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Nitish Reddy Century, PAK Fightback And Sri Lankan Collapse – December 28 Cricket Highlights

Aakash Saini

Nitish Reddy and Pakistan team [Source: @BCCI, @ICC/x]Nitish Reddy and Pakistan team [Source: @BCCI, @ICC/x]

Nitish Reddy sparked India’s spirited fightback against Australia on Day 3 of the MCG Test. In New Zealand, the hosts deprived the visiting Sri Lankans of a near-certain win at the Bay Oval. Marco Jansen wrecked Pakistan’s batting line-up in South Africa before visiting pacemen Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas capped a roller-coaster day at the SuperSport Park.

Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest news that emerged out of Saturday, December 28.

Nitish Reddy Century Keeps Indian Hopes Alive On Day 3

Nitish Reddy punched out his maiden century through the course of his unbeaten 105* on Day 3 of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia. Saving India from a near-certain follow-on, the cricketer shared a rebellious 127-run partnership with half-centurion Washington Sundar.

Reddy’s gritty knock extended the Indian total to 358-9 by stumps as they find themselves another 116 runs away from the hosts. For Australia, Nathan Lyon picked up two of the four fallen wickets of the day while Pat Cummins and Scott Boland both chipped in with a wicket each.

Marco Jansen Takes Six Before Pakistan’s Late Fightback

South African speedster Marco Jansen picked up six wickets at an expense of 52 runs to fold up Pakistan for 237 in their second innings on Day 3. For the visitors, senior man Babar Azam notched up his first Test half-century in over two years, while Saud Shakeel top-scored with 84 runs from 113 balls.

Left to survive 45 minutes’ worth of play in their pursuit of 148, South Africa lost opener Tony de Zorzi, number three Ryan Rickelton and middle-order batter Tristan Stubbs cheaply to Pakistan new ball pacers Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas before stumps. The Proteas will now resume their chase on Day 4 at 27-3 with unbeaten Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma batting at the crease.

Sri Lanka Squander Chase To Hand A Dramatic Win To NZ

Sri Lanka went down to New Zealand by eight runs at the Bay Oval in the first T20I of their three-match series. With Binura Fernando (2-22), Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-33) keeping down the ‘Black Caps’ to 65-5 at one stage, half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell elevated the hosts total to a competitive 172-8 from 20 overs.

In response, Sri Lanka raced to 121-0 in just 13 overs before a dramatic batting collapse undid Pathum Nissanka’s fighting 90 at the top of the order. Jacob Duffy initiated New Zealand’s fightback with a three-wicket over before Matt Henry (2-28) and Zakary Foulkes (2-41) pounced on the momentum.

Sam Billings, Wes Agar Headline Sydney Thunder’s Big Win

Sam Billings articulated 72 regal runs from just 39 balls for the Sydney Thunder in match number 14 of the BBL 2024-25 season against Melbourne Stars. Blazing Thunder to a competitive 182-8 at Canberra’s Manuka Oval, fast bowlers Wes Agar (3-25), Lockie Ferguson (1-27), Daniel Sams (1-27) and spinners Chris Green (1-41) and Tom Andrews (1-32) kept the Stars down to just 164-8 in the run-chase.

The outcome marked the fifth successive defeat for the Stars as they continue to remain at the bottom of the BBL 2024-25 points table.

Rahmat Shah, Captain Shahidi Mount Big 100s In Record Stand

Afghanistan’s overnight batters Rahmat Shah and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi batted out the entirety of Day 3 of their first Test match against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo. The two cricketers mounted their second respective Test centuries, with Shah converting it into a double ton by reaching an unbeaten 231 from 416 balls till stumps.

Shahidi also crafted 141* runs from his end as their unbeaten 361-run third-wicket partnership extended Afghanistan’s total to 425-2 from 125 overs. The visitors will now resume their innings on Day 4 to find themselves another 161 runs away from Zimbabwe.