BAN vs PAK | 2nd Test: Bangladesh reel at 25-4 as Sajid cleans up top order

The second Test match between Bangladesh and Pakistan has been in the limelight mainly because of the persistent rain which had not allowed the play to go on for a larger period of time. However, on day four, things changed drastically as Pakistan declared their innings at 300-4 and invited Bangladesh to play crucial 10 overs before Tea.

The declaration did the trick as Sajid Khan made use of the turning wicket and removed the two Bangladesh openers in Shadman Islam and debutant Mahmudul Hasan Joy. While Islam made three runs, Joy would now have to carry the burden of being out on a duck in his debut international innings. Skipper Mominul Haque who failed in both innings of the first Test continued to dwell in bad form as he was run out two just before Tea.

Just at the time of writing, the Tigers lost their most experienced warhorse in Mushfiqur Rahim who threw his wicket away. Rahim tried to go for an extravagant slog sweep and handed a simple above head catch to Fawad Alam at mid-wicket. In only 14 overs, Bangladesh are now 42-4 with Najmul Hussain Shanto and last match hero Liton Das at the crease.

Earlier in the day, both Babar Azam and Azhar Ali, the overnight batters were removed by Khaled Ahmed and Ebadot Hussain respectively. But Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan, the two men that joined afterwards made sure that runs flew swiftly and took Pakistan to 300, picking their respective fifties on the way while remaining unbeaten.

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Injury pushes Kiwi captain Kane Williamson out of cricket for two months

The elbow tendon injury which Kane Williamson had been nursing since the World Test Championship Final in June 2021 has ruled him out for at least two months. Williamson, despite his injury, played in the Indian Premier League's second leg, the T20 World Cup and the first Test against India. According to New Zealand coach Gary Stead, Kane would not undergo surgery, but would have to have to rehabilitate for at least 8-9 weeks and won’t be available for selection for the home series against Bangladesh and away series against Australia. “Kane's going along ok. Last time after the World Test Championship [final] and before the IPL and T20 World Cup was about eight or nine weeks. I expect it's somewhere in that time frame again,” Stead was quoted as saying by Stuff.co.nz “I think surgery is unlikely. All that surgery would do is ensure that rehab is done. If we don't have to cut a tendon, our choice is not to do that,” the coach added about the procedure of the Kiwi captain’s recovery. Stead then went on to say that Kane would most likely be back before the South Africa series where the Proteas tour the Kiwi nation for a two-match Test series which would be part of the WTC 2021-23. “He loves playing for New Zealand – he hates the thought of missing any cricket, let alone test cricket for New Zealand.” The first Test against the touring South African side starts at Hagley Oval on February 17, which is just over 10 weeks away from now.

BBL 11 | Haris Rauf to join Melbourne Stars post Christmas

Pakistan pace sensation Haris Rauf will once again be seen donning the greens of the Big Bash League side Melbourne Stars in the 11th season o the league. Rauf, who got recognition while playing n the BBL for the Stars in the 2018-19 season will be back with the team once again after being absent for the last season. Announcing his arrival the Stars in a press note said, “The Melbourne Stars are thrilled to announce that Haris Rauf will be returning to Team Green for BBL|11.” In BBL 09, when the Stars made it to the final, the Lahore born Rauf, a tape-ball player who got the leather ball experience only a season prior to his BBL debut took 20 wickets from 10 matches, including a famous hat-trick at the MCG. Speaking on Rauf rejoining the Stars, coach David Hussey said, “We can’t wait to see Haris Rauf back at the Stars. His addition brings experience, energy and quality to our fast-bowling stocks. I’m sure the Stars fans will enjoy seeing him represent Team Green again in BBL|11.” As per the Covid-19 protocols, if things go in the right direction, the 28-year-old Lahore Qalandar man will play his first BBL 11 game against Brisbane Heat on December 27th.

The Ashes | Gabba Test: England prefer Pope over Jonny Bairstow, replace Anderson with Woakes

England have zeroed in on Ollie Pope to occupy the only vacant spot in the middle order over Jonny Bairstow while Chris Woakes has been deemed as the best option to replace James Anderson, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) revealed via a press release. The Times had earlier reported that Anderson might be rested citing lack of preparation leading up the first Test and Woakes will offer his seam bowling quality to England in Brisbane where weather conditions are likely to aid his kind of bowlers. Pope winning a place over Bairstow comes as a reward for the Surrey batsman after excellent outings against India at home and Bairstow’s inability to capitalise on the opportunities in the four Tests against India earlier this year. As per reports, Bairstow was set to play the final Test of the series in Manchester before Covid-19 in the Indian camp postponed the game. England are also contemplating playing one among Jack Leach and Stuart Broad, the report said further. The convention suggests that pitches in Gabba offer turns in the end parts of the game and bounce in the initial stage, something that should prompt England to pick Leach as their only frontline spinner. Having said that, the weather conditions and green tinge on the surface have made selection calls complicated for the tourists. England will also be buoyed by the return of Ben Stokes, who will give the much-sought balance to the side and hence Leach could get to play his first Test for England after missing six Tests in a row due to team combination. England squad for the first Test Joe Root (c), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Haseeb Hameed, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

Australia Women suffer setback as all-rounder Sophie Molineux ruled out of Ashes series

In a massive setback to Australia Women’s chances, all-rounder Sophie Molineuxhas been ruled out of the upcoming multi-format Ashes series against England Women. She has been diagnosed with a foot injury while playing for the Melbourne Renegades Women in the ongoing edition of the Women Big Bash League. Now, Australia Women are hoping for a return to full fitness by the ODI World Cup scheduled to take place in March 2022 in New Zealand. "Sophie sustained a stress fracture to her right foot during the last week of the WBBL. She is currently offloading in a moon boot and a return to play plan has been developed in conjunction with Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia medical staff,” Australia team doctor Pip Inge said. "Sophie's focus now shifts to her rehabilitation plan which means she'll be unavailable for any upcoming domestic matches as well as the Ashes in January. At this stage, we are aiming to have Sophie available for the ICC Women’s World Cup in New Zealand in March." Her injury and unavailability for the Ashes series will dent Australia further as they are already without another spinner in Georgia Wareham, who ruptured her ligament in the early part of the WBBL. England Women are set to play a Test match, three-match ODI series and an equally longer T20 series on the tour starting January 27.