India-Pakistan set for Asian Games gold clash, ILT20 auction record, England’s 2027 WC route — cricket digest 03 Oct 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

India choose to bat against Pakistan in Asian Games gold-medal final; both sides lean on spin

India won the toss and opted to bat against Pakistan in Saturday’s Asian Games men’s gold-medal match in Nisshin, the seventh time the sides have met in the final of a major tournament, with the head-to-head in such finals level at 3-3. As has become the recent pattern in India-Pakistan fixtures, captains Shreyas Iyer and Sahibzada Farhan did not shake hands at the toss.

India were unchanged from their semi-final win over Sri Lanka, retaining Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi and Jasprit Bumrah, with Bumrah the only frontline seamer on a surface that has favoured spin. Pakistan also loaded up on spin, bringing in legspin-bowling allrounder Saad Masood for his T20I debut in place of Mohammad Wasim Jr, leaving Ahmed Daniyal as their only specialist quick.

ILT20 auction: MI Emirates land Farooqi for record USD 380k; Babar joins Vipers’ Pakistan-heavy core

MI Emirates broke the ILT20 auction record by signing Afghanistan left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi for USD 380,000, surpassing the previous mark set by Andre Fletcher in 2025. England allrounder Liam Livingstone was the next biggest buy at USD 350,000 for Gulf Giants, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz also crossed USD 300,000, with Giants ultimately retaining him via Right-to-Match after Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ bid.

Desert Vipers, the defending champions, added Babar Azam for his first ILT20 season and also picked up Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah, all at their USD 80,000 base price. Under the tournament’s squad rules requiring at least four Afghanistan players per franchise, Afghan cricketers were in heavy demand, with 25 selected across the six teams; MI Emirates also used Right-to-Match to keep AM Ghazanfar (USD 150,000) and Muhammad Waseem (USD 210,000).

England’s 2027 World Cup draw includes a return to Zimbabwe, with a Harare match pencilled in

England will play a World Cup match in Zimbabwe for the first time since 2004 after the 2027 ODI World Cup draw confirmed they are due to face a qualifier in Harare on October 20, 2027, in their fourth group game. England and Zimbabwe have been placed in different groups, but the fixture in Harare will mark a notable return during a tournament staged in Southern Africa.

England were drawn in Group B alongside Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, plus the qualifier whose identity will be decided at the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa and Namibia in February and March next year. The draw also means England avoid both India and defending champions Australia until at least the Super 7 phase.

Australia selectors back Maddinson recall for South Africa tour despite 19 months without first-class cricket

Australia chair of selectors George Bailey defended the decision to call up Nic Maddinson for the tour of South Africa, insisting it was not a slight on state cricket even though Maddinson has not played a first-class match for 19 months. Maddinson, who underwent successful treatment for testicular cancer in 2025 and did not feature in last season’s Sheffield Shield, has been drafted in amid injuries to Josh Inglis and Cameron Green.

Bailey said Inglis’ fractured finger forced Australia to look for cover as both a back-up batter and wicketkeeper, with Sam Harper called up to meet the keeping requirement, while concerns around Green’s abdominal injury and a wrist scare for Matt Renshaw (since cleared) added to the need for a flexible batting option. Maddinson, who has three Test caps from 2016, is set to travel with the squad after being contacted late Thursday.

Sammy keeps faith in West Indies’ progress despite 2-0 deficit in India ODI series

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said his side are “continuing to improve” even as they head into the third ODI in New Chandigarh 2-0 down against India. Sammy pointed to a broader shift since he took over as white-ball coach in May 2023, with West Indies winning four of seven home ODI series as part of a push to make the Caribbean “a fortress”.

He highlighted positives in this India series, including intent and top-order hundreds, but acknowledged the challenge of keeping pace on high-scoring pitches and the need for greater discipline with the ball. Sammy also said West Indies must better judge par scores and finish innings more strongly after being well set in Guwahati.

In brief

  • Tharindu Ratnayake starred with bat and ball as Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 63 runs to clinch the Asian Games men’s bronze medal.
  • England and Durham seamer Brydon Carse has been charged by the Cricket Regulator with bringing the game into disrepute following an incident at a Derby nightclub in August.
  • Gloucestershire seamer Craig Miles has retired at 32, saying he is stepping away from professional cricket to prioritise his mental health.
  • Sussex have signed South African seamer Keith Dudgeon as an overseas player on a two-year deal for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
  • Nottinghamshire have appointed Michael Temple as their chief executive after his spell as interim following Richard Kenyon’s departure to Lancashire.
  • Malibongwe Maketa has been appointed Bangladesh men’s assistant coach on a two-year deal and will join the squad in the UAE ahead of the Afghanistan Test and ODI tri-series from October 9.
  • Sri Lanka have named Sineth Jayawardena, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Chamindu Wickramasinghe in their T20I squad for the tour of Pakistan, with Dushmantha Chameera included subject to fitness.
  • Yash Rathod and Shams Mulani helped India A hang on for a draw against Australia A, sealing a 1-0 series win despite Liam Scott’s five-wicket haul in the second innings.
  • Paras Dogra and Lone Nasir led a rearguard that took Jammu & Kashmir to a 17-run first-innings lead over Rest of India in the Irani Cup.
  • Mukesh Choudhary says he feels fitter, quicker and mentally stronger after a run of injuries as he works his way back in domestic cricket.
  • India’s management is persisting with fast bowler Gurnoor Brar despite his recent expensive outings, viewing it as part of his development towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.
  • West Indies go into the third ODI against India in New Chandigarh needing wickets after conceding 706 runs and taking only four across the first two matches.
  • Warwickshire’s Ethan Bamber, the leading wicket-taker for the County Championship winners, says he has no expectations of England or Lions recognition this winter.
  • West Indies left-arm wristspinner Vitel Lawes says he prefers to observe rather than talk as he builds his international career and expands his variations.
  • South Africa may lean on Dane Paterson’s control and experience within their pace group when they face Australia.
  • A fresh look at David Miller’s role argues South Africa’s destructive left-hander could take on more responsibility rather than limiting his scope.
  • Babar Azam’s return to Pakistan’s domestic first-class cricket has drawn big crowds but little form, sharpening the focus on his ongoing batting struggles.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo