Sports
New Zealand take 1-0 lead after Sodhi’s career-best show
Ish Sodhi’s career-best performance (6-39) in ODI cricket set up New Zealand’s 86-run victory in the second ODI against Bangladesh as they took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. After a useful contribution with the bat that lifted New Zealand to 254, Sodhi bagged his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs to skittle Bangladesh out for 168 in Dhaka on Saturday (September 23).
Litton Das reviewed in the very first over of the chase to reverse a leg-before decision after being struck on the pad by Trent Boult. The openers, though, weren’t able to score freely as Boult and Kyle Jamieson bowled in the right channels to keep Litton and Tamim Iqbal in check. New Zealand reaped the reward soon as Litton, in his attempt to upper-cut a Jamieson delivery, was caught at third man. Tamim, who was on 10 off 20 at that stage, picked up pace with his scoring with regular boundaries – including three in an over off Jamieson.
Tanzid Hasan also dealt in fours before Sodhi ended a promising stand by having the No.3 caught at mid off. Soumya Sarkar fell for a two-ball duck, handing a catch back to Sodhi in the same over. Sodhi bagged his third as he had Towhid Hridoy bowled with a wrong ‘un. The senior pair of Tamim and Mahmudullah tried to steady the ship but their partnership ended on 22 as Sodhi struck again. Attempting a sweep, Tamim got a bit of a glove through to the ‘keeper. The onfield decision was not out and New Zealand took the review but Tamim decided to walk, departing for 44 to leave Bangladesh at 92/5.
Mahedi Hasan got an lbw decision overturned and then put on a 42-run partnership with Mahmudullah as they tried to get Bangladesh back in the chase. However, their association was ended by Sodhi as he had Mahedi bowled for 17. A few overs later Mahmudullah was dismissed by Cole McConchie on 49, caught at backward square leg. Sodhi returned to the attack and picked up his sixth, getting Hasan Mahmud bowled with a googly. Jamieson and Ferguson cleaned up the tail as New Zealand secured a facile win, ending Bangladesh’s innings in the 42nd over.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s pacers and spinners complemented each other well as they combined to restrict New Zealand with disciplined bowling. Mahedi and debutant Khaled Ahmed picked up three wickets each after Mustafizur Rahman made early inroads with a couple of scalps. Tom Blundell resurrected the innings with a 66-ball 68 and put on 95 for the fourth wicket with Henry Nicholls (49). But Bangladesh hit back with quick wickets and it took Ish Sodhi’s 35 to help them past the 250 mark.
After New Zealand skipper Lockie Ferguson decided to bat first, New Zealand suffered early setbacks as Will Young departed for an 8-ball duck, edging a Mustafizur delivery to the ‘keeper, and the left-arm seamer also accounted for Finn Allen, getting him to edge to slip. Chad Bowes, who looked in good touch, was the next to depart as he flicked Khaled’s short delivery straight to square leg. A good partnership between Blundell and Nicholls ensued, with timely boundaries and smart rotation of strike helping build the fourth wicket stand. But Nicholls missed out on a fifty by a solitary run, getting an edge off Khaled. Rachin Ravindra began in a positive manner while Blundell hit the first six of the innings as they added 26 before Mahedi ended Ravindra’s stay. Mahmud then bagged the important wicket of Blundell and McConchie was out lbw to Nasum Ahmed as Bangladesh reduced New Zealand to 187/7.
New Zealand received some much needed impetus in the death overs through Jamieson and Sodhi as they pressed on the accelerator. The eighth wicket stand, however, came to an end on 32 when Mahedi outsmarted Jamieson. In late drama, Mahmud had Sodhi, who had ventured out of the crease, run out at the non-striker’s end but captain Litton Das decided to call back the batter. Ferguson scored some useful runs as he struck a four and a six before getting out stumped off Mahedi. Sodhi then hit a six off Mahedi, who finished with career-best figures of 3-45. Sodhi got his third six when Sarkar parried the ball over the boundary in the final over but Khaled ended his stay soon after, having him caught behind to pick up his third – with Bangladesh having to use a review.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 254 in 49.2 overs (Tom Blundell 68, Henry Nicholls 49; Mahedi Hasan 3-45, Khaled Ahmed 3-60) beat Bangladesh 168 in 41.1 overs (Mahmudullah 49, Tamim Iqbal 44; Ish Sodhi 6-39) by 86 runs.
