Surrey ended the day on 289 for 7, after being set an improbable target of 418. With rain stopping play six times, cutting out 20 overs from the day, and Surrey’s batters showing great patience, Essex couldn’t force a win despite dominating large parts of the game.

Porter Strikes But Rain Plays Spoilsport

Jamie Porter, as usual, was relentless with the ball, returning figures of 5 for 88 from 27 overs. Spinner Simon Harmer supported him with 2 for 94, creating pressure throughout the day. But just as Essex seemed to be closing in on victory, the weather intervened repeatedly, killing their momentum.

When play resumed late in the day, Essex had 14 overs left with the second new ball and four Surrey wickets to take. But another shower wiped off four of those overs, reducing their chances further.

Even then, they fought till the very last ball. Porter finally removed Jamie Overton for 47 just before 6 pm, but it was too late — the draw was already secured.

Curran’s Return Inspires Surrey

Playing his first red-ball game since September, Sam Curran was the backbone of Surrey’s resistance. He followed up his first-innings 70 with another classy knock, spending nearly three hours at the crease and facing 121 deliveries.

He shared a key 77-run partnership with Overton for the sixth wicket, digging deep when Surrey were in trouble at 167 for 5.

Earlier, Rory Burns (39) and Dom Sibley (40) gave Surrey a solid start. But once spinner Harmer came into the attack, he struck quickly — both openers were stumped by Michael Pepper as they misjudged the spin and bounce from the footmarks.

Surrey were 142 for 2 at lunch, but Porter hit back immediately after the break, dismissing Kurtis Patterson (40), Ben Foakes (7), and Jason Roy for a duck — the latter completing a disappointing pair in the match.

Late Drama, But Not Enough for Essex

Curran and Overton then absorbed all the pressure, even as Essex crowded the bat and their bowlers tried everything. Curran did survive one close call — a low catch appeal off Porter — and later fell to a brilliant diving effort by Charlie Allison at point.

Overton held firm with 47 off 102 balls, and Jordan Clark remained unbeaten on 23, ensuring there were no more hiccups.

Essex walked away with 11 points and Surrey took 12, keeping them second in the Division One table.

Final Word

It was a game Essex could have won, thanks to the efforts of Allison (140), Paul Walter (118), and their bowlers — especially Porter. But a combination of stubborn batting and frustrating showers meant they had to settle for a draw.

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And fittingly, it was Raza, the man who had landed in Pakistan barely ten minutes before the toss, who smashed the winning runs—a towering six followed by a crisp four, sparking wild celebrations among his teammates.

From Nottingham to Glory in Lahore

Just a day earlier, Sikandar Raza was battling it out in Nottingham, scoring a gritty half-century in Zimbabwe’s historic Test against England. Within 48 hours, he had bowled 25 overs, batted for another 20, had dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, lunch in Abu Dhabi, and then hopped on a flight to Pakistan. Jet-lagged but driven, Raza rose to the moment like few can.

Despite a quiet day with the ball, he delivered when it mattered most—smacking Mohammad Amir for a four and a six off the very first two balls he faced. And when the pressure was at its peak—eight needed off three—he calmly sealed the deal.

Perera’s Calm Amid Chaos

While Raza applied the finishing touches, it was Kusal Perera who anchored the chase with a magnificent 62 off 31 balls*, a knock that defied the odds and tilted the momentum Lahore’s way. He came in when things looked shaky, yet he kept the scoreboard ticking, absorbing pressure and timing his attack to perfection—especially in the death overs against Amir and Khurram Shahzad.

Gladiators Fire Early but Fade Late

Earlier, Quetta Gladiators looked set to post a mammoth total, thanks to Hasan Nawaz’s aggressive 76 off 43 and a late flurry from Faheem Ashraf, who blasted 28 off just 8 balls, including 4 boundaries in a row. The innings, however, took a surprising turn in the 18th and 19th overs, as Qalandars pulled things back, conceding just eight runs and picking up four wickets.

It took Faheem’s fireworks in the final over to push Quetta past 200, but even that wasn’t enough.

Naeem’s Explosive Start, Amir’s Fightback

Qalandars’ reply got off to a blistering start, largely thanks to Mohammad Naeem, whose six-hitting spree in the third over—a 23-run massacre off Faheem—gave Lahore an early boost. That over, in hindsight, proved crucial.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Amir was at his economical best, keeping things tight and even snatching a key wicket at the death. But the duo of Perera and Raza simply proved unstoppable in the end.

Qalandars’ Free-Spirited Formula Pays Off

Throughout the tournament, Lahore Qalandars played with a fearless, free-flowing spirit—and it all came together perfectly on the biggest night. Every time they looked down and out, someone stepped up. Whether it was Naeem’s rapid start, Perera’s calm dominance, or Raza’s cinematic finish, this win was a perfect cocktail of grit and joy.

In a game where nerves were the biggest enemy, the Qalandars held theirs until the very end.

Final Scorecard Summary

Quetta Gladiators – 201/9

• Hasan Nawaz 76 (43)
• Faheem Ashraf 28 (8)
• Shaheen Afridi 3/24

Lahore Qalandars – 204/4

• Kusal Perera 62* (31)
• Mohammad Naeem 46 (23)
• Sikandar Raza 22* (7)

Lahore Qalandars won by 6 wickets

A Night to Remember

It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Lahore Qalandars didn’t just chase down a total; they rewrote the script of what’s possible in T20 cricket. And in doing so, they gifted cricket fans a PSL final for the ages.

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Zimbabwe’s return to England for the first time in 22 years hasn’t offered many reasons to celebrate so far, but Bennett’s 139 off 143 balls was a bright spark. His innings not only lifted the tourists but also offered hope to a nation eager to see its cricket rise again. At just 21, Bennett has now scored two Test centuries in six months, joining the ranks of Zimbabwe’s recent centurions like Sean Williams and Craig Ervine — both veterans nearing the twilight of their careers. Bennett’s youth signals a promising future for Zimbabwe cricket, one that hopes to shift from reaction to proactive growth and recognition.

Though Zimbabwe is not currently part of the World Test Championship and remains unsure about future inclusion, they have scheduled 11 Tests this year, and Bennett looks set to be central to their plans. His century at Nottingham was the fastest by a Zimbabwean in Tests, showing intent as he faced England’s imposing first innings total of 565 for 6.

Bennett explained his approach: “If it’s in my area, I’m going to try and go for it. It’s in my game plan, not too reckless and today it came off. Opening the batting in Test match cricket is probably where I want to bat. It gives me more freedom. There are more gaps in the field, and that suits my game. If I stick to my game plans, I can get the team off to a good start, and that’s what happened.”

Zimbabwe struggled against the swinging ball of Ben Stokes, whose mastery exposed their inexperience with the Dukes ball — something Bennett himself admitted was a challenge. “It’s not something we face but there’s always challenges in cricket. You’re only going to grow when you go out of your comfort zone,” he said.

This was also Bennett’s first real encounter with a short-ball barrage at Test level. His school coach, Andrew Birch, highlighted his unusual strength on the back foot, which Bennett demonstrated with crisp cut shots, including the one that took him to his century — though Josh Tongue eventually got the better of him.

Reaching the hundred means Bennett’s name will now be etched on the prestigious Trent Bridge honours board, alongside Zimbabwean great Murray Goodwin. “This morning I saw them putting up Zak Crawley’s name and I thought, ‘ooooh, it would be nice to be there as well,’ so a few hours later, my name will be there. What a feeling,” he said.

Asked if this innings topped his maiden century against Afghanistan in Bulawayo, Bennett didn’t hesitate: “Probably, yes. This one tops that. To do it against England in England at Trent Bridge with a full crowd, with lots of Zimbabweans as well as my family, it’s going to take a good performance to beat this one.”

At 21, Bennett knows the journey has just begun. “I’m still young, I’m still young. I’m still going to learn and adapt to different bowling strategies.”

And for Zimbabwean fans, that means it might soon be time for new songs — new war cries to celebrate a new era.

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Carty’s Calm, Forde’s Fire

Asked to bat first under cloudy skies, West Indies started with intent. Brandon King and Evin Lewis opened with crisp strokes through the off side, but Ireland struck back quickly. Barry McCarthy, continuing his fine form from the first ODI, got King with a faint edge, while Josh Little removed Lewis with a well-placed delivery first up.

That brought Shai Hope and Keacy Carty together, and the duo stitched a stabilizing 81-run partnership. Hope looked fluent, anchoring the innings with elegant strokes and even lofted Andy McBrine for the first six of the game. But just one run short of his half-century, Hope fell to Liam McCarthy, who celebrated his maiden international wicket.

From there, it was all about Carty’s steady rise. Starting cautiously, he reached his fifty in 67 balls, and then began to accelerate. He found a reliable partner in Amir Jangoo, who rotated strike efficiently, allowing Carty to dominate. Carty’s knock was all about maturity—measured risk, smart placement, and solid temperament. He eventually reached his second ODI hundred, a crucial milestone in his young career.

Then Came Forde, Fast and Fearless

If Carty provided the calm, Matthew Forde brought the storm. He walked in late but didn’t waste time, slamming a record-equalling fifty off just 18 balls, matching AB de Villiers’ iconic mark. His innings was a whirlwind of boundaries and sixes, turning a strong total into a mammoth one in a flash.

But Then… Rain Took Over

Unfortunately, as the West Indies innings ended, so did the game. Rain swept in before Ireland could even begin their chase, leading to an official no result. A tough blow for both teams—West Indies couldn’t cash in on their big total, and Ireland didn’t get the chance to respond.

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Jensen, who’s 32 now, made her debut back in 2014 and since then has been a key allrounder for the White Ferns. She’s played 35 ODIs and 53 T20Is, always ready to step up with either the bat or the ball when the team needed her most.

She’s no stranger to the big stage, having been part of four T20 World Cups. In the 2020 tournament in Australia, she stood out as New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker, proving just how valuable she was with the ball. She also played in the 2022 ODI World Cup on home soil, where the whole country got to cheer her on.

One of the highlights of her career came at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she helped New Zealand clinch the bronze medal. She took 3 important wickets in the bronze medal match against England, showing her knack for rising to the occasion.

Even though she hadn’t featured in ODIs for a while, the selectors brought her back to the T20 squad earlier this year for the series against Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, injury meant she couldn’t get back on the pitch.

Over the years, Hayley became known not just for her skills but for her grit, versatility, and the calm presence she brought to the team. She could bat steady lower down the order and bowl important overs with her medium pace.

For now, she’s stepping away from international cricket. Whether she continues playing at the domestic level is still undecided, but one thing’s clear — her journey has been inspiring and leaves a lasting mark on New Zealand cricket.

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Thompson initially took on the role in 2022 with a five-year term. However, earlier this year, ECB members approved changes to the board’s articles of association, redefining the chair’s term structure. Now eligible to serve two separate three-year terms, Thompson has been confirmed early for a second term that will run through September 2028.

The move signals a vote of confidence in Thompson’s leadership as English cricket prepares for several transformative projects—including the sale of equity in The Hundred and hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026.

“Richard is respected throughout the game,” said Katie Bickerstaffe, the ECB’s senior independent director who oversaw the reappointment process. “The board and the wider game fully support his vision to make cricket the most inclusive team sport, grow and unite the game, and guide it through a period of global transformation.”

Thompson, who formerly chaired Surrey County Cricket Club, has been a central figure alongside ECB chief executive Richard Gould in pushing the sale of equity in The Hundred—a move expected to generate around £500 million in funding for the sport.

Reflecting on his reappointment, Thompson said:

“I’m honoured to be able to continue serving the game I care so passionately about. Whether it’s increasing participation, breaking down barriers, or supporting the professional game and England teams, I’ll continue to work closely with all stakeholders to build a game that truly reflects and inspires our communities.

“I’m grateful to the board for their trust and to everyone in the cricket family for their continued support.”

Thompson’s second term promises to be a crucial one as the ECB navigates a rapidly changing global cricketing landscape, from commercial ventures like The Hundred to broader inclusion and engagement initiatives across the sport.

