India delivered a timely statement ahead of their ICC T20 World Cup title defence, crushing New Zealand by 46 runs in the fifth and final T20I at Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. A blistering century from Ishan Kishan in the IND vs NZ 5th T20I and a decisive five-wicket haul by Arshdeep Singh helped India close the series 4-1, carrying strong momentum into the global tournament. The thrilling match, IND vs NZ 5th T20I, showcased India’s prowess and ability to perform under pressure. With the World Cup just days away, this performance underlined India’s batting depth, bowling resilience, and growing clarity around their preferred combinations. Ishan Kishan’s Century Strengthens World Cup Starting XI Case In the context of the IND vs NZ 5th T20I, this performance was crucial for team confidence. Kishan’s achievement in the IND vs NZ 5th T20I emphasizes his potential for the upcoming challenges. Asked to bat first, India produced a brutal display of intent, piling up 271/5 in 20 overs, their third-highest total in T20I history. The innings was headlined by Ishan Kishan, who delivered his maiden T20I hundred at precisely the right moment in IND vs NZ 5th T20I. As we analyze performances like those in the IND vs NZ 5th T20I, India’s depth becomes evident. This series, capped by the IND vs NZ 5th T20I, has been a testament to India’s resilience. The left-hander smashed 103 off 43 balls, striking at nearly 240, and cleared the ropes 10 times while also finding the boundary on six occasions. Kishan reached his fifty in 28 balls and brought up his century in just 42 deliveries, making a powerful case for a starting role at the World Cup. Suryakumar Yadav Returns to Form at the Perfect Time Facing challenges like those in the IND vs NZ 5th T20I prepares India for the World Cup’s intensity. India captain Suryakumar Yadav continued his resurgence with a fluent 63 off 30 balls, registering his third half-century of the series. His innings ensured India never lost momentum during the middle overs. Hardik’s performance in the IND vs NZ 5th T20I reflected his readiness for the World Cup. Suryakumar finished the series as the leading run-scorer and was later named Player of the Series, a reassuring sign for India as they prepare to face elite bowling attacks at the World Cup. With discussions around selection heating up, the IND vs NZ 5th T20I adds complexity to decision-making. Hardik Pandya and Finishers Showcase India’s Depth India’s finishing strength was once again on display as Hardik Pandya smashed 42 off 17 balls in the closing overs. India ended the innings with 23 sixes, equalling their highest tally in a T20I. This ability to accelerate at the death remains one of India’s biggest weapons heading into the World Cup, particularly on high-scoring surfaces. Arshdeep’s performance in the IND vs NZ 5th T20I demonstrates his ability to rise to the occasion. Sanju Samson’s Lean Run Raises Selection Questions Amid the batting carnage, Sanju Samson’s struggles continued at an awkward time in the calendar. The wicketkeeper-batter managed six runs off six balls, falling early to Lockie Ferguson during the PowerPlay. Overall, the IND vs NZ 5th T20I highlighted India’s strengths as they gear up for the World Cup. Despite playing in his hometown, Samson was unable to make the opportunity count. With Ishan Kishan in imperious form and competition fierce for batting slots, his lack of runs across the series sharpens selection debates ahead of the World Cup. Finn Allen’s Counterattack Tests India’s Bowlers Chasing an imposing target, New Zealand launched a fearless counterattack led by Finn Allen, who blasted 80 off 38 balls. His knock powered New Zealand to their highest-ever PowerPlay score against India, briefly keeping the contest alive. Such aggressive chases mirror what India can expect during the World Cup, making this a valuable pressure scenario for their bowlers. Arshdeep Singh Leads the Bowling Fightback India responded with composure, led by Arshdeep Singh, who finished with 5/51. After an expensive start, the left-armer adjusted his lengths and executed his plans to perfection. Axar Patel chipped in with three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy struck at a crucial moment. New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 225 in 19.4 overs, despite their flying start. India Tick Crucial Boxes Before Title Defence As the T20 World Cup approaches, India walk away from the series with several positives: The IND vs NZ 5th T20I serves as a reminder of what India can achieve when all elements click. Brief Scores India: 271/5 in 20 overs(Ishan Kishan 103, Suryakumar Yadav 63, Hardik Pandya 42) New Zealand: 225 all out in 19.4 overs(Finn Allen 80; Arshdeep Singh 5/51, Axar Patel 3/33) Result: India won by 46 runsSeries Result: India won 4-1 With the T20 World Cup now on the doorstep, India couldn’t have asked for a more emphatic final rehearsal. Records were broken, key questions were answered, and a few selection debates were sharpened rather than settled. The real challenge begins next week, when pressure intensifies and margins shrink. But if this series finale was any indication, India enter the World Cup not just as defending champions, but as a side that knows exactly how it wants to play when it matters most.
IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Match Date, Time, Venue, Pitch Report and Key Talking Points
As part of India’s packed international cricket schedule ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, the IND vs NZ 5th T20I serves as a crucial checkpoint for both sides. While India have already sealed the five-match T20I series, the final game offers valuable insights into team balance, form, and tactical readiness in modern T20 cricket. After snapping a three-match losing streak, New Zealand enter the fifth and final T20I with renewed confidence. For India, this contest is less about the series result and more about fine-tuning combinations, assessing fringe players, and sharpening execution before the global tournament begins next week. IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Date & Match Timing The fifth and final T20I between India and New Zealand will be played on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Match Start Time: 7:00 PM IST Toss Time: Around 6:30 PM IST Television coverage and live streaming are expected to begin roughly an hour before the first ball. IND vs NZ 5th T20I Venue Details The match will take place at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, a venue that has quietly built a reputation for producing competitive contests. India’s men’s team has enjoyed success here, winning three of the four T20Is played at this ground so far. The stadium recently hosted women’s T20 internationals, keeping the surface well-tested ahead of this clash. Greenfield Stadium Pitch Report The final pitch report will be confirmed closer to match time, but historically, the Greenfield Stadium surface has favoured bowlers more than batters. Seamers often find movement early, while spinners come into play as the match progresses. This could make chasing a high total tricky, especially for teams that rely heavily on aggressive stroke play. India, however, possess a strong bowling attack with proven match-winners like Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav, giving them the tools to exploit the conditions effectively. Final Tune-Up Before the T20 World Cup Even though India wrapped up the five-match series by winning the first three games, the fourth T20I at Visakhapatnam served as a reminder that there is still work to be done. New Zealand dominated that contest and secured a convincing 50-run victory, halting India’s momentum. With the T20 World Cup opener scheduled in Mumbai next week, the Indian team will be keen to finish the series on a high note and carry positive energy into the tournament. Bigger Picture in India’s T20 Cricket Build-Up Beyond the immediate result, the IND vs NZ 5th T20I plays an important role in shaping India’s broader T20 cricket roadmap. With conditions in India often influencing World Cup strategies, performances in matches like these help the team management finalize bowling combinations, middle-order roles, and death-over plans. Such games also highlight how India’s evolving T20 approach balances explosive batting with disciplined bowling — a key factor in recent international cricket success. The final T20I against New Zealand therefore acts as a bridge between bilateral dominance and the demands of a global tournament. India’s Batting Firepower Under the Spotlight One of the biggest positives for India in this series has been their explosive batting. The team showcased how quickly they can dismantle bowling attacks, highlighted by two of India’s fastest-ever T20I fifties coming in this very series. Abhishek Sharma smashed a 14-ball fifty in Guwahati, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20Is. Shivam Dube followed it up with a blistering 15-ball half-century in the fourth match, nearly pulling off a miracle chase with a 65 off just 23 deliveries. These performances have strengthened India’s middle-order options and given the team management valuable selection headaches. Sanju Samson’s Crucial Opportunity at Home For Sanju Samson, the final T20I is particularly important. Despite multiple chances in the series, the wicketkeeper-batter is yet to make a significant contribution. Playing in his hometown, Samson will be eager to find form before the World Cup, especially as India look to ensure stability at the top of the order alongside the in-form Abhishek Sharma. New Zealand Eye Strong Finish Mitchell Santner’s side will look to build on their dominant fourth-match performance. Opener Tim Seifert’s fluent 62 off 36 balls set the tone in that game, and New Zealand will hope for similar intent again. The visitors may also consider giving Finn Allen an opportunity after he joined the squad mid-series, adding another aggressive option at the top of the order. What’s at Stake in the 5th T20I? While the series trophy is already decided, the final match is far from meaningless. It’s the last chance for both teams to finalize their playing XIs, test tactical plans, and enter the T20 World Cup with clarity and confidence. Expect rotations, bold calls, and one final push to get everything in place before the biggest tournament of the year begi
India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I: Ishan Kishan Storms Chase as India Take 2-0 Series Lead
