**West Indies vs New Zealand: Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup Semi-Final – Live Updates** Join us for live updates from the semi-final match starting at 3 PM BST in Sharjah. The West Indies team has gathered for a huddle, exchanging high fives as they prepare to take the field. Following them are New Zealand's Plimmer and Bates, who are ready to make their entrance. As the teams prepare for the match, it's time for the national anthems. New Zealand stands together, singing their anthem with a sense of restraint, while the West Indies, also united, display a more spirited performance alongside their anthem, "Rally Round the West Indies." Stay tuned for more updates as the match unfolds!

**Jack Leach Shines Again as England Triumphs Over Pakistan** In a remarkable display of resilience, England's spinner Jack Leach has once again proven his invaluable contribution to the team, playing a crucial role in their sensational victory against Pakistan. The echoes of Graham Gooch's famous remark to Ian Botham in August 1986 resonate as Leach steps into the spotlight. Botham, returning from a 63-day suspension for admitting to cannabis use, made a stunning comeback by taking a wicket with his very first ball against New Zealand at the Oval, subsequently breaking the record for Test dismissals. Gooch, witnessing the drama unfold, pondered whether some unseen force was scripting the events. The phrase “You couldn’t write a script like it” is often overused in sports, yet it rings true in moments like these. If Hollywood can conjure up fantastical scenarios, surely they could dream up a scene where Bruce Edgar edges a back-of-a-length delivery to second slip in south London. Leach's performance has not only silenced critics but also reaffirmed his place in the team, showcasing his enduring worth when it matters most.

Ollie Pope has lauded his teammates Joe Root and Harry Brook, referring to them as “two greedy Yorkshiremen” for their outstanding performances that propelled England to a commanding victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Multan. England declared at an impressive total of 823 for seven, thanks to the remarkable contributions from Root and Brook over the course of days three and four. Pope expressed his admiration for their skill and fitness, emphasizing the importance of their mindset in achieving such a monumental score. “We knew if we batted like we can, we could go big, and those two did exactly that,” he stated. “Their skill was exceptional, but it was their fitness and determination that really stood out. Knowing we needed a substantial score kept them pushing towards those massive numbers, and they put us in a fantastic position to win the game. What they accomplished was truly special.” Looking ahead, Pope highlighted the depth of talent within the batting lineup, suggesting that other players are also capable of stepping up in future matches. “We believe that on different days, various players will rise to the occasion,” he added.

**Australia vs Sri Lanka: Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 – Live Updates** Stay tuned for updates as the defending champions kick off their campaign in the UAE. In the early moments of the match, Sri Lanka's captain, Chamari, elegantly glided the ball past point to secure the first runs for her team. She followed it up with another well-executed shot, showcasing her compact technique. However, Australian bowler Schutt made a critical error by overstepping the crease, resulting in a free hit for the batting side. Despite this misstep, Schutt managed to limit the damage with a well-placed slower ball. Yet, she overstepped again on her next delivery! After a brief pause, she returned to her mark, perhaps contemplating a need to measure her run-up more carefully. Fortunately for her, the subsequent ball was a solid yorker, causing no further issues. The tide turned when Schutt finally delivered a legal ball, successfully trapping Gunaratne in front of the stumps. The Decision Review System (DRS) confirmed the on-field call, showing three reds, marking Australia’s first wicket of the match.