England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of cricket for at least three months because of a torn left hamstring. Stokes will undergo surgery on the hamstring next month, the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement on Monday. He was injured a week ago during the third test loss to New Zealand in Hamilton. The 33-year-old allrounder had already been left out of England's squad announced on Sunday for the Champions Trophy in February and March in Pakistan. Hamstring issues previously forced Stokes to miss the home summer series against Sri Lanka and the first test in Pakistan in October.

The eight-nation ICC Champions Trophy' 2025 is set to begins on February 19, 2025 in Pakistan in promises to deliver intense cricketing action among the top teams in the world. Hosts Pakistan will play New Zealand in the opening match on February 19 in Karachi Bangladesh is likely to start their campaign taking on their giant neighbor India on the following day (February 20) at neutral venue in Dubai. BCB announces much-needed pay rise for women cricketers with central contracts The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash will take place on February 23. The highly anticipated tournament, hosted by Pakistan, will feature eight teams divided into two groups, will play across the Pakistani city of Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.  Grouping of Champions Trophy : Group A: Pakistan, New Zealand, India, Bangladesh Group B: South Africa, England, Australia, Afghanistan U-19 cricketers get cash bonus from BCB for Asia Cup triumph As per latest ICC ruling, all the matches of the Indian team will be held in neutral venue, likely in Dubai,  as per its hybrid deal. The grand final will commence on March 9, 2025, with March 10 reserved as the backup day Tentative schedule of the Champions Trophy. Date Time (IST) Venue Match February 19, 2025 2:30 pm Karachi Pakistan vs New Zealand February 20, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Bangladesh vs India February 21, 2025 2:30 pm Karachi Afghanistan vs South Africa February 22, 2025 2:30 pm Lahore Australia vs England February 23, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Pakistan vs India February 24, 2025 2:30 pm Rawalpindi Bangladesh vs New Zealand February 25, 2025 2:30 pm Rawalpindi Australia vs South Africa February 26, 2025 2:30 pm Lahore Afghanistan vs England February 27, 2025 2:30 pm Rawalpindi Pakistan vs Bangladesh February 28, 2025 2:30 pm Lahore Afghanistan vs Australia March 1, 2025 2:30 pm Karachi South Africa vs England March 2, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral New Zealand vs India March 4, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Semi-Final A1 vs B2 March 5, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Semi-Final B1 vs A2 March 9, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Final March 10, 2025 - Neutral Reserve Day  

Indian cricket allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin waved goodbye to international cricket. His decision came abruptly on Wednesday.  He hastily called a media conference following the drawn test between Australia and India at the Gabba, and came up with the retirement decision, reports AP.  “It’s a very emotional moment,” Ashwin said. “I have had a lot of fun, I have made a lot of memories alongside Rohit (captain Sharma) and my other teammates.” Bangladesh clinch T20I series vs West Indies The right-arm spinner and handy batter got his maiden Test cap in 2011 and played 106 Tests since. He grabbed 537 wickets in Test cricket. He has 115 wickets in Tests against Australia in 23 matches.  He has more wickets against Australia than other countries.  Sharma said he was aware of Ashwin’s desire to walk away before the start of the series, but convinced him to play in Adelaide last week. The 38-year-old spinner was then left out of the third test in Brisbane, with Ravindra Jadeja taking his spot. India trails Australia by 278 runs on the 4th day of the 3rd test “He felt if I am not needed now in the series, I am better off saying goodbye to the team,” captain Rohit Sharma said. Ashwin’s call means he will not be available for the final two tests in Australia, with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar the two remaining spinners in the Indian squad.

