![Shardul Thakur and Chris Woakes [Source: @Akshatgoel1408, @englandcricket/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1754068951282_shardul-thakur.jpg?type=mq)
Shardul Thakur and Chris Woakes [Source: @Akshatgoel1408, @englandcricket/x]
Shardul Thakur has been appointed as captain of the West Zone team for the 2025 Duleep Trophy season. Matt Henry completed nine wickets in the match against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo as New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. In other news, Chris Woakes has been officially ruled out of the series-decider against India in London.
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 Friday, August 1.
Chris Woakes Ruled Out Of Fifth Test Vs India
England fast bowler Chris Woakes has been officially ruled out of the ongoing fifth Test match against India at The Oval. The cricketer sustained a nasty shoulder injury on Day 1 of the match, prompting him to walk out of the field. Ahead of Day 2, the ECB and the England team management confirmed that Woakes will not be taking part further in the game.
He bowled 14 overs on Day 1 against India, conceding 46 runs in the process and picking up the wicket of in-form opener KL Rahul.
UAE To Host Pre-Asia Cup Tri-Series With PAK, Afghanistan
The UAE will be hosting a seven-match T20I tri-series against Pakistan and Afghanistan. As confirmed by Emirates Cricket, the series will serve as a testing ground for all three sides ahead of the 2025 T20 Asia Cup in the country. All matches will be hosted by the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah.
The series will launch with a match between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Friday, August 29. The final will be staged on Sunday, September 7; i.e., just a couple of days prior to the launch of the Asia Cup.
Matt Henry Completes Nine As NZ Demolish Zimbabwe
Matt Henry, who claimed sensational figures of 6-39 against Zimbabwe on Day 1 of the series-opening Bulawayo Test, added three more to his tally in the second Zimbabwe innings to complete nine for the match (9-90). His spell, coupled with captain Mitchell Santner’s four-wicket haul, helped New Zealand demolish Zimbabwe by nine wickets on Day 3.
The speedster fittingly bagged the ‘Player of the Match’ award as the ‘Black Caps’ took a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series in Bulawayo.
Shardul Thakur To Lead Jaiswal, Shreyas In West Zone
Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur will be leading a star-studded West Zone squad in the upcoming 2025 Duleep Trophy season. The cricketer was appointed as team captain, and he will be accompanied by the likes of fellow internationals Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and senior man Shreyas Iyer.
Shardul has been playing a key role in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy success in the past few years with his excellent all-round proficiency. Notably, Shreyas Iyer was not included in India’s recent Test squad in England as the selectors decided to back comeback man Karun Nair instead.
All-Round Saim Ayub Flays WI In Lauderhill
Pakistan’s rising star Saim Ayub unfurled a remarkable all-round performance as the ‘Men in Green’ pipped West Indies by 14 runs in Lauderhill. Opening the innings for Pakistan, the cricketer compiled a blistering 57 from just 38 balls with five fours and two sixes as the visitors charted a competitive 178-6 from 20 overs.
In response, West Indies threatened to chase down Pakistan’s total, but a two-wicket burst from Ayub derailed the hosts and kept them down to just 164-7 at the end of the innings. The 23-year-old bagged the ‘Player of the Match’ award as Pakistan went 1-0 up in the T20I series.
