Author: A Sports

DUBAI: Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December 2025, following a series of match-winning performances in the 4-1 Ashes triumph at home.

Starc edged out West Indies batter Justin Greaves and New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy for the honour.

The left-arm quick played a central role throughout the Ashes, setting the tone early with a 10-wicket haul in the opening Test in Perth before backing it up with eight wickets in Brisbane.

He continued to make telling contributions in the latter half of the series, claiming four wickets each in Adelaide and Melbourne to finish December with 16 wickets for the month.

Starc’s influence was not limited to the ball. Timely half-centuries in Brisbane and Adelaide added valuable runs down the order and helped Australia establish an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Australia eventually sealed the Ashes 4-1, with Starc finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 31 scalps and collecting the Player of the Series award for his all-round impact.

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“It’s an honour to be named the ICC Player of the Month, and even more special that it came on the back of such a successful home Ashes,” Starc said.

“Playing a part in winning such an iconic series in front of our home crowd is something we will all cherish for a long time.”

Looking ahead, he underlined the importance of sustaining Australia’s recent momentum as the side targets further success in the longest format.

“As a team, we’ve had some outstanding performances in recent years. The focus now is on building that momentum towards next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final,” he added.

The award marks Starc’s first ICC Men’s Player of the Month recognition and ends a two-year wait for an Australian winner, with Pat Cummins having last claimed the honour in December 2023.

READ: India suffer major blow as key player ruled out of New Zealand T20Is

India have suffered an early setback in their build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 after all-rounder Washington Sundar was ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled to run from January 21 to 31.

The series forms a crucial part of India’s preparations for the global event, which gets underway on February 7, but Sundar will play no part after picking up a side strain during the opening ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara last week.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) termed the issue as an “acute onset discomfort in his left lower rib”.

At this stage, there is no clarity on whether the injury could threaten Sundar’s availability for the T20 World Cup, where India will begin their campaign against the USA in Mumbai on the opening day of the tournament.

In response to Sundar’s absence, the selectors have drafted in Delhi batting all-rounder Ayush Badoni as a replacement for the remainder of the ODI series.

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However, the BCCI has yet to confirm whether Badoni will also be added to the T20I squad for the New Zealand series.

Despite the setback, India are not expected to be overly concerned about the all-rounder’s unavailability for the T20Is, with several key players set to link up with the squad in the coming days.

Hardik Pandya, vice-captain Axar Patel, Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube are all expected to bolster the group as India fine-tune combinations ahead of the World Cup.

India will also be without Tilak Varma for the opening three T20Is, with the young batter continuing his recovery after undergoing groin surgery.

The absence of Washington Sundar and Varma will test India’s squad depth, but the management is likely to view the series as an opportunity to assess alternatives before finalising their plans for the T20 World Cup.

India squad for New Zealand T20Is

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (unavailable for first three matches), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper).

READ: Carlos Alcaraz completing Grand Slam at 22 would be ‘crazy’: Roger Federer

England spinners Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed faced delays in securing visas from Indian authorities for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, reportedly due to their Pakistani heritage.

The issue has complicated England’s build-up to the tournament, with both players now unlikely to travel with the rest of the squad this weekend for a six-match white-ball series against Sri Lanka.

The timing of their clearance remains uncertain, leaving head coach Brendon McCullum short of two frontline spin options at a critical stage of preparation.

Rashid and Ahmed are currently overseas, with the senior leg-spinner featuring in South Africa’s SA20, while Ahmed is playing in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

It is understood that once their visas are approved, both players may travel directly from their current locations to either Sri Lanka or India to rejoin the squad.

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Notably, similar bureaucratic hurdles have surfaced in recent years amid strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan.

During England’s tour of India two years ago, Shoaib Bashir missed the opening Test after being forced to return to London to complete his visa process, while pacer Saqib Mahmood has also encountered comparable issues in the past.

The ECB is understood to have received assurances from Indian authorities that there are no objections to the applications of Rashid and Ahmed.

However, with uncertainty over timelines persisting, the board has reportedly sought assistance from the UK government in an effort to expedite the process.

Despite the disruption, England remain confident that both spinners will be available in time for the T20 World Cup, which begins for them with a group-stage clash against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8.

READ: BPL match delayed as players enforce nationwide cricket boycott

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was thrown into uncertainty on Thursday after the scheduled match between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express was delayed, with neither team arriving at the venue following a nationwide boycott called by the country’s cricketers.

The disruption comes after the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) urged players to withdraw from all forms of cricket until Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director and finance committee chairman M. Najmul Islam tenders his resignation.

The protest is in response to what players described as “humiliating and objectionable” public remarks made by Najmul earlier this week.

The notice of delay was issued a couple of hours before the day’s BPL fixture was due to begin at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The impact of the boycott was felt beyond the franchise league, with all four first-division Dhaka Cricket League matches scheduled for Thursday morning also failing to get underway, raising serious concerns within the BCB.

CWAB had earlier issued an ultimatum, making it clear that players would not take the field for the BPL clash unless Najmul stepped down.

After a meeting between BCB officials and player representatives ended without a breakthrough, the players’ body held an impromptu press conference at a city hotel at 1:00pm local time, reiterating its stance and confirming the continuation of the boycott.

The BCB, meanwhile, announced that it has initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against Najmul.

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In an official statement, the board distanced itself from the comments made by its director and expressed regret over the controversy.

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board reiterates its regret over the recent objectionable comments made by a Board member. We acknowledge the concern caused by the remarks and reaffirm our commitment to professionalism, respect for cricketers, and the values that uphold the game,” the statement read.

The board added that due process would be followed in addressing the matter.

“As a constitutional body, the BCB is duty-bound to address such matters according to established rules and professional guidelines,” the statement added.

“Formal disciplinary proceedings have been initiated, a show-cause letter issued, and the individual instructed to submit a written response within 48 hours. Appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of these proceedings.”

Emphasising the significance of the ongoing tournament, the BCB underlined that players remain central to the success of the league.

“The Bangladesh Premier League T20 2026 is in its final phase and remains the country’s most popular and globally recognised domestic franchise competition. The Board firmly believes that players are the main stakeholders and the lifeblood of all cricketing activities under the BCB.”

The controversy stems from comments made by Najmul on the sidelines of a board prayer meeting for the late former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Addressing questions about the financial implications if Bangladesh were to miss matches at the upcoming T20 World Cup, Najmul suggested that the board would not suffer financially, adding that players would receive no compensation if they missed out.

READ: Tickets for Pakistan-Australia series to go on sale from THIS date

The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 begins today, January 15, with co-hosts Zimbabwe and Namibia welcoming the world’s best young cricketers for the 16th edition of the tournament.

Spread across three weeks and five venues, the competition will feature 16 teams battling not only for the title but also for a chance to announce themselves as cricket’s next generation of stars.

The final will be played at the Harare Sports Club on February 6.

The Under-19 World Cup has long been regarded as a launchpad for elite careers, with players like Virat Kohli and Steve Smith having made their first global impression at this level.

Australia arrive as defending champions after beating India in the 2024 final, though history suggests form and reputation offer no guarantees in youth cricket.

India remain the tournament’s most successful side with five titles, followed by Australia with four. Pakistan are the only other team to have won the trophy more than once, lifting it in 2004 and 2006.

The opening day features a triple-header, with India facing the USA in Bulawayo, hosts Zimbabwe taking on Scotland in Harare, and Tanzania meeting the West Indies in Windhoek.

Tanzania’s appearance marks their debut at the Under-19 World Cup, while Japan return to the tournament for the first time since 2020, underlining the game’s expanding global footprint.

Tournament Format Explained

The 16 teams are divided into four groups of four. From each group, the top three teams progress to the Super Six stage. The teams finishing fourth move into placement matches.

The Super Six is split into two groups. Teams carry forward points, wins and net run-rate earned against other qualifying teams from their group. Each side then plays two additional matches against teams from a different group.

From there, the top teams advance to the semi-finals, followed by the final on February 6.

Groups

Group A features heavyweights India alongside Bangladesh, New Zealand and the USA.

Group B pairs Pakistan with England, Scotland and hosts Zimbabwe, setting up a potentially tricky campaign for all sides involved.

Defending champions Australia headline Group C with Sri Lanka, Ireland and Japan, while Group D brings together South Africa, West Indies, Afghanistan and debutants Tanzania.

Venues and Conditions

The tournament will be played across five venues in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Namibia hosts 16 matches, all in Windhoek at the Namibia Cricket Ground and the High Performance Oval.

Zimbabwe hosts 25 matches, including both semi-finals and the final. Harare Sports Club and Takashinga Sports Club will stage matches in the capital, while Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo adds history and character.

The semi-finals will be played on February 3 and 4, with the final returning to Harare Sports Club on February 6.

A total of 24 group-stage matches will be played, with all games starting at 9:30 am local time and 12:30 PST (Pakistan Standard Time).

Pakistan’s matches

Pakistan begin their campaign on January 16 against England in Harare.

They then face Scotland on January 19 before wrapping up the group stage against hosts Zimbabwe on January 22.

It is a testing schedule, but also a great opportunity to build momentum early.

ICC U19 World Cup 2026 schedule

• 15 January, USA v India, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
• 15 January, Zimbabwe v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
• 15 January, Tanzania v West Indies, HP Oval, Windhoek
• 16 January, Pakistan v England, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
• 16 January, Australia v Ireland, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
• 16 January, Afghanistan v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek
• 17 January, India v Bangladesh, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
• 17 January, Japan v Sri Lanka, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
• 18 January, New Zealand v USA, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
• 18 January, England v Zimbabwe, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
• 18 January, West Indies v Afghanistan, HP Oval, Windhoek
• 19 January, Pakistan v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
• 19 January, Sri Lanka v Ireland, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
• 19 January, South Africa v Tanzania, HP Oval, Windhoek
• 20 January, Bangladesh v New Zealand, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
• 20 January, Australia v Japan, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
• 21 January, England v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
• 21 January, Afghanistan v Tanzania, HP Oval, Windhoek
• 22 January, Zimbabwe v Pakistan, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
• 22 January, Ireland v Japan, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
• 22 January, West Indies v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek
• 23 January, Bangladesh v USA, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
• 23 January, Sri Lanka v Australia, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
• 24 January, India v New Zealand, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
• 24 January, A4 v D4, HP Oval, Windhoek
• 25 January, Super Six A1 v D3, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
• 25 January, Super Six D2 v A3, HP Oval, Windhoek
• 26 January, B4 v C4, Harare Sports Club, Harare
• 26 January, Super Six C1 v B2, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
• 26 January, Super Six D1 v A2, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
• 27 January, Super Six C2 v B3, Harare Sports Club, Harare
• 27 January, Super Six C3 v B1, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
• 28 January, Super Six, A1 v D2, Harare Sports Club, Harare
• 29 January, Super Six D3 v A2, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
• 30 January, Super Six D1 v A3, Harare Sports Club, Harare
• 30 January, Super Six B3 v C1, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
• 31 January, Super Six B2 v C3, Harare Sports Club, Harare
• 01 February, Super Six B1 v C2, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
• 03 February, First semi-final, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
• 04 February, Second semi-final, Harare Sports Club, Harare
• 06 February, Final, Harare Sports Club, Harare

READ: Tickets for Pakistan-Australia series to go on sale from THIS date

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Thursday, announced that tickets for the T20I series against Australia will be available for purchase online from Friday, 16 January.

The cricket board revealed that the online tickets will be available at pcb.tcs.com.pk, while the physical tickets can be purchased from Monday, 19 January, at TCS Express Centres from 10 am onwards.

Pakistan will take on Australia in three T20Is on 29, 31 January and 1 February at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. All three matches will begin at 6 pm PST (Pakistan Standard Time).

For the Thursday, 29 January game, the VIP enclosure (Fazal Mahmood and Imran Khan) tickets will be priced at PKR 800, followed by PKR 600 for premium (Rajas and Saeed Anwar), PKR 500 for First Class (Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Abdul Qadir, Javed Miandad and Sarfaraz Nawaz) and PKR 400 for the General enclosures (Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saeed Ahmed).

Fans can buy the first T20I tickets of the VIP enclosures at Iqbal End (Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram) for PKR 1500, and the ones at Jinnah End (Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas) will cost PKR 2000.

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The hospitality gallery tickets have been priced at PKR 5,000 for the opening game.

The tickets for the second and third T20I for the VIP enclosures have been set to PKR 1,000, Premium at PKR 700, First Class at PKR 600 and for the General stands at PKR 500.

The Iqbal End VIP tickets will cost PKR 2,000, while PKR 2,500 for the Jinnah End VIP enclosures.

Hospitality Gallery tickets for the last two T20Is can be bought for PKR 6,000 each.

Moreover, the price for one seat in the 24-seat Hospitality box in Iqbal End has been set to PKR 20,000 for the first T20I and 25,000 each for the second and third games.

READ: T20 World Cup 2026 additional tickets go on sale

Former wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal shared his thoughts on Mohammad Rizwan’s retired-out dismissal during the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 fixture.

Rizwan scored a sluggish 26 from 23 balls with the help of two fours and a six before Melbourne Renegades skipper Will Sutherland called the batter back to the pavilion.

The video set social media abuzz with fans questioning the decision to retire Rizwan.

Speaking on the incident on a local news channel, Akmal emphasized the demands of modern-day cricket while noting that the decision should not have benn taken.

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“Absolutely. I also believe this should not happen; he is our top player and a proven performer. You have to realise how fast these leagues are.

Every country is now following the modern-day approach to cricket, so it is vital to develop yourself accordingly,” he remarked.

He also criticized Rizwan’s approach and mentioned the Australian mindset in a shorter format of the game.

