England has unveiled its playing XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka, starting Wednesday at Old Trafford. Ollie Pope will captain the side in Ben Stokes’ absence due to injury, with Harry Brook serving as his deputy. The team sees the return of Matthew Potts and the debut of Dan Lawrence as an opener.
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has lashed out at the team management’s decision to drop leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed from the Test squad against Bangladesh. Akmal criticizes the inconsistency in selection and believes personal biases are affecting Abrar’s chances, potentially harming his confidence and Pakistan’s chances of success.
South Africa secured a comprehensive 40-run victory over the West Indies in the second and final Test, extending their unbeaten Test series run against the Caribbean side to 25 years. Keshav Maharaj starred with the ball, claiming his 13th wicket of the series, while Wiaan Mulder’s all-round brilliance earned him the man of the match award.
South Africa secured a dominant 40-run victory in the second Test against the West Indies, thanks to Keshav Maharaj’s match-winning three-wicket haul and Kagiso Rabada’s relentless bowling. Maharaj’s performance also made him South Africa’s most prolific spin bowler in Test history.
Pakistan has decided to field an all-pace attack for the first Test against Bangladesh, dropping specialist spinner Abrar Ahmed from the squad. The decision comes as a surprise, but the team is confident in their fast bowling options, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Pakistan’s Test captain, Shan Masood, emphasizes the need for his team to master home conditions and secure consistent wins before aiming for international success and a World Test Championship final berth. Masood acknowledges the team’s struggles in capitalizing on home advantage since international cricket returned to Pakistan in 2019, highlighting the need for a winning formula to overcome the challenges of adjusting to home conditions after a decade-long absence. He emphasizes the importance of discovering the ideal playing style that suits Pakistan’s strengths and puts them in a commanding position.
England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes, will miss the remainder of the English summer after suffering a hamstring tear during a Hundred match. He will be replaced by Ollie Pope for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, and aims to return for the tour of Pakistan in October.
New Zealand has announced a robust squad, including five spin bowling options, for their upcoming Test series against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. The team features experienced players like Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, and Devon Conway, as well as promising newcomers Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears. The squad is prepared for challenging conditions in India and Sri Lanka, with a focus on adapting to the sub-continent’s pitches and climate.
Alick Athanaze’s valiant 92, despite missing out on a maiden Test century, played a crucial role in securing a draw for the West Indies against South Africa in the rain-affected first Test at Queen’s Park Oval. Despite the Proteas setting an unlikely victory target of 298, Athanaze and Jason Holder’s partnership steered the hosts to safety. Keshav Maharaj, the player of the match, claimed four wickets, including Athanaze’s, to finish with match figures of eight for 164.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former Australian first-class player Tim Nielsen as the new red-ball high-performance coach, joining forces with newly appointed head coach Jason Gillespie. The duo will oversee the team’s preparation for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.
