India defeat Zimbabwe by 23 runs to go 2-1 up in five-match T20I series
Harare, Jul 10: Skipper Shubman Gill struck 66, while off-spinner Washington Sundar returned with 3/15 as India defeated Zimbabwe by 23 runs in the third T20I to take a 2-1 lead in five-match series here on Wednesday.
Electing to bat, India scored 182/4 with Gill (66, 49b, 7x4, 3x6) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (49, 28b, 4x4, 3x6) leading the way with contrasting knocks.
For Zimbabwe, pacer Blessing Muzarabani (2/25) was the best bowler.
In reply, Zimbabwe made a late resurgence with Dion Myers' maiden T20I fifty in the company of Wellington Masakadza but only to fall short and were restricted for 159/6.
The fourth T20I of the series is slated on Saturday.
Brief scores:
India 182/4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 66, Ruturaj Gaikwad 49; Blessing Muzarabani 2/25).
Zimbabwe 159/6 in 20 overs (Dion Myers 65 not out; Washington Sundar 3/15, Avesh Khan 2/39).
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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.
