Cricket

Pakistan's spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali have etched their names in cricketing history by becoming the seventh pair of bowlers to capture all 20 wickets in a Test match. Their remarkable feat propelled Pakistan to a resounding 152-run victory over England in the second Test at Multan, setting up a thrilling winner-takes-all showdown in the series finale at Rawalpindi.Noman, the senior partner at 38, led the charge with a career-best 8-46 in England's second innings, while Sajid's 7-111 in the first innings laid the foundation for Pakistan's crucial 75-run lead. Their combined match figures of 11-147 and 9-204, respectively, highlight their dominance on a worn and turning Multan track.The spin pair's success stems from their contrasting styles and unwavering confidence. Noman's left-arm spin provides accuracy and control, while Sajid's off-spin generates sharp turn and bounce. Together, they kept the England batsmen guessing, exploiting the conditions to perfection."We bowled with a lot of confidence and his energy is always very high," Noman said of his partner. "Our plan was to keep it simple. We knew the England batsman would attack, so we were not distracted and kept it simple."Sajid, known for his flamboyant celebrations and immaculately groomed mustache, has become a fan favorite. "I followed my father in keeping a mustache," he said. "David Warner once said he was frightened of my mustache."Former Pakistan spinner Iqbal Qasim believes that Noman and Sajid complement each other perfectly. "Spin gives us the winning formula which we were not using," he said. "Noman and Sajid have matured with experience and can continue to give home wins like this."While it is too early to compare them to India's spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, Noman and Sajid have undoubtedly established themselves as a formidable force. Their performance in Multan has reignited Pakistan's hopes of a series victory and has set the stage for an epic showdown in Rawalpindi.

Nathan Lyon, Australia's premier off-spinner, has taken on the mantle of preserving the legacy of spin bowling following the tragic loss of Shane Warne. With the potential to join Warne as one of Australia's top two wicket-takers this season, Lyon feels a responsibility to keep the art of spin alive.Lyon's longevity has been instrumental in Australia's recent success, having played 100 consecutive Tests before a calf injury sidelined him in the Ashes last year. Now 36, Lyon has no plans to retire anytime soon, aiming to play until his 40th birthday and potentially the 2027 Ashes in England.While Lyon acknowledges that he has not yet considered his legacy or potential successors, he recognizes the importance of promoting spin bowling in the wake of Warne's passing. Warne's revival of the art in the 1990s inspired a generation of bowlers, and Lyon feels a duty to continue that legacy."I do see the responsibility of flying the flag for the spinners around the country," Lyon said. "Especially with the passing of Warnie, I feel like there is a big role for me to ensure that spin stays cool."Lyon's passion for spin bowling is evident in his mentorship of young spinners like Todd Murphy, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Tanveer Sangha. He believes that Sangha, in particular, has the potential to become a superstar of the game."What he can offer for New South Wales and Australia going forward is going to be nothing but amazing," Lyon said of Sangha. "He's going to be a superstar of the game."Lyon's commitment to spin bowling extends beyond his own performances. He is determined to inspire future generations of spinners and ensure that the art remains a vital part of the game.

Kuldeep Yadav, India's left-arm wrist spinner, expressed optimism about the pitch's increasing turn and emphasized the importance of the batters building a substantial lead in the second innings to provide the spinners with an advantage.After the third day of the first Test, India trailed by 125 runs with a score of 231 for three. "The spinners were getting some assistance when we were bowling, and we hope to get more spin on Day 5," Kuldeep stated in the post-day press conference. "However, we need a good total to defend."Kuldeep acknowledged the need for a competitive target, given India's potent bowling attack. "We can't predict a specific total right now because we still have a lot of batting to do," he added.The spinner expressed confidence in Sarfaraz Khan, who was unbeaten on 70, to contribute significantly. "We witnessed his 200-run knock in the Irani Trophy," Kuldeep said. "We expect him to deliver another big score here. His technique is irrelevant as long as he keeps scoring runs."Kuldeep praised Rachin Ravindra's century for New Zealand. "He batted exceptionally well," he said. "I missed a few opportunities to dismiss him, but he's a talented player who has improved significantly in recent years."Regarding the Indian bowlers' strategy against the Ravindra-Southee partnership, Kuldeep explained, "My plan was to get them out by any means necessary. Southee was fortunate to survive some close calls, but he played well and contributed valuable runs. I focused on bowling good lengths."Kuldeep's three wickets in 18.3 overs helped restrict New Zealand to 402 in their first innings, giving India a 356-run lead.

