Sri Lanka, Pakistan Set for Thrilling Women's Asia Cup Semi-Final Clash

Sri Lanka, Pakistan Set for Thrilling Women’s Asia Cup Semi-Final Clash

Sri Lanka and Pakistan Clash in Women’s Asia Cup 2024 Semi-Final

Sri Lanka and Pakistan will lock horns in the second semi-final of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 on Friday in Dambulla. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams.

Sri Lanka has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, remaining unbeaten in the group stage. They topped Group B with three wins and a tie, showcasing their consistency and resilience. Their batting lineup has been led by Chamari Athapaththu, who has scored two half-centuries, while the bowling attack has been spearheaded by Oshadi Ranasinghe, who has taken seven wickets.

Pakistan, on the other hand, finished second in Group A with two wins and a loss. Their only defeat came against arch-rivals India, who they will face in the final if they can overcome Sri Lanka. Pakistan’s batting has been anchored by Nida Dar, who has scored 102 runs in the tournament, while their bowling has been led by Fatima Sana, who has taken six wickets.

The winner of this semi-final will face India in the summit clash on Sunday. India has been the dominant force in women’s cricket in the region, having won the last six editions of the Asia Cup. However, both Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be determined to upset the favorites and claim the title.

The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Sri Lanka will be looking to continue their unbeaten run, while Pakistan will be eager to avenge their loss to India. The outcome of the match will have a significant impact on the tournament and will set the stage for an exciting final.

Sri Lanka Chooses to Bowl First in Women's Asia Cup Semi-Final Against Pakistan

Sri Lanka Chooses to Bowl First in Women’s Asia Cup Semi-Final Against Pakistan

Sri Lanka Opts to Bowl First in Women’s Asia Cup Semi-Final Against Pakistan

In a crucial semi-final clash of the Women’s Asia Cup, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu elected to field first after winning the toss in Dambulla. Athapaththu expressed her team’s intention to restrict Pakistan to a modest total of 140 or less.

Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan fielded unchanged lineups for the high-stakes encounter. Pakistan skipper Nida Dar, on the other hand, preferred to bat first in a knockout match to alleviate pressure. She also stated that a score above 140 would provide a solid foundation for their defense.

Sri Lanka, who have remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, and Pakistan have experienced contrasting fortunes in T20I cricket this year. Athapaththu’s team has triumphed in 12 of their 15 matches, while Pakistan has managed only three victories in 11 outings, with two of those wins coming in the ongoing Asia Cup.

The winner of this semi-final will advance to the final to face India, who have already secured their place.

Sri Lanka Playing XI:

1. Vishmi Gunaratne
2. Chamari Athapaththu (c)
3. Harshitha Samarawickrama
4. Hasini Perera
5. Anushka Sanjeewaniu (wk)
6. Kavisha Dilhari
7. Nilakshika Silva
8. Inoshi Priyadharshani
9. Udeshika Prabodhani
10. Sugandika Kumari
11. Achini Kulasuriya

Pakistan Playing XI:

1. Gull Feroza
2. Muneeba Ali (wk)
3. Sidra Amin
4. Nida Dar (c)
5. Omaima Sohail
6. Aliya Riaz
7. Fatima Sana
8. Tuba Hassan
9. Sadia Iqbal
10. Nashra Sandhu
11. Syeda Aroob Shah

India Overwhelming Favorites in Women's Asia Cup Semifinal Clash Against Bangladesh

India Overwhelming Favorites in Women’s Asia Cup Semifinal Clash Against Bangladesh

India vs Bangladesh: Women’s Asia Cup Semifinal 1 Live Score

In the highly anticipated semifinal clash of the Women’s Asia Cup, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and elected to bat first against India. The match is being played at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.

India, the overwhelming favorites, have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, winning all three of their group matches convincingly. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has shown glimpses of their potential, but they will need to play at their best to upset the Indian juggernaut.

Bangladesh’s slow bowlers, led by Nahida Akhter and Rabeya Khan, will be key to their chances of success. Both bowlers have claimed five wickets apiece in the tournament so far and will look to put pressure on India’s experienced batting lineup.

India will be relying on their star-studded batting unit to deliver once again. Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Harmanpreet Kaur are all in good form and will be looking to make significant contributions.

The start of the innings will be crucial for India, and Shafali Verma will be eager to give her team a solid foundation. The young opener has been in excellent touch throughout the tournament and will be looking to continue her impressive run.

India will also need their bowlers to step up and deliver. The likes of Renuka Singh, Deepti Sharma, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad will be tasked with containing Bangladesh’s batters and picking up regular wickets.

The match promises to be an exciting contest between two teams with contrasting styles of play. India will be looking to impose their dominance and secure a place in the final, while Bangladesh will be aiming to pull off an upset and make history.

Shafali Verma Calls for All-Round Improvement as India Eyes Asia Cup Semifinal Victory

Shafali Verma Calls for All-Round Improvement as India Eyes Asia Cup Semifinal Victory

Shafali Verma Emphasizes All-Round Improvement for India Ahead of Asia Cup Semifinal

Indian opener Shafali Verma has highlighted the need for her team to enhance their performance in all aspects of the game as they prepare for the women’s Asia Cup semifinal clash against Bangladesh on Friday.

Despite India’s impressive run in the tournament so far, Verma believes there is room for improvement. “We are winning the matches and gelling well as a team, but the semifinal is very important for us,” she said. “We are practicing very hard, and hopefully we will execute (plans) tomorrow.”

Verma, who has been the second-highest run-scorer in the competition with 158 runs from three appearances, emphasized the importance of the batting unit continuing to perform. “As a batting unit, we are backing our strength,” she said. “Bowlers are also doing well at nets. But we need to keep improving ourselves.”

The 20-year-old also mentioned that the lower-order batters have been working hard in practice, despite not having had the opportunity to showcase their abilities in the tournament. “They haven’t had much of a chance (to bat), but Deepti (Sharma), Pooja (Vastrakar), and all other lower batters are practicing well, and I am sure they are ready to hit a few sixes whenever their opportunity comes,” she said.

Verma stressed that the current title holders are particularly focused on improving their fielding. “We are working hard on our fielding,” she said. “Hopefully, we will be able to tick the boxes in all three departments – batting, bowling, fielding – tomorrow against Bangladesh.”

Real Madrid Seek Formula to Overcome Bayern Munich in Champions League Semi-Final

Real Madrid Seek Formula to Overcome Bayern Munich in Champions League Semi-Final

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti faces a daunting task as he seeks to guide his team past Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash on Wednesday. Despite earning a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Bavaria, Ancelotti acknowledged that Real Madrid failed to reach their full potential.

With the La Liga title already secured, Real Madrid’s focus is now solely on the Champions League. The team’s celebrations after their 3-0 victory over Cadiz on Saturday were muted, as their minds were already on the upcoming match against Bayern Munich.

Los Blancos players reported for training on Sunday morning, determined to extend their European dominance. The 14-time Champions League winners are eager to reach the final and continue their legacy of success in the competition.

The second leg of the semi-final will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on Thursday, May 9, at 12:30 AM IST. The match will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and streamed on Sony LIV app.

Real Madrid will need to improve their performance from the first leg if they want to overcome Bayern Munich. The German giants were largely dominant in Bavaria, and Real Madrid will need to find a way to control the tempo of the game and create more scoring opportunities.

Ancelotti is likely to make some changes to his starting lineup, with Karim Benzema expected to return to the team after missing the first leg due to injury. The French striker is Real Madrid’s leading scorer this season and will be crucial to their hopes of reaching the final.

The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of Europe’s top teams. Real Madrid will be looking to use their home advantage to their advantage, while Bayern Munich will be determined to prove that they are the better team.

PSG's Champions League Hopes Alive Despite Dortmund Defeat

PSG’s Champions League Hopes Alive Despite Dortmund Defeat

Paris Saint-Germain’s hopes of reaching the Champions League final remain alive despite a 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their semi-final tie. Coach Luis Enrique expressed optimism, stating that the game was evenly matched and that PSG has a strong chance of overturning the deficit in the second leg.

PSG dominated possession and created more scoring opportunities, but their finishing let them down. Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi both hit the woodwork in the second half, highlighting their misfortune. Enrique acknowledged the difficulty of the semi-finals but emphasized that his team has the quality to advance.

“We had one chance where we hit both posts,” Enrique said. “You have to say this is an exceptional stadium, but I am sure we will be very strong in Paris and we have nothing to lose.”

PSG’s only other defeat this season came in the Coupe de France, and it is the first time they have failed to score under Enrique. However, they have a history of overcoming first-leg deficits in the Champions League, having knocked out Barcelona in the quarter-finals and Dortmund in the last 16 in previous seasons.

Captain Marquinhos echoed Enrique’s confidence, stating that PSG will need to convert their chances in the second leg. “We had lots of good chances, especially in the second half, clear chances that we can’t afford to miss if we want to get to the final,” he said.

Meanwhile, Enrique expressed concern over the injury to defender Lucas Hernandez, who was forced off in the first half. “It doesn’t look at all positive,” he said.

Mohun Bagan's Comeback Seals ISL Final Berth

Mohun Bagan’s Comeback Seals ISL Final Berth

Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s remarkable comeback in the Indian Super League (ISL) semi-final second leg against Odisha FC has propelled them into another final. The 2-0 victory at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday was a testament to the team’s resilience and the tactical brilliance of coach Antonio Lopez Habas.

Trailing 1-2 from the first leg in Bhubaneswar, Mohun Bagan needed a strong start, and they got it through Jason Cummings’ goal in the 22nd minute. Dimitri Petratos’ deflected shot found its way to Cummings, who slotted it home.

Petratos was a constant threat throughout the match, driving the team forward from midfield and creating chances. His crossfield pass to Thapa set up the move that led to Cummings’ goal.

Mohun Bagan’s defense also played a crucial role in the victory. Vishal Kaith made several key saves, while Hector Yuste cleared a goal-bound shot off the line. Dippendu Biswas and Manvir Singh made crucial interceptions, and the entire team defended with determination.

