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Shaheen, Babar and Rizwan outclass Ireland as Pakistan seal series win

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Shaheen Shah Afridi was named Player of the Match for his 3 for 14 (Cricinfo)

An imperiously accurate bowling spell from Shaheen Shah Afridi and quick half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam took Pakistan to a six-wicket win over Ireland to complete a 2-1 T20I series victory in Dublin on Tuesday.

Ireland, inspired by a 41-ball 73 from stand-in captain Lorcan Tucker,  put up a competitive 178. But Babar and Rizwan made light work of what was, in truth, a below-par total, and another tame bowling performance and sloppy fielding effort from Ireland meant the result was beyond doubt long before the winning runs were struck.

After Babar won the toss and asked Ireland to bat as in the second game, Shaheen and Mohammad Amir bowled a tidy first three overs in stark contrast to the manner in which the two were taken apart two days earlier. Shaheen got his first wicket in that period, but Hasan Ali conceded 16 in his first over as Andy Balbernie and Tucker began to make up for lost time. Off 49 eventful deliveries as Pakistan’s bowling plans fell apart slightly, Ireland’s second-wicket partnership plundered 85, seemingly setting themselves up for a score around 200.

But, spearheaded by a spell from Shaheen during which he nailed his yorkers almost at will, Ireland collapsed. His four overs allowed a miserly 14 runs and yielded three wickets while his team-mates chipped in around him. Tucker holed out against a typically tidy Imad Wasim and the men who followed never came close to carrying on from where he left off. Ireland managed just 49 in the last seven as Pakistan’s quality shone through, and ceded momentum.

The most significant setback for Pakistan was the continuation of Saim Ayub’s lean run, the opener top-edging one to short third early on. But in the sort of middling chase they thrive on, Rizwan and Babar took full advantage, Babar bedding himself in while Rizwan lit the powerplay up. The two swapped roles once the fielding restrictions lifted, and Babar benefitted from George Dockrell putting him down on 19. As on Sunday, Ireland fell away after that, with Babar capitalising on uninspiring bowling to steamroll his way to a 42-ball 75. Ireland managed a late cluster of wickets as Pakistan galloped towards the finishing line, but the inevitable end came with a full three overs to spare.

After he was punished for an errant showing in the second game, Shaheen struck back with the fire of a thousand suns. The first over was ordinary as Balbirnie picked him off for two boundaries, but Shaheen ended up landing just about every one of his remaining 18 deliveries on a sixpence, conceding just six more runs and taking three wickets.

Most impressive was his ability to nail the yorker on command, initially utilising inswing to shatter Ross Adair’s stumps. His final two overs were an exhibition of pace and accuracy as Ireland’s momentum ground to a halt, and Shaheen signed off the series with a performance that could be the start of his return to vintage, world-beating rhythm.

The confusion around who should bat in Pakistan’s top four – and in what order – was summed up by a slightly surreal 14th over of Pakistan’s chase. Babar, the man so often accused of showing parsimony with his batting intent, was briefly in with a shot of hitting six sixes in an over from a hapless Ben White.

Three gentle, looping deliveries were dispatched with aplomb, and when Babar missed a flat fourth one, he made up by smashing the next down the ground for another six. The 25 in that over took his strike rate zooming up, making up for another somewhat slow start in an innings where, had Dockrell held on to a simple chance, Babar would have been on his way for a 16-ball 19. Instead, he struck as many sixes as the rest of his team-mates combined.

Paul Stirling rested after a poor first couple of games, was replaced as captain by wicketkeeper Tucker. Tucker had topped Ireland’s batting card with a half-century in the second game, and, in the decider, punished a rusty Hasan right from the outset. Once he was off, Pakistan never quite found a way to stem the scoring from that end.

Even Balbirnie, who was going at a run a ball at that point, found an extra gear, ensuring Pakistan were always under pressure as long as that partnership lasted.

Tucker also ensured the immediate post-powerplay slowdown against spin never quite materialised, highlighted by his takedown of Saim Ayub in the tenth over. He took advantage of Pakistan’s curious decision not to bowl Imad in the first ten as well.

He signed off with three successive fours in Hasan’s third over, hitting him out of the attack and potentially sealing his fate ahead of Pakistan’s squad announcement for the T20 World Cup. That Ireland’s gears ground to a half immediately after Tucker fell perhaps illustrated the difference in class between him and the batters he was surrounded by.

Brief scores:
Pakistan
181 for 4 in 17 overs  (Babar Azam  75, Mohammad Rizwan 56;  Mark Adair 3-28, Craig Young 1-49) beat Ireland 178 for 7 in 20 overs (Lorcan Tucker 73, Andy Balbirnie 35, Harry Tector 30*; Shaheen Shah Afridi  3-14, Mohammad Amir 1-32, Abbas Afridi 2-43, Imad Wasim 1-23) by six wickets

(Cricinfo)



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Suspect killed after shooting at Secret Service agents, officials confirm

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A person has been shot and killed after they opened fire outside the White House, the US Secret Service has confirmed.

Here is their statement in full:

Shortly after 6 p.m Saturday an individual in the area on 17th street and Pennsylvania Avenue pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing.

Secret Service police returned fire striking the suspect who was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. During the shooting one bystander was also struck by gunfire.

No injuries were sustained by officers. The President was in the White House during the incident, however no protectees or operations were impacted.

This incident remains under investigation and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Suspect identified, had previous ‘run-in’ with Secret Service – CBSpublished at 07:45

The deceased suspect in the shooting outside the White House has been identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, a person familiar with the investigation has told BBC’s US media partner CBS.

The source said that the suspect had already been arrested by the US Secret Service in July 2025 after he tried to gain entry to the White House, and he was sent to a psychiatric ward for mental health issues in the aftermath.

(BBC)

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Trump says Iran deal ‘largely negotiated’ including reopening Strait of Hormuz

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(Pic BBC)

US President Donald Trump says an agreement with Iran has been “largely negotiated” and details will be announced soon.

The deal would include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, he said on Saturday, without giving further details.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei earlier told state television that US and Iranian positions had been converging in the last week, but warned that did not mean agreements would be reached on key issues and accused the Americans of “contradictory statements”.

On social media, Trump said he had a “very good call” with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and others about a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE”.

“An agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries, as listed,” Trump said.

“Final aspects and details of the deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly.”

He also said he had a call on Saturday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which “went very well”.

The president has not given any further details on the deal, but has insisted any agreement would “absolutely” prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Later, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said: “I congratulate President Donald Trump on his extraordinary efforts to pursue peace,” and said the phone call had been “very useful and productive”.

Pakistan has been helping to negotiate a peace deal  serving as an intermediary.

“We hope to host the next round of talks very soon,” he wrote in the statement on X.

The US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran on 28 February, sparking conflict across the Middle East. Iran responded by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.

A ceasefire in Iran was agreed in early April, and since then Washington and Tehran have engaged in talks over a long-term peace deal.

(BBC)

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Devine intervention brings New Zealand back from the dead

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Sophie Devine built a brilliant innings for New Zealand [Cricinfo]

A firefighting 87 from Sophie Devine propelled New Zealand from a perilous 11 for 4 to a series-squaring 14-run win over England in the second women’s T20I at Canterbury.

Already 1-0 down, the tourists were floored when reduced to 5 for 3 after just nine balls – New Zealand women’s joint-lowest total at the fall of the third wicket in T20Is. They were soon four-down in the fourth over, with Linsey Smith (3 for 25) the main destructor, her wily brand of slow left-arm swing flummoxing the top-order.

But Devine and Maddy Green, who finished with an unbeaten 56, rebuilt and then thrived with a stand of 159 that ended with Devine’s run-out off the final ball of the innings. Regular boundaries between the pair – including eight sixes, six belonging to Devine – ensured the White Ferns did not miss out on the pristine batting conditions that convinced Melie Kerr to bat first upon winning the toss.

Yet again, Lauren Bell struck early, dismissing Izzy Gaze at the end of her first over having dismissed Georgia Plimmer with the first delivery of the opening T20I at Derby. Plimmer had the ignominy of a second successive golden duck when she got herself in a tangle to gift Smith a return catch at the start of the second over.

But Devine and Green ensured there would be no repeat of Wednesday’s defeat. England’s target would have been more manageable than 171 had Smith effected a run-out at the non-striker’s end midway through her third over. It would have removed Devine for 48 in the 14th over. She struck 39 off her remaining 20 deliveries, and faced 57 in all before finally being run out off the final ball of the innings.

In their reply, England were above the rate at the three-over mark, before Sophia Dunkley was dismissed for a sprightly 26, caught off Nensi Patel, the offspinner having come into the side for Suzie Bates. And New Zealand assumed the ascendancy out when set batters Heather Knight (25) and Maia Bouchier (38) were dismissed in successive balls. It was particularly poor from Bouchier, finding the fielder at long-on off Patel, moments after Knight had been run out after aborting a second run following a late call.

The silver lining for England was that it brought hard-hitting allrounders Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson to the middle at the death. But with too much to do, Gibson was bowled by Bree Illing hacking across the line, and Kemp became the returning Leah Tahuhu’s 99th T20I wicket when caught on the fence with 23 required from the final four balls.

