![Babar Azam and Smriti Mandhana [Source: @HassanAbbasian, @BCCIWomen/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1762445492924_babar_azam.jpg?type=hq)
Babar Azam and Smriti Mandhana [Source: @HassanAbbasian, @BCCIWomen/x]
Babar Azam once again failed with the bat, this time against South Africa in the second ODI of Pakistan’s three-match series at home. Smriti Mandhana and Laura Wolvaardt among others have been nominated by the ICC for the ICC Player of the Month award. In other news, Team India pulverised Australia in Gold Coast to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20I series.
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, November 6.
Babar Azam flops vs SA to continue torrid form
Senior Pakistan batter Babar Azam was dismissed for just 11 from 13 balls by South African fast bowler Nandre Burger in the second ODI of their three-match series at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Batting at number three, the cricketer arrived to the crease within the opening over itself following the dismissal of Fakhar Zaman for a duck.
Babar Azam’s latest failure with the bat extended the right-handed batter’s lean patch across all formats for Pakistan, considering he last registered an international century over two years ago.
Narendra Modi Stadium shortlisted for T20 WC 2026 final: Report
The iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has been reportedly shortlisted as the venue to host the final match of next year’s 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. As reported by the Indian Express, some top BCCI officials have decided to host the tournament in fewer cities as compared to the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, also hosted by India.
While the BCCI has shortlisted Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai as possible tournament venues, it is learnt that as many as three venues in Sri Lanka will also be hosting the event.
Smriti Mandhana, Rashid Khan among October ICC nominees
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled nominees for ICC Player of the Month award for the month of October 2025 in both men’s and women’s categories. Prolific Indian Women opener Smriti Mandhana, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt and legendary Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner were nominated in the women’s category for their splendid show in the recently-concluded 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
In men’s category, ace Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan and fellow tweakers from Pakistan and South Africa, Noman Ali and Senuran Muthusamy respectively, made a cut for the coveted ICC award.
Mark Chapman records one of NZ’s fastest fifty to sink WI
New Zealand cricketer Mark Chapman blasted a 19-ball half-century against West Indies in the second T20I of the series at Auckland. Chapman’s fifty marked the joint-fifth fastest T20I half-century in the history of New Zealand cricket.
Smearing 78 runs from just 28 balls with six fours and seven huge sixes, Chapman’s blitzkrieg also helped New Zealand mount 207-5 in 20 overs upfront, before spinners Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner restricted West Indies to 204-8 to secure a thrilling three-run win for the hosts.
Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube bulldoze AUS as India go 2-1 up
India pummeled hosts Australia by 48 runs at the Carrara Oval in Gold Coast to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20I series. Batting first, India charted 167-8 in 20 overs courtesy of Shubman Gill’s top-scoring act (46 off 39) and swift lower-order contributions from all-rounders Washington Sundar and Axar Patel.
Emboldened with their late batting blitzkrieg, the two ace spinners also picked up five wickets between them to envelop Australia for just 119 in 18.2 overs. Shivam Dube also demonstrated his all-round excellence by scoring 22 and picking up a couple of wickets.
