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Skechers Enters the Cricket Arena: Comfort, Speed and Elite Performance

When you think of Skechers, comfort is usually the first thing that comes to mind - and for good reason. For over three decades, Skechers has built its reputation as The Comfort Technology Company®, creating footwear that blends innovation, support and everyday wearability. Now, that same comfort-first philosophy has made its way onto the cricket field with the launch of the Skechers Cricket Elite.

This marks a major step for a global brand that's no stranger to performance sport - but one that's now making serious waves in cricket.

A Global Brand Built on Innovation

Founded in 1992 in Southern California, Skechers has grown from a niche footwear company into one of the world's largest athletic and lifestyle brands, operating in over 180 countries. While many know Skechers for casual and walking shoes, the brand has quietly built deep expertise in performance footwear, covering sports such as running, football, golf and basketball.

The key difference? Skechers doesn't chase trends - it engineers comfort. Every performance category the brand enters is underpinned by research-led cushioning, biomechanical support and durability, designed to help athletes perform for longer with less fatigue.

Cricket, with its long spells, explosive movements and repeated impact, is a natural fit.

Why Cricket, and Why Now?

Skechers officially entered the cricket market in 2024-2025, launching its first cricket-specific footwear collections in India. Rather than adapting existing shoes, Skechers developed cricket footwear from the ground up - tailored to the unique demands of batting, bowling and fielding.

This wasn't a soft launch. It was a statement.

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The Technology Behind Skechers Cricket Shoes

The Skechers Cricket Elite combine several of the brand's most trusted performance technologies, specifically adapted for the pitch.

Key Performance Features

* ULTRA GO® Cushioning

A lightweight, responsive midsole that absorbs impact during long spells while maintaining energy return - ideal for fast bowlers and all-day fielders.

* Arch Fit® Insole System

Designed to provide structured arch support and reduce foot fatigue, especially important during extended matches and training sessions.

* Move Foam™ Comfort Layer

Adds plush underfoot comfort without unnecessary bulk, keeping the shoe agile and match-ready.

* Durable Performance Outsole with Metal Spikes

Built to deliver aggressive traction on grass wickets, helping players stay stable during powerful run-ups, pivots and sudden changes of direction.

The result is a cricket shoe that feels cushioned without being soft, supportive without being restrictive, and lightweight without sacrificing stability.

Trusted by the World's Best

Skechers didn't just design cricket shoes, it put them straight onto elite athletes' feet.

Jasprit Bumrah

One of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket, Jasprit Bumrah is a global Skechers cricket ambassador. Known for his explosive pace, precision and unconventional action, Bumrah's endorsement speaks volumes about the shoe's stability and impact protection under extreme forces.

Mohammed Siraj

Another elite Indian fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj, has also partnered with Skechers, reinforcing the brand's credibility among high-performance seamers who demand grip, comfort and consistency.

Mumbai Indians Partnership

Skechers has gone a step further by becoming the official kit partner of the Mumbai Indians, one of the most successful and recognisable franchises in world cricket. Both the men's and women's teams now feature Skechers across their kits, embedding the brand firmly within the elite cricket ecosystem.

Who Are the Skechers Cricket Elite For?

The Skechers Cricket Elite Shoes are designed for players who take their cricket seriously:

* Bowlers needing impact protection and grip

* Batters requiring stable footwork and comfort across long innings

* All-rounders and fielders covering big distances throughout the day

If you value comfort but refuse to compromise on performance, these shoes strike the perfect balance.

A New Standard of Comfort on the Pitch

Skechers' move into cricket is about raising expectations. By combining decades of comfort innovation with modern cricket performance demands, the Skechers Cricket Elite offer something genuinely different: elite-level footwear that feels as good in the final over as it did in the first.

For cricketers who spend hours on their feet and demand consistency from every step, Skechers' arrival on the pitch is one worth paying attention to.

Bazball meets its match as Head storms Perth Test

by Rex Clementine

England surrendered the urn in 2018 when Australia routed them 4-0 and since then they’ve huffed and puffed but never quite blown the house down. Twice they hosted five-match Ashes series, twice they scrapped to 2-2, and in between came another 4-0 hiding Down Under — a shellacking that ended the tenures of Ashley Giles, Chris Silverwood and Graham Thorpe.

This time, though, you felt England had packed all the right ammunition to storm the citadel. They were playing a brand of cricket that rattled cages from Lord’s to Lahore. A fearsome pace cartel, the kind you need to win in Australia; Joe Root, the world’s No.1 batter; Harry Brook, the world’s No.2 batter; and a lower order capable of throwing the kitchen sink with alarming effect. On paper, every box was ticked. Yet, as cricket so often reminds us, the devil is in the detail and England left a few stones unturned.