The second goal came in the dying minutes of the match, with Manvir Singh’s tireless effort paying off. His cut-back found Amrinder Singh, and Sahal Abdul Samad tapped in the rebound.

Habas has now reached his third ISL final, having won the title with ATK Mohun Bagan in 2019-20. He will be aiming to become the second coach after Sergio Lobera to win the ISL twice.

Mohun Bagan will face the winner of the Mumbai City FC-FC Goa semi-final in the final on Saturday. They will be confident of their chances, having already beaten Mumbai City FC 2-1 in the league shield match.

Roy Krishna's Resurgence Powers Odisha FC to Semi-Final Advantage

Roy Krishna’s Resurgence Powers Odisha FC to Semi-Final Advantage

Roy Krishna, the Fijian striker, has rediscovered his scoring touch in the Indian Super League (ISL) after joining Odisha FC. Despite being 37 years old, Krishna has netted 13 goals this season, his highest tally since winning the ISL in 2019-20.

Krishna’s resurgence is attributed to Odisha FC coach Sergio Lobera, who has a knack for revitalizing players. The striker’s ISL career, which began under Antonio Lopez Habas, has received a second lease on life.

In the semi-final first-leg against ATK Mohun Bagan, Krishna scored the winning goal to give Odisha FC a 2-1 victory. The goal came after Manvir Singh’s early strike was canceled out by Carlos Delgado.

Odisha FC’s win was their second over league shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in 2024, after Juan Ferrando was replaced by Habas. The team has remained unbeaten at home this season after 13 games.

Krishna’s goal was a testament to his determination and skill. He outmuscled Mohun Bagan central defender Hector Yuste to score with the outside of his boot. Krishna also drew a foul from Vishal Kaith in the 14th minute, which would have resulted in a penalty if he had not been marginally offside.

Mohun Bagan’s Armando Sadiku was sent off in the 67th minute for a reckless challenge on Ahmed Jahouh. Delgado’s handball in the 73rd minute restored parity in personnel. However, Odisha FC held on to their lead and will take a 2-1 advantage into the second leg.

Mohun Bagan, who recently won the Indian championship, now face a battle for survival in the second leg on Sunday.

Odisha FC and Mohun Bagan SG Clash in ISL-10 Semifinal First Leg

Odisha FC and Mohun Bagan SG Clash in ISL-10 Semifinal First Leg

Odisha FC and Mohun Bagan SG, two fierce rivals on the field, will face off in the first leg of the ISL-10 semifinal at the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams have a history of intense battles and are determined to secure a spot in the final.

In the league stage, the two teams played to two draws, highlighting their evenly matched abilities. However, Mohun Bagan SG enters the semifinal as the League Shield champion, having dethroned Mumbai City FC. Odisha FC, on the other hand, earned its semifinal berth with a thrilling comeback win over Kerala Blasters in the knockout match.

Odisha FC will be eager to make the most of its home advantage and secure a victory that would give it an edge heading into the second leg at Salt Lake Stadium on April 28. The team will be looking to redeem itself after a disappointing end to the league title race and claim its maiden ISL crown.

Odisha FC coach Sergio Lobera recalled his team’s impressive performance in the AFC Cup league stage, where it defeated Mohun Bagan 5-2 at their home ground. That victory was a testament to Lobera’s side’s resilience, especially after suffering a 4-0 defeat in the first meeting at Kalinga Stadium.

With the region experiencing extreme heat, weather conditions will play a significant role in the outcome of the match. The team that shows better endurance and adaptability will have a clear advantage.

Vidarbha on Cusp of Ranji Trophy Final, Madhya Pradesh Face Uphill Battle

Vidarbha on Cusp of Ranji Trophy Final, Madhya Pradesh Face Uphill Battle

Vidarbha tightened their grip on their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Madhya Pradesh, inching closer to a thrilling victory in Nagpur on March 5. With just four wickets remaining, the hosts are poised to set up a date in the summit clash with Mumbai.

Madhya Pradesh, chasing 321 to win, reached 228 for six at stumps on day four. Their hopes of reaching their second final in three years suffered a major blow when Aditya Sarwate (2/51) dismissed Yash Dubey (94) in the penultimate over of the day.

Dubey had played a valiant knock, consuming 212 balls and hitting 10 fours. He forged a crucial 106-run stand with Harsh Gawali (67), but once they were separated, Vidarbha kept making inroads.

Madhya Pradesh lost first-innings centurion Himanshu Mantri for a mere eight in the second essay. The failure of their middle-order trio of Sagar Solanki (12), Shubham Sharma (6), and Venkatesh Iyer (19) further hurt their cause.

Akshay Wakhare was the star for Vidarbha, accounting for these three batters. Sarwate’s late strike to dismiss Dubey put the two-time winners in the pole position.

Earlier in the day, Vidarbha added 59 runs to their overnight score of 343 for six, setting a target of 321 for Madhya Pradesh. Yash Rathod brought up his century and finished with a high score of 141, hitting 18 fours and two sixes.

For Madhya Pradesh, Anubhav Agarwal returned 5/92. Madhya Pradesh had taken a lead of 82 runs in the first innings, responding with 252.

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