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New Zealand look to enter semis unbeaten
Kolkata : New Zealand, who have already booked their spot in the World Twenty20 semis, will look to qualify from Group 2 unbeaten when they take on Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens here on Friday.
The Black Caps have won all their three matches so far and would want to continue the winning streak before entering the last four stage.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, are at the bottom of the five-team group with no wins in three outings and would ideally want to bow out of the competition with their heads held high.
New Zealand started their campaign against India on a turning pitch at Nagpur. The ball spun square and the spinners were able to cast a spell on the Indian batsmen. Chasing a target of 127, the hosts were bowled out by the Kiwis for a paltry 79, diminishing the favourites tag of India.
In their next game at Dharamshala, New Zealand defended a modest total of 142 against heavyweights Australia. They bagged the game with eight runs to spare in a thrilling encounter between the Trans-Tasman rivals.
Martin Guptil then clubbed a 48-ball 80 versus Pakistan to help the team post 180/5. Pakistan managed to put up an early fight but fell 22 runs short.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh were badly bruised by Pakistan in their tournament opener as they lost the contest by 55 runs. They scared Australia but the 50-over World Champions crossed the line with three wickets in hand.
The ‘Tigers’ almost made it past India but a last-ball run-out meant the hosts clinched the match by one run in what turned out to be a heart-stopping thriller.
Going into this encounter Bangladesh will be a broken side having suffered such a painful loss and their captain Mashrafe Mortaza thinks the same.
“It is very difficult losing a match like this and to take something back from here to another match. But being a professional player, you have to take it,” Mortaza said in Bengaluru after their defeat to India.
The Eden track in the last game assisted the spinners and the Kiwi tweakers will be raring to have a go on the strip. It will be interesting to see how the Bangladesh batsmen cope with the turn and bounce.
If Bangladesh are to get close to a decent total or chase down a score, they have to make sure their top-order fires. Though Tamim Iqbal has been amongst the runs, Soumya Sarkar’s form will be a worry.
After the suspension of pacer Taskin Ahmed, the Bangladeshi bowling has also been wobbly. Except for Mustafizur Rahman, nobody else has stepped up as yet. Mortaza has tried hard but with his medium pace, he has been easy runs for rival batsmen.
It will be interesting to see if New Zealand go in with three spinners. In Nagpur they did and had India tangled in a web of spin. If they do so, one might get to see Nathan McCullum getting a game.
The Kiwi willowers have also been in form with Guptill leading the pack and they can be a force to reckon with if they are on song.
Bangladesh have never beaten New Zealand in T20Is but at Eden Gardens, in front of a strong support, they might just be able to turn the tables and cause an upset.
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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.