Author: A Sports

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been rated ‘unsatisfactory’ by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following the conclusion of the fourth Ashes Test, with the iconic venue receiving one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

The assessment was delivered by Emirates ICC Elite Panel match referee Jeff Crowe, who pointed to the extreme imbalance between bat and ball as the key factor behind the decision.

According to Crowe, the surface offered excessive assistance to bowlers throughout the match, resulting in a rapid collapse of innings on both sides.

“The MCG pitch was heavily in favour of the bowlers. With 20 wickets falling on the first day, 16 on the second, and no batter reaching a half-century, the pitch was deemed ‘Unsatisfactory’ under ICC guidelines,” Crowe explained.

The match statistics reflected those concerns. England, after winning the toss, opted to bowl first and made immediate inroads.

Josh Tongue spearheaded the attack with a superb spell of 5 for 45, as Australia were skittled for 152 in their first innings.

Batting proved just as treacherous for England, who were bundled out for 110 inside 30 overs, despite the modest total on offer.

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Australia were then forced to bat again on the opening day itself, but the struggles continued, with the hosts managing only 132 in their second innings. Travis Head’s 46 stood out as the highest individual score of the match.

England eventually chased down the target in 32.2 overs, losing six wickets in the process, with Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell making valuable contributions in testing conditions.

The fourth Ashes Test concluded in just two days, with a staggering 36 wickets falling across 142 overs and no batter managing to register a half-century, a rare occurrence at one of cricket’s most celebrated venues.

Despite the defeat, Australia had already retained the Ashes, having taken an unassailable 3–0 lead by winning the opening three Tests.

For England, the victory marked their first Test win on Australian soil since 2011, providing a rare highlight in an otherwise difficult tour.

The series will wrap up with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, scheduled to begin on January 4.

READ: New Zealand’s Bracewell announces retirement from all forms of cricket

New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell has announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket, bringing an end to a career that spanned more than a decade at the international and domestic levels.

The 35-year-old, who last represented New Zealand in a Test match in 2023, cited a long-standing rib injury as a key factor behind his decision.

The issue has kept him sidelined for Central Districts throughout the current domestic season, ultimately prompting him to step away from the game.

Bracewell made his international debut in 2011 and went on to represent the Black Caps in 28 Tests, 21 One-Day Internationals and 20 T20 Internationals between 2011 and 2023.

His name is firmly etched in New Zealand cricket folklore for his unforgettable performance in Hobart in December 2011, where he claimed match figures of 9 for 60 in just his third Test.

That effort powered New Zealand to a historic Test victory over Australia, their first on Australian soil in 26 years and, to date, their most recent.

Across his Test career, the bustling fast-medium bowler claimed 74 wickets at an average of 38.82, while adding 46 wickets in white-ball cricket for New Zealand.

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Reflecting on his journey, Doug Bracewell described his career as a source of immense pride.

“It’s been a proud part of my life, and something I aspired to as a young cricketer,” he said in a statement released by Central Districts.

“I will always be grateful for the opportunities I have had through cricket, especially the chance to play for my country.

“It’s a privilege to play first-class and international cricket, and I’m thankful to have enjoyed the game for as long as I have.”

Bracewell belongs to one of New Zealand’s most prominent cricketing families, with his father Brendon and uncle John both having represented the country in Tests, while John also served multiple terms as national head coach.

His uncles Douglas and Mark were first-class cricketers, and he shared the international stage with cousin Michael Bracewell, with whom he played two ODIs and a Test.

READ: Root says ‘silly’ to change England management after Ashes loss

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram as the brand ambassador of the PSL 11. 

The decision was announced by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in a press conference held here on Sunday alongside PSL CEO Salman Naseer.

“One good thing for PSL is that we have named Wasim Akram as the brand ambassador,” he told reporters.

“Not only that, on the day of the bid, he will be overseeing the auction process,” Naqvi added.

Wasim Akram’s involvement in the PSL has evolved over the years from a brand ambassador to various coaching and management roles with different franchises.

He further said that PSL 11 could start on March 23 instead of the announced date of March 26. The chairman also lauded Aqib Javed for playing a pivotal role in improving the U19 and Pakistan Shaheens performances.

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“Since Aaqib Javed’s arrival, camps have been organized for the Shaheens and age-group cricket teams,” said Mohsin Naqvi. “The performance of the Under-19 and Shaheens teams is improving consistently.”

Mohsin Naqvi also highlighted investment in youth and other sports, noting that a detailed plan for covering other sports is under discussion.

“Our focus is heavily on youth, and this is where new talent will emerge,” he maintained. School cricket has been completed in Lahore and Faisalabad, Mohsin Naqvi stated.

“News channels should also cover other sports, and a plan is in place for this, the PCB chief concluded.

For those unaware, the Pakistan Super League, which began in 2016 with five outfits, is set to expand with the addition of two new teams.

The league will undergo its first major restructuring with the inclusion of two new franchises, for which the auction process will be held on 8 January in Islamabad.

READ: PCB to take control of Multan Sultans for PSL 11

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday to take over control of the Multan Sultans for the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Naqvi, at a press conference, revealed the decision, noting that the auction of the outfit will be held following the conclusion of PSL 11.

