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  1. WPL stats - who impressed in 2026?published at 18:23 GMT 5 February

    Smriti Mandhana of Royal Challengers BengaluruImage source, Getty Images

    The fourth edition of the Women's Premier League has ended with Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning their second title with victory over Delhi Capitals.

    But who was the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker? And who else impressed? BBC Sport looks at all the key stats.

    Top run-scorers and Orange Cap winner

    1. Smriti Mandhana (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) - 377 runs

    2. Harmanpreet Kaur (Mumbai Indians) - 342

    3. Nat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians) - 321

    4. Lizelle Lee (Delhi Capitals) - 320

    5. Laura Wolvaardt (Delhi Capitals) - 317

    Harmanpreet finished with the highest average (68.40), Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Grace Harris had the highest strike-rate (178.19) and Harmanpreet and Sophie Devine hit the most sixes (13).

    Top wicket-takers and Purple Cap winner

    =1. Sophie Devine (Gujarat Giants) & Nandani Sharma (Delhi Capitals) - 17 wickets

    3. Nadine de Klerk (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) - 16

    =4. Amelia Kerr (Mumbai Indians), Shree Charani & Chinelle Henry (both Delhi Capitals) - 14

    Kerr had the best average (15.00 - min 10 overs), Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Lauren Bell had the best economy rate (5.52) and Devine had the best strike-rate (11.58 - min 10 overs).

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  2. Smith signs for Stallionz as PSL sides announce retentionspublished at 20:04 GMT 3 February

    Steve SmithImage source, Getty Images

    Australia batter Steve Smith will play in the Pakistan Super League for the first time after signing for new franchise Sialkot Stallionz.

    Smith, 36, is available after failing to earn a contract in the Indian Premier League and joins up with his former Australia captain Tim Paine.

    The right-hander has scored 6,242 runs in 272 T20s, at a healthy average of 32.68, but has been left out of Australia's squad for this month's T20 World Cup.

    Paine posted on X, saying that Smith is "one of the all-time great players" and the signing was "huge for our franchise and the PSL".

    The announcement came on the day that the six existing sides had to name their retentions for the new season.

    Each side were allowed to retain up to four players, with a maximum of one in each price category.

    Sialkot and the other new side, Kingsmen Hyderabad, have until 6 February to make direct signings, before all eight sides complete their squads at the inaugural auction on 11 February.

    The new season starts on 26 March.

    PSL retentions:

    Islamabad United: Shadab Khan, Salman Irshad, Andries Gous

    Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali, Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Saad Baig

    Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Afridi, Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem

    Multan Sultans: No retentions

    Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza

    Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Hasan Nawaz, Shamyl Hussain

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  3. Capitals thrash Giants to reach WPL finalpublished at 18:32 GMT 3 February

    Huzaifah Khan
    BBC Sport journalist

    Delhi Capitals' Lizelle Lee celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Gujarat Giants' Sophie DevineImage source, Getty Images

    Delhi Capitals secured a spot in the Women's Premier League final for the fourth successive year with a seven-wicket win over Gujarat Giants.

    The victory means the Capitals face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Thursday's final.

    The Capitals won the toss and decided to bowl, and at the halfway stage the game looked well poised after the Giants set their opponents 169 to chase down.

    Beth Mooney top-scored for the Giants with 62 not out off 51 balls while Georgia Wareham added late impetus with 35 off 25.

    However, the Capitals raced away and never looked back as openers Lizelle Lee (43) and Shafali Verma (31) put them in a commanding position.

    Giants bowler Wareham did threaten to halt the momentum as she dismissed both openers in her first over but it was too little too late as the Capitals needed just 77 from 72 balls with eight wickets remaining at this point.

    Captain Jemimah Rodrigues hit 41 before Laura Wolvaardt's 34 not out saw the Capitals home by seven wickets with 26 balls remaining.

    It was the first time the Capitals have had to qualify for the final through the Eliminator, having finished top of the table for the last three years, yet they are still on the hunt for their first title after losing on each occasion to the side that won through this play-off.

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  4. Capitals beat Warriorz to reach WPL play-offspublished at 17:46 GMT 1 February

    Jemimah Rodrigues directs her fieldersImage source, Getty Images

    Delhi Capitals booked their place in the Women's Premier League play-offs with a five-wicket win over UP Warriorz.

    The victory means Capitals will face Gujarat Giants in Tuesday's Eliminator, for a place against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Thursday's final.

    The defeat leaves UP Warriorz bottom of the five-team table, and defending champions Mumbai Indians drop down to fourth and miss out on the play-offs for the first time in the tournament's four-year history.

    Capitals won the toss in Vadodara and elected to bowl first and got off to a superb start with West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry trapping Meg Lanning lbw with the game's first ball.

