DHAKA: Zakir Hasan and Najmul Hossain both hit unbeaten half-centuries to guide Bangladesh to 134-1 in their second innings and consolidate the hosts’ control in their one-off Test against Afghanistan in Dhaka on Thursday.
Bangladesh decided against enforcing the follow-on despite taking a 236-run lead in the first innings and were up by 370 at stumps on the second day, with Zakir and Najmul unbeaten on 54 apiece.
The pair added 116 runs in their unbroken second-wicket stand with Mahmudul Hasan (17) the only batsman so far dismissed in the second innings.
Ebadot Hossain returned figures of 4-47 with Bangladesh needing just three overs after tea to wrap up the Afghan innings, with the tourists bowled out for just 146.
Spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam dismissed the final two batsmen, ending with two wickets apiece.
Ebadot and Shoriful Islam reduced Afghanistan to 51-4 shortly after the lunch break, before Nasir Jamal and Afsar Zazai put up some resistance with a 65-run fifth-wicket stand.
Mehidy broke the partnership by trapping Jamal lbw for 35 and Ebadot soon dismissed Afsar for 36 to expose Afghanistan’s tail.
Bangladesh resumed their first innings at 362-5 but were all out for 382 early in the morning as the hosts lost their last five wickets for just nine runs.
Nijat Masood claimed 5-79 on debut for Afghanistan, while pacer Yamin Ahmadzai finished with 2-39.
But Afghanistan then lost three wickets in quick succession to spoil their storming start to the day.
Ibrahim Zadran nicked Shoriful and was out for six, while fellow opener Abdul Malik made 17 before falling to Ebadot, Zakir taking a sharp low catch at third slip.
Rahmat Shah was next to fall after he holed out to Taskin Ahmed at midwicket off Ebadot for nine.
Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi departed for nine after the break.
The hosts had shown some positive intent to build on their overnight total before their sudden collapse.
Mehidy was unbeaten overnight but flashed a catch to Amir Hamza at gully off Yamin to end his promising innings at 48.
Mushfiqur Rahim (47) and Taijul Islam (0) followed Mehidy in the next over from Nijat, before Yamin dismissed Taskin for two.
Nijat then bowled Shoriful to complete his five-for and wrap up the Bangladesh innings in unexpectedly swift style.
Afghanistan won the only other Test between the two teams when they beat the home side by 224 runs at Chittagong in 2019.
Zakir, Najmul fifties give Bangladesh huge lead over Afghanistan
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Zakir, Najmul fifties give Bangladesh huge lead over Afghanistan
- Bangladesh decided against enforcing the follow-on despite taking a 236-run lead in the first innings and were up by 370 at stumps on the second day
- Zakir and Najmul added 116 runs in their unbroken second-wicket stand with Mahmudul Hasan (17) the only batsman so far dismissed in the second innings
India’s Bumrah named cricketer of the year after stellar 2024
- Bumrah beat England batters Harry Brook and Joe Root as well as Australia’s Travis Head to the award — the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, given by the sport’s governing body
- New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr was voted women’s cricketer of the year to win the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
NEW DELHI: India pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been named men’s cricketer of the year for 2024, the International Cricket Council announced Tuesday, a day after he won the Test award.
Bumrah, 31, ended last year as the top wicket-taker in Tests with 71 wickets and inspired India to the T20 World Cup title in June.
“The year 2024 was incredibly special — winning the men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados and also contributing as much as I could across all three formats of the game,” said Bumrah.
“I dedicate this award to everyone who has believed in me, the power of hard work and dreams, and to bowlers worldwide who continue to inspire and strive for excellence.”
Bumrah beat England batters Harry Brook and Joe Root as well as Australia’s Travis Head to the award — the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, given by the sport’s governing body.
He is fifth Indian to receive the award after Rahul Dravid (2004), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Ravichandran Ashwin (2016) and Virat Kohli (2017, 2018).
Bumrah has claimed 443 wickets in 204 international matches since his debut for India in 2016.
New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr was voted women’s cricketer of the year to win the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, after she won the T20 cricketer of the year on Saturday.
Kerr becomes the first New Zealander to win the trophy after she inspired the White Ferns to their women’s T20 World Cup victory in October last year.
The 24-year-old overcame South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu and Australia’s Annabel Sutherland to win the award.
Shami returns as India bowl against England in third T20
- Fit-again pace bowler Mohammed Shami returns for the hosts
- The 34-year-old Shami last played for India in the 50-over World Cup final in November 2023
RAJKOT: India skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to field first against England as they look to clinch the series in the third T20 international on Tuesday.
