From Chris Gayle’s 47* dragging Jamaica Tallawahs to the very first CPL title in 2013, to Trinbago Knight Riders blazing to 267/2 – still the highest total in tournament history – CPL has spent thirteen years producing moments that define Caribbean cricket. Now those moments, and the people behind them, get a permanent home.
The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has announced the launch of the CPL Hall of Fame, a new annual honour created to recognise the players and individuals who have defined the tournament’s success since its inception in 2013.
The Hall of Fame will induct two honourees each year, one player and one person who has made a monumental impact on the event off the field. The awards will celebrate performances, leadership, and contributions on and off the field that have helped establish CPL as one of the most popular T20 franchise competitions in world cricket.
Since Gayle powered the Tallawahs past Guyana Amazon Warriors in that first final at Queen's Park Oval, CPL has delivered a run of records and moments that have shaped the modern T20 game: Dwayne Bravo has taken wickets and won titles throughout the tournament's history; Tim Seifert and Andre Russell shared the tournament's fastest century, both reaching three figures off just 53 balls; Shakib Al Hasan produced the best bowling figures the competition has ever seen, a remarkable 6/6; and Trinbago Knight Riders went unbeaten through the 2020 season on their way to becoming the first three-time – and then five-time – champions.
Windies’ first innings 344 looked a taller ask before Pakistan batted
Pakistan 266 for 2 (Shafique 107*, Babar 86*; Joseph 1-58) trail West Indies 344 (Greaves 73, Chase 70; Sajid 4-85) by 78 runs
The West Indies have been left on the defensive after a spectacular 168-run unbroken third-wicket stand between Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam, which trimmed the Caribbean side’s first-innings advantage to 78 runs with eight wickets remaining.
Shafique notched a brilliant sixth Test ton to lead Pakistan’s response. He and captain Babar Azam (86*) came together with the score 98 for two and saw the visitors through to close of play at 266 without further loss.
The West Indies attack, which has been missing Justin Greaves, whose thigh was heavily padded while batting, has been largely ineffective, with two of their premier seamers, Kemar Roach (0-35) and Shamar Joseph (1-58), conceding at over five runs per over.
Joseph is the only member of their pace trio who delivered double-digit overs of the 66 bowled, with Jayden Seales bowling nine and Roach just six. Pakistan, in the meantime, have reaped the rewards of an aggressive start. After wearing down the Windies bowlers, they cruised through a wicketless final session to end the day on top.
Pakistan cantered through the second session on what was, evidently even at that time, the best of the Queen’s Park pitch. Despite Joseph bouncing out Imam-ul-Haq (14), the visitors’ momentum was only momentarily halted as they translated their fast start into the pace of their innings.
The host cities and the brand for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 were revealed today at a spectacular launch event in Johannesburg as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia prepare to host the tournament in October and November.
The pinnacle white-ball tournament returns to Africa after 24 years when the world’s top 14 teams converge for what promises to be the most exciting tournament of its kind for fans around the globe who will either be travelling for the event or following the matches on broadcast and digital channels.
A spirit of unity, diversity and community is integral to the tournament’s positioning, as the three host nations prepare to stage a global celebration of cricket inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu – "I am, because we are". Rooted in the belief that our shared humanity is defined by compassion, kindness and our connection to one another, Ubuntu embodies the inclusive spirit that will welcome the world to Africa. This unique expression of togetherness will make the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 a tournament unlike any that has come before.
As revealed at the colourful launch event at the Inanda Polo Club that was attended by top cricket officials, current cricketers and legends of the game, sitting at the heart of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 brand is the circular African bowl. Across Southern Africa, these distinct, circular and culturally symbolic woven bowls and baskets have played a role in daily life and tradition, historically used to present harvests, gifts and offerings. They represent inclusivity, community and hospitality, welcoming the world into the circle to celebrate cricket through the lens of Southern African identity and passion. In 2027, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup aims to “Make the Circle Bigger” by inviting the world to experience the absolute best cricket in Africa has to offer.
The brand reflects the tournament’s 12 host venues that were revealed today: Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg), Centurion (Tshwane), Newlands Cricket Ground (Cape Town), Kingsmead Cricket Ground (Durban), St George’s Park (Gqeberha), Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein), Boland Park (Paarl), and Buffalo Park (KuGompo City, formerly known as East London) in South Africa; Harare Sports Club (Harare), Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo), and the newly constructed Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium (Victoria Falls) in Zimbabwe; and Namibia Cricket Ground (Windhoek) in Namibia.
West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has responded to comments made by Daren Sammy that he “declined selection” for the ongoing Test series against Pakistan, saying the coach’s statement was “controversial” and “without context.”
In a press release confirming the team ahead of the series, CWI stated that Joseph was “unavailable for selection due to personal reasons.” However, when addressing the Antiguan’s absence, Sammy declared, “Mr. Joseph has declined selection.”
Joseph, in the meantime, now says he had conversations with both Cricket West Indies and Sammy while deciding on his unavailability.
“We had a chat, I and the head coach. I’ve also had a chat with CWI, and if you realize the statement CWI released said ‘personal reasons'," Joseph began to explain on the Good Morning Jojo Sport Show earlier this week.
“I’ve been out for an entire year. I haven’t played at international intensity for so long after having a second stress fracture. We spoke about me playing the two Test matches here, playing five back-to-back ODIs, and how my body was feeling, and I knew my body was not ready to go into another Test series. So, the statement in itself is controversial, without context,” he expounded.
Pakistan players Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas have been charged for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first match of their ICC World Test Championship series against the West Indies in Tarouba.
Khurram was fined 15 per cent of his match fee while Abbas was handed an official reprimand for breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”
Khurram was penalized for “celebrating aggressively close” after bowling Shai Hope in the West Indies' second innings on Day 3. The seamer's actions were deemed “capable of provoking an aggressive reaction."