In sport, you occasionally encounter a force of nature — an Ian Botham or a Vivian Richards — whose sheer charisma tilts entire series. But mere bravado doesn’t win Test matches. Attention to detail does.Perth’s

Optus Stadium may lack the old WACA’s charm, windswept poetry, but it is a gleaming colossus — a 60,000-seat cathedral where the Fremantle Doctor whips across the turf, gifting fast bowlers the kind of carry they dream of. It is paradise for quicks. England brought five capable pacemen, yet their batters didn’t keep the game alive long enough for them to make an impact.

History had already whispered the warning. The last time Perth hosted a Test, India staged a comeback after being skittled for 150. They won by 300 runs mind you. The script here is well known: day one and the first half of day two are a minefield; only later does the pitch loosen its grip. Batters must knuckle down, leave well and bat time. England, instead, batted like they were chasing the lights on a T20 night.

At 65-1 with a lead of 105 and nine wickets in hand, they had one hand on the steering wheel — then promptly drove into a ditch. A flurry of extravagant drives handed Australia the momentum on a silver platter. The Aussies, as the cricketing world well knows, don’t need a second invitation to crash the party. It was sloppy stuff.

Then came the Travis Head masterclass. On a surface where every other batter looked like they were batting in a wind tunnel, Head strolled in as if this were a Sunday knock at the Junction Oval. Against Mark Wood and Jofra Archer, men who bowl thunderbolts, he simply bossed it.

With Usman Khawaja under the weather, someone had to open the batting. Head raised his hand. A good bloke, this Travis Head — he shielded Jake Weatherald from Archer’s first thunderbolt in the second innings with the debutant on a pair. Weatherald hadn’t had that luxury in the first dig, perishing for a second-ball duck.

Head, the man who broke 100,000 Indian hearts in Ahmedabad with that World Cup final epic, broke English hearts again. Tickets for day three were sold out with all 60,000 going well in advance. But there was no day three thanks to Travis Head. Cricket Australia’s refund policy means they will lose around 1 million Australian Dollars.

Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum could do nothing but tip their hats to the Australian maestro. His 69-ball hundred — now the second-fastest Ashes century — was the knockout punch.

Stokes and McCullum remain bullish, insisting England can still claw back the Ashes. But Bazball, that swashbuckling carnival of hitting, may need a rethink. It sparkles at home and dazzles in friendlier climes. But Australia is a different kettle of fish. Here, with boundary ropes pushed back beyond 80 metres, Bazball can quickly morph into Dumbball.

#ashes

Lord’s Test poised to be another blockbuster

By Rex Clementine

English summers and gripping Test matches go hand in hand. From the golden tales of 1948 when Sir Don Bradman’s ‘Invincibles’ went unbeaten, to the heroics of ‘Botham’s Ashes’ in 1981 and the 2005 Ashes that turned the tide for English cricket, the long-format drama has never failed to deliver on these shores.

This ongoing series between England and India is shaping up to be another classic in the making.

The seesaw battle has seen England draw first blood at Headingley, only for India to hit back in style at Edgbaston — a venue where they had never previously won a Test. And now, as the caravan moves to Lord’s, the stage is set for a showdown brimming with star power and high stakes.

Adding spice to the Lord’s encounter is the return of two express pacemen — Jofra Archer for England and Jasprit Bumrah for India. Archer hasn’t played a Test since February 2021, but raw pace like his can rattle even the most settled batters. While his Test numbers may not jump off the page, Archer brings an X-factor that England’s attack has sorely missed.

To make room, England have benched Josh Tongue — the series’ leading wicket-taker — not for lack of form but as part of a workload management plan. In another era, it would have been Chris Woakes making way, but such is modern cricket.

India, meanwhile, have kept their cards close to the chest. Bumrah’s inclusion seems a foregone conclusion, but who makes way remains a conundrum. Akash Deep had come in as a replacement, but it’s likely that Prasidh Krishna — despite his promising spells — will have to carry the drinks.

The Bazball era has turned Test cricket on its head — and not just in terms of batting philosophy. Traditionally, English wickets are a seamer’s delight, offering movement both through the air and off the pitch. But at both Headingley and Edgbaston, the surfaces were as flat as pancakes, tilting the balance in favour of the bat.

There are murmurs that the pitch might offer a bit of nip and bounce, which would be welcome news for England’s quicks — especially with Archer back in harness. How India’s batters, particularly their top order, cope with any lateral movement will be a key subplot.

