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England’s spinners shine amidst Afghanistan’s brave batting display
Adil Rashid (3-42), Liam Livingstone (1-33) and Joe Root (1-19) were influential in halting a daring batting performance from Afghanistan who produced their second highest World Cup score on Sunday (October 15) against England in Delhi. At one stage, the score seemed set to be in excess of 325 on another good batting surface but England’s spinners got into the act to do damage control through the innings.
Much like the previous games at the venue, the Arun Jaitley Stadium dished out another lovely batting pitch which along with the short boundary on one side meant that run-scoring and boundary hitting was as feasible as it gets. Rahmanullah Gurbaz took full toll of the conditions as he got off to a flier in the first Powerplay as Afghanistan racked up 79 in the first ten overs. Ibrahim Zadran wasn’t as aggressive or fluent but the pair’s century stand put pressure on England’s bowlers early on in the game. Until Jos Buttler turned to spin.
According to the data shown by the host broadcaster, today’s surface had more turn than there was in the previous two games at the venue. It didn’t hinder the batters too much but there was just enough in there for the tweakers to stay in the game. After an unusually expensive start to his spell, Rashid soon found his groove and broke the century opening stand by getting Zadran caught at short mid-wicket. It was a much-needed breakthrough for England who then got two more big wickets in the next 13 deliveries.
Rahmat Shah fell to a fizzy leg break that spun enough to drag him out of the crease momentarily and Buttler did the rest to effect a brisk stumping. The biggest blow came after this, as Gurbaz ended up being the casualty to a horrendous run out initiated by skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi. The innings had suffered a nosedive in momentum and the extra pace of Mark Wood was also causing problems for the batters apart from the tweakers. England’s spinners were disciplined and induced false strokes from Afghanistan’s batters. From 114/0, Afghanistan slipped to 190/6 and another underwhelming score loomed large.
However, young Ikram Alikhil. in his first game of this World Cup, produced a classy fifty under pressure. He was unruffled by pace or spin and showed immense promise after having been drafted into the XI for the out-of-form Najibullah Zadran. The left-hander stitched valuable stands with Rashid Khan and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman to ensure that score went beyond respectable levels. England on their part were also a bit loose at the death with a few wayward deliveries. Sam Curran had a forgettable outing throughout.
The lower order fightback meant a strong score for Afghanistan but it still doesn’t look a par score, given the conditions and impending dew factor.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 284 in 49.5 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 80, Ikram Alikhil 58; Adil Rashid 3-42, Joe Root 1-19) vs England
Emeritus Professor of Anthropology Gananath Obeyesekere has passed away at the age of 95.
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Acceptance of nominations for Punakiri, Mannar and Dehiattakandiya local authorities ends at 12 noon on Thursday (27th March 2025)
The Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Rathnayake issuing a media release states that the acceptance of nominations for the Punakiri Pradeshiya Sabha in the Kilinochchi district, Mannar Pradeshiya Sabha in the Mannar district and Dehiattakandiya Pradeshiya Sabha in the Ampara district which commenced on 24th March will end at 12noon on 27th March 2025.
The poll notice for the three above named local authorities was published on 10th March 2025 and the acceptance of deposits for the same will end at 12noon on 26th March 2025.
The Gabba will be demolished after the 2032 Olympic Games, and cricket will move to a new 60,000-seater stadium in the Victoria Park area of Brisbane, which will be built for the Olympics.
Queensland’s premier David Crisafulli announced the latest plans for Olympic infrastructure on Tuesday, with cricket a pivotal figure in the outcome, having been impacted by the uncertainty over what the state would do after going through various proposals since being awarded the Olympics in 2021.
When Cricket Australia announced its seven-year international venue allocation in 2024, the Gabba was only guaranteed international cricket until next summer’s men’s Ashes amid the wrangling over whether the ground would be redeveloped or replaced. “This decision gives us certainty about venues and scheduling which in turn allows us to ensure Brisbane hosts the very best possible international and domestic cricket,” CA said in a statement. “We strongly advocated building a stadium in Victoria Park together with Queensland Cricket, the AFL and Brisbane Lions, and cricket will play a major role in ensuring this significant investment delivers long-term benefits for cricket fans and the people of Queensland.
“On behalf of the cricket community we want to thank the Queensland Government for seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give the fans, the city and the state the stadium they deserve.”
Cricket is returning to the Olympics for the 2028 edition in Los Angeles having only previously featured in 1900. Should it be retained for 2032, it is earmarked for Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena as well as the Gabba in what would shape as the ground’s final matches before it is knocked down.
“Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the Australian cricket team win gold at an Olympic final? The Gabba’s swansong,” Crisafulli said at an event in Brisbane.
The Gabba was initially set to be demolished and rebuilt for A$2.7 billion under the Labor government for the 2032 Games before that was scrapped amid a backlash over rising costs. It was then set for a $600 million facelift under Labor before those plans were also abandoned under the new government.
(Cricinfo)
Prof. Gananath Obeyesekere passes away aged 95
Acceptance of nominations for Punakiri, Mannar and Dehiattakandiya local authorities ends at 12 noon on Thursday (27th March 2025)
Gabba to be demolished after 2032 Olympics, cricket to get new home in Brisbane
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