ODI World Cup

Pakistan have beaten Sri Lanka in their Twenty20 international series, with Maaz Sadaqat and Imran Randhawa starring in the second match to seal the series after half-centuries from Farhan and Sadaqat in the opener. Pakistan fielded a new-look squad without Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. Attention now turns to the remaining fixture and to the ODI tri-series with England starting 18 October, seen as preparation for the World Cup.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are playing the opening match of an ODI tri-series, with Pakistan posting 305 after a century from captain Salman Ali Agha and Eshan Malinga taking four wickets. A new-look Pakistan squad without Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi is in focus, with the side also beginning its build-up toward the 2028 World Cup.

Cricket fans are following T20 World Cup action on multiple fronts. Nigeria are facing Uganda in Match 15 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier C for 2026, with former Kenya star Steve Tikolo urging Uganda's Cranes to aim beyond mere qualification. Separately, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were crowned champions as six teams advanced to the regional final on the road to the 2028 T20 World Cup. In India, attention is also on New Zealand recalling Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert for the ODI series, and on Mohammed Shami's prospects of selection.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are facing off in cricket, with Pakistan drawing attention after recent results. Pakistan beat England in an ODI tri-series that also involves Sri Lanka, staged from 18 to 31 October as preparation for the ODI World Cup. Pakistan also defeated Sri Lanka in a first T20, with half-centuries from Farhan and Sadaqat leading the side to victory.

England and Pakistan are meeting in an ODI tri-series match, with England winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. Attention is on England's white-ball captain Harry Brook, praised for turning the side into serious World Cup contenders, while Joe Root sits 97 runs short of 8,000 ODI career runs. The fixture is drawing interest across multiple countries ahead of the tournament.

Ireland are touring Namibia, with the first One Day International of the series set for October 22nd. Cricket outlets are publishing match predictions and previews ahead of the game, with fans discussing likely line-ups, conditions and form. The two associate sides meet regularly in World Cup League and qualifier contexts, giving the fixture added weight.

Pakistan are hosting England in a one-day international tri-series match at Rawalpindi, with live coverage from the BBC and Sky Sports. The fixture is part of both teams' build-up to the ODI World Cup, and bookmakers are offering tips on the contest, including backing Joe Root at 3/1 as England look to post a big total.

England's poor run of form in one-day international cricket has raised questions about whether the side could miss direct qualification for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. With their ranking slipping, discussion has focused on how England's results affect the qualification standings and whether they risk missing the tournament altogether.

Cricket Australia has opened talks with head coach Andrew McDonald about extending his contract beyond the 2027 ODI World Cup. McDonald, who has led the Australian men's team since 2022, is under contract through the tournament, and the extension would keep him in charge through the next World Cup cycle. Details of the negotiations have not been made public.

India cricketer Rohit Sharma says he is aiming to play at the 2027 ODI World Cup, stressing that fitness and consistency will be key to staying in contention. The veteran opener's comments come as he continues his international career after stepping back from other formats, with fans debating whether he can maintain form and physical standards until the tournament in South Africa.