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Babar Azam fifty, India squad for NZ ODIs and Marsh ton – January 1 Cricket highlights

Aakash Saini

Babar Azam and Indian team [Source: @ChallengerY56/x, AFP]Babar Azam and Indian team [Source: @ChallengerY56/x, AFP]

Senior Pakistan batter Babar Azam made a sluggish 41-ball fifty for the Sydney Sixers in match 18 of the BBL 2025-26 season. The Indian squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand will reportedly be announced later this week. In other news, Mitchell Marsh blasted a statement century for the Perth Scorchers.

Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Thursday, January 1.

Rizwan flops, Babar makes sluggish 50 in BBL 2025-26

Babar Azam registered his second fifty of the BBL 2025-26 season, reaching the landmark figure in 41 balls to make a match-winning 58* from 46 balls. Maintaining a sluggish strike rate of just 126, the Sydney Sixers still managed to secure a comprehensive six-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades in match number 18 of the competition, courtesy of a 34*-run blitz from Joel Davies.

Fellow Pakistan star Mohammad Rizwan, however, failed to get going for the Renegades as the senior wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed for just six from 10 balls by Ben Dwarshuis.

Mitchell Marsh blasts stunning BBL ton vs Hurricanes

Australian T20I captain Mitchell Marsh blasted 102 runs from just 58 balls against Hobart Hurricanes in match 19 of the BBL 2025-26 season at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. The blistering opening batter clattered 11 fours and five huge sixes in his innings to catapult the visiting Perth Scorchers to a monumental 229-3 in 20 overs. Aaron Hardie also cracked 94* from just 43 balls, before Scorchers bowlers kept Hurricanes down to 189-9.

Nonetheless, Mitchell Marsh’s thunderous ton sent out a strong warning to all opposition bowlers ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

BCCI to pick India squad for NZ ODIs on January 3, Shami and Gill tipped to return

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will announce Team India squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand on January 3 later this week, as reported by the Times of India. BCCI selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar will have an online meeting with other members to finalize the squad.

As per reports, India’s ODI captain Shubman Gill as well as fast bowling maverick Mohammed Shami are both set to make their returns to the team after undergoing their injury concerns.

Australia name fifth Test squad for Ashes, Cameron Green doubtful

Cricket Australia (CA) has named Australia’s 15-player squad for the upcoming fifth Test of the 2025-26 home Ashes series against England. After losing the fourth Test at the MCG last week, senior batter Steve Smith is set to continue as Australia captain in the absence of regular skipper and fast bowler Pat Cummins.

Star all-rounder Cameron Green will likely fail to make a cut into the playing XI after undergoing a torrid Ashes series with the bat and ball, scoring just 112 runs in six innings and picking three wickets so far.

Australia name spin-heavy T20 World Cup squad, featuring Zampa and co.

Cricket Australia has also named the entire Australia squad for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month. The board named a spin-heavy squad, featuring star spinners like Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann, Cooper Connolly as well as spin-bowling all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.

Mitchell Marsh will continue to lead the side and he will be accompanied by fellow senior men like Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood and others.