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PCB announces Pakistan squad for T20 series against Australia

PCB announces

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the national squad for the upcoming T20 International series against Australia.

For the three-match series, Salman Ali Agha has been appointed as captain, while Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have made their return to the T20 side.

The squad also includes Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Wasim Jr.

Other players named in the squad are Mohammad Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Tariq, Khawaja Mohammad Nafi, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper).

According to the PCB, the Australian team will arrive in Pakistan on January 28, while all three T20 matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on January 29, January 31, and February 1.

The series is expected to attract strong fan interest as Pakistan prepares to face Australia at home in a high-profile T20 contest.

Babar Azam leaves BBL early to join Pakistan squad

Babar Azam leaves BBL

LAHORE:Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam has concluded his stint in Australia’s Big Bash League as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called him back to prepare for the upcoming T20 series against Australia. He will no longer be available for the remaining matches with the Sydney Sixers.

PCB officials confirmed that Babar’s early return was due to his national duties, and he is expected to report to the Pakistan team’s training camp shortly.

Speaking on his departure, Babar said, “It has been a great experience playing for the Sydney Sixers. I am grateful for the love and support of the fans. Now it’s time to focus on my national duties. Playing in the Big Bash has taught me a lot, and the memories will always stay with me.”

He added that he would continue to support the Sydney Sixers in their upcoming matches.

During his 11-match stint, Babar scored 202 runs, including 19 fours and 3 sixes. With his departure, all Pakistani players have now exited this season of the Big Bash League.

PCB’s Pakistan vs Australia T20 promo takes subtle dig at India, goes viral

PCB’s Pakistan

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released a promotional video for the upcoming Pakistan vs Australia T20 series, featuring a subtle satirical reference to India that has quickly gone viral on social media.

The video highlights Pakistan’s hospitality and passion for cricket, showing an Australian passenger thanking a taxi driver who refuses payment.

When the passenger forgets to shake hands, the driver jokes, “Looks like you also visited the neighbors.” This lighthearted jab was widely interpreted as a playful reference to India.

In the promo, a character named Aga Ji says, “We are hospitable by nature, but when it comes to cricket, we are ready to compete.”

The three-match T20 series will kick off on January 29, with the second and third games scheduled for January 31 and February 1, all taking place at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

PSL team Sialkot officially named “Sialkot Stallions” by owner

PSL team Sialkot

ISLAMABAD: Kamal Khan, owner of the new Pakistan Super League (PSL) team from Sialkot, has officially announced the team’s name as “Sialkot Stallions.” He shared the announcement along with a video on social media platform X.

The addition of Sialkot Stallions is expected to bring more excitement and diversity to the PSL, with cricket fans eagerly looking forward to seeing the new team in action.

Meanwhile, the final name for the Hyderabad PSL team is yet to be revealed.

The 11th edition of the PSL, featuring eight teams, is scheduled to begin on March 26, 2026.

ICC decides to replace Bangladesh in World Cup if team skips

ICC decides

KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to include an alternative team in the World Cup if Bangladesh opts not to travel to India.

According to cricket news sources, the decision was taken during an ICC Board Members meeting, where the situation regarding Bangladesh’s participation was discussed in detail.

The ICC reportedly informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to communicate with their government and confirm whether the team will participate in India. If they decide not to travel, the ICC will proceed to include a replacement team in the tournament.

During today’s board meeting, a vote was held, and the majority of members favored including a substitute team to ensure the tournament schedule is not disrupted.

Meanwhile, the ICC has granted BCB one more day to finalize its decision regarding playing in India.

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik announces retirement from PSL

Former Pakistan captain

KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik has announced his retirement from the Pakistan Super League (PSL), bringing an end to his decade-long career in the tournament.

In a statement shared on his social media account, Malik said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment on and off the field during my 10-year PSL career.

 The time has come to conclude this journey here.” He added that he will always be available to serve the game of cricket in the future.

Shoaib Malik had previously retired from Test cricket in 2015 and from One Day Internationals in 2019. Although he had not officially retired from T20 Internationals, the 44-year-old all-rounder has not represented the national team since 2021. However, he continued to play in the PSL and other T20 leagues.

Malik featured in all 10 seasons of the PSL, representing four teams: Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators. His final PSL season was in 2025, playing for Quetta Gladiators.

Haris Rauf excluded from Pakistan’s 15-man squad for T20 World Cup

Haris Rauf

KARACHI: Fast bowler Haris Rauf will not be part of Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.

Sources indicate that national team coach Mike Hesson has not been in favor of including Haris in the squad since the Asia Cup final.

Following the Asia Cup, Rauf has not featured in any T20 matches for Pakistan.

Currently, Haris Rauf is participating in the Big Bash League in Australia.

BCB stands firm on not sending team to India for T20 World Cup

BCB stands firm

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reaffirmed its decision not to send its team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing security concerns and government instructions. The BCB issued a statement following a meeting with an ICC delegation in Dhaka.

During the discussions, the BCB reiterated its formal request to move Bangladesh’s matches to a neutral venue, citing safety and logistical considerations.

The meeting was described as constructive, cordial, and professional, with both sides openly exchanging views on relevant issues.

The ICC delegation included Gururav Sixena, General Manager of Events and Corporate Communications, and Andrew Effergrove, General Manager of the Integrity Unit. Sixena participated online due to visa delays.

The BCB also highlighted recent incidents, including India’s behavior during the Under-19 World Cup, where the Indian captain refused to shake hands with the Bangladeshi captain, as part of the ongoing tensions influencing their stance.

Both the BCB and ICC agreed to continue negotiations on the matter, including the possibility of transferring Bangladesh to another group for logistical reasons.

England beat Pakistan by 37 runs in ICC under-19 World Cup clash

England beat Pakistan

HARARE: England defeated Pakistan by 37 runs in the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup match played in Harare.

Chasing a target of 211, Pakistan were bowled out for 173 runs in the 47th over. Captain Farhan Yousuf top-scored for Pakistan with a fighting 65 runs, while Momin Qamar remained unbeaten on 18.

Other Pakistani batters failed to build partnerships, with Huzifa Ahsan (17), Abdul Subhan (14), Ahmed Hussain (12), Sameer Minhas (10), Umar Zaib (10) and Muhammad Shayan (7) making modest contributions.

England’s bowling attack was led by James Minto, Alex Green, and Ralphie Albert, who claimed two wickets each, while Manny Lamsden and Farhan Ahmed picked up one wicket apiece.

Earlier, England were bowled out for 210 runs in 46.5 overs after Pakistan opted to field first. Caleb Falconer starred with 66 runs, supported by Ben Dawkins (33) and Ralphie Albert (25).

For Pakistan, Ahmed Hussain took three wickets, while Ali Raza, Momin Qamar, and Abdul Subhan grabbed two wickets each.

In other matches of the tournament, Australia defeated Ireland by eight wickets, while Afghanistan beat South Africa by 28 runs to make a winning start to their campaign.

‘Chhota Cheeku’ goes viral after heartwarming meeting with Virat Kohli

‘Chhota Cheeku’

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli’s lookalikes have often gone viral on social media, but this time the spotlight has shifted to an unexpectedly adorable figure — a young child whose striking resemblance to the batting icon has captured widespread attention.

Unlike previous instances featuring adult doppelgangers, this viral moment features an innocent child who fans have affectionately nicknamed “Chhota Cheeku.”

The heartwarming scene emerged ahead of India’s one-day international against New Zealand in Vadodara, where a photo of Kohli standing alongside the young fan quickly spread across social platforms.

The child was later identified as Gurvit Uttam, hailing from Panchkula, Haryana. In a recent interview, Gurvit shared details of his unforgettable encounter, revealing that Kohli smiled upon seeing him and lovingly called him “Chhota Cheeku.”

According to Gurvit, he was cheering loudly from the stands, chanting “Virat, Virat,” when Kohli noticed him and gestured that he would come over. Moments later, the cricket superstar fulfilled that promise, creating a magical memory for the young fan.

Gurvit further recalled that Kohli even called Indian captain Rohit Sharma over, jokingly saying, “Look, my duplicate is sitting here,” drawing laughter and delight from those present.

Virat Kohli is popularly known by his childhood nickname “Cheeku,” and fans were quick to appreciate the symbolic passing on of the title to his young lookalike. In a video shared on Instagram, Gurvit revealed that he also plays cricket, bats right-handed like Kohli, and considers the Indian great his biggest inspiration.

While Kohli’s lookalikes have surfaced many times before, ‘Chhota Cheeku’ has carved out a special place in fans’ hearts — not just for his resemblance, but for his innocence and a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with his hero.