Pakistan's Salman Agha has expressed his determination to secure a historic home Test victory against England in Multan, as the hosts seek to level the series. With England needing 261 runs to win and Pakistan requiring eight wickets, the match is poised for an exciting conclusion.After suffering an innings defeat in the first Test, Pakistan made significant changes to their team, opting for a spin-heavy attack on a worn pitch. Agha praised the team's response to the upheaval, highlighting the contributions of new players like Sajid Khan and Noman Ali.England, meanwhile, face a daunting chase in challenging conditions. Assistant coach Paul Collingwood acknowledged the difficulty of the task but expressed confidence in his team's ability to pull off an upset. He cited their remarkable victory in India last year as evidence of their resilience.Pakistan's recent home Test record has been dismal, with no wins in their last 11 matches. Agha emphasized the importance of ending this streak, stating that a victory in Multan would be a significant achievement.The match is set to resume on the fourth day, with Pakistan aiming to secure the eight wickets they need to level the series. England, on the other hand, will need to produce a remarkable chase to secure a 2-0 lead.

Bangladesh and West Indies will face off in a crucial Women's T20 World Cup match in Dubai on Tuesday, with both teams aiming to boost their semi-final hopes.Bangladesh, led by Nigar Sultana, began their campaign with a victory over Scotland but suffered a setback against England. West Indies, captained by Hayley Matthews, lost their opener to South Africa but rebounded with a convincing win against Scotland.The match will be a test of the teams' ability to handle spin bowling, as the Sharjah Cricket Stadium has produced low first-innings totals and only two successful chases in this tournament.Bangladesh's batting has struggled in both games, but Sobhana Mostary has emerged as a key player. She top-scored against both Scotland and England, providing stability in the middle order.West Indies will be boosted by the return of left-arm spinner Zaida James, who missed the Scotland game due to a jaw injury. Her presence will strengthen their bowling attack, which has been led by Chinelle Henry.A win for West Indies would put them in contention for the top spot in the group, while a loss for Bangladesh would significantly damage their chances of reaching the semi-finals.

Anil Kumble's Historic 10-Wicket Haul: A Masterclass in Spin BowlingOn February 7, 1999, at the iconic Feroz Shah Kotla Ground in Delhi, Indian spin legend Anil Kumble etched his name into cricket history with an unforgettable 10-wicket haul against arch-rivals Pakistan. The match, the second Test of the series, witnessed one of the most remarkable spells of spin bowling the game has ever seen.Chasing a daunting target of 420 runs, Pakistan's openers, Shahid Afridi and Saeed Anwar, provided a solid start. However, the introduction of Kumble into the attack proved to be a game-changer. With his trademark accuracy and subtle variations, Kumble began to weave his magic on the pitch, which offered some assistance.Afridi was the first to fall, trapped lbw by Kumble's guile. From there, it was a one-man show as the Pakistani batsmen succumbed one by one to Kumble's spin mastery. Each delivery seemed to carry a hint of menace, with Kumble extracting extra bounce and sharp turn. His ability to outthink the batsmen was evident as he trapped them either lbw or got them caught behind.As Kumble took his ninth wicket, the tension was palpable. He was on the verge of achieving something only one bowler before him, England's Jim Laker, had done – take all ten wickets in an innings. And in the most fitting conclusion, Kumble dismissed Wasim Akram to complete his perfect 10 for 74, leading India to a massive victory.Kumble's feat cemented his legacy as one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket. His 10-wicket haul remains a testament to his skill, determination, and the magic of spin bowling at its finest. It is a moment that will forever be etched in the annals of cricket history, inspiring generations of bowlers to come.

