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CA has signed a partnership with UNICEF Australia to promote the foundation’s campaign aimed at gender equality, while supporting female Afghanistan refugees

Alex Malcolm12-Nov-2024It remains to be seen whether Australia will play any bilateral cricket against Afghanistan in the future after signing a partnership agreement with global children’s charity UNICEF Australia to promote the foundation’s ‘Until Every Girl Can Play’ campaign aimed at gender equality.CA will hold fundraisers for UNICEF Australia at the upcoming Perth Test and the women’s Ashes Test at the MCG in January having been particularly vocal on not scheduling men’s bilateral cricket against Afghanistan outside of World Cups due to the Taliban government’s stance on women’s rights. CA has cancelled three bilateral series with Afghanistan in recent years.According to the Future Tours Programme Australia is due to host Afghanistan in a men’s Test and three T20Is in July 2026. Whether that goes ahead remains to be seen.Related

• Afghanistan Women's XI to play in Melbourne ahead of Ashes Test

• No bilateral cricket with Afghanistan till there's 'a level of progress', says CA chief

• Afghanistan women request ICC to help set up a refugee team in Australia

Hockley said CA is continuing to support a group of Afghanistan female cricketers who live and play in Australia. The group have asked the ICC to assist them in setting up a refugee team based in Australia in the absence of a national side.”Certainly over the last three years, they’ve been extremely well supported by really every level of the cricketing community, from clubs, state associations,” Hockley said at the MCG on Tuesday at the unveiling of the UNICEF partnership.”We’ve certainly sought support in the background. I’ve had the real privilege to meet and spend some time with the players, and certainly we are working behind the scenes on ways we can continue to support.”UNICEF Australia CEO Tony Stuart was asked whether CA should even play Afghanistan’s men in world events.”I keep out of the politics of this, because what has made UNICEF, I think, good at what it does, is it works with every country, 200 countries in the world, and to do that, you have to be neutral,” Stuart said.”We are the Red Cross of children, and what we do encourage, wherever we are in the world, is participation. We will continue to encourage that in Afghanistan. And I have to say, living in Australia, I’m so pleased to see so many of the Afghan women here in Australia and I hope in the future, they get the opportunity in some way to participate in the game.”

The series will also mark the first time Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad hosts international cricket in 17 years, with all three ODIs between the sides set to take place there

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Sep-2025The Gaddafi Stadium is set to host its first Test match in over three years – and the first since it was rebuilt ahead of the Champions Trophy earlier this year. It will be the venue for the first of two Test matches when South Africa visit Pakistan for an all-format series next month.That game, starting on October 12, will kick off the series, South Africa’s first in a World Test Championship campaign since they became champions in June this year. It will be the first series of the next two-year Test cycle for both teams. The second game will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which also underwent some renovation work over the past year.The series will also mark the first time Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad hosts international cricket in 17 years, with all three ODIs between the sides set to take place there. Faisalabad was initially a venue for two T20Is against Bangladesh in May, but amid a reschedule due to an India-Pakistan border tension, the games in Faisalabad were scrapped.South Africa became the World Test Champions in June this year•ICC/Getty Images

The series also features three T20Is which precede the ODIs, with the first in Rawalpindi and the next two in Lahore.Lahore’s return as a Test venue is notable, with this being just the second Test at the Gaddafi since Test cricket returned to Pakistan in 2019. In the years since, Pindi, Karachi and latterly Multan became favoured venues for red-ball games, primarily because smog in the winter months affects Lahore more than the other cities, and restricted the window for Test cricket in the city. The one game it hosted was in March 2022 against Australia at the back end of the cricket season in the country.It will also be the first red-ball series against South Africa with full crowd involvement since the return of international cricket to Pakistan. The sides played a two-match series in 2021 behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”We are looking forward to welcome South Africa for the opening series of our ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign,” PCB COO Sumair Ahmed said. “Starting the new cycle against the current Test champions will provide quality cricket for our players and fans.”The ODIs begin on 28 October, with the final T20I on 8 November in Faisalabad.

South Africa tour to Pakistan schedule

October 12-16 – First Test, Lahore
October 20-24 – Second Test, Rawalpindi
October 28 – First T20I, Rawalpindi
October 31 – Second T20I, Lahore
November 1 -Third T20I, Lahore
November 4 – First ODI, Faisalabad
November 6 – Second ODI, Faisalabad
November 8 – Third ODI, Faisalabad

Luus and Tryon put up an unbroken 80-run stand off 42 balls but could not get SA over the line

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Sep-2024A superb bowling display by left-arm spinners Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal combined with a collective batting display helped Pakistan win the second T20I against South Africa and level the series in Multan.Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon put up an unbroken 80-run stand off 42 balls – the highest for a fifth-wicket stand for South Africa women in T20Is – but could not get their side over the line.After being put in, Pakistan lost opener Gull Feroza in the fourth over. But her partner Muneeba Ali gave Pakistan a solid start, helping them post 45 in the powerplay. She stitched a 49-run stand with Sidra Amin, hitting six fours and two sixes in her 45 off 34 balls. Amin and Muneeba went after Seshnie Naidu, hitting her for a combined four fours and a six. Muneeba was eventually dismissed by Annerie Dercksen in the 11th over.After Amin’s dismissal in the 13th over, Nida Dar and captain Fatima Sana came together for a 60-run stand, pushing Pakistan’s total past 150. Aliya Riyaz provided the finishing touches, taking Ayanda Hlubi for 6, 4, 4 in the last three balls of the innings to lift Pakistan to 181.Iqbal then struck early to remove Tazmin Britz but captain Laura Wolvaardt got a solid start, combining with Anneke Bosch for a 50-run partnership. With South Africa needing nearly 11 an over, Sandhu broke through, removing Wolvaardt for 36. Iqbal and Sandhu then took wickets in back-to-back overs, dismissing Anneke Bosch and Nadine de Klerk. Sandhu finished with figures of 2 for 20, while Iqbal bagged 2 for 27.Luus and Tryon then came together with South Africa needing 94 off 42 balls. They hit boundaries regularly but could not finish it off for their side. Luus hit 53 off 29 while Tryon scored a 16-ball 30 as Pakistan achieved parity.

They were due to play USA in Dallas but the facilities had taken a bit of a beating from rain

Mohammad Isam28-May-2024Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup warm-up match against USA was cancelled due to thunderstorms in Dallas on Tuesday morning. Heavy rain and flood warnings meant that both teams remained in the hotel. The ground suffered some damage as seen on photos shared on social media by those present there this morning.”This is to confirm that the warm-up match between Bangladesh and the USA at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas today has been cancelled due to the conditions of the facilities following the adverse weather that has affected the area,” Rabeed Iman, Bangladesh’s team manager, said at 8:54am local time. He later informed that the Bangladesh team was likely to do some gym work before leaving for New York on Wednesday. There, they will play their second warm-up game against India on June 1.This was going to be the first warm-up match for both sides ahead of the T20 World Cup. Co-hosts USA play the tournament opener against Canada on June 1. Bangladesh play their first game against Sri Lanka on June 7. Both these matches are in Dallas, so it was crucial especially for Bangladesh to know more about the venue.Related

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• Rishad Hossain, a package Bangladesh don't understand but can't ignore

USA beat Bangladesh 2-1 in the T20I series at the Prairie View Cricket Complex in Houston last week. It was the home side’s first series win against a Full Member side with the likes of Harmeet Singh, Ali Khan and Corey Anderson helping script history. USA are in Group A of the T20 World Cup alongside Canada, India, Pakistan and Ireland.The shock series defeat will put more pressure on Bangladesh. They have never won more than two matches in an edition of the T20 World Cup. They are in Group D, alongside Sri Lanka, South Africa, Nepal and the Netherlands.USA are hosting an ICC tournament, the biggest one in cricket history in terms of number of participants, for the first time, along with the West Indies.

