Pakistan level West Indies series, Ireland pushed into World Cup Qualifier — cricket digest 06 Aug 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Pakistan square West Indies series in Port of Spain as spin-heavy plan pays off

Pakistan beat West Indies by eight wickets at Queen’s Park Oval to level the two-Test series 1-1, with their spinners playing a decisive role on a surface that turned early and often. West Indies captain Roston Chase later suggested his side could have made room for an extra specialist spinner, especially with his own finger injury limiting his bowling and leaving Jomel Warrican to shoulder a huge workload.

Warrican still produced a six-for after sending down 46 overs in Pakistan’s first innings, but Pakistan’s combination of two frontline spinners proved telling as the match wore on. Chase also felt West Indies’ quicks were slow to adjust their plans, and said seam-bowling allrounder Justin Greaves’ leg injury — which stopped him bowling — was a significant loss after his impact in the first Test.

Ireland forced into 2027 ODI World Cup Qualifier after Afghanistan ODI washout

Ireland will have to go through the 10-team Qualifier route to reach the 2027 ODI World Cup after the first ODI against Afghanistan in Bready was abandoned without a toss. The washout ended Ireland’s already slim chance of climbing the ODI rankings in time for direct entry before the September 30 cutoff.

The Qualifier will decide one direct World Cup spot, with teams finishing second to fourth moving into the tournament’s first round (the Super Series), where the top side progresses to the main 12-team stage. Ireland missed out on the 2023 ODI World Cup after falling short in the Qualifier’s Super Six stage.

New Zealand A name 16 for Australia tour featuring Top End T20 Series debut

New Zealand A will head to Australia for a white-ball trip that starts with their first appearance in the Top End T20 Series in Darwin from August 21 to 30, before three 50-over matches against South Australia (September 2), Tasmania (September 4) and Nepal (September 6). The 16-man group includes 13 players with international caps, as New Zealand Cricket targets high-level winter match practice on grass wickets.

The squad includes Kristian Clarke, Matthew Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Hay, Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Adithya Ashok, Josh Clarkson, Muhammad Abbas, Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke (T20s only), Bevon Jacobs and Rhys Mariu (one-dayers only). Northern Districts seamer Zak Gibson is in line for his first A-team call-up.

Suzie Bates returns to Otago contract; Claudia Green retires and Gemma Sims steps away

Suzie Bates has signed an Otago domestic contract for the first time in 20 years, with the 38-year-old set to be available for both the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and Super Smash during the New Zealand home summer. Bates retired from international cricket after June’s T20 World Cup and is currently part of Sunrisers Leeds’ support staff in the women’s Hundred as batting coach under Adi Birell.

Central Districts seamer Claudia Green, 28, has announced her retirement from domestic and international cricket, while Gemma Sims has decided to step away from professional cricket shortly after turning 25, following spells with the Central Hinds and Wellington Blaze.

Namibia’s van Vuuren urges Associates to see ODI World Cup changes in context

Namibia Cricket chair and new ICC board member Rudi van Vuuren has asked Associate nations to look at the “bigger picture” after the 2027 ODI World Cup introduced a Super Series phase that will eliminate two teams after just two matches. His comments come amid criticism from leading Associate figures, including Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus, former Netherlands captain Scott Edwards and Scotland captain Richie Berrington.

Van Vuuren said uncertainty around ODI cricket’s popularity and viewership could shift future funding towards T20 World Cups, and suggested Associates may find more opportunity in that format. He also noted the ICC expects a McKinsey strategy report at its November meetings, with an FTP workshop scheduled for September.

In brief

  • Trent Rockets made it five wins on the bounce in the men’s Hundred, chasing down 111 for 6 to beat Birmingham Phoenix by seven wickets at Trent Bridge.
  • Sophia Dunkley’s 65 helped Trent Rockets beat Birmingham Phoenix by six wickets in the women’s Hundred and move top of the table.
  • Jos Buttler became the leading run-scorer in T20 history during Manchester Super Giants’ nine-wicket win over Welsh Fire in the men’s Hundred, with Tim Seifert also making an unbeaten 62.
  • Aiden Markram has left the Hundred for personal reasons and will miss the rest of the season; Jos Buttler takes over as Manchester Super Giants captain and Michael Bracewell has been signed as replacement.
  • Welsh Fire edged Manchester Super Giants by three wickets in the women’s Hundred after restricting them to 85 for 9.
  • Surrey beat Kent by 95 runs at the Kia Oval in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, with Ryan Patel top-scoring and Tom Lawes taking four wickets.
  • Hampshire kept their One-Day Cup hopes alive by beating Glamorgan by 90 runs, led by Manny Lumsden’s career-best figures and Kyle Abbott’s 3 for 20.
  • SA20 champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape have signed Mitchell Marsh for the first time, while Johannesburg’s retention and pre-signing list did not include Faf du Plessis or Imran Tahir.
  • The 2027 ODI World Cup Qualifier is set for February 22 to March 23, with the venue still to be confirmed.
  • USA offspinner Akhilesh Reddy has been banned from all cricket for eight years after being found guilty of three breaches of the ICC anti-corruption code relating to the 2025-26 Abu Dhabi T10.
  • Australia and Sydney Sixers left-arm spinner Joel Davies says he is targeting an all-format future after a match-winning 3 for 17 on T20I debut against Bangladesh.
  • The CPL begins on August 7 across eight Caribbean nations, with a list of young players to watch highlighted ahead of the 2026 tournament.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo