Author: A Sports

SYDNEY: Big Bash League (BBL) team Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques has lavished high praise on ace batter Babar Azam, calling him a ‘humble and game-smart’ presence to have around. 

Speaking during an interview, Henriques talked about Babar Azam’s inclusion in the Sixers squad for BBL 15 and praised him for bringing calm demeanor.

“It’s been a really cool experience because he is actually like really sort of a humble, really nice guy to have around the team and around the group,” Henriques said in an interview.

“I know a lot of people say that about people when they come in, but you know, given what he has achieved in world cricket, there’s a whole lot of humility that he brings. Obviously game smart and just really nice to talk cricket with,” he added.

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The all-rounder also talked about his influence, noting that the crowd comes alive with his presence on the field

“I guess the parade that comes around and follows him, we saw tonight when he got to his fifty, the crowd erupted even though it’s an away game,” Henriques stated.

“They’ve got a whole section shut down at the SCG just for Babar fans. So I think he has more fans than the Sixers, but hopefully we’ll convert a few of them,” he concluded.

For the unversed, BBL 15 is Babar Azam’s inaugural appearance in the tournament. The right handed batter so far scored 129 runs in five matches, with two fifties to his name.

READ: Usman Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket

SYLHET: Faheem Ashraf continued his impressive bowling with a three-wicket haul against Sylhet Titans to help Rangpur Riders secure a six-wicket win in the 10th match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26 here at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Rangpur Riders chased down the 145-run target with ease in 18.5 overs.

Dawid Malan (19) was removed early in the fourth over, bringing Liton Das and Towhid Hridoy to the crease, with both batters adding 23 for the second wicket partnership.

Hridoy fell in the seventh over for six, reducing Rangpur Riders to 44-2 in 7.5 overs.

However, Kyle Mayers and Das kept Sylhet bowlers at bay with a 34-run partnership as the scorecard read 78 in 13 overs.

But Saim Ayub and Ethan Brookes removed both set batters which brought their side back into game. At this stage, Rangpur Riders were 95-4.

Eventually, it was Mahmudullah and Khushdil Shah’s unbeaten half-century partnership that took them over the line.

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Mahmudullah made 34* from just 16 with the help of five fours and six, whereas Khushdil unbeaten 19, which included two fours and a six.

For Sylhet Titans Khaled Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Saim Ayub and Ethan Brookes picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, Sylhet Titans could only muster 144-8 at the end of their 20 overs.

Rangpur Riders inflicted a poor start as Sylhet Titans were reduced to 35-3 in 5.1 overs.

Parvez Hossain Emon and Afif Hossain tried to stabilize the innings with a 28-run partnership. But the former fell for 15 to put Rangpur Riders on top.

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With Titans 63-4, Afif partnered with Ethan Brookes, propelling the score to 129 in 17.2 overs.

However, Rangpur Riders effectively controlled the scoring rate in the final overs, preventing the opposition from setting a daunting target.

Afif made 46 from 31 balls while Brookes managed to add 30 to the total with the help of a six and two boundaries.

For Rangpur Riders, Faheem Ashraf put on a show with the ball, picking up three wickets in his quota of four overs. Mustafizur Rahman was equally good, snaring three wickets.

READ: Pakistan crush Afghanistan to reach U19 tri-series final

HARARE: Sameer Minhas‘ half-century, followed by Umar Zaib’s five-wicket haul, helped Pakistan register a resounding 133-run victory over Afghanistan in the fifth match of the U19 tri-series here at the Sunrise Sports Club on Friday.

Set 239, Afghanistan were bowled out for 105 in only 30.2 overs. As a result, Pakistan romped to the final of the tri-series.

Umar remained the chief tormentor as Afghanistan lost openers Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai for 9 and 15 runs, respectively, in 3.5 overs.

Uzairullah Niazai was sent back for duck in the fifth over, reducing the Atlans to 26-3.

Following an early loss, Faisal Shinozada and skipper Mahboob Khan tried to arrest the slide with a brief partnership that took the score to 59, but a collapse slumped them to 65-5, then 105 all-out.

Mahboob remained the highest scorer for his side, scoring 29 from 56 balls with the help of two fours.

