Chile stun Argentina to win Copa

After that there was little in the way of chances, leaving the game to hinge on the penalty shoot-out.

Holders Chile stunned Argentina to win the Copa America Centenario in a penalty shoot-out here Sunday as Lionel Messi’s title curse struck again.

Messi blazed a penalty over the bar in the shoot-out before Lucas Biglia missed to leave Chile’s Francisco Silva with the task of stroking home the winning spot-kick at the MetLife Stadium.

It was a carbon copy of last year’s Copa America final, also won by Chile on penalties after a goalless draw.

Argentina’s players meanwhile were left disconsolate as they digested a third defeat in a major final following losses to Germany in the 2014 World Cup and Chile in last year’s Copa.

The defeat also ensured Argentina’s 23-year wait for a major title—and a first for five-time world player of the year Messi—continued.

The final had gone to penalties after finishing deadlocked at 0-0 after 120 minutes.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the first half as Brazilian referee Heber Lopes struggled to get a grip on an ill-tempered contest played in front of a crowd of 82,026.

The first yellow card of the match came in the 16th minute when Marcelo Diaz brought down Messi with a cynical hack across the thighs as the Barcelona star advanced on the Chilean goal.

Argentina should have taken the lead on 21 minutes when a defensive blunder from Gary Medel, miscontrolling a back pass, allowed Gonzalo Higuain to go clean through on goal.

Chile let-off

Higuain had time and space but opted to lift his shot over the advancing Bravo and it rolled wide of the post in a huge let-off for Chile.

It was a nightmarish case of deja vu for Higuain, who missed potentially match winning chances in both the 2014 World Cup final and last year’s Copa America.

Seven minutes later Chile were left rocking when Messi burst forward only to be bodychecked blatantly by Diaz.

For a moment it appeared that referee Lopes had forgotten Diaz’s earlier caution but eventually he brandished a red card and Chile were down to 10.

It ought to have been a warning to both sides but the spiteful tone continued for the remainder of the half, with Javier Mascherano and Arturo Vidal next into the book in the 37th minute.

The next flare-up came on 40 minutes when Messi darted into the box at high speed and tumbled over following a collision with Jose Pedro Fuenzalida.

Chile’s players surrounded Lopes demanding a yellow card for a dive and Messi was duly booked even though it looked for all the world as if he had simply gone down after being caught off balance.

Rojo red

Two minutes from half-time and Lopes was reaching for a red card, this time sending off Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo for a rough tackle on Vidal.

The cards continued in a fractious start to the second half, Jean Beausejour booked for hacking at Gabriel Mercado.

A cynical foul on Messi by Charles Aranguiz resulted in another yellow card.

The introduction of Sergio Aguero for Higuain had little effect with Argentina failing to break the stalemate.

Chile striker Eduardo Vargas went close on the 80th minute, thumping a fierce low shot that Romero did well to block at his near post.

Aguero had a chance to steal victory in the 84th minute when he was worked into space on the right of the box but he blazed his shot high and wide.

There was still time for late drama when Ramiro Funes-Mori made a stunning match-saving block to deny Alexis Sanchez.

From the Argentinian counter-attack, Messi surged forward from halfway to shoot wide.

Amid suffocating tension in extra-time, Chile had the best early chance to score in the 98th minute when he headed Edson Puch’s cross only to be denied by Romero.

Aguero then drew a fine save from Bravo with a looping header.

Fizz returns to cricket

Bangladesh pace ace Mustafizur Rahman, who is famously known as 'Fizz'  joined the team practice session on Thursday after facing a two-week rehabilitation.

His rehabilitation began on 9 June this year as he suffered two injuries during the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The pacer is due to join English county league team for Sussex.

On the first day’s practice session, Mustafiz bowled six overs under the supervision of fitness and conditioning coach Mario Villavarayan and his physio Bayezidul Islam.

“He has improved and recovered 60 per cent. He needs a little more time,” said Physio Bayezid.

Earlier on 30 May, the Bangladesh speedster returned home helping his team Sunrisers Hyderabad win the 2016 of Indian Premier League 2016.

Mustafiz bagged 17 wickets in 16 matches in the IPL as Hyderabad brought home their maiden IPL trophy.

No Messi for Olympics

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino on Thursday named part of his squad for the Rio Olympics but superstar Lionel Messi was not included after being chosen for the Copa America instead.

The full list of 22 will be revealed in the coming days but not before Sunday's final of the Copa, where Argentina take on holders Chile.

Messi's exclusion was expected. He won gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 but Martino had already decided that the Barcelona star would not compete at both the Copa and the Olympics in August.

Nine players were named in the squad on Thursday.

They were Giovani Lo Celso (Rosario Central), Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Emmanuel Mammana (River Plate), Jonathan Silva (Boca Juniors), José Luis Gomez (Lanus), Mauricio Martinez (Union), Leandro Paredes (Empoli) and Cristian Espinoza (Huracan).

Argentina were Olympic champions in 2004 and 2008 and will be favourites in Rio.

They are in Group D of the competition along with Portugal, Algeria and Honduras.

Amir like a brother for Wahab

Mohammad Amir is part of the Pakistan family and will always have the support of his team mates as he prepares to return to Lord’s six years after the scandal that derailed his career, fast bowler Wahab Riaz has said.

The paceman spent time in jail and served a five-year ban for spot-fixing after admitting he had deliberately bowled no-balls at predetermined times in the fourth test against England at the fabled London venue in 2010.

Then 18, Amir was rated among the world’s most exciting fast bowlers before the high-profile incident stalled his progress and resulted in similar penalties for fellow accused parties, former test captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif.

The 24-year-old has now returned to the Pakistan setup and the left-arm paceman will be firmly in the spotlight should he be selected for the first test of the four-match series starting at Lord’s on July 14.

“Obviously he has struggled a lot,” Wahab told ESPNcricinfo. “He has learned a lot of things in the past five years, he has become more strong and he wants to answer everyone with his performances, and that’s what he’s really looking for.

Amir’s return to the national side was initially resented by some of his team mates but the paceman has enjoyed steady and growing support from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

LIKE A BROTHER

“As a team, as a squad of 17 plus our team management, all of us are going to support Mohammad Amir,” Wahab added. “We are all behind him, we are all supporting him, whenever he needs us, however he needs us, we will be around him all the time.

“So he is not the one who is being left alone, he is a part of our family. He is the youngest part of our family, so he is like a kid to us, he’s like a brother to us, a son to most of our senior players.

“We are always here for him, we are going to support him, and we will push him up because we know what kind of capability he has in his bowling and how he can perform.”

The 30-year-old Wahab said Pakistan would try to retain a positive attitude throughout what appears to be a tough series in England.

“What is in our hands is to go into the ground and have a smile on our faces,” Wahab said. “We know what our goal is and we know how to achieve our goal, so we have to do that.

“We have to enjoy our cricket, we have to laugh all the time, if anyone says anything, a smile can do everything for them.”

Tamim’s ton guides Abahani to top

Abahani registered a massive 115-run victory over Prime Bank Cricket Club with a captain’s knock of 124 by Tamim Iqbal in the super-six 5th round match of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

With the victory, Abahani secured the top slot in the league table with 22 points from 15 matches having 11 wins and four losses, followed by Victoria Sporting Club with 20 points also from 15 matches with 10 wins and five losses, reports UNB news agency.

Abahani and Victoria will face each other in the abandoned match at the same venue on Friday to decide the title.

The 1st round match of the super-six stage between the two teams was declared suspended over an umpiring decision. The decision to play the match again was announced by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan after the 5th round of the super league on Wednesday.

With the century, Tamim became the highest run getter in this edition List-A league collecting 714 runs from 15 matches, followed by Abdul Mazid with 706 also from 15 matches.

In the day’s match, replying to a formidable 316 of Abahani, last edition champion PBCC finished the innings on 201 for all in 37.2 overs.

Opener Mehedi Maruf and skipper Shuvagata Hom were notable scorers for the side with 69 and 51 runs respectively.

Saqlain Sajib gathered seven wickets for 58 runs in 9.2 overs while pacer Taskin Ahmed bagged two for 45.

Earlier, batting first after winning the toss Abahani collected 316 runs for 7 in 50 overs riding on Tamim and number-5 batsman Mosaddek Hossain.

Tamim faced 132 balls to feature 11 boundaries and four sixes on the way to his innings before being caught by Raihan Uddin off Unmukt Chand bowling at 270/4 in 45 overs.

Mosaddek Hossain fired 78 off 74 balls that included three boundaries and five sixes before being out caught by Sabbir Rahman off Unmukt Chand delivery at 279/5 in 46.3 overs.

Abul Hasan and Dinesh Karthik added 26 and 25 runs respectively.

Unmukt Chand bagged three wickets while Nazmul Islam and Rubel Hossain took two wickets each.

Chile set Argentina Copa final date

Chile stormed into the Copa America final here Wednesday, beating Colombia 2-0 in a weather-disrupted semi-final that took more than four hours to complete.

The defending champions advanced to a repeat of last year’s final against Argentina on Sunday after a whirlwind start left Colombia chasing the game.

Chile, who had destroyed Mexico 7-0 in the quarter-finals on Saturday, picked up where they left off, scoring twice in the opening 11 minutes to take a grip on the contest.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Charles Aranguiz opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Jose Pedro Fuenzalida made it 2-0 after 11 minutes.

But the explosive start to the contest was overshadowed by the intervention of Mother Nature at half-time, as a powerful electrical thunderstorm rolled into downtown Chicago and halted play.

Tens of thousands of spectators were ordered to take shelter inside the stadium, leaving the ground empty as torrential rain pounded the stands.

For a while it looked as if play would be abandoned, with the teams forced to return to the venue on Thursday to complete the remaining 45 minutes.

However a break in the weather allowed teams of ground staff to set about clearing excess water from the field, and after a delay of two hours and 25 minutes, the second half resumed at 10:25pm local time (0325 GMT).

When play got under way both sides produced one of the most entertaining halfs of the tournament, Colombia attacking relentlessly in an effort to get back into the match and Chile chasing a third goal to kill the game off.

Penalty appeal

Colombia had appeals for a penalty waved away early in the second half when Daniel Torres tumbled over the outstretched leg of Gonzalo Jara in the penalty area.

With Real Madrid star James Rodriguez doing his best to take control of the match, Colombia looked lively in attack but were unable to find the final ball to unlock Chile’s defense.

The Colombians’ job became even more daunting in the 57th minute when Aston Villa midfielder Carlos Sanchez was sent off, collecting a second yellow for a clumsy challenge on Aranguiz.

Chile almost took an unassailable lead soon afterwards when only a superb diving save by Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina thwarted Erick Pulgar’s close-range header.

The closing stages of the game descended into a niggly encounter, with referee Chicas Aguilar of El Salvador eventually issuing eight yellow cards and one red.

Colombia continued to chase the game relentlessly, but came up short, paying the price for a lackadaisical start which saw Chile seize control with two goals in the first 11 minutes.

Fuenzalida was the architect of the opener, racing clear of the Colombian defense down the right flank before crossing to Alexis Sanchez.

The Arsenal star was beaten to the ball by Colombia’s Juan Cuadrado, but the Juventus player could only succeed in heading back to the feet of Aranguiz who tapped in from close range.

Four minutes later, Chile doubled their lead.

A long goal kick from Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo found Sanchez, who turned Santiago Arias inside out on the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a fierce low shot which struck the bottom of the post.

The ball rolled into the path of Fuenzalida who had the simplest of finishes to make it 2-0 after only 11 minutes.

Sunday’s final will be the second time Argentina and Chile have met in the tournament. Argentina beat the Chileans 2-1 in their opening Group D earlier this month.

Ronaldo scores in record 4th Euro finals

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo scored in a record fourth European Championship finals on Wednesday when he backheeled into the net against Hungary in Euro 2016.
The goal came in the 50th minute to bring Portugal level at 2-2 in the Stade de Lyon in their final Group F match.
And Ronaldo powered home his second goal of the match to level at 3-3 with just under half an hour left to play.
Ronaldo scored on his record 17th appearance in the European Championships finals, another record.
And the Real Madrid star is now bearing down on disgraced former UEFA president Michel Platini as he is just one goal off the Frenchman’s record mark of nine for goals in Euros finals.
The former Manchester United man scored twice as Portugal reached the final on home soil in 2004, just once in a disappointing quarter-final exit in 2008 and three times in 2012 when Portugal were knocked out on penalties in the semi-finals by Spain.
However, Ronaldo is already top scorer in the European championships when qualifiers are included, with 28 goals.
The record is just the latest of goalscoring marks held by the prolific 31-year-old.
Already Portugal’s record goalscorer, he surpassed the legendary Luis Figo on Saturday as the man to have most represented his country.
Ronaldo is also the highest goalscorer in the history of the Champions League with 93 -- 10 more than closest challenger and eternal Barcelona rival Lionel Messi.
Perhaps, most remarkably of all, Ronaldo has devoured the record as Real’s all-time top scorer.
A remarkable strike rate of 364 goals for Los Blancos in just 348 games means he smashed previous record holder Raul’s 323-goal mark having played over 400 fewer matches.

Australians down Windies to reach final

Australia displayed the composure and assurance of world champions to chase down a target of 283 and advance to the final with a six-wicket victory over the West Indies in the seventh match of the Tri-Nation One-Day International Series at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Tuesday.

Marlon Samuels’ first-ever hundred against Australia and a record-breaking partnership with Denesh Ramdin lifted the West Indies to a competitive 282 for eight batting first. But half-centuries by captain Steven Smith and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, together with a quickfire unbeaten 46 from Glenn Maxwell ensured that the target was reached with eight balls to spare.

West Indies and South Africa will now meet in the last preliminary match on Friday with the winners to face the Aussies in Sunday’s final.

Smith and Marsh steadied Australia’s effort following the loss of three early wickets with a 122-run fourth-wicket partnership that set the World Cup-holders back on course. However, when Smith was run out for 78 in the 42nd over, any hopes the West Indies had of claiming the victory that would have eliminated Australia were extinguished by Maxwell.

Displaying his full range of unorthodox shots, he crashed five fours and two sixes off just 26 balls to banish any lingering anxiety among his teammates in the dressing room. Marsh was left unbeaten on 79, his mature knock going a long way towards fulfilling a lot of the promise that has been expected of him in Australia’s middle-order.

“Mitch played really well all the way through and Glenn was brilliant at the end there,” said a delighted Smith after the match. “We knew it was challenging target but we always backed ourselves to get home.”

It was so different at the halfway point of the match following Samuels’ superb knock, an effort that earned him the “Man of the Match” award.

Dismissed off the last ball of the innings for 125 which included 14 fours and two sixes off 134 deliveries, Samuels’ tenth one-day hundred followed a match-winning 92 in the last meeting between the two teams in St Kitts a week earlier. Amazingly, they were his first two scores over 50 in ODI cricket against the Australians for more than 14 years.

Ramdin, who matched his senior partner shot-for-shot in an entertaining innings of 91, joined Samuels at the crease with the West Indies faltering at 31 for three in the ninth over after Smith had won the toss and chose to field.

They put on 192 for the fourth wicket, a new record for the West Indies against Australia as it surpassed the mark of 149 set by Clive Lloyd and Rohan Kanhai in the inaugural World Cup final at Lord’s exactly 41 years earlier.

During the course of his innings, Samuels went past the landmark of 5,000 ODI runs while Ramdin became the first West Indies wicketkeeper to reach the plateau of 2,000 runs in this format of the game before Mitchell Starc broke the partnership by bowling Ramdin.

Two of the three sixes in his 92-ball innings were consecutive straight hits off Starc, the left-arm fast bowler finishing with figures of three for 51. He should have also claimed the wicket of Samuels but wicketkeeper Matthew Wade failed to hold on the chance offered when the Jamaican batsman was on 65.

Starc had dispatched openers Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher while Josh Hazlewood accounted for Darren Bravo via a diving slip catch by Smith within the first nine overs of the match.

“We put in a good effort but being a bowler short for most of the innings cost us,” said West Indies captain Jason Holder, who could only deliver two overs before leaving the field with a leg injury.

“We have to lift ourselves to face South Africa on Friday and I’m confident of us putting in a good effort.”

England seal stunning Sri Lanka tie

Tailender Liam Plunkett hit a six off the last ball of the match as England achieved a remarkable tie in the first one-day international against Sri Lanka in Nottingham on Tuesday.

England, set 287 to win, collapsed to 30 for four and 82 for six.

But a stand of 138 between man-of-the-match Chris Woakes, who made an ODI-best 95 not out, and Jos Buttler (93) revived their chances.

After England had seen their hopes of victory disappear in a final over where they needed 14 to win, Plunkett drove the last ball from Nuwan Pradeep
for a six over long-off to the delight of a capacity crowd at Trent Bridge.

England finished on 286 for eight in just their eighth tie at this level, with Sri Lanka having thrashed them by nine wickets in their previous ODI encounter in Wellington at the 2015 World Cup.

Woakes and Plunkett put on an unbroken 50 in 28 balls.

“It was nice to get that one out,” Plunkett told Sky Sports.

“Woakesy put us in a great position and we bat all the way down.

“It’s good for the team... if you have a wobble up top you can carry on.”

England captain Eoin Morgan added: “Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett have got us out of a hole at the end.

“Jos Buttler called on his experience to guide the innings through and Chris Woakes played out of his skin.”

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews top-scored for his side with 73 and Seekkuge Prasanna blasted a quickfire 59 after England captain Eoin Morgan won the toss.

Warwickshire all-rounder Woakes took two for 56.

Mathews then took two early wickets as England collapsed before they bounced back under the floodlights.

“I thought we had the game in the bag for most of the overs,” said Mathews.

“Unfortunately the yorker fell just off line and went for a six.

“For Pradeep, it happens. Unfortunately for bowlers, it happens.”

England would have been happy with a target of 287 on a ground where last year they made 350 for six against New Zealand-their highest winning score batting second in an ODI.

But it looked an imposing total as they lost four wickets inside nine overs.

Jason Roy (three) was plumb lbw to Mathews.

Fellow opener Alex Hales (four) fell on his Nottinghamshire home ground when he chipped Suranga Lakmal to mid-wicket.

Joe Root (two) then played on to medium-pacer Mathews.

Root’s Yorkshire colleague Jonny Bairstow, recalled to one-day duty after a superb return of 387 runs, including two hundreds, during England’s preceding 2-0 Test series win over Sri Lanka, holed out for three after being dropped on nought.

Shanaka catch
Morgan made a brisk 43 before he was caught behind off Pradeep, who then removed Moeen Ali to leave England in dire straits at 82 for six.

But Buttler went to a run-a-ball fifty with a straight six off Prasanna.

Buttler eventually fell when a leaping Dasun Shanaka at long-on pulled down what looked like a six off leg-spinner Prasanna.

Woakes and Plunkett got England’s target down to 30 off the last two overs.

And that became 14 off the last six balls.

Woakes took two off the first ball before digging out a yorker for a single that left Plunkett on strike.

Plunkett’s one got Woakes facing again but he couldn’t manage a run and England needed 10 off the last two balls.

England’s ninth-wicket duo scrambled a three to leave them wanting six off the last ball for a tie with Plunkett facing.

But the fast bowler connected sweetly to finish on 22 not out.

Woakes, who might not have played had injured fellow all-rounder Ben Stokes been fit, faced 92 balls.

Earlier, Mathews and Prasanna took Sri Lanka to a competitive total with a fifth-wicket stand of 68.

Prasanna cemented his big-hitting reputation with four sixes in five balls before he was caught and bowled by Woakes.

The five-match series continues with another day/night clash at Edgbaston on Friday.

Argentina thrash Venezuela

Lionel Messi scored a record-equalling 54th international goal as Argentina outclassed Venezuela 4-1 to book their place in the semi-finals of the Copa America Centenario here Saturday.

The Barcelona superstar scored his fourth goal of the tournament in the 60th minute at the Gillette Stadium to equal Gabriel Batistuta’s long-time Argentina international goalscoring record.

Messi also created a goal for Gonzalo Higuain, who scored twice, and second half substitute Erik Lamela as Argentina set up a semi-final against the United States in Houston on Tuesday.

Messi is determined to lead Argentina to their first trophy in 23 years after a series of agonizing near-misses which include defeats in the finals of last year’s Copa America and the 2014 World Cup final.

Few would bet against him achieving his goal after an inspirational display that left Venezuela chasing shadows in the early part of Saturday’s quarter-final.

Messi’s genius created the opening goal after eight minutes, with the playmaker lofting a sublime curling pass to pick out Higuain’s run into the area.

Napoli forward Higuain still had plenty to do but skillfully directed a first time strike past Venezuela goalkeeper Dani Hernandez for a wonderful goal.

Argentina remained firmly in control but were jolted in the 27th minute when Nicolas Gaitan picked up a needless yellow card for a kick on Alexander Gonzalez that will see him suspended for the semi-final.

Venezuela rally
Argentina’s dominance clearly had Venezuela rattled, and the Vinotinto’s defensive unease led to the next goal.

A slack backpass from Arquimedes Figuera went straight to Higuain in space, and the striker coolly rounded Hernandez to stroke home his second of the night to make it 2-0 after 29 minutes.

But just when it looked as if the floodgates would open, Venezuela rallied impressively and had Argentina rocking with a series of chances.

West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon forced a save from Sergio Romero and hit the woodwork in quick succession.

Romero was left scrambling to save once again just before half-time, when fullback Rolf Feltscher’s long-range shot deflected off Gabriel Mercado and looped up and over the Argentina keeper.

Venezuela looked to have a justifiable claim for a penalty when Higuain brought down Josef Martinez in the box but Mexican referee Roberto Garcia was unmoved.

Seconds later though Garcia was pointing to the spot after Romero clumsily bundled over Martinez for a clear penalty.

But Venezuela’s pressure went unrewarded when Luis Manuel Seijas tried a risky “Panenka” down the middle which Romero read and gathered with ease.

Venezuela were unable to renew their period of pressure in the second half, and Messi effectively put the contest to bed with his record-equalling goal in the 60th minute, which came after Argentina pressed high to force a turnover.

Gaitan won the tackle and passed to Messi, who quickly played a one-two with the Benfica winger before poking his finish between Hernandez’s legs.

Rondon pulled a goal back with a header in the 70th minute, but Messi’s response was instant, threading a pass to Lamela whose shot crept in at Hernandez’s near post.

Hathurusingha extends contract for 3 years

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has extended the contract with Tigers’ head coach Chandika Hathurusingha until the 2019 World Cup.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) came up with the decision at a meeting on Sunday.

Appointed in July 2014, Hathuri Sign’s contract was due to expire in June this year.

The BCB authorities has also extended durations of all foreign staffs till 2019.

Assistant coach Ruwan Kalpage, fitness and conditioning coach Mario Villavarayan and fielding coach Richard Halsall were also booked till the next World Cup which will be held in England and Wales between from 30 May and 15 July 2019.

The BCB authorities, however, also fixed the date for 4th shortest format of Bangladesh Premier League, also known as BPL, which is scheduled to begin on 6 November this year.

India level T20 series against Zimbabwe

India bounced back from their chastening defeat to Zimbabwe over the weekend to thump the hosts by 10 wickets in the second Twenty20 international at Harare Sports Club on Monday and level the three-match series at 1-1.

Zimbabwe’s unexpected two-run victory in Saturday’s opener had suggested they might have turned a corner after a hopeless performance in the one-day series, in which they were whitewashed 3-0.

But on Monday they reverted to type with another feeble batting performance, scoring 99 for nine as India seamers Barinder Sran and Jasprit Bumrah shared seven wickets.

In reply, India’s openers KL Rahul and Mandeep Singh took advantage of a couple of dropped catches to knock off the target in just 13.1 overs.

“Obviously (Saturday) defeat was hurting, but we discussed a few points of what we needed to do, and I think we implemented them really well today,” said Singh.

Zimbabwe’s batsmen had led the way in victory, but on Monday they never got going as Sran picked up four wickets in seven deliveries to reduce the hosts to 28 for four.

Bumrah did the damage at the back of the innings, as he dismissed top scorer Peter Moor for 31 and danger man Elton Chigumbura for eight to record figures of 3 for 11.

Sran finished with 4 for 10 from his four overs - the second best figures by a bowler on Twenty20 international debut.

“The shot selection is something that myself and Lance Klusener are forever trying to correct,” said Zimbabwe interim coach Makhaya Ntini, who confirmed he was interested in taking the job on a full-time basis.

“We need to give them the understanding that you don’t win a game or score a hundred from one shot. If someone gets out before you, you need to be the one who takes charge of the game and correct the mistake that the other one has made.”

Faced with such a meagre target India’s openers had time to play themselves in, but it did not take long for the boundaries to start flowing.
Singh was dropped twice in his innings, and went on to finish unbeaten on 52 while Rahul was 47 not out.

“The wicket wasn’t easy for shot-making because the ball was keeping low a little,” said Singh.

“At the start I was trying to hit hard, because I generally play aggressively, but I watched Rahul and he asked me to calm down a little and try to time the ball. Slowly I controlled the nerves and then I was fine.”

The series decider takes place at the same venue on Wednesday.

Debutant Rahul lifts India to easy win

Seamer Jasprit Bumrah led the way with four wickets before KL Rahul marked his one-day international debut with an unbeaten century to take India to a nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first ODI at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Playing just his second ODI, Bumrah recorded figures of 4 for 28 as the Zimbabweans were bowled out for 168 after India had won the toss and asked the home side to bat.

Although debutant Karun Nair fell early in the Indian chase, KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu made light work of the target as they forged an unbroken stand of 162.

Rahul finished the game off in style as he launched into the stands to end on 100 not out, while Rayudu was unbeaten on 62.

The second game in the three-match series takes place at the same venue on Monday.

Warner ton propels Australia

Australia showed the stuff of champions and South Africa’s suspect temperament was again exposed as they crashed to a 36-run defeat in the fourth match of the Tri-Nation One-Day International series at Warner Park in St Kitts on Saturday.

After David Warner’s first ODI hundred away from home anchored the World Cup holders to a challenging total of 288 for six the Proteas relied on composed half-centuries from Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla to establish the launchpad from which they looked destined to reach the target comfortably.

However the dismissal of captain A.B. de Villiers for 39 at 210 for four in the 38th over changed the complexion of the match as they lost their last seven wickets for 42 runs to be dismissed for 252 in the 48th over when Imran Tahir was run out.

Opening bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood played key roles in the capitulation, as did leg-spinner Adam Zampa as they all finished with three wickets each.

“I really can’t explain what happened,” a deflated de Villiers said.

Australia have now opened up a four-point lead over the South Africans at the top of the standings ahead of Monday’s fixture at Warner Park where the West Indies, a point behind the South Africans, will seek to get their campaign to reach the June 26 final back on track.

Poised for a total well in excess of 300 when Warner and Usman Khawaja (59) were in full flow during a 136-run second-wicket stand, Australia’s loss of momentum over the final 15 overs of was put in perspective by South Africa’s composed chase until they lost wickets and their nerve.

Amla’s typically serene 60 set his team on their way. He lost Quinton de Kock to Hazlewood after an opening stand of 35 but was then entrenched in a 105-run stand with du Plessis. By the time the fast-medium bowler returned to remove Amla via a good low catch by Steve Smith at short extra-cover, South Africa needed only to maintain progress.

However Starc drew du Plessis into chasing a wide delivery for George Bailey’s catch at backward-point to send him back to the pavilion for a topscore of 63.

De Villiers looked to be in complete control until he was bowled heaving at Hazlewood, and when Adam Zampa earned an LBW verdict against
Farhaan Behardien, South Africa, at 221 for five in the 41st over, were toppling. Starc ripped out three wickets and Zampa joined in the rout before Tahir’s demise sealed the result.

“Once we got A.B., we knew we had a chance,” Hazlewood said.

Workmanlike Warner
Warner was more workmanlike than explosive at the start of the match in compiling 109 off 120 deliveries with 11 fours and two sixes.

He and Khawaja looked to have set the stage for an assault over the last ten overs towards a total well in excess of 300. But only another 104 runs were added off the remaining 16 overs after Warner fell to medium-pacer Parnell.

Phangiso and Tahir were the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas at that critical stage of the innings.

In his 57th ODI, Tahir had provided the breakthrough when he bowled Aaron Finch for 13 to end an opening stand of 48 with Warner after Smith chose to bat first on winning the toss. Tahir added the scalp of Bailey LBW to lift his tally of wickets in this format of the game to 98.

Smith kept the flagging innings going with an unbeaten 52 off 49 deliveries that included five fours and one six.

Tamim guides Abahani to DPL super six

An unbeaten knock of 105 by skipper Tamim Iqbal guided Abahani to reach the super-six stage of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League with a massive 9-wicket victory against Cricket Coaching School in DL at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) Ground-3 on Monday.
With this victory, Abahani completed the 12-team first phase of the List-A league collecting 14 points from 11 matches having 7 wins and 4 losses.
Cricket Coaching School (CCS) were eliminated from the race collecting only 4 points from 11 matches with 2 wins and 9 losses.
Now, Abahani will join the topper Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club, Victoria Sporting Club and Legends of Rupganj in the super league.
Five other teams—Mohammedan Sporting Club, Gazi Group Cricketers, Prime Bank Cricket Club, Kalabagan Krira Chakra and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club—are still in the race for the rest two spots of the super league.
In the day’s rain-interrupted match, Abahani scored 170 for 1 in 26.4 overs when the revised target was 168 in 35 overs.
Replying to 205, Abahani opened the innings and scored 62 for 1 in 12 overs when the rain halted the match that resumed after around one and a half hours later with the revised target.
Opener Tamim, who was adjudged man of the match, smashed 11 boundaries and four sixes off 86 balls on the way to unbeaten 105.
Apart from individual performance, Tamim paired with Nazmul Hossain Shanto for unbeaten 160 in 24.5 overs in the 2nd wicket stand that spurred the side to reach the final score.
Shanto made a half century scoring not out 53 off 70 balls with four boundaries.
Conceding 16 runs, Nazmus Sakib took the only wicket Yusuf Pathan (8 off 5; 2x4) who was caught by Saeed Sarkar at 10/1 in 1.5 overs.
Sent in to bat first, CCS scored 205 for all in 50 overs riding on the skipper Rajin Saleh’s 95.
Rajin faced 135 balls to hit five boundaries and four sixes before bowled out by Amit Kumar at 169/4 in 42.4 overs.
Number-5 batsman Mohammad Saifuddin was another notable scorer with 50 off 102 balls, including one boundary.
Shakib Al Hasan bagged three wickets for 35 while Taskin Ahmed, Abul Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain took two wickets each for the side.

Bolt’s joint Olympics gold medal in jeopardy

Usain Bolt’s 2008 Olympics 4x100 meters relay gold medal could be in jeopardy after team-mate Nesta Carter was identified as one of 32 athletes who failed a retrospective drugs test, the Jamaica Gleaner reported on Friday.
The Gleaner said a retest of Carter’s ‘A’ sample from the Beijing Games had found traces of the banned stimulant Methylexaneamine.
The result of retests of Carter’s ‘B’ sample was not yet known, the Gleaner said citing “well-placed sources”.
Carter, 30, ran the first leg for Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team in Beijing, which also included Michael Frater, Asafa Powell and superstar Bolt.
The team took gold in what was then a new world record of 37.10 seconds, ahead of Trinidad and Tobago and Japan.
Carter was also a member of Jamaica’s gold medal-winning relay teams at the 2011, 2013 and 2015 World Championships as well as the 2012 Olympic Games.
If Carter is subjected to doping sanctions, it could mean Bolt stands to lose his relay gold.
In previous doping cases where individual members of a medal-winning relay squad have tested positive, the whole team is stripped of their medal.
The United States men’s 4x100m team were stripped of their silver medals from the 2012 Olympics after Tyson Gay’s doping case.

Tahir says Ramadan won’t put him on a spin

Ramadan starts, Imran Tahir will begin juggling the demands of observing his Muslim faith and playing a full day of international cricket for a team sponsored by a beer company.
“I don’t think it is difficult to balance professional sports with practising your faith,” insisted the South African leg spinner in an interview. “It is very easy if you follow the right path.”
One of the world’s top spinners, Pakistan born Tahir has played more than 100 times for the Proteas since making his international debut in 2011, after becoming a South African citizen through marriage.
In his native country Pakistan, the team regularly prays together on the field during internationals matches and the lunch break is extended on Fridays, so players and fans can attend the weekly prayers at the nearest mosque. And in Bangladesh, the only other Muslim-majority Test-playing nation, facilities have been set aside to enable fans to pray at the ground.
Tahir is one of the five Muslims to have been selected for the South African squad taking part in the tri-nation ODI series with the West Indies and Australia in the Caribbean that begins on Friday and runs until June 26.
They include former skipper Hashim Amla, who along with Tahir has been given special dispensation not to sport the logo of Castle lager, the team’s major sponsor, as Muslims are forbidden from drinking alcohol.
Muslims are normally expected to fast from dawn to dusk during the month of Ramadan, which begins in different parts of the world this coming Sunday or Monday.
But they are allowed to refrain from fasting if they are away from home, as in the case of Tahir while he is in the West Indies.
Tahir said that even if he did not observe a fast on a particular match day, he would still make it up at a later stage.
“I am thankful to Allah that he drove me closer to Him,” Tahir said, during the Indian Premier League which ended recently.
“I try not to miss my prayers and the 30 fasts in Ramadan but even if I do miss them due to cricket, I make up for them later.”
The Lahore-born Tahir has plied his trade around the world, including stints in England’s county championship and the IPL, where he played for the Delhi Daredevils.
Speaking to AFP in the Indian capital, Tahir said that many in the cricketing fraternity helped him observe his faith.
“I have come through all the different cultures of the world while playing cricket and I have had no difficulty whatsoever while following my path,” he said, glancing at the clock to ensure he wouldn’t be late for Friday prayers.
“Rather they (players, coaches and support staff) give more respect. Some have even offered me their room to offer my Namaz (prayers).”
Since making his international debut at the late age of 32, Tahir has become a mainstay of a South African team that had long lacked a top-class spinner.
He has particularly excelled in the shorter formats and is now the world’s number two bowler in Twenty20 internationals behind the West Indian spinner Samuel Badree, and number six in the ODI chart.
His animated celebrations and appeals have made him something of a pantomime villain among some fans, but Tahir says it shows his passion.
“I think people know that the celebration is instinctive and not fake,” he said.
“Looking back at the hard patches of my life, I feel good that I have come thus far. If I get a wicket I just want to show people that how big that is for me.”

Brazil held by Ecuador

Brazil showed touches of magic but a lack of killer instinct as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Ecuador in their Copa America Group B opener on Saturday.
Despite seeing their team force chance after chance the Selecao traveling support had to settle for a single point as the eight-time champions lost momentum in the second half at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl.
The game began at an intense tempo with a flurry of chances at either end in front of a disappointing crowd of 53,158 which filled just over half of the stadium, the venue of Brazil’s 1994 World Cup final victory over Italy.
Both teams had been prepared for intense heat but southern California’s searing daytime temperatures had cooled by kick-off to a merciful 78 degrees fahrenheit (26 degrees celsius).
Brazil were without several first choice players, most notably their talismanic captain Neymar, and they were clearly missing the Barcelona forward’s bite.
The most clear-cut opportunities fell at either end of the match to Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho, who forced a corner from close, and Paris St Germain winger Lucas Lima, whose glancing header couldn’t find the target.
Brazil began to take control halfway through the first half as the pace inevitably dropped, with Coutinho and Felipe Luis getting plenty of room down the left and Willian’s pace forcing the aging Walter Ayovi to drop increasingly deeper.
Ecuador looked sporadically dangerous on the counter, tempting Brazil’s Casemiro and Elias into yellow card fouls while Gil was booked for dissent.
Their best chance before half time came via a 25-yard free-kick from West Ham forward Enner Valencia, which was plucked comfortably out of the air by Brazil keeper Alisson.
Ecuador came to California riding high in their World Cup qualifying group but with a woeful Copa America record of ten defeats and just one win in the last four editions.
They started the second half brightly, with Valencia holding the ball up well and Swansea winger Jefferson Montero looking dangerous.
They even appeared to have scored when Alisson fumbled an innocuous Miller Bolanos cross into the net, but it was judged to have gone out of play, and the game limped to a draw to boos from the fans.
Dunga’s five-time World Cup winners face Haiti on Wednesday in Orlando were they will be expected to win comfortably.
Ecuador, who entered the tournament tied with Uruguay at the top of CONMEBOL’s World Cup Qualifying table, face Peru in Arizona on the same night.

'The Fizz' named player of the year

Speedster Mustafizur Rahman has been named Rupchanda-Prothom Alo cricketer of the year for his outstanding performance in 2015.
Mustafizur, dubbed as ‘The Fizz’, honoured with the award at the star-studded ceremony of the sports award, held at the capital’s Sonargaon Hotel on Friday night.
Mustafiz, who has recently been named the ESPNcricinfo debutant of the year, got the sports award for his consecutive successes in all formats of the cricket.
The pace star took two wickets in his Twenty20 debut against Pakistan. Later, he also grabbed five wickets at his opening one-day international (ODI) match against India.
Soumya Sakar has been awarded emerging player of the year while Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah were named runners-up of the year.
Former athlete Sufiaya Khatun, has been honoured with the lifetime achievement award for 2015

BCB wary of ‘Fizz’ workload

Mustafizur Rahman’s participation in the English Twenty20 tournament for Sussex was thrown into doubt on Thursday after Bangladesh cricket officials said they feared the paceman may be suffering from burnout.
The 20-year-old bowling sensation, nicknamed Fizz, returned home this week to a hero’s welcome after helping Sunrisers Hyderabad win their maiden Indian Premier League title with 17 wickets from 16 matches.
Rahman was named emerging player of the tournament, the first foreign cricketer to be bestowed with the honour, after conceding just 6.9 runs per over, the most miserly among those who bowled in at least 10 matches.
He is scheduled to join English county side Sussex next week after signing as their second overseas cricketer in March for the NatWest T20 Blast and the Royal London One-Day Cup.
But his participation appeared to hit a stumbling block after the Bangladesh Cricket Board said they would first assess his health before allowing him to join the English side.
“We will assess his condition next week before making a final decision on whether he’ll be allowed to play in England,” BCB chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury told AFP.
Bangladesh national team physio Baizidul Islam said Rahman did not aggravate any of his injuries in the IPL, but that the board were worried over his recent workload.
“We must consider that he played 19 matches in two months after recovering from injuries,” Islam said.
“So there must be some fatigue. He also developed some problems in his right ankle which is creating a problem for his landing after completing a delivery,” he said.
“He needs some rest to remove the stress. If he continues like this he may collapse any time. We need to assess him carefully to see how long he needs to stay away from cricket,” he added.
Rahman missed two Twenty20 internationals against Zimbabwe in January for a shoulder injury, which also kept him sidelined for the first edition of the Pakistan Super League in the United Arab Emirates.
He returned home for the Asia Cup but picked up a rib injury during a match against Sri Lanka to miss the final and then four matches in the subsequent ICC World Twenty20 in India.
Fans gave Rahman a warm reception on Monday after his successful stint in the IPL made headlines at home.
A deputy minister called him a “national hero” as he and hundreds of fans received him at the airport with a crown of red roses.