From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket




England beat pakistan and made semi finals of 2026 T20 World Cup.


Brook is in good form, won the match for England.

Butler, Banton and Bethell still didn't hit the stride yet.

Most likely England has to play either WI or India (unlikely with a bad
NRR) in the semis.

Whether India will make semis will DEPEND on IF South Africa beats WI.

IF South Africa wants to ELIMINATE India from making the semis, they can intentionally LOSE to WI on Thursday.


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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 24/02/2026 17:15, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

England beat pakistan and made semi finals of 2026 T20 World Cup.

Brook is in good form, won the match for England.

Butler, Banton and Bethell still didn't hit the stride yet.

Yes, the continued losing of early wickets is a big worry. It was only
that tremendous innings by Brook - with some help from Curran and Jacks
- that enabled England to pull through after a fine opening spell by
Afridi. It's just as well England decided to move him up the order from
five to three. I don't think England will drop Buttler - whose form is
the biggest concern - as apart from anything else he's the only "proper" keeper in the squad. But they ought to seriously consider swapping him
in the batting order with Jacks.

The England bowling was pretty good for the most part, with Dawson the stand-out, but some of the fielding was poor.

Most likely England has to play either WI or India (unlikely with a bad
NRR) in the semis.

Whether India will make semis will DEPEND on IF South Africa beats WI.

IF South Africa wants to ELIMINATE India from making the semis, they can intentionally LOSE to WI on Thursday.

I don't think they would consider deliberately losing, and I certainly
hope they wouldn't cheat in that way. After beating India so
convincingly, they shouldn't fear potentially having to meet them in the final. But WI are playing well, and it's quite possible they could win
without anything underhanded going on. That - as you clearly realise -
could mean SA, WI and India would all finish on 4 points, with India
probably having the worst NRR.
--
John Hall

You can divide people into two categories:
those who divide people into two categories and those who don't
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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 2/24/2026 11:18 AM, John Hall wrote:

On 24/02/2026 17:15, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

England beat pakistan and made semi finals of 2026 T20 World Cup.


Brook is in good form, won the match for England.

Butler, Banton and Bethell still didn't hit the stride yet.

Yes, the continued losing of early wickets is a big worry. It was only
that tremendous innings by Brook - with some help from Curran and Jacks
- that enabled England to pull through after a fine opening spell by
Afridi. It's just as well England decided to move him up the order from
five to three. I don't think England will drop Buttler - whose form is
the biggest concern - as apart from anything else he's the only "proper" keeper in the squad. But they ought to seriously consider swapping him
in the batting order with Jacks.

The England bowling was pretty good for the most part, with Dawson the stand-out, but some of the fielding was poor.

Most likely England has to play either WI or India (unlikely with a
bad NRR) in the semis.

Whether India will make semis will DEPEND on IF South Africa beats WI.

IF South Africa wants to ELIMINATE India from making the semis, they
can intentionally LOSE to WI on Thursday.

I don't think they would consider deliberately losing, and I certainly
hope they wouldn't cheat in that way. After beating India so
convincingly, they shouldn't fear potentially having to meet them in the final. But WI are playing well, and it's quite possible they could win without anything underhanded going on. That - as you clearly realise -
could mean SA, WI and India would all finish on 4 points, with India probably having the worst NRR.

England topped their group and will play South Africa in the semi finals.

I think South Africa will beat England in the semis.

SA is on a mission to win the 2026 T20 World Cup which they missed by a whisker in 2024 in the finals.

I think India will beat WI in Kolkata on Sunday and play NZ in the semis.

It will be very difficult for pakistan to make the semis because of
their inferior NRR vs NZ UNLESS Sri Lanka loses by huge margin to
pakistan tomorrow.



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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 27/02/2026 17:16, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

On 2/24/2026 11:18 AM, John Hall wrote:

On 24/02/2026 17:15, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

England beat pakistan and made semi finals of 2026 T20 World Cup.


Brook is in good form, won the match for England.

Butler, Banton and Bethell still didn't hit the stride yet.

Yes, the continued losing of early wickets is a big worry. It was only
that tremendous innings by Brook - with some help from Curran and
Jacks - that enabled England to pull through after a fine opening
spell by Afridi. It's just as well England decided to move him up the
order from five to three. I don't think England will drop Buttler -
whose form is the biggest concern - as apart from anything else he's
the only "proper" keeper in the squad. But they ought to seriously
consider swapping him in the batting order with Jacks.

