Too many international cricket, too much excitement. The cricket world is now humming with mouth-watering contests. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are locked in an exciting test match on slow, turning and gripping wicket at Galle, Sri Lanka.
Australia and England have just started a very important test of the ongoing Ashes series at Old Trafford, Bengal tigers had an opportunity for winning a rare ODI series against mighty Indian eves at Sher e Bangla national stadium Dhaka, Asian teams are engaged in emerging Asia cup in Sri Lanka. Add to that franchise tournaments going on in USA. Cricket fans are now breathing cricket only.
After four days of dramatic tensions and excitement, the Galle test has reached the final day with tourist Pakistan requiring 83 more runs for winning the test with 7 second innings wicket at hand. Two relatively new comers Saud Shakil (208*) and Agha Salman (83) putting up a brave and exceptional partnership of 177 not only rescued Pakistan from a tight spot of 5/101 responding to Sri Lankan first innings score of 312 but also led the foundation for match defining first innings lead of 149 as Pakistan scoring 461 all out rode into the driver's seat.
On the turning track Pakistani spinners Abrar Ahmed (3/68), Noman Ali (3/75) and Agha Salman (2/39) restricting home side to 279 in the second innings created opportunity for Pakistan for winning the test scoring 131 runs in the final innings. By stumps of day four on a wearing wicket Sri Lankan bowlers kept the team in the contest reducing Pakistan to 48/3. Pakistan is very likely going to win the test scoring another 83 runs on the last day. But scoring against probing Sri Lankan spinners will need application from the Pakistani batsmen. Pakistan not only batted and bowled well the fielding was exceptional with several sharp catches taken by Pakistani fielders.
Australia leading England 2-1 after three exciting matches of the ongoing Ashes series against traditional rival England started the 4th test at Old Trafford Manchester with the possibility of wrapping up the series. Asked to bat Australia reached 299/8 at stumps on a day of dramatic excitement. Australian batsmen struggled throughout the day against very potent and aggressive English bowling. Several Aussie Batsmen Manas Labuschagne (51), Mitchell Marsh (51) , Travis Head (48), Steve Smith (41) and David Warner (32) got start but none could make it substantially big to enable Australia post an imposing first innings. Chris Woakes (4/52) ,Stuart Broad ( 2/68) and other English bowlers Mark Wood and Moeen Ali did not allow any freedom to Australian batsmen scoring freely. At best it can be concluded that after one the test appeared evenly poised.
Bangladesh girls had a rare opportunity for wrapping up the three matches ODI series against strong India yesterday after taking 1-0 lead winning the first match. But yesterday India counter attacking Bangladesh bowlers rattled up 228 /8 in 50 overs through aggressive innings of Jemimah Rodrigues (86) and Captain Harmpreet Kaur (52) . Limited resources of Bangladesh batting not apt for chasing large score could only reach 120 before getting bundled out. Jemimah Rodrigues again featured taking 4/3. Bangladeshi girls lost by 108 runs. Bangladesh taking lessons from the match can regroup and put up their best for winning the third match and the series. But they need to vastly improve their batting.
In the emerging Asia cup Bangladesh earned a semifinal berth against strong India. We are sure Bangladesh cricket admirers will be looking forward to this exciting engagement. Bangladesh squad has few players who won Under 19 world cup beating India in the past.
Cricket classics will continue today, and we are sure cricket admirers will be glued to electronic media and social media enjoying the absorbing cricket matches.
BDST: 0907 HRS, JULY 20, 2023
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