After months of uncertainty, the Asia Cup got under way this week in the United Arab Emirates, having been in doubt following cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan in May, which disrupted the IPL and the Pakistan Super League. That led to speculation whether India would play matches against Pakistan. The Stumped team look ahead to the clash and discuss the competitive balance of the competition and whether any team in the tournament can genuinely challenge India.

Our build-up to the Women’s World Cup continues and this week Sri Lanka are the focus. We hear from journalist Estelle Vasudevan, who explains what it means for the country to be back in the competition for the first time since 2017.

Plus, can you remember what you were doing at 17 years old? Croatia's Zach Vukusic became the youngest ever international cricket captain in a recent T20 series against Cyprus at just 17 years and 311 days. We discuss his history making achievement.

Photo: Captains of participating teams pose with the Asia Cup 2025 Twenty20 international cricket match trophy alongside Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi during a press conference at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on September 9, 2025. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Our Women’s World Cup countdown continues, and this week we focus on South Africa. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by all-rounder Annerie Dercksen who tells us about how she went from growing up on a farm and learning about cricket in the newspapers to being voted the ICC women’s emerging cricketer of the year 2024. She also shares what it was like having Dane Van Niekerk as part of their training camp and how the team has been inspired by the Proteas winning the World Test Championship earlier this year.

We reflect on The Hundred final and debate whether Australian Adam Zampa should have made the 34,000 kilometre round trip to bowl 20 balls for the Oval Invincibles. Plus, with rumours and ‘retirements’ surrounding both the England and Australia teams ahead of the Ashes, we look at which team is faring better.

Photo: Annerie Dercksen of South Africa celebrates with teammate Anneke Bosch after Brooke Halliday of New Zealand (obscured) is caught out during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Final 2024 match between South Africa and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Our Women’s ODI World Cup countdown continues and this week we are hearing from New Zealand Head Coach Ben Sawyer who tells us how their latest T20 World Cup win inspired a generation. He also shares the impact that captain Sophie Devine has had on the team.

Plus, we head to Guernsey whose men’s team are hosting a tri-series this weekend against Finland and Switzerland. We are joined by their Chief Operating Officer Richard Headington to hear how the sport is developing at grassroots level.

Photo: Sophie Devine of New Zealand kisses the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Trophy in front of photographers as she celebrates after defeating South Africa during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Final 2024 match between South Africa and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Nikesh Rughani, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta discuss the race to be the second biggest franchise tournament behind the Indian Premier League.

SA20 commissioner and former South Africa captain Graeme Smith says they 'want to be the biggest league outside the IPL'. Yet with Australia's Big Bash looking for private investment and Indian owners taking majority shares in some Hundred teams, which franchise league can say it's legitimately the most appealing for the world's best cricketers?

We continue our build-up to the Women's World Cup with Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty. She tells our reporter Charlotte Swift that the team enjoys being the underdog and can build on their first 50 over World Cup appearance three years ago.

Plus, we debate squad selections and omissions for both India's men and women as they prepare for the Asia Cup and World Cup respectively.

Photo: South Africa & Australia Training - ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: Former South Africa cricketer Graeme Smith pictured ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on June 08, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)