Injured Bavuma returns home, Maharaj named captain
Temba Bavuma will not take further part in the ongoing Sri Lanka tour due to a thumb fracture he endured in the first ODI. Keshav Maharaj will lead South Africa for the next two ODIs. However, they have not yet decided on who will lead them in the subsequent T20I series.
Bavuma was struck on his gloves by an erratic throw from Sri Lankan fielder, stationed at mid wicket. He continued batting for two more overs before getting off the field.
South Africa looked in control but they lost the plot after Bavuma’s injury. They fell 14 runs short of the target. R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will host the second ODI on Saturday.
Bangladesh take 2-0 lead with four-run victory
Bangladesh beat New Zealand by four runs in the second T20I to go 2-0 up in the five-match series. New Zealand could only manage 137/5 in the pursuit of 142. Barring captain Tom Latham, who remained unbeaten on 65, no one else managed anything substantial.
New Zealand needed 20 off the last over. Mustafizur Rahman conceded seven of the first four balls, but conceded a boundary off a no-ball to give New Zealand a shot at victory. With five required on the last ball, Latham could only manage a single.
Earlier, Mohammad Naim (39) and Liton Das (33) got Bangladesh off to a brisk start, adding 59 for the opening partnership. Mahmudullah’s 32-ball 37 helped them reach 141/6.
Pant to remain Delhi captain
Rishabh Pant will continue to lead Delhi Capitals in the UAE leg of the IPl 2021, as per Cricbuzz. Pant had replaced Shreyas Iyer as captain after the latter was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury.
Iyer, however, has recovered from the injury and has already flown to the UAE to attend practice sessions, but the team management does not want to tweak the team combination.
The Capitals are currently at the top of the points table, after winning six out of eight games.
Pope, Woakes keep England ahead in the game
Both Ollie Pope (81) and Chris Woakes (50) marked their comeback with respective half-centuries to drive England to 290 in the first innings. England were 62/5 at one point, and it did not seem they would be able to take the first-innings lead. But Pope forged crucial partnerships with Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali to keep England in the contest. With Bairstow (39), he added 89 for the fifth wicket.
K.L. Rahul and Rohit Sharma then ensured that India walk into the day unscathed. They survived 16 overs and added 43 runs. India now trail by 56 runs.