Sport
India thrash Nepal to reach Asia Cup Super Fours
Skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill remained unbeaten as India hammered Nepal by 10 wickets in a rain-hit match to reach the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup on Monday.
Chasing a DLS revised target of 145 in 23 overs after a rain interruption, India eased home with 17 balls to spare in Pallekele, AFP reported.
Rohit finished 74 not out and Gill was unbeaten on 67.
Nepal were bowled out for 230 after Aasif Sheikh top-scored with 58.
The 50-over tournament, a tune-up for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India, has been affected by rain, forcing organizers to discuss a venue change for upcoming matches in Colombo.
India’s opening match against Pakistan, who were the first team to move into the next round, was abandoned after just one innings.
In their second outing, India were 17-0 in 2.1 overs when heavy rain forced the players off the ground and the field was totally covered.
Ground staff worked tirelessly to make the ground ready for play again.
Rohit and Gill came out roaring and hit a string of boundaries to reach their respective half-centuries and race to the target. Rohit smashed five sixes in his 59-ball knock.
“We can’t really look too much into these two games, one was washed out, but luckily we got to bat in the first game and bowl in this one,” man of the match Rohit said.
“We haven’t been at our best, but a few guys are coming out after months out of the game. Once we move ahead in the Super Fours, there’s no room for complacency.”
‘Proud of them’
Nepal, who are still finding their feet in international cricket and got ODI status in 2018, impressed with the bat as Sheikh’s fifty helped the team to a respectable total.
Nepal lost their way after a strong start by Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel (38) but the middle and lower-order fought back.
Number eight Sompal Kami smashed 48 before the innings ended after 48.2 overs. Spinner Ravindra Jadeja and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj took three wickets each for India.
“Our openers did a very good job for us. In the middle order we could have done better. We were maybe 30-40 short,” Nepal skipper Rohit Paudel said.
“In the last 4-5 months our lower order has done a great job, we are very proud of them.”
Rohit won the toss and elected to field first, but Bhurtel and Sheikh made quick runs with help from the Indian fielders, who dropped three catches in the first five overs.
Shreyas Iyer dropped a regulation chance at slip, Virat Kohli spilled a sitter at short cover and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan let the ball through his gloves, AFP reported.
Bhurtel smashed Siraj for four and a huge six from successive balls to keep up the charge and raise the noise among a group of Nepal fans at a largely empty ground.
He smashed another six off Shardul Thakur, but fell caught behind to the next delivery.
Siraj sent back Sheikh soon after his fifty to dent the Nepal batting further, but after a rain delay Dipendra Singh Airee, who hit 29, and Kami put on 50 runs for the seventh wicket to frustrate the opposition bowlers.
Sport
Abasin Defenders beat Shamshad Eagles by four wickets in Kabul Premier League
Abasin Defenders chased down a target of 155 to beat Shamshad Eagles by four wickets in the fourth match of the Kabul Premier League at Ayoubi Cricket Ground in Kabul on Sunday night.
Shamshad Eagles, who won the toss and elected to bat first, were bowled out for 154 in 15.5 overs.
Mohammad Shahzad top-scored for the Eagles with 57 from 39 balls, while Muslim Musa provided a powerful late contribution with 50 off just 22 deliveries.
Abdollah Ahmadzai was the standout bowler for the Defenders, claiming five wickets for 19 runs from three overs. His spell earned him Player of the Match honours.
Rohed Janzai also took three wickets for 53 runs as the Defenders dismissed the Eagles with 25 balls still remaining in their innings.
The Defenders made a confident start to the chase but lost wickets at regular intervals. Waleed Miakhil anchored the innings, remaining unbeaten on 37 from 29 balls, including two fours and two sixes.
Mohammad Akram added a crucial 25 from just nine balls to keep the chase on track, while Mohammad Amin finished the match in style, hitting an unbeaten seven from three deliveries, including a six.
The Defenders reached 158 for six in 18.1 overs, sealing victory with 11 balls to spare.
Mohammad Gul Alizai was the Eagles’ most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 38 runs from four overs.
The victory gave Abasin Defenders two points, while Shamshad Eagles finished the match without a point.
The result marked the Defenders’ first victory of the Kabul Premier League season.
Sport
Kabul Zalmi cruise to seven-wicket win over Pamir Stars
Masood Gurbaz was the star of the match, smashing a brilliant unbeaten 107 from just 46 deliveries to power Kabul Zalmi’s successful chase.
Kabul Zalmi produced a dominant batting display to beat Pamir Stars by seven wickets in the third match of the Kabul Premier League Season 4 on Sunday.
Batting first, Pamir Stars posted 190 for nine from their 20 overs, setting Kabul Zalmi a challenging target of 191.
Kabul Zalmi, however, chased down the target with ease, reaching 191 for three in just 16.3 overs to secure victory with 21 balls to spare.
Masood Gurbaz was the star of the match, smashing a brilliant unbeaten 107 from just 46 deliveries to power Kabul Zalmi’s successful chase.
His explosive innings ensured Kabul Zalmi remained in control throughout the run chase and secured an emphatic seven-wicket victory.
Gurbaz was named Player of the Match for his outstanding century.
The result gives Kabul Zalmi an impressive start to their Kabul Premier League campaign, while Pamir Stars will look to bounce back in their next match.
All matches are being broadcast exclusively across Afghanistan on Ariana Television.
Sport
Afghanistan beat Ireland by 3 wickets in third ODI
Afghanistan’s national cricket team defeated Ireland by three wickets on Monday in the third ODI of the five-match series in Belfast.
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Ireland were bowled out for 206 runs in 46.3 overs, setting Afghanistan a target of 207 runs.
Rashid Khan and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar claimed three wickets each for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s batters then produced a solid performance in the second innings, chasing down the target for the loss of seven wickets in 44.5 overs.
Afghanistan had also won the second match by 92 runs.
The fourth match between the two teams will be played on Wednesday, August 12, in Belfast, Ireland.
Fans can watch the fourth match live and exclusively in Afghanistan on Ariana Television.
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