Cricket

England's Twenty20 International (T20I) series triumph over the West Indies in St Lucia marks a significant milestone for the team. After a rain-delayed start, England emerged victorious in a tense match, securing their first white-ball series win in the Caribbean since 2019.The West Indies' innings began with a shaky start, losing five wickets for just 37 runs. However, a resilient half-century from captain Rovman Powell (51) and a valuable contribution from Romario Shepherd (28) helped the team recover, setting a target of 146 runs for England.England's chase faced early setbacks with the dismissals of Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, and Jacob Bethell. Sam Curran (41) and Liam Livingstone (39) steadied the innings, guiding England towards the target. Despite losing wickets at crucial moments, England managed to reach the target with just four balls to spare.Saqib Mahmood was England's standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 17 runs. The victory is a positive sign for England after disappointing performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and this year's T20 World Cup.The series has also witnessed a trend of the team winning the coin toss going on to win the match. This has been the case in all three One Day Internationals and the first two Twenty20 Internationals.With two more T20 matches remaining in St Lucia this weekend, England will aim to complete a series sweep and continue their momentum ahead of the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia.

Sanju Samson, India's enigmatic batter, has opened up about his struggles in international cricket, revealing the self-doubt that plagued him during a string of failures. However, with unwavering self-belief and the support of captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir, Samson has staged a remarkable comeback, hitting back-to-back centuries in T20 Internationals.Samson's resurgence began with a breathtaking 111 against Bangladesh in the third T20I, followed by another ton in India's comfortable 61-run win over South Africa in the opening game of the series. The Kerala batter acknowledged the crucial role played by Yadav and Gambhir during his low phase."When you have a supporting captain like Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam bhai, they all support you during failures," Samson said. "The way they communicate with you in your failures is very important. Everyone knows that if we are going through a negative phase, then the player can get lost there."Samson's innings against South Africa included 10 monstrous sixes, propelling India to a formidable 202 for 8 in 20 overs. The wicket was challenging, but Samson's aggressive approach paid dividends."We are definitely the world champions at the moment," Samson said. "So I think we have to play like that and just keep on looking to dominate in this format."Samson's resurgence is a testament to his resilience and the importance of self-belief. Despite facing criticism for not fulfilling his potential, he has remained determined to prove his worth. With the support of his captain and coach, Samson has rediscovered his form and is now a key player in India's T20I setup.

India vs Bangladesh: Bangladesh Opt to Bowl First in Dewy ConditionsIn a crucial match for both teams, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bowl first against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Despite both captains anticipating dew later in the evening, Shanto's decision was based on the expectation of a wet ball challenging India's bowlers.Delhi has recently emerged as a high-scoring T20 venue, a departure from its previous reputation for slow and low pitches. However, during the recent Indian Premier League (IPL), five teams that won the toss and chose to chase ended up losing their matches.Bangladesh made a single change to their lineup, bringing back the impressive Tanzim Hasan, who excelled as a bowler in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Left-arm quick Shoriful Islam was omitted from the team. India, on the other hand, retained the same XI that secured a comfortable victory in the series opener in Gwalior.Playing XIs:India:1. Sanju Samson (wk)2. Abhishek Sharma3. Suryakumar Yadav (capt.)4. Nitish Kumar Reddy5. Hardik Pandya6. Riyan Parag7. Rinku Singh8. Washington Sundar9. Mayank Yadav10. Arshdeep Singh11. Varun ChakravarthyBangladesh:1. Parvez Hossain Emon2. Litton Das (wk)3. Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt.)4. Towhid Hridoy5. Mahmudullah6. Jaker Ali7. Mehidy Hasan Miraz8. Rishad Hossain9. Taskin Ahmed10. Tanzim Hasan11. Mustafizur Rahman

Mayank Yadav, the 21-year-old Delhi speedster, made an eagerly-anticipated international debut for India in the opening T20 International against Bangladesh. Despite his raw pace, Yadav understands that consistency is crucial for success at the international level.Yadav's journey to the Indian team has been marked by "ups and downs." After an impressive IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants, where he bowled the 10 fastest deliveries, he suffered an abdominal strain that sidelined him for several months.During his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Yadav focused on improving his line and length. "My pace is always at the back of my mind, but throughout my IPL journey, I've learned that consistency is key in this format, especially at the international level," he said.In his debut match, Yadav showcased his ability to adapt to different conditions. While he relied on extreme pace during the IPL, he used slower deliveries effectively on a slow and low wicket in Dhaka.Yadav credited Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Suryakumar Yadav for their support. "His (Gambhir's) advice was just to focus on my strengths and abilities, and to do what I do best," Yadav said. "He (Suryakumar) gives you freedom. When I was taking the run-up, he was telling me 'do what you feel is best'."Yadav's impressive debut has raised expectations for his future in Indian cricket. With his raw pace and newfound consistency, he has the potential to become a valuable asset for the team.

Ireland's historic victory over South Africa in the second Twenty20 international on Sunday in Abu Dhabi marked a significant milestone for the Irish cricket team. It was their first-ever win over the Proteas in a men's T20I, tying the two-match series 1-1.Ross Adair's scintillating century, the third by an Irishman in a T20 international, propelled Ireland to a formidable total of 195 for 6. Adair's nine sixes, a new Irish T20 record, set the tone for Ireland's aggressive batting display. Captain Paul Stirling also contributed with a solid 52, forming a formidable opening partnership of 137 runs.South Africa's chase started promisingly, with Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke scoring half-centuries. However, Ireland's Mark Adair turned the tide with a devastating spell of bowling, claiming 4 for 31 in his four overs. His wickets included the crucial dismissal of Tristan Stubbs, who had threatened to take the game away from Ireland.South Africa's innings crumbled from 157 for 4 to 185 for 9, as Ireland's bowlers maintained their discipline and accuracy. The Proteas' hopes were dashed when Hendricks was dismissed for 51, leaving them with too much to do in the final overs.Ireland's victory was a testament to their growing strength in the T20 format. They have now won four of their last five T20Is, including a historic win over England earlier this year. The series tie against South Africa is a further indication of their progress and potential.The two teams will now shift their focus to the three-match ODI series, which begins in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Ireland will be aiming to continue their momentum and secure a series victory against one of the world's top cricketing nations.

Travis Head's blistering knock of 80 off just 25 balls propelled Australia to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Scotland in their T20 international encounter in Edinburgh. The Australian opener's explosive innings, featuring five sixes and 12 fours, set the tone for a dominant performance by the visitors.Head's onslaught helped Australia establish a record-breaking first powerplay score of 113/1, the highest ever in T20 international cricket. The tourists lost an early wicket, but Head and captain Mitchell Marsh launched a relentless assault on the Scottish bowlers. Marsh contributed a quickfire 30 off one over from Jack Jarvis, while Head reached his half-century in a mere 17 deliveries.The Scottish bowlers struggled to contain the Australian duo, with Mark Watt eventually dismissing both Head and Marsh in the seventh over. However, the damage had already been done, and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis stepped up to maintain the momentum. Inglis's unbeaten 27 helped Australia chase down Scotland's total of 154 with 62 balls to spare.Earlier, George Munsey top-scored for Scotland with 28, while Sean Abbott was the pick of the Australian bowlers with three wickets for 39 runs. Scotland's innings was characterized by a steady accumulation of runs, but they lacked the firepower to match Australia's explosive batting display.Australia's victory extends their winning streak in T20 internationals to four matches. The tourists will now face England in a three-match T20 series, starting on September 8.

Spain's men's cricket team has etched its name in history by setting a new record for consecutive T20 International wins. Their 7-wicket victory over Greece in the Europe T20 World Cup Sub Regional Qualifier C in Guernsey marked their 14th consecutive triumph, surpassing the previous record of 13 held by Malaysia since 2022.Spain's remarkable streak began 20 months ago with a victory over Italy. Since then, they have remained undefeated, accumulating wins against the Isle of Man, Jersey, and Croatia. Their run was briefly interrupted by a no result due to rain in the second fixture against the Isle of Man last year."A proud record to be notified about today," said Spain head coach Corey Rutgers. "We obviously don't play for records, but this does feel special for the group. It has been a transformative few years in Spain, and a lot of credit goes to players who sacrifice a lot of their time to play for Espana, the management, and my coaching staff. Couldn't be prouder of all involved."Despite their impressive run, Spain's chances of advancing to the European Regional final next year are slim. A rain-enforced abandonment in their match against Denmark earlier in the week means that Spain now relies on an unlikely upset by Cyprus over the Danes in their final group match. If Denmark wins, their superior net run rate will secure their progression to the final, while Spain would have to settle for the bronze medal match against either Finland or possibly Guernsey."Unfortunately, that's cricket, and we didn't win convincingly in our first three games," said Rutgers. "We will have to learn a hard lesson and come back stronger in the future."By defeating Greece, Spain has also edged closer to the record for most consecutive matches unbeaten, a feat currently held by Nigeria with a 16-match streak. Nigeria's run was similarly interrupted by a no result due to rain. The all-time record for consecutive victories in T20Is is held by Thailand Women, with 17 wins.Spain's historic achievement is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and the growing strength of cricket in the country. As they continue to strive for success, they will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Spanish cricketers.

In a dramatic turn of events, South Africa suffered a shocking 30-run defeat against West Indies in the second T20 International match on Sunday, despite holding a commanding position. The loss handed the Caribbean side an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.West Indies posted a respectable 179 for six, with Shai Hope (41 off 22) and Rovman Powell (35) leading the charge. South Africa's chase started promisingly, with Reeza Hendricks smashing 44 off 18 balls. However, the West Indies pace attack, led by Romario Shepherd (3-15) and Shamar Joseph (3-31), turned the tables.South Africa collapsed spectacularly, losing their last seven wickets for a mere 20 runs in 35 balls. The Proteas were dismissed for 149 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium, handing West Indies a crucial victory.The win gives West Indies a strong advantage in the series and demonstrates their ability to seize opportunities and make the most of crucial moments in T20 cricket. The Caribbean side will now look to complete a whitewash in the final match.

In a thrilling encounter between United Arab Emirates XI and Pakistan XI, Pakistan emerged victorious after winning the toss and electing to bowl first. The match was played on a lively pitch, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination.Pakistan's bowlers started strongly, with Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana delivering a series of accurate deliveries that kept the UAE batters in check. Esha Oza, the UAE captain, managed to score a couple of runs off Iqbal in the 1.5th over, but the Pakistan bowlers continued to dominate.Sana, in particular, was in impressive form, bowling with pace and precision. She conceded only one run in her first three overs, while Iqbal also kept the runs down. The UAE batters struggled to find the gaps, with Theertha Satish and Rinitha Rajith both failing to score off Sana's deliveries.As the innings progressed, Pakistan's bowlers continued to apply pressure. Iqbal bowled a maiden over in the 1.2th over, while Sana dismissed Oza for a duck in the 0.1st over. The UAE batters were unable to build any momentum, and Pakistan's bowlers kept them on the back foot throughout the innings.In the end, the UAE XI managed to score only 23 runs in their allotted 20 overs, with Oza top-scoring with 4 runs. Pakistan's bowlers were in excellent form, with Sana taking 2 wickets for 4 runs and Iqbal conceding just 6 runs in her 4 overs.In response, Pakistan's batters chased down the target with ease. Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen opened the innings for Pakistan and put on a solid partnership of 20 runs. Aliya Riaz then came in and scored a quickfire 15 runs off 10 balls to seal the victory for Pakistan.The win takes Pakistan to the second spot in the points table of Group A, while the UAE XI remain at the bottom after losing both their matches.