Latest News

Jaiswal, Dube power India to series-winning lead

Published

2 years ago

2024/01/14

Priyan

Shivam Dube smashed a 32-ball 63* and bagged a wicket (Cricbuzz)

Afghanistan posted their highest total against India, led by a half-century from Gulbadin Naib and late cameos. They posted 172 after being asked to bat first but the total proved too little against the blazing blades of Yashasvi Jaiswal (68 off 34, 5 fours & 6 sixes) and Shivam Dube (63* off 32, 5 fours & 4 sixes) as India chased down the target in 15.4 overs to clinch the series with a game to go.

Rohit Sharma, who became the first to feature in 150 T20Is, couldn’t commemorate the occasion with an impactful innings as he fell for a golden duck. Looking to swing across the line to a Fazalhaq Farooqi delivery, he missed making any contact with the bat to be bowled, heading back without scoring for his second successive game. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, who replaced Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma, began with confident boundaries to get India going. Boundaries and sixes came regularly as they raised a quick-fire half-century stand to put India in command. Kohli though fell against the run of play, failing to clear mid-off off Naveen-ul-Haq in the final over of powerplay. Jaiswal ended the over with another six, helping India to 69/2.

Jaiswal continued to dominate, striking a straight six off Mohammad Nabi, while Shivam Dube hit his first maximum by sending a Noor Ahmad delivery flat past long-off. Jaiswal reached a 27-ball fifty following which Dube went on overdrive, hitting a hat-trick of sixes off Nabi to bring up a fifty-run stand off only 25 balls. It was a batting show-off between Dube and Jaiswal, with Afghanistan being the collateral damage. Jaiswal hit a four and two sixes off Noor after which Dube followed it up with three fours in an over off Naveen and got to a 22-ball fifty, his second successive half-century in the series.

Karim Janat struck twice in the 13th over to give Afghanistan some respite. Jaiswal edged the ball to the keeper trying to run the ball to the third-man region, ending a partnership worth 92 off 42, while Jitesh Sharma hit one straight to mid-off to depart for a duck. But with the required rate under 2.5 an over, it needed an implosion from the Indian batting order for Afghanistan to stand any chance. Dube and Rinku Singh ensured there wasn’t one, sealing a comprehensive victory for India.

Earlier,

Rahmanullah Gurbaz didn’t take long to get going, putting away a half-volley from Arshdeep Singh in the opening over for a four and then hit a straight six off Mukesh Kumar. In the same over Ibrahim Zadran survived a review for lbw and got off the mark with a boundary. Afghanistan suffered a setback in the third over as Ravi Bishnoi had him caught at mid-on. But Gulbadin Naib ensured the positivity from the innings did not diminish, putting away Mukesh for a couple of fours and then taking on the legspinner, pulling one for a six followed by two fours. Axar Patel picked up a wicket in his first over as well, having Ibrahim bowled for 8. Gulbadin, meanwhile, added another four to his tally to help Afghanistan end the powerplay at 58/2, their highest Power Play score against India.

Another bowler delivered for India in his first over as Shivam Dube had Azmatullah Omarzai bowled with a slower delivery. But Gulbadin did not relent, clearing deep midwicket and long on for two sixes off Dube en route to a 28-ball fifty. But Axar, who bowled his four overs at one go, had Gulbadin caught at midwicket and finished with excellent figures of 2-17. Mohammad Nabi was reprieved in the 13th over when Jitesh Sharma couldn’t hold on to an under-edge off Washington Sundar’s bowling. But the veteran fell soon after, giving Bishnoi his second wicket when Rinku held on to a well-judged catch at long off. Karim Janat’s boundary off Washington in the 16th over was a much-needed one for Afghanistan who managed only 59 runs in overs 7-16.

Najibullah Zadran, who was on 6 off 15, finally got going in the 17th over as he clubbed two sixes off Bishnoi, with a four sandwiched between those. But he had to depart in the next over, bowled by Arshdeep, who in the same over ended up being hit for a six and a four by Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Dube was handed the ball for the penultimate over as part of India’s experimentation but Karim found the bowling to his liking as he struck a four and a six, and Mujeeb ended the over with another maximum. Arshdeep bagged a couple of wickets in the final over, eight runs came off it, and there were a couple of run outs too as Afghanistan finished with 170-plus.

Brief scores:
Afghanistan 172 in 20 overs (Gulbadin Naib 57; Arshdeep Singh 3-32, Axar Patel 2-17) lost to India 173/4 in 15.4 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 68, Shivam Dube 63*; Karim Janat 2-13) by 6 wickets.

(Cricbuzz)

All News Advertisement

Related Topics:Afghanistan Afghanistan tour of India 2024 2nd T20I India India vs Afghanistan 2024 2nd T20I Shivam Dube Yashasvi Jaiswal

Up Next

Angelo Mathews stars in thriller as Sri Lanka go 1-0 up

Don't Miss

Everyone should come together to realize new hopes for the country’s future – President

Click to comment

Latest News

Fast bowling riches in focus as Bangladesh and Pakistan switch to Test mode

Published

2 hours ago

2026/05/8

Priyan

Mushfiqur Rahim sealed a 2-0 series sweep the last time Bangladesh toured Pakistan [Cricinfo]

This series picks up from Bangladesh’s finest red-ball hour against arguably Pakistan’s bleakest one. Two years ago, Bangladesh came to Pakistan with six away Test wins in their history, and increased that tally by two in two weeks. Pakistan had never lost a Test to Bangladesh before that, but during late summer 2024 in Rawalpindi, a page turned in their cricketing relations.

This time around, the series takes place at an odd, off-kilter time. Neither side has played any Test cricket in six months, with Bangladesh’s last series a straightforward home wipeout of Ireland. Pakistan hosted South Africa in October, splitting the two Tests down the middle. This is the only red-ball international cricket Pakistan have played in 14 months.

Pakistan have filled that time going all in on T20 cricket, preparing for the recent T20 World Cup, before throwing themselves into a full PSL season. There will be just four days between the end of the PSL and the first day in Mirpur.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, have endured a more barren time. They refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup and that has meant their only international cricket all year was an ODI series against Pakistan and New Zealand’s visit for a white-ball series [ODIs and T20Is]. Wins in all three mean they have a perfect record in international series in 2026 – a record that Pakistan will hope to put to a sterner test than they managed two years ago.

In 2024, Bangladesh’s seam attack outshone Pakistan’s, with Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed’s movement, and Nahid Rana’s rapid pace, causing more trouble than their Pakistani counterparts. If anything, Rana is in even better form, cutting Pakistan down in the sides’ ODI series, before shining in the recent PSL final for Zalmi, for which the BCB granted him special permission. Bangladesh’s four-man pace attack also includes Shoriful Islam and Ebadot Hossain, alongside Rana and Taskin, and could pose its own challenges against Pakistan.

Pakistan may hope the pitches allow a spin-bowling face-off instead. Soon after Bangladesh’s humbling of Pakistan in that 2024 series, Pakistan volte-faced from playing an all-seam attack in the first Test. Instead, their pitches assisted spin from ball one. To exploit that, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali have run riot on accommodating surfaces. If Mirpur offers assistance for the spinners, Pakistan will feel confident they have the personnel to go toe-to-toe with the hosts.

Mushfique Rahim struck a century in his 100th Test, against Ireland in November last year. He will take fresh guard against Pakistan, despite speculation about his impending retirement. Mushfiqur has resisted being pushed towards the end unless he wants to. His 191 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi was a testament to his hunger for runs, as was his celebration during this milestone 100th Test against Ireland. Mushfiqur remains a vital cog in the Bangladesh middle-order. Pakistan will be wary of him, particularly in Dhaka.

Sajid Khan has found his international opportunities limited to home Tests, but this wasn’t always the case. His first six Test matches all took place away from home, with his finest away moment coming in Bangladesh, at this very ground in Mirpur. With rain laying waste to the best part of three days of that Test, Sajid wrenched the game from the clutches of the weather. He took eight wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings, to bowl them out for 87, and narrowly force a follow-on. Four more in the second innings saw Bangladesh bowled out on the fifth evening, giving Pakistan a sensational innings win. This series is perhaps Sajid’s best chance to demonstrate he remains useful outside Pakistan.

Bangladesh are likely to bring in Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana in place of Khaled Ahmed and Hasan Murad, respectively. Shoriful Islam’s white-ball form would put pressure on Ebadot Hossain’s place.

Pakistan have been dealt a blow with Babar Azam* ruled out of the opening Test due to a left knee injury. His absence leaves a hole which is likely to be filled in by a debutant. The visitors will likely go in with two spinners in Sajid and Noman, which leaves them a choice of two of four fast bowlers. With Imam-ul-Haq back in the side, Pakistan are expected to hand a debut to one of Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal at the top of the order.

Bangladesh (probable): Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal/Azan Awais, Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Amad Butt, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Khurram Shahzad/Hasan Ali, Sajid Khan

[Cricinfo]

Latest News

Iran says it attacked US Navy ships after they targeted Iranian tanker

Published

2 hours ago

2026/05/8

Priyan

[pic Aljazeera]

The Iranian military has said it retaliated against United States Navy ships after US forces targeted an oil tanker in Iran’s territorial waters, a major escalation that puts further strain on the fragile truce between Washington and Tehran.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters added on Thursday that the US also violated the ceasefire by carrying out air strikes on civilian areas, including Qeshm Island, “in cooperation with some regional countries”, without identifying them.

“The American aggressor, terrorist and bandit army, violating the ceasefire, targeted an Iranian oil tanker,” the statement said.

The statement also claimed that the Iranian response caused “significant damage” to US ships.

“The criminal and aggressor America and its supporting countries should know that the Islamic Republic of Iran, as powerfully as in the past, will give a crushing response to any aggression without the slightest hesitation,” the Iranian military said.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said Iranian forces used “various types of ballistic and antiship cruise missiles and destructive drones with high-explosive warheads” in response to the US violations of the truce.

But the Central Command (CENTCOM) of the US military said it “intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks” and responded with “self-defence strikes”.

“No US assets were struck,” it said.

CENTCOM added that it “does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces”.

The clashes represent the first military Iranian response to the US blockade of the country’s ports. Over the past weeks, the US military has seized several Iranian vessels and ordered dozens more to turn around.

The naval siege has been the spearhead of Trump’s pressure campaign against Iran since the ceasefire came into effect last month.

Several Iranian state-affiliated news outlets reported that blasts were heard at the ports of Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and the southern coastal city of Minab.

Iran’s semiofficial news agency Tasnim also cited a senior source as saying that three US Navy destroyers came under Iranian fire and fled towards the Gulf of Oman.

The skirmishes come amid reports that Washington and Tehran are in advanced talks to end the war.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump ordered an operation to break Iran’s blockade on Hormuz, leading to heightened tensions that pushed the ceasefire to the brink.

On Monday, the US said it shot down seven small Iranian drones, and Iran renewed its drone and missile attacks against the United Arab Emirates.

[Aljazeera]

Latest News

Heat index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ in the Sabaragamuwa, Northern, North-central, North-western, Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the daytime

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/8

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 07 May 2026, valid for 08 May 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, Northern, North-central, North-western, Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the daytime.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note: In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.