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Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out for at least four weeks after suffering a hamstring injury and a knee problem during the ODI series against Zimbabwe. The left-arm seamer sustained a Grade 1 muscle tear in his right hamstring while bowling in the opening ODI, and medical scans also revealed a minor degenerative issue in his right knee. According to the Bangladesh team management, Mustafizur experienced discomfort during the match and underwent further assessment, which confirmed the injuries. The rehabilitation process is expected to take a minimum of four weeks, forcing him to miss the remainder of the Zimbabwe tour. The injury setback could also impact Mustafizur's participation in upcoming franchise commitments, including the start of The Hundred 2026 season in England. The experienced pacer was set to become one of Bangladesh's key overseas representatives in the tournament, but his availability now remains uncertain. Mustafizur's absence is a...

India Women have suffered a major setback ahead of their historic one-off Test against England at Lord’s, with opener Pratika Rawal being ruled out due to a knee injury. The match, scheduled to begin on Friday at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, marks the first-ever women’s Test to be played at the venue. Rawal’s absence is a significant blow to the Indian batting lineup. The right-handed opener has been one of India’s most promising batters in recent years and was expected to play a key role at the top of the order against England. Her consistent performances across formats had made her a crucial member of the squad heading into the landmark fixture. To fill the void, the Women’s Selection Committee has named Priya Punia as Rawal’s replacement. Punia receives her maiden Test call-up after impressing with strong performances for India A and in domestic cricket. The selectors have rewarded her consistency and experience as India prepare for a challenging contest in English conditio...

West Indies have handed a maiden ODI call-up to promising youngster Lawes, rewarding his impressive performances in domestic cricket. The inclusion of the rookie highlights Cricket West Indies' commitment to building a strong squad for the future while continuing preparations for upcoming international assignments. Lawes' selection is one of the major talking points in the newly announced ODI squad, as the team management looks to inject fresh talent into the lineup. The young cricketer has earned recognition through consistent performances and is expected to bring energy and enthusiasm to the Caribbean side. The squad continues to be led by captain Shai Hope, with a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging stars. West Indies are aiming to strengthen their ODI setup as they continue their push toward major international tournaments and improved performances in the 50-over format. For Lawes, the call-up represents a significant milestone in his career and an opportunity to ...

Former India batting great and current Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman is likely to take charge as India's head coach for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe and the 2026 Asian Games. The move comes as regular head coach Gautam Gambhir is expected to remain with the senior squad during India's home assignments, leading the BCCI to split coaching responsibilities due to a packed international schedule. Laxman has extensive experience serving as India's stand-in coach on previous overseas tours and multi-team commitments. He famously guided India to a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games and has overseen several successful T20I series when the main coaching staff was unavailable. With India expected to field separate squads for overlapping tournaments, Laxman's appointment would provide continuity and stability for a young side featuring emerging talent. An official announcement from the BCCI is awaited.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reinstated Babar Azam as the captain of the Pakistan Test team for the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England . The decision comes after the PCB removed Shan Masood from the leadership role following a difficult run in Test cricket. Masood led Pakistan in 16 Test matches but struggled to deliver consistent results, prompting selectors to make a leadership change ahead of two crucial overseas assignments. Babar, one of Pakistan’s most accomplished batters, now returns to the Test captaincy with the responsibility of guiding a refreshed squad through challenging series against the West Indies and England. Pakistan will first play a two-match Test series against the West Indies from July 25 to August 6, followed by a three-match Test series in England from August 19 to September 13. The PCB hopes Babar’s experience and leadership can help the team improve its performances in the ICC World Test Championship cycle. The squad includes key pla...

Zimbabwe Cricket has named a 15-player squad for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh, with left-arm fast bowler Richard Ngarava appointed captain. The leadership role marks a significant milestone in Ngarava's international career as Zimbabwe continue to build momentum following their recent success against Bangladesh. The squad features a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent. Senior players such as Sikandar Raza and Craig Ervine provide stability in the batting unit, while the pace attack will be spearheaded by Ngarava alongside Blessing Muzarabani , Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, and Ernest Masuku. Zimbabwe have also recalled opener Innocent Kaia, rewarding his strong domestic performances. The spin department includes Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, and Wellington Masakadza, giving the hosts a balanced attack for home conditions. Wicketkeeping duties will be shared by Tadiwanashe Marumani and Clive Madande. The ODI series presents an important opportunity ...

New Zealand have made a late change to their squad for the upcoming five-match ODI series against the West Indies after fast bowler Ben Sears was ruled out with an ankle injury. Left-arm pacer Ben Lister has been drafted into the 16-player squad as his replacement. Sears had been dealing with ankle discomfort since New Zealand's Test against Ireland in May, with the injury worsening during the final Test against England at Trent Bridge. As a precaution, New Zealand Cricket decided to send him home for further treatment. Lister, who made his ODI debut in 2023, brings valuable international experience with four ODI appearances and six wickets to his name. He recently featured in New Zealand's ODI squad against Bangladesh and will now join the team in Guyana ahead of the opening match. The Black Caps will begin their five-match ODI series against the West Indies on July 11 , with the first three games scheduled in Guyana before the final two matches move to Barbados. Despite ...

