Category: Featured

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted to revise the match timings for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia, with an official announcement expected soon, sources confirmed on Friday.

The move has been prompted by extreme weather conditions in Lahore, which have led the PCB to bring forward the start time of all three matches.

Each T20I will now begin at 4:00 PM local time, with the toss scheduled for 3:30 PM. Earlier, the matches were set for a 6:00 PM start, with the toss at 5:30 PM.

Pakistan and Australia are set to face off at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on January 29, January 31 and February 1.

The series will serve as an important build-up for both sides ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

At the upcoming World Cup, Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, as well as the USA, the Netherlands and Namibia.

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Australia, meanwhile, will compete in Group B, featuring Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.

The tour will mark Australia’s third visit to Pakistan since their landmark return in March–April 2022, when they played a historic Test series, followed by an ODI leg and a solitary T20I.

More recently, Australia also featured in three matches of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 held in Pakistan.

Pakistan and Australia share a competitive T20I rivalry, having faced each other 28 times in the shortest format.

Australia hold a slight edge with 14 wins, while Pakistan have claimed 12 victories. One match ended in a tie, with another producing no result.

Pakistan vs Australia series revised schedule

• 1st T20I – Thursday, 29 January – 4pm PKT
• 2nd T20I – Saturday, 31 January – 4pm PKT
• 3rd T20I – Sunday, 1 February – 4pm PKT

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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

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday confirmed the schedule for the three-match home T20I series against Australia.

The three-match T20I series will take place on 29, 31 January and 1 February at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Australia’s T20I squad will arrive in Lahore on Wednesday, 28 January. The coin toss in all three matches is set to take place at 5.30 pm PST (Pakistan Standard Time) with the first ball expected to be bowled at 6:00 pm PST.

The series serves as crucial game time for both sides ahead of the all-important ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2026, where Pakistan are placed in Group A and Australia in Group B.

This will also be Australia’s third trip to Pakistan since March-April 2022, when they played a three-match Test and ODI series followed by a solitary T20I.

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They played three of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches in the country as well.

Australia bagged a close three-wicket win in the only T20I they played at the Gaddafi Stadium on 5 April 2022

“We are excited and look forward to hosting Australia for the three-match T20I series here in Lahore,” said COO PCB, Sumair Ahmed Syed.

“The tour marks a blockbuster beginning of the year for Pakistan Cricket fans, and I urge them to turn out in numbers during the series to support both the teams as they put the final touches to their T20 World Cup preparations.

“I’m sure the Gaddafi Stadium has become a familiar sight for the Australian Cricket team as they have played a Test, five ODIs and a T20I here since March 2022.”

Pakistan vs Australia series schedule

• 1st T20I – Thursday, 29 January – 6pm PKT
• 2nd T20I – Saturday, 31 January – 6pm PKT
• 3rd T20I – Sunday, 1 February – 6pm PKT

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All-rounder Shadab Khan has announced that he will not be returning to Sydney Thunder for the remainder of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Shadab was due to return to Australia after joining the Pakistan squad for the three-match T20I series.

However, the leg-spinner has confirmed not returning to the league in a social media message.

“Thank you to Sydney Thunders for having me. I had a great time with the group. We couldn’t quite get over the line this time, but I enjoyed every moment of the journey and would love to go further in the future,” he wrote.

“A big thank you to the players, management, and support staff for the support throughout. May you all have a great year ahead,” Shadab said.

While the exact reason has not been confirmed, it is widely understood that the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching and Sydney Thunder already eliminated from the competition with one fixture remaining, Shadab has opted not to return.

Overall, Shadab Khan played six matches for Sydney Thunder, picking up seven wickets and scoring 104 runs.

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The all-rounder made an impressive comeback for Pakistan in the T20I series opener against Sri Lanka, earning the player of the match award for all-around performance.

He remained instrumental in the team’s success, picking up two wickets in his four overs, backing it with an unbeaten 18 off 12 balls, which guided his side home in the run chase.

For the unversed, the series against Sri Lanka was Shadab’s first appearance for Pakistan since June 2025.

The 27-year-old subsequently underwent surgery on his right shoulder in England on July 5, following multiple consultations due to persistent discomfort.

The surgery eventually ruled him out of several key assignments for Pakistan, including the Asia Cup 2025.

Shadab returned to competitive cricket with his appearance for Sydney Thunder during the ongoing BBL 15.

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DAMBULLA: Dasun Shanaka’s late blitz and Wanindu Hasaranga’s four-wicket haul helped Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the rain-affected third T20I here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Set a daunting 161, Pakistan ended up on 146/8 in a match reduced to 12 overs due to rain.

