India and Pakistan are celebrating series victories ahead of the T20 World Cup, beating New Zealand and Australia respectively before February’s big event in the subcontinent.
India finished their five-match contest at home to the Black Caps with a 46-run win in a run-fest at Thiruvananthapuram to triumph 4-1, with Ishan Kishan plundering 103 from 43 balls – including 10 sixes – in the hosts’ mammoth 271-5.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav cracked 63 off 30 balls, Hardik Pandya 42 off 17 and Abhishek Sharma 30 off 16 before New Zealand – whose sole win in the series came in match four at Visakhapatnam – replied with 225 all out in 19.4 overs, a total underpinned by Finn Allen’s 80 from 38 deliveries.
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Former England captain Eoin Morgan looks at the top contenders for the T20 World Cup, with India strong favourites
India, co-hosts of the T20 World Cup, alongside Sri Lanka, have been grouped with Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands and USA in round one of a tournament that runs from February 7 to March 8 and is live in full on Sky Sports.
New Zealand’s pool also features South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada and UAE.
Pakistan beat Australia – but will they play at T20 World Cup?
Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed took three wickets in the 90-run thumping of Australia in Lahore
Pakistan have yet to confirm if they will participate in the World Cup, with the side considering pulling out after Bangladesh were removed from the tournament for refusing to play their matches in India due to political tensions.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said last week a final decision would be made after consultation with the government.
Pakistan beat Australia by 90 runs in Lahore on Saturday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, posting 198-5 thanks to captain Salman Ali Agha (75 off 40) and Usman Khan (53 off 36) and then rolling their opponents for 108 in 15.4 overs as spinners Abrar Ahmed (3-14) and Shadab Khan (3-26) shared six wickets.
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Steve Smith struck a 41-ball hundred for Sydney Sixers in the BBL – but has been overlooked by Australia for the T20 World Cup
Australia had confirmed their T20 World Cup squad earlier in the day, with Pat Cummins ruled out due to a back injury – the fast bowler has been replaced by Ben Dwarshuis after being named in an initial party – and Steve Smith overlooked once again.
Smith would have been hoping to earn a late call-up after cracking a century and two fifties for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League once he returned from Ashes duty, but the only alteration to the squad batting-wise is Matt Renshaw coming in for Matthew Short.
Australia are in T20 World Cup Group B, with Ireland, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Oman.
Ireland have warmed up for the competition with a T20 series win over UAE in Dubai.
Watch the Men’s T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports from February 7 to March 8. Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free with NOW.
