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World Cup: New Zealand struggle to win against Scotland
Dunedin: A commendable bowling performance set up New Zealand’s three wicket victory against Scotland in a cricket World Cup Pool A match here Tuesday.
The Cup co-hosts, among the top contenders to win the mega tournament, first put on a superb bowling display to shot out the minnows for a paltry 142 runs in 36.2 overs. But their batting left a lot to be desired as they lost wickets at regular intervals, barely managing to win by three wickets.
They still won by 151 balls to spare but their laboured batting performance would raise some uncomfortable questions for skipper Brendon McCullum.
New Zealand were pushed to an uncomfortable position in what was a routine run chase, as they were reduced to 117 for five in 21 overs.
Scotland’s right-arm pacer Iain Wardlaw (3/57) struck meaty blows to check New Zealand’s attempted quick march to victory. Fellow right-armer Josh Davey (3/40) also kept New Zealand in check.
The home team began their chase on a strong note with opener Martin Guptill (17) striking four crisp boundaries. But he was soon sent to the pavilion by Wardlaw in the third over.
Skipper McCullum (15) also perished soon because of his over-aggressiveness. No.3 batsman Kane Williamson (38) stitched together a useful 40-run fourth wicket partnership with Grant Elliott (29) to move New Zealand towards victory.
But Williamson’s dismissal on in the 18th over triggered a collapse as they were reduced to 137 for seven in the 24th over.
But the low total New Zealand were chasing meant they eventually managed to get over the finishing line.
Earlier, the home team’s strong bowling display dismissed Scotland for 142 at the University Oval here.
Left-arm pacer Corey Anderson led the bowling figures with 3/18 and he was well supported by veteran spinner Daniel Vettori (3/24) and the opening pace pair of Tim Southee (2/35) and Trent Boult (2/21).
The co-hosts, who won the toss and chose to bowl, went in to the match with an unchanged side that won so impressively against Sri Lanka Saturday.
McCullum based his decision hoping to exploit the moist pitch conditions of the pitch.
And his judgement was backed up by some superb bowling by his opening pace pair who were right on the money from the very beginning and quickly reduced the minnows to 12 for four inside five overs with Boult struck with the first two balls he bowled.
But the innings was resurrected to some extent by a 97-run partnership between left-hand batsman Matt Machan (56) and right hander Richie Berrington (50), but the rest of their batting fell away and New Zealand wrapped up their innings in just 36.2 overs.
Scotland appeared to have battled away the early blues courtesy of the Machan-Berrinngton partnership and reached 109 but Machan’s untimely dismissal by Anderson, who was successful in inducing and edge from him to McCullum in 27.5 overs, saw the batting crumble.
The lower order barely offered any resistance and was shot out without any difficulty. Four Scottish batsmen were dismissed for nought, the second time it happened in One-Dayers.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.