Afghanistan to host Sri Lanka for white-ball series in UAE from March 13-25

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Kabul, Feb 23 (IANS) Afghanistan will host Sri Lanka for a white-ball series in the United Arab Emirates starting next month, said the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Monday. This will be only the second bilateral T20I series between the two sides, following their first meeting in February 2024.

In ODIs, the two teams have faced each other in bilateral series in 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively. The three T20Is will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on March 13, 15 and 17, while the ODI games are set to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 20, 22 and 25.

“We are delighted to host Sri Lanka for the first time in our history. This event reflects the strength of our collaboration with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, and we are committed to further strengthening our relationship to provide a high-quality cricket experience in the future. Sri Lanka has been playing excellent cricket recently, and we look forward to what promises to be a competitive white-ball series between two quality sides.”

“Additionally, the series is fundamental to our mission as we begin to further build our team and enhance key areas that need improvement. Our primary goal is to prepare the team for the major ICC and ACC events and the numerous bilateral commitments scheduled over the next two years,” said Naseeb Khan, ACB CEO.

The series is sandwiched between two major events in the global cricket calendar. The Men’s T20 World Cup concludes on March 8, just five days before the first T20I takes place. Afghanistan made an early exit from the mega event, while Sri Lanka are playing in the Super Eights stage.

“Bilateral cricket is an important element in international cricket, and we are extremely happy to be a part of this historic tour, as this is the first time Sri Lanka is engaging in a bilateral series hosted by Afghanistan. I am confident this tour will help us plan and prepare for our future international assignments,” said Ashley de Silva, CEO, Sri Lanka Cricket.

The ODI series ends a day before both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) begin on March 26. Several players from both squads are expected to feature in the two franchise competitions. Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad are among the Afghan players with IPL and PSL commitments, while Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Perera are also part of various squads.

–IANS

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Mandhana to lead after Harmanpreet rested from India’s first T20I against England

Nottingham, June 28 (IANS) Regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has been rested from India’s first T20I against England at Trent Bridge as a precautionary measure after suffering a head injury. In her absence, vice-captain and left-handed opener Smriti Mandhana will be leading the side.

“Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been rested for the first T20I against England Women in Nottingham as a precautionary measure following a head injury sustained during the T20 Warm-up match against ECB Select XI.”

“She’s being closely monitored by the medical team and is recovering well. Smriti Mandhana is leading the side in her absence,” said a statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday. Notably, Smriti had addressed the pre-series press conference on Friday due to Harmanpreet being unwell.

For the T20I series opener, India have handed a debut to left-arm spinner N Shree Charani, while Sneh Rana makes a comeback into the T20I team after two years. In the absence of Harmanpreet, Jemimah Rodrigues is slotted to bat at number four.

England, who elected to bowl first after winning the toss, have brought Tammy Beaumont as a replacement for injured Heather Knight at number four position. They have picked three quick fast bowlers in Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell and Em Arlott, alongside two left-arm spinners in Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith.

Before the game begins at Trent Bridge, the first time it’s hosting a women’s T20I series, both India and England held a minute’s silence before the play began as a mark of respect for victims of Air India plane clash in Ahmedabad on June 12.

Playing XIs

India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana (captain), Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Sneh Rana, and N Shree Charani

England: Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones (wk), Alice Capsey, Em Arlott, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell

–IANS

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U19 WC: South Africa beat Australia by five-wicket to qualify for final

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 31 (IANS) South Africa have qualified for their first ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025 final after an impressive five-wicket triumph over Australia in the first semifinal at the Bayuemas Oval on Friday.

The Proteas women excelled with the ball on the back of Ashleigh van Wyk’s four-wicket haul and were on song in the field as they restricted Australia to just 105/8 and cruised past that target with 11 deliveries remaining courtesy of some excellent batting from Jemma Botha (34) and Kayla Reyneke (26).

The win saw South Africa maintaining their unbeaten status at the tournament, advancing to Sunday’s final against the winner of the second semifinal between defending champions India and England.

The Proteas held on to a trio of difficult chances in the field, with some late hitting from Ella Briscoe (27 not out) helping the Aussies reach three figures after they won the toss and elected to bat first at Bayuemas Oval, ICC reports.

Nthabiseng Nini set the ball rolling for South Africa by dismissing the dangerous Ines Mckeon with the opening ball of the match, with van Wyk (4-17) getting in on the act at the death courtesy of some help in the field.

Seshnie Naidu held on to a tough return catch to dismiss Eleanor Larosa for just seven, before Luyanda Nzuza produced a similar feat in the field to send Hasrat Gill packing as the Aussies crawled to 62/5 with a little more than five overs remaining.

Caoimhe Bray (36) and Briscoe increased the run rate from that point, taking Australia to 105, but the target seemed a bit light given South Africa’s strong batting line-up.

Chaing 106, South Africa lost Simone Lourens for five in the third over, but Jemma Botha remained at the crease and showed intent on keeping the run rate high as the Proteas maintained control of the contest.

The loss of Fay Cowling for seven and Botha (37) did little to quell the run rate, with Reyneke and Karabo Meso (19) combining to take South Africa within sight of victory.

The pair fell in quick succession, but Mieke van Voorst (8 not out) and Naidu (2 not out) joined forces to ensure there was no late slip-up as the Proteas eased into the summit clash.

Brief scores: South Africa 106/5 in 18.1 overs (Botha 37, Reyneke 26, Hamilton 2-17, Gill 2-20) beat Australia 105/8 (Bray 36, Briscoe 27*, van Wyk 4-17) by five wickets.

–IANS

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India have every chance to deliver its best-ever performance at Asian Table Tennis Team C’ships: Sharath Kamal

Bhubaneswar, Oct 10 (IANS) Former paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal expressed confidence that Indian contingent will change the colour of medal at the Asian Table Tennis Team Championships 2025 after their bronze medal finish in the men’s and women’s team events in the previous edition.

The tournament is scheduled in Bhubaneswar from October 11-15 and will include only men’s and women’s team competitions. Additionally, it will serve as a qualifier for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships, with the top 13 teams in each category securing qualification.

“It’s wonderful to be back in Odisha. The last major event we played here was in 2019, and hosting the Asian Championships in Bhubaneswar is truly special. India has been performing impressively — we won bronze medals in both men’s and women’s team events last time, and this year, we are determined to change the colour of those medals,” Kamal said.

On India’s growing international standing, he added, “Our players are in excellent form. Manav Thakkar is currently World No. 39 in men’s singles, while our doubles and mixed doubles teams are ranked among the world’s top ten. With home support and familiar conditions, the Indian contingent has every chance to deliver its best-ever performance.”

The ace paddler also lauded Odisha’s outstanding sports vision and infrastructure, saying, “The organisation here is world-class. It’s my first time at this stadium, and the entire sports complex is simply outstanding. Odisha has the capability to host major global tournaments across multiple disciplines. I’m confident the state will play a key role when India hosts mega international events in the future.”

Earlier this year, Kamal, a highly accomplished Indian table tennis player and one of the country’s most decorated, announced his retirement. He served as a flag bearer for India at the 2024 Paris Olympics and has won numerous medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Asian Championships.

— IANS

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