'What's your focus? Ball, bat, that's it' – Aaqib Javed plays down Ind-Pak hype

India vs Pakistan matches will always be passionate affairs. But for Pakistan’s players, this is just another opportunity to do the cricketing things they train to do as professionals. The hype, Pakistan’s coach Aaqib Javed feels, is external.”For the cricketers, this is a profession,” Aaqib said. “For them, it definitely is an honour. But, it is a profession. You try your best. In that, you sometimes lose as well. It is a match… one team will win, one will lose. How does it matter? Why so much pressure? Every game is different.”In a Pakistan-India game, the energy will remain high. And this is the beauty of this contest. What does the crowd do? When you play well, the crowd supports you, they clap their hands. When you play poorly, be it India or Pakistan, the home crowd will go against you. As a player, you shouldn’t keep the crowd in mind. We never kept it and neither should these players. What’s your focus? Ball, bat – that’s it.”Related

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Focusing fully on the cricket and not the external hype becomes all the more important for Pakistan, given, after their opening-day loss to New Zealand, they really need points on the board.There is also particular focus on this game, because although Pakistan are the official hosts, they have had to travel to Dubai, where India have set up camp, and have already played a match. There have been suggestions that it is India who are enjoying the closest thing to home advantage in this scenario. But Aaqib played those suggestions down.”There’s no advantage [for India] at all, because if you look at all the Pakistani players, they have been playing leagues here,” Aaqib said. “The PSL has been played here. So there’s nothing really – there’s no advantage or disadvantage.” Not to forget, nearly all of Pakistan’s home fixtures were played in the UAE between 2009 and 2019.The surface in Dubai is expected to play slower and lower than those in Pakistan, partly because the ILT20 was played here over the past six weeks. Very few of the strips on the square are fresh.”We also have to see the pitch and the ground here,” Aaqib said. “Are these similar to the one we have in Pakistan or are they different? We will play in accordance with the pitches, conditions and the opposition team.”

Zimbabwe set to host Ireland for all-format series in February

Zimbabwe are set to host Ireland for an all-format tour consisting of seven matches in February, the board announced on Friday. The tour will begin with a one-off Test match from February 6 to 10 in Bulawayo, before the white-ball leg in Harare. The teams will play three ODIs on February 14, 16 and 18 and as many T20Is on February 22, 23 and 25. Originally, this series was pencilled in for two Tests along with six white-ball games in the ICC men’s Future Tours Programme (FTP).Zimbabwe are currently in the final leg of their multi-format home series against Afghanistan, where they lost both T20I and ODI series 2-1 and 2-0 respectively and secured a draw in the high-scoring, rain-affected first Test. The tour concludes with the ongoing second Test, on January 6.Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni stressed on the significance of hosting back-to-back full tours.”We are delighted to welcome Ireland for what promises to be an exciting and competitive tour,” he said. “Hosting two full tours in quick succession is a testament to our commitment to providing our players with regular international cricket and to our efforts in growing the game in Zimbabwe.”

Ireland tour of Zimbabwe

  • One-off Test: Feb 6-10, Bulawayo

  • 1st ODI: Feb 14

  • 2nd ODI: Feb 16

  • 3rd ODI: Feb 18

  • 1st T20I: Feb 22

  • 2nd T20I: Feb 23

  • 3rd T20I: Feb 25

(Both ODIs and T20Is in Harare)

Zimbabwe and Ireland have played only Test against each other, in July 2024 in Belfast. The hosts Ireland won the match by four wickets. Zimbabwe last hosted Ireland in late 2023 for six white-ball fixtures. They lost the T20Is 2-1 and the ODIs 2-0.

