Tag: australia

LAHORE: Australia T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh has expressed his excitement ahead of Pakistan T20I series, stating that he is looking forward to the challenge of playing against Babar Azam.

Speaking in the pre-series press conference, Marsh talked about Pakistani players playing in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 and praised Babar Azam.

“It was great to see some Pakistan players playing the Big Bash; it brought a whole new audience, and I’m hopeful that they enjoyed their time in Australia,” Marsh told reporters.

Marsh also mentioned sub continent conditions, noting that Babar Azam had been a world-class performer for Pakistan for a long time. He added that Babar remained a different challenge and that they were well aware of it.

“Babar’s been a world-class player for a long period of time for Pakistan, so we have great respect for him, and we know that in these conditions he’s one of the best players in the world still so we look forward to that challenge,” he added.

The skipper also tipped the series as a vita preparatory platform for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.

“It’s a really important time in both teams’ preparations for the World Cup. Most of the squad has been in Dubai for the last four days training and getting together,” he maintained.

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“Some of us have obviously flown in a little bit later due to Big Bash commitments, but we’re certainly ready to go, and we’re looking forward to a great series,” he explained.

The 34-year-old admitted he had not packed many jumpers, saying he was unaware how cold it could get in Pakistan but would be better prepared next time

“Yes, I must admit I didn’t pack too many jumpers. I wasn’t aware that Pakistan got this cold, so I’ll know for next time, but I think one of the things about our group and most international teams now is that preparation can look different for every tour,” Marsh concluded.

READ: Seifert, Santner shine in New Zealand consolation win over India

HARARE: Skipper Oliver Peake led from the front with a sublime century, ably backed by Charles Lachmund’s clincial bowling helped Australia seal a narrow win over West Indies in the Super Sixes of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 here at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.

Set daunting 315, West Indies fell short by 22 runs despite a spirited batting effort.

With this win, Australia marched in the semi-final of the U19 World Cup.

West Indies opening pair laid a solid foundation with a 88 run stand in 11.3 overs.

Zachary Carter and Jewel Andrew capitalized on strong start, adding 35 for the second partnership, bringing the score to 123 in 15.1 overs.

Carter’s brisk 64 off 42 included four sixes and seven boundaries, keeping the run rate healthy.

Despite the wickets, West Indies cruised on as skipper Joshua Dorne and Jewel Andrew held the innings together with a 48 run partnership.

The scorecard read when 171 in 26.1 overs when Jewel Andrew was cleaned bowled. The left-hander made 44 from 38 with the aid of six boundaries and two sixes.

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With West Indies going well in pursuit of the target till the 40th over, Australian bowlers struck twice to take the control of the proceedings.

The well set batters Joshua Dorne (62 from 97) and Kunal Tilokani (35 off 42) were sent back in a span of two overs.

As a result, West Indies were reduced to 246-5 with their lower order facing an uphill task to climb.

In the last overs, Australia held on their nerve and limited West Indies batters to go big which resulted in their victory.

For Australia, Charles Lachmund topped the wicket column with four scalps to his name. Hayden Schiller and Aryan Sharma picked up two each.

Earlier, put into bat first, Australia racked up 3`14-7 at the end of their 50 overs.

The highlight of the Australian inning was the 85 run stand between skipper Oliver Peake’s and Alex Lee Young for the third wicket.

Peake scored a scintillating 109 from 117 with the aid of nine fours and six whereas Lee Young struck two sixes and four boundaries.

For West Indies, R’Jai Gittens and Jakeem Pollard claimed a brace each.

READ: Gillespie reacts to appointment as Hyderabad coach for PSL 11

LAHORE: The trophy for the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Australia has been unveiled here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha and Australia’s captain Mitchell March posed with the trophy ahead of the pre-series press conference.

The series which serves as a dress rehearsal for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, will begin on 29 January at the Gaddafi Stadium.

All three fixtures of the series will be played at the same venue, with the toss scheduled for 3:30 pm PKT.

 

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The T20I series will mark only Australia’s second series in the format on Pakistani soil after a solitary T20I in April 2022 at Gaddafi Stadium.

