India, Australia locking horns today for World Cup title

In a cricketing spectacle of grand proportions, India, the unbeaten hosts, are set to carry the hopes of billions when they face off against Australia in the highly anticipated World Cup final at the majestic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The 130,000-capacity stadium, named after the Indian Prime Minister, is not only the battleground for this high-stakes encounter but also the canvas for pre-match extravaganzas, the Time of India reported.

A pre-match fly-past by the Indian Air Force and meticulously choreographed displays featuring dancers and light shows during innings breaks are all part of the pageantry, underscoring India's status as the economic powerhouse of the cricketing world.

India's cricketing dominance in the tournament has been nothing short of spectacular winning all 10 games leading up to the final.

Virat Kohli, the tournament’s leading batsman, has been in sublime form, setting a new record of 50 ODI hundreds in the semi-final victory over New Zealand. Mahammed Shami, leading the tournament bowling charts with 23 wickets at an impressive average of 9.13, has been a potent force for the hosts, according to The TImes of India.

Captain Rohit Sharma, acknowledging the immense pressure, stated, “Playing for India is as good as playing any World Cup game because there is so much pressure. There is so much expectation.” He added, “ Not many have played the finals, but like I said, playing for India is as good as playing any World Cup game.”

Australia, bidding for a record-extending sixth World Cup title, enter the final with a team boasting survivors from their triumphant 2015 World Cup campaign. Captain Pat Cummins emphasized the team’s experience, saying, “We know that feeling and won’t be afraid to go out there and be  brave and take the game on.”

 

Indu Barma new captain of Nepal national women's cricket team

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has appointed Indu Barma as the new captain of the Nepal national women's cricket team.

Rubina Chhetri had been captaining the national women’s team.

Though Chhetri has been included in the team, Barma will captain the T20 series to be held in Hong Kong.

Vice-captain Bindu Rawal, Rubina Chhetri, Sita Rana Magar, Asmina Karmacharya, Kajol Shrestha, Kanchan Shrestha, Somu Bista, Puja Mahato, Roma Thapa, Sangita Rai, Khusi Dangol, Samjhana Khadka and Sonu Pakhrin are in the team.

The team will leave for Hong Kong to play the four-nation T20 series from November 15 to 19.

 

Nepal beat UAE by eight wickets to qualify for T20 World Cup

Nepal defeated the UAE to qualify for the T20 World Cup.

In the match played at the Mulpani Cricket Ground under the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier on Friday, Nepal thrashed the UAE by eight wickets to secure a berth at the T20 World Cup to be held in the US and West Indies next year.

Asif Sheikh scored unbeaten World 63 runs off 50 runs hitting six boundaries and sixes to guide Nepal to the World Cup.

Similarly, Captain Rohit Paudel made unbeaten 35 runs of 21 balls with three fours and one six.

Likewise, Kushan Bhurtel added 11 runs to the scoreboard and Gulsan Jha returned to the pavilion by scoring 22 runs.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, the UAE scored 134 runs in allotted 20 overs losing nine wickets.

Vritiya Aravind scored 64 runs off 51 balls with eight boundaries and two sixes for the UAE.

Similarly, Captain Muhammad Waseem made 26 runs while Alishan Sharafu and Asif Khan contributed 16 and 13 runs respectively.

Kushal Malla took three wickets for Nepal. Likewise, Sandeep Lamichhane claimed two wickets and Sompal Kami and Rohit Paudel took one wicket each.

Earlier, Nepal had played the T20 World Cup in 2014.

In the tournament held in Bangladesh, Nepal defeated Afghanistan and Hong Kong before losing to the hosts.

ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier: Nepal lose to Oman by five runs

Nepal faced a five-run defeat at the hands of Oman in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier at Kirtipur-based Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground on Thursday.  

With this victory, Oman became the winner of Group 'A' while Nepal first runner-up.

Chasing the target of 146 set by Oman, Nepal were restricted to 140-9.  

For Nepal, Bibek Yadav scored highest 39 runs off 24 balls while Kushal Bhurtel 26, Karan KC 15 and Sandeep Jora 12. 

Oman's Bilal Khan took three wickets while Aqib Ilyas, Shakeel Ahmad and Mehran Khan claimed two wickets each. Likewise, captain Zeeshan Maqsood claimed one wicket. 

Earlier, invited into bat first after losing the toss, Oman scored 145 in allotted 20 overs at the loss of nine wickets.

For Oman, Zeeshan Maqsood made 32 runs off 26 balls. Similarly, Naseem Khusi scored 25, Pratik Athavale 24, Shakeel Ahmad 22 and Ayaan Khan 18.

For Nepal, Karan KC took three wickets while Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane claimed two wickets each. Likewise, Gulshan Jha and Avinash Bohora took one wicket each.

Nepal will play against the UAE, the winner of Group 'B' in the semifinals on Friday.