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With four runs needed off the last ball, Ariful Haque swung Rashid Khan towards long-on. Were Bangladesh going to deny Afghanistan a 3-0 whitewash? Not quite. With two athletic interventions at the boundary, Shafiqullah prevented the ball from going over the boundary for six and then from rolling past it for four. Then the ball somehow made its way to the wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad before Bangladesh could complete the match-tying third run.This wasn’t quite over, though. The third umpire was called in to see if Shafiqullah had stepped beyond the boundary when he flicked the ball back into the field of play. It was a matter of an inch, but he had not. Afghanistan had completed the perfect finish to the series, winning by one wicket and sealing a 3-0 scoreline.The third T20 burst into life in the last two overs, which began with Bangladesh needing 30 to win. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, who had put on Bangladesh’s only 50-plus stand of the series, knew the penultimate over was do-or-die as Rashid was due to bowl the last over.Mushfiqur blasted Karim Janat over point and then pulled him and drove him through and over long-on to pick up four consecutive boundaries. It became five in a row when Mushfiqur brought out an inch-perfect reverse-sweep to bisect backward point and short third man. The 21-run over brought the equation down to nine runs off the last over, but it was against Rashid.Mushfiqur fell off the first ball, caught at deep midwicket slog-sweeping, and neither Ariful nor Mahmudullah could find the boundary off the next four balls, leaving the newcomer on strike with four needed off the last ball. Ariful finally managed a meaty hit, but Shafiqullah ensured he would have the final word.Bangladesh’s chase of 146 did not begin well. Tamim Iqbal’s quiet series ended with a catch driven to extra-cover in the third over, off Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Soumya Sarkar became the third Bangladesh No. 3 in three matches, and he promised much when he switch-hit Mujeeb for six in the fifth over. But in the space of four balls in the sixth over, Bangladesh were in tatters, Soumya and Liton Das run-out, one after another in near-identical fashion, both sprinting out too eagerly from the non-striker’s end when the batsman played Mohammad Nabi towards short fine leg.Samiullah Shenwari then took a superb catch at cover to send back Shakib Al Hasan, leaving Bangladesh 53 for four in the ninth over.Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah took control from that point, tackling Rashid, Mujeeb and Nabi sensibly and laying into the other bowlers. Mahmudullah pressed the accelerator in the 17th over, hitting Aftab Alam for a six and four, but then Rashid conceded just three runs in the next over, leaving Bangladesh with a very tough ask in the last two overs.Having chosen to bat first, Afghanistan began with a bang – more accurately, three bangs – as Mohammad Shahzad struck Mehidy Hasan Miraz for two fours and a six over long-on in the first over. Shahzad hit one more four before falling to a poor decision in the eighth over, given out leg-before to Nazmul Islam even though he had gloved a reverse-sweep. Shahzad’s opening partner Usman Ghani fell in the next over for 19 off 26 balls, caught behind trying to pull Abu Jayed.Asghar Stanikzai helped Bangladesh recover, hammering three sixes – two over long-on and one over cover – before falling to part-timer Ariful in the 13th over. Asghar made 27 off 17. Nabi’s dismissal in the 15th over, Mahmudullah taking a good diving catch at mid-off, was another crucial blow for Bangladesh but the in-form Samiullah Shenwari and Najibullah Zadran brought Afghanistan back with some big hits, taking a combined 26 off the 17th and 18th overs.Just when a total in excess of 150 looked likely, Bangladesh pulled them back with spin as Shakib and Nazmul conceded only 10 off the last two overs. The two left-arm spinners finished with a combined 3 for 34 in their eight overs, while Jayed was also impressive, using the short ball well to finish with 2 for 27.

