Sports
Andre Russell hammers 65 off 19 balls, Colombo Kings make 96 to win five-over shootout
With this innings, Andre Russell basically crash-landed at the LPL like an alien from a way bigger-hitting planet than earth, clobbering what seemed like nine dozen sixes (apparently four sixes, according to the scorecard) and half-a-million fours (nine fours) in the space of five overs, to send Colombo Kings sky-rocketing to some ludicrous total that – let’s be honest – Galle Gladiators never really had a hope of chasing down.
This was utterly remorseless from Russell, who was like a 12-foot giant running wild in a playpen full of toddlers. He blasted two sixes and three fours in Mohammad Amir’s first over, at the end of which Kings were 26 for no loss, before hitting a six and three fours off the next over, bowled by Asitha Fernando.
It didn’t seem to matter where the bowlers went, or whether they seemed to execute their deliveries or not. Around every corner was Russell, bat raised and a glint in his eye. Of the Gladiators’ four bowlers, only Mohammad Shiraz did not concede a six to Russell.
Laurie Evans was outstanding at the other end too, hitting back-to-back sixes off Amir’s second over (Amir ended up conceding 46 from his two overs), and a four off Shiraz. He was 21 off 10 balls when in the last over, Russell clubbed Shahid Afridi to long-on, before turning down the single so he could keep the strike for the rest of the over.
On the surface, this seems disrespectful to Evans, and it kind of was. But then Russell crashed a four through long-on next ball, and a six over backward square leg the ball after. So, you know, you couldn’t really fault that decision either.
That the match had been shortened to five overs a side was down to the three hours of rain that had fallen this evening. The weather conspired to bring Russell out as an opener, and in some ways, this innings was more entertaining than many regular T20 matches.
(cricinfo)
India took on Bangladesh in Kuala Lumpur and delivered a commanding performance, restricting Bangladesh to a mere 64 runs before chasing down the target with ease in just 7.1 overs
Wet weather in Kuala Lumpur delayed the highly anticipated clash between India and Bangladesh, with rain threatening to force an abandonment of the second match of the day. However, the cricket gods showed mercy, allowing play to resume and ensuring a full spectacle. India won the toss and chose to field, immediately putting Bangladesh under pressure by taking a wicket on the third ball of the match. The Indian bowlers maintained their dominance, either claiming wickets or restricting runs, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 23-5 by the end of the tenth over.
Skipper Sumaiya Akter and Jannatul Maoua displayed resilience for Bangladesh, putting together a 31-run partnership before Vaishnavi Sharma made a crucial impact with two wickets in the 17th over. Bangladesh managed to reach 64-8 at the end of their 20 overs. Vaishnavi Sharma was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 3/15, while Shabnam, Joshitha V. J., and Trisha Gongadi each chipped in with a wicket.
India made light work of the chase, facing no resistance from the Bangladesh bowlers as they chased down the target in just 7.1 overs. Trisha Gongadi led the charge with a blazing 40 off 31 balls, featuring an impressive eight boundaries. Habiba Islam Pinky and Mst. Anisa Akter Soba managed to pick up a wicket each, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Bangladesh from suffering a heavy defeat.
Vaishnavi Sharma was awarded Player of the Match for her outstanding figures of 3/15.
With this victory, India secured their spot in the semi-finals with one game remaining against Scotland. Bangladesh are unable to make it out of the Super 6 stage regardless of the result in their final match against the West Indies.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh Women Under 19s 64/8 in 20 overs [Jannatul Maoua 14, Sumaiya Akter 24; Shabnam Shakil 1-07, VJ Joshitha 1-06, Vaishnavi Sharma 1-15, Gongadi Trisha 1-06] lost to India Women Under 19s 66/2 in 7.1 overs [Gongadi Sharma 40, Sanika Chalke 11*; Anisa Akter Soba 1-29, Habiba Islam 1-15] by nine wickets
The wet weather found its way to Malaysia’s capital, and the start to Sri Lanka’s Super Six showdown with Scotland continued to be pushed back, until time ran out.
The two sides split the points, with neither now able to qualify for the semi-finals.
Scotland will play their last game of the tournament on Tuesday against India, while Sri Lanka will end their campaign with the final match of the Super 6 phase against Australia on Wednesday.
Kamindu Mendis, who scored 1451 runs across formats at an average just above 50, rubbed shoulders with some of the greats of the game in 2024.
The flamboyant left-handed batter had made just a solitary Test appearance for Sri Lanka prior to 2024, but ended the year having not only cemented his place as an all-format resource for Sri Lanka but also becoming their go-to-player in moments of crises and when the stakes were high.
This was on the show during Sri Lanka’s push for a maiden ICC World Test Championship Final spot as the 26-year-old delivered a streak of big scores in the whites.
Mendis’ year in review: 1049 runs from nine Tests, averaging 74.92
Slotting in the middle-order, Mendis was one of the six batters who scored over 1000 Test runs in the recently concluded calendar year – averaging the highest among them.
Making the most of his starts, Mendis hit five centuries and three fifties in his staggering tally of runs, taking Sri Lanka home on multiple occasions.
[ICC]
India cruise past Bangladesh to seal semi-final spot
Sri Lanka and Scotland out of Women’s Under 19 T20 semi-finals
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