Cricket

South Africa's two-Test series in Bangladesh has been confirmed to proceed as scheduled, following a thorough security assessment by Cricket South Africa (CSA). The first Test will commence in Dhaka from October 21-25, while the second will take place in Chattogram from October 29 to November 2.CSA's decision to approve the tour stems from an "in-loco inspection" conducted by its operations manager, team security manager, safety and security consultant, and a representative of the South African Cricketers' Association. The delegation visited Bangladesh last week and submitted their recommendations to the board.South Africa's initial concerns regarding the security situation in Bangladesh arose from the anti-government protests that occurred in July-August. These protests led to the resignation of Sheikh Hasina's government and the relocation of the women's T20 World Cup to the UAE.However, CSA sources have since indicated that the situation in Bangladesh has "settled." The tour will proceed as planned unless any risks are identified in the ongoing security assessments.South Africa's participation in this series is crucial for their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final at Lord's next year. With only six Test matches remaining in the current cycle, they need to win at least five of their remaining games.The Proteas have already played six Tests, winning two, losing three, and drawing one. They currently sit sixth on the points table. All six of their series in this cycle have been limited to two Tests, as CSA prioritized the launch of the SA20 domestic T20 franchise competition and cost-cutting measures.South Africa's last Test series against Bangladesh was held in South Africa in March-April 2022. The Proteas' white-ball squads are currently in the UAE for a series against Ireland.

Pakistan's cricket team is gearing up for a crucial Test series against England, but behind the scenes, there are allegations of political maneuvering within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Former batsman Basit Ali has claimed that white-ball coach Gary Kirsten is now involved in the politics of Pakistani cricket.According to Ali, Kirsten has taken over the leadership of a "friendship group" within the team, which was previously headed by captain Babar Azam. Ali alleges that Kirsten has been pushing for certain players to be given extended runs, including all-rounder Shadab Khan.Ali also criticized the team's recent Test series whitewash at home to Bangladesh, calling it an "embarrassing" defeat. He questioned the team's consistency and performance, suggesting that favoritism and politics were undermining the team's success.Ali's claims have been met with mixed reactions. Some have dismissed them as unfounded speculation, while others have expressed concern about the alleged political interference in the team.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has not publicly commented on Ali's allegations. However, he has previously stated that the board is committed to improving the team's performance and ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.Despite Ali's claims that fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi would not be included in the squad for the England Tests, Afridi was named in the 15-member squad for the first Test.Ali also predicted that Kirsten would be sacked after the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is set to host in February-March next year. He claimed that Kirsten had become part of the political landscape of Pakistani cricket and would not be successful in the long run.The PCB has not commented on Ali's prediction regarding Kirsten's future. However, the board has stated that it is focused on preparing the team for the upcoming Champions Trophy and ensuring a successful tournament on home soil.

England's highly anticipated Test tour of Pakistan next month will unfold in a revised format, with back-to-back fixtures in Multan and a series finale in Rawalpindi. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally approved the updated schedule after weeks of uncertainty.Initially, the three-Test series, part of the ICC World Test Championship, was set to feature a second Test in Karachi, where England had triumphed in a historic 3-0 clean sweep during their previous visit in December 2022. However, ongoing renovations at the National Stadium in Karachi for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 and a major international conference in Islamabad from October 15-16 rendered Rawalpindi unavailable for the second Test.Amidst speculation that the series might be relocated to the UAE, an agreement has been reached to retain the original venues of Multan and Rawalpindi. However, the teams will now remain in Multan for the second Test as well.England's arrival in Multan is scheduled for October 2, with Pakistan's squad assembling on the same date. The first Test will commence from October 7-11, followed by the second Test from October 15-19. The teams will then move to Rawalpindi for the third Test from October 24-28."PCB is thrilled to welcome the England men's cricket team back to Pakistan," said Usman Wahla, PCB Director, International. "Despite minor adjustments, we are committed to supporting fans and ensuring a memorable tour. We look forward to a fiercely competitive Test series and showcasing Pakistan's renowned hospitality."The announcement brings an end to the uncertainty surrounding the series, which had prompted England to name an unusually large touring squad of 17 players. England head coach Brendon McCullum had previously emphasized the need for advance knowledge of the venues to select a squad suited to the conditions.The delay in finalizing the schedule had caused frustration among England's fans, with several tour operators canceling their arrangements due to logistical uncertainties.

