South Africa score 220/4, lead India by 508 runs at lunch
Guwahati (PTI): Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi defied India's spin attack as South Africa scored 220 for 4 in their second innings to take a massive 508-run lead at lunch on day four of the second Test, here on Tuesday.
After Ravindra Jadeja (3/46) and Washington Sundar (1/67) got early breakthroughs in the pre-tea session, reducing South Africa to 77/3, Stubbs (60 batting; 155 balls) and de Zorzi (49 off 68 balls) batted resolutely to stitch together a 101-run stand to take their team to a strong position.
It was Jadeja who got the early breakthroughs in the day by dismissing openers Ryan Rickelton (35 off 64 balls) and Aiden Markram (29 off 84 balls) as South Africa reached 107 for 3 at tea -- an overall lead of 395 runs.
Washington Sundar then got the wicket of skipper Temba Bavuma as South Africa were reduced to 77/3.
Stubbs and de Zorzi then batted with composure for a century partnership before Jadeja took his third wicket of the day to break the stand.
On Monday, India were bundled out for 201 in response to South Africa's first-innings total of 489.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 1st Innings: 489 & 107 for 3 in 40 overs (Ryan Rickelton 35, Aiden Markram 29, Tristan Stubbs 60 not out, Tony de Zorzi 49; Ravindra Jadeja 3/46).
India 1st Innings: 201 in 83.5 overs.
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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.
