Author: A Sports

SYDNEY: Pakistan batting star Babar Azam has put himself within touching distance of a major T20 landmark during the Big Bash League (BBL) 15, as he edges closer to breaking a long-standing record held by West Indies great Chris Gayle.

Representing Sydney Sixers in his maiden BBL campaign, Babar endured a quiet start to the tournament, managing just 11 runs across his first two appearances.

However, the right-hander rediscovered his touch in the high-voltage Sydney derby against Thunder on Saturday, producing a composed and timely knock that underlined his class.

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After a cautious beginning, Babar settled in and brought up his maiden BBL half-century off 38 deliveries.

He was eventually dismissed in the 18th over while attempting to take on Reece Topley, walking back with a well-crafted 58 from 42 balls, an innings decorated with five fours and two sixes.

The half-century marked Babar’s 107th score of 50 or more in T20 cricket, achieved in 331 innings. He is currently fourth on the all-time list for most 50-plus scores in the shortest format.

Australia’s David Warner leads the standings with 121 such scores, followed by India’s Virat Kohli on 114, while Gayle sits third with 110.

Catch Big Bash League (BBL) 15 news updates here!

With four more 50-plus scores, Babar Azam will surpass Gayle’s record, and the numbers suggest the milestone is well within reach.

Sydney Sixers still have at least seven group-stage matches remaining in BBL 15, with further opportunities likely should they progress to the playoffs.

Babar’s return to form also played a decisive role in the derby clash. He shared a match-defining 140-run second-wicket partnership with Josh Philippe, lifting the Sixers to a formidable 198 for five against their arch-rivals.

READ: Star batter axed as India name T20 World Cup 2026 squad

MUMBAI: Defending champions India have sprung a major surprise ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, leaving out star batter and vice-captain Shubman Gill from the 15-member squad announced for the home tournament.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the squad on Saturday as India prepare to defend their crown in the global event, which will run from February 7 to March 8.

The Men in Blue will be aiming to lift the T20 World Cup for a record third time, having defeated South Africa in the final of the 2024 edition.

Gill’s omission is the headline decision from the selection panel, with the prolific right-hander failing to make the cut despite being a regular feature in recent white-ball squads.

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Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in his first ICC tournament as captain; meanwhile, all-rounder Axar Patel has been named vice-captain in Gill’s absence.

The selectors have also opted for a fresh balance in the batting group, leaving out Jitesh Sharma while backing Rinku Singh.

Another notable inclusion is Ishan Kishan, who returns to the T20I setup after last featuring for India in November 2023 against Australia. His recall adds depth to the wicketkeeping options alongside Sanju Samson, while also bolstering the left-handed presence in the top order.

Before the World Cup, India will face New Zealand for three ODIs and five T20Is. The same squad will feature in the T20I series, scheduled from January 21 to January 31 in preparation for the marquee event.

India squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

READ: Kavem Hodge ton sees West Indies save follow-on in New Zealand Test

England assistant coach Jeetan Patel has provided an update regarding captain Ben Stokes, stating that the all-rounder is fit to bowl for the remainder of third Ashes Test, though he remains visibly tired after a grueling day.

Stoked did not bowl an over in Australia’s second innings as the home side reached 271 for 4 at the end of the third day’s play.

The hosts had built a daunting 356-run lead, putting them firmly on course to retain the Ashes after winning the first two Tests.

Travis Head and Alex Carey finished the day with 142* and 52* runs respectively.

Ben Stokes, meanwhile, battled out five hours with 83 in England’s first innings. During his stay at the crease, he seemed to hobble and struggle with cramps under the scorching sun.

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Following this, he also spent time off the field after hitting his head on the ground while fielding.

Speaking after the day’s play, Patel turned down any concerns regarding the Three Lions skipper.

“He is fit to bowl, he’s just pretty knackered,” he told reporters at the Adelaide Oval.

“From what I understand, he’s pretty fit to bowl. I think he’s just pretty knackered and he’s taken a lot out of himself to get through to this point in the game,” Patel added.

Patel added that Stokes always operates at full intensity and would not bowl if he felt he could not perform at 100%.

