New Zealand win consolation victory
New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by 27 runs in the fifth T20I to finish the tour on a positive note. They rode on Tom Latham’s 50 to post 161 on the board. In reply, Bangladesh could only manage 134/8 in 20 overs.
Tom Latham struck an unbeaten 50 before Finn Allen (41) and Rachin Ravindra (17) got New Zealand off a blistering start. Allen and Ravindra added 58 for the opening stand, while Cole McConchie chipped in with a 10-ball 17.
Bangladesh lost their top four batters for just 46. Afif Hossain tried to revive the chase with an unbeaten 49 off 33, but lack of support did not help his cause.
Nabi to lead Afghanistan in T20 World Cup
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) named Mohammad Nabi their new T20I captain, as per Cricbuzz. Rashid Khan stepped down from the captaincy after the board picked the T20 World Cup squad without his inputs.
It is understood that Rashid was unhappy with the selection of old players like Dawlat Zadran and Mohammad Shahzad. Afghanistan have earned direct qualification to the Super 12 of the competition.
Rashid will be next seen with Sunrisers Hyderabad when the IPL resumes. Interestingly, Nabi also plays for the same franchise.
Manchester Test abandoned amidst Covid-19 scare
The Old Trafford Test match between India and England has been cancelled amidst the Covid-19 scare in the camp. It was originally slated to commence on 10 September. The cancellation has put a heavy financial burden on ECB and Lancashire.
‘Due to fears of a further increase in the number of COVID cases inside the camp, India are regrettably unable to field a team,’ read the statement from ECB.
The BCCI has offered to reschedule the match: ‘In lieu of the strong relationship between BCCI and ECB, the BCCI has offered to ECB a rescheduling of the cancelled Test match.’
The Indian players with IPL contracts will meanwhile fly to the UAE.
Duminy to mentor South Africa at T20 World Cup
Cricket South Africa (CSA) have appointed JP Duminy and Justin Sammons as specialist consultants for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Sammons is already with the team as batting coach for the ongoing T20I and ODI series against South Africa.
A day ago, South Africa named the squad for the T20 World Cup. None of the T20I freelancers – Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir and Chris Morris – was included in the side.