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Dube powers India to series lead
A calculated innings from Shivam Dube (60* off 40) led India’s chase as the hosts gunned down Afghanistan’s modest total of 158 in the opening T20I in Mohali with 15 balls to spare and six wickets left in the tank.
The hosts did lose their openers inside the powerplay but Dube along with Tilak Verma (26 off 22) led the counterattack while Jitesh Sharma (31 off 20) joined in to bring India closer to the target. Afghanistan were about 20-25 runs short of a par score and the fact that they even got to 158 was largely thanks to Mohammad Nabi (42 off 27) whose counter-punch gave impetus after a slow start.
On a good batting surface with minimal movement upfront and no real signs of spin, Afghanistan were strangely hesitant when it came to their intent in the powerplay. Only 33 runs came in the first six overs without a single wicket lost – a stat that proved to be significant to the eventual result. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran were both unable to get their tempo going, perhaps trying too hard to force things on a pitch that naturally allowed strokeplay. However, they did stitch a 50-run stand which meant that there was some platform for the rest to launch.
After such a slow start, it was imperative for the openers to kick on but unfortunately for Afghanistan, both fell in quick succession. Gurbaz charged down to Axar Patel to get stumped while Dube picked up the Afghanistan skipper with a slower ball. Debutant Rahmat Shah then chopped one on to the sticks as Afghanistan lost 3/7 across 13 deliveries to find themselves in a hole.
On an easing pitch with his team in trouble, Nabi knew that he had to take the challenge to India and so he did in the company of the impressive Azmatullah Omarzai (29 off 22) as the pair added 68 off just 43 balls with crisp ball-striking. Nabi started the onslaught as peppered the short boundary for sixes while Omarzai also joined in shortly thereafter. When the stand was going great guns, Afghanistan looked set for a total in excess of 160 or even 165.
Mukesh Kumar, though, returned in his final spell to get rid of the two set batters in successive overs. A slower ball took out Omarzai who chopped one on while Nabi holed out to the deep in pursuit of another six. Their dismissals in quick succession robbed some momentum from the innings but Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat played cameos to ensure that the score ended up close to the 160-run mark
A lot is riding on this series for Rohit Sharma the player but the Indian captain fell to a huge mix up with Shubman Gill, resulting in the former’s run out. The single was on but Gill was ball-watching and it sent a furious Rohit on his way back in the first over of the chase. Just the start Afghanistan were seeking.
The young opener looked in ominous touch at his home ground, stroking some elegant boundaries but a rush of blood saw him getting stumped against Mujeeb-ur-Rahman. At 28/2 in the fourth over with an inexperienced middle order to follow, Afghanistan were sensing an opening to create more pressure. Particularly with the lack of batting depth as well.
The two left-handers (Dube and Tilak) love to be aggressive as it’s their natural game and that’s how they reacted to the pressure situation. Dube took on Nabi for a monstrous six while also collecting boundaries against the pacers. Tilak was equally confident, if not more, as he executed his signature wristy strokes on both sides of the wicket. The 44-run stand came off just 29 balls as the chase got back on track after the initial wobble.
A blinder by Gulbadin Naib at deep square leg ended Tilak’s stay at the crease but the visitors weren’t able to build on that breakthrough as Jitesh Sharma continued to up the tempo. Dube also motored along at the other end, breezing past his fifty. He added 45 off just 31 balls with Jitesh and then stitched an unbroken 42-run stand with Rinku Singh to see India through. Apart from Dube, there weren’t any big scores but consistent partnerships meant that the result was never in doubt.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 158/5 in 20 overs (Mohammad Nabi 42; Axar Patel 2-23, Mukesh Kumar 2-33) lost to India 159/4 in 18.3 overs (Shivam Dube 60*, Jitesh Sharma 40; Mujeeb-ur-Rahman 2-21) by six wickets
Former Zimbabwe fast bowler and umpire Sarah Dambanevana passed away in Harare on Monday. She was 36.
A Zimbabwe Cricket release said Dambanevana was in hospital receiving care since undergoing a medical procedure in March.
Her senior international umpiring career began on 2 September 2023, and she went on to officiate at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE and the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka, where she was part of the tournament’s historic all-female panel of match officials.
Prior to that, Dambanevana officiated in the final between India and England at the 2023 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, becoming the first Zimbabwean woman to umpire a World Cup final.
Overall, she officiated in 63 senior internationals, comprising 42 women’s T20Is, 11 women’s ODIs and 10 men’s T20Is, alongside her assignments in domestic cricket and global youth tournaments.
