The Pakistan Cricket Board is under fire for reducing match fees for players in the National T20 Championship amid financial concerns. Several cost-cutting measures have affected domestic cricket, including travel standards and player contracts. Amidst the backlash, star players Babar Azam and Naseem Shah have withdrawn from the championship, raising concerns about their priorities.
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South Africa has unveiled a 16-player squad for their upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan, featuring two uncapped fast bowlers, Kwena Maphaka and Corbin Bosch. Injuries to key players like Anrich Nortje and Lizaad Williams necessitated these additions. The fitness of Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj remains uncertain.
A proposal to split Test cricket into two divisions, enabling more frequent matches between India, Australia, and England, is under discussion. Supporters argue this will enhance competition, while critics fear it may harm smaller teams. The two-tier system's implementation is eyed post-2027, raising concerns about economic imbalance and development of Test cricket.
Bowling legend Wasim Akram praised the ILT20 tournament for its high-quality cricket and competitive spirit, highlighting Desert Vipers as his favorite team. He emphasised the opportunities for UAE players to learn from international stars and urged them to capitalise on this exposure. With intense competition and emerging local talent, Akram believes ILT20 will help UAE rise as a top-performing Associate nation.
Ravichandran Ashwin recounted an incident during the Border Gavaskar Trophy involving Virat Kohli and fast bowler Akash Deep. Kohli's advice to bowl straight led to Akash losing his rhythm, giving Steve Smith the opportunity to score a century. Ashwin emphasized the importance of understanding a bowler’s mindset. Later, Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar celebrated winning the International Masters League 2025 with India Masters, who defeated West Indies Masters by six wickets. Tendulkar praised the experience, reminiscing about past cricketing days. Key performers included Ambati Rayadu, Yuvraj Singh, and Vinay Kumar. India successfully chased 149, with notable contributions from Rayudu and Tendulkar.
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has successfully acquired the Oval Invincibles franchise in The Hundred for £123 million, outbidding other competitors. This addition makes it the sixth global cricket team under their ownership, which already includes franchises such as Mumbai Indians in IPL and WPL, MI Cape Town, MI New York and MI Cape Town.
Young South African cricketers like Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ryan Rickelton, and Dewald Brevis are making significant strides in the SA20 league, showing promise for the national team's future. Vernon Philander emphasises the importance of these young talents rubbing shoulders with international stars, aiding their development and boosting South African cricket's resurgence on the global stage.
Sunil Gavaskar criticises Virat Kohli's shoulder bump with Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG as 'simply not cricket.' Gavaskar suggests that Kohli's reaction to Australian fans' booing increased pressure on his teammates and contributed to his inconsistent performance throughout the series. Kohli’s on-field antics were coupled with his struggles in form. After scoring an unbeaten century in Perth, he failed to maintain consistency throughout the series.
Rain forced the cancellation of the ICC Champions Trophy match between Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi after the field was not fully covered. Mohammad Kaif criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board for mismanagement of ICC funds. Both teams shared points, with South Africa leading Group B.
Rishabh Pant missed India's training due to viral fever and KL Rahul will continue as the preferred wicketkeeper for the Champions Trophy match against Pakistan. Coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that Rahul is the first-choice, following his strong performances, including a confident display against Bangladesh, securing his position in the playing XI.