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Mohammed Shami return, AFG squad and Gaikwad ton – December 31 Cricket highlights

Aakash Saini

Mohammed Shami and Ruturaj Gaikwad [Source: AFP, @BCCI/x]Mohammed Shami and Ruturaj Gaikwad [Source: AFP, @BCCI/x]

Mohammed Shami will reportedly be making his return to the Indian team for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The ACB has announced a strong Afghanistan squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In other news, Maharashtra and CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad unleashed a statement century in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy season.

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 Wednesday, December 31.

Mohammed Shami to return for New Zealand ODIs: Report

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami will likely be selected in India squad for the upcoming three-match home ODI series against New Zealand, as reported by NDTV. The legendary speedster last represented the Indian team in the final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in the UAE last year. Amid injury concerns as alleged by the Indian selection committee, Mohammed Shami was ignored from Team India set up for the subsequent Test series in England, as well as from the entire white-ball series in Australia and for home series against West Indies and South Africa.

Rashid Khan to lead as Afghanistan name strong T20 World Cup squad

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has unveiled a strong 15-player squad for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Seasoned pro and star all-rounder Rashid Khan will continue to serve the national team as captain. Khan will also be assisted by fellow star attractions like Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, Ibrahim Zadran and others.

It is worth noting that the Afghanistan team reached the semifinal of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup a couple of years ago.

Chris Lynn creates BBL history with match-winning knock vs Heat

Adelaide Strikers opener Chris Lynn slapped an electrifying 79* from just 41 balls against his former team Brisbane Heat at the Adelaide Oval in match number 17 of the BBL 2025-26 season. Lynn clattered six fours and six huge sixes in his match-winning knock, and also surpassed the 4,000-run landmark in his BBL career, thus becoming the first cricketer in the history of the tournament to do so.

Chris Lynn’s current BBL tally reads 4,065 runs in 129 innings at a splendid average of 36.29 and a staggering strike rate of nearly 150.

Harry Brook rises, Travis Head and Smith demoted in latest ICC rankings

Harry Brook gained three rungs to climb to the number second spot on the latest ICC rankings for men’s Test batters. Brook, with 846 rating points, is only trailing fellow Englishman Joe Root at the top of the batting charts.

Australia’s firebrand batter Travis Head and legendary Steve Smith, however, both fell in the rankings to occupy number fourth and fifth spots respectively; despite demonstrating their dexterity with some exquisite match-winning knocks against England in the ongoing 2025-26 Ashes Test series.

Ruturaj Gaikwad rescues Maharashtra with stunning Vijay Hazare ton

Maharashtra captain Ruturaj Gaikwad belted his 19th List A century by composing 124 runs from 113 balls with 12 fours and three sixes against Uttarakhand in Jaipur in their Elite Group C match of the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy season. Gaikwad’s innings elevated the Maharashtra team from a precarious 50-3 to a monumental total of 330-7 in 50 overs.

With his match-winning knock, the CSK skipper also threw his hat in the ring as he bids to strengthen his claim in Team India’s ODI setup amid rising competition from fellow talents.