Injured Pant smashes fifty before England bowl India out for 358
Manchester, Jul 24 (PTI): Rishabh Pant batted with a fractured toe to score a half-century before Ben Stokes-led England ended India's first innings at 358 on the second day of the fourth Test here on Thursday.
The injured Pant, who walked in awkwardly to a standing ovation a day after retiring hurt on 37 after copping a blow on his right foot, braved pain to make 54 off 75 balls even as Stokes finished with excellent figures of 5/72.
Resuming on 264 for four, India were dealt an early blow as Ravindra Jadeja edged a Jofra Archer outswinger to Harry Brook at second slip in only the day's second over. It was a fine catch by Brooks who dived forward to hold the dipping ball.
Shardul Thakur (41) and Washington Sundar (27) then added 48 runs for the sixth wicket while negotiating a tough phase after England opted to take the second new ball at the start of the day's play.
England skipper Stokes broke the flourishing stand when he had Thakur brilliantly caught at gully by a diving Ben Duckett.
Brief scores:
India 1st innings: 358 all out in 114.1 overs (Sai Sudharsan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58, Rishabh Pant 54, Shardul Thakur 41; Ben Stokes 5/72).
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Pakistan extends airspace closure for Indian planes till May 24
New Delhi (PTI): Pakistan on Tuesday extended the closure of its airspace for Indian planes till May 24 as the curbs will now remain in place for more than a year.
In the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed 26 people on April 22 last year, India and Pakistan have closed their respective airspaces for each other's planes. While Pakistan airspace has been closed for Indian aircraft since April 24, 2025, Pakistan planes are not permitted to use the Indian airspace since April 30 last year.
According to a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), Pakistan airspace is not available for Indian registered aircraft and aircraft operated/owned or leased by Indian airlines/ operators, including military flights.
The ban will be applicable from April 21 till 2359 hours (UTC) on May 23, which translates to 0530 hrs (IST) on May 24, as per the NOTAM issued by the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA).
It is now nearly a year since the Pakistan airspace ban came into force that has also resulted in Indian carriers taking longer routes for various international destinations.
Meanwhile, India has barred Pakistan aircraft from using its airspace till 0530 hrs on April 24, and the restriction is expected to be extended.
The ban, part of various measures taken by the Indian government against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, was initially till May 24, 2025 and has been subsequently extended every month.
Generally, a NOTAM is a notice containing information that is essential for personnel involved in flight operations.
