Sport
Perera, Fletcher power MI Emirates to top of ILT20 table after dominant win over Sharjah Warriors
MI Emirates romped home to victory over the Sharjah Warriors in the International League T20 on Friday night with a 106-run win.
The victory puts the Abu Dhabi franchise atop the ILT20 table after four matches, having won three of them, and gives them a massive net-run-rate boost, Arab News reported.
Two strong batting performances from Kusal Perera and Andre Fletcher, who both scored 42 runs, propelled MI Emirates to 180 for 7 after their 20 overs.
It was a woeful response from the Warriors, with only three players making it into double figures, and three wickets in the eighth over from Akeal Hosein saw them slump to 56-7 in reply.
“I felt like 170 would do the job for us,” MI Emirates captain Nicholas Pooran said post-match.
“It was a difficult to pitch to bat on, but the guys executed their skills really well with the ball, we worked really hard as a group in terms of our conversation, and this is the second game where we have bowled a team under 100, which is excellent.”
The Warriors’ final tally of 74 all out is the lowest total since the competition began last year.
“I still fully back the decision at the toss (to bowl first),” captain Tom-Kohler Cadmore said. “If you lose a lot of wickets at the top, you will struggle in the chase. We should not be losing too many wickets in the powerplay, it is about staying positive and keeping the same intent. And would hope to come back stronger for the next game.”
Player of the match Hosein described how his spell was all about making the right assessment. “I thought I would bowl fuller. Bowling the first over, I thought it was about execution. But it’s just about making the assessment. I had to spin more balls. It’s unfortunate that I was so close to picking up a hattrick.”
MI Emirates are in action again on Sunday in an all-Abu Dhabi clash against the Knight Riders, while the now bottom-of-the-table Warriors have a chance to bounce back against Desert Vipers also on Sunday.
Sport
Afghanistan triumphs in Test victory against Zimbabwe
Rashid Khan played a key role, claiming 7-66 and helping Afghanistan clinch the series
Afghanistan secured victory on Monday against Zimbabwe in their second test match, winning by 72 runs in just 15 balls at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Rashid Khan played a key role, claiming 7-66 and helping Afghanistan clinch the series.
This marks Afghanistan's fourth test win since obtaining test status in 2017.
Zimbabwe was all out for 205 without adding to their overnight score, losing the final two wickets in a quick 13 minutes.
Richard Ngarava's run-out in the day's second over, due to confusion with skipper Craig Ervine, set the tone.
Ervine fell in the next over, trapped leg before wicket by Rashid Khan's decisive leg-spin, culminating in figures of 7-66.
Khan's performance on Sunday shifted momentum when Zimbabwe was poised for victory at 157-4, chasing 278.
The first test in Bulawayo ended in a draw, but Afghanistan's win secured their fourth test victory, two coming against Zimbabwe, since acquiring test status in 2017.
Sport
Rashid Khan puts victory in sight for Afghanistan v Zimbabwe
Three wickets in the last hour of play for Rashid Khan put Afghanistan on the cusp of victory in the second test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with the home team still 73 runs shy of their target at the close of day four.
Zimbabwe were 205 for eight at stumps on Sunday, chasing 278 to win the series after the first test ended in a high scoring draw, Reuters reported.
Captain Craig Ervine (53 not out) and Richard Ngarava (3 not out) will resume on Monday after Afghanistan hauled themselves back into the contest when veteran Khan’s leg-break bowling put the brakes on the home team’s march.
Zimbabwe were 205 for eight at stumps on Sunday, chasing 278 to win the series after the first test ended in a high scoring draw.
Captain Craig Ervine (53 not out) and Richard Ngarava (3 not out) will resume on Monday after Afghanistan hauled themselves back into the contest when veteran Khan’s leg-break bowling put the brakes on the home team’s march.
Sport
Afghanistan set for second test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo
The first test ended in a draw, with both teams showcasing exceptional batting performances. Zimbabwe set an imposing target with a first-innings score of 586, putting Afghanistan under pressure.
Afghanistan’s cricket team will face Zimbabwe in the second Test of their series on Thursday at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The match is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. Kabul time.
The first test ended in a draw, with both teams showcasing exceptional batting performances. Zimbabwe set an imposing target with a first-innings score of 586, putting Afghanistan under pressure. However, Afghanistan’s batsmen responded brilliantly, led by the remarkable efforts of Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Shah delivered a stunning innings, scoring 234 runs from 434 balls, while Shahidi went on to notch an even more impressive 246 runs from 474 balls. Both players achieved double centuries, creating a memorable display of resilience and skill. Afsar Zazai further bolstered Afghanistan’s batting lineup, contributing a solid 113 runs from 169 balls.
Although both sides amassed significant runs, the game ended without a result. Persistent rain interruptions and a deliberate pace of play from both teams hindered progress, ultimately preventing a decisive outcome.
The upcoming match presents another opportunity for both teams to push for victory and showcase their talent on the test stage.
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