Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (October 27, 2021):-The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has approved Adam Milne as a replacement for Lockie Ferguson in the New Zealand squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has approved Adam Milne as a replacement for Lockie Ferguson in the New Zealand squad. Fast bowler Milne, who has played 40 ODIs and 23 T20Is, was named as a replacement after Ferguson was ruled out due to a calf injury. Milne was a reserve as per the allowance for teams to travel with extra players in view of COVID-19 quarantine requirements. The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 consists of Chris Tetley (Head of Events, Chair), Clive Hitchcock (ICC Senior Cricket Operations Manager), Rahul Dravid and Dhiraj Malhotra (BCCI Representatives), Simon Doull and Ian Bishop (Independent Members).

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (October 27, 2021):-The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has approved Rubel Hossain as a replacement for Mohammad Saifuddin in the Bangladesh squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has approved Rubel Hossain as a replacement for Mohammad Saifuddin in the Bangladesh squad. Fast bowler Rubel, who has played 159 international matches including 28 T20Is, was named as a replacement after Saifuddin was ruled out due to a back injury. Rubel was a reserve as per the allowance for teams to travel with extra players in view of COVID-19 quarantine requirements. The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 consists of Chris Tetley (Head of Events, Chair), Clive Hitchcock (ICC Senior Cricket Operations Manager), Rahul Dravid and Dhiraj Malhotra (BCCI Representatives), Simon Doull and Ian Bishop (Independent Members).

Report: ABDULLAH ASJAD Islamabad (October 26.2021):-Pakistan overcame New Zealand by five wickets and clinched second back-to-back victory in the ongoing in the ICC Men’s T 20 World Cup 2021 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium Sharjah on Tuesday night. Green Shirts got their 135 runs target 18.4 overs. New Zealand were restricted by both spin and seam, with pace bowler Haris Rauf taking four for 22 as the Blackcaps made 134 for eight from their 20 overs. Pakistan got off to a slow start in reply making 55 off their first 10 overs before Shoaib Malik, 27 not out off 20, and Asif Ali, 27 not out from 12 balls, powered them to victory. Shaheen Shah Afridi started tamely for his standards, having taken one for two in his first over against India, bowling a wicket-less maiden over after Pakistan won the toss and chose to field. With New Zealand making good progress at 36 for no loss after five overs, captain Babar Azam brought on death-overs specialist Rauf, with the bowler making an instant impact. The first ball was right at Martin Guptill’s feet, and the second delivery he could do nothing about as it clattered off his thigh pad and into the stumps, as Guptill was forced to limp off having made 17 from 20. Not having had the chance to bat against India, Fakhar Zaman was in the game taking two catches to dismiss Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham. With New Zealand going at a run a ball, Kane Williamson was then given out lbw but a reprieve on review gave him a new lease of life as he scored three fours in a row to push New Zealand up to 90 for 3. That would be his last contribution as he was run out for 25 off 26 balls, and with Williamson gone, New Zealand reverted back to their run-a-ball approach with Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway trading singles. The pair would soon be out in the space of three balls, Rauf picking them both up to leave New Zealand 116 for six. Afridi may have begun quietly, but he ended his spell to raucous cheers, using a slower ball to deceive Tim Seifert with Rauf then picking up Mitchell Santner to leave Pakistan with a target of 135. Captain Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were not able to repeat their unbeaten partnership against India, the pair adding 28 before Azam was bowled by Tim Southee who claimed his 100th T20I wicket. With his partner gone, Rizwan was not at his free-flowing best and by the time Zaman was given out lbw on review, he had only made 24 off 26 balls, well below his average strike rate of 130. Conway then took a world-class catch at full-stretch in the deep to dismiss Hafeez for 11 and Rizwan was next to go, trapped lbw by Ish Sodhi for 33 with Pakistan needing 66 from just over eight overs to win. Pakistan were faltering before Ali crashed back-to-back maximums off Southee to put the Men in Green back on top and he knocked off the winning runs with eight balls to spare. Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Pakistan won the toss and decided to bowl first  New Zealand Batting: Daryl Mitchell 27 runs (20 balls, 4X1, 6X2), Devon Conyway 27runs (24 balls, 4x3), Cane Williamson 25 runs (26 balls, 4X2, 6X1). Pakistan Bowling: Haris Rauf 4 for 22, Mohammad Hafiz 1 for 16, Imad Wasim 1 for 24, Shaheen Shah Afridi 1 for 21 Pakistan Batting: Mohammad Rizwan 33 (34 balls, 4X5), Asif Ali 27 not out (12 balls 4X1, 6X3) Shoaib Malik not out (20 balls 4X2, 6x1) New Zealand Bowling: Ish Sodhi 2 for 28, Tim Southi 1 for 25, Tent Boult 1 for 29 Result: Pakistan won by 5 wickets Man of the match: Haris Rauf      

Report: ABDULLAH ASJAD Islamabad(October 26.2021):-South Africa trounced West Indies by 8 wickets in the ICC Men’s T 20 World Cup 2021 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium Dubai on Tuesday evening. According to informations, South African Skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bowl first. West Indies right handed opener batter Lendl Simmons started the innings very slow and scored only 16 runs in 35 balls. He did not hit a single boundary while other opener Evin Lewis played a speedy and sparkling innings and scored 56 runs after facing 35 deliveries. He creaked 6 huge sixes and 3 fours. Winds Skipper Kieran Pollard added 26 runs after wasting 26 balls. He counted 3 fours and solitary six. African pacer Dwaine Pretorius picked up 3 wickets and conceded 27 runs in only two overs while spinner Keshav Maharaj took 2 wickets for 24 runs in his four overs cotta. Anrich Nortje got a single wicket. In reply, South Africa chased 144 runs target after lossing of only 2 wickets as 10 balls were spared. Middle order batter Aiden Markram played a superb innings for his team and scored 56 runs. He faced 26 balls and smashed 2 fours and 4 huge maximums. Rassie van der Dussen added 43 runs in team total for 51 balls and hit 3 fours only while Reeza Hendricks scored 39 runsin 30 balls. Winds pacer Akeal Hosein was only wicket taker for West Indies. He took solitary wicket. Anrich Nortje got man of the match. Summarized Scorecard: West Indies Batting: Evin Lewis (56 runs in 35 balls) 3 fours6 sixes, Kieron Pollard (26 runs in 20 balls) 2 fours 1 six, Lendl Simmons (16 runs in 35 balls) nil boundaries South Africa Bowling: Dwaine Pretorius 3 for 27, Keshav Maharaj 2 for 24, Anrich Nortje 1 for 14 South Africa Batting: Aiden Markram(51 runs in 26 balls)2 fours 4 sxes, Rassie van der Dussen(43 runs in 51 balls)3 fours, Reeza Hendricks (39 runs in 30 balls) 4 fours 1 six West Indies Bowling: Akeal Hosein 1 for 27 Toss: South Africa won the toss and elected to ball first Result: South Africa won by 8 wickets Man of the match:  Anrich Nortje    

Sports Bulletin Report SHARJA (October 26, 2021):-Afghanistan achieved a massive a 130–run victory over Scotland in their opening match of Group 2 in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 at Sharja Cricket Stadium Sharja on Monday night. Scotland had been set 190 to beat thanks to big hitting and fast running from Najib Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the star of the second innings, taking five wickets on his T20 World Cup debut, as Scotland were bowled out for 60. Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first, and after a tidy over from Brad Wheal, who conceded just two runs, the Afghanistan openers started to tee off. Mohammad Shahzad hit the longest six of the Super 12s so far, firing a delivery from Wheal’s second spell 101 metres before departing for 22, caught in the deep off the bowling of Safyaan Sharif. Mark Watt dismissed Hazratullah Zazai but only after Zazai had made 44 off 30 balls, the ball bouncing off his bat onto his pads and into the stumps. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Najib Zadran then combined to keep Afghanistan’s fast scoring going, running quickly between the wickets as Afghanistan’s 100 came off 74 balls. The pair added 87 runs off 51 balls with Zadran doing most of the boundary scoring, but Gurbaz was always his willing partner in the running until he was caught on 46. Zadran then claimed the longest six title with a boundary sailing 103m before holing out on the final ball of the innings as Afghanistan set Scotland what would be their record chase of 191. Mujeeb Ur Rahman of Afghanistan successfully appeals for the LBW of Calum MacLeod of Scotland during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between Afghanistan and Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 25, 2021 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Mujeeb Ur Rahman of Afghanistan successfully appeals for the LBW of Calum MacLeod of Scotland during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between Afghanistan and Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 25, 2021 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. George Munsey started quickly, scoring 11 off the first over, but Kyle Coetzer could not go with him, falling for 10 with Scotland at 28 for 1. Calum MacLeod came in and was immediately given out lbw with a review not able to save him and with the captain and the architect of their famous one-day win over England gone, Scotland were in trouble. Richie Berrington defended the hat-trick ball safely, but two deliveries later was given out, like MacLeod for lbw and again on umpire’s call. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the delighted bowler ending the over with figures of 3 for 7. A third duck in a row soon came with Matthew Cross going to an incredible take from wicketkeeper Shahzad, fine margins were deciding Scotland’s wickets. There was nothing close about Scotland’s next dismissal with Mujeeb clean bowling Munsey to bring out Greaves, Scotland’s hero against Bangladesh. Things became even more difficult for Scotland with Rashid Khan, number three in the ICC MRF Tyres T20 bowlers rankings came on to bowl. It took him just three deliveries to get a wicket, that of Michael Leask, Scotland’s fourth batter who failed to trouble the scorers. Watt could only add one to the total before Mujeeb picked up his wicket and with it his five-fer, taking five for 20 from his four overs in an utterly dominant spell. Rashid Khan would then take two in two, to end with figures of four for nine and seal a huge victory. Scores in brief   Afghanistan beat Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah by 130 runs.  Afghanistan 190/4, in 20 overs (Najibullah Zadran 59, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 46; Safyaan Sharif 2/33, Mark Watt 1/23)   Scotland 160 all out, in 10.2 overs (George Munsey 25; Chris Greaves 12; Mujeeb Ur Rahman 5/20, Rashid Khan 4/9)   Player of the Match: Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan)  

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Dubai (October 25, 2021):-In the recently concluded Group B, Super 12 game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Sunday in Sharjah, Sri Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara and Bangladeshi batter Liton Das Kumar were both fined for breaching level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. Lahiru Kumara of Sri Lanka clashes with Liton Das of Bangladesh following the wicket during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. In the recently concluded Group B, Super 12 game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Sunday in Sharjah, Sri Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara and Bangladeshi batter Liton Das Kumar were both fined for breaching level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. Kumara was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Using language, actions or gestures which disparage, or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.” Das was found guilty of breaching Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game’. The incident occurred in the fifth over after the dismissal of batter Litton Kumar Das in the Bangladesh innings. After he dismissed the batter Das, Lahiru Kumara walked towards him using actions and words which provoked an aggressive reaction from the batter. Having been provoked by the bowler Kumara, Das reacted aggressively and in a manner which was contrary to the spirit of cricket. Kumara was fined 25% of his match fee and received 1 demerit point. Das was fined 15% of his match fee and received 1 demerit point. Javagal Srinath of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions, which were ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the COVID-19 interim playing regulations. Kumara and Das both pleaded guilty to the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for a formal hearing. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Adrian Holdstock, 3rd umpire Michael Gough and 4th umpire Rod Tucker. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of a fine of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

Report: Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (October 24, 2021):-Pakistani trio, Shaheen Shah Afridi (3 for 31), Mohammad Rizwan (79 not out and Babar Azam (68 not out) neutralize the Indian weapons Virat Koli, Rohit Sharma and Rsihbah Pant to claim historical victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday night. Afridi starred with the ball as his spell of three for 31 – bolstered by Hasan Ali’s two for 44 – decimated the Indian top order and helped restrict Virat Kohli’s team to 151 for seven. And despite Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja all spearheading a star-studded Indian attack, Babar (68 not out) and wicketkeeper Rizwan (79 not out) delivered a run-chasing masterclass to inflict a first ever T20 ten-wicket defeat on India. Babar inserted the Indians after winning the toss and with the atmosphere at fever pitch by the time Afridi steamed in for the first delivery, the skilful left-arm seamer got Pakistan off to a flyer. He trapped