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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha and Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka posed with the Trophy ahead of the T20I tri-series final.

The video shoot was seen on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) social media handles, with both captains sharing their views in a candid conversation.

“Pre-final trophy shoot with the captains, featuring a musical twist,” the post-caption read.

For the unversed, Pakistan and Sri Lanka sealed the final spot in contrasting fashion: the former lost one of three games, while Sri Lanka clinched a thriller against the Green Shirts in their do-or-die encounter to qualify for the final.

 

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Set a strong 185-run target, Pakistan wobbled early in the chase, courtesy of Dushmanta Chameera’s outstanding opening spell.

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However, Salman Ali Agha and Usman Khan arrested the slide and built a 56-run stand. Usman’s blitz (33 off 23) took the score to 99 in 12.2 overs before another crucial 70-run stand between Agha and Mohammad Nawaz lifted the home side’s hopes.

Nonetheless, the equation went down to 10 from the final over, with Chameera having the ball in his hands.

The pacer bowled a superb over under pressure and gave only three, including the wicket of Faheem Ashraf, while Salman, who took a single on the second ball of the over, looked diminished at the other end.

The final will be played tomorrow at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Squads

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Hassan Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), and Usman Tariq.

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Pavan Rathnayake, and Eshan Malinga.

READ: Babar Azam eyes long-awaited World Cup glory for Pakistan

Cole Palmer is fit to start Chelsea’s summit meeting with Premier League leaders Arsenal this weekend after more than two months on the sidelines, manager Enzo Maresca said Friday.

The England forward has not played for the club since September 20 — initially missing with a groin problem before fracturing a toe.

Maresca told his pre-match press conference that Palmer was fit enough to play from the start in Sunday’s match at Stamford Bridge.

A win for the second-placed Blues would lift them just three points behind the Gunners at the top of the Premier League.

“Everyone is happy, his teammates are happy, we are all happy, and the most important thing is that Cole is happy because in the end, football players want to play games,” said the Chelsea boss.

Palmer, 23, was Chelsea’s top scorer in the Premier League last season, with 15 goals.

He has made just four appearances in all competitions for the club this season, scoring twice.

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“He is probably our best player,” said Maresca. “We are happy that he is back. Now we need to give him time, you know, to be 100 percent fit.

“But he has done fantastic in the past and no doubt that he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”

Brazilian wonderkid Estevao scored a stunning solo goal in Chelsea’s 3-0 win against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, burnishing his reputation.

Maresca admitted pairing Palmer with Estevao, 18, was an exciting prospect.

“Depends against which team, depends a little bit on the game plan, but for sure the fans are excited to watch both together,” he said.

“We also are excited, thinking that at the end we need always balance.”

Maresca, who won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup last season in his first campaign at Chelsea, said his team had made progress over the past year, but it was too soon to predict a title challenge.

“For sure it’s different compared to one year ago, and it’s because we spent one more year together,” he said. “We went through moments where we can learn from that moment. Then again, for me it’s very early.

“We are still at the end of November, December, so it’s very early and it’s important to be where we are now in March, April, and then we see.”

READ: Babar Azam eyes long-awaited World Cup glory for Pakistan

Ace batter Babar Azam has set his sights on lifting a World Cup trophy for Pakistan, stating that he is working hard on his fitness and game to achieve the long-awaited feat.

Babar Azam has become a prolific batter for Pakistan over the past decade and has 32 international centuries to his name, the fourth-most by any Pakistani batter.

However, he is yet to lift a trophy for his team despite being on the brink of doing so under his leadership. He captained Pakistan to the ICC T20 World Cup final in 2022 against England, which they eventually lost by five wickets.

The last time Pakistan lifted the World Cup trophy was back in 2009, under the leadership of Younis Khan.

In a candid conversation with former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen on
‘The Switch’ , Babar shed light on various aspects of his cricketing career.

Asked about his goals in the next five years, he replied that his biggest dream is to win an ICC trophy.

“We want to win an ICC trophy. We reached the finals of the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup, but we lost,” he said.

“That’s why I’m working hard — on my fitness and everything,” he said.

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Babar Azam also spoke about the expectations and the pressure he faces as Pakistan’s premier batter.

“I’m [also] a human being. Sometimes you [make] mistakes. “The main thing is the focus. I stop listening to anyone. I talk to myself, to my coaches,” he said on coping with mental challenges while batting.

During the discussion, the right-hander also revealed his favorite batter and his early memories of watching AB De Villiers bat.

