Australia will be without their star pace bowler and captain, Pat Cummins, for the second Ashes Test, delivering a major setback ahead of a crucial series. Cummins, who has taken 309 wickets in 71 Tests, has been a cornerstone of Australia’s bowling attack and leadership on the field. His absence is likely to force the team to restructure both the pace department and the captaincy, putting additional pressure on emerging bowlers. The move comes as Australia prepares to face a resurgent England side, where early breakthroughs and sustained bowling pressure are vital. Cummins’ experience in high-pressure Ashes scenarios will be sorely missed, particularly in managing field placements and guiding younger players. This development also gives England a psychological edge, as Australia adjusts to missing one of its premier match-winners. While Australia has depth in their squad, the team’s strategy and bowling rhythm may be impacted in his absence. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see who steps up to fill the void and maintain Australia’s competitiveness in the series.
When the King Gets Ducked — A Sad Milestone for Babar Azam
In the recent T20I match against Sri Lanka, Babar Azam was dismissed for a two-ball duck — a result that spurred a wave of disappointment among fans and critics alike. That dismissal marked the 10th duck of his T20I career, equalling the unenviable record jointly held by Umar Akmal and Saim Ayub for the most ducks by any Pakistani batter in T20 internationals. For a batter often praised as one of Pakistan’s best in limited-overs cricket, this statistical coincidence is a stark reminder: even the finest talents are vulnerable to cricket’s cruelest moments.
The contrast is particularly striking — while Babar remains among the nation’s top run-scorers and match-winners, this duck record underlines a fragility in his T20I consistency. The “duck tally” may not erase his past successes, but it raises tough questions: Can a batter with such class still be deemed dependable in the high-stakes, fast-paced T20 format? Only time will tell if this milestone becomes a footnote or a turning point
A Grand Comeback — T20 World Cup Returns to the Subcontinent
The ICC has officially released the full schedule for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March 2026. Matches will be played across eight top-tier venues: five in India (Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai) and three in Sri Lanka (Colombo — two grounds — and Kandy). The opening match sees Pakistan national cricket team facing Netherlands national cricket team at Colombo’s storied ground, while the defending champions India national cricket team begin their campaign against United States national cricket team at Mumbai — setting a high-voltage tone from the very start.
The knockout format — Group Stage → Super Eight → Semi-finals → Final — remains intact, with a total of 55 matches slated across 29 days. The final is scheduled to be played at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 8 March — unless the tournament path involves Pakistan, in which case the final (or a semi-final) may shift to a neutral venue in Colombo. Among other key highlights: the group stage will feature marquee clashes, including the much-anticipated India national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team match on 15 February at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium — reviving one of cricket’s greatest rivalries on the global stage.
