
A daily recap of five of the biggest cricket news that emerged out of Thursday, January 1; from Babar Azam’s slow half-century to Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad.

Pakistan T20 captain Salman Agha and head coach Mike Hesson will reportedly helm the Multan Sultans franchise in PSL 2026.

Brendon McCullum’s future as England head coach is under the spotlight as England stare at a 4-1 series loss vs Australia in Ashes 2025-26.

The USA’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has reportedly been leaked, even though no official announcement has been made yet.

BCB announced a revised BPL 2026 schedule, dropping Chattogram and extending the Sylhet phase before matches move to Dhaka.

Sri Lanka Cricket has named a 15-member squad for the ICC U19 World Cup 2026, led by Vimath Dinsara, as the team eyes a maiden U19 title.

Australia retain the previous squad for the fifth Ashes Test 2025-26 vs England at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
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Smriti Mandhana and Indian women’s cricket team began New Year 2026 with a spiritual visit to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain.

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan T20Is will support the Rebuilding Sri Lanka initiative, with SLC dedicating the home series to recovery efforts for Ditwah cyclone