Cricket will grandly return to the Olympic Games at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, closing a 128-year gap. It last appeared at the Olympics in 1900 in Paris, where the sole competition was between France and Great Britain in one men's match. Great Britain took the gold medal in what is now regarded as an unofficial Test.

Following the Paris 2024 Games, talks were held on incorporating cricket in the following Olympic edition. The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) collaborated to reintroduce the sport. Cricket's inclusion was formally ratified in 2023 for LA28. The competition will involve gold, silver, and bronze medals, allowing half of the teams competing to have a podium finish in each game, making every match very competitive.

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Six-Team T20 Format to be Part of LA 2028

In LA 2028, cricket will be staged in the high-intensity T20 format, with six teams participating in both men and women's divisions. Each team will consist of a 15-player squad, with a combined 90 athlete quotas per gender. This translates to stiff competition among leading cricketing nations, given that only six places are available.

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USA, being the host country, is likely to receive a direct entry. That leaves only five spots remaining for qualification, which is still undecided. Nations such as India, Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand will be strong hopefuls in the men's section. In the women's section, sides such as England, Australia, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka will be in contention as well. Cricket's return to the Olympics is a part of the trend of its participation in world sporting events.The sport was included in the 1998 Commonwealth Games (men's) and the 2022 Birmingham edition (women's). It was also included in the Asian Games of 2010, 2014, and 2023. 

Cricket fans everywhere now have something else to cheer about. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that it will release its first-ever mobile cricket game. It is a major entry into the mobile gaming space for the world cricket governing body, with the aim of making cricket more popular and exciting in the hands of fans. The game is set to deliver a breathtaking and realistic cricketing experience.

While the exact details are not yet out, the fans can look forward to HD-quality graphics, real-time gameplay, and big teams and players. With cricket gaining popularity in countries like India, England, Australia, and Pakistan, the ICC venture into mobile gaming can be a breakthrough.

The ICC has proposed updates at regular intervals and seasonal competitions to keep the game fresh. With mobile gaming being a billion-dollar market, this launch can become the launchpad for new opportunities for the online expansion of cricket. It provides an opportunity to remain engaged with the sport between live matches.

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A New Era of Fan Engagement

This mobile phone game is not just about entertainment; it's part of a bigger plan to engage fans differently. The ICC hopes to appeal to the next generation and give them an even more interactive way of viewing cricket. By merging sport and technology, the ICC believes that it can popularize the game globally. The game is being developed with one of the most prominent mobile game development studios to create a smooth and engaging user experience.

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Players will have the option to play in various modes like World Cups, Test matches, and even daily challenges. The game may have multiplayer options as well so that fans can play with or against their friends. The date of release has not been confirmed yet, but the wait is already on.ICC supporters are asked to tune in to ICC's official websites for previews and updates. As the game of cricket keeps changing, this mobile game will be a lively and interactive method for cricket fans to follow the game wherever they go.

The International Women's Day 2025 proves very special for women's cricket as the ICC women's cricket tournaments have achieved special things, which is the very first time, and it opened a new era of women's cricket.

Previously, ICC women's cricket tournaments had no dedicated standalone sponsors as those would follow the men's tournaments pathway. The advertisers were subsidising women's cricket, which acted like an add-on or freebie with men's tournaments. But the scenario is set to change from now.

From the upcoming ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, which India will host, the ICC women's tournaments will have the standalone sponsors, which are solely contracted and not related to men's tournaments. 

ICC-Rexona partnership opens up new chapter

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has partnered with Unilever to open the new chapter in women's cricket. The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2027, ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027 will have the dedicated commercial sponsor Rexona, a personal care brand of Unilever. The ICC-Rexona partnership will run till the end of 2027 with a view to future expansion. 

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This collaboration will empower female cricketers: Jay Shah

The ICC chairman Jay Shah commented, "This International Women’s Day we are proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Unilever, which signifies a pivotal moment for women's cricket. By aligning with a global leader like Unilever and its personal care brands for the ICC’s first ever women’s partnership, we are not only securing valuable commercial support but also reinforcing the growing importance of women's sport on the world stage.

“This collaboration will empower female cricketers, inspire future generations, and contribute significantly to the continued growth and success of women's cricket globally."

