Afridi said that Babar missed out on a chance to do the honourable thing when the selectors approached him to return as the white-ball captain ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Hazratullah, who has played 43 T20Is, was named as a replacement after Mujeeb was ruled out due to an injury to his right index finger.

England can’t afford to drop any points against Namibia in their final Group B game of the ongoing T20 World Cup on Saturday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua if they are to keep themselves alive in the Super 8 race.

It was a cruel way to finish for Nepal, who were the better side for much of the thrilling contest as their spinners dominated with the ball to reduce South Africa to 115-7 and their top-order looked in control in reply when they reached 85-2 in the 14th over and the required rate well within reach.

"Extremely disappointed to play ourselves out of the tournament," Southee said afterwards.

"I think I am very proud of the unit, especially the way we bowled and batted," Nepal captain Paudel said. "I thought we fought very good. If we get more exposure to games like this, we will be on the other side."

Clear and concise, Bangladesh’s bowling unit has been decisive in their plans so far, which has put the team on course for a berth in the Super Eight.

The Tigers currently have four points in three matches, having beaten Sri Lanka earlier and then losing to South Africa. A victory or a washout against Nepal in their final group-stage match on June 17 will seal their spot in Super Eight.

The early exit is a bitter disappointment though for Pakistan, who were beaten finalists in the tournament two years ago.

Should the Group A game be abandoned, the USA would qualify for the Super Eights stage, along with group leader India, while Pakistan and Ireland would be eliminated.

Stead, who took over as New Zealand coach in 2018 and led them to the 2021 final, has a year left on his contract.

Pat Cummins ruled out Thursday the prospect of Australia underperforming against Scotland in a bid to oust rivals England from the Twenty20 World Cup, saying it would be against the "spirit of cricket."

Afghanistan underlined their growing status as the dark horses of the 2024 T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea on Thursday to advance to the Super Eight phase of the competition and send New Zealand crashing out.

Bangladesh’s premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan said he did not have anything to say in response to former India opener Virender Sehwag, who had asked Shakib to “feel ashamed of his performances” and “retire from the format”.

England hammered Oman by eight wickets as the reigning champions revived their T20 World Cup campaign with a record-breaking win in Antigua on Thursday.

Bangladesh are not accustomed to seeing what leg-spinner Rishad Hossain is dishing out in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

All they required was for Shakib Al Hasan to provide that spark.

A high-flying Afghanistan will look to secure their entry into the Super Eights of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as they take on Papua New Guinea (PNG) in a Group C fixture at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad today.

USA have a golden opportunity to make history when they take on Ireland in Florida today in their final T20 World Cup group-stage fixture.

Shakib hit an undefeated 64 and was ultimately adjudged Player of the Match in Kingstown.