1 day ago
NEW DELHI: England captain Joe Root went past Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar's record for most fifties in Test cricket during England's eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston on Saturday.
Root remained unbeaten on 62 off 69 ****** , hitting nine fours, as England chased down 130 to complete a 3-0 Test series whitewash.
His unbeaten half-century took his tally of Test fifties to 69, moving him past Tendulkar's 68.
West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul is third on the list with 66 fifties, while Allan Border and Rahul Dravid have 63 each. Ricky Ponting has 62.
69* – Joe Root
68 – Sachin Tendulkar
66 – Shivnarine Chanderpaul
63 – Allan Border
#past
Root remained unbeaten on 62 off 69 ****** , hitting nine fours, as England chased down 130 to complete a 3-0 Test series whitewash.
His unbeaten half-century took his tally of Test fifties to 69, moving him past Tendulkar's 68.
West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul is third on the list with 66 fifties, while Allan Border and Rahul Dravid have 63 each. Ricky Ponting has 62.
69* – Joe Root
68 – Sachin Tendulkar
66 – Shivnarine Chanderpaul
63 – Allan Border
#past
1 day ago
NEW DELHI: England completed a 3-0 Test series clean sweep over Pakistan at Edgbaston, but the series produced an unusual statistic.
It was only the eighth three-match Test series in history to finish without a single individual century. It was also only the second such series in England, after the 1888 Ashes.
England's batting was led by Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 62 in the third Test, while Jordan **** scored an unbeaten 59 as England chased down 130 with eight wickets in hand.
The result gave England their second 3-0 Test series clean sweep over Pakistan, after their success in the 2022/23 series. It was also England's 15th three-match Test series sweep overall.
For Pakistan, it was their 11th Test series defeat by a 3-0 margin.
England's chase got off to a shocking start when Ben Duckett was dismissed for a duck with the first ball. Emilio Gay then fell later in the same over bowled by Mohammad Abbas.
At 2 for 2, Pakistan had a chance to put England under serious pressure.
But Root settled things down. He survived a major scare when Mohammad Ali bowled him for 23, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball.
It was Ali's 17th no-ball of the series.
Root had another lucky escape when, on 38, he edged Abbas between first and second slip. Neither fielder went for the catch.
The England batter made Pakistan pay for the missed opportunities. He went on to complete his 110th score of 50 or more in Test cricket, including 41 centuries.
Jordan **** provided excellent support for Root as the pair took control of the chase.
Cox remained unbeaten on 59 and helped England reach the target in just 25 overs.
Pakistan had shown plenty of fight in the third Test after conceding a massive 320-run first-innings lead. But England's dominance in the first two Tests meant the series was already heavily tilted in their favour.
Had Pakistan shown the same fight earlier in the series, the contest could have been much closer.
England's fast bowlers were the biggest difference between the two sides.
Ollie Robinson led the attack and finished the series with 21 wickets. Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson also played important roles as England's pace attack made the most of helpful conditions.
The batting, however, was less convincing.
No England batter scored a century across the three Tests, making the series only the eighth three-match Test series without an individual hundred and just the second in England after the 1888 Ashes.
Pakistan's biggest positive came from debutant Razaullah, who produced an exciting counter-attack at Edgbaston.
His thrilling 81 off 63 **** gave Pakistan hope and briefly brought the third Test to life.
But it was too late to change the outcome of the series.
Pakistan have now lost 16 of their 21 Tests. Their difficult tour was followed by major changes, with seven players replaced in the squad after the second Test and coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his **** istant
It was only the eighth three-match Test series in history to finish without a single individual century. It was also only the second such series in England, after the 1888 Ashes.
England's batting was led by Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 62 in the third Test, while Jordan **** scored an unbeaten 59 as England chased down 130 with eight wickets in hand.
The result gave England their second 3-0 Test series clean sweep over Pakistan, after their success in the 2022/23 series. It was also England's 15th three-match Test series sweep overall.
For Pakistan, it was their 11th Test series defeat by a 3-0 margin.
England's chase got off to a shocking start when Ben Duckett was dismissed for a duck with the first ball. Emilio Gay then fell later in the same over bowled by Mohammad Abbas.
At 2 for 2, Pakistan had a chance to put England under serious pressure.
But Root settled things down. He survived a major scare when Mohammad Ali bowled him for 23, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball.
It was Ali's 17th no-ball of the series.
Root had another lucky escape when, on 38, he edged Abbas between first and second slip. Neither fielder went for the catch.
The England batter made Pakistan pay for the missed opportunities. He went on to complete his 110th score of 50 or more in Test cricket, including 41 centuries.
Jordan **** provided excellent support for Root as the pair took control of the chase.
Cox remained unbeaten on 59 and helped England reach the target in just 25 overs.
Pakistan had shown plenty of fight in the third Test after conceding a massive 320-run first-innings lead. But England's dominance in the first two Tests meant the series was already heavily tilted in their favour.
Had Pakistan shown the same fight earlier in the series, the contest could have been much closer.
England's fast bowlers were the biggest difference between the two sides.
Ollie Robinson led the attack and finished the series with 21 wickets. Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson also played important roles as England's pace attack made the most of helpful conditions.
The batting, however, was less convincing.
No England batter scored a century across the three Tests, making the series only the eighth three-match Test series without an individual hundred and just the second in England after the 1888 Ashes.
Pakistan's biggest positive came from debutant Razaullah, who produced an exciting counter-attack at Edgbaston.
His thrilling 81 off 63 **** gave Pakistan hope and briefly brought the third Test to life.
But it was too late to change the outcome of the series.
Pakistan have now lost 16 of their 21 Tests. Their difficult tour was followed by major changes, with seven players replaced in the squad after the second Test and coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his **** istant
1 day ago
Joe Root led England to a 3-0 Test series whitewash over Pakistan after scoring an unbeaten 62 in the third Test at Edgbaston. England were chasing 130 for victory but got off to a poor start. Ben Duckett was dismissed by Mohammad Abbas with the first ball of the innings, while opener Emilio Gay also fell later in the same over.
At 2 for 2, Pakistan had a chance to put England under pressure. But Root and Jordan **** remained calm and slowly took control of the chase.
It was the first time England had whitewashed Pakistan in a home Test series.
Root survived a big scare when Mohammad Ali bowled him for 23, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball. It was Ali's 17th no-ball of the series.
Pakistan then missed another opportunity when Root, on 38, edged Abbas between first and second slip. Neither fielder went for the catch.
Root made Pakistan pay for the missed chances. His unbeaten 62 was his 110th Test innings of 50 or more, a tally that includes 41 centuries.
Cox remained unbeaten on 59 as England reached the target in the 25th over with eight wickets in hand.
Pakistan had shown more fight in the third Test after conceding a huge 320-run first-innings deficit.
Root said the difficult chase was useful for England after Pakistan had put them under pressure.
"Fair play to Pakistan, ?they threw some punches last night. They made it very difficult for us and in some ways it's a good thing to go through that," said Root.
"Test cricket is not always going to go your own way but to see us actually be quite clinical with the bat off the back of that was good too. So ?in many ways we're better for it.
"Of course there's things we will want to improve on but we ?came into this ?series with a lot of question marks and a lot of noise around the team and we've walked away 3-0 winners so ?in that respect I'm quite ?pleased."
The series came after a difficult period for England, who had been looking to recover from their defeat to New Zealand following the Ashes loss.
Root's return to the captaincy after Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket ended with a series whitewash.
Pakistan had one major positive in the third Test. Debutant Razaullah scored an impressive 81 off 63 **** , giving his team hope and bringing energy to the contest at Edgbaston.
England's fast bowlers were once again too strong for Pakistan on helpful surfaces.
Ollie Robinson led the attack and finished the series with 21 wickets to be named England's player of the series.
"I'm a realist, I know it's not always going to be like this," said Robinson, England's player of the series.
"We know there's ?going to be tougher times ahead. We have some tough opposition coming up and we're looking forward to the challenge."
Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson also played important roles in England's dominant series win.
England's batting was less convincing, with no batter managing to score a century in the three Tests.
At 2 for 2, Pakistan had a chance to put England under pressure. But Root and Jordan **** remained calm and slowly took control of the chase.
It was the first time England had whitewashed Pakistan in a home Test series.
Root survived a big scare when Mohammad Ali bowled him for 23, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball. It was Ali's 17th no-ball of the series.
Pakistan then missed another opportunity when Root, on 38, edged Abbas between first and second slip. Neither fielder went for the catch.
Root made Pakistan pay for the missed chances. His unbeaten 62 was his 110th Test innings of 50 or more, a tally that includes 41 centuries.
Cox remained unbeaten on 59 as England reached the target in the 25th over with eight wickets in hand.
Pakistan had shown more fight in the third Test after conceding a huge 320-run first-innings deficit.
Root said the difficult chase was useful for England after Pakistan had put them under pressure.
"Fair play to Pakistan, ?they threw some punches last night. They made it very difficult for us and in some ways it's a good thing to go through that," said Root.
"Test cricket is not always going to go your own way but to see us actually be quite clinical with the bat off the back of that was good too. So ?in many ways we're better for it.
"Of course there's things we will want to improve on but we ?came into this ?series with a lot of question marks and a lot of noise around the team and we've walked away 3-0 winners so ?in that respect I'm quite ?pleased."
The series came after a difficult period for England, who had been looking to recover from their defeat to New Zealand following the Ashes loss.
Root's return to the captaincy after Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket ended with a series whitewash.
Pakistan had one major positive in the third Test. Debutant Razaullah scored an impressive 81 off 63 **** , giving his team hope and bringing energy to the contest at Edgbaston.
England's fast bowlers were once again too strong for Pakistan on helpful surfaces.
Ollie Robinson led the attack and finished the series with 21 wickets to be named England's player of the series.
"I'm a realist, I know it's not always going to be like this," said Robinson, England's player of the series.
"We know there's ?going to be tougher times ahead. We have some tough opposition coming up and we're looking forward to the challenge."
Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson also played important roles in England's dominant series win.
England's batting was less convincing, with no batter managing to score a century in the three Tests.
2 days ago
India vs Sri Lanka Women's Asia Cup final: Start time, TV channel and live streaming details for IND-W vs SL-W originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
India will face Sri Lanka in the final of the 2026 Women's Asia Cup on Sunday.
The two sides faced each other in the 2024 finals as well, with Sri Lanka emerging as the winners.
This will be India's sixth consecutive finals since the tournament shifted to the T20 format.
After a thrilling semifinal that saw Sri Lanka W's win their game against Pakistan by the narrowest of margins, the finals of the 2026 Women's Asia Cup are all set for a repeat of 2024. Only this time, it will be Sri Lanka entering the final match as the defending champions.
#asia #source
India will face Sri Lanka in the final of the 2026 Women's Asia Cup on Sunday.
The two sides faced each other in the 2024 finals as well, with Sri Lanka emerging as the winners.
This will be India's sixth consecutive finals since the tournament shifted to the T20 format.
After a thrilling semifinal that saw Sri Lanka W's win their game against Pakistan by the narrowest of margins, the finals of the 2026 Women's Asia Cup are all set for a repeat of 2024. Only this time, it will be Sri Lanka entering the final match as the defending champions.
#asia #source
2 days ago
India's road to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2027 has become much clearer following the recent Tests that were played.
As every match affects the percentage points table (PCT), India still finds themselves in the race, but with very little to spare as they move forward towards the end of the cycle.
In the first of the two Tests that India played against Sri Lanka, the visitors registered a massive 165-run victory in Galle and then aimed to complete a whitewash. However, a valiant performance from Sri Lanka in the final day of the 2nd Test in Colombo helped them to hold the visitors to a draw in the final match of the series.
After a surprise win over Australia in the first Test, Bangladesh succumbed to an embarrassing loss in the second and final match of the series in Mackay. Till date, Bangladesh hold on to the fourth position but India can overtake them if they win the second match.
England moved to the sixth position, replacing Sri Lanka after their 3-0 whitewash win over Pakistan on September 12.
#bangladesh
As every match affects the percentage points table (PCT), India still finds themselves in the race, but with very little to spare as they move forward towards the end of the cycle.
In the first of the two Tests that India played against Sri Lanka, the visitors registered a massive 165-run victory in Galle and then aimed to complete a whitewash. However, a valiant performance from Sri Lanka in the final day of the 2nd Test in Colombo helped them to hold the visitors to a draw in the final match of the series.
After a surprise win over Australia in the first Test, Bangladesh succumbed to an embarrassing loss in the second and final match of the series in Mackay. Till date, Bangladesh hold on to the fourth position but India can overtake them if they win the second match.
England moved to the sixth position, replacing Sri Lanka after their 3-0 whitewash win over Pakistan on September 12.
#bangladesh
2 days ago
England have wrapped up victory over Pakistan in the third Test by eight wickets to seal a 3-0 series win.
Here's how the players rated at Edgbaston.
Emilio Gay - 6 - A gritty Test-best of 60 in tricky batting conditions in the first innings looked to have gone some way towards securing his place on the plane for a winter tour of South Africa, only for a duck next time round to bring back some uncertainty. (Series - 6)
Ben Duckett - 2 - A miserable end to the summer for the opener who will now come under some scrutiny. Made 11 and zero in this match and finishes this three-Test series well down the averages with a disappointing 44 runs at 8.8. (Series - 2)
Jordan **** - 7 - A cheap dismissal in the first innings but made a nerveless unbeaten 59 to take the sting out of Pakistan after a wobble in the chase. A particularly impressive effort with the gloves - taking five dismissals - after being called upon to keep following Jamie Smith's injury may have given the selectors food for thought in the role. (Series - 7)
#england #edgbaston #south
Here's how the players rated at Edgbaston.
Emilio Gay - 6 - A gritty Test-best of 60 in tricky batting conditions in the first innings looked to have gone some way towards securing his place on the plane for a winter tour of South Africa, only for a duck next time round to bring back some uncertainty. (Series - 6)
Ben Duckett - 2 - A miserable end to the summer for the opener who will now come under some scrutiny. Made 11 and zero in this match and finishes this three-Test series well down the averages with a disappointing 44 runs at 8.8. (Series - 2)
Jordan **** - 7 - A cheap dismissal in the first innings but made a nerveless unbeaten 59 to take the sting out of Pakistan after a wobble in the chase. A particularly impressive effort with the gloves - taking five dismissals - after being called upon to keep following Jamie Smith's injury may have given the selectors food for thought in the role. (Series - 7)
#england #edgbaston #south
2 days ago
Third Rothesay Test, Edgbaston (day four of five)
Pakistan 133 (Tongue 4-42) & 449 (Masood 95, Razaullah 81, Babar 76, Awais 59)
England 453 (Brook 75, Smith 69, Lawrence 65, Gay 60, Robinson 50; Razaullah 4-148) & 130-2 (Root 62*, ****** 59*)
England won by eight wickets, won series 3-0
Scorecard
#england #babar
Pakistan 133 (Tongue 4-42) & 449 (Masood 95, Razaullah 81, Babar 76, Awais 59)
England 453 (Brook 75, Smith 69, Lawrence 65, Gay 60, Robinson 50; Razaullah 4-148) & 130-2 (Root 62*, ****** 59*)
England won by eight wickets, won series 3-0
Scorecard
#england #babar
2 days ago
Pakistan great Wasim Akram has expressed frustration over the country's continued struggles in Test cricket, arguing that the lack of quality batting talent emerging through the system has become a major concern.
Speaking to the media in Lahore on Friday, the former fast bowler said Pakistan's home-and-away Test series defeat to Bangladesh should have prompted the authorities to take immediate corrective measures. Instead, he felt little changed after what should have been a warning sign.
Akram pointed towards the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which has been running for a decade, and questioned whether the tournament had produced any significant batting talent for the national team.
"It has been 10 years since the PSL started, but has a single batter been produced by the PSL? Yes we have produced a few bowlers but tell me have we produced any noteworthy batting talent," he questioned.
Akram also highlighted the emergence of a 15-year-old batting talent in neighbouring India, an apparent reference to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, as an example of the kind of player Pakistan needs to produce.
"I think when we produce a batting talent like the 14-year old then we will see improvement coming through," Akram said.
While he felt Pakistan remained competitive in white-ball cricket, the former pacer was far less optimistic about the team's position in the longer format, describing the state of Test cricket as "bad".
Akram also played down the importance of who takes charge as Pakistan's coach, saying that whether the PCB appoints him or Gary Kirsten, the fundamental challenge would remain because the coach would still be working with the same pool of players.
Rather than repeatedly changing personnel, Akram called for the PCB's domestic structure to be given time to produce results. He believes the system should be allowed to operate for three to four years, with patience and long-term planning essential to any improvement.
Akram admitted that he was just as disappointed as any other Pakistani by the team's recent performances.
"Club cricket needs to be revived if we want improvement in red ball cricket. The PCB should spend 100 million rupees each in Karachi and Lahore, as talent comes from club cricket."
He also called for greater consistency in the national side, pointing out that Pakistan have continued to rotate players without addressing the underlying problems.
He said there should be consistency in the team, but the players remain the same -- they just keep coming and going.
Pakistan's ongoing Test series in England also came under scrutiny, with Akram criticising the team's approach against the home bowlers.
