12:00 AM, June 23, 2019 / LAST MODIFIED: 08:13 AM, June 23, 2019

‘Should be careful against Afghans’

Bangladesh batsman Mohammad Mithun spoke to journalists yesterday, ahead of their World Cup match against Afghanistan in Southampton tomorrow. PHOTO: Sakeb Subhan

Sakeb Subhan

Just a few miles from the Bangladesh team hotel in Southampton, the World Cup’s lowest-ranked team was giving the overwhelming favourites a hard time at the Rose Bowl. With the 2019 World Cup so far being anything but straightforward for the Tigers, that Afghanistan -- the one opponent they are overwhelming favourites against -- is finding form two days before playing Bangladesh seems to fit the narrative well.

When Mohammad Mithun was talking to reporters in front of the team hotel before boarding the bus to go to Hampshire’s Rose Bowl for optional practice at 1:00pm yesterday, India were 86 for two after 20 overs -- a far cry from where they would have expected to be at that stage against Afghanistan.

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“I think we have to be more careful, because to a certain extent, you will accept a loss against Australia, because they are above us as a team,” Mithun said when asked whether, after playing against the big teams in their five completed matches so far, a match against Afghanistan offered a chance to relax or if Bangladesh needed to be on their guard.

“But if we lose to Afghanistan…” Mithun laughed nervously. “Everyone is expecting that we will win. Every match is the same in that we play to win. But I think we should be more careful in this game.”

One of the warning signs ahead of tomorrow’s game at the same venue is that the pitch against India -- who were held to a surprisingly low score of 224 for eight -- was that the wicket offered a fair bit of spin. Afghanistan’s two best spinners -- leg-spinner Rashid Khan and off-spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman -- have enjoyed quite a bit of success against Bangladesh. In five matches, Rashid has picked up 10 wickets against Bangladesh at an average of 17 and, as importantly, an economy rate of 3.38 runs per over. Mujeeb, meanwhile has picked up three wickets from two matches against the Tigers, but his economy rate has been even more impressive as he conceded just 3.13 runs per over.

Against India, perhaps the strongest players of spin in the world, both players starred yesterday. Rashid picked up one wicket for 38 runs from 10 overs, while Mujeeb was miserly with figures of one for 26 from his 10.

Another off-spinner who has enjoyed success against Bangladesh, Mohammad Nabi, excelled yesterday with figures of two for 33 from 10 overs, including the prize wicket of Virat Kohli.

Mithun however was confident, despite Bangladesh having to now prepare for spin after facing trials of pace in matches against South Africa, New Zealand, England, West Indies and Australia.

“Bangladesh always play spin well, although they have some world-class spinners. Actually, when you are in a good batting rhythm, then I don’t think there is much problem with adjusting between pace and spin. Batting is all about confidence; if someone is in a good state mentally, he can adjust to anything.”

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England ended their 44-year wait for a maiden 50-overs World Cup title by beating a gutsy New Zealand side on boundaries after a tied Super Over amidst heart-stopping drama on Sunday.

Chasing 242 for victory, Ben Stokes' scintillating 84 not out helped the hosts tie the see-saw contest, forcing the Super Over where more nail-biting excitement unfolded.

Buttler and Stokes took 15 runs off Trent Boult's Super Over without losing their wickets.

New Zealand also scored 15 runs off Jofra Archer's over but England won on boundary count, triggering wild celebrations at Lord's as the hosts capped a stunning turnaround.

Since being unceremoniously dumped out of the 2015 edition of the marquee tournament in Australia, Eoin Morgan's England side have reinvented themselves as a white-ball juggernaut, heading into this World Cup as overwhelming favourites.

Back-to-back defeats by Sri Lanka and Australia in the group stage helped England rediscover the attacking brand of fearless cricket which has been the hallmark of the current team.

They dismantled India and New Zealand to storm into the semi-finals, where they crushed Australia with another ruthless display of all-round excellence.

Sunday's final, England's first since 1992, pitted them against a New Zealand team chasing their own slice of history after spending decades as the tournament's bridesmaids.

CONTROLLED BOWLING

Morgan lost an important toss, but Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes led England's controlled bowling display to restrict New Zealand to 241 for eight on a two-paced wicket.

Henry Nicholls made 55 and Tom Latham chipped in with 47 but lack of significant partnerships hurt New Zealand, who eventually settled for a below-par total.

Nicholls and Williamson put on 74 runs to bolster the New Zealand innings but Plunkett's two-wicket, cross-seam masterclass took the wind out of their sails.

Plunkett dismissed both batsmen just when the partnership was looking dangerous and he eventually finished with 3-42.

Woakes claimed three as well, including the wicket of Latham just when the batsman was looking poised to provide the late charge that could have taken New Zealand past the 250-mark.

New Zealand's new ball pair of Trent Boult and Matt Henry returned determined not to let it become a cakewalk for the hosts.

Henry dismissed the in-form Jason Roy for 10 and Colin de Grandhomme put a struggling Joe Root (7) out of his misery.

