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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said it had launched an immediate and “thorough” review following the tourists’ defeat in the fifth and final Ashes Test on Thursday.

England’s preparations, coaching and off-field behaviour all came under the microscope during a demoralising series in Australia, which they lost 4-1.

As soon as the series was over, ECB chief executive Richard Gould released a statement calling the team’s failure to regain the Ashes “deeply disappointing”.

Gould said there were “moments of strong performance and resilience”, notably victory in the fourth Test in Melbourne, which saved England from a humiliating series whitewash.

But he said, “We were not consistent enough across all conditions and phases of the contest, and Australia ultimately deserved to retain the Ashes.

“We will take many lessons from this tour and are determined to improve quickly. Our focus is on regaining the Ashes in 2027. A thorough review of the campaign is already underway.

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“This will cover tour planning and preparation, individual performance and behaviours, and our ability to adapt and respond effectively as circumstances require.”

While captain Ben Stokes appears safe from the axe, the roles of head of cricket Rob Key and coach Brendon McCullum are set to come under the microscope.

British media, including the BBC, have reported that Key and McCullum are likely to survive to show they can make improvements to the England set-up.

“We will implement the necessary changes over the coming months,” Gould added.

England’s next Test assignment is not until June, at home to New Zealand.

Coming up fast is the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka next month, when McCullum will expect to be in charge of the squad, which will be captained by Harry Brook.

READ: Ashes heroes Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith to join Babar Azam at Sydney Sixers

Fresh off a dominant 4-1 Ashes triumph over England, Australian stars Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith are set to shift their focus to the Big Bash League (BBL), where they will join Pakistan superstar Babar Azam at the Sydney Sixers.

Both Starc and Smith confirmed their availability for the Sixers during Australia’s post-match press conference following the fifth Ashes Test, with several other Ashes-winning players also expected to feature in the ongoing Big Bash season.

For Starc, the return carries added significance as it will mark his first appearance for the Sixers since BBL 04, having featured in overall ten matches across four seasons.

Smith, meanwhile, is set to feature in his fourth consecutive Big Bash campaign, having delivered memorable performances in recent seasons, including an unbeaten 121 against the Perth Scorchers last year.

Starc capped off a sensational Ashes series by claiming the Compton-Miller Medal as Player of the Series, courtesy of 31 wickets and a vital 156 runs across five Tests.

Speaking after the series, the left-arm quick made it clear that the Big Bash is now his immediate priority.

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“I’m certainly not looking two years down the road just yet,” Mitchell Starc said when asked about the 2027 Ashes in England.

“I’ll pull on the magenta with the man [Smith] next to me. We’ll see if we can help the Sixers get to another final. Other than the BBL, I haven’t got too many plans other than a bit of golf.”

Starc, who retired from T20Is in October to manage his workload and extend his Test career, could make his Sixers return as early as Sunday, January 11, when Sydney face the Hobart Hurricanes at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

The timing of their arrival could prove crucial for the Sixers, who currently sit fourth on the BBL 15 points table with three wins and three losses.

Despite securing the services of global star Babar Azam, the Sixers are yet to fully hit top gear this season.

They most recently edged past Brisbane Heat in a low-scoring thriller at Coffs Harbour, chasing down just 115 to stay in the top-four hunt.

READ: Shaheen Afridi fires warning to India ahead of T20 World Cup clash

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has delivered a pointed message to arch-rivals India ahead of their high-voltage encounter at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be played in Colombo on February 15.

The star pacer has stated that Pakistan will respond “on the field” amid growing concerns over sportsmanship between the two sides.

Speaking during a media interaction, Shaheen was asked about the controversial scenes witnessed during the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, where Indian players reportedly declined customary handshakes with Pakistan players.

Indian players also decided not to accept the tournament trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as both the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

“People across the border have violated the spirit of sportsmanship,” Shaheen Afridi said. “Our job is to play cricket, and that remains our focus. We will try to respond on the field.”

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The comments come amid sustained debate over the deteriorating on-field conduct between the two cricketing giants.

