Cricket

Pakistan's first innings faltered on day two of the third Test in Rawalpindi, as England's Rehan Ahmed claimed three crucial wickets to leave the hosts trailing by 80 runs. Resuming on 73 for 3, Pakistan's hopes rested on Saud Shakeel and skipper Shan Masood. However, Masood's dismissal for 26 off Shoaib Bashir's bowling set the tone for a challenging session.Shakeel, who resumed on 16, remained defiant, reaching his 11th Test fifty-plus score. However, a missed catch by Jamie Smith on 26 could have altered the course of the innings. Despite the setback, Shakeel and Masood consolidated their partnership, adding 53 runs in 130 deliveries.The introduction of Rehan Ahmed proved pivotal for England. The legspinner trapped Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha leg before in quick succession, before dismissing Aamer Jamal with a googly. Ahmed's impressive spell of 3 for 24 from eight overs, including two maidens, put England in the ascendancy.Pakistan's hopes now rest on Shakeel, who remains unbeaten on 72. However, the hosts face an uphill battle to avoid a significant deficit. England's bowlers, led by Ahmed, have shown their class, and Pakistan will need to dig deep to salvage the innings.

Pakistan continued to dominate England in the second Test in Multan, extending their first-innings lead to 397 runs at lunch on day two. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 67, while Salman Ali was yet to score.Naseem Shah, who resumed his role as nightwatchman, played a crucial role in Pakistan's progress. He scored his highest score in any format, 33 from 81 balls, and frustrated England's bowlers for over 90 minutes. Naseem hit three sixes during his partnership of 64 with Shakeel, ensuring that England had no quick route back into the game.England's only successes with the ball came through Brydon Carse, who dismissed Naseem, and Jack Leach, who removed Mohammad Rizwan for a duck. Pakistan added 69 runs in the session but lost Rizwan just before the interval.England had taken three wickets in the final session on day one, including that of Babar Azam. However, Naseem's resistance and Shakeel's steady accumulation have put Pakistan in a strong position.Shakeel, who has now scored 10 50-plus scores in 13 Tests, is looking to build on his half-century and guide Pakistan to a match-defining first-innings total. England, on the other hand, will need to find a way to break through Pakistan's stubborn batting lineup and regain control of the match.

Babar Azam's resignation as Pakistan's white-ball captain has sparked a search for his successor, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly considering three surprising options.Under Azam's leadership, Pakistan suffered a disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 group stage, losing to the USA and India. While Mohammad Rizwan remains a frontrunner for the captaincy, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, and Salman Agha have emerged as potential candidates.According to a report by GEO Super, head coach Gary Kirsten is hesitant to appoint Zaman as captain due to his role as the team's first-choice wicket-keeper batter in all formats. The PCB aims to preserve Zaman's workload to prevent injuries.Azam announced his decision to step down last month, citing a desire to focus on his batting and reduce his workload. He had previously resigned as captain after Pakistan's poor performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup but was reinstated in March.However, his second stint as captain proved equally unsuccessful, with Pakistan failing to advance beyond the group stage of the T20 World Cup. Azam acknowledged the "significant workload" associated with captaincy and expressed a desire to prioritize his personal growth and family time.The PCB is now tasked with finding a suitable replacement for Azam. Rizwan, who has captained Pakistan in the past, is a strong contender. However, the emergence of Zaman, Shakeel, and Agha as potential candidates adds an element of intrigue to the selection process.The decision will ultimately rest with the PCB, which must weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate and determine who is best suited to lead Pakistan's white-ball teams.

Pakistan's vice-captain Saud Shakeel has revealed his team's strategy for their upcoming Test series against England, echoing the sentiments of head coach Jason Gillespie. Shakeel believes that Pakistan can exploit England's aggressive approach to induce mistakes and gain an advantage."England always play attacking cricket, which gives us an opportunity to induce mistakes in them and use those mistakes to stay in the game," Shakeel said at a press conference in Multan.Pakistan will draw inspiration from their previous series against England in 2022, despite losing 3-0. Shakeel, who was Pakistan's second-highest scorer in that series, believes his team came close to winning on several occasions."The last series we played against England, there were times we were quite close to winning, such as Rawalpindi and Multan, but we couldn't finish it off," Shakeel said.In Multan, where the first Test starts on Monday, Pakistan pushed England to the brink. Needing 355 for victory in the fourth innings, Pakistan were well-placed at 290 with half the side still to bat, and Shakeel on 94. However, two wickets from Mark Wood on the stroke of lunch ended Pakistan's resistance, with England ultimately edging to a 26-run victory.Shakeel acknowledges that Pakistan's recent struggles with both bat and ball, as exposed by Bangladesh, make executing their plan far from guaranteed."We're struggling with the bat from time to time, and unable to convert starts into huge scores," Shakeel said. "That's a point of concern. The series that's over is now in the past. Admittedly we didn't play well there. Our focus is on what's ahead."Despite the challenges, Shakeel believes Pakistan's flexibility and ability to adapt to different situations will be key."We don't follow any particular style playing cricket, we play according to the requirement of any situation, which gives us flexibility," Shakeel said.Gillespie has also emphasized the importance of discipline and patience in Pakistan's approach."The strategy is often decided on the spot depending on how England play," Shakeel said. "Reverse swing may also come into play depending on the weather and the pitch [that is] prepared. If a team is being aggressive, it can be easy to get sucked into their style of play and over-attack. If they're attacking, and we just let them make their mistakes, that might work out better for us."

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 Mohammad Rizwan etched his name in the annals of Test cricket history on Thursday, becoming the first wicketkeeper-batter from his nation to score 150 or more since Kamran Akmal in 2009. Rizwan's unbeaten 171 against Sri Lanka in the ongoing first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium marked a significant milestone for Pakistan, ending a 15-year wait for such a feat.Rizwan's innings was a testament to his resilience and determination. After Pakistan lost three wickets for just 16 runs on Wednesday, Rizwan and Saud Shakeel steadied the ship with a 98-run partnership. Rizwan then went on to forge a mammoth 240-run stand with Shakeel, who also scored a brilliant 141.Rizwan's knock was a masterclass in batting. He played with patience and precision, accumulating runs steadily while also punishing loose deliveries. His innings included three towering sixes and 11 boundaries, showcasing his power and finesse.Despite Rizwan's heroics, Pakistan captain Shan Masood declared the innings at 448/6 late in the final session, denying Rizwan a double century. However, Rizwan's contribution was pivotal in giving Pakistan a commanding position in the match.Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan negotiated 12 overs of pace without any trouble, leaving Pakistan with work to do on Day 3. The Rawalpindi pitch has not provided much assistance to the bowlers so far, but Pakistan will hope that their bowlers can make inroads into the Bangladesh batting lineup.Rizwan's achievement is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has established himself as one of the most consistent and reliable wicketkeeper-batters in the world, and his latest feat is a testament to his exceptional talent.

In a thrilling display of cricketing prowess, Pakistan's Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan etched their names in the annals of Test cricket by completing an all-run four during the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. This rare feat, a testament to their exceptional agility and understanding, highlighted a dominant partnership that propelled Pakistan to a commanding position.The incident unfolded in the 49th over of Pakistan's innings. Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana unleashed a fiery delivery at 147.6 km/h, which Shakeel drove straight towards mid-off. Fielder Shoriful Islam managed to slow down the ball, but it still threatened to reach the boundary. However, it fell short, giving the batsmen ample time to complete four runs without the ball crossing the fence.Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto gave chase from mid-on, but Shakeel and Rizwan had already seized the opportunity to run all four. This rare all-run four showcased the sharp running between the wickets and the clear communication between the two batters.Shakeel, who remained unbeaten on 86 from 169 balls, and Rizwan, not out on 89 from 129 deliveries, played pivotal roles in resurrecting Pakistan's innings after a shaky start. The hosts had been in trouble on the first day, losing three wickets for just 16 runs. However, a solid 98-run stand between Shakeel and Saim Ayub (56 off 98) for the fourth wicket laid the foundation for Pakistan's fightback.Their ongoing partnership for the fifth wicket has now surpassed 100 runs, putting Pakistan in a strong position as they look to build a substantial lead against Bangladesh. The all-run four, a rare and exhilarating moment, further cemented the dominance of Shakeel and Rizwan, who have emerged as key figures in Pakistan's batting lineup.

Pakistan's Test squad has undergone significant changes for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh, with the return of fast bowler Naseem Shah and the appointment of Saud Shakeel as vice-captain.Shah, who last played a Test in July 2021, has been recalled after impressing in domestic cricket. He joins a bowling attack that includes Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, and Abrar Ahmed.Shakeel, a middle-order batter, has been rewarded for his consistent performances with the vice-captaincy. He takes over from Afridi, who is currently injured.The squad also features several new faces, including batter Kamran Ghulam, fast bowler Mohammad Ali, and batter Muhammad Hurraira. These players have earned their call-ups based on their strong showings in domestic cricket.However, the squad has also seen some notable omissions. Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan have all been dropped, while Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim are injured.The Pakistan squad will begin training in Rawalpindi on August 11 under head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood. Bangladesh will arrive in Islamabad on August 17.The two Tests, part of the World Test Championship, will be played from August 21 to 25 in Rawalpindi and August 30 to September 3 in Karachi.The appointment of Shakeel as vice-captain is part of a strategic decision by the selectors to manage Afridi's workload. Afridi is expected to play a key role in Pakistan's upcoming T20 World Cup campaign.

Quetta Gladiators secured a playoff berth in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after a thrilling six-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars on Sunday. The win marked the Gladiators' first playoff appearance in four years.Mohammad Wasim played the hero for Quetta, smashing a last-ball six off Shaheen Shah Afridi to seal the victory. The left-arm pacer had earlier bowled a superb spell, taking 2 for 30 and putting pressure on the Gladiators' chase.Saud Shakeel anchored the Gladiators' innings with an unbeaten 88 off 65 balls. The opener hit two boundaries off Afridi in the final over before Wasim's match-winning six. Khawaja Nafay also contributed with a valuable 26.Earlier, Lahore Qalandars chose to bat first and posted 166 for 4. Afridi, who promoted himself to No. 5, top-scored with 55 off 33 balls, including four sixes. Abdullah Shafique provided solid support with an unbeaten 59 off 39 deliveries.The Gladiators' victory leaves the Qalandars with only one win in ten league games, a disappointing end to their title defense. Quetta, meanwhile, has 11 points and could still finish among the top two if they beat Multan Sultans in their final league game on Tuesday.