India beat Australia by 7 wickets to clean sweep T20 series

 
MS Dhoni says, "Parcel of credit to the bowlers. In the ODI arrangement the batsmen were doing great, we required the additional 10% from the bowlers. That has changed with Bumrah coming in and others starting to act responsibly. Yes, the batsmen have taken it up a score, however the bowlers have improved, which has had the effect. There may be maybe a couple changes in light of the conditions in the World T20, yet this is generally what our T20 side will resemble."

SHANE WATSON gets Man of the Match recompense for his unbeaten 124. "They positively are exceptional. They demonstrated to it to us in the one-day arrangement too. we set up the huge score to give ourselves a major score, however couldn't get ourselves over the line. As of right now of time I am adoring each moment of playing for Australia. The benefit to chief the group was incredible in spite of the fact that it was somewhat chaotic at time. I do make the most of my batting. I hindered the ball a lot early, yet it was a joy to bat with Uzzie. Can't trust he got out. We have the world-class players, there is no motivation behind why we can't have an effective World T20. Simply need to chalk out the parts… "

VIRAT KOHLI is the Man of the Series for scoring 199 keeps running in the 3-match arrangement. "We chose before Sydney one-dayer that we need to complete the visit 4-all. Because we played so well before however didn't get on the board. I was disillusioned when I got out on the grounds that I needed to complete the amusement off. I provoke myself to complete them off when I pursue. The way Yuvi and Raina, them two returning, completed it off, credit to their character. (Rohit begins moving halfway in light of the fact that Kohli is gotten some information about him). I have said this multiple occassions that I am a major devotee of Rohit. The time he has, and the miles he can hit the ball

AUSTRALIAN INNINGS

India have whitewashed Australia in the T20 arrangement winning all the three matches. It was a thriller of a challenge in the third and last T20 in Sydney. India required 17 off the last over and checked the line off the last ball. Yuvraj Singh battled at first however pulled himself up in the last over to hit 10 off the initial two balls. Suresh Raina, who played a splendid thump of 49 not out off only 25 balls, did the rest and closed the match with a four the last ball. Shane Watson, who is driving Australia in this diversion, broke a shining 124 to take his side to a gigantic aggregate. In answer, Shikhar Dhawan gave the right sort of begin took after considerably hundreds of years from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. India battled a bit in the last overs of the innings. Yuvraj hoped to go down the same destiny he endured in 2014 amid World T20. Be that as it may, he unleashed two top dogs in the last over to set the tone for India's exciting triumph. WHAT A GAME!

FOUR With that India beat Australia by 7 wickets.

19 overs: Yuvraj is battling. India as well. From a position of quality, India have gone ahead to set an objective of 17 keeps running from the last over. Extremely troublesome it looks. India 181 for 3 (17 runs required from 6 balls)

18 overs: Australia is rocking the bowling alley truly well in these last overs. Be that as it may, Suresh Raina found some approach to gather some significant keeps running here — all behind the wicket. Be that as it may, Yuvraj additionally needs to contribute. India 176 for 3 (22 runs required from 12 balls)

17 overs: With Yuvraj Singh watched distant here, Suresh Raina is the man for India right now. Shane Watson has astonished a decent. Only 8 runs got over it. Not useful for India. India 164/3 (34 runs required from 18 balls).

16 overs: 9 keeps running off it. India require a major over to make this pursuit somewhat simple. It is the last period of the match and they can't stand to falter here. Yuvraj Singh has an opportunity to substantiate himself. India 156 for 3 (42 runs required from 24 balls)

15 overs: Cameron Boyce has finished his splendid spell. It is his spell that has kept Australia in the match in this way. India 147 for 3 (51 runs required from 30 balls)

WICKET! Virat Kohli took after the Rohit Sharma design here. He finished his FIFTY and afterward got out off the same bowler — Cameron Boyce. Kohli charged and Boyce yorked him with some plunge on his conveyances. It took the signal end, hit the cushion and after that ricocheted into the stumps. Boyce has kept Australia in challenge in this way. Virat Kohli b Boyce 50 (36b 2×4 1×6).

14 overs: Fine over. Suresh Raina gathered a limit off Shaun Tait. They have to continue pushing for runs. Target is enormous, so you can't stand to unwind. India 139/2 (59 runs required from 36 balls)

13 overs: Suresh Raina looks in a lot of rush. He got a relief here off his second ball just when debutant Cameron Bancroft missed a befuddling. Raina tailed it with a SIX, however. India 130 for 2 (68 runs required from 42 balls)

WICKET! Rohit Sharma out after a decent innings. Cameron Boyce got prize for his diligent work. Rohit tired to chip the over-pitched ball over mid-wicket, and found the defender. Rohit Sharma c Watson b Boyce 52 (38b 5×4 1×6).

12 overs: It is the ideal opportunity for India to dispatch another assault the way they did toward the begin of the innings. It is not right to take it till the end and make the pursuit convoluted. India 122/1 (76 runs required from 48 balls).

50 up for Rohit Sharma in only 35 balls.

11 overs: A superior over for India. After several modest overs, Rohit dealt with a SIX in the over to gather 10 off it. That is the thing that India require: keep foot on the pedal. India 112 for 1 (86 runs required from 54 balls).

10 overs: Are Rohit and Virat taking things too simple here? On the other hand Australia are knocking down some pins well all of a sudden? Whatever it is, India need to keep the scoring rate up. After the starting battering, a vastly improved over by Shaun Tait. India 102 for 1 (96 runs required from 60 balls).

9 overs: Another great over by Cameron Boyce. Only 5 off it. He is rocking the bowling alley truly well, giving no free balls at all. However, India is in an agreeable zone now, so they don't have to produce shots. India 96 for 1.

8 overs: Rohit and Virat are gathering keeps running with going for broke. The closer India go to focus with wickets close by, the better it is. India 91 for 1. Virat Kohli 27 (17b 1×4 1×6), Rohit Sharma 32 (22b 4×4 0x6).

7 overs: Leg-spinner Cameron Boyce has given Australia a decent over and some breathing time. India are very much put to not feel the impact of this 7-keep running over. India 81 for 1.

6 overs: India has the right sort of begin in this huge pursue of 198. Genuine test will be to keep up it till the end. India 74 for 1.

5 overs: The fall of Skhikhar Dhawan hasn't influenced the Indian charge. That is the way T20 cricket is played. There is no opportunity to hold up. You need to continue pursuing the bowlers. Virat and Rohit are doing precisely that here. India 62 for 1.

4 overs: Successful over Australia. Difficulty for India. Shane Watson is doing everything right today. It is his day. He came into assault to check Shikhar Dhawan and he did it effectively. India 49 for 1.

 

 WICKET! That is similar to a misuse of chance. Shikhar Dhawan looked in an extraordinary touch here however what looked like awesome innings really taking shape was stopped by Shane Watson. Dhawan ventured out of the wrinkle, got a short conveyance, hoped to rehash the measurements, yet the ball bobbed a touch more than anticipated and took the edge. Shikhar Dhawan c Bancroft b Watson 26 (9b 4×4 1×6).

3 overs: Shaun Tait was exceptionally costly in this over. Shikhar Dhawan whipped him everywhere throughout the ground. It is as flawless a begin as one can anticipate. India 42 for 0.

2 overs: Good over for India. Rohit and Shikhar are not simply focusing on limits, they are centered around pivoting strikes also. India 18 for 0.

1 over: India gathered 7 keeps running from the first over. Great to begin with. They have to adjust animosity with alert. Runs are required however it is additionally essential to keep wickets close by. India 7 for 0.

Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have exited to the field. A decent begin is the thing that India need from them. Shaun Tait prepared with INDIAN INNINGS

20 overs: Australia have set a 198-run focus for India. Shane Watson has played a splendid innings of 124 not out off only 71 balls. He is the skipper in this match and came to open the innings. What's more, what a thump he has played here. It would seem that a decent wicket to bat on. Will Indian batting at the end of the day demonstrate its class? We will find in a brief time…

WICKET! Jasprit Bumrah gets Chris Lynn. Eminent catch by Ravindra Jadeja. Lynn stepped back and Bumrah tailed him with a full ball. Lynn figured out how to scoop it towards bovine corner where Jadeja made a considerable measure of progress to one side from profound mid-wicket and brought it with a jump. Chris Lynn c Jadeja b Bumrah 13 (12m 9b 2×4 0x6).