Shubman Gill’s staggering 430-run haul in the second Test was the cornerstone of India’s win. Keep him quiet, and England could flip the script. You can be certain England’s think tank has done its homework, drawing up detailed blueprints to expose any chinks in his armour.

With hot, dry weather forecast in London, England have retained off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, banking on the pitch breaking up later in the match. The Lord’s surface does have a history of offering turn as the game progresses, especially under a baking sun. The MCC, in a nod to the unrelenting heat, has relaxed its strict dress code for members — jackets off, ties will do.

The spotlight will also be on the two wicketkeepers — England’s Jamie Smith and India’s Rishabh Pant. Neither is the safest pair of hands behind the stumps, but their batting prowess adds a dangerous dimension to their respective line-ups. They represent the new breed of glovemen, who can turn a game on its head with the bat — redefining the role in this format.

Pant’s counterpunching is already the stuff of legend, while Smith, the new kid on the block, is making a name for himself in England colours although he’s doesn’t keep wickets for his county Surrey.

With the series delicately poised at 1-1, and momentum swinging like a pendulum, the Lord’s Test promises edge-of-the-seat action. Expect fireworks, grit, and maybe even a twist in the tale on the final day.

All roads lead to the home of cricket, and if history is any guide, fans are in for a five-day feast.

From chokers to champions

by Rex Clementine

The movie Invictus captures how Nelson Mandela, fresh out of prison and newly sworn in as President of South Africa, rallied a divided nation behind the Springboks to lift the 1995 Rugby World Cup — toppling the mighty All Blacks, led by the unstoppable Jonah Lomu. But Mandela’s sporting influence didn’t stop there. You can bet your bottom Pound he lit a fire under the cricket team too. Yet, for all their stardust and steel, South Africa’s cricketing journey has often been a tale of promise unfulfilled.

For decades, their Achilles’ heel has been their struggle to hold nerve under pressure. Time and again, they’d be in the driver’s seat only to take their foot off the pedal and crash into heartbreak. The most recent example? The T20 World Cup final last year in Barbados. Needing just 30 runs off 30 deliveries with six wickets in hand — and two of the cleanest hitters at the crease — they somehow managed to lose. It was a classic case of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

That was their first ever ICC World Cup final. In 18 previous campaigns — across 50-over and T20 editions — South Africa often started as front-runners, only to trip over their own shoelaces in the knockout stages. And not every collapse was due to pressure. At times, it was plain arrogance. Cast your mind back to the 1996 World Cup. Allan Donald — their premier paceman — was rested for the quarter-final against West Indies, nursing what insiders called a minor niggle. The thinking was to keep him fresh for the semi-final. Problem was, they hadn’t beaten the West Indies yet. But Brian Charles Lara had other ideas. He carved up their bowling like a Sunday roast, and South Africa were on the first plane home.

Fast forward to this Saturday. As South African fans hopped off the Jubilee Line at St. John’s Wood and streamed into Lord’s, many dared not dream. Chasing 69 runs against Australia — the perennial World Cup prizefighters — was no cakewalk. The Aussies had made winning trophies a habit. The scars of past World Cups still lingered for Proteas supporters and hope was tempered with caution.

But this isn’t the South Africa of yesteryear. This side knows its strengths, owns its flaws and backs itself to the hilt. The quiet architect of this transformation? Temba Bavuma. Small in stature but big on substance, he’s the kind of practical, no-nonsense leader South African cricket had long cried out for. Under his stewardship, this team has shed the baggage of the past and begun to write its own script.

And how clinical was that run chase. Cool, composed, and calculated. Aiden Markram — the first South African captain to win a World Cup (at under-19 level) — steered the ship with icy calm. He didn’t stay to hit the winning runs, falling to the second new ball, but by then, the game had been put to bed.

The batters did their bit, but the architects of this victory were the quicks — South Africa’s seam trio bowled like a dream. Kagiso Rabada turned up the heat with sizzling spells, picking up nine wickets in the match and reminding the world why he’s still the crown jewel in their pace attack. Marco Jansen, all awkward angles and steep bounce, kept the Aussies hopping and chipped in with key wickets. The pair barely smile, rarely celebrate, but like Donald and Ntini of old, they’re becoming a lethal double act.

Then there was Lungi Ngidi. He had a quiet first innings, but when it mattered most, he turned the screws. That delivery to dismiss Steve Smith, nipping in and wrapping on the pads, was pure poetry in motion.

