Afghanistan pulled off a thrilling 8-run victory over England, knocking them out of the Champions Trophy semi-final race. Azmatullah Omarzai was the star with the ball, taking a match-winning five-wicket haul, including the crucial dismissal of Joe Root for 120. Despite Root’s heroic century, England couldn’t cross the finish line as Afghanistan held their nerve in the tense closing moments.

Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran played a sensational knock of 177, propelling Afghanistan to a competitive 325/7 after a shaky start against Jofra Archer, who struck thrice in the powerplay. Zadran found support from Hashmatullah Shahidi (40) and Omarzai (41) to help Afghanistan recover. England’s chase began poorly, losing Phil Salt and Jamie Smith early, while Harry Brook and Ben Duckett also fell at key moments to Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan.

England’s recent ODI struggles continued, with their aggressive "Bazball" approach failing to deliver results. Their disappointing campaign adds to a string of poor performances, marking their sixth consecutive ODI defeat. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s remarkable journey in the tournament stays alive, showcasing their rise as a formidable force in world cricket.

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International games

Afghanistan vs England

• AFG 325/7 (50)

• ENG 317 (49.5)

• Afghanistan won by 8 runs

Malewar 138* and Nair 86 put Vidarbha on track after early wickets

Vidarbha staged a remarkable recovery on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy final against Kerala, thanks to a stunning partnership between 21-year-old Danish Malewar and seasoned campaigner Karun Nair. The duo put on 215 runs for the fourth wicket, rescuing Vidarbha from a precarious 24/3 and guiding them to 254/4 at stumps.

Malewar remained unbeaten on 138—his highest score yet—while Nair fell for 86 in unfortunate fashion, run out while attempting a risky bye. Their partnership neutralized Kerala’s spin attack, with Jalaj Saxena and former Vidarbha player Aditya Sarwate struggling to make an impact.

Vidarbha’s unconventional decision to open with lower-order batter Parth Rekhade backfired as he was dismissed in the first over. Sending in all-rounder Darshan Nalkande at No. 3 also failed, as he fell cheaply. However, Malewar and Nair’s resilience turned the tide, setting up Vidarbha for a strong position in the final.

Domestic cricket + T20 leagues

Vidarbha vs Kerala, Final 

• VID 254/4 (86)  

• Day 1: Stumps

Mumbai Indians Women vs UP Warriorz Women

• UPW 142/9 (20)

• MIW 143/2 (17)

• Mumbai Indians Women won by 8 wkts

Wednesday History:

Kapil Dev: The Man Who Changed Indian Cricket Forever

Kapil Dev's impact on Indian cricket is immeasurable. Before his rise, India was seen as an underdog in world cricket, but his fearless leadership and all-round brilliance transformed the team's identity. 

His defining moment came in the 1983 World Cup, where he led an unfancied Indian side to a historic triumph, inspiring generations to believe that India could compete with the best. His iconic 175* against Zimbabwe rescued India from collapse and laid the foundation for their eventual victory. 

As a bowler, Kapil was India's greatest fast-bowling pioneer, becoming the first Indian to take 400 Test wickets, a feat achieved when India was known more for its spinners. His aggressive batting, electric fielding, and never-say-die attitude made him a complete cricketer. More than just stats, Kapil Dev's legacy is about the confidence he instilled in Indian cricket, which paved the way for future greats and India's rise as a global cricketing powerhouse.

CHAMPIONS TROPHY MATCH PREVIEW 

Pakistan vs Bangladesh

As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 nears its knockout stage, most teams are caught in tense qualification battles. But not Pakistan and Bangladesh. With both sides already eliminated after losses to India and New Zealand, this penultimate Group A clash holds no stakes—only pride is on the line.

Both teams have struggled with the bat, posting subpar totals throughout the tournament. Bangladesh’s scores of 228 and 240 and Pakistan’s 260 and 241 highlighted their batting woes. While Bangladesh at least showed some fight with the ball, Pakistan's performances were lackluster in all departments.

With no pressure of qualification, this match offers a chance for both teams to play with freedom and give their fans something to cheer for in what has been a forgettable campaign.

A win here will almost guarantee a semifinal spot, while a loss will make the final group match a must-win. If the rain stays away, expect fireworks with the bat.

On This Day

Australia secured their sixth Women's T20 World Cup crown—and their third consecutive title—with a 19-run victory over South Africa in the final at Cape Town. Beth Mooney once again rose to the occasion, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 74 to guide Australia to 156.

Defending the total, Australia's bowlers kept South Africa under pressure from the start, restricting them to just 22 runs in the powerplay while claiming a crucial wicket. Laura Wolvaardt fought back with a determined 61, building a strong partnership with Chloe Tryon. However, their dismissals in consecutive overs stalled the chase, sealing Australia's dominance in yet another World Cup final.

Coming tomorrow

• Pakistan vs Bangladesh

• West Indies Masters vs England Masters

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs Gujarat Giants Women

What else is happening

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs Gujarat Giants Women

• Cummins bowling again as he eyes IPL and Test Championship returns