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For Pakistan, pacer Umar Zaib bowled a fiery spell and picked up a five-wicket haul. Ahmed Hussain and Momin Qamar also chipped in with two scalps to their name.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan managed to put 238/9 at the end of their 50 overs.

Sameer Minhas and Ali Hasan Baloch laid a solid foundation with a 78-run partnership in 15.4 overs.

Minhas was caught for 59 from 49 balls, which was laced with half a dozen boundaries and a six.

Ali then paired up with Usman Khan for a brief 36-run partnership to take the score to 114 in 24.5 overs. The former scored 39 with the help of a four and a six.

Pakistan’s steady progress continued as Usman Khan and skipper Farhan Yousaf stitched a half-century stand before a lower middle order collapse reduced them to 214-8 in 44.4 overs.

Usman Khan remained the second-highest run getter with 43 off 59, striking a six and three fours.

For Afghanistan, Zaitullah Shaheen and Salam Khan took two wickets each.

READ: Zimbabwe announce squad for T20 World Cup 2026

HARARE: Sikandar Raza is set to lead the 15-member Zimbabwe squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

The Chevrons will be led by Raza after missing out on the previous 2024 edition.

Zimbabwe qualified for the mega event through the Africa qualifier after showcasing a dominant display. The hosts remained unbeaten throughout and lifted the trophy in front of their home crowd in Harare.

 

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The squad includes experienced faces such as Greame Cremer and Brendon Taylor. Brian Bennett will shape up the core of the batting order after impressing with the bat in the qualifiers.

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Blessing Muzarabani will lead the pace attack alongside Richard Ngarava, who will provide the pace threat up front, while experienced Graeme Cremer will bolster the spin attack.

Zimbabwe is slotted in Group B alongside Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, and Oman.

For the unversed, the T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on 7 February, with the opening match between Pakistan and the Netherlands.

Zimbabwe will commence their campaign against Oman on 9 February in Colombo.

Squad:

Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor

READ: South Africa reveal squad for T20 World Cup 2026

BRISBANE: Max Bryant’s 48* off 26 balls powered Brisbane Heat to a four-wicket victory over Melbourne Stars as pacer Haris Rauf failed to defend 10 in the final over in the 20th fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Heat chased down the stiff 196 on the fourth ball of the final over, losing six wickets in the process.

The win also ended Melbourne Stars’ winning streak and moved Heat to fourth on the points table.

Jack Wildermuth and Colin Munro added 18 for the opening wicket before both fell in a span of two overs, which reduced their side to 34-2 in 4.1 overs.

The former was caught for 15 while the latter could only add three to the total.

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After an early hiccup, skipper Nathan McSweeney and the leading run scorer of the tournament, Matt Renshaw, forged a 69-run partnership to put the chase back on track.

However, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Swepson removed both batters in back-to-back overs to dent the Heat’s progress. McSweeney departed for 43 while Renshaw hit four boundaries and a six in his 41 from 27 balls.

 

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Eventually, it was Xavier Bartlett’s and Max Bryant’s stand-off 66* that took them to a thrilling victory.

With 76 required of the last five, Bryant notably shifted the momentum in the Heat’s favour. He took Haris Rauf, Siddle, and Swepson to the cleaners, leaving the equation 10 required in the final over.

Haris bowled two decent first deliveries, which went for a single and a double, but Bryant hit a six and four to seal victory for his side.

For Melbourne Stars, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Swepson picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, sent in to bat first, Melbourne Stars racked up 195-6 at the end of their 20 overs, as skipper Marcus Stoinis led the way with a calculated knock.

Sam Harper (37) and Thomas Rogers (13) provided a strong start with a 52-run partnership before both of the batters were dismissed in quick succession.

After the double, Stoinis held the innings together with a string of partnerships that stabilized their innings. The skipper made 43 off 35 with the aid of five fours and a six.

But it was debutant Blake Macdonald’s whirlwind knock that propelled Stars to a strong total.

The right-hander hit 37* off just 12 balls, which included two sixes and four boundaries.

For Brisbane Heat, Thomas Balkin picked up two wickets.

READ: South Africa reveal squad for T20 World Cup 2026

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa have named a strong 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

Aiden Markram will lead the Proteas with a set of key players returning to the fold.

