Cricket

Pakistan's cricket team has finally broken a three-year drought on home soil, defeating England by 152 runs in the second Test in Multan. The victory levels the three-match series 1-1.The win is a significant achievement for Pakistan, which has struggled in recent years. The team's new selection committee made some bold changes to the squad for the last two Tests, dropping star batter Babar Azam and pacer Shaheen Afridi. The decision was met with mixed reactions, but it ultimately proved to be the right call.Noman Ali and Sajid Khan were the heroes for Pakistan, taking 8-46 and 2-93 respectively to wrap up England's second innings for 144. The visitors were set a daunting target of 297, which proved to be too much.The 152-run victory is Pakistan's first home win since February 2021. It is also a major boost for the team's confidence, which had been dented by a heavy defeat in the first Test.The final Test of the series will start in Rawalpindi on October 24. Pakistan will be hoping to complete a famous series victory over England.

Team India's batting woes continued on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, as they were bundled out for a paltry 46 runs, their lowest Test total on home soil. The collapse was triggered by a devastating bowling performance from Matt Henry and William O'Rourke, who shared nine wickets between them.Rohit Sharma's decision to bat first backfired spectacularly, with four of India's top seven batters dismissed for ducks, including star batsman Virat Kohli. The Indian batting lineup was unable to cope with the New Zealand bowlers' relentless pressure, with only Shreyas Iyer (10) and Ravichandran Ashwin (13) reaching double figures.Former India captain Anil Kumble criticized the team's batting approach, particularly the decision to bat Kohli at number three. Kumble argued that Kohli should have batted at his usual position of number four, while a solid player like Cheteshwar Pujara should have been brought in at number three to tackle the new ball."Virat Kohli should have batted at No. 4, he is your number one batter at that position. For the number three position, [you need] someone like Cheteshwar Pujara, who did so well for so many years playing there. 100 Test matches because he would have been there today, then I don't think he would have gone looking to hit the ball," Kumble said.Kumble also criticized the Indian batters' lack of patience, saying they were trying to play every ball. "He would allow the ball to come on and that's where you miss someone like that (Pujara). Kind of an approach today. And India is certainly in a spot of bother here," he added.Meanwhile, New Zealand took a commanding lead of 134 runs on Day 2, thanks to a solid batting performance led by opener Devon Conway, who scored 91 runs. Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell were unbeaten on 22 and 14, respectively, when bad light stopped play in an extended session.

Rachin Ravindra, the New Zealand cricketer with deep-rooted connections to Bengaluru, has once again showcased his exceptional talent on Indian soil. During the second Test match against India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Ravindra scored a magnificent 134 runs off 157 balls, helping his team post a formidable total.Ravindra's innings was characterized by a combination of caution and aggression. Against the tight bowling of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, he played defensively, focusing on rotating the strike. However, he unleashed his attacking instincts against the spinners, smashing Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin for boundaries and sixes.Ravindra's success in India is not a coincidence. He has spent considerable time adapting to the subcontinent's conditions, thanks to the guidance of his father, Ravindra Krishnamurthy, who was also his first coach. In the lead-up to the World Cup last year, Ravindra traveled to Bengaluru and Anantapur with his club, the Hutt Hawks, to gain experience on Indian pitches.Before the Black Caps' tour of the subcontinent, Ravindra trained at the Chennai Super Kings Academy, where he underwent rigorous batting drills in challenging conditions. His father, who witnessed his son's century, attributed it to the preparation he received at the academy."Rachin trained at the academy for about a week. In 40 degrees Celsius, in that humidity, he practiced on a gravel kind of surface. The ball is jumping and turning, dust is coming off, and you are drenched in sweat. I mean nothing can get worse than that. This century, I think, is because of that preparation," said Ravindra Krishnamurthy.Ravindra himself acknowledged the value of his training in India. "It was an invaluable experience. I thought it'd be the best thing for me to go and have a few days of training there in more realistic conditions than what we'd have doctored in New Zealand," he said.Ravindra's performance in the second Test is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has proven himself to be a versatile batsman who can adapt to different conditions and challenges. As the series progresses, he will be one to watch as New Zealand looks to level the score against India.

Pakistan's recent victory over England in the second Test at Multan has sparked a mix of jubilation and controversy. The triumph ended a string of Test defeats, but it also reignited criticism of former captain Babar Azam and alleged favoritism during his tenure.After Pakistan's loss in the first Test, the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) new selection panel, led by former pacer Aaqib Javed, dropped Babar from the Test squad. Other notable omissions included fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, as well as wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed.The move proved fruitful as debutant Kamran Ghulam scored a century, while the spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 152-run victory within four days. Noman and Sajid claimed all 20 English wickets, with Noman taking 11 and Sajid claiming nine.However, the win has fueled further criticism of Babar, prompting veteran pacer Mohammad Amir to speak out. "Please end these petty talks that the team won because Babar or other players were not in the team," Amir wrote on social media. "We played with better planning, took the home advantage, and won."Amir urged fans to focus on performance rather than personal attacks on players. The three-match series is now level at 1-1, with the deciding Test scheduled to begin on October 24 in Rawalpindi.

The Tamil Nadu under-19 women's cricket team has etched its name in history by claiming the BCCI Women's under-19 T20 tournament for the first time. Their triumph over Uttar Pradesh by four wickets in a low-scoring match at Lahli, Haryana on Friday marked a significant milestone for women's cricket in the state.The TN U-19 women's team manager, Pushpa Sathyanarayanan, expressed her pride and joy over the team's stunning victory. She attributed their success to the players' unwavering passion for the game, determination, and exceptional teamwork. Sathyanarayanan emphasized that the team's journey to victory had been nothing short of inspiring, with the players' commitment and the unwavering support of coaches, parents, and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) playing a crucial role."This triumph is not just a victory for the team, but a celebration of women's cricket in Tamil Nadu," Sathyanarayanan said. "This is a dream come true for all of us. The Under-19 girls cricket team members would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the TNCA for their unwavering support and their motive to develop women's cricket in the region."The match itself was a tense and closely contested affair. Uttar Pradesh posted a modest total of 67 runs in 19.2 overs, with Janlin Chandra emerging as the standout bowler for Tamil Nadu, claiming four wickets for just 11 runs. In response, Tamil Nadu chased down the target in 19.1 overs, losing six wickets in the process.The victory has sparked widespread jubilation and recognition for the Tamil Nadu under-19 women's cricket team. Their achievement is a testament to the growing strength and talent of women's cricket in India, and it is hoped that their success will inspire future generations of young girls to pursue their dreams in the sport.

Rain Interrupts Karnataka's Ranji Trophy Campaign, Frustrating Players and FansKarnataka's Ranji Trophy Elite Group C campaign has been hampered by inclement weather, with the team's match against Kerala at the Alur Grounds delayed by six hours on Friday due to wet spots on the field. This follows a similar experience in their opening match against Madhya Pradesh, where they were forced to settle for a solitary point.The persistent rain and drizzle have left the Alur field in a precarious state, with the wet patches refusing to dry out even under the blazing sun. The umpires were unmoved by two close shouts for leg-before against Kerala opener Rohan Kunnummal, adding to the frustration of the Karnataka players.Kunnummal, who was batting positively, made the most of the conditions, driving superbly in the 'V' and breaching the fence multiple times. His standout shot was a hoick over long-off against left-arm spinner Hardik Raj. Vathsal Govind, in contrast, played a more sedate innings, eschewing expansive stroke-play and focusing on clipping off his pads and steering behind square.At stumps, Kerala had reached 88 for no loss, with Kunnummal batting on 57 and Govind on 31. The match was called off owing to bad light with seven overs remaining.The weather delays have put Karnataka in a difficult position. If Saturday's play is also affected, they could end up with another frustrating draw, which would jeopardize their chances of progressing in the tournament.

Abhimanyu Easwaran's remarkable form continued as he notched up his 27th First-class century, guiding Bengal to a draw against Uttar Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy encounter. Resuming the final day at 78, Easwaran reached his hundred off 140 balls, his fifth in the last nine innings. Bengal declared their second innings at 254/3, setting U.P. a challenging target of 273.Despite a testing pitch and early setbacks, Priyam Garg's gritty century ensured the hosts held on for a draw. Bengal earned three points for their first-innings lead, while Uttar Pradesh settled for one.U.P.'s pacers struggled to generate movement from the pitch, allowing Easwaran and Sudip Chatterjee to extend their opening partnership. Easwaran displayed composure, surviving a close lbw shout before reaching his century. Chatterjee fell for 93, but Easwaran accelerated, scoring at nearly a run-a-ball to stretch Bengal's lead.Bengal declared just before lunch, hoping to force a result. However, U.P.'s resistance proved stubborn. Mukesh Kumar trapped Aryan Juyal lbw early, but Garg took charge, guiding U.P. out of trouble. Despite multiple blows, Garg displayed resilience, fending off Mukesh Kumar's bouncers and keeping the scoreboard ticking.As wickets fell around him, Garg remained U.P.'s stronghold, bringing up his hundred off 142 balls. His battling innings ensured that U.P. finished at 162 for six, forcing Bengal to settle for a draw.

New Zealand's White Ferns have secured their place in the Women's T20 World Cup final after a thrilling eight-run victory over the West Indies in Sharjah on Friday.Despite a valiant effort from Deandra Dottin, who limited New Zealand to 128-9 with her impressive 4-22 bowling performance, her powerful 33 from 22 balls, including three sixes, was not enough to carry the West Indies to victory.New Zealand's innings got off to a promising start with Suzie Bates (26) and Georgia Plimmer (33) putting on 48 for the first wicket. However, Dottin's bowling prowess proved too much for the White Ferns, as she dismissed Amelia Kerr, Brooke Halliday (18), Maddy Green, and Rosemary Mair. Isabella Gaze's late flourish of 20 from 14 balls gave the New Zealand bowlers a total to defend.The West Indies faced a difficult start against New Zealand's precise bowling, and their chances seemed slim when captain Hayley Matthews was out for 15. Dottin's explosive innings brought the West Indies back into contention, but her dismissal left Afy Fletcher (17 not out) and Zaida James (14) to continue the battle.New Zealand only secured the win in the final over of the match, with Eden Carson, the New Zealand off-spinner, being awarded Player of the Match for her impressive figures of 3-29 from four overs.The White Ferns will now face South Africa, who knocked out defending champions Australia on Thursday, in Sunday's final at Dubai. New Zealand, who were runners-up in the first two tournaments in 2009 and 2010, will be hoping to secure their first T20 World Cup title.

Tamil Nadu's Ranji Trophy campaign commenced with a resounding innings and 70-run victory over Saurashtra, a formidable force in domestic cricket. The triumph was orchestrated by the brilliance of left-arm seamer Gurjapneet Singh, who claimed a six-wicket haul in Saurashtra's second innings, dismissing them for a paltry 94 runs.Gurjapneet's devastating spell proved too much for Saurashtra's renowned batting lineup, including veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson. His remarkable figures of 14-5-22-6 included the crucial wickets of Chirag Jani, Arpit Vasavada, and Prerak Mankad.The foundation for Tamil Nadu's victory was laid in the first innings, where their bowlers restricted Saurashtra to 203. In response, Tamil Nadu's batsmen asserted their dominance, with Narayan Jagadeesan leading the charge with a century. Sai Sudharsan contributed a solid 82, while Pradosh Ranjan Paul chipped in with 49, helping Tamil Nadu post an imposing 367 on the board.When Saurashtra came out to bat again, they faced immense pressure. Gurjapneet struck early, removing Cheteshwar Pujara for a six-ball duck. Despite efforts to recover the pitch after heavy rainfall, the conditions favored Tamil Nadu's seamers, and Gurjapneet exploited them to the fullest.Saurashtra's batting collapse handed Tamil Nadu a massive innings victory, securing all seven points from the game. The win marks an ideal start for the team as they set their sights on their next match against Delhi on October 18.