England Beat Pakistan by 194 Runs, Take Unassailable 2-0 Series Lead

On 30th August, England secured a dominant 194-run victory in the second Test match at Lord’s, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. While chasing a target of 389 runs for victory, Pakistan’s second innings concluded at 194 all out. chickenroadslot.lat

The solitary resistance came from Saud Shakeel, who played a magnificent knock of 97 off 122 balls. However, the left-hander found little support from the rest of the batting order as England’s pace attack continued to apply pressure throughout the innings.

For the home side, Ollie Robinson was the star of the show, who picked up eight wickets across both the innings. Having claimed 4-11 in Pakistan’s first innings, Robinson returned to pick up four more wickets in the second innings, playing a critical role in England’s emphatic victory. His relentless accuracy also earned him the Player of the Match honors. Alongside him, fast bowler Josh Tongue provided excellent support from the opposite end, claiming 3 for 46.

Pakistan suffered an early setback in their first innings as Robinson and Tongue had dismissed Azan Awais and Saud Shakeel for 46 and 16 runs respectively. In the second innings, Jofra Archer had dismissed captain Babar Azam for six runs only.

With the series already decided in England’s favor, both teams will now travel to Birmingham for the third and final Test that is set to take place at Edgbaston and scheduled to begin on September 9, 2026.

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Rashid Latif, the former captain of Pakistan, has not held back in his criticism of the cricket board and its chairman, deeming their administration the most ineffective in the last seventy years. He pointed to a notable decline in the team's performance, especially as they struggled to reach even two hundred runs in their recent matches against England, amplifying the outcry surrounding the team's capabilities.

In an exclusive conversation with RevSportz Editor-in-Chief Boria Majumdar, former India badminton star and Chief Coach at the Centre of Excellence, Vimal Kumar, reflected on India’s campaign at the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi.

Vimal also spoke about badminton’s new 15-point scoring system, which is set to come into effect from January 2027.

Boria: The country got together 8,000 people, tremendous euphoria, but overall, if I ask you to place it in context, how do you look at the World Championships?

Vimal: Yes, definitely, we got a medal, but the women’s doubles was the least expected one. Both the girls were going through quite some issues in the last couple of years, injuries, and they couldn’t even qualify for the Olympic Games. They were going through a very rough patch, so nobody was expecting anything from them, and they came and delivered. But that is typical Indian sport. When there are no expectations, we do well.

I was a little disappointed with the singles performance at the World Championships. Lakshya, of course, is a little more experienced and Ayush Shetty is a youngster. It’s his first World Championships. But Lakshya could have done a lot better. I was looking at how tactically he could play well against Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the last 16. I was looking forward to that aspect.

But when he (Lakshya) went and lost to a US player, that was quite shocking and disappointing. In a normal 750 or 1000 event, he doesn’t even get an entry. Because it’s the World Championships, he got an entry.

It was more to do with Lakshya’s mental aspects. We have been talking about it for quite some time. When he plays, he’s capable of beating any player in the world. Out of the blue, he can really play. He’s an exciting player.

Coming to Ayush Shetty, he’s a 21-year-old, very exciting player. He has also beaten most of the top players in the world this season. If you look at him, then Alwi Farhan and Alex Lanier, Victor Lai, these are all 21-year-olds who are really doing well.

Ayush created that big upset on the opening day by beating the Chinese No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yu Qi. So we all thought he would have another good run. But again, this is something with our players. It is the tactical aspect.

Three weeks prior to this event, in China, Ayush had beaten Alwi. Prior to that, at the All England, Alwi had beaten him. They have beaten each other, so they are both of a similar level. But at home ground, I thought Ayush could have converted.

Boria: You mentioned the mental aspect for both Lakshya and Ayush. How do we work on this? At the elite level, the difference in play is marginal, so how do we work on players like Lakshya and Ayush who have the ability?

Vimal: They devote a lot of time to strength and conditioning and technical aspects. But sometimes I feel that at that level, even the coaches must realise that playing a little less and working on these aspects before preparations for big events is very important.

The players also don’t have that mindset. Their mindset is that they need to be on court and keep working on skills. So it is not helping. Eventually, when it really comes to the crunch, they are not able to play.

Unless the player devotes time, no coach, nobody can do it. Coaches can talk, but the coaches also need to understand this. Every coach will say mental aspects are important, but at the highest level, these are very specific. They are losing at a particular stage, where the pattern is the same.

That is where it needs to be assessed and analysed and worked on during sessions, and they need to learn how to overcome those situations. It is hard work. They have to devote a lot more time to such aspects.

It is a team. They have to really gel well. S and C persons are there, physios are there, the technical coach is there. All these people, it is teamwork.

Sometimes I feel we need to sacrifice certain aspects to get better here. Many good players are not able to realise their full potential and continue to falter and lose.

I don’t want to brand Lakshya or Ayush as mentally weak. It is an area they need to really devote time and work at.

Lakshya also had a little bit of a back issue, but in my opinion, it wasn’t evident when he was playing. It is basically the expectations. I could see from his face slight helplessness. He was not able to adjust with the drift inside the hall and the conditions.

But when you lose all hopes on him, sometimes it just comes. At the beginning of the year, he got to the All England final, beat all the players and got to the final, and then again everything was back to normal. But that’s not it. It is constant work. You need to be at it and realise the relevance and importance of it. We need to sit down and work in whatever way we can.

He actually needs to win a big one. In my opinion, 1000 or 750, that is his level. He gets to the finals and then loses. That is the only issue with Lakshya.

Boria: We have only three weeks before the Asian Games, with the China Masters 750 in between. What will you tell Lakshya, Ayush and the others?

Vimal: Lakshya is definitely playing the China 750 because he needs some good match practice. Lakshya is one player I’ve noticed, the more matches he plays, he gets better. Initially, if he can get going, he plays well.

In Delhi also, he didn’t get enough games under his belt. Prior to that, he trained for four weeks continuously. It was basically with the World Championships and Asian Games in mind.

Now he’s travelling to China. He’s playing Alex Lanier in the opening round, so you’re looking for some good match practice. It is very important, and immediately after that will be the Asian Games.

Whereas Ayush is not playing in China. He’s staying back and will be focusing solely on the Asian Games. Both of them are taking different approaches, but everyone wants them to focus on the Asian Games.

Boria: PV Sindhu looked excellent in the Round of 16. She said she needed to be more patient. At 31, after five World Championship medals, the hunger is still there. Do you reckon Sindhu can still be at the top?

Vimal: Exactly, if you look at the level, about 10 years back, women’s singles had a very strong batch with the Chinese, Tai Tzu-ying, Carolina Marin, RatchanokIntanon, Yamaguchi, Sindhu and all of them.

Suddenly, all the Chinese went out. The next lot that has come in are not as formidable as the earlier Chinese lot. An Se-young at the moment is definitely the dominant player.

Sindhu can definitely. When I talk to her, I just tell her, give it a try for the next two years and give it your best.

I thought now she has found the right S and C person. In singles, it is very important that you find the right strength and conditioning person. As you age, you need to take care of your body. The intensity definitely needs to be there, but that planning is very important.

In the last four or five months, I can clearly see some good improvement in her. She has started playing attacking badminton again, like how she used to play earlier. She launches at the net and she’s attacking more.

Earlier, I thought she was just returning whatever the opponent was doing and hoping for an error. Those changes I can see in her.

Even in the last match, I thought she could have pulled it up, especially at 17. Of course, Wang Zhi Yi took the tactical break. You cannot grudge that, as that is tactics.

But Sindhu could have attacked and persisted the same way. She was scoring through her attacks, but she became a little overcautious and tried to keep the shuttle in play. In that mode, Wang didn’t make mistakes and Sindhu made those errors.

You have to give Wang credit. But whatever it is, when you lose, it hurts. It was home ground. She could have gone on and played An Se-young in the semis. It could have been a good match with the home support. You never know, because Sindhu plays very well in big situations. That’s her strength.

Boria: When I look at women’s singles, players like Unnati, Devika and Tanvi, it gives me hope. We have several players in the top 50. Even after 2028, India seems strong. Does women’s singles have a bright future?

Vimal: Definitely it does. But they still need to get a little stronger. They are doing well in 300 events and below. But 500 and 750, when you get in there, that’s different.

Unnati is playing these big events, but she has to convert these matches. Especially against Michelle Li, she could have beaten her. She had match point and then lost.

These are players whom you can beat. They are all still young. Unnati is 19, Tanvi is 19, Devika is 21, Isha Rani Baruah, Rakshita Ramraj, all these are a good lot of girls.

They have to compete well. Next year, the scoring format is going to change. You cannot just come and play a slow start. You have to be aggressive and cannot afford to make mistakes. The pace is going to go up, so it is going to be a little different badminton.

Boria: Badminton will change with 15 points. When 21 happened, it changed. What can be a realistic expectation from the Asian Games? And from January, when the new point system kicks in, do you reckon Indians will be okay with it? Can it help India?

Vimal: Asian Games, I’m very hopeful. Especially at the last Asian Games, Satwik and Chirag did a great job. Even in the team championships, in the final against China, we were 2-0 up. We are capable, like how we did well in the Thomas Cup. Again, we have players to do that.

I’m hopeful for the team championships as well as the individual championships. Both Lakshya and Ayush have to click. They have to take a lot more initiative. They have played at the highest level and beaten all these players. So there is a good possibility for us to get a medal for sure, both in team championships as well as individual events.

In the individuals, I would say in women’s singles, Sindhu definitely has a chance for a medal. In men’s doubles, I am still a little concerned about Satwik and Chirag. They are our best prospects and they have been our best pair ever. If Satwik is confident about his shoulder and plays freely, then there is a chance.

And again, Gayatri and Treesa, women’s doubles also, we can. They have beaten one of the best Chinese combinations and the Japanese. They have played very tough matches and pulled through.

So it is a good prospect for us to get some medals at the Asian Games.

Going forward, I was disappointed with what the BWF council members decided. I thought it wasn’t the right thing to do for badminton. Badminton is a tough sport. You have to believe in your sport.

I thought they got panicked because of pickleball and paddle tennis coming up. Badminton has its own place. I feel BWF should look at putting in more council members, more former top internationals, so their views can be heard better. That is what I expect the BWF to do.

They are saying that more excitement will happen. What more excitement do you want? Badminton is already an exciting sport. Otherwise, the games can get over in 15 or 20 minutes. I don’t know whether that is good for the sport.

The players have no choice. They will have to adapt to it. Many people are hoping that maybe they have a chance. I’m 30 plus, so maybe I can play in this format.

I was disappointed that many of the top players and former internationals did not resist the move, including China, and every country supported that. For me, it is not a good sign. But whatever it is, it is done and dusted now. We have to go ahead and see how it goes.

(Transcribed by Amrin Siddique)

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India began their Women’s Asia Cup 2026 campaign with a comfortable 94-run victory over Thailand. Thailand won the toss and opted to bowl first, but India posted 159/9 to set a target of 160.

In reply, Thailand were bowled out for just 65 as India’s bowlers produced a dominant performance to seal a convincing win.

Here are the key takeaways from the match:

Shafali Verma’s Explosive Knock, Pratika Rawal Impresses on Debut

Shafali Verma took charge from the start, smashing 64 off just 36 balls, with eight fours and three sixes. Her aggressive approach kept India firmly in control and provided the innings with the momentum it needed before her dismissal.

Making her T20I debut, Pratika Rawal showed plenty of confidence and composure in her first outing for India. She scored a brisk 22 off 18 balls, including two fours and a six, and looked comfortable against Thailand’s bowlers.

Her promising debut came to an end when Suleeporn Laomi bowled her in the ninth over.

India Suffer Batting Collapse

India suffered a batting collapse after reaching 91/1, losing wickets in quick succession to slip to 112/5.

The collapse continued as India were eventually reduced to 137/9 in the 18th over before finishing on 159/9.

India’s innings fell apart after Shafali’s dismissal. Wickets tumbled quickly, with Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh also departing, while the run-outs of Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma added to India’s problems.

The Thai bowlers also deserve credit for their performance. They put the brakes on India’s scoring and picked up wickets at regular intervals. Laomi was particularly impressive with figures of 3/16, while Sunida Chaturongrattana chipped in with 2/31.

Deepti Sharma Leads India’s Bowling Charge

India’s bowlers produced a clinical performance to dismiss Thailand for just 65.

Deepti Sharma, playing her 150th T20I, was the standout performer. She began her spell with a double-wicket maiden and finished with remarkable figures of 3/0 in 1.1 overs.

The three wickets took Deepti to 171 wickets in Women’s T20Is, making her the leading wicket-taker in the format.

Nandani Sharma provided excellent support with 3/18, while Shree Charani claimed 2/10 as India’s bowling attack kept Thailand under pressure throughout the innings.

Nannapat Emerges as a Ray of Hope for Thailand

With wickets falling regularly around her, Nannapat Koncharoenkai stood firm and gave Thailand something to fight for.

She top-scored with a patient 41 off 48 balls, including five fours, and tried to anchor the innings as Thailand struggled against India’s bowling attack.

Despite Nannapat’s resistance, Thailand could not sustain their challenge and were eventually bowled out for 65, handing India a convincing 94-run victory in their opening match of the tournament.

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On Sunday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gagged its players from speaking about Imran Khan. Hours later, following another humiliating Test defeat, it pressed the panic button.

Pakistan lost the second Test against England at Lord’s by 194 runs, following their innings defeat in the first Test at Headingley. Now, according to sources, the PCB has asked Pakistan’s white-ball coach, Mike Hesson, to take charge of the red-ball team for the final Test of the series as well. The final Test will be played at Edgbaston from September 9, with Hesson set to take over from incumbent Pakistan Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed.

In addition, six players, including Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas, have reportedly been called up to reinforce the squad for the final Test. Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq have been sent back, with form and fitness respectively cited as the reasons.

Imam, after being ruled out of the second Test with an injury, came in for criticism from several quarters. He was even accused of faking his injury. On Day 4, after the batter was seen doing some knocking on the sidelines with tape over his left calf, former England fast bowler Stuart Broad let it rip.

“That’s all for show. He has got a bit of stick from the media and maybe his team-mates. Whatever. You can do that inside the indoor school without anyone seeing, don’t have to come wearing shorts and tape and hobble around like that. I am not impressed with that. Sorry,” Broad said on Sky Sports.

Pakistan cricket has long been associated with controversies and drama. But even by their standards, a mid-series change of head coach is unprecedented. According to sources, Hesson was asked to check in at Lord’s even before the second Test was over.

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