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Wed, 19 September 2012
World T20: India down Afghanistan by 23 runs

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23:07   Afghanistan bowled out for 136
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Afghanistan 136 all out (19.3 ovs) vs India 159-5

RESULT: INDIA BEAT AFGHANISTAN BY 23 RUNS

India have a lot to work on and this match against Afghanistan has proven to be a real eye opener.

Zaheer disappointed with the ball, giving away 32 runs from three overs, while the opening combination of Sehwag and Gambhir are still short of runs.

At times, India looked to be struggling against the minnows, who paid dearly for their lapses on the field.

India's next match will be against England on Sunday, September 23.

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22:46   Afghanistan bowled out for 136
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Afghanistan 136 all out (19.3 ovs) vs India 159-5

RESULT: INDIA BEAT AFGHANISTAN BY 23 RUNS

Balaji to bowl the final over with 24 runs needed for victory, in short six fours from six balls. Can they pull of a miracle here?

Balaji starts with a bouncer as Naib tries to pull but misses. He then looks to loft the next ball down the ground but is caught by Raina at mid-off for five.

Balaji ends the match with the next ball as he bowls lastman Dawlat Zadran with a yorker.
22:42  
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Afghanistan 136-8 (19 ovs) vs India 159-5

Pathan comes back for his final over, the penultimate over of the innings. Naib plays and misses outside the off-stump before pulling the next ball to midwicket, which is called a no-ball for overstepping and that is a free hit.

Naib then hits the free hit to covers before refuses to take a run and then chops the next ball over the bowler for one.

New batsman Dawlat Zadran chips down the wicket and Pathan bowls a bouncer which the right-hander fails to get away. However, he smashes the next ball over the cover region for a powerfully smacked boundary.

He thumps the next ball through midwicket for back to back fours to leave it 24 runs needed from the last over.
22:37  
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Afghanistan 126-8 (18 ovs) vs India 159-5

WICKET: N Zadran run out 5 (2b, 1x4)

Just wondering if the long pause from Ashwin before he delivers the ball is against the rules! It certainly played a part in the wicket of Nabi, who also had to adjust as he decided to charge down the wicket.

Najibullah Zadran comes into bat at number nine, one of the three Zadrans in the Afghanistan team.

Balaji starts with a wide down the leg side before Zadran slams it through the covers for a boundary as the Afghans continue to fight.

The left-hander is run out after he is sent back by striker Gulbodin Naib. Zadran had injured his hamstring while fielding and the new rules mean he could not get a runner.
22:30   Afghanistan lose 7th wicket
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Afghanistan 119-7 (17 ovs) vs India 159-5

WICKET: Nabi c Sharma b Ashwin 31 (17b, 2x4, 2x6)

Ashwin comes on to bowl his final over and this will be the crucial over for both teams.

Gulbodin Naib hits the first ball for one before Nabi does the same to midwicket. Naib hits it across the line to midwicket for another single.

With not many runs coming in the over, Nabi decides to play the big shot but holes out to Rohit Sharma at long-off after a quickfire knock of 31 from 17 balls.

Ashwin took a long pause to bowl that delivery, and Nasser Hussain says on commentary that "the batsmen must step aside if he takes such a long pause"
22:25   Afghanistan need 44 from 4 overs for victory.
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Afghanistan 116-6 (16 ovs) vs India 159-5

Zaheer is back for a new spell and he starts from round the wicket. He bowls from wide of the crease but Nabi hits him on the up inside out for a huge six over the covers.

He flicks the next ball to deep midwicket for a couple.

Closer look at the replays indicate that Shafiqullah was unlucky to be given out leg before wicket as he got an inside edge before the ball struck his pads.

Nabi then smashes a full delivery down the ground and a diving stop from Raina keeps it down to two runs.

He then makes most off a full toss from Zaheer clipping it round the corner past the short fine leg fielder for a four and then gets a single to long-on.

Another single off the final delivery makes it 16 runs from that over as Afghanistan reach 116 for six after 16 overs, needing 44 runs from four overs for victory.

Nabi has blasted his way to 30 from 15 balls, with the help of two fours and two sixes.
22:20   Afghanistan lose 6th wicket
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Afghanistan 100-6 (15 ovs) vs India 159-5

WICKET: Shafiqullah lbw b Pathan 8 (9b)

Pathan back into the attack to bowl his third over of the innings with Afghanistan need 67 from six overs for victory.

Nabi and Shafiqullah take a single each before the former lofts him over the cover region for a boundary. Two balls later, he pulls a short ball to the short fine leg region to bring up Afghanistan's 100 in the 15th over.

Pathan puts Afghanistan in further trouble as he traps Shafiqullah leg before wicket for eight.
22:15   Afghanistan lose 5th wicket
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Afghanistan 93-5 (14 ovs) vs India 159-5

Mohammad Nabi lofts a full delivery from Yuvraj and hits him through the line over long-on for a six followed by a single.

Shafiqullah defends the next ball before he misses with the attempted sweep.

Yuvraj then drops one short and the right-hander pulls him over midwicket for a six.

13 runs came from that Yuvraj over, who ends with three for 24 from four overs.

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22:12   Afghanistan lose 5th wicket
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Afghanistan 80-5 (13 ovs) vs India 159-5

WICKET: Shenwari c and b Ashwin 1 (2b)

Afghanistan's batsmen are falling in a heap. Samiullah Shenwari offers a simple return catch to bowler Ashwin to be dismissed for one.

Three wickets in seven balls as Afghanistan continue to falter.

Four runs from that Ashwin where he took the wicket of Shenwari for one.
22:08   Yuvraj takes two wickets in a row
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Afghanistan 76-4 (12 ovs) vs India 159-5

WICKET: Sadiq c Gambhir b Yuvraj 26 (26b, 3x4)

WICKET: Stanikzai c Dhoni b Yuvraj 6 (9b)

Yuvraj then cripples Afghanistan with another wicket, in his third over. Sadiq plays the slog sweep but holes out to Gambhir at deep midwicket after a quick 26 from 26 balls.

Stanikzai falls off the very ball as Yuvraj gets it to turn sharply, taking the edge to wicketkeeper Dhoni.

Two wickets in two balls as Afghanistan's hopes disappear.

Two new batsmen for Afghanistan in the form of Mohammad Nabi and Samiullah Shenwari.

A superb over from Yuvraj, picking up two wickets to cripple Afghanistan.

22:03  
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Afghanistan 74-2 (11 ovs) vs India 159-5

Sadiq get a lifeline as Dhoni misses an easy stumping down the leg side with Sadiq way out of his crease before a single off the next ball.

Five runs from that over from Ashwin as Afghans reach 74 for two in 11 overs, needing 86 from 54 balls for victory.

22:00  
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Afghanistan 69-2 (10 ovs) vs India 159-5

Sadiq is keeping Afghanistan in the hunt as he keeps getting the boundaries. He gives himself room and cuts it through the point region for a boundary. He looks to paddle the next ball but hits it straight to the short fine leg while gets a single off the next ball to the covers.

Stanikzai flicks Yuvraj to deep midwicket for two as seven runs come from that over.

Afghanistan are still in the contest with 91 runs needed from ten overs for victory.
21:57  
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Afghanistan 62-2 (9 ovs) vs India 159-5

R Ashwin comes on to bowl now. Sadiq steers him past the short thirdman fielder to get two runs. The right-hander then smashes a full delivery straight back over the bowler for a cracking boundary as Afghanistan continue to threaten with the bat.

Ashwin switches to round the wicket but he bowls a wide down the leg side before he slog sweeps straight to deep midwicket for one.

Stanikzai is beaten off the last ball as Ashwin bowls the carrom ball that holds its line.
21:53   Mangal lbw for 22
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Afghanistan 54-2 (8 ovs) vs India 159-5

WICKET: Mangal lbw b Yuvraj 22 (18b, 1x4, 1x6)

Dhoni brings on another part-time bowler in Yuvraj Singh. And he starts off with a wicket with his very first delivery as Mangal is trapped leg before wicket for 22.

That was the quicker delivery from Yuvraj as Mangal was caught on the crease as he looked to defend and the umpire had no hesitation in ruling that out.

Asghar Stanikzai is the new batsman and he gets off the mark with a single to long-off.

