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.

Pakistan cricket has reached its lowest point in recent history, suffering a humiliating six-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in the second Test in Rawalpindi. This marks the first time Bangladesh has defeated Pakistan in a Test match and series.The defeat has sent shockwaves through the Pakistani cricket community, with former stalwarts expressing their dismay and concern. Javed Miandad, a former Test captain, lamented the state of Pakistani cricket, stating that it was "hurting" to witness the team's decline.The second Test saw Bangladesh's batters dominate the second innings after Pakistan dropped pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and rested Naseem Shah. Pakistan had initially put Bangladesh on the back foot, reducing them to 26 for 6 in their first innings. However, a spectacular partnership between centurion Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz rescued the visitors.Miandad believes that the players have lost confidence due to the turmoil within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He pointed to the frequent captaincy and management changes as factors that have destabilized the team.Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq echoed Miandad's concerns, highlighting Pakistan's poor home record in recent years. He emphasized the importance of batsmen scoring runs, especially in home conditions.Record-breaking batsman Younis Khan attributed Pakistan's struggles to a lack of mental strength. He believes that the team needs to overcome its current crisis by developing a clear mindset.Former Test batter Ahmed Shezad criticized the batsmen for their inability to handle pace and movement, suggesting that the future of Pakistani cricket is bleak if they cannot improve in this area.Former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim urged the team management to groom existing and upcoming spinners, as Pakistan's best chance of success at home lies in utilizing spin-friendly pitches.With this latest setback, Pakistan's hopes of reaching the final of the World Test Championship appear to have evaporated. Captain Shan Masood's lack of runs has added to his woes, while senior batter Babar Azam has also struggled to make an impact.Despite the team's poor performance, red-ball coach Jason Gillispie and his white-ball counterpart Gary Kirsten have advised the PCB and selectors not to panic, as it could further dent the players' confidence. Gillispie and high-performance coach Tim Nielsen will return to Australia for a short break.

Pakistan's white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten will take charge of the upcoming Champions Cup domestic one-day competition, where all contracted players are expected to participate. Kirsten will be assisted by physiotherapist Cliff Deacon and strength coach Dreks Simon, who will assess players' performance and fitness ahead of Pakistan's white-ball matches this season.The trio will also conduct fitness tests for the national Test squad and other international players. Meanwhile, red-ball format head coach Jason Gillespie and high-performance coach Tim Nielsen will depart for Australia on Wednesday following the conclusion of Pakistan's series against Bangladesh.Despite Pakistan's disappointing 0-2 defeat to Bangladesh, sources close to the team indicate that no significant changes are anticipated. Both Gillespie and Kirsten have been granted full authority by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to maintain continuity in selection and other matters."Both have advised the PCB to exercise patience and avoid making decisions based on a string of poor performances across all formats," a source revealed.The Champions Cup will serve as the first assignment for the Pakistan team before they embark on the World Test Championship series against England, commencing on October 7 in Multan. Gillespie and Nielsen are expected to return to Pakistan for this series.

Bangladesh has made history by securing a remarkable Test series victory against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. This triumph marks Bangladesh's first-ever Test series win over Pakistan, a testament to their growing prowess in the international cricket arena.The two-match series was a thrilling affair, with Bangladesh emerging victorious in both Tests. In the first Test, Bangladesh stunned Pakistan by 10 wickets, claiming their first Test win in 14 years. The second Test proved to be even more dominant for Bangladesh, as they thrashed Pakistan by six wickets to clinch the series.Bangladesh's success was built on a combination of solid batting, disciplined bowling, and astute captaincy. In the first Test, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz played pivotal roles with brilliant centuries, while Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana led the bowling attack with impressive performances.In the second Test, Bangladesh's bowlers once again shone, dismissing Pakistan for just 172 runs in the second innings. Zakir Hasan and captain Shanto provided a solid foundation for the chase, while Mushfiqur Rahim and Sakib Al Hasan guided Bangladesh home to a historic victory.This series win is a significant milestone for Bangladesh cricket. It not only marks their first Test series triumph against Pakistan but also boosts their confidence ahead of the upcoming ICC Test Championship. Bangladesh's performance has demonstrated their ability to compete with the top teams in the world and has raised expectations for their future endeavors.

