Cricket

Bangladesh, led by captain Nigar Sultana, opted to bat first after winning the toss against South Africa in their final league match of the T20 World Cup in Dubai. With Bangladesh's chances of reaching the semi-finals dwindling, Sultana expressed her desire to "take back something for the country."Bangladesh made a solitary change to their lineup, replacing Taj Nehar with left-handed opener Murshida Khatun. South Africa, on the other hand, remained unchanged, with captain Laura Wolvaardt emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive victory to enhance their net run rate.The pitch conditions presented challenges for batters, with one square boundary stretching 63 meters and the other 57 meters. The wind blowing in that direction made the boundaries appear shorter. Commentator WV Raman predicted that the surface would favor spinners, urging batters to use their feet effectively.Bangladesh Playing XI:1. Dilara Akter2. Shathi Rani3. Sobhana Mostary4. Nigar Sultana (c, wk)5. Murshida Khatun6. Shorna Akter7. Ritu Moni8. Fahima Khatun9. Rabeya Khan10. Nahida Akter11. Marufa AkterSouth Africa Playing XI:1. Laura Wolvaardt (c)2. Tazmin Brits3. Anneke Bosch4. Marizanne Kapp5. Sune Luus6. Chloe Tryon7. Annerie Dercksen8. Nadine de Klerk9. Sinalo Jafta (wk)10. Nonkululeko Mlaba11. Ayabonga Khaka

Sri Lanka Opts to Bat First Against New Zealand in SharjahIn a crucial match for New Zealand's semi-final hopes, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first in Sharjah. Despite being eliminated from contention, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu expressed confidence in her team's ability to end the tournament on a high note.New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine echoed Athapaththu's sentiments, stating that they would have also opted to bat first. Their focus remains on securing a victory rather than boosting their net run rate. Both teams made minor changes to their lineups, with Sri Lanka bringing in left-arm spinner Sachini Nisansala and New Zealand introducing offspinner Leigh Kasperek.The match is being played in challenging weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius. The pitch dimensions are 57 and 63 meters square of the wicket, with a 73-meter hit down the ground. As expected in Sharjah, the bounce is expected to be low, favoring the spinners.New Zealand XI:* Suzie Bates* Georgia Plimmer* Amelia Kerr* Sophie Devine (capt)* Brooke Halliday* Maddy Green* Isabella Gaze (wk)* Lea Tahuhu* Leigh Kasperek* Rosemary Mair* Eden CarsonSri Lanka XI:* Chamari Athapaththu (capt)* Vishmi Gunaratne* Harshitha Samarawickrama* Kavisha Dilhari* Anushka Sanjeewani (wk)* Nilakshika Silva* Ama Kanchana* Sachini Nisansala* Sugandika Kumari* Inoshi Priyadharshani* Udeshika Prabodhani

Australia Opt to Chase Against Pakistan in Women's T20 World CupIn the 14th match of the Women's T20 World Cup, Australia won the toss and elected to field first against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.Pakistan made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Iram Javed for Fatima Sana and Sadaf Shamas for Gull Feroza. Australia, on the other hand, replaced Grace Harris with Tayla Vlaeminck.Stand-in Pakistan captain Muneeba Ali Siddiqi expressed her disappointment over Sana's absence but emphasized the need to play their best game. Australia's Alyssa Healy explained her decision to bowl first, citing the fresh wicket and the potential for dew later in the evening.The pitch report indicated a good surface with even bounce and swing for the fast bowlers. Former Aussie World Cup champion Lisa Sthalekar expressed surprise at Healy's decision to bowl, considering Australia's dominance in the tournament.Before the toss, Sophie Molineux spoke about her eagerness to make up for lost time after spending time on the sidelines. She also highlighted the importance of adapting quickly to the conditions in Dubai.The match began with Megan Schutt bowling to Muneeba Ali Siddiqi. Pakistan's opening pair of Siddiqi and Sidra Amin faced a watchful start, with Schutt bowling a tight line and length.

South Africa has secured an unassailable lead in the three-match ODI series against Ireland after winning the first two matches. The third and final ODI is currently underway, with Ireland winning the toss and electing to bat first.South Africa's playing XI features Ryan Rickelton as the wicket-keeper, along with Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen (captain), Kyle Verreynne, Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, and Ottneil Baartman.Ireland's playing XI includes Paul Stirling as the captain, Andy Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wicket-keeper), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Graham Hume, and Fionn Hand.The match is being played at the Malahide Cricket Club Ground in Dublin, Ireland. South Africa is looking to complete a clean sweep of the series, while Ireland will be aiming to salvage some pride and avoid a whitewash.South Africa has been in impressive form throughout the series, with their batters and bowlers performing consistently. Reeza Hendricks has been the standout performer with the bat, scoring two half-centuries in the first two matches. The bowling attack has been led by Lungi Ngidi, who has taken five wickets in the series so far.Ireland, on the other hand, has struggled to match South Africa's intensity. Their batting has been inconsistent, and their bowlers have been unable to contain the South African batters. Paul Stirling has been the only bright spot for Ireland, scoring a century in the first match.The third ODI is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams looking to end the series on a high note. South Africa will be confident of completing a clean sweep, while Ireland will be determined to avoid a whitewash.

