Cricket
New Zealand ekes out dramatic draw in 1st test against India
Rachin Ravindra played out 91 deliveries to help New Zealand eke out a dramatic draw in the first test against India just as the home team’s spinners looked like forcing the win on Monday.
Set 284 to win, New Zealand was 165-9 when umpire Nitin Menon called off play having checked light readings in each of the previous six overs.
Ravindra was unbeaten on 18 runs, while tailender Ajaz Patel faced 23 balls to score 2 not out. The last-wicket partnership faced 52 deliveries to deny India victory late on the fifth day.
Also read: New Zealand 79-1 at lunch on 5th day, chasing 284 to win
Ravichandran Ashwin took 3-35 and fellow spinner Ravindra Jadeja had 4-40 as New Zealand lost six wickets for 66 runs either side of the tea break. Axar Patel also took 1-23.
“Ravindra showed great composure (and) Ajaz Patel with his defense,” said Ashwin, who moved to 419 wickets — past Harbhajan Singh’s 417 — and became the third on India’s all-time list after Anil Kumble (619) and Kapil Dev (434).
“Everybody hangs in there, everybody can defend well these days.”
After lunch, which New Zealand reached at 79-1, the downfall began as Umesh Yadav (1-34) got the elusive breakthrough when nightwatchman William Somerville was caught first ball after resumption for 36 off 110 deliveries.
Somerville put on 76 with Tom Latham for the second wicket, with the pair batting through the first session.
Latham was the top-scorer with 52 off 146 balls for his 22nd test half-century. He also scored 95 in the first innings.
The meltdown began after New Zealand crossed 100 in the 47th over.
Latham played onto his own stumps off Ashwin, sparking a collapse from 118-3 to 128-6 in the span of 15.1 overs.
Jadeja accounted for Ross Taylor (2), while Kane Williamson (24) was trapped lbw as New Zealand went to tea at 125-4.
Also read: Chattogram Test: Pakistan make it close as openers hit fifties
Axar Patel had Henry Nicholls (1) dismissed lbw and New Zealand’s middle order put up little resistance as Ashwin bowled Tom Blundell (2).
Kyle Jamieson (5) and Tim Southee (4) helped Ravindra eat up 11 overs before falling to Jadeja and there were just 10.4 overs remaining in the day.
The umpires checked fading light repeatedly but play carried on until the dramatic call-off with approximately two overs remaining.
Both sides earned four points for a draw in the World Test Championship. The second and final test begins in Mumbai on Friday.
Nissanka hits unbeaten 61 as Sri Lanka closes Day 1 at 113-1
Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka scored an unbeaten 61 to get Sri Lanka off to a good start Monday on the first day of the second test against the West Indies as the hosts reached 113-1 at stumps.
Play was suspended because of bad light in the 35th over.
Nissanka, who completed his third test half century, and captain Dimuth Karunaratne shared 106 runs for the first wicket.
Karunaratne, who scored 147 and 83 in the first test, looked rusty in his 90-ball 42 before being caught and bowled by offspinner Roston Chase. Karunaratne hit six boundaries.
Also read: New Zealand 79-1 at lunch on 5th day, chasing 284 to win
Nissanka looked more fluent as his runs came off 109 deliveries. He hit a six and four boundaries.
The pitch in Galle had spin and bounce on the first day but the three West Indies spinners failed to take full advantage. Chase finished the day with 1-33.
Sri Lanka dropped fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera to give batsman Charith Asalanka his first test match on his home ground.
Also read: Chattogram Test: Pakistan make it close as openers hit fifties
The West Indies made two changes from the first match, dropping fast bowler Shanon Gabriel for Kemar Roach while left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul was recalled after more than five years and took the place of offspinner Rakheem Cornwall.
Sri Lanka won the first test at the same venue by 187 runs and the West Indies need to win the second to draw the two-match series.
Chattogram Test: Pakistan make it close as openers hit fifties
Pakistan need only 93 runs to seal the Chattogram Test against Bangladesh.
At the end of day four on Monday, Pakistan were batting at 109 for none with openers— Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique— hitting a fifty each.
In the final innings of the match, Pakistan’s target is 202, and they are off to a strong start to achieve that. They batted 33 overs to end day four without any loss.
Mominul Haque, the Bangladesh captain, used all of his specialist bowlers without a bit of luck, which might have made him understand the deficit of playing a Test with only four bowlers.
Also read: Chattogram Test: Bangladesh set a target of 202 for Pakistan
Bangladesh ended their second innings at 157 in 56.2 overs despite a fifty from Liton Das who also hit a hundred in the first innings. He was accompanied well by debutant Yasir Ali who later was hurt hard in his head by a nasty bouncer by Shaheen Afridi.
Bangladesh were at 39 for four at the end of day three. They needed the partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton to stay longer, but they couldn’t. Mushfiqur, the lynchpin of Bangladesh batting line, was removed by Hasan Ali in the first over of the day.
After his dismissal, Liton and Yasir posted 47 runs on the board before Yasir had to leave the field with a blow. Mehdiy Hasan Miraz, and Nurul Hasan Sohan came in after that, but failed to play longer.
Sohan got the chance to bat as a concussion substitute to Yasir. He went to play big shots unnecessary and cost his wicket. After Sohan’s departure, Bangladesh have done little as Shaheen took two wickets in an over.
Also read: Yasir Ali under 24-hour observation after being concussed
Shaheen ended up taking five wickets conceding 32 runs. In the first innings, it was Hasan who registered a five-wicket haul for the tourists. Bangladesh managed to score 118 runs losing the last six wickets.
In the first innings of the match, Bangladesh scored 330 riding on the maiden hundred of Liton and 91 of Mushfiqur Rahim. In reply, Pakistan scored 286 thanks to Abid’s 133.
After the first Test, both the teams will take on each other in the second Test in Dhaka starting from December 4.
Yasir Ali under 24-hour observation after being concussed
Bangladesh debutant Yasir Ali has been under 24-hour observation in hospital after he was hurt on his helmet by a nasty bouncer off Shaheen Afridi and suffered a concussion, confirmed the media department of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Monday afternoon.
Yasir got the blow in the 30th over in the morning session of day four of the ongoing Chattogram Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Right after the blow, Yasir called back to the dressing room and was sent to the hospital for a quick scan.
Read: Chattogram Test: Bangladesh set a target of 202 for Pakistan
“The scan has found no collection and he is medically stable. However, as a precaution, he will be observed for 24 hours at the hospital,” the BCB statement read.
Yasir will not take part in the ongoing match. He was Nurul Hasan Sohan as a concussion substitute.
It was the debut Test for Yasir, and he scored 36 in the second innings before retiring out. Replacement Nurul hit 15.
In the fourth innings of the match, Pakistan are batting to chase down a target of 202 to seal the game.
Chattogram Test: Bangladesh set a target of 202 for Pakistan
Bangladesh ended up their second innings on 157 and set a target of 202 for Pakistan in the Chattogram Test on Monday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Liton Das hit 59 and Yasir Ali 36 for the hosts in the second innings. Yasir was doing well before getting a nasty blow on his head off Shaheen Afridi’s bouncer that stayed low.
Read: New Zealand 79-1 at lunch on 5th day, chasing 284 to win
The batter had to leave the field for a hospital and go for a quick scan that showed no worrying sign. To replace Yasir, Bangladesh added Nurul Hasan Sohan to the squad as a concussion substitute.
After Yasir left the field, Mehidy Hasan came in to bat and posted 11 while Nurul, the substitute, scored 15 off 33 balls.
Bangladesh had lost four wickets for 39 runs at the end of day three. They added 118 runs losing the last six wickets on day four.
Bangladesh had a lead of 44 runs in the first innings, in total, they got a lead of 202 runs.
Read: Bangladesh add Sohan in Chattogram Test as concussion replacement of Yasir
Shaheen bagged five wickets conceding 32 runs in the second innings of Bangladesh. In the first innings, it was Hassan Ali, Shaheen’s bowling partner, who did the same.
