Cricket

Pakistan's Test woes continue unabated as they succumb to a humiliating innings and 47-run defeat against England in Multan. This marks their 10th consecutive Test loss, extending their winless streak to 1,331 days. The last time Pakistan tasted victory in the longest format was in February 2021 against South Africa in Rawalpindi.Veteran batter Ahmed Shehzad has expressed his frustration over Pakistan's dismal performance, criticizing the Shan Masood-led side for their lack of character and accountability. Shehzad, who last played for Pakistan in 2019, questioned the team's winning attitude and effort on the field."Every day is a new low for the Pakistan cricket team," Shehzad said on his YouTube channel. "You can lose to any team at the moment. There is no winning attitude in this team. The pitch might be flat, but no one was putting an effort."Shehzad also accused the current crop of players of lacking accountability and being complacent in their positions. "These players don't have any accountability," he said. "They know that their place in the team is not under any kind of threat. PCB doesn't want to give opportunities to the youngsters."Pakistan's defeat in Multan is particularly embarrassing as they became the first team in Test history to lose by an innings despite scoring over 550 runs in their first innings. The loss extends Masood's captaincy record to six consecutive defeats.As Pakistan's Test struggles continue, they will look to bounce back in the second Test against England, which begins on Tuesday in Multan. However, with their confidence shattered and their opponents in dominant form, the task ahead seems daunting.

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has emphasized that his primary focus remains on representing his country in the longest format of the game. While acknowledging his participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Cummins has yet to make a decision regarding his involvement in the upcoming season.Cummins, who was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a record-breaking Rs 20.50 crore in the IPL 2023 auction, led the team to the final. With the mega auction for the IPL 2025 season approaching, teams will be allowed to retain a maximum of six players, including a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped players.Cummins is currently focused on the upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. He is aware of the new IPL regulations that prohibit foreign players from registering in the following year's auction if they withdraw after the auction."I'll work out in the next little bit what this season looks like. There's a bit of a tweak in the rules, but I don't know whether that would have affected me in the past, I've never pulled out after the auction. But it is one more factor to consider with the IPL," Cummins told The Sydney Morning Herald.Cummins reiterated that Test cricket remains his top priority, followed by World Cups. He acknowledged the increasing demands of the cricket calendar and the need to prioritize his commitments."Test cricket is the absolute No.1 priority, world cups are right up there, and then I think you use them as your tent poles and work out what else makes sense around that. The calendar is never going to get any less busy, and I'm not going to get any younger, so these things have always been considerations, and moving forward will become even more so. But needless to say, playing cricket for Australia, particularly Test matches, is my number one job and priority," he added.

The India-New Zealand Test cricket rivalry has been marked by mutual respect and competitive matches. In October 1999, New Zealand toured India for a three-Test series, with the first Test taking place in Mohali.The match began with a delayed start due to a damp pitch. New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming won the toss and elected to field. India's batting lineup struggled against the Kiwi bowlers, with Dion Nash taking 6/27 as India was bundled out for just 83 runs in their first innings.However, India's bowlers responded strongly, with Javagal Srinath taking 6/45 to dismiss New Zealand for 215 runs in their first innings. Openers Devang Gandhi and Sadagoppan Ramesh then put on a 137-run stand for India, followed by a 229-run partnership between Rahul Dravid (144) and Sachin Tendulkar (126*). Sourav Ganguly's unbeaten 64 helped India declare their second innings at 505/3, setting New Zealand a target of 374 runs.Fleming led New Zealand's resistance with a determined 73-run knock, but India's bowlers kept the pressure on. Despite their best efforts, New Zealand ended their second innings at 251/7, drawing the Test match.Nash's spell of 6/27 remains one of the standout performances in New Zealand cricket history. His remarkable swing and seam bowling dismantled India's batting lineup, showcasing his ability to exploit the conditions in India, where seam bowlers often struggle.The Mohali Test was a testament to the competitive nature of the India-New Zealand rivalry. Both teams displayed resilience and determination, with Nash's bowling performance standing out as a defining moment in the match.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma may miss one of the first two matches of the upcoming five-Test series in Australia due to personal reasons. The BCCI has been informed of Rohit's situation, and a decision on his availability will be made closer to the start of the series.If Rohit is unavailable, Abhimanyu Easwaran is likely to replace him as the opener. Easwaran is currently leading the India A team on a tour of Australia. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are also options to open the batting in Rohit's absence.The vice-captaincy of the Test team is also up for grabs, as Rohit did not have an official deputy during the recent home series against Bangladesh. Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant are all candidates for the role.The Indian team will embark on a tough five-Test series in Australia starting November 22 in Perth. The series will be a major test for India, who have not won a Test series in Australia since 2018-19.

Rishabh Pant's remarkable comeback to Test cricket after a life-threatening car accident has been an inspiration to many. The young wicketkeeper-batsman's determination and resilience have been evident throughout his journey, which includes winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 with Team India and scoring a century in his first Test match since the accident.Pant's return to the Indian Test team for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand is a testament to his hard work and dedication. The 25-year-old has been named in the 15-man squad, which will be led by Rohit Sharma. Jasprit Bumrah will serve as the vice-captain.Pant's recent cryptic message on social media, where he asked his followers if he would be sold at an auction and for how much, has sparked speculation about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Delhi Capitals (DC) captain is known for his fun-loving nature, but his message has raised questions about his commitment to the franchise.However, Pant has remained focused on his cricket and has been working hard to regain his form. He has been in good touch in domestic cricket, scoring a century in the Ranji Trophy. Pant's inclusion in the Indian Test squad is a sign that he is back to his best and ready to contribute to the team's success.The upcoming Test series against New Zealand will be a tough challenge for India, but Pant's presence in the team will give them a boost. The left-hander is a match-winner and can change the course of a game with his aggressive batting and brilliant wicketkeeping.Pant's journey from a life-threatening accident to a triumphant return to international cricket is a story of courage, determination, and resilience. He is an inspiration to many and his story will continue to motivate others to overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.

England captain Ben Stokes is poised to make a timely return for the second Test against Pakistan, providing a major boost to the tourists' hopes of securing a series victory.Stokes missed England's historic triumph in the first Test in Multan due to a torn hamstring sustained in August. However, his deputy Ollie Pope hinted that the all-rounder is on track to feature in the second Test, which begins in Multan on Tuesday."He's looking to come back," Pope told Sky Sports during the first Test. "He's been training really well this week. He's as keen as ever to get playing again, so fingers crossed he's all good."Stokes' return would be a significant addition to an England side that has already shown its resilience and adaptability in Pakistan. The tourists overcame a first-innings deficit to secure a thrilling 74-run victory in Multan, with Pope leading the way in Stokes' absence.The England captain has been a key figure in the team's recent resurgence under coach Brendon McCullum. His aggressive batting and inspirational leadership have played a pivotal role in England's transformation from a struggling side to one of the most exciting teams in world cricket.If Stokes is fit to play, he will likely slot back into his usual position at number six in the batting order. He will also be expected to contribute with his medium-pace bowling, which has proved effective in both Test and limited-overs cricket.Stokes' return will be a major blow to Pakistan, who will be looking to level the series in Multan. The hosts will be hoping that their bowlers can exploit the conditions and restrict England's batting lineup, which has been in impressive form in recent months.The second Test promises to be a fascinating contest between two evenly matched sides. England will be aiming to build on their momentum from the first Test, while Pakistan will be determined to bounce back and prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in their own backyard.

England's emphatic innings victory in Multan has set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to their tour of Pakistan. With two Tests remaining, the hosts are expected to prepare "result wickets" in an attempt to level the series.The groundstaff at Multan, which will host the second Test, began watering a fresh pitch within an hour of England's victory. The pitch is expected to be prepared over the next three days, with a greener surface likely to favor Pakistan's fast bowlers.Pakistan captain Shan Masood has repeatedly expressed his desire for pitches that assist his pace attack. However, the lifeless surface in Multan proved to be a disappointment, allowing England to amass a mammoth 823 for 7.England believe Pakistan may gamble on a green pitch in an effort to secure a series victory. "There was talk about green surfaces," said Chris Woakes. "We'll see."Masood downplayed the role of the pitch, instead blaming his bowlers for their inability to take wickets. "We take discussion of the pitch too seriously," he said. "You can't control every aspect of the pitch."England are hopeful that Ben Stokes will return to the side for the second Test after missing the first due to a hamstring injury. Stokes has stepped up his rehabilitation this week and is expected to be fit to play.If Stokes returns, England could face a selection dilemma. They may replace one of their three seamers with Stokes, or they could leave out one of their two spinners and give Joe Root a greater role with the ball.Woakes, who made a successful return to Test cricket in Multan, believes England can adapt to any surface. "I'm never going to average 25 in these conditions," he said. "But I'm pretty pleased I contributed."

Joe Root, the English batting maestro, continues to dominate the Test arena, etching his name among the all-time greats. With his 35th Test century in Multan against Pakistan, Root has extended his lead as the active batter with the most Test runs.Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Root has the potential to surpass Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 15,291 Test runs. However, Vaughan emphasizes that Root must maintain his longevity in the game."Joe's love of the game means he will not be like Alastair Cook. Cook retired six years ago, at almost exactly the same age - 33 - that Joe is now. But I see Joe going into his forties, like Anderson has," Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph.Root's current tally of 12,500 Test runs places him just over 3,000 runs behind Tendulkar. The 33-year-old has played 147 Tests, while Tendulkar played 200 during his illustrious career.2024 has been a remarkable year for Root, who has amassed runs against India, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and now Pakistan. He became the first batter to cross 1,000 Test runs in 2024.Vaughan heaped praise on Root, stating, "Root is already cricketing royalty and there is no doubt in my eyes that he has become England's greatest batsman already. No one has played the different forms of the game better than him, and he has got the runs to show for it."Root also trails Tendulkar in another elite list. He has crossed 1,000 Test runs in five separate calendar years, while only Tendulkar has achieved this feat in six calendar years.Root's unwavering determination and exceptional batting skills make him a formidable force in Test cricket. If he continues to play at his current level and maintain his longevity, he has the potential to break Tendulkar's record and become the leading Test run-scorer of all time.

Rishabh Pant, India's star wicketkeeper-batter, is enjoying a brief respite after his triumphant return to Test cricket in the recently concluded series against Bangladesh. India emerged victorious with a 2-0 sweep, with Pant playing a pivotal role in the first Test in Chennai. His brilliant century in the second innings marked a significant milestone in his comeback journey following a serious car accident in December 2022.Pant's impressive performance has earned him a well-deserved break from the ongoing T20I series against Bangladesh, providing opportunities for Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma to showcase their abilities. However, Pant is expected to make a strong return for the Test series against New Zealand, commencing on October 16 in Bengaluru.Beyond the field, Pant has been actively engaging with fans and making public appearances. Star Sports recently shared a heartwarming video of him taking selfies with enthusiastic supporters at an event in Bengaluru. The broadcaster aptly captioned the video: "When Rishabh Pant pulls out the camera, it's not just a selfie, it's a whole celebration!"Pant's presence has already ignited excitement among fans, who eagerly anticipate his continued comeback journey in the upcoming matches. His determination and resilience have been an inspiration to many, and his return to form is a testament to his unwavering spirit.