Sport
IPL: Mumbai Indians fall short by just six runs in Gujarat match
One doesn’t often see Rashid Khan thumped by a batsman in a T20 game, but on Sunday, in the Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans match, Deward Brevis did the unthinkable and smashed Rashid out of the park.
In doing so, he showed how confident he was while facing arguably the most dangerous T20 bowler in the world.
Shubman Gill meanwhile, in his first game as Gujarat Titans captain, was thrilled by how his bowlers pulled their heist against Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
Mumbai Indians needed only 48 runs off the last six overs with seven wickets in hand but they fell six runs short.
Rashid didn't take a wicket but went for only 23 in his four overs and it was towards the end of his spell that Mumbai began to flounder.
ESPNcricinfo reported that Rashid's final over did indeed play out as unexpected.
Tim David lofted Rashid towards the deep midwicket boundary.
He and Tilak Varma could have run two if they pushed hard, but they settled for a single to bring the left-handed Tilak on strike.
Tilak then hit the next ball to deep midwicket but refused the single. Mumbai at this stage needed 38 off 21 balls and the pressure only increased after Rashid conceded only three runs in the 17th over.
Hardik's response when he was asked if there had been a plan to keep David away from Rashid was ”not really”.
He went on to say: "I think Tilak felt that was a better idea at that point of time. I completely back him, not an issue, 13 games to go."
Mohit Sharma, who was the second highest wicket-taker last season but had only played three competitive matches since then, followed up by dismissing David in the 18th over to return figures of 2 for 32.
However, Indian media are having a field day over Hardik’s return to Mumbai Indians, which they say started on a sour note.
The all-rounder rejoined MI last year before the auction in a sensational transfer, and also replaced Rohit Sharma as captain.
In 2022, Hardik was released by MI and picked up by Gujarat Titans, who immediately appointed him as captain.
He led GT to the title in their debut season, followed by a runners-up finish. So, as the Hindustan Times has stated, it was shocking for fans when he decided to rejoin MI as he was expected to be a long-term skipper for GT.
But Hardik’s return started off on a poor note after MI crashed to their six-run defeat.
There was also plenty of pre-match drama which got the fans worked up.
During the first innings, there was a moment which caught everyone's attention. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik were caught up in an animated discussion, and just as Rohit arrived to join it, Hardik simply walked away.
In response, Bumrah could be seen taken aback by Hardik's decision to just walk away.
This has led to fans questioning whether there is a divide in the team.
In the other match of the day, captain Sanju Samson's powerful knock of 82*(52) coupled with some brilliant Powerplay and slog-overs bowling, helped Rajasthan Royals get off to a winning start as they beat Lucknow Super Giants by 20 runs.
Today, Monday March 25, Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Punjab Super Kings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
Anticipation is running high among fans as the star-studded Bengaluru side, perennial contenders for the trophy, seek redemption after a shaky start to the season.
Their opening encounter against defending champions Chennai ended in defeat, intensifying the pressure as they gear up to face Punjab on Monday.
Fans across the country can tune in to Ariana Television from 6.30pm to watch this match live. Fans can also stream the match live on Ariana Television’s website.
Click here for IPL 2024 schedule.
Sport
Afghanistan clinches ODI series victory against Zimbabwe
Afghanistan's national cricket team triumphed over Zimbabwe by 8 wickets in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) to claim the series victory.
In a dominant bowling display, Afghanistan dismissed Zimbabwe for just 127 runs in 30.1 overs. The Afghan batsmen then chased down the target comfortably in 26.5 overs, losing only 2 wickets along the way.
The standout performer of the match was Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, who took a remarkable 5 wickets, while Rashid Khan supported with 3 wickets. Azmatullah Omarzai and Farid Ahmad each claimed 1 wicket.
The first match of the series was abandoned due to rain, but Afghanistan bounced back strongly in the second match, securing a commanding 232-run victory.
This series win follows Afghanistan's earlier success in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, further cementing their dominance in international cricket.
Sport
Bangla Tigers lift Lanka T10 Super League title
Player of the match and player of the series was Titan’s skipper Dasun Shanaka.
Hambantota Bangla Tigers beat favorites Jaffna Titans by 26 runs in Thursday’s Lanka T10 Super League final at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy.
The Tigers produced a fine all-round performance to beat the Titans, who had won all their matches in the lead up to the final.
Player of the match and player of the series was Titan’s skipper Dasun Shanaka.
Hambantota Bangla Tigers, put into bat first, posted 133 for seven from their allotted 10 overs through some useful contributions from their top order batsmen.
The openers Mohammad Shahzad and Kusal Perera added 35 runs from 2.4 overs before they suffered a middle order collapse and reached 59 for three at the halfway stage of the innings.
However, skipper Dasun Shanaka and Shevon Daniel revived the innings with a fourth-wicket partnership of 44 runs in three overs.
Shanaka made 21 with two sixes and two boundaries while Daniel struck 26 with one six and three boundaries before Kennar Lewis and Dhananjaya Lakshan added the finishing touches.
Chasing 133 runs for victory, Jaffna Titans lost wickets at regular intervals and they eventually finished at 107 for six despite a fighting unbeaten half century from middle order batsman Tom Abell.
Richard Gleeson wrecked the Hambantota Bangla Tigers’ innings with excellent figures of three wickets for 21 while Shanaka captured two wickets for four runs.
Sport
Afghanistan crush Zimbabwe by 232 runs in second ODI
Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by 232 runs in the second ODI on Thursday to secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Sent to bat first by Zimbabwe who won the toss, Afghanistan posted 286-6 in Harare.
Sediqullah Atal scored 104, his first hundred in an international match. Abdul Malik followed with 84.
In reply, Zimbabwe scored 54 runs before being bowled out in the 17.5 overs.
Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and Naweed Zadran took three wickets each. Fazlullah Farooqi picked up two wickets and Azmatullah Omarzai one.
This was the second match of the ODI series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. The first was abandoned due to rain.
The third and final game of the series will be played on Saturday.
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