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Every story, honestly stated — and remembered.

Aug 31

England face selection dilemma ahead of Bethell's return

England's selectors must decide which batter to drop when Jacob Bethell returns to the Test squad. The all-rounder has recovered from injury and is available for selection.

Bethell's inclusion would create a difficult choice among the current middle-order options. England have named a settled XI in recent matches.

The decision will likely be made ahead of the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval.

Aug 31

BCB president confirms India white-ball series talks ongoing

BCB president Tamim Iqbal confirmed that talks with the BCCI over a rescheduled white-ball series remain active.

BCB president Tamim Iqbal confirmed that talks with the BCCI over a white-ball series remain active. The three ODIs and three T20Is were originally planned for August 2025 but were postponed amid political tensions.

Both boards are searching for a mutually acceptable window for the tour. The previous series arrangement collapsed when relations between the countries deteriorated.

Iqbal said the boards are working to find suitable dates but did not provide a timeline for an announcement.

via NDTV Sports
Aug 31

PCB recommended banning Imam-ul-Haq for faking injury in 2025

A report claims that the PCB recommended banning Imam-ul-Haq after a 2025 committee probe allegedly found he had faked an injury. The recommendation was made after an earlier investigation into similar conduct.

The latest controversy involves Imam's calf injury that ruled him out of the second Test at Lord's. The PCB has now launched a fresh high-level investigation into the circumstances of his withdrawal.

The 2025 probe findings add weight to questions about whether the current injury claim follows a pattern of behaviour previously examined by the board.

Aug 31

Novak Djokovic loses in first round of US Open 2026

Novak Djokovic suffered a shock first-round exit at the US Open 2026, his first opening-round defeat at a major since the 2006 Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic suffered a first-round exit at the US Open 2026. The 39-year-old had not lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.

Djokovic described the defeat as an awful feeling on court. His only other first-round loss at a major came at the 2005 Australian Open.

The result ends Djokovic's 2026 Grand Slam campaign in the first week.

OfficialNewsAug 31

Jasprit Bumrah likely to return for Asian Games 2026 after knee injury

Jasprit Bumrah could make his return to competitive cricket at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. The India fast bowler is progressing well in his recovery from a knee injury sustained during India's ODI tour of England in July.

The 32-year-old pacer has been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. His return date remains unconfirmed.

Bumrah's availability for the Asian Games will depend on his continued recovery progress over the coming months.

BreakingNewsAug 31

Harsh Dubey takes four wickets as Central Zone bowl out East Zone for 266

Harsh Dubey claimed four wickets as Central Zone dismissed East Zone for 266 on day two of the Duleep Trophy semi-final in Bengaluru. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell for 92 after trying to clear the deep midwicket boundary. The dismissal came against Dubey, who finished with the best figures of the innings.

Sooryavanshi had earlier become the youngest half-centurion in Duleep Trophy history. Abhimanyu Easwaran made 69 as the pair added 100 for the first wicket. Central Zone reached 45 for three in their second innings by stumps.

The match continues on day three with Central Zone holding a slight advantage. The winner advances to the Duleep Trophy final.

BreakingNewsAug 31

Hardik Pandya ruled out of Afghanistan T20Is with leg niggle

Hardik Pandya's leg niggle puts his Afghanistan T20I return in doubt while Krunal Pandya enters selection frame for the left-arm spin role.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has been advised to pause bowling due to leg discomfort at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, putting his return for the Afghanistan T20I series in serious doubt. The 32-year-old remains under observation by the medical team. Reports indicate the leg niggle casts fresh doubt on his participation in the three-match series starting September 13.

Nitish Kumar Reddy has regained fitness and remains available for selection. The T20Is will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17 as preparation for the Asian Games cricket event in Japan. Krunal Pandya is under consideration for the left-arm spin all-rounder role following concerns over Axar Patel's recent form.

Jasprit Bumrah's recovery timeline remains uncertain for the series. The BCCI is expected to finalise the squad later this week.

via Times of India, Zee News, News18
BreakingNewsAug 31

Hardik Pandya and Nitish Reddy cleared for Afghanistan T20Is

Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy are available for India's T20I series against Afghanistan while Washington Sundar nears clearance.

Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy have been cleared for selection ahead of India's three-match T20I series against Afghanistan starting September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Washington Sundar is closing in on fitness approvals and could make a swift return to the team.

Jasprit Bumrah's recovery is on track and he could feature in the Asian Games later in September. Krunal Pandya remains under consideration for the left-arm spin all-rounder role.

The selection committee is expected to finalise the squad this week for the series that forms part of India's preparation for the Asian Games cricket event in Japan.

Aug 31

AB de Villiers picks Dewald Brevis as most impressive youngster after IPL 2026

AB de Villiers identified Dewald Brevis as the youngster he admires most following IPL 2026. The former South Africa captain worked with the Chennai Super Kings batter during the tournament and highlighted his technical improvements.

Brevis scored an unbeaten 75 off 32 balls in a recent tri-series match against Zimbabwe, demonstrating his ability to accelerate in the middle order. De Villiers noted the 22-year-old's capacity to adapt across different formats and conditions.

The endorsement positions Brevis as a potential long-term option for South Africa's middle order across all formats. De Villiers' assessment carries weight given his own experience as one of the modern game's most adaptable batters.

VerifiedNewsAug 31

Rashid Latif calls PCB under Mohsin Naqvi the worst board in 70 years

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif criticised the PCB and its chairman Mohsin Naqvi, calling their administration the most ineffective in the last seventy years. He pointed to a notable decline in the team's performance, especially as they struggled to reach even 200 runs in their recent matches against England.

The comments come amid growing scrutiny of Pakistan's results on the ongoing tour. The team has failed to post competitive totals across multiple innings during the series.

The criticism comes as Pakistan face questions about their preparation and selection strategy ahead of the remaining Test match. Latif's remarks reflect broader concerns within former players about the current state of Pakistan cricket administration.

BreakingNewsAug 31

CSK dismiss reports of MS Dhoni seeking ownership stake in franchise

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has called reports of MS Dhoni seeking an ownership stake in the franchise completely baseless. The clarification leaves the door open for Dhoni's return in IPL 2027.

The rumours emerged amid speculation about Dhoni's future role with the franchise beyond his playing career. Viswanathan's statement aims to put an end to the speculation.

Dhoni remains CSK's most successful captain, leading the team to five IPL titles. His future involvement with the franchise continues to be a topic of discussion among fans and media.

BreakingNewsAug 31

Zimbabwe held on to win by five runs against Namibia in a final-over thriller in the T20I tri-series on Monday. Namibia's seventh-wicket pair had dragged the chase close to the target before Zimbabwe's bowlers defended the total in the closing overs.

Namibia had earlier stunned South Africa in the tournament while Zimbabwe lost their opening match to the Proteas. Each side now has one win from two matches in the tri-series.

The result keeps Zimbabwe in contention for the title and sets up further encounters between the teams in the coming days.

via Times of India, Cricket Australia, Livemint
BreakingNewsAug 31

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scores 92 as East Zone match Central Zone total

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 92 helped East Zone match Central Zone's 266 as the Duleep Trophy semifinal remains evenly poised after day two.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 92 as East Zone matched Central Zone's first-innings total of 266 in their Duleep Trophy semifinal at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

The 15-year-old reached his fifty off 42 balls before falling eight runs short of a first-class century. He also served as stand-in captain after Ishan Kishan suffered a finger injury on day one.

Central Zone finished day two at 29 for two in their second innings. East Zone's bowlers, led by Mukesh Kumar and Mohammed Shami, had dismissed Central Zone for 266 on day one.

via Indian Express, ABP Live, Zee News
BreakingNewsAug 31

Josh Hazlewood targets regular ODI cricket ahead of South Africa Tests

Josh Hazlewood wants to play regular ODI cricket against Zimbabwe and South Africa to maintain his bowling intensity before the Test series.

