![Hardik Pandya and Shaheen Afridi [Source: AFP, @saadimalik22/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1766165952020_hardik_pandya.jpg?type=hq)
Hardik Pandya and Shaheen Afridi [Source: AFP, @saadimalik22/x]
Hardik Pandya fired a record 16-ball half-century for India against South Africa in the series-deciding fifth T20I. Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli have been officially named in Delhi squad for the upcoming 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy season. In other news, Shaheen Afridi endured yet another expensive outing for Brisbane Heat in 2025-26 BBL.
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 Friday, December 19.
Hardik Pandya blasts India’s second fastest T20I fifty
Hardik Pandya hammered down a half-century from just 16 balls against South Africa in the fifth T20I of the five-match series against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Cracking 63 runs in all from just 25 balls, Pandya’s 16-ball effort marked India’s second fastest half-century in T20I cricket after Yuvraj Singh’s 12-ball blinder from the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup against England.
Hardik Pandya’s innings also helped Team India mount 231-5 in 20 overs in the series-decider after being put into bat first.
India’s T20 World Cup, NZ series squad to be named on December 20
A selection meeting regarding picking up Team India squad for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as well as for the white-ball series against New Zealand will reportedly be held on Saturday, December 20 at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters, as reported by a Times of India reporter.
The Indian team is scheduled to face New Zealand in three ODIs and five T20Is at home between January 11 and January 31 before the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli picked in Delhi squad for Vijay Hazare 2025-26
The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has named Delhi’s 20-player squad for the first two matches of the upcoming 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy season. Compatible to earlier rumours, senior pros Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been selected in the Delhi squad for the initial stages of the tournament. The two star Indian players will be joined by fellow internationals Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini.
The Delhi team will face Andhra in their Elite Group D opening match of the competition on December 24 in Bengaluru.
Dasun Shanaka to lead SL over Asalanka until 2026 T20 World Cup
Experienced all-rounder Dasun Shanaka is set to lead the Sri Lanka team up until the conclusion of the 2026 Men’s ICC T20 World Cup. Last month, Shanaka was appointed as Sri Lanka captain for the T20I tri-series in Pakistan after regular skipper Charith Asalanka was ruled out of the tour owing to an illness.
Even though Asalanka has now been selected in Sri Lanka’s 25-player probables for the tournament, Dasun Shanaka will continue to lead the national side, as confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) newly appointed Selection Committee Chairman Pramodya Wickremesinghe.
Shaheen Afridi’s nightmare BBL 2025-26 tour continues
Pakistan pace maverick Shaheen Afridi endured yet another forgettable outing for the Brisbane Heat in the ongoing 2025-26 BBL season. Opening the bowling for Heat against Perth Scorchers in match number six of the competition at the Gabba in Brisbane, the speedster conceded 49 runs off his four overs as the visitors mounted 257-6 in 20 overs upfront. Earlier this week, Shaheen Afridi was taken off the attack by the on-field umpire owing to his wayward bowling against Melbourne Renegades, prematurely ending his figures at 0-43 in just 2.4 overs in Geelong.
 (1).jpg?type=mq "IND-SA, 5th T20I report")
