Nissanka, Asalanka fire Sri Lanka to 189/3 against West Indies
Abu Dhabi, Nov 4: Sri Lanka batters played with freedom and flair to set up a daunting 190-run target for the West Indies in the T20 World Cup here on Thursday.
The pitches in Abu Dhabi have proved to be the best across the three venues and in-form Pathum Nissanka (51 off 41) and Charith Asalanka (68 off 41) enjoyed batting on the surface, taking Sri Lanka to 189 for three with a 91-run stand.
Nissanka played some outrageous strokes en route his third half-century of the tournament. If the switch hit was not bold enough, the opener walked way across the off stump to whip Ravi Rampaul towards backward square leg for a boundary.
Asalanka too struck a sublime half-century and one of the highlights of his innings was a straight slog sweep off Dwayne Bravo for a six.
While Sri Lanka are already out of the tournament, the West Indies need to win tonight to keep their slim semi-final hopes alive. The defending champions are also dependant on other teams for their passage into the semi-final.
With nothing to lose, Sri Lankan batters played to their promising potential and made the West Indies attack look pedestrian. They also displayed that the future of Sri Lankan batting is in capable hands and with more experience at the highest level, they will only get better.
Sri Lanka made 48 for one in the Powerplay with the loss of Kusal Perera, who played well for his 29 off 21 balls. Andre Russell took a brilliant catch to dismiss him.
Nissanka and Asalanka then got together and with their free flowing strokeplay, put the West Indies attack under tremendous pressure.
After Nissanka's dismissal, Asalanka went ballistic. In the 18th over, he slog swept Bravo for a straight six before smoking one over the bowler's head for a boundary.
Skipper Dasun Shanka also chipped in with an unbeaten 25 off 14 balls in the death overs.
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Spirit of Aurangzeb entered Cong leaders' bodies, they want to levy Jizya-like tax: UP CM Adityanath
Saran (Bihar), May 17: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said the spirit of Aurangzeb has entered bodies of Congress leaders and they want to levy tax on the lines of Jizya imposed on non-Muslims during the Mughal king’s era.
Addressing an election rally in favour of BJP leader and NDA nominee Rajiv Pratap Rudy in Saran Lok Sabha seat, Adityanath alleged that the opposition INDIA block is preparing to impose inheritance tax on people if it comes to power.
“The spirit of Aurangzeb has entered the bodies of Congress leaders. That is the reason they are preparing to impose inheritance tax which is similar to Jizya levied on the Hindus during Aurangzeb's rule,” the BJP leader said.
Describing the Congress's alleged inheritance tax plan as “dangerous”, he claimed it will snatch away the assets and rights of people.
“It is part of the Congress’ politics of appeasement. They also want to provide reservations on the basis of religion to benefit Muslims only. The Congress and RJD are trying to rob SCs, STs and OBCs of quotas and divert those to Muslims,” Adityanath said.
Without mentioning Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar by name, he said those singing paeans for Pakistan should not live in India.
"They are a burden on this country… they must go there and beg,” the UP chief minister said.
Aiyar in an interview said it is important to respect Pakistan as it is a sovereign nation and has ‘nuclear bombs’. BJP leaders of late have been mentioning this comment to attack Congress, though Aiyar said the interview was old.
Urging people in Bihar to vote for the NDA only, Yogi said, “The RJD has become a problem like its ally Congress which we tackled effectively in UP reducing their strength to just two in the assembly and in the Lok Sabha polls, they will not be able to open the account”.
Attacking the Samajwadi Party without naming it, the BJP leader said, “Like the RJD here, we had a family ruling the roost in UP unleashing goonda-raj in the state. We put an end to this.”
The people of Bihar should ensure that RJD is defeated in this electoral battle, he said adding that vote for the NDA will put an end to “goonda raj”.
"When the Central government under the leadership of (PM Narendra) Modi Ji is focusing on digital India, RJD leaders are talking about lantern (RJD’s party symbol). Lalu Prasad ji can't think beyond his family,” he said.
Adityanath claimed that there is neither curfew nor riot in UP since criminals there are either in jail or rotting in hell.
“People of Bihar must ensure a third term to Modi Ji for Viksit Bharat and developed Bihar,” he said.
The UP CM alleged that the Congress and RJD used to question the existence of Lord Ram.
“The ongoing elections are a choice between Ram bhakts and Ram drohis. Jo Ram ko laaye hain, hum unko laayenge (We will bring those to power who brought Ram Lala to Ayodhya temple)", he said.
Saran is witnessing a contest between BJP veteran Rajiv Pratap Rudy and RJD’s Rohini Acharya, daughter of Lalu Prasad. Saran will go to polls in the fifth phase on May 20.
