Cricket

India vs Bangladesh: Rishabh Pant's Heated Exchange with Litton Das After Hasan Mahmud's Triple StrikeThe opening day of the first Test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai witnessed a heated exchange between wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Litton Das, following a throw that irked the Indian star.After Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud rocked the Indian top order with a three-wicket burst, Pant, making his Test comeback after a serious car accident, found himself at the receiving end of a throw that annoyed him. The stump microphone captured the words exchanged between the two players."Mere ko kyu maar rahe ho?" (Why are you hitting me?) Pant was heard telling Das, to which the Bangladesh stumper replied: "Woh to fekega hi na." (He will throw it, won't he?)Mahmud's early strikes had reduced India to 34 for 3, but Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal stitched an unbroken partnership of 54 runs to take their team to lunch at 88 for 3. However, Mahmud returned after lunch to break the fourth-wicket stand, dismissing Pant for 39.The track, prepared with red soil and underlying moisture, assisted Mahmud's pace bowling, and he made the most of it by dismissing Rohit Sharma (6), Virat Kohli (6), and Shubman Gill (0) before sending Pant back to the pavilion.Both India and Bangladesh opted for a bowling combination of three pacers and two spinners, hoping to exploit the overcast conditions.

Bangladesh's historic series victory against Pakistan has propelled the team into the spotlight, but their star player, Litton Das, is eager to shift focus to the upcoming challenge against India.Das, who played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's triumph, believes it's crucial to leave the past behind and concentrate on the upcoming Test series against India. "We have played very well against Pakistan. That is already in the past," Das emphasized. "It's important to move on and focus on the big challenge ahead."The Bangladesh team recognizes the magnitude of the task ahead, as they will face a formidable Indian side on their home turf. "When we play India at their home, they are always the better side," Das acknowledged. "They are a very good team in their own conditions."One of the key challenges for Bangladesh will be adapting to the SG ball, which is used in Test matches in India. "The SG ball is somewhat difficult," Das observed. "It's tough to play with the Kookaburra when the ball is new, but it's easier to play once the ball is old. However, with the SG ball, playing with the new ball is somewhat easier, but playing with the old ball is tougher."Despite the challenges, Das remains optimistic about Bangladesh's chances. "We are practicing, let's see what happens," he said. "We need to focus on this. In Test cricket, you have to win sessions. Every session is important."Das believes that Bangladesh has room for improvement, particularly in the first sessions of their matches. "Personally I feel we couldn't play our 100% in the first sessions," he said. "There is room for a big improvement here."As Bangladesh prepares for the India series, Das's leadership and determination will be crucial in guiding the team to success.

Bangladesh's upcoming tour of India presents a unique challenge for the team as they prepare to face the SG ball, a significant departure from the Kookaburra ball they are accustomed to. Litton Das, a key figure in Bangladesh's recent Test victory over Pakistan, has emphasized the need to adapt to the different characteristics of the SG ball."The ball will be a different one in India," Das said. "It is a little harder to play against the SG ball. The Kookaburra ball is easier to play when it gets old. It is the opposite with the SG ball. It is harder to get away against the old ball when it's the SG."To prepare for the challenge, Bangladesh's white-ball players are reportedly training with Kookaburra balls, as the T20Is that follow the Tests in India will be played with that brand.Despite their historic series win over Pakistan, Das urged the team to remain focused on the present. "We played good cricket against Pakistan but it is already in the past," he said. "It is important for us to look forward. We will need your (media's) help. It would be helpful if you don't talk about the Pakistan series. As a player, it is already in the past for me."The upcoming series against India and Pakistan has generated significant anticipation among Bangladesh fans. However, Das refused to view it as a burden. "It is inspiring that people will know you if you do well," he said. "There's nothing better than that. I don't think it is pressure. We are improving in Tests, so we have to become more consistent in the format. That's the main challenge."Das's role as a lower-middle-order batter suits his natural game, where he often finds himself batting with the tail and has no choice but to go for his shots. However, he has also shown his ability to adapt, batting for nearly six hours to rescue Bangladesh in Rawalpindi."I have to take responsibility now," he said. "It is the right time. I have been playing for ten years, so there has been some experience. I try to score off deliveries that I believe are there to hit. Scoring runs is more important these days. I think I bat in the same way that most batters approach the game."Das acknowledges the risks associated with his aggressive style of play, but he believes it is the key to his success. "If it gives me more chance to get out, it also gives me a lot of opportunities to score runs," he said. "I usually get to bat with (Mehidy Hasan) Miraz. Sometimes I bat with Shakib bhai (Shakib Al Hasan) or Mushfiq bhai (Mushfiqur Rahim). If I don't play my shots, the team score won't go anywhere. I want to play like this. I try to play the way I bat in training."Bangladesh will depart for India on September 15 to play two Tests in Chennai and Kanpur, both part of the World Test Championship. The three T20Is that follow will be held in Gwalior, Delhi, and Hyderabad.

Pakistan's humiliating defeat to Bangladesh in the second Test in Rawalpindi has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The loss, Pakistan's first against Bangladesh in Test cricket, has sparked a firestorm of criticism and raised serious questions about the team's captaincy, selection, and future prospects.The match witnessed a dramatic turnaround after Bangladesh, reeling at 26/6 in their first innings, staged a remarkable recovery. Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as the architects of Bangladesh's victory, stitching together a match-defining 165-run partnership.Former cricketer Basit Ali has attributed the loss directly to captain Shan Masood's tactical decisions, arguing that they allowed Litton and Mehidy to flourish. Ali has described the team's performance as "third-class" and urged Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to address the team's shortcomings."It was a third-class performance. Pakistan lost the Test match due to captaincy. Captaincy played a key role in the way Litton Das and Mehidy performed after 26/6. There is no need for surgery. The Pakistan team has done surgery on themselves. Mohsin Naqvi should think about this. In the past six months, Pakistan has lost two big events," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Former opener Ahmed Shehzad has also questioned Masood's place in the team, suggesting that his captaincy was the sole reason for his inclusion.The loss to Bangladesh serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Pakistan's Test team. With a crucial series against England scheduled for October, the team management faces the daunting task of addressing the identified weaknesses, reassessing team composition, and devising a winning strategy to regain lost ground.The debate surrounding the captaincy, team selection, and the team's overall performance is likely to intensify in the coming weeks. How the PCB and the team management respond to this defeat will be crucial in shaping the future of Pakistan's Test cricket.

Bangladesh's historic Test victory over Pakistan in Karachi was orchestrated by their young pace duo, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana. The 24-year-old Mahmud and 21-year-old Rana combined for nine wickets in the second innings, setting up the 185-run chase.Mahmud and Rana's performance was particularly impressive given the challenging conditions. "As fast bowlers, you have to take advantage [of conditions] and keep working hard together," said Mahmud. "It's important to get the benefit from your fast bowlers as well as spinners."While Mahmud and Rana stole the spotlight, the match and series awards went to more experienced players. Litton Das, who scored 138 in the first innings, received the match award. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who tallied 155 runs and ten wickets, earned the series award.Litton and Mehidy's partnership in the first innings, when Bangladesh were struggling at 26 for 6, proved crucial. Litton's 138 from No. 7 and Mehidy's 78 from No. 8 kept Bangladesh in the game."The way me and Miraz [were] batting, the credit actually goes to Miraz," said Litton. "He faced 20 balls and killed their momentum."After that stand, Litton formed another partnership with Mahmud, contributing 69 runs. "When Hasan came, I didn't have any scoring opportunities," said Litton. "So I took my time and thought I had to play the over, not the ramp or anything."Bangladesh's bowling coach, Andre Adams, praised the young fast-bowling duo. "Very proud. Very young group," said Adams. "They showed some good control second innings particularly."Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto credited the team's success to their work ethic. "They wanted to win. That was very important for our team," said Shanto. "The way Shadman batted, the 93 innings, and this innings, the way Zakir approached the innings, the momentum came to us."Mehidy Hasan Miraz dedicated his Player-of-the-Series award to the student protestors who were martyred in Bangladesh. "I want to gift this award to his family," said Mehidy.

Bangladesh's batting woes have been a concern for captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, but they have opted against making any last-minute changes to their T20 World Cup squad. Despite Litton Das's recent struggles, scoring only 79 runs in his last six T20Is, he has retained his place in the team.Hathurusinghe acknowledged that the top and middle order did not perform as expected against Zimbabwe, but he believes they have the potential to improve. He emphasized the importance of the top order scoring consistently to relieve pressure on the other batters.Shanto expressed confidence in the team's bowling attack, led by vice-captain Taskin Ahmed, who is recovering from a side strain. He believes the bowlers can win them games at the World Cup, especially in conditions that may favor spin.Both Shanto and Hathurusinghe highlighted the importance of senior players Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan, who are expected to share their experience with the younger players. Mahmudullah has been in good form lately, while Shakib remains a key figure in the team.Hathurusinghe is cautiously optimistic about Bangladesh's chances at the World Cup. He recognizes the challenges of their group, which includes South Africa and Sri Lanka, but believes they can qualify for the Super 12 stage.

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das showcased his exceptional fielding skills with a stunning no-look run-out during the third and final T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet on Saturday. The incident occurred on the final ball of Sri Lanka's innings, leaving fans in awe of Das's quick thinking and agility.As Dasun Shanaka and Sadeera Samarawickrama attempted to steal a couple of runs, Shanaka flicked Mustafizur Rahman's delivery towards mid-on. The pair completed the first run successfully, but Shanaka's eagerness to complete the second proved costly.Rishad Hossain's throw at the striker's end was slightly off target, but Litton displayed remarkable awareness to collect the ball and execute a no-look run-out. His swift and precise action reminded fans of former India captain MS Dhoni, renowned for his no-look run-outs throughout his illustrious career.Litton's exceptional fielding effort was a highlight of the match, which saw Sri Lanka emerge victorious by 28 runs. Nuwan Thushara's maiden over hat-trick and Kusal Mendis' career-best 86 played pivotal roles in Sri Lanka's triumph.Despite late efforts from Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh were bowled out for 146 in the final over. Mendis' 55-ball knock of six fours and six sixes guided Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 174-7.Thushara's hat-trick, dismissing Najmul Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, and Mahmudullah Riyad, proved decisive in restricting Bangladesh's chase. The Sri Lankan bowler expressed his delight at his first-ever hat-trick, acknowledging its significance in the team's victory.Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain praised Thushara's exceptional bowling performance, crediting it as a key factor in Sri Lanka's success. The tour will continue with the first of three one-day internationals in Chittagong on March 15.