Glenn Maxwell Blitz, Vaughan’s Son And PCB’s CT 2025 Update – January 9 Cricket Highlights

Glenn Maxwell and Archie Vaughan [Source: @BBL, @TheBarmyArmy/x]

Glenn Maxwell flattened Sydney Sixers to headline Melbourne Stars’ emphatic win at the MCG. The PCB has addressed rumours of a possible relocation of the 2025 Champions Trophy to another country. Moreover, Michael Vaughan’s son is set to follow his father’s footsteps as the youngster has been appointed as captain of England’s Under-19 team.

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 9.

PCB Squashes CT 2025 Relocation Rumours

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that Pakistan will ‘successfully’ host its Champions Trophy 2025 fixtures, contrary to the recent rumors of relocating the entire tournament to another country over unfinished construction work on venues. The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is set to be played between February 19 and March 9 across three different Pakistani venues and in the Dubai International Stadium in the UAE.

With just a little over a month remaining for the eight-team event, renovation work for the stadiums is yet to be concluded. Certain reports have indicated that the International Cricket Council (ICC) was planning to relocate the entire competition to the UAE, however, PCB officials have clarified that the renovations will be completed by the first week of February.

Glenn Maxwell Blitz Wins It For Melbourne Stars

Melbourne Stars veteran Glenn Maxwell clattered five boundaries and three huge sixes against the Sydney Sixers at the MCG in match number 28 of the BBL 2024-25 season. Smearing 58 unbeaten runs from just 31 deliveries, Australia’s hard-hitting radical paved way for an emphatic Melbourne Stars win, their third in succession this tournament.

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Maxwell’s whirlwind knock catapulted the Stars to a respectable 156-5 from 20 overs before bowlers Peter Siddle (2-26), Mark Steketee (3-14), Marcus Stoinis (2-30) and Usama Mir (2-19) restricted the Sixers to just 140-9.

Michael Vaughan’s Son To Lead England Under-19

Archie Vaughan, the son of former England captain and prominent commentator Michael Vaughan, is set to lead the English Under-19 team on its upcoming tour of South Africa. Young Archie was born in December 2005, i.e., shortly after Michael Vaughan led the England cricket team to a historic Ashes series win over Australia at home.

The Somerset star averages 33.71 with the bat in first class cricket, and 36 in List A cricket. Unlike the senior Vaughan, Archie can also make his presence felt with the ball, and the young off-spinner has already claimed 15 wickets in just his four first class appearances so far.

The English Under-19 team is set to tour South Africa later this month for a series of three Youth Tests and three Youth ODI matches.

Pakistan’s Banned Pacer Makes His Return For BBL

Sydney Thunder has signed in Pakistan's Mohammad Hasnain and England's George Garton as replacements for overseas stars Lockie Ferguson and Sherfane Rutherford for the remainder of the ongoing BBL 2024-25 season. Both Ferguson and Rutherford are set to link up with their respective teams in South Africa for SA20 2025.

Notably, Hasnain was banned from participating in BBL back during the 2021-22 season over his ‘illegal bowling action’. The speedster was allowed back in the league after he remodeled his action.

CSA Responds To Afghanistan Boycott Calls For CT 2025

South Africa Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has called for his nation’s cricket team to boycott its upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan, to oppose the oppression of women in the war-torn country. Amidst calls for a boycott, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has now called for ICC’s intervention over the matter.

CSA President Rihan Richards has stated that the South African cricket board is committed to the cause of women’s cricket worldwide and will engage with the apex body to come up with a meaningful solution.

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