Half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam and career-best four-fer from Hasan Ali led Pakistan to a 24-run win over Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

The win also secured the three-match series for the tourists with the 2-1 scoreline. Chasing 166 to win, Zimbabwe were restricted to 141 for seven. Hasan, who was featuring for the first time in the series, led the fightback for the visitors when he took two wickets in the 16th over to put breaks on hosts run-chase. He accounted for Tarisai Musakanda (10), Wesley Madhevere (59 off 47, seven fours), Regis Chakabva (0) and Sean Williams (9).

The right-arm fast bowler ended up with match figures of 4-18 in four overs, which is his best in T20I career. Haris Rauf took two for 34.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan scored 165/3. Rizwan top-scored with an unbeaten 91 off 60 balls. His innings included five fours and three sixes. He knitted a match-winning 126 runs for the second-wicket with Babar.

Babar scored 52 from 46 balls which included five fours. During the course of his innings he became the fastest batsman to reach 2,000 runs in this format. It took 52 innings for the Pakistan captain to achieve this feat breaking India’s captain Virat Kohli, who had taken 56 innings to reach the landmark.

For Zimbabwe, Luke Jongwe picked three wickets for 37.

Hasan was named Player of the Match, while Rizwan was awarded Player of the Series award for scoring 186 runs.

Pakistan team had won the first T20I by 11 runs while Zimbabwe won the second by 19 runs. Both teams will now feature in a two-Test match series with the first Test match starting at the same venue from April 29.

The participation in sport has known health benefits, including promoting physical fitness and mental wellness. It is widely recognized that physical activity, performed for the right amount of time and intensity can provide benefits to the immune system. Now researchers say sports participation or any other physical activity could help protect against severe Covid hospitalizations. In a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers and physicians at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center in Southern California, the University of California, San Diego, and other institutions found that Covid patients who regularly exercised or participated in sports before becoming sick were the least likely to be hospitalized, admitted to the ICU and die as a result of their illness. Physical activity provided strong protection from hospitalization, ICU admission, and death among COVID-19 patients.The results of a study show inactivity is strongly associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes.

The odds for death were 2.49 times lower for athletes who were consistently active compared with inactive patients. Athletes had 1.73 times lower odds of ICU admission than patients who were consistently inactive. Athletes had lower odds for severe COVID-19 when compared to those who were consistently inactive. Research shows that athletes have better immune system which help their body fight off infections. Sports can help athletes reduce stress levels and build emotional resilience. There is evidence that suggests sports help you fall asleep faster and improves sleep quality, and getting a good night’s sleep has also been found to boost their immune system.

Many star athletes tested positive for COVID-19 including football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazilian star Neymar, AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic, world number one golf player Dustin Johnson, Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, Kevin Durant, one of the biggest stars in the NBA.

As many as 24 sportspersons and 12 support staff members tested positive for the coronavirus at the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) Bhopal centre. Six Indian hockey players from men’s national team, including captain Manpreet Singh, were tested positive for COVID-19 when they were checked ahead of their camp at SAI’s Bengaluru campus. Indian badminton player Satwiksairaj Rankireddy also tested positive for COVID-19. India’s top woman wrestler Vinesh Phogat also tested positive for COVID-19 in August last year.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SAFE RETURN TO SPORT AFTER COVID-19

All guidance, rules and regulations regarding the return of sports must be followed as set forth by the national, state, or local governments and health departments. Individuals who have had an extended time away from sport, there is increased risk of deconditioning, putting them at much higher risk for injury if pushed too hard too fast. Overtraining, defined as prolonged or excessive repetitive activity/workouts in efforts to “catch up,” does not allow the body to adjust and recover, which can lead to decreased performance and/or increased risk injury.

After COVID-19 infection, athlete’s health care provider will help determine when it is safe to begin a graduated return to play progression based on athlete’s medical history, symptoms, severity of illness and previous level of activity. A graduated return to play progression will increase athlete’s activity level and allow to monitor any lingering symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Athlete may begin Phase 1 of the following return to play progression once he or she is able to complete activities of daily living (i.e. walking around the house, dressing, daily hygiene tasks, etc.) without worsening of symptoms and has been cleared by a health care provider for exercise or sports activities.Throughout each phase, it is important to monitor the athlete for the following symptoms. If he or she experiences any of these symptoms, discontinue activity and return to his or her health care provider for further evaluation.

Dizziness

Difficulty breathing

Chest pain/pressure

Decreased exercise tolerance

Fainting

Phase 1: At least two sessions of light aerobic activity (up to 70% maximum heart rate) for up to 15 minutes. Sessions should be at least 24 hours apart. Activities may include brisk walking, light jogging or using a stationary bike. No strength training.

Phase 2: At least one session of aerobic exercise (up to 80% maximum heart rate) for up to 30 minutes. Simple movement activities such as running drills may be added to increase level of difficulty. No strength training.

Phase 3: At least one session of exercise (up to 80% maximum heart rate) for up to 45 minutes. May add some simple sport specific activities and strength training to increase level of difficulty.

Phase 4: At least two sessions of sport specific training (up to 80% maximum heart rate) for up to 60 minutes. Sessions must be at least 24 hours apart.

Phase 5: Resume normal training activities and duration for at least one session.

Phase 6: Return to competition with no restrictions.

Ravindra Jadeja whacked 37 runs in the final over of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) innings before the all-rounder came back to pick three wickets as MS Dhoni-led side thrashed Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 69 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday evening.

