Cricket

Pakistan cricket legend Zaheer Abbas has dismissed comparisons between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, asserting that Kohli's unmatched consistency sets him apart from the underperforming Pakistani batter.Abbas, once hailed as part of the "Fab Five" alongside Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson, expressed his disappointment with Babar's recent slump in form. "These comparisons are pointless," Abbas stated. "Virat Kohli scores in every match, while the other player (Babar) doesn't score in any match. So how can you compare them? The person who scores is the bigger player."Kohli boasts an impressive 80 international centuries, while the younger Babar has scored 31 centuries across formats. Abbas also praised India's overall consistency, predicting that the Rohit Sharma-led team will be a strong contender for the upcoming Champions Trophy."The Indian team is very good," Abbas said. "Their batters are doing well, and the bowlers are both good. It's a very balanced team that plays thoughtfully.""They have a very good captain who understands cricket very well," he added. "When everything is going in your favor, it's smooth sailing. That's the case with India right now."Abbas believes that Test cricket remains the true test of a player's character, resilience, mental strength, technique, and consistency. "Test cricket is real cricket," he emphasized. "It's the real test of any player, bowler. At one point, India and Pakistan's Test teams used to be good. And now the boards are realizing that we can't go on without Test cricket.""How many T20s can you play? How many white-ball tournaments can the ICC organize? Maybe 2 or 3, but in the end, you have to return to ODI or Tests," Abbas said. "If you continue Test cricket, the cricket will last longer. I know people like to get results fast, but slowly they will get bored of T20s, and we need Tests and ODIs."Abbas expressed concern over the increasing number of players turning down central contracts to focus on T20 franchise leagues. "Test cricket is ultimate," he said. "Anyone can win in T20. Teams can win by fluke. But that's not the case in Test cricket as it has two innings. You have the scope to do well in one innings. Test cricket teaches you a lot.""I know a lot of the players don't want to play Test cricket and play T20 instead. That needs to be stopped," Abbas urged. "They need to come up with something... Something like you have to play at least 5 or 6 Test matches a year, then you can play ODI or T20s. Every year, a minimum number of Test matches need to be allotted."Pakistan's recent Test series loss to Bangladesh was a major setback, according to Abbas. "It was a huge setback that Pakistan lost to Bangladesh," he said. "We never thought that not only Pakistan will lose but it will lose so bad.""Pakistan cricket is not doing great," Abbas admitted. "The performance has dropped. I am hopeful that it will get better. The reasons behind this are many.""It happens, the West Indies used to be the best in the world, that's not the case now," Abbas said. "But I'm hopeful that Pakistan cricket returns to the top, the boys are working hard."Abbas also urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to address the growing rivalry between Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. "Yes, there have been rivalries in the Pakistan teams in the past, but the board should take note of the rivalry between Babar and Shaheen fast," he said. "The faster the better because it will keep on escalating.""Rivalry is good, but it should not become serious, if it does, it harms the team," Abbas warned.

Ravindra Jadeja, India's star all-rounder, has etched his name in the annals of Test cricket history by claiming his 300th wicket in the longest format of the game. The milestone moment came on day four of the second Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka, as Jadeja dismissed tailender Khaled Ahmed to seal India's victory.Jadeja's journey to 300 Test wickets has been a testament to his exceptional skills and unwavering determination. The left-arm spinner has consistently troubled batsmen with his accurate line and length, coupled with his ability to extract turn and bounce from the surface. His 300th wicket places him among the elite group of Indian bowlers to achieve this feat, joining the likes of Anil Kumble, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kapil Dev, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, and Ishant Sharma.Notably, Jadeja is the second-fastest Indian bowler to reach the 300-wicket mark in Tests, based on the number of balls delivered. According to Cricbuzz, he has achieved this milestone in just 17,428 deliveries, trailing only Ashwin (15,636 deliveries). This remarkable feat underscores Jadeja's exceptional consistency and ability to strike regularly.Beyond his bowling prowess, Jadeja has also established himself as a formidable batsman in Test cricket. He has amassed 3122 runs at an impressive average of 36.73, including four centuries and 21 half-centuries. His all-round contributions have made him an indispensable asset to the Indian team, and he continues to play a pivotal role in their success.As India celebrates Jadeja's historic achievement, it is worth noting that he has achieved this milestone in just 73 Tests. His ability to perform at the highest level consistently is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the game. Jadeja's 300th Test wicket is a fitting tribute to his exceptional talent and a reminder of his status as one of the finest all-rounders in the world.

India on the Cusp of Historic Test Series Victory Against BangladeshIndia is on the verge of extending its remarkable home Test series winning streak to 18 as it faces Bangladesh in the second Test in Kanpur. The hosts secured a comprehensive 280-run victory in the opening Test in Chennai, and a draw in Kanpur would seal the record-breaking achievement.India's dominance in Test cricket has been unwavering, and they currently lead the World Test Championship standings. The team is aiming to qualify for the WTC final for the third consecutive time.However, the second Test has been marred by rain, with the third day being washed out without a ball being bowled. Bangladesh resumed their innings on Sunday at 107-3 off 35 overs, with Mominul Haque (40) and Mushfiqur Rahim (6) at the crease.With no rain forecast for Monday, the fourth day is expected to witness a timely start of play. India will be eager to wrap up the series victory, while Bangladesh will be determined to salvage a draw.The Indian bowling attack, led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel, has been in scintillating form, while the batting lineup has also performed admirably. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will need to show resilience and determination to avoid a series defeat.The match is poised for an exciting finish, with both teams having a chance to create history. India is on the cusp of a record-extending Test series victory, while Bangladesh is aiming to break their losing streak in India.

Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis has emerged as a formidable force in Test cricket, surpassing the 1,000-run milestone in just 13 innings. His exceptional batting performance has been instrumental in Sri Lanka's recent whitewash of New Zealand.In the second Test in Galle, Mendis showcased his brilliance with an unbeaten 182, guiding Sri Lanka to a massive 602/5. His innings was adorned with 16 fours and four towering sixes, propelling his team to an innings and 154-run victory.Mendis's success stems from a positive mindset and technical adjustments. "I'm enjoying scoring runs, especially since Galle is my hometown," he said. "I think I did well, and credit goes to Kusal and Chandimal as well. I think I had the same mindset and some small changes to the way I batted in England; I made some tweaks while playing spin."Mendis's achievement is remarkable, as he became the first player to score fifty or more in eight consecutive Test matches since making his debut. He also joined the legendary Don Bradman as the third-fastest player to reach 1,000 Test runs in just 13 innings.Overall, Mendis has amassed 1,004 Test runs in eight matches at an impressive average of 91.27. His contributions have been pivotal in Sri Lanka's recent resurgence in Test cricket.As Sri Lanka prepares for upcoming white-ball tours, Mendis is eager to continue his impressive form. "It is a great pleasure to score 1000 runs so quickly, but we have to improve day by day," he said. "There are upcoming tours, ODIs, and T20s as well. I want to keep doing well."Mendis's exceptional batting skills and unwavering determination make him a valuable asset to the Sri Lankan team. His ability to adapt and excel in different conditions bodes well for Sri Lanka's future in international cricket.

New Zealand's recent Test series loss to Sri Lanka may have been a disappointing outcome, but a closer examination reveals a more nuanced picture. In the first Test, the Kiwis pushed Sri Lanka to the brink, falling short by just 68 runs in the chase. They also had the hosts on the ropes on several occasions, but were unable to capitalize.Captain Tim Southee acknowledged that the team had its moments, particularly in the first innings of the first Test. "If we were able to push on there and gain a bit more of a lead, things may have been different in the series," he said.Losing the toss in the second Test proved to be a significant disadvantage for New Zealand. The team missed multiple catches and a stumping chance on the opening day, which Southee admitted was uncharacteristic. "It's something that us as a Kiwi side, we pride ourselves on, so we'll be looking to improve in that area as well," he said.Despite the setbacks, the series provided valuable experience for New Zealand's bowlers and batters. Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Glenn Phillips bowled over 100 overs in the second Test alone, which Southee believes will be invaluable in the upcoming tour of India."I think just getting those overs into the spinners [was important]," Southee said. "They will all learn from that and we will hopefully do well in India."As for the batters, their response to the horror morning session on day three of the second Test offered a more accurate reflection of their potential. Despite the margin of defeat, New Zealand notched up their highest score in Galle - 360 - at an impressive run rate of 4.40 per over."The second innings was much more the way we want to play," Southee said. "The guys were quite positive and played in a more positive manner. It was a big shift from the first innings.""I think it was a much clearer way for the guys to play. They they went out and they played their shots. I don't think it was reckless at any stage... It was about picking the right moments to attack and right moments to defend."While the series loss is a setback, the experiences gained in Galle will undoubtedly benefit New Zealand in the future. The team will look to build on the positives and improve in the areas where they fell short.

Rain Delays Start of Third Day in India-Bangladesh TestThe third day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur has been delayed due to a wet outfield caused by overnight rain. The match was scheduled to resume at 9:30 AM IST, but the start has been pushed back to noon.The outfield was deemed unfit for play after an inspection by the umpires. The rain has also prevented any practice sessions for both teams.Bangladesh will resume their first innings at 107 for 3, with Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim at the crease. India's bowlers, led by Akash Deep (2/34) and Ravichandran Ashwin (1/22), will be looking to make early inroads into the Bangladesh batting lineup.The entire second day of the Test was washed out without a ball being bowled. Only 35 overs were possible on the opening day, with Bangladesh losing three wickets.India are leading the two-match series 1-0, having won the first Test in Chennai by 280 runs. A win in Kanpur would give India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Prabath Jayasuriya's exceptional bowling performance in the second Test against New Zealand was bolstered by the impressive debut of Nishan Peiris, who proved to be a formidable foil.In the first innings, Jayasuriya claimed five wickets, but his figures of 4 for 136 were hard-earned. However, in the second innings, he secured a customary Galle five-for, thanks to the improved control of his spin colleagues.Recognizing the need for more consistent support, Sri Lanka replaced Ramesh Mendis with Peiris. The debutant justified his selection on day three, claiming six wickets to match Jayasuriya's tally."When you bowl with him, it's very easy," Jayasuriya said of Peiris. "He bowled with a lot of confidence and showed his potential."The duo's combined efforts resulted in 13 New Zealand wickets falling on day three. Jayasuriya's nagging lines and lengths complemented Peiris's ability to drift, dip, and turn the ball away from left-handers.Peiris's variety was evident in his dismissals of Rachin Ravindra, who was bowled around his legs in the first innings and trapped lbw in the second."He gave me a lot of support," Jayasuriya added. "One bowler usually has to do the holding job, while the other attacks."Despite Sri Lanka's significant advantage, Jayasuriya remains cautious. He acknowledges that New Zealand's batters are capable of better performances."They were on the field for 600 runs and perhaps they were a bit tired," Jayasuriya said. "But I think they are a good side. Their top order has some experienced players.""We cannot take things lightly. What we do in the first hour will be crucial. We just need to bowl good deliveries."

Pakistan's Test team head coach, Jason Gillespie, has emphasized his commitment to providing players with ample opportunities to prove their worth in the traditional format. However, he has also made it clear that this support will not be indefinite."If performances are not at the required level over a prolonged period, we may consider making changes," Gillespie stated in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).For the upcoming first Test against England, Pakistan has retained the same squad that suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh at home. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali has been added as a second specialist spinner, joining leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed.Gillespie expressed confidence in his players' understanding of his selection philosophy. "We want to back and support players," he said.Pakistan enters the three-Test series against England with a dismal home record, having lost six of their last ten matches and drawn the remaining four. Their poor performance includes a 3-0 whitewash by England in 2022, with one of those defeats occurring in Multan, which will host back-to-back Test matches starting on October 7.Gillespie's tenure as head coach began with a disappointing series against Bangladesh, who dominated Pakistan in both Tests held in Rawalpindi.Pakistan's batting lineup has been struggling, particularly star batter Babar Azam, who has only managed a top score of 41 in his last 16 Test innings. Despite this, Shan Masood has been retained as captain for the first Test against England, even though he has lost five straight Test matches since his elevation to captain last year."A lot of people are writing us off (against England), and that's OK, that's fine," Gillespie said. "It will only motivate our boys a little bit more. We'll go out and do our jobs as best we can, and hopefully, the results will take care of themselves."Gillespie acknowledged England's aggressive 'Bazball' approach, which has seen them scoring runs at a rapid pace against various bowling attacks. "We've seen them evolve their game ... (but) we will play our way, striving to be a consistent and disciplined team that hangs in there and strikes at the right moment to drive the game forward and exploit gaps," he said.In the second Test against Bangladesh, Pakistan failed to capitalize on an advantageous position when they allowed the visitors to recover from a precarious 26 for 6 and eventually lost the match by seven wickets. Gillespie emphasized the need for Pakistan to maintain their advantage once they gain it."Once you gain the advantage, you have to find a way to maintain it and not let the opposition back into the game," he said. "We must shut that door and stay well ahead."Kamran Ghulam, top scorer in Pakistan's domestic cricket, was not picked for the first Test, and fast bowler Mohammad Ali was dropped from the squad. "Look, all players are disappointed when they miss out. I'd be surprised if they weren't," Gillespie said. "I'm relatively new to this role and I've only been involved in two Test matches. That's not a big enough sample size to make long-term decisions on players. I'd rather show my support and backing for them at this stage."

Sri Lanka's relentless dominance continued in the second Test against New Zealand, as they closed in on a resounding victory at the Galle International Stadium. The hosts enforced a follow-on after dismissing the tourists for a paltry 88 in their first innings, and New Zealand found themselves in dire straits at stumps on day three, trailing by 303 runs with five wickets remaining.Tom Blundell (47*) and Glenn Phillips (32*) provided some resistance for the Kiwis, but the Sri Lankan bowlers remained relentless. Debutant off-spinner Nishan Peiris played a pivotal role, claiming three top-order wickets to leave New Zealand reeling at 199-5.Devon Conway, under pressure to retain his place in the side, showed resilience with a gritty 61 off 62 deliveries. He forged a 97-run partnership with former captain Kane Williamson, who contributed 48. However, Conway's resistance ended when he was lured into a drive by Dinesh Chandimal, who took a spectacular catch at deep cover.Williamson, ranked second in the world behind England's Joe Root, also departed after misjudging a shot off Peiris. Ramesh Mendis held onto a tumbling catch at long-on to end Williamson's innings.Tom Latham had earlier fallen for a duck, caught by Pathum Nissanka at short leg off Peiris. The off-spinner had also taken three wickets in New Zealand's first innings, including the prized scalp of Williamson.Sri Lanka's dominance was evident in their first innings, where they declared on a mammoth 602-5. Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya wreaked havoc in New Zealand's second innings, claiming 6-42 to take his tally to nine five-wicket hauls.Jayasuriya needs to dismiss all five remaining New Zealand batsmen to equal the record for the fastest bowler to reach 100 Test wickets, currently held by England's George Lohmann.