T20 World Cup | IND vs PAK: Hardik Pandya injures shoulders, sent for scans

T20 World Cup | IND vs PAK: Virat Kohli gets back among runs, notches up important fifty

India skipper Virat Kohli was back among runs during the all important T20 World Cup fixture against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday evening after he notched up a fifty during the course of the innings. After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Babar Azam had put India into bat and Shaheen Afridi responded in the best way possible. The left-handed bowler first trapped Rohit Sharma in front of the stumps on the fourth delivery of the match and then cleaned up KL Rahul for 3 in the third over of the innings. Kohli who had come in at number three was then joined by Suryakumar Yadav who couldn’t really get into the groove and was sent back in the hut for 11 off 8 by Hasan Ali after being caught by Rizwan behind the stumps. The Men in Blue was in a spot of bother at 31/3 when Rishabh Pant came out to bat in the middle and the left-right batting combination of him and Virat steadied the ship for the side to chip in with a partnership of 53 runs. Pant eventually departed for a 30-ball 39 off Shadab Khan who took a good catch of his own bowling to dismiss the wicket-keeper batsman. But Kohli on the other side continued to compile runs at the other end to help the side put 151/7 in 20 overs. Kohli himself scored 57 off 49 and this was the first time when the right-hander was dismissed by a Pakistan bowler in a World T20. He was dismissed by Shaheen Afridi.

Ashes 2021-22 | Victoria Premier targets 80,000 attendance for Boxing day game at MCG

It has come as good news for the Australian and Ashes fans as the Victorian government is thinking of getting as many as 80,000 people for the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Test, which is scheduled to begin from December 26 will have all the people vaccinated in the stands as the government is targeting to complete 90% vaccination for all people above the age of 12 years by November 24. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in a press interaction said the goal was to have 80,000 at the MCG on Boxing Day. "I want to see 80,000 plus people at the Boxing Day Test on day one, that's what I want to see. We are determined to deliver that. It won't be easy. I think selling the tickets will be pretty easy,” ESPNCricinfo quoted Andrews as saying. Since the start of the pandemic in December 2019, Melbourne has spent more days in lockdown than any other city in the world as a result, the last year’s L Boxing Day Test against India with only 30,000 allowed to attend. However, in April this year, a crowd of 78,113 was allowed into the MCG for an Australian Football League match and more recently crowds are being allowed for horse races giving an indication that by the time Ashes starts, there would definitely be enough confidence to bring in a full house at the MCG.

T20 World Cup | India take knee, Pakistan keep hands on their hearts to support fight against racism

Recognising the need to stand up against racism, Team India took a knee in the first game of the T20 World Cup against Pakistan. Along with them, all Pakistani players also joined in the gesture but by placing their hands on their hearts. Earlier in yesterday’s game between England and West Indies, players on both sides took their knees and brought the issue of racism and fight against it on the world stage. It was the first instance of India taking a knee at the world stage although the players such as Hardik Pandya has been doing the gesture in the Indian Premier League. In the game, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and asked India to bat first on a truer surface at the Dubai International Stadium. India picked Hardik Pandya as a specialist batsman and opted to play with Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the third seamer alongside Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami.

T20 World Cup | SL vs BAN: On batsmen's day out, Sri Lanka thump Bangladesh

The Sri Lankan batting unit was on song against Bangladesh in Sharjah on Sunday after it chased down a stiff target of 172 runs by 5 wickets and with more than an over to spare. The Lankan lions had an early hiccup after losing Kusal Perera for 1 off three in the very first over but Pathum Nissanka and Charitha Asalanka then steadied the ship for the side and stitched a stand of 69 runs for the second wicket. Nissanka was eventually undone by Shakib after he was cleaned up by the spinner for a 21-ball 24. Sri Lanka then lost a couple of wickets in quick succession. While Avishka Fernando was back in the hut without troubling the scorers, Wanindu Hasaranga could only manage to score 6 off 5 before he was dismissed by Saifuddin. The Sri Lankan side was in a spot of bother after being reduced to 79/4 in the 10th over but courtesy some fine piece of batting from Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa and some dismal fielding efforts from Bangladesh, the Dasun Shanaka-led side was back in the game. The two batters provided the much-needed resistance and chipped in with a valuable partnership of 86 runs for the fifth wicket. Rajapaksa was eventually sent back to the dug out for a 31-ball 53 that included three maximums and as many fours while Asalanka remained unbeaten at 80 off 49 to see his side home. Shakib and Nasum Ahmed picked up a couple of wickets apiece while Saiffudin had one scalp to his name. Earlier, in the day, Bangladesh were off to a decent start as openers Naim and Liton Das had put 40 on the board in less than 6 overs for the first wicket. But the Bangla tigers then lost a couple of wickets at quick intervals and were 56/2 when Naim was joined by Mushfiqur Rahim in the middle and the two batsmen joined hands to score 73 for the third wicket. Naim went on to struck 62 off 52 before he was caught and bowled by Fernando while Rahim remained not out at a 37-ball 57 as Bangladesh put 171/4 in 20 overs. Sri Lanka captain Shanaka lauded Asalanka and Rajapaksa for their knocks. “Not the easiest target to chase. It's all about boundaries. Once the batsman gets set, any target is chaseable. Really important to win the first game. They batted really well. Those knocks are brilliant (Asalanka and Rajapaksa),” he said in the post-match presentation. Bangladesh will now lock horns with England in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday while Sri Lanka will be up against Australia in Dubai on Thursday.