• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Kamindu Mendis Icc Award Pak Vs Wi And Saim Ayub Update January 26 Cricket Highlights

Kamindu Mendis ICC Award, PAK vs WI And Saim Ayub Update – January 26 Cricket Highlights

Aakash Saini

Kamindu Mendis and Babar Azam [Source: @OfficialSLC, @CricketTimes/x]Kamindu Mendis and Babar Azam [Source: @OfficialSLC, @CricketTimes/x]

Kamindu Mendis won the prestigious ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year award. PCB chairman gave a shocking recovery update of young Pakistan batter Saim Ayub. In other news, several overseas players of the Durbar Rajshahi franchise boycotted their team’s latest match over due clearance.

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 Sunday, January 26.

Kamindu Mendis Wins ICC Emerging Cricketer Award

Sri Lankan batting sensation Kamindu Mendis won the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year award for his prolific run of form with the bat in the year 2024. The 26-year-old defeated fellow nominees Saim Ayub, Gus Atkinson and Shamar Joseph in the category to win the prestigious honour, and the left-handed batter was also fittingly named in ICC’s Test Team of the Year.

Kamindu Mendis racked up 1,458 runs in 38 innings across all formats for Sri Lanka throughout the 12-month period. Moreover, he tallied 1,049 runs in just nine Tests at a prolific batting average of 74.92, which included a fighting century in England and a career-best performance against New Zealand.

PCB Chairman Gives Saim Ayub Recovery Update For CT 2025

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has seemingly ruled young opener Saim Ayub out of Pakistan’s 2025 Champions Trophy squad. Ayub recently twisted his ankle in South Africa, and was subsequently advised rest for up to six weeks.

While several fans and experts speculated that the youngster will attain full recovery in time for the eight-team tournament in Pakistan and the UAE, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently stated that the cricketer will enter a recovery phase after having his leg cast taken out. Naqvi added that he does not wants to put “Ayub’s future at risk for one Champions Trophy”. The Pakistan team, meanwhile, will commence its campaign on February 19 with a match against New Zealand.

Pakistan Reach 76-4 At Stumps On Day 3

Pakistan spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali picked up four wickets each during the second West Indies innings on Day 2 of the second Multan Test. Their collective spin brilliance helped the hosts skittle West Indies out for just 244 in 66.1 overs. For the visitors, captain and opening batter Kraigg Brathwaite top-scored with 52 from 74 balls at the top of the order.

Left to chase 254 for a win, Pakistan lost four wickets, including that of Babar Azam and captain Shan Masood to Kevin Sinclair to reach a sluggish 76-4 by stumps. Mohammad Rizwan and co. now require another 178 runs for victory on Day 3 with six wickets in hand.

Usman Khan, Aamer Jamal Likely For PAK CT Squad: Reports

As reported by Qadir Khawaja of Samaa TV, top-order batter Usman Khan and all-rounder Aamer Jamal have been added to Pakistan squad for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Usman Khan will likely be included to strengthen Pakistan batting in the place of injured Saim Ayub. Interestingly, Usman is yet to play a single ODI match for Pakistan, but the 29-year-old averages a staggering 75.66 in List A cricket.

Aamer Jamal, on the other hand, has played just three ODIs for the ‘Men in Green’ since his international debut in late 2022.

Durbar Rajshahi Overseas Players Boycott BPL 2025 Match

In a significant development, overseas players of the Durbar Rajshahi franchise refused to play their team’s latest match against Rangpur Riders over the non-payment of dues. No foreign player took field for the Rajshahi as part of their protest.

Captain Taskin Ahmed confirmed that his team had to make quite a few changes in the playing XI owing to the unavailability of overseas players.