Bengaluru Test: Afghanistan in trouble after losing four quick wickets
Bengaluru, June 15: Afghanistan trumbled again on the second day of test match against India at Chinnaswamy stadium here on Friday.
Afghanistan were asked to follow on after they got all out for just 109 runs in their first innings. However, the team that is playing its first ever test match against India continued its poor performance with bat and lost four of its main batsmen for just 24 runs in their second innings.
Earlier, an excellent half century from all-rounder Hardik Pandya steered India to a commanding 474 even as Afghanistan managed to take the remaining four wickets on the second morning of the one-off Test here on Friday.
India managed to add 127 runs to their overnight total of 347/6, thanks to Pandya's (71) third Test half ton, and coupled with some cameos from the tailenders.
If statistics are to be taken into consideration, this is the third instance where a team has conceded more than 400 runs in their inaugural Test. Bangladesh (2000) and the West Indies (1928) are the other teams in the category.
Coming to the second morning of the ongoing Test, India lost overnight batsman Ravichandran Ashwin (18) on the eighth over of the day, after the off-spinner was caught behind off Yamin Ahmadzai.
Ashwin's dismissal brought in the dangerous Ravindra Jadeja (20), who was dropped first ball off an edge.
The southpaw did well to put that scare behind him and forged a valuable 67-run eighth wicket stand with Pandya, who took the attack to the opposition after a sluggish start.
Pandya picked wrist spinner Rashid Khan for some special treatment, whacking him to the boundary line thrice before sweeping Mohammed Nabi for a four to bring up his half century in 83 balls.
Jadeja also joined the party, smoking Nabi for a six over long-on before perishing to the same bowler when he attempted one over long-off, only for the ball to land in the hands of Rahmat Shah.
Pandya soon followed his partner to the pavilion after being cramped for room and failing to cut a short ball from Wafadar, which resulted in a simple catch for keeper Afsar Zazai.
The right-hander struck 10 fours in his 94-ball effort.
With the scoreboard reading 440/9, the hosts would have been more or less satisfied but number 11 Umesh Yadav (26 not out from 21 balls; 4x2, 6x2) had other plans.
Umesh entertained the Chinnaswamy crowd with some lusty blows, which included two massive sixes off Wafadar and more importantly, helped India cross the psychological mark of 450 runs.
Together with Ishant Sharma (8), Umesh added 34 runs for the 10th wicket before Rashid trapped Ishant, ending India's innings for 474.
For the visitors, pacer Yamin Ahmadzai was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets while fellow quick Wafadar and Rashid chipped in with two wickets each.
The other spinners Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Brief Scores: India 474 (Shikhar Dhawan 107, Murali Vijay 105, Hardik Pandya 71; Yamin Ahmadzai 3/51) vs Afghanistan.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
