The Hundred's knockout race became the week's defining contest

Aug 3 - Aug 9across 7 daysImpact

The Hundred knockout race tightens

Rockets and Sunrisers established strong positions in the men's competition, with Sunrisers also producing a record total and eliminating multiple rivals. The women's race narrowed as Rockets secured a knockout place, Sunrisers forced a decider and Welsh Fire were eliminated, while Super Giants and MI London stayed alive.

61 stories3 Mon 4 Tue 5 Wed 6 Thu 7 Fri 8 Sat 9 Sun

Aug 3 - Aug 6across 4 daysImpact

Pakistan end their overseas Test slide

Pakistan's series against West Indies moved from an exposed pace attack and uneven contests to an eight-wicket victory that ended an eight-match away losing streak. The win drew the series and offered evidence of recovery without proving a wider revival.

8 stories3 Mon 4 Tue 5 Wed 6 Thu

Aug 3 - Aug 9across 6 daysImpact

Ireland's qualification setback deepens

Ireland began the Afghanistan series as World Cup preparation, but a washout removed their direct qualification route and forced them into the playoff path. Afghanistan then won by 92 runs twice in the reporting, with Rashid Khan repeatedly breaking Ireland's resistance.

7 stories3 Mon 4 Tue 5 Wed 6 Thu 7 Fri 8 Sat 9 Sun

Aug 4 - Aug 8across 4 daysImpact

England's Pakistan plans remain unsettled

England altered its Test top order by recalling Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence and preparing Jordan Cox for No. 3, while Emilio Gay's shoulder injury threatened the opening combination. Leadership succession, a possible Curran return and Flintoff's Lions departure added further uncertainty around the pathway and squad planning.

12 stories4 Tue 5 Wed 6 Thu 7 Fri 8 Sat

Aug 3 - Aug 9across 3 daysImpact

India rebuild around mounting injuries

Bumrah's absence brought Auqib Nabi a historic India Test call-up, while Sai Sudharsan's injury led to Sarfaraz Khan's selection before the Sri Lanka series. The changes came as questions grew around the Centre of Excellence's medical structure.

7 stories3 Mon 4 Tue 5 Wed 6 Thu 7 Fri 8 Sat 9 Sun

Aug 7 - Aug 8across 2 daysImpact

Shakib's return route closes

Shakib Al Hasan tied any return to Bangladesh to guarantees of personal safety before his trial. Authorities then ruled out his immediate return to international cricket, leaving no current route back despite his conditions.

3 stories7 Fri 8 Sat

Aug 6 - Aug 8across 3 daysImpact

Bangladesh's preparation shows sharp volatility

Bangladesh recovered from Australia's early pressure through Mehidy Hasan Miraz's century, but then collapsed for 54 in a warm-up against South Australia. The contrasting results exposed how quickly their batting can shift from resistance to vulnerability before the first Test.

3 stories6 Thu 7 Fri 8 Sat

Aug 3 - Aug 6across 2 daysImpact

Women's Asia Cup moves from possibility to schedule

The Women's Asia Cup progressed from a likely UAE venue to a confirmed Dubai tournament running from August 28 to September 13. The schedule places India against Pakistan on September 5 as the central fixture.

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Week’s Recap

Stories that evolved over the week.