Jaffer accelerates
Badrinath is saved by umpire’s call on another LBW decision. Kulasekara getting the third umpire involved with his LBW shouts, but no wickets so far.
Dilhara Fernando is first change for Asia. Jaffer drives a four down the ground. Two fours on the leg side to follow. Badrinath fires a four but is then struck on the glove by a bouncer. Appeals for a catch. Extended third umpire decision. But it’s out. Badrinath gone for 9. Kaif joins Jaffer
IND 40/2 after 5
Shoaib Akhtar strikes
Wasim Jaffer pulls away from his hip to hit the first boundary of the innings. Kulasekara gets movement in the air but his extra pace allows the batsmen to take more runs. Jaffer is given out LBW but he reviews to overturn. Shoaib Akhtar gets the first wicket! Naman Ojha gives a catch in the deep to Ajantha Mendis. Badrinath joins Jaffer.
IND 12/1 after 2.2
Wasim Jaffer dropped on 0
Time for the chase. Naman Ojha and Wasim Jaffer open the Indian innings, Shoaib Akhtar steams in for Asia. Jaffer, India’s highest FC run-getter, slices up a catch which Md Rafique drops. Akhtar cannot believe it.
IND 4/0 after 1
Asia Lions score 193/4
Asia Lions score 193/4 in 20 overs. Tharanga and Asghar Afghan the stars of the show in that innings.
Asghar Afghan blasts off
Misbah ul Haq comes in at 6. Munaf bowls a tight 19th over. Asghar Aghan gets to his 50 off 23 balls. And keeps smashing in the final over. Misbah happy to be at the non-striker’s end.
Asia 179/4 after 19.1
Tharanga out for 72
Binny brought back into the attack as the death overs approach, but Afghan is ready. Two flat sixes smashed over deep midwicket. Next one smashed down the ground. Asghar Afghan forcing the box of balls to be brought out at frightening frequency. 23 runs come off the 17th over.
Tharanga hits a six in the 18th over and then plays one on to his stumps. Gone for 72 off 45 balls.
Asia 163/4 after 17.2
Asghar Afghan replaces Yousuf, smashes Nikhil Chopra
Amit Bhandari into the attack in the 14th over – mediocrity becoming synonymous with middle overs in the Indian bowling innings like so many years ago. Yousuf is caught in the deep by Gony, he is out for 26. Asghar Afghan, the Afghan representative in the side joins Tharanga.
Afghan smashes two 6s against Nikhil Chopra. New balls required.
Asia 127/3 after 15
Tharanga (65*) gets Asia across 100 in 13th over
Another six from Tharanga off Gony to get the partnership to 50. A second six to get him to his 50, Gony taking a beating today. Tharanga steps down the track against Salvi to continue his attack.
Asia 103/2 after 13, Tharanga on 65*
Tharanga, Yousuf rebuild Asia innings
Tharanga smashes a six off Gony as play restarts after a Timeout. Asia manage a run rate of 7 at the 10-hour mark, but barely. Munaf Patel continues to give nothing away. Tharanga and Yousuf, used to saving their teams aftter top order collapses combine well together, against the common enemy – India.
Asia 77/2 after 11
Yousuf hits first 6 of match
Yousuf gets down to business. Smashes Nikhil Chopra in a redux from 20 years ago for a six down the ground in the 8th over – the first six of the match. India bowlers are keeping things tight.
Asia 63/2 after 9
24 Jan 2022 5:01 PM GMT Jaffer acceleratesBadrinath is saved by umpire’s call on another LBW decision. Kulasekara getting the third umpire involved with his LBW shouts, but no wickets so far. Dilhara Fernando is first change for Asia. Jaffer drives a four down the ground. Two fours on the leg side to follow. Badrinath fires a four but is then struck on the glove by a bouncer. Appeals for a catch. Extended third umpire decision. But it’s out. Badrinath gone for 9. Kaif joins JafferIND 40/2 after 524 Jan 2022 4:44 PM GMT Shoaib Akhtar strikesWasim Jaffer pulls away from his hip to hit the first boundary of the innings. Kulasekara gets movement in the air but his extra pace allows the batsmen to take more runs. Jaffer is given out LBW but he reviews to overturn. Shoaib Akhtar gets the first wicket! Naman Ojha gives a catch in the deep to Ajantha Mendis. Badrinath joins Jaffer.IND 12/1 after 2.224 Jan 2022 4:34 PM GMT Wasim Jaffer dropped on 0Time for the chase. Naman Ojha and Wasim Jaffer open the Indian innings, Shoaib Akhtar steams in for Asia. Jaffer, India’s highest FC run-getter, slices up a catch which Md Rafique drops. Akhtar cannot believe it. IND 4/0 after 124 Jan 2022 4:13 PM GMT Asia Lions score 193/4Asia Lions score 193/4 in 20 overs. Tharanga and Asghar Afghan the stars of the show in that innings.24 Jan 2022 4:09 PM GMT Asghar Afghan blasts offMisbah ul Haq comes in at 6. Munaf bowls a tight 19th over. Asghar Aghan gets to his 50 off 23 balls. And keeps smashing in the final over. Misbah happy to be at the non-striker’s end.Asia 179/4 after 19.124 Jan 2022 3:58 PM GMT Tharanga out for 72Binny brought back into the attack as the death overs approach, but Afghan is ready. Two flat sixes smashed over deep midwicket. Next one smashed down the ground. Asghar Afghan forcing the box of balls to be brought out at frightening frequency. 23 runs come off the 17th over.Tharanga hits a six in the 18th over and then plays one on to his stumps. Gone for 72 off 45 balls.Asia 163/4 after 17.224 Jan 2022 3:46 PM GMT Asghar Afghan replaces Yousuf, smashes Nikhil ChopraAmit Bhandari into the attack in the 14th over – mediocrity becoming synonymous with middle overs in the Indian bowling innings like so many years ago. Yousuf is caught in the deep by Gony, he is out for 26. Asghar Afghan, the Afghan representative in the side joins Tharanga. Afghan smashes two 6s against Nikhil Chopra. New balls required.Asia 127/3 after 1524 Jan 2022 3:33 PM GMT Tharanga (65*) gets Asia across 100 in 13th overAnother six from Tharanga off Gony to get the partnership to 50. A second six to get him to his 50, Gony taking a beating today. Tharanga steps down the track against Salvi to continue his attack.Asia 103/2 after 13, Tharanga on 65*24 Jan 2022 3:22 PM GMT Tharanga, Yousuf rebuild Asia inningsTharanga smashes a six off Gony as play restarts after a Timeout. Asia manage a run rate of 7 at the 10-hour mark, but barely. Munaf Patel continues to give nothing away. Tharanga and Yousuf, used to saving their teams aftter top order collapses combine well together, against the common enemy – India.Asia 77/2 after 1124 Jan 2022 3:09 PM GMT Yousuf hits first 6 of matchYousuf gets down to business. Smashes Nikhil Chopra in a redux from 20 years ago for a six down the ground in the 8th over – the first six of the match. India bowlers are keeping things tight.Asia 63/2 after 9