Virat Kohli is the hardest batsman to bowl at: Rashid Khan

World T20 2021 | Namibia vs Netherlands: Twitterati laud David Wiese's 'match-winning' knock

Namibia’s David Wiese probably played one of the finest innings against Netherlands to help his side etch their first World Cup win in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The-right-hander first returned with figures of 1/32 in 4 overs and then chipped in with an unbeaten 66 off 40 which included five maximums and four fours. Chasing 165, Namibia started off the proceedings in a decent manner but lost a few wickets to get reduced to 52/3 before Wiese and captain Gerhard Erasmus took the onus on themselves and steadied the ship for the side with a 93-run stand for fourth wicket. Erasmus was eventually dismissed for 32 off 22. Earlier, Netherlands rode on some fine piece of batting from opener Max O’Dowd who struck 70 off 56 deliveries and held the fort from one end for his side. Apart from him, Scott Edwards' brisk and unbeaten knock of 21 runs helped Netherlands put up 164/4 in 20 overs on the board. Though, his efforts weren’t enough in the end as Namibia eventually chased down the target. Namibia will now be up against Ireland while Netherlands will play Sri Lanka on Friday in Sharjah.

World T20 2021 | Namibia vs Netherlands: David Wiese masterclass hands Namibia first WC win

Namibia finally tasted success in a World Cup fixture after they defeated Netherlands by 6 wickets while chasing a target of 165 runs in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Riding on David Wiese’s spectacular batting, Namibia went over the line by 6 wickets and with one over to spare. Namibia started off the chase in a decent manner after openers Stephan Baard and Zane Green put 34 runs for the first wicket but then the side lost a few wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 52/3. Later, Wiese along with captain Gerhard Erasmus stitched a stand of 93 runs for the fourth wicket. Erasmus was eventually sent back into the hut for 32 off 22 while Wiese continued with his masterclass and remained unbeaten at 66 off 40 to see the side home. Earlier, in the day, Max O'Dowd continued good form and struck 70 off 56. He put up 42 runs for the first wicket with Myburgh before the latter departed for 17. Netherlands then lost another wicket in quick succession before Max and Ackerman steadied the ship for the side. The two batters compiled 82 runs for the third wicket. Ackerman was eventually sent back for a 32-ball 35. Netherlands eventually to put 164/4 in 20 overs after Scott Edwards chipped in with a quick-fire 21* off 11 during the course. Wiese expressed delight at anchoring his side to a win. “I'm exhausted, it's pretty hot out there. It was just a case of picking the right sides, as one of them was a shorter side. We were lucky to get that big over before the drinks break, it gave us the momentum. It's a special moment, playing such a knock in a World Cup match. I would like to thank Namibia for giving me a chance to represent them,” he said in the post-match presentation. Namibia will now play Ireland in Sharjah while Netherlands will be up against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Friday.

World T20 2021 | Rohit Sharma, spinners thrash Australia to mark superb form, perfect preparation

Showing signs of their might and form going into the main draw of the T20 World Cup, India decimated Australia as they chased down a middling target of 153 runs losing just one wicket and with 13 balls remaining. The openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma who are all set to open the innings in the main event started on a confident note but only Rahul found his best touch from the word go. He was severe on deliveries pitched in his half while Rohit was struggling to time the ball initially. However, as soon as he got hold of the Australian pace attack, he took the game to the opposition and feated on their poor and indisciplined bowling. Rahul was aggressive but equally smart in manoeuvring field and he carried on at par with the required rate before Rohit jumped in with his timing. Suryakumar Yadav was promoted to the number three position as Virat Kohli limited himself to a bowler in the game and he looked like leaving his bad form in the early part of the UAE leg of the IPL way behind him. He flicked Cummins for a massive six, swept Mitchell Starc for an outrageous four to establish the range of shots and domination he adds to the Indian batting unit. Rohit asked Hardik Pandya, one of the biggest puzzles of the Indian batting jigsaw to have some go at the Australian bowlers and he finished the job with a trademark six, hit nonchalantly over the bowler’s head. Both the spinners, Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar were hit for massive sixes, but their bowling overall was not off the mark and the captain Aron Finch would not be fretting over their form. Starc looked the best pacer from the Australian side among Cummins and Kane Richardson and he found swing with the new ball, although for just some deliveries. He was up there with the pace as well and Australia would be pleased with his rhythm going forward in the tournament. For India, the decorated spin twins of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were on a roll and broke the backbone of the Australian batting with quick wickets of David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, and Finch. However, Steve Smith, who was struggling to get the ball off the square in the IPL was back to near his best and combined with an in-form Glenn Maxwell to steer them out of trouble and towards a respectable total. Marcus Stoinis came lower down the order and put finish tough with a 25-ball 41 to propel Australia past the 150-run mark. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was not quite at his best but was better than his last appearance in the tournament and it would be a tough ask for the team management to pick one among him and Mohammed Shami as the second pacer. Varun Chakaravarthy was explored as a death-bowling option and the move did not work well at all, although the failure is unlikely to change a lot of ideas and imagination of the team management. India must have pencilled him as the second certain spinner apart from Jadeja, and the runs against Australia would be overlooked for the variety and mystery he brings to the table for the bowling attack. India will be the happier side to walk out of the game with them being able to fulfil and try as many options they would have liked to try while Australia might well be worried over Warner’s form and Cummins’ rhythm.

