PAK vs AUS: Pakistan seal 2-1 ODI series against Australia

Pakistan’s Shadab Khan produced a match-winning all-round performance to help his side defeat Australia by four wickets in the third and final ODI at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday. With this win, the hosts sealed the three-match ODI series 2-1. playerbros.org

In the first innings, Shadab picked up the wickets of Oliver Peake (7) and Adam Zampa (10) to restrict Australia to a low total. The spinner finished with figures of 2/28 in nine overs at an economy rate of 3.11. During the chase, he contributed an unbeaten 29 off 42 balls.

Batting first, Australia struggled against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack. Captain Josh Inglis tried to anchor the innings with 65, but Australia’s young side collapsed under pressure. Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey made 19 runs each, which pushed the total to 156 in 42 overs — their lowest ODI total in Pakistan.

With the ball, Shaheen Shah Afridi was the standout performer, picking up three crucial wickets while conceding only 30 runs in eight overs at an economy rate of 3.75. Abrar Ahmed also impressed with two wickets, while Haris Rauf chipped in with one.

Pakistan lost opener Sahibzada Farhan (6) early, but Maaz Sadaqat (27) and Babar Azam (40) steadied the innings. They then suffered a middle-order collapse, but Abdul Samad (18) and Shadab put together an important 49-run stand to guide Pakistan to a comfortable win in the 42nd over.

Matthew Kuhnemann was Australia’s key bowler, claiming three wickets to keep Pakistan under pressure during the chase. Nathan Ellis, Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw also picked up a wicket each.

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Grandmaster Bibisara Assaubayeva has won Norway Chess Women 2026 with one round still left to play. A draw against Anna Muzychuk in the classical game was enough for the Kazakh star to secure the title after building a commanding lead throughout the tournament.

Bibisara approached the game sensibly, avoiding unnecessary risks and keeping the position under control. As pieces were exchanged and the position simplified, neither player was able to create serious winning chances. The draw suited Bibisara perfectly, as it guaranteed her the championship.

The title was not won in this game alone. Bibisara had already done the hard work earlier in the tournament through a series of strong performances, including a crucial victory over Divya Deshmukh that helped her pull clear of the chasing pack. Her combination of classical-game wins and important Armageddon victories allowed her to establish a lead that no one could overcome.

With one round remaining, Bibisara sits comfortably at the top of the standings with 16.5 points. China’s Zhu Jiner is in second place on 13 points, while Anna Muzychuk occupies third with 12 points. Reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun is fourth on 10.5 points, followed by India’s Divya Deshmukh on 10 points. Veteran Indian Grandmaster Humpy Koneru is sixth with 9 points.

Because Bibisara leads second-placed Zhu Jiner by 3.5 points with only one round remaining, she cannot be caught. Although she still has to face Ju Wenjun in the final round, the title has already been decided. The last game now offers Bibisara the opportunity to put the finishing touch on what has been a dominant and memorable tournament victory.

The fight for the Norway Chess 2026 Open title is still very close with one round remaining. Wesley So is currently leading the tournament with 15.5 points after beating Magnus Carlsen in Armageddon. Just behind him is R Praggnanandhaa on 15 points, thanks to his important classical win over Gukesh Dommaraju. Alireza Firouzja is also in the race with 14.5 points after defeating Vincent Keymer in Armageddon.

With only one round left and just one point separating the top three players, the title can still go to any of them. Wesley So has a slight advantage, but Pragg and Firouzja are close behind and will be hoping for a strong finish. The final round is set up for an exciting battle to decide the champion.

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All the good work by spinners Maxwell Swaminathan and Atharva Bhosale of defending champions Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals, was undone by one erratic over of medium pace from Arjun Dani against SoBo Mumbai Falcons in a T20 Mumbai League match on Thursday.

Defending a below-par 152-9, the Royals were well and truly in the game, reducing the Falcons to 127-7 in the 17th over, courtesy off-spinner Swaminathan (2-24) and left-armer Bhosale (1-17), who combined to concede only 41 in eight overs.

Needing seven for victory off the last over though, Falcons were gifted runs by medium pacer Dani, bowling for the first time in the match. Dani sent down a no ball first up to Vedant Gore and a single was taken. The next two deliveries were wide outside the off-stump. With four runs in the bag for the Falcons and all six legal deliveries remaining, Dani then bowled a full toss to Gautam Waghela (26 not out), who deposited the free hit over the mid-wicket fence, giving the Falcons a three-wicket win with five deliveries to spare.

Earlier, Captain Aditya Tare gave Falcons a bright start, slamming three sixes and four fours in his 42. India’s ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, in as Impact Sub at No. 3, played a cameo, slamming sixes over cover and long-on off left-arm spinner Aditya Dhumal before he was dismissed leg before wicket by Swaminathan. Iyer’s 30 off 24 balls (2x4s, 2x6s) gave Falcons the momentum before the spin duo of Swaminathan and Bhosale brought the Royals back in the game. “We have a really talented spin attack. I’m very impressed with [15-year-old leg-spinner] Vedant Gore [0-15], the way he bowled those four overs under pressure and changed the momentum for us,” said Falcons captain Tare.

Brief scores
MSCMR 152-9 in 20 overs (S Jadhav 52, A Dani 35; A Parkar 3-22, Y Dicholkar 3-25) lost to SMF 156-7 in 19.1 overs (A Tare 42, S Iyer 30; M Swaminathan 2-24) by three wickets

There is something different about this England side. They are not coming at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 as underdogs or dark horses. They are arriving as one of the favourites, carrying the expectations of a home crowd and the legacy of a team that has never failed to win a Women’s World Cup hosted in England.

Under new captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and head coach Charlotte Edwards, England have assembled a squad that looks balanced on paper. They have explosive batters, multiple all-rounders, quality spin options and perhaps the most complete pace attack in the tournament. Now, on top of that, England have gained supreme confidence as well, scripting a 2-1 win in a recent bilateral series over India.

England’s squad for Women’s World Cup 2026

Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

Strengths: Bell’s rise, Dean’s wickets and batting depth

If there is one area where England look particularly strong, it is their bowling.

Lauren Bell has become one of the most dangerous seamers in women’s T20 cricket. Since the last T20 World Cup, she has picked up 27 wickets in just 16 matches at an average of 17.62 and a strike rate of 13.7. Those are elite numbers. Her ability to move the new ball and hit awkward lengths makes her a genuine match-winner.

Heading into the World Cup with two series wins pic.twitter.com/Nhl9eli2de

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2026

In the recent series against India, she made batters dance on her tunes. Bell’s exceptional lengths have been superb recently. Since the last Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, no other pacer has taken more wickets than Bell’s 27. Only India’s Shree Charani has 28 scalps, more than any other bowler.

England’s leading wicket-takers since the 2024 T20 World Cup

Player	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Lauren Bell	16	27	17.62	7.67
Charlie Dean	18	27	17.03	6.84
Sophie Ecclestone	16	13	34.61	7.37
Linsey Smith	12	12	26.25	6.84

Charlie Dean deserves equal attention. The off-spinner continues to fly under the radar despite being England’s joint-leading wicket-taker. She has a knack of breaking partnerships and attacking batters instead of merely containing them.

Then there is Sophie Ecclestone. Even though her wicket tally has dipped compared to previous years, teams still plan entire batting innings around surviving her spell.

With the bat, England have plenty of options. Sophia Dunkley leads their run-scoring charts since the last T20 World Cup, while Heather Knight remains the glue in the middle order. One positive from the recent India series was Amy Jones rediscovering form. Her 67 in the opening T20I was a reminder of how dangerous she can be. Freya Kemp’s all-round performances have also strengthened her case for a starting berth.

England’s leading run-scorers since the 2024 T20 World Cup

Player	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Sophia Dunkley	481	28.29	131.06
Heather Knight	408	45.33	129.11
Danni Wyatt-Hodge	390	26.00	138.79
Nat Sciver-Brunt	340	42.50	132.81
Alice Capsey	255	23.18	126.23

Weaknesses and threats: Can England handle the pressure?

England’s biggest concern is not tactical but physical. Nat Sciver-Brunt remains the most important player in the squad. The captain recently battled a calf injury and any recurrence would significantly weaken England’s chances. She is their best batter, a reliable bowling option and arguably the team’s emotional leader.

The absence of Sarah Glenn is another setback. England lose a proven wicket-taking leg-spinner and someone who regularly troubled middle-order batters.

Capsey’s quickfire 82
Knight's classy 70
Series win secured

Watch how we got the victory in Taunton last night pic.twitter.com/BQLFQRfXGf

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 3, 2026

There is also a tendency for England’s batting to become top-order dependent. If Wyatt-Hodge, Dunkley and Sciver-Brunt fail together, the middle order can sometimes look vulnerable. Then comes the biggest challenge of all, which is the expectation.

England have won every Women’s World Cup held on home soil. They lifted the ODI World Cups in 1973, 1993 and 2017, while also winning the T20 World Cup in 2009. That remarkable record is now both a source of confidence and pressure.

Opportunity: Squad built for home conditions

If there is one team that appears tailor-made for English conditions, it is England themselves.

Bell, Filer and Kemp give them seam options suited to early summer pitches. Dean and Ecclestone provide control in the middle overs. Meanwhile, youngsters like Alice Capsey and Tilly Corteen-Coleman bring unpredictability. The feeling around this team is different from previous campaigns. There are fewer superstars and more contributors. If Bell continues her rise, Dean keeps taking wickets and Sciver-Brunt remains fit, England will take some stopping.

Threats for England’s women’s team

England’s biggest concern heading into the World Cup is the fitness of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. Another setback would significantly weaken England’s title chances. The absence of leg-spinner Sarah Glenn is also a blow, depriving the hosts of a proven wicket-taking option in the middle overs. While Sophie Ecclestone remains world-class, England’s spin attack lacks the same balance without Glenn alongside her.

The hosts will also have to deal with immense pressure. England have won every Women’s World Cup staged on home soil, including the 2009 T20 World Cup, which naturally raises expectations.

Defending champions New Zealand and a dangerous West Indies side are capable of causing trouble in the group stage, while Australia remain the biggest obstacle in the knockouts. England have often fallen short against their arch-rivals in ICC tournaments, and overcoming that mental hurdle could ultimately determine whether they lift the trophy or suffer another near miss.

Possible Playing XI for England at ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026:

Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Heather Knight, Alice Capsey, Dani Gibson/Freya Kemp, Charlie Dean, Amy Jones (WK), Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell

The post England SWOT for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Lauren Bell’s rise, Sciver-Brunt’s fitness and title hopes appeared first on Inside Sport India.

Team India are set to announce the appointment of a new T20I skipper just days after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final and barely months after winning the T20 World Cup 2026. Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer will be the new skipper of the Indian T20I team starting with the series against Ireland and England which kicks off later this month in place of Suryakumar Yadav.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) apex body met on Thursday evening and took the call to replace Suryakumar Yadav with Shreyas Iyer at the helm while Rajasthan Royals superstar Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is set to make his much-awaited Team India debut. The selectors are expected to officially announce the elevation of Iyer after a selection meeting on Saturday.

This will be the second major call taken by the BCCI selection committee led by former India pacer Ajit Agarkar after they decided to replace Rohit Sharma as Indian ODI captain after he led Team India to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title and even won the ‘Player of the Match’ award in the final. Current Indian T20I skipper and Mumbai Indians batter Suryakumar Yadav is unlikely to be selected in the side as well for the tours Ireland and England after being ignored for the preliminary squad of Asian Games 2026.

Iyer, who was retained for Rs 26.75 crore by Bollywood star Preity Zinta co-owned Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2026, had the unique record of leading three different franchises into the Indian Premier League final – Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings in 2025 season. Suryakumar Yadav, who will turn 36 this year, paid the price for his poor showing in the T20 World Cup 2026 where he only managed to score 242 runs at a strike-rate of 136.72 followed by lackluster showing in IPL 2026 for MI, where he only managed 270 runs in 13 innings at an average of 20.76 with a strike-rate of 147.54.

Also Read | Not Vaibhav Sooryavanshi or Sanju Samson, THIS star cricketer will replace Virat Kohli for ODI series vs Afghanistan

What is Shreyas Iyer’s IPL captaincy record?

Shreyas Iyer has a brilliant record as captain in IPL tournament so far. In 94 matches as skipper, he has won 66 matches and lost 28 for a win-percentage of 60.43 per cent. Iyer was unlucky not to be picked for the T20 World Cup 2026 campaign after scoring 604 runs at a strike-rate of 175.07 in IPL 2025 since Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma were occupying middle-order berth.

In the IPL 2026 season, Iyer has managed to score 498 runs at a strike-rate of 168.81. Overall in T20 cricket, Iyer has managed to score 7076 runs in 254 matches at an average of 35.02 and strike-rate of 138.47 with 4 hundreds and 48 fifties to his name.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set to become youngest-ever Indian debutant

IPL 2026 Orange Cap winner Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is reportedly in line to become youngest-ever Indian debutant in international cricket at just over 15 years of age. Sooryavanshi, who scored 776 runs in IPL 2026 at a strike-rate of 237.3, is in line to make his T20I debut against Ireland or England later this month.

If he makes his debut this month, Sooryavanshi will break the record of Sachin Tendulkar in men’s cricket as the Indian legend had played his first international match against Pakistan at the age of 16 years and 205 days.

Shafali Verma is the youngest-ever women cricketer to play for India at the age of 15 years and 283 days and Sooryavanshi could break her record as well.