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Shakib absence ‘unfortunate’, but Shanto wants Bangladesh to focus on cricket

Published

6 months ago

2024/10/20

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Najmul Hossain Shanto will have to cope with not having the skill and experience of Shakib Al Hasan in his side (Cricinfo)

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has said Shakib Al Hasan’s absence from what should have been his farewell Test was “unfortunate,” but urged his team to focus on the task at hand – the first match against South Africa’ starting on Monday.

While Shakib was selected in the squad, and expressed his desire to end his Test career in Dhaka, protests in the city against him meant he didn’t travel to Bangladesh after government advice said his arrival would pose a security risk

“It is unfortunate. It should have happened,” Shanto said. “But we can’t spend too much time talking about it on the day before the Test match. [Shakib’s arrival] is not in our control, so we are not spending too much time thinking about it. We have to focus on the two important Tests and that’s what the players are doing. We had plans to send off one of the world’s best players. All of us personally feel that it remains pending.”

Shakib’s future as a Bangladesh player was put in uncertainty following the upheaval of the Bangladesh government in August; Shakib was a member of the political party that was overthrown. Shanto said the players were focused on the cricket, which is why they hadn’t spoken on the matter.

“Our focus is on winning the Test that starts tomorrow. We would have been happy if it was his farewell Test. We all know why he is unable to come.”

Shanto said replacing Shakib was going to be tough. He said Mehidy Hasan Miraz has shown he can step up but it would take him some time.

“It is hard to match [Shakib], especially for the captain. He would usually allow us to play the extra batter or bowler. Now the No. 7 becomes a crucial spot. We don’t have anyone exactly like Shakib bhai but Miraz can be a very good option. He is bowling and batting superbly. There are more responsibilities, which Miraz is prepared for. He has improved his batting. He is taking the team to good positions, if you look at the last few Tests. I would hope that Miraz can take that place in the next couple of years.”

Uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad replaced Shakib in the squad for the first Test. Shanto said Murad deserved the call-up, and expressed confidence in his spin attack.

“We have four quality spinners in the side. Hasan Murad has an outstanding first-class record. He bowls well in all types of wickets. It is a deserving selection. Nayeem couldn’t break into the side despite playing well recently. Whether we pick three or four spinners tomorrow, they are all capable. Regardless of our combination, we will give our best.”

Bangladesh go into the two-Test series against South Africa after winning their maiden series in Pakistan 2-0, before losing 2-0 in India earlier this month.

(Cricinfo)

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Six dead after helicopter crashes in New York’s Hudson River

Published

18 mins ago

2025/04/11

Priyan

Six people, including three children, were killed after a helicopter carrying a family of Spanish tourists crashed into the Hudson River in New York on Thursday, authorities said.

Three children and three adults were onboard the helicopter at the time of the crash. Five of the individuals were from Spain and the sixth person was the pilot, New York City Mayor Eric Adams told reporters.

“Our hearts go out to the families,” he said.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the identities of the victims would not be released until the families were notified. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Video footage posted to social media appears to show the helicopter falling out of the sky upside down and splashing down in the Hudson River.

Officials said the helicopter lost control soon after turning at the George Washington Bridge to move along the New Jersey shoreline.

The first calls of the crash came around 15:17 EDT (20:17 GMT) and rescue boats were launched immediately, New York’s Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker said.

“Swimmers were in the water shortly after the call,” he said.

Once on the scene, rescuers started searching the water for victims or survivors and initiated “immediate life-saving measures” but the efforts were unsuccessful.

Four victims were pronounced dead on scene, the other two victims were pronounced dead at an area hospital, officials said.

The part of the river where the helicopter crashed is near the West Side of Manhattan. The surrounding area is a neighbourhood called the West Village, a trendy area known for its shops and dining, also near the main campus of New York University.

