Tazmin Brits praises Ayabonga Khaka's performance after Proteas' T20I win The South African women's cricket team, the Proteas, secured an 18-run victory over New Zealand in the second T20I match at Seddon Park, Hamilton, following a lackluster performance in the series opener. Proteas opener Tazmin Brits highlighted the team's improved bowling efforts, particularly praising veteran seamer Ayabonga Khaka for her crucial role in limiting the world champions to 159. Brits, who top-scored with her 15th T20I half-century, credited Khaka's four-wicket haul of 27 runs as pivotal to the win. Khaka's ability to take wickets in all phases of the innings—during the powerplay, middle overs, and closing stages—helped the Proteas maintain control. "When it comes to Aya, she is a silent assassin," Brits said, describing Khaka's quiet yet effective approach. "She is very quiet, but does her job very well. It’s nice to see her do that in the game, because that’s actually who we know." Brits also noted that Khaka had previously struggled in the series opener, but her return to form was a positive sign. "The previous game she was a bit all over, so it's nice to have her back," she added. The Proteas' bowling unit showed marked improvement compared to the first match, where they conceded 190 runs. Brits emphasized the team's better execution, citing effective use of slower deliveries and more consistent line and length. "We weren’t leaving the wicket as much. They wasn’t a lot of width like the previous game. This time they actually bowled a lot better," she said. The Proteas now prepare for the third T20I match against the Black Caps at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday. The team's ability to adapt to challenging conditions and deliver under pressure will be key as they aim to strengthen their position in the series.#t20i #seddon_park #proteas #tazmin_brits #ayabonga_khaka
Matthews takes responsibility as Windies Women face batting blues West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews admitted her personal struggles and the team’s recent batting slump contributed to a 43-run defeat against Australia Women in the opening T20I on Thursday. The Windies’ innings, which began promisingly at 76 for one, collapsed under pressure, resulting in a total of 121 for six. Despite disciplined bowling that limited Australia to 164 for six, the home side failed to capitalize on opportunities, leaving them short of the target. Matthews, who scored just 11 runs, acknowledged her own form issues and linked them to the team’s broader batting difficulties. The 25-year-old captain, who returned to the team earlier this year after shoulder surgery in 2025, admitted she is still finding her rhythm. In a post-match interview, she expressed frustration with the team’s batting performance, stating, “We can take the positive out of how we bowled today, but over the last few matches we’ve been disappointing with the bat.” Matthews emphasized that while she is in a personal rut, the team must collectively improve its approach to scoring. She called for resilience and a commitment to learning from setbacks as the series progresses, vowing, “We want to come back strong. It’s going to be really important that we pick ourselves up.” Despite the batting disappointment, Matthews praised her bowlers’ performance, noting that the team’s bowling effort was solid. She acknowledged the challenging batting conditions but highlighted the need for better execution. “We figured around 160 would be a good score to chase, and I was pretty happy with how the pacers got those wickets up front,” she said. However, she pointed out that the Australian innings fluctuated in pace, slowing toward the end.#t20i #west_indies_women #hayley_matthews #australia_women #windies_women
Botswana Wins First T20I Against Lesotho in 2026 Tour Botswana secured a thrilling victory over Lesotho in the first T20I of the Lesotho tour on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1 in Gaborone. The hosts triumphed by six wickets, showcasing their batting prowess and composure under pressure. The match, which started at 9:30 AM local time, saw Botswana dominate the innings, finishing with a total of 158 runs. Lesotho, despite a valiant effort, fell short of the target, with their bowlers struggling to contain the flow of runs. The innings began with a strong start from Botswana’s openers, who set the tone for the team’s aggressive approach. Phemelo Silas and Thatayaone Tshose laid the foundation, building a solid partnership in the powerplay. However, the breakthrough came when Valentine Mbazo was dismissed for 4 runs in the fifth over, caught by Azim Patel off the bowling of Ayaj Patel. This