Author: WebDesk

Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson is pleased with the way Babar Azam has returned and performed since his comeback to the white-ball fold. Even though the former captain did not score big runs in the series, Hesson sees a silver lining. Babar endured a tough time in the ODI series against South Africa, scoring just 45 runs at a modest average of 15 and a strike rate of 78.94. In the T20I series prior to that, he also managed only one half-century in three games. The premier right-handed batter was unable to convert his starts into a substantial score.…

England fast bowler Mark Wood admitted that his side faces a formidable challenge in the upcoming five-match Ashes series against Australia, labelling the hosts as the “favourites”, though he remains confident that his team are capable of coming out on top. It has been a decade since England last won the Ashes, and 15 years since they last claimed the urn Down Under. They have endured three more one-sided tours since then. According to Wood, the series opener in Perth will set the tone for the rest of the series. “The Australian side are very hard to beat in their…

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has downplayed concerns regarding the fitness and ageing of the fast-bowling group, insisting that their experience will be the decisive factor when the Ashes begin on November 21 in Perth. Ahead of the five-match series between Australia and England, much of the discussion has centred on Australia’s ageing bowling attack, with the youngest being the 32-year-old Pat Cummins, who has been ruled out of the Perth Test. “I feel in the best shape I’ve been in for a long time,” Hazlewood told reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. “I think the experience, not just…

Matheesha Pathirana has been ruled out of the upcoming Tri-Series, which will also involve Pakistan and Zimbabwe, due to an upper respiratory tract infection. Asitha Fernando replaces Pathirana in the T20I squad. Bhanuka Rajapaksa returns to the T20I side, having last played at the start of this year. Along with Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka has been sidelined with a knee injury and was therefore not considered for selection in the ODI squad. Dunith Wellalage, who will lead Sri Lanka A in the Rising Stars T20 Asia Cup, will travel to Doha and will consequently miss both the ODI series and the…

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to investigate the harassment allegations made by former women’s team captain Jahanara Alam. A committee has been formed by the board. The BCB has given the committee fifteen days to look into the matter, which has stirred controversy in cricketing circles. In a recent interview, Jahanara accused a former selector of misconduct, alleging that he approached her inappropriately during the 2022 ODI World Cup. She claimed that he asked her lewd questions and also alleged that a couple of BCB officials behaved inappropriately towards her. Despite the matter being reported to former BCB…

Kane Williamson will miss the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies as he continues his preparations for the Test series that follows. Matt Henry has returned to the fold after being unavailable for the T20I series against the Men in Maroon. Due to a calf strain, Henry missed the last two ODIs against England the previous week and was subsequently ruled out of the ongoing five-match T20I home series. Also returning to the ODI squad is Kyle Jamieson. Blair Tickner, who came in as a replacement for Jamieson, retains his place. Apart from that, there are no other changes…

India all-rounder Shivam Dube credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel for helping him improve his bowling skills and instilling confidence. Dube was one of the architects of India’s win against Australia in Carrara. After failing to live up to expectations with the bat while batting at number three, Dube’s medium-pace bowling came into effect in India’s defence. The right-arm pacer bent his back on a pitch that had a spongy bounce to dismiss Mitchell Marsh and Tim David, two of Australia’s top four batters. Those two wickets proved crucial in the context of the game. Among…

Australia Test captain Pat Cummins has insisted that he is keen to play as much as he can in the five-match Ashes series at home, which is set to begin on 21 November. Having been ruled out of the series opener in Perth, Cummins is eyeing to make a comeback in the second Ashes Test in Brisbane. The right-armer, who has not played since the West Indies tour in July, resumed bowling last week but has yet to reach full pace as he continues to ease his way back after a prolonged break from the field. “That’s the aim, and…

Veteran Bangladesh pacer Jahanara Alam has accused the current senior Women’s team captain Nigar Sultana Joty of physically abusing junior cricketers—an allegation that has been rejected by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). In a recent interview with the Bangladeshi daily Kaler Kantho, Jahanara made the startling claim, saying that Joty beats her fellow teammates. “This is nothing new. Joty beats up the juniors a lot,” Alam said. “Even during this World Cup, the juniors told me, ‘No, I won’t do this again. Then I’ll have to get slapped again.’ I heard from some people, ‘I got beaten up yesterday.’ Even…

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has been handed a two-match suspension by the ICC, confirmed on Tuesday, after a series of disciplinary hearings stemming from clashes during the Asia Cup 2025. According to an ICC release, Rauf was investigated for his altercations and gestures during the two India–Pakistan matches in the Asia Cup 2025. He was found guilty on two occasions, resulting in four demerit points. As a consequence, the fast bowler has been ruled out of the first two ODIs against South Africa. “Rauf’s total of four demerit points within a 24-month period has resulted in two suspension points…