“Yes, he is my all-time favorite. AB is your all-time? KP asked, “Am I second or third?”

“No, sixth,” said Babar Azam in a light-hearted manner.

The 31-year-old talked about how the batting maestro inspired him from childhood, and about his early memories of the South Africa tour of Pakistan in 2007.

“He inspired me. When I was younger, I [tried] to copy him. Like his stance — he’s sideways, you know, starting he’s like he’s looking like that, ” said Babar while imitating AB de Villiers.

“In 2007 or maybe 2006, I was a ball picker in the stadium. [It was the] Pakistan–South Africa match. So during the Test match, I saw AB for the first time. I just… I just… You stopped and stared. Oh, my idol is here,” he concluded.

READ: PCB signs landmark MoU with Italian Cricket Federation

ROME: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Italian Cricket Federation (FCRI) for promoting cricket in Italy.

PCB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sumair Ahmad Syed and FCRI President Madame Maria Lorena Haz Paz signed the MoU, with an eye on increasing the support for men’s and women’s cricket in Italy.

“Under this strategic partnership, both organisations will collaborate to support the development of men’s and women’s cricket in Italy, following the Italian national team’s recent qualification for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the board said in a press release.

“The agreement outlines a comprehensive framework focused on technical, structural, and competitive development,” it added.

The main cooperation areas include the transfer of technical and coaching knowledge, alongside organizing joint development and training programmes.

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Moreover, workshops, seminars, friendly matches, and bilateral tournaments at different levels, infrastructural enhancement, and youth development across Italy are also part of the plan.

On this occasion, PCB COO Sumair Ahmad Syed shared his views and highlighted the board’s commitment to fostering global cricket growth.

“This partnership represents an important opportunity to strengthen sporting and cultural ties between Pakistan and Italy,” he said.

FCRI President Maria Lorena Haz Paz also hailed the collaboration, stating that the agreement aligns with Italy’s broader strategy to elevate its cricketing standards.

“FCRI is in the process of securing additional bilateral partnerships with foreign cricket boards to further accelerate the sport’s development in the country,” she said.

For the unversed, the Italy men’s cricket team will be featuring in the 20-team 2026 T20 World Cup for the first time.

In July this year, Italy secured qualification from the European region after displaying impressive performances throughout the tournament under the leadership of Joe Burns, a former Australian opening batter.

READ: Pakistan, Australia hold security discussions for 2026 white-ball series

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, held a virtual meeting with Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, on Friday.

During the interaction, both sides reviewed a range of issues linked to bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on ensuring a secure environment for the visiting Australian team.

They also discussed security arrangements for Australia’s upcoming cricket tour of Pakistan in 2026.

Naqvi briefed his counterpart on the measures being planned for the tour and also extended an invitation for Burke to visit Pakistan, as both officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties between the two countries.

Australia are scheduled to tour Pakistan for a white-ball series in two phases next year.

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The first phase of the tour will feature a three-match T20I series from January 30 to February 5, being played just ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Following the global event, Australia are pencilled in to return to Pakistan for a three-match ODI series in March under the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) 2025–27.

However, sources indicate that the ODI leg could be postponed, with the PCB and Cricket Australia (CA) reportedly in discussions to revise the schedule.

The white-ball fixtures, initially listed for March 13–19, are now likely to be shifted to a later window after the conclusion of PSL season 11, should both boards reach an agreement.

READ: India name squad for ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2025

MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member squad for the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to be held in Dubai from December 12.

Mumbai batter Ayush Mhatre has been named captain, with Vihaan Malhotra appointed as his deputy.

Mhatre, who starred for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025 with 240 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of nearly 189, has struggled for consistency in recent outings.

On India’s tours of England and Australia, he had mixed returns, managing only 27 runs in four one-dayers in England and 10 runs in three one-day matches in Australia.

However, he bounced back in Youth Tests, scoring 340 runs in two matches in England and 38 runs in Australia.

The squad also features 14-year-old aggressive opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who impressed in the Asia Cup Rising Stars with 239 runs at an average of 59.75 and a strike rate of 243.87, including a century.

His performance in Dubai will mark his second Under-19 Asia Cup appearance.

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Wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu is expected to play a pivotal role behind the stumps, having scored 158 runs in two outings for India-A against Australia-A at a strike rate of 114.49.

India’s bowling attack will be led by Henil Patel and Khilan Patel, while Kishan Kumar Singh is included, subject to fitness clearance.

Rahul Kumar, Hemchudeshan J, B.K. Kishore and Aditya Rawat have been named as standby players.

