Australia’s Glenn Maxwell celebrates the wicket of New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match between Australia and New Zealand, at HPCA Stadium, in Dharamshala, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Australia batter Glenn Maxwell has been ruled out of the World Cup clash against England on November 4 after he fell off a golf cart that resulted in a concussion and facial bruising.

Maxwell was riding on the back of a golf cart after a round on Monday when he fell off.

“In transporting back from the clubhouse to the team bus, where Glenn Maxwell come off the back of a cart, and has suffered a small concussion. So, he will go into concussion protocols for the next period of time, and will unfortunately miss the England game,” said Australia head coach Andrew McDonald.

Also Read | Australia’s Glenn Maxwell aggravates injury month before World Cup 2023

The all-rounder is a key member of the Australian team as he shares spin duties with Adam Zampa while also playing a vital role in the middle order with the bat.

He had smashed the fastest hundred in World Cup history — off 40 balls against the Netherlands — in Delhi last week.

This is Maxwell’s second freak injury in less than a year. Last November, he broke his leg at a birthday party in Melbourne and as per cricket.com.au, he is yet to recover fully from that.

The players were enjoying a round of golf having got a week’s break between the New Zealand and England game. A replacement will not be needed, said the head coach.

“There’ll be no replacement as such. So he’ll go into like, it’s six to eight days concussion protocol. So as I said, that takes into account the England game who will be unavailable for that game.

“And then clearly within the squad, we’ve got some players who become available in Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green is available as well. So, we haven’t made that decision as yet,” said McDonald.

In another freak injury, England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow had slipped while playing golf last year, ruling him out of T20 World Cup which his team eventually won.

Pakistan, known for its resilience, scripted a much-needed turnaround by thumping Bangladesh by seven wickets and recorded its third victory to stay in the World Cup semifinal race at the Eden Gardens here on Tuesday.

Electing to bat on a dry pitch, Bangladesh did not last the 50 overs for the fourth time in its last six innings as it stuttered to 204 with Shaheen Afridi capturing three crucial wickets. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Shafique Abdullah’s authoritative half-centuries enabled the former champion to easily achieve the modest target and end its four-match losing streak.

The left-right combination of Zaman and Shafique got used to the track before toying with the dispirited Bangladesh bowlers to erect a 128-run stand.

In the one-sided sub-continental duel, Zaman (81), who made an emphatic return after over three weeks by clobbering seven spectacular sixes, mostly on the onside, and one stunningly over third-man, and Shafique (68), who hammered Mustafizur Rahman for three fours in an over, entertained nearly 28,000 spectators with some T20 stuff.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz took all three Pakistan wickets but couldn’t prevent the inevitable.

Bangladesh’s PowerPlay woes continued as it lost three wickets for 23.

Leading Pakistan’s pace pack, Afridi displayed good control and extracted seam movement to provide early breakthroughs, giving away too little. He trapped opener Tanzid Hasan lbw in the first over to become the fastest Pakistani bowler to log 100 wickets and had Najmul Shanto caught by a diving Usama Mir at short mid-wicket in the third.

After being hit for three fours, Haris Rauf was relieved to have Mushfiqur Rahim caught behind.

A focused Litton (45) and a confident Mahmudullah (56) revived the innings. The duo’s sensible shot selection and rotation of strike forged The Tigers’ best partnership, 79 off 89 deliveries.

Mahmudullah dominated the off-side and pulled Usama for a massive six. Litton, who impressed by consecutively driving Rauf on either side of the stumps to the boundary, executed his cuts and drives well.

Iftikhar got rid of Litton to break the partnership resulting in Bangladesh’s decelerated run rate.

Afridi returned to bowl a beauty from round the wicket and remove Mahmudullah.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan began watchfully before switching gears. A rising delivery ended his 76-ball 43 and gave Rauf a moment of joy. Mohammad Wasim cleaned up the Bangladesh tail.

Bangladesh’s sixth back-to-back defeat let down its emotional fans who had to endure the pain of their team’s formal exit.

Scoreboard

BANGLADESH INNINGS: Tanzid Hasan lbw b Afridi 0 (5b), Litton Das c Salman b Iftikhar 45 (64b, 6×4), Najmul Hossain Shanto c Usama b Afridi 4 (3b, 1×4), Mushfiqur Rahim c Rizwan b Rauf 5 (8b, 1×4), Mahmudullah b Afridi 56 (70b, 6×4, 1×6), Shakib Al Hasan c Salman b Rauf 43 (64b, 4×4), Towhid Hridoy c Iftikhar b Usama 7 (3b, 1×4), Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Wasim 25 (30b, 1×4, 1×6), Taskin Ahmed b Wasim 6 (13b), Mustafizur Rahman b Wasim 3 (7b), Shoriful Islam (not out) 1 (4b); Extras (lb-4, w-5): 9

Total (in 45.1 overs): 204.

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-0 (Tanzid, 0.5 overs), 2-6 (Najmul, 2.4), 3-23 (Mushfiqur, 5.6), 4-102 (Litton, 20.5), 5-130 (Mahmudullah, 30.4), 6-140 (Hridoy, 31.3), 7-185 (Shakib, 39.3), 8-200 (Mehidy, 43.1), 9-201 (Taskin, 43.3).

PAKISTAN BOWLING: Afridi 9-1-23-3, Iftikhar 10-0-44-1, Rauf 8-0-36-2, Wasim 8.1-1-31-3, Usama 10-0-66-1.

PAKISTAN INNINGS: Abdullah Shafique lbw b Mehidy 68 (69b, 9×4, 2×6), Fakhar Zaman c Hridoy b Mehidy 81 (74b, 3×4, 7×6), Babar Azam c Mahmudullah b Mehidy 9 (16b, 1×4), Mohammad Rizwan (not out) 26 (21b, 4×4), Iftikhar Ahmed (not out) 17 (15b, 2×4); Extras (lb-2, w-2): 4

Total (for three wkts. in 32.3 overs): 205.

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-128 (Shafique, 21.1), 2-160 (Babar, 25.4), 3-169 (Fakhar, 27.3).

BANGLADESH BOWLING: Taskin 6-1-36-0, Shoriful 4-1-25-0, Mehidy 9-0-60-3, Mustafizur 7-0-47-0, Shakib 5.3-0-30-0, Najmul 1-0-5-0.

Toss: Bangladesh.

PoM: Fakhar Zaman.

Pakistan won by seven wickets with 105 deliveries to spare.

Hardik Pandya receives medical treatment after being injured during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match between India and Bangladesh in Pune on Oct. 19, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AP

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to sit out of India’s next two World Cup matches as he is yet to recover from his ankle injury that rendered him out of action last week.

Pandya had slipped in his follow-through while playing against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19 and missed the clash against New Zealand in Dharamsala on October 22.

The Baroda player had reported to National Cricket Academy on Monday in Bengaluru for injury management.

“Hardik is still under medication. While the swelling on his left ankle has subsided considerably, he will start bowling only towards the weekend. Right now, important is to give him time to recover,” an NCA source told PTI.

Rest till knock-outs?

Since India are in a very strong position to make the semifinals, having won all five matches so far, Pandya could easily be rested for the next two matches that will allow him complete recovery before the knock-outs.

“Pandya has suffered a bad sprain but fortunately not a fracture. The BCCI medical team wants to take maximum precaution. He is likely to miss next two to three matches. The team wants him fully fit for the knock-out stage,” added a BCCI source.

India next play against defending champions England on October 29 in Lucknow and take on Sri Lanka in Mumbai on November 2.

Pandya’s absence had created space for Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed Shami in the playing XI against New Zealand.

A combination of pictures shows prime suspect Surender Koli, who has been acquitted in 12 cases, and Maninder Singh Pandher, who has been acquitted in two cases by Allahabad High Court, in connection with the 2005-2006 Nithari serial killing cases, on Monday. The trial court has awarded the death sentence to the accused for the ‘rape and killing’ of girls at Nithari.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Nithari killings: Noida residents’ body to move SC against Allahabad HC order

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Govt sets up tribunal headed by Delhi HC judge to adjudicate if JKDFP should be declared banned group

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Canada says China-linked ‘Spamouflage’ campaign targeted lawmakers, PM Trudeau

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South Africa thrashed defending champions England in their previous match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. On October 24, the Proteas will take on Bangladesh at the same venue.
| Photo Credit: Twitter/@ProteasMenCSA

South Africa will look to build on their superlative performance against the defending champions when they take on a struggling Bangladesh in their World Cup match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday (October 24), knowing well that taking the foot off the pedal at this stage could spell trouble.

South Africa were off to a flier when they thrashed Sri Lanka and Australia by 100-plus margins, but a shocking defeat against the Netherlands pegged them back before they demolished England by 229 runs to put their campaign back on track.

Bangladesh might not look too threatening in the World Cup but their record against the Proteas, especially in World Cups, gives them more than a chance in the contest.

Three of South Africa’s six defeats to Bangladesh in ODIs have come in the last four years, including when the Tigers beat them by 21 runs in the 2019 World Cup.

In their four meetings so far in World Cups — 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 — the Proteas have lost to the Asian rivals twice — 2007 and 2019.

The Proteas can ill-afford to take Bangladesh lightly knowing the damage they have inflicted and the fact that the Asian side is packed with all-rounders, namely their skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz among others.

Besides, South African opener Quinton de Kock has had two forgettable outings — the last one at Wankhede where he scored just four against England on Saturday.

Still, the Proteas managed to set a 400-run target for Jos Buttler’s side.

The wicketkeeper-batter, who has played several IPL matches at the Wankhede for Mumbai Indians, would be itching for a big score to regain the touch that saw him score consecutive centuries in the first two matches of the World Cup.

Temba Bavuma missed the game against England due to illness and if he is back in contention, Reeza Hendricks will make way for the skipper in the playing XI.

Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen are a formidable pair in the middle-order and David Miller too would want to get a big score under his belt after a string of ordinary outings.

Centurion against England, Heinrich Klaasen would be hoping for an encore against Bangladesh.

For Bangladesh, captain Shakib remains a concern as he did not not bowl in their practice session here on Sunday.

The all-rounder suffered a quad injury against New Zealand in Chennai on October 13, and has not been in the playing XI ever since with Najmul Hossain Shanto leading the side.

Shanto was confident that Shakib would return to action soon the last time he spoke to the media, and it remains to be seen if the senior-most member in the side is fit enough to take the workload.

Top-order batters Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das have been amongst runs, and scored half-centuries against India in the previous game. But Bangladesh batters have lacked is the gumption to make a big score. The batter-friendly Wankhede pitch will provide them the opportunity.

Shanto and Miraz have their task cut out in the middle-order given the uncertainty over Shakib’s availability. Bangladesh would also be served well if the experienced Mahmudullah Riyad gets promoted in the batting order after his 46 against India.

Squads:

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

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.

Match starts: 2:00 p.m.

A formation Chetak, Cheetah and LCH helicopters at the ‘Ex Iron Fist 2013’ by the Indian Air Force at Pokran rang
| Photo Credit: V.V. Krishnan

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Iraq sentences Saddam Hussein’s daughter for promoting political party

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A formation Chetak, Cheetah and LCH helicopters at the ‘Ex Iron Fist 2013’ by the Indian Air Force at Pokran rang
| Photo Credit: V.V. Krishnan

Israel strikes Gaza, Syria and West Bank as war against Hamas threatens to ignite other fronts

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Iraq sentences Saddam Hussein’s daughter for promoting political party

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Congress releases third list of seven candidates for Chhattisgarh polls, drops four MLAs

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Pakistan opening batsman Saeed Anwar is seen during his monumental knock of 194 against India in Chennai on May 21, 1997.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu ArchivesN

Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq will channel the spirit of record-setting compatriot Saeed Anwar and his country’s winning relationship with Chennai on October 23 in an effort to revive the team’s World Cup campaign.

Pakistan tackle Afghanistan at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium where in 1997, flamboyant left-handed opener Anwar hit a monumental 194 against India.

At the time it was the highest individual ODI score while Anwar’s heroics also gave Pakistan a 35-run win over their arch-rivals.

Pakistan maintained their two-game undefeated run at the stadium with a six-wicket win over India in 2012.

“We have a great record at this venue, so I am sure that will be a motivation,” said Haq, who was only two when Anwar blitzed the India team which featured the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in 1997.

