In Case You Missed It: Unexpected hundreds, predictable results

Two ongoing Test matches are lumbering to a finish, throwing in little plot twists - Yasir Shah's maiden hundred, anyone? Earlier last week, West Indies rolled over Afghanistan, who were playing only their fourth Test. This week, West Indies will play India in a series of T20Is and ODIs. Here's your catch-up on the week that was.

Pakistan looking at an innings defeat despite Yasir Shah's century
It's not looking good for Pakistan in the day-night Test in Adelaide. Babar Azam missed out on a second hundred in the series by an agonising three runs, but Yasir Shah led an unexpected resistance at No. 8. Still, though, Pakistan's first-innings total didn't even add up to David Warner's 335, scored with speed and vitality, supreme fitness, and outstanding concentration. For Pakistan, there were no lessons learned from the first Test - Osman Samiuddin breaks down how Pakistan got it utterly wrong against David Warner at the Gabba, and Danyal Rasool takes issue with selector Misbah-ul-Haq's deadcatting and the decline of Pakistan's pace factory.

Joe Root 226, Ollie Pope 75 drive England to 476, a lead of 101
England are pulling for at least draw in the second Test against New Zealand, after losing the first one. Unfortunately for New Zealand, their win won't count towards World Test Championship points. Here's why. England captain Root made some big runs after a long time, but is there really an alternative as England's leader? Andrew Miller looks at the options.

Crafty Rakheem Cornwall entraps Afghanistan with topspin
Afghanistan learned some tough lessons in Test cricket as West Indies cruised to an easy victory set up by Rakheem Cornwall's match haul of ten wickets. The offspinner brought to life the old adage that the most dangerous ball on a turning pitch is the one that goes on straight. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will only get better the more games they play, but finding Tests to play might prove a problem.

Chris Gayle says no to India ODIs, takes 'break' from cricket
After an explosive goodbye to the MSL, the West Indies batsman wants to "recharge his batteries" in pursuit of clarity for 2020.

FAQs: The concussion sub, and why the rule is important
The second India-Bangladesh match put the concussion sub protocol to the test after four batsmen were hit on the head. Sidharth Monga looks at how concussions are different from say, a broken arm, and why even the possibility of one should require strict action.

How many leagues can cricket take?
If all the existing and proposed short-format leagues are to survive, some will have to recalibrate their ambitions. Tim Wigmore breaks it down.

Is India's four successive innings wins a record?
And what's the record total in a ground's first Test? Ask Steven Lynch and you shall have answers.

'Our game is a mental game. Most of our work is between the ears'
Former umpire Simon Taufel spoke to Shashank Kishore on the role of technology in umpiring, penalising player misbehaviour, and giving umpires access to support and resources the way players are.

Those men in fiery red shirts Supporting pre-2004 Zimbabwe was the most innocent of cricket's pleasures. Until you looked deeper. Danyal Rasool unravels the complicated politics of loving Zimbabwe's cricket in exclusion of everything else happening in the country.

What Sourav Ganguly needs to do as head of the BCCI
He only has ten months, but there is plenty he can achieve if he wants to. Sharda Ugra has a list of things he needs to tackle.