As women's cricket is growing strongly, which is impressively visible in the recent ICC tournaments, where the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, 2023, and 2020 Finals were sold out with a record-breaking attendance in a women's cricket game of 86,174 in the Final of the 2020 edition, Australia vs India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Apart from the stadium crowd attendance, the recent ICC women's tournaments have also experienced record-breaking viewership figures. 

Pakistan is hosting the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is a remarkable achievement for the country after facing long years in isolation. But the question is still rising: How safe is the country for an international tournament? 

The ICC Champions Trophy has returned after eight years, and Pakistan is hosting the ninth edition of the tournament. The country Pakistan, which faced isolation from international cricket for many years, especially after the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in 2009, which also took away Pakistan's hosting chance of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 (India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh remained as hosts). Before the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan previously hosted an ICC tournament back in the World Cup 1996.

See Also: "They're not learning or getting better": Wasim Akram criticizes Pakistan players after Champions Trophy exit

Six foreign teams have traveled to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy

Eight teams are participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which started on February 23. While six teams are playing in the tournament in Pakistan, along with the hosts Pakistan, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns. Ultimately, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have arranged all Indian matches of the tournament at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

Warnings for the tournament

Although the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is running without any big trouble, the threat is still looming. Recently, Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau has issued a serious warning of possible foreigners kidnapping for ransom, and the threat is to the foreigners who are attending the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Afghanistan's intelligence agency (GDI) has also issued a similar warning. 

More recent dramas

Despite recent financial trouble and political turmoil in the nation and continuous terrorist attack news from the entire country, the PCB's stubbornness has slowly opened up places to host international cricket matches by welcoming foreign teams but under tight security. However, one of the significant moments in recent years, which wasn't on any positive side, was the New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) abandonment decision of the Pakistan tour of the men's team following a New Zealand government security alert. That decision came on the day when the three-match ODI series was scheduled to begin. 

Also, not to forget, the Sri Lanka A team returned home from Pakistan in the middle of the fixtures due to political unrest in Pakistan last November.

Some foreigners, who have experienced Pakistan's condition in recent times, have strongly questioned the necessity of hosting the ICC tournament in the country.

Just before the beginning of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan fans invaded National Stadium in Karachi during the opening ceremony of the tournament.  

The latest discomfortable picture

Now, another scene has raised the security question in Pakistan, while the country has tried to host the tournament in very tight security. During the match between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Group A last Monday (February 24) at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Rawalpindi), a fan invaded while New Zealand were chasing the 237-run target.

Although it is very common nowadays in any big matches, it is not a good sign for Pakistan cricket. Although the PCB has ensured to take strict action for this incident, the question has arisen once again, and it is: Is Pakistan safe for an international tournament?

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to get clarification for the hosting country Pakistan's name missing during the Group A match India vs Bangladesh during the second game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started on Wednesday (February 19) with the Group A match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. While New Zealand won that match by 60 runs, the whole match was broadcast with the name of Pakistan under the Champions Trophy 2025 logo in the left corner of the broadcast. 

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India vs Bangladesh broadcast experienced "Pakistan" missing from logo

On the next day, the other Group A team India and Bangladesh started their tournament journey, which was played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The entire match carried the Champions Trophy 2025 logo without the name of Pakistan as well as UAE. However, the next two fixtures, which were played at the National Stadium in Karachi (Afghanistan vs South Africa) and at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore (Australia vs England), carried the hosting country's name along with the tournament logo.

The ICC has reportedly told the PCB that it was an early technical error, but the PCB hasn't been reportedly satisfied. The PCB has reportedly asked for assurance of no further similar mistakes, the ICC has reportedly clarified that the issue won't happen in future matches. The Group A match India vs Pakistan has been scheduled for Sunday (February 23) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. 

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: UAE added to the schedule only for Indian matches

The hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 were a big issue as Pakistan has the complete rights to the tournament. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to travel to Pakistan, and after a long wait, Pakistan ultimately confirmed that Dubai in the United Arab Emirates would host all Indian matches of the tournament. 

Hosts and defending champions Pakistan had a horrible start to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In addition, the team has been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan lost the opener by 60 runs

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started with the Group A Pakistan vs New Zealand match at the National Stadium in Karachi last Wednesday (February 19). After the Blackcaps were sent to bat first, they scored 320/5, thanks to twin centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips’ firing batting performance. 