wicket marked a turning point, as Lesotho’s bowlers began to lose their grip on the strike. Botswana’s middle order stepped up to ensure a comfortable finish. Mohammed Jamadar and Ayaj Patel continued to rotate the strike effectively, while the lower order added crucial runs to the total. The team’s ability to maintain momentum throughout the innings proved decisive, as they reached the target with ease. Lesotho’s bowlers faced challenges in containing the aggressive batting, with the hosts’ middle order capitalizing on every opportunity. The final score of 158 runs highlighted Botswana’s dominance, as they managed to secure a comprehensive win in the first match of the series. The result sets the stage for an exciting second T20I, where Lesotho will look to bounce back and level the series.#botswana #lesotho #botswana_cricket_association_oval_1 #gaborone #t20i
Adil Rashid Sets World Record in T20 Cricket Ahead of India Semi-Final England’s Adil Rashid has made history by becoming the first bowler to bowl over 3,000 deliveries in T20 International (T20I) cricket, a feat achieved during his career spanning 144 matches. This milestone places him among the elite in the sport, with only a select few bowlers reaching such a milestone. Rashid, known for his leg-spin mastery, is set to play a pivotal role in England’s upcoming semi-final against India in the T20 World Cup. His performance in the tournament could see him break several records. If he takes three wickets in the match, he would surpass Adam Zampa and Rashid Khan to become the second-highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history, trailing only Lasith Malinga. Currently, Rashid has taken 463 international wickets across 326 T20I matches, placing him third in the all-time list behind New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner (193) and Pakistan’s Rashid Khan (193). However, if he continues his form, he could challenge for the top spot. In the T20 World Cup, Rashid has already claimed 42 wickets in 37 matches, making him the second-highest wicket-taker behind Zampa (44) and Rashid Khan (43). If he adds more wickets, he could also overtake New Zealand’s Tim Southee (164 wickets in 126 matches) and India’s Ish Sodhi (162 wickets in 140 matches) in the T20I all-time list. Rashid’s potential impact extends beyond individual stats. His ability to control the run rate and take crucial wickets could be decisive in England’s quest for a semi-final victory against a formidable Indian side. As the tournament progresses, his legacy in T20 cricket continues to grow. Other News Highlights: In Iran, there’s a growing trend of nose surgery, with many people sporting bandages. Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar and Allu Arjun greeted fans with Eid wishes.#india #t20_world_cup #england #t20i #adil_rashid
Captain Kerr’s record ton powers New Zealand ahead of T20WC Melie Kerr made history with a maiden T20I century as the newly appointed White Ferns captain led New Zealand to a dominant 92-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first T20I of the series. The all-rounder’s innings of 101 off 51 balls, featuring 19 boundaries, marked the first women’s T20I hundred by a skipper on their debut in the format. Kerr’s performance also solidified her status as a key player for the defending ICC Women’s T20 World Cup champions, who aim to retain their title in the 2026 tournament. Kerr, who took charge of the team from Sophie Devine, the former ODI captain, showcased her all-round abilities during the match. After New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first in Hamilton, Kerr dominated the innings with a composed and aggressive display. Her strike rate of 198.03 highlighted her ability to score quickly, while her bowling contributions—two wickets for 14 runs—helped seal the victory. The 101-run total was the highest by a White Ferns player in T20I history, surpassing previous records. Kerr’s achievement also made her only the third player in the team’s history to score a century in the format, underscoring her significance to the squad. Her performance came just weeks after New Zealand won their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in 2024, adding momentum to their preparations for the upcoming 12-team tournament. New Zealand will face a challenging group in the 2026 World Cup, including hosts England, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Scotland, and Ireland. The team’s first match will be against the West Indies at the Hampshire Bowl on June 13. Kerr’s leadership and batting prowess will be crucial as the squad aims to defend their crown.#new_zealand #white_ferns #t20i #melie_kerr #icc_women_t20_world_cup
