Cricket

Bangladesh has achieved a historic 2-0 Test series whitewash over Pakistan on Pakistani soil, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing history. Despite Pakistan's 12-0 record over Bangladesh in Test cricket and Bangladesh's 0-20 record in Pakistan, the Tigers have emerged victorious.The series victory is Bangladesh's second-ever Test series win on away soil. Pakistan's dismal performance has drawn criticism from experts, with Indian cricket journalist Harsha Bhogle calling it "embarrassing."After a rain-affected first day, Pakistan was bowled out for 274 on Day 2. Bangladesh, however, found themselves in trouble at 26/6 in their first innings. A resilient comeback led by Litton Das' 138 off 228 balls brought Bangladesh within 12 runs of Pakistan's total.Bangladesh then bowled out Pakistan for 172 in the second innings, with Hasan Mahmud taking a five-wicket haul. Chasing the target, every Bangladesh batter contributed with a 20-plus score, guiding the team to a historic series win.Earlier, Bangladesh had won the first Test by 10 wickets after a Pakistan second innings collapse. The series victory has propelled Bangladesh to an unprecedented fourth spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle standings, while Pakistan's chances of reaching the final are almost certainly over.

Pakistan's recent Test series loss to Bangladesh has sparked criticism of captain Shan Masood's leadership. However, head coach Jason Gillespie has expressed support for Masood, attributing the team's performance to broader issues rather than individual leadership.Gillespie emphasized that the team's performance, not Masood's leadership, was the primary concern. He stated, "We just haven't played well as a team and that's the reality. We need to sharpen up on certain areas and we will sharpen up."Masood himself acknowledged the criticism but remained committed to long-term improvement. He said, "I am not worried for my job security. I took this job to make the changes we believe will help this team."Masood highlighted the need for more experience and exposure in red-ball cricket for his team. He pointed to Bangladesh's seasoned players as an example, stating, "We need the same level of red-ball exposure. Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game. You need experience."Gillespie echoed Masood's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of gaining experience and refining skills. He said, "We need to back and believe in these players, they are good enough."Both players and management appear focused on addressing these issues to improve future performances. The emphasis seems to be on gaining experience and refining skills to better compete in the red-ball format.

Pakistan's Test captain, Shan Masood, has defended the decision to bench star pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for the second Test against Bangladesh. The move came after Pakistan suffered a series whitewash in Rawalpindi.Masood acknowledged the need to explore other options and nurture young talent. "We're trying to keep consistency with red-ball performances as well," he said. "We can't be harsh on [Shaheen and Naseem] because they're playing all three formats."Head coach Jason Gillespie echoed Masood's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of developing a balanced team. "We want Shaheen Afridi to be at his very best for as much cricket as possible," he said. "He's an all-format player, and we have a pretty heavy schedule."Gillespie also highlighted Shaheen's personal challenges, which may have affected his performance. "He had a pretty eventful time in his personal life as well," he said.Despite their disappointing T20 World Cup performances, Shaheen and Naseem have shown flashes of brilliance. However, their recent form has raised concerns. In the first Test against Bangladesh, they failed to make a significant impact.Pakistan's decision to drop the duo is a bold one, but it reflects the team's commitment to building a sustainable future. By giving opportunities to younger players, Pakistan hopes to create a more well-rounded and resilient squad.

Pakistan's humiliating defeat to Bangladesh in the second Test in Rawalpindi has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The loss, Pakistan's first against Bangladesh in Test cricket, has sparked a firestorm of criticism and raised serious questions about the team's captaincy, selection, and future prospects.The match witnessed a dramatic turnaround after Bangladesh, reeling at 26/6 in their first innings, staged a remarkable recovery. Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as the architects of Bangladesh's victory, stitching together a match-defining 165-run partnership.Former cricketer Basit Ali has attributed the loss directly to captain Shan Masood's tactical decisions, arguing that they allowed Litton and Mehidy to flourish. Ali has described the team's performance as "third-class" and urged Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to address the team's shortcomings."It was a third-class performance. Pakistan lost the Test match due to captaincy. Captaincy played a key role in the way Litton Das and Mehidy performed after 26/6. There is no need for surgery. The Pakistan team has done surgery on themselves. Mohsin Naqvi should think about this. In the past six months, Pakistan has lost two big events," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Former opener Ahmed Shehzad has also questioned Masood's place in the team, suggesting that his captaincy was the sole reason for his inclusion.The loss to Bangladesh serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Pakistan's Test team. With a crucial series against England scheduled for October, the team management faces the daunting task of addressing the identified weaknesses, reassessing team composition, and devising a winning strategy to regain lost ground.The debate surrounding the captaincy, team selection, and the team's overall performance is likely to intensify in the coming weeks. How the PCB and the team management respond to this defeat will be crucial in shaping the future of Pakistan's Test cricket.