India Assert T20 Dominance With Another Commanding Win Back-to-back dominant batting performances have powered India to a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. After an emphatic win batting first in the opening game, India followed it up with a ruthless chase in the India vs Newzeland 2nd T20I, hunting down a daunting 209-run target with 28 balls to spare at Raipur. Despite losing Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma early, India barely blinked. What followed was a brutal reminder of why this Indian T20 side is fast becoming every opponent’s nightmare. Ishan Kishan’s Powerplay Carnage Changes the Game Walking in at 6/2 while chasing over 200 is usually a crisis. Ishan Kishan treated it like an invitation. The left-hander launched a breathtaking counterattack, smashing a 21-ball fifty inside the powerplay and completely flipping the momentum. His clean ball-striking, calculated aggression, and refusal to panic ensured India stayed well ahead of the required rate from the start. Kishan’s innings wasn’t reckless. It was controlled violence. He avoided unnecessary risks, targeted his zones, and punished anything remotely loose. That clarity came from confidence earned the hard way, through domestic runs and self-belief. Key impact: Suryakumar Yadav Finds Rhythm at the Perfect Time At the other end, Suryakumar Yadav played the ideal supporting role before accelerating with trademark innovation. His half-century was his first in T20Is after a lean patch, and it showed a batter rediscovering rhythm and freedom. SURYA paced the chase intelligently, absorbed pressure after Kishan’s dismissal, and then shifted gears seamlessly. Together, the pair ensured New Zealand had no window to claw back. With Shivam Dube later providing stability and clean hitting, India’s chase became a formality rather than a contest. Shivam Dube’s All-Round Value Continues to Grow Dube’s contribution went beyond runs. His calm presence in the middle overs, smart strike rotation, and boundary-hitting kept the pressure firmly on New Zealand. Earlier, his timely over with the ball also played a role in restricting the visitors below what looked like a 230-plus total at one stage. India’s depth is no longer theoretical. Every player genuinely contributes. Bowling Effort Sets Up the Chase New Zealand were well-placed around 110/2, threatening another massive total. However, disciplined spells from Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and a crucial over from Dube applied the brakes. Restricting New Zealand to 208 on a flat surface with dew around was a quiet but decisive achievement. Match Records and Key Stats That Define the Game Highest Successful T20I Chases by India New Zealand Under Pressure as Series Slips Away Mitchell Santner summed it up honestly: against this Indian lineup, even 210 feels short. New Zealand experimented with combinations, but the execution fell apart under sustained pressure. With three matches remaining, they need immediate tactical clarity and braver intent. Otherwise, this series could end quickly. India Set the Benchmark in Modern T20 Cricket India have now won convincingly both batting first and chasing, underlining their versatility and depth. The intent is clear, the confidence is real, and the execution is ruthless. For New Zealand, adaptation is no longer optional. For India, this is momentum with purpose. The remaining T20Is promise intrigue. Right now, though, India are setting the standard, and everyone else is scrambling to keep up.
IND vs NZ 2nd T20I Preview 2026: Pitch Report, Playing 11
IND vs NZ 2nd T20I: Match Overview India, fresh off a convincing 48-run victory in the series opener, face New Zealand in the second match of this five-game T20I series at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur tonight (Friday, 23 January 2026). The Men in Blue piled up a massive 238 in Nagpur, powered by a brutal 84 from Abhishek Sharma and a ferocious Rinku Singh cameo. NZ fought back through Glenn Phillips’ blitz but came up short. The pressure is on New Zealand to avoid a 0-2 hole early, while India will smell blood and push for a series lead. Pitch Report: What to Expect in Raipur This surface usually leans batsman-friendly early, especially under lights. Expect the ball to come on nicely and allow free-flowing strokeplay in the opening 6-8 overs. Spinners will likely become important in the middle overs as the pitch starts gripping and slows down a touch, offering turn and variation to bowlers like Kuldeep, Chakravarthy, and Santner. Quick summary If you’re wondering how this could influence totals, think high 170s to 200+ if batsmen cash in early, but inch under 180–190 if spin shackles the scoring after 8 overs. Trend Signals: Head-to-Head & Recent Stats India and New Zealand have played 26 T20Is historically, with India leading the rivalry (15–10). That dominance is a psychological edge that often matters in tight moments. Top India performers (historical IND vs NZ) Top NZ performers (historical IND vs NZ) India’s Likely XI & Who Could Dominate After the first game, India’s unit looks balanced with firepower, spin, and death bowling depth. Probable XISanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel / Kuldeep Yadav (fit permitting), Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah. Players Poised for Big Impact New Zealand Threat Actors Bottom line: We’re set for a classic high-tempo T20I with runs early, spin intrigue in the middle, and nerve-jangling death overs.india’s depth gives them an edge, but NZ’s match-winners can turn it around with an explosive partnership or tight bowling spell.
IND VS NZ: Washington Sundar’s Career-Best 7 For 59 Helped India To Restrict New Zealand For 259
Washington Sundar’s Career-Best 7 For 59 Helped India To Restrict New Zealand For 259 IND VS NZ: Washington Sundar’s Career-Best 7 For 59 Helped India To Restrict New Zealand For 259 At the start of the series, Washington Sundar was not even part of this Test squad. He was drafted into the squad only a few days earlier after his heroics in a Ranji Trophy match against Delhi. He straight away made into the squad at the expense of Kuldeep Yadav, who played the first match of the series in Bengaluru last week. Off-spinner Washington Sundar registered career-best figures of 7 for 59 that triggered a collapse as New Zealand fell from 197 for 3 to get bundled out for 259 on the opening day of the second Test in Pune. India finished on 16 for 1 as their captain Rohit Sharma departed for a duck. India dominated throughout the day 1 India made three changes ahead of the match and they added another off-spinner to the squad, that also lengthened their batting line up. New Zealand had made a quick start to their innings with a flurry of boundaries against Indian seamers. Their batters also extended their forms as both Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra scored their second half century of the series. However, the introduction of spin in the eighth over gave early breakthrough for India as R Ashwin dismissed Tom Latham in his first over of the spell. As the match progressed, spinners came into the action. Indian spin trio Ashwin, Jadeja and Sundar did manage to beat the bat on numerous occasions and even hit the pads several times. New Zealand batters seemed comfortable in the middle for a long period but all of sudden things changed quickly just before the Tea on day 1, with the dismissal of Rachin Ravindra, who got bowled on a classical off-spin delivery from Washington Sundar. He also removed Tom Blundell in his very next over. Washington’s Sundar show at Pune Sundar got the start a bit late but once he took the charge, everyone had no answer for him. He showed his glimpse just before the tea and ruled after in the third session of the day. He continued his brilliant performance in the third session. Washington, who kept testing the off stump with his off-breaks, was the beneficiary of that collapse. While Mitchell was trapped leg before and Glenn Phillips holed out to Ashwin at long off, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel and Santner had their stumps knocked over, deceiving them with flight and turn.
PRO KABADDI LEAGUE 2024: THE THALAIVAS HAVE BEATEN DEFENDING CHAMPIONS PUNERI PALTAN BY 35-30
THE THALAIVAS HAVE BEATEN DEFENDING CHAMPIONS PUNERI PALTAN BY 35-30 In the 11th match of the Pro Kabaddi League 2024, Tamil Thalaivas registered a convincing win against Puneri Paltan on Wednesday, October 23 at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad. Puneri Paltan won the toss but lost the match by a very small margin. Tamil Thalaivas won the game with the scoreline at 35-30, ending Puneri Paltan’s 14-match unbeaten streak stretching to Pro Kabaddi League 10. Tamil Thalaivas seemed in control throughout the match Thalaivas started on high as they quickly raced into a 5-point lead within the first five minutes of the game. Narendra and Nitesh Kumar gave early edge to Thalaivas. However, Paltans’ Mohit Goyat took the charge to help Puneri Paltans roar back into the contest with registering a flurry of quick points. At the end of half-time, the score was 19-15 as Tamil Thalaivas continued to keep their opponents at bay. Sachin and Narendra were leading from the front for Thalaivas while it was Mohit, who was doing the job for the defending champions. Puneri Paltans’ unbeaten streak comes to an end in PRO KABADDI LEAGUE 2024 Paltans were trailing at the halfway mark. Tamil Thalaivas made a solid start of the second half and kept the momentum of the first half in the second as well but things were not easy as Paltans fought hard and clawed their way back into the game. In the span of the last 10 minutes, it was Tamil Thalaivas who inflicted another All-out, extending the lead to an 8-point one. They consolidated their lead in the final minutes and registered their second consecutive win of the season. Top Performers Narendra has been the best raider for Tamil Thalaivas with 9 raid points, while Nitesh became best defender for them with 5 tackle points. The night belongs to Puneri Paltans’ Mohit Goyat who has been the main highlight of the match despite his team losing the match. He has been the best raider and best defender for them with 9 raid points and 4 tackle points. Also Read-jaipur Pink Panthers Beats Telugu Titans by 52-22
Zimbabwe vs Gambia: Zimbabwe Set A New T20I World Record By Smashing 344 Against Gambia
Zimbabwe Set A New T20I World Record By Smashing 344 Against Gambia Zimbabwe rewrote record books with the highest T20I score ever. In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier match against Gambia (Zimbabwe vs Gambia) , the Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza played an extraordinary knock of 133 not out off just 43 balls with the help of 15 sixes and 7 fours, marking him as the first Zimbabwean to score a century in T20 internationals. Zimbabwe surpassed Nepal’s score of 314 against Mongolia for highest ever T20I totals, which they achieved during Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. Gambia in return were bowled out for 54 as Zimbabwe also posted the biggest-ever win in terms of runs in T20s. Jaw-dropping performances by Zimbabwean batters After electing to bat first, both the openers went all gun blazing and made a 98-run stand in just 5.4 overs. Bennett scored a brisk 50 off 26 balls, while Marumani dominated the crease with a blistering 62 off just 19 deliveries. Their aggressive partnership at the top set the tone for Zimbabwe’s record-breaking innings. Their skipper came to bat at No. 4 and delivered an extraordinary knock of 133 not out vs Gamibia (Zimbabwe vs Gambia). Clive Madande maintained the momentum with a rapid unbeaten 53 off 17 balls at the end. Records floated in Nairobi The Rauraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi witnessed history on Wednesday when Zimbabwe posted 344 for 4 after 20 overs of play. Many records were made and broken on the day as Zimbabwe shattered the record for the highest total in T20 cricket. Sikandar Raza scored Zimbabwe’s first ever century in the shortest format of the game. He eventually finished unbeaten on 133, with 15 sixes. His team-mates hit 12 more to set that record as well with 27 sixes in an T20 innings. They also registered the biggest-ever win in terms of runs in T20I. The Zimbabwean skipper also struck the second-fastest century in T20I cricket, his 33-ball efforts equalled Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton’s, for Namibia against Nepal in February 2024. Gambia could not stop the run flow as Musa Jorbateh conceded the most runs by a bowler in a T20, he leaked 93 runs in his spell of four overs. Also Read:- http://IND VS NZ: Kane Williamson Set To Miss The Second Test After Failing To Recover On Time
PRO KABADDI LEAGUE 2024: Jaipur Pink Panthers Beats Telugu Titans By A Big Margin of 52-22
Pro Kabaddi League 2024: Jaipur Pink Panthers Beats Telugu Titans by 52-22 Jaipur Pink Panthers defeated Telugu Titans by a huge margin at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad. Jaipur Pink Panthers invited Telugu Titans to raid first after winning the toss. Both the teams had good players in their starting lineups. Telugu Titans started with Vijay Malik, Ankit, Krishan, Sagar, Ajit Pawar, Pawan Sehrawat, Ashish Narwal while Jaipur Pink Panthers had Reza Mirbagheri, Arjun Deshwal, Ankush Rathee, Surjeet Singh, Abhijeet Malik, Lucky Sharma, Vikash Kandola to tackle Titans. Story of the first half After losing toss to Pink Panthers, Titans started well and dominated the first ten minutes of the game, they were ahead with 2 points but in the next ten minutes of the first half went in the favour of Pink Panthers who staged a solid comeback as they collected 10 points. In the first half of the match, Jaipur Pink Panthers’ raider Abhijeet Malik marked Super Raid against Titans and got a bonus with three points. Titans’ Ankit, Pawan Sehrawat and Krishan were the casualties. Panthers also inflicted all-out and took a lead of 5 points just seconds before the end of first half. Pink Panthers dominated the second half and defeat the Titans Panthers quickly moved to 34 points from 18 within ten minutes from the start of the second half. They looked unstoppable in the second half of the game as they marked fourth all-out to reach 50 points. Their skipper Arjun Deshwal led from the front and became the best raider of the night with a total of 19 points under his belt, he also succeeded to raid 16 times in the match. Titans had no clue how to stop the brute-force. They looked hopeless throughout the second innings and finished with a total of 22 points against the mighty Pink Panthers. Jaipur continue his domination over Titans Jaipur Pink Panthers and Telugu Titans have faced each other in 20 matches in Pro Kabaddi now. Out of these 20 games, Jaipur Pink Panthers have won 11 whereas Telugu Titans have come out victorious on 8 occasions, 1 match ended in a tie. ALSO READ- https://sportstrackerr.in/wp-admin/post.php?post=1837&action=edit
IND VS NZ: Kane Williamson Set To Miss The Second Test After Failing To Recover On Time
