Day: October 19, 2021

Dubai, October 19, 2021 (PPI-OT):Eoin Morgan says England are excited by the challenge of adding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 title to the 50-over crown they claimed two years ago.

Morgan led England to a memorable first ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2019 on home soil and they are among the favourites to land the T20 equivalent in UAE and Oman this year.

They are currently ranked No.1 in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I team rankings and boast an experienced squad, with only Tom Curran aged under 28.

England have lost just one of their last 11 T20I series and even that was a marginal 3-2 defeat to India earlier this year, while they arrive off the back of home victories against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Expectations are high then, and Morgan believes they have what it takes to replicate their 2019 50-over success.

“It would be unbelievably special if we managed to do it (win another ICC world title) in three years,” he said.

“I think the group of players we have had for the past five or six years and some new really talented younger guys, makes a composition of the squad extremely strong.

“Playing away from home creates challenges, and for the first time since 2016 we are going into a tournament where we haven’t been favourites.

“But these are challenges we are really looking forward to.”

England are joined in Group 1 of the Super 12 stage by rivals Australia, defending champions West Indies and the ever-dangerous South Africa, while two teams from Round 1 will complete the six-team group.

England begin against West Indies in Dubai on Saturday but lost their opening warm-up game against India by six wickets.

Morgan wouldn’t be drawn on wider team news but did say that Liam Livingstone’s finger injury sustained against Virat Kohli’s side was not serious.

The Lancashire all-rounder left the field after dropping Ishan Kishan on the boundary against India on Monday.

“Liam is fine and fully fit for the start of the tournament,” confirmed the captain.

“We have no other problems. None, touch wood, so far.”

Morgan said he would not necessarily play in every England match, suggesting he will drop himself if his poor recent form continues.

Morgan averaged just 11.08 in the recent IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders and says he will not stand in the way of the team if his form continues to be a problem.

“I’ve been short on runs but my captaincy has been pretty good,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be standing here if I hadn’t come out of every bad run of form that I’ve ever had.

“The nature of T20 cricket and where I bat means I always have to take high-risk options. I’ve come to terms with that.”

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
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Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
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Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Dubai, October 19, 2021 (PPI-OT):Shakib Al Hasan felt it was experience that was the difference as Bangladesh came out on top in a must-win clash against Oman at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.

And it is hard to argue with the experienced all-rounder, named Player of the Match after making 42 and then taking three for 28 in the 26-run success.

While powerplays can often be the difference in T20 matches, Oman had the better of both in this one, but each time, Bangladesh fought back, with Shakib leading the charge.

He explained: “Oman played really good cricket but we held our nerve. Experience played a role. Oman were in the game for 15 overs, so credit to them. I think this win will settle our nerves.”

It was Shakib’s partnership with Mohammad Naim that laid the foundations for a first innings total of 153 all out, the pair adding 80 before Shakib was run out.

Naim, who had got two early lives, kept on going before falling for 64, fully justifying his inclusion in the team at the expense of Soumya Sarkar.

That looked a challenging total in these conditions, but Oman flew out of the blocks, helped by some wayward bowling from Mustafizur Rahman who needed 11 deliveries to complete his first over as he struggled with his radar.

In fact, despite a wicket in that marathon, the Fizz was finding life hard going in the reply, putting down Kashyap Prajapati the following over.

Some might have buckled in those circumstances, but that is where the experience came to the fore. Mahmudullah turned to Shakib, who started to slow the run rate, before going back to Mustafizur.

After seeing Jatinder Singh get a life – dropped by a Mahmudullah – and Kashyap launch him for six, the fast bowler held his nerve and got immediate revenge.

Even better, he took a brilliant catch in the deep to remove Oman skipper Zeeshan Maqsood just as he had started to cut loose.

Talent is one thing, but resilience in adversity is another, and Bangladesh showed that in spades just as the tournament could have slipped away.

Jatinder was the danger man at this point and reinforced that point by pulling Shakib to the boundary of the first ball of his third over. Like Mustafizur, he did not panic, and when the opener tried the same trick of the last ball of that over, Liton Das was in place to take the catch and effectively seal the win.

As the best bowlers do, the pair then feasted after removing the key batters, Shakib taking two in two off his last over, and Mustafizur grabbing two more in the 18th over to finish with four for 36.

They proved to be the main wicket-takers, although as much credit should go to Mahedi Hasan (1/14) and Mohammad Saifuddin (1/16), whose miserly spells helped suffocate the chase.

In a win-or-go-home match, Bangladesh came through, and now Papua New Guinea await with the calculators at the ready should it come down to net run-rate.

If it does, Bangladesh will again be able to rely on the fact that when it comes to experience, they are in a league of their own in Group 2.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Dubai, October 19, 2021 (PPI-OT):Bangladesh overcame a minor scare to keep their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 hopes alive with a 26-run win over hosts Oman.

Opener Mohammad Naim made an immediate impact on his first appearance of the tournament with 64, while Shakib Al Hasan made 42 to set a first innings total of 153 all out.

And despite a quickfire 40 from Jatinder Singh, some economical bowling from Mahedi Hasan (1/14) and Mohammad Saifuddin (1/16) left Oman with too much to do in reply.

Following defeat to Scotland, Bangladesh got their tournament back on track and will look to back it up against Papua New Guinea with the top side in Group B going into Group 2 of the Super 12 and the runners-up heading into Group 1.

Oman, meanwhile, will have to bounce back against Scotland who lead the way after two matches.

Both batting and bowling, Bangladesh found themselves in early trouble losing Liton Das and Mahedi to slip to 21 for two after electing to bat.

However, it could have been worse with Jatinder dropping Naim over the boundary before Kashyap Prajapati gave him another life the following over at midwicket.

That would prove costly as Naim and Shakib built a handy partnership, the veteran all-rounder taking the initiative including back-to-back boundaries off the bowling of Mohammad Nadeem.

He had raced to 42 from 28 runs as the pair put on 80 but just as Shakib looked like he was going to cut loose, he took on a risky single and paid the price as Aqib Ilyas produced a brilliant direct hit.

From that point onwards, Bangladesh were unable to put any partnerships together as Bilal Khan, Fayyaz Butt and Kaleemullah all chipped in with wickets.

However Naim reached 64 before he departed, while Mahmudullah added a useful 17 off ten deliveries to take the Tigers to 153 before they were bowled out off the final ball.

In reply, Oman got off to a flyer as Taskin Ahmed’s first over went for ten before Mustafizur Rahman bowled five wides in his first, while taking the wicket of Aqib leg before for six.

Mustafizur’s difficult start got worse the following over when he put down Kashyap the following over.

The drops were catching, Mahmudullah putting down Jatinder after he had smashed one miles into the sky.

When Kashyap hammered Mustafizur for six, the concern really started to grow for Bangladesh, but he was caught behind next ball for 21.

Still, with Jatinder at the crease, Oman had a chance, particularly when he pulled Shakib for four and then lifted him over extra cover for six.

Skipper Zeeshan Maqsood got in on the act with six off Taskin but was then brilliantly caught in the deep by Mustafizur, making amends for his earlier drop.

Jatinder was ploughing something of a lone furrow by this point, and after pulling Shakib for four, he then found Liton in the deep and with his departure, the chase faltered.

Shakib took two in two and then Nurul Hasan took a brilliant catch off Mustafizur diving wide to his right to remove Kaleemullah.

And it was Mustafizur who finished with a flourish with two more wickets to seal the victory.

Scores in brief

Bangladesh beat Oman, at Oman Cricket Academy Ground, Al Amerat by 26 runs

Bangladesh 153 all out, in 20 overs (Mohammad Naim 64, Shakib Al Hasan 42; Bilal Khan 3/18, Fayyaz Butt 3/30)

Oman 127/9, in 20 overs (Jatinder Singh 40, Kashyap Prajapati 21; Mustafizur Rahman 4/36, Shakib Al Hasan 3/28)

Player of the Match: Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Dubai, October 19, 2021 (PPI-OT):Sri Lanka will be a dangerous proposition for any team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 if they can get their batting firing, according to head coach Mickey Arthur.

The 2014 champions came into the tournament ranked outside the top eight of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I team rankings, having struggled for consistency in the format.

But they laid down a marker to their rivals with an impressive seven-wicket win over Namibia in their opening match as they moved one step closer to qualifying for the Super 12s stage.

And while the Lions have not been talked about among the favourites for the title, Arthur believes his team can compete with the very best if they can raise their level with the bat.

“All I can say is I see these boys train, I see these boys work, I see these boys put the effort in behind the scenes, we’re as professional an outfit as anybody in the competition,” he said.

“I thought our bowling performance last night [against Namibia] was exceptional, that bowling performance was as good as any bowling unit in this competition.

“I think our fielding standards have gone to another level, without a doubt. If we can just get our batting firing, we’re going to be very dangerous.”

Sri Lanka’s seam trio Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara were the stars of the show against Namibia at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

They took a combined four for 45 from their 11.3 overs while 21-year-old mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana also shone with three for 25 in their Group A triumph.

And ahead of Sri Lanka’s meeting with Ireland, who also won their opening contest against the Netherlands, Arthur insisted he could not be happier with his side’s bowling prowess.

“For us to have two bowlers of genuine quality bowling at 145kph that makes a massive difference and we know that any team doesn’t like facing them,” he added.

“They are genuine wicket-takers, their skills have got better over the last five months so we’re comfortable having them attack for us. Dushmantha Chameera has gone to another level.

“He really has, he’s now genuinely world class so for us to have those bowlers in our bowling line-up gives us a real good balance of pace, Chamika [Karunaratne] brings a bit of swing.

“And then we’ve got our two wrist spinners, it’s almost the ideal bowling attack.”

Ireland have only clashed once before with Sri Lanka in T20Is, with the Lions taking the victory in a closely-contested match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup back in 2009.

But Ireland have come a long way since then and buoyed by their win over Netherlands in their first match, head coach Graham Ford said his team are looking forward to the challenge.

“Sri Lanka, probably about half the squad I know pretty well, and I know the coach very well. We know they’re going to be a very competitive, energetic unit,” he said.

“They have had great success in this format in previous years and in previous T20 World Cups, so it will be a huge game for us. I think it’s a really exciting challenge.

“We’ve played a lot of emphasis on really trying to get out and enjoy and enjoy the challenges of this opportunity. So it will be a special day, but yes, they are a talented group.

“A group that probably have some players that do things a little differently. They have some players that are able to do some unorthodox stuff that make a difference.

“The lads have got a lot of information on them, but at the end of the day, like I said the last evening [before our first game], it is going to be about how we play on the day.

“We pitched up [against the Netherlands] and played with real positive energy and commitment, and if we bring that in again on Wednesday, we give ourselves a good chance.”

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com