Sydney Sixers confirmed on Wednesday that England batter Sophia Dunkley has signed a one-year contract for the upcoming WBBL|12 season. Dunkley returns after a strong WBBL|11 campaign that helped the club reach the finals.

The 25-year-old will link up with the squad ahead of the tournament that begins in October. Sixers officials said the deal strengthens their middle order ahead of the title defence.

Dunkley remains a central figure in England's white-ball setup and will balance franchise commitments with international duties.

One of seven players dropped from Pakistan's recent tour refused to attend a meeting with King Charles at Clarence House on Wednesday, despite instructions from the PCB. Four axed players took part in the event, while two others expressed reluctance.

The gathering brought together the touring squad, support staff and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi for an audience with the King during the team's stay in London.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has not named the player who declined the invitation.

The Baroda Cricket Association confirmed on Wednesday that Deepak Hooda will return to the state side after a five-year absence caused by a dispute with Krunal Pandya. Both players have resolved their differences, the association said.

Hooda left Baroda after the 2020-21 season following a ban for indiscipline and subsequently represented Rajasthan in domestic cricket. The all-rounder is expected to be available for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season.

Baroda officials said the reconciliation clears the path for Hooda to contribute without contractual restrictions. The return ends his five-year association with Rajasthan.

Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq faces a possible two-year ban after he was ruled out of the Lord's Test with a calf tear but was later seen batting in the nets.

Pakistan authorities are investigating whether the injury claim was genuine and what that means for team selection. The inquiry is still running; a final decision hasn't been announced.

Imam-ul-Haq hasn't commented.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has named Virat Kohli as the best one-day batter he has ever witnessed. Maxwell cited Kohli's exceptional ability to time the ball and find gaps in the field as reasons for the assessment.

Maxwell made the comments during a discussion about ODI cricket's greatest players. He said Kohli operates at a different level from other batters in the format.

The assessment comes as Kohli continues to feature in India's ODI plans alongside younger players being groomed for the 2027 World Cup.

Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has recommended that Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi open together in the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. Samson has been recalled to the squad after missing the England series.

Sooryavanshi opened with Abhishek Sharma in his debut series but was replaced after modest scores. Dasgupta said selectors need to test combinations ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

India face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series starting September 13 in New Delhi before travelling to Japan for the Asian Games.

Jos Buttler responded to a Pakistan Cricket Board LinkedIn post advertising for a Fielding Coach position during the ongoing Test series against England. The England captain's comment questioned whether England would adopt a similar public recruitment approach.

The PCB's decision to advertise the role mid-series has drawn attention amid Pakistan's 2-0 deficit. The post highlighted the board's efforts to address fielding standards during the tour.

Buttler's reaction underscores the unusual nature of conducting recruitment publicly while a series is still underway.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam presented King Charles III with a cricket bat carrying signatures from all squad members during a visit to Clarence House on 2 September. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi accompanied the team to the meeting that served as a gesture of goodwill.

Moments from the presentation, including video footage, have since gone viral on social media. The interaction came during Pakistan's three-Test series against England, which the visitors trail 2-0.

The visit provided a brief diplomatic interlude amid the ongoing series that concludes next week at The Oval.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said he has never been afraid of criticism after the board sacked seven players and two coaching staff during the England tour. Naqvi spoke to the media on Wednesday. The overhaul followed Pakistan's 2-0 series deficit.

Naqvi said the decisions were taken to improve performance. He added that the board would continue to act in the team's interest. The third Test against England starts at Edgbaston next week.

The move has drawn mixed reactions inside Pakistan cricket.

CSK spinner Akeal Hosein was hit for four consecutive boundaries by Rahkeem Cornwall during Trinbago Knight Riders' match against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the Caribbean Premier League. The incident occurred on the opening day of the tournament. Hosein bowls left-arm spin for CSK in the IPL.

Cornwall's aggressive start put TKR under pressure early in the powerplay. The match took place at Providence Stadium in Guyana. No official comment has come from CSK or Hosein.

The CPL continues through September.

Hampshire dropped New Zealand all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn after backlash over his rape charge history. The club's decision followed criticism from members of the Hampshire women's team. Kuggeleijn was signed earlier this season.

The club confirmed the release on Wednesday. No further statement was issued. Kuggeleijn had faced renewed scrutiny after the charges resurfaced in media reports.

The ECB has not commented on the matter.

Babar Azam and the Pakistan squad met King Charles III at Clarence House on 2 September during their England tour. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi accompanied the team.

Babar handed the King a bat signed by all players as a gesture of goodwill. One player reportedly declined to attend the meeting despite instructions.

Protesters chanted outside the venue as the group arrived. The visit occurred amid the team's three-match Test series against England.

Former Chennai Super Kings batter S Badrinath revealed that MS Dhoni personally conveyed his preference to continue as a full-time wicketkeeper rather than take the field as an Impact Player. The 43-year-old has made clear he wants to remain in his traditional role.

The revelation comes amid speculation about Dhoni's future role with the franchise. Badrinath's comments suggest the former India captain has no intention of changing his playing approach despite the Impact Player rule.

Dhoni's stance clarifies his position within the CSK setup as the team prepares for the upcoming IPL season.

Litton Das will captain Bangladesh in the men's cricket tournament at the Asian Games 2026. The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced a 15-member squad on Friday for the competition, which begins on September 17.

Litton has been a steady presence across formats for the national side, and the board clearly wants that experience in the short-format setting of the Games. Bangladesh will meet several regional sides in the T20 event.