“All I know is he goes at 100%. If he thinks he can’t do it at 100%, I don’t think he’s going to do it,” he concluded.

READ: India thump Sri Lanka to reach U19 Asia Cup final

DUBAI: A clinical bowling effort, followed by Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George’s gutsy half-centuries, propelled India to a victory over Sri Lanka in the first semi-final of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup here at the ICC Academy on Friday.

Set 139 in a match reduced to 20 overs due to rain, India chased the target on the loss of two wickets with two overs remaining.

Skipper Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi were back in the hutch inside 3.3 overs. The former managed just six off eight while the latter was caught for nine from six balls.

As a result, India were 25-2 with Aaron George and Vihaan Malhotra at the crease.

The duo put the Men in Blue’s chase back on track with an unbeaten 114-run partnership for the third wicket that saw them over the line.

Malhotra struck four boundaries and two sixes in his 61 from 45, while Aaron George made 58 off 49 with the aid of four boundaries and a six.

For Sri Lanka, Rasith Nimsara picked up two wickets.

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Earlier, the Indian captain won the toss and asked Sri Lanka to bat first.

But the Islanders’ shambolic batting display limited them to 138-8 at the end of their 20 overs.

India bowlers were on top from the start as they reduced Sri Lanka to 28-3 in 5.3 overs before captain Vimath Dinsara and Chamika Heenatigala tried to stabilize the innings with a 45-run partnership.

The pair brought the score to 73-4 in 11.1 overs before a lower-order collapse saw them reeling at the end of their innings.

Chamika Heenatigala remained the highest scorer with 42 from 38, hitting three boundaries while Vimath Dinsara 32 off 29 balls included four fours.

For India, it was a combined bowling effort with Henil Patel and Kanishk Chouhan leading the wickets chart. The duo picked up two wickets each, while Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, and Kishan Singh picked up one each.

The final will be played on 21 December between India and Pakistan at the ICCA Dubai.

READ: Wildermuth, Renshaw smash tons as Brisbane Heat script historic BBL chase

BRISBANE: Jack Wildermuth and Matt Renshaw produced blistering centuries as Brisbane Heat pulled off a record-breaking chase to stun Perth Scorchers in a Big Bash League (BBL) 15 thriller at the Gabba on Friday.

Chasing a mammoth target of 258, Heat sensationally overhauled the total, registering the highest successful run chase in BBL history and the second-highest team total ever recorded in the competition.

The previous chase record stood at 230, set by Adelaide Strikers against Hobart Hurricanes in 2023.

Remarkably, it was also the first time in T20 cricket history that two batters scored centuries in a successful chase.

Wildermuth anchored the innings with a blistering unbeaten 110 off just 45 balls, hammering five fours and nine sixes.

He found an ideal partner in Renshaw, who smashed 102 from 51 deliveries, also striking five boundaries and nine maximums, as the duo completely turned the contest on its head.

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Brisbane Heat innings began inauspiciously with Colin Munro dismissed off the very first ball, but what followed was nothing short of astonishing.

Wildermuth and Renshaw added 212 runs for the second wicket in just 95 balls, a partnership that left the Scorchers reeling.

Renshaw’s knock ended in the 16th over when he was run out, with the Heat already well within touching distance of the target.

Max Bryant then chipped in with a brisk 28 off 16 balls before retiring hurt after injuring his left shoulder while running between the wickets.

Wildermuth fittingly struck the winning runs, scampering through for a couple to seal a historic chase.

Earlier, Perth Scorchers had set the stage with a formidable batting display after being asked to bat first, piling up 257 for six.

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Mitchell Marsh departed early for three, but that proved to be the only early joy for the Heat bowlers.

Finn Allen and Cooper Connolly tore into the attack, sharing a blazing 142-run stand that powered the Scorchers to 150 inside just 12 overs.

Connolly struck a rapid 77 off 37 balls, including six fours and six sixes, before being dismissed by Wildermuth.

Allen soon followed, falling to Shaheen Shah Afridi for a scintillating 79 off 38 balls, an innings featuring eight sixes and three fours.

Late cameos from Aaron Hardie (23) and Nick Hobson (26) ensured Perth finished with a daunting total.

