Pakistan rip up Test squad in England, Australia’s ODI plans sharpen, Bangladesh start Asia Cup — cricket digest 01 Sep 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Pakistan overhaul Test squad and coaching staff for Edgbaston after series loss

Pakistan have made wholesale changes ahead of the third Test against England at Edgbaston on September 9, after a 194-run defeat at Lord’s left them 2-0 down in the series. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and fast-bowling coach Umar Gul have been released, with white-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke drafted in to join the Test set-up.

Seven players have been sent home: Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad. Pakistan have called up five uncapped players — Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah — along with Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who between them have 10 Tests’ experience.

Australia weigh ODI ‘stepping stone’ in Zimbabwe and South Africa as World Cup planning ramps up

Australia’s selectors have flagged the upcoming ODI tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa as a key part of their build-up towards defending the World Cup, even with Test priorities still shaping workloads. There is a chance Australia field their strongest ODI XI since the 2023 final, depending on how the fast bowlers are managed.

Pat Cummins remains ODI captain but will miss the Zimbabwe leg, with leadership shared between Cummins and Mitchell Marsh in the lead-in. The core is expected to include Cummins, Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Adam Zampa and Josh Inglis, with Cameron Green set for a central middle-order role and Alex Carey also in the frame; Marnus Labuschagne has been left out for the tour as Australia try to settle on a reshaped middle order.

Maphaka puts his hand up if Rabada can’t make Australia Tests

South Africa are still waiting on clarity over Kagiso Rabada’s availability for October’s Test series against Australia after he injured his right hamstring in training and was ruled out of the ODI leg. Cricket South Africa said a call on his Test selection will be made closer to the series start on October 9.

Twenty-year-old Kwena Maphaka, who has played two Tests, said he is ready to step up if required, pointing to previous leadership roles and recent work on his red-ball consistency. South Africa’s other pace options include Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Corbin Bosch.

Bangladesh open Women’s Asia Cup with emphatic win as Indonesia make debut

Bangladesh began their Women’s T20 Asia Cup campaign in Dubai with a 71-run win over Indonesia, who were playing their first match in the competition. After being asked to bat, Bangladesh posted 129 for 8 before bowling Indonesia out for 58.

Nahida Akter took 3 for 15 and Marufa Akter 2 for 6 to lead the attack, while Sobhana Mostary made 40 and Shorna Akter finished unbeaten on 31. Earlier, Indonesia had won the toss and opted to field in the first-ever meeting between the two sides.

In brief

  • Marcus Trescothick said England’s seam unit is gelling and he is minded to stick with the same four-man attack for the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston.
  • Mohammad Abbas admitted “everyone is worried” as Pakistan’s poor run continued in England, despite some improvement with the ball at Lord’s.
  • England’s Lord’s win over Pakistan featured a notable wicketkeeper-seamer combination, with Jamie Smith standing up to the stumps as Ollie Robinson led a seam-bowling double-act.
  • Josh Hazlewood said he wants to keep bowling after his successful Test return, with Australia’s ODI squads for Zimbabwe and South Africa due to be named this week.
  • Australia left Marnus Labuschagne out of their ODI squad for Zimbabwe and South Africa, bringing in Joel Davies and Ollie Peake, with Spencer Johnson and Billy Stanlake also included; Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will join for the South Africa leg.
  • Peter Handscomb was picked in Australia A’s squad for four-day matches against India A later this month, alongside Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas, with Jhye Richardson and Brendan Doggett included for the red-ball games.
  • BCB president Tamim Iqbal said he remains hopeful India will tour Bangladesh for a six-match white-ball series in the 2026-27 season, with the fixtures understood to be likely early next year.
  • England Women head into an ODI reset against Ireland with several key players unavailable, including Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone.
  • Pakistan batter Shawaal Zulfiqar says she wants to help fix her side’s powerplay issues as she looks to add both power and consistency at the top.
  • Shimron Hetmyer’s 111* lifted Guyana Amazon Warriors to a DLS nine-run win over Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL, after Mohammad Nabi’s 3 for 20 helped keep the chase in check.
  • Zimbabwe edged Namibia by five runs in the Namibia T20 tri-series after posting 195 for 6, with Namibia finishing on 190 despite a late stand.
  • Namibia chose to bowl against Zimbabwe in the tri-series, while Zimbabwe made one change by bringing in Masakadza for Cremer.
  • Mayank Agarwal has joined Durham for the rest of the County Championship as a replacement for David Bedingham.
  • A stats piece looked at rare Test feats including twin centuries in a follow-on match, and noted Australia’s second-Test win over Bangladesh despite making only 210.
  • Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s attacking 92 from 81 balls in the Duleep Trophy semi-final was highlighted as an example of the risk-and-reward style he is leaning into.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo