Cricket

Pakistan's hopes of salvaging the Multan Test against England dwindled further as the visitors piled on a mammoth 823/7d in their first innings, leaving the hosts with a daunting task to avoid a crushing defeat.Despite posting a formidable 556 in their first innings, Pakistan's bowlers were unable to contain the English onslaught, with Harry Brook and Joe Root amassing a record-breaking 454-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Brook (317) and Root (262) both registered career-best scores on a flat Multan pitch, feasting on the Pakistani bowling attack.The Pakistan bowlers endured a torrid time, with six of them conceding over 100 runs in an innings for the first time in 20 years and only the second time in Test cricket history. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Aamer Jamal, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ali, and Salman Ali Agha joined an infamous group of bowlers who conceded centuries in an innings.England resumed Day 4 on 492-3 and continued their relentless scoring, adding 166 runs in 29 overs in the first session. Root and Brook remained unyielding, despite Pakistan's defensive leg-side bowling.Root's previous best of 254 was also against Pakistan in Manchester in 2016. Brook, in his maiden Test double hundred, displayed equal dominance, hitting 20 boundaries and a six off just 245 balls. His previous best was 186, scored against New Zealand at Wellington last year.Pakistan's only glimmer of hope came in the first hour when Root, on 186, failed to keep down a pull shot off Shah. However, Babar Azam dropped a regulation chance at mid-wicket, allowing Root to continue his onslaught.Root eventually completed his sixth Test double-century, which came in 517 minutes off 305 balls. Pakistan were without frontline spinner Abrar Ahmed, who suffered a fever and did not take the field on Thursday.With England's massive lead, Pakistan face an uphill battle to avoid a heavy defeat in the Multan Test.

Nathan Lyon's Bushwhacking Adventure: A Lost Ball and a Hilarious SearchDuring a Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and South Australia, Australian star bowler Nathan Lyon found himself on an unexpected mission: searching for a lost ball in the bushes. The incident occurred when a batter hit the ball with such force that it soared over the fence and disappeared into the undergrowth.Lyon, known for his meticulous approach to bowling, embarked on a thorough search for the missing ball. However, his initial efforts proved futile as he retrieved the wrong ball. Undeterred, he continued his quest, assisted by his teammates.The video footage of Lyon's bushwhacking adventure has gone viral on social media, eliciting laughter and amusement from cricket fans worldwide. Cricket Australia shared the videos on Instagram, adding the caption: "Swipe across to see the 🐐 having more luck on the field than he did in the bushes 😂 #SheffieldShield."Lyon's search for the lost ball highlights the challenges that bowlers face during matches. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to locate the ball, which remained lost in the bushes. The incident serves as a reminder that even the most experienced cricketers can encounter unexpected obstacles on the field.Lyon's Preparations for the Border-Gavaskar TrophyThe lost ball incident comes as Lyon prepares to take the field in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. The first Test is scheduled to start in Perth on November 22.In recent years, India has gained the upper hand in the series, winning the last four encounters against Australia. Lyon is aware of the challenge that lies ahead and has been studying the Indian batting lineup, particularly wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant."You're bowling against someone like Rishabh Pant, who is electric. He's got all the skill in the world. As a bowler, your room for error is so small. So you've got to be good. It's a challenge as a bowler if I'm going to get hit for six. I'm not afraid about getting hit for six," Lyon said.Lyon's strategy against Pant will be to keep him in his crease and force him to defend more often. He believes that this approach will create opportunities for dismissals.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has lauded the Indian cricket team's performance in the second T20I against Bangladesh, highlighting the team's temperament and the foresight of the coaching staff.India's young talent Nitish Reddy shone with both bat and ball, scoring a half-century and taking two wickets as India secured an impressive 86-run victory over Bangladesh in New Delhi on Wednesday.Despite losing three wickets inside the Powerplay, India recovered to post a formidable total of 221 for 9, thanks to explosive fifties from Reddy and Rinku Singh. The bowlers then restricted Bangladesh to 135 for 9, securing a comprehensive win.Ali praised the Indian players' composure and the coaching staff's forward-thinking approach. "The thought process is very important, which is missing in Pakistani cricket," he said on his YouTube channel. "India rested Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal but nobody rests in our team. So, please learn something from India."Ali particularly commended Reddy's six-hitting prowess, calling them "Aththe" instead of sixes. He also hailed Rinku Singh's batting, comparing him to former Australian all-rounder Michael Bevan."Gautam Gambhir's thinking has been a success," Ali added. "I am not saying that he will win the World Cup straight away. Even if he flops, Gautam won't stop backing him because they pick players and make them and this is the best example of that."In the match, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl first. They rattled India early, but Reddy and Rinku built a crucial partnership of 108 runs. Hardik Pandya then fired a quick 32 off 19 balls, helping India reach a big total.While chasing 222 runs, Bangladesh managed to keep up with the run-rate initially but kept losing wickets consistently. Mahmadullah was the only notable performer with 41 runs off 39 balls, including three sixes.With this victory, India won the three-match series 2-0. Nitish Kumar Reddy was named the 'Player of the Match' for his outstanding all-round performance.

Former England captain Eoin Morgan has hailed the current Indian cricket team as one of the "greatest" in their own conditions, citing their remarkable home record. India has won 18 consecutive Test series on home soil, a feat unmatched by any other team in history.Morgan, who was part of the last visiting team to win a Test series in India in 2013, believes Rohit Sharma's side deserves to be considered among the all-time greats. "They (India) have to be considered one of the greatest in their conditions," Morgan said. "What makes them so good is their hunger and the desire to want to win. Their attitude towards that they never take for granted."India's dominance at home is a testament to their exceptional skills and unwavering determination. They have a well-balanced team with world-class players in all departments. Their batting lineup is formidable, with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Cheteshwar Pujara providing solidity and experience. The bowling attack is equally impressive, led by the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.Morgan highlighted the unique challenges of playing in India, where the conditions often favor the home team. "We come from countries that have huge advantages for the home side," he said. "But yet, our records throughout generations are nowhere near as good as Indians."India is currently bidding for a third straight World Test Championship final appearance. They are well-positioned to qualify, sitting atop the team standings. They have five more Tests to play in the season, including three against New Zealand and two against Australia.The Indian team's success is a source of pride for the nation and has inspired a new generation of cricketers. Their dominance at home is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in their abilities.

The National Cricket League (NCL) Sixty Strikes witnessed another thrilling encounter in Match no 11, where the New York Lions emerged victorious over the Texas Gladiators by a narrow margin of four runs.Batting first, the New York Lions posted a competitive total of 116/8 in their allotted 10 overs. Ben Cutting was the star performer for the Lions, smashing a blistering 44 off just 18 deliveries. Upul Tharanga (20) and Mohammad Hafeez (16) also contributed valuable runs at the top of the order.In response, the Texas Gladiators fought valiantly but ultimately fell short of the target, scoring 112/9. Wahab Riaz was the standout batter for the Gladiators, scoring an unbeaten 37 off 13 balls. Nick Kelly (25) and Kennar Lewis (20) also made significant contributions.For the Lions, Mohammad Hafeez and skipper Suresh Raina were the most successful bowlers, claiming two wickets each. Dominic Drakes and Oshane Thomas also chipped in with one wicket apiece.On the Gladiators' side, Usman Rafiq was the pick of the bowlers, registering impressive figures of 3/11 in two overs. Nisarg Patel also impressed with a three-wicket haul.The victory propelled the New York Lions to the top of the NCL Sixty Strikes standings, while the Texas Gladiators remained in the bottom half of the table. The tournament continues to provide exciting and unpredictable matches, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

England's relentless dominance against Pakistan continued on Day 4 of the Multan Test, as they etched their name in the history books with a world-record partnership. Joe Root and Harry Brook forged an unprecedented 454-run stand for the fourth wicket, shattering the previous record of 449 set by Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh in 2015.This remarkable partnership is not only the highest for the fourth wicket in Test history but also the highest ever for any wicket by a pair away from home. It also surpasses the previous highest partnership against Pakistan, set by Australia in 1934.Root, who recently surpassed Alastair Cook as England's all-time leading Test run-scorer, looked set to challenge Brian Lara's 400-run total. However, he was dismissed for 262 by Agha Salman, just after he and Brook had broken the world record.Despite Root's departure, England's momentum remained unabated. Earlier on Wednesday, Root had achieved another significant milestone by becoming England's highest run-scorer in Test cricket, surpassing Cook's tally.In his illustrious career, Root has amassed over 20,000 runs in 350 international matches, including 51 centuries and 108 half-centuries. His record-breaking performance in Multan has elevated him to the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test history, surpassing cricketing legends like Younis Khan, Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, and Mahela Jayawardene.Root's remarkable achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. As he continues to climb the ranks of Test cricket's all-time greats, England will undoubtedly look to him for further inspiration and success in the years to come.