Pakistan cricket has been in a state of disarray in recent times, with the team suffering a string of disappointing performances. The Babar Azam-led side crashed out of the T20 World Cup 2024 following losses against USA and India. Things took a turn for the worse when they slumped to a humiliating Test series loss against Bangladesh, losing both matches.Former Pakistan cricket team skipper Rashid Latif has delivered a brutal verdict on the condition of Pakistan cricket, stating that it is "currently in the ICU." In a video circulating on social media, Latif said, "Pakistan cricket is currently in the ICU. They will need a professional doctor. They need technically sound professionals to run things, both physically and financially. Trainers and many other things are required. You can see there are many problems, whether it's on the field or off the field."Latif also advised Babar Azam to move away from captaincy for the betterment of his game. Babar has not performed well in the past few international matches and has faced criticism from both fans and experts. Latif cited the example of India legend Sachin Tendulkar and advised Babar to concentrate more on his game."We need to remember that he was removed forcefully as captain. When the mind is not functioning correctly, it affects the nerves as well. You try to play hard on every ball. He should let go of the idea of being a captain and focus on freeing himself from mental pressure. The issue seems to be more about mental stress than technical performance, and it's apparent that he is struggling to cope with a significant amount of mental pressure," said Latif.Pakistan cricket has been facing a number of challenges in recent years, including a lack of investment in grassroots cricket, poor coaching, and a lack of discipline among players. The team has also been plagued by injuries to key players, which has further hampered their performance.If Pakistan cricket is to improve, it will need to address these challenges and make some fundamental changes. The team needs to invest more in grassroots cricket, improve coaching standards, and instill a greater sense of discipline among players. It will also need to find a way to manage the workload of key players and prevent injuries.

Ahead of the highly anticipated two-match Test series against Bangladesh, Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan expressed his excitement at the prospect of sharing the dressing room with Indian legend Virat Kohli. Khan, who made his Test debut against England earlier this year, is eager to connect with his former Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate.During the England series, Khan was unable to meet Kohli, who withdrew due to personal reasons. However, the youngster has always admired Kohli's leadership skills and ability to inspire his team."His passion and spirit are unmatched. Whenever I saw him, even in pre-match meetings, he'd take charge and tell everyone how many runs he'd score off a particular bowler and break that down for everyone," Khan told JioCinema. "To be gutsy enough to stand up and talk with such positivity in front of everyone and then deliver the next day is a very unique ability."Khan also shared his first encounter with Kohli, expressing his desire to be his teammate in the national team. "I met him at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first time. I had scored 45 runs in 21 balls here and he bowed to me. I had a lot of fun that day. It was a dream to share an Indian team dressing room with him, and it will come true in the future if I get the opportunity."Meanwhile, Dhruv Jurel hopes to continue his strong form from his debut Test series against Bangladesh. Jurel sought Kohli's advice on maintaining consistency throughout his career."I asked him how he stayed so consistent and how I could improve my game. It's something I've always been curious about. I even asked Dhoni sir the same thing. They have become legends, and there must be a secret behind it. I know now that doing what seems boring and easy repetitively has built these legends," Jurel said.Kohli emphasized the importance of discipline and repetition in achieving success. "Kohli told me that if doing the boring things were so easy to do, everyone would be doing it. You have to keep doing those things, and then you'll be able to accomplish your dreams," Jurel added.Khan has learned the value of routine and self-awareness from observing Kohli over the years at RCB. "He is clear about his game. He knows the work a player needs to keep doing and that criticism or praise shouldn't affect your game. 'This is my work, I have to do this in the morning, this in the afternoon, this in the evening, and sleep at a specific time.' That's what I have learned from him."Both players also highlighted specific aspects of Kohli's batting technique that impressed them. Jurel praised his ability to step out and hit over the covers, while Khan admired his flick shot and cover drive.The first Test between India and Bangladesh will be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from Thursday.

