Ben Stokes Set to Return for England in Second Pakistan Test

Ben Stokes Set to Return for England in Second Pakistan Test

England captain Ben Stokes is poised to make a timely return for the second Test against Pakistan, scheduled to commence on Tuesday in Multan. The 33-year-old all-rounder was sidelined for the first Test, which England convincingly won by an innings and 47 runs, with Ollie Pope leading the team in his absence.

An official spokesperson for the England team confirmed that Stokes actively participated in practice sessions with the squad on Sunday. Should he be deemed fit, Stokes is likely to replace Chris Woakes in the playing XI. The announcement of England’s team lineup, typically made two days prior to a Test match, will be postponed until Stokes’s fitness is thoroughly assessed on Monday.

“Ben bowled approximately four overs at full pace today. He engaged in high-intensity running and had a 45-minute batting session in the nets,” the spokesperson stated. “He will undergo further evaluation after today, and a decision regarding his availability will be made within the next 24 hours.”

Stokes sustained a left hamstring tear while batting during the Hundred competition in August, which prevented him from participating in England’s recent 2-1 home series victory over Sri Lanka, which was also captained by Pope.

The return of Stokes, a pivotal figure in England’s Test setup, would provide a significant boost to the team. His all-round abilities, including his aggressive batting, incisive bowling, and exceptional fielding, make him a formidable asset.

If Stokes is cleared to play, it will be a welcome development for England as they seek to consolidate their advantage in the three-match series. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back from their heavy defeat in the first Test and level the series in Multan.

Sachin Tendulkar to Inspire Young Cricketers at NCL Finals Weekend

Sachin Tendulkar to Inspire Young Cricketers at NCL Finals Weekend

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is set to inspire young athletes during his highly anticipated visit to Texas, where he will lead a special cricket clinic as part of the National Cricket League (NCL) finals weekend. The clinic, to be hosted at the University of Texas at Dallas, aims to motivate aspiring cricketers and promote the sport at the grassroots level in the U.S.

“Cricket has given me so much, and now it’s my turn to give back,” Tendulkar said ahead of the event slated for Sunday morning. “I’m excited to meet these young players and show them that with hard work and passion, anything is possible.”

In addition to the clinic, Tendulkar, who made waves with his recent appearance at the iconic TX-OU football game, will also be a special guest at the Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday, further highlighting his high-profile engagement in the U.S. sports scene.

NCL Chairman Arun Agarwal emphasized the significance of Tendulkar’s involvement: “This is about more than cricket — it’s about inspiring hope and dreams. Having someone of Sachin’s caliber mentoring these kids is a game-changer.”

The NCL’s finals weekend is more than just a cricket tournament. Alongside the matches, fans will enjoy cultural celebrations, live Bollywood performances, and nightly themes, ranging from honoring local heroes to promoting sustainability. The tournament will conclude on October 14 at UT Dallas.

With Tendulkar’s participation and the introduction of the innovative 60 Strikes format, designed to engage U.S. sports fans with a fast-paced version of cricket, the NCL is positioning itself as a key player in the growing popularity of cricket in America.

The NCL has attracted top cricketing talent, with icons like Sunil Gavaskar, Wasim Akram, and Sir Vivian Richards mentoring players. This season also features stars like Shahid Afridi, Suresh Raina, Shakib Al Hasan, and Chris Lynn, making the NCL a premier event on the global cricket stage.

Headquartered in Dallas, the National Cricket League USA is revolutionizing cricket in the U.S. with its innovative ‘Sixty Strikes’ format. The event is endorsed by the ICC and supported by SEE Holdings.

Pakistan's Pitches: A Nightmare for Bowlers, a Paradise for Batsmen

Pakistan’s Pitches: A Nightmare for Bowlers, a Paradise for Batsmen

Pakistan’s Pitches: A Graveyard for Bowlers, a Haven for Batsmen

In 1980, Australian pace legend Dennis Lillee famously denounced a pitch in Pakistan as a “graveyard for bowlers.” More than four decades later, little has changed.

Lillee’s frustration stemmed from a wicketless 21-over spell in Faisalabad, where Australia’s bowlers toiled in vain as Pakistan piled up 382-2 in reply to Australia’s 617 all out. The match ended in a turgid draw.

Fast forward to 2023, and the situation remains dire. In the first Test in Multan, England rewrote the record books on a pitch described as “a road” by former captain Michael Vaughan. They amassed 823-7 declared, the fourth highest single innings in Test history.

Harry Brook plundered 317 at almost a run a ball, while Joe Root became England’s highest Test run scorer during his career-best 262. Their record-breaking stand of 454 for the fourth wicket highlighted the lifeless nature of the pitch.

Despite the lack of assistance for bowlers, England’s bowlers pulled off an innings and 47-run victory after Pakistan crumbled to 220 all out in their second innings. Pakistan became the first team to score 500 or more and lose a Test by an innings.

The lack of help for bowlers in Multan has drawn criticism from experts. England batting great Kevin Pietersen said it was “helping destroy Test cricket.” Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram called it a “perennial problem.”

Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan captain who has studied pitch preparation, believes the pitches are unnecessarily curated in favor of batsmen. “We can prepare good pitches, but our mindset is negative,” he said.

Former spinner Tauseef Ahmed, who played in the infamous 1980 Faisalabad Test, said Pakistani batters prefer flat pitches to score runs. “Even in domestic matches, we have such pitches so that players score big and get prominence,” he said.

In the last two years, Pakistan’s pitches have become even more docile. Each Test wicket now costs an average of 42.13 runs, the highest anywhere in the world.

Experts say the ideal soil mix for a Test pitch is around 60% clay with less sand, as found in Australia. This produces firm and bouncy tracks that begin to take more spin over five days, providing a balance between ball and bat.

However, local groundsmen say pitch preparation in Pakistan is a complex process influenced by weather and interference from team management. They also point to the overuse of pitches, which leads to flat surfaces.

Latif believes serious work is needed to improve the standard of pitches. He advocates for a research department to ascertain how good pitches can be prepared. He also wants to see Australian Kookaburra balls replaced with those with a more prominent seam to help bowlers.

With the second Test in Multan and the third in Rawalpindi on the horizon, it seems unlikely that the bowlers will get any respite soon. Pakistan’s pitches remain a graveyard for bowlers and a haven for batsmen.

Rohit Sharma Prepares for New Zealand Tests, Quips on Six-Hitting Request

Rohit Sharma Prepares for New Zealand Tests, Quips on Six-Hitting Request

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has begun preparations for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, starting October 18. Rohit, who recently led India to a 2-0 Test series sweep over Bangladesh, was seen hitting the nets on Friday.

In a hilarious interaction, Rohit responded to a question about whether he would start his practice session with a six. “Pagal hogaya hai kya? (Are you mad or what?)” Rohit quipped, leaving fans in splits.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce the Indian squad for the New Zealand series. However, reports suggest that Rohit may miss one of the first two Tests in Australia due to personal reasons.

The Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will commence on November 22 with the first Test at Perth. The second Test will be a day-night affair at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18.

The traditional Boxing Day Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will conclude with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.

Rohit’s participation in the Australia series remains uncertain, with the BCCI yet to issue an official statement on his status.

Pakistan Cricket Team Faces Scathing Criticism After Humiliating Test Defeat

Pakistan Cricket Team Faces Scathing Criticism After Humiliating Test Defeat

Pakistan’s cricket team has come under fire from former batter Basit Ali following their humiliating defeat to England in the first Test of the three-match series in Multan. The loss marked Pakistan’s sixth consecutive Test defeat, extending their winless streak to 10 matches in the format.

Ali, in a viral rant on his YouTube channel, expressed his disgust with the team’s performance, labeling it as “shameful.” He questioned the place of star batter Babar Azam in the team, urging the selectors to drop him. Azam has not scored a Test century in over two years, and Ali believes that any other player would have been dropped long ago.

“Babar Azam needs rest. He should be the one saying, ‘I need to rest’. It’s been 18 innings without a significant performance. Any other player would have been dropped after three games, like Fawad Alam. This is the harsh reality. Babar should reduce his stance. It’s too wide now. The whole world is laughing. Is this how you play?” Ali said.

Ali also criticized captain Shan Masood, suggesting that he should be opening the batting instead of playing at number three. He questioned Masood’s credentials as captain, saying, “I’ve always maintained that Shan is an opener and should be opening. But he played at number three. Now what will happen? Who will you drop? He should play in his rightful position. He doesn’t even understand captaincy. What has become of this cricket team? It’s shameful.”

The loss to England continues a painful stretch for Pakistan and will likely increase the pressure on Masood, who is reportedly set to be sacked by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The win is England’s fourth consecutive Test triumph on Pakistan soil, after a 3-0 whitewash two years ago. England had only won two away Tests against Pakistan in the previous 61 years.

England vs Scotland Live: Scotland Eyes Redemption in T20 World Cup Finale

England vs Scotland Live: Scotland Eyes Redemption in T20 World Cup Finale

England vs Scotland Live Score: Scotland Aims for Redemption in Final Match

The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 match between England and Scotland in Sharjah marks the first encounter between these two sides. Despite their lack of previous history, Scotland boasts a wealth of County Championship experience.

Scotland, already eliminated from the semi-final race, is determined to end their T20 World Cup campaign on a high note. With qualification for the next World Cup on the line, they are eager to avoid a winless exit.

England, on the other hand, is looking to maintain their momentum after a strong start to the tournament. They will be keen to secure a victory that will boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages.

The match promises to be an intriguing contest between two teams with contrasting fortunes. Scotland will be hoping to upset the odds and claim a famous victory, while England will be aiming to extend their winning streak and solidify their position as one of the tournament favorites.

India Bags Three Medals at Asian Table Tennis Championships

India Bags Three Medals at Asian Table Tennis Championships

India concluded their campaign at the Asian Table Tennis Championships with a historic haul of three medals, including a bronze in the women’s doubles. The bronze medalists, Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee, had previously stunned the reigning world champions from China at the Asian Games last year. However, in the semifinals, they faced a tough challenge from Japan’s Miwa Harimoto and Miyuu Kihara, losing 4-11, 9-11, 8-11.

Prior to their semifinal loss, the Indian duo had defeated South Korea’s Kim Nayeong and Lee Eunhye in the quarterfinals, securing India’s first-ever women’s doubles medal at the Asian meet.

The Indian women’s team had earlier made history by winning a bronze medal in the team event. The trio of Manika Batra, Ayhika Mukherjee, and Sutirtha Mukherjee secured the country’s first-ever medal in the women’s team category since the competition began in 1972. However, they eventually lost 1-3 to Japan in the semifinals.

In the men’s category, India secured another bronze, their third straight in the tournament, after the team of Achanta Sharath Kamal, Manav Thakkar, and Harmeet Desai fell 0-3 to Chinese Taipei in the semifinals.

In men’s singles, Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah bowed out in the pre-quarterfinals. World No. 60 Thakkar, who had earlier shocked world No. 14 Jang Woojin of South Korea, was defeated by Hong Kong’s Baldwin Chan, 4-11 4-11 8-11. Meanwhile, Manush put up a tough fight against Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei and took two games before narrowly losing 8-11 5-11 11-7 11-6 12-14.

Hardik Pandya's Heartwarming Gesture Wins Fans' Hearts

Hardik Pandya’s Heartwarming Gesture Wins Fans’ Hearts

Hardik Pandya’s Heartfelt Gesture Wins Admiration During India’s T20I Triumph

In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya paused during the third and final T20I against Bangladesh in Hyderabad to fulfill a young ball boy’s request for a photograph. The incident occurred as India posted a formidable total of 297/6 in 20 overs, with Pandya fielding at the boundary ropes.

As the game progressed, a ball boy approached Pandya and asked for a picture. Despite being in the midst of a crucial match, Pandya graciously obliged, pausing to click photos with the young fan while fielding. This small act of kindness resonated with fans and quickly went viral on social media.

Pandya’s gesture not only showcased his humility but also highlighted the importance of sportsmanship and the power of human connection. It served as a reminder that even in the heat of competition, it is possible to extend a helping hand and make a positive impact on others.

