Tanzid 84, Rishad blitz seal series for Bangladesh

 

Bangladesh 237 for 6 (Tanzid 84, Rishad 48*, Kumara 4-48) beat Sri Lanka 235 (Liyanage 101*, Asalanka 37, Taskin 3-42) by four wickets

Tanzid Hasan and Rishad Hossain blazed quick runs to help Bangladesh overcome some mid-innings chaos to beat Sri Lanka by four wickets. The hosts clinched the ODI series 2-1 after three players got injured in the last three overs of the first innings in Chattogram. Tanzid, who was approved as Soumya Sarkar's concussions substitute, struck a career-best 84 before Rishad went berserk, slamming four sixes and five fours in an unbeaten 18-ball 48.

Rishad came to the crease with Bangladesh needing 58 runs to win in 13.5 overs. He opened his account with a first-ball six off Wanindu Hasranga, before pasting him for a four and another six in the same over. He slammed two more sixes, off Hasaranga, in the 40th over that cost Sri Lanka 24 runs. In all, Rishad took 40 runs off Hasaranga, from just 11 deliveries.

Sri Lanka couldn't muster up a big total in the deciding game but youngster Janith Liyanage's maiden ODI century got them past the 200-run mark. Liyanage made an unbeaten 101 off 102 balls with eleven fours and two sixes. But as the Sri Lanka innings was closing, Bangladesh kept losing players to injuries.

Mustafizur Rahman cramped up in the 48th over before Soumya injured his neck and knee in a boundary line crash on the advertisement boards. In the last over, substitute fielder Jaker Ali collided with Anamul Haque, who completed the catch. Jaker had to be hospitalized with a concussion.

It wasn't just the players whose fitness was tested in this game, with umpire Tanvir Ahmed taking Richard Kettleborough's place after the latter fell sick due to the heat.

Bangladesh openers Anamul and Tanzid calmed things down, adding fifty for the opening stand.

Anamul however became the first of Kumara's four victims from his first spell. Anamul lofted a drive to cover after making 12. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto fell in Kumara's next over, edging behind after just making one run.

Tanzid batted serenely meanwhile, hitting six of his nine fours through cover and mid-off. He dealt well with the fast short ball too, hitting two boundaries slightly fine of the square-leg fielder, and two more through midwicket. Tanzid took a liking to Kumara, slashing him for a six as he took 30 off 19 balls from the fast bowler.

Soon after reaching his second ODI fifty, Tanzid survived a run-out chance in the 17th over when a throw from mid-off struck the stumps but the bails didn't fall with Tanzid well short of the crease. He added 49 runs for the third wicket with Towhid Hridoy, to steady the Bangladesh chase.

Kumara removed Hridoy and Mahmudullah in his third spell, to get his first four-wicket haul in ODIs. Hasaranga got into wickets in the 26th over when Tanzid mistimed one to long-off. It was a reckless dismissal as Bangladesh were 130 for five.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz had to shut down shop, adding 48 runs for the sixth wicket. Mehidy made 25 before holing out in the deep midwicket boundary, leaving the stage for Rishad to do his thing.

Earlier, Liyanage saved Sri Lanka from getting bowled out for a low score. Coming to bat when they were 77 for four, he batted steadily while the rest of the batters around him crumbled. He struck a couple of lovely cover drives and got two fours through midwicket gracefully. He was also cool with fours through short third, especially when he leant back to a Taskin Ahmed bouncer to guide it past Mushfiqur. He struck eleven fours and two sixes, one over long-on and the other swivelled off Shoriful Islam over fine-leg.

Taskin had opened up the Sri Lanka innings with the wickets of openers Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando. While the latter was caught behind clearly, Nissanka strangely didn't take a review when he was given lbw. Replays showed that the ball would have headed down the leg-stump.

Fernando was caught behind the wicket for the third game in a row, before Mustafizur Rahman removed Sadeera Samarawickrama for 14. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis carelessly edged legspinner Rishad Hossain after reaching 29.

Liyanage added 43 runs for the fifth wicket with Charith Asalanka, before Sri Lanka lost their way, slipping to 154 for seven in the 35th over. Liyanage however didn't allow the innings to slide down, instead adding 60 runs for the eighth wicket with Maheesh Theekshana.

The pair batted out thirteen overs before Theekshana holed out in the square-leg boundary after Soumya replaced the injured Mustafizur to finish the 48th over.

Pramod Madushan's catch caused a collision between Anamul and substitute Jaker. In between these two injuries, Soumya hurt his neck and knee in a boundary-line collision with the advertisement board. Bangladesh however overcame the panic of all these injuries and the six wickets, with the big win.

No. 10 Colorado State was the final entry into NCAA Tournament

 

Deep breath, Rammies.

You’re in.