Make no mistake — something special is brewing. For years, the Big Three — Australia, England, and India — dominated the Test arena. But South Africa have thrown their hat into the ring, and it’s not just for show. With Australia and England both set to tour the Rainbow Nation in the next WTC cycle, and a spicy away series in India on the horizon, the stage is set for a riveting contest.

Cricket is a funny game, that’s what WTC final taught us

By Rex Clementine

There were so many talking points on the World Test Championship final, or the Ultimate Test as the ICC would like to call it. There was Travis Head announcing himself as the next great Australian batter. There was confusion on leaving Ravichandran Ashwin out. There was controversy about the catch that dismissed Shubman Gill. But above all, what the final taught us is that cricket is a funny game.

A funny game because Scott Boland wouldn’t have played the match if Josh Hazlewood had been fit. Then he turns out to be a match winner inflicting some crucial blows every time India appeared to be lifting their head up at The Oval.

Boland has got pace. So many bowlers have got pace. But the special thing about the Victorian is that he is so accurate, time and again bowling probing lines asking some tough questions. His consistency wins as batsmen lose patience. Test match cricket is a great test for the character of a player.

The Aussies were in a spot of bother having lost three wickets for 76 runs after India opted to bowl. Then followed the 285-run stand between Head and Steven Smith and that turned the game on its head.

Again, India made some blunders. Some costly ones. They opted for a four-man seam attack. Shami, Siraj, Umesh and Shardul are a decent attack but by no means they are Roberts, Holding, Marshall and Garner. Which is why cold-shouldering Ashwin was a shocker. Afterall, he is Test cricket’s number one ranked bowler. Hence, the final was like Britian celebrating victory in World War II without ever mentioning Winston Churchill.

There’s isn’t a better batting unit in the world than Rohit, Gill, Pujara, Kohli and Rahane. They have been to all parts of the world and done the job. But to succeed in England, you should be geared up to take on the conditions.

Playing the WTC final less than ten days after the IPL final was no brainer and didn’t give India enough time to prepare for the challenge. Ideally, India should have played two First Class games before the final. Some of them barely arrived in London a week before the game.

The next WTC final will also be in England. It’s time for India to think of their priorities.

Australia clearly were the better team. Their batters fired, bowling was menacing and catching was spectacular. Their form is a worrying sign for England before the Ashes.

IPL 2025: New kings, young guns and fading giants

by Rex Clementine

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League was, as ever, a heady cocktail of glitz, glamour and gasp-inducing cricket. With last-ball thrillers keeping hearts racing and new heroes stepping into the spotlight, the tournament once again proved why it is the crown jewel of franchise cricket. But the 2025 edition also broke new ground – quite literally.

The auction, in a twist straight out of a movie script, was held in Saudi Arabia – an uncharted frontier for cricket and its commerce. There, Rishabh Pant shattered records, becoming the most expensive player in IPL history, fetching a staggering US$3.2 million. The IPL is no longer just cricket – it’s a juggernaut of entertainment and economy. Broadcasters now reportedly shell out US$60,000 for every single ball bowled. Yes, each delivery is worth more than a luxury car.

For years, three franchises – Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders – have hogged the silverware. But 2025 flipped the script. Royal Challengers Bangalore – eternally the bridesmaids – finally tied the knot with destiny. After 18 seasons of near misses, heartbreaks and false dawns, they got their hands on the elusive trophy.

It wasn’t a galaxy of stars that delivered the goods – it was a collective effort anchored by their ever-loyal statesman, Virat Kohli. He batted like a man possessed, choosing timing over power, finding gaps rather than clearing fences. Eight half-centuries in 15 innings – he turned accumulation into art and gave RCB the consistency they’d so often lacked.

The tournament wasn’t without its blemishes. Political tensions between India and Pakistan led to scheduling delays and the withdrawal of several overseas players, robbing the league of some marquee clashes. Yet, as the business end approached, the IPL found its usual mojo – nail-biters, towering sixes and pulsating finishes.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, one of the best-balanced sides on paper, turned out to be hot-and-cold customers. They smashed the three highest team totals of the season but couldn’t find consistency, ultimately finishing sixth. When the pitch suited them, they were bulldozers. But when asked to adapt, they crumbled like a cookie in hot tea.

Then came the fairytale story of the season – Vaibhav Suryavanshi. At just 13, the boy-wonder bagged a USD 125,000 contract with Rajasthan Royals. At 14, he made his IPL debut, launching the first ball he faced into the stands. A few innings later, he notched up a hundred off just 35 balls – the second-fastest in IPL history. It’s not every day that a schoolboy walks into a grown man’s league and starts rewriting the record books. But Suryavanshi is no ordinary lad – he’s the new poster boy of prodigy.

While Suryavanshi was lighting up the tournament, a legend was dimming. M.S. Dhoni, the ice-cool finisher, looked a pale shadow of his vintage self. His once Midas touch deserted him and CSK, the masters of fine-tuning and tactical nous, had a forgettable campaign – losing 10 out of 14 games and finishing dead last. For a franchise known to sweat the small stuff, this was a shocker of a season.

Bumrah turns epic India – Pakistan clash on its head

Rex Clementine in New York

Due to political tensions between the countries, India – Pakistan encounters are few and rare these days. There’s no bilateral cricket at all and only time they meet is during Asia Cups or World Cups. When they do meet, the cricketing word’s eyes are firmly on the game. Television revenue pours into the game and organizers make a killing. Seats are sold out well in advance and it’s a superb atmosphere all in all.

Sunday’s T-20 World Cup game in New York was witnessed by 34,028 fans. Not bad for a country staging its first major cricket event. Indian and Pakistani expatriates living all over US flooded into New York. The city was quite busy and hotel rooms were being sold at premium prices.

Fans lined up at the stadium several hours before the game and they were in for a treat. Although the start was delayed due to rain, it cleared after a while and a full game was witnessed.

Naseem Shah was terrific with his three-wicket spell breaking the backbone of the Indian line-up. Pakistan’s seamers Haris Rauf, Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi did a terrific job that the leg-spin of Shadab Khan wasn’t even required. When India were bowled out for 119 in 19 overs, this looked to be Pakistan’s game.

At 73 for two in the 14th over, they were well placed to knock off the target. It needed some sensible batting, but Pakistan didn’t handle the pressure well and Jasprit Bumrah bowled some unplayable deliveries to nail their fate.

Muhammad Rizwan was the set batsman and he had to see his team through. Bumrah was brought in to unsettle the run chase and Rizwan threw away his wicket. Bumrah is the bowler that Pakistan had to see off but Rizwan tried to swing him to the midwicket first ball and was cleaned up.

From thereon, Bumrah seized the moment. Rohit Sharma sensibly kept his premier bowler to the end without exhausting his overs. Pakistan could still do it needing 21 runs in the last two overs. Bumrah bowling the penultimate over sealed the deal for India as he gave away just three runs and dismissed Iftikhar Ahmed.

Now qualification for Pakistan looks impossible. They had lost their opening game to USA and needed to beat India to stay alive. If USA beat Ireland, they will be going through to the Caribbean and not Pakistan.

Australia cruise past England with comfortable win

by Rex Clementine

Australia are certain of going through to the second round of the T-20 World Cup following their comfortable 36 run win over England in Barbados on Saturday.

It was a clinical performance by the Aussies. No batter scored a half-century, but all top five chipped in and as a result Australia were able to breach the 200 mark.

There were a few questions asked with England’s bowling with Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood all going over ten runs an over.

Bowling had let down England as chasing 202 proved to be a gigantic task.

Jos Buttler and Phil Salt laid the foundation with 73 runs being added in 7.1 overs. England were on par with the asking rate and looked good to chase down the target.

However, introduction of spin put breaks into their innings. Zampa dismissed both Buttler and Salt in successive overs and the game started drifting away with the new batters struggling to find their feet as soon as they walked in.

Moeen Ali hit three sixes and England had their hopes again, but the asking rate was too much and he had to keep taking chances.

England’s first game against Scotland was washed out by rain and points were shared. Now they have surrendered to Australia. But all hope is not for England. Their next two games are against Oman and Namibia and they should go through.

All England games are in the Caribbean island and they don’t have to bother about countering tricky pitches in the US.

Miller show takes South Africa to second round

by Rex Clementine

On bad wickets, the weaker team will always fancy their chances. The New York track is giving some teams headaches. Those teams are the stronger teams in the competition. In Dallas, we saw USA overcoming former champions Pakistan and Afghanistan beating pre-tournament favourites New Zealand in the Caribbean. Netherlands nearly stunned South Africa on Saturday in New York.

People tend to love high scoring games when it comes to T-20 cricket. But these low scoring matches are thrillers indeed.

Netherlands only made 103 batting first. You would have expected South Africa to cruise past that total and boost their Net Run Rate further. But this was some struggle.

Inside the Power Play they lost four wickets for just 12 runs. It was game on.

Tristan Stubbs reminds you of A.B. de Villiers all the time. He can go crazy clearing any boundary with little trouble. But this was more of a grind. He made 33 in 37 balls to steady the innings. The partnership with David Miller brought about sanity to South Africa’s innings.

There’s a reason why David Miller is nicknamed Killer Miller. He can tear apart even the best of attacks. Some say that he’s batting too low. But he’s there for one reason. When a rescue act is needed, he’s the man for it. Bit of Michael Bevan caliber. He showcased that on Saturday smashing 59 in 51 balls hitting four sixes.

South Africa will be glad that they held their own when tested. Tougher challenges are ahead in the second round. When you talk of their bowling, often you discuss Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje or Marco Jansen. But watch out for this Ottneil Baartman. He doesn’t generate genuine pace like others, but he’s on the money with his line and length. He’s kind of ideal for the demands of T-20 cricket.

As for the Dutch, they are not done yet. With both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka struggling, it is they who could be going through to the second round. They’ve got two exciting games coming up in the Caribbean.

Two former world champions clash in Caribbean cricket capital

by Rex Clementine

England won the last T-20 World Cup while Australia won the one before and both former champions will be involved in an epic clash in Barbados on Sunday.

Barbados is the home for some of the finest West Indian cricket talents. Barbados’ population is less than 300,000 but look at the cricket greats this tiny island has produced. Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Clyde Walcott, Sir Everton Weeks, Sir Garfield Sobers, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Malcolm Marshall and Joel Garner, to name a few, all came from Barbados.

Both sides are equally matched. More importantly both sides have a point to prove so they will be at the top of their game.

Australia for example were favourites in the 2022 edition. They were in fact defending champions. At home, they were expected to go all the way. But they did not even make it beyond the second round. The least you would have expected is for them to make it to the semis.

England on the other hand entered last year’s 50 over World Cup as defending champions but they were so pathetic that they ended up seventh in a ten-nation tournament.

There was no knee jerk reaction from either side and both have retained most of their players who took part in that competition.

The pressure is of course on England because their game against Scotland was rained off and they had to share points.

Both teams, however, are expected to go through to the second round as Oman, Namibia and Scotland are the other teams in the group.

Afghans stun New Zealand in Guyana

by Rex Clementine

Afghanistan beating one of the leading cricket playing nations is no more a shock or a surprise. They did so well during the last year’s World Cup in India and they are doing it again in this T-20 World Cup. It was New Zealand’s turn to surrender at their hands this time as they crashed to a heavy 84 run win. Wonder who’s next in their hit list.

A win next week over Papua New Guinea is enough for Afghanistan to go to the second round as they have a very healthy Net Run Rate of 5:22. That means hosts West Indies and New Zealand will battle it out for the remaining spot.

Spin used to be Afghanistan’s strength but nowadays their pace is doing the job as well.

Left-arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi ripped through the New Zealand top order before Rashid Khan spun his magic. Both bowlers finished with four wickets apiece as Afghanistan shot out New Zealand for 75 inside 16 overs.

Afghanistan under former England batter Jonathan Trott have got the perfect blueprint for T-20 cricket. They only managed 55 runs in the first ten overs. Their batters didn’t get rattled trying to score quick runs. They knew acceleration can happen in the death overs as long as they had wickets in hand. That’s exactly what they did as 109 runs came in the last ten overs.

Opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz batted through the innings before being dismissed in the last over to post 80 while adding 103 runs for the first wicket with Ibrahim Zadran (44).

Azmatullah Omarzai chipped in with 22 runs in 13 balls, The rest of the batters sacrificed their wickets unselfishly going for big hits as Afghanistan tried to get the maximum. With that kind of team effort Afghanistan can go a long way in the tournament.

New Zealand batting was in such a disarray that only two of their batters got double figures. It’s their fourth lowest total in T-20 Internationals.

Sri Lanka lose to Bangladesh, face elimination from World Cup

by Rex Clementine

Sri Lanka’s T-20 World Cup campaign is almost over following their two-wicket loss to Bangladesh in Dallas on Saturday. The former champions have now lost both their games in the group stage and face elimination from the 20-nation tournament.

Wanindu Hasaranga’s side still have an outside chance to go through provided results of other teams go in their favour but nothing is left in their hands now as Bangladesh along with South Africa are expected to go through.

Batting had been sloppy in their opening game against South Africa and although they got a good start against Bangladesh, the middle order failed to capitalize.

After Pathum Nissanka posted a blistering 47 from 28 balls and at 100 for three with six overs remaining, they were looking good to get 160. But poor batting saw them managing only 24 runs in the last six overs, in which stage they lost six wickets.