Sadiq ends the over with a single as Afghanistan reach 54 for two after eight overs.

#t20-world-cup
21:49  
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Afghanistan 52-1 (7 ovs) vs India 159-5

Dhoni takes a gamble, bringing in part-timer Rohit Sharma into the attack ahead of regular spinner in R Ashwin.

Sadiq flicks the first ball behind square on the leg side for two runs before a single to midwicket and Mangal also takes one.

Sadiq then chips the fourth delivery over the bowler's head for a boundary. He then turns it round the corner and sprints across for two runs as an angry Dhoni gives Balaji the angry stare before sending him to midwicket.

10 runs from that over as Afghanistan reach 52 for one after seven overs.
21:46  
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Afghanistan 42-1 (6 ovs) vs India 159-5

Change of ends for Pathan as he replaces Zaheer after his two over spell. New batsman Karim Sadiq hits it to the leg side for one. Mangal then smashes a full delivery through the covers for a boundary before defending the next ball. The Afghans sneak a leg bye off the last ball as six runs come from that over.

Balaji is flicked on the leg side by Mangal, who gets one. Sadiq is beaten outside the off-stump before he ducks under a short ball.

Mangal drives Balaji through the covers for two runs before lofting a full delivery over deep square leg for a six.
21:35   Shahzad out for 19
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Afghanistan 26-1 (4 ovs) vs India 159-5

WICKET: M Shahzad c Yuvraj b Balaji 19 (16b, 3x4)

Lakshmipathy Balaji into the attack now to replace Pathan, who bowled just one for seven runs.

Nawroz defends the first ball before a single off the next to bring back the high-flying Shahzad back on strike.

Balaji then bowls a short ball outside the off-stump that Shahzad ducks under and the umpire calls it one bouncer for the over.

He then plays the late cut behind point as Zaheer cleans up at thirdman region to give away two runs.

Shahzad falls off the next delivery as he looks to pull a short ball Balaji back over his head but holes a simple catch to Yuvraj at mid-on.

That ends an entertaining innings from Shahzad, who hit 18 from 16 balls.
21:29   Afghanistan 24 for no loss after 3 overs
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Afghanistan 24-0 (3 ovs) vs India 159-5

Mangal steers the first ball from Zaheer to the thirdman region for one. In the same over, he clips a full delivery through square leg to get three runs.

Shahzad then plays the Helicopter shot as he chips Zaheer over midwicket for a four. Dhoni must not be enjoying this for sure as the two Afghan openers attack the Indian pacers.

Shahzad then throws his bat a wide delivery but the thick edge flies past the first slip fielder for another boundary as Afghans race to 24 from three overs.

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21:26  
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Afghanistan 11-0 (2 ovs) vs India 159-5

Nawroz Mangal defends the first ball before he drops the next on the pitch and the two batsmen steal a quick single.

Shahzad then clubs him across the line through midwicket for a four. He then cuts the next ball behind point for a couple as the injured Shahzad hobbles across for two runs.

Pathan sends a bouncer to end the over as the batsman looks to hook but misses.

21:21  
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Afghanistan 4-0 (1 over) vs India 159-5

Zaheer Khan to start proceedings for India with the new ball. Mohammad Shahzad goes after the veteran pacer straightaway lofting the first ball over the off-side but fails to get it off the middle to get two runs.

Zaheer then beats him off the next three balls as the moves away from the right-hander, who plays and misses outside the off-stump.

Afghanistan get just four runs from the first over. 

21:09  
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India 159-5 (20 ovs) vs Afghanistan

In the end, India recovered after a struggling start to post a healthy 159 for five in their 20 overs.

Dhoni provided the fireworks at the end with a quick 18 from nine balls. Kohli once again shone with the bat, top scoring with a fluent innings of 50 from 39 balls, while Raina struggled to get going as he made 38 from 32 balls.

Shapoor Zadran was superb with the new ball, claiming both the Indian openers, for wonderful figures of two for 33 in four overs.

Afghanistan will rue dropping as many as three easy catches, which might prove crucial in the final outcome.

India will feel confident of defending this total but the Afghanistan bowlers have certainly given them a lot to think about.

