New Zealand beat spirited Scotland
New Zealand beat Scotland by 16 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. They rode on a 56-ball 93 from Martin Guptill to post 172/5 before restricting Scotland to 156/6. Trent Boult and Ish Sodhi claimed two wickets each. For Scotland, Michael Leask went berserk in the death overs, slamming 42 in 20 balls, but it all came too late.
Earlier, Safyaan Sharif struck twice in the fifth over to reduce New Zealand to 35/2. He first pinned Daryl Mitchell leg-before, and then had Kane Williamson caught behind. But Guptill and Glenn Phillips added 105 for the fifth wicket. For Scotland, Bradley Wheal and Sharif claimed two wickets each.
India thrash Afghanistan to open account
India finally registered their first victory of the T20 World Cup with a 66-run win against Afghanistan. Chasing 211, Afghanistan could only manage 144/7. Karim Janat remained unbeaten on 42, while Mohammad Nabi made 35 in 32 balls. For India, Mohammed Shami picked three wickets and R. Ashwin two.
Earlier, India got off a terrific start, thanks to a 140-run stand between K.L. Rahul (69) and Rohit Sharma (74). Rishabh Pant (27) and Hardik Pandya (35) then provided the finishing touches, propelling India to a daunting 210/2.
Dravid appointed India head coach
Rahul Dravid has been roped in as head coach of India Men's senior side. He will succeed the incumbent coach Ravi Shastri, whose tenure ends after the ongoing T20 World Cup. Dravid's first assignment as permanent head coach will begin with a T20I series against New Zealand from 17 November.
'It is an absolute honour to be appointed as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team and I am really looking forward to this role. Under Mr Shastri, the team has done very well, and I hope to work with the team to take this forward,' stated Dravid after the appointment.
Mills ruled out of T20 World Cup
Tymal Mills will miss the rest of the matches for England in ICC T20 World Cup owing to a strain in the right thigh. Mills hobbled out midway through his spell in England's last match, against Sri Lanka.
Mills has been replaced by Reece Topley, who had last featured in T20Is more than five years ago, against South Africa.