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• Hosein stars as NY Strikers go top of the table after Bulls sink to record low

  Delhi Bulls sank to the lowest total in the Abu Dhabi T10's seven-year history, folding for just 31 despite having Quinton de Kock, Johnson Charles, James Vince, Rilee Rossouw, Rovman Powell, Ravi Bopara and Dwayne Bravo in their ranks, to give New York Strikers their third win and a spot at the top of the table for now.

  If you score 98 for 4 in a ten-overs-a-side tournament where three figures are breached quite often, you expect to have it tough in the second half, but it was certainly not the case on the day for Strikers at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday.

  Two wickets fell in the first over of the chase, to Akeal Hosein (3 for 7), one each in the second and third, and three in the fifth to Chamika Karunaratne (3 for 6). That was the end of the specialist batters bar Bopara, who was the only Bulls batter to get into double-digits with 16.

  The Bulls were bowled out with three balls left in the innings after four batters fell for ducks.

  In the first half, Rahmanullah Gurbaz dominated proceedings with a 24-ball 49 not out, as Strikers reached what was a just-about-par score of 98… it proved more than three times what Bulls could manage on the day.

  Bulls have now lost two on the bounce after starting with three wins in a row, and are still up at No. 3 on the table, while Strikers, after starting with a loss, have now won three in a row.

   

• Rehan Ahmed rejects Sir Alastair Cook’s criticism of Jos Buttler’s captaincy

  Rehan Ahmed defended Jos Buttler’s captaincy following criticism of his tactical acumen by Sir Alastair Cook after England started their tour of the Caribbean on a losing note.

  Several of Buttler’s decisions were scrutinised during a calamitous World Cup defence and England’s new era in ODIs made a false start as they were beaten by a Shai Hope-inspired West Indies on Sunday.

  Having been strangled by spin duo Ahmed and Liam Livingstone, the Windies needed 101 in the last nine overs but they feasted on England’s pace bowlers to win with four wickets and seven balls to spare.

  Cook, the former England captain and their record Test run-scorer, wondered on TNT Sports afterwards whether Buttler could have juggled his resources better during the Windies’ successful chase and deployed Will Jacks’ off-spin in the middle overs to take the pressure off the seamers at the death.

  But 19-year-old leg-spinner Ahmed said: “Jos is an unbelievable captain. It’s just his call.

  “We were in a great position by the end of it. It wasn’t like there was bad decisions throughout the game.

  “I don’t think you can put anything down to Jacksy not bowling. I felt like we were always in the game even right to the end.

  “We just didn’t execute at the end. We were always still in the game.”

  Buttler’s lean patch with the bat also continued at the weekend after being dismissed for three, his fifth single figure score in eight innings while he is averaging 14.1 since the start of the World Cup.

  Ahmed said: “Every time I bowl to him in the nets, he smacks me everywhere. Some people can be short of runs sometimes but he’s still Jos Buttler. He’s probably the best white-ball player I’ve bowled to.”

  Sam Curran felt the full might of the Windies’ power hitting as he leaked 98 from 9.5 overs and the most expensive ODI figures by an England bowler came with the extra indignity of being pummelled for three sixes in four balls as unbeaten centurion Hope got his side over the line.

  Curran’s fortunes have nosedived since being named player of the tournament in England’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign last year.

  Dropped after three innocuous showings at the 50-over World Cup – averaging 11.66 and 70 with bat and ball respectively – the 25-year-old made an important 38 off 26 balls at the weekend, although that was overshadowed by what followed.

  Ahmed, who was the pick of England’s attack with two for 40, has backed Curran to demonstrate his resilience in the second ODI of the three-match series on Wednesday.

  He said: “After losing a game and if you’ve been hit around then I don’t think you’ll be very happy with it.

  “The thing is, Sam is an unbelievable player – everyone knows he is as well, so I’m sure the next game he’ll probably get a five-for, he’ll be good.”

  It is understood Ahmed’s younger brother Farhan will be selected on Tuesday in England’s squad for the Under-19 World Cup, which is set to be held in South Africa from January 13 to February 4 next year.

  The 15-year-old is an off-spinner by trade and although his elder sibling cracked a couple of jokes at his expense, there is the prospect of two Ahmeds in an England side in the future.

  Ahmed joked: “He bowls a lot of dot balls so he’ll be quite boring and I don’t expect (him to hit) too many sixes. But no, I’m very happy for him, he’s very young and he’s been picked for such a big thing.

  “He’s quite exciting for an off-spinner, which is quite surprising. But I think he’ll go well. I’m very chuffed for him.

  “I play with my older brother and younger brother and dad in club cricket and it’s the best ever feeling.

  “As many of us that can play together it’s always going to be good. Whether it’s for England for county for school for a club, anything.

  “Playing alongside family is always a great feeling.”

• Windies Academy in complete control of second four-day match against Emerging Ireland

  In what seems to be a dominant display, the West Indies Academy is on track for a second consecutive victory against Emerging Ireland in the four-day match at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. Following the action on the second day, the West Indies Academy appears poised for success, holding a substantial lead over their opponents.

  The West Indies Academy resumed their innings on Saturday from an overnight score of 300-8, eventually concluding at 326 all out. The momentum continued as their bowlers took center stage, dismantling Emerging Ireland for a mere 72 runs in 26.4 overs. Opting not to enforce the follow-on, the West Indies were 172-4 at stumps, establishing an overall lead of 426 runs heading into the third day.

  Emerging Ireland faced a daunting challenge after bowling out the West Indies Academy for a competitive 326. With little resistance, only two batters managed to reach double figures. Cabe Carmichael emerged as the top scorer with 39, while Tom Hayes contributed 12. The home team's bowlers, led by Joshua Bishop with 4-18 from 6.4 overs, made swift work of the tourists' lineup. Isai Thorne displayed equal prowess with 3-15 from seven overs, and Nyeem Young, following his impressive 80 with the bat, claimed 2-7 from six overs. McKenny Clarke also made his presence felt with 1-16 from four overs.

  With a commanding lead of 254 runs, the West Indies Academy continued their dominance with a solid batting performance, reaching 172-4 off 45 overs. Akeem Auguste played a significant role with a score of 75 and Teddy Bishop, 45, led the scoring for the West Indies Academy. As they aim for an all-out victory, the team is in a formidable position heading into Monday's play.

  Tom Hayes stood out as the best of the Irish bowlers, claiming 2-23 from the 12 overs he bowled on Sunday. Barring a miraculous turnaround, the West Indies Academy appears well-poised to secure another convincing win in the ongoing four-day contest.