BBL privatisation moves ahead, Afghanistan line up UAE home season, Pietersen returns — cricket digest 08 Sep 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

CA opens the door to private investment in the BBL, starting with the Renegades

Cricket Australia has formally approved the next step towards private investment in the Big Bash Leagues, with a sales process to begin for the Melbourne Renegades. CA chair Mike Baird and chief executive Todd Greenberg said states will be able to take their clubs to market under a “self-determination” model, with CA retaining control over key elements such as scheduling, player availability, salary caps, branding proposals, reserve prices and investor approval.

The move comes despite CA acknowledging it is still “a long way” from agreement with the Australian Cricketers’ Association on a renegotiated pay deal. ACA chief executive Paul Marsh said the parties remain far apart, even as CA said discussions would continue while the Renegades process proceeds.

Afghanistan confirm packed UAE “home” season with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe across formats

Afghanistan will host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the UAE in October and November in a schedule spanning Tests, ODIs and T20Is, with venues still to be confirmed by the ACB. The programme begins with a one-off Test against Bangladesh from October 9, followed by an ODI tri-series (October 17-23) featuring all three sides and a final between the top two.

A three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe runs from October 27 to November 1, before Afghanistan and Zimbabwe play two Tests from November 5-9 and November 13-17. The additional red-ball fixtures will take Afghanistan to four Tests in the calendar year, their most in a single year so far.

Kevin Pietersen to join England as specialist white-ball mentor ahead of the ODI World Cup

Kevin Pietersen is set to return to the England set-up as a specialist mentor for the white-ball teams, ending a long separation from the ECB. He will work within Brendon McCullum’s support staff as England build towards next year’s 50-over World Cup.

Wolvaardt relishes Zimbabwe tour as South Africa take four uncapped players for five T20Is

Laura Wolvaardt said South Africa’s upcoming five-match T20I series in Bulawayo feels “very special”, with the captain looking forward to facing an African neighbour. South Africa travel with a youthful group, with Wolvaardt among only a handful who featured at the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

The squad includes four uncapped players: Caitlin Wyngaard, Luyanda Nzuza, Nthabiseng Nini and Jae-Leigh Filander, who was called up after Sinalo Jafta was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi said the series is a chance to test skills and assess the next generation.

Amazon Warriors sign Mehidy for CPL debut as Nabi and Gurbaz depart for Afghanistan duty

Bangladesh allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz is set to make his Caribbean Premier League debut after joining Guyana Amazon Warriors as a replacement for Mohammad Nabi. Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris will also join the Warriors, coming in for Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with both Nabi and Gurbaz leaving to link up with Afghanistan ahead of their T20I series in India from September 13.

Nabi departs as the leading wicket-taker among spinners in the CPL, having played a key role in the Warriors’ strong run across the Global Super League and the CPL. St Lucia Kings have also made a change, adding Kemol Savory as a replacement for Ackeem Auguste, who has been sidelined for medical reasons.

In brief

  • India Under-19 have drafted in Aryan Savsani for the one-day squad and Tanmay Baloda for the four-day group after legspinner Rohit Yadav was banned for two years for an age discrepancy ahead of the Australia Under-19 series.
  • Japan have named a familiar squad for their one-off T20I against India on September 22, with Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming to captain and Jake Kusuda-Nairn called up despite not having represented Japan before.
  • Jonathan Trott will take charge of England Lions as interim head coach for this week’s two T20s against Sri Lanka, and is a leading candidate to replace Andrew Flintoff full-time.
  • The PCB has launched an internal investigation into discipline and conduct issues involving Pakistan’s players on tour in England, prompted by unspecified media reports.
  • Pakistan’s interim bowling coach Ashley Noffke said the reshaped Test attack needs calm and positivity as the side looks to back its young quicks on the England tour.
  • Jofra Archer is on track to complete his busiest English season by matches played, with England expected to keep the same XI for the third Test against Pakistan.
  • Alan Coleman will step down as Middlesex director of cricket at the end of the 2026 season, bringing a five-year spell in the role to a close.
  • Ishan Kishan’s 270 powered East Zone to 708 against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final at Chepauk, leaving South Zone needing a huge batting effort to stay in the game.
  • Ishan Kishan said captaincy has driven “immense personal growth”, pointing to a calmer mindset and the impact of leading Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in 2025-26.
  • South Africa have picked a near full-strength ODI squad to face Australia at home, with Temba Bavuma to captain and David Miller, Quinton de Kock and Gerald Coetzee included.
  • Nashra Sandhu became the first Pakistan bowler to take six wickets in a women’s T20I as Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 72 runs to set up a Women’s Asia Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka.
  • Pakistan captain Fatima Sana was fined 10% of her match fee and given a demerit point for a send-off to Shafali Verma in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup match against India in Dubai.
  • Pakistan and Hong Kong both named unchanged XIs for their Women’s Asia Cup group match, with Pakistan choosing to bat first against Hong Kong.
  • Mark Chapman has moved to a casual New Zealand contract after signing to play in the BBL, with seamer Matt Fisher elevated to New Zealand Cricket’s full-time contract list.
  • Sarah Taylor spoke about her work as England men’s fielding coach, including her relationship with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and standing up to the stumps to Ollie Robinson.
  • Australia’s decision to retain Marnus Labuschagne for the Test tour of South Africa has been framed as a key selection talking point given his recent run of form.
  • A reader question looked back at ODI and World Cup final records, including who topped the all-time ODI run charts before Sachin Tendulkar.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo