Sri Lanka Bowl First in Decisive Test Against England

Sri Lanka Bowl First in Decisive Test Against England

Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first in the third and final Test against England at The Kia Oval was met with mixed reactions. The match, played under heavy skies and with floodlights blazing, marked the Test debut of 20-year-old left-arm quick Josh Hull.

England, seeking a clean sweep of the series, opted for a point of difference with Hull’s inclusion. The young pacer received his cap from Andrew Flintoff, who joined the team as an assistant coach. England’s stand-in captain, Ollie Pope, expressed excitement over Hull’s call-up, emphasizing the opportunity for him to showcase his skills.

Sri Lanka, too, made unconventional choices, fielding a four-pronged pace attack and leaving out spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. Vishwa Fernando replaced Jayasuriya, while Kusal Mendis returned to the side at No. 3, pushing Nishan Madushka down the order.

The match began with complete cloud cover and no sign of rain. England’s openers, Ben Duckett and Dan Lawrence, faced the challenge of Sri Lanka’s pace attack, led by Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando.

Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first was based on the overcast conditions and the possibility of swing. However, England’s batsmen showed resilience, with Duckett and Lawrence forming a solid partnership.

As the match progressed, the weather conditions remained overcast, providing assistance to the bowlers. Both teams fought hard, with England seeking to extend their dominance and Sri Lanka determined to salvage a win.

The match is poised for an exciting finish, with England looking to complete a clean sweep and Sri Lanka aiming to end the series on a high note.

Bangladesh on Verge of Clean Sweep as Pakistan Crumble in Rawalpindi

Bangladesh on Verge of Clean Sweep as Pakistan Crumble in Rawalpindi

Bangladesh’s relentless bowling attack has put Pakistan on the brink of defeat in the second Test in Rawalpindi. Resuming on 9 for 2, Pakistan lost four wickets in the morning session to slip to 117 for 6, leaving them with a slender lead of 129 runs.

Fast bowler Nahid Rana was the tormentor-in-chief, claiming three wickets for 22 runs in a devastating spell. He dismissed Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Saud Shakeel in quick succession, leaving Pakistan reeling.

Saim Ayub and Masood had started the day positively, adding 34 runs in the first 6.2 overs. However, Ayub’s loose drive off Taskin Ahmed brought about his downfall, with Najmul Hossain Shanto taking a sharp catch at mid-off.

Babar Azam, who had been struggling for form, was trapped in front by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, but replays showed the ball was spinning past the leg stump.

Rana’s introduction into the attack proved decisive. He first removed Masood, who edged a drive to the wicketkeeper. Babar followed soon after, edging to first slip. Shakeel’s dismissal, caught by Litton Das, left Pakistan in deep trouble.

Mohammad Rizwan, who was dropped on his first ball, has been the lone bright spot for Pakistan. He has played with determination and grit, hitting boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking. Salman Agha has provided valuable support, ensuring Pakistan did not lose any further wickets before lunch.

Bangladesh will be confident of completing a 2-0 series sweep if they can dismiss Pakistan cheaply in the afternoon session. The hosts, on the other hand, need to bat with patience and resilience to save the match.

Pakistan's Shahzad and Hamza Rip Through Bangladesh Top Order

Pakistan’s Shahzad and Hamza Rip Through Bangladesh Top Order

Pakistan’s bowling attack dominated the morning session of the third day in the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, leaving the visitors reeling at 75 for 6 at lunch. Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza wreaked havoc on the Bangladesh top order, claiming six wickets in the first hour.

Shahzad, bowling with precision from around the wicket, targeted the stumps and reaped the rewards. He dismissed Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, and Najmul Hossain Shanto in quick succession, leaving Bangladesh in tatters at 20 for 4.

Hamza joined the party, trapping Mominul Haque in front of the stumps and inducing a thin edge from Mushfiqur Rahim to Mohammad Rizwan. Shakib Al Hasan’s dismissal to Shahzad left Bangladesh on the brink of collapse at 26 for 6.

However, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Litton Das showed some resilience, adding 49 runs for the seventh wicket. Mehidy was the aggressor, hitting four boundaries off Hamza and Mohammad Ali. Litton provided support, contributing a neat clip off Shahzad.

With the pitch easing and the Pakistani bowlers losing their initial venom, Mehidy and Litton managed to survive until lunch. Bangladesh still trail Pakistan by 199 runs and need 50 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Bangladesh Dominates Day 2 of Second Test Against Pakistan

Bangladesh Dominates Day 2 of Second Test Against Pakistan

Bangladesh has seized control of the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, thanks to a dominant bowling performance on Day 2. After Pakistan’s solid start, Bangladesh’s bowlers chipped away at the wickets, restricting the hosts to 274 all out.

Taskin Ahmed set the tone early, dismissing Abdullah Shafique in the first over. Shan Masood and Saim Ayub steadied the innings, but Mehidy Hasan’s twin strikes shifted the momentum. Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam fell cheaply, leaving Pakistan in trouble.

After the break, Nahid Rana dismissed Mohammad Rizwan, opening the door for Bangladesh. Agha Salman played a defiant knock of 54, but Mehidy Hasan’s five-wicket haul ended Pakistan’s resistance.

Bangladesh’s bowlers were relentless, with Taskin Ahmed taking 3-57 and Mehidy Hasan claiming 5-61. The visitors finished the day on 10-0, despite a dropped catch off the first ball.

Pakistan, trailing in the series, faces an uphill battle to force a result. With rain expected on the last two days, they need to make the most of the new ball and early movement on Day 3.

Miraz's Five-Wicket Haul Puts Bangladesh in Control in Rawalpindi Test

Miraz’s Five-Wicket Haul Puts Bangladesh in Control in Rawalpindi Test

Bangladesh Dominates Pakistan with Miraz’s Five-Wicket Haul in Rawalpindi Test

On the rain-affected second day of the second Test in Rawalpindi, Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as the star performer, claiming a five-wicket haul to restrict Pakistan to 274.

After the first day’s play was washed out, Taskin Ahmed struck early, dismissing Abdullah Shafique in the first over. Shan Masood and Saim Ayub steadied the Pakistani innings, scoring half-centuries. However, Miraz’s introduction proved pivotal, as he dismissed Masood for 57.

Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained a tight grip on the game, with Miraz and Taskin Ahmed (3/57) leading the charge. Ayub’s 58 was ended by a stumping, while Saud Shakeel’s dismissal exposed Pakistan’s middle order.

Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan fell cheaply, leaving the hosts in trouble at 211 for 6. Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali departed in quick succession, as Miraz continued to torment the Pakistani batsmen.

Salman Agha’s 54 provided some resistance, but Ahmed’s dismissal of the all-rounder increased Pakistan’s woes. Miraz wrapped up the innings by having Abrar Ahmed stumped, completing his five-wicket haul.

Bangladesh ended the day at 10 for no loss, with Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan at the crease. The visitors will be aiming to secure a 2-0 series victory after their triumph in the first Test.

Sri Lanka Aim to Level Series as England Seek Fifth Straight Test Win

Sri Lanka Aim to Level Series as England Seek Fifth Straight Test Win

England and Sri Lanka are set to face off in the second Test of their three-match series at Lord’s, with the hosts looking to extend their winning streak to five while the visitors aim to level the series.

Sri Lanka, despite losing the first Test at Old Trafford, showed resilience and determination, particularly in their batting. Kamindu Mendis and Asitha Fernando were standout performers, with Mendis scoring a century and Fernando taking five wickets.

England, on the other hand, had to work hard for their victory, with Joe Root anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 62. The hosts also benefited from a controversial ball-change, which allowed them to exploit the reverse swing generated by Fernando.

Sri Lanka will be hoping to capitalize on their improved form and the favorable weather conditions at Lord’s. They have a strong record at the venue, having drawn five of their eight previous Tests there. Dimuth Karunaratne, who has struggled for runs in recent times, will be keen to make a significant contribution.

England, meanwhile, will be looking to maintain their momentum and continue their dominance in home Tests. Ollie Pope, who has taken over the captaincy from Ben Stokes, will be eager to prove his credentials as a leader and batsman.

The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Sri Lanka’s batting depth and England’s bowling attack will be key factors in determining the outcome.

Afghanistan Announces Preliminary Squad for Test Match Against New Zealand

Afghanistan Announces Preliminary Squad for Test Match Against New Zealand

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a preliminary squad of 20 players for the upcoming one-off Test match against New Zealand, scheduled to take place from September 9-13 in Greater Noida, India. The selected players will depart for India on August 28 for a week-long preparation camp.

The final squad will be announced at the end of the camp, with the selection committee considering players’ performance and fitness. Afghanistan suffered a six-wicket defeat in their most recent Test match against Ireland in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.

“20 players have been selected for the training camp and a 15-member squad will be selected to play the only Test match against New Zealand after observing their performance and fitness,” said Afghanistan chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhel.

ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf expressed his delight at the inclusion of young players who have performed well in domestic cricket. He emphasized the significance of this event, marking the first time the two nations will engage in a bilateral cricket series.

“It is worth mentioning that before the 9th edition of Shpageeza Cricket League, these players attended a full package preparation camp in Nangarhar province too that carries similar conditions to India,” he added.

The Afghanistan preliminary squad includes:

* Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain)
* Ibrahim Zadran
* Riaz Hassan
* Abdul Malik
* Rahmat Shah
* Baheer Shah Mahboob
* Ikram Alikhel (wk)
* Shahidullah Kamal
* Gulbadin Naib
* Afsar Zazai (wk)
* Azmatullah Omarzai
* Ziaurrahman Akbar
* Shamsurrahman
* Qais Ahmad
* Zahir Khan
* Nijat Masoud
* Farid Ahmad Malik
* Naveed Zadran
* Khalil Ahmad
* Yama Arab

Bangladesh Bowlers Dominate Pakistan in Dhaka Test

Bangladesh Bowlers Dominate Pakistan in Dhaka Test

Bangladesh’s bowlers tightened their grip on the second Test against Pakistan in Dhaka, dismissing key batsmen and putting the visitors under pressure. Mehidy Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan shared five wickets between them, while Nahid Rana chipped in with a crucial scalp.

Pakistan resumed their second innings at 188/2, trailing by 114 runs. However, they lost Abdullah Shafique (23) and Agha Salman (0) in quick succession, both falling to Mehidy. Shakib then removed Mohammad Rizwan (29) and Shaheen Afridi (10) to leave Pakistan reeling at 199/6.

Rizwan, who had been Pakistan’s top scorer in the first innings, was particularly unlucky. He was initially given not out after being hit on the pad by Shakib, but the decision was overturned on review.

Mehidy continued to impress, bowling with accuracy and control. He dismissed Rizwan with a well-flighted delivery that turned sharply and took the outside edge. Shakib, on the other hand, used his experience to outfox Shafique and Afridi.

Nahid Rana provided valuable support, removing Salman with a delivery that kept low and trapped him in front. Pakistan’s hopes now rest on captain Babar Azam and Faheem Ashraf, who are unbeaten on 13 and 10 respectively.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be confident of wrapping up the match quickly. They have a significant lead of 114 runs and a potent bowling attack that has already taken 10 wickets.

Bangladesh Fight Back with Rahim, Das Half-Centuries in Rawalpindi Test

Bangladesh Fight Back with Rahim, Das Half-Centuries in Rawalpindi Test

Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das put up a valiant fight against Pakistan’s bowling attack on Day 3 of the first Test in Rawalpindi. The duo added an unbeaten 98 runs for the sixth wicket, guiding Bangladesh to a respectable 316-5 at the close of play.

Rahim, who reached his 28th Test half-century with a boundary off Shaheen Shah Afridi, remained unbeaten on 55. Das, who also completed his half-century with a six off Naseem Shah, was not out on 52.

The pair came together after Bangladesh lost opener Shadman Islam for 93, just seven runs short of a century. Islam’s patient innings of 183 balls helped Bangladesh recover from a shaky start and lay the foundation for a solid total.

Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to make an impact on the unresponsive Rawalpindi pitch, with only Naseem Shah managing to break through the Bangladesh defense. Shah dismissed Litton Das for 52, ending a promising partnership that had threatened to take the game away from Pakistan.

Despite the wicket, Bangladesh remained in control of the match, trailing Pakistan’s total of 448-6 declared by 132 runs with five wickets in hand. The visitors will be confident of securing a draw or even pulling off a first-ever win over Pakistan in the 14th Test match between the rivals.

England on Cusp of Victory in First Test Against Sri Lanka

England on Cusp of Victory in First Test Against Sri Lanka

England is poised to secure a victory over a resilient Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford. At the end of the third day, Sri Lanka had fought back to 204-6 in their second innings, trailing by a mere 82 runs.

Angelo Mathews (65) and Kamindu Mendis (56 not out) led a determined rearguard action, erasing the 122-run deficit from the first innings. However, England, who had earlier declared on 358 with Jamie Smith making his maiden Test century, remain favorites to take the lead in the three-match series on Saturday.

Resuming the day with a 23-run lead and four first-innings wickets remaining, Smith extended his overnight score of 72 to 111 off 148 balls, becoming the youngest wicketkeeper to score a Test hundred for England. Gus Atkinson departed for 20, caught behind off debutant fast bowler Milan Rathnayake’s first Test wicket. Smith followed three overs later, edging a delivery from left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya to wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal.

Tail-enders Mark Wood and Matthew Potts then shared a stand of 33 to bolster England’s lead. Sri Lanka, given a few overs to bat before lunch, made a disastrous start as Nishan Madushka was bowled by Chris Woakes for a duck. Atkinson then had Kusal Mendis caught behind by Smith, also without scoring, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 1-2.

Dimuth Karunaratne and Mathews dug in after lunch, gradually reducing the deficit. However, Sri Lanka slipped to 95-4 when Chandimal retired hurt after a blow to the thumb. Mathews proved obdurate, but was eventually caught at point by Matthew Potts off Woakes’ bowling.

Milan Rathnayake was caught in the deep for 10, but Mendis remained unbeaten at stumps, giving Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope.

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