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Quinton de Kock’s comeback century helps South Africa level series

Published

1 month ago

2025/11/7

Priyan

Quinton de Kock brought up his 22nd ODI ton [Cricinfo]

Quinton de Kock scored the first hundred since his international comeback, and 22nd overall, as South Africa drew level in the ODI series against Pakistan. Tony de Zori and de Kock shared a 153-run second-wicket stand, which followed de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorious’ 81-run opening partnership. They only lost two wickets, as de Kock completed the chase of 270 with 59 balls to spare, in Matthew Breetzke’s company.

South Africa batted with fluency and flair, both of which were absent from the Pakistan line-up after they chose to bat first. Though half-centuries from Saim Ayub and Salman Agha set Pakistan up well, their strike rates of 80.30 and 65.09 meant the going was slow throughout their innings. Mohammad Nawaz’s career-best run-a-ball 59 eventually took them over 250 – to 269.

Nawaz’s individual achievement was one of three in the first half of the match. South Africa’s left-arm seamer Nandre Burger and legspinner Nqabhayomzi Peter, who both sat out the first game, bagged career-best figures of 4 for 46 and 3 for 55 respectively. They were well supported by disciplined efforts from Corbin Bosch, Donovan Ferreira and Bjorn Fortuin, who all conceded at under six runs an over.

While Pakistan made batting look tough, South Africa found the flow with their left-handed opening pair of Pretorius and de Kock. Pretorius enjoyed the bulk of the strike in the first four overs and hit three fours off Naseem Shah in the second, before de Kock hit his first shot of intent. He punched a short, wide Afridi ball through the covers for four. Pretorius should have been out in the next over, but Naseen spilled a return chance and Pretorius made Pakistan pay.

Pretorious went after Shaheen Shah Afridi, and then Mohammed Wasim, and appeared unstoppable before he flayed at a wide Wasim delivery and nicked off. De Kock was on 32 off 31 balls himself when he lost his opening partner, and rebuilt quietly with de Zorzi.

The pair scored 35 runs off the next seven overs and de Kock got his fifty with a six off Ashraf, before de Zorzi was finally ready to take on Afridi. He sent a short ball through midwicket and a full one through deep backward square, but his full range on the legside was on display when he took on Mohammad Nawaz. He reverse-swept, slogged over mid-wicket and then reached for a wide one to send it over long-off. In total, de Zorzi took 27 runs off 13 balls he faced from Nawaz, and also reached fifty off him.

De Kock helped himself to runs off Afridi, then entered the 80s with a six over cover off Agha. He was on 98 when Afridi reviewed an lbw shout off Wasim. However, the delivery pitched outside leg and de Kock reached his century two balls later. The ball after that, Afridi reviewed again; once more, it had pitched outside leg.

Pakistan used eight bowling options as they tried to break through, and Faheem eventually did. De Zorzi was caught off a leading edge by Ayub at point. De Kock – who finished unbeaten on 123* – and stand-in captain Matthew Breetzke ensured it was too late for Pakistan to defend their score, which could have been much less after they were reduced to 22 for 3 in the fifth over.

Earlier in the day, Burger struck with this third ball when Fakhar Zaman gloved an attempted pull to de Kock. Bosch had Babar Azam given out lbw off with his second delivery, but Babar reviewed. Ball-tracking showed the ball was bouncing over the stumps. All the same, South Africa did not have to wait too long to dismiss Pakistan’s talisman. In this third over, Burger squared up Babar, and he edged to Ferreira at first slip. Four balls later, Mohammed Rizwan fetched a Burger ball from fifth stump and chopped it onto his leg stump. At the other end, Bosch’s opening spell read: 4-0-8-0.

The change bowlers Fortuin and Ferreira kept things quiet and limited the boundaries. By the 20th over, Pakistan had collectively hit just six fours before Ayub scored the innings’ first six, off Fortuin. Ayub also got to his second ODI 50 off Fortuin.

Breetzke then made an inspired bowling change, which ended Ayub’s innings: he brought Bosch back as the halfway stage approached halfway stage, Ayub drove the ball back at Bosch with some force, and Bosch took a good low catch in his follow-through to pick up his first.

At the time, Agha was on 34 off 62 balls, and showed no signs of speeding up. So, it fell to his partners to up the ante. Hussain Talat attempted to flick Peter over the legside, but the ball only found a leading edge, giving Peter a return catch and leaving Pakistan at 131 for 5 after 30 overs.

Agha made his way to fifty off 83 balls, and then began showing signs of urgency. He also slog-swept Fortuin for four, but it was Mohammad Nawaz who danced down the track to hit the left-arm spinner for six, and then repeated the feat against Bosch. Agha tried to join in, but Bosch had the final say when he bowled him with an inswinging yorker.

Faheem Ashraf took 12 of the 13 runs off Bosch’s penultimate over, but was caught at deep mid-wicket when he tried to slog a Burger slower-ball bouncer. Peter got another return catch when Afridi top-edged him while trying to go big.

After that, it was all Nawaz. He reached his fifty with six off the first ball of the final over, hit another 10 runs, and then gave Peter his third caught and bowled. This final dismissal was the best of the lot, as he had to judge a high chance. Though Naseem finished the innings with a six, Pakistan did not have nearly enough.