(Cricbuzz)
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has removed Nazmul Islam as chairman of the board’s finance committee, following the CWAB’s player boycott of cricket in country until he resigns from his position.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to inform that, following a review of recent developments and in the best interest of the organisation, the BCB President has decided to release Mr. Najmul Islam from his responsibilities as Chairman of the Finance Committee with immediate effect,” the BCB said in a statement.
“The decision has been taken in accordance with the authority vested in the BCB President under Article 31 of the BCB Constitution and is aimed at ensuring the continued smooth and effective functioning of the Board’s affairs. Until further notice, the BCB President will assume the role of Acting Chairman of the Finance Committee.
“The BCB reiterates that the interests of the cricketers remain its highest priority. The Board remains fully committed to upholding the honour and dignity of all players under its jurisdiction.
“In this regard, the BCB hopes that all cricketers will continue to display the highest standards of professionalism and dedication to the betterment of Bangladesh cricket during what is a challenging period for the game, and will do their utmost to ensure continued participation in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).”
Both BPL matches on Thursday – the first between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express, and the second between Rajshahi Warriors and Sylhet Titans – have been postponed due to the player boycott.
Even though there seemed to be movement on the issues – the BCB agreed to the player body CWAB’s demands and removed Nazmul Islam from his position as head of the board’s finance committee – but it came too late in the day for the matches to go ahead as scheduled. There was no confirmation yet whether the boycott would be called off or not, and whether the BPL matches on Friday would also be impacted.
[Cricinfo]
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has issued a show cause notice to its director M Nazmul Islam over his “objectionable comments” in public against the country’s cricketers on Wednesday.
The notice came a couple of hours before the scheduled start of the BPL matches for the day, though the players’ body CWAB has called for a nationwide boycott on all forms of cricket unless Islam tenders his resignation.
The four first-division matches in the Dhaka Cricket League scheduled for the day didn’t start on Thursday morning, which caused serious concern in the BCB. ESPNcricinfo has learned that the Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express players, who were supposed to play the first BPL match on Thursday, are sticking to the boycott.
“The board has already initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against the board member concerned,” the BCB statement read. “A show cause letter has been issued, and the individual has been instructed to submit a written response within 48 hours. The matter will be dealt with through due process and appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the proceedings.”
ESPNcricinfo understands that some board directors contacted the CWAB president Mohammad Mithun late on Wednesday night, offering that they would make Nazmul stand down from his role as the finance committee chairman. But Mithun said the cricketers’ call for the boycott remained in place.
The toss of the first BPL match on Thursday is at 12.30 pm local time. Once the start time for the match has passed, the CWAB leaders are supposed to hold a press conference, where they will present the BCB with their demands, including the resignation of the director.
[Cricinfo]
Sadio Mane fired Senegal into the final of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over seven-time winners Egypt.
The two-time African Footballer of the Year broke the deadlock in the 78th minute on Wednesday when he let fly from just outside the penalty area inside the bottom left corner after Lamine Camara’s initial effort was blocked.
It sparked joy and relief among the Teranga Lions’ fans in Tangier, where the 2021 champions – after beating Egypt in the final – had taken the initiative but struggled to create clear chances against the Pharaohs’ stubborn defence.
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly will miss the title match – against either host Morocco or Nigeria, who were to play in Rabat later on Wednesday – after picking up a yellow card that meant a suspension and then going off injured in the 23rd minute.
Koulibaly was booked in the 17th for a tactical foul on Omar Marmoush. The captain was also sent off in the group-stage win over Benin and consequently missed the win over Sudan. His tournament was effectively ended when he had to be replaced by Mamadou Sarr because of injury.
Nicolas Jackson had fired over just before Senegal displayed more attacking intent. Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye also had efforts saved.
Tensions boiled over when Mohamed Salah fouled his former Liverpool teammate Mane, but Senegal coach Pape Thiaw and Egypt counterpart Hossam Hassan managed to cool tempers.
Senegal’s Habib Diarra was booked for arguing, however, meaning he will miss the final, too.
[Aljazeera]
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