England could have been in a bigger hole had de Grandhomme not dropped a waist-high return catch from Bairstow, then on 18.

England were gasping on 86-4 when Stokes was joined by Buttler for a 110-run stand to revive the chase and tie the scores, producing one of the most thrilling matches in the history of the game. (Source: Reuters)

England win a thriller to clinch their maiden World Cup after tied match. England lift the World Cup courtesy of more boundaries in the match as the Super Over also finished on a tie. Both teams scored 15 runs in the Super Over. England are ecstatic after this unbelievable game that created heart-stopping drama right till the last ball of the tournament.

The Kiwis fought till the end and in the final ball of the Super Over, they needed two but Guptill fell short of his crease after hitting it towards mid wicket. Jason Roy picked the ball up at midwicket before he threw it at the striker's end and Buttler took off the bails to hand England the trophy. It took a tie-break rule to seperate the two sides and England won it because of more boundaries in the match.

New Zealand need 16 runs in the Super Over to win the World Cup. Neesham and Martin Guptill are batting for New Zealand.

0.1 - Wide ball from Archer

0.1 - NZ runs two

0.2 - A humongous hit from Neesham. What a hit. Six!

0.3 - Neesham takes two again. NZ need five runs from three deliveries.

0.4 - Another two from Neesham

0.5 - A single this time and Guptill to play last delivery. NZ need two

0.6 - Guptill tries two but he is short of his crease. Run out ! The match is tied but England win the World Cup

Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler has come into bat for England in the Super Over. Boult to bowl the Super Over for the Kiwis. England gets 15 in the Super Over.

Super Over England

0.1 - Three runs. Stokes gets a top edge and goes over third man and England run three.

0.2 - Buttler takes a single

0.3 - Stokes plays it fabulously over mid wicket for four

0.4 - Buttler takes a single

0.5 - Two runs

0.6 - Stokes gets a four.

49.6, Eng 241 all out - The final between New Zealand and England has gone to Super Over in what is the most thrilling final ever in a World Cup match. England needed 15 in the last over and 2 runs were needed off the last delivery bowled by Trent Boult and Stokes who has been batting brilliantly, checked his stroke in the last delivery that he played at long on and tried to steal two. He runs two but his partner Mark Wood at the other end is short of his crease. Run out! What a game of cricket! The World Cup final is tied and there will be a Super Over to decide the fate of the game. Rashid run out (Santner/Boult) 0 (0b 0x4 0x6)

48.6, ENG 227/8: Jofra Archer clean bowled by Neesham by a slower ball.

48.3, ENG 220/7: Plunkett looked to score a six but was caught at long off as Jimmy Neesham scalped his second of the day.

46.1, ENG 203/6: Another wicket as Lockie Ferguson sent Chris Woakes sent back. Ferguson banged in short and a top edge led the ball high in the sky. Wicket keeper Tom Latham went behind to take a comfortable catch at the end to bring life to this chase. Nail biting as Ben Stokes still in the middle. Liam Plunkett in the middle to accompany Stokes.

44.5, ENG 196/5: Lockie Ferguson breaks the hundred run partnership as the substitute fielder Tim Southee took a catch at sweeper cover to send Jos Buttler back. It seemed like this pair would take the England over the line but the batsman sliced a 123kmph ball and never looked in control. New energy in the New Zealand players as they feel like they can defend the total.

New Zealand bowlers have no answer to the Buttler, Stokes pair as the batsmen look to hammer through to victory. Jos Buttler jabbed a Trent Boult ball off the mid wicket for four to bring up his half century, whereas, a ball later, Ben Stokes took a single as he pushed a ball towards to bring up his half century. This one hundred run partnership was the one thing England needed and the New Zealand looked to have no answers to the havoc. Game slipping away from the Kiwis.

A fifty run stand between Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler as England look to chase the total of 242. The batsmen had to toil hard for each run in the initial stages of their innings but as the partnership grew, the players looked to play more freely. A long way to go for the English side to lift their first World Cup as New Zealand do not seem to have lost any energy in the middle. The Kiwi bowlers and fielders have done everything possible to subdue the run rate and create pressure till now. However, this partnership looked dangerous for the New Zealanders.

20.1, ENG 86/4: A stunning catch by Lockie Ferguson sent an unsettled Eoin Morgan back to the dressing room for nine in 22 balls. The whole stadium was in awe as Ferguson came running from the boundary line and dive infront towards the ball only to scalp one of the best catches in this tournament. The umpires sent it upstairs to get a closer look but the catch was clean. Jimmy Neesham gets his first of the day. EJG Morgan c Ferguson b Neesham 9 (22b 0x4 0x6) SR: 40.90

England's Jonny Bairstow (R) walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the 2019 Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand at Lord's Cricket Ground in London. Photo: AFP

19.3, ENG 73/3: Jonny Bairstow chopped himself out as Lockie Ferguson scalped his first of the day. Bairstow scored 36 runs off 55 balls as England lost wickets in quick successions. Runs have been hard to come as New Zealand's fielding made sure the English had to work hard for every run. In desperate need of a partnership, Ben Stokes came onto the field in hope to steady the ship for England. JM Bairstow b Ferguson 36 (55b 7x4 0x6) SR: 65.45

New Zealand's Colin de Grandhomme celebrates taking the wicket of England's Joe Root. Photo: Reuters

16.3, ENG 59/2: Colin De Grandhomme sent back Joe Root, as the batsman nicked the ball to the keeper Tom Latham. The England number three never looked comfortable in the middle as he scored seven off 30 deliveries. JE Root c †Latham b de Grandhomme 7 (30b 0x4 0x6) SR: 23.33

England bring up their fifty within 15 overs with major contribution from Jonny Bairstow who looked to score with ease in the middle. The batsmen scored 30 runs with Joe Root on the other side. New Zealand bowlers and fielders have been excellent to keep the runs in check.

5.4, ENG 28/1: Mat Henry got the prized wicket of Jason Roy as New Zealand got their first wicket. Angling in towards the off stump, the ball was inviting as Jason Roy nicked it to give the Kiwi wicket keeper Tom Latham a comfortable catch behind the stumps. A huge blow for England as Roy always ensured England got a perfect start at the beginning. Joe Root came onto the field to accompany Bairstow in the middle. JJ Roy c †Latham b Henry 17 (20b 3x4 0x6) SR: 85.00

England came down to chase a total of 242 runs after their excellent display of bowling and fielding in the first innings.

New Zealand bowlers were on top as Jason Roy survived an early scare of a LBW. However, after the umpire adjudged it not out, Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson took some time before deciding to review it. Fate was not on his side as the ball just clipped the stumps, thus the on field umpire had the last say.

The ball looked to swing in and out and also stuck on the pitch in the first five overs but the England openers Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy, despite having started shakily, upped the tempo.

New Zealand's Colin De GRANDHOMME sent back. Photo: Reuters

England restrict New Zealand for 241

Having chosen to bat after winning the toss, New Zealand could only manage 241 for eight at the end of their 50 overs.

England restricted New Zealand to 241-8 in the World Cup final as the hosts boosted their bid to make history by winning the tournament for the first time on Sunday.

Eoin Morgan's side were fuelled by three wickets each from Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes on a green-tinged pitch in cloudy conditions that aided the pace bowlers at Lord's.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson had elected to bat first, but his gamble backfired, with only Henry Nicholls (55) reaching a half-century for the 2015 World Cup runners-up in their 50 overs.

England struck early when opener Martin Guptill was dismissed by Woakes, before Williamson and Nicholls put on 74 for the second wicket.

Plunkett restored England's grip on the match with two quick wickets to remove star batsman Williamson for 30 and then Nicholls.

New Zealand, who are aiming to win the World Cup for the first time, could not establish any momentum after that as economical bowling from Plunkett, Woakes and Mark Wood turned the screw for England.

Plunkett finished with impressive figures of three wickets for 42 runs from his 10 overs, while Woakes took 3-37 from nine overs.

Derek Pringle was the only previous England player to take three wickets in a World Cup final, his haul coming against Pakistan in 1992.

Pringle's efforts were in vain as they lost that final against Pakistan 27 years ago.

England were also beaten in their two other World Cup finals, against Australia in 1987 and the West Indies in 1979.

Thanks to Plunkett and Woakes, England are within touching distance of finally ending their long wait to join England's footballers in 1966 and the 2003 rugby union team as world champions.

(AFP)

49.3, NZ 240/8: Mat Henry just looked to hit the ball over the boundary without looking for proper timing. A full ball right on to the stumps as Jofra Archer bagged his first of the day.

48.3, NZ 232/7: Another soft dismissal as Tom Latham lofted one to mid off fielder James Vince. Chirs Woakes was the second man after Liam Plunkett to scalp three wickets. England completely in control as they look to finish strong. TWM Latham c sub (JM Vince) b Woakes 47 (56b 2x4 1x6) SR: 83.92

46.5, NZ 219/6: A soft dismissal as Chris Woakes scalped his first wicket of the day. Colin De Grandhomme never looked comfortable in the middle after he was struck on the head by Jofra Archer. England seemed to be in charge as New Zealand were not given a chance to free their hands too much in the third power-play yet. Mitchell Santner came on to the field to accompany Latham. C de Grandhomme c sub (JM Vince) b Woakes 16 (28b 0x4 0x6) SR: 57.14

39, NZ 173/5: A big bump in the road for New Zealand as Jimmy Neesham was sent back by Liam Plunkett. A straightforward catch at mid on by Joe Root as Neesham had to walk home despite having scored freely in the middle. The partnership of Jimmy Neesham and Tom Latham looked to be dangerous for England but Plunkett who was brought in by England skipper Eoin Morgan to break this partnership struck gold again. JDS Neesham c Root b Plunkett 19 (25b 3x4 0x6) SR: 76.00

33.1, NZ 141/4 : Mark Wood sent Ross Taylor back as England do not seem let New Zealand build a partnership. The ball angled in from wide, as the ball struck the pads of the New Zealand batsmen Ross Taylor, given out by the umpire. The Kiwis were not able to review the decision as Martin Guptill used the allocated review for New Zealand. However, the ball tracker showed that the ball would have missed the stumps as it would have gone over the leg stumps. LRPL Taylor lbw b Wood 15 (31b 0x4 0x6) SR: 48.38

26.5, NZ 118/3: The ball nicked the bat before it went to hit the stumps as Henry Nicholls was sent back by Liam Plunkett. Two breakthroughs in quick successions by Plunkett as he scalped his second in the match to put England in the driving seat. New Zealand were looking comfortable in the middle with Nicholls and Williamson, building a strong partnership but two strikes by Plunkett sent both these batsmen back to the pavilion. HM Nicholls b Plunkett 55 (77b 4x4 0x6) SR: 71.42

25.1, NZ 110/2: Henry Nicholls scored a fighting half century despite losing his opening partner Guptill and skipper Williamson on the other side. Nicholls's kept his celebrations in check keeping in mind the task he has in hand to take the Kiwis to a decent total.

New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the 2019 Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand at Lord's Cricket Ground in London. Photo: AFP

22.4, NZ 103/2: Liam Plunkett sent New Zealand captain Kane Williamson back to the dressing room as a review turned the decision to the favor of the Englishmen. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena initially ruled it as a not out but, the England skipper, Eoin Morgan was very confident as he instantly took the review. The ball seemed to get a heavy touch with the bat before landing inside the gloves of Jos Butler, an easy catch for the wicket keeper. Williamson out after scoring 30 runs off 53 balls as Ross Taylor made his way into the crease. KS Williamson c †Buttler b Plunkett 30 (53b 2x4 0x6) SR: 56.60

21.2, NZ 100/1: New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls put up a 50-plus run partnership in the middle to take the Kiwis past the hundred run mark within 22 overs, after the early demise of Martin Guptill. The batsmen took comfortable singles and doubles and scored odd boundaries in loose balls to put the Kiwis in a srong position to put up an above par score in the final.

Martin Guptill's poor World Cup form continued in the today's final at Lord's. Photo: AFP

6.2, NZ 29/1: Henry Nicholls had survived with a review off Chris Woakes but his opening partner Martin Guptill is not so lucky as he is trapped infront by Woakes when looking to drive the ball on the up. Guptill challenged the umpire's decision and took the review but replays showed that ball would have hit the stumps this time around. England draw first blood in this final. Guptill lbw b Woakes 19 (18b 2x4 1x6) SR: 105.55

Nicholls survives with early review

It looked like England had drawn first blood when Chirs Woakes hit Henry Nicholls with a inswinger which darted back in late to the left-hander. The umpire raised his finger but Nicholls considererd it for a moment even as the ball hit his back leg. Everything looks good for England except the height of the delivery and replays confirm that the ball would have missed the stumps. Good decision to review that one. Nicholls survives.

New Zealand have won the crucial toss and decided to bat first against England in the final of the 2019 ICC World Cup at Lord's. Both teams are unchanged.

Playing XIs:

England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (capt), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(wk), Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, James Neesham, Tom Latham (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson

The toss was delayed by 15 minutes due to morning showers, but rain seems to have eased away. The match will start at 3:45pm Bangladesh time.

Fans dressed up in umpire uniforms for the World Cup final at Lord's. Photo: Reuters

The prize purse for the winners and runners-up is heavy, with the champions to get $4m and the runners-up half of it. There will also be indivdual awards, including the MVP of the tournament, where Shakib Al Hasan is a front-runner.

But that will be decided after the final itself. The past finals have been rather drab affair, one-sided and often predictable. This time, we'd hope it is a different thing for the sake of the game and those who follow it.

At least one thing that is definitely going to be different is that we will get a new champion. And it is likely to be a battle between the most explosive batting line-up and a shrewd bowling attack.

Hosts England have brushed aside years of underachievement by reaching the final for a fourth time -- 27 years since their last -- and look like the team to beat. New Zealand, the perennial semifinalists, had gone one better last time with a final appearance. Could they go one better again this time?

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Bangladesh are knocked out of the World Cup after their 28-run defeat against India at Edgbaston in Birmingham today.

Despite an unbeaten 38-ball 51 from Mohammad Saifuddin, Bangladesh were bundled out for 286 runs in their chase of 314 for nine posted by India in Birmingham today. After the Tigers were left reeling on 179 for six in 39.5 overs, a 66-run seventh-wicket stand between Sabbir Rahman and Saifuddin gave a glimmer of hope for Bangladesh to win the do or die tie. Although Sabbir was dismissed in the 44th over after scoring a run-a-ball 36, Saifuddin remained unbeaten. Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets with back to back deliveries in 48th over -- removing Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman -- as Saifuddin's heroic knock went in vain. With this victory, India who are currently on second position, go through to semifinals.

