Match abandoned due to rain
The USA qualifying for Super 8 is the seventh instance of an associate team progressing from the group stage to the Super stage (8/10/12) in T20 World Cups after Ireland (2009), Netherlands (2014), Afghanistan (2016), Namibia (2021), Scotland (2021) and the Netherlands (2022).
13:33 Local Time, 17:33 GMT, 23:03 IST: It’s official now! It's raining heavily now and the match has been called off. United States qualify for the Super Eights, Pakistan have been eliminated. Despite the best efforts from the groundsmen, there were a few stubborn patches on the outfield that made play untenable. Not the way most neutral fans would have wanted this day to end, but the United States won’t be complaining too much. That’s all to report from this game. Hopefully, we get more cricketing action and less rain updates for the games to follow. Bye for now!
13:29 Local Time, 17:29 GMT, 22:59 IST: "It's raining, game done," pings Smit from the venue. We wait for an official update from ICC, but we'll need a real miracle for a game to be played from this position.
13:26 Local Time, 17:26 GMT, 22:56 IST: Our correspondent Smit Patel sends an update from the venue, "There's a lightning alert. The game is done 99.99999%." As we speak, the covers are being brought back on, perhaps in anticipation of that low hanging cloud.
13:23 Local Time, 17:23 GMT, 22:53 IST: Some low hanging dark clouds once again meandering over the stadium. The Ireland players have all gone back to the dressing room. The umpires hurriedly walked back after the inspection. We wait for an official update on this game.
13:18 Local Time, 17:18 GMT, 22:48 IST: The inspection is now underway. The groundsmen were using super soppers and blowdries to try to negate those damp patches. Sprouts of water oozing out from those patches when the blow drier is being used. The match referee Javagal Srinath is also in the middle, he takes the final decision on this game.
12:37 Local Time, 16:37 GMT, 22:07 IST: Next pitch update at 10:45 PM IST, about 40 minutes from now. The umpires are still hopeful for a game, the groundsmen have been doing their best. Let's hope we get some cricket today...
12:33 Local Time, 16:33 GMT, 22:03 IST: Umpires walk out for yet another inspection. The pitch isn't a concern for them, but a few patches just beyond the 30 yard circle felt a bit damp earlier. The umpires are treading over those pitches, testing out the rigidity of the soil. The skies have cleared up significantly, so that's one positive.
12:18 Local Time, 16:18 GMT, 21:48 IST: The latest we can start a 5-over game is 2:16 pm Local Time, about two hours from now. Still plenty of time but for a game to happen, but the outfield needs to improve for that. And hopefully we have better updates during the next pitch inspection.
11:50 Local Time, 15:50 GMT, 21:20 IST: We'll have another pitch inspection at 12:30 Local Time, about 40 minutes from now. Pakistan's hopes of progressing further are hanging by a thread. Despite the best efforts from the groundsmen, there were a few stubborn patches on the outfield that have been the impediment to play today. Let's hope we have some positive news to share next time around...
11:37 Local Time, 15:37 GMT, 21:07 IST: We are getting news that the game is likely to be called off. Still waiting on an official confirmation. Hang on!
11:30 Local Time, 15:30 GMT, 21:00 IST: Umpires head out for their inspection. The pitch gets an all clear, no issues there. But there are a few damp patches further away from the wicket. When the umpires are treading through them, they are oozing some water. We wait for an update from that inspection. Remember, a washout will knock out Pakistan and USA will qualify for the Super Eights.
11:05 Local Time, 15:05 GMT, 20:35 IST: A few dark clouds meandering over the stadium, but for now the rain stays away. Still about half an hour away from the inspection, hang tight!!
10:35 Local Time, 14:35 GMT, 20:05 IST: The umpires are out in the middle and the inspection is underway. The outfield seems to be fairly dry but there are a couple of patches further away from the pitch that are just a bit concerning. We might have to wait a bit longer. Next inspection is at 9pm IST, almost an hour from now.
10:20 Local Time, 14:20 GMT, 19:50 IST: Next pitch inspection due in 10 minutes.
10:10 Local Time, 14:10 GMT, 19:40 IST: The super soppers are in full swing at the outfield and the groundstaff are trying hard to dry up things as soon as possible. A few players are walking by the fringes of the outfield and there are a few 100 fans who've arrived at the stadium as well. The good news is the sun is shining bright at the moment...
09:59 Local Time, 13:59 GMT, 19:29 IST: Toss has been delayed due to a wet outfield. Like mentioned earlier, the rain has stopped but it was raining earlier in the day and the outfield is still damp.
First things first, it is a cloudy morning in Lauderhill but it was raining a bit earlier so the outfield is still fairly damp. There is a probability of rain later in the day as well, but for now we have a clearish sky. USA were beaten by India in their previous game, but gave a good account of themselves to add to impressive wins over Pakistan and Canada. Their skipper Monank Patel should be fit and ready to go for this clash. Ireland were beaten by India in their opening game, and lost to Canada as well. They have had an underwhelming tournament so far, but possess the power to still qualify, and if not to be the kingmakers for Group A.
09:35 Local Time, 13:35 GMT, 19:05 IST: 'Weather in Florida.' That's a search term which would have generated an unusually high spike today about 8000 miles away from the epicenter in the whole of Pakistan. For those unaware of the group dynamics, Babar Azam's boys need a favour from not only mother nature, but also the Irish in order to give them a chance to qualify for the Super Eights. If United States win against Ireland today, they are through to the Super Eights, and Pakistan will be eliminated.
Preview by Smit Patel
The sunshine state hasn't seen much sun lately as the greater Miami area finds itself swamped with as much as 10-12 inches of rain in certain neighbourhoods. Several visuals of waterlogged houses and submerged cars on the streets of south Florida did the rounds on social media. While those visuals may foster US fans to morbidly hope for the game to wash out, it leaves Pakistan on a precipice. The equation is quite clear, a USA win or a wash out takes USA to the super 8 stage. Whereas a loss would leave USA at the mercy of the outcome of the Pakistan and Ireland game. In a game where Pakistan stands to afford nothing less than a win.
However, USA have shown that if they press on with the fervour with which they have played their cricket in the past 3 months, a washout may after all be superfluous. The manner in which USA kept India on the leash for the majority of the run chase on Wednesday speaks volumes of the force they are turning out to be. USA look firm favourites over a beleaguered Ireland, languishing at the bottom of the table after a thrashing by India and a shock loss against Canada.
The two nations squared off against each other at the same venue in December 2021 and shared the honours one all in a 2 match T20I series. USA sent shockwaves with a 26 run win over full members Ireland more than 2 years back, the fact that they now start as favourites is a sporting fairytale that has engripped the cricketing world.
When:14 June 2024 | 10.30 AM local time | 14:30 GMT (June 14) | 8 PM IST (June 14)
Where: Central Broward Park, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
What to expect: The track in Fort Lauderdale has been a batsman's paradise in its short international history. However, it will be under covers for more than 72 hours leading up to the game. Expect a soft and damp surface for the game in addition to overcast conditions, in what is rapidly turning out to be a bowlers' world cup.
Team watch:
USA:
After dropping Nostush Kenjige from the eleven, USA employed only pace men to deliver all of their 18.2 overs against India, deciding against introducing Harmeet in the India game. With the conditions at hand expect USA to go with the same attack in this crunch game. There hasn't been any word from the team management over captain Monank Patel's availability.
Probable XI: Monank Patel (captain) (wk), Steven Taylor, Andries Gous, Aaron Jones (vice captain), Corey Anderson, Nitish Kumar, Jasdeep Singh, Harmeet Singh, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan
Ireland:
Andrew Balbirnie, Ireland's man for all seasons has endured a torrid run in his last 5 outings for Ireland. Not someone to be kept quiet for long, Balbirnie would be itching to make a mark at the world stage especially after his match winning 77 against Pakistan in May.
Probable XI: Paul Stirling (captain), Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Benjamin White, Josh Little, Mark Adair, Gareth Delany, Barry McCarthy
What they said:
''It's something that we've all been thinking about after beating Pakistan. It'll be a dream come true to go to the next round. Especially the Super Eight would be the first time it's happened as well. But at the end of the day, it's close. Until the next World Cup event is, we're [going] all out.'' - USA batter Steven Taylor on their prospects of qualifying into the Super 8s.
"I think for us our objective is still to qualify for the next round. However [if] we need to do that, I'm sure we'll be pretty clear leading into tomorrow how we need to do that. I think it's a fair point about objective A being winning the match but at the end of the day we're not here to try and scrape by teams, we're here to try and qualify for the next round. If that means that we have to go out there and put in a big performance with bat and ball, then so be it. I think that'll definitely be our mindset." - Irish all-rounder Mark Adair on their qualification chances.