Cricket News Today: Shami Retires From Tests, Sooryavanshi Named Bihar Captain

Mohammed Shami Announces Retirement From Test Cricket

Veteran Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has announced his retirement from Test cricket through a video message shared on social media. The thirty-six-year-old bowler finishes a thirteen-year red-ball international career during which he claimed 229 wickets across 64 Test matches for India.

Shami confirmed that his red-ball journey with the national team has come to an end, but he will not be walking away from the game entirely. The fast bowler stated that he will continue playing white-ball cricket for Bengal in domestic tournaments and will also participate in the Indian Premier League.

“With a heavy heart, I must say that my Test cricket journey has come to an end, on the 13th anniversary of my debut.”

Mohammed Shami

Why it matters: Fans will see the veteran seamer transition exclusively to white-ball formats for Bengal and his IPL franchise.

Fifteen-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Named Bihar Captain

Fifteen-year-old batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been appointed captain of Bihar for the opening two matches of the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The teenager will lead a seventeen-member squad in Indore against Saurashtra and Railways after regular captain Sakibul Gani was ruled out of action due to an injury.

Sooryavanshi will hold the leadership role for a limited time before shifting focus to international youth duty. Following Bihar's first two fixtures, he will leave the domestic squad to represent India A at the ACC Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup held in Doha.

“He is ready to take up this role. He was earlier not available for the previous matches. Sakibul Gani is injured, and hence Sooryavanshi has been given the opportunity to lead Bihar.”

Ashok Kumar

Why it matters: Supporters can track the rare achievement of a fifteen-year-old captaining a senior domestic side before his India A assignment.

Usman Khawaja Claims Entire Australia Team Knew of 2018 Ball-Tampering

Former Australian batter Usman Khawaja stated in excerpts from his new autobiography that the entire Australian touring party knew about the 2018 ball-tampering plot in South Africa. Khawaja also asserted that sandpaper had previously been used during the second Test match of that series in Port Elizabeth.

Cricket Australia responded by defending the findings of its original investigation, which concluded that prior knowledge of the plot was confined to three players. The governing body stated that it remains comfortable with the results of its integrity process, though it continues to stay open to any relevant information.

“It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us.”

Usman Khawaja

Why it matters: The statements reopen discussions regarding the 2018 South Africa tour and Cricket Australia's official findings.

Hasan Mahmud Sets Bangladesh Pace Record Against West Indies

Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud registered a career-best bowling performance of 6-90 on the second day of the second Test against the West Indies at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The effort marked his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket, setting a new national record for the most five-wicket hauls by a Bangladeshi pace bowler, surpassing Shahadat Hossain.

The achievement also placed Mahmud into an exclusive historical bracket in international cricket. He became only the second bowler in Test history, following Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, to take his first five five-wicket hauls across five different countries.

“I keep things very simple, but I will certainly keep trying to achieve more. Whenever I get the opportunity to play Test cricket, I will keep striving for it. A five-wicket haul is always special, and I will continue to work towards that”

Hasan Mahmud

Why it matters: Mahmud's milestone establishes a new standard for Bangladesh fast bowlers in Test cricket history.

Kieron Pollard to Step Down as MI London Head Coach

Former West Indies captain Kieron Pollard will step down as head coach of MI London ahead of the 2027 edition of The Hundred. Pollard concluded his coaching tenure with the English franchise after guiding the side to a fourth-place finish during their 2026 campaign.

The coaching change follows Pollard's recent appointment as the head coach of Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. The former all-rounder chose to step aside from his role with MI London to take time off between demanding tournament schedules across the global circuit.

Why it matters: Pollard will narrow his coaching responsibilities to focus on his leadership role with Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

ECB Forecasts Up to £50m Deficit in 2027 Despite Home Ashes

The England and Wales Cricket Board has warned county executives that it projects financial losses reaching up to £50 million in 2027. Despite staging a men's home Ashes series against Australia that year, the board expects a substantial financial deficit.

The ECB explained that the anticipated shortfall stems from the cyclical absence of high-revenue home fixtures against India, along with an ICC decision to withhold part of member broadcast disbursements. Board officials expressed optimism that generating additional commercial revenues could potentially reduce the deficit to around £35 million.

Why it matters: The projection highlights how crucial hosting India remains to the financial stability of international cricket boards.

Ishant Sharma Returns as Delhi Drop Nitish Rana for SMAT

The Delhi and District Cricket Association has announced a sixteen-member squad captained by Ayush Badoni for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Veteran fast bowler Ishant Sharma has been recalled to the squad, while experienced left-handed batter Nitish Rana was omitted following a selection committee meeting held at the DDCA premises.

Delhi has assembled a strong pace unit for the domestic tournament alongside Ishant Sharma. The attack will also feature young Indian fast bowlers Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav, providing significant pace options for the side under Badoni's captaincy.

Why it matters: Fans will watch Ishant Sharma team up with emerging fast bowlers Mayank Yadav and Harshit Rana in Delhi's bowling attack.

Nepal Confirmed as Host for 2027 World Cup Qualifier Playoff

The International Cricket Council has announced that Nepal will stage the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Playoff from December 4 to December 21. Matches will take place across two grounds located in Kathmandu as eight associate sides compete in a round-robin tournament.

Nepal, Italy, Uganda, Jersey, Canada, Namibia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates will compete for four available berths in the Global Qualifier. Six nations, including the West Indies and Ireland, have already secured their places directly in the ten-team Global Qualifier.

“The Qualifier Play-off is a crucial stage in the pathway to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, and I am sure all eight teams will be eager to seize this opportunity and secure a place in the next stage.”

Gaurav Saxena

Why it matters: Associate nations will battle in Kathmandu for the remaining spots on the qualification pathway to the 2027 World Cup.

Club Cricketer Brian Devine Banned Two Years for Deception

Amateur English club cricketer Brian Devine has received a two-year ban from all ECB-sanctioned cricket after video footage showed him clicking his fingers at first slip. The action was used to deceive an umpire into awarding a caught-behind dismissal during a club match.

The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League confirmed that Devine and Saltburn Cricket Club admitted the misconduct charges. Following the investigation, Saltburn's second XI received relegation to Division Three, a sixty-point deduction for the 2027 season, and a fine of £300.

“The club fully participated in the disciplinary proceedings and accept the decision of the appeal following the original decision from the League. We are now focussing on preparations for the 2027 season.”

Saltburn CC

Why it matters: The severe penalties underline strict enforcement against unsporting deception at all levels of league cricket.

Injuries Force New Zealand A Bowling Changes Against India A

New Zealand A has made multiple changes to its bowling attack due to injuries ahead of the third unofficial Test against India A in Lincoln. Seamers Simon Keene, Fraser Sheat, and Ben Lister have all been ruled out of the deciding fixture.

Keene suffered a grade-two hamstring tear, while both Sheat and Lister were sidelined by side strains. In response, Brett Randell, Zak Gibson, and Danru Ferns were added to the pace attack, while Dale Phillips joined the squad to replace Nick Kelly following his senior call-up.

“Central Stags Brett Randell and Northern Districts Zak Gibson will now remain in the squad for game three, and Otago Volts bowler Danru Ferns will come into the squad”

New Zealand Cricket

Why it matters: The reshuffled New Zealand A attack must adapt quickly against India A in the decisive third match.