Alex Eala survives Greek opponent, rain-hit Hong Kong semis for title berth

West Indies defeated Pakistan by 90 runs in the first Test of the two-match series on Tuesday. Pakistan failed to chase down a target of 211 runs. The national team was bowled out for just 120 runs in its second innings. The match was played at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba. Pakistan’s batters struggled badly on a difficult pitch. The West Indies fast bowlers maintained constant pressure throughout the innings. Pakistan began their chase with hopes of securing a win. However, the batting line-up collapsed quickly. Eight Pakistani batters failed to score in double figures. Captain Babar Azam was the only batter who offered strong resistance. He remained unbeaten on 58 runs. However, he received little support from the other end. Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood were dismissed for three runs each. Ali Usman scored two runs. Khurram Shahzad made four runs. Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal and Mohammad Ali were dismissed without scoring. The repeated fall of wickets left Pakistan in serious trouble. Earlier, West Indies resumed their second innings on the fourth day at 126 for seven. Their batters added 55 more runs before being bowled out for 181. West Indies entered the second innings with a 29-run lead from the first innings. That advantage proved crucial. It allowed the hosts to set Pakistan a target of 211 runs for victory. Pakistan’s batters found the target extremely difficult to chase. The pitch offered assistance to the bowlers. West Indies used the conditions effectively and kept taking wickets at regular intervals. The visitors had earlier scored 282 runs in their first innings. Shan Masood was Pakistan’s leading batter. He scored an impressive 109 runs. Imam-ul-Haq also made an important contribution. He scored 63 runs. However, the rest of the batting line-up failed to build enough partnerships. Justin Greaves was the standout bowler for West Indies in Pakistan’s first innings. He claimed five wickets and played a key role in restricting Pakistan to 282. West Indies had scored 311 runs in their first innings. Shai Hope was among their top performers. He scored 92 runs and narrowly missed a century. Kavem Hodge also played an important innings. He scored 84 runs and helped West Indies post a competitive total. Pakistan’s Mohammad Ali was the leading bowler in the first innings. He took four wickets. Mohammad Abbas also impressed with the ball and claimed three wickets. The match remained competitive because of the difficult batting conditions. However, West Indies handled the pressure better in the crucial moments. Pakistan’s second-innings collapse eventually handed West Indies a convincing victory. The hosts bowled the visitors out for 120 runs.

West Indies have come under scrutiny after employing an unusual fielding tactic against Pakistan during the first Test, sparking widespread debate among cricket fans and experts. The incident occurred on the final delivery of an over when Pakistan batter Babar Azam played the ball into the field and attempted to take a single. Instead of collecting the ball immediately and throwing it back, West Indies fast bowler and fielder Shamar Joseph deliberately allowed it to continue rolling toward the boundary. Joseph waited until the ball reached the boundary rope, conceding four runs instead of preventing the boundary. The apparent objective was to ensure Babar remained at the non-striker’s end, preventing him from facing the first delivery of the next over. The move effectively sacrificed three additional runs in exchange for denying Pakistan’s star batter more time at the crease. At the time, Babar appeared to be batting confidently and had shown encouraging signs of returning to his best form, prompting the West Indies to adopt a tactical approach aimed at limiting his influence. The moment was captured on camera and quickly spread across social media, where it generated mixed reactions from fans and former players alike. Many questioned whether the decision reflected the spirit of the game, arguing that intentionally allowing a boundary to avoid bowling to a particular batter was against the traditions of Test cricket. Critics described the tactic as unsporting, saying teams should focus on dismissing batters through skill rather than manipulating the strike in such an unconventional manner. Some supporters of Pakistan also expressed frustration, claiming the strategy highlighted the respect and concern the West Indies had for Babar’s batting ability. However, others defended the decision, pointing out that Test cricket has always involved strategic planning and field placements designed to gain an advantage. They argued that if a team believes facing a certain batter poses a greater threat, using legal methods to keep that player off strike is simply part of the tactical battle that defines the longest format of the game. Supporters of the move also noted that the Laws of Cricket do not prohibit a fielder from allowing the ball to reach the boundary intentionally. As long as no law is breached, they believe captains and players are free to make calculated decisions that improve their chances of success. The incident has reignited discussions about the balance between gamesmanship and sportsmanship in modern cricket. While innovative tactics have become increasingly common across all formats, opinions remain divided over where teams should draw the line between strategic thinking and preserving the spirit of the game. Regardless of the differing viewpoints, the episode has become one of the most talked-about moments of the opening Test, with Babar Azam once again finding himself at the center of attention. Whether viewed as clever strategy or controversial gamesmanship, the West Indies’ decision has added another fascinating chapter to the ongoing contest between the two sides.

GILGIT: Search and rescue teams resumed their operation on Saturday morning to locate seven climbers who remain missing after a deadly avalanche struck Broad Peak earlier this week. The mission restarted after weather conditions improved, allowing rescuers to return to one of the world’s most challenging mountain environments. The rescue operation had been suspended late Friday because of heavy snowfall, poor visibility and the continuing risk of avalanches. Officials said improving weather conditions enabled both ground and air teams to resume the search. The avalanche occurred on Thursday while a 10-member international expedition was climbing Broad Peak, an 8,047-metre mountain in Pakistan’s Karakoram range. According to regional authorities, the climbers were ascending at an altitude of around 6,600 metres when they were caught in the massive avalanche. Three climbers were confirmed dead after their bodies were recovered on Friday. The deceased were identified as Omani climber Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy, Nepali mountaineer Pur Bahadur Gurung and American climber Mallory Geis. Their bodies were later airlifted to Skardu. Seven climbers are still missing. They include internationally renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, fellow Nepali climbers Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa and Gyalu Sherpa, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi and Chinese climber Wang Zhong. According to the local administration, a three-member civilian rescue team led by renowned Pakistani mountaineer Sarbaz Khan resumed the ground search on Saturday morning. Experienced Nepali climbers already stationed at the Broad Peak base camp also joined the rescue effort to assist in locating the missing mountaineers. Pakistan Army helicopters have also been deployed to support the operation. Rescue officials said helicopters are assisting with aerial surveillance, transporting rescue personnel and assessing areas that remain inaccessible by foot. Officials from the Alpine Club of Pakistan said the search operation remains extremely difficult because of steep mountain slopes, unstable snow, harsh weather and the constant threat of further avalanches. These conditions continue to slow rescue efforts and increase risks for search teams. Rescuers have also been using drone technology to scan the mountain. During the operation, drone footage reportedly identified signs of additional climbers at an altitude of around 6,000 metres. Ground teams are attempting to reach the location despite dangerous terrain and difficult weather conditions. The international rescue effort has also received support from renowned Nepali climber Mingma David Sherpa, who travelled to Pakistan to assist in the search for Nirmal Purja and the other missing climbers. Authorities said the expedition team was last in contact on Thursday morning before communication was lost. Data from the climbers’ tracking devices later suggested that several members of the team had been swept hundreds of metres down the mountainside by the avalanche.