The first Test between India and Bangladesh got underway on Thursday in Chennai, with the visitors opting to field first. Hasan Mahmud, the young Bangladesh fast bowler, made an immediate impact by dismissing three Indian batsmen early on. His accurate line and length impressed former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop, who praised his ability to consistently bowl full deliveries without over-pitching. The Bangladesh skipper, Najmul Hossain Shanto, exuded confidence ahead of the series opener, stating that his team is determined to win despite external pressure. He also hinted at the team's strength and unity. Meanwhile, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan and renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar lauded the performance of Indian veteran Ravichandran Ashwin, emphasizing the crucial role he plays in the batting order. The second T20I between Pakistan and South Africa women's teams saw Pakistan record a convincing victory, leveling the three-match series. This victory marked a significant comeback for the Pakistani team after losing the opening match. The series is now poised for a thrilling decider. The Essex Cricket Club was fined £100,000 by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) for being found guilty of systemic racism and discrimination. This verdict highlights the ongoing fight against racism and discrimination in the sport. On a lighter note, Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy's hilarious banter with New Zealand captain Sophie Devine about Harmanpreet Kaur's age went viral. Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener, shared his thoughts on India's longstanding pursuit of a seam-bowling all-rounder, a crucial player in the upcoming Test season. Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, currently recovering from Achilles Tendon surgery, sent a bold message to the Australians ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, stating that they should be worried. India captain Rohit Sharma took a sly dig at players who reverse their retirement decisions, drawing attention to the rising trend of players retiring and returning to the game. Renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle spoke about Gautam Gambhir's misunderstood personality, highlighting his genuine nature and exceptional record as a captain. The day in the world of cricket began with India taking on Bangladesh in the first Test. Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud rocked the Indian top order with his brilliant lines and lengths which impressed Ian Bishop. Irfan Pathan and Sanjay Manjrekar praised Ashwin for the role that he plays down the batting order. Away from this match, Yuvraj Singh celebrated another anniversary of his six consecutive sixes off Stuart Broad. The cricket world buzzed with excitement as the Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2024 season is all set to begin on September 20th, with its fifth phase kicking off. Fans are eagerly awaiting the start of this exciting tournament. On a personal note, Yuvraj Singh expressed his gratitude for representing India and reminisced about some of his most memorable moments. Another highlight of the day was the birthday celebration of renowned commentator Aakash Chopra, with many well-wishers sending their heartfelt wishes. The cricketing world awaits another day of thrilling action and exciting developments.
Nneka Okoro
Sports Reporter
Covering sports events and bringing you live updates.