Saturday’s third ODI, also in Faisalabad, will decide the series and end South Africa’s all-format tour of Pakistan.

Brief scores:
South Africa 270 for 2 in 40.1 overs (Lhuan-dre Pretorious 46, Quinton de Kock 123*, Tony de Zorzi 76; Faheem Ashreef 1-40) beat Pakistan 269 for 9 in 50 overs (Saim Ayub 53, Salman Agha 69, Mohammad Nawaz 59; Nandre Burger 4-46, Corbin Bosch 2-58, Nqabhayomzi Peter 3-55) by eight wickets

[Cricinfo]

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Bondi Beach gunmen who killed 15 after targeting Jewish celebration were father and son, police say

Published

11 hours ago

2025/12/15

Priyan

(Pic BBC)

New South Wales Police say 15 people, including a 10 year old girl were killed in a shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday – their ages range from 10 to 87

The attack happened while an event was being held to mark the start of Hanukkah – police say they’re treating it as a terror incident

The two gunmen were father and son, police say. The 50-year-old man also died at the scene while the 24-year-old remains in hospital in critical condition

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls the attack “an act of pure evil” that “deliberately targeted” the Jewish community

(BBC)

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Those who receive education and recognition under the government have a responsibility to society- Prime Minister

Published

12 hours ago

2025/12/15

Priyan

The ninth phase of the islandwide programme to recognise outstanding achievers at the G.C.E. Advanced Level implemented by the Presidential Fund, was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Sunday 14 th of December at Temple Trees.

Under this phase, students from the Western Province who obtained excellent results at the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examinations in the years 2023 and 2024 were recognised. Accordingly, 361 outstanding students from the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts were awarded scholarships amounting to LKR 36.1 million by the Presidential Fund.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Presidential Fund is a public fund belonging to the people, and that the government has made a special effort to ensure it is perceived and functions in the interest of the general public.

The Prime Minister further noted that the government has succeeded in transforming the Presidential Fund which previously was seen as accessible mainly to those holding special power or positions, and characterised by complex procedures difficult for ordinary citizens into a simplified system that allows applications to be submitted online and through Divisional Secretariat offices near you.

The Prime Minister emphasised that all these programmes are being implemented with the objective of developing human resources in a manner compatible with the contemporary world with the aim of moving the country forward. She further stated that the government is committed to nurturing human resources capable of understanding and navigating the complexities of the modern world.

She noted that in this regard, a new agenda has been initiated to bring a transformation into the education system from 2026 onwards, with the aim of producing productive and responsible citizens.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need to nurture a responsible human resource that values democracy, loves and protects the environment, demonstrates leadership, compassion, and a sense of collectivity.

The Prime Minister reiterated that every government has invested in the education of students using public funds generated through the taxes paid by all citizens, and noted that, it is because you possess the ability to serve society and provide leadership

The Prime Minister stated, the recognition conferred today is an investment in you and those who receive education and recognition under the government bear a responsibility to serve society.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, stated that while the Presidential Fund had previously been known among the public primarily as a source of financial assistance for severe illnesses such as heart disease, the scope of its utilisation has been expanded under the new government, with education identified as a key focus area.

He further noted that the government’s vision of inclusivity is closely aligned with the objectives of the Presidential Fund.

The event was attended by the Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary to the Presidential Fund, Roshan Gamage; Members of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Chandima Hettiarachchi, and Lieutenant Commander (Retired) Prageeth Madhuranga; Governor of the Western Province Hanif Yusoof; the Chairman of the University Grants Commission; members of the Board of Management of the Presidential Fund; public officials; the students who were recognised; and their parents and guardians.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Education should not be a burden to children at this moment. Priority must be given to their psychosocial well-being – Prime Minister

Published

12 hours ago

2025/12/15

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that education should not be a burden to children during the recovery period after the disaster, and priority must be given to their psychosocial well-being. The Prime Minister emphasized that this approach would help foster a supportive school environment during disaster situations.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion held with education authorities of the Nuwara Eliya District on measures to restore educational activities and reopen schools for students following the recent disaster situation.

Although the Ministry of Education has decided to reopen schools island-wide on the 16 th of December, the Prime Minister noted that the authority has been granted to the relevant provincial and district authorities to make decisions regarding the reopening of schools in the affected areas.

The Prime Minister further stated that prior to reopening schools located in high-risk areas, recommendations from the National Building Research Organization must be obtained, and special attention should be paid to access roads and infrastructure. The Prime Minister further mentioned that teachers and students who have experienced hardships should be allowed flexibility in wearing comfortable attire.

During the meeting, District education authorities informed that, despite numerous challenges, educational reforms are progressing rapidly, and that 51% of teacher training activities in the Nuwara Eliya District have already been completed. Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister further stressed that these challenges must be overcome collectively in order to move forward to achieve a better position than before following the disaster situation.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne; Chairman of the District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Manjula Suraweera Arachchi; Members of Parliament Kalai Chelvi and Anushka Tilakaratne, Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Ms. Thushari Tennakoon; and several government officials.