Liam Dawson recalled for Old Trafford Test after eight-year absence

Spinner is back as replacement for Bashir in only change from XI that won third Test at Lord's

Yorkshire Pick Imam-ul-Haq As Replacement For Giakwad; Caleb Jewell Re-signs With Derbyshire

County Championship: Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq has joined Yorkshire as an overseas signing for the remainder of the English domestic season. The 28-year-old, who has scored three Test centuries and nine in ODIs, will be available immediately and is set to feature in Yorkshires upcoming County Championship match against Surrey at Scarborough. Imam replaces Indian batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, who withdrew from his planned stint due to personal reasons. Imam is no stranger to English conditions, having previously played for Somerset in 2022. Earlier this year, he helped Pakistan Television clinch the Presidents Cup, Pakistans premier domestic tournament. Yorkshire hope his experience and form will boost their red-ball and 50-over campaigns through the end of the season. We're delighted that Imam has joined us and that he will be available immediately, said Gavin Hamilton, Yorkshires general manager of cricket. Whilst we were naturally disappointed that Ruturaj couldn't join up with the squad, in Imam, we have an exceptional player of proven international quality. Imam has an impressive record and is already familiar with domestic cricket in this country, which will stand us in good stead for a crucial block of fixtures. We are grateful for the speed at which he has arrived in the country, and everyone at the club is looking forward to working with him until the end of the season. Meanwhile, Derbyshire have confirmed that Australian batter Caleb Jewell will return to the club in 2026 after signing a new deal. Jewell has been one of the standout players in Division Two this season, scoring 821 runs at an average of 54.73, including a career-best 232 against Kent. Imam has an impressive record and is already familiar with domestic cricket in this country, which will stand us in good stead for a crucial block of fixtures. We are grateful for the speed at which he has arrived in the country, and everyone at the club is looking forward to working with him until the end of the season. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Jewell added: I've loved my time with Derbyshire so far, and I'm really happy to have signed for next season already. There's a great bunch of players at this club; they've all made me feel so welcome, and that's been reflected on the field. Hopefully, we can have a strong 50-over competition and then focus our efforts on staying in the hunt for promotion. Article Source: IANS

Pakistan's batting approach faces litmus test against well-tuned Bangaldesh

With the series on the line, the hosts go in as favourites with their bowling attack firing as a unit

Pietersen Applauds Sarfaraz Khans Fitness Transformation, Sends Message To Prithvi Shaw

Indian Premier League: Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has praised Sarfaraz Khan for his hard work and dedication, after the middle-order batter from Mumbai lost nearly 17 kilograms in a bid to revive his India career. Sarfaraz Khan, who was not picked for Indias ongoing Test series against England, has spent the last few months working on his body and mindset. After going unsold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction, he teamed up with his father also his coach and focused on fitness. His efforts came after Karun Nair was preferred over him for the England tour, making a surprise comeback after eight years. But Sarfaraz didnt let the setback break him. Instead, he trained harder and has now become a talking point for the right reasons. Outstanding effort, young man! Huge congrats, and Im sure its going to lead to better and more consistent performances on the field. I love the time youve spent reorganising your priorities! LFG! Pietersen wrote on X. In the same post, Pietersen took a dig at Prithvi Shaw, who has been in the news for his lack of fitness and form. Can someone show Prithvi this, please? It can be done! Strong body, strong mind! he added. Outstanding effort, young man! Huge congrats, and Im sure its going to lead to better and more consistent performances on the field. I love the time youve spent reorganising your priorities! LFG! Pietersen wrote on X. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score While Sarfaraz is hoping for another chance at the top level, his transformation is already being seen as an example of how effort and focus can help turn things around something Pietersen hopes Shaw will take note of. Article Source: IANS

'India Can Bounce Back At Any Stage': Harry Brook Warns England Against Complacency

Harry Brook: As the high-voltage five-match Test series between England and India enters its decisive stages, England batter Harry Brook has played down suggestions of dominance despite his teams 2-1 lead ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford starting on Wednesday. With India desperate to stay alive in the series and the fourth Test at Manchester potentially threatened by rain, Brook believes England must stay sharp and united, especially with the stakes rising and emotions boiling over. Were in a strong position and happy with how the games have gone so far, Brook said at the pre-match press conference. Theyve been intense and good to watch. But we know India is a strong side, and were expecting another challenge at Old Trafford, depending on the surface. Hopefully, we can go out there and beat them again. Brook dismissed any notion that England had India on the ropes after their dramatic win at Lords. Instead, he acknowledged Indias resilience. I wouldnt say that. India is a side that can bounce back at any stage. We saw that after we beat them at Headingley, they came back strong at Edgbaston. Weve just got to go out and do our thing, and hopefully, we come out on top again. The Lords Test lit a fire under the series with its intense verbal exchanges and high drama. Brook recalled how the team responded to Indias sledging: We saw them going at Creeps [Zak Crawley] and Ducky [Ben Duckett], so we had a little chat. We thought, Were a team, we may as well get together and go back at them. It felt like 11 versus 2 when we were fielding. It was tiring, but it actually made fielding a lot more enjoyable. Asked whether such exchanges enhance the game, Brook was emphatic. Ive had a lot of compliments. People said it was awesome to watch. We try to play in the spirit of the game as much as possible. That night, we reassessed things and thought it was the right time to go back at them. Brook believes the sledging might have tilted the momentum in Englands favour. Yeah, I think so. It added a bit of pressure on them. They were chasing a low score on a tough pitch, and maybe that verbal battle helped tip the scales. Thankfully, they ended up crumbling, and we won. However, the team isnt without setbacks. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir has been ruled out due to a finger injury. Brook praised his teammates bravery, recalling how he bowled and fielded even with the injury. Hes bowled exceptionally well, and well definitely miss him. What he did last weekcoming back out with a broken finger to take that last wicketshowed exceptional character. His replacement, Liam Dawson, brings experience and versatility, says Brook. He brings a different anglehes a left-armer who can exploit the footholds outside the right-handers off stump. Hes also a very good batter. He nearly scored his 21st first-class hundred recently. Hes competitive, always fights for the team, and its great to have him here. Brook added, Hes a wily old foxexperienced and very skilful. Hes played everywhere, against everyone. Theres no reason why he cant succeed in red-ball cricket again. Looking at the broader picture, Brook acknowledged how special the series has been, 20 years on from the iconic 2005 Ashes. Every game has gone into the last hoursomething you dont often see. People have told me its been an amazing series. The Lord's Test, in particular, was one of the best theyve ever watched. He credited the eedle between teams as a major driver of the drama. That kind of tension can make for compelling cricket. Like I said, 11 v 2 on the pitchthose are the moments that define how we play cricket as a team. Looking at the broader picture, Brook acknowledged how special the series has been, 20 years on from the iconic 2005 Ashes. Every game has gone into the last hoursomething you dont often see. People have told me its been an amazing series. The Lord's Test, in particular, was one of the best theyve ever watched. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Chasing that total at Headingley was unbelievable. And then, the fight and patience shown at Lords, especially by Stokesy, were incredible. It was awesome to watch, and Im sure it kept everyone on their toes. Article Source: IANS

'Jassi Bhai Will Play': Siraj Confirms Bumrah's Participation In Fourth Test

Nitish Kumar Reddy: India pacer Mohammed Siraj has confirmed that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will play the fourth Test in Manchester starting on Wednesday, putting rest to all the speculation regarding the latter's participation in the do-or-die encounter. The news comes as a great relief for the Indian supporters who were left sad with the dual injuries to pacers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh, forcing the Indian camp to call in Anshul Kamboj as cover. With India trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, attention was naturally turned to Bumrah, who is being carefully managed and set to feature in only three of the Tests. Having already played in the first and third Tests - both ending in defeats for India - Bumrah is now expected to return for the crucial fourth Test. Jassi bhai will play as far as I know, Siraj said in the press conference on Monday. Akash Deep has a groin issue, he bowled today and now physios will see. Combination is changing but we need to bowl in good areas. Plan is simple - stick to good areas, he added on his fellow pacer. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a left knee injury, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Monday. Akash Deep has a groin issue, he bowled today and now physios will see. Combination is changing but we need to bowl in good areas. Plan is simple - stick to good areas, he added on his fellow pacer. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Adding to India's woes, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has been ruled out of the fourth Test after sustaining an impact injury to his left thumb while bowling in the nets at a training session in Beckenham. The BCCI medical team is monitoring his progress. Article Source: IANS