![Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana [Source: @sagarcasm, @ImTanujSingh/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1762529643095_pratika_rawal.jpg?type=hq)
Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana [Source: @sagarcasm, @ImTanujSingh/x]
Pratika Rawal will be getting her World Cup 2025 winner’s medal, as confirmed by the cricketer herself owing to an intervention from Jay Shah. Afghanistan will be hosting West Indies for a short T20I series in the UAE in January 2026. In other news, Smriti Mandhana, among other cricketers, was felicitated by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis for winning the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news stories that emerged on Friday, November 7.
Pratika Rawal to receive her World Cup medal courtesy of Jay Shah
Indian opener Pratika Rawal was denied her 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup medal owing to her injury and absence from the semifinal and the final of the tournament, despite aggregating over 300 runs in the competition. However, the cricketer is now slated to receive her winner’s medal following an intervention from ICC chairman Jay Shah. Pratika Rawal herself confirmed the development while talking with the CNN News18, stating that Jay Shah has personally taken up the matter.
Fadnavis rewards Mandhana, Jemimah and Radha for World Cup win
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis invited Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues and ace spinner Radha Yadav after their 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup win in Navi Mumbai.
The Maharashtra CM also rewarded each of the three cricketers with a huge cash reward of Rs. 2.25 crores. Devendra Fadnavis spoke at length with the Indian Women’s players during the felicitation ceremony in his office.
Earlier this week, the BCCI also announced a staggering cash reward for the women’s team for winning the World Cup by defeating South Africa in a cracking finale.
Matt Henry returns as NZ name squad for WI ODIs
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has unveiled New Zealand’s 14-player squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the visiting West Indies team. Fast bowler Matt Henry will be making his return to the team, while players like Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, Will O’Rourke and Dane Phillips continue to remain on the sidelines, largely owing to their injuries.
Mitchell Santner will continue to lead the New Zealand team and he will be accompanied by the likes of Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway and others.
Afghanistan to host West Indies in pre-T20 World Cup 2026 series
The Afghanistan cricket team will host West Indies in a three-match T20I series in January, as confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). The two teams will be facing each other in three games, set to be played between January 19 and January 22 in the UAE. As confirmed by both cricket boards, the series will provide both Afghanistan and West Indies an ideal platform for preparations mere weeks prior to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Rashid Khan decimates Afghanistan with Hong Kong Sixes hat-trick
Nepal fast bowler Rashid Khan became the first bowler in the history of Hong Kong International Sixes to pick up a hat-trick, doing so against Afghanistan during a Pool A game of the 2025 edition in Mong Kok. The speedster dismissed Sediqullah Pacha, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai in successive deliveries, shortly after getting rid of Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib to claim sensational figures of 4-27.
Rashid Khan’s spell also marked the best-ever figures in Hong Kong Sixes history, surpassing the previous best set by Sri Lanka’s Konganige Tharindu Hasanka Ratnayake (4-33).
