September 1, 2024

India Batter’s Injury Threatens Participation in Key Bangladesh Tests and Duleep Trophy

The upcoming Test series against Bangladesh is crucial as it is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Meanwhile, Mumbai’s star batter Suryakumar Yadav faces uncertainty about his cricketing future after injuring his thumb during a Buchi Babu invitational tournament match against TNCA XI in Coimbatore. The 33-year-old cricketer, who was fielding at leg slip when the injury happened, has been ruled out of the rest of the match. This raises concerns about his availability for the upcoming Duleep Trophy and the important Test series against Bangladesh.

Suryakumar Yadav’s Test Comeback at Risk Due to Injury

Suryakumar Yadav, known for his explosive batting in limited-overs cricket, was aiming for a significant return to India’s Test team. However, his plans have been disrupted by a recent thumb injury. Although the full extent of the injury is still being assessed, Yadav has received immediate medical care and is now at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for recovery.

The NCA will oversee Yadav’s rehabilitation and determine how serious the injury is. With the Duleep Trophy starting soon, there are growing concerns about whether he will be fit to play. His participation was eagerly anticipated, as both his team and the selectors were keen to see him in action ahead of the crucial Test series against Bangladesh.

This injury comes at a challenging time for Yadav, who was making strides toward a Test recall. Known for his aggressive batting and versatility, he was expected to strengthen India’s top order. His absence from the Duleep Trophy could impact his chances of making the Test squad, leaving the selectors to consider other options for the upcoming series.

Mehidy’s Five-Wicket Performance Puts Bangladesh Ahead

Despite fifties from Masood, Ayub and Agha, and four dropped catches, Pakistan were bowled out for 274

Despite half-centuries from Shan Masood, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha, and four missed catches of varying difficulty, Pakistan was bowled out for 274 on the second day of the second Test in Rawalpindi. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the standout performer for Bangladesh, taking 5 wickets for 61 runs.

As play ended on the second day, Bangladesh’s openers, Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan, had just two overs to face. Mir Hamza managed to get Shadman to edge the first ball of the innings, but Saud Shakeel missed the catch at fifth slip, allowing Bangladesh to escape without losing a wicket.

Pakistan’s situation is further complicated by the absence of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. With Naseem being rested, Pakistan’s four frontline bowlers in this match have a combined experience of only 16 Tests, adding to their challenges.

After rain washed out the opening day, a warm and sunny morning greeted the teams. With the pitch still damp, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto chose to bowl first in what has become a four-day Test.

Taskin and Mehidy Lead Bangladesh’s Early Breakthroughs as Pakistan Stabilizes

Taskin Ahmed, returning from a shoulder injury, justified Shanto’s decision by taking a wicket in the very first over. After five outswing deliveries to Abdullah Shafique, Taskin surprised him with a ball that nipped back off the seam. Shafique, expecting another outswinger, was caught off guard, and the ball sneaked through the gap between his bat and pad to hit the top of the off-stump.

Initially, Taskin and Hasan Mahmud managed to keep Saim Ayub quiet, but Ayub soon found his rhythm. After being on 4 from 25 balls, he struck three fours in his next 11 balls. Shan Masood, who was aggressive from the start, helped build a fifty partnership with Ayub in just 68 balls. Although Bangladesh’s bowlers created chances, they didn’t take any more wickets as the pitch began to settle. Masood reached his fifty in just 54 balls, hitting only two fours, making it the fastest fifty in Test cricket since 2002 with two or fewer boundaries.

At lunch, Pakistan was in a strong position at 100 for 1 after 25 overs. However, the situation changed after the break. Mehidy Hasan Miraz quickly removed Masood and Ayub. He first trapped Masood lbw with a ball that straightened after pitching. Ayub, who had reached fifty with a pull shot off Nahid Rana, was stumped by Mehidy when he came out of his crease trying to attack. Mehidy missed an opportunity to worsen Pakistan’s position when he dropped a straightforward catch off Saud Shakeel’s bat. Had that catch been taken, Pakistan would have been 125 for 4.

Pakistan’s Lower Order Struggles as Bangladesh’s Bowlers Shine

Shakeel couldn’t make the most of his second chance. Although he hit Taskin for two consecutive fours, he was dismissed for 16 when he chopped the last ball of the over onto his own stumps.

At 151 for 4, Pakistan relied on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to recover the innings, but their efforts fell short. Shakib Al Hasan dismissed Babar lbw with an arm ball that Babar should have played forward. Shakib almost got Salman Ali Agha in the same over, but Zakir Hasan missed a difficult bat-pad chance at short leg.

Rizwan fell shortly after tea, caught by the first slip fielder off a short ball from Nahid Rana. Agha and Khurram Shahzad managed to add 25 runs for the seventh wicket, briefly resisting Bangladesh’s attack. Mehidy Hasan Miraz nearly ended their resistance by getting Shahzad to edge a low ball, but Shadman Islam could only get fingertips to it.

Mehidy quickly made up for it. In his next over, Shahzad miscued a lofted shot to mid-off, where Shakib made a sharp catch. Bangladesh had another chance when Mominul Haque dropped an easy catch from Mohammad Ali at leg slip, but it didn’t cost them as Mehidy soon had Ali caught at slip.

Agha got another chance when he inside-edged Taskin’s delivery onto his pad, and Mehidy caught the rebound, but the umpire missed the edge. With Bangladesh having used all their reviews, Agha took advantage by hitting Taskin for a six to bring up his fifty.

With only two wickets remaining, Agha played aggressively. He and Abrar Ahmed added 28 runs for the ninth wicket before Agha was caught at fine leg. Abrar then charged at Mehidy and was stumped, ending Pakistan’s innings.