Bangladesh delivered a clinical performance with the ball to defeat the West Indies by 27 runs in the second T20I at Arnos Vale Ground, securing the three-match series with one game to spare. It was Bangladesh’s first T20I series win against West Indies since 2018. After a disappointing 3-0 loss in the ODI series, the visitors have bounced back emphatically in the shorter format. Being sent to bat first, Bangladesh struggled to gain momentum on a slow and damp pitch. Captain Litton Das (3 off 10) was the first to depart, stumped off Akeal Hosein, as Bangladesh found themselves in early trouble at 8 for 1. The top order faltered against the West Indies’ disciplined bowling, with Tanzid Hasan (2), Soumya Sarkar (11), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (26) failing to capitalize on starts. At 72 for 6 in the 14th over, Bangladesh seemed headed for an underwhelming total. India trails Australia by 278 runs on the 4th day of the 3rd test However, a watchfull knock by Shamim Hossain turned the tide. The left-hander smashed 35 off just 17 balls, including two fours and two sixes, lifting Bangladesh to a defendable 129 for 7 in 20 overs. Gudakesh Motie took two wickets for the West Indies. Chasing a modest target of 130, the West Indies' innings was shaken early under the pressure of Bangladesh's disciplined bowling. Taskin Ahmed struck in his very first over, removing Brandon King (8) and Andre Fletcher (0) to leave the hosts reeling at 19 for 2. Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain then combined to decimate the middle order, with Nicholas Pooran (5) and Rovman Powell (6) falling cheaply. Bangladesh edge out West Indies in thrilling first T20I The hosts' hopes rested on Roston Chase, who fought well with a 32-run knock off 34 balls. Akeal Hosein added a battling 31 off 31 at the tail end, but their efforts were in vain as wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Taskin returned to claim the final scalp, dismissing Hosein and wrapping up the West Indies innings at 102 in 18.3 overs.

Bangladesh secured a nail-biting 7-run victory over the West Indies in the first T20I at Kingstown, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The victory came in the morning of Bangladesh’s 54th Victory Day anniversary, commemorating the country’s liberation from Pakistan in 1971, making the occasion even more special. Mahedi Hasan was the star of the match, earning Player of the Match honours for his brilliant all-round performance. He contributed an unbeaten 26 runs with the bat and then dismantled the West Indies batting lineup with a career-best 4 for 13.   Bangladesh add Nahid Rana to T20I squad against West Indies After being put into bat, Bangladesh posted a modest total of 147 for 6. Soumya Sarkar top-scored with 43 off 32 balls, while Shamim Hossain’s quickfire 27 off 13 provided much-needed momentum at the death. Mahedi played a crucial role in stabilizing the innings, forging a vital partnership with Shamim. West Indies' Akeal Hosein was the best bowler for the hosts, taking 2 for 13 in his four overs.   West Indies, chasing 148, were rocked early by Taskin Ahmed and Mahedi. By the 7th over, the hosts were reduced to 38 for 5, with Mahedi’s four-wicket burst sending jitters through the batting order. “We tried to bowl straight and stick to our process,” Mahedi explained. “It was crucial to maintain partnerships, and I’m glad we could execute our plans.” Bangladesh set 322 target for West Indies in final ODI Despite the collapse, captain Rovman Powell led a fightback with a 60 off 35 balls. Alongside Romario Shepherd, Powell stitched a record 67-run partnership for the eighth wicket, giving West Indies a glimmer of hope. With 20 runs needed off the final three overs, Taskin Ahmed delivered a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Shepherd for 22. Powell followed soon after, caught in the deep, as West Indies fell short, bowled out for 140 in 19.5 overs.   “The pitch didn’t behave as expected, and we felt 150-160 would have been a good score,” Bangladesh captain Litton Das lauded his team’s fighting spirit. “But we believed in our bowlers and fielders, and they delivered. This win gives us confidence going into the next game.” Litton also set a personal milestone, breaking the record for most dismissals by a Bangladesh wicketkeeper in a T20I innings with five.   “We lost wickets in clusters, and that was the only way they could stay in the game,” Powell admitted his side missed opportunities. “Our batting let us down after a credible bowling performance. We need honest conversations about what went wrong.”

