LOOK! T20 World Cup: Abu Dhabi gets into full swing with four matches in one day

Record eight teams compete at same venue in UAE as T20 Cricket World Cup ramps up

Published: October 19, 2021 11:20 Matthew Smith, Sport Editor

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The T20 World Cup is now officially in full swing in the UAE as Abu Dhabi Cricket held a record four ICC matches at the same venue on one day. Image Credit: AFP

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On Monday, two qualifiers from the first round took place at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, while two other warm-up matches took place only a few hundred metres away at the new-look Tolerance Oval in the UAE capital. Image Credit: Twitter

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Ireland defeated the Netherlands at Zayed Cricket Stadium before Namibia made their T20 World Cup debut in defeat to Sri Lanka, while Afghanistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia all played official warm-up matches right next door. Image Credit: Twitter

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As Curtis Campher took four wickets in four balls to help Ireland to victory over Netherlands in the first game of the day, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was setting the tone for his side’s 41-run win against Afghanistan at the same time. Image Credit: ANI

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Then, as Namibia went down to Sri Lanka, New Zealand simultaneously lost out in the last over to rivals Australia. Image Credit: Twitter

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It sets the tone for some thick-and-fast action over the next month as we discover who will lift the trophy on November 14.. Image Credit: ANI

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In last night's crucial qualifier, Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapaksa was impressed with the performance of the frontline bowlers in the massive seven-wicket victory against Namibia but added there are many parts they need to improve. Image Credit: AFP

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Sri Lanka reduced Namibia to a sub-100 total with some excellent all-round bowling performance and then notched up the target for the loss of three wickets in 13.3 overs, thus beginning their campaign to secure a 'Super 12' berth on a positive note on Monday. Image Credit: ANI

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The Sri Lankan trio of seamers first restricted Namibia - conceding just 45 runs from their 11.3 overs and taking four wickets - to complement the combined five-wicket haul of spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, bundling the Eagles for just 96. Rajapaksa's 42 not out and Avishka Fernando's unbeaten 30 for a fourth-wicket stand of 74 after the Islanders were reduced to 26/3 saw them home comfortably. Image Credit: AFP

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Rajapaksa said: "We've been struggling in the powerplay to get runs and not lose wickets, so there's a bit of a concern when it comes to the top-order batters -- they are struggling to get runs and it is not in our favour at the minute." Image Credit: AFP

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LOOK! T20 World Cup: Abu Dhabi gets into full swing with four matches in one day

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LOOK! T20 World Cup: Abu Dhabi gets into full swing with four matches in one day

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