Issy Wong, replacing Sophie Ecclestone who sat out with a tight hamstring, lofted the final ball over the boundary, reducing the margin of defeat. It also highlighted a key difference between the two teams. It was only England’s second six, a third as many as Devine had managed on her own.

It has been an excellent first half of the year for Sophie Devine. Saturday’s half-century was her third so far, giving her an average of 48 and strike rate of 160. While admittedly from a sample size of seven innings, it speaks to a player focussed on going out on a high. This, by the way, is now her second highest score in the format, slotting beneath her sole century that came against South Africa in February 2020.

“I’m enjoying my cricket and enjoying what I got left on the international scene,” Devine said during her play of the match interview. Retiring at the end of the upcoming T20 World Cup, the 36-year old is gunning for the sweetest swansong.

England were warned. On, Wednesday in a similar situation, Devine counterpunched with 45 off 22 from less shakier ground – 13 for 2 in the fourth over – but was eventually trimmed off by Gibson. The difference this time was not just carrying on (especially after the life on 48) but support from Green.

Overall, Green was only striking at 116.66, but she was able to keep pace for the majority of what became a maiden T20I fifty. A brace of fours off Gibson took Green to 40 from 33, with Devine watching on appreciatively, 49 off 38 to her name.

That passage of five overs after the midway point saw Green momentarily assume senior status, facing 20 balls and allowing Devine to rest up for the final push. The 56 from the final four overs – 36 from Devine – put New Zealand out of reach.

“It shows the growth of the group, to be able to rebound and put on a score of 170,” said Devine. “For a player like me, I don’t really like sitting back. It’s a real battle of the mind regarding what you want to do.

“We absorbed pressure really well and then to be able to throw it back at them at the backend. It’s a fantastic confidence builder for us.”

“They keep playing her like a left-arm spinner – they need to play her like a left-arm swing bowler,” said Nasser Hussain on Sky. In between celebrating Linsey Smith’s brilliance, the former England men’s captain could not help but lament New Zealand’s approach to the left-arm orthodox bowler.

At the toss, Melie Kerr revealed the team had discussed how best to combat Smith, who had flummoxed them in the first T20I. Stifling the White Ferns scoring with 15 dot balls among her 1 for 10 from her four overs, Kerr called for a more pro-active batting effort. Unfortunately, she could not lead as an example, out LBW sweeping her first ball, gifting Smith her second dismissal halfway through her first over.

Blindly swinging across the line was surely not a tactic formulated in that brainstorming session. Georgia Plimmer attacking immediately – a return catch giving her a second successive golden duck – was a little too cavalier. Left-hander Brooke Halliday’s initiative to advance down the crease felt the most appropriate, even if that resulted in a straight-forward catch to Bouchier at long off.

Smith has added a fascinating dimension to the XI, as a slower bowler thriving in the Powerplay. And it will be interesting to see how opposition batters deal with her at the World Cup given what she’s shown weeks out from the competition.

As Hussain states, tit may be wiser to approach Smith like a seamer, focussing on the movement through the air rather than what revolutions there may be on the ball. It was instructive that Smith, speaking ahead of the match, revealed she had got into trouble for forgetting to shine the ball, a regular habit for quick bowlers but something this spinner needs to remember to do given how much of her success is coming from swing rather than spin.

Most of New Zealand’s right-handers have had little joy trying to heave her to leg. Might more joy be found making room and accessing the off side, particularly during the first six overs? We may be about to find out.

That England happened to get their strongest hitters Kemp and Gibson out there in the final five overs was entirely by accident. Even if they had managed the 52 required from the remaining 26 deliveries, the main takeaway should be that they were introduced too late.

Angling for what would have been the side’s third-highest successful chase, perhaps Kemp, off the back of a handy 31 not out to finish the first T20I, should have come out when Capsey fell at the end of the 10th over. At that point, the required rate was on the verge of reaching double figures. By the time Knight and Bouchier were done, both allrounders would have had to strike at 200 to get England home.

Head coach Charlotte Edwards has focussed on adding more heft to the lower order, and there is no doubt Kemp and Gibson give opponents something to fear. Gibson’s consecutive fours off Devine sparked momentary jeopardy before her dismissal. A little more time and maybe her and/or Kemp could have made a decisive impact. No doubt an error to learn from ahead of the main event next month.

Brief scores:
New Zealand Women 170 for 5 in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 87, Maddy Green 56*; Lauren Bell 1-22, Linsey Smith 3-25) beat England Women 156 for 6 in 20 overs  (Sophia Dunkley 26, Alice Capsey 22, Maia Bouchier 38, Heather Knight 25, Freya Kemp 14, Dani Gibson 12; Bree Illing 1-27, Nensi Patel 2-25, Lea Tahuhu 1-32, Mellie Kerr 1-28) by 14 runs

[Cricinfo]

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