Topping earns maiden Test call-up for Ireland

Morgan Topping has earned a maiden call-up to the Test and ODI squads for this tour for Ireland. The right-hand batter represents Northern Knights and plays in the top order in domestic cricket.*Legspinner Gavin Hoey, after making his international debut against South Africa last October, has retained his place in the ODI squad and is also in line for a Test debut. Topping and Hoey are the only non-capped players in the Test squad.Fast bowlers Barry McCarthy, whose last international appearance was the Test against Zimbabwe last July, and Gareth Delany – who last played in a T20I in June last year – have returned from injuries. While McCarthy features in all the squads, Delany is included in the T20I squad.Andrew White, national men’s selector, said: “After a break since the series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi, it will be great to see us get back into action in a few weeks’ time. Since 2007, there has been some wonderful contests against Zimbabwe and this should be no different – and it’s exciting to have all three formats on this tour.”Morgan Topping gains his first international call up at senior level having recovered from injury which prevented him making his debut against South Africa last year. He has demonstrated key attributes needed to perform at international level over recent Wolves and Academy fixtures and we wish him well.”It’s going to be exciting to see our two young spinners and the likes of Ross Adair again in action alongside the experienced players and we do, of course, have the return of Josh Little who had a big impact the last time we were in Zimbabwe.”We also have Gareth Delany and Barry McCarthy returning from injury, while Craig Young misses out in the T20 format on this occasion.”It promises to be a very busy cycle ahead – from 2026 to 2028 we will see three white-ball World Cups, however, we have 2025 free from ICC events to build towards this key period.”Ireland Test squad: Andrew Balbirnie (capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andrew McBrine , Barry McCarthy, Peter Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Morgan Topping, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.Ireland ODI squad: Paul Stirling (capt), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Morgan Topping, Lorcan Tucker, Craig YoungIreland T20I squad: Paul Stirling (capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White*

BCB introduces national contracts for 30 more women in Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has introduced national contracts for an additional 30 female cricketers who are either uncapped or haven’t played for Bangladesh for some time. This is in addition to the 18 centrally-contracted women, and the newly-contracted players will get a monthly salary till June 2025. The contract system is similar to the men’s first-class contracts in Bangladesh and is aimed at increasing the pool of players across the country.The existing centrally-contracted players were also given a raise in the BCB meeting on Saturday.”The women’s national contract is similar to the first-class players’ contract for male cricketers,” the BCB stated in a release. “The board has decided to introduce this in an effort to provide financial stability to a larger pool of women cricketers. Thirty cricketers, who are not a part of the central contract, have been placed in the women’s national contract for the November 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 period.”The BCB has raised the salary in all four grades of their women’s central contracts for the October 2024 to June 2025 period. Grades A and B will now get BDT 120,000 (US$ 1,000 approx.) and BDT 100,000 ($850 approx.) per month respectively – up by BDT 20,000 each from 2023-24 – while Grades C and D will get BDT 70,000 ($600 approx.) and BDT 60,000 ($500 approx.) per month respectively – an increase of BDT 10,000 each.Among the 18 contracted cricketers, Sharmin Akhter, Murshida Khatun and Marufa Akter were promoted from grade C to B.The BCB has also introduced match- and series-winning bonus for the women. They will receive BDT 100,000 ($850 approx.) and BDT 50,000 ($420 approx.) in ODIs and T20Is respectively for beating a top-three side in the ICC rankings. The bonus amounts for beating teams ranked from fourth to sixth are BDT 75,000 ($630 approx.) and BDT 35,000 ($300 approx.) and for beating those ranked seventh to ninth are BDT 50,000 ($420 approx.) and BDT 30,000 ($250 approx.).

Bangladesh women’s central contracts for October 2024 to June 2025

  • Grade A (BDT 120,000): Nigar Sultana Joty, Fargana Haque, Ritu Moni, Nahida Akter
  • Grade B (BDT 100,000): Fahima Khatun, Shamima Sultana, Sharmin Akhter, Murshida Khatun, Marufa Akter, Rabeya Khan
  • Grade C (BDT 70,000): Sobhana Mostary, Lata Mondal, Jahanara Alam, Shorna Akter
  • Grade D (BDT 60,000): Disha Biswas, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Shathi Rani