[Wicket] 48.5, Ban- 286: Mustafizur Rahman b Bumrah 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

A brilliant yorker by Jasprit Bumrah that gets through Mustafizur Rahman even before he could react. That's it Bangladesh lose by 28 runs. Bumrah will be on a hattrick when he bowls in the next match.

[Wicket] 47.5, Ban- 286/9: Rubel Hossain b Bumrah 9 (11b 1x4 0x6) SR: 81.81

Rubel could not get his bat in time to defend a well directed yorker from Jasprit Bumrah. He goes for nine.

47.3, Ban285/8

A brilliant shot from Saifuddin. He smashes it straight down the ground for a glorious boundary. Brings up his fifty.

[Wicket] 44.2, Ban 257/8: Mashrafe Mortaza c †Dhoni b Kumar 8 (5b 0x4 1x6) SR: 160.00

After smashing a six in the previous delivery, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza gets an edge in the next delivery as he goes for a wild slog. The keeper takes an easy catch. Bangladesh eight down.

Sabbir departs after reviving a glimmer of hope for Tigers

[Wicket] 43.1, Ban245/7: Sabbir Rahman b Bumrah 36 (36b 5x4 0x6) SR: 100.00

Sabbir Rahman decieved by a slower ball again. He tries to smack a length delivery from Bumrah but misses it completely and loses his stumps. The partnership between the last recognized pair of batsmen has been broken.

Sabbir, Saifuddin star in fifty-run stand

40.6, Ban-229/6

Sabbir Rahman pushes Chahal down the ground to take a single. That brings up a fifty-run stand between Sabbir and Saifuddin in just 46 balls. Bangladesh require another 86 from 56 balls.

37.3, Ban-200/6

After hitting two back to back boundaries, Sabbir Rahman plays one towards the third man off a Mohammad Shami delivery to take a single. That brings up the 200 for Bangladesh.

[Wicket] 33.5, Ban 179/6: Shakib Al Hasan c Karthik b Pandya 66 (74b 6x4 0x6) SR: 89.18

Another slower ball from Hardik Pandya and this time he gets Shakib Al Hasan. BIG WICKET. Shakib makes room and tries to play it over extra cover but the lack of pace does the trick again as the ball gets a leading edge. Easy catch for the fielder. That puts a big dent on Bangladesh's hopes of reaching the semifinal.

[Wicket] 32.2, Ban 173/5: Mosaddek Hossain b Bumrah 3 (7b 0x4 0x6) SR: 42.85

Mosaddek could not pick a slower ball from Jasprit Bumrah as he drags a cutter onto his stumps. Mosaddek tries to play it down the third man but mistimes and gets an inside edge and loses his stumps. Mosaddek departs. Shakib keeps on losing partners and Tigers are in a spot of bother now.

[Wicket] 29.4, Ban 162/4 - Liton Das c Karthik b Pandya 22 (24b 0x4 1x6) SR: 91.66 Shakib is running out of partners as another soft dismissal sees Liton Das lose his wicket. A short-length delivery and after hitting six in the second delivery of the over, this time the ball gained on him. He was late and a easy catch at mid wicket.

28.2, Ban 150/3 - Shakib runs two and everything is happening. Dhoni takes the bails off again. Close call as umpire asks for review. Phew! Shakib survives. Bangladesh also bring up their 150. The all-rounder has hit fifties in each of his innings except the one against Australia when he fell for 41.

Shakib Al Hasan. Photo: AFP

27.6, Ban 147/3 - Shakib brings up his fifty. Shakib cuts a Pandya length delivery towards point and runs two to bring up his fifty off just 58 deliveries.

27.3, Ban 140/3 - Run out chance! Shakib plays Pandya towards mid wicket and runs a single but Liton wants two! Umpire reviews. Liton got back to his crease just in time.

[Wicket] 22.6, Ban 121/3- Mushfiqur Rahim c Mohammed Shami b Chahal 24 (23b 3x4 0x6) SR: 104.34 Mushy on his knees as he looks to sweep Chahal against the turn but is holed out at mid wicket.

19.3, Ban 101/2- 100 up for Bangladesh. The Tigers are rolling along after the departure of both openers with Shakib and Mushfiqur in the middle.

17.6, Ban 88/2: 500 for Shakib. Shakib pulls one of Pandya to run one and in the process reaches 500 runs in this tournament. No batsman in World Cup history has scored this many runs and also taken 10 wickets.

Wicket] 15.1, Ban 74/2 - Soumya Sarkar c Kohli b Pandya 33 (38b 4x4 0x6) SR: 86.84 Soumya looks to slam this over cover and is holed out at extra cover with Kohli taking the catch. Lots of power but did not place it away from the fielder.

11.2, Ban 51/1: Huge shout for leg-before but umpire gives not out. Kohli goes for the review. The third-umpire looks at it closely and finds that it might have hit Soumya's bat at the same time as it hit his pads. Replay inconclusive and third-umpire stays with the decision of the on-field umpire. Probably going too far down the leg side as well and ball tracking showed it would have clipped the leg stump. Kohli not happy with the onfield umpires though. He is arguing animatedly with the umpires who are calmly explaining the situation. India lose their review.

