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ACC accepts the hybrid model as the Asia Cup 2023 will be played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka

ACC accepted the hybrid model as the Asia Cup 2023 will now be played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka scheduled to take place from 31st August.

Jun 15, 2023, 11:42 AM2 min read

ACC accepts the hybrid model as the Asia Cup 2023 will be played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka

The arch-rivals India and Pakistan will resume their epic rivalry in the forthcoming edition of the Asia Cup. The 2023 edition of the Asia Cup will take place from 31st August to 17th September. The celebrated tournament will be played in a hybrid model across Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Read Also: Ashes 2023 | Who will win the Test Cricket's greatest battle?

The final clash of the Asia Cup 2023 will take place on September 17 (Sunday). The Asian Cricket Council has confirmed that India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal will play a total of 13 ODI matches at the Asia Cup. Pakistan will host four matches of the Asia Cup. Last time champions Sri Lanka will host nine games of the prestigious event.

Asia Cup 2023: ACC's statement

"The tournament will be hosted in a hybrid model with four matches being held in Pakistan, and the remaining nine matches being played in Sri Lanka. The 2023 Edition will feature two groups, with two teams from each group qualifying for the Super Four stage. The top two teams from the Super Four stage will then face off in the final," the Asian Cricket Council said in a statement.

The hybrid model has come into effect after the BCCI expressed its reservations about touring Pakistan for the Asia Cup. Earlier, former champions Pakistan had the right to entirely host the continental tournament.

According to a previous report, the apex cricket board of India agreed to allow Lahore to host four non-India in the first round of the tournament. BCCI secretary Jay Shah made it clear that India will not travel to Pakistan due to security concerns.

The 2023 edition of the Asia Cup will have two groups. Out of these only two teams can seal their berths for the Super Four stage. The standout teams from the Super Four stage will meet each other in the final of the Asia Cup.

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IND vs ENG: Gautam Gambhir returnes to India from England tour due to family emergency

India head coach Gautam Gambhir returned home on June 12 as his mother suffered a heart attack on June 11.

Jun 13, 2025, 11:37 AM3 min read

IND vs ENG: Gautam Gambhir returnes to India from England tour due to family emergency

Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has suddenly returned to India, citing a family emergency as the reason. A BCCI source has given this information to news agency PTI.

The source said that Gambhir had to return to take care of his mother, who has been admitted to a hospital in New Delhi due to health complications. The Shubman Gill-led Indian Test team is in England to play a five-match IND vs ENG series, starting June 20 in Leeds.

Also Read: Exclusive: Advised by Sourav Ganguly, Abishek Porel gets coached by Yuvraj Singh; this is what he learned

Doeschate will look after the team for now

In Gambhir's absence, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate will oversee the team during the four-day intra-squad match between India and India A starting from Friday. He will be assisted by other coaching staff like bowling coach Morne Morkel and batting coach Shitanshu Kotak. If all goes well at home, Gambhir is expected to return to England within a week.

Indian team would like to test its preparations

The Indian team will play intra-squad matches to finalise its preparations ahead of the IND vs ENG five-match Test series. India A played two unofficial Test matches against England Lions and the batsmen showed their prowess in them. Such matches are important for the preparation of the team before any series. India has opted to play this match in an empty stadium so that the opposing team does not get a clue of their strategy.

All eyes will be on Kuldeep-Jadeja

In this match, the performance of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja will be watched and an interesting competition is expected between these two to make a place in the final eleven of the Indian Test team.

India's bowling coach Morne Morkel had said on Wednesday that the match is crucial for India's preparation as it is difficult to develop the ability to bowl and field 90 overs in a day through normal practice sessions. This match will give the Indian team management a good opportunity to assess its players, especially the bowlers, in match situations.

Also Read: Ellyse Perry predicts the winner of WTC 2025

This will help ensure that the bowlers, be it spinners or pacers, are in the required rhythm in the actual match. Gambhir will have to do some brainstorming to pick the only specialist spinner for Headingley.

Jadeja has a good batting record abroad but if India has to take 20 wickets then Kuldeep's role will become important. Kuldeep can prove to be a good partner of fast bowler Jaspreet Bumrah in the conditions here. Jadeja vs Kuldeep is the biggest puzzle for the playing XI that the team management will have to solve.