Bangladesh women with national contracts

Salma Khatun, Rumana Ahmed, Ishma Tanjim, Fariha Trisna, Sumaiya Akter, Sharmin Sultana, Rubya Haider, Farzana Akter, Suraya Azmim, Puja Chakroborty, Nishita Akter Nishi, Shampa Biswas, Jannatul Ferdus Sumona, Sabikun Nahar Jesmin, Sanjida Akter Meghla, Fatema Jahara, Reya Akter Shika, Misty Shaha, Jannatul Ferdous Tithi, Ayesha Akter (Jr.), Fuara Begum, Mosammat Eva, Sumaiya Akter Shuborna, Jannatul Maoua, Dipa Khatun, Afia Ashima Era, Unnoti Akter, Taj Nehar, Shorifa Khatun

'If you play only one way, you don't grow' – for Gambhir, it's adaptability above all else

Test cricket isn’t what it used to be, and India have kept pace with the times – think of the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh just recently. But while run rates have soared and batters are looking for more boundary-scoring opportunities, India head coach Gautam Gambhir believes adaptability is still the most crucial element.”We want to be that team which can score 400 in a day bat for two days to salvage a draw,” Gambhir said ahead of India’s first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. “And you call that growth, you call that adaptability, you call that Test cricket. If you play only one way, then there is no growth.”I can’t talk about world cricket. Every team has their ideologies, their methods to play Test cricket. I can only talk about my team. If we are ever in such a situation where we have to bat for two days to draw a Test, we have players in the dressing room who can bat for two days. Ultimately, our first motive is to win a match and then if there is a situation where the team has to play for a draw, we have to keep those options open as well. That is the kind of Test cricket that we want to play.”Related

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As for the “high-risk, high-reward” approach, Gambhir was on board, and even doesn’t mind India getting bundled for 100 in the process as long as the batters play their natural games and take the game head-on – even in Test cricket.”Yeah, we want people to be aggressive, we want people to go out there and play their natural game. If they can play the natural game, if they can get 400-500 runs in a day, why not? We will play it that way – high-risk, high-reward; high-risk, high-failure,” Gambhir said. “There will be days when we’ll get bundled up for 100 but we’ll continue to back our players.”That’s how we want to play and that’s how we want to entertain the people of this country and, even in Test cricket, we want to keep the game going forward and get the results in whatever situation we are in.”India head into the three-match series against New Zealand high on confidence. They are on a six-game winning streak at home that dates back to February this year and are perched at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) table.New Zealand, on the other hand, haven’t had the best of starts to their subcontinent trip. Their (non-WTC) Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida was washed out before they were mowed down 2-0 in Sri Lanka. Add to that, New Zealand don’t have the greatest of records against spin in recent times and are currently placed sixth on the WTC table.”I think New Zealand is a completely different challenge,” Gambhir said. “We know that they’re a very, very good team. They’ve got some really high-quality players. They’ve got players who can hurt us. They’ve got players who can do the job for them as well. They keep fighting and we expect them to fight as well. So we respect them, but we don’t fear anyone.1:46

Can India prep for Australia tour in home Tests against New Zealand?

“I’ve said it many times that we will always respect every opposition. We want to be selfless. We want to try and play the game as hard as possible on the cricket field. Once the game is done, we want to be as humble as possible.”With 74.24% points, India are well placed for a third consecutive WTC final appearance, and while a series win here will not guarantee them a spot in the final, it will make things easier for them especially considering that they next take on Australia in a five-match series in Australia.”See, the first thing is that the World Test Championship is in June [2025]. And the second thing is that the Test match in Australia is on November 22. Right now, only New Zealand is on our mind and nothing else,” Gambhir said. “When you play international cricket, you don’t think about how to prepare for the five Test matches in the Australia series or how to prepare for the World Test Championship final. Right now, the most important thing is how to be ready on October 16 at 9.30am. That is more important because you don’t see ahead that far.”Whatever match you play for your country, you try to win it irrespective of who is the opposition and where that series will take place. Whether it is New Zealand or Australia, we will try to win our country in every match.”

Pant and Gill likely to be fit to play Pune Test

Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill are both likely to be available for the second Test against New Zealand, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has suggested two days out of the game.India are also hopeful of Pant returning to action as a wicketkeeper as they aim to bounce back from the defeat in the series opener in Bengaluru.Pant hurt his knee on the second day of the Test when he was attempting to stump Devon Conway in the 37th over of New Zealand’s innings. He failed to collect the ball and copped a blow. He winced in pain and went off the field straightaway. Dhruv Jurel took the gloves from Pant and kept for the rest of the first innings and the 27.4 overs of New Zealand’s second innings.Related

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Gill had missed the Bengaluru Test with neck stiffness.”Rishabh’s pretty good,” ten Doeschate said. “I think Rohit [Sharma] touched on it the other day. He was having a little bit of discomfort at the end range of his movement with the knee. But fingers crossed he’ll be good to keep in this Test as well.”He’s batted last week in Bangalore, he had a few nets,” ten Doeschate said of Gill. “He’s got a little bit of discomfort, but I’ll think he will be good to go for the Test.”The team will of course be wary of taking risks with Pant’s knee because of the serious knee injuries he sustained in a car crash in December 2022. While he did come back to bat in India’s second innings in Bengaluru, hitting 99 off 105 balls, he showed signs of discomfort while running between the wickets. After India had lost that Test, captain Rohit had called for an “extra careful” approach with respect to Pant’s injury.During India’s first practice session in Pune on Tuesday, it was Jurel who was the first to undergo keeping drills with Pant watching from the sidelines. Pant then batted at full tilt in the nets against India’s spinners and net bowlers. Pant also kept wicket at the fag end of India’s training session.His injury kept him off the field while India bowled, but Rishabh Pant later came out to bat in the second innings•AFP/Getty Images

Ten Doeschate also clarified that R Ashwin, who just bowled two overs in New Zealand’s chase of 107 in the first Test, isn’t carrying any injury. Ashwin had conceded 94 runs in 16 overs for just one wicket in New Zealand’s first innings, as Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee took the attack to him, but India aren’t reading too much into it.”Ashwin’s fine. He’s absolutely fine,” ten Doeschate said. “He bowled nicely. I know he bowled only two overs in the second innings, but it looked like his pace and his rhythm were back to where it needs to be.”With Pune set to roll out a low-bounce black-soil pitch that could aid turn, India have beefed up their spin stocks by calling up offspin-bowling allrounder Washington Sundar as their fourth spin-bowling option behind Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Ten Doeschate dismissed notions that Washington had been added to the squad as part of “desperate measures” after India had been shaken up in Bengaluru.Ryan ten Doeschate explained the logic behind adding Washington Sundar to the India squad as a fourth spin option•PTI

“Did you say desperate measures? No, definitely not,” ten Doeschate said. “Look, we’ve obviously got Axar in the squad as well and with four left-handers in their XI, we want the option to take the ball away from the left-handers as well.”That count could increase to five if New Zealand choose to boost their own spin attack by recalling Mitchell Santner. Washington has not played Test cricket for India since March 2021, but his recent form in red-ball cricket is encouraging. In the second round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy, Washington made 152 from No. 3 and followed it with a match haul of six wickets for Tamil Nadu on a fairly flat Delhi pitch. While there wasn’t much turn on offer at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Washington kept things tight and even managed to challenge the outside edge of the right-hand batters with some drift.”We’ve had Washy around the white-ball squad for a while and [we] like the way he operates,” ten Doeschate said. “And it’s also nice to see guys are getting rewarded for Ranji Trophy performances as well. So hopefully that sends a good message out to the other guys and it’s certainly not a desperate measure. We’ve certainly got a lot of faith in the spinners that we have, and we just want to make sure we’re absolutely prepared for the conditions and if that does mean taking the ball away from the left-hander, we want that option.”

Official says govt will provide Shakib with security on Dhaka return

Bangladesh’s government will provide Shakib Al Hasan with the security that is accorded to a national cricketer, but Shakib also has to clarify his political standpoint according to the country’s sports adviser Asif Mahmud. Mahmud said that Shakib, a former member of parliament whose party the Awami League was overthrown by a student-led revolution last month, can appease the public with him with his “own words”.Mahmud was alluding to Shakib’s plunging popularity after he remained silent during the student-led protests in July and August, during which hundreds were killed. On Thursday, in Kanpur, during his first press conference since the T20 World Cup in June, Shakib skirted the subject when asked about his position on the political changes in Bangladesh.He announced during the same media briefing that the upcoming Dhaka Test between Bangladesh and South Africa will be his last, provided the BCB and/or the government can guarantee his safety. Since the protests, scores of Awami League ministers and MPs have been arrested in Bangladesh. Shakib, along with 146 others, was named in a murder case related to the protests, and he has not been in Bangladesh since then or for that matter at any point since the start of the T20 World Cup. He linked up with the squad directly in Pakistan and India for Test series.Related

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Sports adviser Mahmud said Shakib’s dual role as a cricketer and a politician had drawn the public’s wrath, and that’s where the complication lies.”The state is bound to give security to each citizen, so we will obviously [provide him with security]. In Shakib’s case, we have to remember that he has two identities – the cricketer and the politician. He took part in the general elections from Awami League. People have mixed reactions regarding both his identities. Now we will give Shakib, the player, enough security, as much as a sportsperson. This is our responsibility. We will give him [security] if he comes to the country.”The public could however be angry at him for his political identity. If half the country’s population is angry at me, then the five or six security persons I have won’t be enough to protect me. Shakib can however reduce the public’s anger through his own words. I think he has to clarify his political standpoint. [Former Bangladesh captain and MP] Mashrafe Mortaza already talked about his situation. So if there are security risks from the people, then no one can give security to anyone. Even [then prime minister] Sheikh Hasina could not be provided the security, she had to flee the country. So Shakib has to make his political stance clear.”Mahmud said that the murder case shouldn’t be an obstacle for Shakib, referring to a recent statement by law adviser Asif Nazrul. Nazrul made statements last month and on September 25 that suggested Shakib will not face arrest by merely being named in a case. “Already the law ministry has said about his case, that a name can be removed if the person is not complicit,” Mahmud said.Mahmud’s statement should hold some assurance for Shakib. He is reportedly heading back to the USA, where his family resides, after the Kanpur Test. Shakib isn’t part of the T20I squad for the three-match series against India starting on October 6, having also announced his international retirement from the shortest format.

Bess Heath commits to Durham as David Ripley takes charge of Northants Women

Bess Heath, England’s up-and-coming wicketkeeper-batter, has signed a three-year deal with Durham that will make her one of the mainstays of the Tier 1 outfit, based at Chester-le-Street, when it replaces the existing Northern Diamonds team in the new women’s county competition from 2025 onwards.Heath, 22, has scored more than 3000 runs in all formats since her professional debut four years ago, and made the first of her five England appearances against Sri Lanka last year. In her short career, which began in Derbyshire’s youth system, she has also represented Brisbane Heat, Northern Superchargers, Melbourne Stars and Yorkshire.With Northern Diamonds, she reached the final of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in her maiden season in 2020, then went on to lift the trophy two years later. Last summer, her haul of 286 runs in the same competition earned her a nomination for the PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year award.Her decision to commit to Durham comes with the Diamonds squad in a state of some flux, following the decision to move the new club’s base from Headingley to Chester-le-Street. Lauren Winfield-Hill, Heath’s team-mate and fellow wicketkeeper, who also captains Northern Superchargers, is expected to commit her own future to her native Yorkshire, despite their Tier 2 status next summer.On joining Durham, Heath said: “I am so excited to be joining Durham from next season and get going in the North East. The opportunity to join Durham is something I am very much looking forward to and hopefully I can play my part in creating new history for Durham.”Marcus North, Director of Cricket said: “Bess is one of the most exciting young talents in England, and we are thrilled to have recruited her to Durham on a long-term contract.”Despite being only 22, she already has a tremendous amount of experience in the domestic game and we look forward to seeing her continue to thrive at Durham as she looks to add more England caps.”Meanwhile, David Ripley has been appointed as the Head Coach of Northamptonshire’s Women for their first season in Tier 2 next year.Ripley, who guided Northamptonshire’s men to two T20 Blast titles in 2013 and 2016, also achieved two promotions to the County Championship Division One to cement his status as the club’s greatest coach.He will officially take up his new role in February 2025, ahead of a maiden Tier 2 season that will also feature Derbyshire, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, Leicestershire, Middlesex, Sussex, Worcestershire and Yorkshire.”I’m delighted to be joining the Women’s Steelbacks as Head Coach, it’s exciting times ahead as the new format is rolled out,” Ripley said. “As well as a competitive senior team I hope to help develop our younger girls into future professional players, in partnership with our pathway coaches.”

James Wharton cements Yorkshire dominance after Vishwa Fernando's five

Sri Lankan pace bowler Vishwa Fernando spearheaded a ruthless Yorkshire bowling performance to skittle Derbyshire for 76 on the opening day of the Vitality County Championship match at Chesterfield.On a challenging Queen’s Park pitch, Fernando took 5 for 30 and Jordan Thompson claimed 4 for 31 as Derbyshire subsided in less than 28 overs.It was the third lowest score against Yorkshire in the championship this century and the visitors turned the screw with James Wharton racing to a maiden first-class hundred from only 101 balls.When bad light ended play, Wharton was 116 not out and Johnny Tattersall unbeaten on 41 with Yorkshire 283 for 5, a commanding lead of 207.Derbyshire’s decision to bat first on a green pitch under cloud cover was questionable and the hosts soon had reason to regret it as Yorkshire’s seamers ran through them.Ben Coad celebrated his return from a back injury by removing Mitch Wagstaff lbw with a full length ball in his first over and there were signs of what was to come as he and Fernando repeatedly beat the bat.Luis Reece and Brooke Guest managed to survive for the best part of 14 overs but once Reece edged Fernando low to first slip, Derbyshire fell apart.Although there was enough in the pitch for Fernando and Thompson to exploit, it was a feeble batting display with only four players making double figures.Thompson beat Guest’s defensive push, Fernando removed Wayme Madsen with an inswinging yorker and then trapped Aneurin Donald on the crease with his next ball.Ross Whiteley survived the hat-trick but when David Lloyd was lbw playing across the line at Thompson, Derbyshire had lost five wickets for 10 runs in 23 balls.Rain provided Derbyshire with some respite but after lunch was taken early, the procession continued.Whiteley was brilliantly caught one handed at gully by Thompson who then had Alex Thomson taken low down at third slip before Fernando plucked out Sam Conners middle stump with another inswinging yorker.Zak Chappell struck some defiant blows, including a straight driven six off Thompson who had the last word by having him caught at second slip.Derbyshire’s total was the lowest at Chesterfield since they were bowled out for 57 by Leicestershire in 1989 and to have any chance of staying in the game, they needed early wickets.Yorkshire’s attack had reaped the benefits of maintaining a consistent,probing line but Derbyshire lacked the same discipline, bowling too short or too full.By the time Reece had Fin Bean lbw, Yorkshire had reached 61 in the 13th over and although Adam Lyth drove back a return catch to Reece, the visitors steadily pressed home their advantage.Shan Masood produced some elegant strokes before he played across the line at Daryn Dupavillon and after George Hill and Matthew Revis went cheaply, Wharton grew in confidence to dominate the bowling.After reaching 50 off 63 balls, he pulled Dupavillon for six and launched Thomson over wide long on for another before driving Reece for his 18th four to reach three figures.With Tattersall, he took the game further away from Derbyshire as the pair shared an unbroken stand of 118 on a day of total Yorkshire dominance.

Cummins takes first hat-trick of T20 World Cup 2024

Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins starred with a hat-trick against Bangladesh in the Super Eight game of the T20 World Cup 2024 in Antigua.It was the first hat-trick of this World Cup and the seventh overall in the tournament’s history.Cummins became the second Australian after Brett Lee to achieve this feat in the Men’s T20 World Cup. Curtis Campher (who took four in four balls), Wanindu Hasaranga, Kagiso Rabada, Karthik Meiyappan and Josh Little are the other bowlers to have completed hat-tricks at the event.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

However, Cummins later admitted he had forgotten about the hat-trick chance. “I didn’t know I was on a hat-trick,” he said. “I did the previous over, saw it come up on the screen, and by the time the next over came around had totally forgot about it. Think Stoinis ran in from the deep [and] was cheering and everyone’s like, oh yeah. So, nice one.”After a wicketless first spell, Cummins claimed his hat-trick across overs 18 and 20. On the fifth ball of the 18th over, he induced an inside edge with a short-of-a-length delivery to rattle Mahmudullah’s stumps. The next delivery was also a back-of-a-length ball from outside the off stump which Mahedi Hasan tried to upper-cut, but holed out to Adam Zampa at deep third.When Cummins came on to bowl the final over of the innings, he started with a slower one from outside off against set batter Towhid Hridoy, who scooped the delivery to short fine leg. The hat-trick had Hridoy departing for a 28-ball 40 while it was the sixth time that Mahmudullah was a victim in a hat-trick in international cricket.Cummins’ three wickets and Zampa’s 2 for 24 helped Australia restrict Bangladesh to 140 for 8. Australia were on the charge in their chase led by David Warner’s half-century before rain interrupted the game and Australia were eventually declared winners by 28 runs by DLS method.

Atkinson, Abbott run through Glamorgan for nine-wicket win

South Group leaders Surrey crushed Glamorgan by nine wickets after a superb bowling performance, spearheaded by the pace of Gus Atkinson, Sean Abbott and Spencer Johnson, restricted the Welsh county to just 107 for nine from their 20 overs.Atkinson took wickets with his first and fourth balls early on and finished with 3 for 19, Abbott followed up his 5 for 18 against Middlesex 24 hours earlier by taking 3 for 25 and his fellow Australian, left-arm quick Johnson, picked up 1 for 16 from his four overs.Marnus Labuschagne was top-scorer with 20 and tailender Chris Sole made the next highest score with 15 not out, and Glamorgan’s total was put into context as Surrey rushed to 108 for 1 in reply in only nine overs.Dan Lawrence and Dom Sibley launched Surrey’s chase with a fusillade of boundaries as the opening pair added 53 inside a 62-run powerplay. Sibley went on to 44 not out from 26 balls after Lawrence holed out to deep square leg on 27 from 16 balls, and Laurie Evans then arrived to play some wonderful shots of his own in a 13-ball unbeaten 31.It was Surrey’s sixth win from eight Vitality Blast group games while, for Glamorgan, it was a sorry fifth defeat from their first eight matches in the competition.Lawrence took three fours from the third over, bowled by Chris Sole, and Sibley smashed left-arm seamer Jamie McIroy long on for six before driving the next ball gloriously wide of mid off for four.Evans, meanwhile, hit Dan Douthwaite’s fast-medium over cover for a remarkable six, following it up later in the over with a more orthodox strike high over long on for another maximum. And there was just time for Sibley to sweep Marnus Labuschagne’s leg spin for six and thump him to extra cover for four before also hitting the winning run.Glamorgan’s innings began badly, and never really recovered. Openers Kiran Carlson and Sam Northeast both fell in the second over, with Atkinson having Carlson caught at short extra cover for 1 with his first ball and Northeast (4) beaten by pace three balls later as he flapped at a short one and spooned up to slip.Australian Test batsman Labuschagne did scoop a Jordan Clark full toss high over the keeper for six but Abbott’s introduction for the sixth over brought an immediate reward when Colin Ingram swung at his first ball and was bowled for 8.Glamorgan were only 34 for 3 at the end of the powerplay and the struggle continued against spin as Lawrence snared Labuschagne for 20 and Cameron Steel also bowled his leg breaks accurately.Ben Kellaway reached 11 before Johnson’s return accounted for him, caught at midwicket in the 11th over, and Douthwaite (7) was beaten by a sharply-rising leg-cutter from Abbott and nicked behind.Clark saw Chris Cooke miscue to cover to go for 13 and Glamorgan’s demise continued when Andy Gorvin (5) edged Abbott behind.Mason Crane made only six before nicking a pacy lifter from Atkinson to the keeper and Glamorgan only made it to three figures because, in the final over, Sole carved Abbott high and beyond the ropes at fine third man for six and last man McIlroy produced perhaps the best shot of a forgettable innings by delicately ramping a full-pitched ball to the fine leg boundary.

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