"In England in the ongoing series they didn't move their front foot forward, playing bowlers like Ollie Robinson while standing rooted in the crease. You need to play with courage, but for that, talent is essential."
Akram also offered his ******* sment of Pakistan's fast-bowling resources, arguing that raw pa
Speaking to the media in Lahore on Friday, the former fast bowler said Pakistan's home-and-away Test series defeat to Bangladesh should have prompted the authorities to take immediate corrective measures. Instead, he felt little changed after what should have been a warning sign.
Akram pointed towards the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which has been running for a decade, and questioned whether the tournament had produced any significant batting talent for the national team.
"It has been 10 years since the PSL started, but has a single batter been produced by the PSL? Yes we have produced a few bowlers but tell me have we produced any noteworthy batting talent," he questioned.
Akram also highlighted the emergence of a 15-year-old batting talent in neighbouring India, an apparent reference to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, as an example of the kind of player Pakistan needs to produce.
"I think when we produce a batting talent like the 14-year old then we will see improvement coming through," Akram said.
While he felt Pakistan remained competitive in white-ball cricket, the former pacer was far less optimistic about the team's position in the longer format, describing the state of Test cricket as "bad".
Akram also played down the importance of who takes charge as Pakistan's coach, saying that whether the PCB appoints him or Gary Kirsten, the fundamental challenge would remain because the coach would still be working with the same pool of players.
Rather than repeatedly changing personnel, Akram called for the PCB's domestic structure to be given time to produce results. He believes the system should be allowed to operate for three to four years, with patience and long-term planning essential to any improvement.
Akram admitted that he was just as disappointed as any other Pakistani by the team's recent performances.
"Club cricket needs to be revived if we want improvement in red ball cricket. The PCB should spend 100 million rupees each in Karachi and Lahore, as talent comes from club cricket."
He also called for greater consistency in the national side, pointing out that Pakistan have continued to rotate players without addressing the underlying problems.
He said there should be consistency in the team, but the players remain the same -- they just keep coming and going.
Pakistan's ongoing Test series in England also came under scrutiny, with Akram criticising the team's approach against the home bowlers.
"In England in the ongoing series they didn't move their front foot forward, playing bowlers like Ollie Robinson while standing rooted in the crease. You need to play with courage, but for that, talent is essential."
Akram also offered his ******* sment of Pakistan's fast-bowling resources, arguing that raw pa
2 days ago
'They've unearthed a gem': Michael Vaughan reacts to Razaullah's sensational 'Razball' blitz on Pakistan debut vs England originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Razaullah Khan's explosive 81 off 63 ****** , including nine sixes, helped Pakistan post 449 in their second innings at Edgbaston.
Pakistan, who had conceded a 320-run lead, forced England to return on Day 4 needing 130 runs to complete a series sweep.
Michael Vaughan praised Razaullah as a future star while criticising England's tactics that allowed Pakistan's extraordinary lower-order fightback.
Razaullah Khan showed grit and class to salvage some pride for a beleaguered Pakistan side who were bowled out for 133 in their first innings and stared down a 320-run deficit at Edgbaston.
#edgbaston
Razaullah Khan's explosive 81 off 63 ****** , including nine sixes, helped Pakistan post 449 in their second innings at Edgbaston.
Pakistan, who had conceded a 320-run lead, forced England to return on Day 4 needing 130 runs to complete a series sweep.
Michael Vaughan praised Razaullah as a future star while criticising England's tactics that allowed Pakistan's extraordinary lower-order fightback.
Razaullah Khan showed grit and class to salvage some pride for a beleaguered Pakistan side who were bowled out for 133 in their first innings and stared down a 320-run deficit at Edgbaston.
#edgbaston
2 days ago
England had "no plan" and were "out of control" in the face of Razaullah's stunning hitting on the third day of the final Test against Pakistan, according to former captain Alastair Cook.
Razaullah, the 21-year-old batting at number nine on Test debut, clobbered 81 from 63 ****** at Edgbaston.
He shared a ninth-wicket partnership of 121 with Muhammad Abbas to drag the third Test into an unlikely fourth day, with England set 130 for victory.
Though England are heavy favourites to earn a 3-0 clean sweep, the carnage of the final session was an alarming spell as Joe Root begins his second spell as captain.
Root's tactics were often criticised in his first spell as skipper and there were further questions of the Yorkshireman when he stood in for former captain Ben Stokes earlier this summer.
#former
Razaullah, the 21-year-old batting at number nine on Test debut, clobbered 81 from 63 ****** at Edgbaston.
He shared a ninth-wicket partnership of 121 with Muhammad Abbas to drag the third Test into an unlikely fourth day, with England set 130 for victory.
Though England are heavy favourites to earn a 3-0 clean sweep, the carnage of the final session was an alarming spell as Joe Root begins his second spell as captain.
Root's tactics were often criticised in his first spell as skipper and there were further questions of the Yorkshireman when he stood in for former captain Ben Stokes earlier this summer.
#former
2 days ago
Former Australia opener David Warner found himself in a playful social media exchange with England's famous fan group, the Barmy Army, on Friday, and the banter quickly moved from Saim Ayub's ducks to Marnus Labuschagne's century drought, England's curfew troubles and Warner's long-running Stuart Broad problem.
It all started when the Barmy Army took a dig at Warner after Pakistan batter Saim Ayub registered a pair of ducks in the final Test against England at Edgbaston. The England fan group posted a statistic pointing out that Ayub had now registered a pair twice on English soil.
Replying to the Barmy Army, Warner wrote: "Interesting stat. When was the last time I went 42 innings without a Test hundred??"
The reference was not actually about Warner. The 42 innings was a cheeky dig at former Australia teammate Marnus Labuschagne, who had gone through a lengthy drought without a Test century. Labuschagne's last Test hundred came against England at Headingley in 2023, and his drought had stretched to 42 innings.
But he wasn't finished. Then came the curfew dig.
Warner followed his 42-innings reference with another jab: "Oh do you guys still have a curfew? Asking for a mate."
That was a reference to England's recent off-field disciplinary issues involving players breaking team curfew and going out drinking. The issue had become a talking point around the England setup, with fast bowler Brydon Carse among the players caught up in the recent controversy.
#australia
It all started when the Barmy Army took a dig at Warner after Pakistan batter Saim Ayub registered a pair of ducks in the final Test against England at Edgbaston. The England fan group posted a statistic pointing out that Ayub had now registered a pair twice on English soil.
Replying to the Barmy Army, Warner wrote: "Interesting stat. When was the last time I went 42 innings without a Test hundred??"
The reference was not actually about Warner. The 42 innings was a cheeky dig at former Australia teammate Marnus Labuschagne, who had gone through a lengthy drought without a Test century. Labuschagne's last Test hundred came against England at Headingley in 2023, and his drought had stretched to 42 innings.
But he wasn't finished. Then came the curfew dig.
Warner followed his 42-innings reference with another jab: "Oh do you guys still have a curfew? Asking for a mate."
That was a reference to England's recent off-field disciplinary issues involving players breaking team curfew and going out drinking. The issue had become a talking point around the England setup, with fast bowler Brydon Carse among the players caught up in the recent controversy.
#australia
2 days ago
Cancel the tee booked at the Belfry, rearrange the trip to Cadbury World and abort the shopping jolly to the Bullring.
The reason? Pakistan debutant Razaullah and 'Razball'.
England's bowlers were thwarted by a Pakistan side who mixed batting belligerence with brilliance and instead of a Saturday off must reconvene at Edgbaston for day four.
The brilliance was provided by Razaullah, who produced a dizzying knock to breathe life into the third Test and lift the spirits of Pakistan supporters everywhere. A new hero, a new hope.
Bazball might be on its way out, but has Birmingham might just witnessed the birth of new phenomenon during two hours of unbridled chaos during which he made a stunning 81 off 63 **** coming in at number nine.
#Pakistan
The reason? Pakistan debutant Razaullah and 'Razball'.
England's bowlers were thwarted by a Pakistan side who mixed batting belligerence with brilliance and instead of a Saturday off must reconvene at Edgbaston for day four.
The brilliance was provided by Razaullah, who produced a dizzying knock to breathe life into the third Test and lift the spirits of Pakistan supporters everywhere. A new hero, a new hope.
Bazball might be on its way out, but has Birmingham might just witnessed the birth of new phenomenon during two hours of unbridled chaos during which he made a stunning 81 off 63 **** coming in at number nine.
#Pakistan
2 days ago
Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq may have left England, but the troubles from Pakistan's disastrous tour don't seem ready to leave them just yet.
According to Geo News, the Pakistan duo have now been summoned by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) over information reportedly obtained from their mobile phones. And as if that wasn't enough, both players are also set to miss the opening round of the President's Trophy Grade-I after failing to undergo mandatory fitness tests.
It has been quite the homecoming.
Rizwan and Imam were among seven players sent back to Pakistan by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the team's heavy defeat to England at Lord's. The decision came after Pakistan's struggles in the Test series, but the drama clearly didn't end when the players boarded their flights home.
According to Geo News, the NCCIA has issued notices to Rizwan and Imam as part of an investigation involving information retrieved from their mobile phones.
The PCB had reportedly taken custody of the players' phones before handing them over to the relevant authorities. Geo News reported that Rizwan and Imam were questioned by the NCCIA for around two hours, with the inquiry reportedly linked to alleged dressing-room leaks during the England series.
The exact circumstances surrounding the investigation remain unclear, and being questioned does not establish any wrongdoing by either player. But for two cricketers who probably wanted nothing more than to forget the England tour, it is certainly an unusual sequel.
As if a cybercrime investigation wasn't enough post-tour paperwork, Geo News sources have now reported that Rizwan and Imam will miss the opening round of the President's Trophy Grade-I. The reason is far less dramatic but equally awkward: mandatory fitness-test reports.
According to the report, Rizwan's SNGPL and Imam's OGDCL did not have the required fitness reports for the two players. Under PCB rules, departmental teams must conduct the fitness tests and submit the reports before players can feature in first-class cricket.
As a result, both will miss the tournament's opening round, scheduled from September 12 to 15. Imam had been named OGDCL captain, while Rizwan was appointed vice-captain of SNGPL.
#england
According to Geo News, the Pakistan duo have now been summoned by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) over information reportedly obtained from their mobile phones. And as if that wasn't enough, both players are also set to miss the opening round of the President's Trophy Grade-I after failing to undergo mandatory fitness tests.
It has been quite the homecoming.
Rizwan and Imam were among seven players sent back to Pakistan by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the team's heavy defeat to England at Lord's. The decision came after Pakistan's struggles in the Test series, but the drama clearly didn't end when the players boarded their flights home.
According to Geo News, the NCCIA has issued notices to Rizwan and Imam as part of an investigation involving information retrieved from their mobile phones.
The PCB had reportedly taken custody of the players' phones before handing them over to the relevant authorities. Geo News reported that Rizwan and Imam were questioned by the NCCIA for around two hours, with the inquiry reportedly linked to alleged dressing-room leaks during the England series.
The exact circumstances surrounding the investigation remain unclear, and being questioned does not establish any wrongdoing by either player. But for two cricketers who probably wanted nothing more than to forget the England tour, it is certainly an unusual sequel.
As if a cybercrime investigation wasn't enough post-tour paperwork, Geo News sources have now reported that Rizwan and Imam will miss the opening round of the President's Trophy Grade-I. The reason is far less dramatic but equally awkward: mandatory fitness-test reports.
According to the report, Rizwan's SNGPL and Imam's OGDCL did not have the required fitness reports for the two players. Under PCB rules, departmental teams must conduct the fitness tests and submit the reports before players can feature in first-class cricket.
As a result, both will miss the tournament's opening round, scheduled from September 12 to 15. Imam had been named OGDCL captain, while Rizwan was appointed vice-captain of SNGPL.
#england
3 days ago
Third Rothesay Test, Edgbaston (day two of five)
Pakistan 133 (Shakeel 43; Tongue 4-42) & 52-2 (Robinson 2-10)
England 453 (Brook 75, Smith 69, Lawrence 65, Gay 60, Robinson 50; Razaullah 4-148)
Pakistan are 268 runs behind
Scorecard
#Pakistan #test #shakeel #brook
Pakistan 133 (Shakeel 43; Tongue 4-42) & 52-2 (Robinson 2-10)
England 453 (Brook 75, Smith 69, Lawrence 65, Gay 60, Robinson 50; Razaullah 4-148)
Pakistan are 268 runs behind
Scorecard
#Pakistan #test #shakeel #brook
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6 days ago
Bengaluru: The BCCI's decision to send a full-strength squad to the Asian Games later this month has brought one name into focus - Jasprit ***** rah. The premier India pacer has not played for India since the second ODI against England in Cardiff in July, when he limped off after suffering an impact injury to his left knee. He has since been undergoing rehabilitation and is part of India's squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, although his participation is subject to fitness clearance.
With the Asian Games in ***** an beginning later this month, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes the tournament could provide ***** rah with valuable game time ahead of India's next major ***** ignment, the New Zealand tour.
The Asian Games, then, is the perfect opportunity for ***** rah to ease back into competitive cricket before that series. "There's a fair gap between the Asian Games and the New Zealand series, so playing ***** rah in the Asian Games is actually a good idea because he has to get some bowling under his belt. In Sri Lanka, we heard Mohammad Siraj was not quite in rhythm because he hadn't played enough in competitive matches. The bowlers need to get some overs and ***** rah getting them is very essential," Gavaskar said.
Although Shreyas Iyer has lost six of the seven T20Is he has led India in this year, Sunil Gavaskar backed him. "He's very experienced as a captain, having led Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. I don't think there should be any pressure on him at the Asian Games. "
'Asian Games ***** le defence won't be easy'
Gavaskar was quick to add that the ***** le defence won't be an easy ride for India. "It's going to be tough because it's a T20 tournament. Bangladesh are in form, Pakistan are always dangerous and Sri Lanka are a terrific team, not to forget Afghanistan, so it's not going to be easy at all," he said. Gavaskar pointed out that the Asian Games will be a huge learning experience for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. "To be able to meet sportspersons from other sports from across Asia can be an absolute treat. For Sooryavanshi, I hope it turns out to be even more inspirational because he will get to rub shoulders with athletes who he's looked up to."
(This interaction was facilitated by Sony Sports Network)
#asian #easy #sunil #zealand
With the Asian Games in ***** an beginning later this month, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes the tournament could provide ***** rah with valuable game time ahead of India's next major ***** ignment, the New Zealand tour.
The Asian Games, then, is the perfect opportunity for ***** rah to ease back into competitive cricket before that series. "There's a fair gap between the Asian Games and the New Zealand series, so playing ***** rah in the Asian Games is actually a good idea because he has to get some bowling under his belt. In Sri Lanka, we heard Mohammad Siraj was not quite in rhythm because he hadn't played enough in competitive matches. The bowlers need to get some overs and ***** rah getting them is very essential," Gavaskar said.
Although Shreyas Iyer has lost six of the seven T20Is he has led India in this year, Sunil Gavaskar backed him. "He's very experienced as a captain, having led Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. I don't think there should be any pressure on him at the Asian Games. "
'Asian Games ***** le defence won't be easy'
Gavaskar was quick to add that the ***** le defence won't be an easy ride for India. "It's going to be tough because it's a T20 tournament. Bangladesh are in form, Pakistan are always dangerous and Sri Lanka are a terrific team, not to forget Afghanistan, so it's not going to be easy at all," he said. Gavaskar pointed out that the Asian Games will be a huge learning experience for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. "To be able to meet sportspersons from other sports from across Asia can be an absolute treat. For Sooryavanshi, I hope it turns out to be even more inspirational because he will get to rub shoulders with athletes who he's looked up to."
(This interaction was facilitated by Sony Sports Network)
#asian #easy #sunil #zealand
6 days ago
CHENNAI: Ishan Kishan has developed a habit of saving his best for the big occasion. Last year, he led Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy ***** le and produced a match-winning century in the final, a performance that helped him earn his way back into India's T20I setup. After playing a matchwinning hand against Pakistan in Colombo in the T20 World Cup earlier in the year, Kishan delivered again in the Duleep final on Monday, leading East Zone against South at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Kishan smashed 270 off 334 ***** (30x4, 7x6), taking East to a mammoth 708 all out, ***** ar Kushagra chipping in with 101 as well. The double century, his second in first-class cricket, came after a gap of 10 years and has further strengthened his case for a return to India's red-ball setup.
A triple century seemed on the cards after he crossed 250, but Kishan said that personal landmarks never occupied his mind. Interestingly, he himself was unaware that it had been 10 years since he scored a first-class double century. "Honestly, I wasn't even thinking about 50, forget 300. I was only thinking about 50-run partnerships," Kishan said.
The double century came off 273 ***** . He then accelerated dramatically, reaching 250 in only 27 more ***** . But the intent, he said, was never to chase numbers. "I didn't change anything in my game plan. I was just batting normally. Once I got set, my thought was not to throw my wicket away. I have enough confidence in my shots to know that if I play well, I will either clear the field or find the gap," he said.
For Kishan, the most satisfying aspect of the innings was the temperament he showed. With East having won the toss and opted to bat, the priority was to build a total that would put South under pressure. "I would rate this innings very highly because I kept the team's goal ahead of my own runs. There were moments when I could have played more attacking shots, but the priority was to spend time in the middle, make good decisions and build a big total," he said.
