Read this closely. Abhishek Sharma played within himself to bat through a full 20-over IPL innings for the first time and still ended up with 135 not out off 68. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) consequent 242 for 2, with supporting vigour provided by Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen, was more than enough against one of the hitting lightweights of this year’s IPL,  Delhi Capitals (DC). The win took SRH level on No. 2 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals, but the others have a game in hand.

This was Abhishek’s ninth T20 hundred, taking him level with Virat Kohli for most centuries by an Indian. Only three men have more T20 hundreds than him. He equalled his own record for most sixes in an innings for an SRH batter, ten, and made this his second entry in the top-five IPL scores.

It was always going to be a tough ask for DC against a strong bowling line-up at home. Nitish Rana, playing more as an offspinner for the three left-hand batters at the top, kept SRH at bay with a fifty, but the asking rate kept soaring. Three wickets in the tenth and 11th overs to Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain ended the contest, leaving DC 137 to get off 58 balls. And as offspinner, Rana went for 55 in his four.

United States President Donald Trump has announced an extension to the ceasefire with Iran, saying that the US military will hold off its planned attack to allow more time for Tehran to put forward a proposal to end the war.

The move on Tuesday comes at the request of Pakistani mediators, according to Trump. The truce was set to expire on Wednesday.

“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,” the US president said in a social media post.

Without a specific deadline, Trump’s statement suggests that the truce’s extension is open-ended, at least from the US side.

Iran did not issue an immediate response to Trump’s statement. The semi-official Tasnim news agency said Tehran’s position will be “officially announced later”.

The extension marks the latest abrupt reversal from the Trump White House. Hours before his social media post, Trump had said that he opposed lengthening the truce, warning Iran that time is running out before the US launches a huge attack on its infrastructure.

The about-face came as Iranian officials condemned the US naval blockade on the country’s ports, putting in doubt their participation in talks scheduled for Wednesday.

Afterwards, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Trump for agreeing to prolong the truce, saying that Islamabad will continue to push for a negotiated settlement to the conflict.

(Aljazeera)

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities