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India have named Sarfaraz Khan as the replacement for Sai Sudharsan in the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Sudharsan has been ruled out after suffering a right toe stress reaction and is currently undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the BCCI medical team. The left-hander has shown positive recovery signs, but selectors decided not to risk him for the series. Sarfaraz, who has consistently impressed in domestic cricket and previous Test appearances, now gets another opportunity to strengthen his place in India's red-ball setup. The move adds experience to India's middle order ahead of a challenging tour where spin-friendly conditions are expected to play a major role. The two-match Test series against Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin on August 15 in Galle, with India looking to start their World Test Championship campaign on a positive note.

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has stepped down from his role as England Lions head coach , bringing an end to a successful period of guiding England's emerging cricket talent. Flintoff played a key role in developing young players and preparing them for the transition to international cricket through the Lions setup. His leadership and experience helped nurture several promising cricketers, making him a respected figure within England's development pathway. While Flintoff leaves the coaching role, his contribution to English cricket's next generation is expected to have a lasting impact. England Cricket will now begin the search for a successor as the Lions continue their mission of producing future stars for the national team.

India captain Shubman Gill missed Day 1 of India’s three-day warm-up match against the Sri Lanka Cricket XI after suffering an impact injury to his right ring finger during a training session in Colombo. As a precautionary measure, the team management decided not to risk their skipper, with KL Rahul leading the side on the opening day. The injury has raised concerns ahead of India’s upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, although early reports suggest the decision was largely precautionary. The BCCI is expected to monitor Gill’s recovery closely before making a call on his participation in the remaining warm-up days and the first Test.

Ireland's hopes of securing direct qualification for the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup suffered a major setback after the first ODI against Afghanistan at Bready was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain. The washout officially ended Ireland's chances of earning an automatic World Cup berth through the ICC ODI rankings pathway. Ireland needed a flawless 5-0 series sweep over Afghanistan and favorable results elsewhere to climb into the automatic qualification spots before the rankings cut-off. However, the abandoned match made that scenario impossible, confirming that Ireland will now have to take the longer route through the 2027 ODI World Cup Qualifier tournament. The 10-team Qualifier, scheduled to be played from February 22 to March 23, 2027, will determine the remaining places for the World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Ireland will be among the teams competing for a spot in cricket's biggest 50-over event.

Former India pace legend Zaheer Khan has expanded his footprint in franchise cricket by joining the Lanka Premier League’s Jaffna franchise as a co-owner.  Following the acquisition of the team by Stockholm-based sports ownership group Anchor Sports AB, the franchise has been rebranded as Anchor Jaffna Kings . Zaheer will work alongside Anchor Sports owner Nagendra Siddoutam as the ownership group looks to strengthen its presence in global cricket. The Jaffna franchise is one of the most successful teams in LPL history, and Zaheer’s vast experience as a former Indian fast bowler is expected to add significant value both on and off the field. His involvement marks another major step in the growing trend of former cricketers taking leadership and ownership roles in franchise leagues around the world. Speaking on the development, the franchise highlighted a new chapter under its revamped ownership structure. With Zaheer Khan joining the management team, fans will be eager to see how A...

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially appointed former South African first-class cricketer and coach Michael Smith as the batting coach of the Pakistan men's cricket team on a two-year contract. Smith will work with both the red-ball and white-ball squads, aiming to strengthen Pakistan's batting performances across all formats. A highly respected Level 4-qualified coach, Smith brings extensive coaching experience from domestic and franchise cricket. He has previously worked with PSL franchises including Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and Multan Sultans, giving him valuable insight into Pakistan cricket. His appointment comes at a crucial time as Pakistan look to address recurring batting inconsistencies and improve their performances in international cricket. Smith is expected to join the squad ahead of the upcoming Test series against England, where his expertise will be put to the test immediately. The PCB hopes Smith's experience and modern coaching methods ...