World Cup Match

In the World Cup match between Netherlands and Sri Lanka at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, Netherlands captain Scott Edwards won the toss and chose to bat first.

The Dutch, who shocked South Africa in their previous match for their first win over a Test-playing nation at the 50-over showpiece, field an unchanged team.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka, the only team in the 10-nation tournament yet to secure a victory after three consecutive defeats, made two changes. Dusan Hemantha and Kasun Rajitha replaced Dunith Wellalage and Lahiru Kumara.

Netherlands XI: Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (capt/wkt), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren

Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (capt/wkt), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka

Hamas Releases Hostages, Offering a Sliver of Hope Amid Gaza Aid Stalemate

Moreover,

Hamas released two American hostages held in Gaza on Friday, offering a “sliver of hope” to desperate families, as Israel pounded the densely-populated territory where millions are still awaiting promised aid deliveries.

The Islamist group took more than 200 people hostage when it stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7 and killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated, or burnt to death on the first day of the raid, according to Israeli officials.

The fate of the hostages has been shrouded in uncertainty, so the release of mother and daughter Judith Tai Raanan and Natalie Shoshana Raanan offered a rare “sliver of hope,” said Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross.