Cricket

Pakistan's recent Test series loss to Bangladesh has sparked criticism of captain Shan Masood's leadership. However, head coach Jason Gillespie has expressed support for Masood, attributing the team's performance to broader issues rather than individual leadership.Gillespie emphasized that the team's performance, not Masood's leadership, was the primary concern. He stated, "We just haven't played well as a team and that's the reality. We need to sharpen up on certain areas and we will sharpen up."Masood himself acknowledged the criticism but remained committed to long-term improvement. He said, "I am not worried for my job security. I took this job to make the changes we believe will help this team."Masood highlighted the need for more experience and exposure in red-ball cricket for his team. He pointed to Bangladesh's seasoned players as an example, stating, "We need the same level of red-ball exposure. Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game. You need experience."Gillespie echoed Masood's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of gaining experience and refining skills. He said, "We need to back and believe in these players, they are good enough."Both players and management appear focused on addressing these issues to improve future performances. The emphasis seems to be on gaining experience and refining skills to better compete in the red-ball format.

Rishabh Pant, India's dynamic wicket-keeper batter, is gearing up for his red-ball comeback in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, commencing on September 5. The tournament will serve as a crucial platform for Pant to regain his form and prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.After recovering from a horrific car accident in December 2022, Pant has been working tirelessly to regain his fitness and skills. He recently shared a training video on Instagram, showcasing his customary shots and emphasizing his unwavering commitment to the game.Pant's return to the field is highly anticipated, especially considering his impressive record in red-ball cricket. Since his Test debut in 2018, he has amassed 2,271 runs in 33 matches, averaging 43.67 with a strike rate of over 73. His tally includes five centuries and 11 fifties, with a top score of 159*.In the Duleep Trophy, Pant will represent India B in a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19. As one of India's leading red-ball batters, Pant is expected to play a pivotal role in his team's success.Following the Duleep Trophy, Pant will turn his attention to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, beginning on November 22. Pant has a remarkable record in Australia, having scored 624 runs in seven matches at an average of over 62. His performances include a century and two half-centuries, with a career-best score of 159* against the Aussies.Pant's return to red-ball cricket is a significant development for Indian cricket. His aggressive batting style and ability to score runs quickly make him a valuable asset to the team. Fans and selectors alike will be eagerly monitoring his performance in the Duleep Trophy, as it will provide a glimpse into his readiness for the upcoming challenges.

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.

The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi took a dramatic turn on Day 3, with Bangladesh fighting back from a precarious position to leave the match hanging in the balance.Pakistan had dominated the first session, with Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza dismantling Bangladesh's top order to leave them reeling at 26-6. However, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan staged a remarkable recovery, putting on a 165-run partnership for the seventh wicket.Das, who scored a fighting 165, and Hasan, who contributed a pugnacious 78, defied the Pakistani bowlers for over five hours, bringing Bangladesh back into the match. Their partnership was the highest ever for the seventh wicket after the first six wickets had fallen for 30 runs or fewer in Test cricket.Pakistan eventually broke the stand when Khurram Shahzad dismissed Hasan, but Das continued to fight, reaching his fourth Test century before falling to Agha Salman. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 262, giving Pakistan a slender 12-run lead.Pakistan's openers faced a challenging 20-minute period to see out the remaining overs, but Abdullah Shafique struggled and was dismissed in the final over of the day by Hasan Mahmud. Khurram Shahzad, who came in as the nightwatchman, was also dismissed by Mahmud, leaving Pakistan with a 21-run lead and eight wickets in hand.The Test is now poised on a knife's edge, with both teams having a chance to secure victory on the remaining two days. Pakistan will need to bowl Bangladesh out quickly to set up a chase, while Bangladesh will be looking to make the most of the new ball and put early pressure on the Pakistani batsmen.

Liton Das's heroic century and a record-breaking partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz lifted Bangladesh from the brink of collapse to a competitive total of 262 all out on Sunday in the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.Das, who came to the crease with Bangladesh reeling at 26-6, played a marathon innings of 333 minutes, hitting 13 boundaries and four sixes to reach his fourth Test hundred. His knock was crucial in Bangladesh's remarkable turnaround, which saw them add 236 runs for the last four wickets.Mehidy, who had taken 5-61 in the first innings, provided valuable support to Das, scoring a pugnacious 78 off 12 boundaries and a six. The pair's 165-run seventh-wicket stand is the highest for Bangladesh in Tests and the first time a pair has added 150 or more runs for the seventh or lower wicket from a team total under 50 runs.Das and Mehidy's partnership frustrated Pakistan's bowlers, who had earlier put Bangladesh in a precarious position. Pacer Shahzad took 6-90, including a four-wicket burst in his first spell, while Mir Hamza chipped in with 2-50.However, Bangladesh's lower order showed great resilience, with Das adding 69 runs with tail-ender Hasan Mahmud (13 not out) in a 24.5-over ninth wicket stand. This equaled the partnership record against Pakistan and left the home team frustrated.At close on the third day, Pakistan were left on a sluggish 9-2, with opener Abdullah Shafique dismissed for three and nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad falling without scoring. Saim Ayub was not out on six as the home team lead by 21 runs.Pakistan will need to bat smartly to clinch a series-leveling win after losing the first Test, also in Rawalpindi, by 10 wickets. Bangladesh's win last week was their first in 14 attempts against Pakistan.

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 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.

Bangladesh Dominates Pakistan with Miraz's Five-Wicket Haul in Rawalpindi TestOn 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.

Bangladesh Opt to Bowl First in Rain-Hit Rawalpindi TestAfter a rain-soaked opening day, the second day of the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh commenced under a warm and sunny sky in Rawalpindi. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing the moisture in the pitch that could aid his seamers.Bangladesh made one change to their victorious team from the first Test, with Taskin Ahmed replacing the injured Shoriful Islam. Pakistan, already missing Shaheen Shah Afridi, also rested Naseem Shah, bringing in legspinner Abrar Ahmed and left-arm seamer Mir Hamza.Bangladesh currently hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, having secured their maiden Test victory over Pakistan in the previous game. A win or draw in this match would seal a rare away series triumph for the Tigers.Pakistan Team:1. Abdullah Shafique2. Saim Ayub3. Shan Masood (capt)4. Babar Azam5. Saud Shakeel6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)7. Salman Ali Agha8. Abrar Ahmed9. Mir Hamza10. Mohammad Ali11. Khurram ShahzadBangladesh Team:1. Shadman Islam2. Zakir Hasan3. Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt)4. Mominul Haque5. Mushfiqur Rahim6. Shakib Al Hasan7. Litton Das (wk)8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz9. Taskin Ahmed10. Hasan Mahmud11. Nahid Rana