A Handful of Luscious, Soapy, Sexy Romance Novels

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Dominic Thiem Stuns Stan Wawrinka In Paris Masters For Round Of 32 Spot

Dominic Thiem scripted a fine comeback performance to defeat former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka for a place in the second round of Paris Masters. Thiem saved a match point in the third set at 3-5 before rallying past Wawrinka 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the second round. The thrilling match between two of the best one-handed backhands in recent memory ended after two hours and 31 minutes of thrilling play. "It's very nice to share a great and close match like that with Stan because we have a history together of many great matches. Obviously, he's one of my big idols backhand wise," Thiem was quoted as saying by ATP. While Thiem hit highlight-reel strokes throughout the match, particularly with jaw-dropping passing shots, Wawrinka was the first to come close to winning. The Swiss had a match point at 5-3, 40/30, but double-faulted long. It was one of six double faults he committed during the game.

Thiem took good advantage of the little opportunity, returning to serve after Wawrinka's forehand went long. In what became a battle of wills, the Austrian broke again in his next return game and did not waste his chance to win the match.

When Wawrinka's final forehand return went long, Thiem celebrated by holding his arms up and taking a big breath, a sign of how much the moment meant to him. His first victory on a hard-court ATP Masters 1000 event since the 2019 Rolex Paris Masters.

"The last two years I have lost more close matches than I have won, so this one is very, very important for me. The tennis has been getting better since Vienna. I beat two great guys in the qualies and now Stan in a match after saving match point, so it gives me a huge boost," Thiem added.

Thiem will next play defending champion Holger Rune. The pair met earlier this year in Monte-Carlo, where the Dane prevailed in straight sets.

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WC Standings: Afghanistan Surpass Pakistan, SL; Race To Semis Intensifies

World Cup 2023 points table: Afghanistan's stupendous run at the Cricket World Cup continued on Monday as they got the better Sri Lanka. Having already beaten defending champions England and Pakistan, Afghanistan notched their third win of the marquee event with quite ease. After restricting former Cricket World Cup champions Sri Lanka to just 241, Afghanistan eased to the target. Before the game, Afghanistan were placed seventh. But with the convincing seven wicket win, Afghanistan have climbed up to the fifth spot ahead of the likes of heavyweights Pakistan and England. They now have a serious chance of claiming a stake in the top -four. 

India are on the top of the Cricket World Cup points table (12 points, 6 matches, NRR +1.405) while South Africa (10 points, 6 games, NRR +2.032) are second. New Zealand (8 points, 6 games, NRR +1.232) and Australia (8 points, 6 games, NRR +0.970). 

Feisty fifties by Rahmat Shah, skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullh Omarzai helped Afghanistan defeat tentative Sri Lanka by seven wickets in their World Cup match in Pune on Monday. Rahmat (62), Shahidi (58 not out), who completed 2000 ODI runs, and Omarzai (73 not out) led the chase with aplomb as Afghanistan overhauled the target of 242 in just 45.2 overs.

Earlier, Sri Lanka produced a dull batting effort to get bundled out for 241.

They were rocked by pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi who grabbed four wickets conceding just 34 runs in his quota of 10 overs.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka: 241 all out in 49.3 overs (Pathum Nissanka 46; Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/34) Afghanistan: 242 for 3 in 45.2 overs (Rahmat Shah 62, Hashmatullah Shahidi 58 not out, Azmat Omarzai 73 not out) by 7 wickets.

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Fit-Again Hasan Ali Hit Straps, Batters Slog It Out In Pakistan Training

A fit-again pacer Hasan Ali hit the straps while likes of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and senior player Mohammed Rizwan had extended net sessions at Eden Gardens on the eve of their World Cup match against Bangladesh in Kolkata. Having suffered four defeats in a row, Pakistan face a must-win situation against Bangladesh here to keep their slender semi-final qualification hopes alive. Down with fever, Ali missed Pakistan's previous match against South Africa and in his absence Mohammad Wasim Junior impressed bowling at the death and returned with two wickets.

With Ali now receiving green light as far as his return to play is concerned, it remains to be seen if Pakistan will play both Ali and Wasim Junior to make it a four-pronged pace attack on a Eden strip which is conducive for seam bowling.

Dropping Mohammad Nawaz could be an option.

The left-arm spin bowling all-rounder was a big letdown bowling freebies against South Africa's Keshav Maharaj, who sealed their one-wicket win the other day at Chennai.

Skipper Babar was also seen fuming with Nawaz after he drifted down the leg to Maharaj, who hit it for a boundary to close in on the target.

Ali bowled in full tandem with the likes of their premier pace duo of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The batters looked focused against their reserve bowler Zaman Khan, who bowls with a Lasith Malinga-like slinging action.

Struggling Fakhar Zaman, who also pulled out with an injury, appeared fit along with Shadab Khan, who was substituted for concussions Leg-spinner Usama Mir became the first ever concussion substitute and returned with impressive figures of 2/45 from eight overs.

Earlier Pakistan's practice session in the afternoon was briefly interrupted when speakers suddenly started playing loud DJ music. Pakistan players soon objected the music as it was then stopped.

The likes of Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen Shah were also seen having a great time with the fans, obliging to selfies and autographs.

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Gambhir's "Bowlers Win You Tournaments" Post As India Hammer England

India continued to show their dominance at the ongoing ODI World Cup as the hosts brutally thrashed England by 100 runs on Sunday. Asked to bat first, the Rohit Sharma-led side posted a modest total of 229/9 with the skipper playing the crucial knock of 87. However, the momentum of the game completely changed in the second innings when Indian pacers took the matter into their own hands. Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah scalped four and three wickets respectively as England were bundled out for 129.

After the match ended in the favour of the hosts, former India batter Gautam Gambhir praised the bowlers through his one-line message.

It's the bowlers that win you tournaments! ??

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) October 29, 2023

"It's the bowlers that win you tournaments!" wrote Gambhir on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Talking about the match, skipper Rohit expressed his disappointment regarding the team's poor show with the bat and said that his side was 30 runs short.

"Looking at how the tournament has gone for us, batting second in the first five games and then we had to bat first here, we were challenged. We knew the pitch had something in it and we had the experience in our bowling, so we wanted to get to a decent total." said Rohit at the post-match presentation.

"We were not great with the bat. Losing three wickets in the first powerplay isn't the ideal situation. You have to then create a long partnership, which we did. But then we just lost wickets, including mine. Looking at the overall picture, I thought we were 30 runs short. After the first 10 overs, it was important to stitch a partnership. You have to play the situation as well and not just play your shots," he added.

Currently at the top spot on the points table, Team India will now be squaring off against Sri Lanka in their next ODI World Cup 2023 match on Thursday in Mumbai.

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World Cup 2023: There's Still A Lot To Play For - Shakib Al Hasan

Their World Cup hopes over, embattled Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan on Monday said the team will look to put up a good show in the remaining matches to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Bangladesh lost to the Netherlands here in their last outing to make it five losses in a row. The defeat dashed their slim hopes of making it to the semifinals. "We will have to do our best and win, look for two points. We have had our team meetings, and how can we overcome the situation. But it's us who have to show it in action, do it in the ground," Shakib said on the eve of their match against Pakistan.

"More than me, the whole team talked about. Only we can change the situation of our team with action, that's what we are trying to do." A top-seven finish in the ongoing World Cup standings will seal an automatic qualification for the eight-team ICC Champions Trophy 2025 alongside designated host Pakistan.

Bangladesh are occupying the ninth position ahead of bottom-placed England.

"There is a lot to play for. As you know, we have to win to be able to qualify for the Champions Trophy. That's an important target I think we can set at this moment and to do that we have to win.

"We have no other options and that's what we would look to do. We're here to play the World Cup. Every match is as important as it gets." "So, we'll take one game at a time. We don't think about anything else other than to be able to perform to the best of our ability for tomorrow's game and we want to do better than Pakistan so that we can win the match," he said.

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EPL: Man City Crush Man United As Liverpool Show Support For Absent Diaz

Manchester City underlined the vast gulf in quality between themselves and Manchester United on Sunday as Liverpool showed their support for absent team-mate Luis Diaz, whose parents were kidnapped in Colombia. Old Trafford paid tribute to late United great Bobby Charlton ahead of kick-off, with supporters unfurling a banner that read: "The finest English footballer the world has ever seen". But memories of past glories failed to translate onto the pitch, with the home team thoroughly outplayed by the champions, who did not have to get out of second gear in their 3-0 win.

Champions City made most of the early running and were awarded a penalty after VAR spotted a foul on Rodri by Rasmus Hojlund as the ball was crossed into the area from a free-kick.

