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Pak Vs Zim Azhar Abid Notch Up Tons Before Muzarabani Rattles Pakistan Middle Order

PAK vs ZIM: Azhar, Abid notch up tons before Muzarabani rattles Pakistan middle-order

Pakistan managed to put 268/4 on Day 1 of the second Test in Harare. Batting first after winning the toss, the visitors lost Imran Butt for 2 but Abid Ali and Azhar Ali played cautiously and stitched a 236-run stand to get the side back on track.

While Abid remained unbeaten at 118, Azhar departed for 126 off Blessing Muzarabani. The right-arm bowler then picked up a couple of more wickets that included the scalps of captain Babar Azam and in-form batsman Fawad Alam in quick succession to reduce Pakistan to 264/4.

Muzarabani eventually returned with figures of 3/41 in 19 overs while Richard Ngarava picked up a wicket as well before the stumps were called.

Earlier, in the day Tabish Khan made his Test debut for Pakistan at the age of 36. Known for his consistency, Tabish has scalped 598 First-Class wickets so far.

"I cannot express my happiness in words for my Test debut. Every kid who starts playing cricket in Pakistan has a dream of representing the country, especially in Test format and it's been a long journey for me but I have achieved my dream today," Tabish said earlier in a video released by PCB.

"I will try my level best to meet everyone's expectations and give my 110% for the crest on my chest."

Pakistan lead the two-match series 1-0 after they thumped Zimbabwe by an innings and 116 runs in the first fixture. They had also won the three-match T20I series 2-1.

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Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2021

Twiteratti surprised with Bhuvneshwar Kumar's omission from England bound squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection panel picked the Indian squad for the ICC World Test Championship final and the five-match Test series against England and surprisingly the name of Bhuvneshwar Kumar was missing from both the squads. If swing is an art, he is a master at that. However injuries have halted his career especially in the last few years and with several other bowlers emerging in the set-up, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s chances in the longest format has been few and far between. The right-arm quick was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League. However his appearances were limited after suffering a hamstring injury against the Chennai Super Kings. Scans further revealed that he would be ruled out of the rest of the tournament. Kumar’s only trip to England as a Test player was back in 2014 when he had a brilliant time with the ball bagging 19 wickets in the five-match series. India was defeated 1-3 but Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a shining light for the visitors with his exceptional bowling through the series. However, injuries didn’t allow him to book a place for the subsequent tour in 2018. With conditions in England suited to his style of bowling, it was a bit surprising that his name was not there in the squad and Twiteratti vented their anguish at the selectors choice. Here are some of the reactions

PCB considering UAE as venue to host remainder of PSL 2021

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) might hold that the remaining of the Pakistan Super League matches will be played in UAE. The board has in fact said that it has started the discussions with the Emirates Cricket Board regarding the same. "We had an interactive and productive meeting in which we considered a number of factors. While the UAE has emerged as a preferred venue, a number of challenges remain, which will be worked through over the coming days. We remain committed to doing everything possible to complete the HBL PSL 6," PCB CEO Wasim Khan was quoted as saying via a media release. The PSL 2021 had been postponed earlier after there was a rise in the COVID-19 cases within the teams. It was later decided that the tournament will be resuming next month while the final will be played on June 20. It was further decided that all the matches would be played in Karachi itself but the surge in the COVID-19 cases in the city has forced the PCB to hold the remainder of the league outside the country. The UAE had previously hosted the PSL while the IPL 2020 also took place in the country. Pakistan team is further slated to travel to UK on June 23 for a six-match ODI series scheduled to begin on July 8. "PCB will liaise with the ECB in relation to finalising playing and training facilities, hotel bookings, ground transportation and visitors' visas," the release stated. "PCB will carry out a detailed financial and risk assessment as well as cost analysis before reporting back to the franchises, who will then review before a decision on the event venue is confirmed"

Ravindra Jadeja returns to Test squad for WTC final, England Tests; Bhuvneshwar Kumar ignored

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced the squad for the inaugural World Test Championship final to be played against New Zealand in Southampton and for the five-match series against England away from home. While the team will be led by Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane will be his deputy. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has also made his return to the side. KL Rahul and Saha’s selection is subject to fitness clearance. India's squad: Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Rohit Sharma, Gill, Mayank, Cheteshwar Pujara, H. Vihari, Rishabh (WK), R. Ashwin, R. Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Bumrah, Ishant, Shami, Siraj, Shardul, Umesh

AB de Villiers might return for West Indies series hints Graeme Smith

South African Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith has hinted at a possible comeback of the legend AB de Villiers in the national squad for the series against West Indies. The Proteas are slated to travel to the Caribbean shores next month for a two-match Test series and a five-match T20I series. ABD was in supreme touch during the 14th season of the IPL which had to be suspended indefinitely after several positive COVID cases came into the foray from respective bio-bubbles. Smith also added that with ABD, Imran Tahir and Chris Morris could also make a potential comeback for Australia in the lead up to the T20 World Cup. Mr 360 announced a sudden retirement from international cricket in 2018 after a Test series in Australia. Reportedly he was not happy with the team management and selection procedures which might have prompted him to take that decision. However, before the 2019 World Cup, he had offered to come out of retirement and play for the national team. However, his intentions were put to rest by the then skipper Faf du Plessis and the team management. During the IPL, ABD expressed his desire to don the national colours again and added that he has been in touch with the national team coach Mark Boucher and has been discussing with him a possible return to the national team. “We are lined up to have a chat sometime during the IPL. But yes, we've been talking about it already. Last year, he asked me if I would be interested. And I said, 'absolutely'. And come the end of the IPL, we will have a look at where we are at with regards to my form and my fitness,” ABD had said. Also, the situation with his team - he's got to look at his guys who have been performing well over the last while. If there's no space for me, so be it. If I can slot in there, it will be fantastic if all those things fall in place. Waiting for [the chat with] Bouchy towards the end of the IPL, and we will then plan accordingly," ABD said in a post-match presentation ceremony during the IPL.