The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the results of what they claim is the largest ever market research project into the sport. The key finding of the survey is that the game has over one billion fans globally. Interestingly, the 50-over World Cup and the World T20 are the driving force for the international body with 95 per cent of fans showing interest in them.
Pakistan will continue playing its international 'home' games in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at reduced costs, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said after reaching an agreement with its Emirati counterpart.
India are the third-ranked Twenty20 International side, while Ireland are down at No.17. On the face of it, it’s a mismatch.
Virat Kohli is on the cusp of accomplishing yet another batting landmark ahead of India’s first T20 international against Ireland on Wednesday. The Indian captain needs 17 runs to become the fastest man to 2000 runs in T20 internationals. Kohli’s 1983 runs so far have been scored at an average of 50.84 in just 54 innings.
The Indian cricket team will play two T20Is against Ireland before their tour of England and while the first T20I will be played in Dublin on June 27, the second one will be played at the same venue on June 29. India last played in Ireland in 2007 when they took on the hosts in an ODI at Belfast. India won that game by nine wickets (D/L method) with Sourav Ganguly and Gautam Gambhir putting on an unbeaten 162-run partnership for the second wicket. India have played Ireland just once in the T20 during the 2009 ICC World T20.
Sadly for Ireland, despite registering wins against England in Bangalore (2011 World Cup) and West Indies in Nelson (World Cup 2015) and dominant performances in the tournaments involving associates, the call-up to the top table came a few years too late.
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