The 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League will kick off on December 30, with defending champions Fortune Barishal taking on Durbar Rajshahi in the curtain raiser at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

Debutant Corbin Bosch hit 81 not out and left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen claimed two late wickets as South Africa took control on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan at SuperSport Park on Friday.

Central Zone opener Murshida Khatun scored an unbeaten hundred while skipper Nigar Sultana Joty made 64 not out to help their side give a strong reply to East Zone’s first innings total of 354 runs on the second day of the second-round match of the ongoing Women's Bangladesh Cricket League (WBCL) at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi on Friday.

Cricketers from overseas have started flying into Dhaka to take part in the forthcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) today and franchises are hoping to begin training with their respective foreign recruits from tomorrow.

It was Smith's 11th Test century against India - the most by any player - and his innings of 140 has put Australia in a strong position after two days of the ICC World Test Championship contest.

The five-match series is locked at 1-1 after India won by 295 runs in Perth before being crushed by 10 wickets in Adelaide. The rain-affected third Test in Brisbane was drawn.

Offering him a fresh chance to prove his worth at the upcoming 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the right-hander has been picked by Dhaka Capitals from the draft.

The PSL draft is scheduled to take place on January 11 next year.

Sumaiya Akter will lead the team in this event, while Afia Ashima Era will play the role of her deputy.

Smith also scored a ton at the last Test in Brisbane -- his first since June 2023 -- with the latest his 34th in his 113th match.

Debutant fast bowler Corbin Bosch said South Africa reaped the rewards for "holding our nerve" against aggressive Pakistan batting on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Thursday.

Veteran middle-order batter Sean Williams was unbeaten on 145 as Zimbabwe posted 363 for four against Afghanistan on the first day of the first Test in Bulawayo on Thursday.

Dane Paterson took five for 61 -– his second five-wicket haul in successive Tests -– and debutant Corbin Bosch took four for 63.

Dhaka Capitals head coach Khaled Mahmud Sujon said the players will be disappointed if ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan eventually does not participate in the upcoming edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), starting on December 30.

East Zone opener Dilara Akter Dola notched up her maiden first-class century to put her side on top against Central Zone on the opening day of the second-round match of the ongoing Women’s Bangladesh Cricket League 2024-25 at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi on Thursday.

The incident occurred at the end of the 10th over on the first day of the Melbourne Test when Kohli bumped the Australia debutant's shoulder, which led to a heated exchange between the two players.

Konstas, Australia’s youngest-ever Test opener, impressed with a fearless 60 off 65 balls.

Batting after captain Pat Cummins won the toss on a steamy day, the hosts reached 311-6 by the close in front of more than 87,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Pycroft, who played three Tests and 20 ODIs for Zimbabwe between 1983 and 1992, achieved the milestone during the ongoing Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at the MCG when he joined a group of three match referees to have previously reached the mark.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) bans "inappropriate physical contact" and those found guilty can be suspended for matches if the offence is deemed serious enough.