Cricket

Bangladesh Dominates Pakistan with Miraz's Five-Wicket Haul in Rawalpindi TestOn the rain-affected second day of the second Test in Rawalpindi, Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as the star performer, claiming a five-wicket haul to restrict Pakistan to 274.After the first day's play was washed out, Taskin Ahmed struck early, dismissing Abdullah Shafique in the first over. Shan Masood and Saim Ayub steadied the Pakistani innings, scoring half-centuries. However, Miraz's introduction proved pivotal, as he dismissed Masood for 57.Bangladesh's bowlers maintained a tight grip on the game, with Miraz and Taskin Ahmed (3/57) leading the charge. Ayub's 58 was ended by a stumping, while Saud Shakeel's dismissal exposed Pakistan's middle order.Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan fell cheaply, leaving the hosts in trouble at 211 for 6. Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali departed in quick succession, as Miraz continued to torment the Pakistani batsmen.Salman Agha's 54 provided some resistance, but Ahmed's dismissal of the all-rounder increased Pakistan's woes. Miraz wrapped up the innings by having Abrar Ahmed stumped, completing his five-wicket haul.Bangladesh ended the day at 10 for no loss, with Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan at the crease. The visitors will be aiming to secure a 2-0 series victory after their triumph in the first Test.

England and Sri Lanka are set to face off in the second Test of their three-match series at Lord's, with the hosts looking to extend their winning streak to five while the visitors aim to level the series.Sri Lanka, despite losing the first Test at Old Trafford, showed resilience and determination, particularly in their batting. Kamindu Mendis and Asitha Fernando were standout performers, with Mendis scoring a century and Fernando taking five wickets.England, on the other hand, had to work hard for their victory, with Joe Root anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 62. The hosts also benefited from a controversial ball-change, which allowed them to exploit the reverse swing generated by Fernando.Sri Lanka will be hoping to capitalize on their improved form and the favorable weather conditions at Lord's. They have a strong record at the venue, having drawn five of their eight previous Tests there. Dimuth Karunaratne, who has struggled for runs in recent times, will be keen to make a significant contribution.England, meanwhile, will be looking to maintain their momentum and continue their dominance in home Tests. Ollie Pope, who has taken over the captaincy from Ben Stokes, will be eager to prove his credentials as a leader and batsman.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Sri Lanka's batting depth and England's bowling attack will be key factors in determining the outcome.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a preliminary squad of 20 players for the upcoming one-off Test match against New Zealand, scheduled to take place from September 9-13 in Greater Noida, India. The selected players will depart for India on August 28 for a week-long preparation camp.The final squad will be announced at the end of the camp, with the selection committee considering players' performance and fitness. Afghanistan suffered a six-wicket defeat in their most recent Test match against Ireland in Abu Dhabi earlier this year."20 players have been selected for the training camp and a 15-member squad will be selected to play the only Test match against New Zealand after observing their performance and fitness," said Afghanistan chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhel.ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf expressed his delight at the inclusion of young players who have performed well in domestic cricket. He emphasized the significance of this event, marking the first time the two nations will engage in a bilateral cricket series."It is worth mentioning that before the 9th edition of Shpageeza Cricket League, these players attended a full package preparation camp in Nangarhar province too that carries similar conditions to India," he added.The Afghanistan preliminary squad includes:* Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain)* Ibrahim Zadran* Riaz Hassan* Abdul Malik* Rahmat Shah* Baheer Shah Mahboob* Ikram Alikhel (wk)* Shahidullah Kamal* Gulbadin Naib* Afsar Zazai (wk)* Azmatullah Omarzai* Ziaurrahman Akbar* Shamsurrahman* Qais Ahmad* Zahir Khan* Nijat Masoud* Farid Ahmad Malik* Naveed Zadran* Khalil Ahmad* Yama Arab

Bangladesh's bowlers tightened their grip on the second Test against Pakistan in Dhaka, dismissing key batsmen and putting the visitors under pressure. Mehidy Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan shared five wickets between them, while Nahid Rana chipped in with a crucial scalp.Pakistan resumed their second innings at 188/2, trailing by 114 runs. However, they lost Abdullah Shafique (23) and Agha Salman (0) in quick succession, both falling to Mehidy. Shakib then removed Mohammad Rizwan (29) and Shaheen Afridi (10) to leave Pakistan reeling at 199/6.Rizwan, who had been Pakistan's top scorer in the first innings, was particularly unlucky. He was initially given not out after being hit on the pad by Shakib, but the decision was overturned on review.Mehidy continued to impress, bowling with accuracy and control. He dismissed Rizwan with a well-flighted delivery that turned sharply and took the outside edge. Shakib, on the other hand, used his experience to outfox Shafique and Afridi.Nahid Rana provided valuable support, removing Salman with a delivery that kept low and trapped him in front. Pakistan's hopes now rest on captain Babar Azam and Faheem Ashraf, who are unbeaten on 13 and 10 respectively.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be confident of wrapping up the match quickly. They have a significant lead of 114 runs and a potent bowling attack that has already taken 10 wickets.

Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das put up a valiant fight against Pakistan's bowling attack on Day 3 of the first Test in Rawalpindi. The duo added an unbeaten 98 runs for the sixth wicket, guiding Bangladesh to a respectable 316-5 at the close of play.Rahim, who reached his 28th Test half-century with a boundary off Shaheen Shah Afridi, remained unbeaten on 55. Das, who also completed his half-century with a six off Naseem Shah, was not out on 52.The pair came together after Bangladesh lost opener Shadman Islam for 93, just seven runs short of a century. Islam's patient innings of 183 balls helped Bangladesh recover from a shaky start and lay the foundation for a solid total.Pakistan's bowlers struggled to make an impact on the unresponsive Rawalpindi pitch, with only Naseem Shah managing to break through the Bangladesh defense. Shah dismissed Litton Das for 52, ending a promising partnership that had threatened to take the game away from Pakistan.Despite the wicket, Bangladesh remained in control of the match, trailing Pakistan's total of 448-6 declared by 132 runs with five wickets in hand. The visitors will be confident of securing a draw or even pulling off a first-ever win over Pakistan in the 14th Test match between the rivals.

