Watch- Khaleel Ahmed collides with Jonny Bairstow, instant KARMA hits
Published - 02 Jul 2025, 12:41 PM | Updated - 02 Jul 2025, 02:27 PM
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England batter Jonny Bairstow was involved in an intense battle with Indian left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed during the County Championship Division One 2025 clash between Yorkshire and Essex at the York Cricket Club in York on Tuesday, July 1.
Khaleel Ahmed, who went wicketless on Day 1 and Day 2 of the ongoing County Championship 2025 game, came back strong on Day 3 to send the seasoned batter Jonny Bairstow back to the pavilion cheaply as the Englishman was caught behind by wicketkeeper Michael Pepper.
Khaleel Ahmed vs Jonny Bairstow battle steal show in York
The 27-year-old bowler was playing his first match for Essex after signing with the club for the remainder of the County Championship 2025 season. Ahmed claimed his maiden wicket by dismissing Bairstow with a smart wide bouncer to mark a strong start to his county stint.
Bairstow looked confident early on as he casually sent a fifth-stump delivery to the boundary. But Khaleel stuck to his plan, bowling from over the wicket and using the old ball to angle deliveries in, aiming to find an edge.
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Khaleel Ahmed dismisses Jonny Bairstow to take his maiden County Championship wicket
While Bairstow searched for room to play his trademark off-side drives, he kept hitting the fielders. Khaleel Ahmed sensed the England batter’s intent to attack, and he switched gears. He bowled a short ball on the fourth stump line, which Bairstow tried to cut but missed.
Then Khaleel went wider, but this time a short delivery outside the fifth stump. Bairstow chased it and edged the ball straight to the Essex wicketkeeper Michael Pepper, handing Khaleel his first County Championship wicket.
The right-handed wicketkeeper-batter walked off with 29 runs, as Khaleel’s smart bowling ended a solid 41-run stand with Adam Lyth, leaving the hosts, Yorkshire, at 169/4 after 61 overs in the ongoing county game.
A fascinating battle between Khaleel Ahmed and Jonny Bairstow 👀 pic.twitter.com/BPBpXMDtAa
— Rothesay County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 1, 2025
Yorkshire takes big lead after Matthew Revis hits 150; Essex struggles at 33/3
However, Yorkshire managed to secure a 90+ run lead in the first innings, with Matthew Revis hitting 150 while Adam Lyth and Coad scored 84 runs and 89 runs, respectively. They reached 459 in reply to Essex’s first innings total of 368 runs.
Snater was the standout bowler for Essex with four wickets, while Simon Harmer and Matthew Critchley each scalped two wickets in the second innings against Yorkshire.
Earlier, Essex captain Tom Westley smacked a stunning century, while Dean Elgar’s 94 and Noah Thain’s unbeaten fifty helped them to reach 368 runs on the board against Yorkshire.
Jack White was the standout bowler for Yorkshire, taking three wickets in the first innings against Essex. On the other hand, Ben Coad, George Hill, and Dom Bess each have scalped two wickets. Jordan Cox (14*) and Simon Harmer (1*) will resume the play of Day 4 in York.
Earlier, Ben Coad had already taken two wickets, while George Hill scalped one wicket, with Paul Walter (0), Dean Elgar (16), and Tom Westley (0) falling cheaply. Essex slipped to 33/3 in their second innings in the ongoing County Championship clash.
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