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21:07   Kohli hit 50, Raina made 38
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India 159-5 (20 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Nabi to bowl the final over of the innings.

Raina chips down the wicket and slams a full toss through midwicket for a four followed by a wide down the leg side.

Raina is then dismissed as he looks to hit it down the ground but misses and is bowled for 38 from 33 balls.

Rohit Sharma gets off the mark with a single before Dhoni can only defend the yorker from Nabi.

Dhoni then slams the next ball past the bowler to the long-on region for a four. The Indian captain finishes the innings with a big six over midwicket to take the total to 159 for five in 20 overs.

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21:01  
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India 143-4 (19 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Nabi comes on to bowl his third over. The first ball is hit back to the bowler before Raina heaves the next ball over midwicket for a boundary.

The next ball is a wide down the leg side before three more singles end the over.

Dawlat Zadran will bowl his final over. Dhoni tries to lift the first ball but fails to get hold and hits it to long-on for one before the pacer bowls a wide down the leg side.

Zadran then bowls a wayward delivery down the leg side as replacement keeper Sadiq struggles to get to the ball to give away five wides.

Dhoni then thumps the fifth ball over midwicket for a boundary as 12 runs come from that over to take India 143 for four in 19 overs.
20:50  
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India 122-4 (17 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Samiullah Shenwari to bowl his second over. Raina and Dhoni take a single each before the left-hander drives it through the cover before the sweeper lets it go through his legs to gift a boundary.

Raina then fails to get the next two balls away, hitting them straight to the fielders. The left-hander then hits it straight back and strikes his captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to get one run.

20:46   India lose 4th wicket
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India 115-4 (16 ovs) vs Afghanistan

WICKET: Kohli c Nabi b D Zadran 50 (39b, 4x4, 2x6)

Raina hits the first ball from Dawlat Zadran straight to point before getting a single from the next ball.

Kohli then drives it down the ground to get two runs and complete his half-century, from 38 balls.

But he falls off the very next ball, holing out to Nabi at long-off, who finally catches it after three failed attempts. Afghanistan will heave a sigh of relief having taken that catch.

A good from Zadran as he gave four runs, while getting the key wicket of Kohli.

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20:41  
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India 111-3 (15 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Raina looks to chip leg-spinner Samiullah Shenwari over the covers but the thick outside edge flies over the point for a boundary. He then dances down the wicket and drives it to long-off for one and Kohli does the same off the next ball.

In the same over, Afghanistan drop another simple catch. Raina (19) gets another lifeline as he spoons a simple catch to the covers off an outside edge but again the Afghans fail to hold on. That was the easiest of catches but the fielder was never in a position to take it despite having ample of time in hand to get under it.
20:37   India 102-3 after 14 overs
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India 102-3 (14 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Kohli is holding forte with 41 from 32 balls as the rest of the Indian batsmen having struggled to come to grips with the Afghan bowling attack.

Shapoor Zadran is back into the attack after an excellent first spell. Kohli steps down the wicket to the second delivery and plays the inside out chip over covers for a boundary.

He once again charges to the next ball but fails to get the full toss away to get just one.

Meanwhile, Afghan wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad is unable to continue with the gloves after injuring his knee earlier in the game. He has to retire and is replaced by off-spinner Karim Sadiq, who dons the gloves.

Raina then chips Zadran down the ground for a four as India look to break free. He heaves the next ball across the line over midwicket for another boundary.

14 runs from that over as India reach 102 for three in 14 overs.

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20:29   India 88-3 after 13 overs
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India 88-3 (13 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Kohli continues his rich vein of form. He once again hits it straight down the ground for a boundary to release some pressure.

Two deliveries later Kohi steps down to Sadiq and holes out a simple catch to Nabi at long-on, who grasses another simple catch, but also pushes it over the boundary for a six.

Two simple catches dropped by Nabi in the space of seven balls and that could prove to be very crucial in the final outcome of the match.

Afghanistan have let India off the hook here. 13 runs from that over as India reach 88 for three after 13 overs.
20:26  
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India 75-3 (12 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Nabi comes on to bowl his second over. Kohli takes single from the first delivery.

Raina (2) lofts one straight back to the bowler, who drops the easiest of chances. That was a dolly as he let it through his hands.

Raina is then comprehensively beaten off the next ball as he tries to steer it to the thirdman region without any footwork.

India looking very nervous out in the middle. Just three runs from that over from Nabi as just seven have come from the last two overs.

Something has to give way here!
20:23   Sadiq claims the wicket of Yuvraj
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India 72-3 (11 ovs) vs Afghanistan

WICKET: Yuvraj c S Zadran b Sadiq 18 (20b, 1x6)

Yuvraj Singh has also departed cheaply. He tries to cut a short ball from Sadiq but chops it straight to the short thirdman fielder to be dismissed for 18. That was wide but a bit quicker and Yuvraj failed to find the gap.

New batsman Suresh Raina starts with a single to point.

Just four runs from that over and the big wicket of Yuvraj.


20:20  
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India 68-2 (10 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Another off-spinner into the attack now in the form of the lanky Mohammad Nabi. Yuvraj turns the first ball to midwicket for one before Kohli drives it down to long-on for one.

Yuvraj then hits one back to the bowler who drops a tough return catch and also misses with the direct hit as Kohli was lurking out of his crease.

Nabi follows that two wides down the leg side as eight runs come from his first over with India 68 for two at the halfway stage.
20:15  
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India 60-2 (9 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Yuvraj takes a single from the first ball Sadiq's second over before Kohli chips down the wicket and slams him down the ground for a boundary as the long-off fielder barely has time to react.

It is only singles from the next four deliveries of that over as India reach 60 for two after nine overs.

Kohli and Yuvraj have steadied some nerves as they have put on 38 runs in 29 balls for the third wicket.
20:11  
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India 50-2 (8 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Kohli gives Naib the charge but hits the first ball to the cover region before striking the next ball to long-on for one.

Yuvraj chips the third ball to deep midwicket and gets two runs in the process despite a slight clash with the bowler. Naib tries a slower delivery which Yuvraj hits down to long-on for one.

Kohli then looks to up the tempo as he lofts a full delivery from Naib back over his head for a six to bring up India's 50.

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20:08  
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India 41-2 (7 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Off-spinner Karim Sadiq into the attack now, replacing Shapoor Zadran, who bowled an excellent first spell of two for 19 in three overs, to catch the Indians stunned.

Kohli flicks the first ball to midwicket for one and Yuvraj gets one to the cover region. Three more singles before Yuvraj takes two runs from the last ball of that over to midwicket.


20:05   India 34-2 after six overs
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India 34-2 (6 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Medium pacer Gulbodin Naib is introduced into the attack to replace Dawlat Zadran, who bowled a good first spell of two overs for nine runs.

Kohli defends the first ball before crashing the second ball through the covers for a lovely boundary. He sprints across for a quick single from the third delivery.

Yuvraj hit the next ball straight back as it strikes the stumps to end the over as India reach 34 for two after six overs.

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19:59   Sehwag, Gambhir depart cheaply
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India 29-2 (5 ovs) vs Afghanistan

WICKET: Sehwag c Shahzad b S Zadran 8 (10b, 1x4)

Sehwag's struggle finally ends. He gets an outside edge off left-armer Shapoor Zadran and is caught behind for eight.

India in a spot of bother now as they are reduced to 22 for two after 4.1 overs. The Afghanistan team are celebrating wildly out in the middle and why not!! India's batsmen have looked out of place and struggled against the new ball, which has moved a bit.

Yuvraj Singh gets a promotion in the batting to number four ahead of Suresh Raina.

The first ball to Yuvraj is a wide outside the off-stump as Zadran misses his radar. The left-hander defends the next delivery to the cover region with a confident frontfoot drive.

After another couple of defensive prods, Yuvraj gets off the mark in some style. He lofts Zadran back over his head into the stands over long-on for a huge six. And that was a statement of intent!!
19:53  
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India 22-1 (4 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Kohli defends the first two balls from Dawlat Zadran on the off-side. He is then hits on the ribs as the ball bounces a bit extra and comes in sharply and Kohli fails to connect as he looks to turn it on the leg side.

Kohli hits the next ball straight to point before driving the fifth ball to covers but this time he gets one courtesy of an overthrow.

