India produced a dominant bowling performance to defeat Pakistan by seven wickets after restricting their arch-rivals to just 55 runs, Pakistan’s lowest-ever total in T20I cricket. India completed the chase in just 8.4 overs, with 68 balls remaining. Although India suffered an early setback, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma guided the team comfortably over the line. The victory was particularly memorable for Harmanpreet, who became the first player in men’s or women’s T20I cricket to captain a team in 150 matches. She celebrated enthusiastically throughout Pakistan’s batting collapse before hitting the winning runs herself. Pakistan Collapse From 27 for 0 to 55 All Out Pakistan appeared to make a steady start after reaching 27 without loss, but their innings quickly fell apart. They lost six wickets for just eight runs in 29 balls, leaving them unable to survive the full 20 overs. Only Pakistan’s two openers managed to reach double figures, while Shawaal Zulfiqar was the only batter to score at a run-a-ball rate. India’s bowlers exploited the conditions in Dubai effectively, with left-arm spinner N Shree Charani making an immediate impact. The world's No. 1-ranked T20I bowler claimed two wickets in her opening over. Charani dismissed Gull Feroza after drawing her out of the crease before trapping Zulfiqar lbw for 14. Her accurate bowling put Pakistan under sustained pressure and triggered a collapse from which they never recovered. Prema Rawat Spins a Web Leg-spinner Prema Rawat was another standout performer for India, finishing with remarkable figures of 4-0-9-3. Rawat bowled 19 dot balls from her 24 deliveries, refusing to give Pakistan's batters any opportunity to attack. Her control proved particularly effective on a Dubai pitch that offered turn. Pakistan's batters struggled to find safe scoring options and repeatedly resorted to risky shots after long periods of dot-ball pressure. Several attempted strokes against the spin ended in wickets. India Recover After Early Scare India's chase did not begin perfectly. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana struck twice in the second over, including the dismissal of Shafali Verma, who had just reached the milestone of 3,000 T20I runs. India also lost Smriti Mandhana to a contentious lbw decision. The delivery appeared to pitch slightly outside leg stump, but with no DRS available in the tournament, the decision could not be reviewed. Despite the early setbacks, Harmanpreet and Deepti remained composed and completed the chase with ease. India One Step Ahead The match reflected India's greater control in all departments. Before the game, Deepti Sharma had said India were "one step ahead" of Pakistan, and the performance on the field largely backed up that assessment. India did make a couple of mistakes, including two dropped catches by Pratika Rawal and a near-missed run-out involving Deepti. However, Pakistan were unable to capitalize on those opportunities. Pakistan's defeat leaves them with work to do in their campaign, although they remain in contention for a semi-final place. A victory over Hong Kong would keep their qualification hopes alive. However, if Pakistan's batting problems continue, their inability to build partnerships and handle pressure could become a major weakness when they reach the knockout stage.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) could be brought forward to January next year, a move that would put the tournament in direct competition with the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia and South Africa’s SA20 for the availability of international players. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and owners of the eight PSL franchises discussed the possibility of shifting the tournament from its current April-May window to January at the league’s governing council meeting held in London on September 1. The proposal was reportedly raised by Walee Technologies, the PSL’s media rights holder in Pakistan. The company believes that the April-May window offers limited advertising potential because it comes after Ramadan, when many companies have already exhausted a significant portion of their marketing and television advertising budgets. However, franchise owners have expressed concerns over the financial implications of the proposed change. Under the existing agreement, the eight franchises receive 95% of the broadcast revenue from the PSL’s central revenue pool, while their payments remain fixed regardless of when the tournament is played. The PSL was traditionally held between February and March from its inaugural season in 2016 through 2024. The tournament was moved to April-May for the past two editions because of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup this year. One advantage of the current April-May schedule has been the uninterrupted availability of international players. A move to January, however, could once again create player-availability problems, with the PSL competing directly with the BBL and SA20, both of which attract several overseas stars. Weather Could Pose Another Challenge A January-February PSL would also present logistical challenges for the PCB, particularly in Punjab. Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, three of the league's traditional venues, experience cold weather and heavy fog during the winter months. Temperatures can fall into the early single digits after sunset, while poor visibility caused by fog could affect match schedules and travel. One proposal discussed was to begin the tournament in Karachi, where winter conditions are comparatively moderate, before moving the competition to Punjab and Peshawar as the weather improves later in the season. Pakistan currently has a clear international window from mid-November through March. The national team is scheduled to host Sri Lanka and England in October and November before New Zealand arrive for two Test matches in March. PSL Could Expand Beyond Cricket The governing council also discussed ways to increase the PSL's commercial footprint beyond the traditional cricket season. One of the proposals involves entering the Esports market, which has been growing in popularity among younger audiences in Pakistan. Franchise owners are reportedly concerned about declining interest in the PSL following Pakistan's inconsistent performances across formats. Officials believe Esports could help the league attract a younger generation of fans and create additional commercial opportunities. The governing council also considered staging a mid-year tournament under the existing rights agreement with the franchises and broadcaster. The PCB reportedly put forward the idea as another potential revenue stream for both the teams and the broadcaster. Walee Technologies currently holds the PSL's broadcast and digital rights in Pakistan until 2029 and also held the international media rights for the 2026 season. The company is additionally the owner of Rawalpindiz, one of the two new franchises introduced to the league this year. No final decision has yet been made on shifting the PSL to January, but the discussions indicate that the PCB and franchise owners are exploring significant changes to the league's calendar and commercial structure.

Matt Critchley’s determined 96 was not enough to save Essex as Sussex completed a 47-run victory in a tense Rothesay County Championship Division One clash. Sussex needed just over an hour to claim the final three Essex wickets on the fourth day, with the hosts eventually bowled out for 281 while chasing a daunting target of 329. The victory lifts Sussex further away from the threat of relegation and into mid-table, while Essex are left increasingly concerned about their Division One status with three matches remaining in the season. Critchley provided Essex with their biggest obstacle to victory, batting for three-and-a-half hours and facing 132 deliveries. He was eventually dismissed for 96 when he edged James Coles to slip, falling just four runs short of a century. The allrounder’s innings included eight fours and two sixes and marked the third time this season he has been dismissed in the nineties. Critchley has now accumulated 838 Championship runs this season. Essex began the final day needing 132 more runs for an unlikely victory, with plenty of time available. Critchley and Mitch Killeen initially adopted a cautious approach, looking to accumulate runs through singles. Critchley broke the routine with a firm drive through midwicket for four off Ari Karvelas, while Killeen also found the boundary against the Sussex seamer. Karvelas, however, eventually ended Killeen’s resistance. After facing 34 balls, Killeen edged a rising delivery through to the wicketkeeper. The eighth-wicket partnership had added 31 runs from 11 overs. With Essex still needing almost 100 runs, Shane Snater brought aggression to the chase. He cut Coles for four before launching the spinner over cow corner for six. Critchley joined in, hitting Jack Carson for a maximum, before Snater cleared the ropes again four balls later with a straight six. Sussex immediately responded by bringing back Henry Crocombe, and the move paid off almost instantly. With his third delivery, Crocombe forced Snater to steer the ball high towards second slip, where the chance was taken. Critchley followed soon afterwards, ending Essex’s hopes of pulling off a remarkable chase. Crocombe’s spell proves decisive The match had effectively been shaped by a remarkable spell on the second evening, when Essex collapsed from 171 for 3 to 177 all out, losing seven wickets in just 26 balls. Crocombe claimed his second hat-trick in eight days during the extraordinary collapse, leaving Essex with a 98-run first-innings deficit. Sussex then strengthened their position in the second innings, with James Coles contributing a valuable 79. Essex were ultimately set 329 runs for victory from a theoretical 153 overs, a target that always appeared beyond their reach. Sussex’s first innings total of 275 had been built around 60 from Harry Leaning, while Matt Porter claimed four wickets for Essex. In the second innings, Coles’ 79 and contributions from the Sussex batting order set up the imposing target. For Essex, Critchley’s 96 was the standout effort in the second innings, while Coles finished with four wickets for 98 runs. The result was particularly significant in a tightly packed Division One table. Essex and Sussex were separated by just one point at the start of the match, but Sussex’s win moves them towards the safety of mid-table, while Essex remain under pressure in the relegation battle. Both teams have three matches remaining to secure their Division One status and improve their league positions. Injury and replacement issues dominate four days The match was also notable for the number of replacements required by both teams because of injuries and international commitments. Essex lost seamer Charlie Bennett to a recurring shin problem on the opening morning, with Matt Porter replacing him. Sam Cook subsequently left the squad for England duty and was replaced by Mitch Killeen, who returned from a loan spell at Gloucestershire. Wicketkeeper Michael Pepper was also forced out after suffering a thumb injury, with Lancashire’s George Bell joining Essex on an emergency loan. Sussex suffered their own setbacks, losing Australian opener Dan Hughes to a side strain. Oli Carter stepped in as his injury substitute. Allrounder Tom Clark was also ruled out of bowling in the fourth innings because of a knee injury. Sussex will face further selection challenges during the remainder of the Championship campaign, with Crocombe and Coles set to join England’s white-ball squads for much of the run-in. Despite those disruptions, Sussex held their nerve to complete a valuable away victory, while Essex were left to rue their dramatic second-innings collapse and Critchley’s agonising near-century.

Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma have acknowledged that the short turnaround between the Duleep Trophy final and India’s upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan will be “slightly challenging,” but both players remain confident about adapting quickly to the demands of white-ball cricket. The Duleep Trophy final between East Zone and South Zone begins on Sunday at Chennai’s Chepauk, with Kishan leading East Zone and Tilak Varma captaining South Zone. Following the five-day domestic fixture, the players will travel to Delhi for the Afghanistan T20I series. East Zone vice-captain Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will also face a tight schedule, with only three days between the Duleep Trophy final and the T20I series. Kishan said switching between formats can be demanding, particularly when players have to move from the mindset required for a long-format game to the aggressive approach needed in T20 cricket. “It is just about knowing what format you are playing,” Kishan said ahead of the Duleep Trophy final. “Sometimes it gets difficult when you are playing a Test match and suddenly you have to go and start hitting from ball one and then go back to your domestic team and play a completely different role.” However, the wicketkeeper-batter stressed that adapting to changing formats is part of a professional cricketer’s responsibility. “As professionals, it is our job to adapt. We cannot be coming up with excuses after knowing this is our routine for the next few days,” he said. Kishan also pointed out that the players will have two days of practice before the opening Afghanistan T20I, which he believes should be sufficient to make the transition. “I will be playing T20 after this, so my job will be different in T20Is. But we are getting two days of practice before the first Afghanistan game, so it will be more than enough,” he added. Tilak Varma echoed Kishan’s assessment, saying the demanding schedule would test the players but that their experience of playing across formats and conditions should help them adjust. “We have played enough domestic games and in every condition, so we can adjust to the conditions,” Tilak said. “But it will be slightly challenging playing five days here and again joining the T20I team.” The all-round batter added that the break between the Duleep final and the first T20I would give the players an opportunity to recover and prepare mentally and physically. “We are going to Delhi, there will be two days of break, so we can practise there and we have enough time as well. We know how to change our mindsets and maintain our bodies with good fluids and everything,” he said. Tilak, who has featured across formats in recent months, believes that experience will be useful in handling the transition. “We have played back-to-back games before in domestic cricket as well as international cricket, so we are quite used to it,” he said. Kishan praises Shami's hunger ahead of 100th first-class game Meanwhile, Kishan has praised Mohammed Shami’s intensity and determination as the veteran fast bowler prepares to play his 100th first-class match in the Duleep Trophy final. Shami, who last represented India in the 2025 Champions Trophy, has continued to feature in domestic cricket despite currently not being considered fit enough for Test cricket. Kishan believes Shami’s age is irrelevant as long as the fast bowler continues to maintain his hunger and work ethic. “I feel age is just a number. If he is working hard, it doesn’t matter. He has been doing so well,” Kishan said. The East Zone captain also highlighted the confidence Shami brings to the team, particularly with his ability to produce important wickets. “Having him in our team gives us a bit more confidence. When you have such bowlers in your team who can get you wickets, it makes a difference. Especially looking at Shami bhai this season, his intensity and energy have been very different,” he said. Kishan pointed to Shami’s motivation despite being away from regular international cricket. The fast bowler was a key performer during India’s 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, but has since faced periods away from the national side. “It has been three years since that 2023 World Cup when he was in excellent form. It is hard when you are not regularly playing for the Indian team and to again have that same kind of motivation for domestic games,” Kishan said. “But I see that hunger in him. He wants to make that comeback and wants to be part of the Indian squad again.” Kishan also revealed that Shami has been actively involved in helping him with captaincy during the Duleep Trophy campaign. “You can see it in him. When he is trying to help me while I’m leading the side, he comes to me and gives me options about what we can do right now,” Kishan said. For Kishan, Shami’s attitude is a reflection of his determination to return to the highest level, with his 100th first-class appearance offering another opportunity to demonstrate his enduring quality.

Ollie Price produced a career-best bowling performance to put Gloucestershire firmly back in contention against Derbyshire on the third day of their Rothesay County Championship Second Division clash at the Seat Unique Stadium. Price claimed an impressive 6 for 45 from 21.4 overs, using his off-spin to dismantle Derbyshire's batting order after the visitors had appeared comfortably placed earlier in the day. Derbyshire, who resumed on 162 for 2, were eventually bowled out for 278, securing a first-innings lead of 41. Matt Montgomery led Derbyshire's early progress, scoring a fluent 65 with seven fours. He added 43 for the third wicket with nightwatchman Jack Morley before Gloucestershire staged a decisive fightback. Montgomery's innings ended when he top-edged a Matt Taylor bouncer to Sai Kishore at deep fine leg, triggering a collapse. Price then struck twice in consecutive overs, dismissing Wayne Madsen and Martin Andersson to reduce Derbyshire to 211 for 5. Madsen edged forward to Price and was caught by Cameron Bancroft at slip, while Andersson was beaten by one that straightened and was dismissed for a 10-ball duck. Morley and Aneurin Donald briefly steadied Derbyshire's innings, taking the visitors to lunch at 253 for 5. Morley eventually made a career-best 41 from 140 balls, but Derbyshire's lower order could not withstand Gloucestershire's spinners. Sai Kishore bowled Donald for 26 before Price removed Brooke Guest to surpass his previous best first-class bowling figures of 3 for 40. After taking the new ball, Price dismissed Morley and completed his maiden five-wicket haul by bowling Brett Randell with a quicker delivery. He then completed a memorable spell by having Ben Aitchison caught brilliantly at short square leg by Tommy Boorman, wrapping up Derbyshire's innings inside 90 overs. Gloucestershire's second innings got off to a difficult start when Shoaib Bashir dismissed Cameron Bancroft with his first delivery, the Australian driving outside the line and edging behind. However, Joe Phillips and Price steadied the innings, taking Gloucestershire into a first-innings lead at 48 for 1 by tea. Their partnership was broken when Price, having contributed with both bat and ball, flashed at a Randell delivery outside off stump and was caught by Madsen at slip for 21. Phillips continued to anchor the innings, reaching a patient 64 from 94 balls before Bashir dismissed him shortly before the close. Miles Hammond remained unbeaten on 46, providing Gloucestershire with a solid platform alongside James Bracey, who will resume on the fourth morning as the hosts look to extend their advantage. At stumps, Gloucestershire were 149 for 3, leading Derbyshire by 108 runs. With Bashir already having taken 2 for 59, Derbyshire will hope the England spinner can exploit the surface on the final morning. Gloucestershire, meanwhile, will aim to build a substantial fourth-innings target and press for victory after Price's outstanding intervention with the ball.

Northamptonshire mounted a strong fightback against promotion rivals Durham on an absorbing third day of their County Championship Division Two clash at Wantage Road, with captain Luke Procter producing a crucial late double strike to keep his side firmly in contention. Durham closed the day on 246 for 7, leading Northamptonshire by 188 runs after Northamptonshire had earlier been bowled out for 263. The visitors appeared to be building a commanding position after Alex Lees’ composed 80 and a fifth-wicket partnership of 89 between Ben Stokes and Mayank Agarwal. However, Procter changed the momentum dramatically in the final stages of the day. With only six overs remaining, Procter returned to the attack and trapped Stokes lbw for 37 to claim his 200th first-class wicket. He then dismissed Colin Ackermann with the very next delivery, leaving Durham suddenly under pressure. Agarwal, who had made a valuable 48, followed shortly before the close, adjudged caught at short leg off Calvin Harrison. Replays appeared to suggest the ball may have come off the batter’s pad rather than the bat, but the decision stood. The late collapse meant Durham lost three wickets in quick succession after looking well placed to establish a sizeable lead. Earlier, Northamptonshire had secured a first-innings lead of 58 after being dismissed for 263. Matthew Potts completed an impressive spell by taking the final three wickets to finish with 4 for 49, while Stokes claimed 3 for 58. Resuming at 225 for 7 after rain delayed the start, Northamptonshire soon lost Louis Kimber, who shouldered arms to Potts and was bowled. Lewis McManus and Ben Sanderson then counterattacked, adding 36 for the ninth wicket and securing an important batting bonus point. McManus remained unbeaten on 29, while Sanderson struck a number of attacking shots before Potts wrapped up the innings in the space of two deliveries. Durham’s reply initially progressed steadily. Ben McKinney showed flashes of aggression but struggled against Northamptonshire’s varied attack and was bowled by Harrison from the final ball before lunch. After the interval, Lees and Will Rhodes combined for a patient partnership of 64 from 24 overs as Durham gradually erased the deficit. Lees looked particularly assured, driving through the covers and launching Yuzvendra Chahal for a straight six into the upper tier of the Spencer Pavilion. Rhodes eventually departed for 27 after being run out following sharp work in the field, before Chahal struck again to remove David Bedingham for just five. The Durham batter could add little to his first-innings 81. Chahal then produced another key breakthrough shortly before tea, dismissing Lees for 80 with a delivery that drifted away before turning back sharply enough to hit middle stump. Durham continued to move forward after tea, with Stokes and Agarwal initially resisting Northamptonshire’s attempts to force another collapse. Stokes struck Sanderson for boundaries and reverse-swept Harrison for four, while Agarwal found the gaps through the covers. But Northamptonshire’s experienced bowling attack kept the pressure on. Chahal repeatedly threatened with his leg-spin, while Harrison extracted considerable turn from the surface. The breakthrough eventually came from Procter, whose dismissal of Stokes sparked the late Durham collapse and brought Northamptonshire back into the contest. With Durham still 188 runs ahead, the visitors remain favourites to set a challenging target, but Northamptonshire’s late surge has ensured the match remains finely poised heading into the fourth day.