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[SatEmpire]

Rahmat Shah set to miss third ODI against Bangladesh

Afghanistan batter Rahmat Shah is unlikely to feature in the series-concluding third ODI against Bangladesh due to a calf injury.

Rahmat, who retired hurt after sustaining the injury, returned to the crease in a heroic attempt to bat after Afghanistan had lost their ninth wicket in the second ODI but he could stand at the crease for just one ball.

Afghanistan team physio Nirmalan Thanabalasingam ran to Rahmat as he was unable to stand and later the right-handed batter was taken out of the ground in a wheel chair.

Crowds cheered when Rahmat came to bat but his stay was short lived as Rishad Hossain sent in a googly that hit him in the abdomen and he was down immediately.

"He (Rahmat) unfortunately succumbed to his injury so he is out now. We will do all the right things in terms of imaging and stuff tomorrow. He is going to be out for some time, I think," the physio said adding that he is most likely to miss the third ODI against Bangladesh

Shah recently became the first Afghan batsman to score 4,000 ODI runs and had made a crucial half-century in the first match.

The third ODI is scheduled for October 14 at Abu Dhabi.

[SatEmpire]

'India have been a sleeping giant in the women's game' - Healy

As India and Australia gear up to face each other in Vizag, Alyssa Healy knows the magnitude of the challenge that awaits. It's the home team they will be facing in front of a sold-out crowd, with the promise of another high-stakes chapter in a rivalry that has only grown with time. India will be desperate to bounce back after their defeat to South Africa, and all eyes will be on how the defending champions respond to that challenge.

For the Australian captain, though, this World Cup has shown that there are no easy games and no single team to fear.

"I think the rivalry continues to grow," Healy said on the eve of the match. "I think I've said it previously that I feel like they've been a really, almost a sleeping giant in the women's game for a long period of time. It's probably since the WPL has come into play that they've realized the depth they've got and they've figured out a style of play that they want to want to use, especially in this format, and they're really sticking to that, which I think has been really impressive to see.

"So, yeah, look at them in their home conditions, they're obviously going to play really well and be a real threat. But as we've seen throughout this World Cup so far, there's lots of teams that are pushing everybody. So, I wouldn't probably say there's one team that's our main threat, but we know we're going to have to work hard in every fixture to get our result and that's the way a World Cup should be."

Healy said there's no extra pressure on Australia to face India, and in fact, they might even have a slight advantage having seen the conditions earlier in the week.

"Absolutely no extra pressure on our team. I think we've come here with the job to do and that hasn't changed at any point in time. I think getting to have a little look at the conditions the other night where India played South Africa was a nice little - some sort of an advantage for us. It's not the first game here, so we got to experience that a little bit, which was cool. But like I said, it's a fresh opportunity tomorrow at a new ground for us to go out there and play a game of cricket and hopefully adapt to conditions as quickly as what we can. But I think it's going to be a fun experience for our whole group. I've heard it sold out, which is a really cool experience and hopefully there's a few Aussie fans in the crowd as well."

When India and Australia met in a bilateral series in the lead-up, high scores were the norm, but it's been anything but that in this World Cup. Batting hasn't come easy, bowlers have dictated terms, and lower-order rescues have often made the difference. Healy, though, feels the wickets have largely remained good but it's the pressure and adaptability that have tested teams more than the conditions.

"Yeah, I think. I think the wickets have still been good. I think probably maybe a little bit of pressure has come into play at times and teams have got themselves into a little bit of a pickle," Healy said. "Obviously, Colombo was slightly different conditions than what we faced over here. So that having to adapt really quickly is going to be really important. And I still remain that - obviously we're here at a new destination, a fresh wicket, fresh outfield, fresh everything against a really good side. So, we're just going to have to pick up on that really quickly. And yeah, on the sort of collapse sort of situation. I think it's on our top order to make the bulk of the runs and I think we can speak on that from both sides.

"I think that's what makes this World Cup so unique, is that you don't get an opportunity to settle. Obviously, in a bilateral series, you get a really good look at the opposition, you can put some plans in place and then off you go for the next game. And it kind of ebbs and flows a little bit in that regard, whereas you literally only get one shot against an opposition in different conditions. So that's what makes it really challenging to win, and that's what the beauty of it is. So, it's just up to us as a group to assess the conditions as quickly as what we can. We know the 11 that we'll put out there can get the job done and hopefully we can just put it all together when it counts."

With scores generally lower and teams often losing early wickets, there has been talk about whether it's wiser to hold back in the powerplay instead of attacking early. Healy, however, believes those first few overs remain crucial in shaping a game.

"Actually - yes and no. I actually still think the power play plays a crucial role in this World Cup. I think if you can get off to a pretty decent start. It seems to be throughout the middle overs that some sides have been managing to squeeze oppositions, but I still think if you can get off to a good start and set a platform, that's going to be really important to putting a good total out there or chasing something down.

"There's a little bit of a fine balance in that regard, but I think both of us at the top of the order are quite aggressive players, so we're not exactly going to curb that at any point. It's just probably making a few better decisions and taking a few smarter options, knowing, and feeling the conditions out there at that moment in time, and hopefully that'll lay the platform for what is a really dominant middle order of ours to set a big total or, like I said, chase it down."

Australia, though unbeaten, haven't been at their best so far in the tournament. Against Pakistan, they were in real trouble at 76 for 7 before Beth Mooney produced a masterclass and took them to 222. From there, the bowlers ran through Pakistan's top order and sealed the win. Healy isn't too concerned about those batting stumbles.

"No, not really. I mean, we're allowed to lose games of cricket and we're allowed to be put under pressure at times, in particular in World Cups," Healy said. "I think you're going to be put under the pump in unfamiliar conditions, against unfamiliar sides at times. I think that's the nature of the game, and like I've said all along, I really back our depth in our side and also in our squad that the 11 that we put out on the park are going to be able to get the job done for us. And we're fortunate that it's been a different person every time that stuck their hand up and said, yep, I've got this, I can get us to a total or I can take the wickets to restrict the team.

"So, yeah, I wouldn't say it's a worry. It's something we'd like to rectify and I think there's a lot of teams that are probably wanting to rectify that as well. But tomorrow, I guess is another opportunity to go out there and hopefully lay a platform if it is our opportunity with that in hand."

[SatEmpire]

PAK 378
RSA 38/0 (10) CRR: 3.8
Day 2: 2nd Session - South Africa trail by 340 runs

Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st Test

[SatEmpire]

PAK 378
RSA 91/2 (27.1) CRR: 3.35
Day 2: 2nd Session - South Africa trail by 287 runs

Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st Test

[SatEmpire]

PAK 378
RSA 112/2 (33.4) CRR: 3.33
Day 2: 2nd Session - South Africa trail by 266 runs

Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st Test


12:03 local, 07:03 GMT, 12:33 IST = Lunch on day 4: 86 runs and 4 wickets in the session. 54 of those runs have come from the ever-impressive Dewald Brevis at a strike rate of 100 that included 6 fours and 2 sixes. It was that positive-aggressive approach from Brevis which allowed Rickelton to hold one end and nearly bat out the entire session. Not to be. Sajid Khan, although introduced late, came in with a vital breakthrough right before lunch. After losing 2 quick wickets at the start of the day, the 73-run stand between Rickelton and Brevis gave some hope for the visitors. Noman Ali got belted by Brevis, but the senior pro held his nerve and produced a beauty to dislodge the dangerous Brevis. With two new batters out in the middle, it's only going to get tougher and tougher for the Proteas. Back in 35 for the post-lunch proceedings...

[SatEmpire]

PAK 378 & 167
RSA 269 & 137/6 (48) CRR: 2.85
Day 4: Lunch Break - South Africa need 140 runs


Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st Test - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

[SatEmpire]

Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st Test

PAK 378 & 167RSA 269 & 183Pakistan won by 93 runs


13:42 Local Time, 08:42 GMT, 14:12 IST: Pakistan go 1-0 up in the 2-match series with an emphatic victory. The surface looked crumbly in nature from the opening day itself and it played true to its colour.

