India and South Africa become world champions, Netherlands and Nepal sizzle, Sri Lanka fizzle
In our first batch of team reports cards for 2025: India, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ireland and the Associates
29-Dec-2025 • 10 hrs ago
India memorably won their first women's World Cup, at home, beating South Africa in the final • ICC/Getty Images
India
Sidharth Monga
The year 2025 will always be the one that ignited a revolution in Indian cricket. Written off midway through the tournament, they rallied gloriously to register the highest successful chase in women's ODI cricket, against Australia in the semi-final, and then fought dew in the final to win their first ICC trophy. The big one at that: the ODI World Cup, at home. Those keen to write them off were forced to curb their enthusiasm.
The year 2025 will always be the one that ignited a revolution in Indian cricket. Written off midway through the tournament, they rallied gloriously to register the highest successful chase in women's ODI cricket, against Australia in the semi-final, and then fought dew in the final to win their first ICC trophy. The big one at that: the ODI World Cup, at home. Those keen to write them off were forced to curb their enthusiasm.
In men's cricket meanwhile, the transition kept transitioning. After 12 years of no home Test series defeats, they were whitewashed a second time in 12 months, losing 2-0 to world Test champions South Africa. While they were proud of drawing 2-2 in England with a young team and a new captain, it really was a case of lost opportunity against a side that went on to lose the Ashes inside 11 days.
In shorter formats, though, the men continued to flex their muscle. In going through the Champions Trophy unbeaten, India took their win-loss record in the last three ICC white-ball events to 24-1. They also won every match in the T20 Asia Cup and look strong favourites for the 2026 T20 World Cup, having extended their undefeated streak to 14 series in the format.
High point
When the women lost their third straight World Cup match, this time fumbling a chase of 62 in ten overs, obituaries began to be prepared in earnest. They needed to win each of the remaining four matches not only for themselves but to secure emotional and financial investment for the game in India. They did just that on two magical nights in Navi Mumbai - yes, no big venue was spared for the home World Cup - chasing 339 against Australia in the semi-final and then defending 298 against South Africa in the final.
When the women lost their third straight World Cup match, this time fumbling a chase of 62 in ten overs, obituaries began to be prepared in earnest. They needed to win each of the remaining four matches not only for themselves but to secure emotional and financial investment for the game in India. They did just that on two magical nights in Navi Mumbai - yes, no big venue was spared for the home World Cup - chasing 339 against Australia in the semi-final and then defending 298 against South Africa in the final.
Low point
For more than a decade, visiting India for Tests was the most daunting assignment in men's cricket. When New Zealand sent shock waves around the world by whitewashing India in India in 2024, it was seen as a freak result, facilitated by a wet surface in Bengaluru and two tosses won on dodgy pitches. The whitewash at the hands of South Africa in 2025 will have been more painful: the visitors outplayed India in pretty much every department. Not since 2012, when current coach Gautam Gambhir was still a regular in the Test XI, has Indian Test cricket been at such a low ebb.
For more than a decade, visiting India for Tests was the most daunting assignment in men's cricket. When New Zealand sent shock waves around the world by whitewashing India in India in 2024, it was seen as a freak result, facilitated by a wet surface in Bengaluru and two tosses won on dodgy pitches. The whitewash at the hands of South Africa in 2025 will have been more painful: the visitors outplayed India in pretty much every department. Not since 2012, when current coach Gautam Gambhir was still a regular in the Test XI, has Indian Test cricket been at such a low ebb.
Results
South Africa
By Firdose Moonda
South African cricket's stocks continue to rise after a hugely successful 2025, headlined by their first world title. The men's team won the World Test Championship mace to cap off a campaign that included seven straight wins to reach the final. They went on to register a record winning streak that extended to ten Tests, drew a series in Pakistan and claimed a first series win in India in 25 years. South Africa currently sit third on the WTC points table, with all their home matches still to come.
South African cricket's stocks continue to rise after a hugely successful 2025, headlined by their first world title. The men's team won the World Test Championship mace to cap off a campaign that included seven straight wins to reach the final. They went on to register a record winning streak that extended to ten Tests, drew a series in Pakistan and claimed a first series win in India in 25 years. South Africa currently sit third on the WTC points table, with all their home matches still to come.
Their white-ball form has been much patchier and dented by the resignation of coach Rob Walter, after their Champions Trophy exit at semi-final stage. Shukri Conrad was promoted to all-format coach but has struggled to find consistency. Under him, South Africa have won two out of four ODI series and none of their six T20I rubbers but he will be judged on major tournament outcomes and won't be feeling any pressure just yet.
Instead, Conrad can still bask in the glory of masterminding South Africa's Test fortunes, which has come as part of a larger resurgence. There's administrative and financial stability, a growing player pool and clear priorities as Enoch Nkwe, the head of national teams and high performance, continues to plan well. A bloated domestic system remains a concern, especially as fixtures dwindle, but the SA20 papers over some cracks, which may only get exposed post the home ODI World Cup in 2027.
For now, it's been a champagne season for South Africa across their national sides.
The women's team, under new coach Mandla Mashimbyi, stunned at the ODI World Cup, where they reached the final and lost to India. After being bowled out for 69 in their opener against England, they defeated the same team in the semi-finals and captain Laura Wolvaardt became the first skipper to score a century in a knockout game. They returned home to welcome former leader Dane van Niekerk back into the fold and swept Ireland in preparation for next year's T20 World Cup.
High point
Lord's on June 14. South Africa successfully chased 282 to win the World Test Championship and wash more than three decades of what-ifs away. Given how underrated South Africa were after playing neither England nor Australia in the cycle (and only facing India at home) and that the side had only one genuine superstar in Kagiso Rabada, their victory underlined that this South African side is more than the sum of their parts, and has raised hopes more trophies can be won in the years to come.
Lord's on June 14. South Africa successfully chased 282 to win the World Test Championship and wash more than three decades of what-ifs away. Given how underrated South Africa were after playing neither England nor Australia in the cycle (and only facing India at home) and that the side had only one genuine superstar in Kagiso Rabada, their victory underlined that this South African side is more than the sum of their parts, and has raised hopes more trophies can be won in the years to come.
Low point
With a T20 World Cup less than two months away, South Africa's form in the format could be a concern, but given that they are often without a first-choice team in bilateral series, they don't seem too worried. Instead, the disappointment was felt more among fans who were not able to see their champion Test side play at home, with no local Tests scheduled on the FTP (as agreed in 2022) this summer.
With a T20 World Cup less than two months away, South Africa's form in the format could be a concern, but given that they are often without a first-choice team in bilateral series, they don't seem too worried. Instead, the disappointment was felt more among fans who were not able to see their champion Test side play at home, with no local Tests scheduled on the FTP (as agreed in 2022) this summer.
Results
Pakistan
by Danyal Rasool
Just fine. That's probably how Pakistan's on-field year could best be described. For the amount of cricket they played through the year - 56 matches all told - there is little to remember 2025 by way of iconic moments. Pakistan split their games almost right down the middle, winning 30 and losing 26, beating the teams they were expected to, and losing periodically against ostensibly lesser opponents to remind them where they stood.
Just fine. That's probably how Pakistan's on-field year could best be described. For the amount of cricket they played through the year - 56 matches all told - there is little to remember 2025 by way of iconic moments. Pakistan split their games almost right down the middle, winning 30 and losing 26, beating the teams they were expected to, and losing periodically against ostensibly lesser opponents to remind them where they stood.
An early Champions Trophy exit at home threatened to send the year spiralling into disaster, but Pakistan largely held it together primarily by dint of their T20I form. They won a tri-series in the UAE and one at home to round off the year. They also reached the Asia Cup final. There wasn't much Test or ODI cricket for them, but when they did play those formats, results were firmly middle of the road, in keeping with their current standing.
The year centred around the ODI World Cup for the women's side, for which there was plenty of optimism when Pakistan swept the board at the Qualifiers, sailing into the tournament with five home wins. A 1-2 bilateral series result at home against eventual World Cup finalists South Africa offered encouragement, but the tournament was, in more ways than one, a damp squib. Three of their games were washed out in rainy Sri Lanka, and they lost the other four to finish as the sole winless side. The only T20I series they played was also disappointing; they fell to a 2-1 defeat in Ireland.