Sam Billings has said that the chance to learn from MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings during this year’s IPL was an opportunity that made his subsequent struggles for form worthwhile.Billings started his IPL campaign in impressive style with a matchwinning 56 from 23 balls, in partnership with Dhoni, against Kolkata Knight Riders. However, he was unable to touch those heights again, as he finished a stop-start stint with 108 runs at 13.50 in ten innings all told.That lack of time in the middle then seemed to spill over into Billings’ sketchy start to his home international summer – he was overlooked for England’s T20 and ODI squads against India after failing in two innings against Scotland and Australia last month.But Billings insists he has few regrets about his time at CSK and says that, as a wicketkeeper-batsman who is now settling into his captaincy role at Kent, Dhoni is a role model whose input and advice can only improve his game.”It was incredible batting with him in the first game, and to get us across the line as well,” Billings told ESPNcricinfo at a Chance to Shine event in Sussex. “What struck me most was his calmness. He’s just so calm the whole time.”I asked him about it, and he said that, through experience and being able to train, he’s got better and better at it towards the latter part of his career. It was amazing to witness – he selects the bowlers that he looks to take down, then executes it as well. It’s pretty special being at the other end and in the same dressing room as someone like that.”The lessons were manifest at the other end of the pitch as well. In light of England’s struggles to pick the variations of India’s mystery spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, in the first T20I, Billings said that exposure to such bowlers on a daily basis was another valuable reason for having a stint in the competition.”You have to adapt very quickly to two high-quality spinners, but that is the benefit of playing in the IPL,” Billings said. “You come up against quality spin every time you play the game. It’s about adapting, having a gameplan and putting the pressure back onto them.”Chahal is a great bowler, he got me out at Bangalore this year, and Kuldeep with his variations is high class as well. The challenge is to adapt as quickly as possible, and certainly the reverse-sweep and sweep are good options, especially if you are not picking them.”Billings returned to form with the bat in the recent Royal London Cup final at Lord’s, although his 75 from 60 balls wasn’t enough to get Kent across the line against Hampshire. Nevertheless, he found himself implementing some of Dhoni’s techniques while marshalling his troops from behind the stumps.Sam Billings will hope to make the most of a rare chance in England’s side•Getty Images

“It was about being conscious of body language, not giving too much away to the batsman but the bowler as well, to be honest,” he said. “People don’t mean to bowl bad balls, but the way Dhoni deals with it and relaxes, ultimately it makes them feel a hell of a lot more comfortable.”Dhoni, however, isn’t the only star batsman from whom Billings has been picking up a few tips in recent months. Jos Buttler’s form, both for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and for England in all formats, has been revelatory – particularly, in T20 cricket, since his move to the top of the order.”He’s one of the best players in the world when he’s playing like he is at the moment,” Billings said. “It’s a pleasure to watch. I’ve known him a long, long time and he’s a great mate of mine, so to see him going so well is brilliant.”To be honest, his game has always been there, it’s just his consistency. Now that he’s putting those consistent scores together, he’s pretty much unstoppable when he gets into full flow.”Consistency for Billings has clearly been lacking of late, although his natural confidence has not been dented by his struggles out in the middle. On the contrary, he sees Buttler’s flowing form as proof that his own good times can roll again.”I’m a similar type of player to Jos, and I’m looking to up my game as well and emulate what he’s done,” Billings said. “To see him go from a middle-order role to excelling at the top of the order is really pleasing. As cricketers now you’ve got to be versatile and he’s doing it as well as anyone now.”It’s tough being in and out of the team and feeling like you have to prove yourself every single time you go out to bat,” Billings said of his stop-start international career. “You play one ODI, then you don’t play another one for nine months. But that’s international sport.”I average over 40 in List A cricket, so my stats are on the board. It’s about reminding myself of what I’ve done with Kent and for the [England] Lions, and focusing on that some more going into the future.”I’m just looking forward to getting another opportunity. It will come at some point, and it’s about taking it, as simple as that. It’s a really hard side to break into at the moment, but there’s plenty of competition around, and when the opportunity arises, hopefully I’ll be ready.”Sam Billings was speaking at an event for National children’s charity Chance to Shine, who are teaming up with ICC and ECB to deliver the Cricket World Cup 2019 Schools’ programme

Perth Scorchers opener Beth Mooney scored 90 and become the first player in WBBL history to notch 4000 runs in a record breaking 104-run thrashing of the Melbourne Renegades.Scorchers’ winning margin was the biggest in WBBL history, surpassing the 103-run victory by the Sydney Sixers over Hobart in 2017. Mooney took her career tally to 4030 runs in a 58-ball innings that showcased her shot making ability all around Melbourne’s Junction Oval.Allrounder Marizanne Kapp and Mooney added 123 in just 56 deliveries for the fourth wicket, a record WBBL stand, to lift their side to 4 for 192. In reply the Renegades were never in the hunt and were dismissed for 88.Mooney has played 114 WBBL games for the Brisbane Heat and Scorchers and her career runs have been scored at a strike-rate of 122.26. The 28-year-old had a willy ally in Kapp against Renegades. The South Africa international launched four huge leg-side sixes and timed the ball to perfection from the start of her innings.Scorchers had six bowlers capture wickets in a team performance that took them back into the WBBL top four.Sydney Sixers went top of the WBBL table with a 45-run win over a disappointing Melbourne Stars.The batting depth of the visitors was a highlight of genuine team performance. Sixers allrounder Ashleigh Gardner turned in a classy performance with bat and ball.  Her 28 off 17 deliveries gave Sixers early momentum before chipping in with 4 for 27 with her crafty spinners Opener Alyssa Healy (31) top-scored before Erin Burns (25), Nicole Bolton (23) and Sophie Ecclestone (22) all played aggressive cameos for the Sixers. Stars opening bowler Kim Garth was hard to get away for Sixers.In reply, Stars had a shocking start with Lauren Winfield-Hill falling victim in the opening over to Ellyse Perry while Ecclestone and Bolton kept it tight. Suzie Bates had a great day in the field, taking four catches.Stars are now six points outside of the top four and all but out of finals contention.Hobart Hurricanes rocketed from fifth to third after beating the second-placed Brisbane Heat by six wickets in a rain-reduced match on Saturday night. The start of the contest was delayed due to the Adelaide weather, restricting the match to 13 overs a side. Heat slumped to 3 for 18 before reaching 6 for 100 courtesy of solid knocks from Grace Harris (41 off 30 balls) and Laura Harris (32 off 20).In reply, Hurricanes reached their target with three balls to spare. Opener Lizelle Lee (24 off 19 balls) and Mignon du Preez (37 off 29 balls) set the foundation, before Elyse Villani (26no off 17 balls) saw her side home. Just three points separates first from fifth spot, setting up a thrilling end to the season.

Saqib Mahmood has been ruled out of next week’s T20I series against Ireland, and the upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand in October, after sustaining a knee injury. His place for the Ireland trip has been taken by the Hampshire and Scotland seamer, Scott Currie.Mahmood, 28, played in the second ODI against South Africa at Lord’s earlier this month, going wicketless in England’s five-run defeat, but had not played a part in either of the first two T20Is against the same opponents.In a statement, the ECB confirmed that Mahmood was set to undergo “minor knee surgery” to correct the issue. It is the latest setback for a seamer who missed nearly two years of action with consecutive stress fractures of the back, but who appeared to have restated his credentials in recent months.His recent England performances included nine wickets at 10.55 on the T20I tour of the Caribbean in November last year, as well as a starring role in the 3-0 ODI series win over the same opponents in June. Most recently, he was part of Oval Invincibles’ three-peat-winning team in the Men’s Hundred, claiming the final wicket of the final against Trent Rockets.Currie’s call-up, at the age of 24, comes 18 months after he featured in three ODIs for Scotland, in the World Cricket League Division 2 in Dubai. However, Scotland’s failure to qualify for this winter’s T20 World Cup would appear to have ended his ambitions of further representing the country of his father’s birth.Speaking to ESPNcricinfo on Friday, he explained the rationale behind those appearances, saying he hadn’t wanted to keep turning down the chance to play international cricket “in the hope that maybe an England cap might come one day”.Scott Currie in T20 Blast action for Hampshire•ECB via Getty Images

“There’s plenty of experience to be had out there,” Currie said. “I’ve obviously got [the possibility] that you can flip between the two, and if an England cap ever came then that would be a massive honour.”But certainly, the pride of representing Scotland in those three games that I did, taking the field with my brother [Brad], knowing what it means to my old man and his side of the family, is something that always puts a smile on my face.”Everyone’s favorite word at the moment is the schedule, but it’s tough with the way the schedule is to find those opportunities. Unfortunately, they didn’t qualify for the T20 World Cup coming this winter. But yeah, I do remain in contact with them.”Currie’s call-up comes less than 24 hours after he featured in T20 Finals Day for Hampshire. He claimed two wickets in both the semi-final victory over Northamptonshire and their eventual six-wicket defeat to Somerset, but his decisive role in the final was arguably a key dropped catch at deep midwicket to reprieve Sean Dickson, early in his unbeaten innings.England are set to play three T20Is at Malahide, on September 17, 19 and 21. The squad, which will be missing several multi-format players ahead of this winter’s Ashes campaign, will be captained for the first time by Jacob Bethell.

