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16 stories from 2 sources

West Indies seize momentum before T20 finale

Day’s Recap

Supporting Articles

11:22 PMESPN Cricket

Samson: Tilak's wicket the 'turning point' in India's loss

Summary

India lost the fourth T20I by 24 runs while chasing 248 in Hyderabad. Sanju Samson identified Tilak Varma's dismissal as the turning point in the failed chase.

Tilak's wicket shifted the chase away from India's control and left the team unable to

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Why it matters

India's margin for error narrows when a key middle-order wicket ends its momentum in a steep chase.

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11:12 PMESPN Cricket

Hope ton, Paul five-for help West Indies level series 2-2

Summary

West Indies defeated India to level the series at 2-2. Shai Hope's century and Romario Shepherd's five-wicket haul outweighed Sanju Samson's rapid 56 off 23 balls, while the West Indies attack contained India's late surge.

The series is now level because West Indies produced a decisive performance with both bat

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Why it matters

The result turns the finale into a winner-takes-all contest, with West Indies carrying the stronger immediate momentum.

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2 stories · 2 sources

9:33 AMESPN Cricket

Unchanged India bowl first in bid to win series, West Indies make two changes

Summary

India have named an unchanged side and will bowl first in the fourth T20 international. West Indies bring in Jewel Andrew for Kamil Pooran and Romario Shepherd for Quentin Sampson.

India are backing the combination that has put them in position to win the series,

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Why it matters

The toss and selection changes could determine whether India seals the series or West Indies extends it.

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12:03 PMESPN Cricket

Rahmat Shah calls hard-fought Abu Dhabi draw 'equal to a win'

Summary

Afghanistan salvaged a hard-fought draw in Abu Dhabi, with Rahmat Shah valuing the result as highly as a victory. Coach Richard Pybus joked that No. 9 batter Qais ignored his advice and attacked despite the risk of another costly wicket.

Afghanistan's lower order chose counterattack over passive survival when the match was still in jeopardy.

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Why it matters

The result strengthens Afghanistan's belief that it can withstand pressure in difficult match situations.

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1:27 AMESPN Cricket

'We should have taken all ten wickets' - Shanto rues missed chances

Summary

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto attributed the Abu Dhabi draw to missed chances and small errors after his side failed to dismiss the opposition.

Bangladesh had enough control to win but left the decisive opportunities unused, turning a winnable

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Why it matters

Missed chances cost Bangladesh a result and expose the narrow margin between control and victory.

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8:01 AMESPN Cricket

SA's middle order in a muddle and Conrad wants them to 'get bloody better'

Summary

South Africa's coach is considering changes to the middle order after the team's 214-run defeat by Australia. He has warned against overreacting, but says replacements could come from outside the current squad.

The defeat has turned middle-order uncertainty into a selection problem. Conrad must decide whether the

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Why it matters

South Africa may enter its next campaign with a reshaped middle order and less security for established batters.

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1:39 AMESPN Cricket

Alzarri Joseph, Shai Hope to miss WI's two-Test series in Bangladesh

Summary

West Indies will be without Alzarri Joseph and Shai Hope for their two-Test series in Bangladesh. Joseph has been withdrawn to manage his workload, while Hope has been rested with the February 2027 ODI World Cup qualifiers in mind.

West Indies are prioritizing workload management and future limited-overs commitments over immediate Test continuity. The

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Why it matters

The decision exposes the growing tension between Test selection and long-term workload planning in international cricket.

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Other Developments

A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.

2:08 PMESPN Cricket

Green 'progressing well' but still uncertain for second Test

Summary

Cameron Green is progressing in his recovery, but Australia has not confirmed that he will be fit for the second Test. Josh Inglis has also returned to the nets after recovering from the fractured finger he suffered in the first ODI.

Green's fitness remains the key selection variable, leaving Australia's Test plans unsettled despite positive medical

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Why it matters

Australia may have to finalize its second-Test combination without certainty over a central player.

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2:05 PMESPN Cricket

Maddinson admits 'huge relief' after second outing in Durban

Summary

Maddinson described his second outing in Durban as a major relief after facing negative public comments. He said support from within the team helped him manage the pressure.

Maddinson's performance eased immediate pressure, but his comments show that confidence and selection security remain

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Why it matters

The innings gives Maddinson breathing room while keeping his place and form under scrutiny.

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11:48 AMESPN Cricket

MCC dig up 'unsatisfactory' Test pitch after ICC demerit point

Summary

The MCC has removed and replaced the pitch used for a New Zealand Test in June after the ICC rated the surface unsatisfactory. Forty wickets fell in only 166 overs.

The demerit point turns a poor playing surface into an administrative and reputational issue for

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Why it matters

Pitch quality directly affects the legitimacy of Test results and the venue's standing with the ICC.

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11:00 AMESPN Cricket

Natarajan returns to SRH, Ansari traded to Delhi Capitals

Summary

T Natarajan has returned to Sunrisers Hyderabad for a revised fee of INR 5 crore. Sunrisers have traded Ansari to Delhi Capitals, where he will remain on his existing INR 40 lakh fee.

The deal restores Natarajan to SRH while giving Delhi a lower-cost addition through the trade.

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Why it matters

The trade reshapes both teams' bowling depth ahead of the next IPL season.

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7:42 AMESPN Cricket

Iyer moves to fourth in T20I batting rankings

Summary

Shreyas Iyer has climbed to fourth in the T20I batting rankings. Aiden Markram has entered the top ten in Test batting, while Josh Hazlewood has risen to seventh among Test bowlers.

The ranking changes reflect gains across three formats rather than one dominant shift. Iyer's rise

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Why it matters

The movements give Iyer, Markram and Hazlewood stronger cases for prominent roles in their respective teams.

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6:30 AMESPN Cricket

Chad Laycock takes record-breaking five wickets in an over in South African T20 match

Summary

KZN-Inland fast bowler Chad Laycock took five wickets in one over in a South African T20 match. He finished with 6 for 26, the best bowling figures in Pro20 Cup history.

Laycock's spell transformed an individual performance into a record for the competition. Five wickets in

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Why it matters

Laycock now has a record-setting performance that can accelerate his path to higher-level opportunities.

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6:21 AMESPN Cricket

Home ODI World Cup before retiring 'certainly a blessing' for Sikandar Raza

Summary

Sikandar Raza says hosting an ODI World Cup before his retirement would be a blessing. He also expects Zimbabwe's performances across formats to improve if the World Test Championship expands to 12 teams in the next cycle.

A home World Cup would give Raza a defined final target while offering Zimbabwe a

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Why it matters

Zimbabwe could gain a major home-stage opportunity and a more regular place in elite Test cricket.

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4:52 AMESPN Cricket

Jack Leach not on England radar for Bangladesh tour

Summary

England are not currently considering Somerset spinner Jack Leach for the Bangladesh tour, despite his strong county record. The Test team says it is pursuing a different direction in selection.

Leach's county dominance is no longer enough to put him back into England's plans. The

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Why it matters

England's omission signals that domestic form alone will not restore Leach to the Test side.

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