Rajapaksa flays Pakistan attack to take Sri Lanka to 170 for 6
Dubai, Sep 11: Pakistan pacers started with a bang before Bhanuka Rajapaksa's brilliant 71 not out took Sri Lanka to a challenging 170 for 6 in the Asia Cup final here on Sunday.
It was a good toss to win for Babar Azam until Rajapaksa's calculated assault at the death saw 50 runs being scored off last 4 overs.
Young Naseem Shah (1/40 in 4 overs) and the uber cool Haris Rauf (3/29 in 4 overs) bowled with a lot of pace and fire extracting movement off the track as they broke the backbone of the Lankan batting within the Powerplay overs before Rajapaksa scored one of his finest fifties considering the situation that his team was in.
The spinners leg-spinner Shadab Khan (1/28 in 4 overs) maintained his prolific consistency that has been one of the hallmarks of Pakistan team in this tournament.
However, Rajapaksa (71 of 45 balls) and Wanindu Hasaranga (36 off 21 balls) added 58 quick runs after Sri Lanka were left gasping for breath at 58 for 5.
There was another 54 run stand with Chamika Karunaratne and Sri Lanka did cross the 160-run mark.
Shah, the 19-year-old pace sensation bowled one of the most lethal off-cutters seen in this tournament as it pitched back of length but moved in sharply, giving no time to in-form Kusal Mendis (0) to bring his bat down.
While Dhananjaya de Silva (28 off 21 balls) did hit some picturesque cover drives, there was no support literally from the other end.
Pathum Nissanka (8), got a fuller outswinger from Rauf, which he mistimed while Danushka Gunathilaka (1) got a nice outswinger (inswinger for left-hander) which was fast and full, pegging his stumps back.
Once the pacers dismissed three out of the top four batters, the pressure increased and De Silva offered a simple return catch to Iftikhar, who isn't even their regular spinner.
While pacers forced the Lankan batters with pace and movement, if any player, who could be blamed for atrocious shot selection would be Dasun Shanaka, who was clean bowled by Shadab trying to hoick a fuller delivery from the wrist spinner over cow corner.
However Rajapaksa with his all-round strokeplay did give Sri Lankan total lot of respectability. He hit six fours and three sixes and the flick off Naseem for a maximum was a treat for the eyes.
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Drunk Creta driver drags Royal Enfield bike for 500 metres after crash in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: A drunken driving incident on Christmas Eve left a motorcyclist injured after his Royal Enfield bike was dragged for nearly 500 metres by a Hyundai Creta following a collision on Bengaluru’s Ring Road, NDTV reported on Friday.
The incident occurred on the evening of December 24, when Srinivasa KV (38) was allegedly driving the car in a rash and negligent manner while under the influence of alcohol. According to police, the accident took place around 7:15 pm when the Creta rammed into a motorcycle from behind.
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Rohit S, who was riding from Sumanahalli flyover to Nagarabhavi Circle, was thrown off the bike in the impact. He suffered injuries to his chest, legs, and hands and is now under treatment.
Police said Rohit’s Royal Enfield motorcycle became lodged under the car after the collision. The driver continued driving, dragging the bike for nearly half a kilometre. Dashcam footage from a car behind showed sparks flying under the car.
The car continued speeding on the road and rammed several other vehicles, police said. Srinivasa was eventually caught by the public, who assaulted him and handed him over to the police.
As per the report, a case has been registered at the Kamakshipalya Traffic Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act. Further investigation is underway.