A solid innings of 47 by returning captain Kane Williamson and a dashing 33 from 15 balls by Jimmy Neesham propelled New Zealand to a 13-run win over West Indies in the first of three T20Is in Jamaica.Neesham struck three fours from the last three balls and 23 runs from the last over of the innings as New Zealand made 185 for 5 after being sent in to bat at Sabina Park. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner took 3 for 19 as New Zealand restricted West Indies to 172 for 7.”There was a lot of spin which was a big surprise,” said Santner, who was voted the Player of the Match. “I think the lengths are key against these guys. They can hit you pretty far, so back of a length worked today and as a unit we were able to pick up wickets which was pretty key.”New Zealand’s innings had two parts, separated by a lengthy rain break. Openers Martin Guptill and Devon Conway gave the tourists a strong start, putting on 62. But the pair fell to consecutive deliveries from Odean Smith, who went on to take career-best T20I figures of 3 for 32.Guptill fell to a brilliant one-handed catch by Shimron Hetmyer, who was backed up against the boundary at deep point, while Conway’s innings of 43 from 29 ended when he top-edged a catch to wicketkeeper Devon Thomas.The rain came in the 12th over with New Zealand on 95 for 2 and Williamson at the crease with Glenn Phillips. Players were off the field for almost two hours and when play resumed New Zealand immediately lost Phillips for 17.The New Zealand innings briefly lost momentum but Williamson re-established the impetus of the innings by taking 33 runs from his next 18 deliveries. He finally was out to another brilliant catch on the boundary, this time from Hayden Walsh who dashed from midwicket to pocket a comfortable catch at speed.Neesham struck a six from the second ball of an over in which he also was dropped by Romario Shepherd from the bowling of Jason Holder. West Indies paid the price with Neesham’s three fours from the last three balls.”We want to get better as a group but in saying that I was happy with the performances,” West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran said. “Santner bowled very well and Ish [Sodhi] got away with a few. Scores above 175-180 are tricky for us. Unfortunately losing is contagious and we’re a losing side at the moment.”Shamarh Brooks anchored the top of the West Indies innings with 42 at almost a run a ball. But there was a lack of consistent momentum afterward. Pooran with 15 from eight balls, Holder with 25 from 19 and Rovman Powell with 18 from 12 all threatened to take control of the game but couldn’t carry on.Finally, Shepherd and Smith shared a 50 partnership from 23 balls for the eighth wicket to fan West Indies’ hopes. Shepherd struck an unbeaten 31 from 16 balls and Smith 27 from 12. But West Indies came to the last over needing 26 runs and the task proved too much.

The third Test between England and South Africa will resume on Saturday “to pay tribute” to Queen Elizabeth II. However, there will be no extension of the Test, with South Africa set to depart from the UK on Tuesday.Following the death of the Queen, day two at the Kia Oval was cancelled as a mark of respect, along with all scheduled matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Following conversations with government, the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and between the ECB and CSA, it was agreed to continue the Test match. England women’s T20I match against India at Durham will also go ahead on Saturday evening.The game will resume on day three, following a first-day washout and then the suspension of Friday’s play, with England bowling having won the toss.Related

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“Cricket will resume on Saturday to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and honour her remarkable life and service,” read an ECB statement.”Following the cancellation of Friday’s cricket fixtures as a mark of respect on announcement of her death, the England and Wales Cricket Board can confirm that play will resume from Saturday including international, domestic, and recreational fixtures. The decision has been taken after consultation with DCMS and in line with Official National Mourning guidance.”This means the Men’s Test match between England and South Africa will begin at The Oval and the Women’s IT20 match between England and India will also go ahead at the Riverside in Durham. The scheduled match between England and Sri Lanka Men’s U19 along with recreational cricket fixtures will also take place as planned.”Before each match, a minute’s silence will be observed followed by the national anthem. All players and coaches will wear black armbands. Branded inventory will be replaced with messaging paying cricket’s respects to the Queen.The ECB had been hopeful of extending the Test match into Tuesday to ensure four days of play. However, CSA chief executive Pholetsi Moseki confirmed to ESPNcricinfo the tourists would stick to their original itinerary ahead of leaving for a limited-overs tour of India on September 23.”Yes we have lost a day,” Moseki said. “The team was part of the decision, considering that they are due to fly to India a few days later after their return.”In an official statement, Moseki added: “CSA is in full support of the ECB’s decision to go ahead with the third Test match between England and South Africa following the UK’s day of mourning. After consultation with the Proteas’ team management and given the schedule ahead, it was clear that it would not be in the players’ interests to extend the Test and reduce the few days the players have with their families before another long tour.”There was cautious optimism on Friday morning that the Test would continue. The ECB was part of a 9.30am DCMS meeting with other national sporting bodies whereby the advice given was to make their own individual decisions. A government spokesperson said: “There is no requirement, or obligation, to cancel or postpone events or sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues, during this period. It’s at the discretion of individual organisations.”They may wish to consider cancelling or postponing, particularly on the day of the state funeral, but they are under no obligation to do so.”Following that meeting, sources at the ECB and Surrey County Cricket Club, where the match is being hosted, were confident the game was likely to continue. The only sticking point seemed to be whether the resumption on Saturday would be “day two” or “day three”. The former would have required South Africa to move back their flight home, originally scheduled for Tuesday.