Stumped

Former Pakistan leg-spinner and current Bangladesh spin coach, Mushtaq Ahmed, tells Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta that he’d love to work with Pakistan again in the future and gives his thoughts on the current instability in the nation’s national team.
He believes Pakistan should remain calm and not make any rash decisions after they sent home seven players including two coaches after the second Test defeat against England at Lord’s. He also says Bangladesh deserve the right to play more red ball cricket after their 1-1 draw in Australia.
Marnus Labugchagne has been left out of the recent Australia's ODI squad to face Zimbabwe and South Africa. The trio discuss if this marks the beginning of the end of Labuschagne's international career?
Plus, Cricket is played all around the world, from the gullies of Lahore, to the back yards of Australia and the Maidan’s of India. It's also played in many unusual places like in Solent, England, on the Bramble Bank that appears only once a year! Alison went to find out more.
Photo: Ali Usman of Pakistan is bowled by Jofra Archer during the second day of the second Rothesay Test match between England and Pakistan at Lord's Cricket Ground on August 28, 2026 in London, England. (Credit: Getty Images)

Cricket isn't short of big rivalries. We can now add another one to the list - Vicars versus Imams! We hear from players from both teams about the mini series which has been going on for almost a decade in Lancashire, England.
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta also reflect on Australia's comfortable win over Bangladesh as the Test series ended in a 1-1 draw. For the third time in the last seven matches, a Test in Australia finished inside two days, is this becoming an issue for the sport?
Plus, the team react to Joe Root's comments after yet another off the field incident involving an England player. Eight contracted players have been involved in or present for late-night incidents in the past year.
Photo: Lancashire Vicars v Imams Credit: Clive Lawrence

Bangladesh stunned Australia by nine wickets in the first Test at Darwin, a result few saw coming. Nikesh Rughani, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss whether Bangladesh were simply too good, or Australia was below par. Jim, however, sees no reason to panic and believes the Aussies will bounce back in the second Test.

Plus, former South African batter and Rotterdam Dockers co-owner Jonty Rhodes joins Stumped to discuss the new European T20 Premier League, which gets underway next week. Featuring six franchise-based city teams across the Netherlands, Ireland and Scotland, Jonty says the new venture can play a major role in helping cricket grow across Europe.

Photo: Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh celebrates with team mates after dismissing Steve Smith of Australia during day three of the First Test Match in the series between Australia and Bangladesh at Marrara Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Scotland and Netherlands say the ICC’s plans to shrink the men’s 2027 Cricket World Cup to 12 teams will make it harder for associate nations to qualify. Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Brett Sprigg discuss the impact this will have on the sport.

Three Test series get underway this week with Bangladesh in Australia, India travel to Sri Lanka and England host Pakistan. Brett says the Tigers deserve their chance to play against Australia and Charu believes spin will play a big role in the sub-continent if the monsoon rains stay away. Meanwhile, Alison can’t pick a clear favourite in the England v Pakistan series.

And move over Cristiano Ronaldo, Madeira and Portugal has a new sporting icon. We hear from Moises Henriques on why he swapped the Aussie gold and green for Portugal’s red and green as he hopes to get them qualified for the next T20 World Cup.
Photo: BANGALORE, INDIA - NOVEMBER 12: Roelof van der Merwe of Netherlands reacts during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India 2023 between India and Netherlands at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Bangalore, India. (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
HOBART, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14: Matt Machan of Scotland looks dejected after being dismissed by Pat Cummins of Australia during the 2015 Cricket World Cup match between Australia and Scotland at Bellerive Oval on March 14, 2015 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Smriti Mandhana joins Stumped to discuss India's strong dressing room culture and the supportive environment that has helped shape the team's success. The elegant left-hander also reflects on winning the 2025 Cricket World Cup and on playing in the historic Test match at Lord’s and in The Hundred. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma reflect on her remarkable impact and discuss what India must do to consistently challenge the world's best sides.

The team also debates whether Joe Root is the right person to captain England after Ben Stokes revealed concerns about the toll the role could take on him, while insisting he wishes Root nothing but success.

Plus, Charu has some advice for Babar Azam following Pakistan’s 1-1 series draw with West Indies. He wants the Pakistan skipper to relax and enjoy his leadership ahead of facing England later this month.

Photo: Smriti Mandhana of Manchester Super Giants Women bats during The Hundred match between Manchester Super Giants Women and Welsh Fire Women at Emirates Old Trafford on August 05, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Joe Prior/Getty Images)