Stanlake emerges as unlikely Test contender
The tall fast bowler has had an injury-hit career but, after a white-ball return, Australia's selectors are keeping an eye on him
Pak Skipper Babar Azam Falls Ill Amid Dramatic Squad Overhaul
Babar Azam's fever adds to Pakistan's mounting troubles before the Edgbaston Test, with the PCB overhauling the squad and coaching staff after England secured an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Women's T20 Asia Cup: Muneeba, Sadia Lead Pakistan To Winning Start
Dubai International Cricket Stadium: Muneeba Ali scored her fourth T20I half-century while Sadia Iqbal claimed three wickets as Pakistan women defeated Thailand women by 35 runs in their opening match of the ACC Womens T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Tuesday. Electing to bat first in the eight-team tournament, Pakistan posted a modest total of 119/9, with Muneeba Ali scoring 54 off 52 balls, while Sadaf Shamas contributed a run-a-ball 20 in the low-scoring encounter. However, Pakistan made a strong comeback in the match as they defended the modest score. Chasing 120 to win, Thailand were never able to get going in the run-chase as they lost two wickets in the second over with six runs on the board. Both wickets went to left-arm spinner Sadia, who bowled a double-wicket maiden over. Sadia returned in the final over of the match to bag her third wicket and finished with match figures of 4-1-11-3. Another left-arm spinner, Nashra Sundhu, was the most economical bowler for the winning side, conceding just six runs and taking one wicket in four overs. Right-arm leg-spinner Tuba Hassan was also among the wicket-takers, taking two wickets for 17 runs from her four overs. Earlier, opening batter Muneeba was the top run-getter for Pakistan with 54 off 52 balls, which included four fours. Sadaf Shamas was the other notable run-getter with a run-a-ball 20. She struck three boundaries and added 54 runs for the fourth wicket with Muneeba. For Thailand, Suleeporn Laomi and Thipatcha Putthawong took two wickets each. Pakistan will now take on India in their second group match on Saturday at the DICS. For Thailand, Suleeporn Laomi and Thipatcha Putthawong took two wickets each. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Pakistan 119/9 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 54, Sadaf Shamas 20; Suleeporn Laomi 3-14, Thipatcha Putthawong 3-18, Phannita Maya 2-34) beat Thailand 84/8 in 20 overs (Chanida Sutthiruang 25; Sadia Iqbal 3-11, Tuba Hassan 2-17) by 35 runs. Article Source: IANS
'Hope is Still...' Krunal Pandya Responds to Another India Snub
Krunal Pandya kept his India comeback hopes alive after missing the Afghanistan T20I squad, following a strong IPL season where he impressed with bat and ball.
Muneeba, Pakistan's spinners knock Thailand out of Asia Cup
Putthawong, Laomi were excellent but Pakistan's spinners ensured Thailand never got close
'Felt like I had to speak to Klaasen' - Pretorius' phone-a-friend moment
Pretorius took his time to settle before getting to his highest T20I score as Klaasen helps
Konstas, Handscomb, Richardson picked for Australia A tour of India
Cricket Australias (CA) National Selection Panel said the tour holds great importance as it looks to expose players to subcontinental conditions and prepare them for the challenges of playing in India.
Lhuan-Dre Pretorius Hits 94 As South Africa Reach T20I Tri-Series Final
Lhuan-dre Pretorius top scored with 94 as South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 43 runs in Windhoek on Tuesday to reach the final of a T20 tri-series which also includes Namibia.
China Masters: Unnati Hooda Bows Out In Opening Round
India's rising shuttler Unnati Hooda bowed out of the China Masters 2026 in the first round, with a loss to world number 12 Kim Ga-eun in the women's singles opening round on Tuesday at Shenzhen.
Pretorius' career-best 94 sets up big win against lacklustre Zimbabwe
SA lost 6 for 31 to finish on 185, before Fortuin and Jansen shared seven wickets in big win
Pretorius Blasts Career-Best 94 as South Africa Sink Zimbabwe
Pretorius struck 94 off 51 balls and Jansen took three wickets as South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 43 runs, strengthening their final prospects.
Lewis, Hunter, Stokell fifties drive Ireland to 281 for 5
England concede 20 wides in lacklustre bowling effort in first ODI at Grace Road
Pakistan's Search For New Coach On LinkedIn Takes Unusual Turn, Internet Reacts
The PCB formally opened the search for a new fielding coach who will take charge of the senior national team across formats.
Netflix's latest series, Operation Safed Sagar, is based on the journey of the real-life members of the Indian Air Force's Golden Arrows squadron
Duleep Trophy: Sangwan Silences Selection Doubts With Gutsy 76
North Zone's Sanat Sangwan scored a resilient 76, putting aside earlier controversies, as his team fought back against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-final. Despite Sangwan's efforts and a partnership with Ayush Doseja, North Zone suffered a batting collapse, leaving South Zone poised for victory. South Zone holds a significant lead, needing only a draw to advance to the final.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Knockout Numbers Are Unreal. These Stats Say It All
Indian batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued to justify expectations with yet another explosive outing for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinals against Central Zone at Bengaluru.
Sher-E-Punjab T20 League: Rajputs All-round Brilliance Powers Ludhiana Lions To Victory
Punjab T20 League: Ludhiana Lions produced a superb all-round performance to edge past Bathinda Royals by three wickets in a thrilling contest of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League 2026 at the I.S. Bindra Stadium, Mohali, on Tuesday. Arjun Rajput was the star of the evening, making a decisive impact with both bat and ball. After claiming an impressive four wickets for 27 runs in four overs, Rajput returned with the bat to play a match-winning 82 off 45 balls, helping Ludhiana chase down 166 with just three wickets in hand. Bathinda Royals were asked to bat first and got off to a steady start, with their openers adding 46 runs for the first wicket. Harnoor Singh provided the early momentum, scoring a quick 38 off 19 balls, while Rishabh Gupta contributed 9 off 6 before being dismissed. The Royals then lost a few wickets but found some stability through Noorveer Singh and Dev Amritpal Singh. The pair added a valuable 50-run partnership, putting Bathinda in a position to finish strongly. However, Ludhiana Lions produced an excellent bowling performance in the second half of the innings. Sahil Bhaskar and Rajput led the attack, picking up three and four wickets respectively. Their regular strikes prevented Bathinda from finding the acceleration they needed, and the Royals were eventually bowled out for 165. The Lions chase got off to a disastrous start. The Bathinda bowlers struck early and reduced Ludhiana to 29/4 inside the first four overs, putting the side under serious pressure. Abhijeet Garg then tried to rebuild the innings and found some support, but his stay was cut short by a brilliant piece of fielding from Imrozpreet Singh. Garg was dismissed for 28 off 22 balls, leaving Ludhiana struggling at 81/5 in the 10th over. With the Lions in trouble, Rajput took responsibility and changed the momentum of the chase. He found a reliable partner in Krish Bhagat, and the two began rebuilding the innings with a mix of smart running and attacking strokes. The pair brought up a crucial 50-run partnership in just 34 balls, keeping Ludhiana in the contest. While Bhagat played the supporting role, Rajput took the attack to the Bathinda bowlers and kept finding boundaries. Rajput eventually fell to Gourav Choudhary, who trapped him in front for a brilliant 82 off 45 balls. His innings included eight fours and four sixes, and put Ludhiana within touching distance of victory. The pair brought up a crucial 50-run partnership in just 34 balls, keeping Ludhiana in the contest. While Bhagat played the supporting role, Rajput took the attack to the Bathinda bowlers and kept finding boundaries. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories However, Krish Bhagat held his nerves and ensured there was no further drama. He remained unbeaten on 35 off 19 balls, guiding Ludhiana Lions over the line and completing a memorable three-wicket victory. Article Source: IANS
India A Set for Three Four-Day Matches Vs New Zealand
India A will play three four-day matches against New Zealand A in Christchurch starting October 24, serving as a crucial build-up for the senior Indian team's two-Test series against New Zealand later in the tour. These matches are part of New Zealand Cricket's domestic red-ball schedule.
UPT20 League 2026: Top 4 Confirmed As Kashi Rudras Beat Meerut Mavericks By 56 Runs
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: The defending champions, Kashi Rudras, delivered a statement performance in a must-win encounter, defeating the table-topping Meerut Mavericks by 56 runs in Match 29 of the UP T20 League 2026 on Tuesday. Played at Kanpurs historic Green Park Stadium, a venue boasting a legacy of 40 international matches, the result finalises the playoff picture for the season. The Meerut Mavericks retain the top spot with 15 points, followed by the Lucknow Falcons in second with 13 points. Kashi Rudras and Noida Kings complete the top four, finishing third and fourth respectively with 10 points each. Meanwhile, the Gaur Gorakhpur Lions and Kanpur Superstars have been officially eliminated from the tournament. Knowing a win was necessary to stay alive, Kashi Rudras skipper Karan Sharma won the toss and confidently opted to bat first. The openers validated his decision immediately, putting together a solid 75-run stand off 51 balls. Vaibhav Jaiswal contributed a brisk 33 off 24 deliveries, while skipper Karan Sharma anchored the innings with a brilliant 57 off 40 balls, setting a robust foundation. Wicketkeeper-batter Upendra Yadav then took charge, unleashing a devastating late assault. Yadav smashed an unbeaten 57 off just 29 deliveries, lacing his innings with four boundaries and five massive sixes. His explosive finish powered the Kashi Rudras to an imposing total of 175/4 in their 20 overs. Faced with a challenging target of 176, the Meerut Mavericks' chase stumbled at the very first hurdle. Star opener Swastik Chikara fell for a four-ball duck to Kartik Yadav, setting the tone for the innings. Kartik delivered a sensational spell, finishing with figures of 3/12 in his four overs, suffocating the Meerut top order and leaving them reeling at 70/5 in 13 overs. For his phenomenal bowling display that derailed the chase, Kartik Yadav was rightfully named the Player of the Match. Divyansh Rajput attempted to stabilise the innings, battling his way to a gritty 39 off 31 balls. However, his resistance ended in an unfortunate fashion when he was dismissed hit-wicket by Rishabh Rajput on the fifth ball of the 16th over. On the very next delivery, Rishabh dismissed Yash Garg, ending the over and leaving Meerut needing 70 runs from 24 balls with just three wickets in hand. The drama peaked on the first ball of the 17th over when Impact Player Sangam Singh struck immediately, completing a spectacular team hat-trick spanning across the two overs. The Meerut Mavericks were eventually bundled out for 119 in 19.2 overs. Rishabh Rajput finished with superb figures of 3/13, while Atal Bihari Vipin Rai chipped in with two wickets, securing a massive 56-run victory. The result gives the Kashi Rudras back-to-back wins and immense momentum heading into the knockouts, whereas the Meerut Mavericks will need to regroup after suffering consecutive defeats. With the league stage concluded, the tournament now enters its decisive playoff phase. Due to persistent rain and wet outfield conditions in Kanpur, all playoff matches have been officially shifted to the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE September 3 * Qualifier 1: Meerut Mavericks vs Lucknow Falcons, 3:00 PM IST * Eliminator: Kashi Rudras vs Noida Kings, 7:30 PM IST September 4 * Qualifier 2: Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator, 7:30 PM IST September 4 Also Read: Special Cricket Stories * Final: Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2, 7:30 PM IST Article Source: IANS
Imam-ul-Haq Faces PCB Inquiry Over Injury Allegations
Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq has returned home from England amidst a PCB inquiry into his calf muscle injury, which is suspected to be faked. This follows the team's poor performance and drastic measures taken by the board, including sending players home and replacing coaches. Imam-ul-Haq has a history of similar injury allegations.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's cameo sat well with fiery spells by Bengal pacers Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar, powering East Zone to the Duleep Trophy final with a four-wicket win over defending champions Central Zone
Shahid Afridi Rains Fury On Pakistan Cricket's Most Shocking Decision As Things Go From Bad To Worse
Pakistan cricket is being bashed after a recent decision to change almost half of the squad mid-series following two losses against England
Misbah-ul-Haq Resigned After PCB Sought Explanation For England Tour Selections: Report
Misbah-ul-Haq, who has previously worked as the national team's head coach, chief selector and mentor, has been serving as a selector and batting coach at the high-performance centre since last year.
Pakistan bat in their Asia Cup campaign opener on slow pitch
Thailand's captain Naruemol Chaiwai returns in must-win contest
Sanat Sangwan Leads North Zone's Fightback But South Favourites To Reach Duleep Trophy Final
His exclusion from the Duleep Trophy quarter-final created a flutter but North Zone's stodgy left-handed opener Sanat Sangwan put the controversies to rest with a gutsy 76 even though South Zone looked poised to win the Duleep Trophy semi-final
Duleep Trophy | Gurnoor goes old school: the more you bowl, the stronger you become
The Punjab and North Zone pacer, who has been fast-tracked into the India ODI and Test set-up, is neither averse to operating for long periods on unhelpful wickets nor holds himself back from bowling at high pace
Dehradun T20 League 2026: All Franchises Confirm Squads Ahead Of Tournament Opener
Uttarakhand Government Cabinet Minister Subodh: All six franchises in the Dehradun T20 League 2026 have confirmed their squads for the upcoming tournament, which kicks off on September 2. The tournament will feature some players from the IPL and domestic circuit, as the Uttarakhand youngsters get a chance to impress. Speaking on the upcoming league, which will run from September 2 to 9 with matches played at the Abhimanyu Cricket Academy, Uttarakhand Government Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal highlighted that the state has no shortage of talent. There is no shortage of talent in Uttarakhand. The Dehradun T20 League is providing our young players with a platform where they can prove themselves and make their mark at the national level. The state government is always ready to support sports and athletes. I am confident that this league will prove to be a significant step forward for cricket in Uttarakhand, Uniyal said as he attended the players' draft as the chief guest. Meanwhile, former BCCI Vice-President Mahim Verma, who attended the event as the Guest of Honour, saw this tournament as a pathway for the local players to make their name. This league is not just a tournament, but a major opportunity for our local cricketers to progress. When young players from Uttarakhand share the dressing room with experienced captains and players from the IPL and domestic cricket, their confidence and standard of cricket will improve significantly, he said. Dehradun T20 League CEO Navneet Mishra also shared the details on the preparations and stated that there was no stone left unturned for the tournament. We have left no stone unturned in providing world-class facilities and excellent playing conditions to the players. We aim to create an environment where every player can freely express themselves and perform at their best. Fans can look forward to exciting cricket over the course of eight days, he said. Here is the list of all squads: 1. Selaqui Strikers Piyush Joshi (Captain), Vijay Sharma, Siddharth Gupta, Aryan Sharma, Abhay Kshetri, Ankit Mahori, Nikhil Harsh, Sanskar Rawat, Shivansh Gautam, Naman Sharma, Nishu Patel, Abhyuday Bhatnagar, Sameer Rai, Keshav Kumar Rana, Priyank Singh, Aryan Kapoor, Nitish Joshi, Kshitij Negi, Jitendra Pal, Prajwal, Binay Singh. 2. Doiwala Kings TNR Mohit (Captain), Aasman Gulati, Avneesh Sudha, Divyanshu Yadav, Sarang Rawat, Mukesh Gupta, Tanishq Khatri, Uday Sharma, Aksh Saini, Adi Khan, Dhruv Pratap Singh, Vishu Kashyap, Abhaydeep, Ajay Yadav, Preet Singh Sirohi, Shiv Pratap Singh, Shivanshu Pandey, Shubham Singh. 3. Rishikesh Dragons Yuvraj Chaudhary (Captain), Saurabh Rawat, Ravinder Negi, Aarav Mahajan, Aviral Mishra, Aditya Sethi, Kamal Singh, Harjeet Singh, Ishagr Jaguri, Viplabh Gautam Nautiyal, Harshvardhan Singh, Sachin Chauhan, Rajdeep Singh, Rahul Chauhan, Shiva Soni, Mukul Nagar, Tejender Singh, Vishal Joshi, Devendra Dhariyal, Priyanshu Fartiyal. 4. Mussoorie Thunder Akash Madhwal (Captain), Aryan Garg, Neeraj Rathore, Purvansh Dhruv, Lakshya Raichandani, Akhil Singh Rawat, Harsh Patwal, Anmol Singh, Allen Chetan, Rakshit Rohi, Atul Saini, Deepesh Singh, Shubham Nainwal, Arnav Bansal, Jonty Rawat, Ayush Chauhan, Parghi Deepal Haribhai, Priyanshu Rawat, Aarav Lokesh Singh, Aryan Godiyal. 5. Vikasnagar Dhamaka Kunal Chandela (Captain), Rohit Danu, Vinay Aswal, Shashwat Dangwal, Vishal Kashyap, Janmajay Joshi, Rohit Singh Dangwal, Sagar Rawat, Goldie Malik, Gaurav Negi, Ansh Joshi, Vishal Dangwal, Naveen Rana, Hitesh Naula, Vishal Rawat, Rahul Dev Nath, Abhishek Singh, Ajay Joshi, Prashant Chauhan, Gopal Singh. 5. Vikasnagar Dhamaka Also Read: Special Cricket Stories J. Suchith (Captain), Ashar Khan, Ayush Deshwal, Nikhil Pundir, Devendra Bohra, Samad Bhatt, Priyanshu Badswal, Naveen Kumar, Prateek Pandey, Srijan Singh Rawat, Kunal Veer Singh, Gaurav Chaudhary, Sachin Yadav, Mohd. Zaid, Deepak Deshwal, Tushar Bachhas, Veer Pratap Singh, Riansh Rawat, Mohd. Uzair Malik, Varnit Singh, Akshay Thapli. Article Source: IANS
AFG vs IND T20Is | Samson back, Bumrah awaits fitness clearance
With the Men in Blue heading to Japan to defend their Asian Games gold later this month, they may look to tread cautiously with their pace spearhead
Young India Pacer Opens Up On How Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj Helped Transform His Bowling
Gurnoor Brar has made a reasonable beginning to his national career, taking 11 wickets across six ODIs with an economy that hovers around seven.
