New Zealand beat Afghanistan by five wickets in T20 World Cup
Chennai (PTI): Tim Seifert blasted a 42-ball 65 as New Zealand opened their T20 World Cup campaign with a five-wicket win over Afghanistan here on Sunday.
Opting to bat, Gulbadin Naib (63) smashed a fine fifty as Afghanistan posted a 182 for six. Sediqullah Atal (29) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (27) also chipped in with useful contributions.
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In reply, NZ romped home in 17.5 overs with Seifert (65) and Glenn Phillips (42) doing bulk of the runs.
Brief Score:
Afghanistan: 182 for six in 20 overs (Gulbadin Naib 63; Lockie Fergusen 2/32).
New Zealand: 183 for 5 in 17.5 overs (Tim Seifert 65; Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/31).
New Zealand seal a statement win against Afghanistan to kickstart their #T20WorldCup campaign 💪
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 8, 2026
Watch highlights from every match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on https://t.co/5AuGFN3SRa 🎥https://t.co/aAOVF9VPu6
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Dalit student forced to beg, beaten with sticks, attacked near hostel in Gujarat
Mehsana, Gujarat: An incident of caste-based violence has been reported from Mehsana district in north Gujarat, an area widely recognised as an educational hub. A Dalit student, hailing from Porbandar and currently studying in Mehsana, and residing in the hostel of a BBA–BCA college, was reportedly assaulted by four individuals following a minor dispute.
According to the victim, who is currently pursuing his studies, the incident originated from a brief verbal exchange inside the hostel on February 3. He alleged that a fellow hostel resident, verbally abused him during a casual interaction. When the student objected, the accused allegedly threatened him with consequences the next day.
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“Their words were more painful than the beating. They abused me using my caste name and tried to humiliate me by forcing me to beg for forgiveness,” the victim told the police, The Observer Post reported.
The complaint further states that on the morning of February 4, as the student was heading to college, he was intercepted near a Hanuman temple close to the hostel by the acused and his three associates. The accused allegedly forced him to apologise by falling at their feet. Upon his refusal, they are said to have hurled caste-based slurs and physically assaulted him using wooden sticks and belts.
The student sustained serious injuries in the attack. He initially received treatment at a university hospital but was later shifted to Mehsana Civil Hospital by ambulance after his condition deteriorated.
Subsequently, the victim, accompanied by his mother, lodged a formal complaint at the Mehsana A Division police station. Police have registered a case under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with sections pertaining to assault and criminal intimidation.
A police official said, “A case has been registered under the SC/ST Atrocities Act and other relevant sections. We are conducting raids to locate the accused.”
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the accused, who are currently said to be absconding.
