'He Didn't Know I'm A Wicket-Taker': Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Cheeky Take On Surprise Bowling Spell

Moin Khan Raises Fresh Concerns Over Imran Khan's Health In Jail

IANS — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 22:35:13 +0530

New Delhi: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan has joined the growing chorus of voices expressing grave concern over the deteriorating health of 1992 ODI World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan, urging the government and jail authorities to ensure the 73-year-old receives immediate and proper medical care.

Moin, a key member of the side that lifted the ODI World Cup under Imran's leadership, released an impassioned video message on his ‘X’ account on Saturday and called upon the rest of cricketing fraternity to rally behind the country’s former prime minister.

Imran has been lodged at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail since August 2023 on corruption charges, which he continues to deny. "Our captain Imran Khan, as you all know, is currently in Adiala jail, and his condition is quite bad at present. One more time, I will urge the authorities, the government of Pakistan and all those people who run the Adiala jail.

“My request is that our captain’s right, as a former prime minister, as a citizen of Pakistan, his right to medical care should be honoured. Whatever he needs, it should be seen to. Besides, I also urge other cricketers to speak up and voice their support for him. Imran Khan’s contribution to Pakistan cricket (is immense) and all of us who played in his era learnt a lot from him. He has given Pakistan cricket a lot," Moin said in his video.

Moin's plea follows a similar appeal made by batting legend Javed Miandad and comes amid mounting global concern. Recently, 22 former international captains, including past leaders from India, England, the West Indies, and New Zealand, wrote an open letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeking adequate healthcare and constitutional safeguards for Imran.

The former captains have also received public backing from Australia’s Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins. The letter was a follow-up to a previously written letter 14 former captains had written in February, but it didn’t get any reply from the Pakistan government.

Imran’s health has drawn intense scrutiny after Pakistan's Supreme Court recently directed that he be admitted to Shifa Hospital in Islamabad. Instead, he was taken to the state-run PIMS hospital before being promptly returned to prison.

The political fallout extended to the ongoing Test at Lord's, where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a formal complaint against Sky Sports for airing an interview with Imran's sons Suleiman and Kasim Khan during the lunch break on day one.

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

WATCH: Shubman Gill Turns Heads With Luxury Mercedes Drive

ABP Live Sports — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 21:04:11 +0530

Shubman Gill Mercedes: Shubman Gill has found himself in the spotlight away from the cricket field after a video appearing to show the India captain driving a striking blue luxury car began circulating widely on social media. Gill can be seen behind the wheel, with another man seated beside him, as the eye-catching vehicle draws plenty of attention. The car appears to be a Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, one of the German manufacturer's high-performance models.

Shubman Gill driving his new Mercedes in the free time. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/83h1CqgyMw
— Ahmed Says (@AhmedGT_) August 29, 2026

Online information suggests that some AMG GT variants can cost around Rs 3-4 crore on-road in India, although the exact price depends on the version and specifications.

Gill's Luxury Car Video Goes Viral

The footage has surfaced shortly after Gill's involvement in India's Sri Lanka tour. The right-hander captained India in the Test series, with the visitors eventually securing a 1-0 result.

While the viral clip has generated plenty of discussion around the India star's car, Gill's recent time on the field was considerably less productive with the bat.

Across the two Tests in Sri Lanka, he made 16 and eight in the first innings before producing a half-century in one of the second innings. His three innings yielded 74 runs in total.

India Captain's Recent Test Numbers

Despite the relatively modest return in Sri Lanka, Shubman Gill has already built an impressive record in Test cricket.

The 26-year-old has appeared in 43 Tests, featuring in 77 innings. He has accumulated 3,043 runs at an average of 43.47, including 11 centuries and nine fifties.

His highest Test score remains an imposing 269, highlighting the batting ability that has made him one of India's key players in the format.

Gill's numbers also underline why his recent performances cannot be judged solely on the Sri Lanka series. He has already produced several major innings during his Test career and remains an important part of India's plans across formats.