The Asia Cup controversy was not limited to a single match, with tensions first surfacing during the group-stage fixture, continuing through the Super Four round and peaking in the final, where India defeated Pakistan.

The issue has since drawn reactions from the wider cricketing fraternity. Former West Indies captain Jason Holder recently expressed disappointment over the situation, urging players from both countries to rise above political and off-field tensions.

“I don’t like this whole India and Pakistan rivalry. They are two powerhouses in world cricket,” Holder said in an interview with an Indian sports platform.

“To see how things have transpired, it’s just sad. I saw India win the Asia Cup, and they didn’t go on stage to accept the trophy. I think it’s too much; these things should not be in our game.”

READ: Agha wants Pakistan to improve fielding ahead of T20 World Cup

Raphinha netted twice as Barcelona strolled into the Spanish Super Cup final with a dominant 5-0 semi-final win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia.

The holders and record 15-time champions will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, who meet Thursday, in Sunday’s final.

Hansi Flick began with teenage star Lamine Yamal on the bench, but his team was still able to ease to a comfortable victory at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah.

The La Liga leaders have now won nine matches in a row across all competitions, and Athletic, enduring a difficult season, were ripped to shreds.

Last season, Barcelona went on to win La Liga and the Copa del Rey after Flick’s side won the Spanish Super Cup for the first trophy of the German’s reign, and the coach had said he wanted to use the competition as a springboard for more success again.

“It’s us who make games easy or hard — when we’re playing well, doing things right, defending well, attacking well, the game is easier,” Raphinha told Movistar.

The forward has been in fine form since returning from a hamstring injury that kept him out for around two months.

“I am always looking to be at my best level, and I will never say I’m at my best,” continued Raphinha.

“I will keep looking, keep trying to have a season that, if not perfect, is almost perfect, always looking for the best for the team.”

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Ferran Torres bundled home the opener after 22 minutes with a stroke of fortune after Fermin Lopez’s bungled shot fell kindly for him.

Barca sliced Athletic open with a more attractive second goal, with Raphinha cutting the ball back for Lopez to blast into the top corner, for the first of three goals in eight minutes.

Swedish winger Roony Bardghji got the third after being given a helping hand by Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon, who somehow mishandled the low shot under his own body and into the net.

It offered Spain coach Luis de la Fuente food for thought, given Simon is his number one and Barca stopper Joan Garcia is knocking at the door ahead of the World Cup, although the Euro 2024 winning manager was absent with the flu.

Raphinha lashed into the top left corner for Barcelona’s fourth after 38 minutes as the Catalans attacked relentlessly.

Oihan Sancet struck the post at the other end with Athletic’s best chance on a miserable night for the Basque side, who last won the competition in 2021.

Brazil international Raphinha grabbed his second soon after the break with a lethal finish from close range to seal Barca’s win.

“We have to say sorry to the fans who came here, we were not up to the level today, there’s nothing else we can do than say sorry,” said Athletic captain Inaki Williams.

READ: Australia win final Test to seal 4-1 Ashes triumph over England

SYDNEY: Australia won the final Ashes Test against England by five wickets on Thursday to seal a dominant 4-1 victory after a gruelling series, sending the retiring Usman Khawaja out on a high.

The nervy hosts saw wickets tumble as they chased their 160 target, which they reached after lunch on day five with Cameron Green not out 22 and Alex Carey on 16 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

For England, it was the final chapter in a miserable series.

Australia lost openers Travis Head (29) and Jake Weatherald (34), along with captain Steve Smith (12) and Khawaja, who made six in his final knock before retirement.

Marnus Labuschagne, dropped on 20, compiled 37 before needlessly running himself out to give Ben Stokes’s men a flicker of hope as they reduced Australia to 121-5.

But victory was never seriously in doubt after England were dismissed for 342 on the back of Jacob Bethell’s stylish 154.

Defeat ended a long tour for the visitors that quickly turned into a horror show when they lost the opening two Tests in Perth and Brisbane by eight wickets and the third at Adelaide by 82 runs.

