The Indian men ruled white-ball cricket, while South Africa ended decades of hurt by winning the World Test Championship at Lord's. Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted their maiden IPL title, though the celebrations were dimmed by a deadly stampede. Above all, it was India's women who won a billion hearts by finally adding an ICC World Cup trophy to the cabinet.
Both teams began their World Cup campaigns in contrasting fashion. Hosts India defeated Sri Lanka by 59 runs, while Pakistan, collapsed against Bangladesh, losing by seven wickets in a match where they struggled against both pace and spin.
Pakistan's top players including Mohammed Rizwan and Shadab Khan lavished praise on India's batting great Virat Kohli.
Defending champions Australia delivered a commanding performance to bowl out Pakistan for 82 and then cruised to a nine-wicket victory, virtually sealing a spot in the women's T20 World Cup semifinals, in Dubai on Friday.
'They are not only setting new standards for themselves but also paving the way for future players to keep pushing those boundaries.'
Shaheen Afridi, who once tore through their batting lineup with ruthless efficiency, is showing signs of reclaiming his lethal edge just in time for the Asia Cup game against India on September 14.
The men's Asia Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28, Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Saturday.
New Zealand's Tim Southee, one of only two quicks in the top 10 of the Twenty20 bowling world rankings, believes sluggish wickets at the World Cup could work out well for seamers.
Jos Buttler will captain the team for the Caribbean tour, with Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone featuring in the ODI group from the showpiece event.
The tournament had been fraught with tension from the very start, and the animosity carried into the final, which India won by five wickets on a rather long Sunday night.
Opening batter Mohammad Rizwan was awarded the 'Man of the Match' for his half-century in the semi-final against New Zealand.
Bangladesh will take on Scotland in the tournament opener in an afternoon fixture followed by a clash between Asian teams Pakistan and Sri Lanka later in the day at Sharjah.
Afghanistan's opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, rose a career-high 12th spot -- Gurbaz is the leading run-getter in the ongoing T20 World Cup, with 156 runs from two innings under his belt.
Pakistan have managed three wins in 16 matches in T20Is but they have never beaten India in the ODIs in 11 attempts.
Subject to visa, the team will now leave for Hyderabad from Lahore in the wee hours of September 27 and reach Hyderabad via Dubai in the night.
With a five-match T20I series in October-November in Australia, five T20Is against South Africa at home in December and five T20Is against New Zealand at home in January 2026, Team India will now look to test itself, its combinations and youngsters against some of the world's best T20I teams ahead of the T20 WC 2026, which will start in early 2026.
Balaji echoed the focus on young talent, pinpointing Rishabh Pant's aggressive batting as a potential weapon against the opposition.
Pakistan bowlers fired in unison to guide their team to a memorable 31-run win over Sri Lanka in their low-scoring opening match of the Women's T20 World Cup in Sharjah on Thursday.
Pakistan and India have faced each other seven times at the T20 World Cup, with Pakistan winning just once.
'You need a guy who can just stay there. India need that sheet anchor, be it T20 World Cup or ODI World Cup. Without Virat Kohli, the Indian team cannot go.'
Kapil Dev urges Indian players to stay focused ahead of Pakistan clash
'30 days for the start of the women's World Cup in NZ ..wish the Indian team and the rest of the teams all the very best ... @ICC @BCCI' Ganguly captioned the video.
England will be keen to overcome a lack of ideal preparation due to rain and hit the ground running when they face Scotland in their T20 World Cup opener
India will enter the Asia Cup as a seven-time champions, most by any team, but adding an eighth title might just not feature on top of their bucket list.
Pakistan batter Shoaib Malik on Sunday equalled India opener KL Rahul's record of fastest fifty in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
White-ball specialist Rauf will return to Pakistan colours after incurring the wrath of the nation's cricket board for opting out of the ongoing three-Test series against Australia.
Unless a player picks up an injury in training, India's team is expected to wear the same look against a Pakistan squad that are without top stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, lending it a look of youth and experience.
The mystery spinner even has a YouTube channel dedicated to football discussions.
ormer Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal said the Pakistan Cricket Board 'should learn' from BCCI on how run to game of cricket.
The role of outside elements including agents of players and some former players who ran social media campaigns also have not helped ease the simmering tensions in the team.
India's cricketing journey post-independence is a saga of triumphs! From iconic World Cup wins to unforgettable Test series victories, the nation's passion for cricket shines through.
Former England wicketkeeper James Foster has been appointed as an assistant coach on New Zealand's World Cup staff, while former England batsman Ian Bell will also feature.
After rain-marred ICC T20 World Cup preparation, England pacer Mark Wood insisted that the Three Lions will make 'no excuses' and said few players are gaming to get more runouts at the Oval to boost their confidence.
Australia opener Travis head on Wednesday toppled India's Suryakumar Yadav as the number one batter in the latest ICC T20 rankings.
Following his removal from the committee, Riaz took to X and wrote, 'There is a lot I can say but I don't want to be part of the blame games.'
'One thing is for sure, Virat is the best player and best human being in Indian cricket history, respect.'
India skipper Rohit Sharma is expecting the upcoming ODI World Cup in the country to be a highly-competitive affair since "the game has become faster".
The Bangladesh series will be the first stint for former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie as Pakistan's red-ball head coach.
He has since matured into a complete three-format player: 2,647 runs in 37 Tests at 41.35, 2,775 runs in 55 ODIs at a Bradmanesque 59.04, and 578 runs in 21 T20Is.
The Indian women's team is placed in a tough group alongside Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand at the T20 World Cup.
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