The England bowling was pretty good for the most part, with Dawson the
stand-out, but some of the fielding was poor.

Most likely England has to play either WI or India (unlikely with a
bad NRR) in the semis.

Whether India will make semis will DEPEND on IF South Africa beats WI.

IF South Africa wants to ELIMINATE India from making the semis, they
can intentionally LOSE to WI on Thursday.

I don't think they would consider deliberately losing, and I certainly
hope they wouldn't cheat in that way. After beating India so
convincingly, they shouldn't fear potentially having to meet them in
the final. But WI are playing well, and it's quite possible they could
win without anything underhanded going on. That - as you clearly
realise - could mean SA, WI and India would all finish on 4 points,
with India probably having the worst NRR.

England topped their group and will play South Africa in the semi finals.

I think South Africa will beat England in the semis.

SA is on a mission to win the 2026 T20 World Cup which they missed by a whisker in 2024 in the finals.

I think India will beat WI in Kolkata on Sunday and play NZ in the semis.

It will be very difficult for pakistan to make the semis because of
their inferior NRR vs NZ UNLESS Sri Lanka loses by huge margin to
pakistan tomorrow.

My understanding is that, as England topped their group, they will play
the side finishing second in the other group, which will probably be
India but will be WI if they can beat India on Sunday. I think SA are
the best side in the tournament and that England will prefer to be
playing India who - although still a very good side - are not quite as fearsome a proposition as they were a year or two ago.

Yes, NZ are strong favourites to qualify for the semis at Pakistan's
expense. Assuming that NZ qualify, then I think they will be playing SA
at Kolkata. But if Pakistan do manage to qualify - which is probably
less than a 10% chance- then the semi against SA will be played at Colombo.

If against all the odds Pakistan should somehow reach the final, I
wonder what would happen then? The final surely has to be played in
India. I can't imagine Pakistan forfeiting the chance of winning the
final by not turning up, and I assume that India would let the Pakistan
team enter the country to play the match rather than have the final not
take place. I imagine that would have to involve a huge security
operation. But of course that's all hypothetical, as Pakistan's chance
of reaching the final must be less than 5%.

I thought that England were dead and buried against NZ when they needed
43 runs off the last 3 overs, but they somehow pulled it out of the
fire. It was tough on Phillips for his last over - the 18th of the
innings - to go for 22, as up to that point he had looked like being the player of the match. As it was the award went to Jacks for his all-round performance, his fourth award in England's seven matches.
--
John Hall

You can divide people into two categories:
those who divide people into two categories and those who don't
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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 2/27/2026 11:10 AM, John Hall wrote:

On 27/02/2026 17:16, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

On 2/24/2026 11:18 AM, John Hall wrote:

On 24/02/2026 17:15, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

England beat pakistan and made semi finals of 2026 T20 World Cup.


Brook is in good form, won the match for England.

Butler, Banton and Bethell still didn't hit the stride yet.

Yes, the continued losing of early wickets is a big worry. It was
only that tremendous innings by Brook - with some help from Curran
and Jacks - that enabled England to pull through after a fine opening
spell by Afridi. It's just as well England decided to move him up the
order from five to three. I don't think England will drop Buttler -
whose form is the biggest concern - as apart from anything else he's
the only "proper" keeper in the squad. But they ought to seriously
consider swapping him in the batting order with Jacks.

The England bowling was pretty good for the most part, with Dawson
the stand-out, but some of the fielding was poor.

Most likely England has to play either WI or India (unlikely with a
bad NRR) in the semis.

Whether India will make semis will DEPEND on IF South Africa beats WI. >>>>
IF South Africa wants to ELIMINATE India from making the semis, they
can intentionally LOSE to WI on Thursday.

I don't think they would consider deliberately losing, and I
certainly hope they wouldn't cheat in that way. After beating India
so convincingly, they shouldn't fear potentially having to meet them
in the final. But WI are playing well, and it's quite possible they
could win without anything underhanded going on. That - as you
clearly realise - could mean SA, WI and India would all finish on 4
points, with India probably having the worst NRR.

England topped their group and will play South Africa in the semi finals.

I think South Africa will beat England in the semis.

SA is on a mission to win the 2026 T20 World Cup which they missed by
a whisker in 2024 in the finals.

I think India will beat WI in Kolkata on Sunday and play NZ in the semis.

It will be very difficult for pakistan to make the semis because of
their inferior NRR vs NZ UNLESS Sri Lanka loses by huge margin to
pakistan tomorrow.

My understanding is that, as England topped their group, they will play
the side finishing second in the other group, which will probably be
India but will be WI if they can beat India on Sunday.

Yes, I made a mistake while typing.

England will play India or WI in the semi finals while South Africa will
play most likely NZ.


For pakistan to make semis, they will need to beat SL by 64 runs or
chase in 13.1 overs.

ICC will be rooting for pak to make the semis so they can make $250+
million from potentially an India-Pak finals.

I think SA are

the best side in the tournament and that England will prefer to be
playing India who - although still a very good side - are not quite as fearsome a proposition as they were a year or two ago.

Yes, NZ are strong favourites to qualify for the semis at Pakistan's expense. Assuming that NZ qualify, then I think they will be playing SA
at Kolkata. But if Pakistan do manage to qualify - which is probably
less than a 10% chance- then the semi against SA will be played at Colombo.

If against all the odds Pakistan should somehow reach the final, I
wonder what would happen then? The final surely has to be played in
India. I can't imagine Pakistan forfeiting the chance of winning the
final by not turning up, and I assume that India would let the Pakistan
team enter the country to play the match rather than have the final not
take place.

It was NEVER India NOT allowing pak to play in India in ICC tournaments.

It's pakis who REFUSED to play in India to support their islamic
terrorist brother bangladesh.

I imagine that would have to involve a huge security
operation. But of course that's all hypothetical, as Pakistan's chance
of reaching the final must be less than 5%.

I thought that England were dead and buried against NZ when they needed
43 runs off the last 3 overs, but they somehow pulled it out of the
fire. It was tough on Phillips for his last over - the 18th of the
innings - to go for 22, as up to that point he had looked like being the player of the match. As it was the award went to Jacks for his all-round performance, his fourth award in England's seven matches.

I think Santner got carried away by the fact the pitch is helping
spinners and gave Glenn Philips the 18th over INSTEAD of Matt Henry who
was FLAWLESS in his first two overs.


Rehan Ahmed wouldn't have fared well against Henry.

Santner missed a trick.

Even if NZ won the match, it wouldn't have made a difference for England
since they already made the semis.




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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 27/02/2026 19:10, John Hall wrote:

If against all the odds Pakistan should somehow reach the final, I
wonder what would happen then? The final surely has to be played in
India.

No, according to the ICC web site, the venue for the final is "Ahmedabad/Colombo (To be Confirmed)" - obviously depending on whether Pakistan is involved.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/matches
--
David North
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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 27/02/2026 19:19, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

Even if NZ won the match, it wouldn't have made a difference for England since they already made the semis.

It would have changed who they play in the semi-finals.
--
David North
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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 28/02/2026 07:24, David North wrote:

On 27/02/2026 19:10, John Hall wrote:

If against all the odds Pakistan should somehow reach the final, I
wonder what would happen then? The final surely has to be played in
India.

No, according to the ICC web site, the venue for the final is "Ahmedabad/Colombo (To be Confirmed)" - obviously depending on whether Pakistan is involved.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/matches

The Playing Conditions make it even clearer:

"rCo If Pakistan qualifies for the final, it will be held in Colombo.
"rCo If Pakistan does not qualify for the final, it will be held in Ahmedabad."

https://images.icc-cricket.com/image/upload/prd/igqt8cceiusrtat0ru5u.pdf

(p27)
--
David North
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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 27/02/2026 19:19, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

On 2/27/2026 11:10 AM, John Hall wrote:

If against all the odds Pakistan should somehow reach the final, I
wonder what would happen then? The final surely has to be played in
India. I can't imagine Pakistan forfeiting the chance of winning the
final by not turning up, and I assume that India would let the
Pakistan team enter the country to play the match rather than have the
final not take place.

It was NEVER India NOT allowing pak to play in India in ICC tournaments.

It's pakis who REFUSED to play in India to support their islamic
terrorist brother bangladesh.

I think you are confusing Pakistan not playing IN India with their
cancelled boycott of their match AGAINST India in Colombo.

When the tournament schedule was announced in November, it was already
stated that the final would be in Colombo if Pakistan qualified.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/2026-t20-world-cup-schedule-india-grouped-with-pakistan-england-with-west-indies-1512693

That was long before the Mustafizur Rahman/Bangladesh issue, which
started in early January.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2026-bcci-asks-kkr-to-release-mustafiqur-rahman-from-their-squad-because-of-recent-developments-1517878

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/bangladesh-look-to-move-t20-world-cup-matches-from-india-amid-mustafizur-row-1517973
--
David North
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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 28/02/2026 07:24, David North wrote:

On 27/02/2026 19:10, John Hall wrote:

If against all the odds Pakistan should somehow reach the final, I
wonder what would happen then? The final surely has to be played in
India.

No, according to the ICC web site, the venue for the final is "Ahmedabad/Colombo (To be Confirmed)" - obviously depending on whether Pakistan is involved.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/matches

I must admit I'm surprised. Does that mean that tickets can't go on sale
for the final yet, as presumably many people hoping to attend the final
if it was played in Ahmedabad wouldn't/couldn't go to Colombo, and vice
versa?
--
John Hall

You can divide people into two categories:
those who divide people into two categories and those who don't
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 2/28/2026 12:27 AM, David North wrote:

On 27/02/2026 19:19, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

On 2/27/2026 11:10 AM, John Hall wrote:

If against all the odds Pakistan should somehow reach the final, I
wonder what would happen then? The final surely has to be played in
India. I can't imagine Pakistan forfeiting the chance of winning the
final by not turning up, and I assume that India would let the
Pakistan team enter the country to play the match rather than have
the final not take place.

It was NEVER India NOT allowing pak to play in India in ICC tournaments.

It's pakis who REFUSED to play in India to support their islamic
terrorist brother bangladesh.

I think you are confusing Pakistan not playing IN India with their
cancelled boycott of their match AGAINST India in Colombo.

I am NOT confused.

It was the islamic paki pigs who REFUSED to play in India in T20 World
Cup because India didn't want to play in pakistan due to it committing terrorism in India for 75 years since 1947.

When the tournament schedule was announced in November, it was already stated that the final would be in Colombo if Pakistan qualified.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/2026-t20-world-cup-schedule-india- grouped-with-pakistan-england-with-west-indies-1512693

That was long before the Mustafizur Rahman/Bangladesh issue, which
started in early January.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2026-bcci-asks-kkr-to-release- mustafiqur-rahman-from-their-squad-because-of-recent-developments-1517878

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/bangladesh-look-to-move-t20-world- cup-matches-from-india-amid-mustafizur-row-1517973

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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 2/28/2026 2:10 AM, John Hall wrote:

On 28/02/2026 07:24, David North wrote:

On 27/02/2026 19:10, John Hall wrote:

If against all the odds Pakistan should somehow reach the final, I
wonder what would happen then? The final surely has to be played in
India.

No, according to the ICC web site, the venue for the final is
"Ahmedabad/Colombo (To be Confirmed)" - obviously depending on whether
Pakistan is involved.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/matches

I must admit I'm surprised. Does that mean that tickets can't go on sale
for the final yet, as presumably many people hoping to attend the final
if it was played in Ahmedabad wouldn't/couldn't go to Colombo, and vice versa?

Yes.

Fans can't really plan their flight itineraries and hotel bookings UNTIL
the semi final involving pak is concluded but most likely pak WON'T make
semis today which will give some extra time for cricket fans.


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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 2/28/2026 4:31 AM, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

On 2/28/2026 12:27 AM, David North wrote:

On 27/02/2026 19:19, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

On 2/27/2026 11:10 AM, John Hall wrote:

If against all the odds Pakistan should somehow reach the final, I
wonder what would happen then? The final surely has to be played in
India. I can't imagine Pakistan forfeiting the chance of winning the
final by not turning up, and I assume that India would let the
Pakistan team enter the country to play the match rather than have
the final not take place.

It was NEVER India NOT allowing pak to play in India in ICC tournaments. >>>
It's pakis who REFUSED to play in India to support their islamic
terrorist brother bangladesh.

I think you are confusing Pakistan not playing IN India with their
cancelled boycott of their match AGAINST India in Colombo.

I am NOT confused.

It was the islamic paki pigs who REFUSED to play in India in T20 World
Cup because India didn't want to play in pakistan due to it committing terrorism in India for 75 years since 1947.

