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Dharamsala Sees Pro-Khalistan Graffiti Ahead of World Cup

The police have erased the slogans and started taking legal action against the matter…reports Asian Lite News

Leading up to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 matches in this Himachal Pradesh town, vandals have defaced a government building’s walls with the slogan “Khalistan Zindabad,” according to the local police on Wednesday. This town is also renowned as the residence of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The police have erased the slogans and started taking legal action against the matter, officials told IANS.

Earlier, posters of Khalistan, a separatist movement seeking to create a homeland for Sikhs by establishing a sovereign state, surfaced in May last year at the main entrance of the state legislative Assembly campus here.

Dharamsala is some 250 km from the state capital.

The police said investigations were on and also asked the locals not to feel threatened by the posters.

“It is an act of mischievous elements. We are taking legal action against this,” a senior police official told IANS.

“Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) released footage of the inscription which were defaced with a pro-Khalistan slogan,” said the official.

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) will be hosting Bangladesh vs Afghanistan on Saturday, followed by England vs Bangladesh on October 10, South Africa vs Netherlands on October 17, India vs New Zealand on October 22 and Australia vs New Zealand on October 28.

The HPCA Stadium, one of the newest stadiums in the country with the mighty Dhauladhar range in the backdrop, is located in the Kangra district of Dharamsala.

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ODI World Cup Build-Up: Rashid Khan vs. Shafiq Stanikzai

Rashid urged Stanikzai to refrain from disseminating inaccurate information about the team and asserted that Afghanistan currently possesses its most physically fit squad ever for the upcoming ODI World Cup….reports Asian Lite News

Ahead of 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup, Afghanistan’s premier leg-spinner Rashid Khan has lashed out at former Afghanistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Shafiq Stanikzai over ‘past compromises’.

Taking to social media platform ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter, Rashid also asked Stanikzai to stop spreading false information about the team, while claiming that Afghanistan is having its fittest squad till date for the upcoming ODI World Cup happening in India from October 5 to November 19.

“I think it’s the best and one of the most fit teams we have ever had for any of the mega events so far and I believe we can deliver to the best this time. Many compromises have been done during your management @ShafiqStanikzai in the past while selecting the teams for the Wold Cups which has costed the nation many important games.”

“Instead of spreading false information it should be better to support this bunch of great and best guys,” wrote Rashid. Stanikzai was the ACB Chief Executive from 2014-2019 and had also founded the T20 franchise tournament named ‘Afghanistan Premier League’. In his response, Stanikzai admitted to being “bewildered” by Rashid’s claims.

“My Dear Champ @rashidkhan_19 Your tweet has left me somewhat bewildered. It appears to be at odds with the sentiments you’ve previously expressed. Do you recall your past tweets where you lauded me, dedicating victories to my contributions to the ACB after my tenure?”

“Initially, I had no intention of responding to your tweet; I thought I’d save the ear-twitching for our next meeting. However, since you’ve accused me falsely and given your global star status, with millions of fans worldwide, and my own cricket administration role, with admirers across the globe, I feel compelled to set the record straight and remind you of my achievements for Afghan Cricket.”

Stanikzai went on to list what all was done in his tenure with ACB. “1. I meticulously crafted the team for the 2016 T20 World Cup, where Afghanistan won four games, including a victory against the reigning champions, West Indies.”

“2. I nurtured our U19 team, which clinched the Asia Cup and reached the World Cup semi-finals. 3. Every Afghan player recognized as a test cricketer owes their success to my dedication. 4. The domestic cricketers who hold the title of First-class cricketers are products of my management and compromises.”

“5. Your and Nabi’s IPL selections, without prior exposure, were orchestrated and the result of my management. 6. The presence of 14 standard cricket stadiums in Afghanistan stands as a testament to my management.”

Stanikzai concluded by saying he hasn’t ever criticised Afghanistan or Rashid. “I still vividly recall our last phone conversation, your words of admiration for me, and concerns with the current system. Please understand, I haven’t criticized you or the team. Nevertheless, I do possess profound insights into preparing a team and players for mega events.”

“My champion, your tweet did disappoint me, but rest assured, I still hold you in high regard and remain immensely proud of you and the entire team. I am, and will forever be, an ardent admirer of you and the Blue Tigers. With respect and best wishes,”

Afghanistan will open its 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup campaign against Bangladesh at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on October 7.

ALSO READ: Broad Tips India as Strong Contenders For World Cup

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Broad Tips India as Strong Contenders For World Cup

Broad, who played 2011 Men’s ODI World Cup, feels England, the defending champions, will be at a disadvantage due to constant traveling for playing matches in India…reports Asian Lite News

Legendary England fast-bowler Stuart Broad reckons India are overwhelming favorites to win the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup and added that if everything goes according to the plan for the hosts’ in the tournament, then they will be very difficult to stop.

India last won the Men’s ODI World Cup when they were co-hosts of the tournament in 2011, after winning the 1983 edition in England. Since winning the 2013 Champions Trophy, a global title has eluded them.

But with the trend of hosts’ winning the last three Men’s ODI World Cups and India winning Asia Cup last month has led to a sense of optimism around their chances this time. India will open their 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.

“If England manage to retain their World Cup title, it will be a phenomenal effort but my overriding feeling is that if India play their perfect tournament, they are going to be very difficult to stop.”

“Jos Buttler certainly has the team to challenge, one with the ability to post high totals, but I just think India, as hosts and the top-ranked ODI side, will be a hugely difficult proposition to get past.”

“Recent history shows you that home teams tend to prosper in 50-over World Cups: it was in India in 2011, and India won; the final was in Australia in 2015, Australia won the trophy; England won in 2019. So, on that basis alone, India would have to be huge favourites,” wrote Broad in his column for the Daily Mail on Sunday.

Broad, who played 2011 Men’s ODI World Cup, feels England, the defending champions, will be at a disadvantage due to constant traveling for playing matches in India. “Then take into account that they’re playing pretty decent cricket, and their key fast bowling star Jasprit Bumrah is coming back to full fitness.”

“Contrast to England. Without sounding like I am giving them excuses, they have got a pretty tough draw, to be honest. They do not play two games in the same location, instead travelling from city to city.”

“Others have the luxury of being able to book somewhere for a week and play two games. They do not. But the fact every team plays everyone else in the round robin stage means England would be absolutely distraught not to make the semis and final.”

Broad also thinks two-time runners-up New Zealand and 1992 champions Pakistan have it in them to be semi-finals contenders in 2023. “As for the other semi-finalists? Pakistan will be a threat. Their bowling is full of natural wicket-takers and is their huge strength. In players like Babar Azam they have some high quality batters but Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi can blow opponents away.”

“I’d then probably say New Zealand over Australia. Why? Because, New Zealand are the ultimate tournament team. Put their team sheets next to each other and you’d always lean towards the Aussies with Steve Smith, David Warner, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, but New Zealand just find a way.”

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Praggnanandhaa sets up Chess World Cup final clash with Carlsen  

For Praggnanandhaa, giant slaying is not new in this tournament. He had earlier defeated far more higher-rated players, including US GM Hikaru Nakamura, world No. 2 by rating…reports Asian Lite News

India’s 18-year old Grandmaster (GM) R. Praggnanandhaa (ELO 2,707) on Monday entered the FIDE World Cup final after defeating world No. 3 by rating, American GM Fabiano Caruana (2,782), in the semifinal tie-break games played at Baku, Azerbaijan.

The final score stood at 3.5-2.5 in favour of the Chennai youngster. After drawing the first two tie-break games, the Indian slayed Caruana in the third game and drew the next one.

The match went into tie-breaker after the players drew their two classical games earlier. In the tie-breaker, the first two games had ended in draw. The young Indian then won the third game.

Praggnanandhaa will now cross swords with world No. 1 and former world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the final.

Having already defeated world No. 2 and world No. 3 in the tournament, will Praggnanandhaa be able to defeat the world No.1 is the question doing the rounds in chess circles now.

With this win, Praggnanandhaa also qualified to play in the Candidates Tournament, the winner of which will be the challenger to Chinese GM Liren Ding, the reigning world champion.

As per the International Chess Federation or FIDE’s rules, the top three players in the World Cup qualify for the Candidates Tournament.

For Praggnanandhaa, giant slaying is not new in this tournament. He had earlier defeated far more higher-rated players, including US GM Hikaru Nakamura, world No. 2 by rating.

India has never performed so well in the World Cup Open Category, though former world champion GM Viswanathan Anand had won the tournament earlier when it was held under a different format.

At Baku this time around, four Indian GMs — Praggnanandhaa, D. Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi — made it to the quarterfinals in a field of over 250 players.

Apart from Praggnanandhaa, there was one more giant slayer from the Indian side. And that was Gujrathi who had humbled world No. 5 GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2779) of Russia.

All is not lost for the other three Indian players — Gujrathi, Gukesh and Erigaisi — to take a shot at the world champion’s title.

“There are a couple of other tournaments the Indian players can play and get qualified for the Candidates Tournament. The other three players reached the quarterfinals in this strong tournament. Hence, they can still qualify for the Candidates.

“That said, the Indian government and the All India Chess Federation (AICF) should provide all kinds of assistance to the youngsters to become the world champion,” International Arbiter and chess coach R.R. Vasudevan said.

Kasparov hails Indian prodigy

Former World Chess Champion and Russian chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov has congratulated Indian grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa who stormed into the final of the FIDE World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Praggnanandhaa defeated World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana to reach the final of the FIDE World Cup, and his mother was also present at the event to witness her son’s triumph.

Kasparov called his mother’s support “a special kind of support” and extended wishes to the Indian Grand Master for his exceptional performance. 

“Congrats to @rpragchess —and to his mother. As someone whose proud mama accompanied me to every event, it’s a special kind of support! The Chennai Indian defeated two New York cowboys! He has been very tenacious in difficult positions,” Kasparov wrote in his tweet.

The Indian chess prodigy managed to beat the American player 3.5-2.5 after tiebreaks. He will face World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen for the title clash.

Earlier, Praggnanandhaa beat compatriot Arjun Erigaisi 5-4 in a sudden death tie-break to book a place for himself in the semifinals on Thursday. The 17-year-old Praggnanandhaa has already secured a spot in next year’s Candidates event.

Praggnanandhaa created history by advancing to the final of the FIDE World Cup, his coach RB Ramesh expressed his immense pride in Praggnanandhaa’s exceptional performance in the global tournament and said that he is optimistic about Prags chances in view of the openings strategies discussed.

“I am extremely proud that he has been doing phenomenally well in this World Cup and he qualified for the World Cup final. And what I hear is he is the youngest to do so. And also he is the only Indian to qualify for the final,” coach Ramesh told ANI.

The final matches of the FIDE World Cup will begin on Tuesday. (ANI)

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Rohit has some plans for World Cup

Although India hasn’t progressed beyond the semi-final stage in the previous two Men’s Cricket World Cups, the captain holds the belief that his team can replicate the achievement of his fellow countrymen in 2011…reports Asian Lite News

India captain Rohit Sharma has reflected on ODI World Cup memories and looked ahead optimistically to a home campaign beginning in October, saying that the team needs to play well the entire month, month and a half, and be consistent to win the mega event.

While India may not have advanced past the semi-final stage in the last two Men’s Cricket World Cups, the skipper believes his side can emulate the 2011 success of his compatriots.

On hand during the Barbados leg of the Cricket World Cup 2023 Trophy Tour, posing with the prize on offer come November 19, Rohit expressed the importance of measure and patience in India’s preparation.

“We are back home again this year, so hopefully we can turn things around. It’s still a long way to go and we know you can’t win the World Cup in one or two days, you’ve got to play well the entire month, month and a half, and be consistent,” the India captain was quoted as saying by ICC.

“We are trying everything we can from our perspective to make sure we are ready for that World Cup,” he added.

For many, Rohit’s input with the bat will be vital during the tournament. Not only did he top the runs tally at the 2019 event (648 runs at 81) — he plundered five centuries at the tournament — and is under no illusions that for India to fire, he must go close to emulating his success four years ago even in the maelstrom of fanfare and pressure that comes with a home campaign.

“I was in a good mind space (in 2019), I was feeling really good about my cricket, prepared really well before the World Cup and when you’re heading into a tournament like that, all you want to do is start well, mentally and physically fresh and then everything falls into place,” Rohit added.

“I started really well in that tournament, got a hundred in the first game, and then for me, it was all about carrying that forward. Obviously you take a lot of confidence about what you’ve done in the past, but starting afresh and starting new was very important. I was in a great mind space at that point in time and looking forward to creating that again,” he added.

To find inspiration for the upcoming tournament, the 36-year-old reflected on some of his early World Cup memories, first citing Ajay Jadeja’s catch of Allan Border in 1992.

Running and diving to remove the dangerous left-hander, the catch to Rohit symbolises India’s move into modern-day limited overs cricket, evolving into the work of Sachin Tendulkar into the early 2000s.

“I remember famously, Ajay Jadeja’s catch. I remember that because that actually is stuck in everyone’s mind, even now. It took our fielding to the next level,” Rohit noted.

“I remember every little moment of all the World Cups. 1999 as well, the first thing that comes to mind is that Herschelle Gibbs catch which cost them the World Cup I believe. And then 2003 where India played really well up until the finals. Sachin Tendulkar was amazing with the bat,” he added.

As for India’s victorious 2011 campaign, the victory was somewhat bittersweet for the now-skipper, having to watch from home. He admits he debated watching the campaign at all after the disappointment of missing out on squad selection, but u-turned knowing how significant a global tournament victory would be for his country and colleagues.

“2011 was the memorable one for all of us, I remember watching it from home, every single match.There were two kinds of emotions. One obviously I was not part of it so I was a little disappointed and I decided I was not going to watch the World Cup,” Rohit said.

“But again the second memory I remember was that India was playing so well. Quarter-finals and onwards, the big quarter-final was against Pakistan and I know how much pressure is on the players when you play all these games, so I can only imagine what each player must have gone through in that time.

And then the semi-final against Australia, it was a brilliant finish by Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh) and (Suresh) Raina at the back,” he added.

As for how India will get behind his men, and with a twinkle in his eye glancing at the Cricket World Cup trophy, the experienced batter knows his side will have the support of an entire nation.

“I know for a fact that every ground, every venue that we will be travelling to will get massive support,” Rohit said.

“It’s the World Cup, so everyone is looking forward to this and the World Cup coming back to India after 12 years. People are quite excited and we can see the buzz already back home. I’ll be looking forward to playing in all venues.

I have never seen this trophy from this close. When we won in 2011, I was not a part of the squad, but it is beautiful and has so many memories behind it. Hopefully we can lift it, fingers crossed,” he added.

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Pakistan sets aside bilateral tensions, joins World Cup in India

Pakistan further hopes that India will ensure full-proof security for the Pakistan cricket team during its visit to India, it said…reports Asian Lite News

The Pakistan government has decided to send its national cricket team to India to participate in the ICC ODI World Cup (October 5 to November 19), emphasising that the stretched state of bilateral relations between the two countries should not become a hurdle in fulfilling international sporting obligations.

A statement issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office said that while the national cricket team will travel to India for the World Cup, concerns over the security of the players remain a serious and major issue. 

“Pakistan believes that the state of bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations. Pakistan’s decision shows its constructive and responsible approach vis-a-vis India’s intransigent attitude, as the latter had refused to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup,” the statement read. 

“Pakistan, however, has deep concerns about the security of its cricket team. We are conveying these concerns to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Indian authorities,” it added. 

Pakistan further hopes that India will ensure full-proof security for the Pakistan cricket team during its visit to India, it said. 

Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf had maintained that the cricket team will only be allowed to travel to India after getting the necessary approval from the government. 

The PCB had also maintained that it will send a security team to India first, which will ensure safety arrangements for the team. 

PCB’s recommendations were discussed in detail during a meeting of the special committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup in India. 

The decision to send the team to India for the World Cup is most certainly wonderful news for cricket fans, who would start gearing up for an India-Pakistan showdown on October 15 in Ahmedabad.  

India-Pakistan cricket match is considered as by far the biggest sporting event in the cricketing world. And when that is going to be happening on India’s home ground, the excitement and intensity around it would certainly multiply among the fans on either side of the border. 

Pakistan are scheduled to play a minimum of nine matches in the World Cup in India scheduled in different stadia across the neighbouring country. 

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Spain’s historic quarterfinals in Women’s World Cup

Bonmati’s early opener in the match was canceled out by an own goal from Laia Codina, but Alba Redondo restored Spain’s lead and Bonmati scored again to make it 3-1….reports Asian Lite News

Aitana Bonmati played an important role with a brace and two assists as Spain swept past Switzerland 5-1 here on Saturday to reach the quarterfinals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history.

Bonmati’s early opener in the match was canceled out by an own goal from Laia Codina, but Alba Redondo restored Spain’s lead and Bonmati scored again to make it 3-1.

Codina then made up for her error by scoring her team’s fourth before the break, and Jennifer Hermoso made it 5-1 in the second half in front of 43,217 fans, a new record crowd for a football match in New Zealand, Xinhua reported.

After the terrible 4-0 defeat to Japan in group stage, the 25-year-old Bonmati has vowed to try her best in the campaign.

“I’m here at the World Cup and I want to win. I don’t care if we play badly, just as long as we win. Sometimes you play well and keep the ball, but it’s not enough. We’re going to compete, stop the opposition from scoring goals, and we’ll take it from there,” Bonmati said before the match against Switzerland.

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‘Not playing only to seal a spot in WC’

On Tuesday, Thakur showcased his prowess with a remarkable spell, taking four wickets for 37 runs….reports Asian Lite News

India all-rounder Shardul Thakur said he is not among those who play for a spot in the World Cup but remains committed to making a significant impact in helping the team win.

On Tuesday, Thakur showcased his prowess with a remarkable spell, taking four wickets for 37 runs. His performance played a crucial role in dismantling the West Indies batting line-up as India secured a massive 200-run victory in the final ODI, ultimately clinching the three-match series 2-1.

“I don’t think that way, I am not playing only to seal a spot in the World Cup. I am not that type of a player. If I keep that (World Cup spot) in mind and play, I won’t be able to play well,” Shardul told reporters after the match.

“If I don’t get picked for the World Cup, it’s their (selectors) call. I can’t do much about it. Very wrong of me to think that I should play to seal a spot, I will do just enough and go. I want to perform for the team, perform according to the situations. Whatever happens, I will always play to help the team win and make an impact in helping the team win,” he added.

Speaking about his bowling performance, the all-rounder said he is determined to live up to the team’s belief in his abilities and continue to deliver strong performances.

“I have never thought about people watching my performances and judging me. Many times it will happen that on certain surfaces, spinners will get help and fast bowlers will be rested and vice-versa. I just want to keep contributing towards my team’s performance and make those contributions impactful.”

“I have been a part of the squad over the past two years. The team expects something from me, so they are confident in me and I want to keep delivering the goods,” said Shardul, who was also adjudged Player of the Match.

The 31-year-old also emphasised that the entire team is placing significant importance on each and every game leading up to the ODI World Cup.

“I think with the World Cup coming up, every game is going to be important. Whether it is the batting department or the bowling department or for that matter, fielding also. You are going to judge yourself, you are going to score some marks for yourself.

“Also, the team management is going to look at you as a player. There would be a few players who would be looking at the selection as well. All the games before the World Cup are important, no doubt about it,” he added.

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Bilawal-led panel to decide Pakistan’s WC participation in India

The PCB had sent a letter to PM Shehbaz Sharif in June asking for advice on whether the Pakistan team was allowed to travel to India, and if so, if there are any reservations about any of the five venues earmarked for hosting games featuring the Men in Green.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a 14-member committee, headed by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, to consider the the country’s cricket team’s participation in the World Cup to be held in India in October.

The committee, after going through all the relevant factors, will finalise its recommendations for the premier’s consideration and approval, The News reported.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in its June 27 letter addressed to the Sharif, bypassing all the laid down protocols, has sought the federal government’s clearance before giving the green light to the organisers for the national team’s participation in the ODI World Cup.

The committee, headed by Bilawal, includes the interior minister,  law minister, the Inter-Provincial Coordination minister, the information and broadcasting minister, the adviser on Kashmir affairs, the adviser on Establishment, the foreign secretary, PSPM and representatives of secret agencies and sensitive departments.

The committee has been authorised to hold its meeting and consider Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Pakistan could well reciprocate by refusing to travel to India for the upcoming World Cup and by announcing that they will also play all their matches at neutral venues, The News reported.

The Prime Minister has authorised the committee to decide on the sensitive matter for his final approval.

In the letter written directly to Sharif by PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer, the Board has sought clearance for the Pakistan cricket team’s participation in the ICC Cricket World Cup, and in the event the government provides clearance for participation in the mega event, it wants advice in relation to the venues for the Pakistan team’s scheduled matches.

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Netherlands stay in hunt for World Cup berth

If Zimbabwe win against Scotland on Tuesday, the hosts will seal the last remaining ODI World Cup spot, pushing both Scotland and the Netherlands out of the race…reports Asian Lite News

A maiden ODI hundred from opener Vikramjit Singh and Wesley Barresi’s 97 helped the Netherlands stay in contention for ODI World Cup qualification with a huge 74-run win over Oman via DLS method in their Super Six match of the qualifiers at the Harare Sports Club on Monday.

Pushed into batting first, despite rain taking away two overs, Vikramjit slammed a 109-ball 110, laced with 11 fours and two sixes, while Barresi was impressive in his 65-ball 97, hitting ten fours and three sixes, for the Netherlands to post an imposing 362/7 in 48 overs.

In reply, despite a brilliant 105 not out off 92 balls by Ayaan Khan, also his first ODI century, and his stand of 112 runs for the fifth wicket with Shoaib Khan, Oman were always behind in the tall chase and ended up at 246/6 in 44 overs, before bad light stopped play again end of the match and both teams decided to shake hands, bringing the match to an end.

Despite the big win, the Netherlands could not get their Net Run Rate (NRR) past either Scotland or Zimbabwe. If Zimbabwe win against Scotland on Tuesday, the hosts will seal the last remaining ODI World Cup spot, pushing both Scotland and the Netherlands out of the race. But if Scotland win, then the Netherlands must defeat them by a big enough margin to go past their NRR.

In the morning, Oman pacers Bilal Khan and Kaleemullah got the ball to zip around under overcast conditions. The Dutch openers held their own till play was disrupted due to rain, and the game turning into a 48-over contest.

On resumption, Vikramjit set the tone for attacking Oman’s bowlers by smashing three boundaries in Kaleemullah’s third over, whereas Max O’Dowd hit a six and four in his fourth. Vikramjit continued to keep his foot on the pedal and reached his half-century in the 18th over, with the century of the opening partnership also brought up.

O’Dowd, however, fell for 35 from 64 balls to the left-arm spinner Ayaan. Vikramjit was then joined by Barresi and the duo kept going after Oman’s bowlers. The duo added 80 runs from 72 balls, with Vikramjit getting to his maiden ODI hundred in the 31st over.

Vikramjit finally fell to an expansive loft off Mohammad Nadeem and holed out to long-on in the 34th over. Barresi, 39, remained impressive and led the Netherlands charge with a brisk fifty coming off only 43 balls.

Along with a fiery cameo from Bas de Leede (39 off 19 balls), Barresi added 55 runs from 27 balls for the fourth wicket. Barresi didn’t relent even after de Leede was dismissed and scored runs all around the ground. He added 57 from 26 with Saqib Zulfiqar (33 off 17 balls), before falling painfully short of a deserving hundred on 97, as the Netherlands managed to cross 350 by then.

In reply, Oman openers Jatinder Singh (17) and Kashyap Prajapati added 34 off 41 balls for the first wicket, before the former was run out, followed by Ryan Klein taking out stand-in captain Aqib Ilyas, and Prajapati (25) as well as Mohammad Nadeem being dismissed before 20th over started.

It was the fifth wicket partnership between Ayaan and Shoaib which finally brought some energy to the Oman innings. Their stand reached its 50-run mark off 48 deliveries. Ayaan reached his half-century with a six in the 27th over, and soon after, Oman crossed 200 run-mark in the 34th over.

The duo added 112 runs off 107 balls in what was Oman’s best partnership in the tournament so far. Shoaib’s fall to an excellent stumping by Scott Edwards ended the massive partnership in the 38th over. Though Ayaan achieved his maiden ODI hundred in the 41st over, a Netherlands win was a foregone conclusion, before the game was eventually called off in the 44th over.

Brief scores:

The Netherlands 362/7 in 48 overs (Vikramjit Singh 110, Wesley Barresi 97; Bilal Khan 3-75, Mohammad Nadeem 2-36) beat Oman 246/6 in 44 overs (Ayaan Khan 105 not out, Shoaib Khan 46; Aryan Dutt 3-31, Ryan Klein 2-34) by 74 runs via DLS method

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