[Zaam]

Lucknow Super Giants rope in Kane Williamson as 'strategic advisor'

Kane Williamson will bring more experience and tactical nous to the LSG table. © Getty
Lucknow Super Giants have roped in New Zealand batting star Kane Williamson as a strategic advisor in the IPL. Just this year, Williamson played for Durban Super Giants, the Sanjeev Goenka-owned team in the SA20 league.

Williamson was one among five New Zealand cricketers to decline central contracts so that he could ply his trade in the leagues around the world. The former captain hasn't retired from the format yet and has committed to being available for New Zealand for next year's T20 World Cup.

Williamson joins a backroom staff that has already seen another big change, with Bharat Arun joining as bowling coach following his four-year stint with KKR.

Williamson has enjoyed a long stint as a player in the IPL, featuring in 10 seasons between 2015 and 2024. He also earned the orange cap in 2018 with 735 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad. After featuring for SRH until 2022 and also captaining them, Williamson was snapped up by Gujarat Titans in 2023. He played just one game that season, when an injury forced a lengthy layoff. In 2024, he featured in two matches. In the mega auction before IPL 2025, Williamson went unsold.

[Zaam]

IBM unveils AI-driven cricket activation

IBM, world's leading provider of hybrid cloud and AI, strove to prove how AI can transform professional cricket. On Wednesday, it unveiled the world's first-ever cricket activation powered by Watsonx, its enterprise-ready AI and data platform.

At the Think Mumbai 2025, it demonstrated live the experience that goes beyond simulation and displayed how AI is already transforming professional cricket, helping decode the game strategy, enhance performance, and reimagine the fan experience.

The activation highlights the convergence of sports, data and scalable AI. Insights from the IBM Sports Survey Report 2025 reveals that Indian fans are redefining the global playbook for digital sports engagement. The survey also reveals that About 86 percent trust AI-generated sports content, while 91 percent of Indian fans use sports apps, among the highest globally.

Inside stadiums, 95 percent of attendees use apps during matches, and, of those fans, 97 percent primarily use them for real-time stats, live commentary, and in-stadium enhancements. Looking ahead, 93 percent believe AI will shape how they follow sports by 2027, a powerful signal that the future of fandom in India is intelligent, interactive, and immersive.

Taking these insights from the stands to the stadium, one of India's leading state cricket associations has partnered with IBM to deploy the Cricket IQ Analytics Platform, a first-of-its-kind generative AI system. IBM is also in talks with an IPL franchise.

The platform analyses player fitness, mental conditioning, match context, and environmental factors to deliver actionable, natural-language insights that empower coaches to make faster, smarter, and more confident decisions - reducing uncertainty and boosting performance

[Zaam]

BCB to use Kookaburra balls in two rounds of NCL


The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced on Wednesday that Mymensingh Division will replace Dhaka Metro in the National Cricket League, country's traditional first-class tournament, which is scheduled to begin from October 25.

The BCB Board during its 20th meeting held on August 9 decided to include Mymensingh Division in the NCL for the first time.

"Consequently, the Dhaka Metro team will not be a participant in the upcoming competition," BCB said in a statement.

BCB added that in a move aimed at supporting player preparation for upcoming international red-ball commitments, and as per the suggestions from the BCB Cricket Operations, the event's Technical Committee has approved the use of Kookaburra balls for the first two rounds while the remaining rounds will be played with Dukes ball.

Using Kookaburra balls in the first two rounds will provide players an opportunity to adapt to it, which is expected to help them transition smoothly to international cricket.

The decision to play with Kookaburra ball is largely aimed to prepare players for Bangladesh's Test series against Ireland next month as Kookaburra ball will be used in the two-match Test series.

Bangladesh are scheduled to play two Tests and three T20Is against Ireland in November, with the first Test set to begin on November 11 in Sylhet and the second from November 19 in Mirpur.

BCB has been using Dukes balls in the eight-team first-class tournament for the past three years in order to promote fast bowlers.