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.

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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.

Pakistan openers a class apart for Bangladesh bowling attack

Pakistan openers Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique put on strong performances to prime Pakistan for the win in the first Test match at Chattogram, Bangladesh. An unbeaten opening partnership of 109 runs on the fourth day set the visitors up for a big win while chasing 202 runs. Both openers etched their names in the record books en route their respective innings, but above all built a strong foundation with risk-free shot making. The openers, who had made a century stand in the first innings as well, became only the second Pakistani opening duo to achieve the feat in both innings of a Test match. Scoring at a healthy rate throughout their innings, both openers brought up their half centuries before the end of day’s play. While Abid scored 56 off 105 balls, Shafique put up 53 off 93 balls to become the fifth Pakistan batsman to score half centuries in both innings. Earlier in the day, Shaheen Afridi ripped through the Bangladesh batting order to give Pakistan a great chance at the Test match, despite being behind in the first innings. The pacers, who have been in great form throughout the series, bundled Bangladesh in just under 57 overs, for the batter to have a good crack at the total. With one day’s play left, Pakistan need to score just 93 runs with 10 wickets in hand.

LPL 2021: Key players to feature in the competition as teams announce squad

The Lankan Premier League is set to begin on December 5, 2021 with Galle Gladiators taking on Jaffna Kings in Colombo in the opening encounter. There would be five teams, Galle Gladiators, Jaffna Kings, Dambulla Giants, Kandy Warriors and Colombo Stars who would battle it out against each other during the competition. The sides play each other twice during the tournament while the top four will qualify for the playoffs. The top two teams will lock horns in the Qualifier 1 and the winner of this clash will directly make a place in the final. The third and fourth placed teams will play the Eliminator match and the winner of this game will take on the losing side of Qualifier 1 in the second Qualifier. The winner of the second Qualifier will be the second finalist. But before that, here we take a look at the squads of the side. Galle Gladiators Danushka Gunathilaka, Isuru Udana, Angelo Jayasinghe, Mohammad Amir, Sarfraz Ahmed, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anwar Ali, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ashan Daniel, Mohommed Shamaaz, Nuwan Thushara, Samit Patel, Suminda Lakshan, Pulina Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Madushanka, Dilshan Madushanka, Kevin Koththigoda, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Mohammad Hafeez, Angelo Jayasinghe, Sarfaraz Ahmed/Ben Dunk Jaffna Kings Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Krishan Arachchige, Suranga Lakmal, Jayden Seales, Ashen Bandara, Upul Tharanga, Wahab Riaz, Chanika Gunasekara, Chaturanga de Silva, Rathnaraja Thanuradan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shoaib Malik, Usman Shinwari, Maheesh Theekshana, Theivendram Dinoshan, Ashan Randika, Avishka Fernando, Faf du Plessis Kandy Warriors Ayana Siriwardena, Kamil Mishara, Charith Asalanka, Nimesh Vimukthi, Lahiru Kumara, Angelo Perera, Cameron Delport, Ishan Jayaratne, Binura Fernando, Asela Gunaratne, Udara Jayasundara, Kamindu Mendis, Shashika Dulshan, Kalhara Senaratne, Rovman Powell, Milinda Siriwardena, Ahmed Shehzad, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Irfan, Al Amin Hossain, Ahmed Shehzad Colombo Stars Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Jehan Daniel, Pathum Nissanka, Lakshan Sandakan, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Ravi Rampaul, Ashan Priyanjan, Himesh Ratnayke, Thikshila de Silva, Shiran Fernando, Tom Banton, Angelo Mathews, Sherfane Rutherford, Kusal Perera, Naveen ul Haq, Haris Sohail, Dinesh Chandilmal Dambulla Giants Chamika Edirisinghe, Janith Liyanage, Josh Little, Nuwan Pradeep, Dilshan Munaweera, Kalana Perera, Chamika Karunaratne, Odean Smith, Rilee Rossouw, Sohaib Maqsood, Madushan Ravichandrakumar, Niroshan Dickwella, Sachitha Jayathilake, Tharindu Ratnayake, Lahiru Udara, Ramesh Mendis, Sacha de Alwis, Muditha Lakshan, Imran Tahir, Dasun Shanaka, Najibullah Zadran.