Cricket

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains steadfast in his determination to host the upcoming Test series against England in Pakistan. However, the PCB's international cricket department has yet to finalize the itinerary, leaving Naqvi frustrated.The three-Test series is scheduled to commence on October 7, with Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi designated as potential venues. However, ongoing construction work at these stadiums in preparation for next year's ICC Champions Trophy has raised concerns about their availability."With less than a month to go before the first Test, the international department has not even decided where the opening match will be held," an insider revealed to PTI.Despite Naqvi's rejection of a proposal to relocate the series to the UAE or South Africa, the department has not formally announced the tour itinerary."The Chairman has emphasized that moving the series would harm the PCB's reputation, and Rawalpindi and Multan should be used for the three-match series," the insider stated.The delay in announcing the venues and itinerary has also impacted the PCB's revenue generation efforts. Broadcasters have encountered difficulties in selling the telecast rights of the series abroad."Even broadcasters who have acquired the rights to sell the series internationally are concerned because they have yet to find a buyer to broadcast the matches in the UK," the insider added.The PCB recently suspended the National Under-19 Championship after just one day of play due to complaints about irregularities in team selection and a lack of budget approval.

Indian Cricketers Assemble in Chennai for Bangladesh Test SeriesThe Indian cricket team arrived in Chennai on Thursday evening, gearing up for their upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The first Test is scheduled to commence on September 19 at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium.This series marks India's return to the Test arena after their participation in the T20 World Cup. Key players Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul were spotted boarding the team bus, signaling their return to the longer format.Bumrah, who has been sidelined since the T20 World Cup final, is expected to spearhead India's bowling attack. Pant, who suffered a horrific car accident in December 2022, is making a remarkable comeback to the Test team. Rahul, who missed the England series due to injury, has also rejoined the squad.The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, boasts a wealth of experience with the likes of Virat Kohli. Kohli is returning to Test cricket after taking a break following the birth of his son.Bangladesh, on the other hand, recently emerged victorious in a 2-0 Test series against Pakistan. However, they have been forced to make changes due to injuries, with uncapped batter Jaker Ali replacing fast bowler Shoriful Islam.India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, will be eager to start his maiden Test series with a win. This series serves as a crucial preparation for India's upcoming matches against New Zealand and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.With the return of star players and high stakes, the India-Bangladesh Test series promises to be an engaging spectacle for cricket enthusiasts.

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has expressed skepticism about Bangladesh's ability to challenge India in the upcoming Test series, despite Bangladesh's recent success in Pakistan. Speaking on India's prospects on Cricbuzz, Karthik emphasized that winning against India on home soil is a significant challenge."I personally don't think so. I think beating India in India is a humongous task. Bangladesh has played well in Pakistan. But no, I don't think there will be much trouble for India to beat Bangladesh," Karthik remarked.Discussing India's squad selection, Karthik highlighted the possibility of including young pacer Harshit Rana. However, he noted that the team already has four established medium pacers."Could there be a chance for Harshit Rana? I thought he bowled very well, something very special about him. They already have four medium pacers, who are good medium pacers. So, it's a good team," Karthik said.Karthik also suggested that India might prepare pace-friendly pitches for the series, which would help against Bangladesh and serve as preparation for the upcoming series against Australia."I get the feeling India's going to play on slightly pace-oriented pitches, knowing that it's a good way to beat Bangladesh. Also, they will be preparing for the Australian Test series. I think they will only play with two spinners—Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja—followed by three fast bowlers," he explained.Regarding KL Rahul's role in the team, Karthik praised his improvement as a wicketkeeper but voiced concerns about the physical demands of keeping in Test matches."KL Rahul is a very good keeper, who has improved a lot. And I don't think it's fair to call him a part-time wicketkeeper anymore," Karthik stated. He added, "Keeping in Test cricket is hard work across five days, and he's had his struggles with injuries. He has a back he needs to take care of in the long run. So, I don't think it's fair to entrust him with the keeping spot. But I genuinely feel he will make it as a batter and do really well this season."With the series against Bangladesh approaching, Team India appears well-prepared with strong batting and bowling units.

Bangladesh's historic Test series victory over Pakistan has etched itself into the annals of cricket history. The Tigers' 2-0 clean sweep marked their maiden Test win against the formidable Pakistan side and their first Test series triumph (of two matches or more) against a team other than Zimbabwe or the West Indies.Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as the hero of the series, claiming 10 wickets and earning the Player of the Series award. The all-rounder's exceptional performance was instrumental in Bangladesh's dominant display."I'm really happy. This is the first time I won the Man of the Series award overseas," Miraz said after the match. "It's a tough job batting at number 8, but I'm just trying to start rotating and support the batsman."Miraz's five-wicket haul in the second Test was a testament to his skill and determination. "I'm really happy because it's been difficult to bowl on this pitch," he said. "I got five wickets, so it's a good moment for me."Beyond his on-field achievements, Miraz dedicated his award to the family of a rickshaw puller who died during a recent anti-discrimination protest in Bangladesh. "I want to dedicate this Man of the Series Award to the people who were martyred during the anti-discrimination student protest," he said.Miraz has since fulfilled his promise by handing over the Pakistan series' prize money to the rickshaw puller's family. This act of compassion further cemented his status as a role model both on and off the field.Bangladesh's Test series victory over Pakistan is a testament to the team's growing maturity and resilience. The Tigers have proven that they can compete with the best in the world and are capable of achieving great things.

India's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh presents a dilemma for the team management: prioritize immediate success or prepare for the crucial tour of Australia later this year. The choice between Sarfaraz Khan's flamboyant batting and KL Rahul's experience has become a focal point.Khan's impressive performances in the home series against England showcased his fearless approach and technical prowess. His twin half-centuries in Rajkot and another fifty in Dharamsala highlighted his precise footwork and ability to handle both pace and spin. However, Rahul's decade-long experience in the national setup and his role as former Test captain give him an edge.A BCCI source emphasized Rahul's recent performances and fitness as key factors. Despite missing two previous Test tours of Australia due to injuries, Rahul scored a century in Sydney in 2014. His knack for scoring at significant overseas venues, combined with his extensive range of strokes, keeps him ahead in the pecking order.The same principle of continuity applies to the wicketkeeper position, where Rishabh Pant's exceptional Test credentials make him the preferred choice over Dhruv Jurel. Jurel's impressive performance in the England series is acknowledged, but Pant's exceptional Test record remains unmatched.One position with notable competition is the third spinner's spot, where Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel are contenders. Axar's recent performances in the Duleep Trophy, where he showcased his all-round skills, have strengthened his case. However, Kuldeep's previous success against Bangladesh and his array of variations might give him an edge on favorable batting tracks.While Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel have proven their potential, the emphasis for now seems to be on experience and previously demonstrated success. India's team management is balancing immediate responsibilities with strategic preparations for the Australia tour, where continuity and experience will be crucial.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) is facing a crucial decision regarding the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to commence on October 21. The decision hinges on security assessments currently underway, following concerns raised after anti-government protests in Bangladesh earlier this year.CSA, in collaboration with the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA), will make a final call by the end of this week. The Women's T20 World Cup 2024, initially slated for Bangladesh, was relocated due to the unrest.Sources within CSA indicate that the situation in Bangladesh has improved, but the organization emphasizes that player safety remains paramount. A collective decision will be made, with individual players unlikely to have the final say on whether to tour.South Africa's Test schedule has been condensed to two-match series in this World Test Championship cycle, prioritizing the launch of the SA20 domestic T20 league and cost-cutting measures. The team has played six Tests so far, winning two, losing three, and drawing one.To qualify for the WTC final at Lord's next year, South Africa needs to win at least five of their remaining six matches. If they tour Bangladesh, they are unlikely to field Marco Jansen or Gerald Coetzee, who are expected to return to action in November.South Africa's next assignment is a white-ball series against Afghanistan and Ireland in the UAE, where several new faces are expected to feature.

Shubman Gill, India's rising star in the batting order, anticipates an exciting and challenging Test series against Bangladesh. The two nations will face off in Chennai on September 19 and Kanpur on September 27.Gill, who has amassed 1492 runs in 25 Tests, believes Bangladesh poses a formidable threat. "Their fast bowlers and middle-order batters have shown impressive resilience in recent matches," he said. "We can't underestimate them."The series marks the return of Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli to the Test team. Gill, who has transitioned to the number three batting position, acknowledges the challenges it presents."When you play in a different position, you have to prove yourself," he said. "I had a slow start at number three, but I'm determined to convert my fifties into big hundreds."Gill's performance in the recent 4-1 Test series victory against England, where he scored 452 runs at number three, boosted his confidence. "It was a great experience and gave me a lot of belief," he said.The series against Bangladesh will provide Gill with another opportunity to showcase his skills and contribute to India's success. With his talent and determination, he is poised to play a pivotal role in the upcoming matches.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the upcoming home Test series against England will take place in Pakistan, despite earlier reports suggesting a possible shift to Sri Lanka or the UAE. The series, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, will proceed as planned with matches in Multan and Rawalpindi.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi quashed reports of a venue change, stating that the venues are final and games will not be played outside the country. "No Tests will be played outside (the country). Multan and Rawalpindi venues are final," Naqvi said.The confirmation comes after reports emerged that the series might be moved out of Pakistan due to ongoing renovation work at stadiums in preparation for next year's ICC Champions Trophy. However, Naqvi clarified that the venues are ready and will not be affected by the construction activities.Recently, the PCB had to shift the second Test of their series against Bangladesh from Karachi to Rawalpindi because of similar renovation work. Spectators were barred from attending that match due to the construction activities. Experts had advised that construction could continue during playing hours, potentially distracting players because of the noise and dust.England head coach Brendon McCullum had expressed concerns about the venue uncertainty, saying it made team selection difficult. "We don't know (what is happening in Pakistan), but we can't pick a team until we know where we're going to play. It would be nice if, over the next couple of days, we found out. Then we'll sit down and make sure we've got the right team for the right conditions and the right opposition," McCullum had said.The first Test of the three-match series between Pakistan and England is scheduled to begin on October 7 in Multan. The second match will take place in Karachi starting October 15. The series will conclude with the third Test in Rawalpindi on October 24.

Pakistan cricket is in a state of disarray following their humiliating 0-2 Test series defeat to Bangladesh at home. The loss marks the first time Pakistan has been swept at home by an Asian opponent, sending shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity.Captain Shan Masood has faced the brunt of the criticism, but head coach Jason Gillespie has defended his leadership. Gillespie believes Masood has led the team well, but the players have simply not performed."Shan, I feel, has led the side very well. 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. I want to back and believe in these players, they are good enough," Gillespie said.Masood, for his part, remains confident in his ability to lead the team. He believes Pakistan is heading in the right direction, despite the recent setbacks."I am not worried for my job security. I took this job to make the changes we believe will help this team. If I believe this team can go in a certain direction, even if my personal failure takes Pakistan to that direction, I will be content. However much time I get, I'll be grateful for and do my best," Masood said.Masood also highlighted the need for more Test experience within the team. He pointed to the fact that Bangladesh had several players with over 70 Tests of experience, while Pakistan lacked such depth."Bangladesh have two players who have played 70-90 Tests (Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahman), and Litton [Das] and Mehidy [Hasan Miraz] have played close to 40. We need the same level of red-ball exposure. Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game. You need experience. It's obvious we need more Test and red-ball cricket," he added.The defeat to Bangladesh has raised serious questions about the future of Pakistan cricket. The team has now lost six consecutive Test series, and their ranking has plummeted to ninth in the world.Gillespie and Masood have their work cut out for them if they are to turn things around. They need to find a way to improve the team's performance on the field, and they need to do it quickly. Otherwise, Pakistan cricket could be in for a long and difficult period.