Australian cricketer Josh Hazlewood, who missed the entire Ashes series due to a hamstring injury, is considering a return to international cricket.

His involvement in the series was made difficult by the hamstring injury he sustained just before it began, which was further complicated by an Achilles problem as he attempted to return to bowling with the squad.

Despite missing out on the series, Hazlewood said he was determined to continue to represent his country with both red ball and white ball.

“Yeah, absolutely,” he told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph. “My body still feels as strong as ever. It’s just little things here and there that creep in. I’m still determined to play three formats as best I can.

“You’re still going to miss the odd game here and there; no one can do it all, unless you’re a batter, but I still enjoy all the different demands of the three formats.”

“It keeps it fresh getting ready and preparing for each different format.”

Having been ruled out of the last three Ashes tests, Hazlewood will now turn his focus to getting fully match fit for Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup campaign in India and Sri Lanka early next year.

“Once you’re injured mid-series or just before a series starts, you’re chasing your tail a lot of the time anyway,” he further added.

“I probably could have got back for one or two tests with the hamstring, but then you leave yourself quite vulnerable going into a test match on the back of not much.”

“Every day you’re not bowling is another day you’ve got to bowl to get back to where you were.”

“Obviously, things are easier when you’re up and going, and you’ve got some good work under you.”

Preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 have entered the final phase, with full-member teams confirming their match schedules ahead of the tournament, which begins on February 7 and runs until March 8 in India and Sri Lanka.

This edition will mark the first time 20 teams compete in the global event.

With less than two months remaining, all participating teams are intensifying their build-up.

Cricinfo reported that full-member sides have locked in the number of T20 Internationals they will play before the tournament, and no further bilateral series are expected.

Pakistan will play six T20Is before the World Cup, three in Sri Lanka in January followed by three home matches against Australia.

Australia, meanwhile, will only feature in those three T20Is against Pakistan, while England are set to play a three-match T20 series in Sri Lanka in January.

Several teams, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ireland and Zimbabwe, will go into the World Cup without any preparatory T20 matches.

India will be the busiest team, scheduled to play 10 T20Is between December and January, five at home against New Zealand in January, in addition to ongoing fixtures.

South Africa will play eight T20Is, including matches at home and in India.

The West Indies will tour South Africa for a three-match T20 series.

Host nation Sri Lanka will also play six home T20Is, while New Zealand have five matches lined up before the tournament. Australia, England and the West Indies each have three T20Is scheduled.

With the full-member nations finalising their fixtures, all eyes now turn to the start of the landmark 20-team T20 World Cup, set to be one of the biggest editions in ICC history.

Pakistan’s T20 Skipper, Salman Agha, believes the team is moving forward with a renewed determination for success and is aiming to make the year 2026 memorable by winning the World Cup.

Speaking at a press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after winning the tri-nation T20 series, he said that Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, and Saim Ayub have been delivering outstanding performances in the spin-bowling department, and he hoped they would continue this momentum.

He said the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup is now very close to being finalised.

The team can chase targets of over 200 runs, though such high scores are unlikely on Sri Lankan pitches.

If 200 runs are scored there, our team is fully capable of posting and chasing such a total,” he said.

The captain praised all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz for his impressive comeback, noting that he has proven himself through excellent performances.

Regarding former vice-captain Shadab Khan, Salman Agha said that Shadab is an experienced all-rounder and if needed, he will certainly be included in the squad.

He further said that, keeping World Cup conditions in mind, there is also a possibility of fielding four spinners.

Reflecting on the team’s overall performance, Agha acknowledged that the year did not begin well, but the national side bounced back strongly in white-ball cricket, winning most of their series.

Agha added that although he initially faced pressure as captain, he now has much better experience in handling it, and all players are united and determined to deliver their best results.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka reflected on the series by highlighting several positives despite the overall result.

He praised young fast bowler Eshan Malinga, describing him as “the find of the tour,” and commended Dushmantha Chameera for his impressive spells throughout the series.

Shanaka also acknowledged the promising performances of youngster Pavan Rathnayake, noting that he made good use of the opportunities he received.

“Of course, our bowling was good, but the collapse in the middle overs cost us. We didn’t make the right shot selections, and in the middle phase, we gave away wickets without taking responsibility,” Shanaka said, evaluating Sri Lanka’s batting shortcomings.

Speaking about Pakistan’s players, Shanaka expressed admiration for Mohammad Nawaz’s development. “I’ve seen his growth, and he has performed well, I’m happy for him.”

He also praised Saim Ayub, recalling their time together in the Pakistan Super League.

“He’s very impressive and a bright prospect for the future.”

