Mahmud's six-for wrecking ball as Bangladesh flatten Australia in Darwin
Career-best figures of 6 for 55 from Hasan Mahmud bowled Australia out for a record-low 198 in Darwin, before Bangladesh reached 96 for 1 to seize control of the opening Test. Elsewhere, Afghanistan booked their 2027 World Cup ticket and India fine-tuned their plans for a sweltering Galle showdown.
Match Reports & Team News
Hasan Mahmud's 6-55 sinks Australia for 198 as Bangladesh seize control in Darwin
Hasan Mahmud produced career-best figures of 6 for 55 to bowl Australia out for a record-low 198 against Bangladesh on the opening day of the first Test in Darwin, the hosts' lowest ever total in the head-to-head. Bangladesh closed on 96 for 1, with Mominul Haque and Tanzid Tamim unbeaten, after Steve Smith's defiant 71 had briefly threatened to rescue the innings.
Afghanistan clinch 2027 ODI World Cup spot with three-wicket win over Ireland
Afghanistan secured direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup after beating Ireland by three wickets in the third ODI in Belfast. Rashid Khan's unbeaten 37 guided the chase after a middle-order collapse, giving Afghanistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Hazlewood returns, Weatherald handed Test debut as Australia name XI for Bangladesh opener
Pat Cummins has confirmed Australia's XI for the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, with Josh Hazlewood returning to the side ahead of Scott Boland to headline an experienced attack alongside the captain and Mitchell Starc. Jake Weatherald will make his Test debut at the top of the order alongside Travis Head.
West Indies face another World Cup qualifying fight after missing automatic berth
West Indies will have to qualify for the 2027 ODI World Cup after failing to secure an automatic place, with victory in the February Qualifier offering the clearest route back to the tournament.
India's Galle Test Challenge
Heat, humidity and Kookaburra ball pose mental test for India in Galle as Pant and spin calls dominate preview
India arrive in Galle for the first Test against Sri Lanka with World Test Championship pressure and limited red-ball match practice. Head coach Morne Morkel has flagged heat, humidity and the softening Kookaburra ball as the key mental challenges, while selection debate centres on a three-spinner attack with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav certain and Manav Suthar versus Saransh Jain in the balance. Former Sri Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof warns hosts about Rishabh Pant’s match-changing ability and expects India to play three spinners and two seamers.
Washington Sundar's Sri Lanka Test chances 'very slim' after hamstring setback
India's second Test against Sri Lanka faces another injury blow as Washington Sundar's availability is in doubt. BCCI sources say the chances of him joining the tour are very slim with the medical team wary of rushing the all-rounder back from a hamstring injury, while no timelines have been set for Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep.
Gavaskar urges Indian cricket to prioritize team over stars ahead of Sri Lanka Tests
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has called for Indian cricket to prioritize the collective success over individual superstars, emphasizing that belief in Indian cricket itself should come before any high-profile player. Speaking ahead of India's opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, Gavaskar expressed confidence that India can win both matches in the series, provided the team maintains focus on the bigger picture rather than individual performers. He highlighted that the team-first approach is crucial as India aims to qualify for the World Test Championship final by winning seven of their remaining nine Tests.
Virat Kohli’s non-negotiable intensity still sets the fielding standard, says T Dilip
Former India fielding coach T Dilip says Virat Kohli’s intensity in the field remains non-negotiable and contagious, with the star batter showing the same commitment in training and matches and pushing teammates to raise their limits. Dilip also recalled India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados as his most cherished memory.
Global Game & Administration
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta says random bilateral series must end, ODIs can still thrive
ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta says the era of randomly scheduled bilateral series has to end for the sport to remain sustainable, while arguing the ODI format has a clear place in cricket’s portfolio alongside T20 growth and a more meaningful Test structure.
2027 World Cup to test Africa’s cricket revolution
The 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will offer a major test of how cricket’s T20 boom has reshaped the game and expanded its audience across Africa. South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and former opener Hashim Amla believe the tournament could be a defining moment for the hosts.
India to host Afghanistan for three T20Is in Delhi in September as Sony bags TV rights
Afghanistan will host India in a three-match T20I series at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on 13, 15 and 17 September 2026, serving as preparation for the Asian Games. Sony Sports Network has secured the TV rights via ITW Universe, which holds global rights, while FanCode holds digital rights. Rights holder ITW Universe has written to the ACB requesting a modest schedule shift to stage a match on Ganesh Chaturthi, 14 September.
Jammu & Kashmir set to host Irani Cup at Srinagar's Sher-I-Kashmir Stadium after four decades
Srinagar's Sher-I-Kashmir Stadium is preparing to host the Irani Cup from October 1-5 between Ranji Trophy champions Jammu & Kashmir and Rest of India, the biggest cricket match in Kashmir since the 1986 ODI. The BCCI has inspected the venue and upgrades for live telecast and spectators are underway, though the board has yet to officially confirm the fixture.
Off the Field
Sourav Ganguly and wife Dona receive death threats; Kolkata Police launch probe into letters sent over six months
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly and his wife Dona have received death threats via letters sent over the past six months, prompting Kolkata Police to launch an investigation. Ganguly filed a complaint at Thakurpukur Police Station after two threatening letters arrived at his office on Monday, as police examine the courier trail and track a mobile number to identify the sender.
Australia retain Gardner as vice-captain with new selection safeguards over Voll relationship
Cricket Australia will keep Ashleigh Gardner as Australia women's vice-captain but has implemented new safeguards around her involvement in selection discussions following the public disclosure of her relationship with teammate Georgia Voll. CA chief executive Todd Greenberg confirmed the board remains supportive of Gardner's leadership role while introducing updated policies to address potential conflicts of interest.
Shaheen Afridi answers Babar Azam captaincy speculation: ‘For now, I am the captain’
Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has refused to look beyond his current mandate after being asked about reports linking Babar Azam with a return to a wider leadership role. Afridi said he is currently captain and shifted the focus to building squad depth ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Rashid Latif urges PCB to shield Babar Azam from English media on England tour
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has advised the PCB to limit Babar Azam’s interactions with the English media during Pakistan’s upcoming three-Test series, suggesting Shan Masood take on a larger media role.
Iqbal Qasim accuses Pakistan youngsters of chasing money over mastery
Former Pakistan Test spinner and ex-chief selector Iqbal Qasim has criticised the current generation of cricketers for prioritising earnings over skill development, questioning selection vision and interference in Pakistan cricket.
Harbhajan Singh welcomes Sreesanth roommate plan to finally end 2008 feud
Harbhajan Singh says sharing a room with S. Sreesanth could help resolve their long-running differences, after Sreesanth challenged his former India teammate to a boxing bout over their infamous 2008 IPL incident.
10 Beautiful Baby Names Inspired by Dawn and First Light
A guide to 10 baby names inspired by dawn and the first light of morning, each carrying symbolic meaning of new beginnings, warmth, and hope. The collection includes names from various cultures and languages, ranging from Aurora to Usha, each capturing the essence of sunrise and the fresh start it represents.
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