That approach was shaped by a mindset Kishan believes has changed considerably during his time away from the Indian team. Having spent to two years grinding it out in domestic cricket, he said the experience taught him to simplify his game. "When you're playing for India regularly, sometimes you get into a flow and your growth can stagnate. Going back to domestic cricket makes you start from zero. You realise there are so many players scoring runs and that you have to perform better to get back," he said.
#year
Kishan smashed 270 off 334 ***** (30x4, 7x6), taking East to a mammoth 708 all out, ***** ar Kushagra chipping in with 101 as well. The double century, his second in first-class cricket, came after a gap of 10 years and has further strengthened his case for a return to India's red-ball setup.
A triple century seemed on the cards after he crossed 250, but Kishan said that personal landmarks never occupied his mind. Interestingly, he himself was unaware that it had been 10 years since he scored a first-class double century. "Honestly, I wasn't even thinking about 50, forget 300. I was only thinking about 50-run partnerships," Kishan said.
The double century came off 273 ***** . He then accelerated dramatically, reaching 250 in only 27 more ***** . But the intent, he said, was never to chase numbers. "I didn't change anything in my game plan. I was just batting normally. Once I got set, my thought was not to throw my wicket away. I have enough confidence in my shots to know that if I play well, I will either clear the field or find the gap," he said.
For Kishan, the most satisfying aspect of the innings was the temperament he showed. With East having won the toss and opted to bat, the priority was to build a total that would put South under pressure. "I would rate this innings very highly because I kept the team's goal ahead of my own runs. There were moments when I could have played more attacking shots, but the priority was to spend time in the middle, make good decisions and build a big total," he said.
That approach was shaped by a mindset Kishan believes has changed considerably during his time away from the Indian team. Having spent to two years grinding it out in domestic cricket, he said the experience taught him to simplify his game. "When you're playing for India regularly, sometimes you get into a flow and your growth can stagnate. Going back to domestic cricket makes you start from zero. You realise there are so many players scoring runs and that you have to perform better to get back," he said.
#year
6 days ago
Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has launched another scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing the governing body of playing a major role in the national team's recent struggles.
Ajmal, who claimed 362 wickets across international cricket for Pakistan before his career was brought to an early end by an issue with his bowling action, has repeatedly expressed his frustration with the PCB. The former spinner has maintained that the board failed to support him during a difficult phase of his career.
His latest criticism comes after Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat against England in the Lord's Test. Following the loss, the PCB made a series of sweeping changes, sacking head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul while also sending seven players back home.
Among those sent back was Imam-ul-Haq, who did not bat in either innings and was subsequently accused of faking his calf injury.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi later attempted to defend the players and urged critics to stop demotivating the team. Ajmal, however, questioned the sincerity of that message and instead accused the board itself of undermining Pakistan's cricketers.
"The board itself has demotivated the players more than anyone else. The board is not letting any player stand. There are players who have done well, who have also been dropped. There are players who have been humiliated by the PCB," Ajmal said.
The former Pakistan spinner also directed his criticism towards Director High Performance and selector Aaqib Javed and white-ball head coach Mike Hesson.
With Hesson also asked to take charge of the Test side for the third match against England, Ajmal claimed the pair have significant control over Pakistan cricket and held them responsible for the team's current situation.
"Aaqib Javed and Mike Hesson (who has been asked to take over the Test team for the third Test) are a team. These two are controlling everything and are responsible for this whole mess. The whole issue is about egos," Ajmal said on Samaa TV.
Ajmal further criticised the PCB's long-term planning, claiming Pakistan's cricket structure had regressed considerably.
"Our team has gone back 10 years. We have not planned for the future," he added.
Pakistan have already surrendered the Test series against England and are now facing the prospect of a clean sweep. The third and final Test is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on Wednesday, with Hesson set to take charge of the Test side.
Naqvi, meanwhile, had earlier attempted to explain the reasoning behind the PCB's decision to make such extensive changes after the Lord's defeat.
Speaking to Geo Network, the PCB chairman insisted that the decisions were not motivated by personal issues and said the board had little choice when players were not producing results.
"Every match of a series is important for us, and we are not left with any option if a player is not performing but to look for his replacement. The
Ajmal, who claimed 362 wickets across international cricket for Pakistan before his career was brought to an early end by an issue with his bowling action, has repeatedly expressed his frustration with the PCB. The former spinner has maintained that the board failed to support him during a difficult phase of his career.
His latest criticism comes after Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat against England in the Lord's Test. Following the loss, the PCB made a series of sweeping changes, sacking head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul while also sending seven players back home.
Among those sent back was Imam-ul-Haq, who did not bat in either innings and was subsequently accused of faking his calf injury.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi later attempted to defend the players and urged critics to stop demotivating the team. Ajmal, however, questioned the sincerity of that message and instead accused the board itself of undermining Pakistan's cricketers.
"The board itself has demotivated the players more than anyone else. The board is not letting any player stand. There are players who have done well, who have also been dropped. There are players who have been humiliated by the PCB," Ajmal said.
The former Pakistan spinner also directed his criticism towards Director High Performance and selector Aaqib Javed and white-ball head coach Mike Hesson.
With Hesson also asked to take charge of the Test side for the third match against England, Ajmal claimed the pair have significant control over Pakistan cricket and held them responsible for the team's current situation.
"Aaqib Javed and Mike Hesson (who has been asked to take over the Test team for the third Test) are a team. These two are controlling everything and are responsible for this whole mess. The whole issue is about egos," Ajmal said on Samaa TV.
Ajmal further criticised the PCB's long-term planning, claiming Pakistan's cricket structure had regressed considerably.
"Our team has gone back 10 years. We have not planned for the future," he added.
Pakistan have already surrendered the Test series against England and are now facing the prospect of a clean sweep. The third and final Test is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on Wednesday, with Hesson set to take charge of the Test side.
Naqvi, meanwhile, had earlier attempted to explain the reasoning behind the PCB's decision to make such extensive changes after the Lord's defeat.
Speaking to Geo Network, the PCB chairman insisted that the decisions were not motivated by personal issues and said the board had little choice when players were not producing results.
"Every match of a series is important for us, and we are not left with any option if a player is not performing but to look for his replacement. The
8 days ago
Young left-arm spinner Shree Charani said India's spin bowlers plan their strategy together before matches and then focus on executing it on the field after Indian spinners helped bowl Pakistan out for 55 in their Women's T20 Asia Cup clash.
Charani returned figures of 3/7, while Prema Rawat took 3/9 and Deepti Sharma claimed 2/5 as India's spinners took control of the match. Pakistan were bowled out for their lowest-ever T20I total of 55 before India chased down the target with 68 ***** to spare and registered a seven-wicket win on Saturday.
India had already secured a semifinal place from Group A before the match. They finished top of the group with six points after winning all three games.
Charani, who dismissed Shawaal Zulfiqar, Gull Feroza and Ayesha Zafar, said the team's spin bowlers discuss their plans before every match and then try to follow them on the field.
"In the meeting, we three sit together... Prema, me, Deepti di and Radha (Yadav) di and we discuss what to do (in the match). So, we just try to implement that here (on the field) whatever Deepti and Radha di say," said Charani.
Pakistan had raced to 27 without loss, but Charani struck twice in the sixth over to leave them at 29/3. They could not recover after that and were eventually bowled out for 55.
The 22-year-old is now one wicket away from completing 50 T20I wickets. She said her approach was to keep things simple and concentrate on getting the basics right.
"It's just about myself. Like I just want to focus on my things... I want to do my things correct," she said.
After looking at the pitch and expecting it to help the spinners, Charani said she focused on bowling at the stumps and allowing the pitch to do the rest.
"I just tried to bowl on the stumps. By seeing the pitch, we know it may turn so I just focused on that."
#t20i
Charani returned figures of 3/7, while Prema Rawat took 3/9 and Deepti Sharma claimed 2/5 as India's spinners took control of the match. Pakistan were bowled out for their lowest-ever T20I total of 55 before India chased down the target with 68 ***** to spare and registered a seven-wicket win on Saturday.
India had already secured a semifinal place from Group A before the match. They finished top of the group with six points after winning all three games.
Charani, who dismissed Shawaal Zulfiqar, Gull Feroza and Ayesha Zafar, said the team's spin bowlers discuss their plans before every match and then try to follow them on the field.
"In the meeting, we three sit together... Prema, me, Deepti di and Radha (Yadav) di and we discuss what to do (in the match). So, we just try to implement that here (on the field) whatever Deepti and Radha di say," said Charani.
Pakistan had raced to 27 without loss, but Charani struck twice in the sixth over to leave them at 29/3. They could not recover after that and were eventually bowled out for 55.
