Author: WebDesk

Michael Bracewell, stand-in captain for the upcoming ODI series against India, reckons that the limited-overs series in India will leave the team better prepared for the T20 World Cup. New Zealand are scheduled to play three ODIs and five T20Is in India in the build-up to the World Cup. This will be the team’s final assignment, and they will be playing against the defending champions in their own backyard. India are one of the two host nations of the tournament. “To be here and get used to the weather is definitely going to put us in a better position for…

New Zealand Cricket have named a strong and experienced 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7. Mitchell Santner will lead the team, which features Jacob Duffy, for whom it will be a first 20-over World Cup. Duffy, a former number-one-ranked bowler, will bolster the fast-bowling attack, which includes the likes of Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Adam Milne. Ferguson and Henry are anticipating the arrival of their children and will therefore be given short-term paternity leave. “With Ferguson’s and Henry’s partners due to give birth during the tournament period, it is likely they will be…

Despite a poor run of form with both bat and ball, former Australia batter Michael Clarke has urged the selectors to continue backing Cameron Green, who is expected to take valuable learnings from a tough tour. Green has amassed 149 runs at an average of 21.28 in the ongoing Ashes series so far. Even with the ball, the right-arm seamer has failed to make an impact, taking just four wickets at an average of 60.75, without taking more than one wicket in an innings in the series. In his last eight Tests prior to the Sydney Test, Green has managed…

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman is unfazed by losing a hefty sum of INR 9.2 crore following his exclusion from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad ahead of the IPL 2026 season. On the advice of the BCCI, the Knight Riders were forced to leave out Mustafizur, who had become the most expensive signing by a Bangladeshi player in IPL auction history. Despite missing out on the opportunity to play in the cash-rich league, as well as the substantial amount involved, Mustafizur remains “completely chill”, according to Bangladesh assistant coach Mohammad Ashraful. “He (Mustafizur) is completely chill. He is not worried at…

Australia’s assistant coach Daniel Vettori acknowledged that pitches in Australia have become more seam-friendly, which has diminished the role of spinners in red-ball cricket. Vettori’s remarks came on the heels of Australia’s decision to field an all-seam attack for the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It marked the first time since 1888 that Australia did not select a frontline spinner for a Test match at the SCG. In the Brisbane Test as well, the hosts went with the same four-pronged seam attack. “Seamers have been so effective that it’s hard to move away from them,” Vettori explained…

England Test vice-captain Harry Brook has lauded Brendon McCullum as the best coach he has played under, saying that the New Zealander instils so much confidence in his players. Brook has played the majority of his cricket under McCullum ever since making his debut. The Yorkshireman, who has been a flag-bearer of the Bazball approach, has 3,130 runs to his name in 35 matches at an impressive average of 55.89. He credited McCullum for his success at the highest level. “I am enjoying playing under Baz and [Ben] Stokes, and it has been a highlight of my career so far.…

Jaker Ali has been left out of Bangladesh’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, which begins next month. Taskin Ahmed has earned a recall after missing the last series, and the side will be led by Litton Das. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Saif Hassan as the team’s vice-captain. Saif’s appointment as vice-captain is a testament to his rise with the bat in white-ball cricket. His stocks have risen since the Asia Cup last year. Jaker, who led Bangladesh in the absence of Litton last year, has been dropped from the side for the first time since…

In a significant development amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Indian football’s top tier, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced its decision to conduct the Indian Super League (ISL) for the 2025-26 season. This move comes after months of delay caused primarily by the absence of a new commercial rights holder, following the expiry of the previous agreement. The decision was formalised during a meeting of the AIFF’s Emergency Committee, which reviewed and endorsed recommendations from a specially formed ISL Coordination Committee. Established in late December 2025, this committee comprised representatives from three state associations: Navas Meeran from Kerala,…

Australia stand-in captain Steve Smith refused to comment on Usman Khawaja’s remarks about being treated indifferently and experiencing racial stereotyping, but he did call out critics who targeted him after the first Ashes Test, when he suffered back spasms. On Friday, Khawaja announced that he will retire after the upcoming fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. In doing so, he also reflected on his career, discussed the difficulties he faced rising through the ranks, and made some stirring remarks. “I’m not going into the mind of Usman Khawaja. He’s had a great career,” Smith said. “In terms of preparation, I think…

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out of the IPL 2026 after the Kolkata Knight Riders released him from the squad following an instruction from the BCCI. In line with IPL regulations, the Knight Riders can sign a replacement player from those who went unsold at the auction, which took place in Abu Dhabi last month. Mustafizur, who has taken 65 wickets in 60 IPL matches, was one of the three frontline pacers KKR acquired at the auction for INR 9.2 crore. The left-arm pacer was the only Bangladesh cricketer to be picked. Since making his debut in 2016,…