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Bangladesh becomes third nation in history to win its 100th match in all formats

With a win over Zimbabwe in the first match of the three-match T20I series at Harare Sports Club, Harare, on Thursday, July 22, Bangladesh entered into an elite league of countries with victory in their 100th game of all formats. While this was their 100th T20I, where they defeated Zimbabwe by eight wickets, their 100th Test win came against Sri Lanka at Colombo in 2017 when they chased down 191 in the fourth innings. Their ODI milestone however dates way back to 2004 when the Tigers stunned India by 15 runs in Dhaka. Two other nations to have achieved the same feat are Australia and Pakistan and among the three only Australia has won the first and 100th game of all three formats that they have played. Overall, Bangladesh have played 124 Tests and won only 15, losing 92 and drawing 17. They have a win percentage of 12.09. In ODIs, the team has played 388 games, winning 136 and losing 245 while seven of their games have had no result whatsoever. Their win percentage remains 35.69. In the shortest format, their record isn’t that good either as in 100 matches they have lost 65 and won only 35 with a win percentage of 35.

Having worked on "mental" fitness, Soumya Sarkar decides to compete with none but himself

Bangladesh batsman and also an accurate slow medium pacer, Somya Sarkar does not see himself in competition with anyone esle as he said that the process of comparing himself with others put him under a lot of pressure. He outlined the role of working on “certain areas” of his game and becoming “mentally fit” to turn things around in the T20 series against Zimbabawe. "When I was out of the team, I practiced with purpose, particularly during the DPL T20s. I will continue to focus on certain areas of my game. I have to be more mentally fit to be more consistent. My biggest competition is with myself. If I think of competing with others, it puts pressure on me. I want to do well myself, and get back my place in the team," Sarkar said. Sarkar was awarded Man of the Match award in the first T20 against Zimbabwe for a 45-ball 50 and one-wicket spell, but he had to go through an indiffrent start. He conceded his nervousness returning to international cricket after a period of four months, but said that the first six helped him unshackle the rustiness. "I was playing my first international match after four months so I felt a bit shaky at the start. When some of my first shots were going to hand, I told myself to take a bit of time. A four or a six would open things up for me, I thought. When I got a preferred ball and struck the six, I got my confidence back,” Sarkar said. Sarkar said that he was unaware of his batting position until the innings break when the coach told him of the opening opportunity with Mohammad Naim. He also commended his opening partner for taking the initiiave and providing impetus to the Bangladesh’ batting in the chase of 153 runs. "I was supposed to bat at No 3, but the coach told me at the innings break that I would be opening in Liton's place. I had to prepare myself mentally, and speak to the new partner and bat according to the conditions. When we were going slow at the start, I told Naim that one big over will bring the flow in our favour. When he struck those three fours in the fourth over, things changed quickly," he said. The second T20 of the series between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh is underway at the Harare Sports Club and the hosts are in advantageous position to square the series with one more match to go.

Confused Sri Lankans celebrate way too early as Suryakumar Yadav earns comic reprieve

Confusion among the fielding Sri Lankans and the batsman Suryakumar Yadav created chaos in the 23rd over of the third ODI between the sides. Suryakumar was beaten by a delivery from Praveen Jayawickrama while attempting to sweep and the umpire Kumar Dharmsena adjudged him lbw out. After having a brief discussion with his batting partner Manish Pandey, Suryakumar opted to challenge the on-field decision. The third umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri found the impact of the ball outside of the line of the off-stump and also more than 2.4 metres from the batting crease. The Sri Lankan side failed to see through the impact call on the ball tracker and started celebrating the dismissal of the batsman as Suryakumae too started to walk off the ground. However, just in nick of time, umpire Wimalasiri informed umpire Dharmsena of his conclusion and recommended him to reverse the decision. A befuddled Dharmsena could not make a sense of the situation and stopped the batsman from going to the pavilion. Just after the end of that action-packed over from Jayawickrama, the clouds opened up and it started pouring in Colombo. Earlier, India won the toss and batted first after making as many as six changes in the playing XI that included five debutants. Navdeep Saini returned to the ODI squad while Chetan Sakariya, Nitish Rana, Rahul Chahar, Krishnappa Gowtham, and Sanju Samson, who had injured his knee to miss out of the first two ODIs, made their ODI debut at the R Premadasa Stadium.

Cricket Ireland postpones series against Zimbabwe due to covid restrictions in Northern Ireland

Cricket Ireland announced that the tour of Zimbabwe to Ireland, scheduled to begin next month has been postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland, which comes under the administrations of the United Kingdom. "Following the latest advice for the conditions around which scheduled matches may proceed in Northern Ireland - most notably the stipulations of health authorities around quarantining requirements of the incoming Zimbabwean squad - Cricket Ireland has today confirmed that the Zimbabwe Men's tour to Ireland will need to be rescheduled," Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Warren Deutrom said in a press release issued by the board on their official Twitter handle. All the matches of the series were scheduled to be played in Northern Ireland at the Civil Service Cricket Club Ground, Stormont in Belfast and Brady Cricket Club Ground in Magheramason. It is worth noting the fact that although two different countries in terms of political administration, Northern Ireland and Ireland are represented by the same cricket team. So even after Zimbabwe being in category two of Covid-19 nations travelling list, it is on the red list in the UK and thus the series could not be approved on health measures. Saying that the co-operation from Zimbabwe Cricket is appreciated, Duetron added, "It is now anticipated that the series will be held in August-September 2021, but that some venue changes may be required to accommodate the latest advice received.” "We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of Zimbabwe Cricket Board and all involved as we work through these latest challenges, and will provide updates as soon as possible."