Shanaka extended gratitude to Pakistan for its continued support of Sri Lankan cricket.

“Pakistan has always been supportive of Sri Lanka, and even the governments work very closely,” he said.

He also thanked the armed forces for ensuring the team’s safety and comfort during the tour.

Reflecting on the playing conditions, Shanaka admitted the team did not expect the pitch to offer so much turn.

“We need to take this as a learning experience. Next time, we will execute better, this is cricket,” he added.

He commended Pakistan’s spin options, noting that Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed, and Saim Ayub will be valuable assets for the side heading into the World Cup.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the schedule for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, placing Pakistan and India in the same group.

Former India captain Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the tournament’s brand ambassador.

The ICC confirmed that the event will take place from February 7 to March 8, 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Matches will be played across eight venues, five in India and three in Sri Lanka.

In India, fixtures will be held at Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), and Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai).

In Sri Lanka, matches will take place at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy), Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), and Sinhalese Sports Club (Colombo).

A total of 20 teams will compete in the tournament, divided into four groups.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage, where they will again be split into two groups.

The top two from each Super 8 group will progress to the semi-finals.

Pakistan and India are in Group 1 alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA.

Group 2 features Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman.

Group 3 includes England, West Indies, Italy, Bangladesh, and Nepal, while Group 4 has South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, and Canada.

Pakistan will play all its group-stage matches in Sri Lanka.

The team will open its campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo.

India will begin against the USA on the same day in Mumbai.

The high-voltage clash between Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, marking their first encounter since the 2025 Asia Cup.

Semi-finals are slated for March 4 and 5, to be held in Kolkata and Mumbai, with potential relocation to Colombo if Pakistan or Sri Lanka qualify.

The final is set for March 8 in Ahmedabad, but if Pakistan reaches the final, the match will be moved to Colombo.

ICC President Jay Shah confirmed that the T20 World Cup trophy will tour various countries starting December 1.

Australia’s white-ball pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has retired from Twenty20 internationals six months out from the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka to focus on extending his career in test and one-day cricket.

The 35-year-old left-armer retires as the nation’s most prolific fast bowler in the format, with 79 wickets from 65 T20Is, second on the all-time Australia list to spin bowling teammate Adam Zampa.

“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority,“ he said in a Cricket Australia statement on Tuesday.

“I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not just because we won but the incredible group and the fun along the way.

“Looking ahead to an away Indian test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns.

“It also gives the bowling group time to prepare for the T20 World Cup in the matches leading into that tournament.”

Starc was not included in Australia’s T20I squad released on Tuesday for the upcoming series against New Zealand.

Selectors chairman George Bailey said the rangy, swing-bowling maestro would be hard to replace.

“His ability to impact early with the new ball and bowl clutch overs at the death (will be missed),” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“You don’t find many swinging it at 145km per hour. His fielding’s also outstanding.

“We won’t replace him like-for-like, but we’ve exposed others to key roles – Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, and Xavier Bartlett.”

Starc played a pivotal role in Australia’s first and only T20 World Cup title in 2021, taking nine wickets in seven matches in the United Arab Emirates.

His retirement, 13 years on from his 2012 debut, is a big blow for Australia’s hopes of another T20 World Cup triumph next year and continues the winding-down of a golden generation of players.

Following opening batsman David Warner’s retirement last year, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis have all retired from the one-day game.

Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg praised Starc for making “significant sacrifices” to play for his country.

“To allow the next crop of fast bowlers a clear path to the T20 World Cup early next year is another example of putting team first,” he said.

Pakistani women’s cricket team batter Ayesha Naseem has announced her retirement from the sports to “live life according to Islam”, according to media reports.

Journalist Shoaib Jatt, in a tweet, said that Ayesha Naseem retired from cricket at the peak of her cricket career.

“She has decided to live her life according to Islam and has informed the cricket board,” he wrote.

Ayesha, 18 years old, Pakistan national cricket team all-rounder is considered one of the strongest hitters in the women’s game.

She represented Pakistan in four ODIs and 30 T20Is. In her stint in the T20Is, she played with a strike rate of 128.12, scoring 369 runs with the career-best figures of 45 not out.

One of Ayesha’s memorable innings came during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 when the right-handed batter smashed 25-balls 43 against India with the help of two boundaries and as many maximums.

In a similar fashion, she smashed 24 runs off 20 balls against the formidable Australian team during the T20 World Cup 2022.

CAPE TOWN: Australia won the Women’s T20 World Cup for the sixth time when they beat South Africa by 19 runs in the final at Newlands on Sunday.

