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“No such verdict has been passed” – Former India opener’s big claim after Mohammad Shami is snubbed for IND vs SA 2025 Tests

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Former India opener Aakash Chopra has dismissed social media claims suggesting that Mohammad Shami’s international career might be over after he was not included in the Indian squad for the home Test series against South Africa. Chopra emphasized that the experienced Bengal fast bowler can definitely make a comeback if he continues his wicket-taking form in domestic cricket.

Shami has missed a significant portion of international cricket due to injury and fitness issues following his impressive performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India. The 35-year-old last represented India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final in Dubai earlier this year. Prior to that, he was part of the T20I squad against England at home. However, Shami has not played Test cricket since the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval.

Despite picking up 15 wickets in three matches during the ongoing Ranji Trophy season for Bengal, Shami was overlooked for the two-match Test series against South Africa.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra urged fans and critics not to be disheartened and insisted that Shami will get opportunities again as long as he maintains his performance at the domestic level.

“I won’t say that it’s curtains. Many on social media are claiming that you won’t see Shami playing for India again. I don’t think that’s the case. No such verdict has been passed by the jury. He can get a chance again provided he keeps picking up wickets and lasts an entire season,” Chopra said.

Chopra further added, “There are a lot of vacant slots for premier fast bowlers. There are injuries and workload management as well. There are lots of matches being played across formats, so I don’t think that will be an issue. Don’t worry about it. Shami’s name will come.”

Mohammad Shami has so far featured in 64 Test matches, claiming 229 wickets at an average of 27.71, including six five-wicket hauls. In addition, he has taken over 200 wickets in ODIs and 27 scalps in T20Is.

### Akash Deep Preferred Over Mohammad Shami for India vs South Africa 2025 Tests

From the team that recently faced the West Indies, India made only two changes to the 15-man squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. A fit-again Rishabh Pant has returned in place of N Jagadeesan, while Prasidh Krishna was replaced by Akash Deep.

Jasprit Bumrah will lead the bowling attack, supported once again by Mohammed Siraj. Siraj was the leading wicket-taker during the demanding five-match Test series in England, claiming 23 wickets at an average of 32.43. Bumrah played three Tests in that series and took 14 wickets at an average of 26, while Akash Deep impressed with 10 wickets in the Birmingham Test.

The selectors’ preference for Akash Deep over Shami in the current Test squad highlights the competitive nature of fast bowling slots in the Indian team, but as Aakash Chopra noted, Shami’s experience and skills mean he remains very much in contention, provided he continues strong domestic performances.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-aakash-chopra-big-claim-mohammad-shami-snubbed-ind-vs-sa-2025-tests

cricket, international, sport

“If match practice is not there, it’s not easy to score runs in international cricket” – Former keeper on Virat Kohli’s 2nd duck in AUS vs IND ODIs

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Former India player Parthiv Patel has noted that it is difficult to judge Virat Kohli’s form as the batter hasn’t spent enough time in the middle. He highlighted that scoring runs in international cricket is challenging without adequate match practice.

Kohli was dismissed for a four-ball duck as India set a target of 265 runs in the second ODI against Australia in Adelaide on Thursday, October 23. The hosts registered a two-wicket win with 22 deliveries to spare, securing the series 2-0 ahead of the final game in Sydney on Saturday, October 25.

During an interaction on the Star Sports show *Follow the Blues*, Parthiv was asked whether Kohli’s second successive duck could be attributed to a mental or technical issue.

“If a batter spends time in the middle, then you try to see if he is in form or not, and if there is any technical fault or not. However, if he hasn’t spent that much time, you can’t say what form he is going through,” the former India wicketkeeper-batter responded.

“One thing is clear. All of us have been talking about it—that if match practice is not there, it’s not easy to score runs in international cricket. We don’t need to tell anyone that Virat is a great player, we know his numbers, but match practice is a massive factor when you come to play international cricket or any level of cricket,” he added.

Prior to the ODIs against Australia, Virat Kohli last played for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final on March 9. The former India skipper hadn’t played a competitive game since the IPL 2025 final on June 3.

### “You Don’t Need Motivation” – Parthiv Patel on Virat Kohli Ahead of AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI

In the same interaction, Parthiv was asked if Kohli needs to draw motivation from somewhere to get back to his vintage best in the third ODI against Australia.

