Cricket News Today: Harmanpreet Milestone, Shadab Record, Shaheen Feat

Harmanpreet Kaur Hits Eighth ODI Century, Overtakes Mithali Raj

Harmanpreet Kaur made 126 runs off 121 balls to lead India Women to a 121-run win against Zimbabwe in the second ODI at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. The innings marked her eighth century in ODI cricket. With this milestone, she moved ahead of Mithali Raj to claim second place on the list of most ODI centuries for India Women, trailing only Smriti Mandhana.

India had found themselves in early trouble at 19 for 2 before Harmanpreet rebuilt the innings. Supported by an unbeaten 106 from Deepti Sharma, the hosts recovered effectively to post a total of 328 for 6.

“It wasn't easy conditions. Nowadays we play a lot of night games. After a long time playing under the sun, difficult conditions to bat in. After losing two wickets, Pratika and I had a very good partnership and then Deepti did the magic on the pitch,”

Harmanpreet Kaur

Why it matters: Harmanpreet has solidified her place among India's greatest ODI batters by overtaking Mithali Raj in total hundreds.

India Women Clinch ODI Series Against Zimbabwe with 121-Run Win

India Women secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series with a 121-run victory over Zimbabwe Women at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. Centurions Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma guided the team after combining for a 153-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Their efforts helped the hosts reach a total of 328 for 6 in the first innings.

In response, Zimbabwe Women were bowled out for 207 runs in 48.5 overs. Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma led the bowling effort for the home side, picking up 4 wickets for 39 runs to dismiss the visitors and wrap up the series.

Why it matters: The result confirms an unassailable series victory for India Women with one match left to play.

Matt Henry Ruled Out of Remaining India T20Is as New Zealand Rotate

New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry will miss the remaining three T20Is against India because of a tight calf and planned workload management. The home team has also scheduled rotations for the rest of their pace department. Lockie Ferguson will sit out the third match in Wellington before coming back for the final two fixtures, while Kyle Jamieson will depart after the third match to participate in domestic cricket.

To handle these bowling absences, New Zealand Cricket has added Blair Tickner and Josh Clarkson to the squad. Additionally, Matt Fisher has been called up to serve as bowling cover for the third T20I in Wellington.

“We're very fortunate with the depth in the squad to be able to call upon different players to help manage our pacers workloads, and to try and ensure they are best placed to perform for the team for all the cricket coming up,”

Rob Walter

Why it matters: New Zealand must balance their seam attack against India without one of their primary fast bowlers.

Shadab Khan Hits World-Record 113 Not Out to Beat England

Shadab Khan registered his first ODI century with an unbeaten 113 from 96 deliveries to take Pakistan to a one-wicket win over England at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The performance established a new world record for the highest individual score by a player batting at number eight or lower in ODI history during the tri-series fixture.

Pakistan sealed the match thanks to an unbroken 89-run stand between Shadab and number 11 batter Haris Rauf. That partnership set a world record for the highest tenth-wicket stand in a successful run chase in One-Day Internationals.

“Alhamdulilah. I dedicate this win to the 2 most wonderful women in my life: my mother & my wife,”

Shadab Khan

Why it matters: Shadab's lower-order heroics set two world records while securing an unlikely tri-series win against England.

Harmanpreet Kaur Reflects on Batting Focus Following Series Victory

Former India captain Harmanpreet Kaur addressed her role at the post-match presentation in Vadodara after India Women defeated Zimbabwe by 121 runs to claim the ODI series. Having scored a century in the match, she spoke about her transition away from leading the national side.

Harmanpreet stated that she has come to terms with life beyond the captaincy and is focused on enjoying her batting. She explained that in match situations, she aims to take full responsibility as a batter instead of concentrating on leadership duties.

“I am someone who likes to live life close to reality. This is the reality now, and I want to accept it.”

Harmanpreet Kaur

Why it matters: Fans can see how Harmanpreet is thriving in her batting role without the demands of international leadership.

Shaheen Afridi Becomes Fastest Pakistan Pacer to 150 ODI Wickets

Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi reached the milestone of 150 One-Day International wickets in the tri-series game against England at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The left-arm seamer claimed the wicket in his opening over of the match by dismissing Tom Banton, achieving the feat in his 80th ODI match.

With this dismissal, Shaheen became the fastest fast bowler from Pakistan to reach 150 wickets, surpassing the previous record of 91 matches held by Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar. He also equaled the 80-match mark shared by Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan.

Why it matters: Shaheen continues to climb the historical rankings by reaching 150 ODI wickets faster than any previous Pakistani fast bowler.

Cameron Green Cleared as Specialist Batter for Third Test

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green has confirmed his availability for the third and deciding Test match against South Africa at Newlands. The player had suffered an abdominal strain during an ODI in late September, an injury that kept him out of action for the first two Tests of the series.

Green has now been cleared to rejoin the lineup to bolster Australia's batting. However, he stated that he will participate solely as a specialist batter in Cape Town because he has not yet obtained medical clearance to bowl.

“I'm all good to go. Pretty surprised with how quick it's actually healed or how functional I feel only a few weeks after.”

Cameron Green

Why it matters: Australia gain a proven top-order batter for the series decider, though they will have to manage without his seam bowling.

Anrich Nortje Ruled Out of Cape Town Series Decider with Groin Injury

South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the third and final Test match against Australia. Nortje sustained a mild groin injury during the second Test in Gqeberha, where he was forced to walk off the field during his fourth over of bowling.

Medical scans later confirmed the extent of the groin damage, leaving him unavailable for the Cape Town fixture. South Africa will head into the series decider at Newlands without calling up an external replacement to their existing squad.

Why it matters: South Africa lose their frontline fast bowler ahead of the winner-takes-all clash against Australia.

James Anderson Ends Lancashire Career After Contract Renewal Declined

Former England fast bowler Sir James Anderson has confirmed the end of his 25-year career with Lancashire after the club opted against renewing his contract for the 2027 season. The 44-year-old had captained the team during the 2026 County Championship, taking 50 wickets at an average of 17 across the campaign.

Anderson stated that he wished his time with Lancashire had not concluded in this manner. The decision comes as the county transitions into a new phase under their new director of cricket, Paul Farbrace.

“I've supported Lancashire since I was kid, and so to get to play for them for 25 years was a dream come true,”

James Anderson

Why it matters: English cricket sees the end of an era as Anderson departs Lancashire after a quarter of a century.

Shardul Thakur Ruled Out of Mumbai's Ranji Trophy Match Against Haryana

Mumbai all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been ruled out of his team's upcoming third-round Ranji Trophy match against Haryana at the Bandra Kurla Complex. Thakur is continuing his recovery from a fracture to his right middle finger, an injury he suffered during a practice session prior to the opening round of the tournament.

The Mumbai team management chose not to rush the all-rounder back into competitive cricket before his finger heals completely. Consequently, Mumbai have retained the same playing squad that previously secured a win against Himachal Pradesh.

Why it matters: Mumbai will need to navigate another Ranji Trophy fixture without their premier pace-bowling all-rounder.