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Karakoram Plus, Islamabad (2026)

27/10/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus New Zealand defeated England by four wickets in the opening match of their three-match One Day International series at Bay Oval, Tauranga, on Sunday, despite a brilliant century from England’s Harry Brook. Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell guided the hosts to victory with crucial half-centuries, ensuring a successful chase of 224. The home side faced an early scare when they lost four wickets in quick succession, including former captain Kane Williamson, who was dismissed for a first-ball duck in his return to international cricket after March. However, Mitchell anchored the innings with an unbeaten 78 after being dropped on 33, while Bracewell contributed 51 before an unfortunate run-out briefly opened the door for England. Mitch Santner added a steady 27 to help New Zealand seal the win in 36.4 overs. Captain Santner praised his team’s fighting spirit, saying there was still a lot in the wicket but the intent from his players made the difference. He lauded the partnership between Mitchell and Bracewell, calling it “massive” for their side’s success. Earlier, England had made a strong recovery after a disastrous start. Skipper Harry Brook produced a sensational innings, smashing 135 runs off just 101 balls, while Jamie Overton’s 46 provided valuable support as England reached 223 all out in 35.2 overs. Put into bat first, England collapsed to 56 for six within the first 12 overs, undone by the swing and pace of New Zealand’s bowlers. Zak Foulkes was particularly impressive with figures of 4 for 41, while Matt Henry chipped in with 2 for 53. Santner later praised their efforts, saying that early wickets in the powerplay gave his side the perfect start and highlighted Foulkes’ ability to swing the ball as “outstanding.”
Brook’s counter-attack began when he reached his fifty from 36 balls, hitting a top-edged six off Nathan Smith. Overton’s big hitting helped England cross 100 runs, and the pair shared an 87-run partnership for the seventh wicket before Overton was dismissed four runs short of a fifty after an excellent catch by Mitchell. Duffy then struck immediately, removing Brydon Carse to leave England at 143 for eight.
Brook, however, continued to dominate, reaching his century with three consecutive sixes and finishing with 11 maximums in total. His aggressive approach helped England cross the 200-run mark before he was finally caught off Santner trying to clear the boundary once again. Despite Brook’s heroics, England’s total proved insufficient. Reflecting on his performance, Brook said he tried to counter-attack after the team’s early collapse and was pleased his approach worked. He acknowledged that England started well with the ball but failed to maintain pressure during the middle overs. New Zealand now lead the series 1-0 and will look to clinch victory in the second ODI in Hamilton on Wednesday, after having lost the preceding rain-affected T20 series 1-0.

25/10/2025

India capped off their tour of Australia with a commanding nine-wicket victory in the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground, thanks to brilliant performances from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Chasing a target of 237, India cruised to victory with 11.3 overs to spare, ending the series 2-1 in Australia’s favor but denying the hosts a clean sweep. Rohit Sharma scored a magnificent unbeaten 121, while Virat Kohli added 74 not out in what was almost certainly their final match on Australian soil. The pair’s farewell stand of 169 runs thrilled a packed SCG, as Indian fans filled the stadium with chants of Kohli’s name. Earlier, Shubman Gill provided a brisk start before being dismissed for 24, leaving India at 1-69. Kohli, who had recorded back-to-back ducks in the first two games, was greeted with a loud roar when he scored his first run. He quickly rediscovered his touch, timing the ball beautifully with crisp boundaries off Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc. Kohli reached his half-century off 56 balls and, alongside Rohit, maintained complete control of the chase. Rohit looked in sublime form, attacking the spinners and pacers alike. He hit Zampa for two sixes and smashed Starc to the boundary several times in the opening overs. The Indian skipper brought up his century with a straight push down the ground and looked assured throughout his innings. Kohli had the honor of sealing the win with a stylish uppercut for four in the 39th over. Their partnership was symbolic, as both players now stand behind only Sachin Tendulkar in the list of all-time ODI run-scorers. The match also marked a significant farewell moment for two of India’s modern greats, who have already retired from Test cricket and are now focusing solely on limited-overs formats. For Australia, the evening was disappointing after a strong start earlier in the day. Batting first, they reached 3-183 before collapsing to 236 all out in 47 overs. Matt Renshaw top-scored with 56, while Mitch Marsh made 41, including the only six of the innings. However, a middle-order collapse triggered by Harsh*t Rana’s exceptional spell of 4-39 derailed their innings. There was a brief injury scare for Australia when Josh Hazlewood appeared to dislocate a finger on his non-bowling hand while attempting a catch. But the night ultimately belonged to Rohit and Kohli, whose masterclass ensured India ended the series on a high note.