By the hair on its chinny-chin-chin, Colorado State on Sunday earned an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. No. 10 CSU drew No. 10 Virginia in the First Four at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday (truTV)

What was expected to be a stress-free reintroduction to the Big Dance instead ended on a buzzer beater. The selection committee said CSU was the final at-large in the 68-team field.

“I was really surprised how most of the Mountain West was seeded,” coach Niko Medved said.

Next time you hear November and December are throwaways on the college basketball calendar, remember that time Colorado State slipped past Washington (86-81), Denver (90-80) and Louisiana Tech (81-73), or that barn-burning win over rival Colorado (88-83).

Lose one, and the Rams are NIT-bound. Good thing CSU held off Nevada (85-78) in the conference tournament, too. Every last win mattered in securing the program’s second NCAA Tournament berth in three years and 12th appearance overall.

Longtime bracketologist Brad Evans, a former Denver-area resident, had CSU as a firm eight seed.

“The Mountain West was absurdly slighted,” Evans said.

CSU opened as a 1.5-point favorite over Virginia with a historically low total of 118.5 points.

What should CSU expect from Virginia?

Virginia plays the slowest tempo in the country, according to Ken Pomeroy’s ratings and folks who watch the Cavaliers play. CSU should be familiar with a grinder, however, thanks to matchups with Saint Mary’s (fourth-slowest tempo) and Air Force (fifth-slowest) this season.

No. 10 Colorado will join Colorado State at Dayton (Ohio) Arena in the First Four. The Buffaloes, who also were one of the final four teams in the field, get No. 10 Boise State on Wednesday.

Virginia has a championship coach and gentleman in Tony Bennett, who guided the Cavaliers to the 2019 NCAA title. The Colorado State-Virginia winner meets No. 7 Texas in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday.

Virginia (23-10, 13-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) is a favorable draw for CSU. The Hoos were the lowest-rated team (No. 69) in Pomeroy’s ratings to earn an at-large bid. CSU is No. 38.

It’s the first time CSU has been a participant in the First Four, an eight-team play-in format that draws boisterous crowds in the basketball-mad city of Dayton, Ohio. True story: the First Four actually exists because of the Mountain West Conference. In 2001, two years after the Mountain West became a thing, the tournament champion was awarded an automatic bid.

The NCAA Tournament chose to maintain the same number of at-large bids, so the field was expanded to 65 teams with an extra game added.

By a razor-thin margin, Medved became CSU’s third coach to guide the program to multiple NCAA Tournaments. He was preceded by Jim Williams (four berths) and Boyd Grant (two).

Medved’s historical perspective was on point, too. Referring to 2011 VCU and 2021 UCLA — both of whom escaped the First Four and advanced all the way to the Final Four — Medved pointed out the First Four has produced several Cinderellas in the NCAA Tournament.

“Every year somebody who plays in this game in Dayton ends up making a big run in the tournament. This year, why not us?” Medved told his team.

What to know for CSU's second NCAA Tournament appearance in three seasons:

What: No. 10 Colorado State (22-11, 12-6 Mountain West) vs. No. 10 Virginia (23-10, 13-7 ACC)

When: 7:10 p.m. Tuesday (truTV; Spero Dedes, Jim Spanarkel, Jon Rothstein)

Where: University of Dayton (Ohio) Arena

CSU's tournament history: 12 appearances (4-12 record)

Virginia's tournament history: 25 appearances (35-24 record)

CSU's coach: Niko Medved (115-74 overall, 0-1 in NCAA Tournament)

Virginia's coach: Tony Bennett (360-134 overall, 13-8 in NCAA Tournament)

How the Rams got here: CSU racked up three wins over high-majors in the nonconference, with wins over then-No. 8 Creighton and Colorado serving as signature moments. The Rams are a part of a six-bid Mountain West that redefined what it means to be a mid-major conference over the last few months.

How the Cavaliers got here: The 2019 NCAA champs reached the semifinals of the ACC tournament before losing in overtime to eventual champion N.C. State. Senior guard Reece Beekman leads the team in scoring at just over 14 points per game.

—Tyler King

Mountain West has 'locker room ammunition' after NCAA Tournament seeding slights

 

Dayton. Spokane. Indianapolis. Salt Lake City. Memphis.

When your conference equals its own record by placing six teams in the NCAA Tournament, the tough job for a Mountain West commissioner is choosing which host city to attend.

Turns out, gymnastics made a basketball decision for Gloria Nevarez, the commish.

“It’s our inaugural women’s gymnastics championships this year in Salt Lake,” Nevarez told The Denver Gazette late Sunday night after a momentous day for the Mountain West. “So I’ll be in Salt Lake.”

There, she will see No. 10 Nevada (against No. 7 Dayton). The other options were Spokane (No. 5 San Diego State), Dayton (No. 10 Colorado State, No. 10 Boise State), Indy (No. 8 Utah State) and Memphis (No. 11 New Mexico).

A spectacular Mountain West season advanced into a Selection Sunday cloaked in controversy.

While the Mountain West was "thrilled" at the number of teams invited to the Big Dance, its seeds were lower than expected. The selection committee inferred that Mountain West teams loaded up on valuable wins in conference, while avoiding marquee matchups out of conference.

Only No. 5 San Diego State and No. 8 Utah State will wear home jerseys as higher-seeded teams in the first round.

“I was really surprised how most of the Mountain West was seeded,” CSU coach Niko Medved said. “I think if you talk to the hundreds of people who do the bracketology, I think they really had all the Mountain West teams seeded higher than that.”

“But you know what? That’s fine,” Medved added. “They always disrespect our league. Now it’s time to go out and do something about it.”

The selection committee seemed to forego its own parameters in seeding the Mountain West. New Mexico, for example, was No. 22 in the NET — and earned a No. 11 seed. Duquesne, meanwhile, also earned a No. 11 seed — with a No. 83 in the NET. But here’s a guess that tournament snubs Indiana State, St. John’s, and Oklahoma would gladly take UNM’s No. 11 seed.

“I understand the (sour) reaction. Everybody who’s been in this situation goes there (to the disrespect card) first,” Nevarez said. “But I’m hopeful that it becomes locker room ammunition. The teams (that win) are the ones that respond to that.”

The Mountain West goes dancing

No. 10 Colorado State vs. No. 10 Virginia, 7:10 p.m. Tuesday (truTV)

No. 10 Boise State vs. No. 10 Colorado, 7:10 p.m. Wednesday (truTV)

No. 7 Dayton vs. No. 10 Nevada, 2:30 p.m. Thursday, (TBS)

No. 5 San Diego State vs. No. 12 UAB, 11:45 a.m. Friday (TNT)

No. 6 Clemson vs. No. 11 New Mexico, 1:10 p.m. Friday (truTV)

No. 8 Utah State vs. No. 9 TCU, 7:55 p.m. Friday (TBS)

The Spectacle of World Cup Cricket 2023: A Global Celebration of Sport

In the world of cricket, there is perhaps no event more prestigious, more eagerly anticipated, than the Cricket World Cup. Steeped in tradition and excitement, this quadrennial tournament brings together the finest cricketing nations from around the globe to compete for the ultimate prize in the sport.

The 2023 edition of the Cricket World Cup proved to be a spectacle like no other. Hosted by India, one of cricket's spiritual homes, the tournament captured the hearts and minds of millions of fans worldwide, showcasing not only the highest level of athletic prowess but also the unity and passion that cricket inspires across cultures and continents.

The Journey to Glory: Teams and Competition

The tournament featured a diverse array of teams, each representing their nation with pride and determination. Powerhouses like India, Australia, England, and Pakistan stood alongside emerging cricketing nations such as Afghanistan, Ireland, and Nepal, creating a rich tapestry of talent and competition.

From the outset, the competition was fierce. Teams battled it out in the group stages, vying for a coveted spot in the knockout rounds. Every match brought with it moments of brilliance, heart-stopping drama, and unexpected upsets, reminding fans why cricket is known as the gentleman's game.

Thrills, Spills, and Heroics

Throughout the tournament, players showcased their skills in all facets of the game. Batsmen dazzled with elegant strokes and towering sixes, while bowlers unleashed thunderbolts and spun webs of deception. Fielders leaped, dived, and threw themselves with reckless abandon, producing moments of athleticism that bordered on the miraculous.

Individual performances shone brightly amidst the team efforts. Stars emerged, etching their names into cricketing lore with match-winning innings, breathtaking spells of bowling, and feats of athleticism that seemed to defy the laws of physics. From century-makers to hat-trick heroes, the tournament was a stage for greatness.

Unity in Diversity: Fans Unite

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Cricket World Cup is its ability to bring people together. Regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or creed, fans from around the world united in their love for the game, cheering on their teams with fervent passion and unwavering loyalty.

Stadiums reverberated with the sound of chants and cheers, as supporters clad in their team's colors painted a vibrant tapestry of diversity and unity. Whether in the bustling streets of Mumbai, the historic grounds of Lord's, or the scenic vistas of Dharamshala, the spirit of cricket was alive and palpable.

A Legacy of Inspiration

As the tournament drew to a close, with one team emerging victorious and lifting the coveted trophy aloft, the legacy of the Cricket World Cup 2023 was already assured. Beyond the boundaries and scorecards, it had inspired a new generation of cricketers, instilled a sense of pride in nations large and small, and showcased the power of sport to transcend barriers and unite humanity.

The memories created during those electrifying weeks will endure for years to come, cherished by fans and players alike. For in the world of cricket.