Pakistan Champions withdrew from the World Championship of Legends on Monday after the Pakistan Cricket Board refused to issue No-Objection Certificates to their players. The team had requested the board to reconsider its decision but the standoff remained unresolved.

The PCB had imposed restrictions following last year's edition when India Champions declined to play Pakistan Champions amid political tensions. The board had sought a written apology from Indian players and assurances on handshakes, conditions the WCL organisers rejected. The withdrawal means the scheduled India-Pakistan match on October 10 will not take place.

The WCL confirmed Pakistan Champions' exit and stated the tournament will continue with six teams. Pakistan Champions finished as runners-up in the previous two editions of the tournament.

The PCB refused to issue NOCs for Pakistan Champions to play in the World Championship of Legends 2026. Pakistan Champions have withdrawn from the tournament as a result. The decision follows the board's demands for an apology from Indian players over past matches.

DNA India reported that Pakistan Champions may return after receiving clearance but have attached conditions related to Team India. The withdrawal comes after last season's India-Pakistan controversy in the competition. No India clash is confirmed at this stage.

Shaun Tait replaced Ashley Noffke as Pakistan's white-ball bowling coach earlier this week. The change occurred after Noffke stepped down following 16 months in the role.

KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 129 off 87 balls in the third ODI against the West Indies at New Chandigarh. India posted 351 for seven but the visitors chased the target down in 48.2 overs to win by five wickets and avoid a series whitewash.

Rahul said the innings allowed him to test his work against the older ball. He noted that batting in the final 10 overs has become harder since the ball-change rule, as the ball reverses and makes attacking difficult on larger boundaries. Rahul added that India wants to push totals towards 370 or 380 rather than settle for 340 or 350.

The 2027 World Cup begins in October next year. Rahul said bilateral series provide the match situations needed to test plans and personnel for that tournament.

The Pakistan Cricket Board refused to issue a No-Objection Certificate for Pakistan Champions to participate in the World Championship of Legends. The board had demanded a written apology from Indian players for boycotting matches last year and handshakes between the teams.

WCL management rejected the conditions. India Champions had withdrawn from two matches against Pakistan Champions following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen.

The WCL is co-owned by Harshit Tomar and Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn. Pakistan Champions owner Kamil Khan’s request for reconsideration was turned down.

Kent director of cricket Simon Cook and head of women's cricket Lucy Arman have both resigned. Cook, 49, who played for Kent between 2005 and 2012, leaves after three years in charge to pursue a more hands-on coaching role. His departure comes shortly after the men's team earned promotion back to Division One of the County Championship. Arman was appointed in October 2024 and said she was excited to have a break and continue developing her own self-growth. Kent chief executive Michael Wilshaw said both had worked hard to create a long-lasting strategy for the club's professional cricket departments.

The ICC has abandoned plans to revive a global franchise T20 competition similar to the Champions League T20 after opposition from India, Australia and England. The tournament will not return before 2031.

The original CLT20 ran from 2009 to 2014 before being discontinued due to poor viewership and financial losses. The ICC had hoped to create its own club-style event to increase revenue outside bilateral rights.

The Big Three argued there is no calendar space unless other ICC events are reduced. As a result, the Future Tours Programme for 2027-2031 will remain almost identical to the current cycle, with only a possible expansion of the World Test Championship under discussion.

Seven hundred and eighty-nine players registered for the SA20 2027 auction, but only 156 were shortlisted to go under the hammer on Wednesday. Ninety-five of the shortlisted players are South African and 61 are overseas players as the four teams with available slots look to fill 19 vacancies.

Joburg Super Kings enter the auction with the largest purse at R20.6 million. MI Cape Town, Pretoria Capitals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape have R3.6 million, R1.475 million and R9.35 million respectively. Paarl Royals and Durban Super Giants have already filled their squads.

The auction begins at 5pm local time. SuperSport will televise the event in South Africa while JioHotstar, Sky Sports, Fox Sports, Apex and Willow TV hold broadcast rights in India, the UK, Australia, Pakistan and North America respectively.

The Delhi and District Cricket Association has named Aaryavir Sehwag to lead their Under-19 side for the Vinoo Mankad Trophy One Day Tournament 2026-27. The 18-year-old right-handed batter, son of former India opener Virender Sehwag, takes on his first significant captaincy role at the domestic level. The tournament begins in Visakhapatnam on October 8.

Aaryavir featured in all three Youth ODIs against Australia in Rajkot, scoring 109 runs with a best of 47. He also struck 297 in the 2024 Cooch Behar Trophy for Delhi against Meghalaya. Arnav Bugga has been appointed vice-captain.

The 16-member squad includes Tanmay Chaudhary, Dhanya Nakra, Uday Chawla, Garv Kumar and Abhiraj Gagan Singh as wicketkeeper.

Babar Azam faced multiple off-field incidents during a week that included an ILT20 auction development and an altercation with a fan. Details of the incidents emerged from multiple reports covering his activities away from the field.

The former Pakistan captain's week drew attention across social media and cricket circles. Reports indicated the events occurred in quick succession following Pakistan's Asian Games campaign.

No official statement was issued by the PCB regarding the incidents.

New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell has accepted a casual contract for the 2026-27 season, allowing him to play in Australia's Big Bash League. The 35-year-old white-ball specialist said the move gives him an opportunity he did not want to pass up while remaining available for New Zealand's upcoming white-ball series.

Bracewell joins Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Tim Seifert on casual contracts. Nick Kelly has been added to the central contract list in his place. Kelly has already represented New Zealand in eight ODIs and seven T20Is, having made his international debut in March 2025.

New Zealand coach Rob Walter welcomed Kelly's addition, noting his strong domestic performances and more than 300 professional matches. Bracewell is expected to feature in New Zealand's white-ball tour of India later this year.

Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha will lead the senior men's selection committee meeting this week to pick squads for India's tour of New Zealand. The tour starts October 22 and includes five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.

Ajit Agarkar's tenure as chairman ended on October 4, and the BCCI has not yet named a replacement. The committee will function with four members until a new selector is appointed. Full-strength squads are expected for all three formats.

Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar is in line for a Test recall after taking six wickets in the second innings of the Irani Cup. Akash Deep is also expected to be considered for the red-ball series.

Kolkata Knight Riders batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi is back after an extended injury layoff. He posted on social media that injuries are part of the game, acknowledging the ups and downs of his recovery.

The 22-year-old has played 22 T20 matches for KKR across two IPL seasons. He earned his senior India debut in 2024-25 before recurring injuries cut his momentum. Raghuvanshi is expected to feature in the upcoming domestic season.

His return adds depth to KKR's middle order ahead of IPL 2026. The franchise will monitor his workload as he rebuilds match fitness.