Sports

Pakistan to tour Sri Lanka for three T20 is in January 2026

Published

5 months ago

2025/12/4

Pakistan will begin their build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup with a three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka next year, during early January. The Salman Agha-led side will travel to Dambulla in Sri Lanka, where all three matches will be played on January 7, 9 and 11.

The short tour is Pakistan’s first white-ball assignment of the new year, and the PCB said it “will provide the side with valuable match practice ahead of next year’s global event”. Pakistan are playing all their World Cup games in Sri Lanka.

Over the past six months, the PCB has heavily prioritised fielding the national team for as much T20I cricket as possible. Since the end of the PSL in May 2025, Pakistan have played home and away series against Bangladesh, a series in West Indies, two tri-series, the Asia Cup, and a home series against South Africa. They were victorious in all but the away series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup, where they lost the final to India.

Sri Lanka have just concluded a three-week tour of Pakistan too, which saw them play three ODIs and a tri-series, with the latter also featuring Zimbabwe.

Aside from the T20Is in Sri Lanka, Pakistan also have a three-match home series against Australia in the final week of January, before they return to Sri Lanka for the World Cup, which begins on February 7. Pakistan have been placed in Group A for the World Cup and their group fixtures, played in Colombo, will be against India, Namibia, Netherlands and United States.

(Cricinfo)

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Sports

Fourteen-year-old Miyuru steals the spotlight with Big Match century

Published

2 hours ago

2026/05/9

Thilina Walpola

Miyuru Bandara

Fourteen-year-old opener Miyuru Bandara produced a remarkable batting performance to guide DS Senanayake College to a commanding position on the opening day of their annual Big Match against arch rivals Mahanama College at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Friday.

Electing to bat first in a weather-interrupted day one, D. S. Senanayake ended on 195 for four wickets, largely due to the vauable century by their Under-15 opening batsman Bandara.

Displaying maturity beyond his age, Bandara anchored the innings while building two crucial partnerships at the top of the order. He first added 67 runs for the opening wicket with Sithru Gunarathna before combining in a 51-run stand for the second wicket with Bihan Gamage.

The young opener occupied the crease for more than 55 overs and frustrated the Mahanama bowling attack with a patient yet authoritative knock. His innings finally came to an end when he became the first wicket claimed by Chamika Heenatigala, who finished the day with two wickets.

Bandara’s memorable innings included 13 boundaries and a six as he faced 156 deliveries, placing DS Senanayake firmly in control at the close of play on the rain-affected first day.

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BCCI to conduct surprise checks on IPL teams over compliance of guidelines

Published

18 hours ago

2026/05/8

Priyan

The BCCI has said it will conduct periodic checks on the IPL teams to assess the adherence of the new set of guidelines [BCCI]

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said it will conduct periodic checks on the IPL teams to assess the adherence of the new set of guidelines issued to the team on Thursday evening. The surprise checks will be undertaken by BCCI/IPL operation teams.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, in his communication to the franchises, has noted that, “The BCCI / IPL Operations Team may conduct periodic checks to assess adherence to the directives set forth in this Advisory. Team Managers are required to maintain records of all approved guest visits and hotel movements.

“Any breach of the aforementioned directives must be self-reported to the IPL Operations Team or the relevant IPL Venue Team at the earliest opportunity. The BCCI trusts that all IPL franchises will treat this Advisory with the seriousness it warrants and take all necessary steps to uphold the integrity and reputation of the Indian Premier League.”

Consequences of non-compliance

Saikia has also warned teams about the consequences of non-compliance with the guidelines, stating that any violations will be treated as a serious disciplinary matter, while also outlining the possible action that could be taken against those found breaching the code.

Saikia wrote: “The BCCI and the IPL Governing Council wish to make unequivocally clear that any breach of the directives set out in this Advisory shall be treated as a serious disciplinary matter. Non-compliance shall expose the relevant IPL franchise and the individual concerned to proceedings under the applicable provisions of the IPL Regulations, the BCCI Rules & Regulations, and other applicable statutes, as the circumstances may warrant.

“Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the following consequences may be imposed at the sole discretion of the BCCI / IPL Governing Council:

1. Show-Cause Notice:Issuance of a formal show-cause notice to the Franchise and/or the individual concerned.

2. Financial Penalties:Imposition of financial penalties on the Franchise or individual, as prescribed under the IPL Regulations.

3. Suspension or disqualification: Suspension or disqualification of the player, support staff member, or team official from the ongoing or subsequent IPL season(s).