Wasim Jaffer Mocks Michael Vaughan's Test Cricket Division ProposalFormer Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has taken a playful jab at his English counterpart Michael Vaughan over the latter's suggestion to divide Test cricket into two tiers. Vaughan's proposal, made on Tuesday, aimed to address the declining popularity of the longest format and the disparity in financial resources among cricket boards.Jaffer's response came in the form of a screenshot of the World Test Championship (WTC) table from a month ago, when England languished at the bottom. He cheekily pointed out the timing of Vaughan's tweet, as England had recently climbed to fifth place in the WTC standings after securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series against Sri Lanka."Interesting timing from Michael Vaughan to suggest two divisions in Test cricket," Jaffer tweeted. "England were bottom of the table a month ago, now they're 5th after beating Sri Lanka."Vaughan's proposal had sparked a debate on social media, with some supporting the idea of a two-tier system to ensure more competitive matches and others arguing that it would further widen the gap between the top and bottom teams.Jaffer's playful dig at Vaughan highlights the ongoing banter between the two former cricketers, who have often engaged in friendly exchanges on social media. Their lighthearted rivalry adds a touch of humor to the serious discussions surrounding the future of Test cricket.

Pakistan's Test woes continued as Bangladesh completed a historic clean sweep in their two-match series, leaving captain Shan Masood deeply disappointed.Bangladesh chased down a target of 143 with ease on the final day, losing just four wickets. The victory marked their second bilateral series win of two or more Tests away from home, the first since 2009 against the West Indies.Masood expressed frustration over his team's recurring failures, particularly their inability to capitalize on dominant positions. He highlighted the need for improved fitness and preparation, especially in the bowling department."We have not learnt our lessons," Masood said. "We thought we were playing good cricket in Australia but not doing the job. We need to work on that."Masood acknowledged missed opportunities in the first innings, where Pakistan failed to capitalize on a strong start. He also emphasized the importance of getting Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah back in the fold, but stressed the need for better fitness and preparation.The defeat extended Pakistan's miserable home record in Tests to 10 matches without a win. Masood has now endured two consecutive clean sweeps as Test captain, having lost 3-0 to Australia previously.Bangladesh's victory is a testament to their growing strength in Test cricket. They have now won four of their last five Tests, including a historic series win in New Zealand.

Pakistan cricket has reached its lowest point in recent history, suffering a humiliating six-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in the second Test in Rawalpindi. This marks the first time Bangladesh has defeated Pakistan in a Test match and series.The defeat has sent shockwaves through the Pakistani cricket community, with former stalwarts expressing their dismay and concern. Javed Miandad, a former Test captain, lamented the state of Pakistani cricket, stating that it was "hurting" to witness the team's decline.The second Test saw Bangladesh's batters dominate the second innings after Pakistan dropped pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and rested Naseem Shah. Pakistan had initially put Bangladesh on the back foot, reducing them to 26 for 6 in their first innings. However, a spectacular partnership between centurion Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz rescued the visitors.Miandad believes that the players have lost confidence due to the turmoil within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He pointed to the frequent captaincy and management changes as factors that have destabilized the team.Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq echoed Miandad's concerns, highlighting Pakistan's poor home record in recent years. He emphasized the importance of batsmen scoring runs, especially in home conditions.Record-breaking batsman Younis Khan attributed Pakistan's struggles to a lack of mental strength. He believes that the team needs to overcome its current crisis by developing a clear mindset.Former Test batter Ahmed Shezad criticized the batsmen for their inability to handle pace and movement, suggesting that the future of Pakistani cricket is bleak if they cannot improve in this area.Former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim urged the team management to groom existing and upcoming spinners, as Pakistan's best chance of success at home lies in utilizing spin-friendly pitches.With this latest setback, Pakistan's hopes of reaching the final of the World Test Championship appear to have evaporated. Captain Shan Masood's lack of runs has added to his woes, while senior batter Babar Azam has also struggled to make an impact.Despite the team's poor performance, red-ball coach Jason Gillispie and his white-ball counterpart Gary Kirsten have advised the PCB and selectors not to panic, as it could further dent the players' confidence. Gillispie and high-performance coach Tim Nielsen will return to Australia for a short break.

