Charith Asalanka has been appointed vice-captain of Sri Lanka's white-ball squad for the upcoming tour of England. The tour will include T20I and ODI matches against the host nation. Dasun Shanaka makes a notable return to the ODI setup after being absent for approximately two and a half years. Asalanka's elevation to vice-captaincy marks a significant step in his leadership role within Sri Lankan cricket.
India A are scheduled to play three four-day matches in New Zealand as preparation ahead of the upcoming World Test Championship series. The tour will serve as a warm-up opportunity for fringe players looking to stake a claim for the senior Test side. Notably, these four-day games will run concurrently with India's senior white-ball tour of New Zealand, which is also set to take place before the Test series. The scheduling reflects the cricket board's intent to keep players match-ready and in form heading into the high-stakes WTC fixtures.
The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots kept their CPL playoff hopes alive with a high-scoring victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders. The match was defined by explosive hitting, with a combined 32 sixes struck across both innings. Key contributions came from Johnson Charles, Colin Fletcher, and Wanindu Hasaranga in sealing the win. The successful run chase ranked as the fourth-highest in CPL history. The result keeps the Patriots in contention for a spot in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Former England captain Ben Stokes is expected to bat in an opening role for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. Strikers head coach Tim Paine expressed confidence in Stokes, praising his ability to play all around the ground and his power-hitting capability. Paine described Stokes as a 360-degree player who can influence the game in multiple ways. The move signals Adelaide's intent to use Stokes as a key offensive weapon at the top of their batting order.
Johnson Charles was initially given out caught off a high full-toss delivery before the third umpire intervened to overturn the decision. The third umpire ruled the delivery a no-ball, allowing Charles to return to the crease after he had already left the field. The incident drew sharp criticism from players, with Cameron Green and Jason Holder both publicly condemning the standard of umpiring. Green described the situation as 'very messy', reflecting wider frustration among players over the handling of the call. The episode has reignited debate about umpiring consistency and the use of technology in officiating key decisions.
Pakistan chief selector Aaqib Javed has issued a stern warning to recalled players, stating they must significantly improve their performances on important tours. He described the squad overhaul as a deliberate message to both the players and team management. Aaqib also indicated that opener Imam-ul-Haq could face an inquiry into his performances. The selector stressed that visible effort and competitiveness are non-negotiable expectations going forward.
Tall Australian fast bowler Billy Stanlake has emerged as an unlikely Test contender after making a successful return to white-ball cricket. Stanlake's career has been significantly hampered by injuries over the years, limiting his appearances at the international level. His recent performances have caught the attention of Australia's national selectors, who are now monitoring him closely. A potential Test call-up would mark a major milestone in the pacer's stop-start career.
Pakistan defeated Thailand in the Women's Asia Cup, knocking them out of the tournament. Muneeba Ali played a key batting role in setting up Pakistan's total. Pakistan's spin bowlers then dominated proceedings, restricting Thailand's chase effectively. Despite notable efforts from Thailand's Putthawong and Laomi, the target remained well beyond their reach. The win confirmed Pakistan's progress in the tournament while ending Thailand's campaign.
South African cricketer Pretorius reached his highest T20I score in a recent match, crediting a conversation with teammate Heinrich Klaasen as a key factor in his performance. Pretorius revealed he personally reached out to Klaasen before the innings for mental guidance and support. Klaasen, known for his batting expertise, helped Pretorius with his mindset ahead of the crucial knock. Despite taking time to settle at the crease, Pretorius eventually found his rhythm and posted a career-best T20I score.
Ireland scored 281 for 5 in the first ODI against England at Grace Road, Leicester. Three Irish batters — Lewis, Hunter, and Stokell — each contributed half-centuries to build a competitive total. England's bowling was below par throughout the innings, with the visitors conceding as many as 20 wides. The wasteful extras reflected a largely lacklustre effort from the England bowling attack. The strong Irish batting display set up a challenging target for England to chase.
Dewald Pretorius anchored South Africa's innings with a career-best 94 in a T20I clash against Zimbabwe. Despite a late batting collapse that saw South Africa lose six wickets for just 31 runs, the team still posted a total of 185. Zimbabwe struggled to mount a competitive chase against a disciplined South African bowling attack. Left-arm spinner Fortuin and fast bowler Jansen combined to share seven wickets between them, dismantling the Zimbabwean batting lineup. South Africa ultimately secured a commanding victory in the match.
Pakistan began their Asia Cup campaign with a batting first decision on a slow-playing surface. The match serves as a critical contest for Thailand, whose captain Naruemol Chaiwai returned to lead the side. Thailand needed a positive result to keep their tournament hopes alive. The game represented an important early test for both teams in the regional competition.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has charged three individuals, including former board director Rahman, in connection with a corruption investigation. The charges stem from the BCB's integrity unit, which has been probing alleged misconduct across several recent editions of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Rahman's involvement marks a significant development as the accused held a senior position within the board itself. The investigation signals the BCB's continued efforts to address integrity concerns within its premier domestic T20 competition.
East Zone secured their place in the Duleep Trophy final after dismissing Central Zone on the third day of their semifinal clash. Mukesh Kumar and Sooryavanshi were the standout performers with the ball, driving East Zone's dominant bowling display. Central Zone's batting lineup offered minimal resistance throughout the day, with 13 wickets falling across both sides in a dramatic session. The collapse sealed a convincing victory for East Zone, who now advance to the tournament's final.
Jasprit Bumrah has been named in India's T20I squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. Along with Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy have also been included in the selection. However, all four players' participation is conditional upon passing fitness clearance before the series begins. The selections signal India's intent to field a strong side while carefully managing the fitness of key players.
England have chosen to bowl first after winning the toss in their ODI match against Ireland. Charlie Dean's side sees Mady Villiers return to the starting XI, while Issy Wong and Lauren Filer lead the pace attack. Georgia Bouchier has been named as opener for England in this fixture. Ireland have made changes of their own, with Harry Tector and Barry McCarthy's teammate Lorcan Tucker replaced as Tector and Kelly return to the squad.
Zimbabwe have made two changes to their lineup for their second consecutive Test match against South Africa. Kundai Matigimu earns his debut while Innocent Kaia also comes into the side. The pair replace Dion Myers and Blessing Muzarabani from the previous match. South Africa have also made a change, with Peter coming in for de Zorzi as they elected to bat. The back-to-back scheduling of the two Tests prompted the selection adjustments for Zimbabwe.
The Japan Cricket Association has informed participating teams that they are free to make their own hotel arrangements for the upcoming Asian Games cricket tournament. This decision came after concerns were raised by teams regarding the accommodation options that had been officially offered ahead of the event. The move gives teams greater flexibility in choosing where they stay during the competition. The development reflects ongoing logistical planning challenges in the lead-up to the tournament.
Siddhesh Lad has been appointed as Mumbai's captain for the Ranji Trophy, replacing Shardul Thakur in the red-ball format. The leadership change applies specifically to domestic first-class cricket for the Mumbai side. For white-ball formats, Mumbai will be led by either Suryakumar Yadav or Shreyas Iyer, subject to their availability. The decision reflects a clear split in captaincy roles across different formats for the Mumbai cricket team.
Former England captain Ben Stokes has signed with the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Big Bash League season. The deal is reported to be a high-value contract, reflecting Stokes' status as a marquee signing. Stokes retired from international cricket in June, making him available for a full domestic season commitment. His participation for the entire BBL season marks a significant addition to the Adelaide Strikers' roster.