[Wicket] 9.3, BD- 39/1: Tamim Iqbal b Mohammed Shami 22 (31b 3x4 0x6) SR: 70.96

Tamim Iqbal chops a ball from Mohammad Shami onto his stumps and has to go after a steady start. The left-hander was standing still on the pitch as he looked to guide it down to third man but had no feet movement whatsoever. Pays the price for it. Big wicket.

Tamim, Soumya give Tigers a decent start

End of over 7, BD- 28/0

Both Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar look comfortable in the middle as the Tigers got off to a good start. Tamim struck three boundaries and moves on to 20 off 26 balls while Soumya is batting on seven off 16 deliveries.

Soumya Sarkar 7 (16b)

Tamim Iqbal 20 (26b)

Jasprit Bumrah 3-1-13-0

Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3-0-10-0

Fizz bags a fifer as Tigers restrict India to 314 for nine

Mustafizur Rahman bagged a fifer to help Bangladesh restrict India to 314 for nine at Edgbaston in Birmingham today.

All did not start well for the Tigers as India won the toss and elected to bat in this crucial matchup. That point was being further driven home when Rohit Sharma was dropped in just the fifth over by Tamim Iqbal off the bowling of Mustafizur Rahman with Sharma’s only on 9 and India on 18. India continued to dominate with Sharma striking ton in an 180-run opening stand with Lokesh Rahul.

With the Tigers in disarray, shoulders dropping, wicket came from the most unlikely of sources. Soumya Sarkar removed Sharma after a 92-ball 104, laced with one six and six fours to break the opening stand. Rahul threatened to break lose but Rubel Hossain denied him a ton by removing him for 77. Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant then started to look for the big runs before Fizz changed the complexion and the tide of the match.

It was Fizz’s cutter that saw Kohli holed out at midwicket and the left-armer then removed the dangerous Hardik Pandya for naught in the same over with an angled length-delivery which Pandya poked to wide slip. Fizz’s double strike curbed the run-scoring for India. He came back later and picked up Dinesh Karthik. The left-armer ended with a five-wicket haul in the end as he bagged MS Dhoni and Mohammd Shami in the last over. Shakib Al Hasan also bagged one wicket as India reached 314 for 9 after threatening to go over the 350-run mark.

49.6, Ind 314/8 - Mustafizur removes Bumrah. Fullish length ball angled across sixth stump at 130 kph/81 mph, Shami shuffles across to try to create an angle into the leg side but only manages to drag onto the stumps. Just three runs in the over and three wickets to match.

49.6, Ind 314/8 - Mushfiqur runs Bhuvneshwar out. Bouncer outside off stump left alone. Signaled a wide on the line by the umpire and they tried to steal a bye. Mushfiqur underhanded to Mustafizur in front of the stumps at the non-striker's end and he flicked on from a yard away with Bhuvneshwar two yards short. B Kumar run out (†Mushfiqur Rahim/Mustafizur Rahman) 2 (3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66

49.3, Ind 311/7 - Mustafizur removes Dhoni. The young pacer got his fourth in this atch as he removed Dhoni in the last over of the innings with three balls remaining. Short ball fetched another wicket for the Fizz. Bouncer at full pace at 137 kph on fifth stump, Dhoni tried to bully this over mid-on but was beaten for pace leaping on his toes, skied it over the umpire at the non-striker's end and it came down safely into Shakib's hands jogging 20 yards left. MS Dhoni c Shakib Al Hasan b Mustafizur Rahman 35 (33b 4x4 0x6) SR: 106.06

47.2, Ind 298/6 - Mustafizur removes Karthik. Slow off-cutter bouncer swallowed up Karthik. It was that rubbery wrist of the Fizz that ripped across the ball to throw off Karthik's timing on a short ball angled across on a fifth stump line. He tried to muscle a pull over the ring but the ball knuckled in the air toward Mosaddek at midwicket, who backpedalled left and calls off mid-on to take a simple catch five yards inside the edge of the ring. KD Karthik c Mosaddek Hossain b Mustafizur Rahman 8 (9b 1x4 0x6) SR: 88.88

44.1, Ind 277/5 - Shakib dismisses Pant. Pant went for the slog sweep on a fullish length ball spinning in from fourth stump. He went for the long boundary for the left-hander square of the wicket, did not come close to getting enough power behind it. Mosaddek settled 15 yards in from the rope but produced a shaky effort reaching forward at neck height with palms faced out and fingers pointed up. It bursted through and actually deflected off his shoulder before popping up for him to take on the second effort. RR Pant c Mosaddek Hossain b Shakib Al Hasan 48 (41b 6x4 1x6) SR: 117.07

38.4, Ind 273/4 - Mustafizur removes Pandya. Mashrafe wanted wickets out of Mustafizur in this situation, and how well had he delivered. Angled this on a good length, and wide slip came into play. Pandya had a tentative poke, and it went low to the left of Soumya Sarkar, who made no mistake. HH Pandya c Soumya Sarkar b Mustafizur Rahman 0 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

38.2, Ind 273/3 - Mustafizur removes Kohli. That cutter again from Mustafiz that did the trick. May have stuck in the pitch for a bit more than Kohli expected. He was aiming for that short boundary once again, and he placed it right down Rubel's throat. Kohli fell for the first time in six knocks without getting to at least 50.

V Kohli c Rubel Hossain b Mustafizur Rahman 26 (27b 3x4 0x6) SR: 96.29

32.4, Ind 195/2 - Rubel removes Rahul. No century here for Rahul, as he looked to slash away a ball that was a touch too full for the shot he looked to play. Took the outer edge - may have been a change of pace too - and droped away to Mushfiqur Rahim's right. He took a good catch low down to his right. KL Rahul c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Rubel Hossain 77 (92b 6x4 1x6) SR: 83.69

29.2, Ind 180/1 - Soumya removes Sharma. A slower off-cutter and Sharma, upon completion of ton, looks to slice it over extra cover but is holed out as Liton Das takes the catch. Sharma c Liton Das b Soumya Sarkar 104 (92b 7x4 5x6) SR: 113.04

Rohit Sharma and Lokesh Rahul during the match against Bangladesh. Photo: AFP

28.6, Ind 176/0 - Sharma strikes ton. Having survived a dropped catch in just the fifth over of the innings while Mustafizur Rahim was bowling, Rohit Sharma has capitalized fully to strike a ton. Tamim Iqbal dropped him while he was batting on only 9 runs.

18.2, Ind: 111/0 - Rahul brings up fifty. Lokesh Rahul flicks Rubel off his pads in the second delivery of the over following a classic straight drive to welcome Rubel to the bowling crease in the first delivery.

After 17 overs, drinks has been called at Edgbaston. Plenty to ponder for Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as India reach 99 without loss in 17 overs.

14.4, Indi: 85/0 - Rohit Sharma reaches his 50. Bangladesh had pulled things back through Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza conceding just nine runs in four overs after the first Powerplay. But Shakib bowls a long hop at Rohit Sharma, and the Indian opener hammers it over midwicket for six, and a ball later drives to sweeper cover for a single to bring up his half-century off just 45 balls.

India 69 without loss after 10 overs. Sharma 38 (29b, 4x4, 2x6), Rahul 28 (32b, 4x4, 0x6); Mashrafe 2-0-20-0, Mustafizur 2-0-23-0.

Bangadesh bowlers have failed the early-overs test for the fifth time in seven matches this World Cup. It was the fifth time that they failed to take a wicket in thie first 10 overs. They could have picked up the crucial wicket of Rohit Sharma, then on nine, in the fifth over had Tamim Iqbal not dropped a catch. But the missed opportunity and poor bowling from Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mohammad Saifuddin and Mustafizur Rahman sees India score 69 without loss after the first 10. That is the most Bangladesh have conceded in the first Powerplay in this World Cup so far -- two more than the 67/0 England scored in Cardiff on June 8.

4.4, Ind: 18/0 - Tamim drops Sharma on 9! If there was a fielder Mashrafe Bin Mortaza would have picked to get under this miscued pull from Rohit Sharma off Mustafizur Rahman, it would have been Tamim Iqbal. But Tamim runs around from deep square leg, gets there, and just drops the ball. An early wicket was what Bangladesh desperately needed against a top-heavy Indian lineup, and an early wicket is what Tamim let slip from his hands. Will be interesting to see what this does to the Tigers' body language.

Bangladesh and India players warm up before their game at Edgbaston. Photo: BCCI

India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first in their crucial game against Bangladesh at Edgbaston in Birmingham today.

Both teams made two changes to their side. Pacer Rubel Hossain replaces Mehedi Hasan Miraz while Sabbir Rahman comes in in place of yet-to-be-fit Mahmudullah.

India's two changes are: Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar replacing spinner Kuldeep Yadav and batsman Dinesh Karthik replacing all-rounder Kedar Jadav.

Playing XIs:

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

India: Lokesh Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni(w), Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah

India have just lost their first match against England following a nervy win against Afghanistan while Bangladesh are hanging there with three wins against three defeats and a washed-out affair.

A win for India would ensure a semifinal berth for the two-time champions while extinguishing the slimmest hopes for the Tigers.

The India-Bangladesh contests have, in recent past, produced some nail-biting finishes and heated moments both on and off the pitch, and given the hig stakes of this match, it would be a surprise if this one goes without any incident.

Body:

Batter Mohammad Mithun pointed out bowlers' inability to bowl in the right areas as the main shortcoming of the Bangladesh 'A' side on the second day of their first four-day match against hosts West Indies 'A' in Saint Lucia on Friday.

"I think, we did not bowl enough wicket-taking deliveries," said Mithun, skipper of the Bangladesh 'A' side on their ongoing tour of the Caribbean.

After suffering a top-order collapse on the opening day, the visitors could not bat long on the second day. Having resumed Day 2 on 135 for six, Bangladesh 'A' were bundled out for 167 in 60.5 overs, with skipper Mithun's 85-ball 50 being the top score for the side.

At the end of Day 2, the Windies remain in a commanding position, at 165 for three after 63 overs, trailing the visitors' first-innings score by just two runs.

Mithun said they were unable to build pressure on the Windies batters.

In such conditions, a batter is challenged when the ball is pitched in the right areas. So that's where we lacked as we could not build the pressure from both ends. [Spinner] Nayeem [Hasan] bowled well from one end. [Pacer] Anamul [Haque] bowled with the new ball. But had we bowled a bit better from the other end as well, we could have gotten two more wickets."

Mithun added that his team will hope to learn from the mistakes made on Friday and fare better in the following day.

Body:

The concern regarding how to fill the gap when the team's best player misses out on a tour or series is a perennial one. Bangladesh have travelled to Sri Lanka to play a three-match ODI series against the hosts sans star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was granted a break by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) following the World Cup.

Bangladesh registered a five-wicket victory against Sri Lanka Board President's XI in their warm-up match at the P Sara Oval in Colombo yesterday. While the team should be boosted by such a win ahead of the series opener on July 26, one other positive takeaway from the match was Mohammad Mithun's sensible 100-ball 91.

Mithun batted at the number three position -- where Shakib played throughout the World Cup. And the right-hander did not disappoint, scoring a team high 91 while stitching together two important partnerships -- a 73-run stand for the third-wicket with Mushfiqur Rahim followed by a 96-run fourth-wicket stand with Mahmudullah Riyad -- to guide the Tigers to a comfortable victory.

While speaking to reporters after the game, Mithun said that he never let his mind get carried away with the fact that he was batting in Shakib's place but rather just tried to do what came naturally.

"Actually I did not think anything like I am batting at number three position -- the place where Shakib [Al Hasan] bhai bats. As Shakib bhai is not in the squad, someone needs to bat in that position. Normally, it is the responsibility of the players who bat at the top to play long innings and I tried to do that," said Mithun.

Shakib has been phenomenal recently and was clearly Bangladesh's top performer in the recently concluded World Cup. The all-rounder finished third in the top run-getters' list in the mega event with 606 runs from eight matches. To undertake a series without the ace all-rounder must have hampered the team's balance. However, Mithun's positive display in yesterday's practice match must have given some hope to the team, who are surely looking to find their rhythm after a dismal World Cup.

Mithun, however, mentioned that they still need to play their best cricket on the day to start the series on a positive note.

"I played two matches for the A team before coming here. So I think it helped me adjust to the condition as I think the temperature here is a bit less than of Bangladesh. So it helped me but it's not the same for everyone though," Mithun said. "A win is always helpful for a team. Obviously we will be feeling a bit better in terms of confidence but still we need to play our best cricket again on the day -- on July 26 -- if we want to win.

Body:

Australia captain Aaron Finch is relishing a "blockbuster" Cricket World Cup semi-final against England at Edgbaston on Thursday but injury concerns threaten to derail the plans of the defending champions.

Finch's side slipped to a 10-run defeat to already-eliminated South Africa in their final round-robin fixture at Old Trafford on Saturday, a result that saw them knocked off top spot in the table.

It means they now face the host nation in the semi-finals, while India will take on a New Zealand side that has stumbled into the knockout stages with some indifferent performances.

Australia had already lost Shaun Marsh for the remainder of the World Cup prior and now look likely to be without another top order batsman in Usman Khawaja after he suffered a hamstring injury while batting.

All-rounder Marcus Stoinis needed treatment for a back issue and will also undergo scans on Sunday, while fast bowler Mitchell Starc had an off-day with the ball and did not appear to be moving too freely either.

"It doesn't look ideal for Usman Khawaja at the moment, but we will have to wait and see," Finch told reporters in the wake of the South Africa loss.

"He will have a scan in the morning and then we will make a call based on what the results are.

"(With Stoinis) we are not sure ... at the moment he feels okay, but until you get the definitive scans, it is tough to know."

The selectors have already brought batsman Peter Handscomb into the squad following the loss of Marsh, who was originally included in the squad as cover for Khawaja.

Fortunately the Australia A side is also on tour in England with Matt Wade, a veteran of 94 international one-dayers, in fine form with the bat.

"If they need to be replaced, which I should imagine Usman will, there are plenty of guys who have been playing some good one-day cricket," Finch said.

There is no doubt that Australia would have preferred a semi-final against New Zealand, leaving title rivals England and India to battle it out for a final spot, but they must now take on the hosts at one of their favourite venues.

"It's going to be a blockbuster, it doesn't get much bigger than Australia-England in a World Cup semi-final," Finch said.

"Edgbaston is a beautiful ground to play at and the fans are always entertaining down there. It's going to be a great atmosphere."

‘Should be careful against Afghans’

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