ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Tentative Schedule Unveiled
The ICC has announced the tentative schedule for the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to run from February 19 to March 9, co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE. Featuring eight top cricketing nations split into two groups, the tournament will adopt a hybrid hosting model, with India’s matches taking place in Dubai due to security concerns. The event will kick off with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi, while the eagerly awaited India-Pakistan clash is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai. Matches will occur across venues in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai, with the final set for March 9 in Dubai. This edition, marking the tournament’s return after an eight-year hiatus, highlights Pakistan’s resurgence as a cricketing host and underscores the ICC’s efforts to balance political sensitivities with sporting unity.
Sam Konstas Ready to Face Jasprit Bumrah in Boxing Day Test Debut
Australian teenage prodigy Sam Konstas is gearing up for his Test debut in the prestigious Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The 19-year-old earned his place in the squad following a stunning century in a practice match against the Indian team, scoring 107 runs off 97 balls. Slated to open the batting for Australia, Konstas replaces Nathan McSweeney and faces the daunting task of countering Jasprit Bumrah, India’s ace fast bowler, who has an exceptional record in Australia with 53 wickets at an average of 17.15. Despite the challenge, Konstas remains optimistic, relying on his rigorous preparation and confidence in his abilities to succeed on cricket’s grand stage. With the series locked at 1-1, the match carries immense significance, adding pressure and excitement to the young opener’s debut in front of a packed MCG crowd.
Bangladesh Cricket Board Expands National Contracts for Women Cricketers
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made a landmark move to strengthen women’s cricket by introducing national contracts for an additional 30 players, alongside the existing 18 centrally contracted cricketers. This initiative, effective from November 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, includes uncapped players and those re-entering the national circuit, offering them financial security through monthly salaries. To further support women’s cricket, the BCB has also increased the monthly salaries across all four grades of centrally contracted players, with Grade A players now earning BDT 120,000 (approximately $1,000). Performance-based bonuses have been introduced to incentivize wins against higher-ranked teams. This expansion reflects the BCB’s commitment to fostering talent, providing opportunities, and enhancing competitiveness within women’s cricket in Bangladesh.
Sam Konstas Confident Ahead of Boxing Day Test Debut Against Bumrah
Sam Konstas won’t overload on watching videos of Jasprit Bumrah ahead of his likely Boxing Day Test debut, as he prepares to face India’s pace maestro for the first time. Konstas blasted 107 from 97 balls against India three weeks ago, helping open the door for his call-up to Australia’s Test squad in place of Nathan McSweeney. India’s attack in Canberra resembled the closest thing Konstas has seen to a Test squad, with Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja all playing. But the one tourist missing from that match was Bumrah, the man who has caused Australia the most pain this summer. While Konstas has carried all before him in domestic cricket this summer, Bumrah is officially the most damaging tourist to hit Australia’s shores. He now holds the best bowling average for any overseas player in the country who’s taken more than 50 wickets, with Bumrah now having claimed 53 at 17.15. across three tours.
Australia Wins ICC Women’s Championship After Dominant Victory in Wellington
Australia secured their third consecutive ICC Women’s Championship title with a commanding 75-run win over New Zealand in Wellington. Australia, led by key contributions from Ash Gardner (74) and Annabel Sutherland (42), posted a total of 290. New Zealand, despite a valiant effort, fell short, reaching only 215. Australia’s victory, bolstered by strong performances from their bowlers, confirmed their unassailable lead with 39 points, leaving New Zealand at risk of missing out on direct qualification for the 2025 Women’s World Cup. While sat in the final automatic qualification spot in sixth after their 24 matches (21 points), New Zealand could be overtaken by both Bangladesh (three matches to play, 19 points accumulated) or the West Indies (five matches to play, 14 points accumulated), forcing them to earn their global tournament privileges via the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, where six teams will battle for the final two competition spots.
Saim Ayub’s Century Leads Pakistan to Historic ODI Series Sweep Over South Africa
Saim Ayub’s brilliant 101 helped Pakistan secure a 36-run victory over South Africa in the rain-affected third ODI, clinching their first-ever home ODI whitewash. Ayub’s century, combined with valuable contributions from Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, powered Pakistan to 308/9. South Africa’s chase was hampered by tight bowling, and despite a valiant 81 from Heinrich Klaasen, they were bowled out for 271. Pakistan’s win completed a historic 3-0 series victory, marking their fifth consecutive bilateral ODI series win. The loss means South Africa have won only one out of three ODI series this year, after also losing to Afghanistan in Sharjah, and two out of six ODI series under white-ball coach Rob Walter, who took over in February 2023. Pakistan, on the other hand, completed a fifth successive bilateral series win after beating New Zealand, Afghanistan, Australia and Zimbabwe.
Pakistan Completes Historic ODI Series Sweep in South Africa
Pakistan achieved a historic 3-0 ODI series sweep in South Africa, with a 36-run win (DLS method) in Johannesburg. Saim Ayub’s century (101) and key contributions from Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam guided Pakistan to a total of 308/9. Despite a strong response from South Africa, led by Heinrich Klaasen (81), Pakistan’s bowlers, especially Sufiyan Muqeem (4/52), held their ground, dismissing South Africa for 271. This victory capped off a perfect series for Pakistan, who had previously won the first two ODIs with commanding performances. In a confidence-boosting result ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy, Pakistan have consigned South Africa to their first ever clean sweep defeat in a home men’s ODI series, defeating the Proteas by 36 runs (DLS Method) in Johannesburg on Sunday.
England Names Squads for India Tour and ICC Champions Trophy 2025
England has revealed their squads for the upcoming India tour, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs, ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Key updates include the return of Joe Root to the ODI squad, while Ben Stokes is absent due to injury. The squad, led by Jos Buttler, combines experience and youth, with Rehan Ahmed included in the T20I team. The tour will begin on January 22 with the first T20I in Kolkata. Returning to ODI side is experienced batter Joe Root, who last featured in the format in England’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign. England, the 2019 edition winners, crashed out of the tournament in the group stage, winning just three out of their nine matches.Root, 33, has played 171 ODIs, scoring 6522 runs at an average of 47.60, which includes 16 centuries and 39 half-centuries.
England recall Root for ODIs but Stokes left out
England have recalled batter Joe Root to their men’s one-day international squad for the tour of India and the 2025 Champions Trophy, but the injured Ben Stokes misses out. Root, ranked number one in the Test batting rankings, has 171 ODI caps but has not played for the white-ball side since an outing at the World Cup in November 2023. He is part of a 15-player squad that also includes pace bowler Mark Wood following his recovery from a right elbow injury. England Test captain Stokes has not been selected because of a hamstring injury he suffered in the third Test in New Zealand earlier this month. The tour to India in January and February includes five T20 internationals and three ODIs before England travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Root, who turns 34 on 30 December, has only been selected in the ODI squad.
The squads have started to arrive for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2025.
The 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup will be the second edition of the event and is scheduled to be hosted by Malaysia in 2025 from 18 January. India are defending champions, having won the inaugural edition in South Africa in 2023. 16 teams will be divided across four groups in the opening stage of the tournament. 41 matches will be played in a 16-day period. India are with hosts Malaysia, Sri Lanka and West Indies in Group A. Neighbours England and Ireland join Pakistan and USA in Group B. Established sides New Zealand and South Africa are pitted with Nigeria and Samoa in Group C. Finally, Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal and Scotland comprise Group D.
