Shreyas Iyer Punished, IND Tour Of ZIM And NZ Women Win- April 1 Cricket Highlights

Shreyas Iyer and Amelia Kerr [Source: AFP]

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has been punished by the BCCI. The board has unveiled the entire schedule of India’s upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. In other news, the New Zealand Women’s team pulled off a world record run chase against South Africa.

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, April 1.

BCCI unveil schedule of Zimbabwe vs India series

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the entire schedule of India’s upcoming short tour of Zimbabwe. As per the schedule, the Indian cricket team will be travelling to Zimbabwe to play a series of three T20I matches roughly two months after the conclusion of the IPL 2026 season.

The T20 World Cup champions will be taking on hosts for three matches, all set to be hosted by the iconic Harare Sports Club in Harare between July 23 and July 26.

Mohammed Shami traps KL Rahul on first ball of LSG debut

Legendary Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami made instant impact for the LSG franchise in match number five of the IPL 2026 season. Playing his first match for the LSG, and making his return to competitive cricket after the 2025-26 Indian domestic season, Shami struck in his first ball with the huge wicket of Delhi Capitals opener KL Rahul at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

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It is worth noting that this was also the second instance of Shami dismissing KL Rahul for a duck in the IPL.

Pat Cummins retained in Australia’s 21-player central contracts list

Cricket Australia has unveiled names of 21 cricketers in their updated central contract list. Cooper Connolly was excluded from the charts, despite starring for the Punjab Kings franchise in the IPL 2026 season just a day earlier in India. Young opener Sam Konstas, legendary all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and fast bowler Jhye Richardson were also excluded from the list by CA.

Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins retained his spot, alongside fellow senior fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc as well as Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Travis Head among others in a 21-member star-studded group.

Shreyas Iyer punished by BCCI after PBKS win

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has been penalised by the BCCI for maintaining a slow over-rate against Gujarat Titans in match number four of the IPL 2026 season. The cricketer has been slapped with a fine of Rs. 12 lakhs, as this was his first offence of the season under the Article 2.22 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct.

Under the leadership of Iyer, the Punjab Kings team managed to secure a thrilling win over Titans, pulling off a dramatic chase in the final over courtesy of a sublime 72*-run knock from unbeaten Cooper Connolly.

Amelia Kerr pulls off record chase for New Zealand chase

New Zealand Women pipped South Africa by two wickets in 49.4 overs in Wellington to level their three-match ODI series 1-1. Chasing 347 for a win, New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr led her side from the front with a record-breaking knock of 179* from 139 balls with 23 boundaries and a six. Isabella Gaze also charted 68 from 48 balls as New Zealand pulled off the highest successful run chase in the history of Women’s ODI cricket.

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