BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah picked three wickets for just seven runs as India beat Afghanistan by 47 runs in their Super Eight clash at the Twenty20 World Cup on Thursday.
Bumrah’s four-over spell was aided by Arshdeep Singh, who finished with 3-36. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav (2-32) and Axar Patel (1-15) shared three wickets as Afghanistan were bowled out for 134 runs.
Earlier, Suryakumar Yadav scored 53 off 28 balls — his fifth T20 World Cup half-century — as India reached 181-8 in 20 overs after opting to bat.
Yadav hit three sixes and five fours, while Hardik Pandya scored 32 off 24 balls, including two sixes.
India’s next Super Eight game is on Saturday, against Bangladesh in Antigua. Afghanistan will play Australia in St. Vincent, also on Saturday.
Yadav was named player of the match.
“I am clear in my mind how I want to bat,” he said. “There’s a lot of hard work, process and routine involved in it. You just need to know your game plan and just play accordingly. When Hardik (Pandya) came in to bat, we discussed about batting with (aggressive) intent. In the end, we were happy with 180.”
On a slow-paced Barbados wicket, India had made a sluggish start. Skipper Rohit Sharma was out caught for eight, while star batter Virat Kohli only managed run-a-ball 24.
Rishabh Pant, batting at three, provided some acceleration — he scored 20 off 11 balls with four fours.
Afghanistan skipper and wrist spinner Rashid Khan did damage to India’s top order, dismissing both Kohli and Pant, the latter out lbw. It was the first time Khan picked up wickets against India in T20s.
India were down to 62-3 in 8.3 overs, when Yadav played a rescuing hand. He added 28 of 14 balls with Shivam Dube (10) and then the match-turning 60 runs with Pandya.
Yadav’s stand with Pandya came off only 37 balls as India scored 102 runs off the final 10 overs.
Rashid Khan finished with 3-26 in four overs.
Afghanistan’s chase got off to a poor start against Bumrah — he sent back both openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (11) and Haratullah Zazai (2) cheaply.
In between, Axar Patel struck in the fourth over as Ibrahim Zadran was out for eight, and Afghanistan slipped to 23-3 in 4.1 overs.
Gulbadin Naib and Azatullah Omarzai added 44 off 38 balls for the fourth wicket. Thereafter, India’s spinners struck at regular intervals to restrict their opponents.
Ravindra Jadeja picked 1-20 in three overs. Afghanistan lost their last five wickets for 32 runs across 28 deliveries as India crossed the finish line with ease.
Bumrah leads India to 47-run win over Afghanistan in Super Eight at T20 World Cup
https://arab.news/jhy35
Bumrah leads India to 47-run win over Afghanistan in Super Eight at T20 World Cup
- Bumrah’s four-over spell was aided by Arshdeep Singh, who finished with 3-36
- Spinners Kuldeep Yadav (2-32) and Axar Patel (1-15) shared three wickets as Afghanistan were bowled out for 134 runs
Danube Group launches UAE’s first cricket-focused digital media platform
- Move marks a new front for one of the UAE’s most diversified conglomerates
- Anis Sajan: Mr. Cricket UAE Media Group is not just a business expansion it is the culmination of my lifelong passion for cricket
DUBAI: Danube Group has entered the digital sports media sector with the launch of Mr. Cricket UAE Media Group, the country’s first cricket-focused digital media platform, under the leadership of its vice chairman, Anis Sajan.
The move marks a new front for one of the UAE’s most diversified conglomerates, expanding its footprint beyond real estate, retail, building materials and hospitality into the fast-growing digital sports media landscape. The platform reflects Danube Group’s strategy of diversification and its focus on consumer-driven, high-growth sectors.
The launch event in Dubai was attended by several international cricket stars, including Dinesh Karthik, Eoin Morgan, JP Duminy, Fakhar Zaman, Angelo Mathews, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Khurram Khan, alongside figures from across the regional sports community.
Speaking at the launch, Sajan said: “Today, Danube Group takes a major leap into a brand-new segment. Mr. Cricket UAE Media Group is not just a business expansion it is the culmination of my lifelong passion for cricket. As the UAE becomes a global hub for the sport, this platform will bring world-class cricket content, storytelling, and exclusive access to fans worldwide.”
Headquartered in Dubai, Mr. Cricket UAE Media Group becomes the first digital media house in the UAE dedicated exclusively to cricket. The platform will initially focus on cricket content, drawing on the UAE’s strong connection to the sport and Sajan’s global network, before expanding into coverage of other major sports as part of a long-term plan to evolve into a multi-sport digital platform.
The platform will offer a wide range of content, including live and real-time cricket coverage, exclusive interviews with international players, premium digital video productions, studio shows, social-first short-form content, documentary-style storytelling rooted in cricket culture, and behind-the-scenes access across global leagues.
The launch comes as the UAE continues to strengthen its position in the global cricket landscape, having hosted major tournaments such as the T20 World Cup, Asia Cup, ILT20, T10 competitions and numerous international fixtures.
“The UAE has truly become a home away from home for people of many nationalities like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, united by their love of cricket, alongside expatriates from England, Australia, South Africa, and beyond who are also cricket lovers,” Sajan added. “Hence, launching a world-class sports media platform here is a step toward cementing the nation’s role not just in hosting the sport, but in shaping how it is consumed by these audiences.”
Danube Group said the move aligns with its long-term vision of innovation, diversification and community engagement, with digital sports media forming a new vertical that combines technology, entertainment and culture.
Sajan underlined the personal significance of the project, saying: “Cricket has always been a passion for me for the last 45 years, will continue to be my passion, and will never be treated as a business.”