Sam Konstas, the prodigious 19-year-old opener, has etched his name alongside Ricky Ponting in the annals of Sheffield Shield history by becoming the youngest player since the legendary Australian captain to score two centuries in the same match.Konstas's remarkable feat came in New South Wales' clash with South Australia at Cricket Central in Sydney. After compiling a brilliant 152 in the first innings, he continued his dominance in the second, amassing 105 runs from 225 deliveries.The hosts declared their innings at 282 for 6 late on day three, setting South Australia a daunting target of 389 runs for victory. However, Nathan Lyon struck early to dismiss Conor McInerney without scoring, leaving the visitors reeling at 7 for 1.Konstas's century was a testament to his exceptional talent and composure. He brought up his half-century with a blistering four that raced past extra cover, and despite South Australia's attempts to slow him down, he reached his century with a towering six over deep midwicket.His innings was not without its challenges. Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey dropped a sitter before Konstas got off the mark, but the teenager made the visitors pay dearly for the error. He also faced a wider line from South Australia's bowlers after tea, but he adjusted his game and continued to accumulate runs.Lyon, meanwhile, continued his impressive form ahead of the Test summer. He finished his first Shield innings with a five-wicket haul, ripping through the South Australian tail to ensure they were dismissed for 260.Konstas's performance has raised expectations for his future in the game. He is now the third youngest player in Shield history to score two centuries in the same match, behind only Ponting and Archie Jackson."Obviously very special," Konstas said of his achievement. "But hopefully we get the job done tomorrow and keep doing our basics well."

Pakistan Women's Cricket Team Captain Fatima Sana Returns Home Due to Father's DeathPakistan Women's Cricket Team captain Fatima Sana has returned home to Karachi following the sudden demise of her father. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the news in a statement, stating that Sana will miss Pakistan's upcoming match against Australia in Dubai on Friday.Sana's absence is a significant blow to Pakistan's hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024. The team is currently placed third in Group A with one win and one loss from their two matches. They need to win at least one, preferably both, of their remaining games to have a chance of advancing.Muneeba Ali will take over as captain in Sana's absence. Sana has been a key figure for Pakistan in the tournament so far, leading the team to an upset victory over Sri Lanka in their opening match. She also played a crucial role in Pakistan's narrow loss to India, taking two wickets and scoring 30 runs.Since taking over as captain, Sana has implemented a new mindset for the team, emphasizing data analysis and a more aggressive batting approach. Her absence will be a major setback for Pakistan, who will need to find a way to fill the void left by their inspirational leader.

Tom Latham, New Zealand's newly appointed Test captain, is eagerly anticipating his maiden tour as a full-time leader against India. Latham, 32, has previously led the team in nine matches, but this will mark his first series as a permanent captain.Latham and a 15-member squad, including veteran Tim Southee, will embark on a three-match series against India starting October 16. The matches will be played in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai.In a video released by New Zealand Cricket, Latham expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. "It's a special feeling to be named full-time captain," he said. "It's a massive honor and a huge privilege."Latham acknowledged the team's past successes and emphasized the importance of maintaining their unique style of play. "As a Test team, we have done a huge amount of good things," he said. "We have been successful playing a brand of cricket that is true to us as Kiwis."He also highlighted the team's blend of experience and youth. "It's a great group, a bunch of leaders, a bunch of older guys, and also some amazing talent coming through," Latham said. "It's an exciting time, and it will be a great challenge."Latham's appointment as full-time captain is a testament to his leadership qualities and the respect he commands within the team. He will be tasked with guiding New Zealand through a challenging tour of India and continuing the team's success in the Test format.