Pakistan's batting mainstay Babar Azam has come under fire on social media for his recent underwhelming performances in international cricket. In the recently concluded two-Test series against Bangladesh, Azam managed a meager 64 runs across four innings, continuing a string of poor batting displays that have failed to yield victories for Pakistan.Azam's struggles have sparked a barrage of criticism and false memes on social media, with some even resorting to spreading fake news about his retirement. Following his scores of 31 and 11 in the second Test in Rawalpindi, a fabricated retirement post gained traction on social media.Despite relinquishing his captaincy after the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, Azam was reinstated for the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, his recent Test performances have been dismal, with only 190 runs in his last 10 innings at an average of 19. His average in the 50-over format has also declined to 34.In T20Is, Azam has maintained an average of 38 over the past year. Under his captaincy, Pakistan suffered a disappointing group-stage exit at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, losing to the USA and India.Azam's poor form has raised concerns among fans and experts alike, who are questioning his ability to lead Pakistan's batting lineup. The pressure on the 29-year-old is mounting, and he will need to find his form quickly to silence his critics and restore Pakistan's fortunes on the international stage.

Pakistan's Mohammad Amir Fumes at Imad Wasim's Lackluster Fielding in CPLPakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir expressed his frustration during the Caribbean Super League after a lackluster fielding effort by his compatriot Imad Wasim. The incident occurred during a match between the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, where both Amir and Wasim play, and the Barbados Royals.Amir bowled a short-pitched delivery to Quinton De Kock, who guided it towards the third-man boundary. Wasim, fielding at deep backward point, initially ran towards the ball but then eased up, allowing it to go for a four. Amir was visibly agitated and was heard shouting at Wasim to run. His fielding position was changed on the next ball.The Royals ultimately emerged victorious, with De Kock scoring 87 runs off just 45 deliveries. The incident sparked criticism on social media, with many questioning Wasim's commitment to the game.Pakistan's Test Coach Explains Exclusion of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem ShahMeanwhile, Pakistan's Test head coach Jason Gillespie has revealed the reasons behind the exclusion of star pace duo Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah from the playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh.Bangladesh is in a commanding position after Day 4, needing just 143 runs to complete a historic clean sweep. Despite a strong performance in the first innings, Pakistan's bowling attack struggled against Bangladesh's openers.Gillespie explained that the team selection was based on an analysis of the pitch conditions. "We looked at conditions and what we thought was the best combination," he said. "We had Bangladesh in a bit of trouble in the first innings, but we need to improve our line and length."

Pakistan's cricket team continues to face adversity both on and off the field. Amidst ongoing changes in leadership and coaching staff, the team's performance has taken a nosedive, culminating in a humiliating defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test. The second Test in Rawalpindi has brought further embarrassment, with skipper Shan Masood drawing heavy criticism for his abysmal fielding.On Day 3 of the second Test, Masood dropped a straightforward catch that gifted batter Hasan Mahmud a second life. The incident occurred during the 75th over of Bangladesh's first innings, when Mahmud mistimed a shot off Khuram Shahzad's delivery. The low shot went straight to Masood at cover, but the Pakistan skipper fumbled the catch, allowing the ball to drop to the ground.This blunder left Masood's teammates visibly stunned, and the video quickly went viral on social media, sparking a barrage of criticism from fans. The incident marked the second fielding error by Pakistan in the match, following Saud Shakeel's dropped catch of Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam on Saturday.The disappointment was evident on Masood's face as Shakeel missed the catch, and even the commentators expressed disbelief at the "regulation catch" being dropped. Umpire Richard Kettleborough could not conceal his reaction to the missed opportunity.Despite the fielding blunders, Bangladesh fought back on Sunday, with Litton Das scoring a valiant century to lift his team from a precarious 26-6 to a respectable 262 all out. The remarkable turnaround has left the second Test in Rawalpindi evenly poised.At close on the third day, Bangladesh struck back to leave Pakistan on a sluggish 9-2, with opener Abdullah Shafique dismissed for three and nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad falling without scoring, both to pacer Hasan Mahmud.Pakistan's poor performance has raised serious concerns about the team's future prospects. The constant changes in leadership and coaching staff have created instability, while the players' lack of form and discipline has contributed to the team's downfall.Unless Pakistan can address these issues and find a way to improve their performance, they face the prospect of further setbacks and a decline in their international standing.