(BBC)

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Sun directly overhead Maningamuwa, Rambewa, Kahatagasdigiliya, Eithala wetunu wewa and Muthur at about 12:11 noon. today (11)

Published

45 mins ago

2025/04/11

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 14th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead toda6 (11th) are Maningamuwa, Rambewa, Kahatagasdigiliya, Eithala wetunu wewa and Muthur at about 12:11 noon.

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IPL 2025: Spinners set it up, Rahul seals it as Delhi Capitals stay perfect

Published

2 hours ago

2025/04/11

Priyan

KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 93* as DC got home with 2.1 overs to spare. (BCCI)

A clinical bowling display, led by Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam, followed by a masterful unbeaten 93 from KL Rahul, powered Delhi Capitals to a six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

On a challenging pitch, RCB blazed off the blocks but were pegged back by disciplined spin bowling through the middle overs. Regular wickets stifled their momentum, and if not for Tim David’s late cameo, the hosts would have struggled to reach even the 163/7 they eventually managed after being put in to bat.

DC stumbled early in their chase, but Rahul’s elegant 93* off 53 balls, and his unbroken 111-run partnership with Tristan Stubbs for the fifth wicket, steered them home comfortably. The win marked Delhi’s first-ever 4-0 start to an IPL season, while RCB’s search for a home victory continued.

Where the game was won

In overs 4-18 when RCB were batting. After RCB raced past 50 in the first three overs, DC hit back in excellent fashion, with pace off the ball and spinners giving the ball air time on a pitch that was holding a bit and where it wasn’t easy to play across the line. The key moment was Phil Salt’s run-out after the opener had blitzed away at the start of the innings. From there on, DC didn’t allow RCB to get into a higher gear, with overs 4 to 18 yielding only 74/7 for the home side at under five an over. In contrast, a well-paced half-century from KL Rahul helped DC recover from early wickets and get back on track. RCB also failed to capitalise on an important moment as Rahul was put down by Rajat Patidar, and the Karnataka man made the hosts pay. In the middle overs (7-15), the Capitals scored 82 runs, plenty more than what RCB got.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU

Powerplay: Calm before and after Salt storm

Phase score – 64/2 [RR: 10.66, 4s/6s: 5/4]

It was a quiet start to the innings despite Mitchell Starc conceding five wides in the opening over. But that proved to be the calm before the storm, as Salt unleashed a furious onslaught in the next couple of overs. He launched a six and a four off Axar Patel, then tore into Starc with two sixes and three fours in a third over that went for 30 runs – including four leg-byes – as RCB raced to their second-fastest team fifty. Virat Kohli joined the party with a sublime back-foot drive for six over cover off Axar, but the explosive opening stand came to a sudden end in the fourth over. Salt was run out, slipping on his way back after being denied a single by Kohli. The chaos subsided in the final two overs of the powerplay as Nigam gave away just two runs and Mukesh Kumar followed by removing Devdutt Padikkal and wrapping up the first phase with a wicket-maiden to restore control.

Middle overs: Kuldeep and Co. leave RCB in shambles

Phase score – 53/4 [RR: 5.88, 4s/6s: 2/2]

Kohli looked to reignite RCB’s momentum with a graceful lofted drive, launching Nigam over the long-on fence. But the legspinner had the last word, luring Kohli into reaching out again – this time inducing a mishit that was comfortably taken at long-off. Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis, making his return to the side, had to leave the field after landing awkwardly while attempting a catch. Rajat Patidar briefly lifted spirits with a six off Axar, but the innings suffered another blow when Liam Livingstone top-edged a cross-batted swipe off Mohit Sharma, leaving RCB at 91/4 at the halfway mark. Patidar took them past the 100-run mark with a boundary in the 12th over, but Delhi continued to tighten the screws. Jitesh Sharma, who had just survived a review courtesy of umpire’s call, fell soon after – getting a leading edge to a Kuldeep top-spinner. A tidy over from Mukesh was followed by Kuldeep striking again, this time removing Patidar, who top-edged an attempted slog across the line as RCB’s slide continued.