Zimbabwe Cricket has appointed legendary West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh as the bowling coach of the senior men's national team. The move comes after Walsh's successful stint as Zimbabwe's bowling consultant during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, where the team impressed by reaching the Super Eights stage. Walsh, one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history and the first player to claim 500 Test wickets, brings a wealth of experience to the role. His appointment reflects Zimbabwe Cricket's commitment to strengthening its coaching setup and developing a more competitive bowling attack across all formats. Having already worked closely with the Zimbabwe squad as a consultant, Walsh is familiar with the players and the team's long-term goals. His expertise is expected to play a key role in nurturing young fast bowlers while improving the overall consistency and effectiveness of Zimbabwe's bowling unit. Zimbabwe's coaching staff has largely be...

Fast bowler Matthew Fisher is in line to make his One-Day International (ODI) debut after being named in New Zealand's squad for the upcoming five-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting on July 11 . The series marks the beginning of New Zealand's preparations for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup , with selectors aiming to identify the best combinations for the tournament in southern Africa. Regular ODI captain Mitchell Santner returns to lead the side after missing the Bangladesh series due to IPL commitments. He replaces Tom Latham , who captained a second-string New Zealand team in a 2-1 series defeat in Bangladesh earlier this year. Several first-choice players have also returned to the squad, including Daryl Mitchell , Mark Chapman , Michael Bracewell , and pace bowler Jacob Duffy , who missed the recent Test series in England while on paternity leave. Wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay is back as Latham's deputy after Devon Conway was granted leave following the b...

England Test captain Ben Stokes has thrown his full support behind Harry Brook as his successor, saying the Yorkshire batter is the natural choice to take over the leadership role following his stint as vice-captain. Brook, who currently captains England’s white-ball teams, was overlooked for the captaincy during the second Test at The Oval when Stokes was unavailable due to disciplinary reasons. Instead, former skipper Joe Root returned to lead the side for the first time in more than four years, although England suffered a heavy defeat. According to ESPNcricinfo, England’s management is cautious about placing the burden of captaincy across all three formats on a single player. If Brook is appointed as Test captain, he is expected to relinquish leadership duties in at least one of the white-ball formats. Sam Curran and Jacob Bethell have emerged as potential candidates to take over in the limited-overs setup. Stokes, however, believes Brook has all the qualities needed to lead the Tes...

India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has backed the team’s decision to remain patient with teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, insisting the 15-year-old will have to “bide his time and wait” for his international debut despite an extraordinary IPL campaign. Sooryavanshi earned a maiden India T20I call-up after a record-breaking IPL 2026 season in which he amassed 776 runs in 16 innings at a staggering strike rate of 237.30, finishing as the tournament’s Player of the Tournament. His performances prompted national selectors to fast-track him into the squad, but he has yet to feature in the playing XI during India’s recent T20I series against Ireland. Speaking after the series, ten Doeschate made it clear that while Sooryavanshi is ready for international cricket, the management is unwilling to disrupt an established batting unit based on just two disappointing matches. “He’s absolutely ready to play international cricket, there’s no doubt about that,” ten Doeschate sai...

New Zealand have suffered a major setback ahead of the decisive third Test against England, with key players Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips ruled out due to injuries. The match at Trent Bridge carries huge significance, with the series level and both teams eyeing a crucial victory. Henry, who starred in New Zealand's memorable victory at The Oval with an 11-wicket match haul, has been sidelined after scans revealed a low-grade calf strain. Early assessments indicate a recovery period of two to four weeks, making his absence a significant blow to the visitors' pace attack. Phillips, meanwhile, misses out with a side strain suffered during the second Test. The all-rounder was in excellent form, having scored a maiden Test century in New Zealand's series-leveling win, and his absence weakens both the batting lineup and fielding unit. The injury concerns come on top of New Zealand's decision to rest fast bowler Kyle Jamieson , meaning two of their leading wicket-takers ...

The Texas Super Kings have suffered a significant setback in their Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 campaign after South African left-arm pacer Nandre Burger was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a recurring lower-back injury. Medical assessments revealed a pre-existing lumbar stress reaction, forcing the fast bowler to return home for an extended period of rest and rehabilitation. Burger's absence leaves a major gap in the Texas Super Kings' bowling attack, as the 30-year-old is known for his pace, swing, and ability to strike early with the new ball. The franchise will now need other bowlers to step up as they look to revive their MLC 2026 campaign and stay in contention for the playoffs. The injury is another frustrating chapter for Burger, who has shown immense promise across international and franchise cricket but has also faced several injury setbacks during his career. Texas Super Kings management is expected to evaluate replacement options as the to...