Bangladesh set a competitive target of 322 for West Indies in the third and final ODI of the three-match series in Basseterre on Thursday. Mahmudullah Riyad's unbeaten 84 off 63 balls and Jaker Ali's solid 62 off 57 anchored a 140-run unbroken stand for the sixth wicket, rescuing Bangladesh from a mid-innings wobble and lifting the total to 321 for 5 in 50 over. West Indies to bowl first against Bangladesh in 3rd ODI The innings began shakily for Bangladesh, with Alzarri Joseph removing Tanzid Hasan (0) and Litton Das (0) in quick succession, leaving the visitors reeling at 9 for 2. Soumya Sarkar (73 off 73) and skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz (77 off 73) steadied the innings with a 136-run partnership for the third wicket. Soumya’s composed knock, with six fours and four sixes, ended when he was trapped lbw by Gudakesh Motie. Soon after, Mehidy was run out in a moment of brilliance by Sherfane Rutherford, leaving Bangladesh at 171 for 4. Bangladesh announces squad for Women’s U19 Asia Cup Afif Hossain fell shortly after for 15, caught by Brandon King off Rutherford. Mahmudullah and Jaker Ali then took control, mixing boundaries with smart running between the wickets.Mahmudullah struck seven fours and four sixes, while Jaker added five boundaries and two sixes to lift the run rate in the final overs. Bangladesh added 104 runs in the last 10 overs, ensuring a strong finish. West Indies' bowlers struggled after their early breakthroughs, with Alzarri Joseph finishing as the pick with 2 for 43 from 10 overs. BPL Football: 3rd round of BPL Football begins Friday Gudakesh Motie and Rutherford claimed a wicket each, but the hosts now face a challenging chase to secure a clean sweep.

West Indies clinched the three-match ODI series with a dominant seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in the second ODI in Basseterre on Tuesday. Spearheaded by Jayden Seales’ fiery 4-22 and a clinical batting display led by Brandon King’s 82, the hosts chased down the 228-run target with 79 balls to spare. After winning the toss, West Indies opted to bowl first, and Seales delivered immediately. The pacer dismantled Bangladesh’s top order, reducing them to 54-3 within 10 overs. Bangladesh v West Indies, 2nd ODI: After promising start, Tigers bowled out for 227 Tanzid Hasan provided early resistance with a brisk 46 off 33 balls, but wickets fell regularly. Gudakesh Motie and Justin Greaves chipped in with crucial strikes, and despite a record 92-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Mahmudullah (62) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (45), Bangladesh was bundled out for 227 in 45.5 overs. In reply, West Indies’ openers Brandon King and Evin Lewis laid a solid foundation with a 109-run partnership. King’s 82 off 76 balls, laced with eight boundaries and three sixes, set the tone. Lewis fell agonizingly short of a half-century, dismissed for 49 by Rishad Hossain. Keacy Carty added 45, and captain Shai Hope (17 not out) and Sherfane Rutherford (24 not out) finished the job comfortably. “We were clinical today,” said Hope. “We have been struggling to win series at home, hope to finish 3-0 now.” West Indies opt to bowl first in 2nd ODI vs Bangladesh It was West Indies’ first ODI series win against Bangladesh after 10 years.  Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz lamented his team’s batting collapse. “We didn’t bat well in the middle overs. Partnerships were missing. 300-plus was needed on this wicket,” he said. West Indies aim for a 3-0 whitewash, while Bangladesh looks to regroup ahead of their Champions Trophy preparations.

Ireland have won the women's T20I series against Bangladesh with a 47-run win Saturday in the second encounter of the 3-match series in Sylhet.   The tourists lost the ODI series 3-0, but bounced back strongly in the first T20I, and then they continued to dominate and won the second match as well. Before this T20I series at home, Bangladesh lost to India and Australia earlier this year too. Overall, Bangladesh lost 10 matches in the format on the row, and they are now on the verge of a cleansweep.  Ireland Women outclass Bangladesh in tense finish to take series opener Opting to bat first, Ireland posted a competitive 134 for 5, thanks to Orla Prendergast's crucial 32 and a late flourish from Laura Delany (35). Nahida Akter was the best bowler for Bangladesh taking two wickets conceding only 20 runs.  Bangladesh's run chase faltered from the outset as they struggled to form partnerships and were ultimately dismissed for a paltry 87 in 17.1 overs. A late collapse proved fatal, with Bangladesh losing their last five wickets for just 17 runs, dramatically slumping from 70 for 5 to 87 all out. Prendergast starred with the ball as well, taking 3 wickets for 13 runs, while Arlene Kelly, and Laura Delany chipped in with 2 wickets each. Bangladesh women dominate Ireland to seal 3-0 series win Only Sharmin Akhter (23) and Shorna Akter (20) offered any resistance as the Bangladesh batting lineup crumbled.  Prendergast's all-round performance earned her the Player of the Match award. The Irish bowlers maintained a disciplined line and length throughout, making it difficult for the Bangladeshi batters to score freely. The third and last match of the T20I series will be played on December 9 at the same venue in Sylhet.

