The big news

It was billed to be an encounter that would lure the United States to the game of cricket. Being played at the only International Cricket Council-sanctioned venue in the United States, the Central Brownard Regional Park Stadium in Florida's Lauderhill, India and West Indies made sure that the first T20 wasn’t short of creating history.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss chose to field first. Putting his money on the fact that his bowlers would deliver, Dhoni did not expect the run feast that was about to take place. In fact, people watching, especially the first timers in the United States, could not fathom what would transpire on the cricket pitch.

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Evin Lewis, who replaced Chris Gayle, scored a 49-ball 100 to take West Indies to a mammoth total of 245 in 20 overs. The Indian bowlers were smacked all over the ground, including Stuart Binny, who was hit for 32 in the only over that he bowled.

Known to be run chasers, the Indians had the pedigree to chase down the target. However, they lost Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli early, and were stuttering for 48/2. In came KL Rahul, who along with Rohit Sharma fought back to give India hope for a win. Sharma fell for 62 after his Mumbai Indians teammate Kieron Pollard caught him. But that did not stop Rahul for reaching his 100. One of the greatest finishers Dhoni coming into bat, it was game on in the United States. However, it wasn’t meant to be. India lost by a run with Dhoni falling on the last ball of the match.

Other top stories

  1. South Africa dominated day one of the second Test against New Zealand at SuperSport Park. South Africa were 283/3 at the end of day’s play, with Quinton de Kock smashing 82 runs to give South Africa a solid start in the deciding Test. 
  2. England beat Pakistan by four wickets to win the second One-Day International against Pakistan. England chased down Pakistan’s 251 to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Joe Root hit 89 along with Eoin Morgan's 68 to empower England to a comfortable win. 
  3.  James Anderson and Stuart Broad will both miss the final few weeks of the domestic season through injury, according to the England and Wales Cricket Board. Neither Broad nor Anderson are taking part in the one-day series against Pakistan. 
  4. Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez has been ruled out for the remaining tour of England, after suffering a calf injury. Fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has been called up in his place.
  5. Afghanistan are in talks with the Bangladesh Cricket Board for a possible bilateral One-Day International against Bangladesh in Dhaka next month. The tour is expected to happen after the Eid holidays in September. 
  6. The Dindigul Dragons beat the Madurai Super Giants by 14 runs in the fourth match of the Tamil Nadu Premier League on Satuday. On Sunday, Chepauk Super Gillies will take on Karaikudi Kaalai in the fifth encounter.