![Shaheen Afridi and Meg Lanning [Source: AFP, @wplt20/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1767541840468_shaheen_afridi.jpg?type=hq)
Shaheen Afridi and Meg Lanning [Source: AFP, @wplt20/x]
Injured Shaheen Afridi has been included in Pakistan’s provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The BCB is considering to shift Bangladesh’s matches of the tournament from India to Sri Lanka. In other news, Meg Lanning is set to lead the UP Warriorz franchise in WPL 2026 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 Sunday, January 4.
Babar Azam, injured Shaheen in Pakistan’s provisional T20 World Cup squad
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly submitted its provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month. As per the 16-player group, all-rounder Agha Salman will continue to lead the side, and he will be accompanied by fellow senior pros like Babar Azam, blistering top-order batter Fakhar Zaman, young Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and fast bowler Haris Rauf among others.
Shaheen Afridi, although uncertain after recently sustaining an injury in the ongoing BBL 2025-26 season in Australia, has also been included in the Pakistan squad for the tournament.
Litton Das to lead, Rahman in Bangladesh squad for T20 World Cup 2026
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named a 15-player Bangladesh squad for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Senior fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who was recently axed by the KKR franchise for the IPL 2026 season, is set to helm the Bangladesh pace attack alongside Taskin Ahmed.
Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das will continue to lead the Bangladesh team, with Mohammed Saif Hassan serving as his deputy. Towhid Hridoy, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain are among the other star attractions in the team.
Meg Lanning named UP Warriorz captain for WPL 2026 over Deepti
Former Australian captain Meg Lanning has been appointed as the new skipper of the UP Warriorz franchise for the upcoming WPL 2026 season. Lanning previously served the Delhi Capitals for three years, before getting roped in by the Warriorz a couple of months ago. She will be replacing senior all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who led the franchise last year.
Meg Lanning, a veteran of 27 WPL matches, and 132 international T20s, led the Delhi Capitals to three successive WPL finals between the years 2023 and 2025.
MCA confirms RCB, Royals venue buzz for IPL 2026
The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) has confirmed that the MCA Stadium in Pune is currently in talks to host home fixtures for either the RCB franchise or the Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming IPL 2026 season. In a press release, the cricket association stated that both RCB and RR officials have visited the stadium in the last couple of weeks, and they are currently considering BCCI’s support and approval to pick the venue for either one of the two teams for the tournament.
It is worth noting that both, the RCB and Rajasthan Royals franchises have different reasons to make way from their traditional home venues this year.
BCB reject India travel amid Rahman-KKR row, ICC to intervene
The BCB has decided to prevent the Bangladesh team from travelling to India for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was barred from playing IPL 2026 for the KKR franchise by the BCCI.
As reported by Cricbuzz, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will likely step in and relocate Bangladesh’s share of tournament matches to Sri Lanka instead.
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