“We all hope that he bats like that, and we have seen that kind of batting many times as well from Virat, but unfortunately, it’s not happening currently. You don’t need motivation and Virat Kohli is that kind of person,” he replied.

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the modern batting great would be in search of one good knock that could change the tide.

“When he wears the Indian jersey, he knows he has to perform well. I don’t think he needs to search for something from outside. As coaches or former players, we always say that you need one inning to click and then everything changes. Virat will be in search of that one inning,” Parthiv observed.

### Match Recap

Virat Kohli was caught plumb in front of the wickets by a Xavier Bartlett delivery in the second ODI against Australia. His dismissal reduced India to 17/2 after 6.5 overs. Following this, Rohit Sharma (73 off 97) and Shreyas Iyer (61 off 77) added 118 runs for the third wicket, helping the visitors post a competitive total.

—

**About the Author: Kartik Iyer**

Kartik is a cricket writer at Sportskeeda with four years of professional experience. He specializes in news articles and is dedicated to delivering authentic and accurate content by sourcing information only from credible outlets.

Kartik’s love for cricket began in childhood, and he has been closely following the sport ever since. A passionate supporter of Team India, his all-time favorite cricketer is Rahul Dravid, admired for his impeccable technique and approach to the game.

With over 5,500 articles written for Sportskeeda, Kartik possesses strong knowledge of SEO and journalism guidelines, which has helped him gather a loyal readership of nearly 12 million. He holds a B.Tech degree and enjoys watching sports other than cricket in his free time.

—

*Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news.*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-if-match-practice-there-easy-score-runs-international-cricket-former-keeper-virat-kohli-s-2nd-duck-aus-vs-ind-odis

cricket, entertainment, india, international, sports

“You are obviously going to be rusty” – Former India coach’s blunt take on Kohli & Rohit after AUS vs IND 2025 1st ODI

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Former India coach Ravi Shastri defended Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s underwhelming performances during their international return in the first ODI against Australia at Optus Stadium on Sunday, October 19.

The veteran duo failed to reach double figures, getting dismissed early as India suffered a rain-curtailed seven-wicket loss against Mitchell Marsh and his team.

Rohit Sharma showed some promise by striking an early boundary after India opted to bat first in Shubman Gill’s debut match as ODI captain. However, the explosive opener was soon caught in the slip cordon, dismissed by a rising delivery from Josh Hazlewood in the fourth over.

Virat Kohli, on the other hand, appeared boxed in by the Australian seamers and strategic field placements inside the circle. He struggled to get off the mark and was eventually dismissed for an eight-ball duck, caught at point by Cooper Connolly off Mitchell Starc’s bowling.

Reflecting on their challenging return, Ravi Shastri explained that the experienced pair faced tough conditions and circumstances in their very first game after a long hiatus.

“I mean, they came back, they got caught on a dodgy pitch. It was a good toss to win for Australia and then the weather was such that it was not easy. When you come back from a long layoff, you are obviously going to be rusty,” Shastri said on ICC Review ahead of the second ODI.

He added, “It’s not easy for any overseas team to land in Australia, say, two days prior to a game in Perth and adjust to those conditions straight away—especially when you have that extra bounce and are playing against quality fast bowlers. But I think only time will tell. They’ll go to Adelaide, have some time off to get into the nets, get their minds sorted, and get back into action.”

Shastri also highlighted hunger and passion as critical factors for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the latter stages of their careers. He stressed that it would be unwise to rush into judgment based on just one game since their return.

“So I’m in no hurry to judge, but it’s when you come back at that age, after some time, it’s about how much you’re enjoying the sport and how much hunger is there and passion is left in you to play the game. So if you tick the boxes in two out of those three, especially the enjoyment part of it, then you can give them both time because they’ve got class, they’ve got experience, and a little bit of time will sort things out. But I’d rather wait than jump and judge immediately,” he elaborated.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to feature in the upcoming second ODI against Australia at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, October 23. The hosts currently hold a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

### “He’s brutal on himself at times” — Ravi Shastri on workload and high expectations driving Virat Kohli into early Test retirement

With Virat Kohli having retired from T20 internationals and Test cricket, ODI cricket remains his sole focus. He stepped away from T20Is right after the 2024 T20 World Cup, while his surprising decision to retire from red-ball cricket came midway through the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), ahead of the England tour.

