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ICC T20: Rohit Sharma stars in India’s thumping win
India have run riot in the Sheikh Zayed Stadium against Afghanistan to keep their hopes alive for the semi-final berth for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
In their third game of the mega event, India put up a whopping 210/2.
Afghanistan could only manage 144/7 to lose the contest by 66 runs.
After losing to Pakistan and New Zealand, India desperately needed this win to get two points in the bag.
They will now face Scotland and Namibia next.
Sharma makes it big
It’s been a long while since Indian fans had seen Rohit Sharma give the team a good start in T20 World Cups.
The Hitman made the dream come true tonight as he struck a 47-ball 74 to win the Man of the Match award.
His century stand with KL Rahul (69) meant that a big total was on its way for the tournament’s hosts.
This was Sharma’s first half-century in a T20 World Cup since the 2014 competition.
His knock tonight proved why his presence in the top order is so significant for India to capitalize in the powerplays.
Sharma said that he and Rahul intentionally went all guns blazing from the beginning of the first half.
“We wanted to get off to a good start which didn’t happen in the first two games. There was a conscious effort to lay a good platform for the other batters to express themselves later,” the Hitman said.
“A good start and a respectable total were very important from our side. We knew run rate could come into play and we wanted to win by a good margin, glad that we did that. Whatever the team requires, I’ll try to do that.”
Janat shows all-round class
Karim Janat stood head and shoulders above other Afghanistan batters tonight.
First, he took Rohit Sharma in the only over he bowled, then he scored a quickfire 42* off 22 to give his side a chance during the run chase.
He struck two sixes and three fours in a jiffy at a strike rate of over 190.
Janat’s exquisite power-hitting throughout the tournament has proved that Afghanistan have a rising star in their team.
He was Afghanistan’s top scorer tonight followed by captain Mohammad Nabi, who scored 35 off 32 before Mohammad Shami dismissed him.
India exploit death overs
After a long while, India’s death-over specialist batters shined.
Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant made the Afghanistan bowlers pay for their bad lengths.
Pandya starred for his 13-ball 35* that included a sitter that was dropped by Afghanistan.
Pant made 27 off 13 with three sixes and a four.
With both Indian batters back in form, skipper Virat Kohli must be glad to have all the batters clicking before they take on other members of Group B.
“Much better wicket as well, to be fair. In the other two games as well, if we just had two overs of that free-flowing batting capability, that could have sent the message to the opposition that we’ve put them under pressure,” the Indian skipper said after winning his first game in this tournament.
India 210 for 2 (Rohit 74, Rahul 69) beat Afghanistan 144 for 7 (Janat 42*, Nabi 35, Shami 3-32, Ashwin 2-14) by 66 runs
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Bhandari’s Half-Century Powers Sudurpaschim Royals into NPL Final
Sudurpaschim Royals in NPL final! Binod Bhandari’s unbeaten half-century guided Sudurpaschim Royals to an emphatic eight-wicket win against Janakpur Bolts, securing their spot in the NPL final. Chasing a target of 140, Bhandari displayed exceptional composure, scoring 58 runs off 55 balls. His partnerships with Saif Zaib and Brandon McMullen were instrumental in steadying the chase after an early loss of wickets.
The Royals’ bowling unit also played a crucial role, with captain Dipendra Singh Airee taking three wickets! Restricting Janakpur Bolts to a modest total. Airee’s leadership with the ball ensured the Royals maintained control throughout the first innings. Janakpur Bolts struggled to build momentum, with only James Neesham and Subash Khakurel making notable contributions of 44 and 26 runs, respectively.
Bhandari’s calculated innings included strategic boundaries and well-timed strikes, proving his experience and resilience in pressure situations. His efforts were well-supported by Saif Zaib, who contributed a steady 30 runs, and McMullen, who added 20 to ensure a smooth chase.
The victory sends Sudurpaschim Royals into the final, where they will face the winner of the second qualifier. The Royals’ all-around performance underlined their strength as a cohesive unit, showcasing both batting depth and bowling prowess.
Janakpur Bolts will now battle the second qualifier against Karnali Yaks to keep their title hopes alive. The thrilling contest promises an exciting final ahead in the Nepal Premier League.
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Sudurpaschim Royals Set 140-Run Target Against Janakpur Bolts to Reach NPL Final
In a pivotal Nepal Premier League (NPL) match, Sudurpaschim Royals set a challenging 140-run target for Janakpur Bolts. Janakpur, opting to bat first, managed to score 139 runs for nine wickets across 20 overs. The Royals’ bowlers were in top form, with Dipendra Singh Airee’s impressive three-wicket haul playing a key role.
James Neesham’s strong performance, scoring 44 runs off 23 balls, anchored the Janakpur innings. Subash Khakurel also contributed with 26 runs, but the rest of the batting order couldn’t capitalize on their starts.
The match’s outcome will determine who advances directly to the final of the NPL. Sudurpaschim Royals have set their sights firmly on victory, with the 140-run target being a significant challenge for Janakpur. If Janakpur fails to chase down the target, they will still have a chance to make it to the final, but only after facing Karnali Yaks in the second qualifier.
The Sudurpaschim Royals’ bowlers will be key in defending this 140-run target. Their disciplined approach and sharp tactics will be crucial as they look to prevent Janakpur Bolts from chasing the set total and secure their place in the NPL final. The tension is high, and cricket fans eagerly await the next steps in this exciting encounter.
Sudurpaschim Royals’ 140-run target has put pressure on Janakpur, making this match a must-watch for all NPL enthusiasts. The Royals’ bowlers are set to play a vital role in their hopes of reaching the final.
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Karnali Yaks Secure Qualifier Spot with Victory Over Chitwan Rhinos
Karnali Yaks delivered a commanding performance against Chitwan Rhinos, clinching a crucial win that secured their place in the Nepal Premier League qualifiers. With this win, the Yaks ensured that their efforts throughout the tournament culminated in a spot among the top teams. The victory was powered by both solid batting and disciplined bowling, which kept Chitwan’s chase under control throughout the match. Karnali Yaks qualifier!
In their innings, the Karnali Yaks set a challenging target, thanks to an impressive contribution from their middle-order batsmen. Their steady partnerships and timely hitting from the tail ensured they posted a total that was always going to be difficult for Chitwan Rhinos to chase. Karnali Yaks qualifier! The Yaks’ bowlers, led by their pace attack, controlled the flow of runs, consistently breaking partnerships and picking up key wickets.
Chitwan Rhinos, while they fought hard, were unable to maintain the required run rate. Despite some strong efforts from a few of their key batsmen, the pressure mounted as they failed to build partnerships. The Rhinos could not recover from the consistent breakthroughs by the Karnali bowlers. Additionally, the Yaks’ fielding was exceptional, with a few key stops and a game-changing run-out.
The win has boosted Karnali Yaks’ confidence as they head into the qualifiers. This victory was a testament to their all-round capabilities, making them serious contenders for the title. On the other hand, Chitwan Rhinos will need to regroup quickly, as the loss in such a crucial game has dealt a blow to their qualification hopes.
Karnali Yaks now looks forward to the next phase of the competition, where they will face tougher opponents, but their strong performance in this match has given them the momentum needed to go all the way.
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