Stokes’s side had arrived confident they could win their first series in Australia since 2010-11 amid taunts about the hosts having their worst side in 15 years.

Facing heavy criticism over their preparations, discipline and ultra-aggressive “Bazball” style of cricket, they rallied to pull off a stunning four-wicket comeback win in the fourth Test in Melbourne.

It was their first victory in 18 Tests on Australian soil and restored some pride, but another loss in Sydney, albeit close, will see them face a tough inquisition on their return home with coach Brendon McCullum’s job on the line.

Australia achieved their success despite being without pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood for the series and skipper Pat Cummins for all but one Test, while veteran spin king Nathan Lyon played a limited role.

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Nearly 860,000 fans watched the series, with a record 211,032 through the turnstiles in Sydney.

Tempers flared earlier on day five when Weatherald survived a review for caught behind on 16 despite the controversial Snicko technology, which has been unreliable all series, appearing to indicate a faint murmur.

An angry Brydon Carse had to be pulled away from complaining to the on-field umpire by Stokes, and the bowler exchanged heated words with Weatherald.

England finally got their reward when Head swiped Tongue to Carse at midwicket and Weatherald top-edged the same bowler to Matthew Potts.

Smith was bamboozled by a turning ball by spinner Will Jacks, and Khawaja, after being given a guard of honour by England when he walked out for the final time, played on.

England resumed on 302-8 with a 119-run advantage and added 40.

Precocious number three Bethell, trumpeted as the future of English cricket, padded up on 142 with Potts yet to score.

He reached 150 before edging Mitchell Starc to wicketkeeper Carey to end a breakthrough innings, with his marathon 265-ball stay including 15 fours.

Tongue was the last man out for six, again to Starc, with Potts unbeaten on 18.

It was Starc’s 31st wicket of the series, more than any other bowler.

Australia were all out for 567 in their first innings on Wednesday on the back of centuries from Head and Smith in reply to the tourists’ 384, built on Joe Root’s 160.

READ: Four-star Jamal puts Royals on top of BPL points table

SYLHET: Aamir Jamal picked up a four-wicket haul to power Chattogram Royals past Sylhet Titans by 14 runs in the 16th match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26 here on Wednesday.

Set a challenging 199, Titans were bowled out on 184 in 19.4 overs.

The chase started on a shaky note as Parvez Hossain Emon departed for two in the second over. After an early wicket, Tawfique Khan and Afif Hossain put the chase back on track with a 40-run partnership.

Jamal jolted Sylhet Titans with a double wicket in the fifth over, removing Tawfique, who made 23 off 19, and Rony Talukdar for six.

As a result, Titans were reduced to 50-3 at the end of the power play.

Chattogram Royals mounted pressure with wickets at regular intervals, but Afif Hossain held the innings together with a couple of partnerships.

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Afif was eventually dismissed in the 11th over after scoring 46 from 33 with the aid of four boundaries and two sixes.

He remained the top-scorer in an otherwise shambolic batting display.

Eventually, Royals secured victory despite Khaled Ahmed’s fireworks, who hit three sixes and a four in his 25 from nine balls.

For Chattogram Royals, Aamir Jamal picked up a four-wicket haul, which was ably backed up by Tanvir Islam and Shoriful Islam, both picking up two wickets each.

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Earlier, put into bat first, Chattogram Royals racked up 198-5 at the end of their 20 overs.

Adam Rossington continued his fine form as he remained the highest scorer, with 49 off 38 balls, striking half a dozen boundaries and a six.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy remained the other notable contributor as he hit a brisk 44 from 21, laced with four sixes and three boundaries.

Meanwhile, skipper Mahedi Hasan provided the innings’ late flourish with 33 from just 13, studded with four boundaries and a six.

For Sylhet Titans, Ruyel Miah picked up three wickets.

With this, Chattogram Royals reclaimed top spot with eight points. On the contrary, Sylhet Titans are in third place with six points.

