Gujarat Lions rode on some powerful batting to defeat Kings XI Punjab by six wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Sunday evening. Chasing a challenging target of 190 runs, Gujarat romped home with two deliveries to spare. Gujarat now have eight points from 12 matches, while Punjab remain on 10 points from 11 matches.

Dwayne Smith played a starring role for Gujarat, smashing 74 runs off a mere 39 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries and four towering sixes along the way. Smith and fellow Ishan Kishan gave Gujarat’s chase a rocking start, producing a opening partnership of 91 runs in just 9.2 overs before Punjab pacer Thangarasu Natarajan ended it as Kishan hit a full length delivery into the hands of David Miller at deep midwicket. Smith followed him back to the pavilion a couple of overs later when he was dismissed by Glenn Maxwell.

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Skipper Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthick then helped Gujarat get near the target with a 42-run stand which came off 35 balls before the former was caught by Gurkeerat Singh wide of deep midwicket while trying to smash a Sandeep Sharma delivery out of the park. Aaron Finch was also dismissed later in the same over when he offerred an edge to Punjab wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha while attempting to pull a bouncer. But Karthick and Ravindra Jadeja ensured that Gujarat achieved in the last over.

Earlier, a century from Hashim Amla and a half-century by Shaun Marsh helped Kings XI Punjab post 189/3. Amla plundered 104 runs off 60 balls with eight boundaries and five sixes before being trapped lbw by an accurate yorker from Gujarat pacer Basil Thampi on the penultimate ball of the innings. This was his second hundred in the IPL. Amla was also involved two crucial partnerships with Marsh and Maxwell. Marsh made 58 runs with six boundaries studding his 43-ball knock. Gujarat pacers Thampi, Pradeep Sangwan and Dhawal Kulkarni picked up a wicket each.

Asked to bat first, Punjab were off to a slow start as Gujarat pacers Sangwan and Kulkarni maintained a tight line. Sangwan struck in the very first over with a chest high-short ball to Gujarat opener Martin Guptill on the off stump line. The Kiwi star tried to hook the ball but only managed to offer a top edge to Thampi at long leg. However, Amla and Marsh helped the hosts shake off the early jitters and steadied the innings with a 125-run partnership in 89-balls. Amla batted well, showcasing his impeccable technique to find the gaps at regular intervals.

Kulkarni finally brought the stand to an end, dismissing Marsh with a slower delivery. The Australian was outfoxed by the change of pace and miscued his shot with Aaron Finch doing the honours at long on. 

Marsh’s departure prompted Amla to go on the offensive and the South African star hit two sixes off consecutive overs.  Known for his classical technical batting, Amla also showcased his ability to improvise. Thanks to big hitting Amla and excellent support from the other end by Maxwell, the Punjab run rate showed no signs of slowing down. The duo added 50 runs between them off 25 balls with Amla doing most of the scoring.

The 34-year-old reached his century in style, smashing Thampi for a six over the cover boundary. However, Thampi made a superb comeback, pitching an accurate yorker right in the block hole to trap Amla leg before. Maxwell remained unbeaten on 20 runs off 11 deliveries which included two sixes.

IANS

Raees Movie Review: A typical Bollywood Blockbuster designed for the masses

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After the film’s first look came out, there have been speculations that SRK will be playing the character of Abdul Latif, Gujarat’s feared underworld gangster from the 80s. Later, the filmmakers announced that Raees’ character was not an impersonation but just a reflection of Abdul Latif and the other underworld bigwigs of that time

But no matter what the filmmakers say, the story that comes across in the film’s trailer looks pretty similar to the real life-story of Abdul Latif, back in his glory days. 

From a flourishing bootlegging business to land deals, smuggling and a whole lot of illegal activity, Abdul Latif was and still remains one of the most feared Gujarati gangsters.

So, before you watch Raees, here’s the story of Latif that’ll further add on to your excitement.

 

Hailing from a financially backward settlement, Latif learnt about the importance of money at a very young age. He started delivering alcohol for bootleggers as a young boy, while waiting tables in underground bars that had gangsters as regulars. The man soon made contacts in the underworld circuit and next thing you know, he was the undisputed king of the illegal alcohol trade in the dry state of Gujarat, running a business worth millions. 

The man also had his hands full with land deals, drugs, hawala and what not.

Latif’s businesses were blooming and his image was that of a local Robin Hood. He established a huge fan-base by donating large sums of money. The man had solid connections in politics and as the most probable next move, Latif contested for elections.

By the time the election results came out, Latif was in jail and yet, managed to win in five municipal wards. But he was soon disqualified and his political career met with a sudden end. 

But the man’s popularity was so immense, later, many contemporary politicians from his party were found running their respective campaigns in Latif’s name, to cash on his vote banks. 

 

Abdul Latif was not someone who believed in competition, primarily because he was famous for completely wiping out his rival gangs, the Radhika Gymkhana Killings being one of the biggest examples.

All this and his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai blasts with Dawood Ibrahim made Latif become one of the most-wanted gangsters in India. 

By the time Latif was caught, he had over 97 cases in his name, involving murder, terrorism, bootlegging, kidnapping and much more.

The man met his end in 1997 in Sabarmati Jail where he was put after being captured in 1995. He was shot dead by unknown people, while trying to escape. 

 

We don’t know how much of Latif’s life will find place in Raees’ story but check it out yourself and discover.