Joe Root Dethrones Ricky Ponting! England Star Breaks Major Test Record

Suyash Sahay — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 19:57:39 +0530

Joe Root Test Record: Joe Root has added another remarkable milestone to his extraordinary Test career, moving ahead of Australian great Ricky Ponting to claim the record for the most Test runs scored in England. The England captain reached the landmark during the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's. The milestone adds another entry to the English star's growing collection of records, particularly impressive given that he continues to play an active role at the highest level.

Root Moves Past Ponting In England

Joe Root's latest achievement takes his tally of Test runs scored in England to 7,594. That figure moves him beyond Ponting's previous benchmark of 7,578 runs in Test cricket on English soil.

India legend Sachin Tendulkar occupies third place on the list, having accumulated 7,216 Test runs in England.

Root's overall Test numbers are equally striking. He currently has 14,208 runs from 168 matches, leaving him 1,713 runs short of Tendulkar's all-time record of 15,921 Test runs.

His stay at the crease was relatively brief on Day 2, with the right-hander making 24 before Pakistan pacer Mohammad Ali dismissed him LBW.

Despite not being able to convert his start into a substantial innings, Root had already done enough to rewrite the record books.

Tendulkar's World Record Now In Root's Sights

While Root still has considerable ground to cover before he can overtake Sachin Tendulkar as Test cricket's leading run-scorer, his sustained production has made the possibility a major talking point.

The England batsman's pursuit of Tendulkar's record is likely to remain one of the defining storylines of the latter part of his career.

Root's father has also recently offered his own verdict on whether his son can eventually reach the extraordinary mark. For now, however, he can celebrate another significant achievement after moving beyond Ponting.

Anaya Bangar Counters Marizanne Kapp's 'Absolutely Ridiculous' Criticism Over Cricket Return

ABP Live Sports — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 19:40:20 +0530

Anaya Bangar has responded to Marizanne Kapp after the veteran South Africa all-rounder strongly criticised Cricket Australia's decision to provide her with a pathway back into professional women's cricket. Kapp had reacted to the development vi an Instagram story that said, “Absolutely ridiculous. This should not be allowed”. Anaya, however, has pushed back against the suggestion that her participation would give her an unfair advantage.

The child of former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar pointed to scientific testing carried out after she began hormone replacement therapy, arguing that the assessment provides evidence supporting her eligibility to return to competitive cricket.

Anaya Responds To Kapp's Strong Criticism

Speaking to Times Now, Anaya said she could understand the perspective behind Kapp's objection but disputed the concerns surrounding competitive advantage.

"I think I understand the place where she's coming from. To counter the point about the unfair advantage aspect: there has been testing done by the Manchester University Institute of Sport."

Anaya later explained that her athletic capabilities were assessed after she had spent a year on hormone replacement therapy.

12-Week Testing Forms Basis Of Anaya's Rebuttal

Anaya said the Manchester University Institute of Sport conducted an extensive 12-week assessment to examine her physical and athletic parameters.

"They did a 12-week-long testing program with me regarding my body's athletic capabilities after being on hormone replacement therapy for a year. That test concluded that my physical parameters fall within the cisgender female athlete range,"

According to Anaya, the findings challenge the argument that she would enter women's cricket carrying an inherent physical advantage.

Her rebuttal therefore focused on the evidence generated through the testing process and how it relates to her eligibility.

Anaya's comments come after Cricket Australia gave her a pathway to pursue a return to professional cricket under its Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy.

She first underwent hormone replacement therapy in 2024 and has since gone through the testing process she referenced in her response.

'Is It Second Division County Cricket?': Michael Vaughan Rips Into Pakistan After Test Debacle

Suyash Sahay — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:59:43 +0530

Michael Vaughan England vs Pakistan: Pakistan's batting woes deepened dramatically at Lord's as they were dismissed for only 110 in the first innings of the second Test against England. After suffering an innings defeat in the series opener, the visitors were hoping for a stronger response, but another collapse has left them facing renewed criticism. The performance quickly became a talking point on social media, while former England captain Michael Vaughan delivered a particularly brutal assessment of Pakistan's batting during BBC Test Match Special.

