Cricket

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.

Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz once again proved his mettle, rescuing his team from a precarious position against South Africa on the third morning of the Mirpur Test. After losing three wickets in the first 30 minutes, Mehidy and Jaker Ali forged an unbroken 89-run partnership for the seventh wicket, bringing Bangladesh within one run of making South Africa bat again.Mehidy and Jaker's resilience stemmed from their unwavering focus on playing simple shots and avoiding unnecessary risks. Despite the persistent threat posed by Kagiso Rabada, who had already claimed four wickets by lunch, the duo remained composed and determined.Rabada's early strikes in the fourth over of the morning had put Bangladesh on the back foot. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who had looked solid on the second day, chased a wide delivery and edged it to first slip for 40. Mushfiqur Rahim, another experienced batsman, fell in a similar fashion to his first-innings dismissal, leaving a gap between bat and pad as Rabada angled the ball into him.Keshav Maharaj then accounted for Litton Das, who made only 7 after failing to score in the first innings. Captain Aiden Markram's last-second decision to review the dismissal proved fruitful, as replays showed an edge from Litton's shoulder.However, South Africa's early success did not translate into further breakthroughs in the remainder of the session. Mehidy's elegant cover drives off Rabada and Wiaan Mulder set the tone for his partnership with Jaker, who swept Maharaj for his first boundary. Mehidy launched Dane Piedt over long-off for his first six and punished Maharaj for two fours in the 49th over.Jaker also contributed with a boundary through extra cover off Piedt, and the pair reached a 50-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Mehidy and Jaker continued to frustrate South Africa, taking four runs each off Rabada in his second spell with square-cuts and pull shots.As the session drew to a close, Bangladesh were just one run away from making South Africa bat again. Mehidy and Jaker's partnership had not only saved their team from a potential innings defeat but had also given them a glimmer of hope for a positive result in the Test.

DRS Controversy: Bangladesh's Jaker Ali Signals to Dressing Room Before ReviewIn a controversial incident reminiscent of Steve Smith's "brain fade" moment, Bangladesh's Jaker Ali has been accused of seeking guidance from the dressing room before requesting a review in the T20 World Cup match against Nepal.During the 14th over, Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane bowled a delivery that struck Tanzim Hasan Sakib on the pads. Sakib initially walked off but then opted for a review. However, a video emerged showing Ali signaling to the dressing room before the review was requested.This action raised eyebrows, as the DRS system explicitly states that only the non-striker can consult with the batsman on a review. Additionally, the allotted 15 seconds for a review had already passed when the umpire signaled for the third umpire's decision.The ball-tracker ultimately showed that the ball would have missed off-stump, and Sakib was adjudged not out. However, Nepal gained justice on the next ball when Lamichhane bowled Sakib with a wrong-un.The incident has sparked debate about the integrity of the DRS system and the potential for players to circumvent the rules. It also highlights the importance of umpires strictly enforcing the regulations to ensure fair play.Despite the controversy, Bangladesh went on to win the match by 21 runs and secure a spot in the Super Eights. However, the incident has left a sour taste in the mouths of some fans and raised questions about the ethics of seeking external assistance during a review.