On July 1, 2025, Khaleel Ahmed enjoyed a battle with England's out-of-favour batter and Yorkshire captain, Jonny Bairstow. Khaleel overstepped more than a dozen times on his County debut for Essex but got the prized wicket of Bairstow in the fourth over of Day 3 he bowled.
Khaleel opened the bowling on Day 3. Bairstow hit him for a four off the third delivery. Khaleel followed it up with a maiden over to Adam Lyth. In his next over, the left-arm pacer bowled two no-balls, and was hit for a boundary as well. Just when Bairstow was looking set for a big score, Khaleel bowled a short ball and got extra bounce as well. Bairstow wanted to play it square of the wicket but could only get a faint edge that went into wicketkeeper Michael Pepper's gloves.
Bairstow was the first to fall on Day 3. The skipper scored 29 runs from 71 deliveries. After Bairstow's wicket, Khaleel could not take another. He bowled a total of 26 overs, including four maidens, and conceded 124 runs.
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Revis, Coad help Yorkshire take lead
Lyth missed his century and fell to Shane Snater. The opener scored 84 runs from 257 deliveries. Snater dismissed George Hill for a seven-ball duck. Yorkshire wre reduced to 273/8 as Simon Harmer made Will Sutherland his second victim of the match and Snater got rid of Dom Bess. But, a 169-run partnership for the ninth wicket helped Yorkshire take a 91-run lead. Matthew Revis scored 150 runs from 187 balls whereas Coad scored 89 runs from 110 balls. Both the batters were dismissed by Matthew Critchley. Yorkshire posted 459 on the board in reply to Essex's 368.
Essex lose 3 quick wickets
In the last session of Day 3, Essex lost three wickets. After an 89-run knock, Coad dismissed opener Paul Walter and captain Tom Westley for ducks. George Hill knocked over former South Africa captain Dean Elgar for 16. Essex were 33/3 from 16 overs. They still trail by 58 runs. Jordan Cox and Harmer remained unbeaten and face an uphill task on Day 4.
Khaleel may have to come out and contribute with the bat on Day 4. His services with the ball will be needed when Essex defend the total at York Cricket Club.