Cricket

Muhammad Waseem, the 30-year-old top-order batter, has stepped down as UAE men's ODI captain after leading the team in 26 matches between 2023 and 2024. The decision was announced by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) in a statement, which also confirmed that Waseem will continue to play ODI cricket.Waseem took over the ODI captaincy from CP Rizwan during the 2019-2023 ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 for UAE's match against Nepal in March 2023. Under his leadership, UAE won seven ODIs and lost 19, with Waseem being the standout performer in the matches they won. He averaged 64.28 in those seven games, hitting his only century in the format (119 vs Papua New Guinea) and three half-centuries.However, in the 19 matches that UAE lost under Waseem's captaincy, his average dropped to 21.10, closer to his career number of 25.44. This may have contributed to his decision to step down, especially considering that UAE are currently bottom of the eight-team table in the 2024-2027 edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 after playing seven games and winning only one.Waseem's resignation comes after UAE's recent loss to Namibia by eight wickets in their last game of the World Cup League 2, where they folded for 190. Despite stepping down as captain, Waseem remains a regular member of UAE's T20I team and played a key role in their victory in the tri-series in Namibia earlier this month, where he top-scored with 159 runs in four innings.

Jos Buttler's return to the helm of England's white-ball team has been further delayed due to a persistent calf injury. The 34-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has been sidelined for four months and will miss the upcoming ODI leg of the Caribbean tour.Buttler's injury woes began in June during England's T20 World Cup campaign. He has not played a competitive match since their semi-final defeat to India. Despite missing the Hundred and the T20I and ODI series against Australia, Buttler was expected to make his comeback in the Caribbean.However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that Buttler has suffered a "slight setback" in his rehabilitation. As a result, he will fly directly to Barbados for the five-match T20I series starting on November 9.In Buttler's absence, Liam Livingstone will captain England in the ODIs. It will be his first time leading the team in this format. Harry Brook, who stood in for Buttler against Australia, is currently in Pakistan preparing for the third Test.England will announce a replacement player in due course. Jordan Cox and Rehan Ahmed are potential candidates, as they were originally intended to join the tour as additional players.Buttler's continued absence has raised concerns about his international future. However, incoming white-ball coach Brendon McCullum has assured that Buttler remains a key part of his plans. McCullum has praised Buttler's leadership and ability to inspire his teammates.Marcus Trescothick, England's interim white-ball coach, has also expressed confidence in Buttler's return. He believes that Buttler will seamlessly reintegrate into the team and continue to contribute significantly.

Rohit Sharma, the victorious captain of India's T20 World Cup triumph, has become a beacon of admiration and affection for cricket enthusiasts worldwide. His recent decision to retire from T20Is has shifted his focus solely to 50-over internationals, with the upcoming ODI series in Sri Lanka marking his next assignment.As Rohit embarks on this new chapter, he continues to captivate fans wherever he goes. During his family vacation in the US and now on the Sri Lankan tour, he has been met with an outpouring of love and adoration. Fans have eagerly sought selfies and autographs, eager to express their gratitude for his contributions to Indian cricket.One such heartwarming moment occurred in Sri Lanka, where a fan's heartfelt rendition of a song caught Rohit's attention. As Rohit descended the stairs from the dressing room at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, a fan in the stands began singing, his voice carrying the words "Rohit Sharma."Rohit, hearing his name, paused and turned his head towards the fan. A smile spread across his face as he acknowledged the fan's admiration. The moment was captured on camera and shared widely on social media, showcasing the deep connection between Rohit and his supporters.Rohit and Virat Kohli, who both retired from T20Is after the World Cup triumph, have returned from a well-deserved break to join the Indian squad under the guidance of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. The first ODI of the Sri Lanka series will be played on Friday in Colombo, followed by matches on July 4 and July 7 at the same venue.India, under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, emerged victorious in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, winning 3-0. Rohit's leadership and experience will be crucial as the team aims to continue its winning streak in the ODI format.

Sri Lanka's cricket selectors have made a significant change in leadership, appointing Charith Asalanka as the new ODI captain for the upcoming three-match series against India in August. This move comes after Kusal Mendis, who had been leading the team in ODIs since December 2022, was replaced.Asalanka's appointment as ODI captain is a continuation of his recent elevation to the T20I captaincy, following Wanindu Hasaranga's resignation after Sri Lanka's disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. The selectors' decision to appoint Asalanka in both formats reflects their confidence in his leadership abilities and their desire for a fresh approach.Mendis' tenure as ODI captain was marked by mixed results. While Sri Lanka won six of the eight completed ODIs under his leadership, including five consecutive home victories against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, they suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Bangladesh. Despite Mendis' strong batting form, the selectors opted for a change in direction.The upcoming ODI series against India will be a major test for Asalanka's captaincy. India is a formidable opponent, and Sri Lanka will need to perform at their best to compete. The series will also provide an opportunity for Asalanka to establish himself as a long-term leader for Sri Lanka.The Sri Lankan squad for the ODI series against India includes a mix of experienced players and rising stars. Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, and Wanindu Hasaranga are among the key players to watch, while young talents such as Nishan Madushka and Matheesha Pathirana will be eager to make an impact.

Following India's triumph at the ICC T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game. As a result, all-rounder Hardik Pandya is poised to take over the captaincy of the Men in Blue in T20Is. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul is expected to lead the team in ODIs, according to sources.Pandya's appointment as T20I captain is a testament to his impressive performance at the World Cup. He amassed 144 runs in six innings, averaging 48.00 and striking at 151.57, including a half-century. With the ball, he claimed 11 wickets in eight games, averaging 17.36 and boasting an economy rate of 7.64.Pandya's resurgence is particularly noteworthy given the criticism he faced during the IPL 2024 season as captain of the Mumbai Indians. However, he has silenced his detractors with his exceptional performances at the World Cup.On the other hand, KL Rahul's omission from the T20 World Cup squad despite his strong showing in the ODI World Cup 2023 has raised eyebrows. However, he is now set to lead the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Rahul has a proven track record in ODIs, having scored 386 runs in nine innings at an average of 77.20 and a strike rate of 98.72.In a separate development, Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. Gambhir, a former left-handed opener for India, has served as the team mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Under his guidance, KKR won their third IPL trophy in 2024.Gambhir's appointment is seen as a positive step by the BCCI, which believes he has the experience and vision to lead Indian cricket forward. He takes over from Rahul Dravid, whose tenure ended after the T20 World Cup.