PAKISTAN are set to draft in back-ups for Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah with the pace duo looking doubtful for the remainder of the Asia Cup having sustained injuries during their Super Four stage defeat to India.
Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan will come into the squad in Sri Lanka but no decision had been made yet regarding Rauf and Naseem, the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.
"This is only a precautionary measure keeping in mind the fitness and wellbeing of the players ahead of the ICC World Cup next month and the two will continue to remain under the observation of the team’s medical panel," the PCB said.
Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat against their arch-rivals in a rain-hit Super Four contest played over two days.
Rauf bowled five overs on Sunday (10) before experiencing discomfort in his right side and sat out the reserve day's action.
Naseem left the field in the 49th over of India's innings on Monday (11) with an injury to his bowling shoulder.
India racked up 356-2 and then skittled out Pakistan for 128 in 32 overs to canter to a 228-run victory on Sunday.
Rauf and Naseem did not bat and are likely to miss Thursday's (14) Super Four match against Sri Lanka, with their participation in the September 17 final also in doubt should Pakistan make it.
Australia's Pat Cummins celebrates with the ICC Test Mace on the podium along with teammates after winning the World Test Championship final in 2023. (Photo: Reuters)
THE WINNERS of next month’s World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa will receive $3.6 million, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday after raising the prize money.
The ICC has increased the prize pool significantly. In the previous WTC final held in 2023, Australia won $1.6 million after beating India, who took home $800,000 as runners-up.
The losing team in the upcoming June 11-15 match at Lord’s will receive $2.1 million – more than the winners earned in the past two finals.
"The increase in prize money exhibits the ICC's efforts to prioritise test cricket as it looks to build on the momentum of the first three cycles of the nine-team competition," the ICC said in a statement.
Australia captain Pat Cummins said the team was prepared to meet any challenge in order to defend their WTC title.
"We are enormously proud to have the opportunity to defend the World Test Championship, especially at Lord's," Cummins said.
"It's a testament to all those involved across the past two years who have worked incredibly hard to reach the final, which is a great honour for all of us."
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said the team was focused on winning their first ICC title.
"Everyone understands the importance of test cricket and the World Test Championship lends context to this vital format of the game.
"Lord's is a fitting venue for this mega fixture and all of us will be out there trying to give our best against Australia," Bavuma said.
VIRAT KOHLI, one of the finest cricketers of the modern era, officially drew the curtain on his Test career on Monday (12), leaving behind a legacy that will be hard to match.
The announcement came in an emotional message on Instagram to his 271 million followers.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket,” Kohli wrote.
“I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me so much more than I could’ve hoped for. As I step away from this format, it’s not easy – but it feels right.”
Kohli, 36, had already retired from T20 cricket last year. But he is expected to continue in the one-day format, where his fitness and hunger still remain intact.
His decision did not come as a complete surprise. Over the past two years, his form in Test cricket declined, with an average of just 32.56, far below the standards he had set between 2011 and 2019, when he averaged close to 55.
His last Test match, played in Sydney earlier this year, was a tough one, with India losing the series 3-1 to Australia. Barring a century in Perth, he struggled throughout the series.
Kohli was a complete cricketer and a fierce competitor who wore his emotions on his sleeve. As captain, he led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 of them – a record that makes him the most successful Indian Test skippers of all time.
His leadership redefined India’s overseas attitude, making them more aggressive and confident in foreign conditions.
A man of unmatched intensity, commitment and determination, he became the heartbeat of Indian cricket for more than a decade.
Known as “King Kohli,” he was India’s batting mainstay across formats for much of his career. Whether it was the grinding pressure of Test matches, the fast pace of T20s, or the strategic battleground of ODIs, he always stood tall.
Kohli was also part of the legendary “Fab Four” of modern Test batting, alongside Australian Steve Smith, England’s Joe Root, and Kane Williamson from New Zealand. They dominated world cricket during the same era, pushing each other to higher standards. He, however, stood out with his flair and fitness, playing each game like it was his last.
He ends his Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85. With 30 tons and 31 half-centuries, he made his mark as a consistent match-winner and reliable No 4 batter. Kohli’s highest score in Tests, an unbeaten 254, remains a reminder of his ability to dominate any bowling attack.
His journey was never just about cricket. The number 18 jersey he proudly wore is the most popular cricket shirt in India, chosen in memory of his father, Prem, who passed away on December 18.
Kohli has over 26,000 international runs and 80 centuries across formats – achievements that place him in the rarest class of cricketers.
Many cricket stars paid tribute to Kohli after his announcement. India coach Gautam Gambhir called him “a man with lion’s passion.” Sachin Tendulkar, the man he is often compared to, wrote, “You have given Indian cricket so much more than just runs – you have given it a new generation of passionate fans and players.”
Kohli’s South African IPL teammate AB de Villiers called him “a true legend,” while Wasim Akram described him as “a modern-day great”.
Despite comparisons with Tendulkar, Kohli has always sought his own path. His biographer, Vijay Lokapally, remarked, “Virat never played for records. They happened as he progressed.” He also highlighted Kohli’s extraordinary work ethic and drive, drawing inspiration from past legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev.
However, Kohli’s time as captain was not without turbulence. His form dropped, and in 2021, he stepped down as T20 captain before being removed from the ODI captaincy.
In 2022, he gave up the Test captaincy and opened up about the mental stress he was under. He admitted being “snappy” at home, especially around his wife, actress Anushka Sharma.
But, he bounced back, scoring his first century in over 1,000 days during the 2022 T20 World Cup.
There remains one elusive dream – the Indian Premier League (IPL) title. Despite playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the league began in 2008, Kohli has not yet lifted the trophy.
His story is one of grit, ambition, and unshakable belief. In a time when Test cricket struggles for relevance, he carried it on his shoulders with pride.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said, “No individual has done as much for Test cricket as Virat Kohli.
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England’s Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) is among the players who will miss the latter part of the tournament, which is scheduled to end on June 3.
THE INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE (IPL) has announced that teams will now be allowed to bring in temporary replacements for the rest of the tournament, following the withdrawal of several overseas players.
The IPL resumes on Saturday after being paused due to the India-Pakistan conflict. The new schedule overlaps with international fixtures, leading to the unavailability of multiple players.
England’s Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) and Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk (Delhi Capitals) are among the players who will miss the latter part of the tournament, which is scheduled to end on June 3.
"Given the non-availability of certain foreign players due to national commitments or personal reasons or any injury or illness, Temporary Replacement Players will be allowed until the conclusion of this tournament," the league said in a memo to franchises seen by AFP.
"This decision is subject to the condition that the Temporary Replacement players taken from this point forward will not be eligible for retention in the following year.
"Temporary Replacement players will have to register for the IPL Player Auction 2026."
Overton, a bowling all-rounder, will be part of England’s white-ball squad for the home series against West Indies, beginning with a three-match ODI series on May 29.
Fraser-McGurk has withdrawn citing "personal reasons". Delhi Capitals have signed Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman as his replacement.
Delhi are also awaiting the return of Australia’s left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc. The Capitals are monitoring the availability of South African players Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs.
Stubbs is included in South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia, which begins on June 11 at Lord’s.
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said on Tuesday that he expects players to join the national squad on May 26, a day after the IPL final was originally scheduled.
The tournament resumes with Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, the first of 13 remaining regular-season matches.
(With inputs from AFP)
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The other venues for the remaining league matches are Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
THE REMAINDER of the Indian Premier League will be held from May 17 to June 3 across six venues, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Monday.
The tournament was paused last week due to clashes between India and Pakistan. Following a ceasefire agreement, the BCCI has decided to conduct the 17 remaining matches.
"After extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all the key stakeholders, the board has decided to proceed with the remainder of the season," the BCCI said in a statement.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will host defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday. One of two double-headers will be played the following day.
The other venues for the remaining league matches are Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Venues for the four playoff matches, including the final on June 3, will be announced later.
Earlier, Hyderabad and Kolkata were scheduled to host the playoffs, with the final at Eden Gardens on May 25.
The first qualifier is now set for May 29, followed by the eliminator on May 30. The second qualifier will take place on June 1, with the final two days later.
India and Pakistan halted hostilities on Saturday.
The IPL was suspended last Friday, a day after a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abandoned in Dharamsala, located less than 200 kilometres from Jammu, where explosions had been reported earlier.
A special train was arranged on Friday to take players to Delhi after the airspace was closed. Overseas players began returning home on Saturday.
India launched missile strikes on Wednesday morning in response to a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir two weeks ago. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack.
Pakistan has denied involvement.
At least 60 people have been killed on both sides since Wednesday, AFP reported, in the worst violence in decades.
(With inputs from agencies)
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A fierce competitor who carried the fire of a whole generation
For over a decade, Virat Kohli stood at the heart of India’s Test revival, a fierce competitor who carried the fire of a whole generation. With every century, he silenced critics, broke records, and more than anything, gave fans reason to believe. His Test innings weren’t just runs on a scoreboard, they were moments of resolve, pride, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
As we reflect on his red-ball legacy, here are the Test knocks that truly defined his greatness, each one a story etched in the hearts of cricket fans.
1. 254* vs South Africa – Pune, 2019
In Pune, Kohli produced his career-best Test score, an unbeaten 254 that left fans in awe. It was a statement of class and control, where he batted with elegance, discipline, and authority. With India declaring on 601/5 and cruising to an innings win, this innings reminded the world why Kohli was more than just a limited-overs giant — he was the master of the long grind too.
2. 235 vs England – Mumbai, 2016
Batting on a turning track at Wankhede, Kohli crafted a majestic 235 — his third double century of the year. His ability to dismantle England’s attack with precision thrilled the crowd. With every run, the chants of “Kohli, Kohli” echoed louder, as India sealed the match and eventually the series. It was a masterclass that brought together patience and flair in equal measure.
3. 200 vs West Indies – North Sound, 2016
His first double hundred was long overdue, and it arrived in Antigua with authority. Kohli's 200 was not just personal success, but the beginning of a new chapter. It kickstarted a stretch of dominant overseas tours for India under his captaincy, and fans felt they were witnessing the rise of a truly all-format legend.
4. 169 vs Australia – Melbourne, 2014
Boxing Day at the MCG, a packed stadium, and Kohli rising to the occasion with a sublime 169. It wasn’t just the runs, it was the defiance. India needed leadership and grit, and Kohli, then standing in for MS Dhoni, gave both. His duel with the Australian attack had fans glued and proud, knowing their team had a lion at No. 4.
5. 141 & 115 vs Australia – Adelaide, 2014
This was the turning point. In his first Test as captain, Kohli scored centuries in both innings, an aggressive 115 followed by a fighting 141 while chasing a tricky target. India lost narrowly, but Kohli had won hearts. His intent, body language, and refusal to play for a draw were a breath of fresh air. It was the start of a new Indian Test mindset, bold, fearless, and driven.
6. 119 vs South Africa – Johannesburg, 2013
Johannesburg was Kohli’s true coming-of-age moment in Test cricket. On a spicy pitch, against Steyn, Morkel, and Philander, he scored a composed 119. It was technique and temperament rolled into one, and for fans, it confirmed what they hoped: this young man had the mettle to succeed overseas.
These innings are more than numbers in a scorebook; they are the memories that lit up living rooms, sparked celebrations in the streets, and gave millions of fans reason to smile. Virat Kohli didn’t just play Tests; he led them with his heart, his bat, and that unmistakable passion in his eyes.
As the dust settles on his Test career, one thing is clear — Kohli didn’t just play the game. He changed it.