Mumbai captaincy a matter of pride: Siddhesh Lad
Lad who was Mumbais highest run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy last season has been appointed the teams captain for the forthcoming Ranji Trophy season, replacing Shardul Thakur
India Squad Announced For Afghanistan T20Is: Bumrah, Samson Back, Hardik Pandya Misses Out
India have announced the squad for T20I series against Afghanistan and the team has opted for a blend of experience and young lads. With this three match T20I series, Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson have made comeback to squad. While Shreyas
'Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan' To See 10 Lakh Players
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday directed officers to ensure foolproof arrangements for the fourth season of 'Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan -- 2026', which will commence on September 5 in Bathinda with the participation of nearly 10 lakh players. Chairing a meeting to review preparations, the Chief Minister said Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan is the best platform to identify, promote and nurture hidden sporting talent from every village, town and city of Punjab. Highlighting the unique character of the games, Chief Minister Mann said the event brings together people from different generations. In the previous editions, three generations of the same family -- grandfather, son and grandson -- participated in the games. He added that the players from nine age groups, ranging from 14 years to above 70 years, will participate in this season. A total of 38 sports disciplines will be organised, while four para-sports, namely athletics, powerlifting, badminton and wheelchair basketball, have also been included. Emphasising the importance of wider participation, the Chief Minister said the registration process has been made simple and completely free of cost. For the first time, the Sports Department has introduced a QR-code-based registration facility, enabling players to register anytime and from anywhere. Registration for the games is currently underway. The Chief Minister said the quick and simple process has been introduced to make participation convenient for players and encourage more youngsters and sports enthusiasts to join the tournament. Registration for the games is currently underway. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The Chief Minister said that, for the first time, tennis ball cricket for both men and women has been included as a demonstration game, providing an additional opportunity for young players to participate and showcase their talent. Article Source: IANS
Duleep Trophy: Sooryavanshi, Kishan take East into the final
The opener makes a breezy 40 while the skipper guides the team home with an unbeaten 39after pacers Mukesh and Shamibowl Central out for 158; North fights hard against South in the other last-four clash
Why is Hardik Pandya not picked for India's three-match T20I series vs Afghanistan?
Hardik Pandyas planned return to Indias T20I side has suffered another setback after the all-rounder developed a leg niggle during his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru . Pandya had been progressing well and was operating at full intensity before the latest discomfort forced him to temporarily stop bowling. For the same reason, the star all-rounder has been ruled out of the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which begins on September 13 in New Delhi.
Duleep Trophy: Nishant Sindhu, Kamboj Hold Fort For Struggling North Zone After South Bowlers Star
Nishant Sindhu: All-rounders Nishant Sindhu and Anshul Kamboj arrested the slide for North Zone as South Zone bowlers threatened to run away with the game on the third day of the second semifinal of the Duleep Trophy at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru. North Zone were going strong with opener Sanat Sangwan (76) and Ayush Doesja (52) having put up a 104-run stand for the second wicket, and Ayush Badoni (32) also scoring a crucial 31. But South bowlers Shreyas Gopal and MD Nidheesh triggered a collapse as North were jolted severely from 175/2 to 209/7. Medium-pacer Vidhwath Kaverappa initiated things when he nicked behind Badoni, before Shreyas and Nidheesh ripped the North Zone's middle-order apart. The two traded the next four wickets with two scalps each. Leg-spinner Shreyas trapped Abdul Samad in front before medium-pacer Nidheesh ended Sanat's strong stay in the middle to leave North reeling at 192/5. The troubles compounded when Nidheesh dismissed captain Kanhaiya Wadhawa, and Shreyas got Abid Mushtaq. At 209/7, North had a lead of only 92 and were in trouble. But spin all-rounder Nishant and fast-bowling all-rounder Kamnoj stood to see off the threat and arrest the slide. The two put up an unbeaten 47 for the eighth wicket and have given hope to North to take their lead close to 200 in a bid for a win on the fourth and final day of the second semifinal. The third day started when South Zone resumed their charge with the bat from 285/9. Unbeaten centurion and skipper Tilak Varma and Kavuri Saiteja resumed the charge and added crucial 27 runs on the third day before Abid Mushtaq cleaned Saiteja for 13. Tilak went back unbeaten on 116 as South made 312, with Grunoor Brar of North taking 4-88, while Arshdeep Singh and Kamboj scalped two wickets each. Earlier, South had bowled North out for 195, with pacer Vidhwath Kaverappa starring with a four-wicket haul. Nidheesh and Tanay Thyagarajan also took two each, while Saiteja and Gopal took a wicket apiece. The third day started when South Zone resumed their charge with the bat from 285/9. Unbeaten centurion and skipper Tilak Varma and Kavuri Saiteja resumed the charge and added crucial 27 runs on the third day before Abid Mushtaq cleaned Saiteja for 13. Tilak went back unbeaten on 116 as South made 312, with Grunoor Brar of North taking 4-88, while Arshdeep Singh and Kamboj scalped two wickets each. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories North Zone 195 & 256/7 in 66 overs (Sanat Sangwan 76, Ayush Doseja 52; MD Nidheesh 2-47, Kavuri Saiteja 2-34) lead South Zone 312 all out in 100.3 overs (Tilak Varma 116, Shreyas Gopal 88; Gurnoor Brar 4-88) by 139 runs Article Source: IANS
Mukesh, Sooryavanshi take East Zone into Duleep Trophy final
Central Zone's batters showed little resistance on third day, which saw 13 wickets fall
Bumrah, Sundar recalled for Afghanistan T20 series and Asian Games
Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana have been included in India's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, pending fitness clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.
India batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played a quickfire knock of 40 during East Zone's chase of 159 against Central Zone in the semi-final of the Duleep Trophy on Tuesday.
Ben Stokes signs for Adelaide Strikers, becomes most expensive overseas signing in BBL history
Ben Stokes is set to become one of the biggest overseas signings in Big Bash League history after agreeing to join Adelaide Strikers for the 2026-27 season. The former England captain has made himself available for the entire campaign. After penning a contract of around AU$500,000 (Rs 3.9 crore), according to 7News. That figure would put him above the previous top platinum draft band of AU$420,000.
Bumrah, Rana, Washy Picked Subject To Fitness Clearance For Afghanistan T20Is
Afghanistan T20Is: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced India's squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi from September 13. Fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana and all-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy have been picked, but the participation of all four players is subject to fitness clearance, the BCCI confirmed. Shreyas Iyer will keep leading the Men in Blue, while Tilak Varma remains his deputy. The squad features regulars Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy, while there have been some changes to the team that played in Zimbabwe in July. Sanju Samson returned to the side after not being picked for the Zimbabwe T20Is, while the bowling department has seen changes with regular speedsters returning. Arshdeep is joined by Bumrah and Harshit, as the likes of Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, and Mayank Yadav, all of whom were on the touring party for Zimbabwe, miss out. Contrary to reports, there is no place for Hardik Pandya. The biggest development is the return of Bumrah, who had suffered an impact injury during the England ODIs in July and has been out of action since then. He also missed the recent Test series against Sri Lanka, which India won 1-0. Sundar was another key three-format player who was out of Sri Lanka's Tests due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the ODIs against the Three Lions. Harshit Rana is also back in the squad after being ruled out of the England ODIs due to a hamstring strain sustained in the preceding T20Is. This came shortly after he made a return to the international fold following his recovery from a knee injury that made him miss the T20 World Cup 2026. The India vs Afghanistan T20Is will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, with Afghanistan hosting the Men in Blue. The three matches are set to be played on September 13, 15 and 17. Harshit Rana is also back in the squad after being ruled out of the England ODIs due to a hamstring strain sustained in the preceding T20Is. This came shortly after he made a return to the international fold following his recovery from a knee injury that made him miss the T20 World Cup 2026. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories NOTE: * Subject to fitness clearance Article Source: IANS
The Men's Selection Committee has picked India's squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
Bumrah back in India squad for Afghanistan T20Is
The fast bowler, along with Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, have been selected subject to fitness clearance
England bowl, Bouchier opens; Tector and Kelly back for Ireland
Mady Villiers also returns to England ODI XI, with Issy Wong, Lauren Filer spearheading pace attack
Peter in for de Zorzi as SA bat; Matigimu debuts for Zimbabwe
Innocent Kaia and Kundai Matigimu came in for Dion Myers and Blessing Muzarabani with Zimbabwe playing two days in a row
India announce squad for Afghanistan series; Sanju Samson finds spot while Hardik Pandya misses out
India have announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Keeper-batter Sanju Samson, who was dropped from the Zimbabwe tour, made his return,...
Asian Games: Teams can make their own hotel arrangements, says Japan Cricket Association
Concerns were raised around the accommodation options offered in the lead-up to the tournament
Duleep Trophy: Ishan, Sooryavanshi Lead East Zone To Final After Win Over Central
Sudip Kumar Gharami: Ishan Kishan's stroke-filled unbeaten knock of 39 after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's fiery 43 helped East Zone beat Central Zone and march into the final of the Duleep Trophy on Tuesday. Sooryavanshi dazzled his way to a 43-ball 40, while Kishan carried the innings with a 41-ball 39 as East chased down the 159-run target with four wickets in hand to knock the defending champions out of the event. The East side were reeling in the chase as Harsh Dubey took four wickets, while Yash Thakur and Saransh Jain also struck to pile the pressure on the Ishan-led team. However, the skipper held cool and helped the team cross the line, with Mohammed Shami also going unbeaten on eight. Coming into Day 3 of the semifinal, the East bowlers did the job. Central were in trouble at 45/3 at the start of the third day, and the East bowlers kept chipping away as Mukesh Kumar ended with a four-wicket haul, while Shami also scalped three wickets in another impressive performance by the Indian internationals. Abhijit K. Sarkar struck first on Day 3 when he got nightwatchman Aryan Pandey before Shami and Mukesh got Yash Rathod and Aman Mokhade. The East bowlers continued their work as Central were reeling at 97/8 before a fight came from Harsh Dubey and Arshad Khan, who put 43 for the ninth wicket. But their resistance did not last long as Central were bowled out for 158 to go with the 266 they made in the first innings. East came out to bat to chase the meagre total. Sooryavanshi shelved his aggressive intent but cut loose later as he moved to 43 with three fours and a six off Yash. But he was dismissed in the same 14th over when Patidar took a brilliant diagonal-running catch from mid-on. Abhijit K. Sarkar struck first on Day 3 when he got nightwatchman Aryan Pandey before Shami and Mukesh got Yash Rathod and Aman Mokhade. The East bowlers continued their work as Central were reeling at 97/8 before a fight came from Harsh Dubey and Arshad Khan, who put 43 for the ninth wicket. But their resistance did not last long as Central were bowled out for 158 to go with the 266 they made in the first innings. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories In the first innings, Central had made 266 as Rinku Singh made a valiant 60. East replied with 92 from Sooryavanshi and 69 from Abhimanyu Easwaran as the two sides were tied on 266. East did the job with the ball in the second innings as the defending champions had no answer to it. Article Source: IANS
Ben Stokes Signs For Adelaide Strikers In Blockbuster BBL Deal
Former England all-rounder Ben Stokes has signed with the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming 2026-27 Big Bash League season.
Siddhesh Lad replaces Shardul Thakur as Mumbai captain in Ranji Trophy
Suryakumar Yadav or Shreyas Iyer will lead Mumbai in the white-ball formats, depending on their availability
'Padikkal Is Your No. 3 For NZ Tour'
'It's a no-brainer that in the next Test in New Zealand, your first choice has to be Devdutt.'
Amid Worries Over Asian Games Hotels, Japan Cricket CEO Delivers Big Statement
Participating teams have been offered hotel stay but they are free to make their own arrangements during the upcoming Asian Games, Japan Cricket Association CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji said after concerns expressed by leading nations over the accommodation provided for the continental event.
ICC T20I Rankings: Nandni Sharma, Athapaththu Among Big Movers
Nandni Sharma surged 38 places after her three-wicket haul against Thailand, while Chamari Athapaththu reached career-best ratings in batting, bowling and all-round performance.
Misbah-ul-Haq Resigns As Pakistan Selector After Sweeping Changes In Test Squad
Pakistan Cricket Board: Misbah-ul-Haq has offered his resignation as selector of Pakistan's men's selection committee after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made sweeping changes to the squad for the ongoing three-match Test series against England. Misbah was part of the four-member selection committee, which also includes Aaqib Javed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Asad Shafiq and was formed in March earlier this year. However, according to a Cricinfo report, the former Pakistan captain has offered to resign from the selection panel. The PCB has yet to accept his resignation, although Misbah has also reportedly resigned from his role as batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. This came a day after the PCB released seven players and head coach and bowling coach Sarfaraz Khan and Umar Gul from the Test squad, following their recent drubbing against England at Lord's. Pakistan have already conceded the series as England have an unassailable 2-0 lead following the 194-run win in the second game at Lord's. The PCB pushed the panic button and released Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad. They also decided to bring in five uncapped players - Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah - to bolster the struggling squad, along with the capped Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal. The shake-up extends beyond the playing squad, with red-ball head coach Sarfaraz and bowling coach Gul relieved of their duties following Pakistan's poor run of form, a stretch that also saw Shan Masood replaced by Babar Azam as Test captain. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will take over backroom duties for the remainder of the tour. Additionally, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul have also been released and will be replaced by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke in the backroom staff, added the PCB. The shake-up extends beyond the playing squad, with red-ball head coach Sarfaraz and bowling coach Gul relieved of their duties following Pakistan's poor run of form, a stretch that also saw Shan Masood replaced by Babar Azam as Test captain. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories In 2023, two years later, he was roped in as an advisor by the then-chief of the ad hoc management committee, Zaka Ashraf, and has been with the PCB since. He worked as a mentor for the men's Champions Cup in 2024-25 and was also the coach of Pakistan Gold, leading them to the 50-over National Champions Cup. Article Source: IANS
Ben Stokes Re-Enters Franchise Cricket, Signs Mega Money Deal With This Team
Former England skipper Ben Stokes could become the most expensive player in Big Bash League history after signing with Adelaide Strikers in a major coup for the competition.
International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah congratulated Lionel Messi on his international journey on Tuesday, following the Argentine legend's retirement.
Pakistan Selector And Ex-Captain Misbah-ul-Haq Resigns After Coach Sacked
Pakistan cricket selector and ex-captain Misbah-ul-Haq resigned following the shock sacking of red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed in the wake of successive Test defeats to England, sources told AFP Tuesday. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Monday that Ahmed was being replaced by white-ball coach Mike Hesson, from New Zealand, for the last Test starting in Birmingham on September 9. The board also sent seven players home from the England tour and replaced bowling coach Umar Gul with Australian Ashley Noffke in a move that has drawn criticism in Pakistan. The shake-up follows Pakistan's embarrassing innings and 103-run defeat at Headingley and a 194-run drubbing at Lord's, giving England an unbeatable 2-0 lead. Seven players -- Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad -- were sent home, with five of them replaced by uncapped players. Former Pakistan captain and selection committee member Misbah later resigned in protest at not being consulted over the changes, sources told AFP. Misbah sent his resignation to the PCB by email on Monday night and is yet to receive a reply, sources close to Misbah said. Several former coaches and players were left shocked over the unprecedented shake-up with a match still to play. What an absolutely ridiculous situation, ex-Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur told AFP from the United Kingdom. It makes me sad because I know what Pakistan could become with proper leadership, planning and structure. He added it was very disrespectful to have sacked Ahmed. Former selector and Pakistan spinner Tauseef Ahmed called the changes unprecedented and unjust, adding they had created a polluted atmosphere in Pakistan cricket. You don't treat your senior players like this, Tauseef told AFP. Former Pakistan captains Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik were also critical of the decision. It's not the way to treat your senior players, Afridi told AFP. Such major decisions during a series are disturbing. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The players dropped from the squad are still our national cricketers who have served Pakistan, said Malik, adding: Accountability starts once a tour is done, not in the middle of it.
Misbah-ul-Haq resigns as Pakistan selector after squad drama amid England Test tour
Misbah-ul-Haq has offered to resign from Pakistans national selection committee following the Pakistan Cricket Boards sweeping changes to the Test set-up during the ongoing England tour. However, PCB has not yet accepted Misbahs resignation. Meanwhile,...