“Multan Sultans will be operated by the PCB this year. Once the PSL concludes, we will carry out the auction process and put the franchise up for sale. However, for this season, the board will run the Sultans,” Naqvi said.

He shed light on the decision and stated that a professional cricketer will take charge of the Sultans for PSL 11.

“For this purpose, we will appoint an acting head within the next eight to ten days who will oversee the team. A professional cricketer will be brought in to manage Multan Sultans for this season,” he continued.

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For those unaware, this comes after Sultan’s former owner, Ali Tareen, said goodbye to the franchise he owned in 2018. Tareen cited finances as a reason for parting ways with the team.

Meanwhile, the auction of the two new outfits is set for 8 January 2026, with 10 bidders gearing up to compete for the teams.

A day earlier, PCB completed the technical Evaluation of the proposal submitted by bidders for the sale of two new PSL outfits.

“A total of 12 proposals were received from interested parties within the stipulated deadline from across the globe and were scrutinised by the PCB Bid Committee over the last three days,” the board had said in a press release.

“Following a thorough and transparent evaluation process, the PCB Bid Committee has qualified 10 Bidders who have successfully met the technical criteria and now enter the second stage,” it added.

The Pakistan Super League, which began in 2016 with five outfits, is set to expand with the addition of two new teams.

Notably, the league expanded to five teams in 2018 with the addition of Multan Sultans. With the addition of two new franchises, the league will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, taking the total to eight teams.

READ: Imad Wasim announces separation from his wife

Former Pakistan cricketer Imad Wasim on Sunday announced his separation from his wife, Sania Ashfaq, after months of conflict.

Imad shared the news on his Instagram handle, revealing the reason behind the decision.

“After much thought, and due to repeated conflicts that could not be resolved over the past few years, I have filed for divorce,” he wrote.

“I sincerely request everyone to respect our privacy and avoid using or sharing any old couple photos. Please also refrain from referring to her as my spouse going forward,” he added.

 

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A post shared by Imad Wasim (@imadwasim)

He also urged the followers and fans not to engage in or believe any misleading narratives related to the matter and warned that any attempts to defame or involve others would be addressed through legal channels.

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“I request everyone not to engage in or believe any misleading narratives. Any attempt to defame or involve others in this personal matter will be addressed through the proper legal channels if necessary.”

“Regarding the children, I remain their father and will continue to care for them fully and responsibly. Thank you for your understanding and respect,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Imad Wasim and Sanif Ashfaq tied the knot in 2019. The couple has three children.

The all-rounder, who retired from international cricket in December 2024, is currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

READ: BBL 15: Haris Rauf shines as undefeated Stars crush Thunder

CANBERRA: Haris Rauf continued his impressive run in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 as Melbourne Stars romped to a nine-wicket victory over Sydney Thunder in the 14th fixture of the tournament here at the Manuka Oval on Sunday.

Set a partly 129, Stars aced the chase inside 14 overs, losing only one wicket in the process.

Joe Clarke and Sam Harper came out firing all cylinders, adding 86 in 9.4 overs, which made the competition a one-sided affair.

Clarke remained the core aggressor, top scoring with 60 off 37 with the help of eight fours and a six.

Sam Harper unbeaten 29 off 27, including two fours, whereas Glenn Maxwell also got going with a quick-fire 39* from 20, striking five fours and two sixes.

For Sydney Thunder, Chris Green remained the solitary wicket-taker.

Earlier, Haris Rauf led bowling attack bundled out the Sydney Thunder for a modest 128 at the end of their 20 overs.

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After a decent start, Rauf removed Matthew Gilkes for 24 to give Stars an opening. The opener hit a six and two fours before getting caught.

Soon after, Sam Konstas was sent back as well after managing just 11 from 15 balls. The hiccup reduced them to 39-2 in 5.1 overs as veteran batter David Warner arrived at the crease in a bid to stabilize the innings.

Warner and Cameron Bancroft added only 16 before both were dismissed in quick succession to leave Thunder in disarray.

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As a result, Thunder were 63-4 in 9.5 overs before a brief partnership of 27 between Sam Billings and Shadab Khan took their score to near the 100-run mark.

However, Thunder had a similar plot: losing quick wickets in a short span of time that could get their innings going, and eventually the whole team was bundled out for a modest score.

Shadab remained the top scorer with 25 off 24 with the aid of two fours, whereas Sam Billings hit two fours and a six in his 23 from 19 balls.

For Melbourne Stars, Haris Rauf picked up three in his four overs, while Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, and Tom Curran were equally good with two wickets to their name.

With this, the Melbourne Stars extended their undefeated run, winning four out of four games, and are at the top of the points table.

READ: Haris Rauf lights up BBL 15 with fiery spell

MELBOURNE: The curator of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Matt Page said he was left shocked and disappointed after the fourth Ashes Test ended inside two days.

With the series already done and dusted, the fourth Test — like the first Test also concluded within two days as England managed to register their win in Australia since 2011.

Following the result, former and current cricketers criticised the pitch behaviour and called for a better balance between bat and ball.

