In Bavuma’s absence, Aiden Markram will take over the captaincy duties for the under-pressure South African side. The team currently trails 2-1 in the five-match ODI series against Australia, having already lost the preceding T20Is 3-0.

Sri Lanka’s opening batsmen, Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka, powered their team to a resounding nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the final ODI, securing a 2-1 series win for the hosts on Wednesday.

Chasing a target of 120 in Hambantota, Sri Lanka comfortably reached the total with 34 overs to spare. The Afghan top order struggled against Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling attack, led by the impressive Dushmantha Chameera, who was awarded the man-of-the-match for his outstanding performance.

This triumph provided a much-needed confidence boost for Sri Lanka as they prepare for a qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe, where two World Cup spots are up for grabs.

Although Afghanistan has already secured their place in the World Cup, which will be held in India in October, their captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed disappointment in their batting performance, describing it as “a bad day for our batters.” He acknowledged that losing too many wickets early on disrupted their momentum.

Pathum Nissanka wasted no time in the chase, smashing his seventh ODI half-century off just 32 balls, including eight fours and two sixes. He departed for 51, ending an 84-run partnership for the opening wicket. Meanwhile, Dimuth Karunaratne, playing his first ODI series in over two years, remained unbeaten on 56, ensuring Sri Lanka reached the target without further loss of wickets. Karunaratne’s knock came off 45 balls, featuring seven boundaries and marking his eighth ODI half-century.

With Kusal Mendis unbeaten on 11, Sri Lanka reached the target in a mere 16 overs, sealing an early finish to the game.

Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first, but Dushmantha Chameera’s fiery spells quickly established Sri Lanka’s dominance, preventing the tourists from building significant partnerships. Chameera, making a successful comeback after a seven-month recovery from ankle surgery, claimed four wickets for 63 runs, earning him the well-deserved man-of-the-match accolade.

Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga contributed to Afghanistan’s downfall with figures of 3-7, while fast bowler Lahiru Kumara picked up two wickets as the visitors were bundled out for a meager total of 116.

After a comprehensive victory for Afghanistan in the first game, Sri Lanka displayed their resilience by bouncing back to win the second match by a commanding 132 runs.

A few days ago, Desert Vipers made the record for the most wins in the IL T20 by defeating Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 111 runs. Mi Emirates got the biggest win of this tournament against them this time. They won by 157 runs with a target of 242 runs in Sharjah.

On Sunday (January 29), Dessert won the toss and sent the Emirates to bat. Andre Fletcher and Mohammad Wasim explained to them that the decision was wrong. Both of them scored centuries in just 55 balls in the opening pair. Wasim, an Emirati cricketer, scored fifty off 24 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes. Fletcher scored a half-century off 38 balls with four fours and two sixes.

The pair broke in the 13th over by 141 runs. Fletcher departs after scoring fifty. The Caribbean opener could not add a single run.

Wasim also did not stay at the crease for long. He scored a maximum of 86 runs in 44 balls with 11 fours and 4 sixes. Kieron Pollard stormed the field. He remained unbeaten on 50 off just 19 balls with four fours and sixes. Dan Moseley made a small storm with him for the fourth wicket. He remained unbeaten on 41 off 17 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes.

Emirates scored 241 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. Dazart pacer Tom Curran took the maximum two wickets.

The desert batsmen could not settle down to the big target. In the powerplay, their six wickets went to 47 runs. And they also lost the remaining wickets in 6.1 overs. Only three reached the double-digit house. Imran Tahir’s spin with the pace of Fazal Haq Farooqui and Zahoor Khan from one end. They bowled out Desert for 84 runs. Faruqui took a maximum of three wickets. Imran and Zahoor got two each.

Even at this rate, dessert is at the top of the table. Their achievement in 7 matches is 10 points. Despite getting equal points, the Gulf Giants are behind in the run rate. And in the fourth win, Emirates is in three with 9 points. Sharjah Warriors, who are at number four, have 7 points.

In the second ODI of the three-match series against England, South Africa won an incredible victory. In this win, the series is certain for the Proteas with one match in hand.

Timba Bavuma’s century and David Miller’s fifty helped South Africa win five balls earlier in the chase of a target of 343 runs.

Captain Bavuma scored 109 runs in 102 balls in the team’s victory. David Miller played a stormy inning of 58 runs in 37 balls and took the team to the port of victory. Marku Jensen scored 32 runs in 29 balls.

Apart from this, Aiden Markram scored 49 runs in 43 balls. Van der Dussen scored 38 runs off 38 balls. Opener Quinton de Kock scored 31 runs in 28 balls.

England lost the toss and batted first at the Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday and scored 342 runs for 7 wickets.

Harry Brooks returned with 80 runs in 75 balls for the team. Captain Jos Buttler remained unbeaten on 94 off 82 balls. Moeen Ali scored 51 runs in 45 balls.

Sloppy fielding allowed Zimbabwe’s fragile top-order to make a promising start, easing to 61-1 by the first drinks break with Innocent Kaia caught and bowled for 17 by Mitchell Marsh. After Adam Zampa (3-57) spun two quick wickets, 21-year-old Wesley Madhevere (72) batted cautiously with skipper Regis Chakabva (31), sharing in a partnership of 63.

The lower-order capitulated spectacularly though, swinging wildly against Green (5-33), whose entire haul came from catches in the deep while the final four wickets combined for 12 runs.

A tribute to former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds, who died in a car accident outside Townsville in May, preceded the hosts’ innings, which started emphatically with a boundary from the first ball.

David Warner and Steve Smith (48 not out) batted with freedom in the pursuit of a low target after Aaron Finch departed for 15.
Warner survived a dropped catch on 36 off Sikandar Raza, and two balls later he walked after wicketkeeper Chakabva immediately reviewed for caught-behind.

However, the review was deemed to have insufficient evidence to overturn the not-out decision, causing the opener to trudge back out to the middle. The off-spinner soon had his man though, clean bowling Warner for 57. Australia’s middle-order faltered, conceding three wickets to Ryan Burl’s leg-breaks, but Glenn Maxwell bludgeoned 32 from 9 balls to seal the game.

The three-match series continues in Townsville on Wednesday.