Siraj strikes twice, England 98/4 at lunch on day 4
London, Jul 13 (PTI): Mohammed Siraj struck twice as India reduced England to 98 for 4 at lunch on the fourth day of the third Test here on Sunday.
Resuming at 2 for no loss, England lost opener Ben Duckett early for 12 when he mistimed a pull off Siraj to Jasprit Bumrah at mid-on.
Siraj then trapped Ollie Pope lbw for 4 with a delivery that seamed in sharply, the decision confirmed after India opted for a review, reducing England to 42 for 2.
In the 15th over, Nitish Kumar Reddy dismissed Zak Crawley for the second time in this match, inducing a loose drive that was taken by Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully.
Akash Deep then struck before lunch, bowling Harry Brook for 23 as he missed an attempted swipe across the line, exposing his middle stump.
Earlier, India were bowled out for 387 in their first innings on Friday, matching England’s total.
Brief Score:
England 1st innings: 387
India 1st innings: 387
England 2nd innings: 98 for four in 25 overs (Harry Brook 23, Joe Root 17 not out; Mohammed Siraj 2/11).
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Zameer Ahmed reacts to Muslim leaders’ letter to Congress high command
Bengaluru: Minister Zameer Ahmed has responded to reports of Muslim community leaders writing to the Congress high command expressing concerns.
Speaking to reporters, he said he had seen the letter in the media and noted that around 15–16 community leaders had written to Rahul Gandhi, as well as to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Mallikarjun Kharge.
“They have expressed their views. If you want to know their opinion, you should ask them. I cannot speak on their behalf,” he said.
Stressing that there is no discrimination, Zameer Ahmed said everyone is being treated equally. “Since those who wrote the letter are community leaders, the reasons behind it should be asked to them directly,” he added.
He also said that different leaders express different views. “One person may speak in my favour, another may speak for someone else. There is no need to consider all that,” he said, referring to discussions around leaders like Abdul Jabbar and Naseer Ahmed.
On the issue concerning Naseer Ahmed, Zameer Ahmed said he is a senior leader and that if any anti-party activity was involved, due process should have been followed. “There is a procedure, a notice should be issued first, a reply should be obtained, and then action should be taken. This is also the view expressed by Satish Jarkiholi and several others,” he said.
He clarified that he is not saying action against anyone is wrong if anti-party activity is proven, but decisions should follow proper procedure.
Responding to demands that action against Abdul Jabbar and Naseer Ahmed be withdrawn, he said steps should be taken as per rules and that there was a view that immediate action may not have been necessary.
On the mention in the letter about “teaching a lesson” in future elections, he said there is indeed some dissatisfaction among political and community leaders. “We will speak and resolve the issues. Those who have written the letter should be asked directly,” he said.