New Zealand To Host India A For 4 Day Games Ahead Of Test Series
New Zealand Cricket: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Tuesday confirmed that they will host India A for preparatory four-day matches, starting in October, before the two sides lock horns in a two-match Test series. India will be touring New Zealand for a multi-format series from late October to early December, with five T20Is, five ODIs and two Test matches lined up. The tour will also feature three four-day games against India 'A', as confirmed by NZC in a release while announcing the schedule for the Plunket Shield. The domestic red ball summer will also get an injection of international class as New Zealand A host India A for three four-day matches in Christchurch starting October 24, NZC said in a statement. It confirmed the announcement of the domestic First-class competition, which will begin on November 19 and run till March 29, with a stoppage in between for the Super Smash and Ford Trophy. The three multi-day fixtures between New Zealand A and India A will run simultaneously with the white-ball tour. While the exact dates have not been revealed by NZC, the board stated that the three four-dayers will begin on October 24. New Zealand will be hosting India in what will be the largest international tour in New Zealand cricket history. The white-ball tour will begin on October 22 with T20Is, with the next four matches followed on October 24, 27, 30 and November 1. The ODIs will begin on November 4, 7, 10, 13 and 15. The two Tests will be played from November 19-23 at Wellington and from November 37 to December 1 at Christchurch. The tour will also mark the first time since 2019 that India will play Test cricket in New Zealand, and their first white-ball assignment in the country since 2022. Schedule- Men's India tour of New Zealand 1st T20I - 22 October, Christchurch 2nd T20I - 24 October, Christchurch 3rd T20I - 27 October, Wellington 4th T20I - 30 October, Auckland 5th T20I - 1 November, Hamilton 1st ODI - 4 November, Auckland 2nd ODI - 7 November, Wellington 3rd ODI - 10 November, Hamilton 4th ODI - 13 November, Mount Maunganui 5th ODI - 15 November, Mount Maunganui 4th ODI - 13 November, Mount Maunganui Also Read: Special Cricket Stories 2nd Test - 27 November-1 December 2026, Christchurch Article Source: IANS
Very Much Confident: Ruturaj Gaikwad Backs Himself To Make Strong India Comeback
The Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad remains confident of forcing his way back into the Indian team, saying his focus is on maintaining his run-scoring form and being ready when another opportunity comes his way. The Chennai Super Kings skipper, who has been working his way back into contention through domestic cricket, was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Coimbatore on Tuesday when he was asked about his prospects of returning to the national side. Very much confident. It is just about going back again, making runs again, Gaikwad told reporters on the sidelines of an event here. The CSK opener said he has consistently produced runs over the years and believes the key now is to remain patient while continuing to deliver with the bat. Obviously, I have been making runs throughout these years now. So, it is just about staying consistent and waiting for my opportunity, he added. With India preparing to face Afghanistan, Gaikwad was also asked about the much-anticipated contest between Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan and young Indian batter Sooryavanshi. Rather than getting drawn into predictions about an individual battle, Gaikwad admitted that he has not followed the matchup closely, particularly when he is away from the playing XI. I haven't thought about it much. When I don't play, I usually don't watch much, he said. The batter stressed that his support for the national team remains intact even when he is not involved in the matchday squad. Obviously, you want to support your country. Gaikwad's attention, however, is increasingly turning towards his own cricket as the domestic season approaches. He indicated that his schedule and preparation leave him with limited time to closely follow every India fixture. The batter stressed that his support for the national team remains intact even when he is not involved in the matchday squad. Obviously, you want to support your country. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories For now, Gaikwad is looking ahead to the domestic assignments on his calendar, with the prospect of another opportunity in India colours dependent on how strongly he can translate that confidence into runs. After the conclusion of the Duleep Trophy, players will gear up for the Irani Cup, followed by the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). Article Source: IANS
Pakistan Cricket In Turmoil: Misbah Resigns From Selection Committee
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has resigned from the men's national selection committee and as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy.
Glenn Phillips grabs one-handed stunner in CPL, shocks himself too with the effort | WATCH
Glenn Phillips produced a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Sunil Narine as Guyana Amazon Warriors defeated Trinidad & Tobago Knight Riders by nine runs in a rain-affected Caribbean Premier League match. The incident happened in...
How the WBBL and BBL squads for 2026-27 stack up
Catch up on the current lists and keep track of signings ahead of WBBL|12 and BBL|16
ICC Womens Rankings: Athapaththu Reaches Career High In T20Is After Starring In Asia Cup Opener
T20I Player Rankings: Chamari Athapaththu has reached career-best rating points in all three categories of the ICC Womens T20I Player Rankings after leading Sri Lanka to a commanding start in their Womens Asia Cup title defence in the United Arab Emirates. The Sri Lanka captain produced an all-round performance against the UAE, scoring an unbeaten 48 off 25 balls before returning to claim a wicket for 10 runs in three overs as her side completed a nine-wicket victory. The result has lifted Athapaththu to a career-best 734 rating points among batters, 552 among bowlers and 405 in the all-rounders' rankings. She remains sixth among T20I batters, while moving three places to 33rd in the bowling list and retaining third position among all-rounders. Athapaththu's performance also came after a productive ICC Women's T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year, where she accumulated 172 runs and took three wickets for Sri Lanka. Her opening partner Imesha Dulani also made significant progress in the latest update. After scoring 25 from 18 deliveries against the UAE, Dulani climbed four places to a career-high 18th position with 625 rating points. Harshita Samarawickrama has moved up one place to 23rd among batters. Sri Lanka's bowlers have also benefited from their strong tournament opener. Mithali Ayodhya's three for 14 helped reduce the UAE to 79 and lifted her 18 places to 70th, while her tally of 444 points is also a career best. Left-arm spinner Sugandika Kumari moved five places to 23rd after returning figures of two for 18. There were gains for players from other teams in the Asia Cup as well. Thailand's Nannapat Koncharoenkai rose one place to 29th among batters after making 41 off 48 against India, while Suleeporn Laomi climbed five positions to joint-63rd among bowlers following her three for 26. Bangladesh's impressive 71-run win over Indonesia also brought movement in the rankings. Sobhana Mostary moved one place to 39th with a career-best 500 points, while pacer Marufa Akter rose two spots to 37th after taking two wickets for six runs in three overs. India seamer Nandani Sharma was another major mover, jumping 38 places to 112th after claiming three for 18 against Thailand. Bangladesh's impressive 71-run win over Indonesia also brought movement in the rankings. Sobhana Mostary moved one place to 39th with a career-best 500 points, while pacer Marufa Akter rose two spots to 37th after taking two wickets for six runs in three overs. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories For Athapaththu, however, the latest update marks a standout achievement, with the veteran all-rounder reaching her highest-ever rating across the batting, bowling, and all-rounder rankings at the beginning of Sri Lanka's Asia Cup campaign. Article Source: IANS
Stokes joins Adelaide Strikers in big-money BBL signing
The former England captain, who retired from international cricket in June, will be available for the whole season
Maybe Toss Should Start The Night Before?: Pietersen Mocks Pakistans Shuffle After Lords Thrashing
New Delhi: Former England batter Kevin Pietersen took a cheeky dig at Pakistans dramatic squad reshuffle ahead of the third Test against England, joking that the sheer number of changes could mean the toss needs to begin a night earlier. Pakistan have made seven changes to their squad for the Birmingham Test after losing the opening two matches of the series. The sweeping rejig has once again put the spotlight on the uncertainty surrounding the Pakistan side, with Pietersen choosing to focus on the inevitable questions their captain will face before the game. Pietersen suggested the pre-match conversation could take considerably longer this time, given the scale of Pakistan's alterations. When a captain is interviewed before every game, the interviewer asks about changes in their team. Could be a v v v v long interview for my buddy, Babar!, Pietersen wrote on X. The former England star then delivered his punchline, joking that the toss itself may need to be brought forward to accommodate the discussion around Pakistan's latest changes. Maybe the toss should start the night before?? Pakistan's seven changes have come after a turbulent opening to the Test series, with England taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. The visitors are now preparing for the third Test with a significantly reshaped group, ensuring that team selection will again be one of the biggest talking points before play begins. Maybe the toss should start the night before?? Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The third Test in Birmingham will therefore begin with Pakistan facing questions not only about how they can avoid a series clean sweep, but also about just how different their XI will look when the toss finally takes place. Article Source: IANS
No Place For MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane As Cheteshwar Pujara Chooses His Greatest Teammates XI
Cheteshwar Pujara featured for India in Tests from 2010 till 2023. He started under MS Dhoni, and when he played his last Test, Rohit Sharma was the skipper
Misbah-ul-Haq resigns as Pakistan selector after Test squad upheaval
Former Pakistan captain quits a day after the PCB removed seven players from the Test squad in England
'Thank You For The Memories, Messi': Jay Shah Wishes Argentine Legend For His Next Chapter
International Cricket Council: International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah congratulated Lionel Messi on his international journey on Tuesday, following the Argentine legend's retirement. Shah took to social media to hail the Argentine World Cup winner, reflecting on their meeting when Messi came to India last year with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. An era-defining international journey comes to an end. Reflecting on our meeting during your historic visit to India, your profound humility stood out just as much as your unmatched genius on the pitch, Shah wrote on X with a picture where he presented Messi with a jersey of Indian cricket. Personally presenting you with our national colours remains a proud cross-sport moment. Thank you for the memories, Leo Messi. Wishing you the absolute best in your next chapter! he added. Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday, drawing the curtain on a legendary 21-year career. He shared a statement in which he said he felt hurt by the decision but that he has othing left to give. Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team, Messi wrote in his statement. I've given it my all, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some really great young players coming through behind me who deserve their chance, he added. Messi said he wrote his retirement message on July 21, two days after his side lost to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. The Argentine icon ended his long wait for a World Cup when he led the La Albiceleste to the title in 2022. I've given it my all, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some really great young players coming through behind me who deserve their chance, he added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Now I'll be just one of you, always cheering and supporting from the sidelines. I'm leaving with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, moments we'd only dreamed of. It was incredible to have experienced this with you all. I love you! Messi further wrote. Article Source: IANS
Chamari Athapaththu Hits Career-Best Ratings In All Three ICC T20I Categories
The Womens Asia Cup has begun in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and some fine performances on the opening weekend have resulted in notable movements in the ICC Womens T20I Player Rankings. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu leads the gains this week thanks to an unbeaten 25-ball 48 and one for 10 in three overs in her teams nine-wicket victory over the UAE. Her performance has helped her remain strong in sixth place in the ICC Womens T20I Batting Rankings, advancing three slots to 33rd in the Bowling Rankings and maintaining her position at third among the all-rounders. Her major achievement is reaching career-best rating points across all three categories 734 in batting, 552 in bowling and 405 among all-rounders. Athapaththus opening partner Imesha Dulai advanced four slots to a career-high 18th place and 625 points thanks to her 25 from 18 deliveries. Among the bowlers, Mithali Ayodhyas stars continued to rise after she took an impressive three for 14 to help restrict the home team to 79. She has rocketed up 18 slots to 70th and a career best 444 points. Sugandika Kumaris two for 18 helped her jump five slots to 23rd. Thailand won their tournament opener against Hong Kong by six runs but suffered a heavy, 94-run loss to India, but there was a silver lining for Nannapat Koncharoenkai whose 41 off 48 in their match against India saw her move up one slot to 29th in the batters list. Suleeporn Laomi took three for 26 against India, advancing five spots to joint-63rd. Bangladesh announced themselves with a strong, 71-run win over Indonesia on Monday. Sobhana Mostary was rewarded with a one-slot move to 39th and a career-best rating of 500. Her teammate Marufa Akters two for six in three overs helped her gain two places to reach 37th position. Indias seamer, Nandani Sharmas three wickets for 18 against Thailand drove her up 38 slots to 112th. In Associate team news, Lucy Barnett helped the Isle of Man reach the final of the Continental Cup in Romania and ended as the tournaments leading run-scorer with an aggregate of 257 to help her up to joint-67th with the bat. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Rebecca Blake of the hosts Romania scored 197 runs in the tournament without dismissal and now boasts a T20I average of 153.00 from her 20 matches to sit joint-89th in the batting rankings.
Queen's Park Oval names a stand after Bravo, Pollard and Narine
Formerly known as the Trini Posse Stand, it was renamed on Monday as part of Trinidad
Pakistan Star Breaks 74-Year-Old Record, Achieves Historic Lord's Feat
Mohammad Abbas picked up his first five-wicket haul at Lord's to put his name at iconic honours board.
'Pakistan Need Someone Like Kirsten Or Wright': Kaneria Draws Comparisons With Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Cricket: Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria heaped praise on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and highlighted that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also needs to work on a similar path of building a team after their recent failures against England. Kaneria spoke on the ongoing decline of Pakistan cricket and highlighted how a suitable coach can help them come out of the slump. The former speedster highlighted how players in Sri Lanka are feeding off from the coaching setup as he hailed the performance of Sonal Dinusha in the epic draw against India in a recent Colombo Test. I have to praise Sri Lanka's Sonal Dinusha here. I think he has a fantastic career. In the coming times, his name will be written in the golden books. He completely neutralised the Indian bowling, Kaneria told IANS in an exclusive interaction. For India, Manav Suthar has a very good career; he has it in him to become a big bowler. But the way Sonal played, you can see the difference (between Sri Lanka and Pakistan), he added. Kaneria further emphasised that Sri Lanka's current coach Gary Kirsten is grooming the players and predicted that the Lankan side will be a very dangerous one in the next few months. Gary Kirsten is Sri Lanka's coach. This is the difference: he identified the player, played him and see what he did. Kirsten has good players, and he is grooming them. Within 7-8 months, the Sri Lankan team will be a very dangerous team. They have a good bunch of things. The best thing is they have a fantastic coach. He knows how to pick up the team, he said. He further highlighted that Pakistan also need someone like Kirsten or John Wright to build a team from scratch for the future with youngsters. Pakistan need somebody like Gary Kirsten or John Wright to form a new team from a new structure, he said. Taking note of Dinusha's epic fight in the Colombo Test and Pakistan's failures in England, Kaneria said Pakistan do not have a player like him. There is no player in Pakistan who plays like Sonal. No one comes close to him. No doubt, wickets were dead, but still. It is not easy to stand there for so long and draw a match for your country. It's a big thing. You are right, he said. Meanwhile, Kirsten was Pakistan's white-ball coach for six months in 2024 but exited from the role due to differences with the PCB. Kaneria was asked about Kirsten's unceremonious exit, as he stated that good coaches won't stay with Pakistan. Taking note of Dinusha's epic fight in the Colombo Test and Pakistan's failures in England, Kaneria said Pakistan do not have a player like him. There is no player in Pakistan who plays like Sonal. No one comes close to him. No doubt, wickets were dead, but still. It is not easy to stand there for so long and draw a match for your country. It's a big thing. You are right, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories He will leave. Why will he stay? He will say, what is this? What I am planning, if it goes forward, it changes. If I am planning, the plan changes. What is my job? It is useless to waste time and lose respect, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Gurnoor Brar Credits Bumrah, Siraj For Improved Consistency
India pacer Gurnoor Brar discusses how bowling alongside senior quicks Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj has improved his consistency in lengths.
Roger Federer Honored With Tennis Hall of Fame Ring at US Open Ceremony
Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer has been honored at the US Open with the International Tennis Hall of Fame ring. The 20-time major champion was presented with the award at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where International Tennis Hall of Fame president Kim
Harsha Bhogle's Trust Pakistan Post Over Mass Sackings In Team Sets Internet Ablaze
Pakistan Cricket Board dropped seven players and replaced the head and bowling coaches mid-Test series against England, leaving the cricket world baffled.
Top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne was a notable omission while skipper Mitchell Marsh and fellow opener Travis Head returned to the 17-member Australia squad for the ODI series against Zimbabwe and South Africa beginning later this month.
Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine Honoured With Stand At Trinidad's Queen's Park Oval
The honour places Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine alongside a distinguished group of Trinidad and Tobago cricketing legends whose names are associated with the Queen's Park Oval.
Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine honoured with renamed stand at Queen's Park Oval
Queens Park Cricket Club has renamed a stand at the Queens Park Oval after Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, and Sunil Narine. The ceremony took place on August 31 as Trinidad and Tobago marked its 64th...
Indian Premier League: Indian Premier League founder Lalit Modi emphasised that the growth of state T20 leagues is a positive development for Indian cricket that can help identify talent at local levels, but cautioned that very close monitoring should be carried out by the state cricket associations to keep them free from any possible corrupt approaches. The rise of state T20 leagues has helped unleash a new generation of cricketers, with several players making the most of the opportunities and attracting the attention of state associations and IPL franchises. IPL founder Lalit Modi heaped praise on the potential of those leagues to pave the way for players but cautioned to keep a close tab on them. I think state leagues are a positive development for Indian cricket. This was bound to happen as the IPL ecosystem grew, and if properly structured, these leagues can become an excellent pathway for young and undiscovered talent to perform under pressure, get noticed and potentially graduate to the IPL and higher levels, Modi told IANS. However, with the rapid growth of these leagues comes a serious responsibility. They must be professionally executed and very closely monitored by the respective state associations, with strong independent governance. My biggest concern would always be integrity, he added. The IPL founder further stressed the need to monitor the leagues, highlighting the risk of exposure to potential corrupt approaches. Smaller leagues can become particularly vulnerable to approaches from bookmakers, match-fixing, spot-fixing, player manipulation, conflicts of interest, questionable ownership or financial interests and other corrupt practices if adequate safeguards are not established from day one. Every league should therefore have robust anti-corruption protocols, player education, strict control over access to players and dressing rooms, proper scrutiny of owners and officials, transparent contracts and payments, independent audits, and active monitoring of suspicious betting patterns, the 62-year-old further said. Modi also emphasised that there is a need to monitor the operations of state cricket associations, as they need to be clean and transparent for state leagues to remain in the same way. And this is precisely why the governance of the state association itself matters. You cannot expect a league to be clean, transparent and professionally run if the institution supervising it is facing serious questions about its own governance. UPCA is an example where, over the years, allegations and controversies concerning governance, transparency, conflicts and the influence exercised by powerful administrators have repeatedly been raised publicly. Rajiv Shukla has been a prominent figure associated with UPCA and Indian cricket administration. Rather than allowing such questions to linger, they should be independently examined and answered transparently, he said. He further highlighted that the cricket administration in the state associations must not fall into the hands of individuals. The lesson for every state association should therefore be simple: do not allow cricket administration to become a private club controlled by a handful of individuals, Modi said. He emphasised the importance of regulatory oversight, disclose conflicts of interest, scrutinise franchise ownership and funding, audit the money independently, and make administrators accountable for their decisions. While the growth of T20 cricket has been a boon for Indian cricket, Modi said that expansion without governance can very quickly become a liability. He emphasised the importance of regulatory oversight, disclose conflicts of interest, scrutinise franchise ownership and funding, audit the money independently, and make administrators accountable for their decisions. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The IPL founder also shared an Instagram post in which he highlighted the importance of institution building. I built the IPL so it would never need me. Nearly two decades later, it keeps breaking records. That's not success. That's institution building, he wrote. Article Source: IANS
Hardik Pandya Suffers Another Setback, Return To Indian Team Could Be Further Delayed: Report
Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya's return to action is likely to be derailed due to a new problem emerging.
Australia selectors focus on 'important' stepping stone to ODI World Cup defence
The upcoming Tests remain a priority for multi-format players, but the ODIs in Zimbabwe and South Africa carry some significance
Theyve Ruined Cricket, Good For Nothing: Danish Kaneria Tears Into Pakistan After England Debacle
And Babar Azam: Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has launched a blistering attack on the country's cricketing system after Pakistan slipped to a 0-2 Test series defeat against England, questioning everything from player selection and coaching to the domestic structure and the administration's accountability. Pakistan's latest setback at Lord's, where England secured a 194-run victory to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series, has been followed by sweeping changes ahead of the third Test. Seven players have been released from the squad and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have also been relieved of their duties. For Kaneria, however, the problem runs much deeper than the latest result. He believes Pakistan's cricket has lost its competitiveness, identity, and ability to consistently produce quality players. It's a shame that after 70 years, Pakistan has gone through such a disaster. There is no logic, selection committee, or play. They are just good for nothing. You see, such a bad performance. If a person loses, he tries and fights before losing. The fight has to be visible. Here, theres no fight. No one knows anything. The team selection committee is responsible, but they are not responding. First you made Babar the captain, then removed him. But there should be a reason. Let's make Babar the captain. Let it run for 1-3 years. But then you removed him from there, then made him captain again. Now you are talking about removing him again. Your cricket won't improve like this, Kaneria told IANS in an exclusive interaction. You brought coach Sarfaraz. You brought him for 3 months. You said he is going to be removed. Umar Gul is going to be removed. Then why did you bring him? When this cricket was making noise in the middle, I was happy that Yunus Khan is coming as a chief selector. The team will improve. Because I know him pretty well. And he has that knowledge. Because he himself is a hardworking boy. He has come a long way in cricket. Because he is a very straightforward person. He talks straightforwardly. He kept his terms and conditions, and the PCB refused. You need to bring someone who can take losses and wins on himself. And Younis is such a person. But what about the current cricket? They have made it very bad. They don't have a bowler. You are going to Test cricket. You have a 120 bowler. You don't have a baller who can hit 140-150. You don't even have a spinner. If you look at it, bowlers win matches for you in Test cricket. Muhammad Abbas has been playing county cricket in England for a long time. He has experience, and you drop him! Then there was Noman Ali, a left-arm spinner. He was bowling so well. Even today he is playing in the county. They must have called him to England to play county for some valid reason, right? You remove whoever performs well. Sajid Khan is playing and performing. You dropped him, he added. Kaneria's criticism then turned towards the bowling attack and the way Pakistan's batters approached England's conditions. Mohammad Abbas was one of the few bright spots in the series, taking nine wickets at Lord's, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings, but Pakistan still struggled to match England's pace attack. And the bowling attack is pathetic. Who is Muhammad Shahzad? Where did he come from? He doesnt have any line or length. No swing, no reverse swing. Nothing. Then you see the batting conditions. Which players do you bring? I don't understand Babar Azam. You can't hit a drive openly in England. There is seam and swing in England. You have to play square there. This is common sense. As a bowler, I am telling you that if you have played so much cricket in England, then you play square there because the ball seams and swings. That bowler makes you hit two fours. You hit fours on the cover drive. People clap. You say Oh, what a drive I have. The bowler wants the ball to go there. He will eat two fours. He will eat three fours. He will bring in the slip for the fourth. That slip is standing for a reason. That's why it is a trap. And you play so much brand of cricket. You don't understand anything. You see Rizwan. And Babar Azam's dismissal. It was the worst dismissal. It was a tail-ender dismissal. Where is the head? Where is the leg? Nothing? You were not in the line of ball against Jofra. It looked so weird. It looked so bad. Like a player of the calibre of Babar Azam is getting out like this. This is pathetic. And then you are keeping Rizwan for so long. I don't know what he is doing. Why is he even there? His keeping is average. His batting is getting pathetic. And you play such a shot in Test cricket. Is there anyone to tell him or not? I have just heard that he changed seven players for the 3rd Test. Making such massive changes in the middle of the series, you didnt know whom to pick and whom to not when you selected the squad? The criticism comes at a time when Pakistan have already made major mid-series changes. Seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, have been released, while five uncapped players have been added to the squad for the third Test at Birmingham. Kaneria contrasted Pakistan's predicament with Bangladesh's recent progress, arguing that other teams have developed identifiable strengths while Pakistan has allowed its own fast-bowling and spin-bowling traditions to fade. I give credit to the Bangladesh team. They lost the second test; its okay, but winning the first test in Australia against Australia is not that easy. They have 140+ bowling bowlers at least. And we don't have anything. That trend is over. The trend of fast bowlers, of good spinners. There is no spinner. There is no batter. There is no bowler. I don't know why they are playing cricket even. I mean, you see, all over the world, people are making fun of us. Fan following has ended. I meet so many people. They say, sir, we have stopped watching. It's a waste of time. So, when you do this, your fan following will obviously end. People won't be interested. Then your broadcasters will say for whom should we do this? And they will waste money. Nasser Hussain has said such a big thing that this team is not in level with even the county team. Not even club cricket of first division. It's not even that. They said such a big thing. It's just a waste of time. You come and waste people's money. Buy a ticket. Do this, do that. I mean, give something to the public! Only cricket was a good thing left in Pakistan. And they have ruined cricket too. Literally, there should be accountability. For Kaneria, accountability has to begin at the top. He called for administrators to appoint people on merit, give coaches sufficient time to work and stop repeatedly reshuffling positions without allowing a system to settle. The administration should play an important role. You bring good people in it who are honest who don't cheat who don't pick up the players on the sheet based on their relations with them. If they are good, then pick them up. But there should be accountability. You bring such people. Then you focus on coaching. Give a year's time. Bring in a good coach. But this is not a coaching material. Sarfaraz is not the right person. No matter how much he has played but he is not that experienced. Umar is a fast bowler. He understands. But they need to build up a team. You see the coach of Bangladesh who is doing well. One of the best coaches ever. You bring such a coach from outside because they work on discipline. They don't let anyone come into their work. But PCB cant handle if they are disciplined. Aqib Javed, who first became a director then became a selector, and he kept getting some positions one after the other. But where is your cricket going? You see what has happened to cricket? I mean, you don't have any bowling or batting. Your quality cricket is over. We also used to lose. But fight and lose. At least fight. Fight, Try at least! But there is no effort. You come in. You are getting money. There is a contract. Who will ask? Stamp is there. Star is there. They should be very strict. The former spinner also identified the weakening of domestic cricket as one of the fundamental reasons behind Pakistan's decline. He pointed to India's emphasis on first-class cricket and cited England and Australia's long-established domestic structures as examples Pakistan should have preserved rather than replaced. I like how the BCCI have put in their contracts that first class cricket is important. At least you play 5 to 6 games. None of our boys play domestic. And this downfall of Pakistan cricket started when the structure of domestic cricket changed. Because earlier when we used to play there used to be a trophy which our associations used to play. Then there used to be a trophy tournament in which the department used to play. In the association, some players also had to take the association because they had voting. But the rest were strong. And the department used to pay. So they used to take the best players. As a result, Pakistan's cricket continued to improve. But when the department destroyed cricket, made the players unemployed. You gave it to the regions. They destroyed the boys. So you increased the quantity, but the quality of the players is not there at all. It's zero. No country removes its domestic structure. I don't know what came to their minds. They themselves have played so much in England. England's structure has been going on for years. They didn't change it. Why are you bringing someone's model to a country where this model cannot work? You know how much corruption there is in the association. There are a lot of problems. Because there is no accountability there either. The accounting system in England is there is accountability for everything. Thats why they have good players. Australia have Sheffield Shield. They have kept their structure the same. He returned to the same point while describing the consequences of abandoning departmental cricket and reducing the emphasis on domestic performances. But Pakistan's cricket has been destroyed. I will give the reason for this. First, the players don't play Domestic cricket. And second, you closed the department cricket and handed it over to the association. That is very pathetic. And because of this, today we see literally no one wants to watch a game. Why will he waste his time? Why will he wake up in the morning and watch? What is there to do? There should be some interest in the game. But people's interest is diminishing. And this is just today. You see that people are talking less about the Test cricket series and more about how big of sweaters they are wearing. They are talking about that. Because there is nothing else to talk about. Kaneria also questioned what he sees as an absence of a clear succession plan in the national team, particularly around the captaincy. I don't know what will happen. There should be accountability. If you remove Babar from the captaincy, who will you appoint as captain? It is beyond my understanding. The former Pakistan international was then asked whether the country's talent pool of spinners had disappeared or whether the system itself had failed to identify and develop those players. The reason is that the talent pool has been eliminated. There is no doubt theres talent pool in Pakistan but this selection happens mostly based on PSL. No one comes to play there, but thats the benchmark sadly. Domestic cricket is very tough. The conditions there are very tough. So many selectors are there. But why don't the selectors go to the ground to watch domestic matches? Why don't they identify the players? If they are paying you, why are they paying you? If you come on a tour, you will go on a tour, sit at home, call a meeting, have tea and coffee and make a team. This is not right. In our time, selectors used to come to the ground and talk to the players. Umpires played a major role in this. Umpires used to talk to the selectors to identify the players ans used to say This player has a lot of talent. Keep an eye on this player. He is a youngster but very talented. Umpires were good at that time. They had cricketing knowledge. That is not happening now. Umpires are trying to befriend the players. This is the reason why the selectors go to the ground to identify the players. You don't identify the players. Are there no spinners in Pakistan? Are there no leg-spinners? Are there no off-spinners? Are there no left-arm spinners? If a good player is on the team, you remove him from the team. And then theres no replacement for him. I don't know where people like Muhammad Ali Shehzad come from. This is the bowling attack in Test cricket?? Thank God, Abbas takes five scalps. He is experienced. He knows how to bowl. Your main bowler in the team is Abbas. Is there a bowler to support him? Is there a bowler to play bowling with him? No! Kaneria said the same lack of depth was evident in the batting department, where he believes Pakistan have become overly dependent on a handful of established names. The same is the case with batting. One gets out, the other says you go, Ill come soon so that my tea doesnt get cold. Thats the story and thats the case with these guys. That dependence, according to Kaneria, has created a team with little internal competition and no meaningful pressure on established players to consistently perform. There are only a few players around whom Pakistan cricket revolves. There is no improvement. Need a strong coach and a strong selection committee. Everyone creates drama nowadays. You have to put the country on top. You scrap everything, see who is captaining in domestic, who is good, call him up, call people accordingly and form a new team. Give Pakistan a new team, new players and give them a good plan as to what theyve to do. Bring in the coach, tell him were giving you 1 year, you win or lose but we will take a report from you after a year. Therell be accountability then. I remember when we started with the Pakistan cricket team, and it was the 2002 or 2003 World Cupand General Tauqir Zia took a stand saying, lets come up with youngsters, 2-3 seniors, and well go with that. He took a stand, and things kept going smoothly. Thats how things are supposed to happen. But now, these guys keep changing the topic whenever the fingers are pointed at them. They divert everyones mind. For Kaneria, the immediate answer is therefore not another short-term reshuffle but a complete rethink of how Pakistan identifies, develops, coaches, and holds officials accountable. His central complaint is that Pakistan have not merely lost matches they have lost the competitive edge that once defined their cricket. The Lord's defeat exposed the gap in England, with Pakistan bowled out for 110 in their first innings and 194 in the second, while Mohammad Abbas' five-wicket haul was unable to prevent another defeat. Kaneria's proposed solution is deliberately radical: strengthen domestic cricket, scout players in the first-class system, appoint a strong and independent selection committee, bring in an experienced coach, settle on a group of young players with a small number of senior figures and give that project enough time to produce results. But above all, he wants the team to rediscover the basic quality and competitiveness he believes have disappeared. Kaneria's proposed solution is deliberately radical: strengthen domestic cricket, scout players in the first-class system, appoint a strong and independent selection committee, bring in an experienced coach, settle on a group of young players with a small number of senior figures and give that project enough time to produce results. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories For a Pakistan side now preparing for a third Test under a reshaped coaching staff and with seven changes to its squad, Kaneria's assessment amounts to a demand for more than another tactical adjustment. He is calling for a structural reset of Pakistan cricket and for those responsible to finally answer for its direction. Article Source: IANS
Pakistan vs England: Mickey Arthur Slams PCB For Sacking Coach And Players Ahead of Final Test
Former Pakistan skipper Mickey Arthur criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for chopping off crucial players from the Test squad in the middle of their series against England. Arthur was quick to respond after Pakistan lost heavily in the opening two
Hetmyer 111* keeps Amazon Warriors' unbeaten run going
It took them to second spot on the points table after Mohammad Nabi took 3 for 20 to restrict Trinbago Knight Riders in the rain-hit game
What exactly happened as Pakistan drop seven players, sack coach in between England Test series?
After a 194-run defeat to England at Headingley, Pakistan have made an extraordinary mid-series overhaul . They have released seven players from the squad and also removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. Interestingly, five uncapped players have been called up, while Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have also found a place. However, collectively, they have only 10 Test appearances between them.
From Not Knowing What Shooting Was To Asian Games: Manisha Keers Journey
Madhya Pradesh State Shooting Academy: Indian trap shooter Manisha Keer is preparing for another major international challenge, but her journey to representing the country began with an unlikely discovery. Growing up in a modest family in a village near Bhopal, Manisha knew little about shooting until her elder sister introduced her to the sport that would eventually shape her career. I didnt even know what shooting was. I only knew cricket, volleyball and football. I didnt even know about shooting and I didnt even think about it, Manisha recalled. Her elder sister Sona, herself a sportsperson, played a key role in introducing her to shooting. But pursuing the sport presented challenges from the outset, particularly for a family with limited financial resources. My family was not that capable to support me. They couldnt give me everything that I wanted. It was very difficult for me, she said. The financial demands of shooting became even more apparent when Manisha began travelling for competitions. Still only 18, she had to learn how to manage with limited resources while continuing her pursuit of the sport. When I used to go out for competitions, I had to face a lot of challenges. I couldnt eat what I wanted to eat. I had to save some money, she recollected. Her initial years at the Madhya Pradesh State Shooting Academy also required her to adapt quickly. With no regular coach available during the early phase, Manisha learned by making use of the support and facilities around her, with her sister providing important guidance. In the academy, whatever was there was enough for us. I mean, you have to do what you have, Manisha said. That approach became central to her development. From learning a sport she had barely heard of, Manisha gradually progressed through the ranks and made her mark internationally, winning a junior World Championship silver medal in trap in 2018 and an Asian Games silver medal as part of India's women's trap team. The struggles of her early years also taught her to become more independent. No one can be together all the time. We have to take care of ourselves too. That was also a learning point, she reflected. Looking back at the journey, Manisha believes her growth came from learning to work with whatever resources were available to her. I learned from whatever I had, and thats how I grew up, she said. As her career progressed, Manisha also found increasing institutional support through the National Rifle Association of India, which provided opportunities to train, compete and represent the country. I learned from whatever I had, and thats how I grew up, she said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories From not knowing what shooting was to becoming an international medallist for India, Manisha's journey has been defined by resilience, adaptability and an ability to make the most of every opportunity that came her way. Article Source: IANS
PCB's annual panic cycle hits a whole new dysfunctional low
The Pakistan side has become the PCB's instrument of administrative rage, mirror of its own impotence, and plaything for its sadistic cruelty
Siddhesh Lad To Lead Mumbai In Ranji Trophy
Siddhesh Lad has been appointed as the new captain of the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team, replacing Shardul Thakur, who was relieved to manage his workload. Lad, a seasoned batter, returns to lead the domestic giants after a stellar previous season.
Watch: Glenn Phillips Himself In Disbelief After Taking One-Handed Stunner On Boundary Rope
New Zealand cricketer Glenn Phillips couldn't believe himself after taking a one-handed stunner on the boundary rope during a CPL 2026 match.
Marnus Labuschagne dropped as Australia announce squads for South Africa, Zimbabwe series
Marnus Labuschagne has been left out of Australias ODI squad for the six-match tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. His poor showing in the Test series against Bangladesh and a difficult period in limited-overs cricket...
