Tag: ICC

DUBAI: Pakistan women’s team batter Gull Feroza has been named among the nominees for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for May 2026. 

The right-handed batter earned the nomination following an outstanding series against Zimbabwe, where she scored 256 runs in three matches at an impressive average of 128 with a strike rate of 103.64.

She hit a fifty in the series opener, followed by a century and an unbeaten 106, helping Pakistan complete a 3-0 sweep over Zimbabwe. For her outstanding performances, she was named Player of the Series.

Gull Feroza’s rich vein of form continued in the T20I series against Zimbabwe. She made 82 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 157.69. The 27-year-old hit a blistering 37 from 19 balls against Zimbabwe, followed by a quick-fire 32 from just 15 deliveries against Ireland in the recently concluded tri-series.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

England fast bowler Lauren Bell is also included in the nominations after impressing across all formats in the past months. She finished as the top wicket-taker in England’s ODI series against New Zealand, with figures of 2/38 in the first match and 3/20 in the third.

Over these two games, Bell took five wickets at an average of 13.40 and an economy rate of 4.36. She continued her strong performance into the following T20I series against New Zealand and India.

In four T20Is, she took eight wickets at an average of 14 and an economy rate of 7.00. Her notable performances included 2/23 in the first T20I against New Zealand and 3/34 in the first T20I against India at Chelmsford, highlighting her vital role in England’s bowling ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

READ: World Cup 2026 opening ceremony: Pakistan time, date, performer list

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced the player of the month nominees for May 2026, including veteran Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim. 

Mushfiqur starred with the bat during Bangladesh’s 2-0 Test series triumph over Pakistan. He scored 253 runs across two Tests at an average of 63.25, including a sublime 137 in the second Test.  For his outstanding performance, the 39-year-old was adjudged the Player of the Series.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam is also among the nominees, following his bowling heroics in the Test series against Pakistan. He finished as the leading wicket-taker, collecting 13 wickets at an average of 19.61, including a six-wicket haul in the second at Sylhet.

In addition, he also chipped in with the bat, scoring a vital 58 runs during the series.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The third nominee on the list is Nepal all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee, following his impressive performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign.

Airee finished with 249 runs to his name in six ODIs at an average of 49.80 with a strike rate of 110.66. His most notable performance came against the UAE, where he scored 100 off 94 balls.

Airee also created an impact with the ball, scalping eight wickets at an average of 19.12 at an economy rate of 4.52. His standout performance was a match-winning spell of 4/24 against the United States.

READ: Harry Brook reclaims No.1 spot in Test batting rankings

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday rated the pitches at Gaddafi Stadium and Lord’s as ‘unsatisfactory’.

The opening match of the ICC Test Championship 2025-27 between England and New Zealand ended inside four days despite rain disrupting play on day three. During the fixture, 16 wickets fell on day one and 17 on day two.

The cricket governing body rated the surface as ‘unsatisfactory’ and handed the venue one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

Match referee Andy Pycroft highlighted the imbalance between bat and ball on Lord’s surface.

“There was plenty of excessive seam movement throughout the Test and the ball also kept extremely low on several occasions. The bounce was variable throughout as 16 wickets fell on the first day and 17 on the second. There was simply an over-balance in favor of ball against bat caused by the pitch,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The pitch was slow and low and made scoring runs very difficult. It did not suit a One Day International game as batters had to spend more time to settle in. It helped spin very early in the match and continued the same way throughout,” he added.

Meanwhile, match referee Graeme La Brooy explained the reason for the unsatisfactory rating of the Gaddafi Stadium surface.

Pakistan outplayed Australia after skittling them for 157 in 42 overs in the third ODI held at Gaddafi Stadium on 4 June. In reply, the hosts chased down the target on a challenging surface in 41 overs, losing six wickets in the process

“The pitch was slow and low and made scoring runs very difficult. It did not suit a One Day International game as batters had to spend more time to settle in. It helped spin very early in the match and continued the same way throughout,” La Brooy said.

READ: Somalia reacts with ‘deep regret’ to Omar Artan’s FIFA World Cup snub

AHMEDABAD: The ICC on Monday approved the use of the pink ball in conventional Test matches to reduce disruptions caused by bad light. 

The pink ball was first introduced in 2015 for day-night matches and to improve visibility in poor light conditions. However, it has not been used during traditional Test matches. Over the years, poor light has become a problem due to its prevalence for players, supporters, and broadcasters.

The teams involved in a Test match must inform in advance if they intend to use the pink ball if bad light comes into play. The ICC has not defined the trial’s duration, but the governing body has said it will work with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to research lighting technology for match officials and venues.

During the board meeting, ICC also approved updates to playing conditions, with head coaches allowed to enter the field of play during drinks breaks in T20Is, a trend originating in franchise leagues. There will also be a 15-minute break after an innings, with batters required to be ready at the resumption of play.

In addition, ICC expressed concern about the rapid growth of franchise cricket and urged stakeholders to establish a committee to harmonize the international and franchise calendars.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

In addition, Cricket Canada has had its ICC membership suspended with immediate effect over “serious breaches of its membership obligations”.

Despite the cancellation of membership, the ICC said Canadian national teams would continue to feature in mega events and access funding in a systematic way managed by the governing body.

The ICC also said that Cricket Canada would be given a set of reinstatement conditions to address governance and administrative shortcomings, with progress to be monitored by the ICC’s Normalization Committee.

Among the other decisions was the establishment of a 16-team Global Qualifier for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, with management tasked with finalizing the competition’s structure.

According to reports, the move restores a worldwide qualification pathway for Associate nations, following the ICC’s recognition of increasing interest and viewership in matches featuring non-Full Member teams.

READ: Mike Hesson breaks silence on criticism over spin-friendly pitches

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday confirmed the match officials for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to run across England and Wales from 12 June. 

The mega event will mark the third consecutive edition in which an all-female match panel of match officials will officiate in the tournament.

“It will be the third straight edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup that will feature an all-female match official panel, with Candace La Borde, Gayathri Venugopalan, Kerrin Klaaste, and Shathira Jakir Jesy all slated to make their tournament debut in England and Wales from June 12,” ICC said in a press release statement.

Overall, 14 umpires and 4 match referees will officiate across the 33 matches of the tournament, with nine members of the match officials’ panel from the last edition returning.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Claire Polosak of Australia is the most seasoned official and will be officiating in the tournament for the sixth time.

She has previously officiated in 22 matches, while Jacquline Williams and Kim Cotton have each stood in 19 matches at this level. By officiating in the upcoming tournament, both will reach the landmark of five Women’s T20 World Cups.

Among the three returning officials are Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michell Pereira, who were part of the 2024 edition. They will be joined by New Zealand’s Trudy Anderson.

ICC International Panel of Umpires

Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Anna Harris, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaaste, Candace La Borde, Janani N, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Suzanne Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Jacquline Williams, Gayathri Venugopalan

ICC International Panel of Match Referees

Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, Michell Pereira

READ: West Indies announce Pakistan series schedule

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday released the annual rankings of Men’s T20I teams, with title holders India remaining at the top spot. 

According to the cricket apex body, the latest rankings are weighted: matches played since May 2025 count at 100 percent and those from the previous two years at 50 percent.

“The latest rankings rate all matches played since May 2025 at 100 per cent and those of the previous two years at 50 per cent,” the press release said.

India remains firm in the top spot with 275 points, followed by England on 262 points. Australia are closely behind the Three Lions with 258 points.

The Men in Blue’s top position is on the back of their stellar run over the past two years, during which they lifted two World Cups — 2024 and 2026 — and remained undefeated in all T20I series.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Meanwhile, the top seven positions in the rankings are unchanged with New Zealand on 247 points. South Africa is in fifth position with 244 points, while Pakistan (240) and West Indies (233) are in sixth and seventh positions, respectively.

At the bottom, Sri Lanka slipped to the ninth spot, while Bangladesh moved one step up and is in eighth position. Afghanistan is in 10th position, while Zimbabwe and Ireland’s positions are unchanged.

The USA continued their rise, gaining six points, sitting at 13th place, leapfrogging the Netherlands and Scotland at 14th and 15th ranks respectively.

Italy, who made their debut in the T20 World Cup 2026, are the biggest gainers, climbing from 26th to 23rd position.

It is worth noting that the number of teams in the rankings has dropped from 102 to 98, as Fiji, Gambia, Greece, and Israel did not make the cut because they did not play the required eight T20Is in the past three years.

READ: Babar Azam shares inspirational post after Peshawar Zalmi PSL triumph

DOHA: The key meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC)  scheduled for March 25-27 has been postponed due to rising tensions in the Middle East. 

The decision was shared with member nations on Saturday, ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 final, in a press release.

“The ICC’s support of and collaboration with the Qatar Cricket Association and Olympic Committee, Cricket in Qatar has fuelled remarkable progress for the sport in recent years,” the ICC had said.

The Doha meetings were aimed to bring together the ICC Board Directors, Chief Executives, Committee Members, and senior leadership as part of the organisation’s regular governance calendar.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The meeting was considered vital to discuss the important matters regarding the present and future of the global game.

Although the meetings are likely to be rescheduled for a date in April, an exact date has not been announced yet.

Meanwhile, there is no immediate information confirming Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam’s attendance at the meeting, as he is believed to be in Melbourne.

Additionally, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Moshsin Naqvi, will not be present.

Meanwhile, a host of ICC officials also attended the final in Ahmedabad, the home city of Jay Shah, the chair of the ICC.

India lifted the T20 World Cup for a record third time after defeating New Zealand by 95 runs.

Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah starred for the Men in Blue in the final.

READ: Kohli reacts after India lift T20 World Cup 2026 trophy

COLOMBO: The confirmation of the blockbuster Pakistan–India encounter in the T20 World Cup 2026 has reportedly spared the International Cricket Council (ICC) from massive financial losses, with Indian media estimating the figure at around USD 174 million.

According to reports, the projected losses were based on potential setbacks in broadcasting revenue, sponsorship commitments and gate receipts, all of which had been under threat during uncertainty surrounding the high-profile fixture.

The resumption of the match has also triggered a sharp spike in travel activity.

Media reports indicated that airfares between Mumbai and Colombo surged soon after the decision was confirmed, reflecting renewed fan interest in what is widely regarded as cricket’s most commercially valuable contest.

Colombo’s hospitality industry has also welcomed the development.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Hotel operators revealed that several fans had earlier reached out to cancel bookings after suggesting they would boycott Pakistan’s matches, while others had been inquiring about refund policies for tickets to the Pakistan–India game.

It is worth noting that the Government of Pakistan late Monday night directed the national men’s team to participate in the T20 World Cup clash against India at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15.

In an official statement, the federal government said the decision followed careful evaluation of multiple factors, including the outcome of recent discussions involving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

The statement also referenced formal requests from various cricket boards and a telephonic conversation between Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which the Sri Lankan leader urged a peaceful resolution to ensure the marquee fixture proceeds as scheduled.

READ: Villarreal beat Espanyol to close La Liga gap to Atletico Madrid

LAHORE: A high-level International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation is set to meet the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, here today to resolve the ongoing deadlock over the India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, sources revealed.

The much-anticipated fixture between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, widely regarded as one of cricket’s most commercially significant contests, remains uncertain after the Government of Pakistan directed its national team not to take the field against India in Colombo.

The match is scheduled for February 15 and carries massive implications both financially and competitively.

The 20-team tournament has already been clouded by political tensions following Bangladesh’s refusal to play matches in India due to security concerns, a decision that led to their replacement by Scotland.

In response, the Pakistan government barred the national side from participating in the high-profile Group A encounter against co-hosts India.

Pakistan, who opened their campaign with a victory over the Netherlands on February 7, stand to lose two vital points and suffer a significant blow to their net run rate if they forfeit the contest.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

According to sources, the ICC delegation, led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, is expected to arrive in Lahore around 4pm.

The delegation will hold discussions with PCB leadership and senior officials to explore a possible way forward.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam is also likely to join the meeting, reflecting the broader regional dimensions of the issue.

Sources further indicated that the ICC has tasked Khwaja with convincing PCB leadership to reconsider Pakistan’s stance, with the governing body keen to find a compromise that ensures the blockbuster encounter proceeds as scheduled.

The outcome of the talks could prove pivotal for the tournament and the future handling of politically sensitive fixtures in international cricket.

READ: Gulbadin Naib achieves major milestone during New Zealand clash

The International Cricket Council is in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board to resolve the boycott of its T20 World Cup match against India on February 15, AFP learnt Saturday.

Any clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is one of the most lucrative in cricket, worth millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsor and advertising revenue.

But the fixture was thrown into doubt after Pakistan’s government ordered the team not to play the match in Colombo.

The Pakistan Cricket Board reached out to the ICC after a formal communication from the cricket’s world body, a source close to the developments told AFP.

The ICC was seeking a resolution through dialogue and not confrontation, the source added.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The 20-team tournament has been overshadowed by an acrimonious political build-up after Bangladesh, who refused to play in India citing security concerns, were replaced by Scotland.

As a protest, Pakistan refused to face co-hosts India in their Group A fixture.

Pakistan, who edged out Netherlands in the tournament opener on Saturday, will lose two points if they forfeit the match and also suffer a significant blow to their net run rate.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav said this week that his team would travel to Colombo for the clash.

Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments.

READ: Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls out of PSL 11