Sports

By Armstrong Vaz
Doha (Qatar), Dec 2 (IANS) Germany defeated Costa Rica 4-2 in their concluding Group E match of the FIFA World Cup but that was not enough for Die Mannschaft to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament.


At the Bayt Stadium in Al Khor what went against the four-time champions was the match result from Group E's other finale between Spain and Japan at Khalifa International Stadium, where Japan defeated the European giants 2-1 to make it to the next stage as group winners.

The Samurai Blues which began with a 2-1 win over the former champions lost to Costa Rica 1-0 and finished their league engagements with 2-1 win over yet another former champions Spain.

Germany's exit meant they crashed out of the world at the group stage for the second successive time having suffered the same fate at Russia 2018. Costa Rica was also eliminated, with Japan and Spain moving on.

Germany's simplest path to the knockout stage was a win over Costa Rica coupled with a Spain win over Japan, but it also would have advanced with a Spain-Japan draw after its multi-goal win. Japan's 2-1 win over La Roja spelled elimination for Die Mannschaft, which had an uphill road to climb after its upset loss to Japan in the opener.

Spain had started their Qatar campaign with 7-0 drubbing of Costa Rica and followed it up with a one-all draw with Germany and finished with a 2-1 loss to the Asian side.

Germany dominated Costa Rica in the first half, with Serge Gnabry giving Germany a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute with a glancing header off a cross from David Raum. Manuel Neuer, making his World Cup record 19th start in goal, denied a close-range shot by Costa Rica's Keysher Fuller just before the break.

Costa Rica, which needed a win to advance, scored the equalizer - the first of five second-half goals between the teams - in the 58th minute, when Yeltsin Tejeda buried a rebound into the back of the net. Juan Pablo Vargas gave Los Ticos a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute, but Germany's Kai Havertz answered with the first of his two goals three minutes later. Niclas Füllkrug provided the final tally.

Germany's failure to advance for the second straight World Cup is a remarkable fall for a national team that won the event in 2014, finished third in 2010 and 2006 and was the runner-up in 2002.

On Thursday, both Group E and Group F had surprising group winners. Group E champion Japan will face Croatia in the round of 16 on Monday. Group F winner Morocco will face Spain on Tuesday.

The World Cup continues Friday, when the round of 16 will be set after the finales in Group G and Group H.

--IANS
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Mumbai, Dec 2 (IANS) The big names of modern-day cricket like England Test captain Ben Stokes, all-rounder Sam Curran, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson are among the players with the maximum reserve price of INR 2 crore as a total of 991 players including 714 Indian and 277 overseas have registered to be part of the IPL 2023 Player Auction, which is set to take place on December 23 in Kochi.

Apart from Stokes, Curran, Green and Williamson, the likes of Nicholas Pooran, Chris Jordan, Rilee Rossouw, and Rassie van der Dussen are the other noticeable names among 21 players, who have been included in the highest bracket.

A notable exclusion from the overall list is veteran Australian pacer Mitchell Starc who hasn't registered. On the other hand, Australia's Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins had earlier pulled out citing workload issues.

The IPL Player Registration closed on November 30, 2022, and the long list includes 185 capped, 786 uncapped and 20 players from associate nations.

As per a BCCI release, the players have been divided into various categories -- capped Indian (19 players), capped international (166), associate (20), uncapped Indians who were a part of previous IPL seasons (91), uncapped international who were a part of previous IPL seasons (3), uncapped Indians (604 players), uncapped Internationals (88 players).

Notably, if every franchise were to have a maximum of 25 players in their squad, 87 players are available to be bought in the auction (of which up to 30 players can be overseas players).

In what is a first, not one Indian player is listed in the highest reserve price band of Rs 2 crore. Amongst the Indian players registered, those with a base price of Rs 1 crore are Mayank Agarwal, Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav.

Indian national players like Ajinkya Rahane, and Ishant Sharma, who are not in the scheme of things as of now, have reduced their prices for the auction. Rahane's base price this time is Rs 50 lakh while Ishant, who had gone unsold in 2022, is asking for Rs 75 lakh.

Left-arm fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat, who has been among the highest-paid players at IPL auctions, has listed his base price at Rs 50 lakh. Unadkat, who has been in great form having led Saurashtra to the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, where he is the leading wicket-taker, was released by Mumbai Indians, who had bought him for Rs 1.3 crore in 2022.

Last month, franchises had announced the list of their retained and released players and the Sunrisers had the largest purse (Rs 42.25 crore) for the auction, followed by Punjab (Rs 32.20 crore), Lucknow (Rs 23.35 crore), Mumbai (Rs 20.55 crore), Chennai (Rs 20.45 crore), Delhi (Rs 19.45 crore), Gujarat (Rs 19.25 crore), Rajasthan Royals (Rs 13.2 crore), RCB (Rs 8.75 crore) and KKR (Rs 7.05 crore).

The Rs 2 crore list: Nathan Coulter-Nile, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills, Jamie Overton, Craig Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Kane Williamson, Rilee Rossouw, Rassie van der Dussen, Angelo Mathews, Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder.

The Rs 1.5 crore list: Sean Abbott, Riley Meredith, Jhye Richardson, Adam Zampa, Shakib Al Hasan, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Dawid Malan, Jason Roy, Sherfane Rutherford

The Rs 1 crore list: Mayank Agarwal, Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Moises Henriques, Andrew Tye, Joe Root, Luke Wood, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Heinrich Klaasen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kusal Perera, Roston Chase, Rakheem Cornwall, Shai Hope, Akeal Hossein, David Wiese

--IANS

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Doha (Qatar), Dec 1 (IANS) The 2018 runners-up Croatia survived some anxious moments in their Group F goalless draw against Belgium but made it to the Knockout stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

At the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Croatia made it to the last 16 stage as group runners-up while the draw meant World No.2 side Belgium had to make an early exit from the football showpiece event.

The disappointment of the tournament were Belgium which only had four points from three matches, winning one, losing one and drawing one and crashing out of the tournament.

Group F runners-up Croatia go through to play the winners in Group E in the last 16, while Morocco qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in 36 years, emerging as group winners. They will meet the runners-up of Group E, which contains Costa Rica, Germany, Japan and Spain, in the last 16.

The Atlas Lions started their Qatar campaign with a 0-0 draw against Croatia and added another feather in the cap by defeating Word No.2 Belgium 2-0 a few days ago. With Thursday's win, their second in the group, they finished with seven points and topped the group.

Croatia finished second in the group with one win and two draws collecting five points and will face Group E winners, which are most likely to be Spain.

Among the teams which had already qualified for the World Cup on Wednesday were Australia, France, Portugal, Brazil, Senegal, The Netherlands, Argentina, Poland, USA and England.

The opening half produced next to nothing in the way of notable action -- save for a penalty awarded to Croatia but overturned by the VAR, who detected Dejan Lovren stepping marginally offside prior to Yannick Carrasco's foul on Andrej Kramaric.

Romelu Lukaku, who replaced Dries Mertens at half-time, came into the game with intent and immediately brought additional energy to the Belgium side.

But his missed opportunities in the second half proved costly, with each one bringing an audible collective groan from the stands and Inter Milan striker punched the dugout in frustration after the final whistle.

Croatia were unconvincing -- they had a penalty ruled out by VAR due to an offside in the build-up in the first half -- but did enough to secure progression.

However, they looked a level below what they showed to reach the final in Russia four years ago and their celebrations were fairly subdued after scraping through.

The golden Belgian generation led by Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku probably missed the last chance of winning a World Cup after they failed to break the deadlock against Croatia despite several clear chances in the second half.

--IANS

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Dubai, Dec 1 (IANS) Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been reprimanded for showing dissent during the final ODI against Afghanistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Thursday.

Hasaranga received the official reprimand for breaching the Level 1 ICC Code of Conduct during the final Cricket World Cup Super League match of the series against Afghanistan in Pallekele on Wednesday.

As per ICC, the star all-rounder was found guilty of breaching Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "showing dissent at an Umpire's decision during an International Match."

"He received one demerit point, his first in 24 months, as well as a maximum penalty of 50% of match fees," the ICC said in a statement.

During the match, Najibullah Zadran's LBW decision was overturned during Hasaranga's third over after being given out by the on-field umpire initially. Frustrated at the decision, the 25-year-old pointed at the giant screen.

The 25-year-old admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Ranjan Madugalle of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, thus a formal hearing was not required.

The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Nitin Menon and Lyndon Hannibal, third umpire Raveendra Wimalasari and fourth umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge.

--IANS

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Abu Dhabi, Nov 23 (IANS) Bangla Tigers pulled off a sensational 19 runs win over newcomers New York Strikers in the opening match of the Abu Dhabi T10 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday.

The architect of the Bangla Tigers' win was opener Evin Lewis who hit 58 runs off 22 balls with seven sixes and two boundaries to help post an impressive total of 131 for 5 in 10 overs. New York Strikers, despite an unbeaten 45 off 19 balls with three boundaries and four sixes from skipper Kieron Pollard, could not attain their target.

New York Strikers had won the toss and elected to field. Hazratullah Zazai and Evin Lewis opened for Bangla Tigers. The first boundary of the tournament came off the third ball from Romario Shepherd when Zazai hit it past the short fine leg. Lewis too hit the last ball over the extra cover for another boundary.

Wahab Riaz, who bowled the second over, struck with the second ball by getting Zazai out for 10, forcing him to top edge to Jordon Thompson at fine leg. Thompson took a brilliant catch diving full length. One-drop Joe Clarje fell to the first ball he faced from Riaz to another fine catch, this time taken by Eoin Morgan at extra cover.

Colin Munro, who joined opener Lewis, hit the last ball of Riaz's over for a six over long leg. Munro continued to go for his shots and hit Jordan Thompson for a boundary to long-off and a six to fine-leg. Ravi Rampaul, who was introduced for the fourth over, found his third delivery cut powerfully to backward point boundary by Munro. Lewis completed that over with a six to mid-wicket.

The fifth over was exciting as Lewis hit Nav Pabreja for two sixes, the first six off the second ball to mid-wicket and the second one off the fourth ball over long off. Lewis also hit the last ball for another six over long-on. At the half way mark, Bangla Tigers were on a healthy 68 for 2.

Jordan Thompson bowled a brilliant sixth over allowing Munro to pick only one boundary and also took the prize wicket of Munro with the last ball of the over. Munro's innings too ended to a fine catch by NavPrabeja at short third man jumping and pulling off the catch on the rebound. Riaz who was re-introduced for the seventh over could not stop Lewis from going for his huge shots. He hit him for two sixes over deep square leg. Lewis reached his half century in 18 balls flicking Shepherd over square leg for a six.

He also hit the next ball over point for another boundary. The total went past the 100-un mark by the end of the eighth over.

Lewis' fine knock of 58 came to an end when Rampaul got him out to the first ball of the ninth over, caught by skipper Pollard at long on. Rampaul also got next man Benny Howell out through Powell's second catch at long-off for 1. The ninth from Rampaul yielded just five runs and he took two wickets.

The last over from Nav Pabreja was well utilized by Shakib Al Hasan who hit a boundary off the second ball, and two sixes, one of the fourth ball and another off the last ball to give an impressive total of 131 for 5.

Chasing a run rate of 13.10, New York Strikers lost an early wicket when UAE's Muhammad Waseem got out to Shakib Al Hasan's third ball of the first over for a duck , caught by his UAE teammate Rohan Mustafa at deep square leg. It was another superb catch of the day as he jumped in time inside the boundary line for the catch. The second over was sensational with Jake Ball being hit for 25 runs. Azam Khan began by hitting the first ball for a boundary to short third man, second delivery pulled for a six and the fourth, fifth and sixth deliveries were also hit for boundaries.

Shakib bowled another brilliant over giving away only five runs, tying down opener Paul Stirling and Azam Khan. The fourth over began with Azam Khan hitting another six over square leg but fell to the fifth ball of that over hitting to Cutting at mid-off. Azam's 13-ball knock of 34 had four boundaries and two sixes.

Eoin Morgan, who joined Howell, lasted only four balls to score seven runs as Matheesha Pathirana had him caugrht by Howell at long-on. The fall of wickets mounted pressure on New York Stirikers, and they were 54 for 3 needing to score at over 15 runs an over. All eyes turned towards Kieron Pollard to lift the team to the target. He hit Rohan Mustafa's third delivery of the sixth over for a six over long on. Mustafa struck to clean bowl Paul Stirling for 7. Pathirana bowled tightly and had Romario Shephered bowled for four runs. Thompson hit Pathirana's fifth delivery for six to keep the runs coming.

Everything changed after a fine over from Rohan Mustafa who clean bowled Thompson out for 7. Though Mustafa was hit for a six and a boundary by Pollard, 46 runs were needed from the last two overs.

UAE's Umair Ali was called to bowl the ninth over. Pollard hit his third delivery for a boundary and fourth for a six. The fifth ball saw Akeal Hosein getting run out by Hazratullah but Pollard hit the last ball for a boundary. Fans now moved to the edge of their seats with 28 runs needed off the last over. Jake Ball gave away a leg bye single to Wahab Riaz off the first delivery.

Pollard hit the third ball for a six to keep hopes alive but Ball bowled a brilliant fourth delivery giving no runs and only a single to Pollard off the fourth ball. Riaz got run out off the fifth ball and Ball gave away no run to Pollard after that thus restricting New York Strikers to 112 for 8 in 10 overs.

Brief scores:
Bangla Tigers bt New York Strikers by 19 runs. Bangla Tigers 131 for 5 in 10 overs (Evin Lewis 58, Colin Munro 30, Wahab Riaz 2 for 24, Ravi Rampaul 2 for 16) New York Strikers 112 for 8 in 10 overs (Azam Khan 34, Kieron Pollard 45, Matheesha Pathirana 2 for 22, Rohan Mustafa 2 for 20)

--IANS
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Hyderabad, Nov 23 (IANS) The Puneri Paltan put up a clinical performance to register a 39-32 victory over the Jaipur Pink Panthers in the vivo Pro Kabaddi League Season 9 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium here on Wednesday. Aslam Inamdar emerged as the best player for the Pune side with 9 points in the game.

Arjun Deshwal picked up a few touch points as the Jaipur Pink Panthers took the lead at 6-3 in the 6th minute.

However, Sombir tackled Deshwal and Mohit Goyat pulled off a raid in quick succession to help their team stay in the game at 6-8 in the 9th minute. Aslam Inamdar effected a magnificent raid in the 12th minute as the Pune side levelled the scores at 9-9.

The Puneri Paltan kept raging on and inflicted an ALL OUT in the 17th minute to take the lead at 16-14. Moments later, Akash Shinde carried out a brilliant raid, catching out Reza Mirbagheri and Abhishek KS. Shinde continued to shine as Puneri Paltan led at 20-16 at the end of the first half.

Goyat effected a fantastic multi-point raid and reduced the Panthers to just two members on the mat in the opening minutes of the second half. The Puneri Paltan inflicted another ALL OUT soon after and attained a stronghold of the match at 27-18 in the 25th minute.

However, Deshwal kept the Panthers in the game through a magnificent raid catching out Abinesh Nadarajan and Fazel Atrachali. But, Goyat kept getting touch points and helped his team stay in the lead at 33-24 in the 33rd minute.

V Ajith Kumar picked up a couple of touch points for the Panthers, but Aslam Inamdar showcased top form in the other end as the Pune side stayed ahead at 36-29. The Paltan rode on the momentum and eventually closed out a comprehensive victory.

--IANS
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Jerusalem, Nov 22 (IANS) China became the only unbeaten team after the second day of the 2022 Men's World Team Chess Championship in Jerusalem on Monday.

China beat Ukraine 3-1 and the Netherlands 3.5-0.5 in the six-team Group A, raising their record to full eight points from four matches and securing their spot in the quarterfinals with one round to go.

Bai Jinshi and Li Di scored 3.5 points from four games for China so far, while Xu Xiangyu contributed three points, reports Xinhua. China captain Wen Yang, gold medalist from the 2017 World Team Championship, told Xinhua that the team is very young, and this is the first time for some players to participate in an international competition.

"The results achieved by the team up to now are beyond expectations," he added.

Ukraine, who drew 2-2 with Spain, and France, who drew 2-2 with Spain and beat South Africa 3.5-0.5, also secured their places in the quarterfinals, with both teams currently on five points.

Spain (four points) and the Netherlands (two points) will vie for the last quarterfinal berth in Group A, while South Africa remain winless after four rounds.

In Group B, Uzbekistan secured their place in the quarterfinals with six points, after beating the United States 2.5-1.5 and India 3.5-0.5.

Javokhir Sindarov has so far scored 3.5 points for Uzbekistan, and his teammate Jahongir Vakhidov added three points.

Azerbaijan dropped to second place with five points after losing 2.5-1.5 to India and drawing 2-2 with Poland. Israel rose to third place with four points, after a 2-2 draw against Poland and a 2.5-1.5 win over the U.S..

India are fourth with four points, ahead of Poland on three points and the U.S. with two points.

The final match of the competition, organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), will be played on Friday.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram , Nov 20 (IANS) With the bugle for the FIFA World Cup to sound in a few hours in Doha, the soccer-crazy people of Kerala have erected cut-outs of the Emir of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani along with the huge cut-outs of Argentina great Lionel Messi and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. Neymar Jr of Brazil too finds a place everywhere in the state as there is a dedicated fan club in Kerala for all the superstars of football.

The cut-out of Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani is erected at Kasargod. Abdul Rahiman, a Dubai-based businessman who is on a holiday here to watch football on TV along with his friends and relatives, while speaking to IANS said, "Qatar is a small country and they are organising the World Cup. As a thanksgiving to that, we thought of erecting the cut-out of the leader of Qatar along with superstars Messi and Ronaldo."

In Eachur Panchayat of Kannur district, soccer-crazy fans have painted their homes in Argentina colours and a huge cut-out of Messi is seen at a bust intersection.

Sudhakaran, a tea-stall owner in Eachur while speaking to IANS said, "This village is full of Messi fans and I have painted my home in Argentina colours and we have erected a cut-out of Messi here. It's Argentina who will lift the World Cup this time."

Malappuram district of Kerala is synonymous with the game and seven-a-side matches are a rage in the district with each team procuring even international players from countries like Nigeria and Ghana to don their colours, paying a heavy fee.

Abdul Majeed, a local scrap dealer and a huge fan of Brazil, while speaking to IANS said, "It will be Brazil who will lift the Cup this time. I am going to Qatar along with my friends from the quarter-finals onwards. I've spent a fortune for the trip but soccer is in my blood and so it is in this village where everyone breathes football."

The village has hoisted a huge cut-out of Neymar and Messi, which are 42 and 41 feet in height.
In Alappuzha and Ernakulam, the roads along the highways have cut-outs of Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo with soccer-crazy fans coming out in the streets wearing the jerseys of their favourite teams.

Kozhikode, which can easily be stated as the capital of Malabar in North Kerala is full of crazy soccer fans installing giant television sets at clubs and party offices with free flow of coffee and tea being served to the fans. Biscuits and other snacks are also provided.

Krishnakumar G.C., president of Friends Arts and Science Club, Bilathikulam, Kozhikode while speaking to IANS said, "It is interesting time. The club has bought a new television set and has erected a pandal for soccer fans to watch the World Cup. A huge fan following is here for stars like Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo. I am a fan of Portugal team and expect Ronaldo to perform exceedingly well."

However most of the fans are reluctant to go to Qatar as the airlines have increased fares, ticket charges are high and accommodation is also costly. Most of them are interested to watch the World Cup from the comforts of their homes or from a club recreation room.

There are also many people who expect the host team Qatar to reach at least the quarterfinals of the tournament. Many of those who are rooting for Qatar are working in that country or their close relatives are working there.

--IANS

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Mount Maunganui, Nov 20 (IANS) Suryakumar Yadav put out yet another 360-degree astonishing masterclass in T20I batting with an unbeaten 49-ball century to propel India to a challenging 191/6 against New Zealand in the second T20I at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

On a sluggish pitch where almost all Indian batters found it tough to time the ball, Suryakumar, the top-ranked T20I batter, hit 11 fours and seven sixes all over the park at a strike-rate of 217.65 to be unbeaten on 111 off 51 balls, his second T20I century.

For New Zealand, veteran pacer Tim Southee took his second T20I hat-trick to pick 3/34 in his four overs. Southee's hat-trick, on a day New Zealand's bowlers leaked runs aplenty, was pivotal in restricting India to below 200.

