The Covid-19-interrupted Pakistan Super League concluded after an eight-month hiatus with the Karachi Kings clinching their first PSL title, and cementing Babar Azam's position as a batting powerhouse. And despite the biosecure bubbles and quarantine rules in place, the pandemic continues to threaten to disrupt proceedings - a fresh lockdown in Australia might throw a spanner into the Australia-India series, and the LPL has had its first Covid-positive cases less than a week before it's due to start. Even so, cricket schedules for the next year are filling up, and you can keep up with all the newest developments here.
Babar Azam's fluent fifty guides Karachi Kings to maiden PSL title
The Karachi Kings cruised to their first ever PSL title, at home, beating arch rivals Lahore Qalandars. Azam's sixth consecutive half-century made light work of the below-par score put up by the Qalandars before captain Imad Wasim hit the winning runs. Wasim also paid tribute to late coach Dean Jones, who passed away unexpectedly during the IPL.
Nuwan Zoysa found guilty of three offences under ICC anti-corruption code
Former Sri Lanka player Zoysa was originally charged in 2018 after his involvement in a T10 tournament organised in the UAE. He has also been charged by the ICC on behalf of the Emirates Cricket Board with breaching four counts of its Anti-Corruption Code for Participants for the T10 League.
2022 Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa postponed to February 2023
Only two multi-team major women's events will be played in 2022 - the ODI World Cup in New Zealand followed by the Commonwealth Games in July, with the multi-format Ashes scheduled for the latter half of the year.
Covid-19: Cricket Australia optimistic about Adelaide Test even as South Australia hits 'pause'
South Australia went into its harshest lockdown yet, to contain a growing Covid-19 outbreak, putting the India-Australia Test in Adelaide in doubt. Other potential venues for the pink-ball Test include the MCG and Canberra's Manuka Oval
England confirm October 2021 dates for historic return to Pakistan
England postponed their goodwill tour of Pakistan originally scheduled for the end of this year to late October next year, but the dates for the historic return to the country after 16 years have now been firmed up, with two T20Is in Karachi as a build-up to the T20 World Cup. Meanwhile England have packed their home season schedule for 2021 - five Tests against India, women's tours by New Zealand and South Africa - and are hoping to welcome crowds back into venues in summer.
LPL 2020 - Sohail Tanvir, Canada batsman Ravinderpal Singh test positive for Covid-19
The Lanka Premier League has run into fresh hurdles with two players from the Kandy Tuskers testing positive for Covid-19. Their future in the tournament is contingent on their recoveries, and sign-offs from the medical authorities. Earlier marquee players Chris Gayle and Lasith Malinga became the latest cricketers to pull out of the franchise league. The West Indian opener has cited injury, and the Sri Lanka fast bowler inadequate preparation time.
Rabbit Holes: Which is the most terrifying spell of fast bowling ever bowled?
One by Wasim Akram in his pomp? Mitchell Johnson in 2013-14? Holding to Boycott? Osman Samiuddin, Andrew McGlashan and Karthik Krishnaswamy spend hours watching YouTube videos and quibbling about the bowling spells that keep batsmen awake at night.
The balls of the century, No. 1: Ryan Harris to Alastair Cook
Osman Samidduin calls it the ball to end all balls, the perfect delivery, from a bowler who often tried too hard to bowl such balls. Does it rate on your list? And if not, does our list suck? We hope not.
20 women cricketers for the 2020s
Women's cricket made its biggest strides yet in the 2010s, and its fan base has grown even larger. But who will be the stars of the future? We look into the crystal ball to pick the players we think will dominate the decade, from Sophie Molineux to Shafali Verma, from Amelia Kerr to Laura Wolvaardt.
How the Mumbai Indians built their IPL empire
They have grown more formidable by the season, and this year they were well-nigh unstoppable. How did they get so far ahead of the pack? Nagraj Gollapudi lays out the machinery behind the magic of the serial IPL champions.
Nobody wants to see this India-Australia summer lovin'
Alan Gardner is done with the post-IPL love-in, in this month's Light Roller. Enough with the goodwill and buddying, now let's see some old-school brawlin', he says.
Who is the greatest ODI bowler of all time?
Anantha Narayanan's comprehensive analysis takes into account era, opposition strength, quality of wickets, big-tournament performances, and longevity.