A worrying off-field incident saw Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram accosted by a fan at the Optus Stadium in Perth just before the first Test of the India-Australia series. Akram, who has flown to Australia on a commentator visa owing to obligations with an international channel, was reportedly accosted quite shortly after signing an autograph. Cricket Australia has had to step up security for commentators and players because of the incident.
The abuse leveled at Akram, as per a British News outlet, has no racial undertone, but the causes, however, remain unspecified. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia placed very stringent security measures, one allowing commentators to be picked up from inside the stadium, to evade this kind of encounter. This incident now emphasizes the ever-increasing need for more vigilance measures to safeguard cricketing legends and officials, especially at high-profile matches.
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On the pitch, it was just as dramatic as off it. India performed a remarkable recovery from a shaky start in Perth. His audience sealed the match in the first Test in the recently consigned Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The batting collapse of India’s first innings for only 150 runs seemed to place India on the back foot. However, a brilliant effort by Jasprit Bumrah, who took 5 wickets for 38 runs, saw India roll Australia cheaply for just 104 runs to turn things around for the home side. Taking advantage of favorable batting conditions, India raced to 487/6 in their second innings, putting the home team an unlikely target of 534 within reach.
India plays host to a Test, arguably the one country shy of being in its own backyard but with incredible stakes for India’s World Test Championship (WTC). To make it to the final of the WTC, India must pull off an improbable 4-0 sweep of Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A victory in Perth would set the tone for the remainder of the series, keeping their dreams alive. No one knows what will happen. Both on-field and off, this Border-Gavaskar Test promises to be some good fun for cricket fans all over the globe.