India began the innings with Rishabh Pant whipping strongly past mid-on off Tim Southee in the opening over. But it was his fellow left-hander Ishan Kishan who was more fluent in his stroke-play.

He began by dabbing Southee late through third man for four, flicking Lockie Ferguson over deep square-leg for six and then placed a drive off an inconsistent Adam Milne between extra cover and mid-off.

In a bid to break the shackles, Pant tried to pull a short, outside the off-stump ball from Ferguson in the final over of power-play. But the ball took a top-edge and was caught easily by Southee running backwards from short third man.

Suryakumar Yadav got going with a scooped four clearing the keeper while Kishan welcomed James Neesham with back-to-back fours on both sides of the wicket, before rain stopped play for 26 minutes.

Post resumption, Kishan successfully overturned an lbw call off Ish Sodhi and drilled a drive down the ground for four in the same over. After Suryakumar swept Mitchell Santner for six over deep backward square leg, Sodhi ended Kishan's stay on the very next ball as the left-hander cut straight to short third man.

Shreyas Iyer sparkled in lofting Sodhi on both sides of the 'v' for four and six. But in a bid to flick off Ferguson, his backfoot disturbed the stumps and was out hit-wicket. But Suryakumar marched forward in his trademark style, carving delightful drives, especially going inside-out twice over extra cover off Sodhi for a brace of fours.

He then used pace from Ferguson to whip off his hips over fine leg for six, leaving everyone in awe of the shot. After reaching his fifty in 32 balls, Suryakumar again delighted the crowd by dancing down the pitch for a crisp lofted six over deep extra cover off Santner.

He then brought out his supple wrists to flick Southee for six and four in the first two balls of 17th over, before hitting Milne for a brace of sixes on slower balls over long-off and fine leg. Suryakumar tore into Ferguson in the 19th over, opening the face of the bat late to carve over third man for four.

He then hit the tearaway pacer for three fours and a six in the 19th over, second of which got him a 49-ball century with a beautiful drive through extra cover. Southee took a hat-trick in the final over by dismissing Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar on consecutive deliveries as Suryakumar ended up at 111 not out.

Brief Scores: India 191/6 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 111 not out, Ishan Kishan 36; Tim Southee 3/34, Lockie Ferguson 2/49) against New Zealand.



--IANS

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Mount Maunganui, Nov 20 (IANS) Though tearaway quick Umran Malik isn't in the playing eleven for the second T20I against New Zealand at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, the Jammu-based fast-bowler revealed that he's working on adding slower balls, yorkers as well as pitching deliveries consistently on good and hard lengths.

Malik caught everyone's attention by clocking high speeds in IPL 2021 and 2022 for his side Sunrisers Hyderabad. Good showings from there propelled him to make his T20I debut for India against Ireland in June, clocking three appearances in the format till date.

"I am working on developing new deliveries. Like, I am working on slowers and yorkers for T20s. Also, I am working very well on pitching good length and hard length balls. I am enjoying a lot by working alongside the coaches and feels really good," said Malik in a pre-match chat with broadcasters.

Malik, 22, stated he's learning a lot from spending time working at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and in the national side. "Currently, I am training at the NCA and working alongside Troy (Cooley, the NCA fast-bowling coach). I am working here in the side and feels very nice as I get to learn from the experiences of many people here and can see the difference in terms of accuracy. I have to bowl fast, but I will also bowl with the variations."

Asked on why his speeds were a little slow in Ireland, Malik put it down to slightly more cold in the country. "In Ireland, there was little bit cold, so the body wasn't opening up very well. It takes a bit of time for the body to open up in cold conditions. It was a little bit more cold than it is (in Jammu & Kashmir)."

It has been a whirlwind rise for Malik, who plays for Jammu & Kashmir in domestic cricket. He just wishes to put in good performances and be in the Indian team for long. "For me, it is a proud moment to play for India. Coming from a very small state, I had played for India before and now making a comeback again, it's just a thing of dedication for me."

"When I am playing for India, it is national duty and have to do well. If I do well, will stay here in the team for long. I just want to play long for India and perform well."



--IANS

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