With this, the Islanders levelled the three-match T20I series 1-1, with one game washed out.

Pakistan were dealt with an early blow in the form of opener Sahibzada Farhan, who was cleaned up for nine in the second over.

With Green Shirts, 9-1, skipper Salman Ali Agha arrived and provided the innings the impetus with quick fire 45 from just 12 balls.

The right-hander hit three sixes and five fours in a partnership of 51 runs alongside Saim Ayub.

At this stage, Pakistan’s scorecard read 60 in 3.4 overs.

But things quickly turned in the home side’s favor after Salman’s dismissal, who was caught on fine leg.

Saim (6) and Usman Khan (1) followed him after leaving Pakistan 67-5 in 4.5 overs.

With the side in deep trouble, debutant Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Nawaz provided hope with 49 run partnership.

The pair managed to control the required run rate, but Wanindu Hasaranga’s spin wizardry shut the door on Pakistan.

He removed Nafay and Shadab in quick time to turn the game on its head. The target proved too much with 20 required in the last over. Eshan Malinga bowled a tight over, giving only five and picking up one wicket to seal a much-needed win for Sri Lanka.

Wanindu Hasaranga delivered a match winnig spell of four overs, scalping four wickets in his three overs.

Earlier, Kusal Mendis’ 30 off 16 and Dasun Shanaka’s 34 from just nine balls took Sri Lanka to an imposing 160-6.

Pathum Nissanka was caught in the first over for a duck, whereas Kamil Mishara raced to 20 off just eight balls before getting caught behind.

As a result, Sri Lanka were reduced to 22-2 in 1.5 overs.

However, Kusal Mendis put together a couple of partnerships that steadied the home side’s innings.

The right-hander first stitched a 32-run stand with Dhananjaya de Silva (21) and with Charith Aslanka (21 from 13 balls) off 46 runs to take the score to the 100-run mark.

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With Sri Lanka 100-4 in 8.5 overs, Mendis’ knock ended, which included two sixes and two fours.

On the very next ball, Asalanka was also sent back to put Pakistan back in the game.

However, it was Shanaka’s partnership of 52 off just 15 with Janith Liyanage that lifted them towards a commanding total.

The Islanders capitalized in the last three overs, accumulating 51 runs as Shanaka tonked five sixes in his brisk knock. Liyanage, meanwhile, also smashed three fours and a maximum in his 22 from eight balls.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Wasim, although he picked up three wickets, but he remained on the expensive side, giving away 54 in three overs.

Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Nawaz managed to pick one wicket apiece.

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DAMBULLA: Pakistan have won the toss and decided to bowl first against Sri Lanka in a match reduced to 12 overs per side due to rain here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Pakistan have made two changes to their playing XI with wicket-keeper batter Khawaja Nafay making his debut, whereas pacer Naseem Shah is included in place of Salman Mirza.

The visitors are 1-0 up in the series, having secured the victory in the opening T20I with a dominant performance. While the second match was washed out due to rain.

The Green Shirts were clinical with the bat and ball as returning Shadab Khan delivered an all-round performance.

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The three-match T20I series serves as a preparatory platform for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup, which will begin on 7 February in Sri Lanka and India.

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasum Shanaka (capt) Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, Maheesh Pathirana

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Usman Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) aims to sell Multan Sultans ahead of the start of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, Cricinfo reported on Sunday.

A month earlier, the PCB had said that it would take charge of the franchise for the upcoming season and auction it after the tournament.

“As soon as the PSL ends, we will auction the franchise off, and in the next eight to ten days, we will appoint an acting head to run the franchise,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated.

The decision was taken after the former owner of the Multan Sultans, Ali Tareen, decided not to renew the franchise agreement for the next decade.

However, according to the report, the board is considering selling the outfit as soon as possible.

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“The PCB is in active discussions to sell off the franchise as soon as legally possible. The proposal has the support of senior officials at the PCB and the PSL, with a final sign-off required by chairman Mohsin Naqvi,” the report quoted.

The decision is likely to be driven by record bids received during the historic auction for two new franchises — Hyderabad and Sialkot.

Following the conclusion of the auction, Naqvi vowed to run Sultans amid financial speculations.

“I took a challenge, and that is that there were a lot of claims on social media that the team was in losses. So I, and all of the team, decided that we will show you how much profit this business offers, publish the numbers before going for the auction,” Naqvi stated.

“The pressure has started to be built up on me to sell out the team,” he said in a light-hearted manner while referring to Naseer.