Sehwag is living dangerously as he inside edges the final ball of that over to the fine leg region for one.
19:49   Shapoor Zadran claims first wicket
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India 20-1 (3 ovs) vs Afghanistan

WICKET: Gambhir b S Zadran 10 (8b, 1x4)

India lose their first wicket as Gautam Gambhir is bowled for 10. Once again that nervy poke outside the off-stump by Gambhir without any footwork as he tries to steer it to the thirdman region but inside edges it back on to his stumps.

A big boost for Afghanistan as they get an early wicket with the new ball as Gambhir's poor run in recent matches continues.

The in-form Virat Kohli walks out to bat and he confidently drives the first ball to mid-off. Sehwag takes a few strides down the wicket as Nawroz Mangal makes a direct hit at the stumps which is referred to the third umpire, but the opener is clearly back in his crease.

Kohli gets off the mark with a steer to the thirdman region. Zadran then beats Sehwag with a beauty that bounces a bit extra and leaves the right-hander, who plays and misses.

Sehwag then gets his first boundary off the next ball as he flicks it over midwicket to take full toll of a full delivery on the stumps.

Zadran beats Sehwag again with the last ball of that over, as the veteran right-hander is yet again beaten outside the off-stump.

India's batsmen not looking comfortable out in the middle.
19:42   India 15-0 after two overs
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India 15-0 (2 ovs) vs Afghanistan

Another Zadran to bowl the other end, this time it is right arm pacer Dawlat Zadran. Gambhir gets a leading edge off the first ball which falls short of the fielder at mid-off and he is also lucky as the fielder misses with the direct hit at the non-striker's end as the batsmen went for a quick single.

A couple of deliveries later, Sehwag is beaten outside the off-stump before edging the next delivery to the thirdman region.

Gambhir lifts some of the early tension as he steers Zadran fine on the leg side to get India's first boundary. He inside edges the next ball which goes on the bounce to the keeper and stays low hitting his knee to give the batsmen a single.

Wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad seems to have injured his knee and getting some treatment. That ball also seemed to have stayed a bit low.

Not the best of start for India, with a few close shaves.
19:36  
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India 8-0 (1 over) vs Afghanistan

Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir walk out to open the batting for India, who will be looking for a big knock from both of these batsmen.

Left-arm pacer Shapoor Zadran, 25, starts the match with a wayward delivery that bounces quite a bit outside the off-stump and is called a wide.

Gambhir gets off the mark off the next delivery as he times it through the covers for three runs.

Virender Sehwag knows only one way to play. He throws his bat at the very first delivery, hitting on the up, and the thick outside edge flies to the thirdman region for one.

Gambhir then drops the ball to the point region and calls Sehwag for a quick single as the fielder at midwicket backs up well to stop some runs.

Sehwag is much more controlled this time as he steers the next ball to the thirdman for another single.

Zadran hits Gambhir on his body with a short delivery that didn't bounce as much but was way quicker than the rest of his deliveries. The speed gun shows the speed at 150kmph. Was it the correct reading?

India get eight runs from the first over.

19:22   India leave out Harbhajan
Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal wins the toss and elects to bowl against India in the 3rd match of the ICC World Twenty20 in Colombo, on Wednesday.

India will go in with four bowlers, leaving out experienced off-spinner Harbhajan Singh despite playing against the minnows. India's decision is surprising considering that Irfan Pathan and R Ashwin are capable of contributing with the bat lower down the order.

Earlier, Shane Watson's allround performance powered Australia to an easy seven-wicket victory over Ireland in their opening Group B match. Read the full report here.

India's future cricketers -- the India A team also performed well in their opening match on their tour of New Zealand, winning the first one-day match by three wickets. Read the full report here.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Lakshmipathy Balaji.

Afghanistan: Nawroz Mangal (captain), Karim Sadiq, Asghar Stanikzai, Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Nabi, Shafiqullah Shafiq, Gulbodin Naib, Samiullah Shenwari, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Najibullah Zadran

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18:23  

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An all-round performance from Shane Watson helped Australia beat Ireland by seven wickets.

 

Watson first picked up 3-26, then smashed his way to a 30-ball 51 to ensure that Aussies make a statement in their first match.

 

Chasing 124 for victory, Australia made a strong start putting on 60 for the first wicket.

 

Aussies then had a small hiccup in the middle when they lost three quick wickets, but then picked their game from there as Cameron White hit the winning run with a boundary.  

17:58  

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Shane Watson smashed a 28-ball 50 to put Australia in cruise control.

 

Watson who had been dominant from the start, smoked three massive sixes and five boundaries in the process.

 

However, Watson was on his way back courtesy of a moment of brilliance in the field.

 

Watson played one to third man and took off, without realing that the throw is at non-strikers end.

 

A direct hit finds the Aussie openers short of his crease.

 

Australia were 91-2

17:48  

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Ireland have managed to get the breakthrough as David Warner was caught at midwicket for 26.

 

Warner and Shane Watson put on 60 runs for the opening wicket, chasing 124 for victory.

 

George Dockerell was the bowler who got the wicket, as Warner looked to chip it past the midwicket fielder, but couldn't clear him.

 

At the end of 8 overs Australia were 64-1. Watson is on 29, Mike Hussey is on 2.

17:27  

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Australian openers are off to steady start chasing 124 runs for victory.

 

Ireland bowling hasn't been the testing ones bowling wides at will.

 

At the end of 3 overs Australia were 21-0.

16:59  

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Ireland after winning the toss and opting to bat first, have managed to put up 123-7.

 

The Irish were rocked early after Shane Watson removed skipper William Potterfield off the first ball of the innings.

 

Ed Joyce looked to steady the innings for sometime, but he lost his patience and gave a simple catch.

 

It was the O'Brien brothers who steadied the ship for Ireland by putting up a 50-run stand.

 

For Australia, Shane Watson was the pick of the bowlers with 3-26.

16:39  

- Scorecard

Shane Watson finally provides the breakthrough as he castles Nail O'Brien for 20.

 

The O'Brien brothers steadied the ship for the minnows as they put on a 50-run stand for the fifth wicket.

 

But O'Brien was decieved by the slower one from Watson as the ball crashed onto hte middle and off stump.

 

Then off the final ball off the over, he had the other brother waking back for 35.

 

Kevin looking to upper cut the ball, got a top edge and gave an easy catch to Mathew Wade behind the stumps.

 

Ireland were 86-6 after 15 overs.

16:28  

- Scorecard

Kevin O'Brien and Naill O'Brien have steadied the ship for Ireland after they lost the top order for not too many.

 

Playing sensible cricket, the O'Brien brothers picked up boundaries off Brad Hogg, besides mixing couple and singles.

 

At the end of 13 overs Ireland were 69-4. Kevin O'Bries is on 26 off 23 balls, while Naill is on 14 off 19. 

15:59  

- Scorecard

Spin into the attack as Glen Maxwell comes in to the attack.

 

Naill O'Brien takes a single -- looks like Ed Joyce will have to do the batting for Ireland.

 

And as we speak, Joyce is on his way too as he gives a dolly to David Warner mid-off for 16.

 

A soft dismissal -- pressure was growing on the batsman, but considering the wickets have fallen a loose shot.

 

Ireland were 29-3 after 6 overs.

15:50  

- Scorecard

After Watson blow, it was time for Mitchell Strac to strike as he removes the other opener Paul Stirling for 7.

 

Stirling looking to punish a short delivery from Starc, lobbed one in the air, but failed to clear the boundary and was taken at third man by Watson.

 

Ireland were 16-2 after 4 overs.   

 

15:34  

- Scorecard

Shane Watson has the ball in his hand as William Potterfield will take stike for Ireland.

 

And he STRIKESS!!!!

 

Perfect start for Australia as Watson digs one short as Potterfield goes for a hook shot, only to get a top edge and was taken easily by Mitchell Strac at long leg.

15:06  

Welcome to the live update of the second match of the Twenty20 World Cup here at the Premadasa Stadium.

 

The first match of the day is Australians taking on Ireland. Ireland can be a surprise package considering they have some big hitters amongst their ranks.

 

Aussies on the other hand haven't had the best of T20 format, but one can never count out the team from Down Under.

 

William Potterfield have won the toss as Ireland opt to bat first against Australia.

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