24/10/2025

Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli set an unwanted record among active cricketers after being dismissed for a four-ball duck in the second ODI of the ongoing three-match series against Australia on Thursday. This marked Kohli’s 18th duck in One Day Internationals, making him the active player with the most ducks in the format. It was also the first time in his ODI career that he had been dismissed for a duck in consecutive innings. Before this series, Kohli was tied with Rohit Sharma, Litton Das, and former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor, each with 17 ODI ducks. Among Pakistan’s active players, Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman have six ducks each, while Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam have five apiece. In the second ODI at Adelaide Oval, Kohli was trapped leg-before by Xavier Bartlett, who was making his first appearance of the series. The delivery pitched on a good length around the off-stump, and as Kohli attempted a flick across the line, he missed completely. The on-field umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger, and though Kohli briefly discussed the decision with his batting partner, he chose not to review and walked back to the pavilion. As he departed, the Adelaide crowd gave him a warm ovation in recognition of his stature, but Kohli appeared visibly frustrated with the mode of his dismissal. Earlier in the first ODI at Perth, the right-hander had also been dismissed for an eight-ball duck, marking back-to-back failures in the series.
Batting first in the second ODI, India managed 264 for 9 in their 50 overs. Skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front with a composed 73 off 97 deliveries, striking seven fours and two sixes. Shreyas Iyer added a solid 61 from 77 balls, while Axar Patel chipped in with a quick 44 off 41. In the lower order, Harsh*t Rana remained unbeaten on 24 from 18 deliveries, and Arshdeep Singh contributed 13 off 14. For Australia, Adam Zampa was the standout bowler with figures of 4 for 60 in his 10 overs. Xavier Bartlett impressed on his return with three wickets, while Mitchell Starc picked up two scalps to restrict India to a competitive total.

24/10/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to players set to participate in the 15th edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). According to reports, seven Pakistan cricketers are expected to feature in the upcoming season. This development follows the PCB’s earlier decision on 30 September 2025 to suspend all NOCs for participation in overseas T20 leagues. At the time, the board stated, “With the approval of Chairman PCB, all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players with respect to participation in leagues and other out-of-country tournaments are hereby put on hold until further orders.” The reason behind the suspension was not made public, though reports suggested that PCB intended to implement a performance-based NOC system. The BBL is scheduled to begin on December 14, featuring prominent Pakistani stars such as Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan. The tournament will run until January 25, 2026, with 44 matches lined up. The opening clash will see the Perth Scorchers take on the Sydney Sixers at Perth Stadium. Earlier today, Sydney Sixers gave Babar Azam a grand welcome by launching a special fan zone called “Babaristan” to celebrate his maiden stint in the BBL. The announcement, shared on the Sixers’ social media platforms with the caption “Introducing Babaristan — A Fan Zone Like No Other,” quickly went viral, drawing excitement from fans in both Australia and Pakistan. The Sixers’ supporters are preparing to turn sections of the stands into “Babaristan,” a symbolic gesture celebrating Pakistan’s deep-rooted cricket culture. Alongside Babar, several other Pakistani stars will feature in different franchises. Shaheen Afridi was picked by Brisbane Heat as the first overseas and platinum pick, while Mohammad Rizwan joined the Melbourne Renegades. Haris Rauf will continue representing the Melbourne Stars, Shadab Khan will play for the Sydney Thunder, Hasan Ali has joined the Adelaide Strikers, and all-rounder Hassan Khan will also feature for the Renegades.

