Sport
Gujarat win IPL opener in front of more than 100,000 fans
The Gujarat Titans started their defense of the India Premier League (IPL) title with a five-wicket win with four balls to spare against the Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Chasing 179, the Titans, needing eight from the final over, reached 182/5, thanks to a quickfire 10 not out from three balls by Rashid Khan and an undefeated 15 from 14 balls by Rahul Tewatia, Super Sport reported.
Titans openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha (25) posted 37 for the first wicket in 3.5 overs and impact player Sai Sudharsan, coming in for the injured Kane Williamson who hurt his right knee in attempting a catch at square leg, added 53 for the second wicket, Sudharsan looking comfortable for his 22 from 17 balls.
Gill, who has enjoyed a solid season playing for India, settled quickly, bringing up the Titans’ fifty in 4.3 overs and finishing the powerplay on 65/1. He brought up his 50 from 30 balls before holing out to mid-wicket for 63 from 36 balls (6×4, 3×6). Captain Hardik Pandya contributed eight and Vijay Shankar’s 27 from 21 balls in the latter overs keep the Titans in the hunt.
Khan’s six and four from the first two balls he faced was the death knell for the Super Kings and their impact player, Tushar Deshpande, replacing Ambati Rayudu, could not defend the eight runs required at the death, Super Sport reported.
Super Kings captain MS Dhoni surprisingly used just five bowlers, not calling upon Moeen Ali , preferring to use Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner for the spinning duties. Medium pacer Rajvardhan Hangargekar bagged 3/36 in his four overs while Jadeja and Deshpande took a wicket apiece.
Asked to bat, the Super Kings innings was held together by opener Ruturaj Gaikwad’s superb 92 from 50 balls (4×4, 9×6) after the early loss of Devon Conway (1) in the third over. Moeen Ali (23), Rayudu (12), Shivam Dube (19) and Dhoni (14*) were the other batsmen to reach double figures.
The Titans’ bowling was lead by Khan’s 2/26 in four overs, his wickets of Ali and Ben Stokes (7) crucial in keeping his side in the game. This was good enough for Khan to claim the Man of the Match award and he was supported by Mohammed Shami (2/29), claiming his 100th IPL wicket in his spell, Alzarri Joseph (2/33) and Ireland’s Josh Little, the first player from Ireland to play in the IPL, with 1/41.
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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