Cricket

Host nation England are the ICC's number one team as they approach the upcoming tournament, looking to claim the trophy for the very first time.

But Stokes warned that unlike in longer series' where defeats can be rectified, England cannot afford any slip ups.

"All the nations come together over a certain period and whichever team performs best over that time gets to lift the trophy," he told Omnisport, speaking courtesy of Red Bull. "You want to be that team.

Having dominated throughout Australia's tour of the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan inflicted more misery on Aaron Finch's side to complete a 3-0 success with five balls to spare.

Babar Azam starred again at the top of the order with his second half century of the series as Pakistan made a superb start under the lights, the hosts racing to 93-0 in the 13th over.

Babar's 50 came off just 40 balls and included a superbly executed upper cut for six off Nathan Coulter-Nile, the bowler only able to watch on as the ball sailed over the third-man boundary.

The Hebou PNG Barramundis continued their impressive form in the T20 Series by posting another imposing total of 9/161 off their allotted 20 over in the final.

It was a team effort with a total of five Barramundis’ batsmen scoring more 20 runs throughout the innings, with Assad Vala top scoring with the bat with a brilliant 37 runs off just 33 balls. Tanveer Ahmed was the stand-out bowler for Hong Kong, taking an incredible 5/48.  

It's been four years since the last East Asia Pacific qualifier in the game's shortest format when Papua New Guinea went through undefeated.

Shane Deitz said the Vanuatu squad has been working hard in preparation since returning from World Cricket League Four in May.

Two teams will advance to the East Asia Pacific Regional Final and Deitz expects all four will fancy their chances.

Micah Pokana and Simon Atai guided Coasters to an impressive eight wicket victory against Kempa.

Batting first, Kempa scored 8 for 144 runs from their allotted 20 overs with Vali Albert top scoring for Kempa,

In reply, Coasters chased down the total in 16.2 overs to win the match.

In other matches, Poreporena chased down Raukele’s score126 runs inside 15 overs while United thumped Hoods by nine (9) wickets.

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The ball-tampering episode involving Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft has left reputations in tatters and angered and disappointed politicians, fans and former players alike.

Smith, who before the weekend was one of his country's most revered sportsmen, and Warner have both received 12-month bans by Cricket Australia Wednesday for their part in illegal tampering with the ball on day three of the third Test against South Africa.

In the first match, Milne Bay batted first and was all out for 136 in 15.3 overs against hosts West New Britain. In reply, West New Britain were not able to handle the strong bowling attack of Milne Bay and were bowled out for 86 in the 18th over.

In the second match, Madang were too strong for Southern Highlands, winning by 56 runs.

Batting first, Madang were dismissed for a disappointing 96 runs while in reply, Southern Highlands were bowled out for only 40 runs.

These two sides of Hanuabada have been united in the face of tragedy.

The sport has only featured in one Olympics so far, the 1900 Games in Paris, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) is understood to be close to announcing a formal application to join the programme for 2024.

Earlier this year, ICC chief executive David Richardson told Press Association Sport a decision would have to be reached by the end of July and the "time was right" for cricket to make a concerted push for Olympic inclusion.

Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla and returning captain Faf du Plessis all brought up half-centuries, with the home attack forced to toil for their wickets before the Proteas declared on 343-9.

Alastair Cook had a first-ball lbw dismissal by Morne Morkel overturned on review as England began an improbable attempt at what would be a world-record chase of 474 and, even though he and Keaton Jennings nervily reached one without loss at the close, Joe Root's side are likely to head to The Oval at 1-1 in the four-match series.