Cricket

Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian pace spearhead, has earned widespread acclaim for his exceptional bowling skills. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has recently heaped praise on Bumrah, stating that his unique action would pose a threat to batters even on cement pitches.Bumrah's unorthodox bowling style has been a subject of discussion throughout his career. Despite initial skepticism about his ability to succeed in Test cricket, Bumrah has silenced critics with his impressive performances. He boasts an average of just 20.69 and a strike rate of 45.1 in the longest format of the game.Ali highlighted Bumrah's ability to deceive batters with his awkward action. "Even if you play Bumrah on a cement pitch, his awkward action could deceive batters. That is the reality. Not the rest of the bowlers. For the rest, it depends on form and rhythm," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Bumrah's versatility extends beyond his Test prowess. He has also been instrumental in India's success in limited-overs cricket, winning the Player of the Tournament award in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Ali praised Bumrah's ability to pick up wickets with deliveries typically used in white-ball cricket."He comes in, takes a wicket and then picks three in his next spell. He is very deceptive, his slower one is accurate. Usually, the deliveries you bowl in white-ball cricket, he picks wickets on such deliveries in the Test format. He is special," Ali said.Despite his impressive performances, Bumrah was not named as the vice-captain for India's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. This decision has raised eyebrows, as Bumrah has assumed deputy roles in recent Test series. However, it may indicate that the BCCI and Gautam Gambhir are considering a more long-term captaincy option.Bumrah has already claimed 159 wickets in just 36 Test matches and is rapidly approaching the 200-wicket mark. He will be joined by Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and debutant Yash Dayal in the pace attack during the Bangladesh series.

England's Ben Stokes Returns for Pakistan Test TourEngland Test captain Ben Stokes will make his long-awaited return to the team for the upcoming tour of Pakistan in October. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the news on Tuesday, announcing a 17-member squad for the three-match series starting on October 7.Stokes, who missed the recent series against Sri Lanka due to a hamstring injury, is in the process of recovery and is expected to be fit for the Pakistan tour. Zak Crawley, who has been out since July with a fractured finger, is also set to return to the squad.The squad also includes spinner Rehan Ahmed, who made his Test debut in Pakistan last December, and Jack Leach, who last played in the opening Test in India in January. Josh Hull, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka last week, is included along with uncapped players Brydon Carse and batter Jordan Cox.Eight players from the victorious 2022 squad, including Ahmed, Harry Brook, Crawley, Ben Duckett, Leach, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Stokes, are part of the team. The venues for the series are expected to be announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board later this week.England will be looking to build on their recent success in Pakistan, where they won the Test series 3-0 in December 2022. Stokes' return will provide a significant boost to the team, as he is one of the world's leading all-rounders.

Bangladesh's upcoming tour of India presents a unique challenge for the team as they prepare to face the SG ball, a significant departure from the Kookaburra ball they are accustomed to. Litton Das, a key figure in Bangladesh's recent Test victory over Pakistan, has emphasized the need to adapt to the different characteristics of the SG ball."The ball will be a different one in India," Das said. "It is a little harder to play against the SG ball. The Kookaburra ball is easier to play when it gets old. It is the opposite with the SG ball. It is harder to get away against the old ball when it's the SG."To prepare for the challenge, Bangladesh's white-ball players are reportedly training with Kookaburra balls, as the T20Is that follow the Tests in India will be played with that brand.Despite their historic series win over Pakistan, Das urged the team to remain focused on the present. "We played good cricket against Pakistan but it is already in the past," he said. "It is important for us to look forward. We will need your (media's) help. It would be helpful if you don't talk about the Pakistan series. As a player, it is already in the past for me."The upcoming series against India and Pakistan has generated significant anticipation among Bangladesh fans. However, Das refused to view it as a burden. "It is inspiring that people will know you if you do well," he said. "There's nothing better than that. I don't think it is pressure. We are improving in Tests, so we have to become more consistent in the format. That's the main challenge."Das's role as a lower-middle-order batter suits his natural game, where he often finds himself batting with the tail and has no choice but to go for his shots. However, he has also shown his ability to adapt, batting for nearly six hours to rescue Bangladesh in Rawalpindi."I have to take responsibility now," he said. "It is the right time. I have been playing for ten years, so there has been some experience. I try to score off deliveries that I believe are there to hit. Scoring runs is more important these days. I think I bat in the same way that most batters approach the game."Das acknowledges the risks associated with his aggressive style of play, but he believes it is the key to his success. "If it gives me more chance to get out, it also gives me a lot of opportunities to score runs," he said. "I usually get to bat with (Mehidy Hasan) Miraz. Sometimes I bat with Shakib bhai (Shakib Al Hasan) or Mushfiq bhai (Mushfiqur Rahim). If I don't play my shots, the team score won't go anywhere. I want to play like this. I try to play the way I bat in training."Bangladesh will depart for India on September 15 to play two Tests in Chennai and Kanpur, both part of the World Test Championship. The three T20Is that follow will be held in Gwalior, Delhi, and Hyderabad.