Eyes will be on fast bowlers as well

Similarly, this match will give the team management and captain Shubman Gill a chance to see which ball works better in these conditions - Akash Deep's full length or Prasidh Krishna's back of the length. Bumrah, who will be playing a red ball match after six months, will get a chance to bowl multiple spells and test his fitness. He has played only IPL since returning from a lower back injury.

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Salman Ali Agha likely to take over Pakistan's all-format captaincy

PCB poised for a major leadership change, with Salman Ali Agha likely to take over Pakistan's all-format captaincy. Explore the reasons behind and what's next for them.

Jun 10, 2025, 2:05 PM2 min read

Salman Ali Agha likely to take over Pakistan's all-format captaincy | sportzpoint.com

The air around Pakistan Cricket is thick with anticipation. Unconfirmed but strong reports indicate that Pakistan Cricket Board (PSB) is set to make a major leadership change, with Salman Ali Agha likely to take over Pakistan's all-format captaincy.

This is not just a routine captaincy change; it's a strategic move by PCB that could fundamentally change the team's trajectory.

What does this decision truly signify for the Green Shirts? Find out.

The current captains: Where do they stand?

Salman Ali Agha likely to take over Pakistan's all-format captaincy | sportzpoint.com
Current captains of Pakistan National Team. Image | sportzpoint.com

Pakistan's captaincy landscape is currently questionable, influenced by their recent performances.

1. Shan Masood (Test Captain)

Appointed in November 2023, Shan Masood's captaincy has been challenging. The team suffered a 3-0 whitewash in Australia (Dec 2023- Jan 2024) which placed his position under significant threat.

Additionally, they also lost 2-0 to Bangladesh (Aug-Sept 2024) which almost marked the end of his captaincy tenure.

2. Mohammad Rizwan (ODI Captain)

Named full-time ODI captain in 2024, Mohammad Rizwan's tenure is also under review. While he had initial success, his position came under threat after their early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, despite being the defending champions.

This include big losses to New Zealand and India in the tournament.

3. Salman Ali Agha (T20 Captain)

Appointed T20 captain in March 2025, Agha has been impressive. Under his brief leadership, the T20I side has reportedly shown "newfound intent" while batting. 

He has impressed both the selection committee and PCB chairman.

PCB's decision to change:

The PCB's move towards an all-format captain, particularly Salman Ali Agha, signals a desire for greater stability, a unified vision, and a fresh approach after a period of mixed results and frequent leadership changes.

The performances under Masood and Rizwan, especially in critical series and tournaments, have undeniably shaped the board's apparent decision towards a new captaincy structure and implement a new era under a single leader.

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11 Indian cricketers who are already inducted to the ICC Hall of Fame, as MS Dhoni joins the list

Here are the 11 Indian cricketers, including MS Dhoni, who have been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame list.

Jun 9, 2025, 5:36 PM2 min read

11 Indian cricketers to be inducted to the ICC Hall of Fame, as MS Dhoni joins the list - sportzpoint.com

Till now, 11 Indian cricketers have been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Former Indian captain and legend MS Dhoni became the latest Indian to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame list. 

Read Also | India's 2011 World Cup winning squad: Where are they now?

Along with MS Dhoni, Aussie great Matthew Hayden, South African legend Hashim Amla, former South African captain Graeme Smith, former Kiwi leader Daniel Vettori, and former Pakistan captain Sana Mir and English legend Sarah Taylor were also inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame 2025.

Here are the Indian cricketers who have been inducted into the prestigious "ICC Hall of Fame". 

Indian Cricketers in the ICC Hall of Fame

Name Brief Achievement Year
Sunil Gavaskar First to score 10,000 Test runs, 34 centuries 2009
Bishan Singh Bedi One of the greatest Indian spinners, 266 Test wickets in 67 matches 2009
Kapil Dev Led 1983 World Cup win, 434 Test wickets, 5,248 runs 2010
Anil Kumble 619 Test wickets, took 10 wickets in an innings 2015
Rahul Dravid 13,288 Test runs, known as “The Wall” 2018
Sachin Tendulkar 100 international centuries, 15,921 Test runs 2019
Vinoo Mankad First Indian to score 1000 Test runs and get 100 wickets 2021
Diana Edulji First Indian woman to get inducted, 100+ wickets in Tests/ODIs 2023
Virender Sehwag 8,586 Test runs, two triple centuries, 2011 WC winner 2023
Neetu David 141 ODI wickets, best women’s Test figures (8/53) 2024
MS Dhoni Led 2007 T20 WC, 2011 ODI WC; 10,773 ODI runs 2025

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ENG vs IND: England announce squad for the first Test against India

England have named a 14-member squad for the first Test of ENG vs IND starting 20 June at Headingley, Leeds, with experienced pacer Chris Woakes making a return to red-ball cricket.

