Shakib bowling action saga: BCB wait on results from Chennai before CT 2025 decision

Shakib Al Hasan is awaiting the result of a second test of his bowling action from Chennai in India after failing his previous assessment from UK’s Loughborough University that had left him suspended from bowling in top-flight domestic and international cricket. Shakib was reported for a suspect action during an English county match in September. This prompted the ECB’s action, and, in accordance with clause 11.3 of the ICC’s regulations…

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Martin Guptill confirms retirement from international cricket

Martin Guptill has officially confirmed his retirement from international cricket, having last played for New Zealand in October 2022. Guptill, 38, will continue to feature in T20 leagues around the world. Guptill is currently in action for Auckland in the Super Smash, New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition, and has also signed up for the PSL draft, where Islamabad United have the option to retain him. Guptill leaves the international stage…

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Leagues like ILT20 'not good for the game' – Graeme Smith

T20 franchise leagues that do not field a majority of locally based players are “not good for the game”, according to SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith. Speaking ahead of the league’s third season, which, once again, clashes directly with the UAE’s ILT20, Smith argued that what sets the SA20 apart is how rooted it is in the South African system and what it does for the country’s cricket. “We see ourselves…

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Archie Vaughan, son of former captain Michael, set to lead England Under-19s

Archie Vaughan, son of former England captain Michael, is set to follow in his father’s footsteps later this month, after being asked to lead England Under-19s on their tour of South Africa. England’s Young Lions are due to play three youth one-day internationals and two youth Tests against South Africa Under-19s, from January 17. It is 20 years to the month since Vaughan senior became the first England captain to…

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PCB shifts tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa to Lahore and Karachi

The PCB has relocated its ODI tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa to Lahore and Karachi, as it readies the two venues to host the Champions Trophy from February 19. The four-match tri-series, due to start on February 8, was originally scheduled to be played in Multan. But the PCB has decided to move it to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi, a move…

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ICC rankings: Boland, Bumrah, Bavuma and Babar make gains

Scott Boland has entered the top ten of the ICC’s Test bowling rankings for the first time after taking 21 wickets in three Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests. Averaging 13.19 in the series, Boland broke into the top ten after a match haul of 10 for 86 at the SCG, which sealed the series 3-1 in Australia’s favour and earned him a Player-of-the-Match award. He has moved up to joint-ninth after climbing…

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Afghanistan sign up Younis Khan as mentor for Champions Trophy

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan will return to the Afghanistan set-up as mentor for the Champions Trophy 2025. Younis had worked with Afghanistan in 2022, at a 15-day training camp in Abu Dhabi with an expanded squad of 25. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said in a statement that Younis will join the team in Pakistan for a conditioning camp ahead of the Champions Trophy, which is set to begin…

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SCG pitch for final Australia vs India Test earns 'satisfactory' rating

The SCG pitch for the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, which was dominated by pace bowlers who gained lavish seam movement and some uneven bounce, has been rated “satisfactory” by the ICC match referee, and Cricket Australia has termed it a “step in the right direction” for surfaces at the venue. The groundsman used a new variety of grass for this season’s Test pitch, having trialled…

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Fakhar Zaman aims for Champions Trophy comeback

Fakhar Zaman is “100% certain” he will play for Pakistan again and is gearing up for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19 and will be hosted in Pakistan and Dubai. “A 100%, I will play for Pakistan (again),” Fakhar, 34, told the Vipers Voices podcast. “Actually, many people do not know about that, but after the T20 World Cup I got sick and because of the medical…

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