India has been drawn in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan and two qualifying teams.

Their campaign opens on December 12 against one of the qualifiers, with the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan set for December 14, followed by the final group match on December 16.

Group B consists of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and another qualifier.

The tournament will be played in the one-day format, allowing the young Indian side to fine-tune their skills ahead of future international challenges.

India Under-19 Squad for ACC Men’s Asia Cup

Ayush Mhatre (c), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra (vice-capt), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), Yuvraj Gohil, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Naman Pushpak, D. Deepesh, Henil Patel, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan and Aaron George.

Standby Players: Rahul Kumar, Hemchudeshan J, B.K. Kishore and Aditya Rawat.

READ: India’s WTC final hopes ‘extremely slim,’ says former cricketer

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed serious doubts over the national team’s chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 final, following a crushing 0-2 series defeat to South Africa.

The Proteas sealed the series in Guwahati with a commanding 408-run victory, ending a 25-year wait for a Test series win on Indian soil and leaving India reeling on the points table.

The back-to-back defeats mark India’s fourth loss in the current WTC cycle, dropping them to fifth place with a points percentage of 48.15.

With just nine Tests remaining in the cycle, India are not scheduled to play another Test until they tour Sri Lanka in August 2026.

Their remaining fixtures include an away series in New Zealand and a five-Test home series against Australia in 2027.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra admitted that India’s qualification scenario looks bleak.

He highlighted the improbability of a 5-0 home sweep against Australia, which would be necessary to significantly boost India’s points tally.

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“We’re currently fifth in the WTC standings, and I don’t believe we’ll make it to the final. If we qualify, it will be a miracle,” Chopra said.

“We have an upcoming series against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, New Zealand in New Zealand, and then five Tests against Australia at home.

“Winning all five matches against Australia seems almost impossible. With less than 50 percent of the points, it’s not looking great for us.”

South Africa’s series triumph propelled them to second place with a points percentage of 75, while Australia continue to lead the table with a perfect 100 percent, having won all four of their matches.

Sri Lanka occupy third with 66.67 percent, followed by Pakistan at 50 percent.

India now face a steep challenge, needing to win the majority of their remaining fixtures just to have a realistic chance of making the WTC final in 2027.

READ: Salman Agha, Shan Masood, Shoaib Malik sign up for BPL 2026 auction

Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, Test captain Shan Masood, and veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik are among the 42 Pakistan cricketers registered for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2026 auction.

The BPL players’ auction is set for November 30, with 245 overseas players already categorised for the event.

Meanwhile, the tournament is scheduled to be played from 26 December 2025 and will conclude on 23 January 2026.

The BPL 2026 will see a reduction in teams from seven to five. Dhaka Capitals and Rangpur Riders remain, while Chattogram Royals, Rajshahi Warriors, and Sylhet Titans enter under new ownership after Chittagong Kings, Durbar Rajshahi, and Sylhet Strikers exited.

Defending champions Fortune Barishal and Khulna Tigers will not participate this season.

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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the participating teams but has yet to release details regarding the new ownership structures.

The auction will feature 245 overseas players across five categories, A, B, C, D, and E, from which franchises will select talent for the season.

Ahead of the auction, several players have already been directly signed by franchises.

Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed joins the newly rebranded Chattogram Royals, while opening batter Saim Ayub has been secured by Sylhet Titans, alongside Moeen Ali, Mohammad Amir, and Azmatullah Omarzai.

International stars have also been pre-signed, including England’s Alex Hales and Pakistan’s Usman Khan by Dhaka Capitals, and Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis by Noakhali Express.

Pakistan players registered for BPL 2026 auction

Category A

• Abdul Samad – Batter
• Zaman Khan – Bowler
• Mohammad Hasnain – Bowler
• Usama Mir – Bowler
• Shoaib Malik – Allrounder
• Shan Masood – Batter
• Salman Ali Agha – Allrounder
• Mohammad Wasim – Allrounder
• Mohammad Haris – Wicketkeeper
• Aamer Jamal – Allrounder

Category B

• Asif Ali – Batter
• Salman Mirza – Bowler
• Saud Shakeel – Batter

Category C

• Ali Raza – Bowler
• Jahandad Khan – Allrounder
• Haider Ali – Batter
• Khurram Shahzad – Bowler
• Abdullah Shafique – Batter
• Zafar Gohar – Allrounder
• Bilawal Bhatti – Allrounder

