SPORTS
T20 World Cup: New Zealand are first team to qualify for semis, Australia's future lies in England, Sri Lanka's hands
After New Zealand beat Ireland by 35 runs in their final Super 12 group, defending champions Australia needed to win by 185 runs against Afghanistan to overtake the Net Run-Rate of their Trans-Tasman rivals. However, the hosts could only score 168 for 8 in 20 overs after being invited to bat first by Afghanistan, allowing New Zealand to qualify for the knockout stage.
T20 World Cup: Australia survive Rashid Khan cameo to win by four runs, keep semifinal hope alive
After Glenn Maxwell made an unbeaten 54 off 32 balls to carry Australia to a competitive 168/6, Gulbadin Naib and Ibrahim Zadran were leading Afghanistan to a famous win with their 59-run stand-off 46 balls for the third wicket. But Australia made a comeback, triggering an Afghanistan collapse from 99/2 to 103/6.
T20 World Cup: Glenn Maxwell's 54 not out carries Australia to 168/6 against Afghanistan
In a batting line-up where captain Aaron Finch and finisher Tim David were missing due to hamstring injuries, Maxwell hit six fours and two sixes at a strike-rate of 168.75 and found some support from Mitchell Marsh (45 off 30 balls) to give something to defend for their bowlers.
T20 World Cup: Green signal to express himself fearlessly behind Suryakumar's ascent to top of T20I rankings
Suryakumar Yadav capped off a tremendous period of dominance on Wednesday when he overtook Pakistan wicketkeeper-opener Mohammad Rizwan to become just the second India player to hold the No.1 spot in Men's Player Rankings for T20I batters.
Vivian Richards appointed brand ambassador of Lanka Premier League
"I am delighted to be the brand ambassador of the third edition of the LPL and want to say that this tournament is unearthing some great talents in Sri Lanka. We saw the power of Sri Lankan cricket in the Asia Cup this year and LPL certainly has a part to play in that success. I have seen the last two editions of this tournament and the quality of cricket was sublime and I am sure that players will maintain it in the upcoming edition as well," said Richards.
T20 World Cup: Little's hat-trick in vain as New Zealand beat Ireland by 35 runs; boost chances of topping Group 1
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson played exquisite shots all across the park to make a solid 61 off 35 balls, shrugging off his lean run to get his first fifty of the tournament, and help his side reach a challenging 185/6.
CLOSE-IN: Indian cricket team looks mentally confident and strong
The only glitch at present in the Indian armoury is the batting form of their captain, Rohit Sharma. The class player that he is, it is only time when he too will flourish. India have three of their four top-order batters amongst runs and that is a huge confidence-builder for them.
Draw with Nice not enough for Cologne in UEFA Europa League
Cologne came close twice in the opening stages but Nice goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was on guard and denied Sargis Adamyan in quick succession on Thursday night. Nice defended deep and lurked for counterattacking opportunities, while Steffen Tigges tested Schmeichel with a dangerous header at the half-hour mark.
Indian fans right behind their team; Australian followers not really backing Aaron Finch and his boys, opines Healy
Finch's side is in a precarious situation with just one Super 12 game -- against Afghanistan later on Friday at the Adelaide Oval -- to be played. The defending champions need either England or New Zealand to be on the wrong end of surprise loss or crush Afghanistan to receive a huge net run rate (NRR) boost.
Paris Masters: Musetti upsets Ruud to reach quarters
The 20-year-old played with confidence throughout the two-hour, 19-minute clash in the French capital, striking 37 winners as he pulled the Norwegian from corner to corner to reach his maiden ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal. "I am really happy. I think we played a great match until the end. A lot of remarkable shots from his side. He was playing really well and I had to play my best tennis to beat him.
Don't Miss
Advertisement