    It set the tone for the innings as Warriorz struggled up to 122-8 with opener Deepti Sharma top-scoring with 24.

    South Africa's Marizanne Kapp was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3-30, including the wicket of Deepti and West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin.

    Capitals lost Lizelle Lee in the second over but Shafali Verma and Laura Wolvaardt put on 73 for the second wicket to put them in control.

    However, both fell in quick succession, and Kapp and Henry followed to leave Capitals 101-5 and needing 22 from 22 balls.

    They got over the line with eight balls to spare with captain Jemimah Rodrigues making an unbeaten 34 off 18 balls.

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  5. Giants reach WPL play-offs and leave Mumbai waitingpublished at 17:37 GMT 30 January

    Georgia Wareham and Sophie Devine of Gujarat Giants celebrate a wicket Image source, Getty Images

    Gujarat Giants sealed their place in the Women's Premier League play-offs with an 11-run victory that leaves defending champions Mumbai Indians vulnerable to an early exit.

    Mumbai, who won the tournament in 2023 and 2025, failed to chase 168 and will be eliminated if Delhi Capitals beat UP Warriorz on Sunday.

    A Warriorz win could also see Mumbai eliminated, but it would need a big net run-rate swing for that to happen.

    They slipped to 37-3 with West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews out for six and England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt dismissed for two.

    Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and New Zealand's Melie Kerr put on 45 for the fourth wicket, before the former shared 42 with Amanjot Kaur.

    However, they slipped to 127-6 after 17.2 overs, before Harmanpreet hit two fours in the 19th over, leaving 26 required off the last.

    She hit Ash Gardner's first ball for six, before doing the same with the third delivery.

    However, she was only able to take a single off the fourth and then Poonam Khemnar was caught attempting to clear the ropes.

    Harmanpreet was left stranded on 82 not out off 48 balls, while Sophie Devine and Georgia Wareham picked up 2-23 and 2-26 respectively for Giants.

    Wareham had earlier made 44 not out off 26 balls to help Giants get up to 167-4, with Gardner top-scoring with 46.

    Giants will face one of Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals or UP Warriorz in the Eliminator on Tuesday, with the winner of that game facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Thursday's final.

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  6. Harris stars as RCB book spot in WPL finalpublished at 17:07 GMT 29 January

    Grace Harris of Royal Challengers Bengaluru plays a shotImage source, Getty Images

    Australia's Grace Harris starred as Royal Challengers Bengaluru booked their place in the Women's Premier League final with a comfortable eight-wicket win over UP Warriorz.

    The all-rounder took 2-22 with the ball as RCB opted to bowl first and restricted Warriorz to 143-8.

    South Africa's Nadine de Klerk took 4-22, including the key wickets of Meg Lanning (41), that broke an opening stand of 74 with Deepti Sharma (55), and England wicketkeeper Amy Jones (1) on her WPL debut.

    England's Lauren Bell (1-21) again impressed, bowling 14 dot balls in her four overs.

    Harris then led the charge in the chase as she crashed 75 off 37 balls in an opening stand of 108 with Smriti Mandhana.

    She was dismissed off the first ball of the 10th over, but RCB returned to winning ways with 41 balls to spare, with Mandhana making an unbeaten 54.

    RCB had already secured a play-off place after wins in their opening five games, but will now have a week off before attempting to win their second WPL title in the final at Vadodara International Cricket Stadium on 5 February (14:00 GMT).

    The defeat leaves Warriorz bottom and they could be eliminated on Friday if Mumbai Indians beat Gujarat Giants.

    If Giants win, and seal a play-off place, then Warriorz's game against Delhi Capitals on Sunday will decide which of the three sides takes the final spot.

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  7. Paine appointed Sialkot head coach in PSLpublished at 15:24 GMT 29 January

    Tim PaineImage source, Getty Images

    Former Australia captain Tim Paine has been appointed as the head coach of new Pakistan Super League side Sialkot Stallionz.

    Paine, 41, has been assistant coach at Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League and has led a Prime Minister's XI against India and England in the past two winters.

    He was captain of 23 Tests between 2018 and 2020, winning 11 and losing eight.

    He stepped down in November 2021 after an investigation into historical messages with a colleague and never played for Australia again.

    The wicketkeeper played state cricket in the 2022-23 season, before retiring at the end of the campaign.

    Paine will have to build their squad from scratch at the PSL's first auction on 11 February, before leading the team in the new season from 26 March.

    Sialkot are one of two new sides - alongside a Hyderabad-named franchise - for the 2026 season.

    Paine's appointment follows Jason Gillespie being named Hyderabad coach and Luke Ronchi taking over at Islamabad United.

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  8. Gillespie named Hyderabad head coach for PSLpublished at 13:35 GMT 28 January

    Jason Gillespie during his media duties in the 2025-26 AshesImage source, Getty Images

    Former Australia all-rouner Jason Gillespie has been named head coach of the new Hyderabad franchise in the Pakistan Super League.

