Former all-format captain Babar Azam is being tipped to make a comeback to Pakistan T20 squad while speculations are rife about the PCB deciding to replace Muhammad Rizwan as the captain of the one-day side.
Pakistan, after a defeat against India, face Namibia in a must-win match to qualify for the Super 8s. Their fragile batting and Shaheen Afridi's form are key concerns, while Namibia aims to play spoiler.
The Pakistan opener was out for 39 off 34 balls, including five fours, caught by David Warner off Adam Zampa's bowling in the tenth over, in the second T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia.
A look at five possible mouth-watering match-ups in the upcoming India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup in Colombo on Sunday.
Pakistan will be looking to avenge the defeat to the USA in the 2024 T20 World Cup when they clash in Colombo on Tuesday.
Babar who currently sits comfortably at the summit of the ODI rankings continued to impress with bat in the month of August.
Babar Azam was named as Pakistan ODI captain by the Cricket Board. The right-handed Azam, who has been one of the world's leading batsmen across formats over the last year, replaced Sarfaraz Ahmed
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad, including six uncapped players, for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh.
After veiled boycott threat, Pakistan name 15-member squad for T20 World Cup.
The powerful right-hander appeared in good touch at first drop against Australia in the opening T20I of their three-match series in Lahore on Thursday.
Babar Azam scored a second successive hundred to guide Pakistan to a dominant 59-run win over the West Indies in the second One-day International in Sharjah.
Babar Azam's approach drew heavy criticism from fans
Wasim Akram backs Babar Azam to take over Test captaincy, urges him to be assertive
Defending champions India thumped Pakistan by 61 runs in a grudge Group A match of the T20 World Cup to secure their place in the Super 8s, in Colombo, on Sunday.
This year's roster sees ten players each placed in Categories B, C, and D. Notably, no player has been selected for Category A in this cycle, the PCB said in a statement.
'The Asia Cup and then the World Cup are approaching, and we need a senior batter.'
Former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul terms Hardik Pandya India's biggest threat ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 clash in Colombo but tips Pakistan to edge the high-pressure contest.
A senior police officer said that rescue work had been completed at the site and the injured had been taken to hospital.
Tensions flared in the dugout as Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was seen in a heated exchange with head coach Mike Hesson during their must-win T20 World Cup clash against Namibia at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said Babar Azam has been asked to improve certain aspects of his game.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said his team is looking at the World Cup as a whole and not just the marquee clash against arch-rivals India.
India opener Shubman Gill's reign at the top of the ODI batters' list was short-lived as he was replaced by former Pakistani skipper Babar Azam in the ICC Player Rankings issued on Wednesday.
India and Pakistan clash in a highly anticipated T20 World Cup match. India needs middle-order stability and a fit Abhishek Sharma, while Pakistan's spin attack poses a threat. The weather forecast predicts a high chance of rain.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said the team is ready for the Pakistan T20I series despite a short, interrupted build-up, calling the tour vital preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has heaped praise on right-handed batsman Babar Azam, saying he is as good as swashbuckling Indian batsman Virat Kohli. During the recently concluded Hamilton Test against New Zealand which Pakistan lost by eight wickets, Azam scored an unbeaten 90 and Arthur says the former deserves the high praise.
Sanju Samson fell short of a century once again, but on the biggest stage he delivered a knock that will be remembered for a long time.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering financial penalties for players following the team's disappointing performance and early exit from the T20 World Cup.
Rising star Babar Azam hit his third successive hundred to anchor Pakistan's 3-0 clean-sweep of the West Indies with a comfortable 136-run win in the third and final one-dayer on Wednesday. Azam smashed a 106-ball 117 while skipper Azah Ali returned to form with a 109-ball 101 as Pakistan compiled 308-6 before restricting West Indies to 172 in 44 overs on a flat Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch.
Pakistan's mystery spinner Usman Tariq has no qualms in admitting that he returned to cricket after getting inspired by the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
'He is a really exciting talent and probably the guy I am looking forward to seeing the most this summer. I have seen the Aussies a lot and I have seen a lot of the Kiwis, but I am really excited to see him'
BBL: David Warner hits ton against Sydney Sixers, surpasses Virat Kohli to have third highest T20 hundreds
Mitchell, who was instrumental in New Zealand's historic ODI series win over India on January 18, is the new World No 1 batter in ODIs.
Pakistan grabbed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia after skipper Salman Agha led by example to secure their comprehensive 90-run victory in the second match in Lahore on Saturday.
Skipper Harry Brook played the most defining innings of his T20 career, smashing a 51-ball 100 to propel England into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.
Hesson wants Babar Azam and Rizwan back in T20 set up
The seasoned Kiwi coach came under criticism from several former players such as Rashid Latif, Basit Ali, Mohsin Khan, Moin Khan, and Sikander Bakht when media reported said he had asked Babar to keep wickets in the shortest format.
Sahibzada Farhan's explosive half-century and a clinical showing by the spinners lifted Pakistan to a convincing 32-run win over the United States of America.
Steve Smith becomes the most expensive player in Pakistan Super League history after being signed by Sialkot Stallions for PKR 14 crore.
Waqar Younis says Pakistan lost the T20 World Cup clash once India posted 175, criticising tactical errors and praising Suryakumar Yadav's leadership in the 61-run win.
Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah will stay with the squad for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi despite an attack on his residence in Lower Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances