#641 Simranjeet’s 2 goals give India a winning start in 2018 hockey world cup; Yasir’s heroic 14 fer gives NZ nightmares in 2nd test ; Bangladesh look to seal the test series post Mahmudullah’s brilliant century; Liverpool is all but knocked out of Champions league; Man City through to knock out stage; Karnataka outclass Maharashtra in Ranji; Gujarat shock Mumbai and more..:-)
In 2nd test, Pakistan were on defensive initially on a slow pitch against NZ. NZ dismissed Pak openers to host under pressure. Pakistan 25-2. Post that it was one way traffic. Haris Sohail and Azhar had a 126 run stand to put Pakistan on command. Haris Sohail and Babar Azam scored brilliant centuries to help Pakistan to huge total of 418-5 d. NZ started well with a 50 run stand by openers. Post that Yasir wreaked havoc. He took 8 wickets as NZ lost 10 wickets for next 40 runs in 14 overs. It was collapse of highest proportions. There were 6 ducks in NZ innings which is a record. NZ lost the match then and there. They fought hard when they were made to follow on by still lost by an innings and 16 runs. Yasir grabbed 14 wickets for the match. After winning a thriller in first test , Bangladesh elected to bat in 2nd test vs WI. They ended day at 259-5 with Shaikb unbeaten on 55 and Shadman making a gritty 76 on debut. On 2nd day, it was all Ndesh. Tail wagged with Mahmudullah who scored a brilliant 136. Last 3 wickets made 115 runs. That took the steam of WI . Shakib and Mehidy reduced WI to 29-5 inside 2 overs. All 5 overs were bowled. This match might not last till end of 4th day.
In ranji trophy, Karnataka outclassed Maharashtra by 7 wickets. Maha were dismissed for 113 thanks to a 4-fer by Suchith. Karnataka also looked like being dismissed for similar score. But 63 run stand by Shreyas and Vinay gave Karnataka a lead of 73 runs. That proved costly. Maharashtra made 256. Karnataka won it by 7 wickets thanks to 121 runs opening stand by Padikal and Nischal. Shocker was Gujarat shocking Mumbai after conceding first innings lead. Kalaria and gaja grabbed 4 wickets each to dismiss Mumbai for just 187 in 2nd innings. Gujarat chased 203 with ease as they won by 9 wickets.
In champions league, Liverpool are in dire straits. They were leading the group 2 weeks back after 3 games. But 2 losses to Napoli and now to PSG (1-2 loss) has put their chances of making to knockout stage extremely difficult. They need to beat Napoli and expect PSG to lose to Red star. Barca beat PSv 2-1. Napoli beat Red star 3-1. Spurs shocked Inter Milan 1-0. Their run in Champions league have been impressive. Real Madrid beat Roma 2-0. Man City drew with Lyon and they have now qualified for knockouts. ManU beat Young boys 1-0. Juventus, Bayern and Athletico Madrid won too.
India had won world cup of hockey in 1975 but have never managed to reach SF since then (not in Olympics too since 1980). India hosted world cup this time. Odisha government have sponsored the entire event which is such a positive move. India thrashed SA 5-0 opening game. Three field goals and two from PCs gave India a commanding start at the 2018 Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneshwar. Man-of-the-Match Simranjeet Singh scored two goals for the hosts, while Lalit Upadhyay, Akashdeep Singh and Mandeep Singh chipped in with a goal apiece in a game dominated by India.