Bangladesh has made history by securing a remarkable Test series victory against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. This triumph marks Bangladesh's first-ever Test series win over Pakistan, a testament to their growing prowess in the international cricket arena.The two-match series was a thrilling affair, with Bangladesh emerging victorious in both Tests. In the first Test, Bangladesh stunned Pakistan by 10 wickets, claiming their first Test win in 14 years. The second Test proved to be even more dominant for Bangladesh, as they thrashed Pakistan by six wickets to clinch the series.Bangladesh's success was built on a combination of solid batting, disciplined bowling, and astute captaincy. In the first Test, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz played pivotal roles with brilliant centuries, while Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana led the bowling attack with impressive performances.In the second Test, Bangladesh's bowlers once again shone, dismissing Pakistan for just 172 runs in the second innings. Zakir Hasan and captain Shanto provided a solid foundation for the chase, while Mushfiqur Rahim and Sakib Al Hasan guided Bangladesh home to a historic victory.This series win is a significant milestone for Bangladesh cricket. It not only marks their first Test series triumph against Pakistan but also boosts their confidence ahead of the upcoming ICC Test Championship. Bangladesh's performance has demonstrated their ability to compete with the top teams in the world and has raised expectations for their future endeavors.

Mohammed Shami, the Indian pace spearhead, celebrated his 34th birthday on Tuesday. Known for his match-winning performances across formats, Shami has established himself as a crucial cog in the Indian team, particularly in ODI World Cups.Despite battling injuries throughout his career, Shami has amassed an impressive tally of 448 international wickets in 188 matches. His raw pace, precise yorkers, and ability to deliver under pressure have earned him a reputation as one of the most formidable bowlers in modern cricket.Shami's international debut in 2013 was a memorable one, as he claimed nine wickets in a single match at Eden Gardens. Since then, he has consistently showcased his skills, forming a potent pace attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah that has challenged batsmen worldwide.In Test cricket, Shami has taken 229 wickets, including a five-wicket haul on his debut. He is only the third Indian pacer to achieve this feat. In ODIs, he has claimed 195 wickets, making him India's leading wicket-taker in the format.Shami's contributions to India's World Cup campaigns have been remarkable. Despite not always being the first-choice bowler, he has taken 55 wickets in 18 matches, making him the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament's history.In the 2019 World Cup, Shami became only the second Indian bowler to claim a hat-trick. In the 2023 World Cup, he set a new record by reaching 50 wickets in just 17 innings. His 7/57 spell against New Zealand in the semifinals remains the best by an Indian bowler in both World Cup history and ODIs.Shami also holds the record for the most five-wicket hauls in World Cups, with four to his name. He finished the 2023 World Cup as the highest wicket-taker, claiming 24 wickets in seven matches.In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shami has played for several teams, including Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Gujarat Titans. He has taken 127 wickets in 110 matches, showcasing his prowess in the T20 format.In the 2023 IPL season, Shami won the Purple Cap for taking the most wickets—28 in 17 matches. He was also instrumental in Gujarat Titans' IPL title win in 2022.As Shami turns 34, his achievements and records continue to inspire both fans and aspiring cricketers. He remains one of India's greatest pace bowlers, whose contributions to the team have been invaluable.