In the first innings of the match, Bangladesh scored 330 riding on the maiden hundred of Liton and 91 of Mushfiqur Rahim. In reply, Pakistan scored 286 thanks to Abid Ali’s 133.
ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2022: Five Bangladeshi Cricketers who could shine in New Zealand
The Bangladesh team was competing in the qualifying phase for a spot in the limited-over Women's World Cup in New Zealand. They would have advanced to the Super Six round if the qualification round had not been called off on Saturday (November 27). The ICC had to act quickly after numerous members of the Sri Lankan team tested positive for covid19. Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the West Indies have qualified for the main event based on rankings. Let's have a look at five Bangladesh women cricketers who could make an impact in the ICC ODI World Cup 2022.
ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2022: Five Bangladesh Players to watch
The Bangladesh Women's team has produced some excellent players over the years. In addition, there are few seasoned players on the current team. Five players have been chosen from among them who can spark in the forthcoming event.
Rumana Ahmed
M: 42 | Runs: 893 | HS: 75 | Wkts: 45 | BBI: 4/20
Arguably Bangladesh's finest ever female cricketer Rumana Ahmed has been a member of the national team since 2011. She has been one of the Bangladesh Women's team's most consistent performers. All-rounder Rumana Ahmed is Bangladesh's top run-scorer and wicket-taker in one-day internationals. She will undoubtedly be the Tigresses' most important player at the ICC Women's ODI World Cup.
Read Chattogram Test: Bangladesh set a target of 202 for Pakistan
Nigar Sultana Joty
M: 23 | Runs: 376 | HS: 59*
The current captain of the Bangladesh Women's team Nigar Sultana has been a part of the national team since 2015. She has established herself as a key member of Bangladesh's women's senior team. The BCB named her as skipper of Bangladesh's limited-overs side due to her leadership abilities. Her captaincy role at the World Cup 2022 will be vital for Bangladesh.
Fargana Haque
M: 41 | Runs: 841 | HS: 69*
Fargana Haque is one of Bangladesh's best top-order batters. She has been a part of Bangladesh's national squad since 2011 and has had a big effect on the development of Bangladesh Women’s cricket. Fargana's primary role at the World Cup will be to anchor the innings from start to finish. The rest of the players will bat around her for a chase or a competitive total. So, this seasoned cricketer will be a valuable asset to the Bangladesh Women's team.
Read: Bangladesh Women's Cricket: Success Stories and How can they Improve?
Salma Khatun
M: 37 | Runs: 397 | HS: 75* | Wkts: 41 | BBI: 3/6
Salma Khatun is Bangladesh's most experienced player and former captain. She has been a member of the national team for almost a decade. Salma has helped Bangladesh win many international matches, and her participation in the forthcoming event will undoubtedly make a difference.
Jahanara Alam
M: 40 | Wkts: 38 | BBI: 3/18
Jahanara Alam is Bangladesh's best fast bowler. She has played franchise cricket in India and has had significant success there. Jahanara Alam is Bangladesh's fourth-highest wicket-taker in one-day internationals. She will lead the pace attack for the Tigresses in the ICC ODI World Cup 2022 in New Zealand.
Read: Sharmin Akhter hits a century to make history in Bangladesh women’s cricket
Bottom Line
Only the women's team has won the Asia Cup among Bangladesh's men's and women's cricket teams. Therefore, Bangladesh's biggest success on the international stage comes first from the national side of women. The Tigresses have made significant improvements in the last four years, and qualifying for the ICC ODI World Cup 2022 in New Zealand is part of that achievement.
Expecting the Bangladesh Women's team to achieve great success in the upcoming event will be unreasonable. Because tigresses lack sufficient experience to compete in Oceania region. New Zealand wickets are ideal for pace bowlers, and dealing with the fastest bowlers on quick pitches is always a challenge. However, if the Bangladesh Women's team plays as a unit, they can put stronger opponents to the real test.