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Salman Ali Agha will continue lead the Pakistan side while Australia could be without their captain Marsh.

According to reports, Marsh and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis are unlikely to feature in the opening match after arriving in Pakistan only on Wednesday, just days after their Perth Scorchers lifted a record-extending sixth Big Bash League title on Sunday.

With Marsh sitting out, Head will take charge of Australia for only the second time in his career. His only previous stint as T20I captain came in Cardiff in 2024, when he led Australia against England.

Pakistan squad

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

Australia squad

Mitch Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa.

READ: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub climb ICC rankings ahead of Australia T20Is

DUBAI: Pakistan batters Babar Azam and Saim Ayub have received a timely boost in the latest ICC T20I batting rankings, released ahead of the Green Shirts’ home series against Australia.

Pakistan are set to host Australia in a three-match T20I series, beginning tomorrow, which will serve as the national side’s final assignment before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

According to the updated ICC rankings, Babar Azam has climbed one place to 31st, while Saim Ayub made a two-position jump to move into joint 35th.

Saim now shares the spot with West Indies batter Brandon King, who also made a significant improvement, climbing 15 places to reach the same position.

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Sahibzada Farhan continues to be Pakistan’s highest-ranked batter in the format, holding firm at fifth in the T20I batting rankings. Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha is currently placed at 41st.

Pakistan also witnessed gains in the bowling charts as Abrar Ahmed improved by one spot and is now placed joint fourth, alongside New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy.

Fast bowler Salman Mirza also moved up by one place to sit at 18th. However, all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz slipped two places, dropping to 15th in the latest update.

Meanwhile, Saim Ayub also registered progress in bowling rankings, improving by one place to reach 54th.

READ: Salman Ali Agha defends Babar Azam despite below-par BBL

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a five-member commentary panel for the upcoming T20I series against Australia.

The series will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, from 29 January to 1 February. The games will start at 4pm PKT with the coin toss set to take place at 3.30pm PST.

Notably, former Australia Test batter Simon Katich is set to return to Pakistan as a commentator for the three-match series. He last visited Pakistan in March 2022 to call the three-match Test series.

Katich will be joined in the commentary box by ex-Pakistan Test captains Aamir Sohail and Ramiz Raja, alongside former Test batter Bazid Khan.

Former Pakistan women’s team captain Urooj Mumtaz also completes the five-member commentary panel for the series.

Zainab Abbas is set to be the presenter for the PCB’s famous PitchSide Studio, as the viewers will soak in the expert analysis during the pre- and post-match shows of all three matches at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

The High-Definition broadcast coverage of the series will be carried out with the help of 28 cameras, which also include buggy cam. HawkEye and UltraEdge will be part of the Decision Review System (DRS) Technology.

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Moreover, ICC International Panel Match Referee Ali Naqvi will lead the playing control team in all three matches.

The second game will be his 50th T20I as match referee, as he officiated his first game in the format at the same venue in April 2023.

Ahsan Raza, member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, will be one of the on-field umpires during the first two T20Is, while Asif Yaqoob of the ICC Emerging Panel of Umpires and Rashid Riaz of the ICC International Panel of Umpires will join him on the field in the first and second T20Is, respectively.

Rashid, the fourth umpire in the first T20I, will join Nasir Hussain of the ICC International Panel of Umpires in the third T20I to perform the on-field duties with PCB National Elite Panel of Umpires member Zulfiqar Jan being the fourth umpire.

Apart from being the fourth umpire in the second game, Nasir will begin the series as the third umpire, while Asif and Tariq Rasheed of the PCB National Elite Panel of Umpires will perform the third umpire duties in the second and third T20I, respectively.

READ: Mitchell Marsh unlikely to play first T20I against Pakistan, stand-in captain named

A baggy green cap worn by Donald Bradman fetched A$460,000 (US$319,000) at public auction in Australia on Monday, a record price for a cap worn by the Australian cricket legend.

The price paid for the cap, once a 16.5% buyer’s premium of A$75,900 is added, totals A$535,900, beating the previous record holder, a baggy green from the same series — against India in 1947/48 — that was sold in 2024.

That cap was bought for A$479,700, including the buyer’s premium, at auction.

Bradman, who died aged 92 in 2001, had given the cap sold on Monday to Indian all-rounder Sriranga Wasudev ‘Ranga’ Sohoni.

Inside, it bears the inscriptions: ‘D.G. Bradman’ and ‘S.W. Sohoni’.

Back in Bradman’s day the baggy green cap was awarded for each series they played — a contrast to the present day where only one is handed out on Test debut.

Sohoni’s family looked after the cap until it was put up for auction — Sohoni died in 1993 aged 75.

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The buyer requested anonymity but it will go on display at an Australian museum.

“That’s over three generations under lock and key,” said Lee Hames, the chief operating officer of Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers, who held the auction.

“If you were a family member you were only allowed to look at it when you were 16-years-old for five minutes.”

The series was notable for being India’s first as an independent country and Bradman’s last on home soil.

Bradman made it a memorable one, scoring 715 runs — including his 100th first-class century — as the Australians romped to a 4-0 series win.

Bradman is widely regarded as cricket’s greatest-ever batter and averaged 99.94 in his 52-match Test career.

READ: U19 World Cup: England edge closer to semis, Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan

LAHORE: Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan on Monday expressed confidence ahead of the T20I series against Australia and T20 World Cup 2026, set to begin on 7 February across Sri Lanka and India.

The national team is currently involved in a training camp ahead of three match T20I series against Australia.

Speaking after scenario based practice match, Shadab said he welcomes praise when he performs well but is aware of the criticism he often faces.

“When you do well, you get praise. I know there’s a lot of criticism directed at mem but I focus on my game,” Shadab told reporters.

Talking about conditions in Sri Lanka, he noted that the weather keeps changing but expressed confidence in the team’s approach while praising ace batter Babar Azam.

“Wherever we play, we aim to play good cricket.” “Babar Azam is our biggest player. I have seen him grow into the player he is today,” he added.

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“I am a bowler who can also contribute with the bat. There’s been talk that I focus too much on batting, but I balance both aspects of my game,” Shadab explained.

He admitted he had been away from cricket for some time but is now back and ready to contribute.

“Modern cricket demands that you adopt new strategies and adapt accordingly,” he said.

On conditions in Sri Lanka ahead of the T20 World Cup, he predicted that putting up a big score on the board will be a challenge.

“Big scores will be difficult to come by.”

“The upcoming series against Australia is the best preparation for the World Cup. Our spinners performed well in the Asia Cup, and I hope they continue to perform in the World Cup as well,” he concluded.

For those unaware, Australia are set to arrive in Pakistan on Wednesday, 28 January and will play just their second series in the format on Pakistan soil after a solitary T20I in April 2022 at Gaddafi Stadium.

Pakistan squad for Australia series

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq

READ: West Indies reveal T20 World Cup 2026 squad

WINDHOEK: Dominant Australia sealed another win at the U19 World Cup as Charles Lachmund and Steven Hogan starred against South Africa, leading their side to a six wicket win here at the Namibia Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Put into bat first, South Africa were skittled for mere 118 in just 32.1 overs.

The Proteas were put into early trouble as opener Armaan Manack was trapped lbw for duck on the second ball of the first over.

After an early wicket, skipper Muhammed Bulbulia joined hands with Jorich Van Schalkwyk and added 27 for the second wicket partnership.

The stand was broken in the fifth over as Bulbulia was cleaned after scoring 19. The wicket triggered a mini collapse as both Jason Rowles and Daniel Bosman, were dismissed cheaply.

As a result, South Africa were 37-4 in 10 overs.

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The slide was briefly halted as Paul James and Jorich Van Schalkwyk put on a 30 run partnership. However, a total misunderstanding ended in Van Schalkwyk’s run out. He made 26 from 55 balls with the aid of three fours.

Following his wicket, South Africa innings quickly unraveled as Australia bowlers dominated the proceedings.