4. For Legal Violations: In cases involving legal violations, including use of prohibited substances, breach of security protocol, or conduct amounting to harassment, referral of the matter to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

5. Other Action: Any other action as the BCCI / IPL Governing Council may deem appropriate in the interest of the tournament and the sport.

“Franchises are strongly advised to take cognisance of this Advisory and take all necessary steps to ensure full compliance. The BCCI reserves the right to conduct periodic audits and inspections to ascertain adherence to these directives,” the Saikia’s signed seven-page note said.

[Cricbuzz]

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Fast bowling riches in focus as Bangladesh and Pakistan switch to Test mode

Published

1 day ago

2026/05/8

Priyan

Mushfiqur Rahim sealed a 2-0 series sweep the last time Bangladesh toured Pakistan [Cricinfo]

This series picks up from Bangladesh’s finest red-ball hour against arguably Pakistan’s bleakest one. Two years ago, Bangladesh came to Pakistan with six away Test wins in their history, and increased that tally by two in two weeks. Pakistan had never lost a Test to Bangladesh before that, but during late summer 2024 in Rawalpindi, a page turned in their cricketing relations.

This time around, the series takes place at an odd, off-kilter time. Neither side has played any Test cricket in six months, with Bangladesh’s last series a straightforward home wipeout of Ireland. Pakistan hosted South Africa in October, splitting the two Tests down the middle. This is the only red-ball international cricket Pakistan have played in 14 months.

Pakistan have filled that time going all in on T20 cricket, preparing for the recent T20 World Cup, before throwing themselves into a full PSL season. There will be just four days between the end of the PSL and the first day in Mirpur.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, have endured a more barren time. They refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup and that has meant their only international cricket all year was an ODI series against Pakistan and New Zealand’s visit for a white-ball series [ODIs and T20Is]. Wins in all three mean they have a perfect record in international series in 2026 – a record that Pakistan will hope to put to a sterner test than they managed two years ago.

In 2024, Bangladesh’s seam attack outshone Pakistan’s, with Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed’s movement, and Nahid Rana’s rapid pace, causing more trouble than their Pakistani counterparts. If anything, Rana is in even better form, cutting Pakistan down in the sides’ ODI series, before shining in the recent PSL final for Zalmi, for which the BCB granted him special permission. Bangladesh’s four-man pace attack also includes Shoriful Islam and Ebadot Hossain, alongside Rana and Taskin, and could pose its own challenges against Pakistan.

Pakistan may hope the pitches allow a spin-bowling face-off instead. Soon after Bangladesh’s humbling of Pakistan in that 2024 series, Pakistan volte-faced from playing an all-seam attack in the first Test. Instead, their pitches assisted spin from ball one. To exploit that, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali have run riot on accommodating surfaces. If Mirpur offers assistance for the spinners, Pakistan will feel confident they have the personnel to go toe-to-toe with the hosts.

Mushfique Rahim struck a century in his 100th Test, against Ireland in November last year. He will take fresh guard against Pakistan, despite speculation about his impending retirement. Mushfiqur has resisted being pushed towards the end unless he wants to. His 191 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi was a testament to his hunger for runs, as was his celebration during this milestone 100th Test against Ireland. Mushfiqur remains a vital cog in the Bangladesh middle-order. Pakistan will be wary of him, particularly in Dhaka.

Sajid Khan has found his international opportunities limited to home Tests, but this wasn’t always the case. His first six Test matches all took place away from home, with his finest away moment coming in Bangladesh, at this very ground in Mirpur. With rain laying waste to the best part of three days of that Test, Sajid wrenched the game from the clutches of the weather. He took eight wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings, to bowl them out for 87, and narrowly force a follow-on. Four more in the second innings saw Bangladesh bowled out on the fifth evening, giving Pakistan a sensational innings win. This series is perhaps Sajid’s best chance to demonstrate he remains useful outside Pakistan.

Bangladesh are likely to bring in Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana in place of Khaled Ahmed and Hasan Murad, respectively. Shoriful Islam’s white-ball form would put pressure on Ebadot Hossain’s place.

Pakistan have been dealt a blow with Babar Azam* ruled out of the opening Test due to a left knee injury. His absence leaves a hole which is likely to be filled in by a debutant. The visitors will likely go in with two spinners in Sajid and Noman, which leaves them a choice of two of four fast bowlers. With Imam-ul-Haq back in the side, Pakistan are expected to hand a debut to one of Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal at the top of the order.

Bangladesh (probable): Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal/Azan Awais, Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Amad Butt, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Khurram Shahzad/Hasan Ali, Sajid Khan

[Cricinfo]