Melbourne: Not rain. Not 1992 redux. Not Babar Azam. Not Shadab Khan. Not Shaheen Shah Afridi, who pulled out of his runup and hobbled out after one delivery in the 16th over to symbolise Pakistan’s day. Not an army of green. Not destiny. Just Ben Stokes.
In the end, in another World Cup final, in another famous England white-ball triumph, it’s Ben Stokes. The man who owns the big moments. Who waits till the tide turns his way. Who starts out batting like a cat on a hot tin roof on a bouncy MCG, against a fierce array of Pakistani pace, and ends up being its emperor supreme.
Ben Stokes, the greatest match-winner of his generation. You will remember the name forever, Pakistan. You will have it on your lips for the next few weeks.
Arguably, Stokes had a strange sort of tournament with the bat coming into the World Cup final: 2 vs Afghanistan, 6 vs Ireland, 8 vs New Zealand, 42 not out vs the Lankans. Not his usual fluent self. Not in T20Is in Australia at this time of year.
But this is a World Cup final. A seemingly gettable chase after England’s formidable bowling prowess boasting Sam Curran (3/12 off his four), Adil Rashid (2/22) and Chris Jordan (2/27) slow-chokes the life out of Pakistan’s batters and keeps them to 137/8.
It is a tricky chase made trickier by England’s bold approach with the rain threatening: they keep losing wickets but refuse to take a backward step and ensure they are always ahead of the DLS over-byover par scores at all points.
Denne historien er fra November 14, 2022-utgaven av The Times of India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 14, 2022-utgaven av The Times of India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Song and dance there, but where is Brazil's soul?
From swooning over the twirling foot of Richarlison the other day, to fretting over the ankle of Neymar, it is back to business for Brazil. Gone is the exultation to dance and express themselves.
Marriott to reach 200-hotel mark in India by 2025 from current 134
American hospitality major Marriott International — the group with the largest number of branded hotel rooms in India at about 26,000 — has drawn up very ambitious growth plans for the country.
India's visually-impaired players dribble, debate on and off field
Take 20-year-old Shivam Negi for instance. A member of the national blind football team, Negi along with three other NIEVPD students is ardently following the matches by listening to live commentary.
SIPS eating into luxe car sales: Merc
‘MF Investments Reducing Disposable Incomes Of Indians’
Fury's Ground Xiro
Xi's zero-Covid policy has angered ordinary Chinese as never before. A dangerous moment for the state
Trump faulted for dinner with white nationalist, rapper Ye
The sportswear manufacturer has also launched a probe into his conduct.
Blank sheets of paper become symbol of defiance
Chinese protesters have turned to blank sheets of paper to express their anger over Covid-19 restrictions.
Can't deny mediclaim to a vegetarian, insurer told
Dietary Habit Not Patient’s Fault: Consumer Body
Thakur: Will host 'grand Olympics' in Gujarat in future
Union sports minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday said Gujarat will host a “grand Olympics” sporting event in the future.
Will restore old pension scheme in Guj: Kejriwal
He also urged government employees in the state to back AAP while promising implementation of the old pension scheme for them by January 31, 2022.