Category D

• Mehran Mumtaz – Allrounder
• Usman Qadir – Bowler
• Mir Hamza – Bowler
• Muhammad Ali Dazy – Bowler
• Irfan Khan Niazi – Batter
• Arif Yaqoob – Bowler
• Ahmed Daniyal – Allrounder

Category E

• Asad Raza – Bowler
• Tayyab Abbas – Bowler
• Ammad Butt – Allrounder
• Ammad Alam – Batter
• Yasir Khan – Batter
• Muhammad Akhlaq – Wicketkeeper
• Mohammad Zeeshan – Bowler
• Mohammad Imran Jr – Bowler
• Zia ul Hasan – Allrounder
• Mamoon Imtiaz – Bowler
• Rumman Raees – Bowler
• Saad Baig – Wicketkeeper
• Arafat Minhas – Allrounder
• Tayyab Tahir – Batter
• Salman Fayyaz – Bowler

READ: Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub among pre-auction picks for BPL 2026

Pakistan’s spinner Abrar Ahmed and opening batter Saim Ayub are among the first players to be directly signed by franchises ahead of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2026 auction.

The BPL players’ auction is set for November 30, with 245 overseas players already categorised for the event.

Meanwhile, the tournament is scheduled to be played from 26 December 2025 and will conclude on 23 January 2026.

The BPL 2026 will see a reduction in teams from seven to five. Dhaka Capitals and Rangpur Riders remain, while Chattogram Royals, Rajshahi Warriors, and Sylhet Titans enter under new ownership after Chittagong Kings, Durbar Rajshahi, and Sylhet Strikers exited.

Defending champions Fortune Barishal and Khulna Tigers will not participate this season.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the participating teams but has yet to release details regarding the new ownership structures.

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Abrar Ahmed has been picked up by the newly rebranded Chattogram Royals, marking a return to the BPL for the Pakistan spinner, who played a solitary match for Comilla Victorians in the 2023 edition.

Saim Ayub, meanwhile, has joined Sylhet Titans, who have also signed England’s Moeen Ali, veteran pacer Mohammad Amir, and Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai.

Mohammad Amir, a veteran left-arm pacer, brings extensive experience, having taken 52 wickets in 36 BPL matches at an economy rate of 6.36 over four seasons.

Among other marquee pre-auction signings, Dhaka Capitals have secured England’s Alex Hales and Pakistan’s Usman Khan, while Noakhali Express have picked up Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis.

Usman Khan boasts an impressive BPL record, scoring 581 runs in 19 matches across two seasons at a strike rate of 148.97, including three fifties and two centuries.

READ: Australia announce squad for pink-ball Ashes Test

BRISBANE: Skipper Pat Cummins was left out of an unchanged Australia squad named on Friday for the day-night second Ashes Test against England, set to commence on 4 December.

The Australian skipper continues his battle against injury; meanwhile, under-pressure opener Usman Khawaja managed to keep his place in the line-up for the pink-ball Test.

Star paceman Josh Hazlewood was also absent, as expected, as he continues his recovery from a hamstring problem.

Cummins has not played since picking up a lower back injury against the West Indies four months ago.

He missed the rapid-fire opening Test in Perth that Australia won by eight wickets inside two days, but has been at full pace in the nets in recent weeks and said last weekend he was “half a chance” to play in Brisbane.

But selectors are clearly taking no chances with the 32-year-old, who will now be targeting the third Test in Adelaide on December 17.

It means Steve Smith will remain captain while Brendan Doggett is set to once more lead the attack with Perth 10-wicket hero Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, on what is expected to be another fast track.

The Gabba Test gets underway on December 4 with Australia looking to ram home their advantage and take a 2-0 lead in the five-Test series.

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Despite missing out, Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations, Cricket Australia said.

Khawaja made the squad amid mounting calls for the veteran to be dumped.

The 38-year-old, who has not made a Test hundred on home soil since January 2023, failed to open in either innings in Perth because of back spasms.

He was replaced at the top alongside Jake Weatherald initially by Marnus Labuschagne, and then by Travis Head in the second innings.

Head, who usually comes in at five but opens in white-ball cricket, seized the opportunity with all guns blazing, slamming an incredible 123 from just 83 balls to drive Australia to victory.

Whether Khawaja keeps his spot in the XI remains to be seen, with Australia not expected to finalise their starting side until the eve of the clash.

Should selectors stick with Head and axe Khawaja, it could open the door to in-form allrounder Beau Webster and a handy extra bowling option.

Australia squad for second Ashes Test

Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster

READ: Arshad Nadeem sets sights on Asian, Commonwealth Games