South Africa, led by captain Temba Bavuma, have opted to bat first in the second ODI against Ireland in Abu Dhabi. This decision marks the second consecutive toss win for Bavuma in the three-match series, which South Africa aims to clinch with a 2-0 lead.Tony de Zorzi, South Africa's opener, has been rested for the match due to a soft tissue injury in his right knee. He sustained the injury while sliding to make a stop in the deep during the first ODI. Kyle Verreynne has been brought in as his replacement, while Bavuma will move up to open alongside Ryan Rickelton, who played a crucial role in the previous game with a 91-run knock.Nandre Burger, who missed the series opener, has been ruled out of the remaining tour, including South Africa's upcoming two-match Test series in Bangladesh, due to a lumbar stress reaction.Ireland, on the other hand, has fielded an unchanged XI from the team that lost by 139 runs in the first ODI. Paul Stirling continues to lead the side, with Andy Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, and Stephen Doheny forming the core of the batting lineup.

Pakistan Women Elect to Bat First in T20 World Cup Clash Against Sri LankaIn a highly anticipated clash at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan Women have won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka Women. The match marks a significant moment for both teams, as Sri Lanka aims to continue their impressive form while Pakistan seeks to make a strong start to the tournament.Sri Lanka has enjoyed a remarkable year, securing their first-ever Women's Asia Cup title last July with a commanding victory over India. Captain Chamari Athapaththu expressed her team's underdog status and their determination to play without pressure."We are coming with underdog tag all the time. So, we don't have any pressure. I don't want to take too much pressure on my shoulders and my teammates' shoulders. But we keep it simple. I have a very young team, so we have a few seniors as well. I hope we can continue our best performance, because we've been playing really good cricket the last 16 months. This is a different format and different conditions, so we have to start again, fresh days. So, keep it simple, one ball one time, one game one time."Pakistan, led by Fatima Sana, will be eager to prove their mettle against a formidable Sri Lankan side. The team features experienced players like Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz, as well as promising youngsters like Muneeba Ali and Tuba Hassan."I will try to enjoy myself, express myself and back myself as well (as captain). Actually, our whole management is supporting me, and they told me that you just take a brave decision on the field, so just try to do this, be calm and just do whatever you want."The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with contrasting strengths and ambitions. Sri Lanka will look to maintain their momentum and upset the more fancied Pakistan side, while Pakistan will be determined to make a statement and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand: Hosts Opt to Bat First in Galle TestThe first Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand commenced in Galle, with the hosts winning the toss and electing to bat first. The pitch, according to pitchside analyst Farvez Maharoof, offers ample grass cover, promising early assistance for the pacers.New Zealand captain Tim Southee expressed his preference for batting first in these conditions, highlighting the presence of spinners in their lineup. Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva echoed similar sentiments, stating that they would bat first to avoid the challenges of the fourth innings.The Sri Lankan openers, Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka, faced the opening spell from Tim Southee. Nissanka was initially troubled by the extra bounce and movement, but managed to survive the early onslaught.Southee's opening over yielded a leg bye, while Nissanka collected a boundary off an inside edge. However, the New Zealand bowlers maintained a tight line and length, restricting the Sri Lankan batsmen to cautious play.The pitch report suggests that the surface will favor the pacers in the initial stages, but as the match progresses, the spinners are expected to come into play. Both teams have included two spinners in their lineups, with Sri Lanka opting for Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis, while New Zealand has Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel.The match is poised for an intriguing contest between the two sides, with New Zealand seeking to capitalize on the early conditions and Sri Lanka aiming to build a solid foundation for the innings.

India A vs India B: Shubman Gill Wins Toss, Elects to Bowl FirstThe official start of India's domestic season commenced with an improvised form of the Duleep Trophy, featuring four teams: India A, B, C, and D. In the opening match at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India A captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first.The decision was influenced by the recent rainfall in the area, which left moisture on the wicket. Gill believed this would provide an advantage to his pacers, including Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed.India A's bowling attack also features Kuldeep Yadav, giving them a balanced combination of three fast bowlers and two spinners. India B, on the other hand, boasts a strong batting lineup led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sarfaraz Khan.With several established and promising Indian stars participating in the tournament, the match serves as an audition for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Players like Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant will be eager to impress the selectors and secure their spots in the national team.The match is expected to be a competitive one, with both teams evenly matched. India A will look to utilize the early moisture on the wicket, while India B will rely on their strong batting lineup to post a challenging total.

Bangladesh Opt to Bowl First in Rain-Hit Rawalpindi TestAfter a rain-soaked opening day, the second day of the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh commenced under a warm and sunny sky in Rawalpindi. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing the moisture in the pitch that could aid his seamers.Bangladesh made one change to their victorious team from the first Test, with Taskin Ahmed replacing the injured Shoriful Islam. Pakistan, already missing Shaheen Shah Afridi, also rested Naseem Shah, bringing in legspinner Abrar Ahmed and left-arm seamer Mir Hamza.Bangladesh currently hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, having secured their maiden Test victory over Pakistan in the previous game. A win or draw in this match would seal a rare away series triumph for the Tigers.Pakistan Team:1. Abdullah Shafique2. Saim Ayub3. Shan Masood (capt)4. Babar Azam5. Saud Shakeel6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)7. Salman Ali Agha8. Abrar Ahmed9. Mir Hamza10. Mohammad Ali11. Khurram ShahzadBangladesh Team:1. Shadman Islam2. Zakir Hasan3. Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt)4. Mominul Haque5. Mushfiqur Rahim6. Shakib Al Hasan7. Litton Das (wk)8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz9. Taskin Ahmed10. Hasan Mahmud11. Nahid Rana