Key occasions
twenty fourth over: Afghanistan 100-3 (Hashmatullah 24, Azmatullah 12) An over of singles, the return higher than most in latest instances, but it surely’s arduous to know what Afghanistan’s plan is right here, as a result of until they do one thing vital and shortly, they’ll seemingly have their lower-middle-order in search of to thrash one thing respectable when India’s quicks return.
twenty third over: Afghanistan 94-3 (Hashmatullah 21, Azmatullah 9) Azmatullah forces to lengthy on they usually run one, then folds in half taking one on the pad. There’s an enchantment however I feel the ball was taking place and Rohit doesn’t overview when the umpire says not out. It’s a superb over this, Kuldeep various tempo and size to fox the batters, and I think about Rohit will let this pair bowl till he’s compelled to take one or t’different off – and if Afghanistan can’t make that occur, they’ll set a paltry goal.
twenty second over: Afghanistan 93-3 (Hashmatullah 21, Azmatullah 8) Jadeja goes full and Hashmatullah goes arduous, down on one knee to top-edge a slog-sweep; it yields 5 as a result of the umpire calls no ball, then the free hit is caught at mid on they usually run a single. One extra follows, and that’s seven off the over, significantly better from Afghanistan. Can they construct on it?
twenty first over: Afghanistan 86-3 (Hashmatullah 16, Azmatullah 7) Hashmatullah directs to level, then Azamtullah flicks previous the bowler’s dive for a single to lengthy on. Another, nurdled sq., follows, however the run price is right down to 4.10 now, and Afghanistan are in massive hassle, the match trickling away from them.
twentieth over: Afghanistan 83-3 (Hashmatullah 14, Azmatullah 6) Hashmatullah takes one to cowl, the one run from the over. And, although it makes good sense for Afghanistan to rebuild by way of this stage of the match, given Siraj and Bumrah are to return, it additionally makes good sense for them to attempt to accumulate now.
nineteenth over: Afghanistan 82-3 (Hashmatullah 13, Azmatullah 6) Single to Hashmatullah, then Azmatullah cuts arduous; however straight to the sweeper, which means they run only one extra – likewise when the skipper finds midwicket.
18th over: Afghanistan 79-3 (Hashmatullah 10, Azmatullah 5) And now it’s Jadeja from the opposite finish, on to hurry by way of his overs and spirit the innings away from Afghanistan earlier than they’ve even seen. The extra I give it some thought, the extra it’s Thakur and Pandya who had and must go if the underdogs are to set a difficult goal, as a result of the squeeze is now on; Hashmatullah forces one to lengthy on, the one run from the over.
seventeenth over: Afghanistan 78-3 (Hashmatullah 10, Azmatullah 5) And right here’s Kuldeep now, curly fringe swishing within the wind. I actually like the way in which he skips into the crease, which provides him the tempo to energy by way of it, and he’s ripping it arduous and quick, conceding simply two singles in his opening over.
sixteenth over: Afghanistan 76-3 (Hashmatullah 9, Azmatullah 4) Hashmatullah turns to leg they usually run two; three singles observe and that is respectable stuff from the batters. However, they know that they want a rating to make India suppose and, with Jadeja and Yadav but to bowl, now is likely to be the time to money in. The drawback, after all, is the danger that in the event that they go all out, they get skittled.
fifteenth over: Afghanistan 70-3 (Hashmatullah 5, Azmatullah 2) Azmatullah drives one to cowl, then Hashmatullah will get up on his tippy-toes to pressure two down the bottom, Rohit chasing to save lots of the boundary. India are squeezing right here, figuring out Afghanistan must rebuild whereas scoring, and this subsequent passage of play might nicely outline the match.
14th over: Afghanistan 66-3 (Hashmatullah 2, Azmatullah 1) Azmatullah runs down to 3rd, getting off the mark within the course of, then Hashmatulla edges two. This is a key, most likely the key partnership, and the skipper will realize it’s his accountability to commandeer it.
REVIEW! OUT!
Much nearer than I believed, the ball angled throughout Rahmat and hitting the highest of leg – says Hawkeye – so it’s umpire’s name and India are rolling.
REVIEW!
In hope, I feel
WICKET! Rahmat lbw b Thakur 16 (Afghanistan 63-3)
We’ve seen his one earlier than. A break brings a break in focus and Rahmt’s missed clip means he’s hutchwards certain.
thirteenth over: Afghanistan 63-2 (Rahmat 16, Azmatullah 0) That wicket is likely to be a turning level as a result of Gurbaz was batting nicely whereas Rahmat has struggled a bit. And it was an honest supply too, Pandya’s quickest to date speeding the batter. Drinks.
