Cricket

Sylhet Division maintained their dominance in the National Cricket League (NCL) with a resounding innings and 139-run victory over Dhaka Metropolis. The triumph marked Sylhet's fourth innings victory in first-class cricket and their third this season.Dhaka Metropolis's batting woes began in the first innings, as they were dismissed for a paltry 130 runs. Nasum Ahmed, fresh from his exploits in the ODI series against Afghanistan, led the bowling attack with four wickets. Rejaur Rahman Raja and Khaled Ahmed chipped in with three wickets each.Amite Hasan's century proved pivotal for Sylhet, as he guided them to a commanding 376 runs. Hasan's patient knock of 101, which included 13 boundaries, spanned four-and-a-half hours.Dhaka's second innings proved no better, as they were bundled out for 107 runs in just 33.4 overs. Khaled Ahmed was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming five wickets, while Raja picked up three.Meanwhile, Dhaka Division secured their first win of the season, defeating Khulna Division by nine wickets at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. The match marked the farewell red-ball appearance of Imrul Kayes, who recently announced his retirement from Tests and first-class cricket.Khulna failed to provide Kayes with a fitting send-off, as they were bowled out for 172 on the opening day. Fast bowler Sumon Khan starred with six wickets, while Salauddin Sakil took two.Dhaka fell 12 runs short of Khulna's total, getting bowled out for 160. Al-Amin Hossain, Masum Khan, and Aridul Islam Akash shared nine wickets among them.Khulna's second innings collapse saw them dismissed for a mere 91 runs, their lowest NCL total against Dhaka. Anamul Haque claimed four wickets, while Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and Sumon took three each. Rony Talukdar and Ariful Islam guided Dhaka to a comfortable victory, chasing down the target of 104 runs in just 17.2 overs.Chattogram Division continued their winning streak, defeating Rajshahi Division by nine wickets. Fahad Hossian and Ahmed Sharif starred with the ball, as Rajshahi's struggles continued.Rajshahi were bowled out for 112 runs in their first innings, with Hossian taking five wickets and Ashraful Hasan and Ifran Hossain claiming two each.Chattogram responded with 252 runs, led by Shamim Hossain's unbeaten 84. Wasi Siddiquee and Sabbir Hossain took three wickets apiece for Rajshahi.Sabbir's half-century in the second innings helped Rajshahi improve their score, but they were eventually dismissed for 220. Sharif claimed five wickets, while Nayeem Hasan took three. Sadikur Rahman and Sajjadul Haque guided Chattogram to victory, reaching 83 runs on the third day.

Zimbabwe has announced its ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series against Pakistan, featuring a blend of experienced and uncapped players.ODI Squad:The ODI squad includes three uncapped players: Trevor Gwandu, Tashinga Musekiwa, and Tinotenda Maposa. Gwandu and Musekiwa have represented Zimbabwe in T20Is, while Maposa, a 21-year-old fast bowler, is yet to make his international debut.Seasoned players like Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, and Sean Williams provide stability to the squad. Youngsters Clive Madande, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, and the uncapped trio bring energy and potential.T20I Squad:Zimbabwe has retained the same T20I squad that won the men's T20 World Cup 2026 sub-regional qualifier in Kenya. The team broke the record for the highest T20I total during that tournament.Sikandar Raza will captain the T20I side, which includes Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, and Richard Ngarava.Series Schedule:The white-ball series against Pakistan will commence with the first ODI on November 24 and conclude on December 5. Bulawayo will host all six matches, including three ODIs and three T20Is.

Jos Buttler, England's white-ball captain, has expressed uncertainty about the return of Ben Stokes and Joe Root to the team for the upcoming Champions Trophy. While Stokes has indicated a willingness to return if requested by new coach Brendon McCullum, Root's intentions remain unclear.Buttler acknowledged that the decision lies with McCullum, who will assume full-time responsibility for the white-ball side in January. England has a white-ball tour to India in January, which includes three ODIs, before the Champions Trophy begins in February.Buttler emphasized that the team has performed well in the absence of Stokes and Root, with young players stepping up. He also expressed hope that the pair still harbors white-ball aspirations, recognizing their exceptional talent.Root, England's all-time leading ODI run-scorer, has struggled in recent 50-over matches, averaging just 22.94 since July 2021. Stokes, on the other hand, has maintained a solid average of 43.38 in ODIs over the past five years.Buttler believes that the appointment of McCullum as overall head coach will foster greater consistency between the red-ball and white-ball teams. He praised the performance of Saqib Mahmood, who was named Player of the Series against West Indies with nine wickets in four matches.Buttler also reflected on his own return from injury, having missed four months with a calf problem. He opted not to keep wicket in the series against West Indies to gain experience captaining from the field. While he enjoyed the experience, he remains uncertain about whether he will permanently relinquish the gloves.

Australia's dominance in the shortest format continued as they completed a comprehensive 3-0 T20 series victory over Pakistan with a convincing seven-wicket win in Hobart. Marcus Stoinis' blistering unbeaten 61 off just 27 balls proved to be the catalyst for Australia's triumph.Pakistan, who had triumphed in the preceding ODI series 2-1, were outplayed in the T20 format. Their batting faltered, mustering a mere 117 in 19 overs, with Babar Azam's 41 being the highest individual score. Aaron Hardie emerged as the standout bowler for Australia, claiming 3-21.In response, Australia chased down the target with ease, reaching the victory mark in the 12th over. Skipper Josh Inglis expressed his delight at the series sweep, highlighting Stoinis' devastating performance. "When he's going like that, it's really hard to stop," Inglis said.Stoinis' innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring five sixes and five fours. He forged a crucial 55-run partnership with Inglis (27) to put Australia in control. The victory capped off a dominant series for the hosts, who had won the first two matches in Brisbane and Sydney by comfortable margins.Pakistan's batting woes were evident from the outset. They lost wickets regularly and failed to build any substantial partnerships. Shaheen Shah Afridi's solitary six was a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing display."There's lots of positives, the way some of the players batted and bowled, these youngsters will come good," said Salman Agha, Pakistan's skipper for the night.Australia's chase was a formality. Fraser-McGurk and Short got off to a flying start, but Short's dismissal for two opened the door for Stoinis to take center stage. He shared a match-winning partnership with Inglis, effectively ending the contest.Stoinis' half-century came off just 23 balls, underlining his status as one of the most destructive batsmen in the world. His innings featured a flurry of sixes and fours, leaving the Pakistani bowlers helpless.Australia's victory was a testament to their superior firepower and execution in the shortest format. Pakistan, despite their ODI success, were unable to match the hosts' intensity and skill in the T20 series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is eagerly awaiting a response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding India's reluctance to participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next February. The PCB has formally requested clarification from the ICC on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision, which was communicated to the ICC. The PCB has also sought a written response from the BCCI and the date when it informed the ICC of its stance.Despite the lack of a response, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains optimistic about the tournament, which will be Pakistan's first ICC event since 1996. "We have sent them [ICC] the questions we had," Naqvi said. "We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy."Naqvi reiterated the PCB's stance of not using a hybrid model for the tournament and expressed willingness to engage in discussions with the BCCI to resolve the impasse. "At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come," he said. "Nobody has any issues. I will say today also, if India has any concerns, speak to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don't think there is any reason for them not to visit."When asked about the possibility of a boycott if hosting rights are revoked, Naqvi emphasized the importance of Pakistan's pride. He also addressed the altered route of the trophy tour, which was initially scheduled to include Muzaffarabad but was modified after objections from the BCCI. "My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, that are they an organisation for all the world's bodies," Naqvi said. "And that route has been rescheduled, we haven't been told about any cancellation."Naqvi expressed hope that the ICC would soon announce the tournament schedule to facilitate the PCB's preparations. He emphasized the importance of keeping sports and politics separate and urged the BCCI to engage in dialogue to address any concerns.

