Tag: Cricket

Australia blew hot and cold with their bowling as Cummins bowled an economical 19th over but Starc conceded 15 runs off the final over.

With 20 runs needed off the last two overs, Mitchell slammed Woakes for back-to-back sixes over long-on and deep mid-wicket before finishing the chase in style with a boundary past backward square leg, watched by his father John from the stands as England conceded 23, 14 and 20 in the last three overs.

The biggest challenge will be to adjust to the evening conditions at Abu Dhabi. Having played their last three games in the afternoon, their plans will have to account for the possibility of dew.

Shastri welcomed the appointment of Rahul Dravid as his successor to the head coach job. Dravid will take over from the home series against New Zealand, starting November 17.

Sunday's result renders India's final league engagement against Namibia inconsequential. The team was outplayed in its first two Super 12 matches by Pakistan and New Zealand, which proved to be its undoing.

Their fate hinges on Afghanistan beating the all-powerful Black Caps, who have been clinical in all their 'Super 12' matches, barring Pakistan.

Namibia, too, mathematically still have a chance to qualify for the semifinal, but they will be taking one match at a time, keen to first put in performances that ensure they are constantly competing with the higher-ranked sides.

Chasing a big total, West Indies were off to a terrible start as Chris Gayle got out in the second over for 1 off 5.

With an eye on completing the chase quickly, Aaron Finch came out all guns blazing, smashing Mustafizur Rahman for a four and six in the second over.

In short: India need a favour from Afghanistan against New Zealand and more big winning margins.

With Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin working in tandem, Afghanistan found it hard to break free.

Meanwhile, Guptill also became just the second batsman in T20I history to breach the 3000-run mark.

New Zealand know their future in the tournament is in their own hands, with three victories being enough to guarantee a semifinal spot.

Babar completed his third successive half-century of the tournament as he struck 70 off 49 deliveries, hitting seven well-timed boundaries in the process.

Earlier, batting first, Bangladesh were off to a terrible start as Kagiso Rabada took three wickets across five balls in the powerplay to rip through the Bangladesh batting line-up.