Fresh off a spirited comeback against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh have announced an unchanged 16-member squad for their upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan. The decision reflects the confidence the selectors and team management have in the current group, which bounced back from a 0-1 deficit to clinch the series 2-1 in Colombo on Wednesday.

All three matches against Pakistan will be held under lights at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on July 20, 22, and 24. The visitors have already arrived in the Bangladesh capital while the home side returned from Sri Lanka on Thursday, riding high on momentum and morale.

Gurumurthy Palani, Anurag Bhatnagar and Gurdeep Klair have been elected to the influential Chief Executives‘ Committee (CEC) of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Palani (France), Bhatnagar (Hong Kong), and Klair (Canada) won the elections for the three CEC spots ahead of incumbents Sumod Damodar (Botswana) and Sankar Renganathan (Sierra Leone). The trio winning the elections were confirmed by their respective boards’ social media handles.

Apart from Damodar and Renganathan, Tim Cutler (Vanuatu), Stella Siale (Samoa) and Sarah Gomersall (Jersey) were also in the fray in the CEC elections, whose voting process involved 40 associate members and five regional representatives from Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe, and East Asia-Pacific.

The CEC is one of the ICC’s most powerful boards, comprising of all Full Member nation board representatives and elected Associate representatives. The CEC plays an influential decision making role in shaping policies, governance around promotion and the direction of cricket being played and organised at the international level.

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has undergone successful surgery for a long-standing shoulder issue and is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks, missing the start of the La Liga.

Bellingham has struggled with discomfort in his shoulder since November 2023, when he dislocated it during a LaLiga match, and he has played with a brace under his shirt since then. He had opted to hold off the operation until after the FIFA Club World Cup in order to feature for Madrid in that tournament, where his side was knocked out in the semifinals by eventual runner-up Paris Saint-Germain.

"Jude Bellingham has undergone successful surgery today to address recurrent dislocation of his left shoulder. The operation was carried out by doctors Manuel Leyes and Andrew Wallace, under the supervision of the Real Madrid Medical Services. Bellingham will now undergo a period of rehabilitation, prior to returning to training and starting his recovery," the La Liga club said in a statement.

After four years away from competitive cricket, AB de Villiers is set to make a thrilling return to action in the upcoming World Championship of Legends (WCL), which kicks off on July 18. The tournament promises to bring cricket nostalgia to life as global icons from six powerhouse nations reunite on the field across venues in Birmingham, Northampton, Leicester, and Leeds.

After spending 18 years with Real Madrid, Lucas Vazquez has bid the club farewell on Wednesday.

The club confirmed that an institutional tribute and farewell ceremony for Vazquez will take place at Real Madrid City, with the presence of club president, Florentino Perez on Thursday.

“Dear Madridistas, it's been nearly 2 decades since I arrived at Valdebebas as a 16 year old full of dreams and excitement to wear this shirt. Every step along the way has been a gift, and over time, Madrid became my home. We've lived unforgettable nights together, celebrated 23 titles and created memories that will stay with me forever.

"Today, after more than 400 matches, it's time to say goodbye to the club of my life. But I leave with peace of mind knowing I gave it my all. I've always been aware of the responsibility and privilege that comes with wearing this badge," said Vazquez in a video posted by Real Madrid.

In a huge development, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma will represent Baroda in the upcoming 2025/26 domestic season after leaving Vidarbha. Jitesh, who played nine T20Is for India, had been in the process of making a move to Baroda for the last couple of weeks.

Farokh Dastoor, CEO of the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA), confirmed on Wednesday that they have issued the NOC to Jitesh, who was an integral member of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team winning IPL 2025.

“Jitesh has enjoyed a close friendship with Krunal Pandya, his RCB teammate during the side’s first IPL win in June. With him not having played Ranji Trophy last season and Pandya aiming to make a Baroda team which can win a domestic title in the upcoming season, it all came together for Jitesh to leave Vidarbha,” said sources.

With England being docked two points for slow over rate deduction during their thrilling win at Lord’s, former India head coach Ravi Shastri said the Ben Stokes-led side can make up for their points deduction if their focus remains on winning matches.

On Wednesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said two points have been cut from England’s World Test Championship (WTC) tally and have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee. Subsequently, England's tally in the WTC standings has dropped from 24 to 22 out of 36 points, with their points percentage going from 66.67 per cent to 61.11 per cent.

As a result, England has slipped from second to third position in the WTC points table, with Sri Lanka now overtaking them to claim the second spot, and be just behind table toppers Australia.

West Ham United have completed the signing of Senegal international El Hadji Malick Diouf on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said.

Diouf, who will wear the No 12 shirt became West Ham’s third signing of the summer, after Jean-Clair Todibo and Daniel Cummings, as the club reshapes its defence following the departures of Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal.

The 20-year-old left-sided full-back or wing-back joins the Hammers from Slavia Prague, having played a key role in the club’s dominant Czech First League title win last season. He also impressed in European competitions and was part of the Senegal team which secured an historic victory over England in June this year.

India skipper Shubman Gill will sharing his experience of meeting King Charles III said that the team didn't expect that he would be watching the Lord's Test and added that he is grateful for the experience.

The Indian cricket teams, both men and women, met King Charles III at Clarence House in London on Tuesday. He interacted with players Like Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill and other.

The reception at Clarence House represented a diplomatic gesture towards the visiting team, with King Charles III maintaining the tradition of welcoming Commonwealth cricket teams during their tours of England.

The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games unveiled a two halves medal design at Palazzo Balbi in Venice, Italy. The unique design that merges two halves symbolises not only the union of Milan and Cortina, but also the spirit of victory and the effort required to achieve it, organisers introduced.

Two halves brought together by the Olympic and Paralympic values. Two dimensions reflecting the culmination of an athlete and Para athlete’s journey, and all of those who stood by their side along the way.

This concept becomes a powerful metaphor to portray the story of two worlds coming together, united by the spirit of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games: a world where competition doesn’t divide, but unites.

"The two halves represent the efforts the athletes have made to get to this moment, and the support from their families, coaches and physiotherapists," explained Raffaella Panie, Brand, Identity and Look of the Games Director for Milan-Cortina 2026.

According to Panie, the front of the medals displays the Olympic rings and the Paralympic Agitos, respectively. The reverse side bears the emblem of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.