Death overs: David’s cameo powers RCB past 160

Phase score – 46/1 [RR: 9.20, 4s/6s: 2/4]

Delhi Capitals continued to rely on their spinners deep into the death overs. Nigam kept things tight in the 16th, conceding just four runs, while Kuldeep wrapped up a superb spell with figures of 2 for 17, giving away only four in his final over. Nigam capped off an impressive outing by removing Krunal Pandya and conceding just two runs in his last over, finishing with 2 for 18. Tim David finally broke the boundary drought, launching the first ball of the 19th over, bowled by Axar, for a six. It was RCB’s first boundary since the second ball of the 15th over. David followed up with a four and another six in the same over, taking 17 off it and giving the crowd a late surge of excitement. He wasn’t done yet – two sixes and a four off Mukesh in the final over helped RCB push past 160, with 36 runs coming in the last two overs.

DELHI CAPITALS

Powerplay: Pacers give RCB a good start

Phase score – 39/3 [RR: 6.50, 4s/6s: 5/0]

Having ended their innings well thanks to David, RCB continued their comeback in the game with early wickets. Du Plessis came out to open with Jake Fraser-McGurk but the overseas pair failed to make an impact. Bhuvneshwar Kumar started with a one-run over while Yash Dayal, after being hit for a four by Fraser-McGurk, induced a leading edge off Du Plessis’ bat. Bhuvneshwar then got the wicket of Fraser-McGurk, who went across the line but only got a top-edge and Jitesh held on to the ball on the second attempt. Abishek Porel and Rahul struck a few boundaries to get DC going and the latter also got a lucky break as Patidar put down a tough chance. But looking to play across the line brought about the downfall of Porel as Bhuvneshwar ended up with figures of 2-14 from the three overs he bowled in the powerplay. Hazlewood didn’t give away too many in his first over as RCB kept DC in check.

Middle overs: Rahul fifty keeps DC on track

Phase score – 82/1 [9.11, 4s/6s: 6/4]

A top-edged six for Rahul off Hazlewood and a mistimed four for Axar off Suyash Sharma gave DC some much-needed boundaries. But the visiting team found themselves in more trouble as their captain Axar departed in the ninth over, finding the fielder at long off to give Suyash a wicket. An economical start from Krunal meant DC could only manage 66/4 in 10 overs, trailing RCB’s 10-over total by 25. DC got a move on in the 12th over as Stubbs reverse-swept Krunal for a four and Rahul swept the spinner for a six. Rahul then took on Livingstone, pulling one for a four and hitting a straight six before a mistimed shot off Dayal got him a single as he brought up a 37-ball fifty. Even as it started drizzling, Rahul struck three fours and a six off Hazlewood to get 21 in the over and take DC ahead by six runs in the DLS calculations.

Death overs: Rahul-Stubbs century stand keeps RCB winless at home

Phase score – 48/0 [RR: 16.96, 4s/6s: 4/3]

The Capitals took further control of the game when Stubbs struck a four and a six off Suyash, with 13 coming off the 16th over to bring down the equation to 30 off 24. The South African further eased it for DC with two straight fours off Bhuvneshwar to make it a run-a-ball. An authoritative pull for a six and a reverse scoop for a four off Dayal brought up the century stand, followed by five wides. Rahul finished it off in style, clearing the fine leg fence to finish the game in the 18th over, and celebrated the win by thumping his chest and highlighting the DC badge.

Brief scores:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 163/7 in 20 overs (Tim David 37*, Phil Salt 37; Kuldeep Yadav 2-17, Vipraj Nigam 2-18) lost to Delhi Capitals 169/4 in 17.5 overs (KL Rahul 93*, Tristan Stubbs 38*; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-26) by 6 wickets.

What next for the teams?

The only team unbeaten in the competition so far, the Capitals will play their first home game at the Arun Jaitley stadium when they face Mumbai Indians on April 13. On the same day, Royal Challengers – hoping for more success away from home – will play the afternoon game against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, which will also be RR’s first match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

( Cricbuzz)