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The U.S. lost Wednesday night's friendly against Serbia, but there will be plenty to be happy about as several players took impressive leaps forward.

The U.S. men's national team's match against Serbia was, by and large, exactly what one would expect from a January camp outing right after a World Cup. It was sloppy, disjointed and chaotic. It also featured a whole bunch of new players, with a few making the kinds of mistakes that new players make.

But it also included some incredibly promising performances from a few potential USMNT stars who are just beginning their international careers.

Brandon Vazquez produced the USMNT's lone goal in the 2-1 defeat, with Luka Ilic and Veljko Simic providing the scoring for the visitors. Like the USMNT, Serbia showed up in Los Angeles with a young, inexperienced squad, but it avoided the range of errors that cost the Stars and Stripes to seal the victory.

Despite the mistakes, this will go down as a positive night for the USMNT. A total of eight players made their international debut, including the potential goalkeeper and striker of the future. A few others, most notably Cade Cowell, proved to be entirely different players than the ones we've seen before in a USMNT shirt.

January camp, in many ways, is about finding those players and giving them the nurturing they need to join the A-team. On Wednesday, a few players showed that they're ready for that leap and, with that in mind, Wednesday night was a win for the USMNT, even if the scoreboard said it wasn't.

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Cade Cowell:

Get your Cade Cowell stock while you can because it's only going up from here.

The San Jose Earthquakes star was absolutely electric and was far and away the USMNT's best player. He deserved a goal or two, and could have had a few if not for the post.

Everything to like about Cowell was on full display: his speed, his timing, his decisiveness. The Quakes attacker is just so unbelievably dynamic. It's no wonder big clubs have been interested.

The 19-year-old has shown some glimpses of the spectacular throughout his career so far. Could this be the year that those glimpses become a bit more common? If this match was any indication, 2023 might just belong to him.

Brandon Vazquez:

The FC Cincinnati star got his goal. It was a picture-perfect header that effectively announced himself as the latest entrant to the USMNT's No. 9 competition.

He didn't do much else, to be fair, but that doesn't matter much. For years, the USMNT has watched strikers do all of the little things besides score. To have a player do the opposite is a welcome change.

There were concerns that Vazquez, fresh off an 18-goal season that came from out of nowhere, could be a one-season wonder, but this game showed why he likely won't be. The Cincy striker is a legitimate, professional finisher, who finds spaces to do the most important thing: put the ball in the back of the net.

The debate will rage on when it comes to whether or not he should have been in Qatar. It doesn't really matter now, but what does is that Vazquez has shown why he may have a part to play for the U.S. on the road to 2026.

Gabriel Slonina:

The first of what will likely be many. Gabriel Slonina will remember this one for the rest of his life.

It was the night when he became the youngest-ever USMNT goalkeeper, surpassing the legendary Tony Meola to seal that honor. And he wasn't a bystander, making several big saves in the first half.

His spectacular last-gasp save midway through the first half left him a little worse for wear, but the Chelsea goalkeeper finished it out. There wasn't much he could have done on either goal, but he'd done enough early on to make this night a positive one.

Slonina is still a work in progress, as most players are at 18. He's on his way, though, and could go from USMNT Goalkeeper of the Future to USMNT Goalkeeper of the Present sooner rather than later.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Jalen Neal:

Harsh to have him here, but it gets harsh at the senior level.

This was Neal's first real appearance at this level, as he made his USMNT debut before making his MLS debut with the LA Galaxy. And, for about 45 minutes, he looked so comfortable and so composed. The common thought was "How have the Galaxy not used this guy yet?"

And then, moments into the second half, came the youthful mistake. There were actually a few of them in the run-up to Serbia's second goal, all caused by a bit of indecisiveness. For the first time all night, Neal looked like a youth player playing with the big boys.

It's important to remember that that's exactly what Neal is at this point: a youth player. As a 19-year-old center back, he still has a lot of learning to do. This game was one that provided a lesson or two that will almost certainly make him better for the next time around.

Mexico:

Fans of El Tri won't have been happy seeing the USMNT's XI.