In reply, Pakistan's top-order batters provided a very slow start, which never matched the chase despite some aggressive batting performances later. The hosts were all out for 260 runs. The 60-run loss was a big defeat for the hosts, as the tournament hardly provided a second chance. 

On Thursday, Pakistan expectedly got bad news as Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out from the tournament after suffering an injury on the second ball of the tournament. Imam-ul-Haq has replaced him. 

See Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (Group A) Pak vs NZ: Pakistan manage shameful home record; New Zealand create history

Pakistan players penalised for slow over-rate

Now, the ICC has penalised the Pakistan team for a slow over-rate offence in the tournament opener. The team was found one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. Due to not completing 50 overs on time, Pakistan were forced to bowl the last two overs of the New Zealand innings with only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle.

Due to one over short of the target after time allowances, Pakistan players have been fined five percent of their match fees. The fine has been imposed under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences.

After the on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula, third umpire Joel Wilson, and fourth umpire Alex Wharf levelled the charge, match referee Andy Pycroft imposed the sanction. There is no formal hearing required after Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan’s acceptance of the charge and penalty. 

The international cricket governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), is in a big shake-up, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Geoff Allardice has stepped down. This big decision has come just before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is less than a month away to begin.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 was completely messed up by the ICC, which was hosted by the West Indies and the United States. Also, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 progression is far away from setting up a strong statement. According to media reports, the ICC is under pressure for poor handling of the recent global tournaments, which is huge for its stakeholders, including the broadcasters. 

In such a pressure moment, Geoff Allardice has stepped down from the CEO role of the ICC. The governing body has confirmed this news on Tuesday (January 28). After serving the role for eight months as an acting member, he was appointed to the role in November 2021. 

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I am confident that cricket has exciting times ahead: Geoff Allardice

At his step down, Allardice said, "It has been a privilege to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council and I am incredibly proud of the results we have achieved, from enhancing the global reach of cricket to the commercial foundation put in place for ICC Members.

"I'd like to thank the ICC Chair, the board of directors and entire cricket community for their support and collaboration over the past 13 years. I believe this is the right time for me to step down and pursue new challenges. I am confident that cricket has exciting times ahead, and I wish the ICC and the global cricket community every success in the future."

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is facing huge blocks

Pakistan has the hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where eight teams will participate, including the hosts Pakistan. Due to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan, they will play all their matches in the tournament in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will run between February 19 and March 9.

The fixtures of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 were continuously delayed, while Pakistan's stadiums for the tournament are still a work in progress. Although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has assured to provide the best arrangements for the tournament, including security, there are still some doubts about the completion of the remaining works before the beginning of the tournament. 

In a major twist of events, former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock who is also part of ICC's cricket committee, has spilled beans on ICC's inner workings on the relaxation of wide rule in limited-overs cricket. He has said that the governing body is working on a plan to ease the restrictions on wide deliveries, especially when the batter moves around in his/her crease. Pollock believes that the introduction of such a change can tip the balance in the favor of the bowlers ever so slightly, in a game that is heavily dictated by the batters. 

See also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Indian squad announcement likely to be delayed

Pollock assures something is in the works for the bowlers

In his recent conversation with PTI on the sidelines of the SA20, Pollock assures everyone that he is in touch with the working committee who are working on a solution to ease restrictions on wide rules. 

"So it's in the pipeline, we're all discussing. We need to give a little bit back to the bowlers."

In a game largely dominated by the batters, Pollock feels something has to go in the favor of the bowlers to make the game more balanced and enjoyable for the viewers to watch. Pollock does not appear to be a big fan of the current wide rule and feels that it is a little unfair on the bowler's part. 

"The current rule tends to suggest that if he [the batter] moves and it's that point of delivery where the batter is, and that's according to where the wide will be called, I want a little bit of a change. I want them to know exactly when they're running up why or how - how can a bowler be expected to change his game plan at the last second when he's bowling? He needs to have a clear idea where he can go." 

