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ILT20: Desert Vipers beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 7 wickets
Desert Vipers players celebrated on Wednesday night after clinching the match against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Dubai, and while it’s still early days the Vipers appear to have hit the ground running in the new International League T20.
The Desert Vipers were clinical in their opener against the Sharjah Warriors in Dubai the other night and on Wednesday night, at the same venue — the Dubai International Cricket Stadium — Colin Munro’s Vipers swallowed another victim along the way, Khaleej Times reported.
This time it was the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, against whom they cruised home comfortably to a seven-wicket win with 26 deliveries to spare.
That made it two victories from two for the Manchester United-owned franchise. The Knight Riders however, suffered their third defeat on the trot and the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise are at the bottom of the points table.
For the Vipers, it was opener Alex Hales and his English compatriot Sam Billings who stood out during a modest chase of 134. Hales, who had stroked an unbeaten 83 against the Warriors, timed the chase perfectly with a fluent 64 from 47 deliveries that consisted of seven boundaries and a six.
Billings, who had made 49 against the Warriors, remained not out on 35 after UAE opener Rohan Mustafa had smacked a 11-ball 23 with five boundaries.
Sri Lankan leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga slotted in perfectly with the Vipers following the Indian tour, with a Player of the Match performance of 3-18. In fact, Hasaranga was on a hat trick, but he was unable to achieve it, Khaleej Times reported.
“I came after the India series and got straight to this game. I’m really happy with the win,” Hasaranga said at the post-match presentation.
“I think this was a good toss to win, the pitch was a bit slow. My idea was to try and bowl dot balls,” he added.
On getting Andre Russell for a duck, he said: “He’s a dangerous player, I’m happy I got him out first ball.”
For fans in Afghanistan, the tournament can be viewed live, exclusively on Ariana Television. CLICK HERE for broadcasting schedule.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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