Cricket Australia has significantly upgraded the live match-day experience by expanding its Cricket Radio feature within the official CA Live app. This new initiative, powered by NRMA Insurance, will provide real-time, uninterrupted audio commentary directly to fans’ phones for major competitions, including the ongoing Australia-India men’s white-ball series, the Ashes, WBBL, and BBL.

In a major move for accessibility, the app will now offer a dedicated Hindi-language commentary feed for attendees at the men’s white-ball matches against India. Delivered by JioStar and its popular broadcasters, this feature allows fans to enjoy the action in their preferred language by simply using headphones and selecting the feed in the app’s Match Centre.

Although it may seem like this live in-stadium commentary is new for Australian fans, English cricket venues have been doing this for a while! But rather than access via an app, spectators there use a small ear-radio device to get live commentary and critical moments of the game while watching the action in front of them.

CA Live App Enhances Accessibility and Fan Engagement

Alex Lavelle, Executive General Manager, Digital, Marketing and Communications at Cricket Australia, highlighted the innovation’s role in making the sport more inclusive. “It’s part of our commitment to making cricket more accessible and inclusive for all Australians and now we’re proud to offer audio commentary, including Hindi for the first time on the Cricket Australia Live App,” Alex said.

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He added, “This innovation ensures fans can feel closer to the action and enjoy a richer live experience. Fans can access no delay cricket radio via the CA Live App for the men’s white ball series, The Ashes, BBL and WBBL.” For fans outside the stadium, live English commentary remains available nationwide through broadcast partners SEN, ABC, and Triple M. To access the in-stadium Cricket Radio, users need to download the CA Live App, enable location services, and log in with a free Cricket Plus account.

Team India batter Shreyas Iyer has apparently decided to take a break from red-ball cricket due to ongoing workload and injury issues. The 29-year-old has been having problems with recurring back injuries and has made known his decision to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), meaning he is now almost certain to miss the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies.

Iyer's injury issues are well-known, as his back problem required surgery in 2023, but he has returned to regular cricket since the Asia Cup that same year. However, given the demand red-ball cricket puts on an athlete's body, questions will remain over his long-term future in red-ball cricket. A BCCI source explained, "He has let us know he will take a break from red-ball cricket. The selectors are now clearer regarding his future, and he will look at how his body reacts with the assistance of trainers and physiotherapists."

For Iyer, the move makes sense for several reasons:

1. Safeguarding his white-ball future

Iyer continues to be India's preferred No.4 in ODIs and is on the cusp of returning to T20Is. With two white-ball tournaments on the horizon, including the T20 World Cup, Iyer can prioritize the white-ball formats where he is now able to remain a crucial part of the team, and thus, hopefully, he will not have to take a longer injury break.

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2. Avoiding further injury setbacks

Recruitment has shown that Iyer's back issues are aggravated by Test cricket. Being reminded of the red-ball injuries that led him to miss the 2023 IPL is a cautionary tale to consider. By withdrawing from the Tests, Iyer is better able to manage his workload and to be available for the formats where India really needs him.

3. A positive result for both player and selectors

Iyer's leaving out of the selection debate for the Tests only strengthens the debate, as there is rich bench strength in India's middle-order. For Iyer, it gives a no-excuses closure, and he can fully focus on limited-overs cricket with no red-ball constraints. Ultimately, Iyer's departure does not feel like a step back but a necessary move towards a longer playing career. With a narrower focus on ODIs and T20S, we can expect to see a sharper and more decisive version of Iyer when India approaches the important white-ball phase.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Bangladesh, set to take place in the United Arab Emirates from October 2 to 14. The squad selections contain some meaningful inclusions and omissions as the Afghanistan team heads into preparations for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup next year.

Senior players Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, and Karim Janat were omitted from both squads, which the selectors responded to by adding new players to strengthen the team moving forward. Bashir Ahmad, a tall left-arm pacer who has yet to make his international debut, was added to both squads as a like-for-like replacement for Farooqi. Bashir has played 14 T20 matches, taking 12 wickets at an economy of 9.06. Wafiullah Tarakhil earns a T20I call-up following a strong Shpageeza Cricket League season, scoring 298 runs in nine innings at an average of 37.25 and a strike rate of 155.20.