Bangladesh's recent triumph over Pakistan has instilled a renewed sense of confidence within the team as they prepare to face India in a two-match Test series. Having achieved a historic victory in Pakistan, Bangladesh is now aiming to conquer India and complete a remarkable South Asian double.Bangladesh's fighting spirit was evident in their Pakistan series, particularly in the second Test in Rawalpindi. After being reduced to 26-6, they staged a miraculous recovery to turn the tables on Pakistan. Their determination and resilience will be crucial in the upcoming Chennai Test.India's spin-friendly conditions could pose a challenge for Bangladesh, but the visitors boast a formidable spin attack of Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Taijul Islam. These three slow bowlers have the ability to exploit favorable conditions and pose a significant threat to India's batting lineup.While Bangladesh's pace attack may not be as experienced as India's, they gained confidence from their performance in the second Pakistan Test, where they claimed all 10 wickets in the second innings. The pace bowlers will be eager to prove their worth against India's formidable batting lineup.Bangladesh's experienced players, such as Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim, will provide guidance and leadership in pressure situations. The team's core group has accumulated a wealth of experience, which will be invaluable in handling crucial moments.Bangladesh's players are familiar with the conditions in Chennai, having played in the 2023 ODI World Cup against New Zealand. This familiarity will give them an advantage as they seek to challenge India on their home turf.With a potent spin attack, a fighting spirit, and experienced players, Bangladesh is confident of giving India a run for their money in the upcoming Test series. They are determined to make history and achieve their first Test victory on Indian soil.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has firmly denied rumors that the upcoming Test series against England will be moved out of the country. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has emphasized that Pakistan will host the series as scheduled, despite concerns over the availability of venues due to ongoing construction work.The three-match Test series is set to commence on October 7, with Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi designated as the host cities. However, the PCB's international cricket department has yet to finalize the itinerary, leaving the board frustrated."With less than a month remaining for the first Test, the international department is yet to even decide where the first match would be held," a PCB insider revealed.Despite Naqvi's insistence on hosting the series in Pakistan, the department has not formally announced the tour itinerary. The delay has raised concerns among the English Cricket Board and Barmy Army members, who are eager to know the venue for the first Test.The insider expressed concerns that the delayed announcement is affecting the PCB's revenue generation opportunities. Broadcasters are struggling to sell the telecast rights of the series abroad, particularly in the UK."The more the announcement is delayed, the more it is hitting the PCB's chances of earning good revenues from the England series," the insider said.The PCB has also faced criticism for postponing the National Under-19 Championship after just one day of play. The postponement was attributed to complaints about the selection process and the lack of an approved budget.The PCB's handling of the upcoming Test series and the National Under-19 Championship has raised questions about the board's efficiency and planning. The PCB must address these concerns promptly to ensure the smooth conduct of the England series and the development of young cricketers in Pakistan.

Indian cricketers have commenced rigorous training for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on September 19 in Chennai. The second Test will take place in Kanpur on September 27.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a video on Saturday showcasing the intense practice session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The video features star players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and KL Rahul undergoing demanding batting drills.India's pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, also displayed their prowess during the practice session. The team is currently ranked seven places above Bangladesh in the official Test rankings published by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and leads the World Test Championship standings.After facing Bangladesh, India will host New Zealand for three Tests before embarking on a five-match Test series in Australia.Bangladesh, on the other hand, is brimming with confidence after defeating Pakistan in a Test series for the first time. They will be led by Najmul Hossain Shanto in the upcoming series against India.

Indian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's wife, Prithi Narayanan, expressed her excitement ahead of the team's home season opener against Bangladesh. The first Test match will be held at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai starting September 19.In anticipation of the match, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organized a pre-series camp for the cricketers at the same venue. Prithi took to Instagram to share a picture of Ashwin in India's training jersey, captioning it, "Chennai, Test match feelings are coming. Right?"The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team has commenced its preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. This will be India's first Test series under head coach Rahul Dravid and his new support staff, which includes former South Africa fast-bowler Morne Morkel as the new bowling coach.The BCCI shared pictures of the team huddle on its social media account, writing, "The countdown starts as #TeamIndia begin their preps for an exciting home season."Captain Rohit Sharma, star batter Virat Kohli, and other team members, including Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, and KL Rahul, arrived in Chennai on Thursday night.The Bangladesh team, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, is scheduled to arrive in Chennai on September 15, four days before the first Test. After the Chennai Test concludes on September 23, the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur will host the second Test from September 27 to October 1.Both Test matches are part of the ongoing 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle, where India currently leads the table with 68.52 percentage points, while Bangladesh is in fourth place with 45.83 percentage points.