Rain forces abandonment of India''s match against Bangladesh; Rawal injury scare for hosts
Navi Mumbai (PTI): Incessant rains forced the abandonment of India's match against Bangladesh but the hosts suffered a major injury scare as opener Pratika Rawal hurt her ankle and knee while fielding in an inconsequential Women’s World Cup match here on Sunday.
In a rain-truncated 27 overs per-side contest, India were 57 for no loss in 8.4 overs after restricting Bangladesh to 119/9 when rains intervened again, forcing the officials to call off the game. India’s target was revised to 126 from 27 overs.
Smriti Mandhana was on 34 not out and makeshift opener Amanjot Kaur was unbeaten on 15 when the match ended, and the two teams shared a point.
India finished the league stage with three wins from seven matches and the washout gave them seven points along with a fourth-place finish.
Bangladesh leapfrogged Pakistan to move to the seventh spot despite having similar points (3). as their victory in their previous meet in the tournament putting them one place above.
Earlier, Rawal’s right foot got stuck into the turf on the final ball of the 21st over of the first innings when she ran in from deep midwicket to stop the ball, and collapsed immediately grimacing in pain.
Indian players ran towards their teammate while a stretcher was also taken to the spot, but Rawal walked off the field with assistance from the support staff and even sported a smile on her face.
All eyes will remain on Rawal’s recovery as India, chasing their maiden World Cup title, will take on formidable Australia in the semifinal here on Thursday.
The BCCI informed, “Team India all-rounder Pratika Rawal sustained an injury to her knee and ankle while fielding in the first innings against Bangladesh. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring her progress."
In Rawal’s absence, chasing a revised target of 126 from 27 overs saw vice-captain Mandhana walking out in company of Amanjot, who opened the innings at this level for the first time.
Amanjot excelled in her responsibility playing a perfect second fiddle to Mandhana who flayed the Bangladesh attack, unleashing a string of boundaries to make 34 from 27 balls.
The outfield, including the spot where Rawal fell, here at the DY Patil remained exposed throughout the day as several interruptions of unseasonal rains saw a total of two hours and 15 minutes being lost.
The playing area was protected from one bowling end to another with the centre having multiple layers of covers, but the square boundaries on either side of the wicket were left exposed to rains.
Earlier, India restricted Bangladesh for a paltry 119 for nine in 27 overs after weather forced reduction of overs.
It did not take long for Renuka Singh to strike as she had Sumaiya Akhter caught by Shree Charani (2/23) at backward point off a wide delivery which the batter had went after.
Radha Yadav got rid of Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana (9) with a brilliant direct hit.
Sharmin Akhter (36), coming off a fine 64 not out in her last outing against Sri Lanka, appeared to be waging a lone battle for Bangladesh as India kept chipping away with regular wickets.
Sharmin’s charge ended after Arundhati Reddy, who came on as a substitute for Rawal, flung herself into the air running in from the deep midwicket to take an athletic grab off Charani.
Sobhana Mostary (26) tried to take the attack to the opposition but her resistance did not last long, with Harleen Deol taking a fine catch off comeback spinner Radha Yadav (3/30).
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