Opening batter Beth Mooney anchored the Australian innings, scoring an unbeaten 74 in a total of 156 for six.

South Africa were never up with the required run rate and were restricted to 137 for six despite opener Laura Wolvaardt hitting 61 off 48 balls.

“It’s pretty special from the group,” said Australia captain Meg Lanning.

“We felt like it was a good score but we had to bowl well and put pressure on South Africa.

“It was about enjoying the process, about keeping things simple when the pressure is on.”

South Africa captain Sune Luus, whose team lost both of their opening games of the tournament, hailed Australia for “setting a benchmark for other teams to live up to”.

She added: “If you would have told me before the game that Australia would have scored 156, we would have taken it. We lost wickets at crucial times.”

Wolvaardt and semi-final heroine Tazmin Brits struggled to find gaps in the field and scored only 17 runs before Brits was caught at mid-on off Darcie Brown off the last ball of the fifth over.

Marizanne Kapp hit two boundaries but was out for 11 and South Africa captain Sune Luus was run out for two. At that stage the home side needed another 103 runs off 56 balls.

Wolvaardt and the hard-hitting Chloe Tryon gave a near-capacity crowd of about 15,000 hope with an attacking fourth wicket partnership of 55 off 37 balls but the match was effectively over when Wolvaardt was leg before wicket to Megan Schutt in the 17th over.

The left-handed Mooney played a measured innings, scoring her 74 runs off 53 balls while a succession of partners batted aggressively.

Ash Gardner and Grace Harris both batted ahead of captain Meg Lanning and appeared to be under instructions to go for their shots.

South Africa’s bowlers performed steadily and were backed up by enthusiastic fielding. Stalwarts Shabnim Ismail and Kapp both took two wickets each.

But Australia showed their quality in defending their total with athleticism and commitment that put the South African batters under constant pressure.

They have now won six of the eight T20 World Cups played – in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023.

Only England, who won the inaugural tournament in 2009, and West Indies in 2016, have broken the stranglehold.

Brief scores:

Australia 156-6 in 20 overs (B. Mooney 74 not out; S. Ismail 2-26, M. Kapp 2-35) v South Africa 137-6 in 20 overs (L. Wolvaardt 61)

Result: Australia won by 19 runs

Toss: Australia

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has said Shaheen Shah Afridi should have sacrificed his knee at the T20 World Cup.

The pacer got injured in the final against England and couldn’t complete his spell costing Pakistan the title.

However, the Rawalpindi Express said if he had been in Shaheen’s place, he would have died.

“If I was at his [Shaheen] place… that 12 minutes and 12 balls, I would have become the biggest celebrity of Pakistan,” he said in a video circulating on social media.

“Would have bowled, fell down, broke the knee, blood would be coming out from my mouth… I would dust myself up, take an injection to get my knee numb, and would have repeated that 12 times, but would not have let the World Cup slip away.”

He went on to add that it was the moment when he could have become a superstar. “If was at his place I would have died for Pakistan.”

England clinched the T20 World Cup title in 2022 for the second time by defeating Pakistan by five wickets with an over to spare.

Pakistan left-hander Muneeba Ali hit the first century of the Women’s T20 World Cup when she made 102 against Ireland at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday, setting up a 70-run win for her team.

The bespectacled left-handed opening batter and wicketkeeper said encouragement from veteran Nida Dar during a century partnership helped her reach the milestone.

“She always had the message for me to keep going and score big,” said Muneeba.

Pakistan made 165 for five after they were sent in to bat.

Ireland were bowled out for 95, with left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu claiming career-best figures of four for 18.

The margin of the win provided a big boost to Pakistan’s net run rate and lifted their hopes of reaching the semi-finals despite losing to India in their opening match on Sunday.

The slightly-built Muneeba had not previously scored a half-century in 44 T20 internationals although she made a one-day international hundred against the same opponents in Lahore last November.

Muneeba and Dar (33) shared a third-wicket partnership of 101. Muneeba faced 68 balls and hit 14 fours.

Ireland beat Pakistan 2-1 in a T20 series in Pakistan in November but were outplayed in a match between two sides who lost their opening World Cup matches.

“We are disappointed with our performance,” said Ireland captain Laura Delany. “At the start we gave them too much width and it was difficult to pull it back.”

Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof praised what she described as a “clinical” performance. “We have taken ten wickets, so that’s pleasing. But I still think we can get better in the next game.”

Pakistan’s remaining matches are against West Indies in Paarl on Sunday and England at Newlands on Tuesday.

Muneeba’s century was the first by any Pakistan player in a T20 women’s international.

