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.
The 25-year-old led the Tigers for the second time at the tournament as they bowed out with an eight-wicket defeat by already-qualified semi-finalists Australia in Pune on Saturday.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam blasted his critics on Friday, telling them "it's easy to give advice on TV" as he refused to surrender his World Cup dreams.
"If someone has to give me advice, everyone has my number. It is easy to give advice on TV. If you want to give me some advice, you can message me."
They head into the last-four with a record of seven victories in nine matches, having lost to India and, surprisingly, the Netherlands.
There was ample confusion and controversies even before Bangladesh boarded their India-bound flight for the ICC World Cup campaign and, as the Tigers prepare to face Australia today in Pune to conclude their disastrous show in the apex event, the scenario remains much the same.
Paceman Lockie Ferguson said New Zealand would head into a likely World Cup semifinal against India charged with confidence after snapping a four-match losing streak against Sri Lanka in their last round-robin clash on Thursday.
The dream of reaching the ICC World Cup semifinals has long been extinguished for Bangladesh but they still have a lot to play for.
South Africa saw off a spirited fightback from Afghanistan to win by five wickets in their final World Cup group game and consolidate second place in the standings.
South Africa beat Afghanistan by five wickets to win their last World Cup group game on Friday as the Asian side were eliminated from the semi-final race.
Afghanistan's outside hopes of making the World Cup semi-finals all but ended Friday after being bowled out for 244 against South Africa.
