WEST INDIES SUFFER FRESH BLOW AS DIRECT QUALIFICATION TO ODI WORLD CUP 2027 SLIPS AWAY

• West Indies have missed automatic qualification to ODI World Cup 2027.

• The Caribbean side will now have to battle through the Qualifiers to reach the mega event.

West Indies have been dealt another major setback in their bid to reach the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the two-time champions now certain to enter the qualification tournament rather than secure a direct place through the ICC rankings. Afghanistan’s victory over Ireland in Belfast confirmed their position among the teams set to qualify automatically, leaving the Caribbean side outside the required top-eight bracket.

Under the qualification system, the eight highest-ranked teams in the ICC ODI rankings on September 30, 2026, excluding co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, will earn automatic entry into the 14-team World Cup. Afghanistan’s rise into that group has effectively ended West Indies’ hopes of breaking into the direct qualification places.

The West Indies are currently ranked 10th and have two ODIs against India remaining before the cut-off. However, even winning both matches will not be enough to lift them into the automatic qualification positions. That means the Caribbean side will once again have to take the longer route to the World Cup.

A painful reminder of what happened in 2023

For West Indies, another qualification campaign represents an uncomfortable return to a situation they would have desperately wanted to avoid. The Caribbean giants were forced to enter the qualification process for the 2023 ODI World Cup as well. Their campaign in Zimbabwe ended in disappointment after they finished fifth in the Super Six stage and failed to qualify for the tournament.

It was a historic low for one of cricket’s most successful teams. West Indies had appeared at every men’s ODI World Cup from the inaugural edition in 1975 until 2019, but their failure to qualify for the 2023 tournament brought that remarkable streak to an end. The consequences continued beyond the World Cup. Their ranking position also meant they missed the 2025 Champions Trophy, having last featured in the competition in 2013. With another World Cup qualification battle now confirmed, there will inevitably be concern about history repeating itself.

New qualification system offers another route

The 2027 qualification tournament will feature 10 teams and provide West Indies with another opportunity to reach the global showpiece. The field is set to include West Indies and Ireland as the two lowest-ranked non-host Full Members, along with the top four teams from Cricket World Cup League 2 and the four sides emerging from the Qualifier Playoff.

The playoff itself brings together teams from different levels of the qualification pyramid, including the bottom four League 2 sides and four teams from the Challenge League. The revised system also gives teams more than one opportunity to progress. The winner of the 10-team Qualifier will earn a direct place in the second round of the 2027 World Cup. Teams finishing second, third and fourth will enter a three-team Super Series, with the winner also advancing.

The ICC approved the revamped World Cup structure in July, with the 14-team tournament designed to provide more competitive matches while keeping the overall event shorter. While the new pathway keeps West Indies’ World Cup dream alive, it also highlights the seriousness of their current position. A team once synonymous with dominance on the global stage now faces another high-pressure qualification campaign.

For Shai Hope and his teammates, the immediate task is clear: finish the remaining fixtures strongly, regroup and make sure the next qualification journey does not end in another historic disappointment.

- Akshat Gaur

SCOTLAND, NETHERLANDS CRITICISE ICC'S WORLD CUP FORMAT

Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) have criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for changing the format of the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup less than 18 months before the tournament.

The ICC introduced a new Super Series phase under which the teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th in the qualification process will contest a tri-series, with only one progressing to the second round, where 12 teams will be split into two groups.

The two Associate Member boards described the lack of communication as "disappointing and disrespectful".

"These changes represent a setback to Associate Member cricket and risk undermining the progress made in recent years to grow the global game," they said in a joint statement on Monday.

"At a time when cricket is seeking to expand its reach, attract new audiences and strengthen its position on the international sporting landscape, reducing meaningful opportunities for emerging nations sends entirely the wrong message."

Associate Members are nations that belong to the ICC but do not hold Full Member status, which is reserved for the game's leading countries.

The 2027 World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

- Reuters

ENGLAND LOSE 12 WTC POINTS FOR SLOW OVER RATE AT OVAL

This is the second time England have lost points for a slow over rate in this World Test Championship cycle

Joe Root accepted the charge of maintaining a slow over rate at The Oval  •  Philip Brown/Getty Images

England have been docked 12 points in the World Test Championship and fined 50% of their match fee for a slow over-rate offence against New Zealand in the second Test at The Oval. Since a win is worth 12 WTC points, the penalty has cost England the points they earned for beating New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's.

England were found to be 12 overs short of the target at The Oval after factoring in time allowances. According to the World Test Championship playing conditions, a team is penalised one point for each over short. The ICC's Code of Conduct says players will be fined 5% of their match fee for each over short but the maximum is capped at 50%, which is the penalty England have been hit with.

The charges were brought by on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Nitin Menon, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd. England captain Joe Root, who was standing in for Ben Stokes in the aftermath of the Rex Rooms incident, pled guilty and so no hearing was needed with match referee Andy Pycroft.

England lost the second Test by 253 runs, with the series level at 1-1 ahead of the decider at Trent Bridge from June 25. England are currently seventh out of nine teams in the WTC standings with 38 points from 12 Tests, which translates to 26.39 percentage points.

This is the second time England have been docked points for a slow over rate in the current WTC cycle. They lost two points for the same offence during their 22-run victory against India at Lord's in 2025. In the previous WTC cycle from 2023 to 2025, England had lost 22 points due to slow over-rate offences and finished fifth.

- ESPNcricinfo

PAKISTAN NAME 16-MEMBER SQUAD ANNOUNCED FOR BANGLADESH TEST SERIES

Pakistan name 16-member squad announced for Bangladesh Test series
©PCB

Pakistan has named a 16-member squad for the two-Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh set to take place in Bangladesh in May

The first of the two matches – part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May, while Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test which will be played from 16 to 20 May.

Shan Masood will continue to lead the Test side, while four uncapped players – Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori are part of the squad.

Among the squad, five players – Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan are currently taking part in the ongoing NCA Red-Ball Camp in Lahore.

The players will undergo a camp in Karachi and will assemble on Monday, 27 April. The camp will conclude on 1 May, with the players scheduled to fly to Bangladesh on 2 May. Players who are part of the Test squad and are currently taking part in HBL PSL Xl will join the camp following the conclusion of their team’s campaign. Players whose teams qualify for the final will depart for Bangladesh after the conclusion of the tournament.

The PCB also confirms the appointment of red-ball coaches for the Bangladesh tour, with former Test captain Sarfaraz Ahmed appointed as head coach. Sarfaraz, who won two ICC titles as captain of Pakistan – ICC U19 World Cup 2006 and ICC Champions Trophy 2017 also guided Pakistan U19 to the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup title as mentor/manager five months ago. He was also mentor/manager of Pakistan Shaheens against England Lions series earlier this year.

Former Test cricketers Asad Shafiq and Umar Gul will work as batting and bowling coaches, respectively, on the tour. Asad featured in 147 international matches (77 Tests, 60 ODIs, 10 T20Is), scoring 6,188 runs, including 12 centuries and 36 half-centuries. Right-arm fast bowler Umar featured in 237 international matches (47 Tests, 130 ODIs, 60 T20Is), taking 427 wickets.

Squad

Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

Team Management

Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Sarfaraz Ahmed (head coach), Asad Shafiq (batting coach), Umar Gul (bowling coach), Abdul Saad (fielding coach) Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Lt. Col. (r) Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)

©Cricket World 2026

- PCB & Cricket World 

NASSER HUSSAIN BLASTS ICC FOR PRESSURIZING BANGLADESH, PAKISTAN

LAHORE – Former English cricket captain Nasser Hussain has criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its double standards and political influence in the sport.

Speaking out against the ICC’s handling of the Bangladesh and Pakistan situation, Hussain questioned, “If India had demanded a venue change like Bangladesh did, what would the ICC have done? Would they have excluded India from the event as well?”

He stressed that the ICC needs to treat Bangladesh and Pakistan equally, just as it does with India.

Hussain praised Bangladesh for standing firm on their position and for supporting their players. He also commended Pakistan for backing Bangladesh, calling it a commendable action.

 “Someone has to stand up and say enough with the politics, let’s play cricket,” he added.

Furthermore, Hussain pointed out that India’s sudden decision to exclude Misbah-ul-Haq from the squad due to political pressure was a clear example of politics interfering with cricket.

He emphasized that if Pakistan and Bangladesh are constantly pressured, the future of cricket itself could be jeopardized.

“Despite all the restrictions, Pakistan continues to perform exceptionally well,” he concluded.

- Pakistan Observer 

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ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025: PAKISTAN, NEW ZEALAND TEAMS ATTEND ANTHEMS ' CEREMONY

KARACHI – Before start of the opening match of ICC Champions Trophy 2025, both Pakistan and New Zealand teams attend the anthem ceremony at National Bank Cricket Stadium on Wednesday (today).

President Asif Ali Zardari took part as the chief guest of the event while First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and other PPP leaders as well as PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi graced the occasion. A beautify fly pass was conducted and the beautiful colours were spread around the ground.

The players of both teams are quite excited for the opening match.

ICC event has returned to Pakistan after a long time of 29 years. The strict security arrangements have been made.

The experts say that today’s event is an evidence that Pakistan is a suitable country for the international events.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand at the National Cricket Stadium.

The fans are much excited and are present in large number at the cricket stadium. However, they are not allowed bring water bottles, chips, soft drinks or any other food items inside the stadium.

The spectators must be aware that even minor prohibited items can result in denied entry to the stadium. The fans are not allowed to carry power banks for charging their mobile phones inside Karachi’s National Stadium. Security personnel will prevent entry for anyone carrying a power bank.

Bringing chalia, paan, or gutka into the stadium is strictly prohibited.

Spectators are not permitted to bring any AirPods, headphones, or hands-free devices into the stadium. To avoid any hassle, fans should refrain from carrying such electronic accessories.

- Pakistan Observer, Web Desk Staff

JASPRIT BUMRAH NAMED ICC MEN'S CRICKETER OF THE YEAR

Jasprit Bumrah has been named the ICC men’s Test cricketer of the Year for 2024.

The ICC has named Bumrah as the Test Cricketer of the Year for his performance in 2024. From 13 Tests, Bumrah had taken 71 wickets in the year at 14.92 and a strike rate of 30.1.

Of bowlers with as many Test wickets in any calendar year, no one else has an average below 16 or a strike rate better than 39. Bumrah in 2024 was, thus, a year without parallel in Test cricket – and perhaps even across formats. Over the course of the year, he also became the first bowler to reach 200 Test wickets while maintaining an average below 20.

Bumrah's series-wise performance in Tests in 2024

Bumrah began the year with the second Test of the two-match series, at Cape Town, where he picked up 2-25 and 6-61 to help India leave the South African shares without having lost the series for only the second time in history.

Back home, he got 19 wickets from four Tests at 16.89 against England, where his most devastating performance – 6-45 and 3-46 – came in a win at Visakhapatnam. It was during this Test that he bowled his famous yorker to clean up Ollie Pope.

There was no Test cricket for India between mid-March and mid-September. They resumed with five home games. Bumrah’s two Tests against Bangladesh fetched him 11 wickets at 12.81, but the two against New Zealand got him only three more, at 42.33.

However, he saved his best for the last, on the tour of Australia. There, he had 30 wickets at 12.83 in the first four Tests (the fifth took his tally to 32 at 13.06, but it began in 2025, outside the eligibility range of the award). This included 5-30 and 3-42 at Perth, a Test where he led India to a win after they were bowled out for 150, and nine-wicket match hauls in consecutive Test matches at Brisbane and Melbourne.

- Wisden.com

BUMRAH'S STATUS CONFIRMED AS INDIA ANNOUNCE ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025 SQUAD

Two-time winners India have named their 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy.

India, who won the ICC Men's Champions Trophy in 2002 and 2013, will look for a third title under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.

Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who missed a portion of the Sydney Test due to injury, has been included in the squad, with chief Selector Ajit Agarkar stating that the team management will keep an eye on the pacer's fitness in the lead-up to the tournament.

Bumrah delivered for India at the highest stage in the 2024 Men's T20WC 2024

Keeping Bumrah's fitness in mind, Harshit Rana comes into India's squad for the England ODIs, preceding the Champions Trophy, as a cover.

Yashasvi Jaiswal joins regular names Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill at the top of the order, while experienced KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant comprise the middle order.

Hardik Pandya, whose last ODI came in the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup, features as the sole pace-bowling all-rounder. Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar are the three spin-bowling all-rounders in the squad, and left-arm tweaker Kuldeep Yadav also returns following an injury.

The pace attack will comprise of Arshdeep Singh and Mohammad Shami, alongside Bumrah and Hardik.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.

In the last edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, India reached the finals before losing to Pakistan.

India's Group Stage Fixtures:

20 February - India vs Bangladesh, Dubai

23 February - India vs Pakistan, Dubai

2 March - India vs New Zealand, Dubai"

 - ICC

SPORTS MINISTER URGES SOUTH AFRICA TO BOYCOTT AFGHANISTAN MATCH

Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Monday, June 10, 2013.
  -  
Copyright © africanews
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

South Africa's sports minister has joined public calls for the Proteas to boycott the Champions Trophy game against Afghanistan next month and criticised the International Cricket Council for not upholding its own rules.

Gayton McKenzie said on Thursday he felt “morally bound to support” a match boycott because the Taliban government has banned women's sports and disbanded the national women's cricket team.

"It is not for me as the sports minister to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honour cricketing fixtures against Afghanistan. If it was my decision, then it certainly would not happen,” McKenzie said in a statement.

“As a man who comes from a race that was not allowed equal access to sporting opportunities during apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is being done towards women anywhere in the world."

The Proteas are scheduled to play Afghanistan on Feb. 21 in a group match in Karachi, Pakistan.

England was also urged to forfeit its match against Afghanistan on Feb. 26 by more than 160 U.K. politicians on Monday.

McKenzie believed the ICC was also being hypocritical for not upholding its own mandates that member nations develop men's and women's cricket.

McKenzie noted Sri Lanka Cricket was suspended by the ICC from November 2023 to January 2024 for government interference.

“This does not happen in the case of Afghanistan, suggesting that political interference in the administration of sport is being tolerated there,” McKenzie said.

"Cricket South Africa, the federations of other countries and the ICC will have to think carefully about the message the sport of cricket wishes to send the world, and especially the women in sports.

“I hope that the consciences of all those involved in cricket, including the supporters, players and administrators, will take a firm stand in solidarity with the women of Afghanistan.”

- Rédaction Africanews with AP