Pioneer in short
T20 WC: India Beat England In Thriller
Defending champions India national cricket team defeated England national cricket team by seven runs in a thrilling second semifinal to enter the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup on Thursday. Asked to bat first, opener Sanju Samson produced a blistering 89 off 42 balls, smashing seven sixes and eight fours to power India to a formidable 253 for seven in 20 overs. He was well supported by Shivam Dube (43), Ishan Kishan (39), Hardik Pandya (27) and Tilak Varma (21), as India maintained a brisk scoring rate throughout the innings. Chasing a daunting 254, England mounted a strong reply thanks to a sensational 105 off 48 balls by Jacob Bethell. His aggressive strokeplay kept England in contention, but the target ultimately proved just out of reach as they finished at 246 for seven. Pandya returned with the ball to claim two wickets for 38 runs, while Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy picked up a wicket each to keep India narrowly ahead in a tense finish. For England, Will Jacks and Adil Rashid claimed two wickets apiece. India will now face the New Zealand national cricket team in Sunday's final.
Nepal Votes After Gen Z Uprising
Tens of thousands voted on Thursday in Nepal’s first general election since Gen Z-led protests toppled the coalition Government of K P Sharma Oli last year. Corruption and demands for generational change dominated the campaign in the politically fragile Himalayan nation. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said the poll was conducted “peacefully and enthusiastically”, with an estimated turnout of about 60 per cent. The newly formed Rastriya Swotantra Party (RSP), led by former rapper and Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, has emerged as a strong challenger to the traditional parties.
Second Iranian Vessel Near SL
Sri Lanka said Thursday it is considering its response after a second Iran-linked vessel sought entry into its waters, a day after an Iranian frigate was sunk near the island nation.Government spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament that authorities were assessing the situation after the ship was spotted off Panadura, outside Colombo. “We are aware of it and are contemplating action to safeguard all lives on board,” he said, adding the government was acting to maintain regional stability.The development comes a day after the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena sank about 40 nautical miles off Galle following what Pete Hegseth, the US war secretary, said was an attack by a United States submarine in international waters. Sri Lankan authorities said 84 bodies of Iranian sailors were recovered, while several survivors are receiving treatment in hospitals in Galle with mostly minor injuries.