WICKET! Gurbaz c Thakur b Pandya 21 (Afghanistan 63-2)
Gurbaz tries a pull however picks out huge deep advantageous the place Thakur, on the rope, does fantastically to catch, throw up, step again and accumulate.
thirteenth over: Afghanistan 63-1 (Gurbaz 21, Rahmat 16) Rahmat turns Hardik’s first ball for 4 to advantageous leg, then runs down one to 3rd.
twelfth over: Afghanistan 58-1 (Gurbaz 21, Rahmat 11) I’m wondering if the batters will look to get after Thakur, as a result of on a pitch like this, they want runs to set one thing aggressive, and he is likely to be the bowler they aim. Rahmat does attempt to swing, lacking, however then a bouncer offers him one to get underneath and he pulls over midwicket for 4; shot. And what’s this?! Shakul runs in and the ball slips out of his hand, a beamer yielding a free hit; he goes huge making an attempt to restrict the harm, solely to be known as huge. A single follows, a low full toss proscribing the hitting scope, then a dot.
eleventh over: Afghanistan 51-1 (Gurbaz 21, Rahmat 6) A brace of singles open this second Hardik over, then a well-run third makes it three.
tenth over: Afghanistan 48-1 (Gurbaz 20, Rahmat 4) Shardul Thakur into the assault, underneath a little bit of strain given he’s been included as a substitute of the genius Ravi Ashwin … and after three dots, Gurbaz picks the size of a brief one, ready earlier than humping it over midwicket for six! He caught that superbly! Those are the one runs off the over, and that is growing into a very enjoyable match.
ninth over: Afghanistan 42-1 (Gurbaz 14, Rahmat 4) Hardik replaces Bumrah and is rapidly pushed to deep backward level for 4. A no-ball follows, and that is shaping up properly.
“Love how Indian commentators claim Bumrah is the ‘best white ball bowler in the World’,’ emails Jerry Clode. “Last tour to New Zealand, he did not get one wicket.”
I nonetheless suppose I’d decide him forward of each different bowler on the planet, although. No one is good the entire time, however I’m undecided anybody is good as usually as he’s or, extra importantly, as reliably wonderful.
eighth over: Afghanistan 37-1 (Gurbaz 10, Rahmat 4) Gurbaz turns away Siraj’s first ball one to deep backward sq. and I discover the bowler is carrying a t-short underneath his strip – maybe he’s making an attempt to Derartu Tulu the batters into fearing his superhuman capability to tolerate warmth. Oh, and that is fascinating: we now see footage of him selecting the ball and, fairly than seeking to see how proud its seam is, he flicks it as much as see how straight it stays. For all the great it’s doing him, a full one given each probability to swing leaned into by Rahmat who drives by way of cowl for 4.
seventh over: Afghanistan 32-1 (Gurbaz 9, Rahmat 0) Two dots finish the over. On Bumrah, he advantages from that unusual quirk of bowling: those that do it to technical perfection – like, say, Brett Lee and Michael Holding – are more durable to face than these with a messy, ball-hiding model – like, say, Wasim and Bumrah.
WICKET! Zadran I c Rahul b Bumrah 22 (Afghanistan 32-1)
Another boomer from Bumrah! He hurls down full and straight, cramping Zadran for size and width, and the batter barely has time to maneuver earlier than edging behind.
seventh over: Afghanistan 32-0 (Gurbaz 9, Zadran I 22) Zadran tries a minimize and as a substitute edges arduous by way of the place ssecond slip isn’t, a 3rd 4 in 5 balls…
sixth over: Afghanistan 28-0 (Gurbaz 9, Zadran I 18) Zadran takes one to cowl, then Gurbaz will get himself going, moving into an enormous stride that turns a full wobble-seamer right into a half-volley; the ball flies away to the purpose fence. And take a look! Gurbaz stands and delivers, ready for Siraj and barely shifting toes to lamp by way of cowl, on the up, for the second boundary-four of the over! That’s a terrific shot, and Afghanistan are coming…
fifth over: Afghanistan 19-0 (Gurbaz 1, Zadran I 17) With the rating ticking now, Rohit removes a slip, then Zadran waves a cross-bat at a wider one however with out actual intention, doing nicely to keep away from nicking off. One off the over, an inside-edge to sq. leg, and I’m wondering if Rohit is considering a change.
“Why is Australia so low on your retirement tour list?” asks Steve Hoare. “As you say, there are nice places to go on holiday (eg. Sri Lanka) but surely the fire of an Ashes tour places it near the top? Or are you just too afraid of the depressing defeat?”
Ha! I ought to’ve stated there aren’t any unhealthy choices, however I suppose my present state of mind is searching for one thing totally different, fairly than England with higher climate and surroundings.
4th over: Afghanistan 18-0 (Gurbaz 1, Zadran I 16) Zadran provides a single, and his aspect have made an appropriate begin.
REVIEW! NOT OUT!
The ball hit Zadran what regarded proper in entrance, on the again pad – I fearful for him. But Michael Gough was on the bowler’s finish which ought to’ve advised me one thing, and although the ball was a goodun – a wobble-seamer that jagged in – it did an excessive amount of and was lacking leg.
4th over: Afghanistan 18-0 (Gurbaz 1, Zadran I 15) Zadran is powerful off his legs and when Siraj strays straight, he’s flicked by way of midwicket for 4; that’s very properly timed. And fo mo observe in comparable vein, one other despatched to the midwicket fence; that one wasn’t off the meat however nonetheless sped away. But what’s this?! Zadran misses, wears ball on pad punkt in entrance, and when the umpires reject the enchantment, Rohit goes upstairs. It seems a superb name to me…
third over: Afghanistan 6-0 (Gurbaz 0, Zadran I 5) Three dots, then Zadran drives to additional the place Pandya dives to save lots of the boundary as they run one. Two additional singles observe – they’re milking him now! – which completes the over. Back to Bumrah, although, the place is he within the record of bowlers you’d most hate to face? Obviously there are and have been loads faster, however few who’ve bowled as rapidly on the stumps and subsequently the physique. Yes, I’m saying I’d sway or duck and watch Cuddly’s bouncers go by.
2nd over: Afghanistan 6-0 (Gurbaz 0, Zadran I 5) Mohammed Siraj opens from the opposite finish and Zadran has a fiddle at a full one which leaves him; he misses, however that was near the sting. Zadran, although, places it away to drive one which doesn’t swing down the bottom. Pandya ought to meet up with it, although the outfield is fast however, on the slide, he flicks the ball up into his chest, sending it over the fence. Happy thirtieth birthday, Hardik! A single follows, edged with gentle arms, and Afghanistan can be happy with their begin.
1st over: Afghanistan 1-0 (Gurbaz 0, Zadran I 0) Gurbaz defends a heavy ball then lets one go, previous to lacking a flip to leg; huge ball. Bumrah responds nicely, discovering extreme inswing and a few motion off the seam; Gurbaz does nicely to put on it on the pad. On which level, is Bumrah the most effective bowler on the planet, all codecs thought of? I feel he is likely to be, and given the tempo and carry we noticed in that first over, he’s going to be an element on this match. Of course he’s.
We’re not there, however one advantageous day we can be and within the meantime, we’re right here. Off we go, Bumrah with the ball, Gurbaz and Zadran I ready for him. Good luck, previous mates.
The floor isn’t full, but it surely’s received a good few in and is, I feel, filling up. It’s loud.
And anthem time.
A second of silence to mirror on the Afghanistan earthquakes. Godspeed, folks.
Here come the groups!
So what’s the order of desire for OBO Retirement Tours? As issues stand now I’m going:
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India for a World Cup
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India Test
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Pakistan
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Sri Lanka
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South Africa
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New Zealand
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West Indies
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Zimbabwe
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Australia
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Bangladesh
So how will this match go? We’re advised right now’s monitor isn’t the belter we had right here final week, which ought to assist Afghanistan. They’re not more likely to set a monster, but when they’ll get themselves aggressive with one thing above 250, if their spinners put the strangle on, they’ll make a match of his.
Teams!
India: Sharma (c), Kishan, Kohli, Iyer, Rahul (wk) Pandya, Jadeja, Thakur, Yadav, bumrah, Siraj.
Afghanistan: Gurbaz (wk), Zadran I, Shah, Shahidi (c), Nabi, Zadran N, Omarzai, Khan, Ur Rahman, Farooqi, Ul-Haq.
Afghanistan win the toss and can bat!
Rohit sends the coin miles then Hashmatullah Shahidi tells Ravi Shastri that he fancies his workforce with the bat regardless of a poor efficiency in opposition to Bangladesh, because it’s an awesome monitor; his workforce are unchanged. India, in the meantime, would’ve fielded first and have nice confidence following their first match – particularly, Rohit praises the batting of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, and in any other case, Shardul Thakur replaces Ravi Ashwin.
Here comes the toss…
The final match right here – in Delhi, not my north London box-room – was a run-fest, South Africa making 428-5 and Sri Lanka 326. If India win the toss and bat, we might see one thing sub sub sub substantial; if Afghanistan do, they could fancy taking first knock to attempt to put the hosts underneath strain.
Breaking: as per Cricinfo, it’s sizzling in Delhi. Who knew?
Preamble
Like all regular folks, I spend vital portions of time debating in what order I’m going to do England’s abroad excursions – when, after all, my OBO digs permit me to retire a wealthy man. Generally, this record includes Test serieseseses – a little bit of Caribbean beach-fun right here, some Saffer safari there – however more and more, I’m considering that nothing can examine to following India by way of an Indian World Cup.
When we go on sporting journeys, what we’re searching for, most of all, is depth. Sure, it’s good to have a pleasant vacation, however we don’t want cricket for that; what the sport brings that’s totally different is context, and 1.4 billion folks all fanatically obsessed by the identical, self-contained surprise, offers this factor of ours as a lot weight at it will possibly probably bear. Nothing within the sport issues extra; nothing within the sport even comes shut.
India began the event properly, walloping Australia, whereas Afghanistan took a hiding off Bangladesh; chances are high, one thing comparable occurs right now. Limited-overs cricket, although, permits for one critical efficiency to outline a match, likewise one main choke, and given the strain underneath which India exist, each choices are doable. But even when right now goes as anticipated and ends in an easy win for the event favourites, the very fact stays: what we’re about to take pleasure in is the best occasion presently taking place on this terrible, fantastic planet of ours, so let’s wade proper in.
Play: 2.30am native, 9.30am BST
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