Read BAN vs PAK 1st Test 2021: The fate of the match could decide on day four
New Zealand 79-1 at lunch on 5th day, chasing 284 to win
Tom Latham and William Somerville combined in a 76-run partnership as New Zealand reached 79-1 at lunch on the final day of the first test against India, needing a further 205 runs to win or to survive two sessions for a draw.
Set a target of 284, the second-wicket pair batted through Monday’s first sessions and frustrated India’s attack.
At the interval, Somerville was unbeaten on 36 and Latham was 35 not out.
Opener Latham continued his form from the first innings, when he scored 95 in New Zealand’s total of 296.
Somerville’s form and technique against spin was the greater surprise. He faced 109 deliveries and hit five fours.
India’s attack was hampered after Ishant Sharma injured his hand while fielding early in the session. He bowled only four overs and had figures of 0-13.
Read: Bangladesh add Sohan in Chattogram Test as concussion replacement of Yasir
India relied heavily on spin, as expected. Ravichandran Ashwin (1-19), Axar Patel (0-6) and Ravindra Jadeja (0-11) sent down 21 overs of spin without any reward.
Frustrations grew as India wasted a DRS review against Latham in the 19th over. Replays proved there was no edge and the opener survived.
Ashwin had trapped Will Young (2) lbw before stumps on day four.
Bangladesh add Sohan in Chattogram Test as concussion replacement of Yasir
Bangladesh added Nurul Hasan Shohan to the playing XI of Chattogram Test as a concussion replacement of debutant Yasir Ali who suffered a blow on his head early on day four of the ongoing Test against Pakistan. Yasir walked off the field after the drink break I the first session of day four. Mehidy Hasan Miraz came to bat after Yasir went back with a blow.
Read:BAN vs PAK 1st Test 2021: The fate of the match could decide on day four Shortly after, Bangladesh announced that Nurul Hasan is included in the playing XI as the concussion replacement. It was a delivery of Shaheen Afridi that stayed low but Yasir judged it wrongly. The ball hit back of head. Yasir showed ‘thumbs up’ to indicate that he is fine. But since it’s a blow on head, he was called back and sent to hospital for a scan. According to ICC law, in the cases of concussion replacement, a team can field a ‘like-for-like replacement’, meaning a bowler can replace a bowler, and a batter can replace a batter.
BAN vs PAK 1st Test 2021: The fate of the match could decide on day four
Day 3 could have been Bangladesh Men's Cricket Team's best day in 2021 if they hadn't lost four wickets in the last session. However, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam rose to the occasion and took 7 Pakistan wickets in the first innings, delighting Bangladesh cricket fans. Pakistan were knocked out for 286 runs in their first innings thanks to his outstanding bowling effort. Bangladesh gained a 44-run lead in the first innings. Let's look at the likely outcomes of the BAN vs PAK 1st Test 2021.
The Match Scenario of BAN vs PAK 1st Test 2021
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam gave Bangladesh the much-needed breakthrough in the opening session of day three. He struck twice in the over, in the fifth and sixth balls respectively. Pakistan suddenly found themselves at 146/2 after a brilliant performance by the openers on day 2. Pakistan lost two more wickets before lunch, leaving them with 203 runs for the loss of four wickets.
Taijul Islam wreaked havoc on Pakistan's batters after the lunch break, picking up four more wickets in the mid-session. Pakistan's innings came to an end just before Tea, leaving them 44 runs shy of Bangladesh's first-inning total (330). Taijul Islam took 7 wickets for 116 runs in 44.4 overs. The lone centurion Abid Ali scored 133 runs.
Read New Zealand trails India by 280 runs after day 4 of 1st test
Bangladesh's openers had shown some promise when they came into bat in the second innings, but Afridi's accuracy finally rocked the top order. On the other hand, Hasan Ali removed the skipper Mominul Haque, Bangladesh finished day three with a score of 39/4. At the end of the day's play, Mushfiqur Rahim (12*) and Yasir Ali (8*) were still undefeated.
The match's potential outcomes
Bangladesh failed to defend 394 runs earlier this year against the West Indies on this very ground. As this result indicates, the batting may become easier during the final two days. However, this type of record-breaking pursuit is rarely observed. Batting on the final two days is always difficult on any surface in the world.
Bangladesh batters should aim for a 250-run lead in the third innings in order to put pressure on Pakistan's batters. Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali, and Liton Das will all have to bat for at least two full sessions on day four to achieve this. Bangladesh have a good chance of upsetting Pakistan in this match if they can do that.
Read T10 Cricket on Nov 30 marking World Peace Conference
On the other hand, Pakistan will seek to finish Bangladesh innings in the opening session of Day 4, and they have a good chance of doing so. If Pakistan can keep Bangladesh to under 150 runs, they would be in a strong position to win the match on day 4.
However, the possibility of the match ending in a draw is fairly slim. Bangladesh will have to bat until the last session of the day and the Pakistani team will thereafter bat defensively.
Bottom Line
Both Bangladesh and Pakistan have a fair chance in the first Test. Bangladesh team has made a tremendous comeback in the match because of spinner Taijul Islam's outstanding bowling effort. He will be a key player for the host in Pakistan's second innings. However, batters must deliver in the second innings before Taijul can work his magic with the ball. They must bat deep to put a competitive total on the board so that bowlers can feel confident in their ability to bowl against Pakistan batters. There could be a lot of twists and turns on the fourth day of the match. The team with the most patience stands a higher chance of winning the BAN vs PAK 1st Test 2021.
Read Chattogram Test: Shaheen puts pressure back on Bangladesh
New Zealand trails India by 280 runs after day 4 of 1st test
Shreyas Iyer and Wriddhiman Saha struck half-centuries on Sunday before India declared its second innings on 234-7 on day four of the first test against New Zealand to set the tourists a target of 284 in Kanpur.
Iyer scored 65 runs, while Saha was unbeaten on 61 runs as they resurrected the Indian innings from a precarious 51-5.
At stumps, New Zealand was on 4-1 with Tom Latham on 2 and William Sommerville on nought after losing Will Young (2) shortly before the close of play.
Earlier, India had reached 84-5 at lunch after Kyle Jamieson (3-40) and Tim Southee (3-75) ran through the Indian top-order in the morning.
Cheteshwar Pujara (22) nicked off his gloves down leg side off Jamieson. Southee had Mayank Agarwal (17) caught at slip and then trapped Ravindra Jadeja lbw for nought.
Azaj Patel (1-60) trapped Ajinkya Rahane (4) lbw to reduce India to 51-5 after starting from an overnight 14-1.
Then, Iyer put on 52 runs for the sixth wicket with Ravichandran Ashwin (32) on either side of lunch and rescued the Indian innings.
Following his debut hundred in the first innings, Iyer's half-century in the second innings came off 125 deliveries and included eight fours and a six.
Sunil Gavaskar was the last Indian batsman to score 50-plus in both innings of his debut test, a feat he managed against the West Indies in 1971 .
"I had been in this situation before as well in domestic cricket. My mind set was to play the session and play as many balls as possible. I wasn't thinking too far ahead," Iyer said.
He also became the first Indian batsman to score a hundred and a half-century on his test debut.
"It feels good (to have that record) but the most important thing is to win the match... We felt that 250 including the first innings lead would have been a good score, so we're very happy with where we are now," Iyer added.
Jamieson bowled Ashwin after India crossed 100. Iyer then added 64 runs with Saha as they helped India reach a defendable total.
Southee dismissed Iyer before tea as India reached 167-7 at the break.
Saha scored his sixth test half-century and put on 67 runs with Axar Patel (28 not out) for the eighth wicket.
India declared with little time left in the day but Ashwin managed to remove Young before stumps. The ball seemed to be missing leg but the batsman ran out of time to use a DRS review.
New Zealand will need 280 runs on the final day for victory.
India scored 345 in the first innings thanks to Iyer's 105 and New Zealand was bowled out for 296 in reply as Axar Patel took 5-62 on day three.