For the Heat, Xavier Bartlett claimed two wickets, while Shaheen Afridi, Wildermuth, Liam Haskett and Matthew Kuhnemann picked up one apiece.

Kuhnemann, however, endured a night to forget, conceding 60 runs in his spell, the most expensive figures by a spinner in BBL history.

READ: Travis Head joins Don Bradman in elite club with Adelaide Test hundred

DUBAI: Dominant Pakistan crushed Bangladesh by eight wickets to set up ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup final against arch-rivals India on Sunday.

Set partly 122 in a match reduced to 27 overs per side due to rain, Pakistan hit the winning runs on the third ball of the 16th over, losing two wickets in the process.

Pakistan had a poor start in pursuit of the target as opener Hamza Zahoor was sent back without scoring in the first over.

After an early blow, Sameer Minhas and Usman Khan paired up for an 86-run stand in 10.3 overs, which put the Green Shirts near the victory.

Usman Khan was trapped lbw for 27 off 26 with the help of two sixes and two fours. This was the only silver lining for depleted Bangladesh’s bowling attack.

Sameen Minhas stringed another 36*run stand with Ahmed Hussain to take his side into the final.

Minhas unbeaten 69* from 57 included six fours and two sixes while Hussain made 11 from 14 balls.

For Bangladesh, Samiun Basir and Iqbal Hossain Emon managed to take one apiece.

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Earlier, pacer Abdul Subhan took a four-wicket haul to help his side bundle out Bangladesh for a modest total in the second semi-final of the ACC here at The Sevens Stadium on Friday.

Put into bat first, Pakistan skittled Bangladesh for 121 in 26.3 overs.

In-form opener Zawad Abrar and Rifat Beg added 24 in 4.4 overs, before both were removed in a span of two balls.

Following the early hiccup, skipper Azizul Hakim and Kalam Siddiki added a stitched brief partnership of 31, which brought the total over the 50-run mark.

After a brief stand, the Tigers’ batters were looking set, but Abdul Subhan took two in the 12th over to spark a collapse that they could never recover from.

As a result, they slumped from 55-3 to 73-6 in 15.4 overs. Skipper Aziz scored 20 from 26 balls with the help of a four and a six.

With Bangladesh in deep trouble, Samiun Basir, who top-scored with 33 off 37, took them over the 100-run mark. He hit six and a four in his crucial knock that provided his side with respite lower down the order.

Eventually, the whole team was bowled out before playing their allotted overs.

For Pakistan, Abdul Subhan starred with the ball, picking up a four-wicket haul in his six overs. Huzaifa Ahsan supported him well with two wickets to his name.

READ: Travis Head joins Don Bradman in elite club with Adelaide Test hundred

ADELAIDE: Australia batter Travis Head etched his name alongside Sir Donald Bradman in elite Test history after striking an unbeaten century at his home ground during the third Ashes Test against England at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.

Head’s commanding knock marked his fourth century in as many Tests at the venue, a feat achieved by only three other Australians in the history of the game.

Bradman managed it twice, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and at Leeds, while Michael Clarke accomplished the milestone in Adelaide and Steve Smith at the MCG.

The 31-year-old’s unbeaten 142, his second hundred of the ongoing Ashes series and 11th overall in Test cricket, pushed Australia into a commanding position.

By stumps on day two, the hosts had built a daunting 356-run lead, putting them firmly on course to retain the Ashes after winning the first two Tests.

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“Didn’t think I’d get one, so to get four it’s not too bad,” Travis Head said after the day’s play.

He found valuable support from fellow South Australian Alex Carey, who remained unbeaten on 52 as the pair safely steered Australia to stumps.

Head praised Carey’s presence at the crease, saying his energy helped him push through a tiring final session.

“He’s playing well and probably kept me going there late in the day,” Head said. “It was a long day, so it was nice to walk off with him at the end.”

READ: Sri Lanka confirm captain, preliminary squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed Dasun Shanaka will continue as captain of the national T20I side, leading the team in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the bilateral series against Pakistan and England.

The announcement came following the appointment of former fast bowler Pramodya Wickramasinghe as the new Chief Selector.

Wickramasinghe, who now heads the revamped selection committee alongside former cricketers Vinothen John, Indika de Saram, Rasanjali de Alwis (nee Silva), and Tharanga Paranavitana, made the confirmation during a media briefing at the SLC offices.

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The new committee has retained the 25-member preliminary squad previously announced for World Cup preparations, with the final squad to be named closer to the tournament.

The move ends speculation surrounding the future of former T20 captain Charith Asalanka, whose poor form in recent T20Is and absence from Pakistan last month had sparked rumours of a leadership change.

Shanaka had stepped in as stand-in captain during that tri-series and now formally retains the role for the global event, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka preliminary squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pawan Ratnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Ratnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushan, Mahish Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakant Vyaskanth, Travin Mathew, Kamil Mishara.

READ: Travis Head slams 142* as Australia move close to retaining Ashes

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced the opening of the registration window for foreign players for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11.

PSL 11 is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026, a timeline earlier confirmed by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the league’s second global roadshow in New York on December 14.

In an official press release, the PCB invited international cricketers from around the world to register for what it described as the largest edition of the tournament to date.

“As the league enters a historic new era of expansion, cricketing talent from around the world is welcome to join for what promises to be the biggest season yet,” the PCB stated.

“With the addition of two new franchises, the league has expanded to eight teams, creating significantly more roster spots and earning opportunities for international players.”

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The board further clarified that both player agents and independent overseas cricketers must complete their registration by January 20, 2026, in order to be included in the official player pool for the season.

“Agents and independent players are encouraged to complete their registration before the 20 January 2026 deadline to be included in the Player Pool. Interested players and agents can register through the link available here,” the PCB added.

PSL, which began in 2016 with five teams and expanded to six in 2018 with the addition of Multan Sultans, is set to grow further in the upcoming season 11.

Two new franchises will be auctioned in Islamabad on January 8, with the proceedings to be broadcast live.

READ: West Indies openers hold firm after New Zealand declare on 575-8

KARACHI: Ghani Glass left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar picked up a six-wicket haul to dismantle Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) batting line-up in the sixth round of the President’s Cup Grade-I fixture here at the KCCA Stadium on Thursday.

Zafar Gohar wreaked havoc with the ball, taking outstanding figures of six for 21 in 10 overs, bowling two maidens to restrict KRL to 165 all out in 41.2 overs as they fell 35 runs short.

KRL’s spectacular collapse included losing all ten wickets for a mere 42 runs after Shahzaib Khan 52 off 72b, 5x4s, 2x6s) and Saad Baig (45, 52b, 5x4s, 1×6) had put on a 107-run opening stand.

Apart from Zafar’s career best List A figures, skipper Noman Ali chipped in with two wickets, while Mohammad Rameez Jnr and Ubaid Shah struck once each.

Ghani Glass too suffered a batting collapse of 98-9 from being 102-1 to 200 all out after being put in to bat first by KRL.

Following Yahya Bin Abdul Rehman’s early departure, Sharjeel Khan (58, 48b, 4x4s, 4x6s) and Mohsin Riaz (32, 39b, 2x4s, 2x6s) stitched an 85-run stand.

Tayyab Tahir (33, 42b, 3x4s), Hussain Talat (26, 35b, 3x4s), and Hammad Butt (20, 48b) got starts but were unable to convert them.

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For KRL, left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim picked up a four-wicket haul.

Meanwhile, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) registered their sixth win on the trot as they beat Sahir Associates by three wickets at the UBL Sports Complex.

OGDCL chased the 279-run target set by Sahir Associates with 27 balls to spare, with  Danish Aziz unbeaten on 55 off 59 balls with the help of five fours and one six.

Danish had put on a 65-run stand for the sixth wicket with Umar Siddiq, who changed the tempo of the chase with a 33-ball 40, hitting five fours and a solitary six.

For Sahir Associates, Faham-ul-Haq picked up two wickets for 20 runs in six overs, including two maidens.

For the unversed, the last and seventh round of the tournament will take place on Saturday, 20 December at the same venues, with the National Bank Stadium and Naya Nazimabad Ground games being day-night fixtures.

READ: Meeting called after Pakistan kabaddi player represents ‘India’