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Gurbaz, Zadran tons power Afghanistan to historic win
Riding on a big batting effort followed by an all-round bowling show, Afghanistan took an unassailable 2-0 series lead over Bangladesh, thus registering their first ever ODI series win over them in the format. Afghanistan’s massive 142-run margin in the second ODI in Chattogram was their third biggest victory margin in the format in terms of runs.
The platform for the impressive win was set up pretty early in the game, when Afghanistan racked up an impressive total of 331/9, their third-highest ODI total, after being put in to bat. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (145 off 125) and Ibrahim Zadran (100 off 119) raised contrasting hundreds but formed two halves of a massive 256-run opening stand, the highest ever for Afghanistan. The effort set them up for a score in excess of 350 but Bangladesh made a strong comeback in the closing overs to keep their target down to only 332, which admittedly looked achievable at the halfway mark but one that Afghanistan’s new-ball bowlers put paid to pretty early in the chase.
For the visitors, it all started with a good powerplay upfront which saw the total an effortless 67 runs in the first 10 overs. Both batters scored more freely thereafter, with Gurbaz bringing up his 48-ball fifty by launching Shakib Al Hasan for a six over deep square leg. He reached his century, his third in ODIs, off 100 balls as Bangladesh looked out of clues to dislodge the opening stand.
It took a flat darter from Shakib to dismiss Gurbaz and put an end to the mammoth stand but not before the batter had smashed eight sixes and raised his highest ODI score. This, though, proved to the point from whereon Bangladesh made a strong return. Only 75 runs came in the last 14 overs as the bowlers kept chipping in with wickets. After Gurbaz fell, Ebadot Hossain followed up with the wicket Rahmat Shah in the next over and Mehidy Hasan then bowled Hashmatullah Shahidi in the over after. Regular wickets kept Afghanistan from getting away in the death overs even as Zadran brought up his fourth ODI hundred off 118 balls.
Zadran fell right after his milestone to Mustafzur Rahman who also picked up Azmatullah Omarzai later in the innings. Mohammad Nabi’s cameo of 25* off 15 took Afghanistan in excess of 330, a total that proved more than enough on the night.
Out to defend what felt a par target, Afghanistan got their lines and lengths right from the word go. Litton Das kicked off the chase with a couple of boundaries, even overturned an on-field lbw call but eventually fell to a short ball from Fazalhaq Farooqi. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, having kept things tight at the other end, then bowled Najmul Hossain Shanto before Farooqi added the wicket of Mohammad Naim, wrapping up a delightful powerplay for the visitors.
That’s when Rashid Khan joined the party, getting rid of Towhid Hridoy in his first over and then Afif Hossain in his next. Sandwiched between those two wickets was Mohammad Nabi’s lbw of Shakib, a crucial moment in the game.
The target looked way off from 72/6 but an 87-run stand between Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy kept Afghanistan waiting. Mujeeb returned to pick Mehidy and break that stand, and added the wicket of Hasan Mahmud as Bangladesh went on to be bowled out for 189 inside 44 overs. Mujeeb and Fazalhaq finished with six wickets between them as Afghanistan secured a memorable win.
Brief Scores:
Afghanistan 331/9 in 50 overs (Gurbaz 145, Zadran 100; Shakib 2-50) beat Bangladesh 189 all out in 43.2 overs (Mushfiqur 69; Farooqi 3-22, Mujeeb 3-40) by 142 runs
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Heavy rainfall of about 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern and Uva provinces and in Kurunegala and Polonnaruwa districts
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 01 APRIL 2025
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 01 April 2025 by the Department of Meteorology
The atmospheric conditions are getting favorable for afternoon thundershowers in the most parts of the island for next few days from today (01).
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-central and Uva provinces and in Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts during the morning.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the most parts of the island during the afternoon or night. Heavy rainfall of about 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern and Uva provinces and in Kurunegala and Polonnaruwa districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershower
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated a former Navy commander to head the country’s domestic security services, despite the courts having blocked his bid to fire the previous head of Shin Bet.
Netanyahu’s office announced on Monday that he had nominated Vice Admiral Eli Sharvit to lead the agency, which surveils attacks from abroad and at home, including by armed groups based in Palestine and Lebanon. However, a halt to the sacking of Ronen Bar as head of Shin Bet, ordered by the Supreme Court, remains in place.
[Aljazeera]
The Trump administration has deported 17 more alleged gang members to El Salvador, the US state department has said, despite legal battles over removing people to the Central American country’s supermax prison.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the group included members of the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs.
Salvadoran government officials told the BBC they included a mix of Venezuelans and Salvadorans.
Earlier this month a court ordered a halt to deportations carried out under the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 law previously used only in wartime. However, US media, citing administration sources, reported that the recent deportations were made under general immigration laws.
In a statement, Rubio said the group included “murderers and rapists”, but did not provide names or details of the alleged crimes or of any convictions.
In a post on X, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele shared a dramatically edited video showing shackled men being loaded off a plane and their heads being shaved before they were put into prison cells.
“All individuals are confirmed murderers and high-profile offenders, including six child rapists,” he wrote. “This operation is another step in the fight against terrorism and organized crime.”
President Trump reposted the message, blamed the administration of his predecessor Joe Biden for allowing the deportees into the US and thanked Bukele for “giving them such a wonderful place to live”.
El Salvador has agreed to take in deportees in exchange for $6m (£4.6m).
Family members of some of those who were previously sent to the maximum security prison have denied they have any gang ties.
After Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to remove more than 100 Venezuelans from the US earlier this month, groups including the American Civil Liberties Union filed a legal challenge alleging the administration had illegally denied the immigrants due process.
In a hearing on 15 March, James Boasberg, the top federal judge in Washington DC, imposed a temporary restraining order on the use of the law and ordered deportation flights that were in the air to be turned around.
But the deportations proceeded. The next hearing in the case will be held on Thursday.
[BBC]
Heavy rainfall of about 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern and Uva provinces and in Kurunegala and Polonnaruwa districts
Netanyahu nominates new Israeli spy chief despite court order
Underworld leader threatens police over arrest of his father and brother
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