Jaker was still jet-lagged, after returning to country from the West Indies, while he spoke to The Daily Star's Abdullah Al Mehdi during an exclusive interview.

A Marnus Labuschagne half-century and stubborn tail-end batting drove Australia to a 333-run lead at the end of day four in the fourth Test in Melbourne on Sunday, leaving India facing a record chase to steal an unlikely victory.

The Indian pace spearhead struck four times in the second innings of the Boxing Day Test and removed Travis Head as his 200th Test wicket.

As Konstas trudged off, some Indian fans booed and others chanted "Kohli! Kohli!", a reference to the clash of shoulders with Virat Kohli on day one which cost the former Indian skipper part of his match fee.

Pakistan opening bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad struck three blows late on the third afternoon as South Africa set out in pursuit of 148 runs to win the first Test at SuperSport Park on Saturday.

Rahmat Shah struck an Afghanistan Test record 231 not out while partnering Hashmatullah Shahidi in an unbeaten 361-run stand on the third day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Saturday.

A late bowling fightback sparked by Jacob Duffy produced a remarkable eight-run victory for New Zealand against Sri Lanka at Mount Maunganui on Saturday.

Nitish Kumar Reddy scored a defiant maiden century on Saturday as India fought back to reach 358-9 on a rain-hit third day of the fourth Test against Australia.

In overcast conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Reddy posted a maiden Test half-century and was 85 not out before light rain caused tea to be called 15 minutes early.

In a conversation with The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan on Wednesday, the pace sensation opened up about the flying start to his Bangladesh career and what he plans to achieve in 2025. The excerpts are as follows: 

As for the year that is winding down, it was neither an overarching triumph nor a debilitating failure. The stench of mediocrity was present, but so was vivacious tenacity. Above all, it was an interesting year in cricket for Bangladesh -- one that fans would not forget soon.

Zimbabwe and their veteran batter Sean Williams created Test records on Friday against Afghanistan, who trailed by 491 runs after the second day of the first Test in Bulawayo.

Debutant Corbin Bosch hit 81 not out and left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen claimed two late wickets as South Africa took control on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan at SuperSport Park on Friday.

Central Zone opener Murshida Khatun scored an unbeaten hundred while skipper Nigar Sultana Joty made 64 not out to help their side give a strong reply to East Zone’s first innings total of 354 runs on the second day of the second-round match of the ongoing Women's Bangladesh Cricket League (WBCL) at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi on Friday.

It was Smith's 11th Test century against India - the most by any player - and his innings of 140 has put Australia in a strong position after two days of the ICC World Test Championship contest.

The five-match series is locked at 1-1 after India won by 295 runs in Perth before being crushed by 10 wickets in Adelaide. The rain-affected third Test in Brisbane was drawn.

The PSL draft is scheduled to take place on January 11 next year.

Sumaiya Akter will lead the team in this event, while Afia Ashima Era will play the role of her deputy.

Smith also scored a ton at the last Test in Brisbane -- his first since June 2023 -- with the latest his 34th in his 113th match.

Debutant fast bowler Corbin Bosch said South Africa reaped the rewards for "holding our nerve" against aggressive Pakistan batting on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Thursday.