READ: Shadab reflects on all-round performance against Sri Lanka

DAMBULLA: Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan shared his views after delivering an all-round performance against Sri Lanka in the T20I series opener. 

Pakistan sealed a comfortable six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the three-match T20I series opener played here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

The Green Shirts remained clinical throughout the match with a dominant performance with the bat and ball.

Shadab Khan earned the player of the match award for his two wickets and unbeaten 18 from 12 balls.

The bowling effort was backed by Sahibzada Farhan’s brisk half-century, who made 51 from 36 balls as Pakistan chased down the target in 16.4 overs.

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Speaking at the post-match presentation, Shadab, who last played an international match in May against Bangladesh, discussed his comeback after an injury layoff.

“First of all, thanks to my team. Coming back to international cricket after an injury is never easy. You always feel that pressure because you’re starting again from zero and have to prove yourself all over again. Alhamdulillah, I’m really happy,” he said.

The leg spinner credited the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 for regaining his momentum.

“Playing in the Big Bash after my injury helped a lot, both in terms of confidence in my bowling and with the bat. I just tried to keep things simple and trusted my process. The surface definitely helped me today,” he added.

He emphasized conditions and revealed what worked for him on the Dambulla wicket.

“When you play a lot of cricket, you learn to assess conditions quickly. On this wicket, bowling a little fuller than a good length worked well.

When I hit that fuller length, the ball was holding a bit, and even a good-length delivery felt shorter to the batter. That’s what worked for me, and I focused on sticking to that plan.”

Shadab Khan expressed confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 while hailing the team’s efforts in securing victory.

“As for the T20I World Cup around the corner, playing at that level is always a dream for any player, and it’s no different for me.

This is just one step, and hopefully it’s a step forward for us as a team. I’m really happy with how the team performed overall,” he concluded.

READ: Agha wants Pakistan to improve fielding ahead of T20 World Cup

DAMBULLA: Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha opened up after his side’s victory over Sri Lanka, urging his side to be consistent in the field ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan sealed a comfortable six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the three-match T20I series opener played here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

The Green Shirts remained clinical throughout the match with a dominant performance with the bat and ball.

Abrar Ahmed and Salman Mirza picked up three wickets to bundle out Sri Lanka for a modest 127-run total in 19.4 overs.

The bowling effort was backed by Sahibzada Farhan’s brisk half-century, who made 51 from 36 balls as Pakistan chased down the target in 16.4 overs.

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Agha reflected on the match outcome, stating that the toss played a vital role in the team’s victory.

“I honestly wasn’t expecting dew because of the weather. It was cloudy, so I thought it wouldn’t come into play.

But looking back now, the toss turned out to be really important because a lot of dew settled in after five or six hours of play, and that made a big difference later on.” he said in the post-match presentation,” he remarked.

The skipper highlighted the team’s fielding and emphasized the upcoming fixtures and the series against Australia.

“Looking ahead, with the T20I World Cup coming up, we have a fair idea of what we want to do as a team. We still have two games here and then three at home against Australia, so we want to keep building. We know the roles we want, but we also want to try different players in those roles and see how they respond.

“Fielding is one area I really want us to improve in, and I want to see consistency there game after game, especially going into the next match,” he concluded.

READ: Farhan, bowlers power Pakistan to victory over Sri Lanka

Former West Indies captain and pacer Jason Holder has weighed in on the Asia Cup trophy row between India and Pakistan, urging players from both nations to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap.

Holder expressed his views on India and Pakistan during the podcast ‘Game On With Grace’.

The 34-year-old was asked what had changed his mind on sports recently, and he recalled the Asia Cup Trophy saga between India and Pakistan.

“I don’t like this whole India and Pakistan beef. They are two powerhouses in world cricket and to see how things have transpired, it’s just sad,” he replied to host Grace Hayden, daughter of former Australian opener Matthew Hayden.

“I saw India win the Asia Cup and they didn’t go to accept the trophy. I think it’s too much; these things should not be in our game,” Holder maintained.

He urged cricketers to help change the hostile environment, noting that players are the game’s ideals and ambassadors.