India have suffered a major setback ahead of the Ireland T20I series as young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out with a quadriceps injury. The 23-year-old sustained the issue during the recent ODI series against Afghanistan, and medical assessments have confirmed that he will miss the upcoming matches in Ireland. His availability for the subsequent white-ball tour of England also remains uncertain. Reddy's absence leaves India without a key seam-bowling all-rounder, forcing the team management to consider replacement options ahead of the Belfast T20Is. The injury adds to a series of fitness concerns that have interrupted the talented youngster's progress over the past year.

England have received a major boost ahead of the series-deciding third Test against New Zealand, with captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson returning to the squad for the match at Trent Bridge starting on June 25. Both players were unavailable for the second Test but have now been reinstated following the conclusion of an ECB disciplinary review. Stokes will resume his role as captain after Joe Root led England in the second Test. England suffered a heavy 253-run defeat at The Oval, allowing New Zealand to level the three-match series at 1-1 and set up a winner-takes-all finale in Nottingham. The return of Stokes adds balance and leadership to the side, while Atkinson strengthens England's pace attack with his ability to strike at crucial moments. Both players received written warnings after breaching team conduct guidelines but were cleared to return after the investigation found no grounds for further sanctions. With the Crowe–Thorpe Trophy now on the line, Englan...

ICC Chairman Jay Shah and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia met with officials from Sri Lanka Cricket in Colombo as part of ongoing discussions aimed at strengthening cricketing relations and reviewing key developments in the sport across the region. The high-level meeting highlighted collaboration between the ICC, BCCI, and Sri Lanka Cricket on matters related to governance, tournament planning, and the future growth of cricket. The visit comes at an important time for Sri Lankan cricket, with administrative and structural matters drawing international attention. Discussions reportedly focused on maintaining stability, promoting transparency in cricket administration, and ensuring the continued development of the game at both grassroots and elite levels. The meeting underlines the strong cricketing ties between India and Sri Lanka and reflects the commitment of both boards to work together for the advancement of the sport in the region. Fans can expect continued cooperation on future...

India have received a timely boost ahead of the third and final ODI against Afghanistan, with fast bowler Harshit Rana returning to the national squad after successfully completing his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Rana has joined the team in Chennai and is now available for selection for the series finale. The 24-year-old had been sidelined with a knee injury that forced him to miss the 2026 T20 World Cup and IPL season. His return adds extra pace and depth to India's bowling attack as the hosts look to complete a clean sweep against Afghanistan after already securing the ODI series 2-0. With upcoming tours of Ireland and England on the horizon, Rana's comeback offers him an important opportunity to regain match fitness and push for a regular place in India's white-ball plans. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is seriously considering starting future Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons earlier in the calendar year to reduce the impact of extreme summer temperatures and late-season rain on players, officials, and spectators. Reports suggest the tournament could begin around mid-March instead of late March, allowing it to conclude by mid-May before the harshest weather conditions arrive. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia revealed that growing concerns over intense heat, humidity, and weather disruptions have prompted discussions about adjusting the IPL window. Several venues experienced challenging conditions during IPL 2026, with high temperatures affecting player performance and fan comfort. The proposed change is not linked to an immediate increase in the number of matches. Instead, the primary goal is to provide safer and more comfortable playing conditions while reducing the risk of rain interruptions later in the season. Saikia indicated tha...

New Zealand Cricket has welcomed back star opener Devon Conway to its central contracts list for the 2026-27 season, marking a significant boost for the Black Caps ahead of a busy international calendar. After spending the past two years on a casual playing agreement while participating in franchise leagues worldwide, Conway has committed to being available for all New Zealand fixtures during the upcoming contract cycle. The 20-player contract list also sees the return of Blair Tickner , while Adithya Ashok and Muhammad Abbas miss out. Conway's comeback is particularly important as New Zealand prepares for an intensive period of Test cricket following the retirement of Kane Williamson from international cricket. With over 6,000 international runs and extensive experience across all formats, Conway's return strengthens New Zealand's batting depth and provides stability at the top of the order as the team enters a new era. 

India A have drafted in fast bowler Ashok Sharma as a replacement for Yudhvir Singh, who has been ruled out of the ongoing tri-series in Sri Lanka due to a shoulder injury. The change was confirmed by the BCCI ahead of India A's crucial fixtures in the tournament. Ashok earned the call-up after impressing with his raw pace during IPL 2026, where he consistently troubled batters and even clocked speeds above 154 kph. The Gujarat Titans pacer now gets a valuable opportunity to showcase his talent on the international pathway stage with India A. Meanwhile, Yudhvir reported discomfort in his right shoulder during training and bowling sessions, prompting medical staff to rule him out of the remainder of the series. India A, led by Tilak Varma, will hope Ashok's arrival strengthens their pace attack as they look to bounce back in the competition.