All you need to know on the latest news around the cricketing world – here’s Wisden.com’s daily wrap of stories and updates for July 25.

Sri Lanka’s Covid-19 positive duo

Covid-19 rocked the Sri Lanka camp for the Asia Cup as Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando, who were supposed to feature in the competition, tested positive for the virus after showing symptoms. According to an ESPNCricinfo report, the pair might have come into contact with the virus while they were plying their trade for their respective franchises in the recently concluded LPL 2023.

Pakistan close to being No.1

After winning a nail-biting last-over thriller against Afghanistan yesterday, Pakistan could reach the top of the ICC ODI rankings if they win the dead-rubber final match of the series against their rival on August 26 (Saturday). They currently trail Australia by 124 points, but Babar Azam’s men could achieve a huge morale booster before their Asia Cup 2023 and their ODI World Cup campaign.

Paine joining Strikers

Former Australia Test skipper Tim Paine has joined BBL franchise Adelaide Strikers as an assistant coach for the 2023/24 season. Head coach Jason Gillespie is ecstatic at Paine’s arrival.

“Tim has all the skills to be a fantastic coach. The experience he will bring is sure to help our players in all facets of the game and bring more positive elements to the way we play,” Gillespie said in a statement on Friday.

The wicket-keeper batter who called time on his first-class career at the end of the last season is currently on a part-time coaching stint with the Australia U19s and the Australia A sides.

IDFC First bags title rights

IDFC First Bank, a private-sector lender acquired the title rights for India’s home matches till August 2026. With the base price set at 2.4 crore during the auction, the bank snaffled up the rights for 4.2 crore INR per international game. The past valuation of the rights was 3.8 crore INR.

The agreement solidified after the winner pipped Sony Sports to the rights in the bidding war. The agreement will cover 56 international matches and the BCCI will earn an expected turnover of 235 crore INR from the deal.

Wolvaardt to captain SA women’s team

Laura Wolvaardt, opening batter of the South Africa women’s team, will take up captaincy on a trial basis for the series against Pakistan and New Zealand. The decision was taken to test whether Wolvaardt would be “able to handle” the pressure of leading the side alongside her batting.

The 24-year-old succeeded Sune Luus, who stood down from the responsibility last week following taking the side to the final of the T20 World Cup earlier this year. In 2021, Wolvaardt led the side twice in ODIs against India.

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