![Abhishek Sharma and Babar Azam [Source: @prakharkrjain/x, AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1759676906302_babar_azam.jpg?type=hq)
Abhishek Sharma and Babar Azam [Source: @prakharkrjain/x, AFP]
India’s Asia Cup 2025 heroes Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma failed to get going against Australia A bowlers. Babar Azam is set to play Pakistan’s domestic first-class tournament before the South Africa Test series. In other news, the BCB has arranged Bangladesh’s home series against Ireland later this year.
Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Sunday, October 5.
Harsh Dubey dashes Patidar dream to clinch Irani Trophy
Uncapped left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey ran riot to dash Rajat Patidar’s dream to lift the Irani Cup 2025 in Nagpur for the Vidarbha cricket team. Dubey picked up four wickets in the decisive innings of the match at an expense of just 73 runs, as Vidarbha folded up Patidar’s Rest of India for 267 in a chase of 361 runs. After the match, Vidarbha opening batter Atharva Taide won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for cracking a regal 143 on Days 1 and 2.
Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma fail against Australia A
India’s Asia Cup 2025 heroes, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma both failed to get going against Australia A in the series-deciding third unofficial ODI match at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. Chasing 317 runs for a win, opening batter Abhishek was dismissed for 22 from 25 balls by visiting spinner Todd Murphy. Tilak Varma, on the other hand, scored just a sluggish three in six balls before he was deceived by the Australian tweaker, as India A lost two quick wickets around the 13-over mark in their tall chase.
Babar Azam to play Quaid-e-Azam for a place in Tests
Premier Pakistan batter Babar Azam will reportedly feature in Pakistan’s upcoming Quaid-e-Azam tournament to prepare for the national Test team before the series against South Africa, as per several reports. While the tournament is scheduled to commence from October 6 onwards, Pakistan’s home Test series against the visiting South Africans will kick-off from October 12 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Babar Azam last played Test cricket for Pakistan back in January earlier this year during a home series against West Indies.
Bangladesh to host Ireland in multi-format series
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced that the Bangladesh cricket team will be hosting Ireland for a multi-format series later this year. As per the schedule, the Ireland team will face hosts Bangladesh in a series of two Tests and three T20I matches between November 11 and December 2. While the Test matches will be hosted by Sylhet and Dhaka, the three T20I games will be staged at the Bir Shrestho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chittagong.
Umran Malik returns in Jammu and Kashmir squad for 2025 Ranji
Injury prone fast bowler Umran Malik is set to make his return to competitive cricket through the upcoming 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season in India. The speedster was selected in the Jammu and Kashmir squad for the tournament, as announced by the cricket association on October 5. Paras Dogra will lead the team, and will be accompanied by the likes of Abdul Samad and Sahil Lotra. Nonetheless, Umran Malik last played competitive cricket back in March 2024 during the IPL 2024 season for the SRH franchise.
