Associates hit out at ICC World Cup revamp, Pakistan women reshuffle, WI chase NZ — cricket digest 19 Jul 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Associate captains condemn ICC’s revamped 2027 ODI World Cup format

Captains from Namibia, Netherlands and Scotland have publicly criticised the ICC’s changes to next year’s 50-over World Cup, arguing the new opening “Super Series” could see two teams eliminated after only two matches each. The tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will still be billed as a 14-team event, but the lowest-ranked qualifiers will now begin in a three-team round-robin that immediately cuts two sides.

Netherlands captain Scott Edwards, Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus and Scotland’s Richie Berrington said the move reduces meaningful chances to compete on the biggest stage, and questioned what it means for the value of the current qualification pathway. The World Cricketers’ Association also criticised the process, citing a lack of transparency and consultation given the format shift comes late in the cycle.

Muneeba Ali to captain Pakistan’s new-look T20I squad in Sri Lanka as Sana heads to the Hundred

Pakistan have named wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali as captain for the T20Is in Sri Lanka, with Fatima Sana set to miss that leg after being permitted to join the Women’s Hundred. Sana will still lead Pakistan in the preceding ODI series before becoming the first Pakistani woman to play in the Hundred.

Following a difficult T20 World Cup campaign, Pakistan have made sweeping changes: Aliya Riaz, Iram Javed and Diana Baig have been left out, while eight players have been called up for the tour. Teen batters Eman Naseer and Maham Anees, plus spinner Momina Riasat, are in line for their first T20I caps; Najiha Alvi, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar are among those recalled. All matches will be played in Hambantota, with ODIs running July 23-28 and T20Is July 31-August 4.

West Indies chase wins — and World Cup points — as Sobers tributes frame New Zealand ODIs

Shai Hope has urged West Indies to turn motivation into results as they trail 2-1 against New Zealand in their five-match home ODI series and sit 10th on the ICC ODI rankings. With direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind, Hope said every match in the current cycle carries extra weight, and the final two games at Kensington Oval will carry added significance as tributes to the late Sir Garry Sobers.

Cricket West Indies has made admission free for the last two ODIs and will refund those who already bought tickets. On the squad front, Justin Greaves and Brandon King return to the mix, replacing the injured Roston Chase and John Campbell, while Khary Pierre leaves the group and Jayden Seales comes back in after being rested following the Sri Lanka Tests.

Lehmann plays down England links as coaching search rolls on after McCullum’s removal

Darren Lehmann has dismissed speculation that he could take the vacant England Test coaching job, saying he has had no contact from the ECB and suggesting a successor may already have been identified behind the scenes. The opening created by Brendon McCullum’s recent sacking has already seen one leading candidate step away, with Andy Flower ruling himself out.

Lehmann, who is contracted at Northamptonshire until 2029, was speaking after guiding the county to a record-equalling third T20 Blast title. He also praised captain David Willey’s leadership and attention to detail during their Finals Day run.

In brief

  • Los Angeles Knight Riders won their first Major League Cricket title with a one-run victory over Washington Freedom, sealed by a last-ball run-out after a see-saw final.
  • Northamptonshire clinched a thrilling third T20 Blast title by beating Hampshire by 14 runs in the final, with Ricardo Vasconcelos’ 88 setting up the defence despite Sonny Baker’s five-for.
  • Hampshire beat Nottinghamshire by 27 runs in the second Blast semi-final to reach the final, built around an unbroken Joe Weatherley-James Vince stand and backed by a strong seam display.
  • Earlier on Finals Day, Northamptonshire knocked out reigning champions Somerset by 17 runs in a low-scoring semi-final, with David Willey’s 3 for 17 key to defending 143.
  • David Willey said Somerset looked like they “thought they’d won it” at halfway in the Blast semi-final, while Somerset’s Tom Banton suffered a quad strain during the match.
  • South Africa Under-19s dominated day two of the Youth Test at Hove as Jason Rowles hit a record-equalling 201 in 460, leaving England Under-19s 316 behind at 144 for 5.
  • Rohit Sharma trained at Lord’s amid ongoing retirement talk ahead of India’s third ODI against England.
  • With the India-England ODI series level at 1-1, Rohit remains a central storyline heading into the Lord’s decider.
  • India allrounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the third ODI against England at Lord’s with a leg injury, with Harsh Dubey called up as his replacement.
  • India batter Yastika Bhatia said her long ACL rehab has strengthened her belief in resilience and process, after returning to form with a maiden Test century at Lord’s.
  • Bangladesh go into the final T20I against Zimbabwe trying to salvage a series win after Zimbabwe took the one-off Test and the ODI series on the tour.
  • Tributes continued to pour in from across the game following the death of Sir Garry Sobers in Barbados, aged 89.
  • A personal remembrance of Sir Garry Sobers described him as a remarkable all-round cricketer and a generous teacher and friend.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo