Australia’s star batsman Marnus Labuschagne highlights India’s formidable pace attack as a key factor in their success Down Under, making them a formidable opponent in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The series holds significance for both teams, with Australia aiming to reclaim the trophy and secure a spot in the World Test Championship final.
New Zealand has arrived in India for a historic one-off Test match against Afghanistan, marking the first red-ball encounter between the two nations. The Black Caps have named a strong squad, led by veteran pacer Tim Southee, and will be using the match as preparation for upcoming World Test Championship fixtures against Sri Lanka and India.
Pakistan has experienced a significant drop in the ICC Test rankings, falling to eighth place after suffering a historic series loss to Bangladesh. This is their lowest rating point since 1965, marking a major setback for the team. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has climbed to fourth place in the World Test Championship cycle.
Pakistan’s first-ever series loss to Bangladesh has seen them plummet to eighth in the ICC Test rankings, their lowest rating points since 1965. The defeat also impacts their World Test Championship standing, while Bangladesh rises to fourth.
Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer took a playful jab at Michael Vaughan after the ex-England captain suggested a two-tier system for Test cricket. Jaffer highlighted England’s recent climb in the World Test Championship table after a period of struggles, suggesting Vaughan’s suggestion was poorly timed.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the 2025 World Test Championship final will be held at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London from June 11th to 15th. This will be the first time the iconic venue will host the one-off Test, marking a significant shift from The Oval, which hosted the previous two finals.
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, has confirmed his desire to continue playing white-ball cricket despite retiring from T20 Internationals earlier this year. He is also focused on leading India to victory in the upcoming World Test Championship, aiming to add the elusive trophy to the nation’s cabinet. Sharma’s commitment comes after a successful T20 World Cup win in June and a string of victories in the current World Test Championship cycle.
Heavy rain forced the postponement of the opening day of the second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. The match, a crucial encounter in the World Test Championship, remains uncertain with the weather forecast unclear. Bangladesh leads the series 1-0 after a dominant victory in the first Test.
Bangladesh’s preparations for their upcoming two-Test series in Pakistan have been heavily impacted by political unrest back home. The team’s foreign coaches were forced to stay indoors due to safety concerns, while protests hindered practice sessions. Despite these challenges, Bangladesh will be hoping to overcome their dismal record against Pakistan and make a mark in the World Test Championship.
South Africa’s series victory over West Indies in the Caribbean has boosted their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final in 2024. Despite facing a tough road ahead, the team is confident and aiming to win at least five of their remaining six matches.