It is worth noting that Sultans were first acquired by the Dubai-based Schon Group in 2017 under an eight-year contract worth $5.2 million.

However, the deal was terminated after a year due to the franchisee’s inability to meet its financial obligations under the agreement.

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All 16 teams have finalised their squads for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, setting the stage for the marquee youth tournament scheduled to run from 15 January to 6 February in Namibia and Zimbabwe.

The 16th edition of the U19 World Cup will follow its established format, featuring 16 teams divided into four groups, a total of 41 matches, and a Super Six stage culminating in the semi-finals and final.

Group A brings together the most successful side in the tournament’s history, India, winners of five titles, alongside 2020 champions Bangladesh, New Zealand, and the USA.

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Group B includes co-hosts Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, and Scotland, promising several high-profile contests in the opening round.

Defending champions Australia headline Group C, where they will face Sri Lanka, Ireland, and Japan.

Group D comprises South Africa, the West Indies, Afghanistan, and Tanzania, completing a balanced and competitive group stage lineup.

Squads for U19 World Cup 2026

GROUP A

Australia: Oliver Peake (c), Kasey Barton, Naden Cooray, Jayden Draper, Ben Gordon, Steven Hogan, Thomas Hogan, John James, Charles Lachmund, Will Malajczuk, Nitesh Samuel, Hayden Schiller, Aryan Sharma, William Taylor, Alex Lee Young

Ireland: Olly Riley (c), Reuben Wilson, Alex Armstrong, Callum Armstrong, Marko Bates, Sebastian Dijkstra, Thomas Ford, Samuel Haslett, Adam Leckey, Febin Manoj, Luke Murray, Robert O’Brien, Freddie Ogilby, James West, Bruce Whaley.

Reserves: Peter le Roux, William Shields

Japan: Kazuma Kato-Stafford (c), Charles Hara-Hinze, Gabriel Hara-Hinze, Montgomery Hara-Hinze, Kaisei Kobayashi-Doggett, Timothy Moore, Skyler Nakayama-Cook, Ryuki Ozeki, Nihar Parmar, Nikhil Pol, Chihaya Sekine, Hugo Tani-Kelly, Sandev Aaryan Waduge, Kai Wall, Taylor Waugh

Sri Lanka: Vimath Dinsara (c), Kavija Gamage, Dimantha Mahavithana, Viran Chamuditha, Dulnith Sigera, Chamika Heentigala, Adam Hilmy, Chamarindu Nethsara, Sethmika Seneviratne, Kugathas Mathulan, Rasith Nimsara, Vigneshwaran Akash, Jeewantha Sriram, Senuja Wekunagoda, Malintha Silva

GROUP B

Bangladesh: Azizul Hakim Tamim (c), Zawad Abrar, Samiun Basir Ratul, Sheikh Parvez Jibon, Rizan Hossan, Shaharia Al Amin, Shadin Islam, Md Abdullah, Farid Hasan Faysal, Kalam Siddiki Aleen, Rifat Beg, Saad Islam Razin, Al Fahad, Shahriar Ahmed, Iqbal Hossain.

Reserves: Abdur Rahim, Debashis Sarkar Deba, Rafi Uzzaman Rafi, Farhan Shahriar, Farzan Ahmed Alif, Sanjid Majumder, Md Sobuj

India: Ayush Mhatre (c), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, D. Deepesh, Mohamed Enaan, Aaron George, Abhigyan Kundu, Kishan Kumar Singh, Vihaan Malhotra, Udhav Mohan, Henil Patel, Khilan A. Patel, Harvansh Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi

New Zealand: Tom Jones (c), Marco Alpe, Hugo Bogue, Harry Burns, Mason Clarke, Jacob Cotter, Aryan Mann, Brandon Matzopoulos, Flynn Morey, Snehith Reddy, Callum Samson, Jaskaran Sandhu, Selwin Sanjay, Hunter Shore, Harry Waite

USA: Utkarsh Srivastava (c), Adnit Jhamb, Shiv Shani, Nitish Sudini, Advaith Krishna, Sahir Bhatia, Arjun Mahesh, Amrinder Gill, Sabrish Prasad, Adit Kappa, Sahil Garg, Amogh Reddy Arepally, Ritvik Appidi, Rayaan Taj, Rishabh Shimpi

GROUP C

England: Thomas Rew (c), Farhan Ahmed, Ralphie Albert, Will Bennison, Ben Dawkins, Caleb Falconer, Ali Farooq, Alex French, Alex Green, Luke Hands, Manny Lumsden, Ben Mayes, James Minto, Joe Moores, Sebastian Morgan

Pakistan: Farhan Yousaf (c), Usman Khan, Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hasan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor, Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan, Niqab Shafiq, Sameer Minhas, Umar Zaib.

Reserves: Abdul Qadir, Farhanullah, Hassan Khan, Ibtisam Azhar, Mohammad Huzaifa

Scotland: Thomas Knight (c), Finlay Carter, Max Chaplin, George Cutler, Rory Grant, Finlay Jones, Ollie Jones, Olly Pillinger, Ethan Ramsay, Theo Robinson, Manu Saraswat, Ram Sharma, Shreyas Tekale, Shlok Thaker, Jake Woodhouse

Zimbabwe: Simbarashe Mudzengerere (c), Kian Blignaut, Michael Blignaut, Leeroy Chiwaula, Tatenda Chimugoro, Brendon Senzere, Nathaniel Hlabangana, Takudzwa Makoni, Panashe Mazai, Webster Madhidhi, Shelton Mazvitorera, Kupakwashe Muradzi, Brandon Ndiweni, Dhruv Patel, Benny Zuze

GROUP D

Afghanistan: Mahboob Khan (c), Khalid Ahmadzai, Osman Sadat, Faisal Khan, Uzairullah Niazai, Aziz Mia Khil, Nazif Amiri, Khatir Stanikzai, Nooristani, Abdul Aziz, Salam Khan, Wahid Zadran, Zaitullah Shaheen, Rohullah Arab, Hafieez Zadran.

Reserves: Aqil Khan, Fahim Qasemi, Izat Noor

South Africa: Muhammad Bulbulia (c), JJ Basson, Daniel Bosman, Corne Botha, Paul James, Enathi Khitshini Tembalethu, Michael Kruiskamp, Adnaan Lagadien, Bayanda Majola, Armaan Manack, Bandile Mbatha, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, Jason Rowles, Ntandoyenkosi Soni, Jorich van Schalkwyk

Tanzania: Laksh Bakrania (c), Karim Kiseto, Hamza Ally, Khalidy Amiri, Abdulazak Mohamedi, Ayaan Shariff, Omary Ramadhani, Dylan Thakrar, Agustino Mwamele, Ally Hafidhi, Acrey Pascal (wk), Darpan Jobanputra, Mohammedi Simba, Raymond Francis, Alfred Daniel

West Indies: Joshua Dorne (c), Jewel Andrew, Shamar Apple, Shaquan Belle, Zachary Carter, Tanez Francis, R’jai Gittens, Vitel Lawes, Micah McKenzie, Matthew Miller, Isra-el Morton, Jakeem Pollard, Aadian Racha, Kunal Tilokani, Jonathan Van Lange.

Reserves: Brendan Boodoo, Tyriek Bryan, Earsinho Fontaine, Deshawn James

READ: Here’s the schedule for the ICC U19 World Cup 2026

DAMBULLA: The second T20I of the three-match series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been called off due to rain here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

The persistent rain had delayed the toss, and heavy rain had led to the fixture being canceled.

The third T20I will be played on Sunday, 11 January at the same venue.

Pakistan are 1-0 up in the series, having secured the victory in the opening T20I with a dominant performance.

The Green Shirts were clinical with the bat and ball as returning Shadab Khan delivered an all-round performance.

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The three-match T20I series serves as a preparatory platform for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup, which will begin on 7 February in Sri Lanka and India.

Squads

Pakistan: 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

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Traveen Mathew, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga.

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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) officially expanded on Thursday ahead of season 11 as Hyderabad and Sialkot were confirmed as the two new franchises following a high-stakes auction held at the Jinnah Convention Centre.

The two teams will make their debut in PSL season 11, joining the existing six franchises, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United and Multan Sultans.

The official names of the Hyderabad and Sialkot teams will be announced at a later stage.

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The auction witnessed intense competition among qualified bidders, with aggressive offers reflecting the growing commercial value of the league.

The Hyderabad franchise was secured by the FKS Group, owned by Fawad Sarwar, after a successful bid of Rs 1.75 billion.

Later, OZ Developers, owned by Hamza Majeed, clinched the Sialkot franchise with a record-breaking bid of Rs1.85 billion, the highest figure of the auction.

PSL Teams Auction LIVE HERE

As per PSL auction rules, successful bidders were given the option to choose their home cities from a PCB-approved list that included Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit.

Hyderabad and Sialkot ultimately emerged as the preferred choices.

With the addition of two new teams, PSL 11 is set to be the biggest edition of the tournament to date. The upcoming season is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3.

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