Cricket

Australia's bowlers, led by Spencer Johnson's five-wicket haul, put in a dominant performance to secure a series victory over Pakistan in the second T20I match.Johnson's devastating spell of 5/26 saw him claim the first five wickets of Pakistan's innings, reducing them to 29/5. The visitors never recovered from this early setback, eventually being bowled out for a paltry 134.Usman Khan's half-century (52 off 38) was a lone bright spot for Pakistan, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to provide any meaningful resistance.Earlier, Australia had posted a modest total of 147, with Matthew Short top-scoring with 32. Haris Rauf was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, taking 4/32.The victory gives Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with one match remaining. It also marks the first series defeat for Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan's new white-ball captain.Johnson's performance was particularly impressive, as he became the first Australian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a T20I match against Pakistan. His wickets included the dangerous Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who had scored centuries in the first T20I.Australia's victory was a testament to their bowling strength, which has been a key factor in their recent success in the shortest format. They will be looking to complete a clean sweep of the series in the third and final T20I on Friday.

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team clinched a historic series victory against West Indies in the second ODI in Hambantota, securing a 2-0 lead with one match remaining. The triumph marks Sri Lanka's first series win over the Caribbean side since 2008.Chasing a modest target of 93, Sri Lanka's batting was anchored by Vishmi Gunaratne's brilliant half-century. The opener struck a fluent 50 off 50 deliveries, including nine boundaries and a six, to guide her team to victory. Kavisha Dilhari provided valuable support with a 28-ball 28.The West Indies bowlers struggled to contain Gunaratne, who appeared to be batting on a different surface. The visitors managed only 13 boundaries in their entire innings, highlighting the dominance of Sri Lanka's spinners.Dilhari was the star performer with the ball, claiming 4 for 20. Her left-arm spin proved too much for the West Indies batters, who struggled to rotate the strike effectively. Sachini Nisansala and Sugandika Kumari also played key roles, keeping the pressure on from the other end.West Indies' innings was characterized by a lack of fluency. Rashada Williams showed patience at the top of the order with a 62-ball 24, but the rest of the batters failed to make significant contributions. Aaliyah Alleyne and Afy Fletcher briefly threatened with a 28-run partnership, but their efforts were cut short by Dilhari and Chamari Athapaththu.Sri Lanka's bowlers set the tone for the victory, restricting West Indies to a below-par total. Udeshika Prabodhani and Achini Kulasuriya were economical in the opening overs, while Athapaththu and Dilhari made crucial breakthroughs in the middle and late stages.The series victory is a significant achievement for Sri Lanka, who have been rebuilding their women's cricket program in recent years. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff, and a sign of promising times ahead for Sri Lankan women's cricket.

Team India's Young Guns Triumph Over England in Historic Series VictoryIn the absence of seasoned veterans Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, a youthful and inexperienced Team India has emerged victorious in a thrilling 4-1 series triumph over England. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of India's cricketing future.Led by captain Rohit Sharma, the young Indian squad showcased exceptional talent and determination throughout the series. Yashasvi Jaiswal emerged as the leading run-scorer, while Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel also made significant contributions. Their performances dealt England their most comprehensive defeat under the "Bazball" era.The series victory was particularly poignant for Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed his 500th Test wicket and became the second Indian bowler to achieve this milestone. It was also a memorable occasion for Jaiswal, who emerged as the top scorer in the series.In a heartfelt video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the victorious Indian players relived the incredible moments of the series. Rohit Sharma praised the youngsters for stepping up and delivering when it mattered most.This series triumph marks India's 17th consecutive victory at home, a testament to the team's dominance on home soil. The last time India lost a series in India was against Alastair Cook's England in 2012.With the international schedule now complete, the Indian players will turn their attention to the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where they will represent their respective franchises.