Pakistan's star batsman Babar Azam has been facing a prolonged batting slump, raising concerns among fans and experts. Despite his struggles, Pakistan's Test coach Jason Gillespie has expressed unwavering support for Azam, believing that the right-hander is on the cusp of a resurgence.Azam's struggles began after the ODI World Cup in India last year. He briefly relinquished the captaincy but resumed leadership in the white-ball format ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, his batting form has remained elusive, leading to criticism from fans and former players.In the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, Azam has managed only 64 runs in four innings. This has intensified the scrutiny on his form, with many questioning his ability to lead Pakistan's batting lineup.Despite the criticism, Gillespie remains confident in Azam's abilities. "Babar is a quality player. He is a world-class player. He is very close. I feel it. I am confident that we are going to see Babar scoring some big runs very soon," Gillespie said after the end of Day 4.Gillespie believes that Azam is not far from rediscovering his prolific scoring ability. "He probably hasn't converted the start he has got," Gillespie added.Azam's struggles have coincided with a challenging period for Pakistan's cricket team. After a series whitewash in Australia, Pakistan's batting lineup was exposed as vulnerable. Azam's poor form in England and the T20 World Cup further highlighted the team's batting woes.Pakistan will face England in a Test series next, and the pressure will be on Azam to deliver. The team will rely heavily on its premier batsman to make impactful contributions and guide Pakistan to victory.

Pakistan's head coach, Jason Gillespie, has faced a challenging start to his tenure as the team struggles to avoid a series loss against Bangladesh. With one day remaining in the crucial Test match, Gillespie acknowledged the visitors' favoritism but emphasized the need for discipline and application from his players.In the first innings, Pakistan's bowlers had Bangladesh on the ropes at 6 for 26, but a resilient 165-run seventh-wicket stand propelled the visitors to a respectable 262, the highest score in Test history for a team losing their first six wickets under 50. Gillespie stressed the importance of managing such situations effectively, as Pakistan's bowlers faltered in the face of Bangladesh's resistance.On the fourth morning, Bangladesh replicated Pakistan's success from the previous day, dismissing the hosts for 172, with all ten wickets falling to the quicks. Gillespie criticized his bowlers for deviating from their game plan and urged them to maintain discipline and intent.Pakistan's off-field decision-making has also come under scrutiny. In the first Test, they opted for an all-pace attack, neglecting spinner Abrar Ahmed, a decision that backfired when Bangladesh's slow bowlers dominated the final day. This time, despite preparing a seam-friendly pitch, Pakistan omitted Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah from the playing XI, leaving them without genuine pace or old-ball threat.Gillespie defended the team's selection, stating that they considered the conditions and surfaces. However, he acknowledged that Afridi and Shah are valuable assets and that the team is working to build a squad mentality.Despite the odds being stacked against them, Gillespie expressed hope that Pakistan could still salvage a victory. He emphasized the importance of taking catches, seizing opportunities, and maintaining a positive mindset.However, the weather may play a significant role in the outcome. Steady rain has been falling for several hours, with more forecast overnight and on the final day. If play is not possible, Bangladesh will secure their most famous series win, while Pakistan will be left to rue their missed opportunities.