Cricket

Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the second-youngest player to score eight centuries in men's One-Day Internationals (ODIs). The 22-year-old opener achieved this remarkable feat during Afghanistan's five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the third ODI in Sharjah.Gurbaz's masterful 120-ball 101 propelled Afghanistan to a series triumph over Bangladesh. His innings was a testament to his exceptional talent and maturity beyond his years. The left-handed batsman displayed a wide array of strokes, including powerful drives, delicate flicks, and audacious scoops.Gurbaz's century is even more impressive considering the company he now keeps. Legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar was 22 years and 357 days old when he reached his eighth ODI century, while superstar Virat Kohli achieved the feat at 23 years and 27 days. Pakistan's Babar Azam was 23 years 280 days when he got to his eighth ODI century.However, it is South Africa's Quinton de Kock who holds the record for being the youngest player to score eight ODI centuries. De Kock was just 22 years 312 days old when he reached this milestone.Gurbaz's century was also his third against Bangladesh and third in Sharjah in the ODI format. He now has the most centuries for Afghanistan in ODIs, surpassing Mohammad Shahzad's tally of six.The victory over Bangladesh was a significant achievement for Afghanistan, who have been making steady progress in international cricket. The team's success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its players and coaching staff.

Bangladesh's stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz elected to bat first after winning the toss against Afghanistan in the third and decisive ODI in Sharjah. Miraz took over the captaincy duties from Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was ruled out due to a groin injury.In a significant change, Bangladesh rested senior pacer Taskin Ahmed for the series decider. Zakir Hasan and debutant fast bowler Nahid Rana were brought in as replacements for Shanto and Taskin, respectively. Rana, a 22-year-old right-arm pacer, has impressed selectors with his ability to consistently bowl at 140kph.Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi opted to field the same playing XI that lost the second ODI by 68 runs. The Afghans had won the first game by 92 runs, giving them a 1-0 lead in the series.Afghanistan:1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)2. Sediqullah Atal3. Rahmat Shah4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt)5. Azmatullah Omarzai6. Mohammad Nabi7. Gulbadin Naib8. Rashid Khan9. AM Ghazanfar10. Nangeyalia Kharote11. Fazalhaq FarooqiBangladesh:1. Soumya Sarkar2. Tanzid Hasan Tamim3. Zakir Hasan4. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt)5. Towhid Hridoy6. Mahmudullah7. Jaker Ali (wk)8. Nasum Ahmed9. Nahid Rana10. Shoriful Islam11. Mustafizur RahmanThe match is crucial for both teams, as Afghanistan seeks to clinch the series victory while Bangladesh aims to level the series and force a decider.

Bangladesh, seeking to level the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, won the toss and elected to bat first in the second ODI in Sharjah. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto made two changes to the side that lost the first game, with one being a forced move.Mushfiqur Rahim, ruled out of the series due to a finger fracture, was replaced by debutant Jaker Ali. Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed came in for legspinner Rishad Hossain in the other change.Afghanistan, on the other hand, fielded the same team that gave them a 1-0 lead in the series.Jaker Ali, despite making his ODI debut, has extensive experience in T20Is and Tests for Bangladesh. He has played 93 List A games, averaging 35.75 with two centuries and 12 half-centuries.Afghanistan won the first ODI by a comfortable margin of 92 runs, putting Bangladesh in a must-win situation in the second game to keep the series alive.

Afghanistan and Bangladesh will face off in the second ODI of their three-match series in Sharjah on Monday, November 9. Afghanistan holds a 1-0 lead after a convincing victory in the series opener.In the first ODI, Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi played a crucial role with an impressive 82, helping his team post a competitive total. Allah Ghazanfar then starred with the ball, claiming six wickets to secure a 92-run victory.Ahead of the second ODI, Nabi announced his retirement from the ODI format after the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has suffered a setback with the loss of Mushfiqur Rahim, who sustained a fracture on his left index finger in the series opener. He will miss the remaining ODIs.

AFG vs BAN Live Updates: Afghanistan Aim to Extend Winning Streak in First ODIAfghanistan and Bangladesh will lock horns in the first ODI of a three-match series in Sharjah on Wednesday, with both teams eager to make a statement. Afghanistan, buoyed by their recent ODI series triumph over South Africa, will be confident of extending their winning streak. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing Test series defeat against the same opponents.Afghanistan have made Sharjah one of their home grounds, giving them a significant advantage in terms of familiarity with the conditions. They will be led by experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, who has been in impressive form of late. Other key players to watch out for include opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, middle-order batsman Hashmatullah Shahidi, and spinner Rashid Khan.Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be without their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is currently serving a suspension. In his absence, Liton Das will lead the team and will be hoping to set the tone with a strong performance at the top of the order. Other key players for Bangladesh include opener Tamim Iqbal, middle-order batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, and pacer Mustafizur Rahman.The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams possessing a blend of experience and youth. Afghanistan will be aiming to continue their winning ways and consolidate their position as a rising force in ODI cricket. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be determined to prove that they are still a formidable opponent and can challenge the best teams in the world.

Rohit Sharma, India's captain, has faced criticism for his recent batting performances in Test matches. Despite leading India to victory in the ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup, Rohit's Test form has been a cause for concern.In the recent Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, Rohit failed to score a century and reached double figures only once. His dismissals have often been through clean bowling, a sign of vulnerability to early swing and seam movement.As India's captain and a senior batsman, Rohit faces pressure to perform and lead by example. However, this pressure can make it challenging to play with a free-flowing style, especially in high-stakes tournaments.Rohit's poor form has raised questions about his suitability as Test captain. Some critics have called for a change in leadership, while others believe that Rohit deserves more time to prove himself.With India's upcoming tour of Australia approaching, Rohit has one more chance to prove his worth as a Test batsman. A victory in the third Test against New Zealand would save India from a clean sweep at home and provide some respite for Rohit.However, the knives will be out Down Under, where India will face a formidable Australian team. Rohit's batting form will be crucial to India's chances of success in Australia.

Ravindra Jadeja, India's premier all-rounder, has expressed his disappointment over India's recent Test series loss at home against Bangladesh. This marks the first time India has lost a Test series at home since 2012, when Jadeja was a rookie in the team.Jadeja, who has been a key figure in India's Test success over the past decade, admitted that the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. "I was scared of this. I didn't want to lose a single series in India until I played, but it has happened," he said.The left-arm spinner, who picked up his 14th five-wicket haul in the series, believes that the team's mindset played a role in their downfall. "When you are down in the series and such a situation comes up, obviously it feels like if you are down 2-0 in the series, that's why you panicked and you made a mistake," Jadeja explained.Jadeja also pointed out that India's high expectations may have contributed to their struggles. "We have raised our expectations so high that we have not lost a single series for 12 years, and in 12 years, I have been involved in only five losses at home. As a team, it is a lesson. We need to pick up positives from this."Despite the disappointment, Jadeja remains optimistic about India's future. "We have a young team and we have a lot of potential. We just need to learn from our mistakes and come back stronger," he said.

South Africa's relentless bowling attack, led by Keshav Maharaj's five-wicket haul, propelled them to a historic Test victory over Bangladesh in Chattogram. The Proteas secured an innings and 273-run triumph, their largest ever in Test cricket, completing a 2-0 series sweep.Bangladesh's batting woes continued as they were dismissed for a paltry 143 in their second innings, failing to overcome a massive 416-run deficit. Maharaj's left-arm spin proved lethal, claiming 5-59, while Kagiso Rabada's pace had earlier decimated the hosts with 5-37 in the first innings.The Proteas' dominance was evident from the outset, with Rabada striking twice in quick succession to reduce Bangladesh to 48-8. Mominul Haque's valiant 82 provided a brief respite, but Maharaj's dismissal of the opener for a duck in the second innings extinguished any hopes of a comeback.Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh's experienced campaigners, failed to deliver, falling cheaply to Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy, respectively. Najmul Hossain Shanto's dismissal by Muthusamy left the hosts reeling at 78-7.Hasan Mahmud's late resistance, including four sixes, delayed the inevitable, but Maharaj sealed the match by dismissing Nahid Rana for a duck. Muthusamy also impressed with 4-45 in the second innings, completing a comprehensive bowling performance for South Africa."We had some special performances that got us into strong positions," said stand-in captain Aiden Markram. "It's a proud moment for us, and one we'll reflect on as a special team."Bangladesh skipper Najmul acknowledged their batting struggles, stating, "If the top order doesn't contribute well, this is the kind of result we'll get."South Africa's victory was built on the foundation of three maiden Test centuries in their first innings: Tony De Zorzi (177), Tristan Stubbs (106), and Wiaan Mulder (105 not out). The Proteas' dominance extended to the bowling department, with Rabada and Maharaj leading the charge.Bangladesh's inability to match South Africa's batting and bowling prowess resulted in their 16th consecutive Test defeat against the Proteas. The series sweep highlights the gulf in quality between the two sides and serves as a wake-up call for Bangladesh to address their batting deficiencies.

Mominul Haque's gritty half-century and a crucial ninth-wicket partnership with Taijul Islam rescued Bangladesh from a precarious position on the third morning of the second Test against South Africa.After South Africa's pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada, tore through Bangladesh's top order, leaving them reeling at 48 for 8, Haque and Islam combined for an 89-run stand that frustrated the Proteas.Rabada, who recently regained the top spot in the Test bowling rankings, continued his impressive form, claiming his second five-wicket haul of the series. His average of 7.78 in the series is the best among South Africans who have taken at least ten wickets.Bangladesh's collapse began with the dismissal of Mushfiqur Rahim, who gifted a catch to Tony de Zorzi at square leg for a second-ball duck. The wickets continued to fall in quick succession, with four batters dismissed within 12 balls.However, Haque and Islam showed resilience and determination, digging in to rebuild Bangladesh's innings. Haque reached his 20th Test fifty, while Islam provided valuable support with a patient 33.Their partnership frustrated South Africa's bowlers and gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope. The Proteas eventually broke through when Rabada dismissed Islam, but Haque remained unbeaten on 51 at the end of the day's play.Bangladesh still trail South Africa by 144 runs, but Haque's innings and the ninth-wicket stand have given them a fighting chance of saving the Test.