Jun 5, 2025, 11:31 AM2 min read

ENG vs IND: England announce squad for the first Test against India

The England and Wales Cricket Board on Thursday announced a 14-member squad for the first Test of the five-match series against India. The ENG vs IND five-match Test series is starting from June 20. The first match will be played at Headingley on June 20, 2025.

Also Read: Youngest Cricketers to lead India in Tests

Overton replaces Atkinson

Fast bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton has returned. He has been included in the team in place of injured Gus Atkinson. Jamie has returned after the match against New Zealand in June 2022.

Atkinson was unavailable for selection due to a right hamstring injury suffered during the Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.

Carse, Woakes included in the squad

Fast bowlers Brydon Carse, Jacob Bethell and Chris Woakes have also been named in the squad, who last played during the New Zealand Test tour in December. The India A side are already in the United Kingdom, playing warm-up games against England Lions.

Woakes, known for his effectiveness in home conditions, especially at Lord’s, last featured prominently in 2018 against India, where he claimed four wickets and smashed an unbeaten 137.

Young spinner Shoaib Bashir, who starred with nine wickets against Zimbabwe, retains his spot as the lone specialist spinner. IPL winner Jacob Bethell and seamer Sam Cook, both of whom impressed recently, have also earned call-ups.

Ben Stokes to lead the team

England will field a significantly altered team compared to the last time they faced India in early 2024. James Anderson has since retired, while Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson are the other notable absentees from the squad.

Ben Stokes, who returned from a hamstring injury in that Zimbabwe Test, will lead England against India in a five-match series that marks the start of both teams’ campaigns in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Also Read: Most runs vs England in England for India in tests

ENG vs IND Test Series Schedule

  • 20-24 June 2025 - 1st Test, Headingley
  • 2-6 July 2025 - 2nd Test, Edgbaston
  • 10-14 July 2025 - Third Test, Lord's
  • 23-27 July 2025 - Fourth Test, Emirates Old Trafford
  • 31 July-4 August 2025 - Fifth Test, Kia Oval

ENG vs IND | England full squad

Ben Stokes (c), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.

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ENG-A vs IND-A: Karun Nair makes solid return to India set up; scores unbeaten 186 on Day 1

Karun Nair headlined the day with a solid, unbeaten 186 with the bat for India A against England Lions, in the first unofficial test match. Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel also scored fifties.

May 30, 2025, 6:27 PM2 min read

ENG-A vs IND-A: Karun Nair makes solid return to India set up; scores unbeaten 186 on Day 1 | sportzpoint.com

India A started their England tour on a great note with a solid Day 1 display against the England Lions in Canterbury. Karun Nair headlined the day with a solid, unbeaten 186 with the bat for India A.

England Lions captain James Rew won the toss and decided to bowl first on a greenish pitch at the St. Lawrence Ground. 

India A lost captain Abhimanyu Easwaran early on 8 while Yashasvi Jaiswal went back to the dressing room after adding 24. 

When it looked like that, Rew took the right decision of bowling first, Sarfaraz Khan and Karun Nair put up a 181-run partnership for the third wicket to give India A the advantage after Day 1’s play. 

Karun Nair, who last played a test match in 2017, continued his great form and completed his fifty in 85 balls. 

Soon, Sarfraz Khan, who was dropped from the test squad, completed his fifty in 84 balls as well. When both batters were looking to get to the hundred mark first, Sarfraz was caught down the leg side on 92 off 119 balls and missed his ton.

Nair, who was dropped on 89 off Ajeet Singh Dale, completed his 24th first-class ton off 155 balls.

Karun Nair completed his 24th first class ton for India A vs England Lions - sportzpoint.com

Post that, incoming batter Dhruv Jurel and Nair started smashing the bowlers and changed their gears. Nair reached the landmark of 150 in 205 balls while Jurel reached his fifty in just 68 balls.

At the end of Day 1 of the 4-day unofficial test match, Jurel remained unbeaten on 82 off 104 balls while Nair remained unbeaten on 186 from 246 balls, with India A finishing with 409/3. 

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