Cricket

Abdullah Shafique's reckless dismissal in the first Test against Bangladesh has drawn sharp criticism from former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali. Pakistan's hopes of salvaging a draw were dashed when Shafique attempted a reckless shot against Shakib Al Hasan, resulting in his dismissal and ultimately the team's defeat.Ali expressed his frustration, stating that Shafique's shot was the reason Pakistan lost the match. He emphasized that such irresponsible play is unacceptable in international cricket and that Shafique should be held accountable for his actions.Another player who came under fire was Naseem Shah, who also gave away his wicket cheaply. Ali criticized Shah's shot selection, calling it "street cricket" and not befitting of the Pakistan team.Pakistan's inability to read the pitch conditions was also a major factor in their loss. Despite the presence of two quality spinners in Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Pakistan opted for an all-out pace attack, which proved to be a costly mistake.Ali believes that Pakistan's head coach, Jason Gillespie, misjudged the pitch and made a tactical error in excluding Abrar Ahmed from the squad. He compared Gillespie's mistake to that of Gary Kirsten, who made a similar error in the Super Over against the United States in the 2007 T20 World Cup.Pakistan will have a chance to redeem themselves in the second Test, which begins on August 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. However, they will need to address their batting frailties and make better decisions on the field if they want to level the series.

Pakistan's humiliating 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in their own backyard has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has attributed the debacle to a combination of poor team selection, a lack of confidence in the fast bowlers, and skipper Shan Masood's inability to read the conditions.Raja believes that Pakistan's decision to field four pacers on a Rawalpindi track in August was a tactical blunder. "The Bangladesh fast bowlers seemed more penetrative while our bowlers were involved in more drama around their wickets," he said. "Since Pakistan did not have an out-and-out fast bowler on that track, even Bangladesh, with that line-up stood tall against our pacers with speeds around 125 to 135kmph."Raja also criticized Masood's leadership, saying that he "did not read the conditions well." "Shan Masood is currently on a losing streak," he said. "I felt, in Australian conditions, things are tougher and it was impossible for Pakistan team to win a series there. But you are now losing in home conditions, against a team like Bangladesh, because you did not read the conditions well."Raja urged Masood to improve his batting and leadership skills, or risk losing his place in the team. "He needs to work on his batting," he said. "It's not like he is a great captain and so if he keeps getting out ducks, he would still have his place in the side. Losing makes a huge dent in the team and the morale of the side."The defeat has raised serious questions about the future of Pakistan cricket. Raja believes that the team needs to rebuild its confidence and find a way to counter the attacking style of play that has been successful against them. "This debacle, a sort of a confidence crisis, started during the Asia Cup when India bashed our pacers on seaming conditions and then the secret was out to the world that the only way to counter this line-up was to attack," he said.

England's Jamie Smith etched his name into the history books on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper became the youngest English wicketkeeper to score a Test century, breaking a record that had stood for over 90 years.Smith's magnificent ton came at a crucial time for England, who were struggling at 116/5 in their first innings. The Surrey star showed immense composure and skill, guiding his team to a respectable total of 362. His innings was a testament to his talent and determination, and it earned him widespread praise from both fans and pundits.Smith's century was not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment for English cricket. It marked the emergence of a new generation of wicketkeepers who are not only reliable behind the stumps but also capable of making significant contributions with the bat.After the match, Smith paid tribute to the influence of former England batsman Ian Bell, who is now working as a batting consultant for Sri Lanka. Bell, who played alongside Smith in the recent Hundred competition, provided valuable guidance and support to the young wicketkeeper."Belly has been a great help for me both in the Lions and with Birmingham Phoenix for the last couple of years," Smith said. "The knowledge that he passed on and his willingness to throw balls at me before games when I had an eye on the Test series is something I'm really grateful for."Smith's century was a major highlight in a match that was ultimately won by England by five wickets. The victory gave England a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, and it will be hoping to seal the series in the second Test at Durham.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has asserted that tearaway pacer Mark Wood has become an indispensable player for the Test team, even more crucial than Ben Stokes on flat pitches. Wood's absence from the last two Tests against Sri Lanka due to a thigh injury is a significant blow, according to Vaughan.Vaughan believes that Wood's unique attributes make him a game-changer. "When you get on a flat pitch, Mark Wood is the most important player for England's Test match team. Yes, even more than Ben Stokes. Wood is that good," Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph.Vaughan cited Sri Lanka's second innings on day four as an example of where England will miss Wood. With Wood unavailable to bowl, Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal batted through the morning session and set England a target of 205, which they achieved with five wickets remaining."How much England miss him was evident on the fourth morning with that fantastic partnership from Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis when the pitch got flat and it became much easier for batting," Vaughan observed. "We might get a lot of those conditions in the next year or so - definitely in Pakistan, and maybe a bit in New Zealand too. England need to find a way to take 20 wickets on wickets like that."Vaughan emphasized that Wood's pace and ferocity set him apart from other England fast bowlers. "The point of difference that Wood brings is so important," he said. "England have got to wrap him in cotton wool to try and get him available for 60 or 70 per cent of Tests in the next year.""Wood is now the most important cog in this England Test match wheel for them to go and beat India, for them to go and win in Australia," Vaughan declared. "He's the player that opponents would most like to see not in the England side."Vaughan concluded by praising Wood's impact on the game. "He is not only obviously brilliant for the team, he's brilliant for the game," he said. "Get out of the bar and make sure you're there watching Mark Wood. He is that bowler. A bowler like that doesn't just give a team a great point of difference. It also sends a shudder to the opponents' dressing room."

Pakistan's Test captain, Shan Masood, has defended his team's decision to field four fast bowlers and no specialist spinner in their opening Test match against Bangladesh, despite suffering a humiliating 10-wicket defeat.Masood's decision raised eyebrows, especially after Bangladesh's spinners, Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, combined to take seven wickets on the final day, dismissing Pakistan for a paltry 146 runs. However, Masood insisted that the pitch was expected to offer more assistance to the seamers."We had anticipated the pitch to offer more assistance to the seamers. Looking at the pitch, we expected it to do more," Masood said at the post-match conference. "If we played 3 fast bowlers, we would be pushing them to the limit and the spinner would be bowling 25-30 overs a day, which we wanted to avoid."Masood also explained that the decision to declare their first innings at 448 for six was made with the intention of pursuing a decisive outcome in the match."We wanted to go for a win in the match and thus felt we had enough runs on the board to declare. But the Bangladesh batters showed a lot of discipline and intent in their first innings. Mushfiq and Miraz batted really well," he added. "We felt that with 448 runs we could get a crack at them in the fourth innings."However, Pakistan's bowlers failed to make any inroads into Bangladesh's batting lineup, and the visitors chased down the modest target of 30 runs without losing a wicket.Masood acknowledged that the defeat was a disappointing start to Pakistan's home season, which includes seven home Tests and two away matches in South Africa."We just have to now get everything right and try to level the series in the world test championship," he said.Sunday's defeat was Shan's fourth straight defeat as captain after Pakistan's 0-3 whitewash at the hands of Australia last winter.

Bangladesh has achieved a historic triumph in Test cricket, securing their first-ever victory against Pakistan in the first Test match at Rawalpindi on August 25, 2024. This momentous win marks a significant milestone for Bangladesh's cricket team, breaking Pakistan's dominance in the format.Pakistan, batting first, declared their innings at 448 for 6, with Saud Shakeel (141) and Mohammad Rizwan (171) leading the charge. Bangladesh responded with a determined batting performance, led by Shadman Islam (93), Mominul Haque (50), and a brilliant partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim (191) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (77). Bangladesh's total of 565 gave them a 117-run lead.In Pakistan's second innings, Bangladesh bowlers tightened their grip, dismissing wickets at regular intervals. Mohammad Rizwan (51) once again provided some resistance, but Pakistan's batting collapsed, losing 8 wickets for just 80 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (4 for 21) and Shakib Al Hasan (3 for 44) were the main wicket-takers for Bangladesh.Bangladesh's openers, Tamim Iqbal and Najmul Hossain Shanto, chased down the target of 30 with ease, securing a historic 10-wicket victory. This triumph is a testament to Bangladesh's growing strength in Test cricket and their ability to compete with the top teams in the world.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering establishing a dedicated fund to bolster Test cricket and level the playing field for boards outside the "Big Three" (India, Australia, and England). This initiative aims to provide a minimum standard match fee of approximately US $10,000 for players across all Test-playing nations.The fund, driven by Cricket Australia chair Mark Baird and supported by the BCCI and ECB, is intended to make Test cricket more appealing to players who may otherwise opt for more lucrative franchise leagues. It would also reduce the financial burden on less-wealthy boards, which often incur losses when hosting Test matches.The fund is expected to be in the region of US $15 million and has the backing of BCCI secretary Jay Shah and ECB chair Richard Thompson. It is currently in its formative stages and has not yet been formally discussed by the ICC board or executive committee.Baird expressed optimism about the fund's potential, stating, "We need to take away the barriers and encourage Test cricket to be the best of the best. To retain that history and that legacy, which goes alongside the newer forms of white-ball cricket."The ECB has already implemented a similar concept, agreeing to pay Zimbabwe a "touring fee" for their upcoming Test match at Trent Bridge. This move reflects the growing recognition that boards need to find ways to make Test cricket financially viable for all nations.The ICC's proposed fund would be a significant step towards ensuring that Test cricket remains a vibrant and competitive format. It would provide a financial incentive for players to prioritize Test cricket and help to level the playing field for boards outside the "Big Three."

The Indian cricket team is gearing up for a busy Test season, with a two-match series against Bangladesh in September, followed by a three-match series against New Zealand and a five-match series against Australia.Captain Rohit Sharma has already begun his preparations for the upcoming challenges. Videos on social media show Sharma engaged in intense training sessions with India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. The sessions include rigorous cardio exercises in a park.Nayar, who joined the Indian support staff last month, has been working closely with Sharma. The skipper's last Test appearance for India was in March 2024 against England, where he scored a century in the first innings.The Bangladesh series will be a good warm-up for India before they face New Zealand and Australia. Bangladesh has improved significantly in recent years and will pose a tough challenge.The New Zealand series will be a stern test for India. The Kiwis are one of the top Test teams in the world and will be looking to avenge their defeat in the World Test Championship final last year.The Australia series will be the ultimate challenge for India. The Aussies are the current World Test champions and have a formidable record at home. India will need to be at their best to win the series.The upcoming Test season will be a crucial one for India. They will be looking to build on their success in the World Test Championship and establish themselves as the best Test team in the world.

England emerged victorious in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, securing a five-wicket triumph on Saturday. The hosts chased down a modest target of 205 runs, thanks to a composed 64-run stand between Joe Root and Jamie Smith.Root played the anchor role, reaching his half-century off 108 deliveries. England's chase got off to a shaky start with the early dismissals of Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope. Dan Lawrence was trapped lbw by Milan Rathnayake, leaving England in a precarious position at 119-4.Smith, who scored his maiden Test century in the first innings, provided stability alongside Root. The duo patiently navigated a challenging period, going an hour without finding the boundary. England regained control before Asitha Fernando dismissed Smith for 39.Root remained unbeaten on 62, hitting only his second four off the final ball to seal England's victory. Earlier, Sri Lanka resumed the day at 204-6, with Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal adding 117 runs for the seventh wicket. Kamindu scored his third Test century, showcasing his consistent form.However, England capitalized on the new ball after lunch, with Gus Atkinson dismissing Kamindu. Matthew Potts removed Chandimal, who battled through pain after injuring his thumb. Sri Lanka's innings concluded on 326, adding just 19 runs for the last three wickets.The second Test of the three-match series will commence at Lord's on Thursday. England will look to extend their lead, while Sri Lanka will aim to level the series.