The 22-year-old is now one wicket away from completing 50 T20I wickets. She said her approach was to keep things simple and concentrate on getting the basics right.
"It's just about myself. Like I just want to focus on my things... I want to do my things correct," she said.
After looking at the pitch and expecting it to help the spinners, Charani said she focused on bowling at the stumps and allowing the pitch to do the rest.
"I just tried to bowl on the stumps. By seeing the pitch, we know it may turn so I just focused on that."
#t20i
8 days ago
Pakistan's troubled England tour has taken another unexpected turn, with the Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly taking mobile phones belonging to members of the national team into its custody ahead of the third and final Test at Edgbaston.
According to Pakistani 365 News, the players' devices have been handed over to the PCB and will remain with the board until the conclusion of the final Test. The report did not reveal the identities of the players whose phones were taken, while the PCB has not publicly stated why the devices were placed in its custody.
The development has raised questions about the extent of the authorities' powers over players' personal devices, particularly regarding when phones can be seized, retained or accessed and what safeguards apply to private communications.
Mobile phones are already subject to strict restrictions in international cricket, particularly inside areas designated as restricted during matches.
Under the ICC's Player and Match Officials Area regulations, players and support staff are not permitted to possess or use mobile phones or other communication devices inside restricted areas, including dressing rooms, during an international match.
Players are expected to place their devices in secure storage before entering such areas. The primary purpose of these regulations is to protect the integrity of international matches and prevent unauthorised communication.
However, those match-day restrictions are separate from a situation in which a player's personal phone is retained for an extended period.
The ICC Anti-Corruption Code gives authorised anti-corruption officials considerably broader powers when a formal integrity investigation is underway.
Under the code, an authorised anti-corruption official can make a written demand requiring a participant to surrender a mobile device or allow investigators to copy or download information from it when there are reasonable grounds to believe the material could be relevant to an investigation.
The information potentially covered by such a request is wide-ranging. It can include telephone and internet records, text messages, WhatsApp conversations, photographs, videos, audio files and other electronically stored documents.
Participants can also be required to provide passwords or access codes needed by investigators to obtain the relevant material.
A failure to comply with a legitimate demand during an anti-corruption investigation can itself result in disciplinary action.
Despite the ICC's provisions, the reported decision by the PCB to take possession of the players' phones does not, by itself, establish that an anti-corruption investigation is taking place.
There has been no confirmation that the PCB's action in England is connected to an integrity investigation involving corruption, betting or match-fixing. No player has been publicly accused of an integrity offence either.
There is also a distinction between the ICC's jurisdic
According to Pakistani 365 News, the players' devices have been handed over to the PCB and will remain with the board until the conclusion of the final Test. The report did not reveal the identities of the players whose phones were taken, while the PCB has not publicly stated why the devices were placed in its custody.
The development has raised questions about the extent of the authorities' powers over players' personal devices, particularly regarding when phones can be seized, retained or accessed and what safeguards apply to private communications.
Mobile phones are already subject to strict restrictions in international cricket, particularly inside areas designated as restricted during matches.
Under the ICC's Player and Match Officials Area regulations, players and support staff are not permitted to possess or use mobile phones or other communication devices inside restricted areas, including dressing rooms, during an international match.
Players are expected to place their devices in secure storage before entering such areas. The primary purpose of these regulations is to protect the integrity of international matches and prevent unauthorised communication.
However, those match-day restrictions are separate from a situation in which a player's personal phone is retained for an extended period.
The ICC Anti-Corruption Code gives authorised anti-corruption officials considerably broader powers when a formal integrity investigation is underway.
Under the code, an authorised anti-corruption official can make a written demand requiring a participant to surrender a mobile device or allow investigators to copy or download information from it when there are reasonable grounds to believe the material could be relevant to an investigation.
The information potentially covered by such a request is wide-ranging. It can include telephone and internet records, text messages, WhatsApp conversations, photographs, videos, audio files and other electronically stored documents.
Participants can also be required to provide passwords or access codes needed by investigators to obtain the relevant material.
A failure to comply with a legitimate demand during an anti-corruption investigation can itself result in disciplinary action.
Despite the ICC's provisions, the reported decision by the PCB to take possession of the players' phones does not, by itself, establish that an anti-corruption investigation is taking place.
There has been no confirmation that the PCB's action in England is connected to an integrity investigation involving corruption, betting or match-fixing. No player has been publicly accused of an integrity offence either.
There is also a distinction between the ICC's jurisdic
8 days ago
NEW DELHI: The no-handshake saga between India and Pakistan continued in women's cricket as Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana once again refrained from exchanging the customary gesture during the toss ahead of their Women's Asia Cup 2026 clash in Dubai on Saturday.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to bat first, with the latest India-Pakistan encounter beginning with the now-familiar absence of a handshake between the two captains.
The no-handshake stance has continued across India-Pakistan cricket encounters since last year, with the protocol also observed when the two sides met during the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup in Birmingham.
The focus, however, quickly shifted to the contest itself, with Pakistan looking to post a challenging total after opting to bat.
"We're gonna bat first because we want to put a maximum total here. [Did the last game influence this decision?] Yeah, because we know we have a good bowling side, so we will try to restrict them. [How have you addressed the batting wobble?] We had a good chat with the team, and we just want to play according to the pitch," Sana said.
India entered the contest in a strong position after winning their opening two matches against Thailand and Hong Kong, China, and securing a place in the semi-finals. Pakistan, meanwhile, began their campaign with a win over Thailand and still have a group-stage game against Hong Kong, China after the India clash.
India have also enjoyed a dominant recent record against their neighbours in T20Is, having won nine of their last 10 meetings, with their only defeat in that stretch coming during the 2022 Asia Cup.
Harmanpreet said India were happy to bowl first, backing their bowling attack to restrict Pakistan to a manageable total.
"Our bowling is doing great in this tournament, and good to get the opportunity to bowl first. [How challenging is chasing?] I think while batting it's always about giving ourselves some time and then going for your shots. And I think the first two games we did really well in that department, and hopefully we'll continue. [On leading for the 150th time in T20Is] Great achievement. But the key is to keep enjoying yourself on the field, and that is key; I try to keep up with that. [What score would you like to chase?] We'll try to restrict them to a short total, so there won't be pressure while chasing," she said.
The India captain also entered the record books on Saturday, becoming the first cricketer — male or female — to captain in 150 T20I matches.
Harmanpreet's landmark came in the same match in which India are aiming to complete a perfect three wins from three in the group stage.
Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu is second on the list with 121 matches as captain, followed by Australia's Meg Lanning on 100.
IND vs PAK Playing XIs:
India XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Nandani Sharm
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to bat first, with the latest India-Pakistan encounter beginning with the now-familiar absence of a handshake between the two captains.
The no-handshake stance has continued across India-Pakistan cricket encounters since last year, with the protocol also observed when the two sides met during the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup in Birmingham.
The focus, however, quickly shifted to the contest itself, with Pakistan looking to post a challenging total after opting to bat.
"We're gonna bat first because we want to put a maximum total here. [Did the last game influence this decision?] Yeah, because we know we have a good bowling side, so we will try to restrict them. [How have you addressed the batting wobble?] We had a good chat with the team, and we just want to play according to the pitch," Sana said.
India entered the contest in a strong position after winning their opening two matches against Thailand and Hong Kong, China, and securing a place in the semi-finals. Pakistan, meanwhile, began their campaign with a win over Thailand and still have a group-stage game against Hong Kong, China after the India clash.
India have also enjoyed a dominant recent record against their neighbours in T20Is, having won nine of their last 10 meetings, with their only defeat in that stretch coming during the 2022 Asia Cup.
Harmanpreet said India were happy to bowl first, backing their bowling attack to restrict Pakistan to a manageable total.
"Our bowling is doing great in this tournament, and good to get the opportunity to bowl first. [How challenging is chasing?] I think while batting it's always about giving ourselves some time and then going for your shots. And I think the first two games we did really well in that department, and hopefully we'll continue. [On leading for the 150th time in T20Is] Great achievement. But the key is to keep enjoying yourself on the field, and that is key; I try to keep up with that. [What score would you like to chase?] We'll try to restrict them to a short total, so there won't be pressure while chasing," she said.
The India captain also entered the record books on Saturday, becoming the first cricketer — male or female — to captain in 150 T20I matches.
Harmanpreet's landmark came in the same match in which India are aiming to complete a perfect three wins from three in the group stage.
Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu is second on the list with 121 matches as captain, followed by Australia's Meg Lanning on 100.
IND vs PAK Playing XIs:
India XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Nandani Sharm
8 days ago
India and Pakistan are about to face off in Dubai, in a Group A clash in the Women's Asian Cup, on Saturday evening.