It was the first spot-kick Manchester City have ever been awarded at Old Trafford in the Premier League in the 27th meeting between the teams.

Erling Haaland stepped up to tuck home from the spot, his 12th goal of the season in all competitions.

City goalkeeper Ederson saved a Scott McTominay pile-driver before Andre Onana produced heroics at the other end when Haaland appeared certain to head home.

But the Norwegian forward made no mistake just after the break, thumping home a header from Bernardo Silva's cross.

Phil Foden made it 3-0 with 10 minutes remaining after he was set up by Haaland.

Liverpool tribute

Earlier, Liverpool swept Nottingham Forest aside by the same scoreline.

Goals from Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez before the break and Mohamed Salah's second-half effort ensured Jurgen Klopp's side maintain their 100 percent home record in the Premier League this season.

Jota held aloft Diaz's number seven shirt after scoring -- the Colombian did not feature in Liverpool's squad following the kidnapping incident in his home country.

Colombia President Gustavo Petro said on Saturday that the winger's mother had been rescued but the search remained ongoing for his father.

"Luis was with us in the hotel then he went home," Jota told the BBC. "It's a very hard situation and I don't know how anyone would react if it happened to you.

"He was going to play. I played instead of him, and I showed him his shirt to show we're with him and we hope everything works out."

Liverpool finished the day fourth in the table, behind leaders Tottenham, Arsenal and City.

High-flying Aston Villa, in fifth spot, won their 12th consecutive home game in the Premier League, beating struggling Luton 3-1.

Unai Emery's side made light work of their opponents, with goals from John McGinn and Moussa Diaby giving them the upper hand before Luton captain Tom Lockyer put through his own net.

"For me it is still a long process here and I will want to work to improve as always," Emery told Sky Sports.

"Of course I am happy but still being serious, serious in the way I want to build here and improve more."

Brighton lost further ground after their sparkling start to the season.

The south coast club took a 1-0 lead through Evan Ferguson, but Fulham levelled through midfielder Joao Palhinha.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the only goal of the game as Everton beat West Ham 1-0 to give themselves breathing space above the relegation zone.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Robert Brustein, Passionate Force in Nonprofit Theater, Dies at 96

By Bruce Weber from NYT Theater https://ift.tt/5uF83vW

Back-to-Back Premieres Defy a Season of Leaner Offerings

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UN Secretary-General Guterres to Meet PM, President of Nepal

Secretary-General was given a guard of honour by the Nepali Army as he began his visit to Nepal at the invitation of 'Prachanda'

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Two Plead Guilty in Alabama Riverfront Brawl

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Israel to Use 'Every Option' to Free Gaza Hostages; Hamas Says 'Completely Ready' to Confront IDF | Updates

Israel-Hamas war: The second round will be focused on destroying Hamas's capabilities and returning the hostages, said Netanyahu

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Premier League: Chelsea Slump Again As Nketiah Stars For Five-Star Arsenal

Chelsea slumped to another damaging home defeat against Brentford on Saturday as Eddie Nketiah hit a hat-trick in a 5-0 win for unbeaten Arsenal against bottom club Sheffield United. Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea appeared to have turned a corner in recent weeks, taking seven points from their three previous fixtures, but their 2-0 defeat means they have just one home win from their past 13 games in the league. Ethan Pinnock took advantage of non-existent marking to head the visitors in front shortly before the hour mark after Chelsea had failed to capitalise on their first-half dominance.

Robert Sanchez was embarrassed in added time after joining his team's attack for a corner, failing to catch Neal Maupay in a race as he broke with the ball, allowing Bryan Mbeumo to score in an empty net to compound home fans' woes.

The result means Brentford leapfrog Chelsea into 10th place in the Premier League table, pushing Pochettino's men into the bottom half.

"I'm not happy and think the players also and the whole club is not happy about the run (at home)," said the Argentine manager.

"It's a long time that we need to be more consistent here and very disappointed with this. We feel the responsibility that we need to change the dynamic."

The former Tottenham boss said on Friday that Christopher Nkunku is nearing a comeback from the knee injury that has prevented the £52 million ($63 million) signing making a competitive appearance yet for his new club.

On this evidence, the French international's return cannot come soon enough as Chelsea's other new striker, Nicolas Jackson, again failed to fire.

"If you don't score, you need to blame ourselves," said Pochettino. "We were not nasty or clinical in front of the goal."

It was a different story for Arsenal, who roared back from 2-0 down to draw against Chelsea last week to preserve their unbeaten league record.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta shuffled his pack --including dropping captain Martin Odegaard to the bench -- for the visit of Sheffield United and Nketiah celebrated his recall in style.

Arsenal broke through a resolute Blades defence as Declan Rice's pinpoint pass was collected by Nketiah, who made no mistake with a close-range finish past Wes Foderingham.

Nketiah doubled up when Foderingham failed to deal with a Bukayo Saka corner and palmed the ball into the path of the England striker, who lashed home to make it 2-0.

Nketiah's hat-trick was sealed in style as he smashed home from 20 yards.

Arsenal were awarded a penalty after a lengthy VAR check for an Oliver Norwood foul on Fabio Vieira, the Portuguese midfielder taking the spot-kick himself and sending Foderingham the wrong way to make it 4-0.

Another substitute, Takehiro Tomiyasu, completed the rout in stoppage time.

The win lifts Arsenal two points behind pacesetters Tottenham, who beat Crystal Palace 2-1 on Friday.

Struggling Burnley took the lead against Bournemouth through Charlie Taylor but Antoine Semenyo levelled midway through the first half for the south coast club with a superb individual goal.

Bournemouth took the lead in the 76th minute when Philip Billing chipped over goalkeeper James Trafford from long-range.

Newcastle, who have won four of their past five league games, take on Wolves in the late kick-off.

High-flying Liverpool and Manchester City are in action on Sunday. 

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Israel Predicts 'Difficult' Gaza Ground Offensive, Claims Hamas Wages 'War from Hospitals' | Updates

Israel-Hamas war: The United Nations warned that "many more will die" as a result of Israel's ongoing siege of Gaza

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WC 2023: South Africa Go Top Of Points Table With Narrow Win Over Pakistan

South Africa defeated Pakistan by one wicket in a tense finish to push their Asian rivals to the brink of elimination from the World Cup in Chennai on Friday. South Africa bowled out Pakistan for 270 and then returned to overhaul the target, scoring 271 for 9 in 47.2 overs with Aiden Markram top-scoring with a 93-ball 91. Earlier, opting to bat, skipper Babar Azam made a 65-ball 50, while Saud Shakeel scored a run-a-ball 52. Shadab Khan also chipped in with a 36-ball 43. However, Pakistan couldn't build partnerships as South Africa managed to take wickets with Tabraiz Shamsi (4/60) emerging as the most successful bowler.

Marco Jansen (3/43), Gerald Coetzee (2/42) and Lungi Ngidi (1/45) shared six wickets among them.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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World Cup Points Table: What Loss Against SA Means For Under-Fire Pakistan

The Pakistan cricket team's disappointing show at the Cricket World Cup 2023 continued on Friday as they were defeated by South Africa in a thriller at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Babar Azam-led side came agonisingly close to victory but were ultimately defeated by just one wicket. As a result, Pakistan are sixth in the points table and with just four points from six matches, they will find it extremely difficult to book their berth in the knockout stages. On the other hand, South Africa claimed the top spot as they leapfrogged the unbeaten Indian cricket team. While both sides have 10 points in the competition, South Africa have the better Net Run Rate (NRR). New Zealand are third at the moment while Australia and Sri Lanka are fourth and fifth respectively.

Here is the updated Cricket World Cup 2023 points table:

South Africa defeated Pakistan by one wicket in a tense finish to push their Asian rivals to the brink of elimination from the Cricket World Cup 2023 on Friday.

South Africa bowled out Pakistan for 270 and then returned to overhaul the target, scoring 271 for 9 in 47.2 overs with Aiden Markram top-scoring with a 93-ball 91.

Earlier, opting to bat, skipper Babar Azam made a 65-ball 50, while Saud Shakeel scored a run-a-ball 52. Shadab Khan also chipped in with a 36-ball 43.

However, Pakistan couldn't build partnerships as South Africa managed to take wickets with Tabraiz Shamsi (4/60) emerging as the most successful bowler.

Marco Jansen (3/43), Gerald Coetzee (2/42) and Lungi Ngidi (1/45) shared six wickets among them.

(With PTI inputs)

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At the Lewiston Bowling Alley, a Crash, Disbelief and a Run for the Exit

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Olympian Fencer Bhavani Devi Defends National Games Gold

Olympian fencer CA Bhavani Devi, representing Tamil Nadu, defended her National Games god medal in the women's sabre individual event after beating S Sowmiya of Kerala 15-5 in the final in Panaji on Thursday. Devi had won gold in the same event in the 2022 National Games in Gujarat. Shiksha Ballouria of Himachal Pradesh and Jagmeet Kaur of Punjab won the bronze medals. Babu Gaonkar gave Goa their first gold medal of the Games after winning the men's laser run event in Modern Pentathlon at Ponda. Ajay and Ravi of Haryana won the silver and bronze.

Later in the day, Babu teamed up with Seeta Gosavi to win the silver in the laser run mixed relay where the Haryana pair of Anju and Ravi won the gold and Yoginee Salunke and Shahaji Sargar of Maharashtra clinched the bronze.

In the women's laser run, Ujjala of Haryana clinched the gold ahead of Yoginee Umakant Salunke of Maharashtra and Neha Yadav of Madhya Pradesh.

In the men's laser run, Haryana won gold followed by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra with the silver and bronze respectively. In the women's team event, Madhya Pradesh won gold while Maharashtra returned with silver and Goa the bronze.

At the Campal Sports Village, Popy Hazarika of Assam clinched the gold in the women's weightlifting 59kg category with a total lift of 191kg (86kg snatch, 105kg C&J). Davinder Kaur of Punjab won the silver with a total lift of 182kg while M Deepanayomi of Andhra Pradesh lifted 180kg to take the bronze.

In the men's 67kg category, Mizoram's Lalhunthara lifted a total of 281kg to clinch the gold, edging out Subhash Lahre (280kg) of Services by just a kilogram. Arunachal Pradesh's Bengia Tani won bronze with a lift of 277kg.

In gymnastics at the Peddem Multipurpose Indoor Stadium, Yogeshwar Singh of Haryana clinched gold followed by Sidharth Verma of Uttar Pradesh and Gaurav Kumar of Services who won silver and bronze in men's all-round individual event.

Pranati Nayak, representing Odisha, won the gold in the women's all-round individual event held late on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the uncertainty over the holding of handball competitions ended on Thursday after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) named eight states, including host Goa, to participate in the men's and women's events.

Eight men's and women's teams were also named for the beach handball competition.

A letter to that effect was issued by Amitabh Sharma, who is the chairman of Games Technical Conduct Committee, and appointed by the IOA.

The participating teams for the handball competition were based on the rankings of 2021 National Championships. The participating teams for the beach handball competition were based on the rankings of 2015 National Games in Kerala.

According to the letter, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in its order dated October 16, 2023, following a petition, did not award the responsibility of hosting the handball sport in the 37th National Games to any federation and said "the question as which body would be the national sports federation is yet to be finally decided and thus the said player cannot be accepted at this stage".

The IOA has also requested the SAI to provide a list of qualified technical officials to conduct the handball competitions in the National Games.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Russia Test Fires missiles, Practising Retaliatory Nuclear Strike

During the dragging conflict, Putin and Russian officials have given mixed signals about the possible use of nuclear weapons, prompting alarm in the West

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Not Just Fastest 100, Maxwell Achieves Multiple Feats With Ton vs NED

Australia registered a thumping 309-run victory over Netherlands in their ODI World Cup 2023 match on Wednesday in New Delhi. Batting first, the Pat-Cummins-led side posted a huge total of 399/8 in 50 overs with Glenn Maxwell and David Warner hitting centuries. Later, Adam Zampa registered a four-wicket haul as Netherlands got bundled out for 90. The match turned out to be really special for Maxwell as he smashed the fastest century (40 balls) in the history of ODI World Cup. Apart from this, there were many other records which were broken by the 35-year-old all-rounder.

Maxwell scored the fastest hundred in the competition's history, reaching the landmark in just 40 balls to go past South African Aiden Markram's previous record of 43 balls, which was also achieved in this edition. His 40-ball effort is also the fastest century by an Australian in this format. 

Maxwell is also the first Aussie to score 100-plus runs in the final ten overs of an ODI. Maxwell struck eight sixes in his knock, which is the second most by an Australian in a World Cup match, along with Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting.

Lastly, Maxwell and Pat Cummins added 107 runs for the seventh wicket, which is the highest for the side for the same or lower down the order in a World Cup innings.

Talking about the match, Maxwell waltzed his way to the fastest World Cup century after David Warner hit his second successive hundred as Australia crushed the Netherlands by 309 runs -- the biggest in tournament history -- to continue their winning run in New Delhi.

The winning run margin was also the second biggest in ODI cricket after India's 317-run victory over Sri Lanka earlier this year. Australia bettered their own 275-run win over Afghanistan in the 2015 World Cup at home to notch up the biggest run-margin win in the showpiece's history.

(With PTI Inputs)

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Terror Acts by LeT in Mumbai or Hamas in Kibbutz Be’eri ‘Unlawful, Unjustifiable’, Says Blinken

Blinken made the remarks while addressing the Security Council ministerial meeting on the situation in the Middle East following the October 7 attack on Israel by Gaza-based Hamas militants

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WC Points Table: SA Make Big Gains, Surpass New Zealand To Be Placed 2nd

Riding on Quinton de Kock's ton, some brutal late hitting from Heinrich Klaasen and bowlers' brilliance South Africa registered a massive 149-run victory over Bangladesh in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 match at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. The Proteas also garnered a massive net run rate boost with another emphatic win. Defiant Mahmudullah was the only batter who stood tall today for Bangladesh but his vigilant knock of 111 runs went in vain as other batters failed to score big.

Gerald Coetzee was the destructor-in-chief as he returned with a 3-wicket haul while Lizaad Williams and Marco Jansen bagged two wickets respectively.

With the win, South Africa have climbed up to the second spot in the points table. 

While chasing a whopping total of 383, a promising start to Bangladesh's reply came to an end when Tanzid Hasan (12) gloved behind a short ball from Marco Jansen.

Jansen then strangled Najmul Hossain Shanto along the leg side on the next delivery.

Bangladesh's chase lay in tatters as three wickets fell in the space of an eight-ball blitz during the first powerplay.

The all-rounder fell short of a hat-trick when his attempted yorker was converted into an easily defended full ball, but Lizaad Williams kept the wickets coming by dismissing Shakib Al Hasan (1). The wickets continued to fall as Gerald Coetzee dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim for 8.

Litton Das' valiant battle came to an end when he was caught leg-before by Kagiso Rabada for a 44-ball 22. Keshav Maharaj joined the wicket-taking frenzy when he caught Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the deep for 11, ending Bangladesh's pursuit before it had even begun.

With a superb knock from number six, Mahmudullah restored Bangladesh's pride and helped his team avoid a record defeat. In a pressure run chase, Mahmudullah brought up his 67-ball World Cup fifty with Bangladesh seven wickets down.

Bangladesh veteran Mahmudullah slammed his fourth one-day international hundred; his third in ODI World Cups. With the help of the tail, Mahmudullah reached his own personal milestone with a high-class century against South Africa's weary attack, coming off 104 balls.

Bangladesh did have reason to celebrate at the finish when Mahmudullah hit a century and the fans cheered in encouragement. However, the centurion's exit ignited a string of quick wickets as South Africa won by 149 runs.

Earlier, a 20th ODI hundred from de Kock and some brutal hitting from Klaasen guided South Africa to a huge first-innings total of 382/5. De Kock finished with the second-highest World Cup score by a South African batter, while Klaasen was also at his savage best to give the Proteas a resounding total. A mind-boggling 217 runs were scored in the final 20 overs, with 144 coming in the final 60 deliveries.

Brief score: South Africa 382/5 (Quinton de Kock 174, Heinrich Klaasen 90; Hasan Mahmud 2-67) vs Bangladesh 233 (Mahmudullah 111, Litton Das 22; Gerald Coetzee 3-62).

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Babar Isolated, Physical Altercation In Pakistan Team? PCB Breaks Silence

The Pakistan cricket team isn't in the best of mental state, having lost their last two matches in a derailing Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign. As reports of there being altercations within the team emerged, the Pakistan Cricket Board took to social media to quash rumours of discord and infighting in the national team, competing in the World Cup in India. In a press release, the PCB strongly denied recent speculations about any internal discord in the Babar Azam-led side. The PCB has been forced to act after increasing rumours about disunity in the team.

Some Pakistani journalists have posted on social media about the alleged fights in the team and promised to reveal more details after the match against Afghanistan on Monday.

According to those posts, two players got into a physical altercation and there has been growing discord in the team with captain Babar facing isolation from a group of players.

The release from the Pakistan board read: "The Pakistan Cricket Board strongly denies recent speculations about any internal discord in the national cricket team currently participating in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Contrary to rumours circulated by a certain section of the media, the PCB unequivocally assures that the team is cohesive and there is no evidence to support these unsubstantiated claims.

The PCB is disappointed by the dissemination of this false news and emphasises the importance of upholding journalistic ethics before spreading such allegations."

PCB statement pic.twitter.com/qo8mFoVqq1

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) October 23, 2023

The PCB said it is disappointed by the dissemination of false news.

Pakistan won the their first two games against Netherlands and Sri Lanka before losing to Australia and India.

With PTI inputs

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Biden walks a tightrope with his support for Israel as his party's left urges restraint

President Joe Biden told a crowd of Democratic donors over the weekend about a decadesold photo he took with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an aside that seemed intended to illustrate his long support of Israel and track record of speaking bluntly with the conservative Israeli leader.

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Philadelphia Orchestra and Musicians Reach Contract Deal

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Anxious Argentines Vote For Way Out Of Economic Shambles

Argentina has found itself unable to escape decades of fiscal crises marked by debt, financial mismanagement, and inflation that now stands at almost 140 percent year-on-year

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Arsenal Fight Back To Deny Chelsea In Derby Draw

Arsenal staged a stunning fightback from two goals down as Leandro Trossard's late equaliser rescued a dramatic 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Saturday. Mikel Arteta's team were 13 minutes away from their first Premier League defeat this season after Cole Palmer's early penalty and Mykhailo Mudryk's second-half goal put Chelsea in control. But a miscued pass from Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez allowed Declan Rice to give Arsenal a lifeline and Trossard bundled home the leveller with six minutes left. Arsenal's gritty comeback extended their unbeaten start to the league season to nine games, leaving them in second place behind leaders Manchester City on goal difference.

It was another display of the character and spirit pulsing through Arsenal over the last 18 months, qualities that are underpinning their bid to finally win the club's first title since 2004.

For Chelsea, it was a hammer blow after they were on the brink of delivering the first signficant statement victory of Mauricio Pochettino's maiden season in charge.

The Blues have failed to beat Arsenal on home turf since 2018 and they will never get a better chance to inflict defeat on their London rivals. Following a minute's silence to mark the death of former Manchester United and England star Bobby Charlton earlier on Saturday, Chelsea had made a vibrant start in the torrential rain.

The Blues took the lead in the 15th minute after William Saliba's out-stretched arm blocked Mudryk's header. Chelsea's penalty appeal initially looked set to be ignored, but referee Chris Kavanagh eventually awarded it after being advised by VAR to consult the pitchside monitor.

Palmer calmly drilled the spot-kick past David Raya to claim his second goal since signing from Manchester City earlier this season.

Rice led the Arsenal response as the midfielder fired narrowly wide of the far post from an acute angle.

Late surge
Palmer was inches away from scoring again with a low drive that fizzed wide from the edge of the area.

Pochettino told Arteta not to go into coaching when the pair played together at Paris Saint-Germain, advice the Arsenal boss will be pleased he ignored.

The pair, who this week described their relationship as "like brothers" shared a warm embrace before kick-off, but there was little love lost between their teams.

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka was singled out for some crude challenges by Marc Cucurella, while three players were booked in a feisty half. Raya gifted Chelsea their second goal in the 48th minute when the Arsenal keeper failed to follow the flight of Mudryk's miscued cross from the left flank as it drifted over his head into the far corner.

Mudryk's fortuitous strike was also a painful twist for Arsenal after he spurned them to sign for Chelsea last season.

Raya has been preferred to Arsenal's former first choice keeper Aaron Ramsdale in recent weeks, but has looked far from comfortable at times.

Raya's confidence was shaken by his latest mistake and he almost handed Chelsea another goal with a wayward pass that Palmer intercepted but was unable to convert from 12 yards. It was a crucial miss as Sanchez returned the favour in the 77th minute with a woeful pass that was seized on by Rice, who gratefully lofted his shot into the empty net from 25 yards.

Suddenly, Chelsea looked riddled with nerves and Arteta's side made them pay in the 84th minute. Saka curled a cross to the far post and Trossard got in front of Malo Gusto to slot home from close range.

Eddie Nketiah should have capped Arsenal's remarkable late surge, but the striker fired wide from a golden chance to steal all three points.

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Israel to Step Up Gaza Strikes: Military Spokesman

"We have to enter the next phase of the war in the best conditions, not according to what anyone tells us." said spokesman Admiral Daniel Hagari at a conference

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London Records Big Spike in Antisemitic, Islamophobic Hate Crimes Amid Israel Conflict

According to the Metropolitan Police figures, between October 1 and 18 there were 218 antisemitic offences compared to 15 in the same period last year

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"Sorry For Stealing It From Jaddu": Kohli's Cheeky Comment After WC Ton

Virat Kohli's last Cricket World Cup hundred had come in 2015 against Pakistan at Adelaide and he was determined to make it count against Bangladesh on Thursday. Thousands of fans watched with bated breadth as Kohli completed his 48th ODI century. KL Rahul helped his iconic teammate get to the three-figure mark by refusing singles and letting Kohli score the 25-odd runs to complete his century. Kohli, who with 48 hundred is now just one short of legendary Sachin Tendulkar's world record of 49 tons, cheekily apologised to teammate Ravindra Jadeja for "stealing" what could have been a sure-shot player of the match award for Saurashtra all-rounder.

Jadeja, who returned with figures of 2/38 on a batting belter along with a stunning catch at point would have got that trophy on any other day.

"Sorry for stealing it (the player of the Match award) from Jaddu. I wanted to make a big contribution. I have made fifties in World Cups, wanted to finish it off this time," Kohli said at post-match presentation ceremony.

In fact, Bangladesh bowlers presented Kohli with a couple of free-hits and he couldn't stop cracking a joke about it.

"I was telling Shubman that even if you dream about this situation, you go back to sleep. It was a dream start. It just calms you down." The master chaser admitted that it was a great strip to bat on.

"The pitch was good, allowed me to play my game - hit the gaps and find the boundaries whenever I could." The team is gelling well, said the elder statesman of the team.

"There is great atmosphere in the dressing room. The spirit is there for everyone to see. You need to create some momentum in the changing room to come out and play like this," he added.

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WC: Warner, Marsh Tons, Zampa Magic Lead Australia To 62-Run Win Over Pak

David Warner and Mitchell Marsh symbolised Australia's insatiability with the bat and Adam Zampa's relentlessness with the ball as the five-time champions registered a revitalising 62-run win over Pakistan in the World Cup match in Bengaluru on Friday. Brutal hundreds by Warner (163 off 124 balls) and Marsh (121 off 108 balls) led Australia to an imposing 367 for 9. Pakistan batters fought valiantly but could only manage 305 as leg-spinner Zampa (4/53) inflicted blows at vital junctions. Australia need to profusely thank both Warner, who hammered his 21st ODI hundred, and Marsh, his second ton, for keeping their World Cup campaign on track with a blistering assault.

The Aussie openers amassed 259 runs in just 203 balls, and it was only the fourth instance in World Cup history that both openers notched centuries in the same match.

Australia needed a dominant show to spruce up their confidence after three middling efforts that fetched two defeats and a win in this tournament, and they did it with a bang.

The only spanner in their easy rollicking was left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose five-wicket haul (5/54) was just a sad reminder as to what other Pakistan bowlers could have done with a bit of thinking.

Warner, who was dropped twice on 10 and 105, and Marsh were at their marauding best against a Pakistan attack that lacked direction on a smooth M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch with a quick outfield adding value to their shots.

They were either too full, too short or strayed on to the leg side, and the Aussie batters did not need any second invitation to exploit the flowing freebies.

All this could have been a tad different for Pakistan had Usama Mir, who replaced Shadab Khan, held on to a simple skier from Warner off Afridi, whose clever variations were a treat to watch, inside the ring.

Warner was on 10 then in Australia's total of 22.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam gave the ball to Haris Rauf in the ninth over, hoping for a breakthrough. But the Aussies slipped into the top gear precisely from that over.

The right-arm pacer was carted for 24 runs in his first over. Warner started the carnage with a four and six and Marsh finished it with three fours in succession.

Thereafter, Australia's run-rate hardly came under seven for the rest of the innings.

Hasan Ali found some early movement away from Marsh, but Warner took him head on with a series of pulls and flicks, including a monster six that thudded on to the roof.

Pakistan pressed their spinners Mir and left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawas into service but they made zero impact.

They were quite unimaginative, and just kept feeding both Warner and Marsh, who preferred the ground route early on in his innings, with short balls which were effortlessly put away.

Australia notched up their 100 in the 13th over, 200th in the 30th over and 300 in the 41st over as their run machine marched forward inexorably.

Warner brought up his hundred, fourth consecutive against Pakistan in ODIs, with a single off Mir, and the signature jump-and-punch celebration followed to the joy of a near full house of crowd, that encouraged both the sides.

Birthday boy Marsh followed his senior partner soon in reaching the three-figure mark with a boundary off Mir, and he celebrated the landmark with a mighty roar.

Marsh departed soon when his flick off Afridi was snaffled by Mir at short fine leg, a rare occasion for a Pakistan fielder to hold on to a catch on a day when they dropped three catches along with numerous other fumbles on the field.

He walked back only after helping Warner to realise the second-best opening stand in World Cups after 282 between Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga in 2011.

Post Marsh's dismissal, Pakistan did manage to pluck some quick wickets -- in fact 8 of them for 108 runs to restrict Australia under 400 which once seemed a genuine possibility.

Even then, 369 was a steep mountain. But there was this underlying fearlessness and efficiency with which Pakistan approached their chase.

Openers Imam-ul-Haq, who at times reminds of his legendary uncle Inzamam-ul-Haq with his neat timing and crisp shots, made his first fifty (70 off 71 balls) of this tournament, while Abdullah Shafique (64 off 61 balls) continued his fine touch after coming in for injured Fakhar Zaman.

Together, they milked 134 effortless runs in 127 balls. Of course, they were helped by a drop each as well.

Imam was dropped on 48 by Pat Cummins off Glenn Maxwell, while Shafique was given a life by substitute Sean Abbot off Cummins on 27.

However, Marcus Stoinis, who was not afraid to dig the ball into the pitch to get some bounce, got rid of both Imam and Shafique in rather quick succession and leg-spinner Zampa snaffled the prized wicket of Babar as Pakistan seemed to have hit the slide button.

But, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel added 56 runs off 48 balls to keep Pakistan steady as Aussies tried to apply constant pressure in the middle overs.

Their effort eventually paid off as Zampa got the wickets of both Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed with skidders that both the batters failed to read, ending up as leg-before victims.

Those dismissals also ended any hopes Pakistan entertained to enact a miracle.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Joe Biden to Rally Americans on Israel, Ukraine Support

Fresh from a trip to Israel after the October 7 Hamas attacks, the Democratic president's primetime address will pitch the case for a global US role to war-weary voters and isolationist Republicans

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World Cup: Kohli Sniffs At Tendulkar's Record As India Beat Bangladesh

The legend of Virat Kohli continued to grow exponentially as he reached within handshaking distance of Sachin Tendulkar's world record of 49 hundreds during India's walk-in-the-park seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a World Cup game in Pune on Thursday. Kohli, who plans 50-over chases with a precision of a surgeon, remained unbeaten on 103 off 97 balls as India knocked off the 258-run target with as many as 51 balls remaining. India have now make it four wins out of four games and one more win would virtually put them in semi-finals.

While Kohli hit six fours and four sixes, it was his exemplary running between the wickets in pursuit of his 48th hundred that would be etched in the memory for the longest time.

But credit should also go to Ravindra Jadeja (2/38 in 10 overs) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/41 in 10 overs), who were exemplary covering all bases in absence of Hardik Pandya, who hobbled off the field after twisting his left ankle.

" Sorry for stealing it (the player of the Match award) from Jaddu. I wanted to make a big contribution. Have made fifties in World Cups, wanted to finish it off this time," Kohli said after the match.

While skipper Rohit Sharma (48 off 40 balls) and Shubman Gill (53 off 55 balls) added 88 in just 12.4 overs to set up the chase, it was a cakewalk for Kohli at a venue, with which he shares an intimate relation.

If Rohit rattled the Bangladeshis with an all-out attack, Kohli bled them with thousand cuts, running those twos in the 90s with effortless ease, another testimony to his fitness.

Earlier, as has been the case with each of India's opponents in the World Cup so far, scoring runs against arguably the best bowling attack in the competition proved a big ask for Bangladesh too, who managed a modest 256/8 on a batting-friendly surface.

In fact, Bangladesh squandered a terrific start which had them placed formidably at 90 for no loss after 14 overs, but India's bowling once again came to fore on a featherbed here.

India lost Pandya as early as in the ninth over, when he tried to stop a straight drive off Litton Das' bat with his right foot and fell on the ground. Pandya received initial treatment on the field but as he began moving to his bowling mark, it became clear he would not continue and left the field subsequently.

With all options at his perusal, the fact that Rohit Sharma chose Virat Kohli to complete the injured Pandya's over - with India still in search of first breakthrough - showed how assured India are with their bowling attack in this competition.

Kuldeep Yadav provided the first breakthrough and Ravindra Jadeja the second, as it was India all the way with Bangladesh going at under five runs per over after a robust beginning.

In fact, Jadeja's was the standout performance with the all-rounder producing a measly 10-0-38-2 and a superb diving catch to dismiss Mushfiqur Rahim.

But the initial exchanges belonged to the young Tanzid Hasan, who struck a dazzling maiden fifty scoring 51 off 43 balls (5x4s, 3x6s). Litton Das made 82-ball 66 (7x4s), whereas Rahim's 38 and a late charge from Mahmudullah (46, 36 balls, 3x4s, 3x6s) brought the Tigers their runs.

With no assistance from the surface, the task to make early inroads with the new ball appeared challenging even though Jasprit Bumrah (2/41) found some movement in the air.

After a watchful start Das took on Mohammed Siraj (2/60) in the sixth over, hitting two fours to get a move on and Tanzid pulled Bumrah over fine leg for the first six of the innings in the next.

The Bangladesh openers immediately pressed on the scoring rate as 53 runs came off the last five overs in the powerplay.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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The Israeli military puts forward its version of what happened at the hospital in Gaza.

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Pakistan Successfully Conducts Flight Test of Ababeel Weapon System, Says Army

The latest test of the ballistic missile system was aimed at "re-validating various design, technical parameters, and performance evaluation of different sub-systems"

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India vs Bangladesh WC 2023: ODI Record, Top Indian Batter, Bowler In Pune

India vs Bangladesh, World Cup 2023: The Rohit Sharma-led India cricket team will square off against Bangladesh in match number 17 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, India, on Thursday. The match commences at 02:00 PM IST. India will head into the match at this venue high on confidence following a hat-trick of wins, which included the six-wicket victory over Australia in the tournament opener and the seven-wicket hammering of arch-rivals Pakistan last week.    

Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium ODI records

Win/loss record
Team India have contested in 7 matches at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. The Men in Blue have won 4 matches and lost 3 encounters at the venue in Pune.

On the other hand, Bangladesh are yet to play an ODI match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

Average score
India averages 291 runs when playing an ODI match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

Highest score
India holds the record for the highest ODI team total of 356/7 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in ODI cricket. The record was achieved by the Men in Blue against England in 2017. 

Lowest score
India's lowest score when playing at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium is 232/10, against Australia in 2013. Australia, batting first, scored 304/8 before bowling out India for a 72-run win.

Most runs by an Indian
Virat Kohli, India's batting stalwart, has scored the most runs in ODIs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. The middle-order batter has racked in 448 runs in seven games and enjoys a strike rate of 91.99 at this venue. The right-handed batter has the highest score of 122 versus England. He has scored two centuries and three half-centuries at the arena in Pune.

Most wickets by an Indian 
Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has bagged the most wickets in ODIs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. The right-arm bowler has scalped 10 wickets at an average of 29.10 in six games at this venue. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has recorded the best figures of 3/42 at this arena.

Best bowling figures by an Indian 

India's bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has recorded the best figures in ODIs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. The right-arm pacer has the best figures of 4/35 which he took against the West Indies in 2018. Jasprit Bumrah is currently the highest-wicket taker in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, with eight scalps in three matches.

India vs Bangladesh squads
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (wk), KL Rahul (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das (wk), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Taskin Ahmed

India vs Bangladesh ODI record at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium
Head-to-head: India and Bangladesh are yet to compete against each other at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

India vs Bangladesh head-to-head record in ODIs
India and Bangladesh have faced each other 40 times in ODIs with the Men in Blue enjoying a major advantage in the head-to-head record. However, in the last five matches, Bangladesh have registered three wins while India have only won two. Bangladesh also won the last ODI match against India in the Asia Cup 2023.

India vs Bangladesh ODI records
Highest score: India posted 418/5 against West Indies in 2011, which stands as the highest score for the Men in Blue in the ODIs. For Bangladesh, the highest ODI score of 349/6 came against Ireland in 2023. 

Lowest score: For India, (54) the lowest score came against Sri Lanka in 2000. Bangladesh posted the lowest score of 58 against the West Indies in 2011. 

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 points table
India are ranked first in the points table of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 with 6 points and a net run rate of +1.82. They have won all of their 3 matches.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, are seventh with 2 points from 3 matches. They have won 1 match and lost 2, with a net run rate of -0.699.

India vs Bangladesh prediction
Team India is in sublime form having won all their three previous matches comfortably. The Rohit Sharma-led team has played as a unit and looks like a settled side. The batters have found their touch while the bowlers are hitting an impeccable line to trouble the opposition batters. 

Meanwhile, Bangladesh started the campaign with a win over Afghanistan, but have since lost ground following defeats to England and New Zealand in the last two matches. A shock win over India will boost their campaign, however, it might be a far-fetched thought considering the form India are in. India will go into the match as favourites to register another resounding triumph in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup.

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Child Killed, 9 Injured in Hand Grenade Explosion in Pakistan's Restive Balochistan

Police and law-enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and launched a detailed investigation

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World Cup Points Table: South Africa's Net Run-rate Dented After 1st Loss

South Africa's march in the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 came to a rude halt as they slumped to a loss against Netherlands. Coming into the Cricket World Cup match, hardly anybody would have expected the result but the Netherlands team kept the believe in themselves to cause a major upset against the world No. 3 ODI team South Africa. Netherlands, in a rain-curtailed match with the number of overs reduced to 43 per side, notched a good total of 245/8. In reply, South Africa could never stitch a great stand and managed just 207 in 42.5 overs. 

Before the match, South Africa were placed third with a net run-rate of +2.360. After the loss, though their position did not change, their net run-rate got reduced to +1.385. Netherlands, so far the last team in the 10-team table, is currently ninth. India continue to lead the table.

Scott Edwards played a captain's knock to lead the Netherlands' remarkable recovery and take them to 245 for eight in a rain-hit game against South Africa in the World Cup  on Tuesday.

Intermittent rain added an extra chill in the mountain air and reduced the game to 43-over a side contest.

South Africa expectedly opted to bowl amid the overcast sky and their bunch of formidable pacers including Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, got a lot out of the surface.

However, their death overs bowling left a lot to be desired as the Netherlands plundered 68 runs in the last five overs. The Netherlands were struggling at 140 for seven in the 34th over.

Edwards (78 off 69) shared an entertaining 64-run partnership off 37 balls with Roelof van der Merwe (29 off 19) towards the end of the innings to take the team past 200.

With PTI inputs

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Shami's Role Clear But There Is No Place For Him In India's 'Perfect XI'

At times, the greatest of actors don't fit the character of a particular film and in director Rohit Sharma's 70 mm World Cup panorama, Mohammed Shami is that protagonist who is missing out on a meaty role. Unlike the 2019 World Cup campaign, the Indian team management seems to have absolute clarity on the role of each squad member, leaving a world class operator like Shami on the bench for the first three games of the ODI showpiece.

With the team ticking all the boxes so far, Shami, who is among the best in the business and ended with a five wicket haul against Australia ahead of the World Cup, might just have to keep warming the bench in the coming fixtures.

Mohammed Siraj is Jasprit Bumrah's new ball partner at the moment while all-rounder Hardik Pandya is performing the role of a third pacer effectively.

Shardul Thakur, who has bowled a total of 8 overs in two games, is the fourth fast bowling option on a flat deck and if it is a spin friendly track like the one in Chennai, R Ashwin comes in to the eleven in place of Thakur to complement Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja.

There seems to be crystal clarity even on the batting front. Unlike the 2019 edition, the lead up of which saw the number four position become a game of musical chairs, Shreyas Iyer, if he is fit, is the clear choice in that position.

Even though he oozes X factor, Suryakumar Yadav has to wait for his return. Rohit Sharma has led from the front thus far and India look the team to beat in the World Cup. However, there are a few questions that need to be answered.

Can the team rely on Hardik as the third seamer? Should Shami not play in place of Thakur as the latter has not yet been required with the bat at number 8? Speaking to PTI, former chief selector MSK Prasad lauded the team's horses for courses approach.

"They are using horses for courses and it is working fantastically well for the team. If you see they used Ashwin in Chennai and Shardul for the other two games (in Delhi and Ahmedabad). Last game, Shardul was not required as the others did the job (he bowled only two overs)," said the former India wicketkeeper.

"Shami will come into picture if they want to rotate Siraj. Replacements are very clear right now, Sky will replace Shreyas if there is a need, Ishan will replace Gill at the top and Shardul will play if it is a flat deck. Aswhin will come in his place if it is a turning track."

Hardik lends a critical balance to the playing eleven but considering his fitness issues in the past, can he be expected to bowl 10 overs game after game as the third seamer if the need arises?

"With Hardik, you can't expect him to bowl 10 overs in every game. The job that he is doing. of bowling 5-6 overs per game, that is good enough. Team management seems to have absolute clarity on the role of every individual," added Prasad.

As far as Shami is concerned, the champion bowler might get a go in the later stages of the league phase. India played their opener on October 8 and their ninth and last league phase fixture is against Netherlands on November 12.

Besides role clarity, the management has also been very consistent with workload management. Considering that and length of the tournament, Shami will be keep him ready for the opportunity.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Israel Warns of Long War Against Hamas; Biden Considering Trip To Tel Aviv | Updates

Israel-Palestine War: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to Israel on Monday after his Egypt visit

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1st Time In 48 Years! England Achieve Dubious Record With Afghanistan Loss

England achieved the unwanted record of losing to all 11 Test-playing nations at the Cricket World Cup after they were stunned by Afghanistan on Sunday. England are the first team ever to achieve this feat as they were completely outplayed by Afghanistan in the Cricket World Cup 2023 encounter in New Delhi. In the first two editions of the tournament, England lost to Australia in 1975 and then to West Indies in the 1979 final. In 1983 and 1987, they suffered losses at the hands of India and Pakistan respectively. In 1983, they were also defeated by New Zealand in a shock result.

In 1992, they faced their first loss against Zimbabwe and in 1996, they were defeated by eventual champions Si Lanka as well as South Africa. Bangladesh defeated England in a much upset in 2011 and in the same tournament, Ireland pulled off one of the best chases in World Cup history.

With the Afghanistan loss, the defending champions have now lost against all Test-playing nations.

Afghanistan caused one of the biggest upsets in the history of Cricket World Cup as they outclassed defending champions England by 69 runs in New Delhi on Sunday.

The Afghans' epic triumph against the overwhelming favourites, one of the game's traditional heavyweights, was a reflection of the spirit and courage of the battle-hardened tribe from the country ravaged by years of war and internal conflicts.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave early impetus while Ikram Alikhil provided the final flourish to guide Afghanistan to a competitive 284 all out after being put into bat.

The Afghan bowlers then thrived under lights, dishing out a collective effort to bundle out England for 215 runs in 40.3 overs and register just their second World Cup win, eight years since their last against Scotland in Australia.

While this was Afghanistan's first win in the ongoing tournament after two losses, England slumped to their second defeat from three games.

Rashid Khan (3/37) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3/51) were the pick of the Afghan bowlers.

Harry Brook (66 off 61) was the only shining light in what was a dismal batting display from England.

(With PTI inputs)

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French Football Investigates 'Hate Speech' By Nice Player

The French Football Federation (FFF) said on Sunday its ethics committee would investigate Nice player Youcef Atal for social media posts containing "calls for violence", linked to the Hamas-Israel conflict. The Algerian international defender posted a video on Instagram account of a speaker making, according to people who saw it, anti-Semitic remarks calling for violence. The post sparked outrage from French politicians. It has since been deleted and AFP has been unable to independently verify its content. 

On Sunday FFF president Philippe Diallo released statement denouncing "calls for violence relayed by the 27-year-old player". 

"They are contrary to the ethics of our sport and the values that soccer relentlessly defends", he said. 

"The FFF condemns them in the strongest possible terms. Hate speech cannot be tolerated," he declared, announcing that the FFF's national ethics council had been informed. 

Atal apologised on Instagram on Sunday.

"I am aware that my publication shocked people, which was not my intention, and I apologise for that," he wrote, adding that he wanted to "clarify (his) point of view without any ambiguity: I strongly condemn all forms of violence, anywhere in the world, and I support all victims". 

"I will never support a message of hatred. Peace is an ideal in which I firmly believe", he said.

Contacted by AFP, the Nice public prosecutor's office said it was not yet investigating.

Israel declared war on Hamas last Sunday, a day after waves of fighters broke through the heavily fortified border with Gaza and killed more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians. 

Israel's response has left at least 2,450 people dead in the Gaza Strip, the majority ordinary Palestinians, the health ministry there said

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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With cowboys, festivals and “eclipse village,” Texas Hill Country is abuzz.

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Israeli Army Ready for 'Coordinated' Air, Ground And Naval Offensive in Gaza Strip | Key Points

Israel-Palestine war: The third batch of 197 Indian nationals wanting to leave Israel boarded a special flight arranged by the Indian Government under Operation Ajay

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Academy Museum Postpones Gala, Citing the War in Israel

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Unlucky India Lose 2-4 To Malaysia, Bow Out Of Merdeka Cup

India lost 2-4 to hosts Malaysia in the opening match, a virtual semifinal to bow out of the Merdeka Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Malaysia took the lead as early as in the seventh minute through Dion Cools before Naorem Mahesh Singh equalised for India with a beautiful volley in the 13 minute. A silly challenge from Nikhil Poojary on Arif Amin inside the Indian box gifted Malaysia a penalty and Amin made no mistake in finding the net from the spot in the 20th minute. To make matters worse for India, Faisal Halim increased the score-line 3-1 in Malaysia's favour four minutes from half time.

India captain Sunil Chhetri pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute to reduce the margin to 2-3.

Five minutes later, a huge controversy broke out when Lallianzuala Chhangte was denied the equaliser.

Chhangte got the ball inside the box and his shot deflected off Ahmad's body and it crossed the goal-line before a clearance from Cools but the referee thought otherwise.

India coach Igor Stimac and the entire team looked furious with the decision and understandably so as replays clearly showed the ball indeed crossed the line.

Malaysia added salt to the wounds of the unlucky Indians when Corbin Ong rounded off the tally from close range in the 61st minute.

The Indian should consider themselves unlucky as the score-line doesn't reflect their performance.

The Blue Tigers were hard done by bad refereeing and a pitch that was riddled with holes. Besides, a pair of shots hit the crossbar. The Merdeka Cup, also known as the 'mini Asia Cup', features only three teams -- Tajikistan being the third -- as strife-torn Palestine had pulled out of the event at the last minute.

Malaysia will now take on Tajikistan in the final on October 17.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Columbia University Closes Campus Ahead of Israel-Hamas War Protests

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WC 2023 Points Table: SA Take Top Spot With Win. India's Position Is...

South Africa brutally thrashed Australia by 134 runs in their second ODI World Cup 2023 match on Thursday in Lucknow. This was South Africa's second victory in the ongoing tournament and with that, they have taken the top spot on the points table. Australia, on the other hand, have faced their second consecutive defeat and have slipped down to the the ninth position. However, the Proteas' victory turned out to be a bad news for Team India as the Rohit Sharma-led side has now slipped to the third position from the second spot.

Team India has also won both of their first two matches against Australia and Afghanistan and will now take on Pakistan in their next match on Saturday.

Talking about the match, Quinton de Kock hit his second successive century at the World Cup on Thursday as South Africa sent five-time champions Australia crashing to a 134-run defeat.

After the Proteas had made 311-7, Australia lost six wickets with just 70 on the board and then focused solely on attempting to limit the damage to their net run-rate.

They were eventually dismissed for 177 with 55 balls to spare. For South Africa, it was a second win in two games while Australia have lost both of their matches.

Australia, who lost by six wickets to India in their opener, saw five catches dropped when South Africa batted.

Their mood did not improve once they began chasing a 312-run target, losing wickets on a regular basis as South Africa's fast bowlers ripped through their top order.

Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi sent back openers Mitchell Marsh (seven) and David Warner (13) before Kagiso Rabada took three quick wickets.

(With AFP Inputs)

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5 Killed, 4 Injured as Under-construction Building Collapses in Karachi

In the incident which took place near Qadri Masjid in Karachi’s Shah Faisal Colony Number 5, four victims were labourers while the fifth was a passerby vendor, the Dawn newspaper reported

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Israel-Hamas War: 'Operation Ajay' Launched to Repatriate Indians; Netanyahu Forms Unity Govt | Updates

Israel-Hamas War: Nearly 3,700 people have been killed in the war since Saturday when hundreds of Hamas militants stormed across the border from Gaza and killed hundreds

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As War Rages, Netanyahu Battles for Reputation and Legacy

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The Hard Facts | 'ISIS-style Brutality' Proof of Hamas's Terror Tag; Does INDIA Bloc Have A Woke Dictionary?

Some have chosen to draw a false moral equivalence between Hamas and the Israeli state to justify the terror attack. Despite, India being a victim of Islamist terror, a number of political parties that are part of the INDIA bloc have refused to name Hamas or even call out its barbarity in their official statements. Network18 Consulting Editor Rahul Shivshankar discusses this and more in The Hard Facts

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Pakistan Chase Down Highest Target In World Cup History To Beat Sri Lanka

Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique clubbed centuries as Pakistan chased down the highest target in World Cup history to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The diminutive Rizwan overcame leg cramps to score a 121-ball 131 not out while Shafique hit a 103-ball 113 as Pakistan overhauled their 345-run target in 48.2 overs. The victory gives Pakistan two wins in as many games and a huge boost in confidence ahead of their high-profile clash against India in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Highest targets chased down in World Cup history:

345 by Pakistan against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad (2023)

328 by Ireland against England in Bengaluru (2011)

322 by Bangladesh against West Indies in Taunton (2019)

319 by Bangladesh against Scotland in Nelson (2015)

313 by Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe in New Plymouth (1992)

Sri Lanka's imposing total of 344-9 was built around brilliant hundreds from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama.

Rizwan cracked eight boundaries and three sixes while Shafique's knock had ten boundaries and three sixes as Pakistan improved on the previous highest World Cup chase of 328 by Ireland against England in Bangalore in 2011.

Rizwan added a match-turning 176 run stand for the third wicket with Shafique and another 95 for the fourth with Saud Shakeel who made a 30-ball 31.

Rizwan and Shafique lifted Pakistan from a disastrous start in which they lost Imam-ul-Haq (12) and skipper Babar Azam (ten) to pacer Dilshan Madushanka.

Haq, who completed 3,000 runs in 67 innings to become the second joint fastest to the milestone, hooked into the hands of the fielder while Azam edged a flick behind the wicket.

Shafique, who replaced out-of-form Fakhar Zaman, justified his selection by reaching his maiden hundred off 97 balls.

Shafique fell in the 34th over to Matheesha Pathirana but Rizwan continued the chase, reaching his third ODI hundred off 97 balls.

He hit the winning single and raised his hands in delight.

When Sri Lanka batted, after winning the toss, Mendis smashed the fastest century for Sri Lanka in a World Cup match with a 77-ball 122, his highest score in ODIs and third century.

- Mendis dropped twice -It was an innings spiced with 14 boundaries and half a dozen sixes, leading the charge for Sri Lanka while Samarawickrama hit an 89-ball 108 for his maiden hundred.

Samarawickrama hit 11 boundaries and two sixes.

Mendis twice escaped dropped catches -- Shaheen Shah Afridi dropped him off his own bowling in the fifth over and then Imam-ul-Haq blundered in the next over again off Shaheen on 18.

Mendis completed his 50 off 40 balls with his seventh boundary, lifting Sri Lanka from the early loss of Kusal Perera (nought) in the second over to Hasan Ali.

Mendis put on a 102 with Pathum Nissanka whose 51 came off 61 balls with seven boundaries and a six.

Once Nissanka fell to Shadab Khan, Mendis and Samarawickrama unleashed some superb hitting against Pakistan's pacers and spinners alike, adding 111 for the third wicket.

They were savage on fast bowler Haris Rauf, hitting him for two sixes and a boundary in the 21st over.

When Shaheen came back for a second spell, Mendis cracked three fours in the 25th over.

Hasan was hoisted by Mendis for a six to allow the batsman his third hundred off 65 balls.

It was his first century in three-and-a-half years but he had made 76 in the opening defeat to South Africa and now has at least five half-centuries in his last seven ODIs.

Previously, Kumar Sangakkara held the Sri Lanka World Cup record with a 70-ball hundred, scored against England in 2015.

Mendis's previous best was 119 against the West Indies in Hambantota in February 2020.

Mendis hit two sixes off Hasan's 29th over before he holed out at deep mid-wicket boundary.

Hasan then removed Charith Asalanka for one but Samarawickrama and Dhananjaya de Silva (25) added 65 for the fifth wicket.

Hasan finished as the best bowler with 4-71 while Rauf took 2-64.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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A Clash of Views Over the Israel-Hamas War

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China Challenging US Superpower Status is 'Not Inevitable': Xi Jinping Tells American Senators

“China maintains that the common interests of the two countries far outweigh their differences, and the respective success of China and the US is an opportunity, rather than a challenge, to each other,” Xi told the six-member delegation of top American legislators

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Israel-Palestine War: Hamas Threatens to Kill Hostages; Netanyahu Vows to 'Change Middle East' | Key Points

More than 700 people have been killed in Israel since Hamas launched its attack on Saturday, while on the Gaza side, at least 560 people have been killed

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Terrorism Will Not Prevail: UK PM Rishi Sunak on Conflict in Israel

During a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sunak reaffirmed that the UK stands with Israel “unequivocally” against the “deadly acts of terror”

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Indian Origin Man Jailed for Causing Grievous Hurt to Singapore Prison Warder: Report

Deputy Public Prosecutor James Chew told the court, “While they were talking, the victim touched the accused’s right upper arm as a friendly gesture

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Cricket All Set To Be Included In 2028 Los Angeles Olympics - Report

Cricket is set to be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic programme alongside flag football, baseball and softball, according to a report. The Guardian reported that cricket's inclusion in the Olympics will be confirmed at the 141st International Olympic Committee session that gets underway in Mumbai on October 15. The International Cricket Council, in a statement, expressed delight at LA28 organising committee recommending the sport's inclusion at the Summer Games. "The International Cricket Council (ICC) is delighted at the decision of the organisers of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics to recommend cricket for inclusion at the Games. "After a two-year process, in which the ICC worked closely with LA28, the list of sports to be added in LA included cricket, which will now be put forward for approval to the IOC," said the ICC in a statement.

The newspaper also reported that lacrosse and squash could be proposed as additional sports for the 2028 Summer Games. Cricket has been played in the Olympics only once before, in Paris in 1900, when England and France battled for the gold medal.

“We are delighted that LA28 have recommended cricket for inclusion in the Olympics.

“Whilst this is not the final decision, it is a very significant landmark towards seeing cricket at the Olympics for the first time in more than a century.

“I'd like to thank LA28 for their support during the new sport evaluation process over last two years and we look forward to the final decision being taken at the IOC Session, in India, during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup next week,” ICC chairman Greg Barclay said.

Men's and women's T20 competition will be played in the 2028 edition, opening up a lucrative Asian sub-continent market for the IOC.

Cricket's entry into the Olympics will also go a long way in widening the reach of the sport.

India is the game's biggest market and value of the IOC broadcast deal in the country go up substantially following its inclusion in the 2028 edition.

From the reported 15.6 million pounds for the 2024 Olympics, the broadcast deal in India could fetch as much as 150 million pounds if the game is featured in 2028 edition, the paper reported.

Women's cricket made its debut in Commonwealth Games last year while men's and women's competitions were played in the recent Asian Games in China where India swept the competition.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Israel has evacuated civilians from towns bordering Gaza.

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India, Saudi Arabia Tie Up for Electrical Interconnections, Green Hydrogen

India and Saudi Arabia aim for the co-development of projects, co-production of green/clean hydrogen and renewable energy and also establishing secure, reliable and resilient supply chains of materials used in green/clean hydrogen and the renewable energy sector

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Israel-Palestine Conflict: Major Airlines Cancel Dozens of Flights to Tel Aviv

Israeli flag carrier El Al said Sunday that it was maintaining its Tel Aviv flights for now, though some flights operated by foreign partners had been cancelled

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WC Table: India Not In Top-4 Despite Win vs Australia, Pakistan At...

India started their Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign on a positive note by defeating multiple time champions Australia in Chennai. At first, Australia were dismissed for 199, with Indian spinners starring with a brilliant show. Then India's chase started in the most horrible way as Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were dismissed for ducks. However, Virat Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97*) stitched a 150-plus run stand to only only pull India out of danger but ensure that the hosts reach the 200-run target in 41.2 overs. 

However, despite the win, India are not among the top four nations after the first round of matches. The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team is in the fifth spot. New Zealand are topping the list. Pakistan are in the third spot while Bangladesh are at the fourth spot. 

Talking about the game, India beat Australia by six wickets to begin their ICC World Cup campaign on a positive note in Chennai on Sunday. Half-centuries from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul powered India's chase of 200 after the home team lost three wickets with just two runs on the board. Thanks to Kohli and Rahul's 165-run partnership for the fourth wicket, India completed the task in 41.2 overs.

Earlier, India bowled out Australia for 199 following a disciplined effort with the ball.

Captain Pat Cummins opted to bat first after winning the toss but things didn't go as planned for the visitors, who were reeling at 119 for five in the 30th over.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (3/38) did the bulk of the damage with his middle over blows.

Steven Smith top-scored for the Aussies with 46 off 71 balls, while David Warner made 41 from 52 balls.

Brief scores: Australia: 199 all out in 49.3 overs (Steven Smith 46, David Warner 41; Ravindra Jadeja 3/38, Kuldeep Yadav 2/42, Jasprit Bumrah 2/35).

India: 201/4 in 41.2 overs (Virat Kohli 85, KL Rahul 97 not out; Josh Hazlewood 3/38).

With PTI inputs

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Hallan muertos en Ecuador a los 6 acusados de asesinar a Fernando Villavicencio

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WATCH | Moment When Building Behind TV Reporter Gets Bombed in Live Show from Gaza

In the video, the reporter can be seen screaming as a bomb dropped on a Palestinian tower behind her

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Gary Wang, a FTX Founder, Says Sam Bankman-Fried Steered Misuse of Funds

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Myanmar's Top Court Declines to Hear Suu Kyi's Special Appeals in Abuse of Power and Bribery Cases

The legal official, who is familiar with Suu Kyi’s court cases, said the appeals that the court in the capital Naypyitaw declined to hear included four cases in which she was convicted for abusing her position to rent parcels of land and property in Naypyitaw and Yangon, the country’s biggest city

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World Cup: Pakistan Bowlers Deliver To Set Up 81-Run Win Over Netherlands

Netherlands' star all-rounder Bas de Leede did all he could, but Pakistan put up an improved bowling effort to pick up an 81-run victory in their World Cup opener in Hyderabad on Friday. De Leede took four wickets with his medium-pace as a resolute Netherlands limited Pakistan to 286 all out in 49 overs. The Dutch were in the run chase till opener Vikramjit Singh (52 off 67) and de Leede (67 off 68) were in the middle but the end of their 70-run stand for the third wicket led to their downfall. They were eventually bowled out for 205 in 41 overs.

World Cup Schedule | World Cup Points Table

Pakistan's bowling, which was found wanting in the warm-up games, delivered in the middle-overs.

Haris Rauf (3/43) hurried the middle-order duo of Teja Nidamanuru and Scott Edwards to strike twice in the 27th over.

Shaheen Afridi trapped Saqib Zulfikar in front with a fast and full ball to make it 158 for six and when left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz dismissed De Leede with a beauty, it was game over for the associate team in the competition. Under fire vice-captain Shadab Khan also raised his game with the ball.

With minimal foot movement, Vikramjit's stroke play against Shaheen in the powerplay was effective as he collected three boundaries off the star pacer. De Leede's six over wide long-on against the turn off Nawaz stood out in his sublime knock.

In the end, de Leede was left to do too much on his own.

Earlier, Pakistan suffered two mini collapses in their innings, one at the top of the order and the other one after a 120-run stand off 114 balls between Mohammad Rizwan (68 off 75) and Saud Shakeel (68 off 52) for the fourth wicket.

While de Leede got the important breakthroughs in the middle-overs, off-spinners Aryan Dutt (1/48) and Colin Ackermann (2/39) got a lot out of the Hyderabad surface.

Playing their first World Cup game in 12 years, Netherlands used as many as eight bowling options after opting to field.

Dutt opened the bowling for Netherlands alongside Logan van Beek who got his outswing (inswing to the left-handers) going in the powerplay.

Pakistan were in a nervy state after losing Fakhar Zaman (12), skipper Babar Azam (5) and Imam Ul Haq (15) by the 10th over.

Van Beek had the out-of-form Zaman caught and bowled before Ackermann got the prized wicket of Babar whose attempted pull landed straight into the hands of the mid-wicket fielder.

Paul van Meekran struck on his very first ball as his short ball got big on Imam who pulled it straight to fine-leg, leaving Pakistan at 38 for three.

Rizwan and Saud gave the innings much-needed stability. Shakeel, playing only his seventh ODI, was particularly impressive against the spinners. His effort included nine fours and six via a slog sweep off Roelof Van der Merwe.

De Leede broke the stand by removing Rizwan with a ball that cut back in to sneak through the batter's defence.

From 188 for six, Nawaz (39) and Shadab (32) forged a 64-run partnership to take the team past 250.

Pakistan were on course to reach 300 but De Leede got rid of Shadab and Hasan Ali off successive balls to put the brakes on their scoring.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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