Dambanevana also represented Zimbabwe as a player between 2009 and 2014, including at the World Cup Qualifier in 2011. She joined the ICC development panel of umpires in 2022.
“Sarah served Zimbabwe with distinction, first as a player and then as an umpire whose ability earned her a place on the world stage,” ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said. “Watching her stand in a World Cup final was a moment of immense pride for our cricket community and our country. She showed young Zimbabwean women that they belong at the highest levels of the game, including in roles where opportunities had long been limited.
“Through her achievements, she opened doors and gave others the confidence to pursue their own ambitions. We will remember her dedication, her professionalism and her willingness to help others grow. Her passing leaves a painful void in our cricket family, but the example she set will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.”
(Cricinfo)
Even counting the win against Bangladesh at the Asian Games Sri Lanka have lost 12 T20Is to the two they have won since their win against Australia in the 2026 T20 World Cup. There have been significant personnel changes in that period. Captains have changed. There is a new head coach. Various batting orders have been trialled. But on Sunday’s evidence, they are deeply outmatched by even this Pakistan side, who themselves are hardly world-beaters at the moment, having not made the World Cup semi-finals this year.
With as highly-rated a coach in Gary Kirsten and a new captain in Kusal Mendis still searching desperately for a stronger combination, expect Sri Lanka to be in flux for this match as well. In game two, spinner Maheesh Theekshana was taken apart, while the seamers struggled to threaten Pakistan’s batters on a flat Rawalpindi deck. The decks don’t look like they are going to be any better for bowling. Sri Lanka’s attack will have to find new gears.
Pakistan are in the rare position of being utterly dominant in a white-ball series against an opponent who even in their previous low ebbs have challenged them. Having sewn up the trophy 2-0, Pakistan are in a position to rest key players. But it is so rare that their batters get to dine out across a whole series, management will be mighty tempted to keep this tuneful band together.
Even if Sri Lanka’s bowlers get through the Pakistan top order this time, the middle order could do with a decent workout.
So far in this series, Maaz Sadaqat has thumped 50 off 29 balls, and 96 off 51, showcasing not only power against spin, but touch against pace when the ball has demanded it. Sri Lanka are going seam-heavy in this series, but Sadaqat has found ways to take down even the little spin he has come up against, particularly in the second T20I. Sri Lanka are likely to switch up their attack a little for the last match, so he may have new problems to solve on Tuesday.
A long-term performer in Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket, Lahiru Udara has finally made a mark in white-ball internationals, hitting 91 off 55 balls in the first match of this series. A good bouncer from Salman Mirza prevented him from making a similar impact in the second match. But at age 32, Udara will know he doesn’t have many chances to convert an excellent domestic record into a long run in the national side. Anotherood score in match three will shore up his place.
Rawalpindi surfaces have tended to be batting friendly, and the track for the third T20I will likely have plenty of runs in it. The weather on Tuesday evening is expected to be fine, with temperatures in the low 20s celsius.
As legspinner Abrar Ahmed has had a couple of modest outings in this series, Pakistan may bring in left-arm wristspinner Sufyan Moqim, whose T20I stats so far in a 21-match career are encouraging.
Pakistan XI (probable): Sahibzada Farhan (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Imran, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim
Sri Lanka’s misfiring top order could do with a tweak or two, but there are not many spare batters on this tour. They could potentially bring back Kamil Mishara in place of an allrounder, however. With Maheesh Theekshana having been taken down on Sunday, Sri Lanka will also be tempted to try out legspinner V Viyaskanth. Dushmantha Chameera could also come back if he is fit.
Sri Lanka XI (probable): Lahiru Udara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana/V Viyaskanth, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera/Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara
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Heavy showers about (100-150) mm are likely at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 13 October 2026
Issued at 2.00 p.m. on 12 October 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
A low-pressure area may form over the southeastern Bay of Bengal by 13 October.
Under the influence of this system, an increase in rainfall is expected over the island and the deep and shallow sea areas around the island during the next few days from tomorrow (13).
The general public, as well as the naval and fishing communities, are requested to be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.
Heavy showers about (100-150) mm are likely at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces.
Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces during the early hours of the morning.
HRCSL issues recommendation on seizure of four books by B. Piratheepan by Sri Lanka Customs
Former Zimbabwe player and umpire Sarah Dambanevana dies aged 36
Deflated Sri Lanka look to prevent whitewash against dominant Pakistan
Heavy showers (100-150) mm likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Southern provinces showerss above 75 mm are likely in the other areas of the island.
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