England's Test squad for their upcoming three-match series against Pakistan has been announced, with Brydon Carse and Jack Leach making notable returns.Carse, 29, has been included despite serving a ban for betting irregularities earlier this year. The fast bowler has impressed since his return to action, scoring a century for Durham against Somerset. His inclusion adds another 90mph option to England's bowling attack, alongside Gus Atkinson and Olly Stone.Leach, meanwhile, is back in the squad for the first time since the tour of India in February. The spinner has recovered from a knee injury and has been in good form for Somerset, claiming 12 wickets in his most recent match. He will partner Shoaib Bashir, who has established himself as England's first-choice spinner in home conditions.Chris Woakes has also been recalled for his first overseas engagement since March 2022. Despite concerns about his effectiveness away from home, Woakes has responded well to the responsibility of leading England's bowling attack since James Anderson's retirement.The squad also includes several other notable players, such as Ben Stokes (captain), Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, and Olly Stone.England will be hoping to build on their recent success against West Indies and Sri Lanka, and will be confident of a strong showing in Pakistan. The series gets underway next month, with the first Test scheduled to begin on December 1.

The World Test Championship (WTC) is heating up as teams vie for a spot in the Lord's final. With 12 series remaining, the race for the top two positions is intensifying.Sri Lanka:Sri Lanka's victory at The Oval has boosted their chances of a top-two finish. If they win all six remaining matches, they will reach 69.23%, likely securing their place in the final. Five wins would still keep them in contention with 61.54%.England:England's defeat to Sri Lanka has dashed their hopes of reaching 60%. Their maximum achievable percentage is now 57.95%, which could be enough if other results favor them. However, they will need help from other teams to finish second.India:India remains atop the standings with 68.52%. To maintain their percentage above 60%, they need 63 more points, which they can achieve with five wins and a draw. Six wins would increase their percentage to 64.03%, while seven wins would match their current score of 69.3%.Australia:Australia, currently in second place, needs 47 more points from their remaining seven Tests to stay above 60%. They can achieve this with four wins or three wins and three draws. Their final standing will largely depend on their performance in the five-Test home series against India.Bangladesh:Bangladesh's series win in Pakistan has propelled them to fourth place. If they win all six remaining Tests, they will reach 72.92%, while four wins would keep them at 56.25%.Pakistan:Pakistan's loss to Bangladesh and slow over-rate penalties have dropped their percentage to 19.05%. Their maximum achievable percentage is 59.52%, which requires them to win all seven remaining Tests.New Zealand:New Zealand has played only six of their 14 Tests. They need at least 65 points from their remaining eight Tests to reach 60%. However, three of those Tests will be in India, making it a challenging task.South Africa:South Africa can reach 69.44% if they win all six remaining Tests. They have home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, but a two-Test series in Bangladesh could prove tricky.West Indies:West Indies have only scored 20 points from four series. Even if they win their last four Tests, they can only finish on 43.59%.

Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald has sparked speculation regarding Steve Smith's batting position in Tests ahead of the upcoming five-match series against India. Smith, who has been opening the innings with Usman Khawaja since David Warner's retirement, has struggled for consistency in the role.Smith's average as an opener stands at 28.50, significantly lower than his career average of 56.97. This has raised concerns within the team, prompting discussions about a potential change in his batting order."That's the question on everyone's lips, isn't it?" McDonald told SEN. "Whilst we've got an eye to it, we haven't made any firm decisions around that one. There's plenty of speculation around that. But in the background, I'd be lying if I said the conversation wasn't happening."McDonald emphasized that Test captain Pat Cummins would play a key role in the decision-making process. "Clearly, Patty Cummins as the captain is a big part of that," he said. "We've already had some chats in Sydney initially around what we're thinking for the summer."The coach also acknowledged the potential impact on other players if Smith's batting position changes. "If we make a shift with Steve Smith, then someone else will have to go to the top," McDonald said. "We've seen Cameron Green be really successful at number four as well. So that sort of adds layers to the decision-making."The first Test between India and Australia will be played in Perth from November 22. The decision on Smith's batting position is expected to be made before the series begins.

