![Ben Stokes and Hardik Pandya [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1781108030202_Ben_Stokes_and_Hardik_Pandya.jpg?type=hq)
Ben Stokes and Hardik Pandya [Source: AFP]
Ben Stokes has been dropped from the England squad for the second Test against New Zealand. Hardik Pandya suffered an injury before the ODI series against Afghanistan. In other news, Harry Brook has been crowned as the new number one batter in ICC Test rankings.
Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Wednesday, June 10.
Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson dropped; Joe Root to lead England vs NZ
The ECB has dropped captain Ben Stokes and all-rounder Gus Atkinson from England squad for the second Test against New Zealand owing to their involvement in the nightclub incident. Former captain and legendary batter Joe Root will be leading the side on an interim basis.
Also Read- Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson In Nightclub Controversy; ECB To Take Major Action
The English selection committee also brought back fast bowler Jofra Archer and uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox in the squad for the second Test as replacements.
Mohammad Saleem Safi added to Afghanistan ODI squad vs India
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has added fast bowler Mohammad Saleem Safi into Afghanistan ODI squad for the upcoming series against India. The speedster was included in the squad owing to his Test heroics against the same opponents earlier this month in New Chandigarh.
Safi last played ODI cricket way back in July 2023, thus making his impending call-up his return to the ODI squad after a gap of nearly three years. Senior all-rounder Rashid Khan will link-up with the squad directly in Dharamshala.
Hardik Pandya ruled out of Afghanistan ODI series
Hardik Pandya has reportedly suffered a leg strain at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The star all-rounder has now been ruled out of India squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.
It is worth noting that Pandya has not played a single ODI match for India since the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in the UAE last year.
Harry Brook becomes number 1 ranked batter
England’s Harry Brook has become the new number one ranked batter in ICC Test rankings. Both he and Travis Head gained a rung each to climb to number one and two spots at the expense of Joe Root, who slipped to number three on the rankings.
Shubman Gill jumped to number eight on the list, and is only one of two Indian batters in the top 10 rankings alongside opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Sahibzada Farhan to lead Pakistan in Asian Games 2026
The PCB has announced Pakistan squad for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Japan. Sahibzada Farhan was named captain of the 15-player squad, with Abdul Samad being named as his deputy.
Dropping the likes of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah; the 15-player group features the likes of Abrar Ahmed, Haider Ali, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Usman Khan, Arafat Minhas among others.
