Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Rehan Ahmed becomes youngest bowler to take five-wicket haul on Test debut

The 18-year-old broke the record held by Australia’s Pat Cummins.

Rehan Ahmed becomes youngest bowler to take five-wicket haul on Test debut

England leg spinner Rehan Ahmed picked five wickets on his test debut to put the team on course for a comfortable victory in the third and final test against Pakistan in Karachi on Monday.

With two days of play remaining, England need 55 runs to win the test and become the first test team to complete a 3-0 whitewash in Pakistan, having won the first two tests in Rawalpindi and Multan.


Ahmed's spin bowling proved to be the game-changer for Ben Stokes' team as wickets tumbled in clusters at the National Stadium.

The 18-year-old became the youngest debutant in men's test history to take a five-for, beating the record held by Australia's Pat Cummins.

After scoring 304 in the first innings, Pakistan were bowled out for 216 in the second, setting England a target of 167. The visitors struck 354 in their first innings.

Zak Crawley (41) and Ben Duckett (50 not out) made a flying start for England in their chase and the visitors will begin day four at 112-2, with Stokes (10) also at the crease.

Earlier, spinner Jack Leach took three top-order wickets in six balls in the morning session before Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel struck a 110-run partnership to keep Pakistan in the contest.

But Stokes then introduced Ahmed in the afternoon session and the youngster ripped apart Pakistan's middle order.

Resuming on an overnight score of 21-0, trailing by 29 runs, Pakistan lost opener Shan Masood for 24 while Azhar Ali was out for a duck in his final test appearance.

Leach then trapped Abdullah Shafique (26) lbw for his third wicket as the hosts, playing for pride in front of their home crowd, looked desperate for a turnaround.

Half-centuries by Babar and Saud added some life to Pakistan's fight but Ahmed derailed their revival with three vital wickets.

The 18-year-old got his biggest scalp when Babar was caught by Ollie Pope in mid-wicket and Ahmed later removed Mohammad Rizwan with a perfect leg-break delivery.

Saud was Ahmed's third victim before Mohammad Wasim was added to the list as the youngster was cheered on by his father, who was beaming with joy in the stands.

Ahmed completed his five-wicket haul by removing Agha Salman, leading the England team off the field as he tossed the ball up and down in his hands in celebration.

Joe Root and Mark Wood were also among the wicket-takers.

More For You

modi-lammy

Narendra Modi and David Lammy also exchanged views on regional and global issues. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

Lammy meets Modi; supports India’s stance on terrorism and FTA progress

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday underlined the need for decisive international action against terrorism and those supporting it during a meeting with foreign secretary David Lammy. Lammy expressed support for India’s position and strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack.

According to a statement from the prime minister’s office, Modi expressed satisfaction at the successful conclusion of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Double Contribution Convention. He appreciated the constructive engagement by both sides that led to this outcome.

Keep ReadingShow less
Zia-Yusuf-Getty

Yusuf was appointed chair last year by party leader Nigel Farage, who asked him to help professionalise the party.(Photo: Getty Images)

Zia Yusuf returns to Reform two days after stepping down

ZIA YUSUF announced on Saturday that he is returning to Reform UK, just two days after stepping down as the party’s chair. He said his resignation had been the result of exhaustion from the role.

Yusuf, a businessman who does not hold elected office, resigned on Thursday following a disagreement with a Reform UK lawmaker over her call to ban the burqa, a full-length garment worn by some Muslim women.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hindu temple seeks permission to submerge statues in Dorset waters

Devotees offer prayers at Shree Krishna Mandir in Leamington Spa

Hindu temple seeks permission to submerge statues in Dorset waters

A HINDU temple in Warwickshire has applied for permission to sink twelve marble statues into the sea off Dorset's Jurassic Coast as part of an ancient religious ceremony, reported the BBC.

The Shree Krishna Mandir in Leamington Spa wants to carry out a Murti Visarjan ritual in Weymouth Bay this September, which involves the ceremonial submersion of deity statues to represent the cycle of creation and dissolution in Hindu tradition.

Keep ReadingShow less
Thunderstorms to Hit England and Wales: Met Office Issues Alert

The Met Office has cautioned that these conditions could lead to travel disruption

iStock

Weather warning issued for thunderstorms across parts of England and Wales

A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the Met Office for large parts of southern England, the Midlands, and south Wales, with the alert in effect from 09:00 to 18:00 BST on Saturday, 8 June.

According to the UK’s national weather agency, intense downpours could bring 10–15mm of rainfall in under an hour, while some areas may see as much as 30–40mm over a few hours due to successive storms. Frequent lightning, hail, and gusty winds are also expected to accompany the thunderstorms.

Keep ReadingShow less
Canada invites Modi to G7 summit

India's prime minister Narendra Modi. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

Canada invites Modi to G7 summit

CANADIAN prime minister Mark Carney invited his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to the upcoming Group of Seven summit in a phone call on Friday (6), as the two sides look to mend ties after relations soured in the past two years.

The leaders agreed to remain in contact and looked forward to meeting at the G7 summit later this month, a readout from Carney's office said.

Keep ReadingShow less