Netherlands knock South Africa out of T20 WC with 13-run win
India qualify for semi-finals
Adelaide(PTI): Minnows Netherlands knocked South Africa out of the T20 World Cup with a stunning 13-run win as the Proteas yet again chocked in a big ICC tournament, here on Sunday.
Netherlands dished out a collective batting effort to post a decent 158 for four after being invited to bat and then restricted the Proteas to 145 for eight for their biggest victory in world cricket. It was Dutch side's first win against South Africa across any format.
South Africa's defeat secured India's passage into the semifinals. India have a match to play against Zimbabwe later today in Melbourne.
Netherlands' win has converted the next match between Pakistan and Bangladesh into a virtual knock-out as the winning team will make it to the knockout stage from Group 2 along with India. It was Netherlands second win in the Super 12 stage, having defeated Zimbabwe by five wickets earlier.
Chasing a competitive 159, South Africa lost skipper Temba Bavuma (20) and Quinton de Kock (13) early. Rilee Rossouw (25) got a start before becoming Brandon Glover's (3/9) first victim as South Africa slipped to 64 for three.
Aiden Markram (17) and David Miller (17) then added 26 runs for the fourth wicket before three quick wickets, including two in one over from Glover, spoilt South Africa's chances.
Markram was dismissed by Fred Klassen in the 13th over as Stephan Myburgh took an excellent catch at short cover.
Glover then dismissed dangerous Miller and Wayne Parnell in a span of three balls to dent South Africa's chances as they slumped to 113 for six.
From thereon, it was a herculean task for the likes of Heinrich Klassen and Keshav Maharav to take the side past the finish line as South Africa fell short by 13 runs.
Earlier, Stephan Myburgh (37 off 30) and Max O'Dowd (29) gave the Dutch team a good start, sharing 58 runs for the opening wicket.
Besides the duo, Tom Cooper (35 off 19) and Colin Ackermann (41 not out off 26) scored quick runs to help Netherlands get past the 150-run mark.
Ackermann's innings was laced with three boundaries and two huge sixes, while Cooper struck two fours and as many hits over the fence.
Leaving aside Anrich Nortje (1/10), none of the South African fast bowlers could inflict any damage on Netherlands with Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi all going for runs.
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (2/27) picked up two wickets for the Proteas, while Markram (1/16) accounted for one batter.
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Motivational speaker Sonu Sharma slams govt, Supreme Court over Aravalli Hills order
Says If Aravalli falls, our future falls
New Delhi: Motivational speaker and life coach Sonu Sharma has strongly criticised the Narendra Modi-led central government and the Supreme Court over recent developments related to the Aravalli Hills, warning that the decisions could have long-term consequences for North India’s environment and air quality.
In a video posted on social media, Sharma questioned the logic behind treating parts of the Aravalli range measuring less than 100 metres in height as non-mountains, a position that has emerged from recent legal interpretations. Without naming specific judgments, Sharma said such reasoning effectively strips large portions of the ancient mountain range of legal protection and opens the door for large-scale mining.
The Aravalli range, considered one of the oldest mountain systems in the world, plays a crucial role in checking desertification, regulating climate and acting as a natural barrier against dust storms from the Thar desert. Environmentalists have long warned that continued degradation of the Aravallis could worsen air pollution in cities such as Delhi and accelerate ecological damage across Rajasthan, Haryana and the National Capital Region.
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In the video, Sharma argued that redefining mountains based on arbitrary height criteria amounts to legitimising environmental destruction. He compared it to denying basic human identity based on physical attributes, calling the approach illogical and dangerous. He claimed that in Rajasthan alone, nearly 12,000 peaks are part of the Aravalli system, and that only around 1,000 of them exceed 100 metres, leaving the vast majority vulnerable to legal mining activity.
Sharma also took aim at a televised statement by senior news anchor Rajat Sharma, who had said that Delhi’s pollution gets trapped because the city is shaped like a bowl surrounded by the Aravalli Hills. Sharma rejected the argument that the Aravallis are responsible for pollution, instead describing them as the “lungs of North India” whose destruction is aggravating the crisis.
Without directly naming the court, Sharma said institutions were issuing orders without understanding environmental realities. His remarks have been widely interpreted as a criticism of the Supreme Court’s recent stance on the Aravalli Hills, which has drawn concern from environmental groups who fear it may weaken safeguards against mining.
The video has gained significant traction online, given Sharma’s large following of over five million followers on Instagram and more than 13 million subscribers on YouTube. Many users echoed his concerns, saying unchecked mining and construction in the Aravallis would worsen water scarcity, air pollution and desertification.
Sharma ended his message with a call to protect the Aravalli range, warning that continued neglect would have irreversible consequences. “If the Aravalli falls, our future will also fall,” he said, urging citizens to speak up against policies and orders that, in his view, prioritise development over environmental survival.
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