Ateneo plays through grief, prevails in first game since Baterbonia, Adili deaths

Mohammad Ali delivered a career-best performance, taking 4-50 as Pakistan bowled out West Indies for 311 on the second day of the first Test at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba . The right-arm pacer’s inspired spell ensured the Men in Maroon could only add two runs to their total after lunch before being dismissed, with Shai Hope agonizingly falling short of a century pinned on 92 by Ali . Pakistan had made an early breakthrough in the morning session, dismissing well-set Kavem Hodge for 84 after West Indies resumed on 194-3 following a rain-truncated opening day. Khurram Shahzad struck early as Hodge edged to second slip, where Salman Ali Agha held a sharp catch, with the hosts adding just two runs to their overnight total . The dismissal ended a 91-run partnership that had steadied the West Indies innings. From there, the hosts lost their way, losing wickets in quick succession despite brief stands . Justin Greaves and Hope added 34 runs for the fifth wicket before Ali’s persistence paid off. Ali got Greaves shortly after Hope had been dropped by Azan Awais in the slips, with Greaves managing just 15 . Skipper Roston Chase arrived at 231-5 and added 26 with Hope before Mohammad Abbas found his edge, with Mohammad Rizwan taking a safe catch behind the stumps. Chase made 10 . With the tail exposed, Pakistan sensed an opportunity to close out the innings, but Hope batted impressively including an elegant six over cover off Shahzad and shared a 17-run stand with Kemar Roach (3) to take West Indies past 300 by lunch . Hope’s resistance ended on 92 when Ali trapped him in front . After lunch, Shamar Joseph was caught for 23 and Jayden Seales was bowled by Ali without scoring as the innings folded . Mohammad Abbas, continuing his return to form after being included in the touring squad for the upcoming England series, picked up three wickets in his 26 overs . Pakistan will now look to build a substantial first-innings lead on a pitch that has offered increasing assistance to the seamers as the game has progressed .

The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the comprehensive schedule for the men’s domestic season 2026-27, introducing a new One-Day tournament to help prepare players for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The season will commence on August 11 in Multan with a week-long four-team National Champions Cup, a 50-over tournament designed to strengthen Pakistan’s one-day preparations and assess the country’s ODI talent. The teams will be selected by the National Selection Committee. The domestic season will also include one List A tournament, three first-class competitions, two non-first-class three-day tournaments, two T20 tournaments, and age-group events for U19, U17, and U15 players. After the National Champions Cup, the President’s Cup for departmental teams will begin. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the National T20 Cup will now feature 20 teams after the addition of teams from Sialkot and Peshawar, with Lahore and Karachi fielding four teams each. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will begin on November 1 and will be split into Gold and Silver divisions, with both running simultaneously. The Gold division will have eight teams, while the Silver Division will feature 12 teams, including the new sides from Sialkot and Peshawar. The format of Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament has changed again, with last season featuring 10 teams and 18 teams competing in the 2024-25 season. The Hanif Mohammad Trophy, a non-first-class three-day tournament introduced in 2023-24 for lower-ranked regional teams, has been discontinued. Before the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy commences, the President’s Trophy first-class tournament for eight departmental teams and the non-first-class President’s Trophy will be played concurrently from September 12. The domestic season will conclude with the National T20 Cup, played in February and March, with its Silver division featuring 12 teams preceding the Gold division, which will run from February 23 until March 6. The introduction of the National Champions Cup reflects the PCB’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s ODI talent pool ahead of the 2027 World Cup. The tournament will provide players with valuable 50-over experience, which is crucial for the success of the national team in the global tournament. The addition of teams from Sialkot and Peshawar to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and National T20 Cup is expected to increase competition and broaden the talent base across the country. The PCB’s focus on both first-class and limited-overs competitions highlights its efforts to develop a well-rounded domestic structure that can produce players capable of performing at the highest level. As the season approaches, teams and players will be gearing up for a busy and competitive schedule, with the hope of contributing to Pakistan’s success on the international stage. The domestic season is set to be an exciting one, with plenty of opportunities for players to showcase their skills and earn selection for the national team. The PCB’s proactive approach to scheduling and format changes underscores its commitment to the long-term development of cricket in Pakistan, ensuring that the country remains competitive in all formats of the game.