T20 World Cup 2022: Dugout news of "warm-up games" and big upsets

At the end of the press conference, Aaron Finch asked captains not to leave the stage and came with a birthday cake from the back. He gave Babar Azam the best wishes and handed over the cake. Fellow captains wished the star batter at the conference in the build-up to the T20 World Cup. As it was a live event, Pakistani fans took screenshots and recorded the memorable moment.

ICC tweeted, "Happy birthday @babarazam258 

That cake looks good! 

#T20WorldCup1”

The press conference had maximum questions reserved for Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam ahead of the big clash, the answers to which ended up with an enlightened mood across the hall. 

Namibia's stunning win over Sri Lanka

After a heavy defeat in 2021, Namibia, in the very first clash of the T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka, pulled a surprise to defeat the Asia Cup champions by 55 runs and have a fairy-tale run through the group stage.

Being put to bat first, they posted a total of 163/7 after Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit scored 44 and 31 runs, respectively, down the order. Both of their knocks surprised Sri Lankan bowlers as their partnership turned out to be a match-winning one. 

Sri Lanka lost control of the match, losing their three batters inside the powerplay. Namibia bowlers kept chipping in wickets to leave opponents helpless. Thus, bundling the team out for 108 runs before 20 overs. 

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar hailed the win and wrote, "Namibia has told the cricketing world today… "Nam Yaad rakhna!" 

Responding to which Namibia's skipper Gerhard Erasmus wrote, "Nam Yaad rakhna!"

Deep Dasgupta tweeted, "Incredible start to the world cup. Has to be the most competitive T-20 WC. Big shout out to Namibia, a complete team effort." 

"Tremendous start to #ICCT20WorldCup2022 Biggest take-down of @gerharderasmus and Namibia crickets journey so far. Impressive," wrote Ian Raphael Bishop.

Former Zimbabwe cricketer Pommie Mbangwa too, praised the team and wrote, "What a win for Namibia and what start to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup!! #T20WorldCup #SLvNAM”

Why is it not a good idea to hold a "heavy" practice match on the same day as the World Cup group matches?

Just three matches into the World Cup, and we have seen unexpected results in all three games. From Namibia and Scotland defeating 2014 World Champion- Sri Lanka and two-time champions- West Indies to the Netherlands stealing a win in a thriller.

However, these stunning wins were witnessed by not many people. The low-key World cup group stage matches got overshadowed by the heavy practice matches. 

A high-intensity India vs Australia warm-up match took over Scotland's historic win over two-time world champions, West Indies, on the second day of the World Cup. On a much similar note, Zimbabwe vs Ireland will be overshadowed due to its clash of time with England and Pakistan's warm-up match.

The main matches of minnows and their victories become more of a celebration thing after the conclusion of their match. This is mainly because people get a high-intensity match drama in practice matches of main teams with whom they are well acquainted.  

Keeping these heavy practice matches on the same day and time as World Cup group matches not only steals the limelight these teams deserve but also keeps their names unknown.