Josh Hazlewood said he wants to play as much ODI cricket as possible ahead of Australia's three-Test series in South Africa later this year. Australia's ODI squads for the Zimbabwe and South Africa series will be named this week. Hazlewood took seven wickets in his first Test in over a year against Bangladesh. He plans to feature in two matches in each three-game ODI series to maintain his bowling intensity. He added that the team will not be unsettled by hostile crowds during its first Test visit to South Africa since the 2018 tour.

NewsAug 31

Tamim Iqbal says India-Bangladesh series still on as boards explore new window

Tamim Iqbal confirms the India-Bangladesh series remains on after the August schedule shifted to September 2026.

Tamim Iqbal has confirmed that Bangladesh's tour of India remains scheduled despite the original August dates being deferred to September 2026. Both cricket boards continue to negotiate a mutually convenient window for the bilateral series.

The former Bangladesh captain stated that the postponement has not affected either side's commitment to complete the tour. The series was initially planned for last August before the delay was announced.

The rescheduled dates would place the tour during India's home season that already includes multiple international commitments across formats.

via Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Daily Star BD
BreakingNewsAug 31

Joe Root urged England's bowlers to carve out their own legacy following the series victory against Pakistan at Lord's. England won the second Test by 194 runs to take a 2-0 lead with one match remaining.

Ollie Robinson took key wickets to finish with match figures of 8 for 104. The win marked Root's second stint as Test captain.

England face Pakistan in the final Test at The Oval starting on Friday. A clean sweep would give Root's side their first series win in the format since 2021.

via BBC Sport, The Guardian, Sky Sports
VerifiedNewsAug 31

Asian Games organisers say accommodation issue resolved after BCCI complaint

Asian Games organisers insisted all arrangements are on track after the BCCI raised accommodation concerns ahead of the event.

Asian Games organisers said everything is on track and the event would be a mega success after the BCCI flagged accommodation issues. The organisers did not provide further details on the specific concerns raised by the Indian board.

The BCCI had raised the matter with the organising committee in recent days. No timeline was given for when the issues would be fully addressed.

India are expected to send a full-strength squad to the multi-sport event. The cricket competition forms part of the wider Asian Games programme.

via Hindustan Times
BreakingNewsAug 31

Brydon Carse withdrawn from Lord's Test after nightclub incident

Brydon Carse has been removed from England's squad for the second Test against Pakistan following a nightclub incident under police investigation.

England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been withdrawn from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's from Thursday. Derbyshire Police are investigating allegations of assault following an incident outside a Derby nightclub over the weekend. The Cricket Regulator is also examining the matter.

Carse was handcuffed outside the nightspot and the investigation is ongoing. England have not confirmed whether the withdrawal is temporary or permanent. The incident comes at a time when the team has faced scrutiny over off-field behaviour.

Joe Root has previously urged his players to celebrate wins in a sensible manner. The team is currently leading the series 1-0 against Pakistan.

VerifiedNewsAug 31

The BCCI has sought feedback from all 10 IPL franchises on the Impact Player rule, with teams given until Monday, August 31, to submit their views. The rule, introduced in 2023, allows teams to substitute one player from a pre-decided list of five substitutes at any stage of the game.

The rule has contributed to astronomical run rates and a surge in 200-plus and 250-plus totals. Critics argue it has tilted the contest too heavily towards batting.

A post-season review could lead to the rule being scrapped ahead of the 2027 season.

via Hindustan Times, CricTracker, Zee News
FiledIndiaIPL
Aug 31

BCCI faces single serious bidder for IPL media rights

JioStar is the only serious bidder for IPL media rights, raising concerns about value and competition.

JioStar is the only serious bidder left for the IPL media rights as the BCCI heads into the next auction cycle.

Indian cricket could leave money on the table without more bidders. Past cycles had multiple platforms fighting each other, but this time the field is thin.

The BCCI hasn't said what happens if the numbers don't come through. The silence leaves open the question of whether they have a backup plan or will have to accept what's offered.

via Times of India
FiledIndiaJiostarIPL

Editorially curated cricket coverage · May contain inaccuracies. Verify from official sources.