Paul James remained the top-scorer for South Africa with 34 to his name with the help of a four and a six.

For Australia, Charles Lachmund led the bowling attack with a three wicket haul to his name.

In reply, Australia reached the target without any major hiccups in 32.5 overs, losing four wickets.

South Africa snared an early wicket in the second over as Will Malajczuk  departed for four. Yet, Australia cruised in pursuit with a string of partnerships.

Steven Hogan remained the highest scorer for them as he managed 43 from 73 deliveries, striking five boundaries in the process.

For South Africa, JJ Basson shined with ball as he took three wickets in his quota of 10 overs.

With this win, Australia remained undefeated, winning three out of three games.

READ: PSL 11 auction: All you need to know about players, base prices and team purse

Pacer Nathan Ellis became the latest addition to Australia’s growing injury concerns ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to begin next month across Sri Lanka and India next month.

Leading the Hobart Hurricanes in BBL 15, the right-arm pacer Ellis was a late withdrawal from the Challenger against Sydey Sixers, raising fears over his availability for the T20 World Cup.

The 31-year-old had also missed the Hurricanes knockout fixture against Melbourne Stars due to injury and was expected to play in Challenger. However, the pacer was unable to recover from the injury.

Ellis, who famously took hat-trick on his T20I debut, is the latest addition to Australia’s injury concerns, as the ace duo of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are recovering from injuries to be fit for the mega event.

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Hazlewood, sidelined since November last year, is expected to be fully fit before the tournament, while Cummins is likely to rejoin the squad in the latter stages of the mega event.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis also faced setback as he suffered a blow to his hand and was forced to retire during the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 fixture, subsequently requiring a scan.

Tim David is another player who pulled up his hamstring during the BBL fixture and is currently recovering ahead of the mega event.

It is worth mentioning that ahead of the T20 World Cup, Australia will tour Pakistan for a three-match T20I series, slated to commence on 29 January in Lahore.

Provisional 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 and Adam Zampa.

READ: Surya, Kishan help India chase down 209 against New Zealand

WINDHOEK: Australia romped to a nine wicket win over Sri Lanka to top Group C, while Bangladesh secured a place in the Super Six stage of the ICC U19 World Cup with a seven-wicket win over USA on Friday.

In group A, Australia sealed a commanding win over Sri Lanka after bowling the Islanders for just 58.

The defending champions chased down the partly target in 12 overs, losing only wicket in the process.

Nitesh Samuel scored 19 from 40 and Steven Hogan hit three boundaries for his 28 from 27 deliveries.

For Sri Lanka, Rasith Nimsara was the solitary wicket taker.

With this victory, Australia topped the group with three wins out of three games.

Earlier, put into bat first, Will Byrom’s five wicket haul skittled Sri Lanka for 58 in 18.5 overs.

Australia pacer Charles Lachmund and Will Byrom inflicted a miserable start on Sri Lanka as they were reduced to 3-3 in 3.2 overs.

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The wickets continued to tumble for Sri Lanka as none of their batters could got going. Chamika Heenatigala top-scored for his side with 14 from 21` balls.

In Groub fixture, Bangladesh secured a comprehensive seven wicket win over USA to seal their Super Six spot.

Put into bat first, USA were bowled out for 199 in their 50 overs.

Adnit Jhamb remained the highest scorer for his side, managing 68 off 69 with the help of a six and three fours.

For Bangladesh, Iqbal Hossain Emon remained the standout bowler with three wickets. Al Fahad, Shahriar Ahmed and Rizan Hossan shared six wickets between them.

In reply, Bangladesh chased down the target in 41.3 overs, losing three wickets in the process.

Skipper Azizul Hakim top scored with 64 from 82, hittig two fours and same number of maximums. Zawad Abrar was the other notable contributor, striking three sixes and five fours in his knock of 47 from 42 balls.

For USA, Ritvik Appidi, Utkarsh Srivastava and Sahil Garg picked up one wicket each.

READ: Derbyshire rope in Sufiyan Muqeem for T20 Blast 2026