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Harbhajan Singh shocked Australia early with a hat-trick. Steve Waugh responded with his first Test century on Indian soil, helping Australia post 445. India was bowled out for 171 and asked to follow-on.
By the end of the third day, India was 232 for 4, still trailing by 42. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid then produced an epic partnership through the entire fourth day, battling extreme heat and humidity with iced towels and physio aid. Laxman scored a monumental 281 in over ten hours, while Dravid contributed 180 in nearly seven and a half hours.
Their partnership set Australia a target of 384. On the final day, India’s spinners, led by Harbhajan Singh who finished with 13 wickets for 196 runs in the match, bowled Australia out, leveling the series in spectacular fashion.

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Why This Match Matters

Zimbabwe’s absence wasn’t just about cricket. It was politics, self-imposed exile, and a long stretch where the world quietly stopped expecting much from them. But now? They’re back. And they’re serious.
This year, Zimbabwe Cricket has lined up 11 Test matches – that’s the joint-most they’ve ever scheduled in a single calendar year. More than they played in the last five years combined!
They’ve already bagged one win – against Bangladesh in Sylhet – and Blessing Muzarabani was the star, with another six-wicket haul. So good, in fact, that the IPL came calling. That says a lot – Test cricket is still a platform that gets noticed.

For England, a Warm-Up… But Also a Reminder

England may treat this as a tune-up before their big series against India, but it’s more than that. This is another chapter in the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum era, where entertainment and aggressive cricket (“Bazball”) are the buzzwords.
They’ve won 13 and lost 11 of their last 25 Tests – solid, but not dominant. And as McCullum admitted, it’s time they start focusing not just on how they play, but how well they win.
Check out their full recent Test record for context.

Eyes on These Players

• Ben Stokes is back after a hamstring injury and looks fit, fresh, and alcohol-free since January. But he hasn’t hit a Test century since the Ashes and averages under 30 this year – time for a comeback?
• Sam Cook finally gets his England cap – a dream debut many thought might never come. If you’ve seen him with Essex, you know what he brings: control, swing, and clever bowling.
• Blessing Muzarabani – 6’8″ tall, built like a fast-bowling machine, and already 51 wickets at an average under 22. If he finds his rhythm, England’s batters better watch out – especially Zak Crawley, who’s been vulnerable against tall seamers lately.

The Teams

England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Sam Cook, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir

Zimbabwe (expected XI): Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

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The injury first happened during the Hundred tournament last August. Although he returned for England’s Test series against Pakistan in October, Stokes suffered a relapse while playing in New Zealand later that year. Since then, he has been carefully managing his recovery to avoid further setbacks.

Stokes has been working closely with England’s medical team and head coach Brendon McCullum to ensure his fitness is properly managed. England has been training at Loughborough ahead of their first Test of the summer against Zimbabwe, scheduled to start on May 22.

Following this match, Stokes is expected to play in some warm-up games with England Lions against India A, before the highly anticipated five-Test series against India begins on June 20.

While Jos Buttler stepped down as England’s white-ball captain recently, Harry Brook has taken over the role. Stokes is not included in the white-ball squads for the upcoming series against the West Indies but has not ruled out playing white-ball cricket for England in the future.

England’s summer schedule looks challenging, with experienced opponents lined up, but Stokes is ready to contribute once again as a key allrounder for the team.

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“We will need a couple of series to figure out who is well suited to bat at No. 4, because it’s an important position,” Pujara said.

Since Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement, Kohli has batted at No. 4 in 99 of India’s 115 Tests, with Ajinkya Rahane being the next most frequent occupant of the position with nine appearances. In Kohli’s absence during the England series in early 2024, India used KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Rajat Patidar, and Devdutt Padikkal at No. 4.

Shubman Gill is among the candidates for the position, although Pujara stated that Gill has primarily batted in the top order in his 32 Tests. Gill has performed well in the top three, but it remains uncertain whether he would be equally effective at No. 4.

India’s upcoming five-match Test series in England will be important in determining the best player for the role, as performances in English conditions will be a key factor in the decision.

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