![Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, Steve Smith [Source: AFP, @BBL/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768754441354_ViratKohliandBabarAzam.jpg?type=hq)
Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, Steve Smith [Source: AFP, @BBL/x]
Virat Kohli punched out a record century against New Zealand in the third ODI of the three-match series. England’s players of Pakistan origin have received their visas for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In other news, Babar Azam has seemingly ended his rift rumours with Sydney Sixers teammate Steve Smith in BBL 2025-26.
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 Saturday, January 17.
Daryl Mitchell muscles second successive ton vs India in decider
New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell fired yet another century, his second in succession, cracking 137 runs from just 131 balls with 15 fours and three huge sixes against India in the series-deciding third ODI match in Indore. The cricketer shared a huge counterattacking 219-run partnership with fellow centurion Glenn Phillips as New Zealand mounted 337-8 in 50 overs despite India’s new ball blitz from Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
Notably, Daryl Mitchell’s innings also helped him level up with Babar Azam (18) in terms of listing the fifth-joint highest number of ODI scores of 50 or more since January 2023.
England’s Pakistan origin players receive T20 World Cup 2026 visas
The International Cricket Council (ICC) stepped in to streamline visa formalities for all players and officials of Pakistan origin ahead of next month’s 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. In England squad, three players of Pakistan origin, namely Adil Rashid, Rehan Ahmed and fast bowler Saqib Mahmood have now received their respective visas after days of uncertainty and delays.
The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is set to launch from February 7 with a match between Pakistan and Netherlands in Colombo.
Bangladesh seeks Pakistan’s help over T20 World Cup 2026 row
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reportedly reached out to Islamabad to seek diplomatic and cricketing support from Pakistan ahead of the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. It is worth noting that the BCB has refused to send the Bangladesh team to India for the tournament citing security concerns, and has urged the ICC to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka instead. The ICC and the BCCI, however, are yet to agree to the BCB’s demands.
Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI record vs NZ
Virat Kohli unleashed 124 runs from just 108 balls against New Zealand in the series-deciding third ODI match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. While the innings marked Kohli’s 85th century in international cricket, it also helped him surpass the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis and Joe Root to become the highest century-maker against the New Zealand team across all formats of the game.
Virat Kohli has now registered 10 hundreds against New Zealand in 73 international innings. Kallis, Tendulkar and Root are all tied second on the elite list with nine centuries each.
Babar Azam ends rift rumours with Steve Smith
Pakistan batter Babar Azam has ended all rift rumours with Sydney Sixers teammate and legendary Australian cricketer Steve Smith with a playful gesture. Taking field for the Sixers in match number 40 of the BBL 2025-26 season against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba in Brisbane, Babar consoled Steve Smith after the latter dropped a difficult catch on the field.
It is worth noting that Babar Azam was reportedly upset with Smith and the Sydney Sixers team management after the Australian batter had denied him a single in their previous BBL 2025-26 appearance together a couple of days ago.