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“Especially if we [cricketers] are ambassadors for the world. If we are talking about world peace and making the world a better place, that’s not what you want to see from your idols.

If you are inspiring a generation and inspiring a world, then we have to find a way to come together. I get it, there’s a long history behind it. But if it is to change than we have to come together because we have the influence,” he concluded.

For the unversed, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated in May 2025, with both neighbours on the brink of a full-scale war following the Pahalgam attack.

The situation led to the postponement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), before spilling over into a handshake and trophy row during the ACC Men’s Asia Cup later that year.

READ: PCB reveals all qualified bidders ahead of PSL 11 auction

DAMBULLA: Clinical bowling performance, backed by Sahibzada Farhan’s half-century, helped Pakistan down Sri Lanka by six wickets in the T20I series opener here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

The Green Shirts chased down a mere 128-run target on four wickets with 20 balls to spare.

Sahibzada Farhan’s and Saim Ayub’s brisk opening stand of 59 runs in 5.5 overs made the contest one sided affair.

The duo came with an aggressive approach, particularly Farhan, who accumulated 12 from Nuwan Thushara’s opening over.

The pair kept the charge, with Saim and Farhan taking down Maheesh Theekshana and Thushara with nine and 19 runs from the second and third over.

Saim was eventually bowled by Theekshana for 24 from 18, which included three fours and a six. Farhan remained firm, stitching a 35-run partnership with skipper Salman Ali Agha.

The scorecard read 94 in 10.2 overs when Agha was caught after making 16 from 11 deliveries.

Sri Lanka tried to hold things back, but it was too little too late as Farhan and Fakhar Zaman were removed in quick time.

Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 51 from 36, striking two maximums and four boundaries, while Fakhar managed only five from 10 balls.

At 106-4 in 13.2 overs, Pakistan’s chase was steadied by an unbeaten 23-run partnership between Shadab Khan and Usman Khan, which saw the visitors reach the target comfortably.

Shadab scored 18 off 12 balls with the aid of three boundaries. Usman scored an unbeaten seven from 13 deliveries.

For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dhananjaya de Silva scalped one wicket apiece.

Earlier, Pacer Salman Mirza led the bowling attack, while spinners Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan provided strong support as Pakistan skittled Sri Lanka for a below-par 128 run total in 19.2 overs.

Pakistan pacers mounted pressure on the home side batters right from the onset as openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara were sent back in 3.2 overs.

Nissanka made 12, whereas Mishara could not open his account.

As a result, Sri Lanka were in early trouble with 15-2 with Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis at the crease.

The duo tried to stablize the innings with a brief 22-run stand before both getting dismissed in a span of two deliveries.

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Returning Shadab Khan made an immediate impact with the ball, trapping Mendis lbw for 14 while De Silva was caught behind for 10.

With quick wickets, the Islanders were again in recovery mode as Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage tried to arrest the slide with a 34-run partnership.

The pair eventually eased their side’s trouble as the scorecard read 72-5 in 11.3 overs.

But it was Abrar Ahmed this time, who made the crucial breakthrough with Asalanka’s wicket. The former captain scored 18 off 15 balls with the aid of a single boundary.

Meanwhile, Liyanage held the innings with a string of partnerships down the order. He first stitched a 38-run partnership with Wanindu Hasaranga, which was followed by another 17-run stand with skipper Dasun Shanaka, briefly stabilizing their innings.

Hasaranga scored 18, whereas Shanaka could add only 12, leaving Liyanage to shoulder the responsibility as wickets continued to fall around him.

Abrar Ahmed eventually got the better of Janith Liyanage, who top-scored with 40 from 31 balls with the help of two fours and a six.

Sri Lanka’s innings then folded quickly, with the last three wickets falling in the space of one run as they were bundled out cheaply for 128.

For Pakistan, Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed shared six wickets between them. Returning Shadab Khan and Mohammad Wasim were equally supportive with two wickets to their names.

READ: PCB reveals all qualified bidders ahead of PSL 11 auction