Adil Rashid, the English leg-spinner, has reached a significant milestone in his career by becoming the first England spinner to take 200 ODI wickets. This achievement came during the second game of the five-match series against Australia at Leeds, the same ground where he made his Test debut in 2006.Rashid's journey to this milestone has been marked by his unique style and determination. Growing up, he was inspired by his father, who introduced him to leg-spin at a young age. Despite leg-spin not being a popular choice in England at the time, Rashid persevered and developed his skills.His talent was recognized early on, and he made his international debut in 2009. However, it was not until the 2015 World Cup that Rashid truly made his mark on the international stage. He played a crucial role in England's victory, taking 17 wickets in the tournament.Since then, Rashid has been a mainstay in the England ODI team. He has been praised for his ability to turn the ball sharply and his deceptive variations. His success has also inspired a new generation of young spinners in England.In an interview with The Hindu, Rashid spoke about the importance of nurturing young spinners and the bright future of spin bowling in England. He also reflected on his time under Eoin Morgan, who he described as "the ultimate package as a captain."Rashid's achievement of 200 ODI wickets is a testament to his skill, dedication, and the growing popularity of spin bowling in England. As he continues to play, he will undoubtedly inspire more young spinners to take up the craft and contribute to the success of the English cricket team.

Kuldeep Yadav, the Kanpur-born left-arm wrist spinner, has been a constant presence in the Indian cricket team as a backup to the formidable duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Despite his impressive record of 53 wickets in just 12 Tests, Kuldeep has often found himself on the sidelines, waiting for his chance to shine.However, with the second Test against Bangladesh set to be played on the slow-turning Green Park Stadium, Kuldeep's home ground, the 29-year-old spinner is hoping to finally get a start in the XI. Kuldeep has been a prolific wicket-taker at Green Park throughout his career, and he will be eager to make the most of the opportunity to play in front of his home crowd.Kuldeep's journey to the Indian team has been marked by both success and setbacks. He made his Test debut in 2014, but has only played 12 matches since then. Despite his limited opportunities, Kuldeep has consistently impressed with his ability to take wickets and control the flow of runs.However, Kuldeep has also faced criticism for his inconsistency and lack of control at times. In recent years, he has worked hard to improve his technique and fitness, and he believes he is now ready to take on a more prominent role in the Indian team."There will always be competition among spinners in India, irrespective of the format," Kuldeep said recently. "There will always be four spinners ready to take the field. Now, I focus on continuously bettering myself and being ready to pounce on the opportunity when it comes."With the Indian team management expressing reservations about the Kanpur pitch, it remains to be seen whether Kuldeep will get his chance to play in the second Test. However, the spinner is confident that he is ready to make an impact whenever he is called upon."It was tough to change something that you have been doing for 15 years," Kuldeep said about his recent technical changes. "There were doubts when I was coming back from injury and going through these changes a couple of years back. I was not sure how it would turn out. But I decided to give myself more time to perfect it and then come back."Kuldeep's patience and hard work have paid off, and he is now one of the most dangerous spinners in the world. If he gets his chance to play in the second Test, he will be determined to prove that he is ready to be a regular member of the Indian team.

As the highly anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 approaches, Australian spin maestro Nathan Lyon has unveiled his tactical approach to combat the formidable attacking prowess of Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant. Lyon, renowned for his guile and accuracy, acknowledges the immense challenge posed by Pant's explosive batting style."Bowling against someone like Rishabh Pant is a daunting task," Lyon admitted. "He possesses exceptional skills and leaves very little margin for error. As a bowler, you need to be at your best to contain him."Lyon's strategy revolves around forcing Pant to defend more by keeping him within the crease. "My aim is to restrict his attacking options and make him play within his crease," Lyon explained. "This will hopefully create opportunities for dismissals."Pant's recent return to red-ball cricket has been nothing short of sensational. After a near-fatal car accident, he made a remarkable comeback, scoring a century just 634 days after his return. His impressive record against Australia, with 624 runs at an average of 62.40, further underscores his match-winning capabilities.In the 2018-19 and 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy series, Pant played a pivotal role in India's victories. His heroic 89* in the fourth innings at the Gabba during India's last tour down under remains etched in the annals of cricket history.Lyon recognizes the threat posed by Pant and is determined to devise a plan that will neutralize his attacking instincts. "I'm not afraid of being hit for sixes," Lyon asserted. "But my focus is on creating chances and making Pant defend more. If I can do that, I believe we can limit his impact."As the Border Gavaskar Trophy draws near, the battle between Lyon and Pant promises to be one of the most captivating subplots. Lyon's experience and tactical acumen will be pitted against Pant's explosive batting and match-winning ability. The outcome of this contest could have a significant bearing on the outcome of the series.