur added another feather to her hat after she surpassed New Zealand all-rounder Suzie Bates to become the most capped Women's T20I player in the history of the game. The 33-year-old made her 137th appearance in the final of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Bangladesh on Saturday. Harmanpreet played her 136th T20I against Thailand in the semi-finals of the Asia Cup to level the record with Bates. The New Zealander is now placed second on the list with 136 matches in T20Is. Bates has scored 3613 runs with a century to her name.
"When You Perform Against India...": Pakistan Star's Big Statement Ahead Of T20 World Cup Match
Pakistan had the ideal dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup as the Babar Azam-led side defeated New Zealand in the final of the T20I tri-series on Friday at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. While all the focus was on star batters Babar and Mohammad Rizwan, it was Mohammad Nawaz who inspired Pakistan with an all-round show. With Pakistan set to face arch-rivals India in their opening match at the T20 World Cup, Nawaz spoke in detail about his journey, and how the team has been gearing up for the blockbuster clash.
Watch: Team India Arrives In Brisbane Ahead Of T20 World Cup Warm-Up Game vs Australia
After playing a couple of practice matches in Perth, the Rohit Sharma-led Team India arrived in Brisbane on Saturday. Team India will play two warm-up game at the Gabba in Brisbane, against Australia and New Zealand, respectively. The Board of Control for Cricket in India took to Twitter and posted a video of the Indian team's journey to Brisbane. In the video, the players can be seen greeting fans and giving autographs. "Touchdown Brisbane," the BCCI captioned the video on Twitter.
"I'm Not Against Anyone": Pakistan Star Opens Up After T20 World Cup Snub
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said that he has no problem with anyone, despite being overlooked for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. Malik played an integral part in Pakistan's excellent run in the T20 World Cup last year, which ended with a defeat in the semi-final to eventual champions Australia. His exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad has been one of the talking points, especially with Pakistan's current middle-order under the scanner. However, Malik said he has no problem with anyone while backing the current squad.
"Don't Really Have A Choice": Kane Williamson Unfazed About Lack Of "Favourites" Tag For New Zealand
The lack of favourites tag doesn't bother New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who says they "don't really have a choice in what people call" the last edition's runner-up team heading into the T20 World Cup. New Zealand reached the final of the T20 World Cup in the UAE last year where they lost to Australia. After losing the 2019 World Cup by the smallest of margins to England, New Zealand went on to win the inaugural ICC Test Championship title, beating India in the final last year. However, despite their consistency in recent years, an ICC title in limited overs cricket remains elusive.
England well prepared but Australia favourite, says Buttler
MELBOURNE: England captain Jos Buttler is happy with his team's preparation but tipped champions Australia as the favourites to win the Twenty20 World Cup on home soil, in comments to the media on Saturday.