Ireland lost openers Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis inside the first five overs. Orla Prendergast made a spirited 31 off 21 balls and Eimear Richardson hit powerfully to make 28 off 17 deliveries. But Ireland never threatened to get near the Pakistan total.

Sandhu dismissed both the leading scorers and was the main destroyer of the Ireland batting.

Pakistan had an injury scare when big-hitting batter Ayesha Naseem suffered what appeared to be a hamstring strain and had to leave the field after chasing a ball to the boundary.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 165-5 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 102, Nida Dar 33; A. Kelly 2-27). Ireland 95 in 16.3 overs (O. Prendergast 31; Sadia Iqbal 2-17, Nida Dar 2-5, Nashra Sandhu 4-18). Result: Pakistan won by 70 runs.

Toss: Ireland

CAPE TOWN: Jemimah Rodrigues praised teenager Richa Ghosh after the pair took India to a seven-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Women’s T20 World Cup at Newlands on Sunday.

What had been a tense run chase turned into a comfortable win with an over to spare as Rodrigues and Ghosh, 19, put on an unbeaten 58 off 33 balls after India had been set to make 150 to win.

Rodrigues batted with calm skill to make 53 not out off 38 balls while Ghosh, 19, hit powerfully to score 31 not out off 20 balls.

“I love batting with Richa,” Rodrigues told journalists. “We batted together when she played very well in a warm-up game against Bangladesh and that gave her a lot of confidence.”

Favourites India needed almost ten runs an over when Ghosh joined Rodrigues in the 14th over but the pair were seldom troubled.

“We knew we had to bat sensibly and bat until the end. If we did that the loose balls would come,” said Rodrigues, who said the presence of her father and childhood coach Ivan had inspired her to perform well.

It was a bitter-sweet day for Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof, who made a stylish 68 not out and shared a free-scoring unbeaten partnership of 81 off 47 balls with 18-year-old Ayesha Naseem, who struck 43 not out off 25 balls.

It enabled Pakistan to post a competitive 149 for four after deciding to bat on a dry pitch.

“We made some mistakes as a bowling unit,” said Maroof, who said she was pleased with Pakistan’s batting.

Pakistan left-arm spinner Nashra Sadhu bowled superbly to take two for 15 in her four overs to put India under pressure.

Sadhu dismissed Shafali Verma, who was caught on the boundary by Sidra Ameen, and Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, leaving India needing to score at almost 10 runs an over in the last six overs.

But Pakistan paid the price for only picking five bowlers and the remaining bowlers were expensive, while their fielders were guilty of several misfields.

Brief scores: Pakistan 149-4 in 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 68 not out, Ayesha Naseem 43 not out; R. Yadav 2-21) v India 151-3 in 19 overs (J. Rodrigues 53 not out, S. Verma 33, R. Ghosh 31 not out; Nashra Sadhu 2-15)

Pakistan will look to break India’s iron grip on their rivalry when the Asian giants meet in the Women’s T20 World Cup at Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.

India and Pakistan have met in 13 women’s T20 internationals in the past 14 years, with India holding a 10-3 winning advantage.

Because of political tensions, all the contests have been in multi-team tournaments.

The only match not on neutral territory was in the Asia Cup in Delhi, India, in 2016 when Pakistan won a rain-affected contest.

Pakistan won the most recent match between the two sides, also in the Asia Cup, in Sylhet, Bangladesh, in October 2022. But India went on to win the cup.

India have a superior overall record in women’s cricket and reached the final of the 2020 World T20, losing to hosts Australia.

There is also a gulf in earning potential, with most if not all of the Indian players likely to land lucrative deals in the Indian Women’s Premier League auction which takes place in Mumbai on Monday.

That will only add to the riches of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana who currently earn around $60,000 each.

India’s women are also on an equal footing with their vaunted men’s team when it comes to match fees – they all receive 1.5 million rupees ($18,000) for each Test, 600,000 rupees for one-day internationals and 300,000 rupees for T20 internationals.

Pakistan players are prevented from entering the IPL auction, although there are plans for a Pakistan women’s league later this year.

Back in 2018, Pakistan media reported that while male internationals made around $77,000 a year on average, women players were bringing home only $12,000.

Kaur said she expected the World Cup to be competitive.

“Though Australia go into the tournament as favourites, there is very little separating other teams, promising close matches and high-class performances,” she said.

Kaur said her players took inspiration from the country’s youngsters which won the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa last month.

Two players from the junior team, Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh, are part of the senior squad.

“We have depth in batting and enough variety in bowling to do what is required against top teams,” said Kaur.

Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof, one of her country’s centrally contracted players, said a series in Australia last month had been ideal preparation for the World Cup, although Pakistan lost both completed matches against the world’s top women’s team.

