In today’s european cricket news, learn more about James Anderson praised “amazing” England skipper Ben Stokes following England’s thrilling Test victory against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Meanwhile, Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored an unbeaten 38 and contributed to a record tenth-wicket stand as Bangladesh defeated India by one wicket in the series opener. Lastly, chairman of the ECB Richard Thompson is committed to ensuring that the expansion of international tournaments and the rise of franchise contests do not diminish the significance of bilateral series.
After “Greatest Triumph I’ve Been Part in,” James Anderson Praises “Amazing” Ben Stokes
Original Source: England’s James Anderson praises ‘incredible’ Ben Stokes after ‘best win I’ve been involved in’
England’s 74-run success in Pakistan was their third Test win in Pakistan and one of their biggest victories.
Anderson got five wickets in the contest, including 4-36 in the second innings with the ball reverse swinging.
England’s best wicket-taker said Stokes’ brave second-innings declaration gave his team “so much confidence” after the first Test.
“He’s fantastic. He knows what he wants. He thinks a lot about setting fields. It helps us. Trying new things is fun because we talk a lot.”
Stokes and Ollie Robinson took the new ball in the second innings and bowled short balls to find wickets.
Robinson’s fourth-over wicket of Abdullah Shafique surprised England fans, who are used to Anderson taking the new ball in any condition.
“I noticed how Ollie and Ben bowled with the new ball. That set us up for today “According to Anderson.
“It’s one of my best victories. We put ourselves in a position to win by playing well and scoring runs quickly.
“Ben and Brendon McCullum believe we must take wickets. We thought our advantage and scoring may give us something to defend. We executed our talents well and got the ball moving through the air.
“Outstanding performance. The spin bowlers contributed throughout despite the lack of spin. The six-for by Will Jacks was remarkable.”
Anderson closed the second innings with four wickets, but Robinson’s post-tea effort helped England win.
“The pitch wasn’t good for our seamers, but we got the ball going and worked hard. Every man left nothing behind, and it was a terrific effort “Robinson stated after being named Player of the Match.
“We had to be patient, knowing we’d have a decent opportunity if we could get a fresh batter in. We worked hard knowing it would be challenging. We got the chance from the hitters. Coming to Pakistan and playing on these flat wickets was perhaps my finest Test.”
Indian Keeper’s Howler in Shock Bangladesh Upset
Original Source: ‘Drop the catch, lose the match’: Indian keeper’s howler in shock Bangladesh upset
Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s unbeaten 38 and record tenth-wicket stand helped Bangladesh win India by one wicket in the series opener.
The hosts went to 136-9 chasing 187 in Dhaka when Mehidy and Mustafizur Rahman pulled up a 51-run partnership, Bangladesh’s greatest ever for the final wicket in a successful run chase, to reach their goal with 24 balls to spare.
At number eight, Mehidy struck four fours and two sixes and survived a missed catch by wicketkeeper KL Rahul on 15.
The players ran onto the field and the home fans screamed after Mehidy scored the winning runs in 39 balls.
“This performance is incredibly remarkable for me,” Mehidy stated after winning Man of the Match.
The BCCI announced Rishabh Pant’s discharge “in conjunction with the BCCI medical team” and Rahul’s selection as India’s keeper.
After the match, fans criticized the 30-year-old for his squandered opportunity.
“Towards the end, there was only one way they could have won, and I thought Mehidy Hasan produced a wonderful innings,” Rahul told ESPN.
“He took some enormous risks, which he had to.
We also missed a few chances. Happens in cricket, and certainly, today, Bangladesh battled incredibly hard till the end and won the game, but we made a few mistakes and we’ll learn from it and come back stronger.”
After Mehidy’s ODI debut, skipper Liton Das said he had “no words to explain this feeling” and thanked him.
Mustafizur and Mehidy achieved the fourth-highest 10th wicket partnership in an ODI chase to win a memorable match.
Shakib Al Hasan’s 5-36 helped bowl out India for 186 in 41.2 overs when Bangladesh opted to field first, despite Rahul’s 73.
Das and Shakib’s 48-run partnership helped Bangladesh collapse.
Washington Sundar bowled Das for 41 and Shakib for a sensational one-handed catch at extra cover by Virat Kohli.
Bangladesh lost Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim in consecutive deliveries after a 33-run fifth wicket stand.
After Mahmudullah was lbw to Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj bowled Mushfiqur, Bangladesh lost their way at 128-4 in the 35th over.
Afif and Ebadot Hossain were dismissed in the first over of Kuldeep Sen’s second spell.
Siraj took Hasan Mahmud for his third wicket, but Mehidy, who also took one wicket with his off spin, achieved the unthinkable with Mustafizur.
“We bowled well and kept them under strain.” Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, stated, “They held their nerves in the backend.”
