The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Litton Das as the new ODI captain, replacing Mehidy Hasan Miraz in a move aimed at allowing the star all-rounder to focus entirely on his performances.

BCB president Tamim Iqbal confirmed the decision after a board meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, stating that Bangladesh will now move forward with two captains across the three formats instead of having separate leaders for each format.

Under the new structure, Litton Das will lead Bangladesh in white-ball cricket, while Najmul Hossain Shanto will continue as captain of the Test side.

BCB Opts for Two-Captain Model

Explaining the decision, Tamim said the board believes having one captain for white-ball cricket and another for red-ball cricket will provide greater stability and better planning.

Along with Litton’s appointment, Towhid Hridoy has been named the white-ball vice-captain, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz will continue as the vice-captain in Test cricket.

Tamim also revealed that discussions were held with all players before finalising the leadership changes.

According to him, the transition was made with everyone’s knowledge and support.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Focus on His Cricket

Despite replacing Mehidy as ODI captain, Tamim made it clear that the all-rounder continues to be one of Bangladesh’s most valuable players.

He praised Mehidy’s leadership, pointing out that Bangladesh won four of the last five ODI series under his captaincy.

However, the board believes Mehidy can contribute even more if he concentrates solely on his batting and bowling.

Tamim admitted that while Mehidy’s batting has remained strong, the team wants to see him regain his best form with the ball.

The BCB also feels that the additional pressure of captaincy and outside criticism may have affected his overall performances.

Litton Das Returns to Leadership

Litton is no stranger to leading Bangladesh in ODIs.

The wicketkeeper-batter previously captained the side in seven One-Day Internationals, including Bangladesh’s memorable 2-1 series victory over India in 2022 when Tamim Iqbal was unavailable through injury.

He also led the team in matches against Afghanistan and New Zealand during 2023.

The BCB believes Litton’s experience makes him well-suited to lead Bangladesh’s white-ball teams going forward.

Performance Reviews Every Six Months

Tamim also announced a change in the board’s approach towards evaluating players and coaching staff.

Instead of reacting after every series, Bangladesh will now conduct performance reviews every six months.

The board has also asked the coaching staff and players to prepare a structured six-month roadmap following the recent Zimbabwe tour.

According to Tamim, the objective is to improve communication between the board and players while creating a more stable environment for long-term planning.

Mehidy’s ODI Captaincy Record

Mehidy Hasan Miraz captained Bangladesh in 20 ODI matches, winning 10.

His tenure began with a difficult run as Bangladesh lost five of their first six matches and two consecutive ODI series.

However, the team bounced back strongly, winning four successive home series against West Indies, Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia before suffering an away series defeat to Zimbabwe.

Although his captaincy has ended, Mehidy remains a key part of Bangladesh’s plans as one of the team’s leading all-rounders.

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There have been many great batters in Indian Test cricket who dominated scorecards and headlines. Ajinkya Rahane, however, built his legacy differently.

Rahane was rarely the centre of attention, yet he repeatedly produced innings that rescued India from difficult situations. Whether it was a fighting century at Lord’s, a captain’s knock in Melbourne, or countless middle-order rescues, the Mumbai batter earned a reputation as one of India’s most dependable Test cricketers.

As Rahane brings the curtain down on his Test career, he leaves behind not just numbers but memories of courage, resilience and unwavering commitment to the team.

The Man India Turned To During Difficult Times

Rahane was never India’s biggest superstar, but he was often the player trusted when the team found itself under pressure.

One of his earliest defining moments came at Lord’s in 2014, where India were struggling at 145/7 before Rahane counter-attacked with a brilliant century.

That innings laid the foundation for one of India’s most memorable overseas Test victories, later completed by Ishant Sharma’s famous spell of short-pitched bowling.

It became a recurring theme throughout Rahane’s career—delivering when the team needed someone to absorb pressure.

Melbourne 2020: The Innings That Changed Everything

If Lord’s announced Rahane’s arrival, Melbourne in 2020 cemented his legacy.

India entered the Boxing Day Test after the nightmare of being bowled out for 36 in Adelaide, their lowest Test score.

With regular captain Virat Kohli unavailable, Rahane stepped in as skipper and responded with a magnificent century under immense pressure.

His composed leadership and match-winning hundred helped India level the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and completely change the direction of the series.

That remarkable comeback eventually ended with India’s historic victory at The Gabba, one of the greatest overseas triumphs in Indian cricket history.

More Than Just Overseas Success

Although Rahane earned a reputation as India’s overseas specialist, he also produced several memorable performances at home.

Against South Africa in Delhi in 2015, he scored a vital century to wrest back control of the match.

A year later, he registered his highest Test score of 188 against New Zealand in Indore.

After that innings, Rahane summed up his philosophy perfectly by saying that overcoming difficult phases often made scoring hundreds even more satisfying than batting freely.

That mindset reflected the player he was throughout his career.

Difficult Final Years

Like many great cricketers, Rahane’s career also witnessed a challenging phase.

Technical issues outside the off stump and lapses in concentration began affecting his consistency.

In 2021, he managed only two half-centuries in 23 Test innings, leading to his omission from the Indian side in early 2022.

Rather than giving up, Rahane returned to domestic cricket and enjoyed a superb 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season, scoring 634 runs at an average of 57.64.

His performances earned him a recall for the World Test Championship Final, where he once again top-scored for India in the first innings.

However, modest returns during the subsequent West Indies tour meant that his international comeback proved to be short-lived.

Reinventing Himself in T20 Cricket

Even when many believed his white-ball career was over, Rahane found another way to stay relevant.

He reinvented his batting style with Chennai Super Kings during the IPL 2023, playing fearless cricket at an impressive strike rate and helping CSK win another IPL title.

His domestic performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy later earned him a return to Kolkata Knight Riders, where he also took over captaincy duties in 2025 and 2026.

The transformation showcased Rahane’s willingness to evolve with the modern game.

A Career Defined by Selflessness

Rahane finishes his Test journey with:

• Matches: 95
• Runs: 5,077
• Centuries: 12
• Half-centuries: 26
• Batting Average: 38.46

While those numbers may not place him among India’s highest run-scorers, they tell only part of the story.

Rahane’s true contribution lies in the moments when he quietly stepped forward, rescued India from difficult situations and allowed others to shine.

His farewell message perhaps captured his career better than any statistic.

“I lived by one simple rule: always put my country and my team ahead of myself.”

For Ajinkya Rahane, those words were never just a slogan—they defined an entire Test career built on sacrifice, resilience and unwavering commitment to Team India.

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The cricket world continues to remember Sir Garfield Sobers not only as one of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever produced but also for one of the most controversial episodes of his career—his visit to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1970.

At a time when racial segregation and political tensions dominated southern Africa, Sobers’ decision to play in Rhodesia triggered global criticism and became one of the biggest talking points in international cricket.

A Visit That Sparked Worldwide Debate

In September 1970, Sobers travelled to Salisbury (present-day Harare) to participate in a double-wicket cricket tournament.

Rhodesia was then under white-minority rule, with the country caught in a bitter political conflict. Although cricket was not legally segregated as it was in apartheid South Africa, racial discrimination remained deeply rooted in society.

Sobers’ appearance drew criticism across the Caribbean and the wider cricketing world, with many questioning why one of the sport’s greatest Black icons had agreed to play in a country facing international condemnation.

Friendship Beyond Politics

One memorable story from the tournament involved former South Africa captain Ali Bacher, who partnered Sobers in the competition.

Bacher later recalled how Sobers laughed openly after watching one of his deliveries, creating a light-hearted moment during an otherwise politically sensitive visit.

The pair developed a close friendship through county cricket, highlighting how personal relationships often crossed political divides during that era.

Public Backlash Follows

The backlash after Sobers returned home was swift.

Political leaders, former players and members of the public criticised the West Indies captain for visiting Rhodesia. There were even calls for him to step down as captain, while concerns emerged that future international tours could be affected.

The controversy grew so large that Sobers eventually issued a public apology, admitting he had underestimated the political significance of the visit and stating that he would not have travelled had he fully understood the wider implications.

A Defining Chapter in Cricket History

Although the incident briefly overshadowed Sobers’ remarkable cricket career, it remains an important reminder of how closely sport and politics were intertwined during that period.

Years later, Sobers continued to enjoy warm relations with many former South African cricketers and played a symbolic role during the unification of South African cricket in the early 1990s, when the country’s sporting landscape began to change following the end of apartheid.

Sobers’ Legacy Lives On

Despite the controversy surrounding the Rhodesia visit, Garfield Sobers’ legacy as one of cricket’s greatest-ever players remains unquestioned.

His extraordinary achievements with both bat and ball transformed the game, while the events of 1970 continue to serve as an important chapter in cricket’s history, illustrating how sporting decisions can carry far-reaching political and social consequences.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a historic step by announcing a long-term roadmap that could see the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team compete in ICC qualification pathways by 2030. It is the first time the ICC has set a timeline for the team’s potential participation in international competitions.

Although the players will not represent Afghanistan officially, the initiative offers them an opportunity to continue playing competitive cricket under a separate identity.

Special Taskforce to Lead the Project

The ICC has re-established a Special Taskforce to oversee the development of the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team.

The taskforce includes representatives from the BCCI, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia, along with ICC independent director Dr Ros Rivaz and Cricket Ireland CEO Sarah Keane.

Their responsibility will be to create a structured programme covering coaching, player development, international fixtures and long-term preparation leading up to 2030.

A New Opportunity for Afghan Women Cricketers

The Afghanistan Cricket Board had started building a women’s cricket programme after receiving Full Member status in 2017. However, those plans came to an abrupt halt following the return of the Taliban to power in 2021.

Many of the contracted women cricketers were forced to leave Afghanistan and later settled in countries including Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Since then, the players have continued their cricket journey through various ICC-supported initiatives.

ICC Continues Long-Term Support

The ICC confirmed that financial and developmental support for the refugee team will continue over the coming years.

Apart from organising training camps and international tours, the programme will also provide players with access to coaching, physiotherapy and development opportunities in their respective countries of residence.

The objective is to ensure the squad remains competitive while preparing for future ICC qualification events.

Players Welcome the ICC’s Decision

Members of the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team welcomed the announcement and described it as a significant milestone for their future in cricket.

The players said the programme has allowed them to stay connected as a team despite living in different countries and has given them renewed motivation to continue pursuing their cricketing dreams.

They also expressed gratitude for receiving equal opportunities to develop their careers despite the challenges they have faced.

Qualification Pathway Yet to Be Finalised

The ICC has not yet confirmed which regional qualification pathway the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team will compete in.

While Afghanistan’s men’s team participates in the Asian region, the majority of the refugee women’s squad is currently based in Australia, making the East Asia-Pacific pathway another possible option.

A final decision is expected once the development programme progresses further.

Historic Step for Women’s Cricket

The ICC’s latest initiative is widely seen as an important move towards providing displaced athletes with opportunities to compete at the highest level.

If the roadmap progresses as planned, the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team could become eligible to participate in ICC qualification events by 2030, marking a significant chapter in the history of women’s cricket.

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India Women tightened their grip on the one-off Test against England at Lord’s after Yastika Bhatia produced the finest innings of her Test career. The left-hander’s maiden international century helped India build a massive lead before the bowlers reduced England to deep trouble by the end of Day 3.

With England still needing another 327 runs and only four wickets remaining, India are overwhelming favourites to complete a famous victory at the Home of Cricket.

Bhatia Converts Start into Memorable Hundred

Resuming her innings on the third morning, Yastika looked comfortable from the very beginning. She rotated the strike well, punished loose deliveries and gradually took complete control of the innings.

The milestone finally arrived when she reached her maiden Test hundred, a moment she celebrated with visible emotion after anchoring India’s batting effort. Her knock not only strengthened India’s position but also marked a remarkable comeback after returning from knee surgery earlier this year.

Ecclestone Keeps Fighting for England

While India dominated for most of the day, Sophie Ecclestone once again proved why she remains England’s premier spinner.

The left-arm spinner bowled long spells with impressive control and finished with a five-wicket haul in India’s second innings. Her efforts prevented India from scoring even more quickly despite limited support from the rest of the bowling attack.

India Set England a Huge Target

India eventually declared after building a massive advantage, leaving England with one of the biggest fourth-innings targets in Women’s Test cricket.

The target immediately put pressure on the hosts, who needed a near-perfect batting performance to stay alive in the match.

Kranti Gaud Strikes Again

Debutant Kranti Gaud continued her dream Test by making early breakthroughs in England’s second innings.

She dismissed Tammy Beaumont for a first-ball duck before removing former captain Heather Knight, ensuring both experienced batters finished their international careers on a disappointing note.

Gaud once again showed excellent control with the new ball and continued to justify her impressive debut performance.

England’s Lower Order Delays the Inevitable

After losing wickets at regular intervals, Amy Jones and Mady Villiers produced a fighting partnership that briefly slowed India’s progress.

Jones completed her second half-century of the match, helping England avoid defeat on Day 3, but the home side still face an enormous task heading into the final day.

India One Step Away from Historic Victory

India now require only four more wickets to complete one of their most memorable overseas Test victories.

With momentum firmly on their side and England under immense scoreboard pressure, the visitors will begin the final day as overwhelming favourites to seal the match and finish the tour on a high.

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