Australian cricketer Travis Head anticipates a formidable performance from Indian star batsman Virat Kohli throughout the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Head acknowledges Kohli's world-class batting abilities and emphasizes the importance of respecting his talent.Despite Kohli's recent dip in form, Head believes he will have his moments in the series. "He's a world-class player. Over the course of five Tests, he is going to play well at some stage. We have to understand and respect that," Head said.Head also expressed his understanding and support for Rohit Sharma's decision to prioritize family over the first Test match. "Hundred per cent, I support Rohit's decision. I would have done the same in the same situation," Head said.Despite Rohit's absence, Head cautioned against underestimating the Indian team. "If you look at our history, you would not rule out any Indian team. In the last two trips, they've had injuries and doubts, and people questioned them, but they pulled off incredible performances," Head said.Nathan Lyon, Australia's leading off-spinner, emphasized that the Australian bowling attack has strategies in place for every Indian batsman, not just Kohli. "We have got plans for each one of their guys. They have a side full of superstars, the batting lineup which is exciting, it is a massive challenge for us," Lyon said.Lyon expressed confidence in Australia's preparations and their anticipation for the series. "We are looking forward to that, we have some plans in store. Let's get cracking on Friday," Lyon said.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India is set to commence on February 9th in Nagpur. The series will consist of four Test matches, with the second Test to be played in Delhi, the third in Dharamsala, and the fourth in Ahmedabad.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has unequivocally declared that the Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan as scheduled. He asserted that if India has any concerns, it should engage in dialogue with the PCB to resolve them."Pakistan's pride and respect are paramount. The Champions Trophy will take place in our country only. We will not accept a hybrid model. If India has any issues, they can approach us, and we will address them," Naqvi stated during a press conference outside Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.Naqvi reiterated the PCB's unwavering stance against a hybrid model, where matches would be played in both Pakistan and India. He urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to announce the schedule promptly."We stand firm on our position that we will not consider a hybrid model. We are awaiting the ICC's announcement of the schedule as soon as possible," he added.Naqvi emphasized the importance of the ICC upholding its credibility as a governing body representing all cricket boards worldwide. He noted that the schedule had been revised but that no cancellation notice had been received."The ICC needs to consider its credibility as it represents all cricket bodies globally. The schedule has been rescheduled, but we haven't received any cancellation notice," he said.Naqvi also expressed his belief in keeping sports and politics separate, emphasizing that the two should not influence or interfere with each other."I still believe that sports and politics should not interfere with each other, and I maintain a positive outlook," he said.The PCB chairman's firm stance comes amid speculation that India may boycott the Champions Trophy if it is held in Pakistan due to security concerns. However, Naqvi has assured that Pakistan is fully prepared to host the tournament and provide a safe environment for all participants.

Sri Lanka's cricket board has announced that star batsman Kusal Mendis and three other key players will be rested for the third and final one-day international (ODI) against New Zealand on Tuesday. The decision comes after Sri Lanka secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.Mendis, who has been in scintillating form, scoring 143 in the rain-shortened first ODI and an unbeaten 74 in the second, will be given a break to recover and prepare for the upcoming Test series in South Africa. Joining him on the sidelines will be Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando, and Pathum Nissanka."The decision was taken by the selectors to give the above players adequate time to recover and prepare for the upcoming Test series in South Africa," Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.In their place, top-order batsmen Nuwanidu Fernando and Lahiru Udara, as well as fast bowler Eshan Malinga, have been added to the squad. Fernando and Udara will be looking to make their ODI debuts, while Malinga, a veteran of 226 ODIs, will be aiming to add to his tally of 338 wickets in the format.Sri Lanka will be aiming to complete a clean sweep of the series in the final ODI at Pallekele. The hosts have been in impressive form, with Mendis leading the way with his batting exploits. However, New Zealand will be determined to avoid a whitewash and will be looking to their experienced players, such as captain Kane Williamson and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, to step up.The Test series against South Africa is scheduled to begin on March 31, and Sri Lanka will be keen to give their key players a chance to rest and recharge before the challenge of facing the Proteas.

Alex Carey, Australia's incumbent wicketkeeper, is entering the Test series against India as a rejuvenated force. Despite the presence of Josh Inglis in the squad, Carey remains unfazed and confident in his abilities.After a six-month break from cricket, Carey has returned with a vengeance. He has posted impressive scores in both ODIs and Shield matches, showcasing his exceptional form with both bat and gloves. Carey attributes his resurgence to a minor technical tweak in his batting stance, which has improved his decision-making and overall performance.While Inglis's inclusion in the squad could potentially threaten Carey's position, the veteran wicketkeeper remains pragmatic. He understands the competitive nature of the role and is focused on performing to the best of his abilities. Carey's long-time teammate, Travis Head, believes he has never seen him bat better, highlighting his current form and potential impact on the team.Carey's relaxed demeanor and impressive performances have made him a key player for Australia. His ability to contribute with both bat and gloves makes him a valuable asset to the team. As the Test series against India approaches, Carey is poised to play a significant role in Australia's quest for victory.