A business end master-class from Jadeja had powered CSK to 191/4 in their 20 overs. In response, RCB could only manage 122/9, thanks to Jadeja and Imran Tahir’s impeccable bowling performances. A three-for, a wicket-maiden, and a direct hit with the ball aided by Tahir’s tight bowling helped CSK move to the top of the points table as they toppled RCB on Sunday.

Chasing 192 runs, RCB got off to a flying start with the side scoring 44 runs in the first three overs. However, things soon went downhill as Sam Curran dismissed skipper Virat Kohli on the first ball of the fourth over.

Devdutt Padikkal showed a glimmer of hope with his firing knock of 34 runs off 15 balls but was not able to convert it into a big score. Shardul Thakur removed him in the fifth over to reduce RCB to 54/2.

RCB kept losing wickets at regular intervals and was soon found reeling at 89/7 in the 12th over. While Glenn Maxwell tried to smack boundaries, AB de Villiers, Washington Sundar, and Daniel Christian went without scoring in the double-digit.

Jadeja dismissed Sundar, Maxwell, de Villiers and ran Christian out as RCB was left gasping for breath. Imran Tahir too joined the party picking two wickets and resulting in a run out as RCB suffered a horrific collapse.

In the end, the Kohli-led side was only able to score xxx runs, as CSK broke RCB’s unbeaten streak in the ongoing tournament.

Earlier, opting to bat first, CSK got off to a good start with openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis scripting another fifty-plus partnership in the powerplay. Yuzvendra Chahal removed Gaikwad in the tenth over but Suresh Raina and du Plessis continued ticking the scoreboard.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli was fined Rs 12 lakhs for his side’s slow over-rate against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Ravindra Jadeja whacked 37 runs in the final over of CSK’s innings and then came back to pick three wickets as MS Dhoni-led side thrashed RCB by 69 runs. The all-rounder smashed 62 runs in just 28 balls, with the help of five 6s and four 4s, as CSK scored 191 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, RCB managed to score 122/9 and suffered their first defeat of the ongoing IPL.

“RCB captain Virat Kohli has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 match against CSK at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on April 25,” IPL said in a release.

“As it was his team’s first offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Kohli was fined Rs 12 lakhs,” it added.

RCB will now lock horns with Delhi Capitals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

Delhi Capitals registered a thrilling win in the Super Over against SunRisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League match here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday evening.

Both the teams scored 159 runs in the allotted 20 overs as a result the match went into the Super Over. Axar Patel restricted Kane Williamson and David Warner to just seven runs. In reply, Rishabh Pant and Shikhar Dhawan chased the target on the last ball. Earlier, a half-century from Prithvi Shaw and skipper Rishabh Pant’s 37-run knock guided Delhi Capitals to 159/4 in their allotted 20 overs. In response, Williamson’s unbeaten 66-run knock and J Suchith’s not-out 14-run cameo helped the side to equal the score in 20 overs.

Chasing 160, Jonny Bairstow and skipper David Warner provided a steady start as they build a 28-run stand for the opening wicket.

Warner got run out in the fourth over after scoring just six runs. Kane Williamson and Bairstow guided the side to the 50-run mark. The duo added a 28-run stand for the second wicket. Aven Khan dismissed English batsman in the sixth over. Bairstow played a knock of 38 runs off 18 balls including four sixes and three fours.

Williamson held one end strong but the side lost Virat Singh (4) and Kedar Jadhav (9) cheaply. Avesh bagged Virat in the 12th over while Amit Mishra clinched Jadhav in the 15th over.

Abhishek Sharma joined Williamson in the middle after Jadhav’s departure. Meanwhile, Kiwi completed his half-century off 42 balls in the 16th over.

In the 17th over, Axar Patel scalped two wickets as he sent Abishek (5) and Rashid Khan (0) on successive balls. Vijay Shankar joined Williamson in the middle. SRH were at 121/4 after 17 overs.

SRH required 39 balls from 18 balls. Shankar (8) failed to support Williamson as he was picked by Avesh in the 19th over. Suchith’s 14-run cameo off six balls helped the side to level score on the last balls of the 20th over.

For Delhi, Avesh clinched three wickets while Axar bagged two scalps. Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan provided a flying start to the side. Shaw showed his intent from the word go as he smashed three back-to-back fours off Khaleel Ahmed in the first over.

The duo played aggressively and accumulated as many runs as possible in the first six overs. Both the openers added 51 runs in six overs.

Pakistan suffered a shocking 19-run defeat in a low-scoring second T20I against Zimbabwe here at the Harare Sports Club on Friday.

Chasing 119, barring skipper Babar Azam (41 runs), Mohammed Rizwan (13) and Danish Aziz (22), no visiting batter was able to cross the double figure-mark.

The run-chase looked easy for the visitors as long as Babar stayed at the crease. Opener Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman (2) departed cheaply inside the first eight overs.

Mohammad Hafeez supported skipper Babar in building the innings after early wickets but the former too departed after scoring just five runs.

Babar got support from Aziz and stitched a 22-run brief partnership for the fourth wicket. Luke Jongwe broke the partnership and sent Babar back to the pavilion in the 16th over.

Babar’s wicket brought the hosts back in the game and after that Pakistan kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. In the next over, Aziz departed after scoring 22 runs. At that time, Pakistan was 79/5 in 16.2 overs.

Jongwe didn’t give any change to Pakistan for a fightback as he returned figures of 4-18 in his 3.5 overs. He was adjudged the Player of the Match. Pakistan collapsed from 79/5 to 99.

Ryan Burl bagged two scalps while Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava took one wicket each.