Cricket

Bangladesh's historic Test series sweep over Pakistan has been celebrated with a heartwarming gesture by skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto. Following in the footsteps of Indian captain Rohit Sharma, Shanto shared a photo on social media of himself asleep beside the series trophy, accompanied by the caption "Good morning."This light-hearted moment has drawn comparisons to Rohit Sharma's iconic post after India's T20 World Cup 2024 victory, where he was seen sleeping next to the trophy in a hotel room in Barbados. Both posts symbolize the immense joy and relief after hard-fought victories.Bangladesh's 2-0 triumph over Pakistan marks their first-ever Test series win against their South Asian rivals. It also ends a 12-match winless streak against Pakistan and is only their fourth-ever series whitewash in Test history. More significantly, it is their first against a top-tier cricketing nation like Pakistan, making them only the second team after England to achieve a clean sweep in a Test series in Pakistan.The Bangladesh team's victory was hard-earned, especially after being reduced to 26/6 in the second Test. However, led by centurion Litton Das and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was instrumental with both bat and ball, Bangladesh staged an incredible comeback. Miraz's five-wicket haul in the second Test was pivotal in dismantling Pakistan's batting lineup, paving the way for this momentous win.Bangladesh's success is a testament to their growing strength in Test cricket. They have now won four of their last six Test series, including victories over New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and West Indies. This series sweep over Pakistan is a major milestone for Bangladesh cricket and will undoubtedly boost their confidence going forward.

Zaka Ashraf, the former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, has vehemently denied allegations of player groupings and rifts within the national team during his tenure. Ashraf's comments come amidst ongoing scrutiny of his decisions, particularly the appointment of Shaheen Shah Afridi as T20 captain and Shan Masood as Test captain after the 2023 ODI World Cup.Ashraf maintains that there were no divisions between Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi following his decision to appoint Afridi as T20 captain. "There were no differences between Babar Azam or Shaheen even after I decided to have the latter as the T20 captain," Ashraf asserted.He further claims that the team's unity improved after Babar Azam was relieved of his captaincy duties. "No, the unity didn't end (after removing Babar Azam as captain). In fact, the unity improved. When we told him to play as a player, which is his talent, but as a captain, his performance is not good, he agreed," Ashraf explained.However, Shaheen Afridi's tenure as T20 captain was short-lived, as he was sacked after a single series in New Zealand. He was also dropped for the second Test against Bangladesh due to poor form. The PCB subsequently reinstated Babar Azam as T20 skipper.Ashraf also defended his decision to appoint Shan Masood as Test captain and Muhammad Hafeez as team director. He described Hafeez as "a very honest man" and denied any player groupings. "The team was good. And, we brought Shan Masood as the captain. He was a very good captain. He is still a very good player. He is still a captain in England's counties," Ashraf said.Regarding Shaheen Afridi's appointment as T20 captain, Ashraf stated, "I made Shaheen Shah the captain of the T20I team. That was also a very good decision."Ashraf, who headed the interim cricket management committee from June to January, believes he made the right decision to bring in Hafeez as team director. "Mohammad Hafeez is an excellent cricketer and a very honest person, we brought him along. Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, and these players, we brought them along so that the coaching staff is with the team," he added.

Pakistan's cricket team has plummeted to its lowest ranking in over half a century, falling to eighth place in the ICC Test rankings after a humiliating series loss to Bangladesh. This marks the first time Pakistan has ever lost a Test series to Bangladesh.The two-match series, held in Rawalpindi, saw Pakistan suffer a crushing 10-wicket defeat in the first Test and a 6-wicket loss in the second. The defeats have resulted in Pakistan dropping two places in the rankings, below West Indies, and accumulating a mere 76 rating points.This is the lowest rating Pakistan has held since 1965, excluding a brief period when they were not ranked due to an insufficient number of matches. Bangladesh's successful chase of 185 in the second Test was the third-highest by any visiting team in Pakistan.Despite their impressive performance, Bangladesh did not receive a significant boost in the rankings, remaining in ninth place. However, the series victory has solidified their position in the World Test Championship cycle 2023-25, where they now rank fourth behind India, Australia, and New Zealand.Bangladesh's success in the series has earned them 13 rating points, bringing their total to 33. They will now shift their focus to a two-Test series against India, commencing on September 19 in Chennai.In the World Test Championship, teams are ranked based on the percentage of points they win. A victory earns 12 points, a draw earns 4 points, and a tie earns 6 points.