That XI featured four dual-national players, all either eligible, or in one case, have played, for Mexico. Cowell, Jonathan Gomez, Brandon Vazquez and Alejandro Zendejas all could be representing El Tri right now. Instead, they are set to become key pieces for their northern neighbors.

Cowell and Vazquez were the best of the bunch, although both Zendejas and Gomez were solid as well. It's Zendejas, in particular, who will bother Mexico the most, as his controversial history with El Tri makes his recent surge with Club America all the more frustrating.

It remains to be seen what the future looks like for all four, who have not played an official match and are thus still able to change their minds. On Wednesday, though, Mexico got a closer look at several key dual nationals that may have already slipped away.

Getty ImagesUSMNT Ratings: Defense

Gabriel Slonina (7/10):

Several absolutely fantastic saves early on. Nothing he could do on either goal. A promising debut.

Jonathan Gomez (6/10):

Worked well with Cowell and created some chaos on that side.

Walker Zimmerman (5/10):

A fairly casual 45-minute run-out. Could have done better in the wall on the free-kick goal.

Jalen Neal (5/10):

Great first half, disastrous mistake in the second. Recovered well, but, as a defender, mistakes simply mean more.

Julian Gressel (7/10):

What an assist. You know you get that kind of service with Gressel, and his assist to Vazquez was a perfect example of what he offers from the wide position.

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Getty ImagesMidfield

Alan Sonora (6/10):

A few good moments, most notably a fantastic ball to play Cowell through. Currently unattached, so interesting to see what comes next.

Aiden Morris (6/10):

A performance that will divide opinion. Some good moments on the ball, a step slow off of it and also a bit selfish on a first-half chance.

Paxton Pomykal (6/10):

Pretty quiet. A feel-good story, but didn't show much to indicate he should have a bigger role.

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly hired a bodyguard and a private detective after being "hounded" by a "sex-crazed stalker".

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Alexander-Arnold victim of stalkingBeefs up his own personal securityHas been sent obscene lettersWHAT HAPPENED?

The England international has taken steps to increase his own security, after being "hounded" for over a year by a "sex-crazed stalker" – as per The Sun. The report states that Alexander-Arnold has had to change his mobile phone number and install CCTV and alarms in his house, and has also been sent X-rated letters, while the woman allegedly involved is also said to have been seen at Liverpool's training ground, his home, and at his favourite restaurants.

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The 26-year-old has been advised not to put his movements on social media, while his family have also been bombarded with letters. It remains to be seen if a suspect will be apprehended but Liverpool are offering the right-back their full support. Alexander-Arnold is currently injured.

DID YOU KNOW?

Alexander-Arnold has made 29 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring twice and registering 10 assists. His momentum was stalled in Liverpool's recent 3-1 win over Burnley, though, as he had to be removed at half-time after damaging his lateral knee ligaments, and no firm date for his return has been given as of yet.

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Liverpool play Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Alexander-Arnold will be watching on from the sidelines but he will receive a medal if Jurgen Klopp's side win the game at Wembley.

Derbyshire have opened talks with Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara over a return to the county for the 2015 season.

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Oct-2014Derbyshire have opened talks with Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara over a return to the county for the 2015 season. Pujara enjoyed a short but successful stint at the end of last season and Derbyshire are keen to see him again next year.Pujara made just 7 and 0 in his first match at Glamorgan but then made 212 runs in four innings as Derbyshire won their final two matches, including an unbeaten century against Leicestershire and 90 not out which guided his side to victory at The Oval.Pujara indicated his willingness to return to Derby next season and Derbyshire elite performance director Graeme Welch confirmed the club has subsequently been in contact over a deal for 2015.”We’ve spoken to Pujara already and he seemed quite keen to come back,” Welch said. “He integrated into the team brilliantly and I think he enjoyed the lads here. He wants to test himself in English conditions, so this is probably the best place for him.”A stumbling block to a new deal could be the IPL, which is likely to take place in April and May. Last season, Pujara was bought by Kings XI Punjab for around £190,000. India are also scheduled to tour Bangladesh in June.”It’s still up in the air at the moment,” Welch said. “We’ll have to look at their schedule and try and get somebody in for those three months that he isn’t here. There could be a lot of Australians hanging around because they might want to be in the country ahead of the Ashes tour. We just got to keep our ear to the ground and go from there.”A second overseas signing for the NatWest T20 Blast is dependent on the club’s financial position: “We’ll have to see where we are with the budget in terms of possibly signing a second overseas for T20. We of course want to improve our performances in that format and this could be one option.”

A round-up of the latest matches in the Momentum One-Day Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Feb-2015Cape Cobras closed in on a home final as they squeezed to a four-wicket win against the Warriors. Andrew Puttick formed the foundation of the chase with 86 off 125 balls, but the Cobras still needed nine off the last over. Justin Kemp and Robin Peterson did what was needed, and were helped by a wide from Rusty Theron, with a ball to spare. The Warriors had actually done well to post 228 for 8 after slumping to 90 for 6 in the 24th over. Darryl Brown (52) and Sisanda Magala (48) added 93 for the seventh wicket then Theron thumped 33 off 19 balls.The Titans advanced closer to a play-off berth as they secured a 12-run win on D/L against the Lions in Benoni. Rain came after 1.5 overs of the Lions chase and their target was adjusted to 149 off 20 overs. When Neil McKenzie fell they were 46 for 4 in the 10th, but Alviro Petersen kept them in the contest with 48 off 36 balls. However when he departed with 48 needed off 31 balls it proved too much for the lower order. Junior Dala bowled his four overs for just 19. The Titans innings was going nicely on 104 for 1 before they lost four for 42 then top-scorer Jacques Rudolph (77) also departed. However, Qaasim Adams revived them with 59 off 56 balls and they proved crucial runs in the later calculations. It would take a number of results to go against the Titans for them not to progress.The Dolphins were grateful to the weather and the Knights were left cursing as their hopes of reaching the play-offs were severely doused in Pietermaritzburg. They had reduced the Dolphins, currently third in the table, to 45 for 5 before the game was washed out. Dillon du Preez had the eye-catching figures of 3 for 8 from six overs but in the end they did not mean much.

Gavi may have suffered a tear of his anterior cruciate ligament in Spain's Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia, which may rule him out for the season.

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Midfielder substituted after injuryLeft pitch in floods of tearsEarly suggestions are that he has ACL injuryWHAT HAPPENED?

The 19-year-old was substituted after just 26 minutes when he was clutching his knee, and he broke down in tears as Spain's medical team helped him off the pitch, with Luis de la Fuente's side going on to win the match 3-1 in his absence. reports that early indications suggest he has ruptured his ACL, which would mean between six to eight months on the sidelines, and prematurely cut his season short.

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Gavi has emerged as a key player for both club and country at such a tender age. He has already clocked over 100 appearances for Barca and has played in every La Liga game this season, bar one, when he was suspended. News of such an injury will be a bitter blow to Xavi's plans at Camp Nou.

DID YOU KNOW?

The youngster made his Spain debut in 2021 and has gone on to score five goals in 26 caps. Spain have already qualified for Euro 2024 but his inclusion in that squad could now be called into question due to his potential ACL injury.

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Barcelona will be awaiting Gavi's test results with their fingers crossed, such is his importance. states that he is set to undergo an MRI scan in the next 24 hours to find out the full extent of the injury. The Blaugrana are next in action this weekend against Rayo Vallecano, but it seems certain that Gavi will be watching on from the treatment room for some time.

Just like previous seasons, Royal Challengers Bangalore look to have a very balanced squad, even though they have failed to win a single edition

Shashank Kishore07-Apr-20165:07

Agarkar: RCB still trying to address their bowling

2015 formRoyal Challengers Bangalore were ousted in the second Qualifier by Chennai Super Kings in a last-over finish in Ranchi.Big PictureHow a team with all the T20 riches in the world doesn’t have a single IPL trophy after eight seasons can perhaps make for a good case study. While it underlines the unpredictability of the shortest format, Royal Challengers haven’t helped their cause by being over-reliant on Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers to cover for the vacuum in the middle.RCB squad

Virat Kohli (capt), AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, David Wiese, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, S Aravind, Varun Aaron, Shane Watson, Adam Milne, Stuart Binny, Travis Head, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sachin Baby, Iqbal Abdulla, Praveen Dubey, Akshay Karnewar, Kane Richardson, Abu Nechim, Harshal Patel, Kedar Jadhav, Samuel Badree, Vikramjeet Malik, Vikas Tokas, KL Rahul, Parvez Rasool

If there is a lesson in how to not run a marathon, Royal Challengers offer the best example. They’ve often begun like it is a 100 meter dash, only to lose momentum before making a desperate bid for the qualifiers. The end result: runners-up in 2009 and 2011, and vast stretches of inconsistency in between.They head into the new season, like they do most times, with a well-balanced team. They will welcome into their ranks the recently-retired Shane Watson and Stuart Binny, who offer the all-round depth they have often missed in the middle, although the bowling unit isn’t entirely settled. They will miss Mitchell Starc, the team’s second-highest wicket-taker last season, because of a foot injury, while there is an injury cloud over Samuel Badree, who hurt his shoulder in the World T20 final.That means the bowling will largely depend on their local talent – the pace duo of Varun Aaron, S Aravind and legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Starc’s absence could give the injury-prone Adam Milne an opportunity to build on his gains from the World T20 – where he picked up three wickets in four matches at an economy rate of 7.43. Should the surfaces aid slow bowlers, they could consider including David Wiese, the South Africa allrounder who offers batting muscle lower down along with his handy medium-pace and offcutters.There has been some turmoil off the field, with Vijay Mallya – chairman of the franchise until recently – no longer part of the management. But it is unlikely those matters would affect on-field performances. Now to prove the team is not just about their ‘Big Three.’Burning questionsWhile batting is their stronger suit, an abundance of riches has left them with more questions. With Dinesh Karthik released before the auction, the team needs to decide if they go back to de Villiers. If he is freed of the responsibility, do they turn to KL Rahul, Travis Head or Kedar Jadhav?Rahul’s IPL numbers aren’t impressive. While he is best suited in the top three, would the team risk having him open with Gayle or prefer the lower-order hitting ability of Jadhav?Where does that leave Shane Watson? Do they slot him in the middle to shore up the batting or have him as a floater? And how will they manage Mandeep Singh and Sarfaraz Khan, who delivered last year at crunch moments, in a robust batting line-up?The go-to menKohli’s appetite for runs continues to get bigger. He scored 273 in five matches at the World T20, and was adjudged Player of the Tournament. He single-handedly carried India’s batting hopes, and would be expected to do more of the same, even though Gayle, de Villiers and Watson offer him some support in what is largely a blink-and-miss format. Kohli contributes more than just as a batsman. His fitness and freshness will go a long way in dictating Royal Challengers’ campaign.Bargain buyTravis Head, who set himself a base price of INR 30 lakhs, was bought for INR 50 lakhs. The Adelaide Strikers batsman, who was released by Delhi Daredevils, has since made his Australia debut in the home series against India. His form in the BBL, where he finished as the fifth-highest run-scorer with 299 runs at a strike rate of 155, makes him a like-for-like replacement for Gayle, who has been plagued with a number of injuries in the recent past.AvailabilityThe team is yet to announce a replacement for Starc, while they are waiting for a medical update from Badree, who has flown back to Trinidad to see a shoulder specialist.CoachesHead coach – Daniel Vettori, assistant coach – B Arun, batting coach – Trent Woodhill, bowling coach – Allan Donald, physiotherapist – Evan Speechley, strength and conditioning coach – Shankar BasuQuotes”We will miss Starc. It’s difficult bowling at the Chinnaswamy and so whenever we had him in the team we knew we had those four overs up our sleeve. That’s a loss but it’s an opportunity for the likes of Adam Milne and Kane Richardson to step up and fill in that slot. We are also hoping Badree recovers from his shoulder injury and gets back to the team as soon as possible.”

Inter Miami youngster Benja Cremaschi has revealed what it's like playing for his hometown team, and alongside his childhood idol, Lionel Messi.

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Cremaschi talks about life at Inter MiamiEnjoys playing for hometown teamAdds playing alongside Messi is 'indescribable'WHAT HAPPENED?

In an interview with CBS Soccer as a part of their on-site UEFA Champions League LIVE show in Miami on Tuesday, the Herons youngster was asked about his rise over the past year. From signing his first professional contract to debuting with the USMNT – and of course, playing alongside his childhood idol, Lionel Messi.

AdvertisementGettyWATCH THE CLIPWHAT CREMASCHI SAID:

"Obviously it's amazing being able to play in front of my family and friends," he said. "I grew up in Miami so it's an amazing feeling and now I share a locker room with Messi so it's honestly been a ridiculous year.

"I grew up watching him play, watching a lot of Argentina players play, and now I can share the field and the day-to-day life with such a player it's something I can't describe.

"When I knew he was coming to the club I wasn't really nervous but the first time I saw him in the locker room, which is where I met him I was really nervous, obviously shaking his hand. That was a really nerve-wracking moment.

"It was a crazy, surreal moment for sure. I don't have his number in my contacts but he's in a group chat so if I ever need to reach out to him."

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Cremaschi burst onto the scene in 2023, playing a crucial role in the Herons' Leagues Cup campaign alongside Messi. His performances have even caught the eye of USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter and the USSF, who called him up for their September camp. The 18-year-old took advantage of his moment, assisting Kevin Paredes in a friendly against Oman.

Argentina are chasing down more World Cup glory and would “love” to see Lionel Messi emulate Diego Maradona by attending a crucial rugby semi-final.

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1986 World Cup winner attended 2015 semi-finalGlobal champions from 2022 on international dutyPumas set to lock horns with All Blacks in ParisWHAT HAPPENED?

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi cemented his standing alongside Maradona when inspiring his country to global glory in football circles at Qatar 2022. The South American nation are now hoping to repeat that trick while competing with a ball of a different shape.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Argentina have made it to the last four of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, with the Pumas now readying themselves for an epic showdown with the mighty All Blacks of New Zealand. They will have plenty of support in Paris, but it is unlikely that former PSG star Messi will be returning to the French capital as he is currently away on international duty of his own.

WHAT THEY SAID

Argentina veteran Agustin Creevy has told reporters when extending an invitation to his illustrious fellow countryman: "If Messi could now come we’d love that. But I don’t think so because he’s in Miami playing. In 2015 Maradona was retired, it was easy for him to come and stay with us. He was the best player I could meet in my whole life. He sang with us, he made a speech, everything. It was really important for us.”

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Argentina suffered semi-final heartache against Australia eight years ago – in what was a historic fixture for them played out on English soil at Twickenham – and they are hoping to go one better this time around after battling their way to an impressive comeback victory over Wales at the quarter-final stage.

Stuart Meaker, the Surrey fast bowler, has suffered a freak groin injury that looks likely to keep him out of action for the first few weeks of the season.

George Dobell29-Mar-2016Stuart Meaker, the Surrey fast bowler, has suffered a freak groin injury that looks likely to keep him out of action for the first few weeks of the season.Meaker was hurt while batting in the nets on Easter Monday when he inside edged a delivery on to his groin. He subsequently underwent a minor operation.While it is too early to predict how long Meaker will be absent, it seems highly unlikely that he will be fit for selection before May and it is possible he will not play before until June.The news is another setback to a Surrey side preparing for their first season back in Division One. While Meaker hardly featured last year, he has been bowling with impressive pace at Loughborough – well into the 90s, according to coaches – and looked likely to feature in a team already hit by injuries.The club are also without Jade Dernbach, who has a back injury and Freddie van Den Bergh and Zafar Ansari, who both have thumb injuries. Dernbach may have chance of being fit for the start of the T20 season – Surrey’s first game is on May 26 – while Ansari has a chance of being ready for Surrey’s second Championship match, which starts on April 24.Surrey have also announced that Vikram Solanki, who retired as a player at the end of the last season, will return to the club as a part-time 2nd XI captain. He will not be registered as a professional player, but will provide some on-field experience and leadership to a young second XI side in the Championship in particular and support Ali Brown, the second XI coach, off the pitch.In the 2nd XI Championship, players are allowed to name 12-man teams with 11 batting and fielding. It is, therefore, entirely possible that Solanki will not bat in many games.The Surrey management may well feel vindicated by news of Meaker’s injury. The club has been criticised in recent weeks after signing Ravi Rampaul and South African born seamers Conor McKerr and Mathew Pillans. But, as injury to Meaker shows, teams probably require depth in their seam-bowling resources if they are to sustain a challenge throughout a season. The club were also looking to ease the burden on young seamers such as the Curran brothers.

Pakistan made short work of Bangladesh on the fourth day in Mirpur, taking eight wickets inside two sessions for 148 runs, to seal a 328-run victory and win the Test series 1-0

The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando09-May-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:10

Isam: A different Pakistan turned up for the Test

Bangladesh plummeted to a 328-run defeat in Mirpur, after several top-order batsmen showed little will to survive against a Pakistan attack making merry on a wearing track. Having arrived with effectively eight wickets in hand on day four – Shahadat Hossain unable to bat – Bangladesh were all out before tea, having lost six wickets for 57 either side of the lunch interval. A heavy defeat was always likely, after the hosts had given up a 354-run first-innings lead, but they will be disappointed at the limp finish to what has otherwise been a heartening tour.Yasir Shah was the primary threat in Pakistan’s attack, as he found bounce and turn from the footmarks to supplement his fine rhythm and variation. He took 4 for 73 and induced plenty more edges and mis-hits that fell into space. Imran Khan claimed two scalps, and Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Hafeez and Junaid Khan took one apiece. Misbah-ul-Haq sought to keep Yasir in action at one end, while he rotated bowlers at the other. The 1-0 Test series victory follows a whitewash defeat in the four limited-overs matches, for Pakistan.The fourth day’s slide began with Tamim Iqbal, who exercised more caution than he had done on the previous evening, yet was drawn into a loose shot in Imran’s first over of the morning. Tamim threw his bat at a wide full-length delivery and edged the ball behind, not having accounted for Imran’s extra bounce. He was out for 42.Mahmudullah’s tetchy 12-ball innings was defined by dangerous flirtations with Wahab’s bouncers, but it would be Imran who found his edge as well. Poking at a back-of-a-length delivery in the channel, Mahmudullah sent the ball to Younis Khan at second slip, who held the catch on second grasp.Shakib Al Hasan edged his second ball through the gully, but continued to play his strokes, slog-sweeping Yasir for four as Mominul Haque progressed briskly alongside him. Ambition was Shakib’s downfall too. He ran at Mohammad Hafeez’s third delivery of the day and attempted to put the ball into the sight screen, but mis-hit it and was caught at mid-off. Mushfiqur Rahim was more careful, playing out eight scoreless deliveries, before he misjudged a Yasir legbreak and played it onto his stumps 15 minutes out from the lunch break.Hopes of a Bangladesh resistance centred around Mominul as wickets tumbled at the other end. While other batsmen had been rushed by the bounce in the track, Mominul pulled and hooked Wahab with control, leaving alone the balls too high to drag down. He was quick-footed and decisive against the spinners as well, finding regular runs into the outfield off Yasir, who tested him with googlies in the morning. Mominul prospered behind the wicket in particular, all but one of his nine boundaries coming in that region. His fifty, which came off 83 balls, made him the fifth player after Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Viv Richards and AB de Villiers to hit half-centuries in 11 consecutive Tests.Soumya Sarkar was caught down the legside off Wahab soon after lunch, and Mominul got out next over. He dabbed a wider Yasir ball behind point for four, then expecting the bowler to pitch fuller, ran down the pitch and aimed a lofted inside-out drive. His mis-hit went only as far as Asad Shafiq at cover, who held a sharp, low chance to his right.That dismissal put Bangladesh at 143 for 7, and it was only a matter of time until two more batsmen faltered. Taijul Islam sent a top-edged sweep to short fine leg, before Shuvagata Hom threw his bat around for a 55-ball 39 with Mohammad Shahid for company. He eventually had a yorker sneak through his defences, to give Junaid his only scalp of the innings.