Babar Azam created several records as Pakistan defeated the West Indies by eight wickets at Queen’s Park Oval. The victory levelled the two-Test series 1-1 and ended Pakistan’s eight-match losing run in away Tests. Babar shared the Player of the Series award with West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves. The Pakistan captain scored 192 runs across four innings. His tally included 22 and an unbeaten 58 in the first Test, followed by 88 and 24 not out in Port of Spain. The award marked Babar’s first Player of the Series honour in Test cricket. It also took his overall tally across formats to 10. That put him level with Imran Khan and Wasim Akram for the most such awards by a Pakistan player. Imran collected eight awards in Tests and two in ODIs. Wasim won seven in Tests and three in ODIs. Babar’s collection now includes one Test award, four in ODIs and five in T20Is. Waqar Younis follows with nine. Captaincy Record Strengthens The result gave Babar his ninth away Test victory in 12 matches as Pakistan captain. His away win-loss ratio now stands at 3.00. That is the best among captains who have led in at least 12 away Tests, moving him ahead of Australia’s Steve Waugh. Read More: Pakistan Set Unwanted Away Test Record After West Indies Loss Pakistan had lost the opening Test by 90 runs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The defeat extended their record away losing streak to eight matches. However, Babar’s side answered strongly and secured Pakistan’s first overseas Test win since July 2023. “You are always satisfied when you win,” Babar said after the match. He also praised the team for executing its batting and bowling plans under pressure. Abdullah and Sajid Power Comeback West Indies scored 344 in their first innings, but Pakistan replied with 387. Abdullah Shafique led the response with an unbeaten 160, while Babar contributed 88 from 147 balls. Their partnership helped Pakistan earn a crucial 43-run advantage. “This comeback match felt like a debut for me,” Abdullah said after receiving the Player of the Match award. His innings also made him Pakistan’s first batter since 1977 to score more than 150 in a Test innings in the West Indies. Read More: Babar Azam Joins Elite List After Stunning PSL Final Victory Sajid Khan led the bowling attack. The off-spinner claimed four wickets in each innings and finished with eight in the match. Debutant left-arm spinner Ali Usman supported him as Pakistan dismissed West Indies for 117 in their second innings. Pakistan needed 75 runs to win. They lost Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais before Babar and Abdullah completed the chase. Babar sealed the victory with consecutive sixes off Jomel Warrican as Pakistan reached 77 for two. The result marked the third consecutive 1-1 Test series between the teams. Pakistan will next face England in a three-Test series starting at Headingley on August 19.
Which Teams Will Play Cricket at LA28? ICC Reveals the Full Plan
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have confirmed the qualification pathway for cricket’s return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028. They also announced the first ever ICC Olympics Qualifier. Cricket will return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900. Six teams will compete in both the men’s and women’s T20 tournaments. Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania will each have guaranteed representation. The ICC will award five qualification places through existing ICC tournaments and the ICC T20I rankings. The new ICC Olympics Qualifier in 2027 will decide the sixth and final spot in both competitions. The ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has already produced the first qualifiers. Australia, Great Britain through England, India and South Africa secured Olympic places after finishing as the highest ranked eligible teams from their respective continents. Each continent could qualify only one nation. Rankings and new qualifier to decide remaining teams The USA can qualify automatically as host in both competitions. However, each team must enter the top 15 of the relevant ICC T20I rankings between June 30 and December 31, 2026. If either USA team misses that target, the ICC will award the automatic place to the next highest ranked eligible nation. The West Indies cannot compete directly because they represent several Caribbean countries instead of one IOC recognised National Olympic Committee. If either West Indies team ranks among the top eight non qualified sides by December 31, 2026, the region will stage a Caribbean Qualifier. The winning National Olympic Committee will then enter the ICC Olympics Qualifier in 2027. The ICC will determine the remaining men’s automatic places through the ICC Men’s T20I rankings. The highest ranked eligible teams from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania will book direct places at LA28. The ICC Olympics Qualifier will feature eight men’s teams and eight women’s teams. The ICC will announce the dates and host country later. ICC says Olympic return will grow the game ICC Chairman Jay Shah welcomed the announcement and described it as a major milestone. “Cricket’s return to the Olympic Games is a landmark moment for our sport and a powerful opportunity to showcase the very best of cricket to the world. The confirmation of this qualification pathway is an important step towards Los Angeles 2028 and gives Members across the world a clear and exciting route to the Olympic stage.” He added: “The Olympic Games represent the pinnacle of multi event sport, and cricket’s inclusion at LA28 will inspire players and fans in every region. This is an historic moment, and one of great opportunity for our Members, as we continue to grow the game and take it to new audiences around the world.” ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said: “Cricket’s return to the Olympic Games gives the sport a unique showcase on global sport’s grandest stage, supporting its introduction to new audiences and development in emerging markets, while providing the Olympic movement a gateway into the hearts and minds of more than two billion Cricket fans.” He added: “This qualification structure has been designed to optimise competitive standards and global representation within the IOC and LA28 participation guidelines. We are leveraging the existing ICC elite competition structure and introducing a new qualification event, which adds an exciting new milestone on the journey to LA28.” Each qualified nation can select a squad of 15 players. The six teams will compete in two groups of three. Every team will play two group matches and two crossover matches. The top two teams will compete for gold. The third and fourth placed teams will play for bronze. Organisers will stage all 28 matches at the purpose built cricket venue in Pomona, California.
T20 World Cup Uncertainty Continues as Ireland Confirms It Will Not Play in India
Cricket Ireland has firmly stated that Ireland will not play its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage matches in India, dismissing speculation that a group swap with Bangladesh was being considered. The clarification comes after claims from Bangladesh that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) to explore exchanging groups with Ireland due to security concerns related to travel and participation in India. A Cricket Ireland official confirmed that the matter has been conclusively settled. “We’ve received definitive assurances that we won’t move from the original schedule. We’re definitely playing the group stage in Sri Lanka,” the official said. Ireland fixed in Sri Lanka-based group Ireland have been drawn in Group C, alongside Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe and Oman, with all of their group-stage matches scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka, one of the two co-hosts of the tournament. Cricket Ireland’s stance makes clear that the board has no intention of relocating its matches to India, regardless of any discussions involving other teams or groups. Bangladesh seeks venue change Bangladesh, meanwhile, are placed in Group B with West Indies, England, Nepal and Italy. Under the current schedule, Bangladesh are due to play their first three matches in Kolkata — against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9 and England on February 14 — before facing Nepal in Mumbai on February 17. The BCB confirmed that it raised the possibility of a group change during a meeting with ICC officials in Dhaka, citing concerns over the safety and security of its players, support staff, fans and media personnel. In a statement, the board said that “among other points, the possibility of moving Bangladesh to a different group as a means of facilitating the matter with minimum logistical adjustments was discussed.” However, Cricket Ireland’s confirmation indicates that any such proposal does not involve Ireland, and that the original group allocations remain intact. ICC discussions yield no change The ICC delegation at the Dhaka meeting included Gaurav Saxena, General Manager for Events and Corporate Communications, and Andrew Ephgrave, General Manager of the ICC Integrity Unit. Saxena joined the discussions virtually after receiving his Bangladesh visa later than expected, while Ephgrave attended in person. The BCB delegation was led by president Md Aminul Islam, along with vice-presidents Md Shakawath Hossain and Faruque Ahmed, Director and Cricket Operations Committee chairman Nazmul Abedeen, and CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury. In a separate statement, the BCB reiterated that it had formally requested the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, adding that the request reflected concerns expressed by the Bangladeshi government. Tensions remain The BCB has maintained that it is unwilling to send its team to India under the current circumstances, pointing to heightened tensions following Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s withdrawal from the Indian Premier League, an episode that sparked strong reactions in Dhaka. Despite the disagreement, the BCB said discussions with the ICC were conducted in a “constructive, cordial and professional” manner, and that dialogue on the issue would continue. Tournament overview The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. While Bangladesh’s participation venues remain under discussion, Cricket Ireland has made it clear that Ireland’s group-stage fixtures will remain in Sri Lanka and will not be shifted to India.
