Afghans seal series vs Ireland after highest score in T20Is

Dehradun

Afghanistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series against Ireland after amassing the highest total in T20Is, 278/3, which led to an 84-run win in the second game. Hazratullah Zazai (162 off 62) and Usman Ghani (73 off 48) set a new record for the opening-wicket partnership with a 236-run stand as Afghanistan surpassed Australia’s 263/3 posted against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in 2016.  Hazratullah’s (in pic) unbeaten 162 was the highest score by an Asian batsman in T20Is. It was also the second highest T20I score and the third fastest men’s century. In reply, Ireland ended with 194/6 with skipper Paul Stirling (91) being with the top-scorer. Star spinner Rashid Khan ended with four wickets, conceding 25 runs in four overs.

Brief Scores: Afghanistan: 278/3 in 20 overs (Hazratullah Zazai 162*, Usman Ghani 73; WB Rankin 1/35); Ireland: 194/6 in 20 overs (PR Stirling 91, KJ O’Brien 37; Rashid Khan 4/25)

Patiala

Toor, Dutee win gold in Indian Grand Prix-1

Tajinder Pal Singh Toor claimed the shot put gold at the Indian Grand Prix-1. Toor’s best was 20.13 metres, beating Inderjeet Singh (19.35m) and Jasdeep Singh (18.59m) comfortably. Dutee Chand (11.51s) won the women’s 100m. Haryana’s Manjit Singh clocked 1 minute, 48.54 seconds in the men’s 800m to secure the gold medal. In women’s javelin throw, Annu Rani won the gold medal. In women’s 3000m steeplechase, Parul Chaudhary won gold, while Sudha Singh had to settle for the bronze. 

Chennai

NorthEast qualify after JFC draw a blank

Jamshedpur FC’s hopes of reaching the Indian Super League playoffs went up in smoke after a goalless draw against Chennaiyin FC. The result sees NorthEast United FC clinch a spot in the top-4 for the first time in the ISL history while Jamshedpur remain fifth and four points behind them. 

Kolkata

CAB to decide on Pak players’ photos soon: Ganguly

Former India captain and Cricket Association of Bengal boss Sourav Ganguly said a decision would be taken soon on the removal of Pakistan cricketers’ photographs, including that of current prime minister Imran Khan from the walls of the Eden Gardens in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. Ganguly’s comment came after BJP’s youth wing workers protested in front of the Eden Gardens, seeking removal of photographs from the walls of the stadium. “We are working on it. There will be a decision soon,” Ganguly said. — Agencies