Ground staff at the Greater Noida stadium in Uttar Pradesh, India, resorted to desperate measures on Tuesday as they attempted to dry out the pitch for the Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand. The match, which was scheduled to begin on Monday, has been delayed due to incessant rainfall and the poor condition of the ground.Despite the sunshine on Tuesday, the outfield remained soaked, and the chances of play appeared slim for a second consecutive day. On Monday, the New Zealand players were seen throwing rugby balls around as they waited for play to resume, but both teams spent the morning of Tuesday marooned at their hotels.Groundsmen dragged out tarpaulin to cover areas of the pitch in anticipation of more rain, while others held electric fans over some of the worst wet patches. They also dug up a wet patch in the cover-point and mid-wicket region and filled it with dry soil and fresh turf.Umpires were due to hold another inspection to assess a possible start time at a venue that is hosting its first Test match and where drainage is basic.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan venues to train and host matches outside their troubled nation, including in Lucknow and Dehradun. However, those grounds were busy with local leagues, and Greater Noida was chosen as the venue for this Test.Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials have expressed disappointment over the condition of the ground, calling it "a huge mess" and stating that they will not return to the venue in the future.The Test match is only Afghanistan's 10th in their history, and the delay has been a major setback for the team. New Zealand, on the other hand, will next travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests before returning for three more against India.

India's Test squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh has been announced, featuring the return of several key players. However, the absence of Mohammed Shami and Shreyas Iyer has raised questions.Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant are among the top stars who will be making their return to the Test team. Rookie pacer Yash Dayal has also earned his maiden call-up.Mohammed Shami, who was expected to be fit for the first Test, has been left out of the squad. The veteran pacer's fitness remains a concern, and he is unlikely to be selected for the second Test as well.Shreyas Iyer, despite his impressive performance in the first Duleep Trophy match, has also been overlooked by the selectors. Iyer's inconsistent performances in red-ball cricket and a poor 2024 season have reportedly played a role in his omission.Fitness concerns have also troubled Iyer recently. His removal from BCCI's central contracts, following his unavailability for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, has reportedly left the board's bosses and the selection committee unhappy.With Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul also competing for the middle-order spots, Iyer seems to be low in the pecking order at the moment.The BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar had earlier said that Shami could make his return for the Bangladesh series. However, the pacer doesn't seem to have ticked all the boxes for selection. He is likely to be picked in the Bengal team for the Ranji Trophy campaign, starting on October 11. If he manages to prove his fitness in the domestic tournament, Team India's return could only be a formality.

Bangladesh's rising star, Nahid Rana, is setting his sights on the upcoming Test series against India after his impressive performance against Pakistan. The 21-year-old speedster has emerged as a key figure in Bangladesh's bowling attack, and he is eager to make an impact in the highly anticipated series.Rana's journey to the international stage has been a remarkable one. Hailing from Chapainawabganj, he began his cricket career in 2020 after his brother enrolled him in an academy. Within a short span of time, he made his first-class debut in October 2021 and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with.In the 2022-23 National Cricket League, Rana and Sumon Khan both took over 30 wickets, a rare feat for fast bowlers in the domestic tournament. His impressive performances earned him a call-up to the national team, and he made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in March.Rana's Test debut was a memorable one, as he bowled at speeds over 150 kph and made an immediate impact. He continued to impress in Pakistan, especially with early breakthroughs, including the wicket of Babar Azam. In the second innings of the final Test in Rawalpindi, Rana took four wickets for 44 runs, helping Bangladesh secure a historic 2-0 series win.Reflecting on his performance, Rana said, "Before leaving, I had said that I wanted to achieve something for my country, and it feels great to have delivered on what was expected of me."Rana's success is not only due to his raw pace but also his ability to adapt and learn. He credits various senior players for his development, but he is determined to create his own identity in cricket. "I don't want to be like anyone else. I want to create my own identity and be known as Nahid Rana of Bangladesh," he said.As Bangladesh prepares for the Test series against India, Rana is confident in his team's abilities. "India are a good team, but the team that plays better cricket will win. We will see when we go there," he said.The first Test in India is scheduled in Chennai, known for its bouncy pitch. Rana is excited about the challenge and believes that his pace will be an asset on such a surface. "Pace is something you can't always predict -- it depends a lot on rhythm. Sometimes, it just clicks, and suddenly you find yourself hitting those speeds," he said.Nahid Rana is a rising star in Bangladesh cricket, and his performances against Pakistan have only heightened expectations. As he prepares for the upcoming Test series against India, he is determined to make a lasting impact and help his team achieve success.