A small tip from Zaheer Khan made a massive difference in my consistency: Harshal Patel

Watch: Shakib dives off the pitch covers in a childlike fashion as rain disturbs day-2 of 2nd Test

As rain brought in by the cyclonic conditions in the Bay of Bengal disturbed the day’s proceedings for the most part of the second day of play in the second Test between hosts Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sher-E-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka, the child in ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was at full display. The Bangladeshi star was seen diving on the ground covers and sliding on it as if a child was swimming in the ponds in the Bangladeshi villages during a usual rainy day. As far as the Test match is concerned, only 6.3 overs of play was possible n the second day after Pakistan, which won the toss and decided to bat first had ended day one at 161-2. Today, the unbeaten duo of Azhar Ali and skipper Babar Azam added 17 runs in it without losing any wicket, finishing the day at 188-2. Azhar Ali also made use of the little window that the teams got for play by completing his 34th Test fifty. As for Shakib, he is making a comeback in international cricket after being injured in the recent T20 World Cup. He hasn’t picked up a wicket in the game as of now having bowled 15 overs so far.

Tim Paine is shattered with what's happened: Justin Langer

Australia wicket-keeper batsman Tim Paine had first stepped down from the captaincy and then took an indefinite break from the game. The decision from the right-handed batsman came after it was revealed that he was being investigated in a ‘sexting scandal’. Australia head coach Justin Langer has said that Paine is “shattered” and sad about the incident. “He's one of the best people I have met in cricket, so it was nice to go down and see him. He's obviously shattered with what's happened. Because he's been such an exemplary figure in Australian cricket for the last four years," said Langer according to Cricbuzz. "I heard about it, I think I was getting on a bus on the way to England about an incident. Because Painey told me about it. That was nearly four years ago. And literally the first I heard about it after that was the day or two days before he resigned. So, I had no idea about an investigation,” he added. Australia appointed Pat Cummins as the new Test skipper in place of Paine and the pacer’s first assignment after taking up the position will be the upcoming Ashes series scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

IND vs NZ | 2nd Test, Day 3: Ajaz Patel achieves best bowling figure by overseas bowler in India

After picking up a historic 10-wicket haul in the first innings, Ajaz Patel continued his dominance with the ball and went on to pick up four more wickets to achieve the best bowling figure by a visiting bowler against India. He reached the milestone by dismissing Jayant Yadav caught and bowled. He bagged 14 wickets in the match giving away 225 runs and moved past legendary English all-rounder Ian Botham to become the bowler with most wickets in a Test match in India. Botham held the record for 41 years since claiming figures of 13/106 in the 1980 Mumbai Test which England went on to win as well. in the very same game he had struck a century as well. As for other spinners in India, Patel with figures of 14/225 also went past the Australian spinning duo of Steve O’Keefe and Jason Krejza, who had taken 12 wickets each against India in the year 2017 and 2008 respectively. India lost only 17 wickets in the game as they declared their second innings at 276/7 after and setting a target of 540 runs for New Zealand to chase in more than two days of play remaining in the game. Mayank Agarwal followed his big century in the first innings with another splendid fifty and remained India’s highest run-scorer in both innings. India scored 325 runs in the first innings when all their batsmen succumbed to Ajaz Patel’s left-arm spin. In response, they skittled the Blackcaps for a mere 62 runs and took a massive lead of 263 runs. The first Test of the series ended in a draw leaving the second and final game as a series decide for both sides.

The Ashes | Joe Root sets sight on India's example to up the ante at Gabba

India’s winning triumph in Tour DownUnder has certainly become an inspiration for the England team that will take on Australia in the Ashes series slated to begin on December 8, 2021 in Brisbane. England captain Joe Root credited India for playing exceptional cricket in Australia and setting an example. “Credit to India, they played exceptionally well throughout that whole series. And, in many ways, set a good example for any touring team to come here and play,” Root said as the Ashes series was launched at a ceremony at the Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday. Root had earlier talked about getting big scores to stay in front and further added that the Australian pitches might assist the batters too. "We can't hide away from the fact we need big scores," he says. "That's not putting pressure on our batters. We should relish that challenge,” he had said. "Australia can be a wonderful place to bat. It can get flat. You have to manage the bounce well and come through the odd barrage of short-pitched bowling, being wary of different kinds of dismissal,” he added. The English team last won an Ashes series back in 2011, the side which had the present fast bowling duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.