The Pakistan Cricket Board is considering a two-year ban for several former national players who participated in the unsanctioned Asian Legends Cup in Lusaka, Zambia. The tournament, which was not approved by the ICC or the Zambia Cricket Union, saw players like Mohammed Irfan, Imran Nazir, and Yasir Shah take part, while others like Muhammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik withdrew. The PCB has warned of severe disciplinary action, including ineligibility for future cricketing assignments.
Former Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas has called on cricket authorities to actively work towards preserving Test and 50-over formats, warning that they are 'dying' amidst the growing global preference for T20s and franchise leagues.
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes the exploding popularity of T20 leagues, particularly the IPL, poses a significant threat to the future of bilateral international cricket, stating that '70 per cent (people are watching club cricket instead of international cricket)'.
Indian men's cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir, the BCCI, and former cricketer Irfan Pathan led tributes on India's 80th Independence Day, honouring freedom fighters and extending greetings to all Indians.
India women's hockey players urge the Sports Ministry and corporates to save the Women's HIL, saying the league is vital for developing future talent.
The era of 'randomly' scheduling bilateral series is over, but the ODI format can continue to survive and thrive with its place 'inextricably' linked to the World Cup, said ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta in an interview to PTI.
Cricket Australia is exploring the possibility of hosting an Ashes Test match in India in the future, following its decision to bring the Big Bash League opener to Chennai. While no immediate plans are in place, CA chief executive Todd Greenberg highlighted strong relationships with the ECB and BCCI and the growing strength of Test cricket involving Australia, England, and India. He acknowledged logistical challenges due to the packed global cricket calendar.
Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has announced his immediate retirement from all formats of international cricket, stating that the time is right for him to 'move on' after a career spanning over a decade.
Ibrahim Zadran has been appointed captain of Afghanistan's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against India, which will be played in New Delhi. The squad sees the return of fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq and all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, featuring a blend of experienced players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, alongside uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman.
World Cup fever has gripped Houston, but across the city the unmistakable sound of leather ball on willow bat can be heard as baseball mounds give way to cricket pitches and the gentleman's game begins to take hold in Texas.
The ICC board has formed a committee to assess the impact of the growing franchise cricket leagues on the international cricket calendar, aiming to strike a balance and prevent disruption.
Major League Baseball has announced a partnership with Indian cricket star Suryakumar Yadav, appointing him as an MLB Ambassador to promote baseball among Indian sports fans. Yadav will participate in various events in India and the U.S., including the MLB All-Star week, and will curate content to connect with fans. This initiative is part of MLB's broader strategy to engage with India's vibrant sports culture, alongside renewing its broadcast agreement with JioStar.
Matthew Hayden says the European T20 Premier League can establish itself as a talent-development platform for Europe's associate nations, stressing that ETPL's strength lies in creating pathways to global franchise cricket rather than competing with the IPL.
A Sri Lankan court has denied bail to two Indian nationals, including Jaffna Kings co-owner Manjot Kalra, who were arrested in connection with an alleged match-fixing case in the Lanka Premier League. The prosecution opposed bail, citing ongoing investigations by the police's Special Investigation Unit.
Bangladesh has shelved the BPL for a season amid corruption allegations, financial losses and organisational turmoil, with the cricket board promising a carefully rebuilt tournament.
Andy Flower has ruled himself out of contention for the vacant England Test head coach position, saying he is happy in franchise cricket and intends to remain in his current roles.
Vijay Deverakonda, Tilak Varma, Mohammed Siraj among others receive TCA legal notice over alleged TG20 association
Former Pakistan hockey players have expressed deep concern over the national team's poor performance at the World Cup, advocating for an immediate injection of fresh talent and a focus on the upcoming Asian Games. They attribute the sport's decline to cricket's dominance and a failure to adapt to modern hockey, urging the federation to prioritise competitive success to regain public interest.
Former Pakistan Test spinner and chief selector Iqbal Qasim has criticised the current generation of Pakistani cricketers for prioritising financial gain, particularly through leagues like the PSL, over dedicated skill development and game awareness, attributing this to a lack of vision among selectors and a general disinterest among young players.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir, now eligible for the IPL due to his British citizenship, has stated he is keeping his options open regarding participation. While confirming his involvement in the PSL from 2027 as an overseas player, Amir remained non-committal about playing in the IPL, despite his new eligibility allowing him to play as a British overseas player.
Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has declared himself 'absolutely ready' for a potential recall to the Indian team, including for the World Cup, following spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin's endorsement for his return.
North Zone coaches Ajay Sharma and Sarandeep Singh are under scrutiny for controversially dropping Sanat Sangwan, the Ranji Trophy's third-highest run-scorer, for the Duleep Trophy quarter-final against West Zone, opting instead for Yash Dhull, who had a significantly poorer Ranji season.
Afghanistan has secured automatic qualification for the 2027 Cricket World Cup after defeating Ireland, while the West Indies, ranked 10th, will once again have to navigate qualifiers for the third consecutive edition of the tournament.
Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has resigned from his position as head coach of the England Lions, opting to focus on his coaching commitments with Australia's Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League.
Ireland's aspirations for direct qualification to the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup have been extinguished after the opening ODI against Afghanistan was abandoned due to persistent rain, mathematically ruling them out of contention for an automatic spot.
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has expressed profound satisfaction with his decision to retire from international cricket, stating he has 'no regrets at all' after giving his '200 per cent' on the field. Rahane also revealed his openness to venturing into coaching or mentorship roles in the future, aiming to share his extensive experience globally.
Suryakumar Yadav has been named as the brand ambassador for the Pro Govinda League (PGL) -- India's first professional human-pyramid league.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board has officially approved the qualification system for cricket at the LA Olympic 2028, marking the sport's return after 128 years. The event will feature men's and women's T20 competitions with six teams each.
Ravichandran Smaran, the highest run-scorer in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, is focused on maintaining his form and securing a national call-up.
Bangladeshi cricket legend Shakib Al Hasan, an ally of ousted PM Sheikh Hasina, is willing to return from exile in the US to face charges, including murder, if the government guarantees his safety. He hopes to play a farewell series and represent Bangladesh in the 2027 World Cup, highlighting the challenges faced by Hasina's allies after her government's fall.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground, announcing India's aspiration to host the 2036 Olympics and welcoming Chennai's role in the Big Bash League. He emphasised cricket as a strong bond between India and Australia, and both PMs unveiled a Roadmap on Sport Cooperation to deepen bilateral ties beyond cricket.
Cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers, widely considered the greatest all-rounder in the sport's history, has passed away at the age of 89. Tributes poured in from across the cricketing world, with former India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli expressing their profound sadness and respect for the West Indies icon. The Lanka Premier League will also honour his legacy.
Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald discusses how the Indian Premier League (IPL) can be integrated into the national team's demanding international schedule, emphasising the need for workload management, especially for fast bowlers. He highlights the IPL's benefits for player development while acknowledging the challenges of a packed calendar including major Test series and ICC events.
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane shares crucial advice for Indian batters facing Sri Lankan spinners in the upcoming Test series, emphasising a proactive approach.
India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is likely to play for Triumph Knights Mumbai North East against Uganda on May 30 ahead of the T20 Mumbai League, giving local and visiting players valuable exposure.
Afghanistan Test captain Hashmatullah Shahidi addressed Rashid Khan's Test future, stating it's a matter for selectors. Shahidi emphasised the need for Afghanistan to play more Test matches to develop their red-ball team, despite their domestic red-ball structure. He also highlighted the talent beyond T20 leagues and expressed confidence in his team's ability to handle conditions and compete against India.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) concluded its Annual Meetings, establishing a new Governance Review Committee headed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.
Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin are reportedly part of an Indian consortium set to acquire a franchise in the European T20 Premier League.
Rahul Dravid said the European T20 Premier League offers an 'exciting opportunity' to grow cricket in Europe after becoming owner of the Dublin Guardians franchise.
Sarfaraz Khan has been recalled to India's Test squad for the two-match away series against Sri Lanka, starting August 15, following an injury to Sai Sudharsan. This recall comes after two years of consistent performance and a significant physical transformation, including shedding 17kg.
