Watch: Akram's Frustarted Reaction Viral As Babar Gets Out Cheaply vs Aus

It has been a tough couple of days for the Pakistan cricket team as the visitors have been outplayed by Australia in the first Test in Perth. The misery started with some sloppy fielding and poor bowling on the opening day, which allowed Australia to gain momentum in the match. David Warner's 164-run knock helped Australia post 487 on the board in the first innings. The misery continued for Pakistan on the latter half of Day 2, this time with the bat.

After openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique gave them a bright start, Pakistan lost two quick wickets before stumps on Day 2. While nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad managed to see out a few overs before stumps, he feel soon after the play resumed on Day 3.

However, the biggest disappointment for Pakistan was the wicket of former captain Babar Azam. Playing his 50th Test, Babar played 13 balls before getting off the mark with a cover drive to the ropes off Pat Cummins.

However, Babar's fun lasted for a short while as Mitchell Marsh dismissed him for 21. 

Huge moment! Mitch Marsh gets Babar! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/OwD3qGGwB0

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2023

Former Pakistan captain and legendary pacer Wasim Akram, who is part of the commentary team, was left frustrated with Babar's dismissal.

Mitch Marsh with the HUGE wicket of Babar Azam! #AUSvsPAK pic.twitter.com/n1eoqcI8xB

— Triple M Cricket (@triplemcricket) December 16, 2023

Babar's wicket sparked a mini-collapse, with Imam stumped for 62 when Lyon was brought back into the attack, charging down the wicket and missing in a lapse of concentration, with Carey whipping off the bails.

Sarfaraz Ahmed (3) lasted just six balls, no match to Mitchell Starc, whose swinging delivery sent the stumps flying.

Australia took the new ball soon after lunch and Josh Hazlewood produced a quality bouncer that Saud Shakeel tried to fend off but only succeeded in lobbing to David Warner at slip.

He departed for 28 and Faheem Ashraf followed for nine, caught low by Usman Khawaja at square leg off Cummins.

Lyon returned to take his 499th wicket, with another stumping from Carey accounting for Aamer Jamal before Travis Head's part-time spin took care of Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Australia went on to win the game by 360 runs with Lyon crossing the milestone of 500 Test wickets.

(With AFP Inputs)

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PBKS Congratulate "Rohit, Yuvraj" As Haryana Win Vijay Hazare Trophy

Indian Premier League franchise Punjab Kings wished "Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma" after Haryana clinched their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy. On Saturday, Sumit Kumar, Harshal Patel and Ankit Kumar inspired Haryana to lift the trophy with their pulsating performances against Rajasthan. PBKS took to X, to congratulate Haryana players youngster Yuvraj and experienced Rohit, two players who have the famous names of two of the most renowned players of India.

"Congratulations to Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, and Haryana for winning the #VijayHazareTrophy," PBKS wrote on X.

Congratulations to Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, and Haryana for winning the #VijayHazareTrophy. ???? pic.twitter.com/96wvwkL8TL

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 16, 2023

Even though both players failed to leave their marks in the final, Haryana bowlers at the end with ice-cold veins managed to hold on to their nerves and get across the finishing line.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Haryana posted a total of 287/8. Handsome knocks from Ankit Kumar (88) and skipper Ashok Menaria (70), propelled Haryana to the competitive score.

In reply, opener Abhijeet Tomar rose to the occasion with a knock of 106 to keep Rajasthan in the thick of action. Kunal Singh Rathore with his 79 provided the ideal support to his compatriot to take Rajasthan a step closer towards victory.

Their 121-run partnership ensured that Rajasthan were in firm control as they walked into the final 10 overs requiring 76 runs with five wickets in hand.

With eight overs to go, Rahul Chahar and Kunal accumulated 17 runs in leg spinner Amit Rana's over to completely swing the momentum in their favour.

But Harshal's arrival into the attack brought the game back to parity, his cutters made it hard for the batters to survive on the crease. He dismissed set batter Kunal in the first ball of the 44th over.

In the 46th he sent big hitter Ajay Singh back to the pavilion for 8. Rahul Tewatia and Anshul Kamboj sealed off the game for Haryana with a 30-run victory.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Doesn't Deserve It": Ponting's Harsh Take On WC Winner's Test Prospects

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting feels that Glenn Maxwell does not deserve a return to Test cricket, saying that the dashing all-rounder must prove himself first in First Class matches. Maxwell, currently Australia's star player in limited-over cricket after his stellar show in the recent ODI World Cup, is bidding to return to the longest format. The 35-year-old has played only seven Tests to date after making his debut in 2013. He was not considered for the ongoing three-match Test series against Pakistan at home. Ponting feels that one should not be promoted to the red-ball squad unless the player has enough First-Class runs under his belt. “No one deserves a chance unless you've got a truckload of first-class runs behind you," Ponting was quoted as saying by 'Channel 7'.

“I'm a no; he doesn't deserve it. But, if he gets a chance to go back and make some first-class runs, then he can force his way back in.” Maxwell's last outing in Test cricket was back in 2017 against Bangladesh in Chittagong, in which his side had prevailed by seven wickets. All of his Test outings have been in the Indian sub-continent.

Ponting's thoughts were echoed by former Australia player Greg Blewett, who felt that Maxwell should have played in the Shield lately.

“It's a yes for me because it's not his fault that he hasn't played First-Class cricket.

“He's good enough to be batting in the middle order, especially on a subcontinent tour,” he added.

Notably, Maxwell has made just 44 Shield appearances in his career, representing Victoria. Since October 2019, he has made just one appearance in the tournament.

He, however, has played in the County Championship lately, having represented Warwickshire this season.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Unfortunate to keep blaming democratically elected governments: BRS MLC K Kavitha

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Indigenous high-speed flying wing UAV 'Ghatak' tested, India joins elite club of countries

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PCB Says It Has Signed Hosting Rights Agreement Of CT 2025 With ICC

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday said it signed the hosting rights agreement of the 2025 Champions Trophy with the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dubai. The agreement for the 2025 mega event was signed by Zaka Ashraf who heads the Cricket Management Committee running the PCB affairs at the moment. "Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf was joined by ICC General Counsel Jonathan Hall in the signing of the hosting rights to Pakistan at the ICC headquarters," the PCB said in a statement. Pakistan last hosted an ICC event in 1996 -- the ODI World Cup. Pakistan was guaranteed to host the 2009 Champions Trophy and also matches of the 2011 World Cup at home but the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in March 2009 in Lahore led to both events being moved from the country due to security concerns.

The biggest challenge surrounding Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy remains whether the Indian government would allow its team to travel to Pakistan for its matches.

The PCB had to agree to a hybrid model of the Asia Cup in August-September and share matches with Sri Lanka after the BCCI said its team would not play in Pakistan due to security concerns.

Pakistan did host the 2008 Asia Cup in entirety and that was the last time India played in Pakistan.

The PCB said in a statement that it has already conveyed to the government to provide foolproof security to visiting international teams for the Champions Trophy.

"The PCB in its capacity has already intimated the government to provide foolproof security to visiting international teams for the Champions Trophy," the PCB statement added.

"Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in a recent meeting with Chairman PCB Management Committee assured the security agencies' cooperation in the successful hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025." Another logistical problem facing the PCB would be to get its existing international venues renovated and ready for the matches of the mega event.

Presently, only Karachi, Lahore and Multan have stadiums capable of hosting Champions Trophy games.

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Congress leader Dhiraj Sahu’s first reaction in IT raids: ‘This money has nothing to do with Congress or any other political party’

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