It was leg-spinner Rishad Hossain who helped Bangladesh pull things back with two wickets in two deliveries. Sri Lanka failed to get the scoreboard ticking from thereon and a target of 125 was well below par.

Bowlers did a stellar job despite sending down 12 wides but they had too little do defend.

Nuwan Thushara was the pick of the bowlers claiming four wickets for 18 runs. Heading into the last two overs, Sri Lanka needed two wickets and had 12 runs to defend.

Dasun Shanaka was called up to bowl the penultimate over and he served a full toss which was duly dispatched by Mohammad Mahmudullah for six. The middle order batter ensured that Bangladesh got home with an over to spare.

Bangladesh had a shaky start losing three wickets for 28 runs inside the Power Play, but Towhid Hridoy hit three consecutive sixes off Wanindu Hasaranga to help his side recover.

Hasaranga went past Lasith Malinga’s tally of 107 wickets to become the highest wicket taker for Sri Lanka in T-20 Internationals but that was little consolation for the captain or the team.

New Zealand favourites but Afghanistan could create upset

by Rex Clementine

Afghanistan are the most improved team in cricket. In ICC events in recent years, they have not only come up with some giant killing performances, but they have nearly made it to the knock-out stages as well.

During last year’s 50 over World Cup, they nearly staged an upset over eventual champions before Glenn Maxwell rescued the Aussies snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. It is in T-20 cricket that Afghanistan are even more deadly and this could be their time to make an impact in the world stage.

Afghanistan have always had good spin bowlers. Their spin provides variety as well with Rashid Khan (leg-spin), Noor Amad (chinaman) and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman (off-spin) capable of containing sides.

It is their left-arm quicks – Fareed Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi who are exciting to watch.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is just 22 but he’s got much experience at his hand as he’s highly sought after in franchise cricket. Ibrahim Zadran has been a sensation in ODI cricket and it’s only time before he makes an impact in T-20s.

They have got some world class all-rounders as well. Mohamad Nabi has been around for a while but it is young Azmatullah Omarzai, who is the man to watch. He bowls at a decent pace and is capable of power hitting. He is another Jacques Kallis in the making.

New Zealand have been very consistent in ICC events regularly making it to the semis. Silverware for the Kiwis have been few and rare but they will fancy their chances. First up, they’ve got to qualify for the second round and early points are vital.

Kane Williamson has been a fabulous leader of his country and he is one of the top-notch batters in the world.

South African born wicketkeeper Devon Conway has been an impact player and so is Finn Allen.

No body has the all-round options that New Zealand have and that’s why they are such a good unit in T-20 cricket. James Neesham, Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra are all match winners.

New Zealand’s strongest discipline is their fast bowling. Trent Boult and Tim Southee have been there for a while and provide experience while Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry with their pace make the Kiwis a strong outfit.

A mouthwatering contest is on the cards on Friday.

Under pressure Sri Lanka look to lift their game

Rex Clementine in Dallas

After their disappointing show in the opening encounter in New York against South Africa, Sri Lanka are under tremendous pressure to lift the game in their second encounter of the World Cup against Bangladesh on Friday.

Sri Lanka crashed to a heavy defeat in their first game after being bowled out for their lowest total in T-20 Internationals, but they are too good a team to make a first-round exit.

Batting hasn’t clicked as a unit and Sri Lanka will be hoping that they bring up their best game in the must win clash.

The former champions aren’t expected to make too many changes for the game, at least in the bowling front. They opted to play Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara against South Africa, and they are expected to bank on the two slingy bowlers.

Thushara had claimed a hat-trick the last time he played Bangladesh and that will be back in the minds of Bangladesh batters. That means, the more experienced Dushmantha Chameera sits out from the game.

One change Sri Lanka could do is to bring in middle order batter Dhananjaya de Silva in place of Sadeera Samarawickrama, who has struggled during the warm-up games before falling for a duck against South Africa.

Sri Lanka have won 11 of the 15 T-20 Internationals against Bangladesh including two games in T-20 World Cups (2007 and 2021). They also beat them in the recent bilateral series in Bangladesh.

However, Bangladesh are a team on the rise. Their quicks – Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam are terrific with the new ball. The team’s batting revolves around captain Najmul Shanto while all-rounder Shakib-al-Hasan is a seasoned campaigner.

Young players like Jakar Ali and Rishad Hossain have come up with several match winning efforts. Although Sri Lanka have a slight advantage, Bangladesh can certainly pull this off and earn a place in the second round.

It has been hot and humid in Dallas and which means in a day-night fixture the toss could be vital.