High point
Pakistan's very participation in the Women's ODI World Cup was in doubt given the strength of the sides vying to qualify. The Qualifiers, held in Lahore, included West Indies, Bangladesh, and Ireland, and yet, Pakistan made a mockery of the competition. Ireland and Scotland were dispatched with ease, before frequent tormentors West Indies were crushed by 65 runs, providing a statement of intent. Pakistan would win all five games, which, at the time anyway, built up real excitement for the main tournament.
Pakistan's very participation in the Women's ODI World Cup was in doubt given the strength of the sides vying to qualify. The Qualifiers, held in Lahore, included West Indies, Bangladesh, and Ireland, and yet, Pakistan made a mockery of the competition. Ireland and Scotland were dispatched with ease, before frequent tormentors West Indies were crushed by 65 runs, providing a statement of intent. Pakistan would win all five games, which, at the time anyway, built up real excitement for the main tournament.
Low point
Having built up momentum at the tail end of 2024 in ODI cricket with away series wins in Australia and South Africa, Pakistan's men's side went into the Champions Trophy - the first ICC event they hosted since 1996 - with guarded optimism. However, it would become a failure that more or less defined their year. A heavy opening-day loss to New Zealand in Karachi was a chastening reality check, before India swept them aside in Dubai. By the time their game against Bangladesh in Pindi was rained off, Pakistan had already been eliminated from their own tournament.
Having built up momentum at the tail end of 2024 in ODI cricket with away series wins in Australia and South Africa, Pakistan's men's side went into the Champions Trophy - the first ICC event they hosted since 1996 - with guarded optimism. However, it would become a failure that more or less defined their year. A heavy opening-day loss to New Zealand in Karachi was a chastening reality check, before India swept them aside in Dubai. By the time their game against Bangladesh in Pindi was rained off, Pakistan had already been eliminated from their own tournament.
Results
Sri Lanka
by Andrew Fidel Fernando
Towards the end of the year, the men's team slid again towards mediocrity. This had been the outfit that most threatened to break Sri Lanka free from a ten-year funk in which they have made zero global trophy finals, even if they have had better luck at the Asia Cup.
Towards the end of the year, the men's team slid again towards mediocrity. This had been the outfit that most threatened to break Sri Lanka free from a ten-year funk in which they have made zero global trophy finals, even if they have had better luck at the Asia Cup.
At the 2025 Asia Cup, though - the big prize in the year after Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy - the team sank in the Super Four. Having been unbeaten through the group stage, Sri Lanka lost to Bangladesh, then Pakistan, then (narrowly) India. Elsewhere in the year, Sri Lanka also dropped two games against Zimbabwe, and lost a series to Bangladesh.
The T20I team's woes are placing pressure on the captain Charith Asalanka, with the selectors now having floated the idea of replacing him less than two months out from a home World Cup. Where for much of 2024 the limited-overs teams showed signs of resurgence, poor results towards the end of 2025 saw them return to all-too-familiar dysfunction.
In Tests, Sri Lanka were thumped 2-0 at home to end the previous WTC cycle, but they began the next one brightly, beating Bangladesh 1-0. But, as is increasingly becoming common, they barely got to play.
The women's team were always going to be defined by their ODI World Cup campaign, and on that front, there was more disappointment. Partly, their World Cup was derailed by an especially vicious north-east monsoon, which severely affected the Colombo portion of the tournament. In the end, Sri Lanka won only the one match, against Bangladesh, having been poor against South Africa and England at home. Earlier in the year they had had a middling tri-series at home, reaching the final against India, but going down by 97 runs in it.
Despite the poor results, there was evidence of some development, particularly in the top- and middle-order batting. The likes of Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari continued to grow, with Nilakshika de Silva and Hasini Perera also finding some form later in the year.
High point
Pathum Nissanka might be Sri Lanka men's first batting talent of the modern age, with hundreds across all three formats in 2025. In Tests, his batting has become brisk, but he still put up mammoth scores, making 187 and 158 against Bangladesh. Possibly his best century came against India at the T20 Asia Cup. He had to battle injury as well as India's attack to hit 107 off 58 balls.
Pathum Nissanka might be Sri Lanka men's first batting talent of the modern age, with hundreds across all three formats in 2025. In Tests, his batting has become brisk, but he still put up mammoth scores, making 187 and 158 against Bangladesh. Possibly his best century came against India at the T20 Asia Cup. He had to battle injury as well as India's attack to hit 107 off 58 balls.
Low point
The men's ODI whitewash in Pakistan in November felt like the moment the team began to crack. By the end of the tour, changes to leadership, selection and coaching were all being whispered about.
The men's ODI whitewash in Pakistan in November felt like the moment the team began to crack. By the end of the tour, changes to leadership, selection and coaching were all being whispered about.
Results
Ireland
by Andrew Miller
It was another deeply frustrating year for Irish cricket, with a glut of losses on the field, and a significant departure off it. Nothing epitomised their woes more acutely than the washout in Malahide that ruined the men's late-summer showpiece: a sold-out Friday T20I against England, towards which their entire season had been geared, and for which a cash-strapped board had pushed out the hospitality boat, at a venue where the erection of temporary facilities has so often proven to be prohibitive.
It was another deeply frustrating year for Irish cricket, with a glut of losses on the field, and a significant departure off it. Nothing epitomised their woes more acutely than the washout in Malahide that ruined the men's late-summer showpiece: a sold-out Friday T20I against England, towards which their entire season had been geared, and for which a cash-strapped board had pushed out the hospitality boat, at a venue where the erection of temporary facilities has so often proven to be prohibitive.
"It feels like the start of our winter programme," Ireland's captain, Paul Stirling, said, as an England team led, in late September, by their youngest-ever captain, Jacob Bethell, won the other two fixtures by convincing margins. It spoke volumes that, two decades after the format's inception, the series opener was the first bilateral T20I ever contested between the two neighbours.
With financial (and meteorological) factors culling the rest of their programme, including a planned visit by Afghanistan, Ireland's only other men's home fixtures had come against West Indies, way back in May and June: three matches out of a possible six, in which an impressive 124-run opening ODI win would prove something of a false dawn.
Ireland's failure to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup had precluded their presence at the Champions Trophy in February: they travelled to Zimbabwe instead, where they did at least complete their third straight Test win with a hard-fought victory in Bulawayo, and their only other engagement was a multi-format tour of Bangladesh in November. Two thumping Test losses gave way to a fine win in the opening T20I, before the hosts reasserted their dominance in matches two and three.
Off the field, the major development was the departure of Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland's chief executive for 19 years - a tenure that had encompassed the team's glory years at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, and their subsequent rise to Test status. On his watch, Cricket Ireland also secured approval, and government funding, for a new permanent stadium, due for completion in 2028 ahead of their co-hosting of the 2030 T20 World Cup with England, Scotland and Wales. However, another of Deutrom's initiatives, the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), was called off two weeks before it was due to start, due to funding concerns. Designed as a flagship for Irish and Associate talent, its uncertain future mirrored the enduring doubts about Ireland's long-term future as a competitive nation.
On the plus side, the women's team managed a significantly busier calendar, thanks in no small part to the board's decision to reallocate some of their increased ICC funding away from the men's game. They played 26 matches across formats, including tours of India and South Africa, and trips to Lahore for ODI World Cup Qualifier and and Rotterdam for the T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier . Their high points were home series wins over Zimbabwe and Pakistan, and six wins out of six in the European T20 World Cup qualifiers, ahead of next year's World Cup.
High point
Beating Bangladesh on home soil is no mean feat. The Tector brothers were instrumental in an above-par total of 181 for 4 in Chattogram - Harry with five sixes in an unbeaten 45-ball 69; younger brother Tim with 32 from 19 at the top of the order - before left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys held his nerve in dewy conditions with a superb return of 4 for 13.
Beating Bangladesh on home soil is no mean feat. The Tector brothers were instrumental in an above-par total of 181 for 4 in Chattogram - Harry with five sixes in an unbeaten 45-ball 69; younger brother Tim with 32 from 19 at the top of the order - before left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys held his nerve in dewy conditions with a superb return of 4 for 13.
Low point
The washout against England was an especially bleak moment in a series that never felt anything less than an afterthought. The sold-out signs on the ticket booths were a testament to the latent interest in the contest. But the constraints of the schedule left a marquee moment on the fringes of the European summer.
