Azam, Afridi back in Pakistan squad for Australia series before T20 World Cup

Published

5 months ago

January 23, 2026

Former captains Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have returned to Pakistan’s Twenty20 squad for the three-match home series against Australia starting on Thursday, their final bilateral fixtures before next month’s 20-over World Cup.

Azam missed the three-match series against Sri Lanka as he was playing in Australia’s domestic Big Bash League (BBL). The 31-year-old ended his BBL campaign prematurely to join the national camp.

Afridi had suffered a knee injury while playing in the BBL last month.

Pakistan will play three matches against Australia in Lahore until February 1. The 2009 champions will begin their Group A campaign in the T20 World Cup in Colombo against Netherlands on February 7.

PAKISTAN SQUAD: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan and Usman Tariq

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India set for bumper New Zealand tour featuring 10 white-ball matches and Two Tests

Published

6 days ago

June 3, 2026

Staff Reporter

India will undertake the biggest-ever international cricket tour of New Zealand later this year, playing two tests, five one-day internationals and five Twenty20 matches against the Black Caps.

India will open the tour with the T20s in late October and early November quickly followed by the ODI series.

The first test takes place at Wellington’s Basin Reserve from November 19 to 23. The second test will be at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval from November 27 to December 1.

“When it comes to cricket – it simply doesn’t get bigger than India and we’re determined to deliver New Zealanders a tour like no other,” said New Zealand Cricket’s Glenn Critchley. “We’re expecting all of these games to sell out.”

After travelling to play four tests in Australia around the New Year, New Zealand will also host Sri Lanka in three ODIs, three T20s, and two tests in January and February, 2027.

The White Ferns women’s team will host Bangladesh for three T20s and three ODIs in December.

No RCB victory parade in Bengaluru as fans celebrate title win indoors

Published

1 week ago

June 1, 2026

Staff Reporter

The passionate fans will not be able to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title defence with the team after the franchise decided against holding a victory parade in the city in order to avoid the crowd frenzy, which led to last year’s deadly stampede.

Virat Kohli once again delivered on the biggest stage as Royal Challengers Bengaluru defended their IPL title with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, extending his remarkable run of consistency in a format increasingly dominated by ultra-aggressive batting.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s second IPL title win came on Rajat Patidar’s 33rd birthday but more than that happy coincidence the skipper was pleased with his team’s start-to-end domination in the league.

The RCB took such a decision also keeping in mind the swearing-in ceremony of newly-appointed Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Rishabh Pant quits LSG captaincy after IPL 2026 debacle

Published

1 week ago

May 29, 2026

Staff Reporter

Rishabh Pant has stepped down as Lucknow Super Giants captain following the IPL 2026 season. During his two-year stint, LSG failed to secure a playoff berth, managing only 10 wins under his leadership. The franchise finished seventh last season and ended this year at the bottom of the table. He was bought for INR 27 crore and was immediately handed the captaincy baton, but absolutely nothing worked well for the franchise since then.

“Lucknow Super Giants wish to formally announce that Rishabh Pant has requested to be relieved from his captaincy duties with the franchise, and the franchise has accepted the request with immediate effect,” LSG’s statement read.