Kane Williamson Set To Miss The Second Test After Failing To Recover On Time IND VS NZ: The former New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson will miss the second Test against India in Pune as he continues to be on the sidelines after failing to recover from his groin injury as per a media release by New Zealand Cricket on October 22. He picked up the injury during the Test series against Sri Lanka last month, due to which he was forced to miss the opening Test IND VS NZ in Bengaluru. He will remain in New Zealand and will continue to work towards full fitness. Kane might be available for the third test Gary Stead, New Zealand head coach is hopeful for his participation in the third Test match in Mumbai. According to the latest reports by ESPNcricinfo, Kane will stay at home and continue his rehabilitation. “We’re monitoring Kane, and he’s tracking in the right direction, but he isn’t 100% fit,” Gary said. Gary also talked about Willimson’s availability in the ongoing series against India. “We’re hopeful to see further improvement over the coming days and have him available for the third Test. We’ll give him as much as possible time to get himself ready, but certainly continue to take a cautious approach,” he added. Will Young performed well in Kane’s absence New Zealand used Will Young at No. 3 due to the unavailability of Williamson. He contributed well with the bat and scored 33 and 48 not out in the two innings of the first Test in Bengaluru. Young is also expected to bat at No. 3 in the second Test as Williamson is yet to recover from his injury. New Zealand hope Young will continue his form for the second Test in Pune as well and give a strong support to their middle order. Williamson has great numbers against India Kane Williamson has scored a century on his Test debut in Ahmedabad in 2010. His last appearance in India was way back in Kanpur in 2021. He has played 102 Tests for New Zealand and has scored more than 8,800 runs at an average of 54.48 with the help of 32 hundreds and 35 fifties in the format. In his 15 innings in India, he has scored more than 500 runs at an average of 33.53. ALSO READ-South Africa Looks In Control After Verreynne’s Second Test Ton
BAN VS SA: South Africa Looks In Control After Verreynne’s Second Test Ton, Bangladesh Trail By 101 Runs.
South Africa Looks In Control After Verreynne’s Second Test Ton, Bangladesh Trail By 101 Runs. BAN VS SA: After finishing day 2 at 140 for 6, South Africa posted 308. In their first innings with the help of their seventh-wicket partnership of 119. The pitch seemed good for batting on the second morning of the opening test of the series, with no help for Taijul Islam. Bangladeshi players did not look confident on day 2 as South African batters took a huge lead of 202-run in their first innings after being hanged for 140/6 at one point. There was nothing much help from the pitch for Bangladeshi spinners. They continued to leak runs in the first session of day 2 of BAN VS SA Bangladesh at difficult juncture After getting bowled out for 106 in the first innings. Bangladesh were still in the contest as they dismissed six South African batters on day 1 itself. Taijul Islam’s 5-Wickets Haul on day 1 gave a strong comeback in the match for Bangladesh. The day belonged to Verreynne, who hit his second Test hundred in the afternoon session. South Africa went past 300 with help from their lower-order batters. The South African wicket-keeper was joined by Wiaan Mulder at No. 8 and they both added 119-runs for their seventh-wicket. After posting a mammoth lead of 202-run in the first innings, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada struck twice early in the second innings to make things even more worse for Bangladesh. In the response of 308 posted by South Africa. Bangladesh lost 2 wickets in quick succession but they showed a good fight. Their opener Mahmudullah and captain Shanto added 55 runs for the third-wicket to set the tone for a solid comeback in the second innings. The day belongs to South Africa South African lower-order batters showed great intent on the second morning. Verreynne was complemented well by his partner Mulder, who scored his maiden half-century in Test cricket, and Piedt at No. 10. With the help of their innings, South Africa gave them a great chance to win a Test from here. As we’re heading to the ‘Moving Day’ after an entertaining day 2. South Africa will be looking to wrap up things as early as possible. South African bowlers are looking in a great touch and are also expected to perform exceptionally well on day 3 to get the job done. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah are on the crease with an unbroken stand of 42 to ensure no further damage. Bangladesh finished day 2 behind 101 runs. ALSO READ-New Zealand defeated India after 36 years