The pace attack will be led by Kagiso Rabada, who missed out on the India tour due to an injury. Pacer Anrich Nortje has also been included in the squad, who returned after an injury layoff during the T20Is against India.

Markram, Quinton De Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, and Donovan Ferreira make up a strong batting lineup, whereas Kwena Maphaka, Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, and Corbin Bosch will also bolster the bowling lineup.

Among the notable absences is Tristan Stubbs, who was left out of the 15. On the contrary, Jason Smith, who has five international caps to his name, is also included in the squad.

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Following the squad announcement, the chair of selectors, Patrick Moroney, shed light on the team.

“We have had to make some big calls, but we feel this group is the strongest and has every chance of succeeding in India and Sri Lanka,” he said in a statement.

“We have assembled a world-class squad with some of the finest and most experienced players in the game, together with some of the best T20 youngsters coming through,” he added.

South Africa, who remained the runners-up in the 2024 edition, are placed in Group D alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, Canada, and the UAE.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on 7 February, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

Squad:

Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje

READ: BCB confirms Pakistan’s 2026 tour of Bangladesh

DHAKA: Pakistan’s men’s cricket team is set to tour Bangladesh for a white-ball and Test series in 2026, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed in a statement on Friday. 

BCB has revealed a stacked home international calendar for the 2026 season, with Bangladesh playing four Tests, 12 ODIs, and nine T20Is.

The Tigers’ home season will commence in March following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, with Pakistan touring the country for a three-match ODI series.

Following that, New Zealand will tour for a white-ball series that begins on 17 April.

Pakistan will also play a two-match Test series, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27.

“The confirmed itinerary ensures a season full of international cricket in Bangladesh, providing supporters across the country the opportunity to watch top-level cricket at home while details of match venues will be announced in due course,” BCB said in a statement.

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The schedule also includes the Australia white-ball tour of Bangladesh, which will begin on 5 June with three ODIs and three T20Is, set to be played between 15 and 20 June.

Meanwhile, the board also confirmed the rescheduling of the India series that was postponed in 2025.

India will play three One-Day Internationals and the same number of T20Is in August-September 2026.

“The series that was postponed earlier between Bangladesh and India has been rescheduled,” Shahriar Nafees, BCB cricket operation in-charge told Cricbuzz.

The India tour will follow a two-match Test series against West Indies that will form part of the WTC.

The opening match of the series will be on 28 October, followed by the second fixture on 5 November.

READ: Dominant Chattogram Royals hammer Dhaka Capitals by ten wickets

SYLHET: Adam Rossington and Mohammad Naim produced a dominant opening partnership to steer Chattogram Royals to a comprehensive ten-wicket victory over Dhaka Capitals in the ninth match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26 here on Friday.

After opting to bowl first, the Royals delivered a clinical performance with the ball, dismissing the Dhaka Capitals for a modest 122 in 19.4 overs.

The Capitals never found momentum, with their batting line-up struggling against disciplined bowling and clever variations. Only three Dhaka batters managed to reach double figures.

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Mohammad Saifuddin top-scored with an unbeaten 33, while Usman Khan contributed a brisk 21 off 15 balls. Nasir Hossain laboured to 17 from 20 deliveries as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Shoriful Islam and Tanvir Islam were the standout performers for Chattogram, claiming three wickets apiece to dismantle the middle order.

Mahedi Hasan provided valuable support with two wickets, while Aamir Jamal chipped in with one scalp.

In reply, the Royals made light work of the chase. Rossington and Naim came out with positive intent and never allowed the Capitals a way back into the contest.

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The pair put together an unbeaten opening stand of 123, sealing the target in just 12.4 overs.

Rossington led the charge with a fluent 60 off 36 balls, striking nine fours and two sixes. At the other end, Naim played the perfect supporting role, scoring 54 from 40 deliveries, which included seven boundaries and a six.

The emphatic win marked Chattogram Royals’ second victory in three matches, lifting them to second place on the BPL points table. Dhaka Capitals, meanwhile, remain fifth, having managed just one win from their opening three games.

READ: England make two changes to final Ashes Test squad

Pakistan’s rising star Saim Ayub has traced his evolution from a specialist top-order batter to an all-rounder back to his time in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with Peshawar Zalmi.

Ayub first announced himself on the national radar during PSL 2023, when he enjoyed a breakout season with the 2017 champions.

Operating primarily as a batter, the left-hander amassed 341 runs in 12 innings at an average of 28.41 and an impressive strike rate of 165.53, performances that fast-tracked his entry into Pakistan’s senior men’s team.

However, it was the following PSL season that marked a defining shift in Ayub’s career trajectory.

No longer limited to batting duties, the 23-year-old emerged as a genuine utility player for Zalmi, contributing decisively with the ball. He claimed eight wickets in nine innings at an outstanding average of 22.37.

Ayub’s growing confidence and skill with the ball earned him extended opportunities at the international level, where he has since developed into a dependable all-round option for Pakistan across formats.

To date, he has taken 34 international wickets, underlining his growing value beyond his batting credentials.

His most notable success has come in T20I, where he has picked up 21 wickets in 28 innings, maintaining an impressive average of 24.33 and an economy rate of just 6.90.

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Those numbers propelled him to the top of the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings in October last year, overtaking India’s Hardik Pandya.

Currently featuring for Sylhet Titans in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025–26, Saim Ayub reflected on his remarkable transition in an exclusive interview with an international cricket news website.

The young all-rounder credited both his PSL exposure and the faith shown by coaches at domestic and international levels.

“I used to do a little bit of bowling in club cricket as well, but since the PSL happened, Peshawar helped me a lot,” Ayub said.

“And then when I came into the Pakistan team, they showed belief in me and did a lot of technical and tactical work with me.”

Ayub admitted that even he did not foresee such rapid improvement in his bowling output at the highest level.

“To be honest, I was not expecting that I would see such good bowling figures,” he said. “But the credit goes to the coaches who worked so much, and I also put in full effort. If I can help the team, then why not?”

The spinner reserved special praise for Pakistan’s current bowling coach, Ashley Noffke, describing the Australian as instrumental in refining his bowling craft.

“The bowling coach we currently have in the Pakistan team has worked a lot on our bowling and has helped me a great deal,” Ayub said. “He’s Australian, and he’s a really good coach. I’ve learned a lot because of his bowling input.”

READ: Manchester City’s title bid dented by Sunderland stalemate

SYDNEY: Australian opener Usman Khawaja has spoken candidly about the “racial stereotyping” he says followed him throughout his 15-year international career, as he announced his impending retirement from Test cricket.

Khawaja revealed on Friday, during a press conference, that the upcoming fifth Ashes Test in Sydney will be his final appearance in Australian colours.

The 39-year-old used the occasion to reflect on the challenges he faced as Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer and one of the few players of South Asian heritage to represent the country at the highest level.

“I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have,” Khawaja said. “I hope I have inspired people along the way.”

Born in Islamabad and raised in Australia from a young age, Khawaja said he was once told he would never represent Australia, let alone enjoy a long Test career.

“I’m a proud Muslim, coloured boy from Pakistan who was told that he would never play for the Australian cricket team,” he said. “Look at me now, and you can do the same.”

Usman Khawaja acknowledged that his willingness to speak out on social and political issues had often made him a target of criticism, but insisted that remaining silent was never an option.

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“I call myself the people’s champ, not because I think everyone loves me, but because I speak about things for the people that other people don’t want to speak about,” he said.

He also addressed the backlash he has faced when raising concerns about race, suggesting that discussions around discrimination are frequently dismissed or trivialised.

“I know why I get nailed a lot of the time. I understand that I’ve talked about certain issues outside of cricket, which leaves me exposed, and a lot of people don’t like it,” Khawaja said.

“I know I’m here talking about topics and people will say, ‘Uzzie’s here, he’s playing the race card again.’ Don’t gaslight me. This stuff happens all the time, we see it, and we just don’t talk about it.”

Usman Khawaja stressed that his aim was not to seek sympathy, but to make the path easier for future cricketers from diverse backgrounds.

“I didn’t want to talk about this, but I just want the journey for the next Usman Khawaja to be different,” he said. “I want him or her to be treated the same, not have racial stereotypes over who they might be.”

In 2023, Khawaja was charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for wearing a black armband during Australia’s first Test against Pakistan, a gesture he said was intended to show solidarity with the people of Gaza.

READ: Confident Usman eyes World Cup glory under Mike Hesson