India hasn't put a foot wrong so far in the tournament. They dismantled Thailand by 94 runs in their opener, then turned the screws even harder against Hong Kong, as they won by 137 runs to wrap up their semi-final spot ahead of schedule.
The top two in each group advance, and India has already made sure of that. But finishing as group leaders still matters, and they'll be going full throttle here.
Meanwhile, Pakistan put Thailand away convincingly, and, with a game against Hong Kong still to come, they also have the chance to emerge as group leaders.
That makes this match against India something of a golden chance: beat the group leaders and walk into the knockouts without a single loss on their record and as pool toppers.
#Pakistan
India hasn't put a foot wrong so far in the tournament. They dismantled Thailand by 94 runs in their opener, then turned the screws even harder against Hong Kong, as they won by 137 runs to wrap up their semi-final spot ahead of schedule.
The top two in each group advance, and India has already made sure of that. But finishing as group leaders still matters, and they'll be going full throttle here.
Meanwhile, Pakistan put Thailand away convincingly, and, with a game against Hong Kong still to come, they also have the chance to emerge as group leaders.
That makes this match against India something of a golden chance: beat the group leaders and walk into the knockouts without a single loss on their record and as pool toppers.
#Pakistan
8 days ago
India women vs Pakistan women's Asia Cup 2026 live score, toss winner, result and highlights from Dubai originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Captains: Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Fatima Sana (Pakistan)
Toss result: Pakistan women won the toss and opted to bat first.
Live Telecast: Sony Sports Network (India), Tamasha App, PTV (Pakistan), Sony Max (UK), CricLife & Starzplay (UAE)
#India #Dubai #women
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Captains: Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Fatima Sana (Pakistan)
Toss result: Pakistan women won the toss and opted to bat first.
Live Telecast: Sony Sports Network (India), Tamasha App, PTV (Pakistan), Sony Max (UK), CricLife & Starzplay (UAE)
#India #Dubai #women
9 days ago
India are set to renew their rivalry with Pakistan in their final league-stage match of the Women's Asia Cup on Saturday, with senior all-rounder Deepti Sharma confident that the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side can maintain its recent dominance over its neighbours.
India have already secured their place in the semifinals after registering convincing victories over Thailand and Hong Kong. They currently sit at the top of Group A and will enter the Pakistan clash as clear favourites.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Friday, Deepti pointed to India's strong record against Pakistan and said the team would aim to maintain that edge.
"Look, there is no advantage as such. The only thing is that whatever we have won against them (Pakistan), whether it is the Asia Cup or any other matches, we are always one step ahead of them. And that's it," Deepti said.
Deepti stressed that India would not get distracted by Pakistan's strengths and instead concentrate on maintaining their own balanced approach.
"The whole team is performing well. If you look at the bowling unit or the batting unit, I think both things are balanced. The one who has a good day, she tries to do better and take the game further. And those around her, they try to stay positive things so that they step in more in their game," she said.
Asked about Pakistan's bowling attack, Deepti acknowledged the threat but insisted India would stick to their plans.
"Our team is also good and their bowlers are also good. We know that. But we focus more on the strengths we have. And as I said, we want to play a good brand of cricket. That's what we are focusing on. We just want to play good cricket. As a bowling unit, as a batting unit, the team should be as compact as we are playing in two games. That's the mindset," she added.
India have dominated the rivalry in women's T20Is, winning 14 of their 17 meetings with Pakistan, while Pakistan have three victories. The recent record is even more emphatic. India defeated Pakistan by 64 runs in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, while also winning their previous two meetings in the 2024 T20 World Cup and Asia Cup.
Pakistan's most recent victory over India came in the 2022 Women's Asia Cup, when they secured a 13-run win.
#deepti #good #team #recent
India have already secured their place in the semifinals after registering convincing victories over Thailand and Hong Kong. They currently sit at the top of Group A and will enter the Pakistan clash as clear favourites.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Friday, Deepti pointed to India's strong record against Pakistan and said the team would aim to maintain that edge.
"Look, there is no advantage as such. The only thing is that whatever we have won against them (Pakistan), whether it is the Asia Cup or any other matches, we are always one step ahead of them. And that's it," Deepti said.
Deepti stressed that India would not get distracted by Pakistan's strengths and instead concentrate on maintaining their own balanced approach.
"The whole team is performing well. If you look at the bowling unit or the batting unit, I think both things are balanced. The one who has a good day, she tries to do better and take the game further. And those around her, they try to stay positive things so that they step in more in their game," she said.
Asked about Pakistan's bowling attack, Deepti acknowledged the threat but insisted India would stick to their plans.
"Our team is also good and their bowlers are also good. We know that. But we focus more on the strengths we have. And as I said, we want to play a good brand of cricket. That's what we are focusing on. We just want to play good cricket. As a bowling unit, as a batting unit, the team should be as compact as we are playing in two games. That's the mindset," she added.
India have dominated the rivalry in women's T20Is, winning 14 of their 17 meetings with Pakistan, while Pakistan have three victories. The recent record is even more emphatic. India defeated Pakistan by 64 runs in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, while also winning their previous two meetings in the 2024 T20 World Cup and Asia Cup.
Pakistan's most recent victory over India came in the 2022 Women's Asia Cup, when they secured a 13-run win.
#deepti #good #team #recent
9 days ago
How to watch IND vs PAK Women's Asia Cup 2026 match from Pakistan: TV channel, live stream and start time details originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
India have already secured their Women's Asia Cup semi-final spot after two commanding wins against Thailand and Hong Kong.
Smriti Mandhana's record-breaking 124 against Hong Kong made her the leading run-scorer and century-maker in women's cricket.
Pakistan sit second in Group A with two points and need just one more to book their own semi-final place.
India and Pakistan go head-to-head in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 group stage on September 5 in Dubai.
#asia #Cricket #final
India have already secured their Women's Asia Cup semi-final spot after two commanding wins against Thailand and Hong Kong.
Smriti Mandhana's record-breaking 124 against Hong Kong made her the leading run-scorer and century-maker in women's cricket.
Pakistan sit second in Group A with two points and need just one more to book their own semi-final place.
India and Pakistan go head-to-head in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 group stage on September 5 in Dubai.
#asia #Cricket #final
10 days ago
Michael Atherton has questioned the authority of Babar Azam and the role Pakistan's captains are allowed to play after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made sweeping changes to the Test squad midway through the England series.
Pakistan suffered defeats in the opening two Tests and responded by sending seven players home. Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq were among those removed from the squad, while coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were also asked to leave.
Mike Hesson will now take charge of the team for the third and final Test at Edgbaston, beginning on September 9.
The scale of the changes has placed Babar under increasing scrutiny. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif had already argued that Babar should have resigned after the seven players were sent home, while also branding him a "dummy captain".
Atherton has now questioned whether Babar, or indeed any Pakistan captain, has enough influence within the setup to lead effectively following such a major intervention from the board.
The former England captain believes the changes could have lasting consequences for Pakistan, regardless of what happens in the final Test.
"Not in this instance, no, because of the damage it will do in the long term. This is no way to manage players and no way to build a long-term vision at all," Atherton said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
"I feel it's a horrible position for a captain, Babar Azam, to be in - and what kind of authority does he or indeed any captain of Pakistan have in this outfit?" he added.
Atherton suggested that the events of the England tour could make it extremely difficult for Babar to establish authority over the Pakistan dressing room.
He acknowledged that modern-day captains do not have the same control they once enjoyed, but insisted that a captain still needs to have a meaningful say in the team's affairs.
"One understands that the captain is not all-powerful these days, you're not going back 30 years ago when they perhaps ran the show, but they have to have some authority within a team," said Atherton.
The former England captain then raised a question over how Babar can move forward after the PCB's intervention.
"Given what's happened, how do you lead that team now?" he added.
Babar reclaimed Pakistan's Test captaincy from Shan Masood earlier this year after Bangladesh defeated Pakistan in their two-match series.
His side subsequently drew the series against the West Indies before travelling to England.
The 31-year-old missed the first Test against England because of an injury, but returned for the second match at Lord's.
His comeback, however, did little to ease Pakistan's batting problems. Babar scored only 8 and 6 as Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat.
England won the Lord's Test by 194 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
With seven players removed and the coaching staff reshuffled, Babar now faces the challenge of leading a
Pakistan suffered defeats in the opening two Tests and responded by sending seven players home. Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq were among those removed from the squad, while coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were also asked to leave.
Mike Hesson will now take charge of the team for the third and final Test at Edgbaston, beginning on September 9.
The scale of the changes has placed Babar under increasing scrutiny. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif had already argued that Babar should have resigned after the seven players were sent home, while also branding him a "dummy captain".
Atherton has now questioned whether Babar, or indeed any Pakistan captain, has enough influence within the setup to lead effectively following such a major intervention from the board.
The former England captain believes the changes could have lasting consequences for Pakistan, regardless of what happens in the final Test.
"Not in this instance, no, because of the damage it will do in the long term. This is no way to manage players and no way to build a long-term vision at all," Atherton said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
"I feel it's a horrible position for a captain, Babar Azam, to be in - and what kind of authority does he or indeed any captain of Pakistan have in this outfit?" he added.
Atherton suggested that the events of the England tour could make it extremely difficult for Babar to establish authority over the Pakistan dressing room.
He acknowledged that modern-day captains do not have the same control they once enjoyed, but insisted that a captain still needs to have a meaningful say in the team's affairs.
"One understands that the captain is not all-powerful these days, you're not going back 30 years ago when they perhaps ran the show, but they have to have some authority within a team," said Atherton.
The former England captain then raised a question over how Babar can move forward after the PCB's intervention.
"Given what's happened, how do you lead that team now?" he added.
Babar reclaimed Pakistan's Test captaincy from Shan Masood earlier this year after Bangladesh defeated Pakistan in their two-match series.
His side subsequently drew the series against the West Indies before travelling to England.
The 31-year-old missed the first Test against England because of an injury, but returned for the second match at Lord's.
His comeback, however, did little to ease Pakistan's batting problems. Babar scored only 8 and 6 as Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat.
England won the Lord's Test by 194 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
With seven players removed and the coaching staff reshuffled, Babar now faces the challenge of leading a
10 days ago
India vs Pakistan women's cricket: Head‑to‑head record, wins, most runs, highest wicket-takers in T20Is & ODIs originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
India and Pakistan meet at the Women's Asia Cup 2026 in Dubai on September 5.
India lead the women's T20I head-to-head 14-3 against Pakistan.
Pakistan women's ODI record against India is even worse at 0-12.
India and Pakistan revive their fierce rivalry in the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 in the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 5.
#Cricket #head #odis
India and Pakistan meet at the Women's Asia Cup 2026 in Dubai on September 5.
India lead the women's T20I head-to-head 14-3 against Pakistan.
Pakistan women's ODI record against India is even worse at 0-12.
India and Pakistan revive their fierce rivalry in the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 in the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 5.
#Cricket #head #odis
10 days ago
'What they've done is laughable': Nasser Hussain says Pakistan have made things 'even worse' after PCB's Test team shake-up originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Nasser Hussain believes the PCB's chaotic Test team shake-up has turned Pakistan cricket into a global punchline.
The former England captain clarified his recent heavy criticism stemmed from frustration, not mockery.
Hussain contrasted the current squad's surrender with the fight shown by legends like Wasim Akram and Inzamam-ul-Haq.
The PCB's latest attempt to shake up their Test squad has gone exactly as well as expected, turning the team into a complete joke. Instead of trying to salvage the final match at Edgbaston, the board decided to send half of their players home.
#preferred
Nasser Hussain believes the PCB's chaotic Test team shake-up has turned Pakistan cricket into a global punchline.
The former England captain clarified his recent heavy criticism stemmed from frustration, not mockery.
Hussain contrasted the current squad's surrender with the fight shown by legends like Wasim Akram and Inzamam-ul-Haq.
The PCB's latest attempt to shake up their Test squad has gone exactly as well as expected, turning the team into a complete joke. Instead of trying to salvage the final match at Edgbaston, the board decided to send half of their players home.
#preferred
11 days ago
King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a garden party marking the 125th anniversary of a charity organization, where the monarch met Pakistan's national cricket team while the Queen mingled with dancers. The outing also marked their first public appearance since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to the UK last month.
King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship's 125th anniversary. At Clarence House, the monarch also met Pakistan's national cricket team. On the other hand, Queen Camilla conversed with dancers from the Royal Academy of Dance at the London headquarters.
There, she met professionals from various classes, including those aged 55 and over, those undergoing cancer treatments, and people from underprivileged backgrounds. During her visit, she also handed over the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award to Christopher Wheeldon, OBE.
Following their royal engagements, they then headed to the British Museum, where they were also joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron. Moreover, U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife, Marie-France van Heel, were also present at the museum.
In this visit, they viewed the Bayeux Tapestry, which showcases the Norman conquest of England. The tapestry was loaned to the UK for the first time since its creation, and in exchange, the country promised to send some national treasures to France (via PEOPLE).
#charles
King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship's 125th anniversary. At Clarence House, the monarch also met Pakistan's national cricket team. On the other hand, Queen Camilla conversed with dancers from the Royal Academy of Dance at the London headquarters.
There, she met professionals from various classes, including those aged 55 and over, those undergoing cancer treatments, and people from underprivileged backgrounds. During her visit, she also handed over the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award to Christopher Wheeldon, OBE.
Following their royal engagements, they then headed to the British Museum, where they were also joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron. Moreover, U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife, Marie-France van Heel, were also present at the museum.
In this visit, they viewed the Bayeux Tapestry, which showcases the Norman conquest of England. The tapestry was loaned to the UK for the first time since its creation, and in exchange, the country promised to send some national treasures to France (via PEOPLE).
#charles
11 days ago
Mohsin Naqvi hits back at critics amid Pakistan turmoil, tells them to check ICC rankings and brings up India's Ireland loss originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi defended Pakistan cricket against criticism.
Naqvi highlighted Pakistan's rise from ninth to sixth in T20Is and eighth to fifth in ODIs.
He questioned whether cricket was "over" after the recent Test series loss to England, given South Africa lost to Namibia and India to Ireland.
Pakistan made sweeping changes in the Test squad after losing the first two matches against England.
#ireland #preferred
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi defended Pakistan cricket against criticism.
Naqvi highlighted Pakistan's rise from ninth to sixth in T20Is and eighth to fifth in ODIs.
He questioned whether cricket was "over" after the recent Test series loss to England, given South Africa lost to Namibia and India to Ireland.
Pakistan made sweeping changes in the Test squad after losing the first two matches against England.
#ireland #preferred
11 days ago
England have named a 15-member squad for the third and final Rothesay Test against Pakistan, with the hosts looking to complete a 3-0 series sweep at Edgbaston from September 9. England have already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after a dominant innings-and-103-run victory at Headingley and a 194-run win at Lord's.
Fast bowler Brydon Carse remains absent from the squad as he continues to be under police investigation following his arrest in Derby last month.
Brydon Carse was left out of the second Test at Lord's after being arrested outside a nightclub on August 22. Derbyshire Police confirmed that an investigation is ongoing into allegations of ******* ault. Although Carse returned to domestic cricket last week and featured in Durham's County Championship win over Gloucestershire, he was not selected for their ongoing fixture against Northamptonshire and has not been recalled to the England squad.
Uncapped Hampshire seamer Sonny Baker, who replaced Carse ahead of the Lord's Test, retains his place in the squad. Matthew Fisher is the only player to be left out from the group that travelled to Lord's.
With England set to play six white-ball matches against Sri Lanka immediately after the Pakistan series, the management could opt to rotate some of its frontline quicks. Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue are among those who could be managed, potentially opening the door for Baker, Sam Cook or Shoaib Bashir to feature at Edgbaston.
Cook has played just one Test, against Zimbabwe last summer, while Bashir is yet to feature in the ongoing series after England opted for an all-pace attack. Baker, meanwhile, has one Test appearance to his name, having played against New Zealand at The Oval in June.
Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Jordan ******* , Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.
#england #series #cook
Fast bowler Brydon Carse remains absent from the squad as he continues to be under police investigation following his arrest in Derby last month.
Brydon Carse was left out of the second Test at Lord's after being arrested outside a nightclub on August 22. Derbyshire Police confirmed that an investigation is ongoing into allegations of ******* ault. Although Carse returned to domestic cricket last week and featured in Durham's County Championship win over Gloucestershire, he was not selected for their ongoing fixture against Northamptonshire and has not been recalled to the England squad.
Uncapped Hampshire seamer Sonny Baker, who replaced Carse ahead of the Lord's Test, retains his place in the squad. Matthew Fisher is the only player to be left out from the group that travelled to Lord's.
With England set to play six white-ball matches against Sri Lanka immediately after the Pakistan series, the management could opt to rotate some of its frontline quicks. Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue are among those who could be managed, potentially opening the door for Baker, Sam Cook or Shoaib Bashir to feature at Edgbaston.
Cook has played just one Test, against Zimbabwe last summer, while Bashir is yet to feature in the ongoing series after England opted for an all-pace attack. Baker, meanwhile, has one Test appearance to his name, having played against New Zealand at The Oval in June.
Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Jordan ******* , Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.
#england #series #cook
