August 23, 2024

Mani and Peterson star as ball dominates before Darke extends lead

India A experienced a morning collapse but managed to make a strong comeback, thanks to the impressive performance of offspinner Minnu Mani. On the second day of their match against Australia A on the Gold Coast, Australia A led by 192 runs with scores of 212 and 164 for 7. India A scored 184 in their first innings.

Mani has taken ten wickets in the match so far. Australia A initially had a narrow lead thanks to Kate Peterson’s five-wicket haul. However, in their second innings, Australia A struggled as they lost two wickets without adding any runs. Mani took advantage, dismissing Georgia Voll and Charli Knott in consecutive overs, and later removing Nicole Faltum and Tess Flintoff. Flintoff was out to a spinning offbreak that beat her bat and pad.

Despite the challenges, Maddy Darke scored an unbeaten half-century, helping Australia A extend their lead to nearly 200 runs. She added 54 runs for the sixth wicket with Maitlan Brown before being dismissed by Minnu Mani, who took her tenth wicket with a sharp catch at short leg.

Emma de Broughe also contributed a half-century in tough conditions against India A’s spinners but was given out caught behind off legspinner Priya Mishra, though she seemed doubtful about the decision.

Earlier, India A resumed their innings at 100 for 2 but quickly fell into trouble as Kate Peterson dismantled their middle order. Peterson’s first wicket of the day was Tejal Hasabnis, who was bowled by a delivery that moved late. She then dismissed opener Shweta Sehrawat, who was caught behind. Peterson nearly took a hat-trick when Sajana Sajeevan’s leading edge to a full toss was caught in the off side. Although Uma Chetry survived the next ball, she was soon out to Peterson, edging to slip off a glance from the keeper.

India A’s collapse continued as they slipped to 5 for 27 after Raghvi Bist was run out. However, some useful lower-order contributions helped them inch closer to Australia A’s total.

Shadman, Mushfiqur, Litton Cut Down Bangladesh’s Deficit

Bangladesh’s batters made a strong stand against Pakistan’s bowlers in the Rawalpindi Test, turning a challenging first innings into an exciting contest. On a hot third day, with sessions adjusted for Friday prayers, Bangladesh’s top order weathered early pressure and gradually took control.

Shadman Islam was the standout performer, scoring 93 over more than five hours, while Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Litton Das each contributed half-centuries. By the end of the day, Bangladesh were five wickets down and still 132 runs behind Pakistan’s first-innings total, with Mushfiqur and Litton at the crease, having added an unbeaten 98 runs together.

Litton joined Mushfiqur at a crucial time after Mohammad Ali dismissed Shadman just before tea and Shakib Al Hasan fell to part-time spinner Saim Ayub. The pair quickly took control, scoring at over five runs per over and launching a counterattack against Pakistan’s fast bowlers with the new ball. Bangladesh scored 67 runs off the last 11 overs of the day, with Litton showcasing some impressive strokeplay.

The highlight of Bangladesh’s innings came in the 89th over (the 77th of the day), when Litton Das aggressively attacked Naseem Shah. Litton began by stepping out and hitting the first ball for a one-bounce four straight back over the bowler’s head. He then continued his onslaught with a series of powerful shots: two fours through pulling and hooking, followed by a massive six over square leg. This over alone yielded 18 runs, and Litton’s aggressive play helped him pass the half-century mark.

Naseem Shah, who had previously been economical, conceding just 15 runs in his first 12 overs and taking a wicket, gave away 62 runs in his last eight overs. This shift in performance mirrored the overall increase in Bangladesh’s scoring rate, which rose from 2.97 in the first session to 3.33 in the second and 5.08 in the third.

Despite this, Pakistan still holds a 132-run lead and will start day four just two wickets away from breaking into Bangladesh’s lower order. Pakistan had to work hard for the five wickets they managed to take, especially as the conditions favored batting once the first new ball lost its effectiveness. Bangladesh’s top order faced a tough challenge from Naseem and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who were relentless and skillful, finding enough movement to trouble the batsmen.

Pakistan made their breakthrough early in the day, with Naseem’s delivery to Zakir Hasan forcing an edge that was superbly caught by Mohammad Rizwan, who had returned as keeper after cramping issues the previous day. Starting the day on 27 without loss, Bangladesh struggled initially, adding just 12 runs in the first 12 overs and losing Zakir Hasan in the process.

The scoring rate increased when Bangladesh’s third and fourth seamers came on. Najmul Hossain Shanto capitalized on Shahzad’s over-pitched deliveries, driving him for fours through mid-off and extra cover. Shahzad, however, had a clear plan: he consistently bowled full and angled the ball into Shanto from round the wicket. This strategy made Shanto accustomed to playing front-foot shots and blocks. Then, Shahzad adjusted his length, causing the ball to seam back in and bowl Shanto through the gate, leaving Bangladesh at 53 for 2.

In the seven overs before the drinks break, Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque managed just 12 runs. Shadman batted with composure, though he had a few nervous moments against short deliveries, top-edging pulls that fell safely in front of the long leg fielder.

Despite Pakistan’s efforts, the first three-hour session was challenging. Shadman finally broke the boundary drought in the 24th over, hitting a half-volley to the cover boundary and driving a full toss back past the bowler. He also stepped out to Salman Ali Agha and hit another boundary through covers to move into the 40s.

Naseem Shah, who had started well, struggled in his last two overs before lunch, conceding three fours. Mominul scored two boundaries off consecutive balls: a cheeky uppercut over the slips and a premeditated shot past mid-on. Shadman ended the session with a pulled four, bringing up his fifty.

Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque formed a solid 94-run partnership for the third wicket before Shahzad ended it in the fourth over after lunch. Shahzad’s delivery was similar to the one that dismissed Zakir Hasan: a full-length ball from round the wicket that drew Mominul forward to defend, but the inward seam movement squeezed through the gap between bat and pad.

Pakistan came close to getting two more wickets soon after. Shahzad reviewed a not-out decision on an inducker against Mushfiqur Rahim, and Shadman reviewed an out decision on a slider from offspinner Salman Ali Agha. Both reviews were overturned in Bangladesh’s favor.

As the second session progressed, Shadman began to accelerate, scoring 29 runs in just 25 balls, including six fours. However, Salman Ali Agha then used a similar tactic to Shahzad’s, bowling Shadman with the last delivery before tea. This ball, from round the wicket, nipped in and dismissed Shadman through the gate.