West Indies has just began a new chapter with Shai Hope, their new T20 captain. And Kraigg Brathwaite has officially stepped down from the Test captaincy role. Cricket West Indies yet to announce the name of their new Test format skipper. Windies cricket had find some exciting moment during the Kraigg Brathwaite, including a heroic Test series victory over Australia in Brisbane almost after 27 years. 

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Cricket West Indies informed in a release, "Brathwaite first indicated his intention to do so to CWI leadership earlier this year ahead of the completion of the West Indies’ successful tour of Pakistan. Understanding the importance of continuity, Brathwaite wanted to ensure the team had a period of transition before his departure."

Furthermore they added, "As a result, he has submitted his resignation ahead of the home series against Australia, giving the new leadership time to establish itself. This series will be particularly special, allowing Brathwaite, who is two matches shy of 100 Test matches, to double down on his batting without added responsibility."

Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe

Says a test captain will be named in the coming weeks while the appointment of Shai Hope as the T20 is an alignment with his success while guiding the 50 over team.

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) March 31, 2025

Miles Bascombe said, "Kraigg Brathwaite has been an outstanding leader for our Test team, guiding the squad with discipline, resilience, and a deep understanding of the game. His contributions have been invaluable, and under his leadership, we have witnessed historic moments that will be remembered for years to come." 

Brathwaite's test captaincy tenure will be written on the Windies cricket history for numerous occasions. Under his leadership WI defeat England at home in 2022 also. 

Meanwhile, Hope will now lead the in the T20I cricket, he replaced Rovman Powell. 

"Shai Hope’s appointment signals a progressive shift for West Indies cricket, given his success with the 50 over team in the last 18 month", said head coach Daren Sammy. 

Brathwaite Resigns

Kraigg Brathwaite has officially resigned as the West Indies Test captain. This comes before the team's home series against Australia, bringing to an end a leadership tenure during which there have been numerous historic milestones for the West Indies. Brathwaite, just shy of his 100th Test match, will now be concentrating on batting only.

Historic Achievements Under Brathwaite

Brathwaite's captaincy tenure, which started in March 2021, was dominated by huge successes. In his captaincy tenure, the West Indies won their first Test in Australia after 27 years and their first series victory in Pakistan in 34 years. The team also won a series against England and Bangladesh.

Shai Hope Assumes White-Ball Leadership

Shai Hope has been upgraded to captain of the West Indies' white-ball formats. He takes over for Rovman Powell, who had captained the T20I team since May 2023 and oversaw the side to key series victories against India, England, and South Africa. Powell's captaincy was instrumental in the team's climb to 5th in the ICC T20I rankings.

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Who Will Become the New Test Captain?

The West Indies Cricket Board has not yet appointed a new Test captain. Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph are reportedly the favorites for the job, both with very different leadership abilities. Roach is experienced, while Joseph will bring youth into the role. 

Looking Ahead

The West Indies' series against Australia will be the start of a new era with a new captain. The leadership changes are viewed as a means of giving stability and direction to the team, especially with the T20 World Cup 2026 and the new ICC World Test Championship cycle beginning.

Brathwaite's exit marks the conclusion of a landmark leadership era for the West Indies, yet with Shai Hope assuming white-ball leadership and a new Test captain to be appointed, the team is set for the future. The coming weeks will be instrumental in defining the team's leadership in the years to come.

India Masters, led by Sachin Tendulkar, defeated West Indies Masters by six wickets to win the International Masters League (IML) T20 2025 final in Raipur.

Batting first, West Indies Masters scored 148/7, with Lendl Simmons (57) leading the way. Vinay Kumar was India's best bowler, taking three wickets.

Ambati Rayudu hit 74 runs in return, enabling India to chase the target in 17.1 overs.

With this victory, India Masters are the IML 2025 winners!

THE WINNING MOMENT FOR INDIA. 🇮🇳

- Sachin Tendulkar led India wins the IML T20! pic.twitter.com/SUM3VKouKM

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 16, 2025

Final XIs

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West Indies Masters:
Dwayne Smith, William Perkins, Lendl Simmons, Brian Lara (c), Chadwick Walton, Denesh Ramdin (w), Ashley Nurse, Tino Best, Jerome Taylor, Sulieman Benn, Ravi Rampaul.

India Masters:
Ambati Rayudu (w), Sachin Tendulkar (c), Pawan Negi, Yuvraj Singh, Stuart Binny, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Vinay Kumar, Shahbaz Nadeem, Dhawal Kulkarni.

THE MASTER, THE LEADER, THE CHAMPION! 🏆🔥

Captain Sachin Tendulkar lifting the IML T20 Trophy – GOAT stuff! 🐐🇮🇳#IML2025 #captainleadingfromfront pic.twitter.com/zFuI11OxCZ

— Cricket fact,fun & records (@Googlyfacts45) March 16, 2025

With this victory, India Masters lift the inaugural IML T20 2025 trophy, capping off an exciting tournament for cricketing legends.

One of the most famous ODI (ODI) cricket competitions is the ICC Champions Trophy,Initially played in 1998 with the top cricket teams from around the globe. The tournament is renowned for fast matches and some excellent cricket.

Champions Trophy?

The ICC Champions Trophy is a global tournament of cricket administered by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Contrary to the ICC Cricket World Cup, where there are more teams and more extended format, the Champions Trophy is a compact tournament with merely the top-rated teams. It is sometimes nicknamed the "mini World Cup" due to the intense nature of its matches.

List of all the winners

ALSO READ:PAK vs NZ Champions Trophy Live Streaming: Where & How to Watch the Match Online & on TV

Memorable Moments in Champions Trophy History

• South Africa 1st ICC Trophy - 1998:
  The inaugural ICC Champions Trophy, which took place in Bangladesh in 1998 The tournament saw South Africa claiming their first ICC title.
  
• 2002 THE ONLY JOINT WINNERS
  After the final was rained out twice, India and Sri Lanka were declared joint winners of the tournament. The ICC game that shares a championship.
• 2006, 2009 -Aus the monopoly
  Australia took two in a row from 2006 and 2009 reaffirming their supremacy in ODI cricket
• INDIA Unbeaten 2013 -India
  India was unbeaten in the 2013 tournament and beat England in the final with the Captaincy of MS Dhoni
• Aggarka 2017 - The Historical Win Of Pakistan
  In the 2017 final held at wankley, Pakistan stunned cricketing world to beat India and it was their first ICC champions trophy.

Crickets lovers around the globe are awaiting for the ICC Men's Player of the Month for January 2025. This time, the nomination of players features individuals from three cricketing countries that have really fantsatic on field over the past month. The nominees are 

• Noman Ali (Pakistan)
• Jomel Warrican (West Indies)
• Varun Chakravarthy (India)

Lets take a close look on them:

1. Noman Ali (Pakistan)
Left-arm spinner of Pakistan ,Noman Ali is an experience one and the reason he is here, a quality which can provide them the wickets with good spell of overs in test matches, his controlling of the run rate was much more useful to Pakistan .His performance played a key role in his nomination.

2. Jomel Warrican (West Indies)

Jomel Warrican, another left-arm spinner, is something different for the West Indies. He has been consistent in wicket taking and in economical spells at crucial times to help his team. His show in some of the recent matches has made him a strog container for the award.

3. Varun Chakravarthy (India)
India's mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, has earned his recognition in limited-overs cricket with variations and accuracy. He has won the match with his spin, destroing batting order. Hence is well deserved of this nomination.

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Performance Comparison for nominees (January 2025)

The Nominees for ICC Men's Player of the Month - January 2025 🏆

1) Noman Ali 🇵🇰
2) Jomel Warrican 🌴
3) Varun Chakravarthy 🇮🇳

Who will win the award? 👀#Cricket #ICC #India #VarunChakravarthy pic.twitter.com/FaTQNNoGDU

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) February 6, 2025

The result will come  with a selection through voting for both the ICC Voting Academy as well as ,the cricket watching Fans . ICC Men's Player of the Month - January 2025. Competition and struggle seem great due to remarkable abilities for the nominees.
Who do you think will take the crown?  

ICC World Test Championship Points Table After PAK vs WI 2nd Test 2025

Pakistan and West Indies played two games at Multan Stadium. The West Indies won the second game and made both teams even both teams won one game each. In the second game, West Indies had a chance to hit the bowl first, but it was tough because Pakistan's bowlers were top rate bowlers. They only got 54 runs with 8 players down.

But then, players such as Gudakesh Motie, Jomel Warrican, and Kemar Roach scored a few runs and they finished with a total of 163 runs. Noman Ali from Pakistan did an amazing job with bowling and made 6 players down. When Pakistan went up to  bat they didn't do very well either. Mohammad Rizwan scored the highest number of runs, 49, and Saud Shakeel got 32 runs.

History made 🤩

West Indies pick up their first Test win in Pakistan since 1990 .
Also finished last in the WTC points table..#PAKvWI 📝 pic.twitter.com/yKLPmj1SQs

— ʜʏᴅʀᴏɢᴇɴ (@ihydrogen__) January 27, 2025

ALSO READ: West Indies Secure Historic 120-Run Victory Over Pakistan in Multan, Ending 35-Year Wait for Win in Pakistan

That wasn't enough, and so Pakistan was behind by 9 runs. The West Indies did better in their second turn batting. Their team Captian Kraigg Brathwaite and a few others, such as Amir Jangoo, Tevin Imlach, and Kevin Sinclair, scored good runs to tell Pakistan they needed 254 runs to win.

Even their team Captain Shan Masood and Muhammad Hurraira didn't get many runs, and only Babar Azam got 31 runs. Mohammad Rizwan tried again, he got 29 runs, but it didn't work, and all of Pakistan got out with 133 runs. After these two games, West Indies felt very good because they hadn't won in Pakistan for 34 years. Pakistan needs to think through how to play better next time.

ICC Test Championship Updated Points Table After Pakistan vs West Indies 2nd Test 2025

West Indies to a momentous historic victory over Pakistan by 120 runs in their day 3 Match of the 2nd Test at Multan by starring on Thursday.It now tied the two-match series at 1-1 and West Indies' first win in Pakistan in 34 years.

Pakistan needed 178 on day four to win and the West Indies had to get six wickets to take the series. This morning the pitch was starting up with Kevin Sinclair rounding off the morning, bag of Saud Shakeel as he lobbed a leading edge straight to first slip.Warrican accounted for another wicket, in the second ball of day when he had nightwatchman Kashif Ali lbw to the bowling of Imran Nazir.

Sandeep Chopra and Salman Agha started quickly reprising of the wickets by new batters Mohammad Rizwan, 7 runs each. But Warrican had Salman Agha caught behind lbw, very close. Rizwan was soon out through the gate by Warrican and after Pakistan's resistance waned, Noman Ali hit a six off Gudakesh Motie but couldn; t prevent the subsequent wicket at mid-on to Warrican changing catches. Rizwan missed wicket number five to maintain the match and Wesley was dismissed by Sajid Khan coming onto off stump.osity eventually handed West Indies victoryasily. 

Brief scores: West Indies 163 (Gudakesh Motie 55 Jomel Warrican 36*; Noman ali 6-42) and 244 (Kraigg Brathwaite 52; Sajid Khan 4-76, Noman ali 4-80) beat Pakistan 154 (Mohammad Rizwan 49; Jomel Warrican 4-43, Gudakesh Motie 3-49) and 133 (Babar Azam 31, Mohammad Rizwan 25; Jomel Warrican 5-27, Kevin Sinclair 3-61) by 120 runs.

WEST INDIES IN THIS DECADE IN TEST CRICKET:

- A Test win in Australia.
- A Test win in England.
- A Test win in Bangladesh.
- A Test win in Pakistan.

WEST INDIES CRICKET ON THE RISE. 🙇‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/eIPKnEWkMi

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 27, 2025

Multan: Noman Ali becomes first Pakistani Test spinner to go hat-trick in HISTORY of Cap

Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali made a new history as he became first ever Pakistani Test spinner to do a hat-trick.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali of Pakistan became first person to take a Test cricket hat-trick in historic manner which came to West Indies during 2nd Test match at Multan Cricket Stadium on Jan 25, 2025.

EXcellent start to Noman's hat-trick off five deliveries - Justin Greaves, Timm Manns and Kevin Sinclair (in that order) leaving his impressive duo. His incredible outing contributed in Pakistan cutting the West Indies down to 44 for seven in the morning session. 

🚨 FIRST PAKISTAN SPINNER TO TAKE A TEST HAT-TRICK 🚨

Take a bow, Noman Ali! 🫡#PAKvWI | #RedBallRumble pic.twitter.com/c5RHVdcM0z

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 25, 2025

This achievement followed in the footsteps of Noman, who joins several other elite members of Pakistan's bowling legion who've taken 3 wickets in Test matches. It was his sixth-ball hat-trick across the format and also the first for Pakistan since Nadeem Junaid hit three in a Test against Bangladesh in 2000, alongside Wasim Akram and Mohammad Sami being his contemporaries.

Among the other interesting bits …Noman also became the 2nd oldest cricketer to take a Test hat-trick (38 years 110 days). The biggest claim to fame was Sri Lanka's legend Rangana Herath who holds the record to be the oldest ever Test hat-trick maker having taken a hat-trick at age of 38 years and 139 days.

All things considered Pakistan included not simply three of the vital spinners in their playing XI that develop into teach stroke of a life time. Playing as the first new ball, Noman got the better of Kraigg Brathwaite and swiftly took over as West Indies number one asned in his second over. A few overs later, he took the old boys down to pieces with this tidy three-wicket burst.

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭! 😍

Hat-trick hero Noman Ali makes history in Multan 🙌#PAKvWI | #RedBallRumble pic.twitter.com/2xRLeYpVXl

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 25, 2025

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PAK vs WI Match Preview

Pakistan will face the West Indies in the next and final game in the Test series, which begins on Saturday, January 25th at Multan Cricket Stadium. The home team easily defeated the West Indies in the first game of the series. This result gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the Test series. On the contrary, West Indies will be eager to adjust to the conditions and put on a stronger show in this series finale.

PAK vs WI Match Details

Pakistan vs West Indies – 2nd Match, Test Match

Venue: Multan International Cricket Stadium, Multan

Date & Time: 25th January 2025 at 10:00 AM IST 

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

PAK vs WI Venue Stats

PAK vs WI Pitch Report

The surface that was prepared for the game in Multan is expected to be drier, which will help the spinners. Batters will have to be patient to score big runs on this flooring. 

PAK vs WI Weather Report

The weather forecast for the game is sunny with light winds, with temperatures ranging from 31°C to a low of 21°C.

PAK vs WI Last Five Matches

PAK vs WI Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

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PAK vs WI Probable Playing XIs:

West Indies Probable Playing XIs

Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Kavem Hodge, Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach (wk), Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican, Jayden Seales

Pakistan Probable Playing XIs

Shan Masood (c), Muhammad Hurraira, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Abrar Ahmed

Topmost Picks for PAK vs WI Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Pakistan

• Saud Shakeel – Saud Shakeel has shown decent form at the top of the first inning and scored 105 runs combining both innings.
• Sajid Khan – Sajid Khan shattered the West Indies side, taking 9 wickets in both innings.

Top Picks – West Indies

• Alick Athanaze – Alick Athanaze has accumulated 516 runs at an average of 28.66 with one century and three half-centuries to his name.
• Jomel Warrican – The all-rounder has been a crucial player for the team and his spin bowling has made a major impact for the visitors.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for PAK vs WI Dream11 Team:

Mohammad Rizwan, Tevin Imlach, Kraigg Brathwaite, Alick Athanaze, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sajid Khan(C), Noman Ali, Gudakesh Motie, Jomel Warrican(VC)

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for PAK vs WI Dream11 Team:

Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam(C), Shan Masood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Kavem Hodge, Alick Athanaze, Sajid Khan(VC), Noman Ali, Khurram Shehzad, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam

Vice-captain – Kavem Hodge, Sajid Khan

Wicketkeeper – Mohammad Rizwan

PAK vs WI Probable Winners:

Based on their present standing, host Pakistan will be a heavy favorite in defeating the West Indies. Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and Abrar Ahmed have delivered excellent performances, and the team leadership will be hoping for a reprise of the exact same in this final test. Considering the team combination, Pakistan is expected to win this match.

Pakistan's Playing XI for the First Test Against West Indies in Multan

For the first Test match against the West Indies happening in Multan, Pakistan has just released their starting lineup. We are studying the first time the West Indies have come to Pakistan for a Test series since 2006, and it will be just a two-match showdown. It's very important. But here's the details: Pakistan's plan of action is noticeably about those spinners.

They've got Noman Ali and Sajid Khan prepared to start, thinking they'll do really well on what's expected to be a very spin-friendly pitch. They even added Abrar Ahmed into the amalgam to strengthen holistically their spin attack. The working theory is that since the pitch will probably help the spinners out, these men will be the primary path that can be taken for Pakistan securing the win. However, when it comes to fast bowling, Pakistan's not putting all their eggs in one basket. Khurram Shahzad is the only fast bowler they're playing now. His job? Make sure everything is equal and bring some speed when it's crunch time. But to be honest, the heavy lifting is going to be done by the spin crew.

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Pakistan name their XI for the first Test against West Indies in Multan 🇵🇰

Muhammad Hurraira will make his debut at the top of the order 🧢 #PAKvWI pic.twitter.com/nir68jnu9i

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 16, 2025

Now, about the hitters. Pakistan had to change things since Saim Ayub is out with an injury. Stepping into the spotlight is Mohammad Huraira, who's going to open with Captain Shan Masood. Everyone is excited since it's Huraira's first major game, and hopes are high he'll begin Pakistan's innings on the right foot. All in all, Pakistan's counting on their spinners to do really well against the West Indies, who've got their work cut out on a pitch that's not likely in their favor. Pakistan's blending some fresh faces with seasoned professionals, hoping this formula gets them the lead in this historic series. Hope this piece may enlighten you on Pakistan's strategy and what's at stake in this exciting match-up the series.

Pakistan Playing XI for 1st Test