ICC Men's Cricket World Cup

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ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Babar Azam factfile​

AFP
October 2, 2023

NEW DELHI: Factfile on Pakistan captain Babar Azam ahead of the Cricket World Cup which gets underway in India on Thursday:

The world’s top-ranked ODI batsman, Babar is captain across all three formats and has amassed more than 12,500 international runs, boasting multiple centuries in each category.

His staggering ODI average of 58.16 betters even that of India superstar Virat Kohli while his 19 centuries for Pakistan is just one behind the all-time best set by Saeed Anwar.

Onus on Pakistan batters to paper over bowling cracks

Babar is also Pakistan’s biggest run-maker in T20 internationals and boasts the highest score of 122 in the format.

Despite failing to get out of the group stage at the 2019 World Cup, Babar shone as he became the fastest Pakistan batsman to reach 3,000 ODI runs.

Against Bangladesh, he broke Javed Miandad’s record of most runs in a World Cup by taking his total to 474 in eight innings.

In May this year against New Zealand, he became the fastest man to make 5,000 ODI runs, the mark coming in his 97th innings.

 

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Moeen fires England to World Cup warm-up win over Bangladesh​

Reuters
October 2, 2023

Moeen Ali smashed a quickfire half century to guide champions England to a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a rain-affected World Cup warm-up game in Guwahati on Monday.

Chasing a revised target of 197 in 37 overs following a lengthy rain interruption, England were hurried along by Moeen's blistering knock of 56 off 39 balls, with the all-rounder hitting two fours and six sixes.

Jonny Bairstow (34), Joe Root (26 not out) and captain Jos Buttler (30) also made telling contributions, while Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman picked up two early wickets, dismissing both openers.

Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat, with over half of their 188 runs coming through Tanzid Hasan (45) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (74).

England, keen to quickly acclimatise to the conditions after their first warm-up match against hosts India was washed out, employed nine different bowlers, five of whom took wickets, but Reece Topley stood out with figures of 3-23 in five overs.

England begin their 50-over World Cup title defence with a clash against New Zealand on Thursday.

"Very valuable, obviously didn't have the first game," Moeen said. "More important for the bowlers, invaluable time in the field.

"I just want to play how I can play. Sometimes you have to adapt. Play to your strengths. Felt like I played well so wanted to keep the momentum.

"We're ready (for the opener), got enough time. Going to be a massive game, NZ are a dangerous side, but we're ready."

Bangladesh take on Afghanistan in their first match of the World Cup on Oct. 7.

NZ beat South Africa

In another rain-hit match on Monday, Devon Conway scored a half-century to guide New Zealand to a seven-run victory over South Africa.

Chasing 322 for victory, South Africa were 211 for four with 13 overs left when the rain came, leaving them stranded at seven runs behind the Duckworth-Lewis (DL) par score.

New Zealand, the 2019 runners-up, won the toss and opted to bat at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, with opener Conway hitting a 73-ball 78 to lay the platform for the Black Caps.

Captain Kane Williamson, who will skip Thursday's tournament opener as he continues to recover from a knee injury, also contributed 37 runs.

Conway and Williamson then left the field retired hurt, but both retirements appeared to be precautionary.

Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen picked up three wickets apiece as New Zealand ended on 321-6.

In the chase, Quinton de Kock was the cornerstone of South Africa's innings and was involved in significant partnerships with Rassie van der Dussen (51) and Heinrich Klaasen (39).

With De Kock looking sharp and still batting on 84 not out when the match was interrupted, South Africa will likely feel aggrieved at the outcome. The Proteas face Sri Lanka in their World Cup opener on Saturday.

 

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ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Temba Bavuma factfile​

AFP
October 2, 2023

NEW DELHI: Factfile on South Africa captain Temba Bavuma ahead of the Cricket World Cup which gets underway in India on Thursday:

Patience and history-making seem to be two cornerstones of Bavuma’s career.

He made history when he became the first Black South African to score a Test hundred, against England in 2016. But he needed patience over the next seven years, two months and 88 innings as he waited for his second Test ton.

He needed patience with his ODI career as well. It started in 2016 with a century against Ireland but his second ODI came a year later in October 2017, when he scored 48.

He had to wait even longer, almost two and a half years, to play his third in February 2020 - he celebrated his recall with 98 against England. Bavuma then took over as ODI captain in March 2021.

At five foot three, he lacks the brute power of many ODI thrashers - but he has timing and technique.

A top order regular he opened against Australia in September and carried his bat for an unbeaten 114.

International ODI career

Matches: 30

Runs: 1,367

Highest score: 144

Average: 54.68

100s: 5

50s: 4

 

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5 batsmen to watch at the 2023 World Cup​

Reuters
October 3, 2023

Pictures via Reuters

As the Cricket World Cup 2023 kicks off later this week in India, the performance of batsmen on what are arguably batting-friendly pitches in the South Asian country will be a focal point during the tournament.

Here, we take a look at five top batsmen in the game to watch out for.

Ben Stokes (England)​

The talismanic all-rounder came out of ODI retirement in August and has already fired a warning to title rivals after smashing 182 runs — England’s highest individual score in the format — against New Zealand last month.

Stokes, the architect of England’s first World Cup triumph in 2019 and who starred in last year’s title run at the T20 World Cup, has operated as a specialist batter since his return.

Stokes’ ODI average of 40.50 is his highest in all three formats and his 96-plus strike rate makes him an explosive weapon in the middle order.

Shubman Gill (India)​

Gill has been in stellar form and moved up to a career-high world number two in the ODI rankings having scored 1,230 runs in 20 matches this year.

The 24-year-old was the leading scorer at the recent Asia Cup as India won their eighth title and his partnership with captain Rohit Sharma will again be crucial, with the World Cup hosts looking to repeat their 2011 success by lifting the trophy on home soil.

Gill is among the handful of batters with a century in each format of the international game, which includes a double hundred against New Zealand in an ODI earlier this year.

Babar Azam (Pakistan)​

Despite a lacklusture Asia Cup campaign, the top-ranked ODI batter remains a crucial anchor in Pakistan’s top order as they aim to bounce back from recent disappointments.

Fast bowler Naseem Shah’s absence due to injury could hamper Pakistan’s World Cup campaign but Babar’s brilliance with the bat means they are capable of posting imposing totals and remain a formidable team.

The graceful right-hander averages 58.16 in ODIs and has the ability to score freely despite not being a natural power-hitter.

Steve Smith (Australia)​

The 34-year-old was included in the World Cup squad despite still recovering from a wrist injury sustained during the Ashes. After scoring 41 and falling for a golden duck on his return to action in the first two ODIs against India, he hit 74 in the third as Australia snapped a five-match losing run.

With opener Travis Head’s injury adding to Australia’s long list of concerns before the tournament, a return to form for Smith would be key to their hopes of challenging for a sixth title.

Kane Williamson (New Zealand)​

The 33-year-old Black Caps skipper returned to action in this week’s World Cup warm-up games against Pakistan, having ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the Indian Premier League in March.

He will miss the opening game against England on Oct. 5 as he continues his recovery.

Williamson was named player of the tournament in 2019 after New Zealand’s agonising loss to England in the final and is set to feature at his fourth World Cup. Having scored more than 6,500 runs in the format, his return to the crease will be a huge boost.

 

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5 all-rounders to watch at the World Cup​

The all-rounders are part of various teams participating in the World Cup.

Reuters
October 3, 2023

The World Cup 2023 will feature several new batters and numerous bowlers across different teams, with the performance of all-rounders expected to be the highlight of the upcoming mega event set to commence later this week.

Here are the five promising all-rounders to keep an eye on at the World Cup:

Hardik Pandya (India)​

Pandya’s aggressive batting was forged in the heat of the Indian Premier League, with the 29-year-old leading the Gujarat Titans to a title and two straight finals.

Although a back injury has hampered his career, Pandya has become a consistent and reliable performer with both bat and ball, always maintaining a calm and assured presence out in the middle when tensions run high.

Primarily a middle order batter, Pandya can be promoted if India need to accelerate their innings or become the anchor in times of trouble. As a bowler, he is the man India turn to when they need some medium pace in the middle overs.

Mitchell Marsh (Australia)​

Marsh has become the first name on Australia’s team sheet after he became their de facto opener alongside David Warner following the injury to Travis Head.

The 31-year-old has averaged nearly 75 in five matches on Indian soil this year and was Australia’s lynchpin in the three-match series in March which the visitors won 2-1, claiming the player of the series award having scored 194 runs.

Evolving from a middle-order finisher to an explosive opener, Marsh can also be a handy bowler when called upon with 54 wickets in 79 ODIs.

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)​

Bangladesh’s elder statesman, 36-year-old Shakib is still going strong and sits top of the ICC rankings for all-rounders in ODIs as well as T20s.

Shakib has been leading they way for his side since making his World Cup debut in 2007. In the 2019 edition he set the record for most runs in the group stage (606 in eight games) while he also took 11 wickets.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)​

Rashid has become one of the sport’s biggest icons despite growing up in the war-torn country. Whether he is outfoxing batsmen with his ‘googly’ or going after the bowlers with a healthy strike rate lower down the order, Rashid always promises entertainment.

With 139 IPL wickets, which included 27 in the 2023 season, Rashid knows Indian conditions better than most. Once the record holder for the fastest to reach 100 ODI wickets, Rashid has 172 in 94 games with a healthy economy rate of just over four.

Chris Woakes (England)​

Woakes was not viewed as a key member of the Ashes squad when the series began earlier this year but by its end he had played three matches and was named England’s Player of the Series after helping the home side tie it at 2-2.

He underlined his importance with the white ball in the 2019 World Cup when he was England’s third-best wicket taker (16) and contributed 134 runs as England won the title.

With Jofra Archer sidelined, Woakes has been England’s go-to bowler with the new ball, with the 34-year-old still clocking over 140 km/hr.

 

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5 bowlers to watch at the 2023 World Cup​

The mega event begins from Oct 5 in India.

Reuter
October 3, 2023

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is slated to commence on October 5 in India, and bowlers will play a crucial role in each team’s strategy to counter the formidable batting lineups of their opponents.

Here, we’ll spotlight five bowlers to keep a close eye on during the mega event.

Mark Wood (England)​

Mark Wood. — AFP/File

Mark Wood’s lethal pace made him an integral part of England World Cup-winning side in 2019, taking 18 wickets in the tournament, but injuries have limited him to just eight ODI matches since 2020.

However, he has been in great touch in test cricket this year with 14 wickets in three matches and if he can translate that form into the 50-overs format he could once again prove to be a crucial asset for England.

Adam Zampa (Australia)​

This 2016 photo shows Adam Zampa. — AP/File

Adam Zampa will be the only specialist spinner in the Australia squad for the World Cup. He has taken 45 wickets in the 50-over format since the beginning of 2022, and played a key role for Australia in their ODI series victory over India in March.

While he equalled an unwanted record by bowling the joint-most expensive spell by an Australian in an ODI defeat to South Africa last month, the 31-year-old recovered well, picking up six wickets in his last three matches in the build-up to the World Cup.

Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)​

Shaheen Shah Afridi. — AFP/File

After aggravating a knee injury during last year’s Twenty20 World Cup final in Australia, Shaheen Afridi did not play white-ball cricket for Pakistan for several months, only returning to the squad in April.

Since his return, he has taken 24 wickets in 12 matches, including a devastating four-wicket haul in a Group A clash against India at the Asia Cup in which the 23-year-old dismissed both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Kuldeep Yadav (India)​

Kuldeep Yadav. — AFP/File

While India’s bowling attack has no shortage of weapons, Kuldeep Yadav could prove to be the difference for the hosts with the wristspinner having taken 33 wickets in the 50-overs format this year.

The 28-year-old’s miserly bowling can put heavy pressure on batters to score, allowing other bowlers to pick up wickets.

He was named Player of the Series at the Asia Cup, boasting an economy of 3.61 and an average of 11.44, even though four other bowlers took more wickets than his haul of nine for the tournament.

Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka)​

Matheesha Pathirana. — AFP/File

Matheesha Pathirana has enjoyed a breakout year since making his ODI debut for Sri Lanka in June, taking 15 wickets in 10 matches.

The 20-year-old, who has modelled his round-arm action on compatriot Lasith Malinga but with an even lower release point, took 11 wickets at the Asia Cup to top the charts for the tournament.

He is also accustomed to playing in India, taking 19 wickets for the Chennai Super Kings in their title-winning campaign in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL).

 

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LIVE
Warm-up (D/N), Hyderabad, October 03, 2023, ICC Cricket World Cup Warm-up Matches

Australia
351/7

Pakistan
(38/50 ov, T:352) 269/6

Pakistan need 83 runs in 72 balls.
Current RR: 7.07

• Required RR: 6.91

• Last 5 ov (RR): 37/1 (7.40)

 

[Raj-Hindustani]

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LIVE
Warm-up (D/N), Hyderabad, October 03, 2023, ICC Cricket World Cup Warm-up Matches

Australia
351/7

Pakistan
(38/50 ov, T:352) 269/6

Pakistan need 83 runs in 72 balls.
Current RR: 7.07

• Required RR: 6.91

• Last 5 ov (RR): 37/1 (7.40)

100 runs given by australia, just for fun by bowld by Smith, warner, etc...

And felt disaster for Pakistan, when a rested player - babar, needed to come for bat because top order failed.. 4 wickets, under 85 runs.... Almost one sided match..

Too bad performance by pakistani team.

 

[ghazi52]

100 runs given by australia, just for fun by bowld by Smith, warner, etc...

And felt disaster for Pakistan, when a rested player - babar, needed to come for bat because top order failed.. 4 wickets, under 85 runs.... Almost one sided match..

Too bad performance by pakistani team.

Your point ?????

 

[Raj-Hindustani]

Your point ?????

I meant, suddenly, the Pakistani team is looking in very bad shape, frankly.

Fakar has zero confidence.

Shaheen: usually overpitch the balls on the stump and hope for something from pitch—or some swing in air specifically in swing..... If there is no support from the pitch, get boundaries in the leg side.

With this team, I don't see Pakistan winning the World Cup.

 

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RESULT
Warm-up (D/N), Hyderabad, October 03, 2023,

Australia
351/7

Pakistan
(47.4/50 ov, T:352) 337

Australia won by 14 runs

 

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LIVE
1st Match (D/N), Ahmedabad, October 05, 2023,

England
282/9

New Zealand
(0.3/50 ov, T:283) 4/0

New Zealand need 279 runs from 49.3 overs.

Current RR: 8.00
• Required RR: 5.63

 

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Biryani on plate and boundary length on mind for Babar Azam​

Reuters
October 4, 2023

Pakistan’s Babar Azam during the captain’s day on Wednesday. — Reuters
The biryani in Hyderabad has lived up to Babar Azam’s expectations but the Pakistan captain is worried the contest between bat and ball at the 50-overs World Cup may not be as spicy because of short boundaries in most Indian venues.

Babar’s men were accorded a warm welcome in Hyderabad in what is their first tour of India since the T20 World Cup in 2016.

Thanks to a soured political relationship, bilateral cricket remains suspended between India and Pakistan, and the bitter neighbours play each other only in multi-team events.

Babar and his teammates were surprised by the support they received since landing in Hyderabad, where they played both their warm-up matches.

They will launch their bid for a second 50-overs World Cup title in the same southern Indian city against the Netherlands on Friday.

“I think the hospitality has been quite nice — we were not expecting this,” Babar said during his pre-tournament media interaction along with nine other captains on Wednesday.

“It’s been a week in Hyderabad, and it is not like we are in India. It is like we are at home.”

A Pakistan support staff member took to social media to praise Hyderabad’s famous biryani and, after one of the warm-up matches, all-rounder Shadab Khan quipped gorging regularly on biryani had rendered them slower on the field.

“We had heard a lot about Hyderabadi biryani and we loved it,” Babar, currently the top-ranked ODI batter, said in his appreciation of the popular dish.

He was less impressed by the short boundaries at some Indian venues though, which, he feared, might reduce bowlers to cannon fodder over the next six weeks.
“The boundaries are small. There is no margin for the bowlers,” he said.

“If the bowling is a little bit off, the batsman utilises it. So, there will be high scores.”
Babar’s concerns are understandable considering Pakistan’s bowling lost considerable sting after speedster Naseem Shah was ruled out of the World Cup with a shoulder injury.

Babar still had high expectations from his bowling unit led by left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi.

“It’s more or less the same team playing the last three years together, and I think bowling remains our strength,” added Babar.