Cricket

Pakistan's batting mainstay Babar Azam has come under fire on social media for his recent underwhelming performances in international cricket. In the recently concluded two-Test series against Bangladesh, Azam managed a meager 64 runs across four innings, continuing a string of poor batting displays that have failed to yield victories for Pakistan.Azam's struggles have sparked a barrage of criticism and false memes on social media, with some even resorting to spreading fake news about his retirement. Following his scores of 31 and 11 in the second Test in Rawalpindi, a fabricated retirement post gained traction on social media.Despite relinquishing his captaincy after the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, Azam was reinstated for the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, his recent Test performances have been dismal, with only 190 runs in his last 10 innings at an average of 19. His average in the 50-over format has also declined to 34.In T20Is, Azam has maintained an average of 38 over the past year. Under his captaincy, Pakistan suffered a disappointing group-stage exit at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, losing to the USA and India.Azam's poor form has raised concerns among fans and experts alike, who are questioning his ability to lead Pakistan's batting lineup. The pressure on the 29-year-old is mounting, and he will need to find his form quickly to silence his critics and restore Pakistan's fortunes on the international stage.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian off-spinner, is preparing for an arduous 10-Test stretch for the national team, starting with the home series against Bangladesh. As he approaches the twilight of his illustrious career, Ashwin remains confident that future generations will surpass his achievements.In a recent interview with veteran cricket journalist Vimal Kumar, Ashwin acknowledged the legacy of Indian spinners that preceded him, including Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. "I am fortunate to have inherited their legacy and built upon it," he said. "My success is a testament to their contributions."Ashwin emphasized the constant evolution of the game, citing the Indian Premier League (IPL) as an example. "The salaries in the IPL will continue to rise in the future," he said. "The world is constantly progressing."Ashwin, who currently holds the top spot in the ICC Test all-rounder rankings, believes that his own achievements will eventually be eclipsed. "I will eventually retire, and someone else will take my place," he said. "It's like a relay race, where each runner contributes to the overall success."Ashwin expressed his conviction that future spinners will surpass his accomplishments. "I am certain that someone better than me will emerge," he said. "The game will continue to evolve, and new players will bring their own unique skills and innovations."Ashwin's comments reflect his humility and his understanding of the cyclical nature of sports. He recognizes that his own success is built upon the foundation laid by previous generations, and he expects future players to build upon his legacy.

Pakistan's star batsman Babar Azam has been facing a prolonged batting slump, raising concerns among fans and experts. Despite his struggles, Pakistan's Test coach Jason Gillespie has expressed unwavering support for Azam, believing that the right-hander is on the cusp of a resurgence.Azam's struggles began after the ODI World Cup in India last year. He briefly relinquished the captaincy but resumed leadership in the white-ball format ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, his batting form has remained elusive, leading to criticism from fans and former players.In the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, Azam has managed only 64 runs in four innings. This has intensified the scrutiny on his form, with many questioning his ability to lead Pakistan's batting lineup.Despite the criticism, Gillespie remains confident in Azam's abilities. "Babar is a quality player. He is a world-class player. He is very close. I feel it. I am confident that we are going to see Babar scoring some big runs very soon," Gillespie said after the end of Day 4.Gillespie believes that Azam is not far from rediscovering his prolific scoring ability. "He probably hasn't converted the start he has got," Gillespie added.Azam's struggles have coincided with a challenging period for Pakistan's cricket team. After a series whitewash in Australia, Pakistan's batting lineup was exposed as vulnerable. Azam's poor form in England and the T20 World Cup further highlighted the team's batting woes.Pakistan will face England in a Test series next, and the pressure will be on Azam to deliver. The team will rely heavily on its premier batsman to make impactful contributions and guide Pakistan to victory.

Pakistan's head coach, Jason Gillespie, has faced a challenging start to his tenure as the team struggles to avoid a series loss against Bangladesh. With one day remaining in the crucial Test match, Gillespie acknowledged the visitors' favoritism but emphasized the need for discipline and application from his players.In the first innings, Pakistan's bowlers had Bangladesh on the ropes at 6 for 26, but a resilient 165-run seventh-wicket stand propelled the visitors to a respectable 262, the highest score in Test history for a team losing their first six wickets under 50. Gillespie stressed the importance of managing such situations effectively, as Pakistan's bowlers faltered in the face of Bangladesh's resistance.On the fourth morning, Bangladesh replicated Pakistan's success from the previous day, dismissing the hosts for 172, with all ten wickets falling to the quicks. Gillespie criticized his bowlers for deviating from their game plan and urged them to maintain discipline and intent.Pakistan's off-field decision-making has also come under scrutiny. In the first Test, they opted for an all-pace attack, neglecting spinner Abrar Ahmed, a decision that backfired when Bangladesh's slow bowlers dominated the final day. This time, despite preparing a seam-friendly pitch, Pakistan omitted Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah from the playing XI, leaving them without genuine pace or old-ball threat.Gillespie defended the team's selection, stating that they considered the conditions and surfaces. However, he acknowledged that Afridi and Shah are valuable assets and that the team is working to build a squad mentality.Despite the odds being stacked against them, Gillespie expressed hope that Pakistan could still salvage a victory. He emphasized the importance of taking catches, seizing opportunities, and maintaining a positive mindset.However, the weather may play a significant role in the outcome. Steady rain has been falling for several hours, with more forecast overnight and on the final day. If play is not possible, Bangladesh will secure their most famous series win, while Pakistan will be left to rue their missed opportunities.

Bangladesh is on the cusp of a historic 2-0 series whitewash over Pakistan after dominating the second Test in Rawalpindi. Resuming at nine for two, Pakistan was bowled out for 172 in their second innings, setting Bangladesh a target of 185 for victory.Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana were the stars for Bangladesh with the ball, taking five and four wickets respectively. Mahmud dismissed overnight batter Saim Ayub for 20 before Rana dismantled Pakistan's batting lineup with three wickets in three overs. Shan Masood and Babar Azam fell cheaply, while Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 43, was dropped on his first ball.After lunch, Mahmud struck twice in quick succession to remove Rizwan and Mohammad Ali. He also claimed the wicket of Abrar Ahmed, while Salman Agha remained unbeaten on 47. Mahmud secured his maiden five-wicket haul by dismissing Mir Hamza.In the first Test, Bangladesh claimed their first-ever Test victory against Pakistan, winning by 10 wickets. A victory in the second Test would mark a historic achievement for the Tigers, who have never won a Test series against Pakistan.Bangladesh openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam reached 42 without loss in seven overs before bad light and rain halted play. Hasan was unbeaten on 31, including two sixes, accompanied by Islam on nine. Bangladesh now need 143 more runs to win on the final day.

Rain halted Bangladesh's pursuit of a clean sweep against Pakistan after young pace bowlers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana rattled the hosts for 172 on Day 4 of the second Test on Monday (September 2, 2024).Bangladesh had scampered to 42-0 in seven overs before bad light, followed by rain, allowed only one over of play in the final session on Day 4. The tourists will need another 143 runs for a rare Test series win away from home.Bangladesh has won just one bilateral Test series outside home - beating the West Indies in 2009 - but won the first Test by 10 wickets for its first-ever Test victory against Pakistan in 14 matches.The 24-year-old Mahmud grabbed 5-43 while 21-year-old Rana chipped in with 4-44 as Pakistan was bowled out half an hour before tea for an overall lead of 184.Under overcast conditions, Bangladesh openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam scored at a rapid pace before rain arrived. Zakir was unbeaten on 31 off 23 balls that included two pulled sixes against fast bowler Khurram Shahzad and Shadman Islam was not out on 9.A resilient century from Litton Das and an equally splendid half-century from Mehidy Hasan Miraz allowed Pakistan a slender first innings lead of 12 runs after the tourists had collapsed to 26-6 on Day 3.The Pakistani top order's long struggle in red-ball cricket has seen it lose five of the last nine Test matches at home with its last win coming against South Africa in December 2021. The other four Test matches were drawn.Babar Azam's (11) poor run of form in Test matches stretched to seven games when he fell to Rana for the second time in the series as the tall fast bowler rattled the top order by claiming three wickets in his first three overs.Top-scorer Salman Ali Agha (47 not out) and Mohammad Rizwan (43) led the recovery with a half-century partnership after Rana's burst had reduced the home team to 81-6 in the first session, before Mahmud sliced through the lower order.Mahmud was on a hat trick when he had Rizwan caught behind after the break and followed it up with another brilliant ball that found the outside edge of Mohammad Ali's bat. But Salman added a vital 36 runs in the company of tailenders before Mahmud completed a five-for by claiming the last wicket.Earlier, Rana could have ended the first session with four wickets but Rizwan was dropped in the slips cordon. Rana came to the fore after Taskin provided the breakthrough when skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto dived low to his left and grabbed a two-handed catch to dismiss Saim Ayub for 20.Skipper Shan Masood struck four boundaries in his 28 before Pakistan's innings crashed against Rana's pace. Masood and Saud Shakeel got slight edges and Pakistan's premier batter Babar edged to Shadman at slip after struggling for 18 balls. Shadman dropped a regulation chance on the next ball to give Rizwan a big reprieve as Pakistan went to lunch at 117-6.Babar has been going through a poor run of form and it's now been eight Test matches since he posted a half-century. His top score in that time was 41 against Australia at Melbourne last year.Both teams are near the bottom of the World Test Championship, with Bangladesh occupying seventh spot and Pakistan just ahead of last-placed West Indies.

England's Gus Atkinson emerged as a true all-rounder in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka, etching his name on all of Lord's honours boards. His exceptional performance played a pivotal role in England's 2-0 series victory.In the first Test at Lord's, Atkinson's century and five-wicket haul were instrumental in England's 190-run triumph. Batting alongside Joe Root, Atkinson scored a rapid 118 off 115 balls, including 14 fours and four sixes. His aggressive batting helped England post a formidable 427 runs in their first innings.With the ball, Atkinson proved equally devastating. He claimed 5/62 in Sri Lanka's first innings, including the wickets of Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace troubled the Sri Lankan batsmen.In the second innings, Atkinson continued to impress with the bat. He scored 50 off 62 balls, helping England set a challenging target of 483 runs for Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka showed some fight in their chase, with half-centuries from Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, and Dhananjaya de Silva. However, Atkinson's bowling brilliance proved too much for them. He claimed another five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5/62.Atkinson's all-round performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award. He became the first England player since Ian Botham in 1986 to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test at Lord's.Speaking after the match, Atkinson expressed his delight at his achievements. "It was special for me to get on all of Lord's honours boards and bat with Joe Root in the first innings," he said. "It will take a while to sink in."Atkinson's performance has solidified his place in the England Test team. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset to the side.

The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi took a dramatic turn on Day 3, with Bangladesh fighting back from a precarious position to leave the match hanging in the balance.Pakistan had dominated the first session, with Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza dismantling Bangladesh's top order to leave them reeling at 26-6. However, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan staged a remarkable recovery, putting on a 165-run partnership for the seventh wicket.Das, who scored a fighting 165, and Hasan, who contributed a pugnacious 78, defied the Pakistani bowlers for over five hours, bringing Bangladesh back into the match. Their partnership was the highest ever for the seventh wicket after the first six wickets had fallen for 30 runs or fewer in Test cricket.Pakistan eventually broke the stand when Khurram Shahzad dismissed Hasan, but Das continued to fight, reaching his fourth Test century before falling to Agha Salman. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 262, giving Pakistan a slender 12-run lead.Pakistan's openers faced a challenging 20-minute period to see out the remaining overs, but Abdullah Shafique struggled and was dismissed in the final over of the day by Hasan Mahmud. Khurram Shahzad, who came in as the nightwatchman, was also dismissed by Mahmud, leaving Pakistan with a 21-run lead and eight wickets in hand.The Test is now poised on a knife's edge, with both teams having a chance to secure victory on the remaining two days. Pakistan will need to bowl Bangladesh out quickly to set up a chase, while Bangladesh will be looking to make the most of the new ball and put early pressure on the Pakistani batsmen.

England's emphatic Test victory over Sri Lanka at Lord's was marred by a disappointing turnout, raising concerns about the affordability and accessibility of the format. Despite the team's impressive performance, thousands of tickets for the fourth day went unsold, leaving swathes of empty seats in the iconic stadium.The low attendance has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the high ticket prices, the accelerated pace of Test matches under the "Bazball" approach, and the heavy schedule of cricket this summer. England's dominant wins have often resulted in matches concluding earlier than expected, leaving fans feeling short-changed.Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which owns Lord's, has acknowledged the issue and pledged to review fourth-day pricing. However, the club's reluctance to cut prices at short notice has drawn criticism, with some arguing that lower ticket prices could have attracted more fans and ultimately generated more revenue through matchday spending.The empty seats at Lord's stand in stark contrast to the packed crowds that attended the Hundred final at the same venue two weeks earlier. While the Hundred offers a more affordable and accessible alternative to Test cricket, it would be misleading to suggest that the difference in attendance reflects a shift in fan preferences.Despite the low turnout at Lord's, Test cricket remains popular in England. However, the empty seats serve as a reminder that fans are not willing to pay exorbitant prices for a format that is increasingly seen as inaccessible. If administrators want to ensure the long-term health of Test cricket, they must address the issue of affordability and find ways to make the format more appealing to a wider audience.