Cricket news round-up – April 23: Afghanistan announce World Cup squad, Delhi reach top of IPL table

Afghanistan dropped Shapoor Zadran and recalled Hamid Hasan for their squad for the 2019 World Cup; Rishabh Pant helped Delhi Capitals demolish Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur; the IPL 2019 final will be played at Hyderabad, on May 12; and before the four Playoffs, Jaipur will host a Triangular Tournament of Women’s T20s.

Afghanistan drop Shapoor, recall Hamid

Afghanistan have left Shapoor Zadran out of their squad for the 2019 World Cup. Instead, they have recalled Hamid Hasan, who has not played an ODI since June 2016. Hamid and Shapoor both played for Afghanistan in the 2015 World Cup.

Former captain Asghar Afghan also features in the side, one that will be led by Gulbadin Naib for the first time. The squad reads:

Gulbadin Naib (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Asghar Afghan, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Samiullah Shinwari, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Dawlat Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai.

Rahane hundred goes in vain, Pant demolishes Rajasthan

Delhi Capitals reached the top of the IPL 2019 points table after they beat Rajasthan Royals with 4 balls to spare at Jaipur. Rajasthan piled up 191/6, thanks to Ajinkya Rahane’s unbeaten 63-ball 105 and Steven Smith’s 32-ball 50. Ishant Sharma had figures of 4-0-29-1.

Prithvi Shaw (42 in 39) and Shikhar Dhawan (54 in 27) then went after Rajasthan, adding 72 in 45 balls. Delhi needed 115 in 55 balls when Rishabh Pant (78* in 36) arrived. The target was chased down without much hassle.

Jaipur to host Women’s T20 Triangular before IPL Playoffs

Jaipur will host four Women’s T20 matches just before the IPL Playoffs, on May 6, 8, 9, and 11. The tournament will be played in Round-Robin format followed by a final, and will feature some of the biggest names of the sport.

The sides, named Supernovas, Trailblazers, and Velocity, will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Mithali Raj.

Hyderabad to host IPL 2019 final

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad will host the final of IPL 12, on May 12. The IPL committee made the announcement following the failure of MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai to reopen their three stands.

However, Chepauk will host Qualifier 1, on May 8.