Cricket news roundup – 7th March 2019: South Africa go 2-0 up, Gladiators to play PSL Qualifier

Cricket news roundup – 7th March 2019: South Africa go 2-0 up, Gladiators to play PSL Qualifier

Imran Tahir South Africa Sri Lanka

South Africa thrashed Sri Lanka by 113 runs to go 2-0 up in the ODI series; a franchise-based European T20 league has been announced; Quetta Gladiators thrashed defending champions Islamabad United; Shane Watson will travel to Karachi for the Pakistan leg of PSL 2019; and Ajinkya Rahane has been ruled out of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League.

Proteas continue to avenge Test humiliation

South Africa won the second ODI against Sri Lanka, at SuperSport Park, Centurion, in a canter. Quinton de Kock got them off to an incredible start. At one point he seemed set for a double-hundred before he edged a leg-side delivery off Thisara Perera to the wicketkeeper. He fell for a 70-ball 92 – in the 21st over.

Faf du Plessis joined in with 57, but the South Africa lower order collapsed inexplicably. From 220/4 they were bowled out for 251 – in the 46th over.

Sri Lanka lost three quick wickets before Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis took them to 92/3, but that was it. They were bowled out for 238, with Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, and Imran Tahir sharing the wickets.

Europe joins the T20 bandwagon

Ireland, Scotland, and Netherlands will jointly host a three-week long franchise-based T20 league, starting August 30. The three countries will provide two teams each. The cut-off limit for overseas players will be 7, in squads of 16.

As per ESPNCricinfo, Scotland have announced Edinburgh and Glasgow as their franchises, while Ireland have named Dublin and Belfast as theirs. The Dutch franchises are yet to be named.

Quetta romp to top two

Quetta Gladiators raced to the Qualifier of PSL 2019 with a resounding 43-run win over Islamabad United at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Gladiators put up 180/9, mainly due to Ahmed Shehzad’s 46-ball 73 and cameos from Rilee Rossouw and Umar Akmal. Faheem Ashraf had figures of 4/18 amidst this onslaught.

Luke Ronchi and Cameron Delport adding 62 for the first wicket in 52 balls for United, but thereafter only Samit Patel managed to reach double figures. Fawad Ahmed (3/26) did most of the damage, with support from Sohail Tanvir (2/19) and Mohammad Hasnain (2/32).

With 14 points from 9 matches, Gladiators are now at the top of the table, and will definitely finish in the top two. Their likeliest opponent for the Qualifier is Peshawar Zalmi (12 from 9), whose only threat at this stage is Karachi Kings (8 from 8).

Watson to play Pakistan leg

Shane Watson of Quetta Gladiators, top scorer of PSL 2019 (332 runs at 47.42, strike rate 141), has confirmed that he will tour Karachi to play the Pakistan leg of the tournament. Watson had last visited Pakistan in 2005.

Earlier, AB de Villiers of Lahore Qalandars had opted out of the Pakistan leg of the tournament due to an injury.

No Rahane for Mumbai

Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane has been ruled out of the Super League of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Rahane has not been in great form in the tournament. However, he would have desperately wanted some practice before the IPL, where he will lead Rajasthan Royals.