Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was unbeaten on 179 as Afghanistan trailed Zimbabwe by 71 runs after a rain-shortened fourth day of the first Test in Bulawayo on Sunday.
South Africa creep past Pakistan after dramatic collapse to reach WTC final
- Pakistan 211 and 237; South Africa 301 and 150-8
- Mohammad Abbas takes 6-54 but denied famous win
Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen turned batting heroes as South Africa edged out Pakistan by two wickets to win a thrilling first Test at Centurion and book themselves a place in next year’s World Test Championship final.
Rabada scored 31 and Jansen 16 in an unbeaten partnership of 51 off 50 balls to see South Africa over the line and deny Pakistan a dramatic comeback victory after Mohammed Abbas took six wickets as he shredded through the home batting order.
Continue reading...South Africa narrowly avoid 18-year low to book maiden WTC Final amid Test epic
South Africa narrowly avoided an 18-year low against Pakistan on Sunday to book their spot in the World Test Championship Final, with their tail successfully chasing a tedious fourth-innings target of 148.
‘Got under his skin’: Konstas’ role in Bumrah brutality as Aussies try to avoid Gabba nightmare repeat
Marnus Labuschagne believes Sam Konstas’s antics helped inspire the best of Jasprit Bumrah but the Australian No.3 has loved every moment of a Boxing Day Test heading for a thrilling finale on Monday in Melbourne.
Batting line-up tweak that axes Marsh; incredible lists Bumrah now tops: Talking Pts
A potentially match-defining partnership from Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland has thrown the Boxing Day Test right back on its head, on a day’s play where India once had one hand on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
‘Exposes cricket’s myths’: How Fox Cricket’s tech revolution can explain Bumrah’s brilliance
Superman may have been able to leap tall buildings in a single bound but we bet he didn’t have a wrist that could flick a cricket ball at 60km/h.
‘Can’t be picked. Surely’: Aussie all-rounder dilemma hits fever pitch but ex-coach backs Marsh
The Australian selectors at times have to make tough calls to drop players from the Test squad.
‘Needs a pat on the back, not being berated’: Captain under fire for fury aimed at young gun
India captain Rohit Sharma has come under fire after directing his fury, rather than support, towards young gun Yashasvi Jaiswal after a key drop in Australia’s second innings in the Boxing Day Test.
Australian reserve batter Josh Inglis ruled out of Border-Gavaskar Trophy with injury
The Perth Scorchers could be without Josh Inglis for the remainder of the Big Bash League after the wicketkeeper sustained a calf injury during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
‘I’m here too’: Bumrah returns fire in Konstas battle as rare gesture lights fuse
After taking the world by storm in his Boxing Day debut innings, Sam Konstas’ on-field theatrics were matched Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah after his dismissal on Sunday.
Records tumble in Zimbabwe as Afghan duo create history amid 1011-run feast
Records have tumbled in Bulawayo overnight, with batters guns Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi easily eclipsing Afghanistan’s highest ever Test partnership.
‘Never seen this’: Aussies left baffled by umpire’s ‘rushed’ call in ‘farcical’ scenes
Australian captain Pat Cummins was left baffled after the hosts were denied a potential wicket on day four of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG following a “rushed” decision from the third umpire.
Dramatic Test twist as stunning five-over chaos sets up Pakistan thriller
South African fast bowler Marco Jansen admitted that his team faced a challenge after Pakistan took three quick wickets late on the third day of the first Test at SuperSport Park on Saturday with the hosts chasing 148 runs for victory.
Brave wagging tail saves flailing Aussies after Bumrah blitz as epic MCG finale looms
India will need to complete the highest successful run chase at the MCG in Test history to win the Boxing Day contest after Australia’s lower-order wagged on an enthralling fourth day in Melbourne.
‘Underrated for how tough he is’: Starc playing hurt as Boland flags pitch issue that may hurt Aussies
Scott Boland has confirmed strike bowler Mitchell Starc is feeling a niggle around the ribs but is confident the star quick will do his utmost to secure Australia a Boxing Day Test triumph over the next two days in Melbourne.