Babar Azam was bought by Desert Vipers at the ILT20 2026/27 player auction held in Dubai on Thursday. The Pakistan batter joins a squad that already includes Andries Gous, Dan Lawrence, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Shimron Hetmyer. Imran Tahir went unsold in the auction.

Each franchise entered the auction with a purse of USD 1.3 million in addition to any remaining amount from USD 700,000 allocated for pre-signings. MI Emirates started with the largest purse at USD 1.39 million, followed by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at USD 1.365 million. Dubai Capitals and Sharjah Warriors entered with the smallest purses at USD 1.3 million each.

Teams must spend at least USD 1.5 million and their squads must comprise a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 23 players. Over 400 players from 23 countries were registered for the auction, including T20 stars Faf du Plessis, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone.

Australia have recalled Nic Maddinson for the first Test against South Africa after the 34-year-old recovered from testicular cancer. He was diagnosed in April 2025 and completed chemotherapy in July before receiving the all-clear to resume his career.

Maddinson made five Big Bash appearances last season and scored 126 for New South Wales against Victoria in the domestic one-day competition on Sunday. He played three Tests for Australia in late 2016, with his last appearance coming against Pakistan at the MCG.

Sam Harper was also added to the squad as cover for injured wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who suffered a fractured right index finger. The first Test begins in Durban on October 9.

The International Cricket Council introduced new playing conditions on Thursday that apply to all international series starting October 1 or later. The changes address time-wasting, standardise ball specifications and clarify fielding rules.

Batters who waste time will receive a warning for the first offence, a final warning for the second, and five penalty runs for the third and each subsequent offence. Tighter size and weight tolerances have been introduced for women's cricket balls, creating three distinct specifications for men's, women's and junior cricket.

Pink balls may be used in daytime Tests by mutual agreement to reduce lost time due to bad light. The final over of a day's play will no longer end automatically at the fall of a wicket if conditions allow the over to be completed.

The International Cricket Council introduced new playing conditions on Thursday that apply to all international series starting October 1 or later. The changes address time-wasting, standardise ball specifications and clarify fielding rules.

Batters who waste time will receive a warning for the first offence, a final warning for the second, and five penalty runs for the third and each subsequent offence. Tighter size and weight tolerances have been introduced for women's cricket balls, creating three distinct specifications for men's, women's and junior cricket.

Pink balls may be used in daytime Tests by mutual agreement to reduce lost time due to bad light. The final over of a day's play will no longer end automatically at the fall of a wicket if conditions allow the over to be completed.

Australia have called up Victoria wicketkeeper Sam Harper as a replacement for Josh Inglis ahead of the three-match Test series against South Africa. Inglis suffered a fractured right index finger before the tour and will miss at least the first Test.

Harper arrived in Potchefstroom late on Friday after selectors moved quickly to add cover. The three-match series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle and begins on October 9.

Cricket Australia confirmed the change follows medical assessments on Inglis. Harper will provide backup behind the stumps while the team finalises its playing XI for the opening match in Durban.

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has questioned the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency over its shifting explanation for investigating him. The initial enquiry focused on betting and gambling in Pakistan cricket, but a letter sent on Wednesday cited provisions under PECA 2016 instead.

Rizwan's legal team has asked the agency to clarify which specific provisions apply and what evidence has prompted the investigation. The agency has not yet responded to the request for clarification.

The investigation comes at a time when Pakistan cricket is under increased scrutiny following recent spot-fixing allegations in domestic competitions.

The ICC announced new playing conditions on Thursday that introduce a five-run penalty for batters who repeatedly waste time. The rules apply to all international series starting October 1 or later.

A first offence draws a warning, a second offence a final warning, and a third offence triggers the five-run penalty to the fielding side. Tighter size and weight tolerances have been set for women's cricket balls, creating three separate specifications for men's, women's and junior cricket.

Pink balls may be used in daytime Tests if both teams agree before the match. The decision must apply for the entire Test and cannot be changed once play begins. The final over of a day's play will no longer end automatically at the fall of a wicket if conditions allow the over to be completed.

The International Cricket Council introduced new playing conditions on Thursday that apply to all international series starting October 1 or later. The changes address time-wasting, standardise ball specifications and clarify fielding rules across men's, women's and junior cricket.

Batters who waste time will receive a warning for the first offence, a final warning for the second, and five penalty runs for the third and each subsequent offence. Tighter size and weight tolerances have been introduced for women's cricket balls, creating three distinct specifications for men's, women's and junior cricket. An overthrow is now defined as an attempt to direct the ball towards the stumps, removing ambiguity around misfields.

Pink balls may be used in daytime Tests by mutual agreement to reduce lost time due to bad light. The final over of a day's play will no longer end automatically at the fall of a wicket if conditions allow the over to be completed.

England have recalled leg-spinner Mason Crane to their ODI squad for the tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, eight years after his solitary Test cap in Sydney. Crane replaces Rehan Ahmed as the back-up wrist-spinner after consistent performances for Glamorgan this summer.

Jos Buttler is unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury against Sri Lanka last month. Jordan Cox is expected to keep wicket in Buttler's absence following his 76 against Sri Lanka at The Oval. Jofra Archer has been rested for the series.

Adil Rashid and Sam Curran return after recovering from injuries. Three uncapped players - Mason Crane, James Coles and Henry Crocombe - are in the 16-player squad. England will play Pakistan and Sri Lanka twice each before a possible final.

Ravindra Jadeja has taken two wickets in five ODIs this year at an average of 135.00. Both wickets came in the death overs of the second match against West Indies after he went wicketless for 41 overs earlier in 2026. He has scored 43 runs at a strike rate of 66.15 and has hit only one boundary in 65 deliveries faced.

Jadeja's economy rate stands at 6.28, his highest in any calendar year, while his dot-ball percentage in the middle overs has dropped to 35.0 from a career average of 50.60. Spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule recently backed Jadeja for the 2027 World Cup, but the numbers show limited returns in both disciplines.

With only a year remaining until the 2027 World Cup, Jadeja faces competition from Axar Patel and Washington Sundar for a place in the squad. His role as a utility player who can contribute with bat and ball is under scrutiny.

Jonny Bairstow has joined Melbourne Renegades as an overseas signing for the BBL 16 season. The 37-year-old will keep wickets for the franchise and is available for the entire campaign. Bairstow brings 100 Test matches, two World Cup titles and 3,868 ODI runs to the side.

Renegades general manager Ian Ronchi said Bairstow's experience and aggressive approach match the club's style. The England batter has played three Ashes tours in Australia and will reconnect with captain Will Sutherland, his former Yorkshire teammate. The season opens on December 12 when the Renegades face the Scorchers in Chennai.