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Concerns for India despite ten wicket win over Nepal
Rex Clementine at Pallekele
Despite a comfortable ten wicket win over qualifiers Nepal in the Asia Cup at Pallekele on Monday, concerns remain for India ahead of this year’s World Cup which they will be hosting.
After a batting collapse in their first game against Pakistan, India’s opening game in the tournament was washed out here on Saturday.
If batting had caused them some concerns in the epic clash against the arch-rivals, Nepal exposed India’s fielding woes while their fast bowlers were not able to quite knock off the opposition as expected.
More than bowling, fielding raised huge concerns as three catches were put down in the first five overs allowing the Nepalese openers to add 65 runs for the first wicket.
There were too many misfields as well and overthrows too a headache for a team that is billed as one of the tournament’s favourites, playing in their own backyard.
Kushal Bhurtel played some superb shots racing to 38 off 25 balls with three fours and two sixes. Aasif Sheikh the other opener top scored with 58 runs off 97 balls.
India pulled back things reducing Nepal to 144 for six, but Sompal Kami at number eight with 48 runs off 56 balls ensured his side ended up with 230.
Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers finishing with three for 40. Mohammed Siraj also picked up three wickets but was expensive going for 61 runs in 9.1 overs.
After a lengthy rain interruption, India were set a revised target of 145 in 23 overs.
They had no problems chasing down the target with Rohit and Shubman Gill knocking off the runs with 17 balls to spare.
Rohit reached his half-century in 39 balls and was unbeaten on 74 having hit six fours and five sixes.
Gill was on 67 not out. He had faced 67 deliveries and hit seven fours and one six.
India and Pakistan qualified for the Super Four stage from their group while the outcome of the Sri Lanka – Afghanistan game will decide who is going through from the other group. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have a win each.
There were talks of the second-round games of the tournament being shifted from Colombo to either Hambantota or Dambulla. Hambantota seems to be the preferred choice for the replacement venue, but concerns remain about the hotel facilities around the area.
Gaby Lewis has been rested for Ireland’s upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies at home in Clontarf as she recovers from a recent leg injury but has been named captain – for the first time at a global event – for the T20 World Cup in June-July in England.
Orla Prendergast, the vice-captain for the World Cup, will lead the side in the tri-series in Lewis’ absence. No vice-captain has been named for the tri-series.
In terms of ins and outs, Jane Maguire, the right-arm medium pacer, has been ruled out of contention with an injury, but her sister Aimee Maguire, the left-arm orthodox spinner, has returned from her own injury and has been included in both squads. Apart from the missing Lewis, there are no changes from the squad for the tri-series, which is a 14-member line-up, for the World Cup.
At the T20 World Cup, Ireland have been grouped with tournament hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka and past winners West Indies.
Ireland are ranked ninth in the format, ahead of only Scotland (11th) among the teams in their group, and will start their World Cup campaign on the second day of competition, against Scotland in Manchester.
Ireland were most recently in action at the T20 World Cup qualifiers played in Nepal in January-February this year, and finished second to Bangladesh.
Lewis’ fitness will be key for Ireland at the World Cup, with her being their top-ranked batter, currently at joint-14th on the ICC T20I rankings. She was also the top run getter at the qualifiers with 276 runs in seven innings, scoring her runs at a strike rate of 119.48.
Prendergast is the next best at No. 26, followed by Amy Hunter at No. 29. Prendergast is also the seventh-ranked allrounder in women’s T20Is.
Ireland squad for women’s T20 World Cup
Gaby Lewis (capt), Orla Prendergast (vice-capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
Ireland squad for tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies
Orla Prendergast (capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
[Cricinfo]
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued a statement approving the members nominated for the new Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
The appointments have been made by the Sports Minister in accordance with the powers vested under Section 39 (1) of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 and the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2437/24 dated May 21, 2025.
The members of the new selection committee are:
Kapila Wijegunawardena – Chairman
Amal Silva – Member
Brendon Kuruppu – Member
Waruna Waragoda – Member
Vanessa De Silva – Member
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