Cricket

Bangladesh is on the cusp of a historic 2-0 series whitewash over Pakistan after dominating the second Test in Rawalpindi. Resuming at nine for two, Pakistan was bowled out for 172 in their second innings, setting Bangladesh a target of 185 for victory.Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana were the stars for Bangladesh with the ball, taking five and four wickets respectively. Mahmud dismissed overnight batter Saim Ayub for 20 before Rana dismantled Pakistan's batting lineup with three wickets in three overs. Shan Masood and Babar Azam fell cheaply, while Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 43, was dropped on his first ball.After lunch, Mahmud struck twice in quick succession to remove Rizwan and Mohammad Ali. He also claimed the wicket of Abrar Ahmed, while Salman Agha remained unbeaten on 47. Mahmud secured his maiden five-wicket haul by dismissing Mir Hamza.In the first Test, Bangladesh claimed their first-ever Test victory against Pakistan, winning by 10 wickets. A victory in the second Test would mark a historic achievement for the Tigers, who have never won a Test series against Pakistan.Bangladesh openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam reached 42 without loss in seven overs before bad light and rain halted play. Hasan was unbeaten on 31, including two sixes, accompanied by Islam on nine. Bangladesh now need 143 more runs to win on the final day.

Rain halted Bangladesh's pursuit of a clean sweep against Pakistan after young pace bowlers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana rattled the hosts for 172 on Day 4 of the second Test on Monday (September 2, 2024).Bangladesh had scampered to 42-0 in seven overs before bad light, followed by rain, allowed only one over of play in the final session on Day 4. The tourists will need another 143 runs for a rare Test series win away from home.Bangladesh has won just one bilateral Test series outside home - beating the West Indies in 2009 - but won the first Test by 10 wickets for its first-ever Test victory against Pakistan in 14 matches.The 24-year-old Mahmud grabbed 5-43 while 21-year-old Rana chipped in with 4-44 as Pakistan was bowled out half an hour before tea for an overall lead of 184.Under overcast conditions, Bangladesh openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam scored at a rapid pace before rain arrived. Zakir was unbeaten on 31 off 23 balls that included two pulled sixes against fast bowler Khurram Shahzad and Shadman Islam was not out on 9.A resilient century from Litton Das and an equally splendid half-century from Mehidy Hasan Miraz allowed Pakistan a slender first innings lead of 12 runs after the tourists had collapsed to 26-6 on Day 3.The Pakistani top order's long struggle in red-ball cricket has seen it lose five of the last nine Test matches at home with its last win coming against South Africa in December 2021. The other four Test matches were drawn.Babar Azam's (11) poor run of form in Test matches stretched to seven games when he fell to Rana for the second time in the series as the tall fast bowler rattled the top order by claiming three wickets in his first three overs.Top-scorer Salman Ali Agha (47 not out) and Mohammad Rizwan (43) led the recovery with a half-century partnership after Rana's burst had reduced the home team to 81-6 in the first session, before Mahmud sliced through the lower order.Mahmud was on a hat trick when he had Rizwan caught behind after the break and followed it up with another brilliant ball that found the outside edge of Mohammad Ali's bat. But Salman added a vital 36 runs in the company of tailenders before Mahmud completed a five-for by claiming the last wicket.Earlier, Rana could have ended the first session with four wickets but Rizwan was dropped in the slips cordon. Rana came to the fore after Taskin provided the breakthrough when skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto dived low to his left and grabbed a two-handed catch to dismiss Saim Ayub for 20.Skipper Shan Masood struck four boundaries in his 28 before Pakistan's innings crashed against Rana's pace. Masood and Saud Shakeel got slight edges and Pakistan's premier batter Babar edged to Shadman at slip after struggling for 18 balls. Shadman dropped a regulation chance on the next ball to give Rizwan a big reprieve as Pakistan went to lunch at 117-6.Babar has been going through a poor run of form and it's now been eight Test matches since he posted a half-century. His top score in that time was 41 against Australia at Melbourne last year.Both teams are near the bottom of the World Test Championship, with Bangladesh occupying seventh spot and Pakistan just ahead of last-placed West Indies.

Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Wasim has shed light on the challenges he encountered as chief selector of the team, particularly in dealing with former all-format captain Babar Azam. Wasim, who served as head coach from December 2020 to December 2022, described Babar as "very stubborn" and prone to frustration when the selection committee made changes to the squad."It was a pain to make him accept changes. He was very stubborn and sometimes, I had to overstep my boundaries just to get him on board with certain decisions," Wasim said, as quoted by PakPassion.Wasim's comments come amidst Babar's recent struggles in the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh. After managing scores of 0 and 22 in the first Test, Babar scored 31 in the first innings of the second Test in Rawalpindi.Meanwhile, Wasim has taken on a new role as head coach of the Pakistan women's team. He is joined by former Pakistan bowlers Junaid Khan and Abdur Rehman as assistant coach and spin-bowling coach, respectively. Notably, no batting coach has been appointed, with Wasim expected to take on that role himself.Wasim's coaching credentials stem from his successful tenure with Northern, a team in Pakistan's domestic structure. Under his leadership, Northern achieved successive runners-up finishes in the revamped Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. His focus on nurturing young talent culminated in a National T20 Cup victory in the 2019-20 season.

Pakistan's decision to drop star pacer Shaheen Afridi for the second Test against Bangladesh has sparked controversy, with former batter Ahmed Shehzad questioning the team's logic.While acknowledging Afridi's recent struggles, Shehzad argued that he cannot be solely blamed for Pakistan's poor performances. He pointed out that the team has suffered defeats against Zimbabwe, Ireland, the USA, India, and now Bangladesh."Is Shaheen Afridi only responsible for all of this?" Shehzad asked in a video posted on social media. "Shaheen Afridi won't be solely responsible for all of this. So, bring all those people who were involved in all of this. Tell this country."Shehzad also criticized the performances of other players, including Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, and Babar Azam. He emphasized that dropping Afridi alone will not solve Pakistan's problems."There are some decisions that will have to be taken. And those people who are involved in all of this, whose performances are low, they will also have to be held accountable," he said.The first day of the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh was washed out due to heavy rain. The toss could not even take place, leaving the match in limbo.Pakistan's decision to drop Afridi has raised questions about the team's strategy and the future of its bowling attack. The team has struggled to find consistency in recent months, and the loss to Bangladesh has further highlighted their weaknesses.

Pakistan's cricket team has endured a tumultuous period, marked by disappointing performances in major tournaments and a recent Test defeat against Bangladesh. The team's struggles have prompted widespread criticism, with former fast bowler Mohammad Asif issuing a stark warning.Asif predicts that Pakistan will face another humiliating defeat against the United States in the 2026 T20 World Cup if they fail to address their shortcomings. "We lost to the USA, who were playing in the T20 World Cup for the first time," Asif said. "The way the situation is going at this moment, the USA will beat Pakistan in the next World Cup, in 2026. I'll guarantee you that."Asif believes that Pakistan needs a complete overhaul, including changes to the captaincy, coaching staff, and player roster. He emphasizes the need for long-term planning and investment in a specific squad. "Before the 2026 World Cup, we have to change the captain, coach, and the players," Asif said. "There needs to be planning for the two years that this is the team, this is the 20 players we want to work with."Asif's comments highlight the growing frustration among Pakistani fans and experts. The team's recent performances have fallen short of expectations, and there is a sense that drastic measures are needed to turn things around. Asif's prediction serves as a wake-up call for the Pakistan Cricket Board and the team itself, urging them to take immediate action to avoid further embarrassment on the international stage.

Pakistan's all-rounder Salman Ali Agha has come to the defense of star batter Babar Azam following another disappointing innings in the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. Babar's struggles in the series have raised concerns, but Agha remains confident in his teammate's ability to bounce back.Babar's lean patch in Test cricket has seen his average dip below 45, with his last score over fifty coming in late 2022. In the ongoing series, he has been dismissed for a duck, 22, and 31, contributing to Pakistan's struggles.Despite Babar's poor form, Agha believes it is only a temporary phase. "Babar Azam is a world-class player," Agha said. "As a cricketer, you go through these phases. He has scored consistently throughout the last five years. Soon, we will see him scoring big runs for Pakistan again."Agha emphasized the importance of supporting Babar during this difficult period. "There are 10 other players in the team, you should focus on them," he said. "It's fine if he's struggling. He will return to scoring big runs very soon."Babar's struggles have coincided with Pakistan's poor performance in the series. After losing the first Test by 10 wickets, Pakistan collapsed from 179/4 to 274 all out in the second Test, highlighting the team's batting woes.Despite the setbacks, the team management and Babar's teammates remain confident in his abilities. Head coach Saqlain Mushtaq has backed Babar to regain his form, while captain Azhar Ali has praised his work ethic and determination.Babar Azam is regarded as one of Pakistan's finest batters, and his return to form is crucial for the team's success. With the third and final Test of the series still to come, Babar will have an opportunity to prove his critics wrong and lead Pakistan to a series victory.

Pakistan's fielding woes continued to haunt them in the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Saturday. Saud Shakeel dropped a regulation catch at fifth slip, giving Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam a lifeline on the first ball of their innings. The missed opportunity drew a visible reaction of disappointment from captain Shan Masood and even the commentators.The incident occurred during the second day of the match, after Pakistan had been bowled out for 274 in their first innings. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the star performer for Bangladesh, claiming a five-wicket haul to restrict Pakistan's total.Shakeel's dropped catch allowed Islam to remain at the crease, and Bangladesh ended the day on 10-0. However, it was Bangladesh's bowlers who had the upper hand throughout the day.Mehidy dismissed Masood for 57 and Saim Ayub for 58, while Taskin Ahmed took 3-57. The duo's efforts helped Bangladesh gain a strong position in the match, despite the dropped catch.The video of Shakeel's missed catch has gone viral on social media, highlighting Pakistan's ongoing fielding struggles. The team has been plagued by dropped catches and misfields in recent matches, which have cost them valuable wickets and runs.Pakistan will need to improve their fielding significantly if they want to level the series against Bangladesh. The third and final Test is scheduled to begin on September 4 in Karachi.

Pakistan's Azam Khan Suffers Neck Injury in CPL, Raises Fitness ConcernsPakistan's wicket-keeper batter Azam Khan endured a harrowing experience during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Friday, sustaining a blow to his neck that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.Playing for the Guyana Amazon Warriors against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, Azam faced a menacing bouncer from Shamar Springer. Attempting to pull the ball towards the leg side, he missed the connection and the ball struck him flush on the neck.The impact sent Azam crashing to the ground, clutching his neck in agony. As he lay prone, the ball rolled towards the stumps, and in a desperate attempt to prevent a dismissal, Azam reached out and flicked it away. However, his bat and the ball hit the stumps simultaneously, resulting in a bizarre dismissal.The incident left the Guyana Amazon Warriors reeling at 77/4 in their chase of 169. Medical personnel rushed to Azam's aid, providing immediate attention. The unsettling nature of his dismissal raised concerns about his fitness and form.Azam, who has struggled to find consistent success on the international stage, was part of Pakistan's ICC T20 World Cup 2024 squad but failed to make an impact. His injury in the CPL has cast further doubt on his ability to contribute to the national team.Despite the setback, the Guyana Amazon Warriors managed to secure a last-ball victory, thanks to crucial cameos from Romario Shephard and Dwaine Pretorius. However, Azam's dismissal overshadowed the match, leaving a lingering sense of worry about his well-being.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: A Pakistani Invitation for a Farewell TourVirat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of the most celebrated batters in modern cricket, have a massive fan following worldwide. However, Pakistan remains the only country where they have never played an international match. The political tensions between India and Pakistan have prevented bilateral cricket series since 2012-13.Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has extended an invitation to Kohli and Sharma to visit Pakistan before they retire. Akmal believes that the love and appreciation they would receive in Pakistan would be unparalleled."Virat and Rohit should visit Pakistan before they retire," Akmal told Times of India. "These two are stars of world cricket, traveling across the globe to play the game. Every single fan loves them. They have a massive fan base due to their batting and match-winning performances. The fan following they will experience in Pakistan will surpass anything they've seen elsewhere."Kohli toured Pakistan in his U-19 days, but he was not as well-known then. Akmal believes that Kohli's popularity in Pakistan would be immense."Virat is a role model for many around the world, Rohit is the World Cup-winning captain, and Bumrah is currently the best pacer in the world," Akmal added. "When players like Virat, Rohit, and Bumrah visit Pakistan, it will evoke unique feelings in every fan."Akmal also claimed that Pakistani fans love Indian players more than their own players."If Virat visits Pakistan now, he will truly see his popularity here," Akmal said. "He will receive a different kind of support in Pakistan. No cricketer is more popular than Virat in Pakistan; he has a bigger fan-following than any other cricketer in the world. Pakistani fans love Virat, Rohit, and Bumrah more than any of their own cricket team players."