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SYDNEY: Australia’s ace pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are likely to miss the three-match T20I series against Pakistan ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Although the ace duo is included in the World Cup squad, the fitness of both bowlers has raised doubts over their participation.

Cummins has made one appearance in the third Ashes Test after recovering from a back injury, while Hazlewood, who was ruled out of the Ashes after the opening match, is recovering from an Achilles injury.

Australia’s chair of selectors, George Bailey expressed confidence over Hazlewood and Tim David’s fitness ahead of the mega event.

“I don’t think they [Cummins and Hazlewood] will be available for the Pakistan series [three T20Is in January], but I think both should be online [for the World Cup],” Bailey told reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

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He shed light on Pat Cummins and stated that the latter could play in the second half of the World Cup just like Travis Head did in the ODI World Cup during 2023.

“Patty might be a bit later; that might be a similar sort of situation to Travis Head in the 50-over World Cup, where there’s an entry point at some point.

Hopefully, we can manage and carry a squad until that point. I think Hoff [Hazlewood] should be right by the start, think Tim David should be right by the start,” he said.

He also revealed that the Big Bash League (BBL) players will also come into consideration for the inclusion in the squad for the Pakistan series.

Australia squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

READ: Anthony Joshua’s driver charged over fatal car crash

Nigerian police on Friday charged the driver of a car carrying British boxer Anthony Joshua that was involved in a fatal crash with “reckless” and “dangerous driving causing death”.

Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was also charged with “driving without a valid national driver’s licence” and “driving without due care and attention, causing bodily harm and damage to property”, Oluseyi Babaseyi, a spokesman for the police in Ogun state, told AFP.

He was granted five million naira bail ($3,500) with two sureties but will remain in detention until he meets the bail conditions, Babaseyi said.

Kayode was driving the former two-time heavyweight champion and two of his friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, on a busy highway linking Lagos and Ibadan in southwest Nigeria when the Lexus SUV in which they were travelling rammed into a stationary truck on Monday.

Nigerian police and state officials said that Ayodele and Ghami died at the scene, while Joshua and Kayode sustained minor injuries.

Ghami was Joshua’s long-time strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was his personal trainer, according to British media.

The Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) in the Ogun state section of the highway, where the crash occurred, told AFP earlier in the week that its preliminary investigations showed that the vehicle was moving at an excessive speed and had a burst tyre before the collision.

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Kayode is due to appear in court on January 20.

The crash occurred in Sagamu in the southwestern Ogun state, from where Joshua’s family hails.

He is known to visit the area when he is in the country.

Local media reported that Kayode had been part of Joshua’s team whenever he visited Nigeria.

Both men were treated in hospitals in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, after the accident.

They were discharged on Wednesday and Kayode was then taken into police custody in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, some 56 kilometres from Lagos.

A government source suggested to AFP on Thursday that the remains of the victims had been repatriated to the United Kingdom, with Joshua’s whereabouts unknown.

Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling economic capital, throngs with visitors from across the country and the diaspora each December.

Joshua visits Nigeria regularly and often posts pictures and videos of his visits to the country on social media.

Joshua last fought in December, when he stopped YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the sixth round in a bout shown on Netflix.

He was rumoured to be lining up a fight with fellow British former world champion Tyson Fury later in 2026, although that will likely be delayed.

Fury is officially retired, although not for the first time and is widely expected to make a comeback.

READ: Guardiola hails ‘incredible’ Maresca amid growing speculation

Pep Guardiola has reiterated his desire to stay on at Manchester City despite reports that former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has held talks about potentially taking over at the Etihad.

The long-serving City manager, 54, said last month he intended to see out his contract at City, which runs until the end of the 2026/27 season.

That followed speculation City had identified Maresca, a former assistant of Guardiola’s, as a possible successor to the Spaniard should he decide to step down at the end of this season.

Maresca has since parted company with Chelsea — leaving Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day. It is understood the Italian’s exit came after he informed the club he had held talks with City.

Guardiola, who will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his appointment this year, said: “The only (thing) I can say is that Chelsea, I think, from my point of view, lose an incredible, incredible manager, incredible person.

“But this (is a) decision from the hierarchy from Chelsea, so (I have) nothing to say.”

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Guardiola, who has won six Premier League titles with City, added: “I have a contract. I said a thousand million times. It’s 10 years here, I will leave one day but I have a contract. I’m happy. I want to fight with my team.

“The hierarchy respect me, that was proved last season with what happened in this club — we didn’t win one game in two, three months. They supported me.

“I have one more year’s contract. I like to be here, so we will see, you will see.”

Title-chasing City dropped two points in an entertaining 0-0 draw at Sunderland on Thursday, which left them four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal at the halfway stage of the season.

Guardiola’s men host Chelsea on Sunday and the City boss admits he is not sure what to expect.

“We don’t talk much if we don’t know what the opponent’s going to be like because we don’t know which manager will be sitting (on the bench),” he said.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen so no concern (about that). Think about yourself, what you have to do. That’s going to help us in two tough games like Chelsea and Brighton.”

Chelsea said Friday that under-21s head coach Calum McFarlane would take interim charge of the team against City.

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

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