Vaughan Questions Pakistan's Test-Match Standard

Michael Vaughan was left unimpressed by the challenge presented to England's bowlers, arguing that Pakistan's batsmen had made life far too comfortable for the hosts.

"I'll be brutally honest, the England bowlers aren't being challenged at all, and this Pakistan batting line-up is possibly the easiest batting line-up I've seen in a long time to bowl to. And not only that, I think as a bowler, I think they're all queuing up to bowl because they know there are wickets out there,"

The former England skipper suggested that England's attack could cause problems for stronger batting units if it maintained the same level of performance.

"I think this bowling attack, the way they're bowling, will challenge better batting line-ups if they continue in this fashion, but this is Pakistan batting, is it second division county cricket? There's no way that they are batting in any standard to say that, that is a Test match batting line-up,"

Pakistan Struggle For Runs At Lord's

Pakistan's scorecard offered little evidence to counter Vaughan's criticism. Azan Awais emerged as the only batsman to provide a substantial contribution, making 46 from 102 deliveries.

Saud Shakeel was the next highest scorer, but his 16 came from just 16 balls. The rest of Pakistan's batting order failed to reach double figures, highlighting the scale of the collapse.

The innings also meant England's bowlers were able to maintain relentless pressure without being forced into prolonged spells of resistance from the visitors.

McLaren Lock Down Lando Norris With Massive Deal Through 2030

Suyash Sahay — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:12:55 +0530

Lando Norris F1 Contract: Lando Norris has committed his long-term future to McLaren, with the reigning Formula 1 world champion agreeing to a contract extension that will keep him with the British outfit until at least the end of the 2030 season. The agreement also contains a multi-year option that could extend the partnership beyond 2030, giving McLaren a major piece of continuity as it looks to remain at the front of the F1 grid. Norris' previous contract was understood to run through the end of 2027.

His new deal means he could ultimately spend at least 12 years racing for McLaren, having first joined the team as a test and development driver in 2017 before making his F1 debut with the outfit in 2019.

Norris Targets More Championships With McLaren

Lando Norris reflected on the journey that has taken him from McLaren's development programme to world champion, while making it clear that he believes there is more success to come.

"When I started this journey nine years ago, I was clear about the goals I wanted to achieve: to get McLaren back to the front and to win championships. We’ve achieved that goal, but we want more, we want to keep on winning, and we know as a team that we’re capable of achieving it."

The Briton also looked ahead to his return to racing at Monza and expressed excitement about the next stage of his McLaren career.

"I can’t wait to get back in the car in Monza and I’m very excited about what the future holds for us, both over the rest of this season, and in the coming years.”

Norris Matches Hamilton's McLaren Longevity Timeline

If Norris completes the new agreement, he will be 31 years old and will have spent 12 years with McLaren.

That would put his tenure with the team on the same length as Lewis Hamilton's spell with Mercedes.

His new contract also aligns his future with that of Max Verstappen.

The Red Bull driver recently agreed to remain with the team through 2030, having joined the outfit in 2016.

51-Year-Old Cricketer Takes Fifer! Breaks 90-Year-Old Record

Suyash Sahay — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 16:56:33 +0530

Joanne Hicks has rewritten the record books in international cricket at the age of 51. The Isle of Man off-spinner produced the finest bowling performance of her career against Greece Women in the Women’s Continental Cup 2026, becoming the oldest bowler, male or female, to claim a five-wicket haul in international cricket. Hicks delivered a sensational spell at the Moara Vlasiei Cricket Ground in Romania, returning figures of 5/10 in four overs. Her efforts helped dismiss Greece for only 52 before Isle of Man cruised to a nine-wicket victory with 84 balls still remaining in their Group B encounter.

Hicks Breaks 90-Year-Old International Record

Hicks reached the milestone at 51 years and 173 days, surpassing a record that had stood for more than nine decades.

The previous benchmark belonged to Australian left-arm spinner Bert Ironmonger, who was 49 years and 314 days old when he claimed a five-wicket haul against South Africa in 1932.

Ironmonger produced remarkable figures of 5/6 and 6/18 during that Test and eventually ended his international career in 1933 at 50 years and 327 days.

Hicks has now moved comfortably beyond that mark, adding another extraordinary chapter to her late-blooming international career.

Her latest performance was also her third five-wicket haul in T20I cricket, underlining that the achievement was not simply the result of a one-off display.

Isle Of Man Spinner Dismantles Greece Batting Line-Up

Greece struggled to deal with Hicks and the Isle of Man bowling attack, losing their wickets rapidly as they were bundled out for 52 in just 15 overs.

Hicks accounted for five of those dismissals, producing career-best international figures and putting her side firmly in control of the contest.

The Isle of Man then needed little time to complete the chase, reaching the target with nine wickets in hand and 84 deliveries unused.

The achievement is even more remarkable considering Hicks only made her international debut at the age of 47. Her longevity has already made her a notable figure in women's cricket, and she had previously established a record of her own.

In 2024, Hicks became the oldest woman to take an international five-wicket haul when she achieved the feat at 49 years and 168 days.

Two years later, she has gone one step further by taking the overall record across men's and women's international cricket. At 51, Hicks continues to prove that age is no barrier to producing history on the cricket field.

MS Dhoni As CSK Coach? IPL Franchise Awaits Major Call From Star Player: Report

Suyash Sahay — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:51:05 +0530

MS Dhoni CSK Coach: Chennai Super Kings could be preparing for a major change in their team structure, with MS Dhoni reportedly set to move into a coaching or mentoring position. The franchise is said to be waiting for the former captain to decide his next role before restarting key preparations for the upcoming IPL season. The development comes after a difficult IPL 2026 campaign for CSK, who finished eighth in the standings. Dhoni, meanwhile, missed the entire season because of injuries, marking the first IPL season that he has sat out.

CSK Waiting For Dhoni's Call

According to Rohit Juglan of RevSportz, CSK have paused several major pre-season operations while Dhoni considers whether he will continue with the franchise in a different capacity.

The five-time champions reportedly want Dhoni to take either the head coach or mentor's position ahead of the mini-auction.

“Sources have confirmed to me that Mahendra Singh Dhoni will take one of these two (coach or mentor) positions, and once that happens, you will see activities resuming immediately. So, at this point of time, the chances of seeing Dhoni as a player in the upcoming season are very bleak,” he said in an Instagram video.

If the report proves accurate, it would represent a significant transition for CSK and one of the most recognisable figures in IPL history.

CSK Look For Fleming's Successor

MS Dhoni's potential change in role comes at the same time as CSK prepare to move on from Stephen Fleming.

The franchise and the former New Zealand captain mutually agreed to end their long association earlier this year.

Fleming's relationship with CSK dates back to the inaugural IPL campaign in 2008, when he played for the franchise. He took over as head coach in 2009 and remained in charge until 2026.

During that remarkable 19-year association, Fleming helped CSK win five IPL titles, working closely with Dhoni throughout much of the franchise's most successful period.

CSK must now identify a new head coach, while Dhoni's reported involvement could determine the direction of the franchise's next chapter.

Women's Asia Cup: India Begin Title Quest Against Thailand

IANS — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:22:05 +0530

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women's team will aim to put 2024's complacency behind them and show their muscle in a battle for Asia Cup glory. The continental showpiece, hosted in the UAE, kicked off on Friday with Thailand beating Hong Kong China in the opener, but the most successful side in the competition's history, India, will take the field on Sunday against Thailand.

India enter the Asia Cup on the back of their second consecutive group-stage exit at the T20 World Cup, despite an unprecedented ODI world crown to their name. They largely field the same squad that played the T20 World Cup in England earlier this year, with only Yastika Bhatia, Shreyanka Patil (fitness) and Jemimah Rodrigues (hamstring injury) missing from that roster.

Pratika Rawal's maiden T20I call-up for the Asia Cup, as a replacement for Rodrigues, came as a surprise to many, as she last played a T20 game in November 2024. The Women in Blue have dropped Yastika, while leg-spinner Prema Rawat, who replaced Shreyanka at the World Cup, kept her place.

The bowling front remains unchanged, with a Renuka Singh-led pace attack that also includes Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud and Nandani Sharma, and will look to assert its authority. The spin department features Radha Yadav, Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani. Meanwhile, Vaishnavi Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar and Asha Sobhana have not made the cut for the squad.

Eyes will also be on how India field their Playing XI, especially who replaces Rodrigues, and the game against Thailand could offer a glimpse of their mindset when selecting combinations. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma are likely to be at the top, while it could come down to Pratika or Kamalini battling for Rodrigues' spot at No.3. Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh and Bharti Fulmali are likely to form the middle order, while the toss-up will be among the pacers. Radha Yadav and Charani will be pushing for a place if India decide to pick two spinners.

Thailand are coming into this tournament on the back of confidence. They won the Women's Premier Cup in June by beating the UAE in the final and have also started this tournament on a high note. Left-arm spinner Thipatcha Putthawong is their bowling lynchpin and is the highest wicket-taker in the history of women's T20I cricket, with 169 wickets to her name. She went past India's Deepti with a 1-23 against Hong Kong.

Off-spinner Onnicha Kamchomphu is doing good work too. She took 3-27 in the opener against Hong Kong and reached her 150th T20I wicket. 25-year-old wicket-keeper Nannapat Koncharoenkai is a rising star and their leading run-scorer with 2806 runs to her name. Eyes will also be on Phannita Maya and Natthakan Chantham as Thailand eye a strong outing against favourites India.

When: Sunday, August 30, 8:30 PM IST

Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Where to watch: The match will be shown live on the Sony Sports Network and live-streamed on the SonyLiv app and website.

Squads:

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh, N Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma.

Thailand: Naruemol Chaiwai (c), Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Natthakan Chantham, Chanida Sutthiruang, Suleeporn Laomi, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Thipatcha Putthawong, Phannita Maya, Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, Sunida Chaturongrattana, Chayanisa Phengpaen, Nannaphat Chaihan, Koranit Suwanchonrathi, Thanrada Seesawan, Naomi Hamilton.

'He Didn't Know I'm A Wicket-Taker': Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Cheeky Take On Surprise Bowling Spell

Suyash Sahay — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:17:07 +0530

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Bowling: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may have endured a quiet outing with the bat, but the teenage sensation quickly found another way to make an impact during the Duleep Trophy. The 15-year-old was handed the ball by captain Ishan Kishan against North East Zone and responded with a stunning burst, claiming two wickets in just four deliveries. The youngster's bowling cameo added another intriguing dimension to his rapidly developing game, particularly given that his reputation has been built primarily around his explosive batting.

Sooryavanshi Makes Cheeky Bowling Admission

𝐁𝐨𝐰𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐢𝐛𝐡𝐚𝐯 𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢 🎯

Meet the secret wicket-taker who enjoys bowling and answered his captain’s 'risky' call 🤙 - By @jigsactin #DuleepTrophy pic.twitter.com/ZhZ0QkeyZm
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) August 29, 2026

In a video shared by the BCCI, Sooryavanshi reflected on Kishan's decision to give him the ball and offered a confident assessment of his own ability.

"Ishan bhaiya thought that he was taking a risk in giving me the ball, but he didn't know that I'm a wicket taker,"

Having been trusted with an opportunity that could easily have been viewed as a gamble, Sooryavanshi made an immediate impact.

Two Wickets In Four Deliveries

Ishan Kishan's decision paid off almost instantly. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi removed two North East Zone batters within a span of just four deliveries, giving East Zone's bowling attack a valuable boost.

He eventually completed his three-over spell with figures of 2/11, an impressive return considering his primary role in the side is with the bat.

The spell was particularly notable because Sooryavanshi is not generally regarded as a frontline bowling option.

Sooryavanshi has already attracted considerable attention as one of India's most exciting young batting talents. The 15-year-old made his India debut earlier this year against England, adding another major milestone to a career that is developing at remarkable speed.