South Africa clinch narrow win against Sri Lanka
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by four-wickets in the final over in the Men's T20 World Cup 2021 in Sharjah despite Wanindu Hasaranga's hat-trick. Needing 15 in the final over after coming to chase 143, David Miller smacked consecutive sixes off Lahiru Kumara before Kagiso Rabada edged the penultimate ball for four to reach the target.
Earlier, Pathum Nissanka top-scored with 58-ball 72 in Sri Lanka’s 142 after they were asked to bat. Tabraiz Shamsi was adjudged Player of the Match for his figures of 3-17, figures matched by Dwaine Pretorius despite bowling an over fewer.
Alan Davidson dies aged 92
Alan Davidson, arguably the greatest left-arm fast bowler, passed away on 30 October. He was 92. He made his Test debut in 153, and played 44 times for Australia in the format. He took 186 wickets at an average of 20.53, and also aggregated 1,328 runs at 24.50.
Davidson was the hero of the 1960/61 tied Test between Australia and West Indies in Brisbane, where he became the first player to score 100 runs and claim 11 wickets in the same match. Since then, only Ian Botham, Imran Khan and Shakib Al Hasan have achieved the feat.
BCCI confirms four retentions for existing IPL teams
The BCCI confirmed that the eight existing IPL teams can retain a maximum of four players, while the two new teams will be able to have three players outside of the auction. ‘The 8 existing team will first get the opportunity to retain a maximum of 4 Players and thereafter the 2 new teams will be able to retain a maximum of 3 players before the auction,’ the BCCI said in a mail to each franchise on 30 October.
The BCCI also confirmed that the salary Cap for each team will be INR 90 Crores. The existing teams have to confirm their retentions in November, and after that, two new teams can pick between 1 and 25 December.
The IPL 2022 auction is expected to take place next January.
England hammer Australia by eight wickets
England cruised past Australia with a eight-wicket win in Match 26 of the Men's T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai. They wrapped up Australia for 125 after asking them to bat and reached the target with 50 balls to spare, courtesy Jos Buttler's 32-ball 71 not out.
With 3-17, Chris Jordan was the pick of the English bowlers. Chris Woakes returned 2-23 and Adil Rashid 1-19. Aaron Finch top-scored for Australia with a 49-ball 44.
Asghar Afghan to retire after Namibia match
Asghar Afghan announced his retirement from international cricket. He will play his final game for Afghanistan against Namibia in the Men's T20 World Cup 2021 on 31 October. He has played six Tests, 114 ODIs and 75 T20Is. He has also led Afghanistan 115 times.
Formerly known as Asghar Stanikzai, Afghan led his country in their first Test match, against India in 2018. He made his ODI debut against Scotland in 2009, and his T20I debut against Ireland a year later. He still holds the record of most T20I wins as captain.