19 overs: Shane Watson has truly staked claim for the opening space in Australian group for the World T20 with this wonderful thump here. What an innings. Australia searched set for initial 200 score of the arrangement. Aus 187 for 4.

18 overs: Good over by Jasprit Bumrah after a terrible begin. Aus 176 for 4.

WICKET! Ravindra Jadeja has to some degree restored his over by releasing Travis Head. Shane Watson dissected him truly however this wicket has given him something to draw certainty from. Jadeja terminated in a speedy yorker directly beneath Head's bat to thump the center stump over. Travis Head b Jadeja 26 (19b 1×4 1×6). 19 runs fell off the over. Aus 168 for 4.

Shane Watson raises his 100 in only 60 balls. He has batted splendidly in this innings. Wary right off the bat yet he has gone wild now, hitting SIXES voluntarily.

16 overs: Good over. Only 9 from it regardless of a SIX. Ashwin foxed Travis Head entirely well. Aus 149 for 3.

15 runs: Quite an event over it was. Shane Watson survives a run out chance before dispatching Ravindra Jadeja for a major SIX. At that point, Hardik Pandya spared a beyond any doubt shot SIX. Travis Head trudged it towards profound midwicket, Pandya went as far back as he could, and jumped to catch this overhead and failed once again into the field with both his feet noticeable all around. Spared four runs. Aus 140 for 3.

14 overs: India need wickets now on the off chance that they would like to contain Australia underneath 180. At this moment the Aussies search set for 200 runs. Aus 127 for 3.

13 overs: Another excessive over. Hardik Pandya does not look the reliable sorts. He needs to bowl as per the field. He arrives to bowl his share of overs well. Aus 118 for 3.

DROPPED! Virat Kohli just dropped a vital catch. It was somewhat troublesome yet he is a decent defender and the ball was well over the ground when it hit Virat's hands. Shane Watson reprieved.

12 overs: Expensive over by Yuvraj Singh. Travis Head tackled him and hit for a SIX and a FOUR to gather 14 keeps running off it. Aus 103 for 3.

11 overs: Indians are knocking down some pins well. Runs are coming however wickets at standard interims are holding Australia under tight restraints. Several more wickets and we will see Australian challenge failing out. Aus 89 for 3.

FOUR and that presents to Shane Watson's 50 keeps running in 37 balls.

10 overs: Successful over by Yuvraj Singh. These are great signs for India going into the World T20. Yuvraj is a key player. On the off chance that he can substantiate himself with the bat too, India will get a major support. Aus 80 for 3. Travis Head 4 (3b 0x4 0x6), Shane Watson 47 (36b 6×4 1×6).

WICKET! Yuvraj Singh got a wicket on his first ball. What's more, it is a major one. Glenn Maxwell gone. It was volley and Maxwell hoped to hit it over the additional spread, however didn't locate the right height and discovered Suresh Raina. Glenn Maxwell c Raina b Yuvraj Singh 3 (5b 0x4 0x6).

9 overs: Ravindra Jadeja is keeping a tight line, giving no room. It was a splendid over by T20 guidelines. Only 3 off it. Aus 75 for 2.

8 overs: Ashwin got a wicket in the over yet runs still didn't stop. 9 keeps running from it. Aus 72 for 2.

WICKET! Played him. Ravichandran Ashwin gets Shaun Marsh. It was slower through the air, enticing Marsh, who attempted to trudge it over mid-wicket yet the ball didn't exactly arrive. Shaun Marsh b Ashwin 9 (12b 1×4 0x6).

7 overs: Spinners from both the closures. Ravindra Jadeja figured out how to control Shaun Marsh however Shane Watson accumulated a limit off the last ball to gathered 6 keeps running from the over. Aus 63 for 1.

6 overs: MS Dhoni needed to get Ravi Ashwin at an early stage in light of the fact that Jasprit Bumrah was ended up being extremely costly. It was great over considering the defenders were inside the circle and Australian batsmen were after Ashwin. Aus 57 for 1.

5 overs: Shane Watson has begun looking unsafe at this point. He has the capacity we realize that. He hasn't been truly scoring huge keeps running for quite a while now. Is it going to be his restoration? India need to get him rapidly. Aus 48 for 1.

4 overs: Another costly over by Jasprit Bumrah. He didn't generally knocked down some pins terrible balls however two NO balls gave FREE HITS to Shane Watson and he is not the one to miss such open doors. Aus 37 for 1.

3 overs: Ashish Nehra knocked down some pins well to get Usman Khawaja's wicket however Shane Watson still belted him for a SIX. Australia 24 for 1.

WICKET! Ashish Nehra is knocking down some pins truly well today. He has Usman Khawaja. Beautiful conveyance, curving without end shape the left-hander played at the length. Khawaja's protective push was not the most ideal approach to play that ball and the outside edge conveyed to MS Dhoni. Usman Khawaja c Dhoni b Nehra 14 (6b 2×4 0x6).

2 overs: Usman Khawaja is an in-structure batsman having scored intensely in the as of late finished up Big Bash League season. What's more, he has conveyed that frame to this match. Some great, sure batting here. Jasprit Bumrah astonished a costly first. Aus 15 for 0.

1 over: Beautiful rocking the bowling alley by Ashish Nehra. No space for Shane Watson to score runs. Indeed, Watson looked uncomfortable against Nehra. Aus 1 for 0.

Shaun Marsh has been pushed down the request. Shane Watson and Usman Khawaja to open the innings. Ashish Nehra has the ball. Here we go… .

It is going to begin. Indian players are talking methodology in the cluster.

Groups

Australia: Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Cameron Bancroft, Andrew Tye, Cameron Boyce, Scott Boland, Shaun Tait.

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish Nehra.

India have effectively won the arrangement. Will they try different things with their batting line-up today? Yuvraj Singh and Hardik Pandya have not found the opportunity to bat as such. It is a right chance to attempt them.

For Australia, two more players — Usman Khawaja and Cameron Bancroft — are making debuts in this match. Khawaja has supplanted harmed Aaron Finch and Bancroft has come in for Matthew Wade, who has been requested that join Test group in New Zealand.

India have chosen not to bother the triumphant blend. That implies Harbhajan Singh winds up on the seat in the third match also.

Australian skipper for this match Shane Watson has won the hurl and he chose to bat first. Australia have won the three hurls in the T20 arrangement.

Sneak peak

India will intend to finish a decisive victory and close their Australia visit on a positive note by winning the third Twenty20 International (T20I) at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here on Sunday.

India have officially secured the three-match arrangement, having won the initial two matches in Adelaide and Melbourne by 37 and 27 runs individually. A win on Sunday will offer the guests some assistance with getting over the 1-4 whipping in the One-Day International (ODI) arrangement.

The Indians will at the end of the day rely on upon a solid batting line-up which has done well in the past two matches. Rohit Sharma has taken his wonderful structure from the ODI arrangement into the 20-over organization while his opening accomplice Shikhar Dhawan has discovered his touch subsequent to battling with his structure following the Test and one-day arrangement against South Africa at home.

Virat Kohli has been amazing at the number three position, scoring a tornado half-century in the second T20I and will want to bear on in the same vein in the third match too.

The veteran Yuvraj Singh is yet to get an amusement in this arrangement and the gifted left-hander will be energetic to get an opportunity to get into the depression as the Indians gear up for the World T20 competition which they have in March-April this year.

A percentage of the Indian youths have done well with medium-pacer Jasprit Bumrah being the find of the visit. The 22-year-old from Ahmedabad had a thrilling presentation, creating figures of 3/23 to be the best bowler in the primary T20I at Adelaide. He tailed it up with another couple of wickets in the third diversion at Melbourne and is right now the most noteworthy wicket-taking bowler in the arrangement.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja has additionally put in a fabulous execution, assuming a pivotal part in the win at Melbourne by catching the wickets of Shane Watson and James Faulkner and dealing with the hazardous Aaron Finch with a pleasant piece of handling.

The Australians then again, will intend to rescue some pride by fighting off a complete Indian clear. They will miss their in-structure chief Finch who is down with a damage to one side hamstring. They will be driven by encountered all-rounder Shane Watson.

The 34-year-old Watson is Australia's driving wicket-taker in T20Is with 41 casualties and his count of 1,191 runs is second just to hard-hitting opener David Warner's pull of 1,465.

The hosts will keep on missing the administrations of their head mentor Darren Lehmann, who has been sidelined subsequent to being determined to have profound vein thrombosis on January 23. The previous left-gave batsman missed the fifth and last ODI with India and the entire of the T20I arrangement. Michael di Venuto will keep on serving as his substitution.

A win in the third T20I will likewise help the Australians' resolve in front of the up and coming voyage through New Zealand where they will play thr.

Djokovic's strength proceeds with, wins eleventh Grand Slam title

 MELBOURNE, Australia - Novak Djokovic left no space to scrutinize his strength on Sunday night. The 28-year-old Serbian vanquished No. 2 Andy Murray in straight sets, 6-1, 7-5, 7-6, in transit to his third-straight Grand Slam title and eleventh by and large.

This is his 6th Australian Open title, a record among the men's singles field. Four of those six have come against Murray.

Djokovic has now won 21-straight matches in Grand Slams, going back to the begin of Wimbledon a year ago. He just lost one Grand Slam match in 2015, when Stan Wawrinka beat him in the French Open last. The main thing missing from Djokovic's trophy case is that slippery French Open crown.

Murray was playing in his fifth Australian Open title. The two-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medalist told the media Friday that he knew he had a colossal undertaking in front of him, however anything could happen in any given match. Djokovic was 21-9 in their vocation no holds barred and had won 10 of his last 11 matches against the Scot, however Murray had twice beaten him in a noteworthy last.

Those past matches truly didn't make a difference, Murray said. However, Sunday, he neglected to make sense of an approach to put the apparitions of those past matches behind him. When he went to the platform a short time later, he figured out how to split a joke about it. "I sense that I've been here before," he said.

There was little he could have done. Djokovic was on his diversion from the principal point. He won the initial five recreations of the match, while Murray looked lazy. Murray played a more grounded second set, serving nine experts while hitting 21 champs, contrasted with two pros and eight victors from Djokovic. They remained focused to 3-3, then Djokovic broke. Murray crushed right spirit. The devastating blow came at 5-5, when Murray let a 40-Love advantage disappear. Djokovic shook off five straight focuses, breaking on an unforced mistake from Murray. Djokovic served out the set to take the two-set favorable position.

He kept that force going into the third, softening Murray up the main diversion. Murray crushed spirit at 3-2. The set when to a tiebreak. There, Djokovic overwhelmed. He fixed the win with an expert.

The win moves Djokovic into a tie with Roy Emerson for most titles at the Australian Open and into fifth spot on the rundown ever Grand Slam titles. He imparts fifth spot to Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver. Just Roy Emerson, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal have more.

Asked in his public interview what had happened in the primary set, Murray noted that'd he began moderate in each match this week. There's been a considerable measure going on, he said. His wife is over eight months pregnant. He said all through that he would leave on the off chance that she started giving birth. His dad in-law, Nigel Sears, was here, as he is mentors ladies' singles player Ana Ivanovic. Burns broken down amid Ivanovic's fourth round match and must be taken to a doctor's facility. Murray was likewise on court at the time, and went to see Sears straight in the wake of winning. Burns ended up being alright.

A passionate Murray specified the trouble of the week as he said thanks to the group on Sunday night.

"Lastly to my wife Kim, I'm certain she's watching back home," Murray said at the platform. "You've been a legend the most recent two weeks, thank you for the greater part of your backing. Furthermore, I'll be on the following flight home."

He later said he'd been on hang on each flight throughout the previous five days. The public interview was short, as it was at that point 11:15p.m. also, he was because of catch the 1a.m. out of Melbourne.

As Murray hurried to the air terminal, Djokovic's festival proceeded around the grounds.

Wayne Rooney shares first photo of newborn son Kit after meeting him moments after birth

The couple have respected their third kid into the world, and now the footballer has given fans a look at his child interestingly 

Wayne Rooney has shared the first lovable photograph of his infant child Kit. 

The enchanted father added the snap to Twitter today, as he gazed affectionately down at his third child with wife Coleen. 

He composed: "Meeting Kit interestingly. Home time now." 

Coleen and her 30-year-old spouse affirmed the news on Twitter this weekend, composing: "Our perfect young man arrived today!! Unit Joseph Rooney .... 8Ib 1oz. We are everywhere throughout the moon!!" 

Fans rushed to send their well wishes to the couple, with one written work: "Gigantic congrats to @ WayneRooney and @ ColeenRoo and the young men on the conception of their ravishing infant kid."

Broncos safety Darian Stewart says Patriots showed no respect to Denver

DENVER – Darian Stewart took a separating shot at the New England Patriots in the wake of offering the Denver Broncos some assistance with reaching Super Bowl 50 with a triumph over their astringent opponents in the AFC title amusement on Sunday. 

Stewart, the Broncos wellbeing, made a urgent block attempt of Tom Brady in the second quarter and condemned the Patriots for an absence of appreciation taking after the challenge. 



He conceded that the Patriots' shock choice to take the ball as opposed to conceding in the wake of winning the opening coin hurl had given the Broncos additional motivational ammo. 

"In actuality," Stewart said. "That was impolite. We realized that going in we felt disregarded. We recognized what we needed to complete, we needed to play this amusement two days prior. We had the flame. 

"Our response was much the same as 'truly? Alright.' That's how we were. You can get bothered up for these recreations." 

The Patriots were introduced as 3.5-point top picks even with the Broncos getting a charge out of home field advantage and Stewart conceded he and his colleagues likewise felt a feeling of pomposity from their rivals. 

Denver's guarded backs mentor Joe Woods continually reminded his gathering that they had been rejected by the commentators during a time half where Tom Brady and organization endeavored to build a lively fightback. 

"Mentor Woods had (the remarks of skeptics) in his pocket the entire diversion, just to continue advising us that you cannot consider this group, we are going to ascend without fail," included Stewart, who likewise said something regarding partner Derek Wolfe's remarks from a week ago that he "detests" everything about the Patriots. 

"We both have a solid aversion for them," Stewart said. "(The Patriots) simply win all the damn time. They have one serious QB in Tom Brady, that is the reason they do it. 

"It was decent to see (their bitterness). I'm simply glad we got the win, to damnation with them." 

Stewart endured a knee damage that will require broad treatment throughout the following two weeks, however promised to be back for the Super Bow.

Pakistan and New Zealand change ICC T20 ranking

 
                             4 points separating the top seven teams in the ICC T20 ranking.

Wellington: New Zealand and Pakistan both have the opportunity to vault to the top T20 world standings over the next 10 days, according to the congested rankings released on Tuesday.  Although they start their three-match series in Auckland on Friday with Pakistan ranked sixth and New Zealand seventh, they are equal on 114 points.  But with only four points separating the top seven teams, if either side can win all three matches they will replace the West Indies at the head of the table, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement.  If the series is settled 2-1, then the winner will leapfrog South Africa to fifth position. READ: New Zealand ready to take on Mohammad Aamer: Dimitri Mascarenhas

The New Zealand-Pakistan series features the return to international cricket of convicted Pakistani spot-fixer Mohammad Amir who has served a jail term and five-year ban from the game. However, the New Zealanders, fresh from a 2-0 Twenty20 series win over Sri Lanka, maintained that the appearance of Amir was not an issue.

“That is not something that worries us. All we are concerned about is how good someone is on the cricket field. What I do know about Mohammad Amir is I played him in 2009 in the Test series and he was a very quick bowler then. It will be interesting to see how he comes back from what has happened” all-rounder Grant Elliott said. READ: Umar Akmal banned from playing 1st T20I against New Zealand

“As a cricketer you need to focus on what is in front of you whether you are bowling or batting without that mentality it is very difficult to perform under pressure,” he added.

With a number of Twenty20 Internationals to be played in the lead up to the ICC World Twenty20 India in March, there is likely to be plenty of reshuffling at the top of the world rankings.  The biggest player movements in the latest list are Afghanistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad and fast bowler Dawlat Zadran who both make the Twenty20 top 10. READ: Todd Astle named in New Zealand’s squad for upcoming T20I series against Pakistan

Shahzad has jumped 12 places to eighth on the batting list after scoring 151 runs in two matches against Zimbabwe, while Zadran claims the bowling eighth spot after claiming five wickets in the same series.
New Zealand ready to take on Mohammad Aamer: Dimitri Mascarenhas

Cricket Afghanistan's team returns home

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan's national cricket team returned home Monday after securing a second Twenty20 win over Zimbabwe in three months, propelling the squad into the top 10 in both the one-day and T20 formats.
 






Hundreds of fans gathered at the airport in Kabul to welcome the team back from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. They lined the capital's main roads, cheering, whistling and waving Afghanistan's black, red and green flag.

"Our cricket heroes continue to surprise us with the amazing performance. We proudly thank you for all the efforts and hard work," Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tweeted.

Cricket is rapidly gaining a solid fan base in Afghanistan, which has been at war for almost 40 years. Most members of the team learned to play while growing up in refugee camps in bordering Pakistan.

The Afghans clinched the two-game series Sunday after Mohammad Shahzad hit the fourth-highest score in the format's history with 118, taking his team to an 81-run victory.

Shahzad was also a key part of the earlier five-match ODI series in Sharjah, which Afghanistan won 3-2. The humiliation for Zimbabwe was complete, after losing an ODI series to Afghanistan on home turf in October.

That thrilled fans across the country when Gulbadin Naib hit a six with only three balls remaining to propel Afghanistan to their target of 254 and a victory that was greeted with celebratory gunfire across Afghanistan.

Sports have become one of the few bright spots for Afghanistan, as the Taliban insurgency intensifies and spreads across the country, killing thousands of troops and civilians.

The cricket victory made up for the disappointment of Afghanistan losing the final of the South Asian Football Federation championship days earlier to India.

The team has the support of the International Cricket Council, which put Afghanistan 10th in its one-day international and ninth in the T20 international rankings. The ICC promoted Afghanistan to associate member in test cricket in 2013.

Nazeem Jaar Abdurahimzai, the domestic manager with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, said the national team had earned the support of the public and the government. Bringing in foreign coaches, including former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq as head coach, has boosted the professionalism of the team, he said.

"In the current situation, with the war, few jobs available for young Afghans and many people leaving the country, cricket is certainly something that can grip the imagination of Afghans, as well as teach them patience, focus and tolerance because both are needed to play the game well," Abdurahimzai said.

Afghanistan's cricket team secured a berth at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last year. They dropped out during the first round, after beating Scotland but losing the rest of their group matches. The tournament was won by Australia.

Bangladesh Likely To Introduce New Players in 2016 ICC World Twenty20 Squad

Bangladesh are likely to rope in some new players for the preliminary squad for next year's World Twenty20. (Latest Cricket News)

The selectors might also go for some cricketers who have been out of the national team in recent times. They will soon send the list of the preliminary squad, which will comprise 25-27 players, to the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
"From the first week of next month, the national team will commence the camp. The conditioning camp will be followed by skill practice. The squad will be announced in a couple of days," chief selector Faruque Ahmed said.

Faruque said the selectors had considered players who did well in the recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) but did not rely on it entirely in their search for the 'best possible team'.

"Someone might not have played for Bangladesh in the recent past but is doing very well. He could do better if given the chance. We have considered all these things," said Faruque.