The washout against England was an especially bleak moment in a series that never felt anything less than an afterthought. The sold-out signs on the ticket booths were a testament to the latent interest in the contest. But the constraints of the schedule left a marquee moment on the fringes of the European summer.
Results
Associates
Ashish Pant
This was one of Nepal's best years. Under new coach Stuart Law they claimed their first win against a Full Member nation, taking down West Indies in a T20I and then securing a series victory as well. They also participated in the Top End T20 Series in Australia, gaining valuable experience playing against teams from Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh as preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
This was one of Nepal's best years. Under new coach Stuart Law they claimed their first win against a Full Member nation, taking down West Indies in a T20I and then securing a series victory as well. They also participated in the Top End T20 Series in Australia, gaining valuable experience playing against teams from Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh as preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Netherlands were involved in two of the most exciting ODIs and T20Is of 2025. On June 12, Max O'Dowd's 158 trumped George Munsey's epic 191 as Netherlands hunted down 370 against Scotland, the third-highest successful chase in ODIs. Four days later, they defeated Nepal in a T20I which went into a third Super Over, the first such occurrence in a men's in T20 or List A match. It was a decent year for Netherlands, who won six out of 11 ODIs (one no-result), and five of 11 T20Is (one no-result) and qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
A lot of things went right for Namibia, the biggest being their win over South Africa in a T20I. The men also also qualified for the T20 World Cup, while the women's team booked their spot in the T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Nepal in 2026. Namibia lost only three of 12 T20Is in 2025, all against Zimbabwe, and also got Gary Kirsten on board as a consultant for the men's national team.
It was a busy year for UAE, who made rapid strides across formats. The women's team gained ODI status, while the men recorded a historic 2-1 T20I series win against Bangladesh. They won one game, against Oman, in the T20 Asia Cup, and later became the 20th team to qualify for the T20 World Cup.
After the highs of 2024, USA cricket was thrown into chaos and confusion in 2025. The ICC suspended the board, which also filed for bankruptcy shortly after. But it was not all doom and gloom on the field. They won eight of their nine T20Is and ten of 12 ODIs. USA currently lead the ODI World Cup League 2 table and will hope the administrative sagas subside soon.
Off-field issues continued to plague Scotland as well, with the board under renewed fire after an alleged racism cover-up. Performances on the field also took a dip - the side failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup after featuring in the last four editions of the tournament. They were knocked out of contention following a last-ball defeat against Jersey. They won a tri-series at home, involving Netherlands and Nepal, but managed only three wins in seven T20Is overall. They did better in ODIs, where they had a win-loss ratio of 1.75.
Canada too suffered plenty of off-field problems. Most notably their men's captain, Nicholas Kirton, was arrested in Barbados last April on a drug-related charge. They did qualify for the T20 World Cup and had a terrific year in T20Is, winning 13 of 17 games. In ODIs, though, they won only one out of ten games, and that was after a Super Over.
Kenya had a tricky year, losing seven out of 11 T20Is and failing to make it to the T20 World Cup.
Oman couldn't win a single game at the Asia Cup, but produced spirited performances, particularly against India. They qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
High point
Four firsts: Nepal's first series win against a Full Member, beating West Indies 2-1 in T20Is; Namibia beating neighbours South Africa for the first time, with Ruben Trumpelmann taking them over the line in a last-ball thriller; UAE winning a T20I series against Bangladesh; and Italy qualifying for their maiden T20 World Cup, ahead of Jersey, Scotland and Guernsey.
Four firsts: Nepal's first series win against a Full Member, beating West Indies 2-1 in T20Is; Namibia beating neighbours South Africa for the first time, with Ruben Trumpelmann taking them over the line in a last-ball thriller; UAE winning a T20I series against Bangladesh; and Italy qualifying for their maiden T20 World Cup, ahead of Jersey, Scotland and Guernsey.
Low point
The ICC suspended USA Cricket due to governance failures and "repeated and continued breaches" of its obligations as an ICC member, and the board subsequent filed for bankruptcy.
The ICC suspended USA Cricket due to governance failures and "repeated and continued breaches" of its obligations as an ICC member, and the board subsequent filed for bankruptcy.