The Argentines, who won the tournament in 2021 and went on to hoist the 2022 World Cup, are no strangers to Copa America success.

What coach Chandika Hathurusingha said at the press conference on Wednesday may not reflect the team’s overall sentiment, but it remains to be seen whether it can ignite the passion required for the task ahead.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan broke the jinx with the ball when he picked up two wickets in consecutive deliveries to seal the game for his side against Nepal in St. Vincent on Monday after going wicketless in the Tigers’ first three matches in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

Luka Jovic scored with a last-gasp header to snatch an equaliser for Serbia in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia on Thursday, keeping both teams in contention for a place in the last 16 of Euro 2024.

The tournament brings together 10 South American teams and six from North and Central America and the Caribbean in the second Copa hosted by the United States.

“Pollard's brought a lot to the group but I'd say that the most valuable thing I've taken so far (from him) is constructing that run chase,” Salt told the reporters. “We've spoken a lot about taking eights from one side to take twelves from the other and that's 200 [runs].”

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh says he is ready to bowl in the Super Eight phase of the T20 World Cup after a gradual recovery from a hamstring strain.

"I've played against him [Messi], coached against him a few times and had some successes, but he always finds ways to make a difference because his quality is so amazing. So, that'll be the challenge for us," said Canada head coach Jesse Marsch.

Kane Williamson will opt out of a handful of internationals in January to take up a contract in South Africa's Twenty20 league but plans to keep playing for New Zealand for as long as he can, the batsman said on Thursday.

USA coach Stuart Law declared himself once again a proud coach, despite a Super Eights loss to South Africa in the ongoing T20 World Cup on Wednesday.

Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan lauded forward Jamal Musiala after Wednesday's 2-0 win over Hungary, calling him "incredible" and "a joy to play with".

It was an easy presumption to put Bangladesh’s bowling as their main weapon ahead of the T20 World Cup, especially since the batters have provided very little to be excited about in recent times.

When Italy and Spain meet in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday, they will write a new chapter in what has developed into the most intense head-to-head rivalry in European Championship history.

In preparation for their opening Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup against Australia tomorrow at 6.30am (Bangladesh Time), Najmul Hossain Shanto-led Bangladesh team practiced at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

Player of the Match Salt effectively sealed victory after cutting loose in the 16th over, hammering 30 runs off West Indies bowler Romario Shepherd with an exhibition of power-hitting. The win marked an emphatic return to form for England, who laboured through the first round group phase and flirted with elimination at one stage.

Opening batsman Salt smashed seven fours and five sixes during a superb 47-ball knock at the Daren Sammy National Stadium as England made a flying start to the second round of the tournament.

The 108-year-old competition is being held in the United States with the host nation among six teams from the CONCACAF region joining the 10 South American nations looking for a place in the July 14 final in Miami.

India were unbeaten in the initial pool phase as they advanced into a Super Eights featuring two groups of four. Afghanistan, however, have also justified their billing as potential semi-finalists.

Shaqiri produced one of the goals of the tournament so far as the former Liverpool forward punished Anthony Ralston's woeful backpass with a brilliant curler from 20 yards.

"It doesn't make much sense to think about when they're gone. Let's enjoy them now, we'll see what happens later. Messi is fine, he's happy. I'm with renewed ideas and strength. It's a nice challenge to defend the title," Scaloni said.