In a creative twist, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) unveiled the trophy for the upcoming T20 series between Bangladesh and Ireland at the picturesque Malnichara tea estate in Sylhet on Wednesday. Captains Nigar Sultana and Gaby Lewis donned traditional tea worker attire for the ceremony, capturing the imagination of fans and drawing widespread praise on social media. Bangladesh women dominate Ireland to seal 3-0 series win Posing with trophy in a tea garden wearing traditional attire came as a fresh approach to promote women’s cricket in the country. While similar events have been held before—such as a men's series trophy unveiling at a metro station—Nigar described this as “beyond imagination” and a “great initiative to promote women’s cricket differently.” “We’re in a good place. If we maintain this momentum, it will be a significant achievement for the team,” the Bangladesh captain said. However, Nigar remained cautious about Ireland’s T20 capabilities. BCB announces women’s squad for T20I series against Ireland “They played well in parts during the ODIs, especially their batting in the second and third matches. We are confident but not overconfident,” she added. The T20 series will kick off on Thursday, with the first match scheduled at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The second and third matches will follow on December 7 and 9, respectively, making it a thrilling week for cricket fans in Sylhet and beyond. Bangladesh Squad for the First Two T20 Matches: Nigar Sultana Jyoti (Captain); Nahida Akter; Murshida Khatun; Dilara Akter; Sharmin Akter Supta; Sobhana Mostary; Swarna Akter; Ritu Moni; Rabeya; Fahima Khatun; Fariha Islam Trishna; Jahanara Alam; Jannatul Ferdous Sumona; Taj Nahar; Sanjida Akter Meghla Reserves: Disha Biswas, Shamima Sultana, Sharmin Sultana This series holds special significance following Bangladesh’s dominant performance in the preceding ODI series, where they secured a clean sweep against Ireland in Dhaka.  The T20 encounters in Sylhet are expected to further highlight the growing stature of Bangladesh’s women’s cricket team on the global stage.

Pakistan has recalled fast bowler Mohammad Abbas for Test cricket after a three-year gap, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will focus solely on white-ball formats during the upcoming tour of South Africa. Abbas, who last played a Test in Jamaica in 2021, has been in top form, taking 31 wickets in five matches in a premier domestic four-day competition. Selection committee member Aaqib Javed explained that Afridi's exclusion from the Test squad is a strategic move to keep him fresh for the Champions Trophy. The Test squad's pace attack includes Naseem Shah, who missed recent home matches against England, alongside Khurram Shahzad and left-arm seamer Mir Hamza. Pakistan’s tour of South Africa begins next Tuesday with three T20 matches, followed by three ODIs and two Tests at Centurion and Cape Town. Javed, also serving as interim white-ball coach for the Zimbabwe tour, stated that the selectors followed a “horses for courses” policy to ensure balanced squads for the series. The ODI focus is to build momentum for the Champions Trophy, while the T20 series aims to integrate young talent with experienced players. Kingston Test: Bangladesh register historic 101-run win over West Indies Notable exclusions include off-spinner Sajid Khan, despite his impressive performance of 19 wickets in two Tests against England. Noman Ali, who claimed 20 wickets in the same series, was preferred due to the seam-friendly conditions expected in South Africa. Javed acknowledged the difficulty of dropping Sajid but emphasized Abbas’s expertise in such conditions. Key players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha were included in all three squads. Left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem retained his spot in the T20 and ODI squads after delivering a record-breaking five-wicket haul in Zimbabwe. In a first, Bangladesh book Youth World Cup Hockey place; beating Thailand 7-2 Squads: Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha. ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan. T20s: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan.