Cricket

Pakistan vs England, 3rd Test Day 2 Live Updates: Pakistan Faces Recovery Challenge After England's 267Pakistan's batters face a daunting task on Day 2 of the decisive third Test against England in Rawalpindi, as they aim to recover from a shaky start and build a competitive total. The hosts ended Day 1 on 73 for 3, trailing England's first-innings score of 267.Overnight batters Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel will be crucial to Pakistan's recovery efforts. Masood, the captain, and Shakeel remained unbeaten at stumps, with scores of 30 and 23, respectively.England's bowlers made early inroads on Day 1, with James Anderson dismissing Abdullah Shafique for a duck and Ollie Robinson removing Imam-ul-Haq for 12. Sajid Khan, Pakistan's star performer in the second Test, continued his impressive form, claiming six wickets for 75 runs. He was ably supported by Noman Ali, who took three wickets.England's batting was led by wicket-keeper batter Jamie Smith, who scored a gritty 89. Opener Ben Duckett also made a valuable contribution with 52. However, Pakistan's bowlers kept the English batsmen in check, with Khan and Ali sharing nine wickets between them.Pakistan will need to bat patiently and build partnerships on Day 2 to put pressure on England. The pitch is expected to deteriorate as the match progresses, making batting conditions more challenging.England, on the other hand, will be looking to maintain their momentum and take early wickets to put Pakistan under further pressure. The visitors will be confident of their chances, having won the first Test and drawn the second.The outcome of the third Test will determine the series winner. Pakistan will be desperate to avoid defeat and level the series, while England will be aiming to secure a famous victory on Pakistani soil.

England's highly anticipated Test tour of Pakistan next month will unfold in a revised format, with back-to-back fixtures in Multan and a series finale in Rawalpindi. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally approved the updated schedule after weeks of uncertainty.Initially, the three-Test series, part of the ICC World Test Championship, was set to feature a second Test in Karachi, where England had triumphed in a historic 3-0 clean sweep during their previous visit in December 2022. However, ongoing renovations at the National Stadium in Karachi for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 and a major international conference in Islamabad from October 15-16 rendered Rawalpindi unavailable for the second Test.Amidst speculation that the series might be relocated to the UAE, an agreement has been reached to retain the original venues of Multan and Rawalpindi. However, the teams will now remain in Multan for the second Test as well.England's arrival in Multan is scheduled for October 2, with Pakistan's squad assembling on the same date. The first Test will commence from October 7-11, followed by the second Test from October 15-19. The teams will then move to Rawalpindi for the third Test from October 24-28."PCB is thrilled to welcome the England men's cricket team back to Pakistan," said Usman Wahla, PCB Director, International. "Despite minor adjustments, we are committed to supporting fans and ensuring a memorable tour. We look forward to a fiercely competitive Test series and showcasing Pakistan's renowned hospitality."The announcement brings an end to the uncertainty surrounding the series, which had prompted England to name an unusually large touring squad of 17 players. England head coach Brendon McCullum had previously emphasized the need for advance knowledge of the venues to select a squad suited to the conditions.The delay in finalizing the schedule had caused frustration among England's fans, with several tour operators canceling their arrangements due to logistical uncertainties.

Bangladesh Opt to Bowl First in Rain-Hit Rawalpindi TestAfter a rain-soaked opening day, the second day of the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh commenced under a warm and sunny sky in Rawalpindi. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing the moisture in the pitch that could aid his seamers.Bangladesh made one change to their victorious team from the first Test, with Taskin Ahmed replacing the injured Shoriful Islam. Pakistan, already missing Shaheen Shah Afridi, also rested Naseem Shah, bringing in legspinner Abrar Ahmed and left-arm seamer Mir Hamza.Bangladesh currently hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, having secured their maiden Test victory over Pakistan in the previous game. A win or draw in this match would seal a rare away series triumph for the Tigers.Pakistan Team:1. Abdullah Shafique2. Saim Ayub3. Shan Masood (capt)4. Babar Azam5. Saud Shakeel6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)7. Salman Ali Agha8. Abrar Ahmed9. Mir Hamza10. Mohammad Ali11. Khurram ShahzadBangladesh Team:1. Shadman Islam2. Zakir Hasan3. Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt)4. Mominul Haque5. Mushfiqur Rahim6. Shakib Al Hasan7. Litton Das (wk)8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz9. Taskin Ahmed10. Hasan Mahmud11. Nahid Rana

Persistent rain has washed out the entire first day of the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, leaving the teams frustrated and the series in limbo.The umpires made an inspection at noon, despite the relentless downpour, and decided to abandon play for the day. The chances of any cricket being played were so slim that the teams had not even bothered to leave their hotel.The forecast for the remainder of the day is equally bleak, with more rain expected. The outlook for tomorrow is also not promising, with overcast conditions predicted for much of the day.The teams had already been forced to cancel their practice sessions on Thursday due to the inclement weather.Bangladesh currently hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after securing their maiden Test victory over Pakistan in the previous encounter. Pakistan had fielded an all-pace attack in that match, but have included legspinner Abrar Ahmed in their squad for this Test.Bangladesh, meanwhile, are expected to recall Taskin Ahmed to replace fellow fast bowler Nahid Rana. However, the final playing XIs will not be known until at least Saturday morning.Originally scheduled to be played in Karachi, this Test was shifted to Rawalpindi due to ongoing construction at the National Stadium.With the first day of the Test washed out, the series is now in jeopardy. The teams will be hoping for a break in the weather on Saturday, but the forecast is not encouraging.

Pakistan vs Bangladesh 1st Test: Pakistan Aim to Extend Dominance in RawalpindiPakistan and Bangladesh will lock horns in the opening Test of their two-match series in Rawalpindi, with the hosts aiming to continue their unbeaten run against their rivals in the longest format.Pakistan has a commanding 12-0 head-to-head record against Bangladesh in Test cricket, having never lost a single encounter. The Bangla Tigers, however, will be buoyed by their recent series victory over New Zealand, while Pakistan suffered a defeat to Australia in their last Test outing.Despite the contrasting results, Pakistan remains the favorite heading into the series. Led by Shan Masood, the hosts boast a strong batting lineup featuring the likes of Babar Azam, Azhar Ali, and Fawad Alam. The bowling attack, led by Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali, is also formidable.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be looking to break their losing streak against Pakistan and make a statement in the Test arena. The team has shown signs of improvement in recent times, and they will be hoping to challenge the hosts in Rawalpindi.The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Pakistan will be confident of extending their dominance, while Bangladesh will be determined to prove that they are no longer the underdogs in Test cricket.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, originally scheduled to be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3, has been shifted to Rawalpindi. The decision was made due to ongoing construction work at the National Stadium in Karachi, which is being prepared for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.According to the PCB, the construction experts have advised that while construction could continue during playing hours, the resulting noise pollution would disturb the cricketers. Additionally, the dust from the construction work could affect the health and well-being of the players, officials, broadcasters, and media.Given that construction must continue uninterrupted to ensure the venue is operationally ready for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the PCB, after consulting all stakeholders and reviewing operational and logistical matters, has decided to hold both Tests in Rawalpindi.The PCB has also confirmed that fans will be allowed to attend the match in Rawalpindi, unlike in Karachi, where the game was supposed to be played without spectators due to the redevelopment work.The first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to be held in Chittagong from August 15 to 19. The third and final Test match will be played in Rawalpindi from September 8 to 12.