24/10/2025

The Sydney Sixers have announced the launch of a unique fan zone called “Babaristan” to celebrate Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam’s debut in the Big Bash League (BBL). The franchise made the announcement on its official social media channels with the caption, “Introducing Babaristan — A Fan Zone Like No Other.” According to the Sixers, the initiative aims to celebrate cricket culture in a special way by dedicating an exclusive fan zone to one of the world’s finest cricketers, Babar Azam. Fans have been encouraged to join the excitement when the Sixers face the Adelaide Strikers in their opening match on December 17. A promotional video featuring the 31-year-old Babar Azam was also shared by the franchise, inviting fans to visit his special fan bay during the team’s home games at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The “Babaristan” bay will be open for the Sixers’ home fixtures scheduled for December 17 against the Adelaide Strikers, December 26 against the Melbourne Stars, January 5, 2026, against the Brisbane Heat, January 11 against the Hobart Hurricanes, and January 16 against the Sydney Thunder. The upcoming 15th edition of the BBL will feature 44 matches, all set to be played in early-evening slots from December 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026. The tournament will open with a blockbuster match between two of the league’s most successful teams — the Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Sixers — at Perth Stadium. The opening game is expected to attract major attention, particularly with Babar Azam making his long-awaited BBL debut for the Sixers. Several other Pakistani players will also be part of this season’s BBL. Shaheen Afridi has been picked by the Brisbane Heat as the first overseas and platinum pick, while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has joined the Melbourne Renegades. Right-arm pacer Haris Rauf has been retained by the Melbourne Stars, all-rounder Hassan Khan will return to the Renegades, leg-spinner and Pakistan’s T20I vice-captain Shadab Khan has signed with the Sydney Thunder, and pacer Hasan Ali has been picked by the Adelaide Strikers.

24/10/2025

Bangladesh clinched their first One-Day International series victory in over a year with a commanding 179-run win against the West Indies in the third and final match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday. Openers Soumya Sarkar and Saif Hassan laid a solid foundation for the hosts, combining for a dazzling 176-run stand that set the tone for Bangladesh’s total of 296 for eight. The bowlers then delivered a ruthless performance, bundling out the visitors for just 117 in 30.1 overs to seal the series 2-1. Sarkar played a brilliant knock of 91 from 86 balls, while Saif added 80 off 72 deliveries, making it Bangladesh’s second-highest opening partnership in ODIs and their first century stand at the venue in a decade. The partnership was broken in the 26th over when Roston Chase had Saif caught at long-on, while Sarkar fell soon after, nine short of his century. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy tried to keep the momentum going, adding a 50-run stand for the third wicket, before the West Indies managed to regain some control in the latter part of the innings. Akeal Hosein sparked a mini-collapse by taking three wickets in a single over, but Bangladesh still finished strongly, hitting 14 sixes—matching their record for the most in an ODI. In reply, the West Indies never looked settled. Nasum Ahmed struck early, removing Alick Athanaze and Ackeem Auguste lbw and then bowling Brandon King for 18. Tanvir Islam sent captain Shai Hope back to the pavilion, and Rishad Hossain wrapped up the tail, leaving the visitors all out for 117 in just 30 overs. The emphatic triumph not only gave Bangladesh their first ODI series win since March 2024 but also marked their biggest victory margin over the West Indies in the format.

24/10/2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its squads for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, as well as the T20I tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. For the T20I matches, a 15-member squad has been selected, featuring the return of Abdul Samad, Babar Azam, and Naseem Shah, who were absent from previous events. Usman Tariq, a promising fast bowler, has earned his maiden call-up to the national T20I squad. This marks the comeback of Babar Azam and Naseem Shah to the shorter format, as both last played for Pakistan in 2024. Usman Tariq has been one of the standout performers in recent limited-overs tournaments. Representing Quetta Gladiators in two Pakistan Super League (PSL) seasons, he took 12 wickets in 10 matches. His impressive performances continued in the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), where he played a key role for the champion team Trinbago Knight Riders, claiming 20 wickets in 10 games and finishing as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker. The T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa will be held in Rawalpindi and Lahore from 28 October to 1 November, followed by the T20I tri-series from 17 to 29 November at the same venues. Pakistan and South Africa, currently playing the second Test in Rawalpindi, will also face each other in a three-match ODI series at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from 4 to 8 November. After that, Pakistan will play another three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 11 to 15 November, with Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, and Haseebullah making their return to the ODI setup. The 15-member T20I squad includes Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), and Usman Tariq. The reserve players are Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Sufiyan Moqim.

23/10/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus Australia sealed a 2-0 series victory over India with a thrilling two-wicket win in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval, chasing down 265 with 22 balls to spare. The hosts were led by Matthew Short’s career-best 74 and Cooper Connolly’s unbeaten 61, after spinner Adam Zampa and pacer Xavier Bartlett had earlier shared seven wickets to restrict India to 264 for nine. India’s innings revolved around half-centuries from Rohit Sharma (73) and Shreyas Iyer (61), who added 118 runs for the third wicket. However, the rest of the batting lineup struggled, with Virat Kohli suffering another failure — his second consecutive duck, marking the first time in his ODI career he’s been dismissed for zero in back-to-back innings. Bartlett struck twice early to remove Shubman Gill and Kohli in the same over, while Zampa’s four-wicket haul ensured India never gained full control. Australia’s chase got off to a slow start as openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head fell early to Arshdeep Singh and Harsh*t Rana, leaving the hosts under pressure at 132 for four. Short, however, steadied the innings with controlled aggression, making the most of India’s sloppy fielding after being dropped on 14 and surviving a run-out chance. Batting alongside Connolly and debutant Mitchell Owen, he guided Australia past the 200 mark before falling for 74 off 78 deliveries. Owen added a brisk 36 off 23 balls, providing crucial momentum in the middle overs. Connolly, who had managed only 10 runs in his previous three ODI innings, showed remarkable composure as wickets tumbled around him. Despite a late scare when Australia lost three wickets in quick succession, he held firm to finish unbeaten on 61 from 53 balls, steering his team home in the 47th over. For India, Axar Patel was one of the few positives, contributing 44 off 41 balls at No.5 and picking up a wicket. The Indian bowlers, led by Arshdeep and Siraj, began strongly but couldn’t maintain pressure once the Australian middle order settled in. Missed chances in the field, including a dropped catch off Short, proved costly. The result handed Australia a series win with one match still to play, turning the third ODI in Sydney into a dead rubber. For India, it was another disappointing outing under Shubman Gill’s early captaincy, marked by inconsistency with the bat and uncharacteristic fielding lapses. Australia, meanwhile, will be encouraged by the performances of their younger players like Short, Connolly, and Owen, who provided a glimpse of the team’s future strength heading toward the 2027 World Cup.

23/10/2025

South Africa secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second Test at Rawalpindi on Thursday, leveling the two-match series 1-1. The win was powered by off-spinner Simon Harmer, who claimed a maiden five-wicket haul and reached a remarkable milestone of 1,000 first-class wickets. The 36-year-old finished with outstanding figures of 6 for 50 on a deteriorating Rawalpindi pitch that offered sharp turn and variable bounce. Chasing a modest target of 68, South Africa reached the goal comfortably before lunch, losing only two wickets — captain Aiden Markram, who top-scored with 42, and Tristan Stubbs, who fell for a duck. Both were dismissed by Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who ended with figures of 2 for 40. Ryan Rickelton remained unbeaten on 25 and sealed the emphatic win by hitting Sajid Khan for a six, guiding the World Test Championship holders home in style. Earlier, Pakistan had been bowled out for 333 in their first innings, while South Africa managed 404 in reply, aided by valuable contributions from their lower order, which gave them a crucial 71-run lead. The series proved to be dominated by spin, as 34 of the 40 wickets fell to slow bowlers across both Tests. Pakistan had won the opening Test in Lahore by 93 runs, but their batting faltered again in the second match. Resuming the fourth day on 94 for 4, Pakistan’s hopes of saving the Test were dashed early when Harmer struck with the fifth ball of the morning, trapping Babar Azam leg-before for 54. Babar’s dismissal ended Pakistan’s last realistic chance of posting a defendable total and extended his century drought, which dates back to December 2022. Nine runs later, Harmer dismissed Mohammad Rizwan for 18, caught close in by Tony de Zorzi. In his very next over, Harmer removed Noman Ali for a duck — his 1,000th wicket in first-class cricket — an achievement that placed him among an elite group of South Africans alongside Mike Procter, Allan Donald, and Charlie Llewellyn. Pakistan’s tail offered little resistance, collapsing for just 33 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi was run out without scoring, while Keshav Maharaj chipped in with two wickets, dismissing Salman Agha for 28 and Sajid Khan for 13 to wrap up the innings. Maharaj finished with 2 for 34, adding to his seven-wicket haul from the first innings. With this win, South Africa not only leveled the series but also showcased the strength of their spin department, with Harmer emerging as the standout performer and etching his name into the record books. Pakistan, on the other hand, will rue their repeated batting failures that cost them a series victory at home.

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