Pacer Abdullah Ahmadzai returns to the T20I squad after being in the reserves for the Asia Cup. Fast bowler Mohammad Saleem Safi has been selected for the ODI squad, with Bilal Sami and Faridoon Dawoodzai as reserve pace options. Spinner AM Ghazanfar has been included in the ODI side but is a reserve for the T20Is, while the addition of Nangeyalia Kharote alongside Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Ghazanfar further strengthens Afghanistan’s spin-heavy ODI lineup.

Leadership and CEO Statement

Hashmatullah Shahidi will continue as captain of the ODI team, with Rahmat Shah as his deputy. In the T20I squad, Rashid Khan retains the captaincy, with Ibrahim Zadran as vice-captain. ACB CEO Naseeb Khan emphasized the importance of the upcoming series following a long gap in international cricket for Afghanistan:

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"After a long six-month break from international cricket following the ICC Champions Trophy, we are now entering a packed season with many T20I games scheduled. This provides the team with an incredible opportunity to prepare for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup next year. The performances in the Asia Cup 2025 were not as expected, but ups and downs are part of the game. As always, we remain hopeful that AfghanAtalan will bounce back strongly and make our nation proud in the upcoming events," Khan said.

Afghanistan squads for upcoming white-ball series

T20I Squad: Rashid Khan (capt), Ibrahim Zadran (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Bashir Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai. Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Rahmat Shah.

ODI Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, AM Ghazanfar, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi. Reserves: Bilal Sami, Faridoon Dawoodzai.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, made the announcement of Mike Hesson being appointed as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan men's cricket team from May 26, a day following the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season. Hesson, who has coached the Black Caps to the 2015 World Cup final, has also been associated with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) of the IPL, among other franchises. His success with Islamabad United, the defending champions of the PSL, recently made him a strong candidate after the PCB reviewed many applications in light of the team's tour of New Zealand in April.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi did believe Hesson was a sound appointment based on his record of developing competitive teams. Hesson replaces interim coach Aqib Javed, who stepped down after the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where Pakistan bowed out in the group stage. Javed has switched to Director of High Performance as a complement to Hesson's appointment, with the PCB seeking to reinvigorate its white-ball cricket prior to a jam-packed international calendar, which will feature a home ODI series and the 2026 T20 World Cup.

A New Era for Pakistan's White-Ball Cricket

Hesson's appointment has been welcomed widely on social media, where supporters and commentators view it as a big win for the PCB, as he possesses tactical brains and an understanding of Pakistani cricket via the PSL. His first task will probably be a T20I series against Bangladesh, commencing in late May, with games in Lahore and Faisalabad.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced the appointment of Mike Hesson as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan mens cricket team effective from May 26, a day after the culmination of the PSL 2025 season.https://t.co/a0K9k4OQqi

— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) May 13, 2025

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The PCB is optimistic that Hesson's strategic experience will help rectify Pakistan's recent woes in limited-overs cricket, such as a disastrous Champions Trophy outing and only one victory in nine white-ball games on their New Zealand tour this year. With a new eye, Hesson wants to create a competitive team, paving the way for a revolutionary era in Pakistan's white-ball cricket.

Kapil Dev the great former captain who led India to World Cup glory in 1983 has also been vocally backing Hardik Pandya as the next Indian captain in both ODIs and T20Is. With Rohit Sharma retiring from T20Is and the end of his career also drawing near the issue of who the next leader will be has become highly relevant. Although Suryakumar Yadav has taken over as the T20I captain Pandya remains an effective contender for both formats.

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Kapil Dev speaking during a PGTI pro-am tournament, stated that he believes Pandya is the top choice for the white-ball captaincy. He added that Pandya has showed leadership skills in spite of having some mixed reactions towards his captaincy in the IPL. He took Gujarat Titans to the IPL championship in 2022 and had another good year in 2023, which is evidence enough of his abilities. Kapil feels that Pandya is young enough to guide India in future ICC events and establish a strong team for the future.

The Need for Split Captaincy

Kapil Dev also pointed out a major aspect about Pandya's participation in Test cricket. Though Pandya is a vital cog in India's white-ball set-up, he has not played Test cricket for more than six years and is not even taking part in domestic red-ball competitions. This, in Kapil's view, implies that India might have to follow a split-captaincy approach with different captains for ODIs, T20Is, and Tests.

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Pandya's captaincy journey has also been full of highs and lows, with an uneven season as Mumbai Indians captain in 2024, which saw them take last place in the table. Yet, his shining performance with India's win in the 2024 T20 World Cup has revived the hope of captaincy for Pandya. Kapil's blessing for Pandya can now hold a key in deciding the leadership future of Indian cricket.

Joe Root has confirmed he is not in the running to become England’s next white-ball captain following Jos Buttler’s resignation after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The 34-year-old batter, who led England’s Test team from 2017 to 2022, stated that his time as captain is over.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Root said, “I think that ship has sailed. I’ve done my time as a captain in an England shirt. I’m sure whoever gets the opportunity will be extremely proud and do a brilliant job.”

While Root never captained England in limited-overs formats, he returned to the ODI side this year and finished as one of the top performers in the Champions Trophy. He was England’s leading batter in the tournament, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer overall, and nearly took his team over the line in their final match against Afghanistan with a gritty century.

Despite his personal success, England endured a disappointing campaign, failing to reach the semifinals. Jos Buttler stepped down as captain shortly before their final group game against South Africa. Since then, England has yet to announce a new leader for the ODI side.

Among the contenders, vice-captain Harry Brook is currently seen as the front-runner. However, managing director Rob Key has hinted that Ben Stokes could be considered for the white-ball captaincy, potentially uniting both red and white-ball leadership under one figure. Brendon McCullum has not ruled out the option of having separate captains for ODIs and T20Is.

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Root acknowledged England’s recent struggles but remains confident in the squad’s potential. “We didn’t play anywhere near what we’re capable of. But there’s so much talent and so much more to come. This is a good opportunity to reset and move forward as a group.”

Despite not being a regular in England’s T20I squad since 2019, Root's form in franchise cricket has drawn attention. He impressed in this year’s SA20 tournament with the Paarl Royals, scoring 279 runs at an average of 55.80 and a strike rate of 140.20.

Looking ahead, Root turned his focus to the upcoming Test summer, starting with a five-match series against India at home from June 20. The series will kick off the new cycle of the World Test Championship.

“India coming over means there’s no hiding place. It’s a long series, and we’ll need to deliver match-winning performances consistently,” Root said.

With Root stepping aside from the leadership conversation, England’s white-ball future now rests on the next generation to take the team forward.

Faisalabad's Iqbal Stadium will host an international game for the first time in 17 years. The city's old stadium will host May 2025 white-ball series between Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is a great moment for Faisalabad because international cricket was not being organized there for several years.

The match will be One Day International - Wikipedia and T20 between Pakistan and Bangladesh and will be held in three cities, Faisalabad, Lahore, and Multan. The competitions will feature the best of both teams with heart-stopping cricketing action for the spectators.

Faisalabad's Iqbal Stadium is famous for its cricket-loving supporters and will have an electric feel when it will host the eagerly awaited international game. The stadium has hosted various domestic games previously, but it had been nearly a decade since an international-grade game was planned there last in 2008. Now after nearly two decades, the stadium gates will once again open up for international cricketers and spectators.

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Lahore and Multan will be equally crucial centers in this series. Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium and Multan's Multan Cricket Stadium are among the best grounds of Pakistan, and they have hosted more than enough wonderful cricket matches already. The white-ball series will be a grand spectacle for all three cities, as the crowd will get to see their home teams play at home.

This Bangladesh-Pakistan tournament will be significant for both sides as they build momentum for the future international tournaments. It is also the perfect time for cricket fans in these cities to witness good cricket firsthand.

Overall, this is a big win for cricket fans in Multan, Lahore, and Faisalabad, and something to look forward to for the sport of cricket in Pakistan.