The 2023 ODI World Cup ended three months ago, with Bangladesh suffering their worst outing in the event since 2003. It led to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) forming a three-member committee to assess the performances of the Tigers, but will the report see the light of the day?
There remains a heavy cloud cover but despite rain threats looming, the toss took place at the scheduled time.
It was never in doubt, and probably only a matter of when than if for star India batter Virat Kohli, who now occupies the highest pedal in ODI cricket.
India legend Sunil Gavaskar lashed out at critics who claimed that the pitch of the first World Cup semifinal between hosts India and New Zealand had been changed without the consent of the ICC and at the behest of the BCCI.
While South Africa insist they will not be burdened by scarring from their chequered record in World Cup knockout matches, Australia are counting on having experienced World Cup winners giving them a boost when the two old rivals face off in a much-anticipated semifinal in Kolkata on Thursday.
"A lot of people believe that this could be the year that we see ourselves in the final," Bavuma, who remains doubtful to play the semi-final due his hamstring injury, told reporters.
India, who Williamson described as a "blue machine", defeated his side by 70 runs in Mumbai on Wednesday to reach the World Cup final.
Shami all but ended the chase with two wickets in three balls during the 33rd over.
India’s Virat Kohli struck a record 50th hundred and fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s seven-wicket haul proved equally crucial as the unbeaten hosts overpowered New Zealand by 70 runs in a high-scoring match yesterday to march into the World Cup final.
"We saw something special today from Pakistan," said Williamson whose team have now lost four games in a row after starting the tournament with four wins.
The Bangladesh team has already resigned to its fate in the ongoing ODI World Cup..Almost nothing has gone right for the Tigers in the tournament and after suffering six comprehensive defeats on the trot, the players find themselves at the bottom of a pit of despair.
The stellar show boosted Australia's chances of making the semi-finals with their fifth straight victory.
Defeat to Australia leaves the defending champions at the bottom of the table, with two games still to play.
Pakistan endured a battering by New Zealand’s top-order before launching their own onslaught through centurion Fakhar Zaman to win a rain-hit World Cup game by 21 runs via the DLS method on Saturday and stay alive in the hunt for a semifinal spot.
Chasing 287 for victory in Ahmedabad, England folded for 253 in 48.1 overs after a valiant 64 from Ben Stokes.
The Proteas, with 12 points from seven games so far, join hosts India in booking a place in the last four.
Fakhar was the star of the show in the opening 20 overs of the innings, slamming nine sixes en-route to a century off just 63 balls.
Marnus Labuschagne top-scored with 71 after Australia were invited to bat first at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
The Afghans are currently fifth in the 10-team table with wins over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands.