the dangerous Rohit Sharma lbw with just the fourth ball of the match as his menacing, full and straight thunderbolt pinned the Indian opener on the crease. That brought Kohli – and his stunning T20I average of 52.65 – to the middle but the Indian captain’s arrival did little to halt the rampant Afridi juggernaut. The 21-year-old carried on where he left off in his second over as his sumptuous in-swinger proved too good for KL Rahul and bowled him through the gate. The Indian top order rallied, however, with Suryakumar Yadav and Kohli pummelling two sixes in quick succession to extend a gripping opening period. But Yadav soon followed Sharma and Rahul back to the pavilion as a fine diving catch by Rizwan – off the bowling of Hasan – had the Indians reeling at 31 for three. Rishabh Pant led the Indian recovery as his enterprising innings of 39 – including two extraordinary one-handed sixes – helped steer Ravi Shastri’s side towards a defendable-looking total. But with the left-hander motoring in the 13th over – and Kohli on a run-a-ball 29 at the other end – he succumbed to the leg spin of Shadab Khan as the Pakistan all-rounder held on to a steepler off his own bowling. Kohli continued to keep things ticking with an intelligent middle-over innings as a steady stream of boundaries, coupled with some masterful manoeuvring, maintained India’s momentum and brought up his perfectly-judged 50. But Pakistan then regained the initiative as Jadeja (13) was caught in the deep off Hasan and Kohli, who made 57 off 49 balls, was finally dismissed by the returning left-arm pace of Afridi. And Hardik Pandya – hailed by Kohli for his finishing abilities before the match – soon followed his skipper in departing as he was caught by Babar off the bowling of Haris Rauf to leave India on 151 for seven at the interval. Rizwan wasted no time kickstarting the Pakistan reply as he swatted Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a four and six in the very first over. And with captain Babar’s cover drive functioning in typically-fluent – and aesthetically-pleasing – fashion at the other end, the 2009 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions had soon laid the foundations for a crack at India’s total in the blink of an eye. With Pakistan on 43 for nought at the end of the powerplay, Kohli introduced the left-arm spin of Jadeja to initiate what felt like a crucial spell in the dynamic of the contest. But Rizwan and Babar continued to masterfully navigate their way through the chase, with the skipper clubbing Jadeja for a monstrous six off the back foot before Rizwan survived a run-out opportunity at the non-striker’s end. India continued to search for a breakthrough but Babar and Rizwan repelled all Kohli threw at them to leave 17 more runs required from the final three overs. And they finished the job in style, with Rizwan launching Shami for two fours and a six to fire his side to victory and cap a historic day for Pakistani cricket at the Dubai International Stadium. Scores in Brief Pakistan beat India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, by 10 wickets India 151/7 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 57, Rishabh Pant 39; Shaheen Afridi 3/31, Hasan Ali 2/44) Pakistan 152/0 in 17.5 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 79 not out, Babar Azam 68 not out; Ravindra Jadeja 0/28, Jasprit Bumrah 0/22) Player of the Match: Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

Report:-ABDULLAH ASJAD Islamabad (October 24, 2021):-Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 5 wickets In a match of ICC Men’s World Cup2021 at Sharja Cricket Stadium Sharjaha, United Arabs Emirates (UEA) on Sunday. Sri Lankan batters played a brilliant innings. Middle order batter Charith Asalanka played a superb innings and scored 80 runs after faced 49 balls. He smashed 5 huge sixes and 5 fours.  The Left handed batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa played a shining innings and scored 50 runs in just 31 balls. He hit 3 sixes and 3 fours while Pathum Nissanka contributed 24 runs in21 balls. Earlier, Lankan skipper elected to bowl first after winning the toss. Bangladesh set 172 runs total on score board. Left handed opener batter Mohammad Naim played 62 runs innings in just52 balls. Mushafiq ur Rehman scored 57 runs in 37 balls. Shakib Ul Hassan took 2 wickets by giving 17 runs while Nasum Ahmed took 2 for 29. Charith Asalanka got man of the match.  Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first Bangladesh Batting: 171 for 4 in 20 overs (Mohammad Naim Sheikh 62 (52 balls, 4X6), Mushfiqar Rehim 57 (37 balls, 4X5, 6X2), Liton Daz 16 (16 balls, 4X2) Sri Lanka Bowling: Chamika Karunaratne (1 for 12), Binura Farnando (1 for 27), Lahiru Kumara (1 for 29) Sri Lanka Batting: batter Charith Asalanka(62 runs in 52 balls), Bhanuka Rajapaksa(50 runs in31 balls) Bangladesh Bowling:  Shakib Ul Hassan 2 for 17, Nasum Ahmed 2 for 29 Results: Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets Man of the Match: Charith Asalanka

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (October 23, 2021):-A ruthless bowling performance saw England get their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 campaign off to a perfect start as they defeated the West Indies by six wickets in Dubai. The rematch between the 2016 finalists was eagerly anticipated but proved almost as one-sided as that famous occasion in Kolkata had been dramatic, with the reigning champions subsiding to 55 all out – their second-lowest ever T20I score. Spin twins Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid were the principal architects of West Indies’ downfall, the latter finishing with England’s best-ever T20I figures of four for two after Moeen had set the tone with two wickets and 18 dot balls in a miserly four-over spell. The returning Tymal Mills, representing England for the first time since February 2017, chipped in with two scalps of his own including key man Chris Gayle, who was the only batter to make it into double figures. Akeal Hosein caused problems for England’s powerful batting line-up in reply, taking two for 24, but the modest nature of the target restricted West Indies’ ability to apply real pressure and Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 24 steered the 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup winners home with more than half their overs remaining. Having opted to bowl upon winning the toss, Morgan opened up with Moeen and the off-spinner was greeted by an early show of intent by Evin Lewis, who lofted the final ball of the first over for what would turn out to be the only six of the innings. The England all-rounder had his revenge in the very next over, sprinting back from mid-off to take a fine catch when Lewis tried to repeat the trick off the bowling of Chris Woakes and found more height than distance. Moeen went on to account for Lendl Simmons, who picked out Liam Livingstone on the deep midwicket boundary, to leave both openers back in the pavilion inside three overs. Consecutive boundaries for Shimron Hetmyer injected some momentum into the innings at the start of the fifth over but Moeen again struck back as the left-hander chipped to Morgan at mid-on. Such a situation called for experienced heads and in Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, both playing in their seventh ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, West Indies appeared to have just the men for the job. But having struck three typically powerful boundaries, Gayle soon miscued a pull off Mills and was well caught by a backpedalling Dawid Malan off the final ball of the powerplay, which concluded with West Indies languishing on 31 for four. The situation only grew more desperate from there with Bravo next to fall, flashing hard at Chris Jordan’s second delivery and succeeding only in finding Jonny Bairstow at backward point. Mills and Jordan kept the pressure firmly applied in the middle overs, the former removing Nicholas Pooran for a single, and the return of spin paid instant dividends as Rashid’s first delivery cleaned up Andre Russell without scoring. Captain Kieron Pollard was his side’s final hope of setting a challenging target but having initially been watchful as wickets fell around him, he took on Rashid at the start of the 13th over and provided Bairstow with a routine catch at long-on. Obed McCoy fell in identical circumstances next ball and though last man Ravi Rampaul survived the hat-trick delivery, a heave in the leg-spinner’s next over saw him clean bowled as the innings was wrapped up with 5.4 overs left unused. West Indies followed England’s lead in opening with a spinner but Buttler was quickly into the groove, driving Hosein through the covers for a boundary to get the chase going. Roy was next to take the attack to the left-armer, clearing the ropes over extra cover, but was soon departing the fray after chipping a Ravi Rampaul slower ball to Gayle on 11. It was Bairstow rather than Malan who walked out at number three and consecutive boundaries took England more than halfway towards their target inside four overs. Then came a slight wobble as Hosein claimed return catches to remove Bairstow and Livingstone, the second of which was a stunning one-handed effort to his left, either side of Moeen being run out following a mix-up. But captain Morgan joined Buttler to see his side over the finish line, the wicketkeeper pulling the winning runs to the mid-wicket boundary from the second ball of the ninth over. Scores in Brief England beat West Indies at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai by six wickets West Indies 55 all out in 14.2 overs (Chris Gayle 13, Shimron Hetmyer 9; Adil Rashid 4/2, Moeen Ali 2/17, Tymal Mills 2/17) England 56-4 in 8.2 overs (Jos Buttler 24 not out, Jason Roy 11; Akeal Hosein 2/24, Ravi Rampaul 1/14) Player of the Match: Moeen Ali (England)

Sports Bulletin Report Abu Dhabi (October 23, 2021)-Australia started the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 with a nervy five-wicket victory over South Africa in a low-scoring contest in Abu Dhabi. Having restricted the Proteas to 118 for eight, Australia slipped to 38 for three in reply before Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell’s partnership of 42 set the platform for Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade to see Justin Langer’s side home with two balls to spare. Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc had all picked up two scalps as South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals to leave Australia needing less than six an over at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. Aiden Markram struck a fluent 40 off 36 balls to top score for the Proteas but he ran out of partners as Australia got their campaign off to a winning start. After being put into bat, captain Temba Bavuma got South Africa off to a flyer in the first over by taking Starc for 11 runs, including two lovely fours through the off side. But he was bowled by Maxwell, utilising his handy off-spin early in the powerplay, in the second over for 12. His replacement at the crease, Rassie van der Dussen, soon followed his skipper back to the hutch after making just two when he nicked Hazlewood’s first ball behind to Wade. It went from bad to worse when Quinton de Kock was bowled in bizarre fashion after attempting to flick a Hazlewood delivery on the move, only to see it cannon off his leg and balloon into the air and back onto the stumps. Hazlewood completed his wicket maiden before South Africa stuttered to 29 for three at the end of the powerplay. Markram and Heinrich Klassen looked like they were building the first partnership of note before Pat Cummins had the latter caught off a thick outside edge for a run-a-ball 13. Playing a sole hand, Markram put on 34 for the fifth wicket with David Miller until leg-spinner Adam Zampa rocked South Africa with two wickets in the 14th over. Miller was trapped in front for 16 before Dwaine Pretorious was sharply caught by Wade for just one to leave the Proteas reeling at 82 for six. Things did not improve when Keshav Maharaj was run out by Maxwell after slipping when trying to get off the mark from an overthrow. Markram took his frustration out on the returning Hazlewood, slamming a huge six into the crowd over the leg side, but fell to Cummins when trying to up the ante, with South Africa yet to bring up their 100 with only three overs left. Some valuable late clean striking from Kagiso Rabada, who made 19 off 23 balls, gave his side something to bowl at as South Africa finished on 118 for nine. Rabada and Anrich Nortje came charging in at the start of Australia’s chase and the two combined to remove Aaron Finch for a duck in the second over, Rabada clinging on at third man after the Australian skipper slashed hard at a wide one. David Warner appeared to get things back on track with a couple of boundaries until he was well-caught by Heinrich Klaasen at point as Bavuma’s decision to keep Rabada on for three straight overs paid dividends. Australia finished the powerplay on 28 for two, one run short of where South Africa were at the same stage but with an extra wicket in hand. That advantage soon went when Keshav Maharaj had Mitchell Marsh caught at deep midwicket for 11 in the eighth over. Steve Smith and Maxwell put together a partnership of 42 as they safely navigated the middle overs without much alarm until a super diving catch from Markram off Nortje gave South Africa a sniff. Smith departed for 35 off 34, annoyed not to take his side home but having left them well-placed, needing 37 from 31 balls. But Maxwell followed just three balls later for 18 when he was castled by MRF Tyres ICC World No.1 T20I bowler Tabraiz Shamsi attempting a big reverse slog sweep. Markram nearly clinched another spectacular grab, but Wade’s shot off Rabada did not carry and crucially slipped through him for four. Wade’s improvisation brought him a second consecutive boundary before Marcus Stoinis saw Australia over the line when needing 18 from the final two overs. finishing with 24 from 16 balls as the pair put on a match-winning stand of 40 from the last 26 balls. Scores in Brief Australia beat South Africa at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi by five wickets South Africa 118/9 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 40, Kagiso Rabada 19 not out; Josh Hazlewood 2/19, Adam Zampa 2/21)  Australia 121/5 in 19.4 overs (Steve Smith 35, Marcus Stoinis 24 not out; Anrich Nortje 2/21, Tabraiz Shamsi 1/22) Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood (Australia)