Page admitted that he was disappointed with the outcome of the Boxing Day Test, which drew a record crowd on the opening day, but failed to last beyond two days.

“I was in a state of shock after the first day, to see everything that happened, 20 wickets in a day,” he said. “I’ve never been involved in a Test match like it, and hopefully never involved in a Test match like it again.

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Reflecting on the pitch conditions in th recent years, Page reiterated the need to strike a balance between batters and bowlers.

“Every year is different and the margins are very small, but in the back of your mind, you’re always trying to provide that contest. We’re about trying to provide captivating Test cricket, that balance between bat and ball going four or five days,” he remarked.

“We’ve produced a Test that’s been captivating, but it hasn’t gone long enough, and we’ll take ownership of that. We’ll learn from it, we’ll grow, and we’ll make sure that we’ll get it right next year,” he added.

The curator also recalled the 2017 flat deck and stressed the importance of seam movement to avoid lifeless pitches.

“We don’t want to go back to where we were in 2017,” he said, referring to the Test in which former English skipper Alastair Cook scored an unbeaten 244.

“If we don’t have seam movement here at the MCG, we become very dull, very lifeless and very flat, which is no good for the players, no good for the spectators, and no good for the game,” Matt Page concluded.

READ: Shadab returns as Pakistan announce refreshed squad for Sri Lanka T20Is

LAHORE: All-rounder Shadab Khan returned to the fray as Pakistan named a refreshed 15-member squad for the upcoming T20Is against Sri Lanka, as part of their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the side, while Wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Mohammad Nafay has earned his maiden call-up to the national T20 side.

The squad also includes Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Naseem Shah.

Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq complete the selection.

Interestingly, except for Shadab, none of the players currently featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 — Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Hasan Ali were included in the side.

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Meanwhile, Shadab, who last played for the Greens in June, has been added to boost the squad’s all-around strength ahead of the World Cup.

The 27-year-old was sidelined from the side after a recurring shoulder injury, which required surgery.

On the other hand, Nafay has been in the T20 circuit for the past couple of years and played 32 T20 matches, amassing 688 runs at a strike rate of 132.81.

The Pakistan team is scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka in phases on January 4 and 5.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will contest a three-match T20 International series, with all fixtures to be played in Dambulla on January 7, 9, and 11.

Pakistan squad for T20I series vs Sri Lanka

Salman Agha (capt), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq

READ: BPL: Imad Wasim helps Dhaka Capitals edge past Rajshahi Warriors

SYLHET: An all-round effort led by Imad Wasim and Abdullah Al Mamun guided Dhaka Capitals to a comfortable victory over Rajshahi Warriors in their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) clash at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Opting to field first, Dhaka Capitals struck immediately as Imad delivered a perfect start, dismissing Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan with the very first ball of the innings.

Rajshahi skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, fresh off an unbeaten century in the previous match, tried to steady the innings and emerged as the top-scorer with 37 off 28 balls, laced with two fours and as many sixes.

However, Rajshahi failed to build momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals against a disciplined bowling display.

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Mushfiqur Rahim chipped in with 24 off 23 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz provided some late resistance with an unbeaten 26 off 26 deliveries.

Rajshahi Warriors were eventually restricted to 132 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Imad Wasim was the standout with the ball, returning impressive figures of 3 for 16.

Nasir Hossain picked up two wickets, while Salman Mirza, Ziaur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin claimed one apiece to keep Rajshahi in check.

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In reply, Dhaka Capitals suffered an early setback as opener Saif Hassan was dismissed for one in the second over.

Abdullah Al Mamun then took charge of the chase, anchoring the innings with a composed 45 off 39 balls, including five boundaries and a six, to put his side firmly in control.

After Mamun’s dismissal, Sabbir Rahman played a brisk cameo of 21 off just 10 deliveries, sealing the chase in style with a towering six, as Dhaka Capitals crossed the target with ease.

For Rajshahi Warriors, Mohammad Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Sandeep Lamichhane picked up one each.

READ: Steve Smith opens up after first Ashes home Test loss for 15 years

Tragedy struck the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Saturday as Dhaka Capitals assistant coach, Mahbub Ali Zaki, collapsed just before the clash against Rajshahi Warriors in Sylhet and later passed away.

The incident occurred during pre-match preparations, roughly 20 minutes before the scheduled start.

Players from both teams were warming up near their dressing rooms when Zaki suddenly fell ill and collapsed.

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Emergency medical attention was administered immediately, including CPR, before he was rushed to Al Haramain Hospital in Sylhet.

Despite intensive care efforts and being moved to the hospital’s ICU, Zaki, a seasoned domestic cricket coach, could not be saved and succumbed to a heart attack.

Dhaka Capitals confirmed the heartbreaking news through an official statement on social media, expressing profound grief over the loss.

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“It is with great sadness to we inform you that our dear assistant coach of the Dhaka Capitals family has left us after suffering from heart disease,” the franchise wrote on Facebook.

“We are deeply saddened by this irreparable loss. May his soul rest in peace. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.”

READ: Former Pakistan pacer slams Babar Azam over BBL struggles