“The genes are there, these men grew up playing in such settings. Handling pressure is key. Hopefully, we improve things in the next game.”
India’s Rahul’s 70-ball knock stood out, but the foreigners’ batting disappointed.
After Rishabh Pant got injured, Rahul hit five fours and four sixes as wicketkeeper-batsman.
Ebadot finished the opposition innings in 41.2 overs with four wickets, including Rahul.
ECB Chair Richard Thompson on Cricket Schedules and Hundred Private Equity Involvement
Original Source: Richard Thompson: ECB chair on fixing cricket’s schedules and Hundred private equity interest
Thompson is now in Rawalpindi for the opening Test of England’s 17-year tour of Pakistan.
After a disappointing three-match ODI series in Australia that began three days after England’s T20 World Cup win, the trip begins.
Thompson believes it shows how packed the international calendar has become, and he cautioned the ICC against letting franchise cricket fill any gaps.
At day three’s lunch, Thompson informed former England captain and Sky Sports cricket commentator Mike Atherton, “As much as we speak about the English domestic structure, I’d say the international structure is much more demanding.”
If the game chases money, it will devour itself and pay a high price. ‘One Game, One Passion’ sums up my reason for coming to Pakistan.
“Cricket can bridge geopolitics and unify countries, and it can’t only be about money.” That’s ECB’s responsibility. Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other nations need our aid.
Cricket can unify countries across borders, and it’s not just about money. That’s ECB’s responsibility.
Richard Thompson, ECB chair
“We visit them, they visit us, so how do we fix this?” Otherwise, you’ll have five nations competing and the others will slip away.
The framework of the English domestic season will remain the same in 2023, but Thompson is aware of the need to conclude the argument over which parts of the ECB’s men’s High-Performance Review will be addressed to clarify what 2024 will look like.
The former Surrey chair and the ECB’s recently hired chief executive Richard Gould, previously of Somerset and Surrey, were loud detractors of The Hundred when it started, but Thompson says his opinion has changed since taking command.
The Hundred, entering its third year in 2023, reportedly received an offer of £400m private equity investment for a majority share of the tournament. Thompson wants to keep the ECB’s offer and the 18 first-class counties’ T20 Vitality Blast going.
Thompson remarked, “Private equity is pouring in cricket and sports rights have never been worth more.” “Thank you, we’ll return when we’re ready.”
“The Hundred’s last two years have shown us to be wrong on one issue and right on another.” The Hundred and Sky’s commitment in it have been excellent for women’s cricket.
“The timetable is the problem, and Richard and I had some difficulty with it since we recognized three home events plus an extended international calendar was already generating problems.
“Bringing a fourth in was only going to make that worse and what I want to ensure we don’t do is marginalize the Blast,” he said. We want them to live together, which is difficult, but we’ll figure it out.”
Will Smeed’s decision to sign a white-ball only deal with Somerset after impressing in T20 for his county and The Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix, according to Thompson, highlights the need for a workable domestic calendar.
Thompson believes the 21-year-decision old’s should wake up the game as a whole.
“Our timetable doesn’t really encourage a talent like Will Smeed to play in our domestic cricket given the unrealistic schedule,” Thompson added.
We all agree on fixing the schedule. We can’t let the dashboard light get red, which would suggest a lot of gamers choosing that road.
It’s not the Kerry Packer moment, but it’s in that region and this is a good example of guys coming through one of the best pathways in international cricket only to be lost to English cricket in a way we can’t control.
“I can’t accept that we lose a generation of cricketers who would play for England.”
Summary of today’s Cricket/Sports News
Overall, just three previous Test victories had been achieved by England in Pakistan, but their 74-run victory has been hailed as one of their best victories ever. With the ball swinging in the opposite direction, Anderson got four of his five wickets in the second innings. After the first Test, England’s leading wicket-taker claimed that Stokes gave his team “so much confidence” because of his courageous second-innings declaration that set the stage for a historic victory.
On the other hand, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s unbeaten 38 and a record tenth-wicket stand, Bangladesh overcame India in the series opener by one wicket. Mehidy, who came in at number eight, turned the contest on its head by smashing four fours and two sixes before being rescued by a dropped catch from wicketkeeper KL Rahul on 15. After Mehidy scored the winning runs in his 39-ball knock, the home team stormed the field and the fans went berserk.
Finally, ECB chairman Richard Thompson is adamant that the sport’s growing international event calendar and popularity of franchise contests would not detract from the significance of bilateral series. Three months into his new position, Thompson is leading England on their first tour of Pakistan in 17 years, beginning with today’s first Test in Rawalpindi. This tour follows England’s embarrassing 3-0 loss to Australia in a three-match ODI series that kicked off just three days after their T20 World Cup victory. To Thompson, this is evidence of how jam-packed the international schedule has become, and he cautioned against the international governing body, the ICC, stepping back and letting franchise cricket fill any voids.