Bangladesh take on Afghanistan in the series-deciding third and final ODI in Sharjah today in the absence of a few key players and their senior-most statesman Mahmudullah Riyad searching for runs.

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Hashmatullah Shahidi – captains of Bangladesh and Afghanistan teams – will be looking to the heavens to win the toss before the first ball is bowled in the series-decider of the three-match ODI series between the sides at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium today.

Lockie Ferguson unleashed a blistering spell of fast bowling, claiming a hat-trick to power New Zealand to a nail-biting five-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20 at Dambulla on Sunday.

An unbeaten 47 from Tristan Stubbs, and a 42-run partnership with Gerald Coetzee, saw South Africa haul themselves over the line for a three-wicket win over India in their Twenty20 international at St George’s Park on Sunday.

Bangladesh have announced the squad for the upcoming Test series against West Indies beginning with the first Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on November 22. As expected Mushfiqur Rahim will not be able to play the Test series following a fracture in the tip of his left index finger.

Amite Hasan hooked Abdul Halim for a four through fine-leg to celebrate his maiden double ton in first-class cricket as Sylhet division dominated proceedings against Khulna Division on day two of their fourth-round fixture of the National Cricket League (NCL) at the Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground today.

India will not travel to Pakistan for the eight-team Champions Trophy starting in February, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Sunday.

Bangladesh’s newly appointed senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin urged the media to give new players time before making the final judgement about their abilities.

Pakistan thoroughly punished Australia for resting their top players in the one-day international series decider at Perth Stadium on Sunday, cruising to an eight-wicket win in the third and final game after a sublime display of seam bowling.

"To be very honest I'm not happy. Probably I have to bat a bit longer because the wicket was difficult against spin," Shanto, who scored a 119-ball 76, said at the post-match presentation

Since David Warner retired in January, no firm contender had emerged to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order in the blockbuster series starting in Perth on November 22.

Chasing a target of 183 to win, England opener Salt guided the tourists home with 19 balls to spare after a dazzling unbeaten 103 in Bridgetown.

"In this World Cup, it’s going to be a bit different. There are a couple of all-rounders in the team. It all depends on how these players respond against stronger teams," said Naveed.

The ongoing three-match series between Bangladesh and Afghanistan has so far felt like looking inside a time capsule and finding a 50-over series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from the 90s in all its glory.

Bangladesh kept on breaking Afghanistan’s momentum in phases to eventually come out on top and level the three-match ODI series with a 68-run win in the second ODI at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium yesterday.

A captain's knock by Charith Asalanka steered Sri Lanka to a hard-fought four-wicket victory over New Zealand with six balls to spare in Saturday's Twenty20 opener in Dambulla.

The opening day of the fourth round of the National Cricket League (NCL) 2024-25 witnessed two centuries and a fifer across four different venues in the country today.

The two teams will play the series decider on Monday.

Bangladesh will be hoping to avoid their second straight series defeat in ODIs against Afghanistan when they take on the opponents in the second match of the three-match series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE today.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi asserted that his board are 'not prepared to accept a hybrid model' for the upcoming Champions Trophy in February next year and that the PCB are preparing to host the entirety of the tournament in Pakistan.