1. Tamim Scores a Century as Bangladesh Make World T20 Main Draw
Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal kept his promise and struck the first century of this year’s World T20 tournament to help secure a place in the main draw with a 54-run win over Oman in their rain-hit match on Sunday.
The opener, who had told the team coach he would hit a century, became the first Bangladesh player to score a hundred in a Twenty20 International as his side proved they are too good to jostle with associate nations to qualify for the Super 10s stage.
Put into bat, Bangladesh posted an daunting 180-2, which proved too much for Oman’s limited batting resources as the associate nation, chasing a revised 120-run victory target in 12 overs, managed a mere 65-9 to lose via the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Bangladesh will now join India, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan in Group Two of the Super 10s stage.
2. Sachin Tendulkar Showers Praise on MS Dhoni
Sachin Tendulkar says the “sound” that came off skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s bat during the recent Asia Cup was a reflection of his positive mindset and it was good news for already “favourites” India in the World Twenty20.
Dhoni’s well-earned tag of world’s best finisher was under scrutiny following a prolonged poor-run patch but the Indian captain sort of redeemed himself with some fantastic cameos during the Asia Cup.
Tendulkar said, Dhoni’s biggest asset as a captain is the ability to absorb pressure.
When I heard the sound of the ball meeting Dhoni’s bat, I felt that it was a different sound. That was the sound that tells you that the batsman is in a different mindset. The biggest asset of Dhoni is his ability to absorb the pressure which has made him a good captain. He has matured over the years. He does not show even when he is tense which is a good sign. Often a captain who is short-tempered or nervous can create panic among the ranks which is not the case with Dhoni.Sachin Tendulkar to ‘Aaj Tak’
3. Martial Keeps United’s FA Cup Hopes Alive, Arsenal Knocked Out
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Manchester United striker Anthony Martial kept their FA Cup hopes alive when he struck a goal with eight minutes remaining to salvage a 1-1 draw against West Ham United in Sunday’s quarter-final tie at Old Trafford.
West Ham playmaker Dimitri Payet looked to be sending the 11-time Cup winners tumbling out of the competition with a spectacular 30-metre curling free-kick in the 68th minute.
But with time running out, United’s young French starlet Martial hooked Ander Herrera’s cross on the volley back into the net from the narrowest of angles.
Holders Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 defeat by Watford at home in the quarter-finals on Sunday ending their quest to win the trophy for the third straight season and increasing the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger.
Goals from Odion Ighalo and Adlene Guedioura after half-time put Watford in control while a late goal from Danny Welbeck was all the hosts could muster despite several chances, leaving them set to end the season without any trophies.
4. PSG Demolish Troyes 9-0 to Clinch Ligue 1 Title
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s four goals helped Paris St Germain clinch their fourth successive Ligue 1 title with a rampant 9-0 rout of Troyes, thus becoming the first team to win the championship after 30 matches.
Ibrahimovic’s spectacular nine-minute hat-trick followed first-half goals from Edinson Cavani, Javier Pastore and Adrien Rabiot. Following the interval Matthieu Saunier scored an own goal while Cavani and Ibrahimovic also added late goals.
PSG moved up to 77 points, 25 clear of second-place Monaco, winning the league with eight games still remaining.
5. Got More Love In India Than Even in Pakistan, Says Shahid Afridi
Their government may have taken their time to decide if India would be safe enough for the Pakistani cricket teams to participate in next week’s World T20 but the players themselves seem like they never had any concerns regarding the matter.
While speaking to the media in Kolkata on Sunday, T20 skipper Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik both sang high praise of their fans across the border.
I’ve not enjoyed playing anywhere as much as I have in India. I am in the last stage of my career and I can say that the love I have got in India is something that I will always remember. We have not got this much love even from Pakistan. There are cricket-loving people here, much like in Pakistan. Overall, I’ve enjoyed a lot playing in India in my cricketing career.Shahid Afridi
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