Pakistan's recent Test series defeat against Bangladesh has sparked widespread criticism, with former players and fans alike blaming the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its leadership for the team's decline. Ex-wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has singled out former PCB chairmen for their role in the team's struggles.Latif criticized the frequent changes in leadership, questioning the decisions to remove Babar Azam as captain and appoint Shan Masood in his place. He also questioned the appointment of Zaka Ashraf as PCB chairman, accusing him of dividing the team and making poor decisions.Ashraf, in his defense, claimed that the team's unity improved after Babar's removal as captain. However, Latif dismissed this, stating that the team began to disintegrate after Babar's resignation. He also criticized Ashraf for appointing Masood as captain, alleging that it was done to break the team.Latif further criticized the role of former captain and coach Misbah-ul-Haq, who returned to the PCB as an advisor and headed a cricket committee. He questioned Misbah's influence on team selection and captaincy decisions.The victory for Bangladesh, which came after they recovered from a precarious position in the second Test, highlighted the weaknesses in the Pakistani team. Rookie pacers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana combined to take nine wickets and bowl out Pakistan for 172, setting up an easy victory for the visitors.Latif called for accountability and transparency in the PCB, suggesting that the chairman's role should be limited and that they should not have the power to appoint captains or form selection committees. He also criticized the lack of cricket knowledge among PCB officials.

Bangladesh has achieved a historic 2-0 Test series whitewash over Pakistan on Pakistani soil, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing history. Despite Pakistan's 12-0 record over Bangladesh in Test cricket and Bangladesh's 0-20 record in Pakistan, the Tigers have emerged victorious.The series victory is Bangladesh's second-ever Test series win on away soil. Pakistan's dismal performance has drawn criticism from experts, with Indian cricket journalist Harsha Bhogle calling it "embarrassing."After a rain-affected first day, Pakistan was bowled out for 274 on Day 2. Bangladesh, however, found themselves in trouble at 26/6 in their first innings. A resilient comeback led by Litton Das' 138 off 228 balls brought Bangladesh within 12 runs of Pakistan's total.Bangladesh then bowled out Pakistan for 172 in the second innings, with Hasan Mahmud taking a five-wicket haul. Chasing the target, every Bangladesh batter contributed with a 20-plus score, guiding the team to a historic series win.Earlier, Bangladesh had won the first Test by 10 wickets after a Pakistan second innings collapse. The series victory has propelled Bangladesh to an unprecedented fourth spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle standings, while Pakistan's chances of reaching the final are almost certainly over.

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.

Pakistan's Test captain, Shan Masood, has defended the decision to bench star pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for the second Test against Bangladesh. The move came after Pakistan suffered a series whitewash in Rawalpindi.Masood acknowledged the need to explore other options and nurture young talent. "We're trying to keep consistency with red-ball performances as well," he said. "We can't be harsh on [Shaheen and Naseem] because they're playing all three formats."Head coach Jason Gillespie echoed Masood's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of developing a balanced team. "We want Shaheen Afridi to be at his very best for as much cricket as possible," he said. "He's an all-format player, and we have a pretty heavy schedule."Gillespie also highlighted Shaheen's personal challenges, which may have affected his performance. "He had a pretty eventful time in his personal life as well," he said.Despite their disappointing T20 World Cup performances, Shaheen and Naseem have shown flashes of brilliance. However, their recent form has raised concerns. In the first Test against Bangladesh, they failed to make a significant impact.Pakistan's decision to drop the duo is a bold one, but it reflects the team's commitment to building a sustainable future. By giving opportunities to younger players, Pakistan hopes to create a more well-rounded and resilient squad.

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.

Pakistan's Test woes continued as Bangladesh completed a historic clean sweep in their two-match series, leaving captain Shan Masood deeply disappointed.Bangladesh chased down a target of 143 with ease on the final day, losing just four wickets. The victory marked their second bilateral series win of two or more Tests away from home, the first since 2009 against the West Indies.Masood expressed frustration over his team's recurring failures, particularly their inability to capitalize on dominant positions. He highlighted the need for improved fitness and preparation, especially in the bowling department."We have not learnt our lessons," Masood said. "We thought we were playing good cricket in Australia but not doing the job. We need to work on that."Masood acknowledged missed opportunities in the first innings, where Pakistan failed to capitalize on a strong start. He also emphasized the importance of getting Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah back in the fold, but stressed the need for better fitness and preparation.The defeat extended Pakistan's miserable home record in Tests to 10 matches without a win. Masood has now endured two consecutive clean sweeps as Test captain, having lost 3-0 to Australia previously.Bangladesh's victory is a testament to their growing strength in Test cricket. They have now won four of their last five Tests, including a historic series win in New Zealand.