Gilas Women ‘headed in right direction’ with morale-boosting win vs Senegal

NEW DELHI: India have turned to middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan as their injury problems continue to pile up ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, bringing the right-hander into the squad as a replacement for Sai Sudharsan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Sudharsan has been ruled out after suffering a stress reaction in his right foot. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and has reportedly shown significant improvement. Sarfaraz’s inclusion gives India another experienced domestic performer as the team prepares for an important World Test Championship assignment. The 28-year-old made his Test debut in 2024 and has so far played six Tests, scoring 371 runs at international level. His record includes one century and three half-centuries, highlighting his ability to make an impact when given opportunities in the longer format. Sarfaraz has also remained a prolific performer in India’s domestic cricket. During the 2025 Ranji Trophy season, he represented Mumbai in seven matches and accumulated 429 runs, strengthening his case for another opportunity at Test level. His return comes at a challenging time for India, who are dealing with injuries to several important players. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Washington Sundar are also among the players whose fitness has become a concern ahead of the Sri Lanka tour. The changes have added uncertainty to India’s final combination, particularly in the batting and bowling departments. Sarfaraz’s selection could provide the team with additional depth in the middle order as the management assesses its options. India and Sri Lanka are scheduled to play the opening Test in Galle on August 15, followed by the second Test at the SSC Ground in Colombo from August 23. The two-match series carries added significance because it forms part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Both sides will therefore be looking to begin the campaign strongly and collect valuable points. For Sarfaraz, the opportunity arrives at a crucial moment. After producing strong numbers in domestic cricket and making a promising start to his international career, his inclusion gives him another chance to establish himself in India’s Test middle order. With injuries already forcing India to rethink their plans, Sarfaraz could now find himself at the centre of attention when the first Test begins in Galle.

LEEDS: Pakistan’s World Test Championship campaign suffered another setback on Friday as they slipped to the bottom of the WTC 2025-27 standings after England completed a crushing innings victory in the first Test at Headingley. The defeat leaves Pakistan with just two wins from seven matches and a points percentage of 19.05, increasing the pressure on the team ahead of the remaining two Tests of the three-match series. England, meanwhile, remain seventh in the standings with a points percentage of 29.76, having won five of their 14 matches. Australia continue to dominate the WTC table. They sit top with seven wins from nine Tests, collecting 84 points at a winning percentage of 77.78. Defending champions South Africa are second with three wins from four matches and a 75% percentage. New Zealand occupy third place, followed by Bangladesh and India. Pakistan’s latest defeat exposed familiar problems with both their batting and ability to handle England’s pace attack. After being asked to bat, Pakistan were dismissed for just 171 in their first innings. England’s bowlers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue were particularly effective, claiming five wickets each. England then turned their advantage into a commanding position, piling up 409 runs in their first innings. Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence all contributed half-centuries, while Pakistan spinner Ali Usman fought back with an impressive five-wicket haul. Pakistan entered their second innings facing a massive 238-run deficit and needed a determined batting effort to save the match. Instead, their resistance lasted only 37.3 overs. Pakistan were bowled out for 135, handing England a comprehensive innings victory and leaving their opponents with a 1-0 lead in the series. Robinson was the standout performer. His eight wickets across the match earned him the Player of the Match award and helped England secure a dominant start to the series. Pakistan had entered the England tour after drawing their two-Test series against the West Indies 1-1, but their Headingley collapse has put their WTC campaign under renewed pressure. With two Tests still remaining, Pakistan will need a dramatic turnaround in batting consistency and bowling execution to keep their hopes of climbing the championship table alive.

Former West Indies fast bowler and renowned cricket commentator Ian Bishop believes Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique has the temperament and technique to succeed in English conditions, saying he is eager to watch the young batter during the upcoming Test series against England. Shafique has emerged as one of Pakistan’s most dependable red-ball batters following his remarkable performances against the West Indies, and Bishop feels the 26-year-old has all the qualities needed to handle one of cricket’s toughest challenges. Speaking about the Pakistani opener, Bishop described Shafique as a calm and composed batter who remains patient even in difficult situations. “Abdullah Shafique is a composed batter who knows how to build an innings under pressure,” Bishop said, adding that such qualities are crucial for success in England, where swinging conditions and disciplined bowling regularly test even the world’s best players. The former West Indies pacer acknowledged that English pitches present a unique challenge but noted that Shafique already has valuable experience after representing Yorkshire in county cricket. Although that exposure will help him adapt more quickly, Bishop stressed that delivering consistently in England remains a demanding task for any international batter. Shafique’s confidence has soared after his outstanding performance in the recently concluded Test series against the West Indies. Drafted into Pakistan’s squad after Shan Masood suffered an injury, the right-handed opener seized the opportunity in spectacular fashion. He remained unbeaten on 160, producing one of the finest innings of his career and becoming the first Pakistani batter in 49 years to score 150 or more runs in a Test innings in the West Indies. The memorable knock not only strengthened Pakistan’s batting lineup but also reinforced Shafique’s reputation as one of the country’s brightest Test prospects. With Pakistan set to face England in a highly anticipated Test series, fans and cricket experts alike will be watching closely to see whether Abdullah Shafique can carry his superb form into English conditions and establish himself among the world’s elite opening batters.

England fast bowler John Turner has announced his shock retirement from professional cricket at the age of 25, bringing the curtain down on a promising five-year career. Turner, who represented England in two ODIs and two T20Is in 2024, made the difficult decision after a prolonged battle with injuries kept him away from professional cricket since June last year. The Hampshire fast bowler suffered a stress fracture in his back, an injury that forced him to spend more than a year on the sidelines. Despite having two years remaining on his Hampshire contract and holding an England and Wales Cricket Board development contract until the end of last year, Turner decided that it was time to move on. Explaining his decision, Turner said the repeated injuries had made him think seriously about his future both as a cricketer and beyond the sport. “Playing professional and international cricket was always my dream,” Turner said, describing representing Hampshire and England as the fulfilment of childhood ambitions. He admitted that retirement was one of the toughest decisions of his life but said he believed it was the right moment to take on a new challenge. Turner made his first-class debut for Hampshire in 2021 and described his five years with the club as the best period of his life. He also thanked Hampshire’s management, coaches, teammates and supporters for their unwavering backing. His retirement brings a surprisingly early end to the career of a bowler who had once earned an international opportunity at just 23.