USA stun Pakistan in World Cup thriller

by Rex Clementine in Dallas

Hosts United States created one of the biggest upsets in the World Cup when they beat former champions Pakistan in a Super Over thriller here in Dallas on Thursday.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s bowling choices were puzzling. He had exhausted the overs of his two premier bowlers – Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah and had to fall back on Harris Rauf with fifteen runs needed in the last over.

Rauf was on the money in the first three balls but ended up serving a full toss in the fourth ball and that was duly dispatched for a six. With four runs needed to tie the game off the last ball, Rauf again sent down a full toss and that was cleared over the man at mid-off to send the game to a Super Over.

In the Super Over, again, Babar overlooked Afridi and Naseem and brought on Mohammad Amir and he failed to live up to expectations sending down three wides.

Pakistan were left with 19 runs needed to win the game in the Super Over but managed only 14 runs and went down stunning their fans to silence.

This is a major upset in T-20 World Cups and Pakistan will be under pressure leading into the epic encounter against arch-rivals India on Sunday.

Pakistan have made things tough for them now as even if they beat India, the run rate will come into the equation if USA beat Ireland.

Bombay born Saurabh Netravalkar was the hero for Pakistan finishing with two for 18 in his four overs. He also kept his nerve to help USA win bowling the Super Over.

It was captain Monak Patel, who steadied the USA innings with a half-century, The Gujarat born opener scored 50 off 38 balls with seven fours and one six.

Starc a concern in Australia’s T-20 World Cup campaign

by Rex Clementine

There’s much to like about Australian cricket. Steve Smith would walk into most international sides without any trouble, but the Australian selectors have left him out of the T-20 side believing that his best days in the shortest format of the game are over. Pat Cummins just won you a World Cup but six months later he is made to step aside from captaincy duties in the T-20 format as the role is handed to Mitchell Marsh.

Cummins wasn’t even in the playing eleven for Australia’s first game against Oman in Barbados. Instead, he was happy to carry water for his mates.

Australia secured a comfortable 39 run win, but there were concerns when Mitchell Starc walked off the field. His first delivery of the fourth over was a wide and then the left-arm quick hobbled off. It could be just cramps and the Aussies would be hoping that it’s nothing more serious.

Starc is extremely vital for Australia having done so well in the IPL last month.

David Warner played bit of an anchor role compiling 56 in 51 balls. It was Marcus Stoinis who provided impetus to the Australian innings smashing 67 from 36 balls. The all-rounder hit six sixes.

Australia would have wanted more than 165 for five that they eventually got. But Oman did well to hold things back. Their batters were not up there to handle the challenges posed by Australia’s quicks.

Stoinis was again the star picking up three wickets.

India cruise pass Ireland as Pant returns

by Rex Clementine

India were clinical in their opening encounter of the T-20 World Cup in New York cruising past Ireland with an eight wicket win with more than seven overs to spare. It’s a good warm-up for one of the pre-tournament favorites before the epic clash against arch-rivals Pakistan later this week.

As for Ireland, they did not have the strength to test one of the strongest sides in the competition. Nevertheless, the experience of playing against big boys would have stood in good stead for them.

One of the highlights during the game was the return of Rishabh Pant in India colors again. The hard-hitting wicketkeeper batsman capable of changing the course of a game within a couple of overs was involved in a nasty motor accident two years ago. After several surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, he had featured in domestic cricket and this was his first international game.

India have been presented with a comfortable schedule for the tournament. They have been based in New York and played their warm-up game against Bangladesh there while three of their four first round games will be played in New York.

Jasprit Bumrah was unplayable as his three overs cost just six runs. While Bumrah will be always tough to play, India coach Rahul Dravid will take heart with the fact that his other bowlers were firing on all cylinders. Dravid is in his last series as India Coach.

Hardik Pandya finished with three wickets while Arshdeep Singh shared the new ball and claimed two wickets.

The Irish folded away inside 16 overs which meant that the spin options of Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja were required for only one over each.

Rohit Sharma has had several opening partners during his career and for this tournament he is having a new partner in Virat Kohli. The former captain was dismissed in the fifth ball, but there was no stopping Rohit.

Rohit smashed 57 off 37 balls with four fours and three sixes before retiring.

Pant was at number three and finished on 36 not out off 26 balls.

With this kind of explosive batting power with the likes of Rohit, Kohli and Pant, a strong middle order comprising Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube followed by more fire power comprising Pandya, Jadeja and Axar Patel, India have one of the strongest sides in the competition. It will be no surprise if they go all the way. Fielding is their only drawback.

India have been a spectacular failure in ICC events having not won a tournament since 2011. They will be trying to change that during this competition.

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