“Rizwan has been playing with the same mindset since he started in T20s. In Australia, they view the game through a specific lens. We have seen similar tactical moves in the ILT20 and the IPL,” he added.

“I have been saying for three or four years that the way he is playing will make the future very difficult. Modern-day cricket is moving at a rapid pace, and you must adapt.

It should not have happened to our best player and the Pakistan captain, but he has, in a sense, given them a reason to make that call,” Akmal concluded.

For the unversed, Mohammad Rizwan is going through a horror run in BBL 15 as having scored 167 runs in eight matches at a modest average of 20.87 and a strike rate of 101.82.

READ: Bangladesh cricketers issue boycott warning over official’s remarks

DHAKA: Bangladesh cricketers have threatened to boycott all formats of the game unless BCB director M Nazmul Islam tenders his resignation, the country’s news outlet reported on Wednesday.

The development comes after Nazmul Islam called former opener Tamim Iqbal an Indian agent.

“This time, the people of Bangladesh witnessed, with their own eyes, the emergence of yet another proven Indian agent,” he had written on his social media post.

Tamim had said that Bangladesh should carefully consider the decision not to travel to India for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Nazmul Islam’s remarks sparked backlash, with current cricketers criticizing the statement and urging an apology.

Mohammad Mithun, president of the cricketers’ association, had stated that if the director does not resign ahead of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) fixtures tomorrow, all games will be suspended.

The announcement was made in a virtual press conference held on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the BCB has also distanced itself from the controversial remarks, noting that they were inappropriate and not reflective of the Board’s values.

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“The Board expresses its sincere regret for remarks that may be deemed inappropriate, offensive, or hurtful,” it said in a statement.

“Such comments do not reflect the values, principles, or official position of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, nor do they align with the standards of conduct expected from individuals entrusted with the responsibility of serving Bangladesh cricket,” it added.

The board further clarified that it does not endorse any remarks made by directors or board members unless issued through official channels.

“The BCB reiterates that it does not endorse or take responsibility for any statement or remark made by any director or Board member unless issued formally through the Board’s designated spokesperson or the Media & Communications Department.

Any statements made outside these authorised channels are personal in nature and should not be interpreted as representing the views or policies of the Board,” it said.

READ: Mitchell’s 131* powers New Zealand to easy win over India

Brisbane Heat captain Usman Khawaja has lavished high praise on pacer Zaman Khan for delivering an impactful final over to seal a victory over Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Set a stiff 161, the Hurricanes fell short in the final over, scoring only 157-8 at the end of their innings.

With this win, Heat secured two vital points to stay in contention of advancing through the final round.

Zaman, who came in as a replacement for injured Shaheen Afridi, made an impact with the ball, defending six in the final over to seal a come-from-behind win.

The 24-year-old started the over with a dot and a single, which was followed by two consecutive dot balls, leaving the Hurricanes needing four to win from the final delivery.

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With the crowd on its feet, Zaman held his nerve and got rid of Nikhil Chaudhary (16), who holed out to long on, resulting in an emphatic win for Heat against table toppers Hobart Hurricanes.

Speaking after the match, Khawaja praised the bowler for his outstanding bowling.

“He bowls a good yorker,” he said.

When asked whether he missed Shaheen Afridi, Khawaja said that he is happy with the replacement.

“Zaman Khan bowled really well, and Shaheen is a world-class bowler. His replacement is also very good,” said Khawaja.

For the unversed, Shaheen Afridi was ruled out of BBL 15 due to a knee sustained during the Heat’s fixture against Adelaide Strikers on 27 December.

READ: T20 World Cup 2026 additional tickets go on sale

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced the sale of additional tickets for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will commence on 7 February.

According to the global governing body for cricket’s press release, fans can grab additional tickets for the mega event at ‘affordable prices’.

“The tournament kickstarting from February 7 had generated a buzz since they first went live in December. This included more than two million tickets up for grabs from games across the eight venues in India and Sri Lanka,” the press release wrote.

“Prioritising fan access for fans around the world, the ICC have introduced record affordable ticket prices for the marquee tournament – starting at just INR 100 in India (approximately $1.11) and LKR 1000 in Sri Lanka (approximately $3.26),” it added.

For the unversed, the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup 2026 is set to begin on 7 February across India and Sri Lanka.

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The highly-anticipated tournament will run till March 8 with 20 teams fighting for the glory.

The tournament will be hosted across eight stadiums in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kandy, and Colombo — with the opening match scheduled for 8 February between Pakistan and the Netherlands in Sri Lanka.

The action will move to India later in the day, where two-time champions West Indies will play Bangladesh.

In the evening, the hosts and defending champions India will square off against the USA in Mumbai to conclude an eventful opening day.

READ: Canada name squad for T20 World Cup 2026