It is learned that the PCB selection committee wanted to name Shaheen as Babar Azam’s deputy for the 2024 T20 World Cup, only to be rebuffed by the fast bowler

Danyal Rasool25-May-2024Shaheen Afridi was offered the vice-captaincy of the Pakistan T20 side ahead of the World Cup squad announcement, but rejected the chance to take up the position. ESPNcricinfo has learned that the PCB selection committee raised the prospect of officially naming Shaheen as Babar Azam’s deputy for the 2024 T20 World Cup, but were told that the fast bowler did not want the role. In the end, the World Cup squad, which was named hours before the ICC deadline to submit the final squad, did not officially have a vice-captain.Though Shaheen had opted to put the matter of being stripped of the T20 captaincy after one series behind him, a sense of injustice continues to linger. The player has never felt the reasons for his dismissal were ever adequately explained to him, and having been unceremoniously dumped from one leadership position, he was understood to not be keen to jump into another.The latest development in the PCB-Shaheen saga only further demonstrates the challenges that lie ahead in mending a relationship that was put under severe strain a few weeks ago. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi hinted at a press conference in March that Shaheen may be replaced, and once he was, the PCB put out a statement on their website containing remarks from Shaheen offering Babar warm words of encouragement.Related

• Babar to lead a pace-heavy Pakistan side at T20 World Cup

• Shaheen Afridi, PCB reach uneasy truce as dissatisfaction lingers

• Shaheen, Babar and Rizwan outclass Ireland as Pakistan seal series win

It would emerge that Shaheen never said the words attributed to him, and once he planned to make that public, Naqvi rushed to Kakul – where the players were undergoing a military training camp. While Shaheen remained thoroughly unimpressed and betrayed by the manner of his dismissal, an uneasy truce was understood to have been reached.That Shaheen turned down another chance at a leadership position, though, demonstrates how uneasy that truce still is. Shaheen is among the core leadership group of the T20 side, but is understood to feel he does not need to take up an official role delineating it, particularly as the role is a demotion on the position he held just weeks ago.While Shaheen was their first choice, the PCB selection committee also discussed other alternatives. Shadab Khan – who has served as vice-captain before – was one of the leading contenders, though his struggles with the ball and Pakistan’s tendency not to use him with the bat in the top order means his place in the XI is not necessarily guaranteed. The possibility of nominating Mohammad Rizwan as Babar’s deputy was also raised, though ultimately rejected, with the committee wishing to appoint a younger player in the position.The approach to Shaheen was made before the selection committee’s meeting to finalise the squad, where the issue of the vice-captaincy came up once more. Despite other names being discussed, there was relative unanimity on the PCB’s final decision not to announce a vice-captain, with six of the seven members believed to be in favour of the move.”During Friday’s selection committee meeting, discussions on the vice-captaincy took place,” the PCB said in a statement. “However, it was unanimously decided not to appoint anyone. As such, no offer was made to any player. The side is fully united, committed and keenly looking forward to the upcoming matches in the UK and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.”**

Esmae MacGregor and Kate Coppack claim two wickets each to snap four-game losing streak

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay20-Jun-2025A devastating new-ball burst from seamers Esmae MacGregor and Kate Coppack helped Essex snap a four-game losing streak in the Vitality Blast as they eased past Durham by six wickets at the Banks Homes Riverside.MacGregor and Coppack claimed two wickets apiece as Durham, inserted, slipped to 17 for 4 in four overs, only able to recover to an under-par 101 for 8 total.Essex then reeled that in with comfort – with three overs remaining – to secure their first win in five and their third win in eight overall. Former England wicketkeeper-opener Lauren Winfield-Hill top-scored with 29 off 22 balls.Essex jumped up to fifth in the table with this four-point success, while Durham have now lost six in eight. Essex still have plenty of work to do to secure a top-three finish for Finals Day qualification, though second-bottom Durham require a miracle.Twenty-year-old MacGregor is the leading wicket-taker in this season’s Blast with 18, and she put the squeeze on the home top order with 2 for 16 from four testing overs.She struck first with the sixth ball of the match as she bowled an attacking Leah Dobson before getting New Zealand’s Suzie Bates caught at mid-off following a miscue in her next over, leaving the score at 10 for 2.Coppack, who finished with a campaign-best 2 for 16 in three overs, then had England fringe duo Mady Villiers and Bess Heath caught at point on the cut and caught behind driving respectively, leaving the hosts in deep trouble in the North East sunshine.Captain Hollie Armitage tried her best to rescue things with an unbeaten 47 off 50 balls, but she just couldn’t get the required support.Wicketkeeper-batter Mia Rogers was run out coming back for two to the non-striker’s end, courtesy of a wonderful pick up and throw from Sophia Smale at long-on, before the fielder turned wicket-taker to bowl Katherine Fraser with her left-arm spin – 71 for 6 in the 16th over.In the scramble for late runs, Eva Gray’s seam bowled Phoebe Turner before Grace Thompson was run out.England A captain Armitage hit only three boundaries and was never able to break free.The early loss of Grace Scrivens in the Essex reply, stumped off Villiers’ off-spin, failed to break their stride even if on-loan opener Winfield-Hill struggled in hers. She went down with suspected cramp at the end of the fourth over, with Essex 20 for 1.Batting on, she instantly took the aggressive route and hit Grace Thompson’s seam for back-to-back boundaries through cover and aerially through midwicket.Impressive Villiers bowled Jo Gardner in the sixth over and then took a brilliant diving catch on the run at long-on to help seamer Sophia Turner remove Winfield-Hill. But by that time, it was 53 for 3 after eight overs and Durham still had a mountain to climb.Katie Levick claimed a consolatory wicket, but unbeaten Australian Maddie Penna saw the visitors home with 23.

Perry’s 81 and Wareham’s three wickets weren’t enough for RCB

Hemant Brar21-Feb-2025Win the toss, field first, win the match. This has been the story of all seven games in WPL 2025 so far. Mumbai Indians (MI) were the latest benefactors of winning the toss as they beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by four wickets in the first game of the Bengaluru leg.Bowling first, MI restricted RCB to 167 for 7 despite a pristine 81 off 43 balls by Ellyse Perry. Then they had the joint-best powerplay of the season, cruising to 66 for 2. Harmanpreet Kaur’s half-century kept MI in a comfortable position until Georgia Wareham dismissed her and S Sajana off successive balls in the 18th over. Amanjot Kaur took over from there and, with 22 needed from 12 balls, hit Kanika Ahuja for two sixes. That brought it down to run-a-ball in the final over. Still, it came down to two needed from two balls before 16-year-old G Kamalini smashed Ekta Bisht through covers to seal the game.

Mandhana vs Ismail – a short story

Shabnim Ismail is the fastest bowler in women’s cricket and it showed immediately. Opening the bowling for MI, Ismail hurried Smriti Mandhana with a bouncer, the RCB captain’s mistimed pull falling short of mid-on. However, Mandhana took just one delivery to adjust to the pace and the bounce of the pitch. Two balls later, when Ismail hurled another short ball, Mandhana quickly got into the position and pulled it over square leg for four.It made Ismail switch to around the wicket. For the last ball of the over, she went short again, this time trying to cramp the batter. Mandhana unfurled another four with a pull.Smriti Mandhana takes on a short ball•BCCI

Nat Sciver-Brunt, who opened the bowling from the other end, does not have Ismail’s pace. That allowed Mandhana to use her feet and launch a straight six.In her next over, Ismail erred in her line, and Mandhana duly cut her to the point boundary twice in three balls. But Ismail had the last laugh. She went short again, angling the ball on this occasion. Mandhana must have been feeling invincible by then. She attempted another pull. But this one took the top edge and Yastika Bhatia settled under it behind the stumps.

Quick wickets leave RCB in trouble

Perry opened her account with a first-ball four, flicking a full delivery from Ismail over square leg. In the next over, she freed her arms and hit Sciver-Brunt over long-on. But MI pulled things back with three quick wickets. Danni Wyatt-Hodge miscued an upper cut against Sciver-Brunt to short third; Raghvi Bist hit Hayley Matthews into the hands of deep midwicket; and Ahuja chopped Sanskriti Gupta onto her stumps. After nine overs, RCB were 62 for 4.

Perry pristine

RCB did not hit a single boundary from overs six to nine. Perry ended the drought in the tenth when she dispatched Matthews for four. She found support from Richa Ghosh, who smashed a six in the same over. The pair combined to pocket five more fours in the next three overs. By the time Amanjot bowled Ghosh for 28 off 25, the partnership had reached 50 in 38 deliveries.Ellyse Perry top-scored for RCB with a pristine 81•BCCI

From there on, Perry carried RCB almost singlehandedly. She hit Amelia Kerr inside out over extra cover to bring her fifty off 30 balls. Two balls later, she jumped out of her crease to deposit Kerr over long-on. In the next over, Matthews paid the price for bowling too short as Perry picked up two more fours. Perry eventually fell to Amanjot on the penultimate ball of the innings but not before hitting the bowler for back-to-back fours.

Matthews, Sciver-Brunt give MI flying start

MI started their chase in an attacking manner, with Bhatia hitting Renuka Singh for two fours in the opening over. Even though Kim Garth trapped Bhatia for 8, there was no respite for RCB. Sciver-Brunt hit two fours off the first two balls she faced to keep the runs flowing. She took it a notch higher in Garth’s next over with three fours.Matthews joined with back-to-back fours off Wareham. Bisht, who came in for the sixth over was not spared either. Sciver-Brunt started with a hat-trick of fours and Matthews chipped in with one. The only solace for Bisht was that she had Matthews lbw with her last ball.

Harmanpreet takes over

Garth provided RCB with some relief when she castled Sciver-Brunt for 42 off 21 balls in the eighth over. Two overs later, Wareham bowled a maiden in which she also had Kerr slicing to backward point.Harmanpreet Kaur’s fifty put Mumbai Indians in a comfortable position•BCCI

Harmanpreet had had a slow start and was on 10 off ten balls after the tenth over. But she put the chase back on track with two fours off VJ Joshitha. MI needed 54 in the last six overs but Harmanpreet was well set by then. She hit Ahuja for successive fours, slog-swept Bisht into the stands, and picked up two more fours of Renuka to make MI firm favourites.

Amanjot’s twin sixes overpower Wareham’s twin strikes

With 24 required from three overs and Harmanpreet batting on 50 off 36, the match looked all but lost for RCB. But in an attempt to cut Wareham, Harmanpreet edged the ball to Ghosh. Sajana lasted just one ball, Wareham’s slider trapping her lbw. Moreover, MI could score only two off that over.It was anyone’s game at that point. But Amanjot, who had been playing second fiddle to Harmanpreet till then, stepped up. She was on 20 off 22 balls when her Punjab team-mate Ahuja started the 19th over. Amanjot went down the ground first ball and cleared long-on. Ahuja conceded only four in the next four balls but Amanjot cleared long-on once again on the final ball.Not only did MI require just six in the final over, but RCB’s slow over rate also meant there was one fielder fewer in the outfield. Bisht tried her best, darting the ball with the keeper standing back for the first two deliveries. But Kamalini kept her cool and took her side to victory with one ball to spare.

Mohammad Sami has been added to Pakistan’s 16-man Test squad against Australia following the team management’s request for an extra fast bowler

Cricinfo staff15-Dec-2009Mohammad Sami’s international career has been revived after he was added to Pakistan’s 16-man Test squad against Australia following the team management’s request for an extra fast bowler. According to the Pakistan Cricket Board, Sami was recalled after the need for additional support to a fast-bowling contingent comprising Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer and Abdur Rauf was raised.Gul, Asif and Aamer played in all three matches of the tied Test series and have little time off ahead of the series in Australia, which begins with a three-day tour match against Hobart from December 19. The first Test starts on Boxing Day at the MCG.”I am very happy and am confident of making the most of this chance to resurrect my career,” said Sami, who returned to Pakistan’s domestic fold after cutting ties with the now defunct ICL.Sami, 28, played the last of his 33, largely unfulfilling Tests in December 2007 against India after he had drifted to the sidelines of Pakistan’s Test attack. Those three Tests in India yielded just four wickets and he was again discarded to return to the domestic circuit. But he has picked up 30 wickets so far this season while captaining Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Group B toppers Karachi Whites, with three five-wicket bags.There are other fast bowlers with better returns for the current first-class season, such as young Mohammad Talha, and those who have played limited-overs cricket for Pakistan this year, like Sohail Khan, but Sami’s experience of playing international cricket, and two Tests in Australia, appeared to have worked in his favour.Sami has taken 81 wickets in 33 Tests, and 118 in 83 ODIs.Apart from three Tests, Pakistan will play five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 on the tour.

Northants secure return for Matthew Breetzke in Championship and Blast

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Oct-2024Lancashire have signed Australia allrounder Chris Green as one of their overseas players in the Vitality T20 Blast for the next two seasons.Green, 31, was Lancashire’s leading wicket-taker in the Blast this summer with 14, helping the club to qualify for the knockouts – although, due to the lengthy gap after the group stage, he had moved on to the CPL and was unavailable for their quarter-final defeat against Sussex.His contract again includes the provision to play in the County Championship and One-Day Cup, subject to availability. Green, who also turned out for Trent Rockets in the Hundred, made six One-Day Cup games appearances – scoring his maiden hundred – and one in the Championship for Lancashire in 2024.”I absolutely loved my first year with the club and I am even more excited to be coming back for the next two seasons – I can’t wait to join up with the team again next summer,” Green said. “It is a really special group of players at Lancashire. I know that there are big things to come, and I am looking forward to playing my part in that during 2025 and 2026.”I really felt the support from all of the Red Rose Members and supporters this summer and I can’t wait to see you all again next season at Emirates Old Trafford.”Lancahisre’s director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton, said: “One of our key priorities heading into the winter was to secure Chris’ services so we are really pleased to get this deal done early and to have his commitment to playing for Lancashire in the Vitality Blast for the next two years.”Chris made a huge impact for us on the field and had a number of options and offers to play around the world, but we are delighted that he has committed to being here at Emirates Old Trafford. Not only did Chris’ performances with bat and ball stand out this season but he also really impressed us with his leadership and his personality had a huge influence on the dressing room. We are all looking forward to welcoming him back to the club next summer.”

Breetzke back at Northants

Northamptonshire, meanwhile, have re-signed South Africa top-order batter Matthew Breetzke for the first half of the 2025 summer. Breetzke will be available for Northants’ first eight games in the County Championship, as well as the whole of the Blast group stage.The 25-year-old finished as Northants’ leading run-scorer in the 2024 Blast, with 460 at a strike rate of 153.84, helping the club to reach the quarter-finals.”I’m delighted to sign with Northamptonshire for the 2025 season,” Breetzke said. “I really enjoyed my time at the club this year. I think the team has a lot of potential to push for promotion as well as go a few steps further in the Blast and win it. I’m looking forward to helping the team and hopefully achieving many more victories along the way.”

Strikers recovered from 58 for 8 courtesy a Doggett-Boyce record BBL partnership but the total of 142 was chased down with 33 balls remaining

AAP31-Dec-2024Perth Scorchers finished 2024 in second position on the BBL ladder after cruising to a seven-wicket win over the Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve.A record-breaking ninth-wicket stand between tailenders Brendan Doggett (47*) and Cameron Boyce (29*) spared Strikers total humiliation in front of a bumper crowd of 41,624 at Adelaide Oval, lifting them to 142 for 8.But it wasn’t enough to stop resurgent Finn Allen (50 off 23 balls), golden-bat leader Cooper Connolly (48* off 35 balls) and captain Ashton Turner (35* off 18 balls) from piloting the Scorchers to victory with 33 deliveries to spare.The Scorchers reply, though, wasn’t without drama. Matt Hurst was dropped twice before being pouched for 3, and Scorchers should have been 13 for 3 when Connolly, on 4, edged Doggett to wicketkeeper Ollie Pope but only the bowler offered a muted appeal.Allen, who came into the match with 10 runs from four innings, was grassed on 11 by Alex Ross before earning the ire of fiery Strikers import Jamie Overton.