When the tournament schedule was announced in November, it was already
stated that the final would be in Colombo if Pakistan qualified.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/2026-t20-world-cup-schedule-india-
grouped-with-pakistan-england-with-west-indies-1512693

That was long before the Mustafizur Rahman/Bangladesh issue, which
started in early January.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2026-bcci-asks-kkr-to-release-
mustafiqur-rahman-from-their-squad-because-of-recent-developments-1517878

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/bangladesh-look-to-move-t20-world-
cup-matches-from-india-amid-mustafizur-row-1517973

India refused to play Asia Cup in pakistan last year due to terrorism.

So pak made a deal with ICC that they will NOT play in India in T20
World Cup.


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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 28/02/2026 12:39, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

On 2/28/2026 4:31 AM, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

On 2/28/2026 12:27 AM, David North wrote:

On 27/02/2026 19:19, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

On 2/27/2026 11:10 AM, John Hall wrote:

If against all the odds Pakistan should somehow reach the final, I
wonder what would happen then? The final surely has to be played in >>>>> India. I can't imagine Pakistan forfeiting the chance of winning
the final by not turning up, and I assume that India would let the
Pakistan team enter the country to play the match rather than have
the final not take place.

It was NEVER India NOT allowing pak to play in India in ICC
tournaments.

It's pakis who REFUSED to play in India to support their islamic
terrorist brother bangladesh.

I think you are confusing Pakistan not playing IN India with their
cancelled boycott of their match AGAINST India in Colombo.

I am NOT confused.

It was the islamic paki pigs who REFUSED to play in India in T20 World
Cup because India didn't want to play in pakistan due to it committing
terrorism in India for 75 years since 1947.

I wasn't disputing the "refused to play in India" part of what you said,
but the "to support ... Bangladesh" part.

When the tournament schedule was announced in November, it was
already stated that the final would be in Colombo if Pakistan qualified. >>>
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/2026-t20-world-cup-schedule-india-
grouped-with-pakistan-england-with-west-indies-1512693

That was long before the Mustafizur Rahman/Bangladesh issue, which
started in early January.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2026-bcci-asks-kkr-to-release-
mustafiqur-rahman-from-their-squad-because-of-recent-
developments-1517878

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/bangladesh-look-to-move-t20-world-
cup-matches-from-india-amid-mustafizur-row-1517973

India refused to play Asia Cup in pakistan last year

I assume that you mean either the Champions Trophy last year or the 2023
Asia Cup. The 2025 (T20) Asia Cup was in UAE, although India were the
official hosts.

due to terrorism.

So pak made a deal with ICC that they will NOT play in India in T20
World Cup.

--
David North
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 2/28/2026 6:22 AM, David North wrote:

On 28/02/2026 12:39, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

On 2/28/2026 4:31 AM, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

On 2/28/2026 12:27 AM, David North wrote:

On 27/02/2026 19:19, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

On 2/27/2026 11:10 AM, John Hall wrote:

If against all the odds Pakistan should somehow reach the final, I >>>>>> wonder what would happen then? The final surely has to be played
in India. I can't imagine Pakistan forfeiting the chance of
winning the final by not turning up, and I assume that India would >>>>>> let the Pakistan team enter the country to play the match rather
than have the final not take place.

It was NEVER India NOT allowing pak to play in India in ICC
tournaments.

It's pakis who REFUSED to play in India to support their islamic
terrorist brother bangladesh.

I think you are confusing Pakistan not playing IN India with their
cancelled boycott of their match AGAINST India in Colombo.

I am NOT confused.

It was the islamic paki pigs who REFUSED to play in India in T20
World Cup because India didn't want to play in pakistan due to it
committing terrorism in India for 75 years since 1947.

I wasn't disputing the "refused to play in India" part of what you said,
but the "to support ... Bangladesh" part.

When the tournament schedule was announced in November, it was
already stated that the final would be in Colombo if Pakistan
qualified.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/2026-t20-world-cup-schedule-
india- grouped-with-pakistan-england-with-west-indies-1512693

That was long before the Mustafizur Rahman/Bangladesh issue, which
started in early January.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2026-bcci-asks-kkr-to-
release- mustafiqur-rahman-from-their-squad-because-of-recent-
developments-1517878

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/bangladesh-look-to-move-t20-
world- cup-matches-from-india-amid-mustafizur-row-1517973

India refused to play Asia Cup in pakistan last year

I assume that you mean either the Champions Trophy last year or the 2023 Asia Cup. The 2025 (T20) Asia Cup was in UAE, although India were the official hosts.

Yeah, I meant Champions trophy.

due to terrorism.

So pak made a deal with ICC that they will NOT play in India in T20
World Cup.

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