SMAT 2021: Mumbai bundled out for 94

Shahid Afridi requests former Pakistan greats to emulate Rahul Dravid

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has advised the stalwarts to nurture the young crops in the same way Rahul Dravid has been doing in India. Dravid has been the coach of India’s U19 and ‘A’ teams and returned with good results that included the win in junior World Cup in the year 2018. Apart from this, the players who have played under him have been performing well for the national team. “I think as it is we are facing a shortage of quality talent so what is coming through needs to be groomed properly by our former greats. They can do a lot with these young players,” Afridi said at an event. Afridi also talked about the on-going issues between fast bowler Mohammad Amir and the team management. Amir had retired from international cricket after alleging “mental torture” by the management. “Even in my time bowlers had problems with the coaches. My issues with Waqar are well documented. I think this can only be prevented when the board (PCB) opens up and listens and talks to disgruntled players,” he said. Earlier, Babar Azam and coach Misbah had said that Amir was dropped from the side because of his inconsistency. "Mohammad Amir was dropped as his performances were not up to the mark. If he regains his form and continues to perform, then selectors will definitely consider his return and talk to him," he said. "Nobody was supporting his selection on the basis of performance. I have no idea why he made up everything and tried to give this whole scenario a context that is out of proportion. For him, it was a simple method: go back and prove his form and get back in the team and everything else is irrelevant," Misbah had said in a press conference.

Shardul Thakur-Washington Sundar lead India's resurgence with 100-run unbeaten stand

Coming together at the cease when their team was caught in a deep crisis, the pair of Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur led India’s riposte with a hundred run partnership on the back of half-centuries to both the batsmen. Australians were right at the top of their game when Rishabh Pant walked off the pavilion at the score of 186. Shardul was more aggressive of the two and hit two sixes off Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon while Washington was solid and watchful at the other end. Shardul was particularly severe against Micthell Starc and delighted the experts and commentators of the game. The duo has reduced the deficit under 100 for India as the hosts have started showing signs of panicking as this game was a must-win scenario for them to regain the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Shardul survives iinjury scare, stitches first 50-partnership with Sundar

Struggling with poor showings for the top order batsmen, India were dealt yet another injury scare when Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood wrapped hard on Shardul Thakur’s gloves on the second ball of India’s 86th over. Thankfully for the tourists, the injury was not serious, and he carried on batting after quick support from the team physio Nitin Patel. Shardul’s stay at the crease was essential for India who were reeling at 186-6 before the right-hander joined Washington Sundar at the crease. The duo has put on a record unbeaten partnership of 67 runs for the 7th wicket against Australia at Brisbane beating the previous best of 58 by Kapil Dev and Mano Prabhakar set in the year 1991. Earlier in the afternoon session, India were off to a poor start with Mayank Aggarwal getting out playing a rash shot followed by Rishabh Pant’s indecisive stroke. At the end Tea of the third day of the fourth Test, India were 253/6, trailing by 116 runs.

Mark Boucher feels Pakistan would be litmus Test for South African batsmen

South Africa coach Mark Boucher feels that the Pakistan tour, especially the two Tests on the tour is going to be a litmus test for the Proteas batsmen. He believes that Pakistan bowlers could utilize the home condition better. "Pakistan bowlers will have home advantage, so this series will be a test for our batsmen, but once they are successful in occupying the crease, they will be able to score freely," Boucher said. However, he also feels that coming on the back of the Sri Lanka series, where the South African batters were in full flow could act as a morale booster, and hence, more than his bowlers he trusts his batsmen to deliver. "The wickets here in Pakistan are batting friendly, and we are relying on our batsmen to score runs. Their confidence will be high after scoring runs against Sri Lanka. Our fast bowlers will have to work very hard to get wickets," said the former South Africa wicket-keeper. Saying that Pakistan is a dangerous side at home, Boucher, 44 believes that the series will be a crackerjack his team ‘will have to come up with a proper strategy’ to beat Pakistanis at their own backyard. On the other hand, opposition coach Misbah-UI-Haq feels that even though nine new players have been drafted into the 20 men Pakistani squad, his team is still more than capable enough to beat the touring party. "The series against South Africa is an important one, and I am sure the players selected in the squad have the potential and hunger to give best results in the series," Misbah said. The first Test begins on 26th January at the National Stadium in Karachi, while the three-match T20 series will start from 11th February in Lahore. This is the first tour by South Africa to Pakistan in 14 years. In the last series in 2006-07, the guests won it 1-0.