Ravi Shastri reflected on Kohli’s self-demanding nature amid a hectic workload, which ultimately influenced his early retirement from Tests.

“Virat Kohli does not leave any stone unturned when it comes to preparation. He’s brutal on himself at times, and that might have taken its toll over a span of time that stretches back to 14-16 years of cricket. Then that enjoyment factor, that hunger factor, the same focus doesn’t exist. He does not have the appetite to put in the same amount of work day in day out and hence, that might have prompted him the decision (to retire), right or wrong, only time will tell,” Shastri said.

Virat Kohli concluded his illustrious Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85. His last Test appearance came during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series finale at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-you-obviously-going-rusty-former-india-coach-s-blunt-take-kohli-rohit-aus-vs-ind-2025-1st-odi

cricket, international, sports, women, world cup

Women’s World Cup: Can Bangladesh upset Australia in Visakhapatnam?

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Women’s World Cup: Can Bangladesh Upset Australia in Visakhapatnam?

By Rajdeep Saha | Oct 16, 2025 | 01:51 am

Bangladesh are all set to take on the reigning champions Australia in their next Women’s ODI World Cup match. This encounter will be a crucial test of Bangladesh’s growth as a team, especially after their narrow losses against England and South Africa in this edition of the tournament.

The last time these two teams met was in 2022, when Bangladesh put up a strong fight despite defending a modest total of 135 runs in a rain-affected match.

Player Spotlight

Key Players to Watch Out For

For Bangladesh, Marufa Akter will be a key player with the new ball. She has experienced a bit of a rough patch after making early breakthroughs against England and Pakistan, but remains a significant threat.

On the Australian side, Phoebe Litchfield is one of the young talents to keep an eye on. Although her start in her maiden ODI World Cup was somewhat subdued, the batting-friendly conditions in Visakhapatnam could help her find form, as runs have been flowing and quick bowlers have been dispatched.

Match Preview: Team News and Pitch Report

Australia are expected to stick with the same winning XI that defeated India recently, covering all bases with a balanced spin and pace attack.

Bangladesh came close to pulling off a victory against South Africa on this ground just days ago, showing significant progress. The pitches in Visakhapatnam have been generally run-friendly, offering some early swing for the seamers and good assistance for spinners when they bowl at a controlled pace below 80 km/h.

Australia and Bangladesh’s World Cup Journey So Far

Australia currently sit second in the standings, having remained unbeaten in their four matches. They have secured three victories, while one match against Sri Lanka was washed out.

Bangladesh started their campaign with an encouraging win over Pakistan but then suffered defeats against top teams like England, New Zealand, and South Africa. Notably, their games against England and South Africa were closely contested, suggesting their improvement and resilience.

Stats: Australian Players Approaching Milestones

  • Ellyse Perry is 86 runs short of reaching 4,500 runs in WODIs, maintaining an impressive average of 49.04.
  • Alyssa Healy, in 121 matches, has scored 3,445 runs and needs just 55 more to reach 3,500.
  • Beth Mooney is 89 runs shy of the 3,000-run milestone in WODIs.
  • Ashleigh Gardner is close to 1,500 runs, currently at 1,487 runs with an average of 30.34.
  • Megan Schutt is four wickets away from becoming Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker in WODIs.

Probable XIs

Australia (probable): Alyssa Healy (captain & wicketkeeper), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux/Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Alana King, Megan Schutt.

Bangladesh (probable): Fargana Hoque, Rubya Haider, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (captain & wicketkeeper), Shorna Akter, Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter.

Head-to-Head Record

These two teams have faced each other four times in Women’s ODIs. Australia boasts a clean 4-0 winning record against Bangladesh and are yet to suffer a defeat. The pair have met once before in the Women’s World Cup.

As Bangladesh look to create an upset against the champions on a familiar pitch, the match promises to be an exciting contest with high stakes for both sides.

https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/bangladesh-and-australia-meet-each-other-in-women-s-world-cup/story

cricket, international, sports, weather, women

ICC Women’s World Cup: Rain denies Pakistan victory over England

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**ICC Women’s World Cup: Rain Denies Pakistan Victory Over England**

*By Rajdeep Saha | October 15, 2025, 10:23 pm*

Rain played spoilsport in Match 16 of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday. Pakistan looked dominant against England and appeared well set for a victory. However, the weather had the final say, with rain denying Pakistan a possible win.