“Although I don’t have any memory of Saeed Anwar’s record, that too will be a motivation.”

Pakistan started the World Cup with wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka but the 1992 champions then suffered back-to-back losses to India and Australia.

They have slipped to fifth in the 10-nation table with the top four going through to the semi-finals.

“We have to admit we did not play well in those games,” said Haq on Sunday.

“We were not up to the mark, did not get the execution right and defeat always lowers morale.”

Haq scored 36 against India in Ahmedabad but Pakistan collapsed from 155-2 to 191 all out, losing by seven wickets.

The 27-year-old then scored 70 against Australia in a daunting chase of a 368-run target in Bengaluru where Pakistan slipped to a 62-run defeat.

“We dropped crucial catches and that hurt,” said Haq.

David Warner was on 10 when he was dropped by Usama Mir off Shaheen Shah Afridi — he went on to make 163 and share a record Australian World Cup opening stand of 259 with Mitchell Marsh who compiled 121.

“You will see a new thing tomorrow. We want to go to Kolkata with four wins in six games,” said Haq, whose team will also face South Africa in Chennai on Friday.

Haq also played down the threat posed by Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi at a venue renowned as a slow bowlers paradise.

“We know this ground favours spinners and they have quality spin bowlers but we have beaten them 3-0 recently in a one-day series in Sri Lanka under the same conditions,” said Haq.

“We all know Afghanistan is a good team and in these conditions they will be tough but we are ready for that and will execute our plans.”

The U.K. and the U.S. have expressed concerns over the departure of 41 Canadian diplomats from India.
| Photo Credit: REUTERS

Centre asks senior officers to showcase nine years of achievements 

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Australian PM to visit China in November to meet with Xi

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Israel steps up bombing of Gaza hours after first relief convoy enters

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Jarange Patil warns of fresh agitation from October 25 if Maratha reservation demand not met

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I never said CPI(M) backed BJP-JD(S) alliance, says Gowda

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Court rejects plea seeking ASI survey inside Gyanvyapi mosque wazukhana

A district court in Varanasi on Saturday rejected a plea that sought a direction to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to undertake a survey of the wazukhana (ablution pond) area, except for the ‘Shivling’ inside, within the Gyanvapi mosque without causing any damage to the structure.

Bobby Charlton, the Manchester United and England soccer great, dies at 86

Bobby Charlton, an English soccer icon who survived a plane crash that decimated a Manchester United team destined for greatness to become the heartbeat of his country’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, has died. He was 86.

Chandira Priyanga dropped from Puducherry Cabinet based on Chief Minister’s recommendation

Nedungadu MLA S. Chandira Priyanga has been removed from the Council of Ministers, headed by N. Rangasamy, in Puducherry. The communication removing Ms. Priyanga puts an end to the controversy surrounding her resignation from the All India N.R. Congress-led National Democratic Alliance Ministry. Ms. Priyanga released copies of her resignation letter to the media on October 10.

Bharat Tex 2024 Expo to position India as global textiles powerhouse, says Goyal

Bharat Tex 2024 Expo, to be held from February 26-29 next year, will position India as a truly “global textiles powerhouse”, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday.

Climate ‘loss and damage’ talks end in failure

A crucial meeting on climate “loss and damages” ahead of COP28 ended in failure on Saturday, with countries from the global north and south unable to reach an agreement, according to sources involved in the talks.

Akhilesh Yadav moderates attack on Congress; invokes Lohia and Mulayam

Akhilesh Yadav, following his initial reactions in the aftermath of the failed seat sharing talks with the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, tempered his response on Saturday. The Samajwadi Party (SP) chief said he had received a message from the top brass of the Congress party and that he will adhere to it.

Myanmar junta orders airstrikes to recover lost outposts

Myanmar’s ruling junta ordered air strikes and troop reinforcements as it tried to recover lost outposts near the Chinese border from rebels, the military said. The toppling of Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government in a 2021 coup sparked a huge backlash and the military junta is now battling opponents across swaths of the country.

Gaganyaan’s Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) will take place between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on October 21, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Hamas releases two U.S. hostages as Israel readies Gaza invasion

Gaza’s Hamas rulers released two Americans on Friday among some 200 hostages they abducted in October 7 attacks in Israel and indicated that more could follow.

Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan were back in Israel late Friday, the Israeli government said.

Gaganyaan Mission | ISRO is set for first test flight

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on October 21 will conduct the Gaganyaan’s first Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1), which will demonstrate the performance of the Crew Escape System.

Calcutta High Court says every ‘female adolescent should control sexual urge’

Calling for decriminalisation of consensual sexual acts involving adolescents above 16 years, the Calcutta High Court, in a recent order, suggested that every female adolescent should “control sexual urge/urges” and “protect her right to integrity of her body”.

Hearing a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the court set aside the conviction of the appellant, who is the maternal uncle of the prosecutrix, stating that this is a case of “non-exploitative consensual sexual relationship between two consenting adolescents though consent in view of the age of the victim is immaterial”.

Mahua Moitra questions media leak of Hiranandani statement

A day after Darshan Hiranandani, CEO of the Hiranandani Group, claimed in an affidavit to the Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha that Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra provided him her Parliament login credentials so that he could “post the questions” directly “on her behalf when required”, Ms. Moitra questioned the media leak of his affidavit. She also alleged that the BJP’s primary agenda is to expel her from Lok Sabha to stop her from questioning industrialist Gautam Adani. 

Law Commission to share its ‘one nation one election’ plan with Kovind-led panel next week

A panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind has invited the Law Commission to discuss its proposal on holding simultaneous elections. The Commission, headed by Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, is working on a plan that will allow State Assembly elections to be held along with the Parliamentary poll in 2029.

Aus vs Pak | Warner and Marsh pummel Pakistan before the bowlers keep their nerve

Pakistan’s despair after the defeat to India was further deepened as it was beaten by a ruthless Australia by 62 runs at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Friday.

Chasing a mammoth 368, the classy opening pair of Abdullah Shafique (64, 61b, 7×4, 2×6) and Imam-ul-Haq (70, 71b, 10×4) put on 134. Australia didn’t help themselves by some below-par fielding; Shafique was let off by Sean Abott at deep mid-wicket on 27 while Imam by Pat Cummins on 48.

Manipur High Court allows tribal bodies to appeal against order on ST status for Meiteis

The Manipur High Court has allowed the tribal bodies in the State to appeal against the controversial March 27 order which had directed the State government to send a recommendation on Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Meiteis.

Once again, Friday prayers ‘disallowed’ at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid

Amid heightened security, the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor’s administration closed the historic Jamia Masjid for Friday prayers in the wake of fears of street protests over the civilian deaths in Palestine.

A spokesman said the Anjuman-i-Auqaf, a caretaker body of the Jamia Masjid, said police officials closed the gates of the mosque and warned against opening the premises for Friday prayers.

Who will ally with Congress if it behaves like this, asks SP chief

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday attacked the Congress by questioning the credibility of the grand old party. Mr. Yadav said that soon after the Madhya Pradesh seat sharing negotiations failed, he came to realise that the newly formed Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) Opposition bloc is only intended for the 2024 general election.

BJP eyes deeper inroads among Dalits, women in U.P. through outreach conferences

With Lok Sabha elections due next year, the Uttar Pradesh unit of the BJP is renewing its efforts to reach out to Dalits, women, and other marginalised sections of society, at a time when the Dalit-centric Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is losing its relevance among the Scheduled Castes (SC).

Modi government’s policies denying rights to people, says Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

Launching a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said the Centre’s policies were denying the people their rights and making their life difficult with the increasing unemployment and price rise. Ms. Vadra said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was resorting to “all possible tactics” for clinging to power at the Centre and in several States.

Meta, Google quit tech summit over organizer’s Israel remarks

Meta and Google have pulled out of the Web Summit, one of the tech sector’s biggest annual events, after the organizer criticized Israel’s actions following the Hamas attacks, the companies said on Friday.

Cricket World Cup 2023 ENG vs SA | We’re fully focused on the South Africa game, says Jos Buttler

England and South Africa, following losses to Afghanistan and The Netherlands respectively, will look to get their World Cup campaign back on track when they face off at the Wankhede Stadium here on Saturday.