World T20 2021 | Oman vs SCO: As Super 12 race intensifies, Scotland eye easy passage

Oman would be extremely disappointed after they suffered a defeat against Bangladesh in a match that looked in the hosts’ control at one stage in Al Amerat on Tuesday. If they had clinched a win against the Asian side, Oman would have created a great chance for themselves to qualify for the Super 12s. Though, the side is still in the race but there have to be a lot of permutations and combinations associated with their qualification now. Despite a brilliant stand of 80 runs for the third wicket between Shakib and Naim, the Oman bowlers got the team back in the hunt after picking up wickets in quick succession in the later stage of the innings. Bangladesh were eventually bundled out for 153 in 20 overs. Oman in reply, lost early wicket but Jatinder Singh was holding the fort in a steady manner before he was eventually undone by Shakib for 40. Oman didn’t really make a comeback in the match after Jatinder’s scalp and were restricted to 127/9 in 20 overs eventually. Mustafizur Rahman picked up a total of four wickets for his side. On the other hand, Scotland stamped authority after they won yet another encounter in the preliminary stage. Scotland had caused a major upset in their very first match against Bangladesh after winning that particular game and carried the form against PNG as well. After putting up 165/9 in 20 overs, the Scotland bowlers ripped through PNG’s top and middle order and left them tottering at 67/6. But it was Norman Vanua’s 37-ball 47 that provided PNG with some resistance but his efforts weren’t enough as he lost patterns at the other end. PNG were bowled out for 148 in the final over. Oman and Scotland will now lock horns with each other on Thursday in Al Amerat. While the home side would be looking to get back to their winning ways and stay alive in the race, Scotland would seek to continue form. Match Details Match: OMAN vs SCO, 10th Match, Group B, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 Date: Thursday, October 21, 2021 Time: 7:30 PM Venue: Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1), Al Amerat Telecast: Star Sports Network Pitch Report The evening fixture at the venue on Tuesday saw the bowlers getting some help in the later half of the match. Mustafizur and Shakib were on song for Bangladesh against Oman and rattled the batting line up to eventually win the match. The pitch is likely to behave in the same manner. So, if you win the toss, elect to bat first. Oman’s batting depth- A worry Oman openers Jatinder Singh and Aquib Ilyas anchored the side to a 10-wicket win against PNG in the first encounter but a disappointing start to the chase in the second match against Bangladesh certainly exposed the lack of batting depth. None of the players in the middle order got in the groove and helped the side come out of a tricky situation which later resulted in their defeat. This is probably the biggest concern of the team management. Scotland equipped with match-winners Who would have thought that struggling from 53/6 against a side like Bangladesh that has so much international experience, Scotland would not only put up a fighting total but would also defend it. But they did and they did it with authority. Chris Greaves first came for the rescue with the bat after chipping in with a 28-ball 45 and then picked up a couple of wickets to produce an all-round show. They then faced a side with a very brief career at the highest level, PNG but were under the pressure after losing two early wickets while batting. The Scotland team were then provided with a much-needed resistance by Cross and Berrington who chipped in with important runs and anchored the side to 165/9 in 20 overs. Later, the bowlers managed to pick some early wickets but Vanua fought back well. However, Scotland won the match by 17 runs later. They just need to stick to the basics now. Probable XI Scotland: George Munsey, Kyle Coetzer (c), Matthew Cross (wk), Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Josh Davey, Bradley Wheal, Alasdair Evans Oman: Jatinder Singh, Aqib Ilyas, Kashyap Prajapati, Zeeshan Maqsood (c), Mohammad Nadeem, Ayaan Khan, Sandeep Goud, Naseem Khushi (wk), Kaleemullah, Fayyaz Butt, Bilal Khan CE Fantasy XI Naseem Khushi, Kyle Coetzer, George Munsey, Calum MacLeod, Jatinder Singh (VC), Aqib Ilyas, Zesspan Maqsood (C), Richie Berrington, Mark Watt, Bilal Khan, Fayyaz Butt