Sri Lanka have been hit hard by injuries to key players in the run up to the ongoing Asia Cup.
They may be facing tremendous pressure to deliver at home, but India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes his team is not weighed down by the tag of 'favourites' for the upcoming World Cup.
Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik feels the underdogs tag would help them do well in the ICC World T20, like it did when they ended up winning the 1992 World Cup and 2009 World T20. "It's good that we're underdogs and that gives you a lot of confidence at the same time. We are here to do well," Malik said at the open media session in Kolkata on Sunday. Drawing parallel with Imran Khan-led team's World Cup winning moment in Australia, the senior Pakistani cricketer said: "Let's talk about 1992 World Cup first. "People were not expecting us to do well and win it but we won that. Same thing happened in 2007 World T20 when we did well before losing to India in the final. In 2009, we were not that big as a team but still we won. The same is the case going into this edition."
Fine knocks by Brandon McMullen and George Munsey powered Scotland to formidable total in their T20 World Cup Group B match against and Australia in St. Lucia on Sunday.
IMAGES from the T20 World Cup match played between South Africa and Nepal in Kingstown, St. Vincent, on Saturday.
De Leede ripped through the Pakistan line-up taking 4-62 and Colin Ackerman claimed 2-39 after the Netherlands won the toss and decided to bowl, but Rizwan (68) and Shakeel (68) ensured the Asian side made 286 in 49 overs.
Argentina and Australia have only two full days to rest, a factor Argentine manager Lionel Scaloni called 'madness'.
'...we got it from the West Indies dressing room!'
Bangladesh have beaten India three times in the last four ODIs -- twice in a bilateral series in December 2022 and then in the Asia Cup.
Shanaka added that they would need to replicate their Super 4 performance against India if they wanted to have a chance of winning the Asia Cup.
The dancing Morocco fans outnumbered the Belgians.
Morocco have been willed on by some of the most impassioned fans at the tournament who arrived at the Education City stadium with their ear-splitting volume turned up high even before kickoff.
Williamson, who returned from knee surgery for the World Cup and recovered from a fractured finger during it, missed the loss to India but is expecting a similarly tough test from the hosts who went unbeaten in the group stage.
Daniil Medvedev destroyed his racket and a net camera in a mid-match meltdown as he survived a huge scare against Thai wildcard Kasidit Samrej.
A summary of Saturday's action in the FIFA women's World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Qatar no playground for playmakers as defenders clamp down
South Africa are on a four-match winning streak as they face Rohit Sharma's unbeaten side in a top-of-the-table clash at the Eden Gardens
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni was left to rue a profligate forward line as the Blue Samurai blew a chance to become the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.
Croatia and Morocco will face off in Qatar for a second time after playing out a 0-0 draw in their group opener
'It's very heartening because it's a kind of underdog story and you know, we're not a big film, we're not with big people, we have not been able to plaster ourselves all over the place to make ourselves be seen and watched.' 'But still, we have managed to somehow get here.'
Morocco will no doubt revel in another opportunity to thrive as underdogs
What has made Deschamps successful in tournaments, especially at the World Cup since 2018, is not sticking to a particular identity or philosophy which is often the defining feature of big teams.
Here is a quick guide to the eight games which get underway on Saturday.
In the 21 editions of the World Cup over 92 years featuring 79 nations, there have still been only eight winners and only 13 have made it to the final. Spain were the last to join the elite group of champions in 2010 after France in 1998 and Argentina in 1978.
Winning the country's first ever bronze medal at the Tent Pegging World Cup in South Africa was a historic feat for the Indian riders, but instead of rejoicing the podium finish, the equestrians were struggling to hold their tears.
'I will tell the players to enjoy themselves, as millions in Morocco will be watching'
'I would say you have to give six months to a year to give the athletes to kind of even register that person is going (to the Olympics). People are struggling to find their kit. So, things could have been better.'
Shakib Al Hasan hailed India as favourites and mentioned that his team would try to create an upset
South Africa had been to five previous World Cup semi-finals across all formats without success, but now stand on the brink of a career-defining moment for what is largely a young group of players.
France's hopes of a winning start to their Women's World Cup campaign were thwarted by a hardworking Jamaican side in a 0-0 draw in the opening Group F clash at Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
With the World Cup trophy being the missing feather in Sachin Tendulkar's dazzling cap, left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha hopes that tournament favourites India win it this time as a special tribute to the milestone man.
Germany expects 2.7 million people to attend matches in stadiums across the country and some 12 million in its fan zones for outdoor viewing, including on a long stretch of turf laid out in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
Although they won their first round group, there was little evidence to back up their self-confidence as they stuttered through
Purists may hope for a better balance between bat and ball compared to previous slugfests, and the big grounds and long boundaries may offer some relief for bowlers while putting a premium on fielding.
Thousands of fans from both countries have crisscrossed the globe to watch their team in action and trust rival captains Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam to tell you this is another 'match' for them, but all the 22 players and reserves know that this is 'The Match'.
Thomas Cup final: India vs Indonesia
Spain secured their place in the Davis Cup's elite World Group when Rafael Nadal teamed up with Marc Lopez to beat Sergiy Stakhovsky and Denis Molchanov of Ukraine 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 in their playoff on Saturday.
"If I wasn't in Holland, I don't think I would have had that background that really helped shape my ideas."
Nagal's court coverage and solid defence in long drawn points was the highlight of his win.
Nagelsmann's successor Tuchel, who had been a long-time Bayern target since their first attempt to sign him in 2018, has penned a deal to 2025, Bayern said.