England initially struggled, finding themselves at 79/7 after 25 overs before rain interrupted play. The match was then reduced to 31 overs per side. After resumption, England fought back to reach 133/9, recovering from 75/5 in the six overs they batted after the delay.

In response, Pakistan’s openers started strongly, scoring 34 runs without loss in 6.4 overs. Unfortunately for Pakistan, rain returned and forced the match to be called off, resulting in a no result.

### Match Highlights: England Manage 133/9 as Fatima Sana Shines with the Ball

England’s innings was marked by regular loss of wickets as Pakistan maintained pressure throughout. Charlie Dean was England’s top scorer with a resilient 33 runs. Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana was the standout performer with the ball, claiming an impressive four-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 4/27 from 6 overs. Sadia Iqbal also made an impact, taking 2/16 from her six overs, which included two maidens.

### Standings Update: England Top, Pakistan At The Bottom

Following this match, England remain at the top of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 standings. They are unbeaten after four matches, accumulating 7 points and boasting a superior net run rate (NRR) of +1.864, edging out Australia who are in second place.

On the other hand, Pakistan continue to struggle, sitting at the bottom of the table with just one point from three games (one no result and three losses).

—

Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/pakistan-and-england-women-s-world-cup-game-gets-washed-out/story

cricket, international, sports

Decoding Afghanistan bowlers with five-wicket hauls against Bangladesh in ODIs

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Decoding Afghanistan Bowlers with Five-Wicket Hauls Against Bangladesh in ODIs

By Rajdeep Saha | Oct 15, 2025 | 08:11 pm

Afghanistan delivered a stunning performance in the 3rd and final ODI of the 2025 series against Bangladesh, held in Abu Dhabi on October 14. The Afghans dominated the match by 200 runs, bowling out Bangladesh for a mere 93 runs. Earlier, Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 293/9.

One of the standout performers was Bilal Sami, who claimed a solid five-wicket haul, becoming the third Afghan bowler to achieve this feat against Bangladesh in ODIs. Let’s take a closer look at the Afghan bowlers who have made a significant impact with their five-wicket hauls in this fixture.

1. Allah Ghazanfar – 6/26

Back in November 2024, young Afghan spinner Allah Ghazanfar produced a brilliant bowling display against Bangladesh. He took six wickets for just 26 runs in 6.3 overs, triggering a dramatic collapse where Bangladesh’s innings slumped from 120/2 to all out for 143 in just 8.4 overs.

Afghanistan had earlier been dismissed for 235. Ghazanfar’s spell remains the best bowling figures recorded in all Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODIs to date.

2. Rashid Khan – 5/17

In the second ODI of the 2025 three-match series, Afghanistan’s ace spinner Rashid Khan delivered a masterclass performance, taking 5 wickets for 17 runs from 8.3 overs. This marked Rashid’s sixth five-wicket haul in ODIs.

Bangladesh were restricted to 109 runs after chasing Afghanistan’s total of 190. Rashid finished the series as the top wicket-taker with 11 wickets.

3. Bilal Sami – 5/33

Bilal Sami starred in the third and final ODI, picking 5 wickets for 33 runs from 7.1 overs at an economy rate of 4.60. Impressively, this came in only his second ODI match, where he now boasts 5 wickets from 2 games at an average of 11.60.

With this performance, Bilal became the fourth Afghan bowler to claim a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in ODIs.

Afghanistan’s bowling prowess continues to be a major factor in their growing success against Bangladesh in the ODI format, with emerging talents like Bilal Sami promising exciting prospects for the future.

https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/afghanistan-bowlers-with-five-wicket-hauls-against-bangladesh-in-odis/story

cricket, entertainment, india, sports

Karun Nair slams Ranji Trophy half-century after Test snub: Stats

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**Karun Nair Slams Ranji Trophy Half-Century After Test Snub**

*By Rajdeep Saha | Oct 15, 2025, 07:26 PM*

The opening day of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season witnessed a stellar performance from Karnataka against Saurashtra at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. A crucial partnership between Devdutt Padikkal and Karun Nair helped Karnataka finish strongly on Day 1, ending on 295/5.

Padikkal scored a fluent 96, while Nair contributed a valuable 73. Having switched back to Karnataka after helping Vidarbha lift the Ranji Trophy last season, Nair played a pivotal role alongside Padikkal in stabilizing the innings.