The incident also underscored the growing popularity of cricket in India, where the sport has become more than just a game. It has become a cultural phenomenon that brings people together and inspires countless young fans. Pandya’s gesture is a testament to the transformative power of sports and its ability to create lasting memories.

Pakistan to Reuse Pitch for Second Test Against England in Multan

Pakistan to Reuse Pitch for Second Test Against England in Multan

Pakistan’s decision to reuse the same pitch for the second Test against England in Multan has raised eyebrows, but the move is not without precedent. The International Cricket Council (ICC) requires only “the best possible pitch and outfield conditions” for Test matches, with no stipulations that the surface must be fresh or unused.

Pakistan’s decision may be driven by a desire to level the playing field after their innings defeat in the first Test. The pitch in Multan offered little assistance to bowlers, with 1,599 runs scored for the loss of 26 wickets. England’s bowlers were particularly frustrated, with Chris Woakes describing the surface as offering “bugger all.”

By reusing the same pitch, Pakistan may hope to create conditions that favor their spinners. The bowlers’ footmarks from the first Test are dry and cracked, and the fans and harsh sun will further dry them out. This could make it difficult for England’s batsmen to play spin, especially if Ben Stokes is selected as a third seamer.

Stokes has ramped up his bowling workloads over the past week and bowled at full pace in the nets on Sunday morning. His inclusion would give England a potent bowling attack, but it could also backfire if the pitch does not offer enough assistance to spinners.

England, meanwhile, are braced for a lower-scoring match. They will be hoping to take advantage of the dry conditions and exploit any variable bounce that may develop. Kevin Pietersen, the former England captain, described the pitch as a “bowlers’ graveyard” on Twitter and suggested that Pakistan should re-use it for the second Test.

Pakistan’s move is unusual, but it is not without precedent. In 2016, India reused the same pitch for two consecutive Tests against New Zealand in Kanpur. The pitch offered more assistance to spinners in the second Test, and India won by an innings and 115 runs.

Whether Pakistan’s gamble will pay off remains to be seen. The second Test starts on Tuesday, and the conditions will be closely monitored.

Hardik Pandya's Resurgence Stuns Aakash Chopra in India's T20I Triumph

Hardik Pandya’s Resurgence Stuns Aakash Chopra in India’s T20I Triumph

Hardik Pandya’s Resurgence: Aakash Chopra Lauds All-Rounder’s Performance in India’s T20I Series Triumph

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has hailed Hardik Pandya’s remarkable comeback in India’s T20I series victory against Bangladesh. Pandya’s stellar performances, both with bat and ball, played a pivotal role in India’s 3-0 series sweep.

In the third and final T20I in Hyderabad, Pandya was instrumental in India’s record-breaking 133-run victory. He smashed a blistering 47 off just 18 deliveries, helping India post a mammoth 297/6. His aggressive batting display set the tone for India’s dominant performance.

Chopra, in his YouTube analysis, praised Pandya’s resilience and determination. “Hardik Pandya was the Player of the Series,” Chopra said. “He has seen the lows of lows in his personal and professional life, getting booed – everything has happened.”

Throughout the series, Pandya consistently delivered quick runs, maintaining a strike rate above 200 in most matches. His aggressive batting style, characterized by audacious shots and fearless strokeplay, left a lasting impression on Chopra.

“His batting in all three matches, he has played few balls but always with a strike rate above 200,” Chopra remarked. “I thought he was absolutely sensational.”

In the series opener in Gwalior, Pandya scored an unbeaten 39 off 16 balls, while in Delhi, he followed up with 32 runs off 19 deliveries. Chopra highlighted Pandya’s confidence and flair in his performances.

“His swag is different. It was like hooliganism,” Chopra said. “He hit a six over cover and a no-look one-handed six on the leg side… He is batting differently.”

Chopra concluded by noting the rare nature of such confident batting, saying, “It was almost like insulting the bowlers, as though they don’t have any status at all.”

Pandya’s resurgence has been a major boost for India’s T20I team. His all-round abilities, coupled with his aggressive batting and leadership qualities, make him a valuable asset for the side.

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