“The series provided the players a great opportunity to prepare themselves and express their talent,” said Maroof. “The pitches in South Africa are likely to be of the same nature as we got in Australia.”

Pakistan fast bowler Diana Baig suffered a finger injury in Australia which ruled her out of the World Cup.

Veteran Nida Dar, 36, is a key player for Pakistan. She was the star of the win against India in Sylhet last year, scoring 56 not out and taking two for 23 with her off-spinners.

Dar shone with ball and bat in Pakistan’s win in a warm-up match against Bangladesh on Monday but Pakistan were beaten by hosts South Africa on Wednesday.

India’s batting failed in their first warm-up match against Australia before Richa Ghosh made 91 not out to set up a 52-run victory over Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof says the Twenty20 World Cup is a “big opportunity to showcase our talent” and boost recognition of women’s cricket in the country.

The 31-year-old all-rounder will spearhead a Pakistan team which has never been beyond the first round in seven previous appearances at the tournament.

Speaking to AFP by telephone from South Africa where the World Cup gets underway on Friday, Maroof said: “There were times when no one or very few people would know that the Pakistan women’s cricket team exists.

“With more matches and live coverage we have earned recognition and respect.” Pakistan’s women will need to vastly improve on past World Cup performances if they are to make an impact at the 10-team tournament.

They have won only seven of their 28 World Cup matches to date, although two were against India, in 2012 and 2016.

Maroof and her team-mates will be chasing a third victory over their arch-rivals when the two sides clash in Cape Town on February 12 to kick off their campaigns.

After taking up cricket as a 16-year-old, Lahore-born Maroof has seen first-hand how women’s cricket in Pakistan has developed over more than a decade.

But she knows also that plenty of work remains.

“I hope it’ll keep getting better and we’ll be getting as the facilities and recognition as the other top teams do,” she said.

“That is the key to improvement.”

Pakistan are ranked seventh in the world, meaning they will have to over-perform if they are to make it past the first round at the World Cup for the first time.

At last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Pakistan finished bottom of their group, behind T20 world champions Australia, India and Barbados, losing all three games. They will be missing star pace bowler Diana Baig for the World Cup after she fractured a finger in a comprehensive 101-run one-day defeat to Australia last month.

But in Fatima Sana, 21, they have a bowling all-rounder who won the International Cricket Council’s emerging women’s cricketer award last year.

The title may well be beyond them, but Maroof says that the World Cup is “another big opportunity for us to showcase our talent.

“So I just want my team to play positive cricket and give their best.”

Pakistan women suffered a major blow ahead of the T20I series against Australia and the T20 World Cup as pacer Diana Baig has been ruled out from both events.

The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the development in a press release stating that the pacer fractured here index finger of the right hand.

“Right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas, who is part of the reserves for Australia T20I series and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will replace Diana,” it added.

The pacer sustained the injury during the third ODI against Australia on Saturday, when she tried to complete a return catch.

“Diana was taken to the local hospital where X-rays confirmed the fracture,” said the team manager. Diana has been advised four weeks’ rest by the PCB Medical panel.

Power hitter Asif Ali, who went through a bad patch in the World Cup for his national side, hit a blistering 41 off 13 deliveries in the Big Bash League on Thursday, leaving cricket aficionados in awe at his performance.

Ali, along with fellow cricketer Shadab Khan, is playing for the Hobart Hurricanes in Australia’s T20 cricket league. The last match they played was against Sydney Sixers.

Though, the side could not manage to win the game Ali’s heroics in their attempt to chase 137 in 15 overs made the game more interesting. The match was reduced to 15 overs due to rain in Sydney, home to the famous SCG.

The right-handed batter came into bat after James Neesham departed for five and the team needed 64 off 27 deliveries. He started his innings with a single and rotated the strike with another T20 cricket specialist Tim David.

But, the Australian player could not stay longer at the crease as he got caught at the boundary while trying to play a pull shot on a short-pitched delivery.

Then, it was all up to Ali. Canes’ now needed 45 runs off 12 deliveries. He hit 6, 4, 6, 6, and 4, bringing the Hurricanes into the match before getting caught by Jordan Silk on 41.

Unfortunately, the Hurricanes fell just six runs short, gifting the Sixers their first win of the season.

Such situations are not new for the finisher, as pronounced by Babar Azam on his role in the team, as Ali has helped the team chase targets in death overs.

His brilliant knock brought his side so close to a remarkable victory.

Pakistan on Wednesday named squads for the Australia series and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

The announcement was made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) via a press release stating that Bismah Maroof will continue to lead the Women’s team in both assignments.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be held in South Africa from 10 February to 26 February.

The squads were finalised after deliberations by Asmavia Iqbal, interim head coach Saleem Jaffer and captain Bismah.

Pacer Diana Baig makes a comeback after missing out in the home series against Ireland in October/November due to a shoulder injury.

Pakistan ODI squad for Australia series:

Bismah Maroof (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz (wk)

Traveling Reserves: Aimen Anwar, Javeria Khan and Tuba Hassan

Pakistan T20I squad for Australia and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, South Africa:

Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Tuba Hassan

Reserves: Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz and Sadaf Shamas

Australia series Itinerary

16 January – First ODI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane

18 January – Second ODI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane

21 January – Third ODI at North Sydney Oval No.1, North Sydney

24 January – First T20I at North Sydney Oval No.1, North Sydney

26 January – Second T20I at Blundstone Arena, Hobart

29 January – Third T20I at Manuka Oval, Canberra

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 Pakistan fixtures:

12 February v India at Newlands, Cape Town

15 February v Ireland at Newlands, Cape Town

19 February v West Indies at Boland Park, Paarl

21 February v England at Newlands, Cape Town

It looks like India doesn’t want to see Pakistan’s blind cricket team as they refused to grant visas to the Men in Green.

The Pakistan team was scheduled to travel to New Delhi on December 04 for the opening ceremony of the mega event on December 05.

They were schedule to face South Africa in their opening match on 6th of December, while the highly-anticipated clash against arch-rivals India was schedule on Wednesday, December 07.

The Pakistan team has the record of winning the highest number of matches played by the visually-challenged teams.

Pakistan Blind Cricket Association (PBCA)‘s chairman Sultan Shah, who is also the president of World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) said that India’s foreign ministry has refused to issue No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for visas.

“We didn’t receive visas because India’s foreign ministry didn’t issue NOC,” Shah said on Monday. “Our team is in Lahore, waiting for visas. If we get permission to travel today, all the matches will be rescheduled,” he added.

Pakistan and India haven’t played a bilateral series since 2012-13. However, the arch-rivals continue to compete only at the International Cricket Council (ICC) events.

Recently, India refused to travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023 due to political pressure. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is waiting for an official Asian Cricket Council decision before taking any action against the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI).

However, PCB chairman Ramiz Raja had clearly stated that Pakistan will not go to India for ICC World Cup 2023 if they don’t come to Pakistan for the Asian event next year.

More teams, more matches and more fun, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the new format for the ICC T20 World Cup.

The tournament is scheduled to be played in 2024 and it will be hosted by West Indies and America.

In the next edition 20 teams will be participating and they will be divided into four groups and two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage, according to the ICC.

“The 20-team tournament proper in 2024 will work in two phases before the knockouts, though in a different framework from the First Round/Super 12 format at the 2021 and 2022 edition,” the council said.

The Super 8 teams will be divided into two groups. Top two side from each gourp will qualify for the semifinals.

As many as 55 matches will be played in the next T20 World Cup.

The USA and West Indies have qualified on the basis of being hosts, while Pakistan, England, India, and New Zealand have secured a place based on their performance in 2022.

Australia, Netherlands, Sri Lanka and South Africa have also qualified on this year’s performance.

“Qualifying as hosts alongside the West Indies, the tournament will be ground-breaking for the USA, hosting their first global event,” the ICC said. “As hosts, the West Indies and the USA take up the first two spots for 2024. From there, performances at the 2022 edition, and the ICC T20I rankings cut-off on November 14, determined the next 10 teams.”

Meanwhile, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have won their places based on ranking, while the other eight teams will be decided according to the results of qualifiers.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) responded to the national team’s defeat in the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia last week by sacking their senior selection committee on Friday.

India were dumped out of the tournament in Australia after a 10-wicket hammering by eventual champions England and Rohit Sharma’s side was labelled “clueless” and “out of their depth” by former players, fans and the country’s media.

Former head coach Ravi Shastri also said the team needed to appoint a new captain for the shortest format of the game. But it was the Chetan Sharma-led senior selection committee that was first to go.

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India invites applications for the position of national selectors (senior men),” the BCCI said in a statement, adding that it was looking to fill five positions. England won the Twenty20 title after beating Pakistan in the final.

Pakistan stars will receiver over PKR10 million each despite losing the ICC T20 World Cup final.

The Men in Green fell short from lifting the trophy as they suffered a five-wicket defeat against England at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium.

Despite that lost, the side will receive about $1 million (more than 220 million Pakistani rupees) cash prize.

They will get $800,000 runners up prize, while the Babar XI will also receive $120,000 ($40,000) each for the three victories in the Super 12 stage.

The prize money will be split equally among all players while one portion will be given to the team management.

As Fakhar Zaman also participated in one game, there will be 17 portions, 16 to cricketers and one to remaining member on support, according to Daily Express.

Each player is estimated to get around PKR10.3 million. Mohammad Hasnain and Khushdil Shah, who haven’t played a single game, will also get the same share.

On the other hand, ICC gave each player a daily allowance of 125 Australian dollars (83 US dollars) during the tournament. PCB added $31 dollars and paid a daily allowance of $114 to players.

Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam has moved up to the third spot in the latest ICC T20I batters rankings.

Despite a poor show in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, where Pakistan suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the finals against England, the 28-year-old has gained enough points to move just above New Zealand’s Devon Conway.

He scored 53 runs in the semi-final against New Zealand.

India’s middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav continues to dominate the top spot with 859 points.

Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is at second position with 836 points to his name..

England opener Alex Hales also improved his rankings after playing a key role in his side’s triumphant campaign.

In the bowlers’ rankings, England pacer Sam Curran has moved up two spots to move to number five after registering Player of the Match performance of 3/12 in the final against Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga, followed by Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, retain the top two places.

Singer Adnan Sami is facing backlash for trolling Pakistan cricket fans following a T20 World Cup final defeat against England at Melbourne Cricket Stadium.

The singer, on Sunday, tweeted a Bappi Lahiri song as a reference to how Pakistani cricket fans’ emotions after losing the World Cup.

He wrote, “The better team won! Congratulations England. It’s just a game. A great lesson not to prematurely expand chests by rhetorics towards other team’s defeats!”

The better team won! Congratulations #England…It’s just a game. A great lesson not to prematurely expand chests by rhetorics towards other teams defeats!

MEANWHILE….😂#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/kBlQabIBqD

— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) November 13, 2022

Here is how fans responded to his tweet:

I feel sorry for Adnan Sami. He will spend his entire life trying to prove he is Indian by hating Pakistan. https://t.co/dVvV6BZZ9r

— Hassan A. Niazi (@Hassan_A_Niazi) November 14, 2022

The funny thing is that you'll see more Muslim Indians mocking us than Hindu Insians, I really pity that you have to prove your loyalty for this country everyday, can't relate Alhamdulilah https://t.co/QSAh4CD3DI

— Sadia (@__sadia_) November 13, 2022

hope he (hyper nationalist bhakts) picks u sweetie <3 https://t.co/1YdX46aMTa

— M (@sometinfunY) November 13, 2022

Adnan Sami’s last attempt to stay relevant 😂 😂 https://t.co/TlFmnET9nP

— Mash (@mash_01x) November 13, 2022

Showing tiranga in DP & Absusing your motherland by any means shows your character. You are neither a citizen of Pakistan nor India. Patriotism is different, you are a Laanat to any country. Allah kabhi muaf nahi karega. #PAKvsEng https://t.co/xELfszbyIn

— Amit Mehra (@Amit8Mehra) November 13, 2022

Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan and Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi have been named in the ICC T20 World Cup team of the tournament.

Besides the Pakistani duo players from five different teams have been named in the Upstox Most Valuable Team of the ICC Men?s T20 World Cup 2022, said a press release.

Stars from champions England, runners-up Pakistan, semi-finalists India and New Zealand as well as Zimbabwe and South Africa all feature in the glittering line up.

Captain, wicketkeeper and opening batter Jos Buttler, fellow opener Alex Hales and seamer Sam Curran all make the cut for England after helping steer their side to a second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title.

There are also spots for New Zealand star Glenn Phillips, India talisman Virat Kohli, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, Pakistan left-armer Shaheen Shah Afridi and Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza in the line-up.

The side was pulled together by a selection panel featuring commentators, former international players and journalists Ian Bishop (Convener), Mel Jones (both commentators), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (ICC Hall of Famer), Partha Bhaduri (Journalist, The Times of India), Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager of Cricket).

Let’s take a look at the Upstox team of the tournament:

Alex Hales (England)

Jos Buttlar (England – Captain and wicketkeeper)

Virat Kohli (India)

Suryakumar Yadav (India)

Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)

Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)

Shadab Khan (Pakistan)

Sam Curran (England)

Mark Wood (England)

Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)

Anrich Nortje (South Africa)

Hardik Pandya (India ¬– 12th man)

MELBOURNE: England beat Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to win the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday and round off four weeks of high-octane action in Australia.

AFP Sport looks at five top moments from the tournament.

England perfection

It was destined in the eyes of their fans to be an India versus Pakistan final.

But nobody told openers Alex Hales and Jos Buttler as they put on an outstanding display of batting in the semi-final against India in one of the finest English displays of all time.

In front of a packed pro-India crowd at the Adelaide Oval, unbeaten man-of-the-match Hales blasted 86 off 47 balls and skipper Buttler struck 80 not out in a scarcely believable 10-wicket annihilation.

It was particularly satisfying for Hales, who only returned for the World Cup after more than three years in the international wilderness.

Ireland delight

Ireland came into the Super 12 stage with a giant-killing reputation after they knocked out two-time champions West Indies.

But Andrew Balbirnie’s team were not done there as they upset pre-tournament favourites and eventual champions England in a rain-hit match.

Balbirnie led from the front with a brisk 62 in Melbourne to set a 158-run target and England were 105-5 when rain stopped play, five runs behind the DLS par score.

“It’s amazing, kind of emotional,” said man-of-the-match Balbirnie after another famous win.

Australia nightmare

Australia’s title defence got off to a nightmare start and it ended up costing them a semi-final place.

The hosts, holders and pre-tournament co-favourites – along with England – suffered an 89-run drubbing by New Zealand in the first game of the Super 12.

It came back to haunt Aaron Finch’s men as they finished below New Zealand and England in Group 1 on net run rate.

“We were just totally outplayed in all three facets,” said Finch.

South Africa choke

It was a sunny Adelaide morning when South Africa’s players started warming up for their must-win match against the Netherlands, but that was about the only bright spot on a dark day for them.

Colin Ackermann powered the underdog Dutch to a challenging 158-4 with his quickfire unbeaten 41 and then the Netherlands bowlers worked their magic.

A powerful-looking Proteas batting line-up crumbled under pressure and their World Cup was over in a flash when all they had needed to do was win to clinch a last-four berth.

In a tournament full of shocks, arguably this was the biggest – and it handed Pakistan or Bangladesh that last semi-final place, which Babar Azam’s side grabbed.

Kohli dazzles

India’s Virat Kohli came into the tournament on the back of his maiden T20 century in September and enthralled over 90,000 delirious fans at the MCG with a match-winning 82 against arch-rivals Pakistan.

His two sixes off Haris Rauf at the end of the 19th over went down in folklore as his side chased down their victory target of 160 on the final ball of a match that launched India’s campaign.

“King Kohli” went on hammer three more half-centuries as he beat former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene’s total of 1,016 runs to become the highest run-scorer in tournament history.

Pakistan’s premier pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is likely to be rested in the upcoming Test series against England

The three-match series will commence from December 01 and will be played at three venues, Karachi, Multan, and Rawalpindi.

The left-arm pacer hurt his knee while completing a catch during the T20 World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium.

He didn’t complete this spell, as England lifted the T20 World Cup for the second time. The Men in Green are now in line to host England for three World Test Championship matches.

Shaheen will undergo a full medical scan on his return to Pakistan and in light of the reports, a rehabilitation plan for the left-arm pacer will be arranged, sources said.

Moreover, it has been decided to rest the 22-year-old instead of taking the risk of playing him.

During his absence, pacer Haris Rauf is likely to make his long-awaited Test debut. He would be joining Naseem Shah and in-form pacer Mohammad Abbas for the series.

Abbas hasn’t featured from Pakistan since August 2021.

The squad for the series is expected to be announced next week after the consultation process.

There is also a possibility of Abrar Ahmed’s inclusion in the side, while former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed would be retained in the squad.

It is worth mentioning here that the Pindi Cricket Stadium will host the opening Test from December 01 to 05, Multan’s Multan Cricket Stadium will be the venue for the second five-day game from 09-13 December, while Karachi’s National Stadium, now known as the National Bank Cricket Arena will be the venue for the third and final game of the series from 17-21 December.

Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan has added another feather in his cap as he became the leading T20I wicket-taker for the Men in Green.

He overtook Shahid Afridi’s record during Pakistan’s five-wicket defeat against England in the T20 World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium.

The 24-year-old leg-spinner removed England batter Harry Brook for his 98th T20I wicket. He equaled Afridi’s 97 wickets and became the joint-highest wicket taker during Pakistan’s clash against Bangladesh at the Adelaide Oval.

He was playing his 84th game for the Babar XI. Afridi, on the other hand, surpassed Umar Gul’s record of 85 wickets in 98 appearances for the format.

Gul stands third on the list and is followed by Saeed Ajmal who has also taken 85 wickets during his T20 career. Haris Rauf, meanwhile, takes the fifth positions with 70 scalps.