### Partnership Brings Stability to Karnataka’s Innings

Karnataka captain Mayank Agarwal and S. Nikin Jose fell early to Saurashtra’s bowling attack, spearheaded by skipper Jaydev Unadkat. However, Padikkal and Nair combined for a vital third-wicket partnership of 146 runs, which steadied the innings. Both batsmen showed patience and rotated the strike efficiently to keep the scoreboard ticking. The partnership was finally broken by Dharmendra Jadeja, who trapped Nair leg before wicket.

### Nair Scores 38th Fifty in First-Class Cricket

Karun Nair’s innings of 73 came off 126 balls and included nine boundaries. Playing his 121st first-class (FC) match, Nair has amassed 8,748 runs at an impressive average of around 49. This innings marked his 38th fifty in FC cricket, complementing his 24 centuries.

According to ESPNcricinfo stats, Nair has scored 5,174 runs in 71 Ranji Trophy matches (118 innings) at an average of 47.90, with 19 half-centuries and 17 centuries. This recent knock underlines his continued consistency in the premier domestic competition.

### Test Snub Despite Return After Seven Years

Karun Nair had made a comeback to the Indian Test team during the England tour after a long gap of nearly seven years, featuring in four matches. However, he managed only one half-century, which came in the final Test at The Oval. While he displayed solid technique and got starts, Nair struggled to convert them into big scores that might have cemented his place.

His performances included scores of 0 and 20 in the first Test at Headingley, 31 and 26 in Birmingham, and 40 and 14 in the Lord’s Test. He was dropped for the fourth Test in Manchester but returned for the series finale, scoring 57 and 17. Across these four Tests and eight innings, Nair totaled 205 runs at an average of 25.62.

### First-Class Runs Include 579 in Test Cricket

Overall, Karun Nair’s 8,748 first-class runs include 579 runs from 10 Test matches, showing his experience at the highest level, even if recent results have been mixed.

As the Ranji season unfolds, Nair’s form with Karnataka will be closely watched, especially given his determination to bounce back after the recent international disappointment.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/karun-nair-hammers-73-for-karnataka-in-ranji-opener/story

cricket, international, sports, women, worldcup

Women’s World Cup: Sophie Devine claims three-fer against Sri Lanka

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**Women’s World Cup: Sophie Devine Claims Three-Fer Against Sri Lanka**

*By Rajdeep Saha | Oct 14, 2025, 07:46 PM*

Veteran New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine delivered a standout bowling performance against Sri Lanka in Match 15 of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in Colombo.

Sri Lanka posted a competitive total of 258/6 in their 50 overs, but Devine, who has been in solid form with the bat throughout the tournament, demonstrated her skill with the ball, picking up a three-wicket haul.

### Bowling Performance

Devine made her mark early in the bowling innings. She started in the 20th over and immediately made an impact by dismissing Vishmi Gunaratne. In the 24th over, she broke a substantial 101-run partnership by claiming the wicket of Sri Lanka’s captain and top-scorer Chamari Athapaththu, who was on 53 runs.

Continuing her impressive spell, Devine took the wicket of Kavisha Dilhari in the 42nd over. Her third and final wicket came late in the innings during the 48th over when she dismissed Piumi Badalge.

### Match Stats and Career Milestones

Sophie Devine bowled a total of 9 overs, finishing with figures of 3 wickets for 54 runs, conceding at a rate of 6 runs per over. This performance helped her reach a milestone of 110 wickets in Women’s One Day Internationals (WODIs).

In the current Women’s World Cup, Devine has taken 15 wickets across 29 matches at an average of 31.60. Overall, in her WODI career spanning 156 matches, she boasts 110 wickets at an average of 36.02.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Devine has been particularly effective against Sri Lanka, claiming 13 wickets in 11 encounters at an impressive average of 21.23.

Sophie Devine’s all-round prowess continues to be a crucial asset for New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup 2025, making her one of the standout performers of the tournament.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/world-cup-sophie-devine-shines-with-ball-against-sri-lanka/story

cricket, international, sports, team

AFG vs BAN, 3rd ODI: Preview and stats

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**3rd ODI: Dominant Afghanistan Eye Historic Series Whitewash Over Bangladesh**
*By Parth Dhall | Oct 13, 2025 | 09:51 pm*

Afghanistan and Bangladesh are set to lock horns in the 3rd and final ODI at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan side has dominated the series so far, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead after the first two games. In the second ODI, Afghanistan bowled Bangladesh out for just 109 runs while successfully defending a modest total of 190.

With the series already in their pocket, Afghanistan now eye their maiden ODI series whitewash. Bangladesh, on the other hand, have nothing more to lose and will look to salvage some pride in the final match.

### Match Preview

**Pitch Report and Conditions**
The pitches at Sheikh Zayed Stadium are generally slow, making it challenging for batters to hit boundaries consistently. While pacers get some movement early on, spinners tend to play a crucial role throughout the match. The conditions are expected to be hot once again, with no signs of rain disrupting the game.

### Teams Overview

**Afghanistan’s Bowling Strength**
Afghanistan’s success so far can largely be attributed to their bowlers. Azmatullah Omarzai has been impressive with six wickets in the series, while Rashid Khan made history with a five-wicket haul in the 2nd ODI. Despite their strong bowling performances, Afghanistan’s batting has struggled during the middle overs.

**Bangladesh’s Batting Woes**
Bangladesh continue to face challenges in finding consistent contributors in their batting line-up. Their top order faltered in the second ODI, which resulted in a disappointing defeat.

### Team News

**Afghanistan XI Update**
Rahmat Shah will miss the final ODI due to injury. Darwish Rasooli is expected to replace him in the middle order.

Probable Afghanistan XI:
– Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicket-keeper)
– Ibrahim Zadran
– Sediqullah Atal
– Darwish Rasooli
– Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain)
– Azmatullah Omarzai
– Mohammad Nabi
– Rashid Khan
– AM Ghazanfar
– Nangeyalia Kharote
– Bashir Ahmad

**Bangladesh Probable XI:**
– Tanzid Hasan
– Saif Hassan
– Najmul Hossain Shanto
– Towhid Hridoy
– Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain)
– Nurul Hasan (wicket-keeper)
– Jaker Ali
– Rishad Hossain
– Tanzim Hasan
– Tanvir Islam
– Mustafizur Rahman

### Notable Stats and Facts

– Rashid Khan is finally at his best, having taken eight wickets in the first two ODIs. He achieved a milestone in the 2nd ODI by becoming the leg-spinner with the second-most five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket.
– Afghanistan’s score of 190 in the 2nd ODI remains the lowest first innings total in 55 matches played at Abu Dhabi.
– The Afghan cricket team is on the verge of recording their first-ever series whitewash in ODI cricket.

The stage is set for an exciting finale as Afghanistan look to seal a historic 3-0 series victory against a struggling Bangladesh side. Fans can expect a thrilling contest at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/afg-vs-ban-3rd-odi-preview/story

cricket, international, news, politics, sports

Afghanistan pull out of Pakistan Tri-Series series: Details here

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**Why Afghanistan Withdrew from T20I Tri-Series in Pakistan**
*By Parth Dhall | Oct 13, 2025, 10:56 PM*

In a significant development, Afghanistan has withdrawn from the upcoming T20I Tri-Series scheduled to be held in Pakistan, which also involves Sri Lanka. The series was set to take place between November 17 and 29 but has now been impacted by the ongoing military conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

### Rising Tensions Affect Cricket Plans

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has responded to this setback by beginning preparations for alternate arrangements. The decision comes amid escalating tensions following Taliban forces’ retaliation against airstrikes in Kabul. According to the Taliban government, 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed in “retaliatory” strikes carried out on a Saturday night, further straining the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

### ICC Urged to Prepare Alternate Plans

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to prepare “alternate plans” to ensure the tri-series proceeds despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal. The ICC’s involvement is seen as critical to managing the situation and maintaining the cricketing calendar.

### Strategic Moves by PCB

In an effort to keep the tournament on track, the PCB has invited Sri Lanka to play three T20Is starting November 11, ahead of the tri-series involving Pakistan and Afghanistan. Additionally, the Pakistan and Sri Lankan cricket boards are in discussions to organize a three-match T20I series in Colombo from January 1 to 10, signaling strong cricketing ties despite regional instability.

The situation remains fluid, and cricket fans will be watching closely to see how the boards navigate these challenges in the coming weeks.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/why-afghanistan-pulled-out-of-pakistan-series/story