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Rishabh Pant returns, Alyssa out and Shaheen ODI captaincy – October 21 Cricket highlights

Aakash Saini

Rishabh Pant and Alyssa Healy [Source: @BCCI/x, AFP]Rishabh Pant and Alyssa Healy [Source: @BCCI/x, AFP]

Rishabh Pant will be making his return to competitive cricket through the upcoming four-day match series against South Africa A. The PCB has named Shaheen Afridi as Pakistan’s new national ODI captain. In other news, Australia Women captain Alyssa Healy has been ruled out of the World Cup 2025 game against England Women.

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 Tuesday, October 21.

Rishabh Pant returns as captain for India A vs SA

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to make his return to competitive cricket through the upcoming two-match unofficial Test series against South Africa A at the BCCI CoE. Having recovered from the foot injury he sustained against England a couple of months ago, Pant has been named as India A captain for the series starting later this month. He will be accompanied by the likes of KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep among several other Team India stars.

Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein-inspired WI win after 50 overs of spin

West Indies bowled 50 overs of spin against Bangladesh in Mirpur in the second ODI of their three-match series. Gudakesh Motie picked up figures of 3-65 while Akeal Hosein and Alick Athanaze chipped in with two wickets each as West Indies restricted Bangladesh to 213-7 in 50 overs. In response, captain Shai Hope cracked an unbeaten 53* to counter Rishad Hossain’s three-wicket haul, but a late fight from Bangladesh bowlers enforced a dramatic tie. Some tight bowling from Akeal Hosein in the Super Over eventually helped West Indies level the series 1-1.

Shaheen Afridi replaces Rizwan as Pakistan ODI captain

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have officially named premier fast bowler Shaheen Afridi as the new national ODI captain, thus replacing wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan in the process. While Rizwan started off his ODI captaincy tenure with remarkable series wins in Australia and South Africa, he failed to replicate the same magic at this year’s 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at home. Shaheen Afridi will now be expected to lead the Pakistan team in the upcoming series against South Africa. He previously served as Pakistan T20I skipper last year for a single series in New Zealand.

Babar Azam, Rizwan to be ignored for SA T20Is: Report

Seasoned Pakistan batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will likely be ignored from the national squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa at home. The team management is also considering to rest Shaheen Afridi from the series, as reported by Geo Super. The three-match T20I series between the two nations will be played between October 28 and November 1 starting next week. While the series opener will be hosted by the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, the final two matches will be staged at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Alyssa Healy ruled out of England clash in Women’s World Cup

Australia Women captain and legendary opener Alyssa Healy has been ruled out of her team’s playing XI against England in match number 23 of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in Indore. The experienced wicketkeeper-batter has sustained a minor calf injury, prompting Beth Mooney to take over the gloves. As confirmed by Cricket Australia a day prior to the blockbuster game, Tahlia McGrath will be leading the defending champions against their Ashes rivals. It is worth noting that the Australian team has already qualified for the semifinals of the tournament.