    Gillespie, 50, will have to build their squad from scratch at the PSL's first auction on 11 February, before leading the team in the new season from 26 March.

    Hyderabad are one of two new sides - alongside a Sialkot-named franchise - for the 2026 season.

    It is Gillespie's first involvement in Pakistan cricket since he resigned as head coach of the national Test team days before their series against South Africa in December 2024.

    He later said he was "blindsided" by decisions about the set-up around the team.

    On his latest appointment, Gillespie posted on X, saying: "Beyond excited to be part of the @KingsmenCricket family. So looking forward to being part of the Hyderabad team!"

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  9. Jones replaces injured Litchfield at Warriorzpublished at 10:49 GMT 28 January

    Amy Jones catches the ball while wicketkeeper for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash LeagueImage source, Getty Images

    England wicketkeeper Amy Jones has replaced the injured Phoebe Litchfield at UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League.

    Australia's Litchfield has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a quad injury.

    Litchfield leaves with 243 runs - the most by a Warriorz batter and the third-highest in this year's tournament.

    Jones, 32, is yet to feature in the WPL, and last played in Australia's Big Bash League on 9 December.

    Warriorz are bottom of the five-team table and likely need to win their final two games on Thursday and Sunday to be in contention for the play-offs.

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  10. Giants beat Capitals to close on WPL play-offspublished at 18:18 GMT 27 January

    Sophie Devine and Ash Gardner clap handsImage source, Getty Images

    Gujarat Giants boosted their hopes of qualifying for the Women's Premier League play-offs with a thrilling three-run win over Delhi Capitals.

    Capitals, who were chasing 175, needed nine from the final over but New Zealand's Sophie Devine took two wickets and conceded just five to seal the win.

    It was a remarkable turnaround for Devine, who had conceded 23 in her previous over as Capitals looked to pull off an incredible win.

    They needed 60 from the final four overs, but took 23 off Devine, eight off Tanuja Kanwar and 20 off Ash Gardner to take the game to the final over.

    They had slipped to 100-6 with Rajeshwari Gayakwad taking three wickets and Devine two and Gardner one.

    However Niki Prasad (47 off 24) and Sneh Rana (29 off 15) crashed 70 off 31 balls, before both were dismissed by Devine (4-37) in the final over.

    Earlier, Giants posted 174-9, with Beth Mooney making 58 and Deepti Sharma 39.

    Giants climb to second with the win and know victory in their final game would secure a play-off spot.

    Capitals sit fourth and will need to beat UP Warriorz in their final match and then rely on other results going their way.

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  11. Ronchi named Islamabad United head coachpublished at 14:08 GMT 27 January

    Luke RonchiImage source, Getty Images

    Former New Zealand and Australia international Luke Ronchi has been named as the new head coach of Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League.

    Ronchi, 44, played 31 games for Islamabad between 2017 and 2021, scoring 1,020 runs.

    The aggressive right-hander scored 94 not out in the 2018 final to give United their second title - and they have since won a joint-record third.

    "Islamabad United has always felt like home to me," said Ronchi.

    "The bond I share with this team, the owners, the fans, and the entire ISLU family is something genuinely special.

    "Islamabad United stands for fearless cricket, character, and a winning mindset. I'm excited to carry that legacy forward and help develop the next group of leaders and match-winners for this great team."

    Ronchi's first challenge will be building Islamabad's squad at the first-ever PSL auction on 11 February, before the season starts on 26 March.

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  12. Maxwell extends with Stars amid Thunder linkspublished at 10:28 GMT 27 January

    Glenn MaxwellImage source, Getty Images

    Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has signed a new two-year contract with Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, amid links with Sydney Thunder.

    There were reports, external over the weekend that Thunder, who finished bottom in the recently concluded season, had made a "lucrative offer" to Maxwell.

    However, Maxwell, who is the third-highest run-scorer in Big Bash history, has opted to extend this 13-season stay with Stars.

    "The Melbourne Stars have been a massive part of my cricket career and I'm really passionate about this team having success," said Maxwell.

    "This current group is building towards something special and I'm confident we're in a place to contend for the title in the next two seasons."

    Maxwell's signing was the big announcement on the Big Bash's deadline day with Campbell Kellaway and Austin Anlezark also staying with Stars.

    Matthew Gilkes and Ryan Hadley extended at Thunder, while Tom Rogers stays at Melbourne Renegades and Jerrssis Wadia at Adelaide Strikers.

    Uncontracted players are now free agents and can move during the player movement window, which starts on Wednesday and ends on 5 February.

    Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa, batter Travis Head and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis are among those uncontracted, alongside Usman Khawaja and Chris Lynn.

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