Fit-again pace bowler Mohammed Shami returns for the hosts, who lead the five-match series 2-0, as the only change with Arshdeep Singh rested in Rajkot.
The 34-year-old Shami, who has recovered from a heel injury, last played for India in the 50-over World Cup final in November 2023 and recently returned to action in domestic cricket.
England, led by Jos Buttler, were unchanged from their previous loss on Saturday and look to stay alive in the series.
Jamie Smith will keep wicket in place of Phil Salt, who has a “stiff calf.”
Teams
India: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Dhruv Jurel, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy
England: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (capt), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith (wk), Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Umpires: KN Ananthapadmanabhan (IND), Rohan Pandit (IND)
TV Umpire: Nitin Menon (IND)
Match Referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)
Banton and Fletcher shatter records as MI Emirates humble Desert Vipers by 154 runs
- Duo’s 198-run stand the highest for any wicket in T20s on UAE soil, but Vipers stay top of table
- Banton’s 105 makes him the first batter to register 2 centuries in the DP World ILT20
ABU DHABI: Tom Banton etched his name in DP World ILT20 history by becoming the first batter to score two centuries in the competition as MI Emirates cruised to a commanding 154-run victory over table-toppers Desert Vipers at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
The triumph also marked the second-highest victory margin in the DP World ILT20. Banton combined with Andre Fletcher to construct the highest stand for any wicket in T20s on UAE soil at 198 runs.
Fletcher remained unbeaten on 96 runs and Banton scored 105 runs to steer the MI Emirates to 228/2 — the second-highest total in DP World ILT20 history.
In response, the Vipers only managed 74 runs, matching the record for the lowest score across three seasons of the DP World ILT20.
Muhammad Rohid made early inroads as he sent back Fakhar Zaman for only seven runs in the second over. Rohid went on to claim Sam Curran and Azam Khan later in the innings to finish with figures of 3/24.
Meanwhile, Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed the wicket of the dangerous Alex Hales, while Alzarri Joseph bagged Dan Lawrence and Adam Hose to leave the Vipers reeling at 32/5 by the end of the powerplay.
With only two batters crossing double figures the Vipers were eventually bowled out for 74 runs in 12.3 overs. Dan Mousley picked up two wickets, while Farooqi and Alzarri picked up a wicket each to sweep up the tail.
Invited to bat first, the MI Emirates lost Muhammad Waseem, after he struck two consecutive sixes off Dhruv Parashar, to Mohammad Amir in the third over. Amir was economical in the powerplay only conceding 13 runs as the MI Emirates finished the first six overs at 40/1.
What followed was destruction from Banton and Fletcher. They initially played with restraint, taking 37 balls for their first 41 runs. But the tide turned in the 10th over when Banton took on Nathan Sowter, smashing him for a six and a four in a 16-run over.
Fletcher brought up his half-century off 32 balls, with Banton following suit in 38 deliveries. From there, it was pure carnage. The pair plundered 92 runs in the final five overs of the MI Emirates’ innings.
Banton was the star of the show, reaching his second century of the season in just 52 balls. His knock, laced with nine fours and seven sixes, included three consecutive sixes off Lawrence. He was run out for 105 in the final over.
Fletcher was not far behind as he remained unbeaten on 96 runs in 50 balls, studded with 10 fours and three sixes as the MI Emirates were catapulted to 228/2 in 20 overs.
Player of the match Banton said: “I didn’t get off to a flier; I just knew the longer I stayed, the better chance I had. Sometimes you don’t time it as well as you’d like, and sometimes you do.
“As a top-order batter, you come up against very good bowlers, so having a good technique is important. It’s about looking at the match situation and scenario, not just teeing off.
“We came into this game on the back of two losses and were a bit under pressure. It’s a special night for MI Emirates, but we don’t want to take it for granted.”
Captaining the Desert Vipers in place of Lockie Ferguson, who was rested for the encounter, Curran said: “We just get the game out of the way and move on. That can happen in cricket.
“We were a little off with our fielding and energy. It’s such a quick tournament, and we play again the day after tomorrow, so we’ll have another chance.
“We can bounce back, and there’s no need to panic. It’s about learning and reflecting. Both of them played well, and I’m glad to see my fellow Englishman, and Fletcher, playing so well.”
Brief Scores
- MI Emirates beat Desert Vipers by 154 runs
- MI Emirates 228/2 in 20 overs (Tom Banton 105, Andre Fletcher 96 not out, Muhammad Waseem 19, Mohammad Amir 1 for 36)
- Desert Vipers 74/10 in 12.3 overs (Azam Khan 12, Sam Curran 11, Muhammad Rohid 3 for 24, Alzarri Joseph 3 for 17, Dan Mousley 2 for 8, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2 for 10)
Alishan Sharafu and Jason Holder star as Abu Dhabi Knight Riders win big against MI Emirates
- Kieron Pollard half-century not enough to stop Knight Riders recording their third win of the DP World ILT20 season
ABU DHABI: Alishan Sharafu, Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers played defining roles for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders as they defeated the MI Emirates by 42 runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday evening.
The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders moved to third place on the points table with the win in Season 3 of DP World ILT20, and Sharafu came away with the player of the match award.
Batting first, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders had a slow start, and midway through the powerplay they lost Mayers for 11 and Michael-Kyle Pepper for a duck, off consecutive deliveries to Alzarri Joseph. Andries Gous and Charith Asalanka then absorbed the pressure, and steadied the ship with a couple of very handy contributions.
The duo put on 41 runs together before Gous was caught behind for 27. That brought Sharafu to the middle, who along with Asalanka started to set up the platform for a big finish. Asalanka, who hit three boundaries and a six, scored 32 and was dismissed by Zahoor Khan in the 12th over. From then on in, Sharafu and Roston Chase took charge, with the Emirati cricketer starting to go through the gears. Sharafu played some exquisite shots, while Chase kept the momentum going as well.
They put on a 72-run partnership from 39 deliveries, after which Chase retired for 20, bringing in the dangerous Andre Russell for the final two overs. Russell started off with a big six but was castled on the next delivery. At the other end though, Sharafu brought up his half-century and had Holder for company. Sharafu continued his attack and finished with 55 to his name, while Holder added a quick 22 not out from seven deliveries, to help the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders reach 182/7 in their 20 overs.
The MI Emirates did not get the start they would have wanted as Kyle Mayers picked three quick wickets, including those of Kusal Perera for nine and Nicholas Pooran for one. From the other end, David Willey dismissed Tom Banton for one, and the MI Emirates were in trouble at 36/4 in the sixth over. Muhammad Waseem, who was the fourth to depart, had scored 19, and smashed three sixes during his stay.
Dan Mousley and Kieron Pollard now had their task cut out, and the duo dropped anchor to rebuild. The fifth wicket partnership gave the MI Emirates 33 more before Mousley gloved it to the keeper, and had to walk back for 17. Pollard by now had settled in well, and had Romario Shepherd for company.
Under pressure, Pollard started to up the ante and teed off in the 17th over, when he smashed a six and three boundaries, raising hopes of a comeback. Shepherd, though, could not hang in there and became Holder’s second wicket of the evening, which further piled on the pressure on the MI Emirates. Pollard meanwhile had completed his half-century.
Pollard continued to look for the big hits in the final couple of overs, but it wasn’t to be for the MI Emirates, who came off second best. Pollard finished unbeaten on 69, having hit four boundaries and as many sixes.
Player of the match Sharafu said: “It was a pretty special one, and I didn’t get many in all the other games, so wanted to cash in today. The wicket was a bit on the slower side, but once you bat a few balls you can try to take it from there.”
MI Emirates’ captain Pooran said: “Losing four wickets in the powerplay was tough during the chase. They also had a good left-right combination going, they had a good partnership that pushed the game forward.”
Brief scores
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders beat MI Emirates by 42 runs
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 182/7 in 20 overs (Alishan Sharafu — 55, Charith Asalanka — 32, Jason Holder — 22 not out, Alzarri Joseph — 3 for 32, Fazalhaq Farooqi — 1 for 27)
MI Emirates 140/6 in 20 overs (Kieron Pollard — 69 not out, Muhammad Waseem — 19, Kyle Mayers — 3 for 25, Jason Holder — 2 for 28)
Player of the match: Alishan Sharafu
India’s struggle to meet expectations
- An early sign of concern emerged with the unexpected, and surprisingly timed, decision of Ravichandra Ashwin to announce his retirement from international cricket
At first all seemed well for India’s men’s team on their recent five-Test series tour of Australia.
In early December the opening Test at Perth witnessed a handsome 295 runs victory for the tourists. This came on the back of a surprise home series defeat by New Zealand. By the end of the Perth Test, it was Australia who were in disarray, faced with accusations of being underprepared. If the team were stung by this opprobrium, they achieved a sharp turnaround in fortunes, drawing the second Test and winning the last three.
Ultimately, the Indian squad were in serious disarray. An early sign of this emerged with the unexpected, and surprisingly timed, decision of Ravichandra Ashwin to announce his retirement from international cricket. This occurred in a press conference after the third Test in Brisbane, for which he was not selected, when he sat alongside his captain, Rohit Sharma.
It was a very low-key manner in which to end an illustrious career. Ashwin played 106 Tests, becoming India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format, with 537. Undoubtedly, this number would have been higher had he not been frequently overlooked for selection in overseas conditions. This pattern continued in Australia and it seems that Ashwin had reached the end of his tether.
Many observers were of the view that such a glittering career ought to have been marked by a farewell Test in front of appreciative supporters. This would have been a fitting tribute to his immense contribution to the game. A part of that was his intellectual approach, which facilitated his continual evolvement as a player.
As if to prove the point, he said that a farewell Test was not necessary, observing: “I’ve learned one thing: not everything goes the way you want it to.” He added that he still had plenty of cricket left in him but the place for that to happen was “obviously not in the Indian dressing room.”
Anyone who has played team sport, at any level, will be familiar with the fragile nature of team and dressing room culture. It takes much time, effort and psychology to nurture, and sometimes can be broken by a single incident. More often, in my experience, it is broken by steady, often imperceptible, erosion.
India’s team are in transition. Ashwin has gone, Sharma and Kohli appear to be near the end. Several others are on the brink. India’s current coach, Gautam Gambhir, has been in post for six months and inherited a team culture built largely by his predecessor, Ravi Shastri, and the aggressively driven Kohli.
Gambhir’s task is to effect a transition but the Indian cricketing fan base is impatient and demanding. Disappointment with the series result in Australia has been swiftly addressed by India’s selectors, but not in a way that was expected.
There has been no culling of the squad for the Champions Trophy, which will be played in one-day-international format. Instead, in an astonishing and extraordinary move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has issued a “10-point diktat.” This specifies restrictions on what players can and cannot do and is designed to “promote discipline, unity and a positive environment” by reining in its errant troops.
These are no ordinary troops. They are exceedingly wealthy, have film star lives, are the center of attraction in India and are largely cocooned within a protective entourage. Something seems to have snapped within the BCCI’s hierarchy. One might ask how it came to this stage. It is guaranteed that the restrictions will irritate the players.
In particular, families can now only join players for a maximum of two weeks during tours exceeding 45 days. Also, players will now be required to travel with the team for matches and practice sessions. Apparently, this measure is a reaction to instances of several high-profile players travelling separately. This also seems to have been the case at scheduled practice sessions. Now they are required to stay for the entire duration of practice sessions and travel together to and from the venue.
Another measure is that personal staff, including managers, chefs, assistants, and security personnel will now be restricted from accompanying players on tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. It may seem incredulous to mere spectators that individual players have a traveling entourage as opposed to one for the whole team or one provided by the high-end hotels where they stay.
The BCCI has made it mandatory for players to participate in domestic matches, emphasizing the importance of staying connected to grassroots cricket. Exemptions from this mandate will require formal notification and approval from Ajit Agarkar, the chair of selectors. Sharma has already baulked at this, pointing out that there is so little opportunity within a crowded international calendar. He last played in a Ranji Trophy match in 2015, whilst Kohli’s last appearance was in 2012.
These measures could be interpreted as ones designed to challenge the resolve of those close to the end of their international careers. Ashwin has ended his and one of the 10 BCCI measures might be a nod in his direction. Now players must stay with the team even if matches or series conclude earlier than scheduled. Of course, this does not imply that mid-series retirements are disallowed, but it does suggest they are unwelcome.
It remains to be seen how the players will react to the 10 points. All national boards and teams have policies in place for expected behaviors. The BCCI appears to be attempting to reclaim lost territory. India now have a T20 and ODI series against England, followed by the Champions Trophy and a summer tour to England. After that, a much-altered team may emerge.
Apart from this domestic skirmish, the BCCI is true to form externally. It is a month before the start of the ICC Champions Trophy and reports suggest that India have objected to the host nation, Pakistan, being printed on their team jerseys. In addition, there is rumor that the BCCI does not want to send its captain to the opening ceremony.
This, for many, is petty behavior. India has riches of cricketing talent, an abundance of money and boundless ambition, but a failure, so far, to translate that into a clean sweep of trophies.
