BAN vs PAK | Abid Ali misses out on consecutive centuries but guides Pakistan to easy win

Chasing more than 200 in the fourth innings of a Test match is a dangerous proposition and in the subcontinent, it becomes even more precarious given the amount of turn that the pitches offer. However, for Pakistan openers, it turned out to be a walk in the park as they chased down the target of 203 set up by the Bangladeshi team with much ease.

Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique, the two openers played a great role in the victory as they did not give even a window of opportunity for the Bangladeshi bowlers to make inroads. Taking a leaf out of their first innings partnership of 146, the duo stitched together 151 this time around. They remained unbeaten on the fourth day, making the fifth day just a formality as only 93 runs were required for the win.

Bangladesh, on the other end, might have harboured hopes of getting back into the game on the last day with their spin duo of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam. However, it took too late for them to come to action and even as Mehidy broke the opening partnership by removing Shafique for 73. Tailjul also removed Abid for 91, but by that time Pakistan required only 31 runs to win.

Skipper Babar Azam and senior Azhar Ali made sure that the target was reached without any further breaches.

Earlier Bangladesh, even after claiming 44 runs lead in the first innings courtesy of Islam’s brilliant 7-116 spell, wasn’t able to capitalise on it and could only make 157 in their second innings. Even getting to that would have been difficult if it wasn’t for the half-century from Liton Das as the rest of the batters literally threw their wickets away.

Courtesy of this win, the Pakistani team moved to second position in the Points Table of the World Test Championship 2021-23. They have 66.66 Percentage of Points courtesy of two wins from three completed games. Sri Lanka lead the table with one win from one match.

Discover more

We did it together bro: Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel shed light on the Kanpur heist

Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel, the two Indian origin players of the New Zealand team were responsible for what would be known in years to come as Kanpur heist. They literally took the game away from India under fading lights and hence there was no loss of happy smiles on their faces when Ajaz was asked to speak to Ravindra about the drawn Test match, which was also Ravindra’s debut Test. Asked about his experience of the first Test, Ravindra said, “ Being able to play in India in front of their crazy fans, bit nail-biting at the end, glad we could get the draw. And if you could ask me when will be a perfect Test match, maybe that was it.” Talking about the butterflies in the stomach while getting to play his debut Test, Ravindra said, “Definitely a little bit nervous bowling wise and when we were four down and I was next to bat in the first innings, I definitely felt the butterflies. But after a while, I did what I do and backed all the efforts that I have done and luckily it ended up okay on the last day.” Ajaz then mentioned how important has Ravindra’s dad’s role been in making him a cricketer. Speaking about that the 22-year-old said, “My mom and dad have been such big influences on me and my career thus far. It’s pretty special to be able to play in their home town (Kanpur). I am sure they are very proud. Obviously, I can’t thank them enough for what they have done.” However, the icing on the cake in that interview was when Ajaz said, “What an exciting way to start off your Test career mate” and Ravindra replied, “Yeah it was. It was really nice, but we did it together bro.” The duo survived 52 balls as the last standing pair of the New Zealand team and earned the hard-fought draw.

Watch: Ashwin thanks Harbhajan for his 2001 spell against Australia, calls it life-changing

Ravichandran Ashwin surpassed Harbhajan Singh to become the third leading Test wicket-taker of India. The feat was achieved in the fourth innings of the Kanpur Test when he removed a well-settled Tom Latham to give the Indian unit a chance to force its way back into the game. Reacting to that in a post-match interview with fellow teammate Shreyas Iyer, Ashwin said that Harbhajan is a pure legend of the game and surpassing him is a big achievement. “I think these are numbers that are happening as a result of my efforts and my willingness to enjoy the game. At this point in time, honestly speaking, I am not worried about what number I am surpassing or anything. It’s a wonderful milestone, Harbhajan Singh, when he was bowling that wonderful spell against Australia in 2001, I never thought I would even be an off-spinner on that particular day. But inspired by him I decided to ball off-spin and here I am,” said the Chennai born who now has to his kitty 419 wickets, two more than Harbahajan and only 15 less than the great Kapil Dev.

SL vs WI | 2nd Test | Day-1: Pathum Nissanka’s fifty highlights the rain-marred opening day

The opening day of the second Test between Sri Lank and West Indies at the Galle International Stadium was marred by rain and could not start at due time. In the end, it could eventually start at 03:00 pm Local time and only 34.4 overs could be bowled before the end of the day’s play was declared by the umpires due to bad light. Pathum Nissanka, the opening batter from Sri Lanka stole whatever limelight that was left to be stolen after the great rainfall at the picturesque stadium in the backdrop of the Galle Fort on one side and the Indian ocean on the rest of the three sides. The right-handed batter scored his third fifty in only his sixth Test match. The 23-year-old remained unbeaten on 61 off 109 balls and was supported by Oshada Fernando at the other end who came in to bat after the fall of Sri Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne’s wicket was unbeaten on two off 10 deliveries. Roston Chase picked the only wicket to fall, getting Karunratne caught and bowled on 48. Charith Asalanka made his test debut in this game and he was played in the playing XI in place of fast bowler Dushamantha Chameera. On the other hand, West Indies also made two changes in their XI with Veerasammy Permaul and Kemar Roach coming in for Rahkeem Cornwall and Shanon Gabriel respectively.

Kolkpak returnee Duanne Olivier looking to make international comeback against India

India’s tour of South Africa might be uncertain with the way the new variant Omicorn is spreading in southern parts of the African continent, but one thing that is getting more certain with each passing game in the current South African First-Class season is that Kolpak returnee Duanne Olivier will be making his international return in the upcoming series against India. The 29-year-old has claimed 28 wickets in four games playing for the Lions in the Four Day Franchise series, the premier South African First-class tournament. He returned back to his home nation after the end of the Kolpak system earlier this year. He used to play for Yorkshire in English domestic cricket as a Kolpak player, not overseas. Asked if he is now willing to play for South Africa once again, Olivier said, "I am open to everything but I am trying to think of the present and not the future at the moment.” “Victor Mpitsang (convener of selectors) phoned me and asked me if I was open to playing for South Africa again and I said of course I am. It's up to the selectors if they want to include me," he added confirming that he is in the scheme of things of the South African system. The Groblersdal made his international debut for South Africa four years ago against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg. He has so far played 10 Tests and taken 48 wickets in them with 6/36 being his best performance in an innings. The right-arm quick has got three five-wicket hauls to his name already in a short career. With Lungi Ngidi being away from active cricket for quite some time, it seems like Olivier will partner Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje as South Africa’s top three strike bowlers against India. The series is scheduled to begin on De ember 17 with the first Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.