Prior attempts to address the wide rule

Prior to Pollock's recommendation, attempts have been made in the IPL and the WPL to use DRS to accurately adjudicate wides. Both the bowlers and the batters were given the provision to challenge the on-field decision for a wide call. However, the former Australian umpire has a different opinion on this matter and is not in favor of reviewing wide decisions with the help of DRS. Furthermore, he also states that the call of a wide is purely a judgment call which is likely to differ or vary from one umpire to another umpire and therefore, deems the intervention of a TV umpire in this matter to be unwarranted.

While Pakistan has the hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has tried hard to host the entire tournament in Pakistan. However, due to the strong objection from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the PCB is reportedly ready to change the ICC CT 2025 venues under some conditions. 

PCB is desperate to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

While the ICC Champions Trophy is set to return in 2025, the PCB is desperate to host the entire tournament in Pakistan between February and March 2025. It is the first ICC tournament for Pakistan since hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996. The PCB has selected Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi as the venues for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

See Also: Pakistan opener Shahzaib Khan creates history in the ACC U19 Asia Cup

According to the PCB and media reports, while all the remaining six boards are ready to play in Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the BCCI has refused to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB is desperate to welcome the Indian cricket team to Pakistan, but the BCCI has shown security reasons for not traveling to Pakistan.

Last Friday (November 29), the International Cricket Council (ICC) scheduled a virtual board meeting to decide on hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While the ICC has reportedly brought the hybrid hosting model to the table, some of the PCB members have reportedly objected to the hybrid model. 

The conditions

While the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hosting decision is likely to be finalised this weekend, some news reports are claiming that the PCB has finally accepted the hybrid model to host the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 under some conditions.

Some of the reported conditions are as follows:

• An increase in the revenue from the ICC. 
• While the hybrid model will take away the final from Pakistan, the PCB wants Lahore to be a backup option for the Champions Trophy final in case India fail to qualify for the final.
• In the future, Pakistan won’t travel to India for any tournament. If India get the hosting rights, the BCCI also has to bring up the hybrid hosting model for Pakistan. 

If the ICC accepts the PCB’s conditions, the PCB is reportedly open to hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in the hybrid model. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) reprimanded one South African fast bowler due to showing dissent in one umpiring decision during the series-decider match of the four-match T20I series between South Africa and India. Apart from a fine from the match fees, the Proteas’ player has been handed one demerit point. 

Johannesburg hosted the last game of the four-match T20I series between South Africa and India last Friday (November 15). Leading the series by 2-1, India scored 283/1 in 20 overs thanks to twin unbeaten centuries by Sanju Samson (109*) and Tilak Varma (120*). In reply, South Africa were all out for 148 runs, and India won the series by 3-1 after winning the series finale by 135 runs. 

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Gerald Coetzee unhappy with a wide 

The 24-year-old South African pacer Gerald Coetzee has been found guilty during the first innings of that Johannesburg T20I. During the 15th over of the Indian innings, Coetzee made an inappropriate comment to the umpire after his delivery was given a wide. While the behaviour was noted by the umpire, Coetzee has been charged with the Level 1 offence.

Apart from adding one demerit point to his name, Coetzee has been fined 50 percent of his match fee by the match referee Andy Pycroft. As Coetzee admitted the offence and accepted the sanctions, there will be no more formal hearing.

Temba Bavuma returns to the squad

Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the full squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Sri Lanka. Captain Temba Bavuma returns to the squad after recovering from an elbow injury. Durban will host the Test series opener from November 27, and Gqeberha will host the second Test from December 5. 

Full South African squad for the home Test series against Sri Lanka

Temba Bavuma (Captain), David Bedingham, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.

Demerit points for Netherlands and Oman players

On the other hand, Netherlands captain Scott Edwards and Oman pacer Sufyan Mehmood also faced sanctions for their actions during the third and last game of the three-match T20I series on November 16. Edwards received two demerit points, one point for showing his bat to the umpire after he was given an lbw and the other point for throwing his bat and gloves on the field during his return to the dressing room. He also received a match fee fine of 10%. 

In the meantime, Oman cricketer Sufyan Mehmood received one demerit point along with a 10% match fee fine for giving a send-off to the Dutch batter Teja Nidamanuru.

Both Edwards and Mehmood admitted their respective offences and also accepted the sanctions, which were proposed by Neeyamur Rashid Rahul.