England is poised to secure a victory over a resilient Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford. At the end of the third day, Sri Lanka had fought back to 204-6 in their second innings, trailing by a mere 82 runs.Angelo Mathews (65) and Kamindu Mendis (56 not out) led a determined rearguard action, erasing the 122-run deficit from the first innings. However, England, who had earlier declared on 358 with Jamie Smith making his maiden Test century, remain favorites to take the lead in the three-match series on Saturday.Resuming the day with a 23-run lead and four first-innings wickets remaining, Smith extended his overnight score of 72 to 111 off 148 balls, becoming the youngest wicketkeeper to score a Test hundred for England. Gus Atkinson departed for 20, caught behind off debutant fast bowler Milan Rathnayake's first Test wicket. Smith followed three overs later, edging a delivery from left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya to wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal.Tail-enders Mark Wood and Matthew Potts then shared a stand of 33 to bolster England's lead. Sri Lanka, given a few overs to bat before lunch, made a disastrous start as Nishan Madushka was bowled by Chris Woakes for a duck. Atkinson then had Kusal Mendis caught behind by Smith, also without scoring, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 1-2.Dimuth Karunaratne and Mathews dug in after lunch, gradually reducing the deficit. However, Sri Lanka slipped to 95-4 when Chandimal retired hurt after a blow to the thumb. Mathews proved obdurate, but was eventually caught at point by Matthew Potts off Woakes' bowling.Milan Rathnayake was caught in the deep for 10, but Mendis remained unbeaten at stumps, giving Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope.

A Fan's Incredible One-Handed Stunner Steals the Show at England-Sri Lanka TestIn a thrilling moment that captivated the crowd at the England-Sri Lanka Test in Manchester, a fan became an instant sensation with an extraordinary one-handed catch. The incident occurred on the third day of the first Test, leaving spectators in awe and commentators praising the fan's athleticism.As England's Mark Wood attempted a pull shot off a bouncer from Asitha Fernando, the ball soared into the deep mid-wicket stands. Amidst the anticipation, a fan with a pint in one hand extended his other hand and executed a flawless one-handed catch. The crowd erupted in cheers, and even England coach Paul Collingwood couldn't help but be impressed.The fan's remarkable catch not only showcased his exceptional reflexes but also highlighted the passion and excitement that permeate the sport of cricket. It served as a reminder that even in the midst of a high-stakes Test match, moments of pure joy and camaraderie can emerge.The incident also underscored the importance of fan engagement in sports. The fan's catch became a viral sensation on social media, with many praising his skill and the unique atmosphere it created at the match. Such moments help foster a sense of community and shared experience among fans, making sporting events even more memorable.

England's wicketkeeper Jamie Smith played a pivotal role in pushing the team to a 23-run first-innings lead over Sri Lanka in the ongoing first Test at Old Trafford. Smith's unbeaten knock of 72 helped England reach 259-6 before play was halted due to weather on Day 2.Resuming on 22-0, England faced early setbacks as Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando claimed the wickets of Ben Duckett (18) and Ollie Pope (6). Dan Lawrence survived an lbw review but was later dismissed for 30, while Joe Root fell for 42.However, Smith and Harry Brook steadied the innings with a 62-run partnership. Brook reached a half-century for the 13th time in 15 Tests, continuing his impressive start to his career in the format.After tea, Smith carried England past Sri Lanka's total of 236 all out. He has now scored three half-centuries in his four Test matches, showcasing his immediate impact in the Test arena.Sri Lanka, who were reeling at 6-3 on Day 1, have shown resilience in the match. Asitha Fernando has been their standout bowler, claiming figures of 3-68.The weather played a significant role on Day 2, with rain washing out the morning session and leading to an early end to the day's play. The teams will be hoping for better conditions on Day 3 as they look to gain an advantage in the series opener.

The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to shift the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh from Karachi to Rawalpindi has drawn criticism from former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal. The move was necessitated by ongoing renovations at the National Stadium in Karachi, which is being prepared for the Champions Trophy.Akmal expressed his disappointment with the PCB's handling of the situation, calling it an "international mockery." He pointed out that Pakistan has world-class stadiums beyond the three major venues (Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi) and could have hosted one of the Tests in cities like Multan or Faisalabad."We don't just have 2-3 stadiums; we also have Faisalabad Stadium and Multan Stadium," Akmal said. "These are top-class stadiums where much cricket has been played. The crowd also comes there. It would have been good to host a Test match at one of these venues."Akmal's criticism stems from the fact that international cricket in Pakistan has been restricted to only three venues since its resumption following the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team. He believes that the PCB should have explored alternative options to avoid the embarrassment of playing Test matches without spectators.The PCB had initially announced that the second Test would be played behind closed doors in Karachi, but later reversed its decision and shifted the game to Rawalpindi. Construction experts had advised the PCB that the renovations at the National Stadium could continue during playing hours, but the noise and dust produced by the work could distract and disturb the players.The renovations at the National Stadium are part of a larger effort to prepare the venue for the Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is scheduled to host in 2025. The PCB is keen to ensure that the stadium meets international standards and provides a world-class experience for players and fans alike.