Cricket Highlights May 22: Babar Azam Returns, SRH Records & CSK Star Retires
Cricket Highlights: Babar Azam’s Return, SRH’s Record-Breaking Feat, and a CSK Veteran’s Retirement on May 22
The cricketing landscape was abuzz with significant developments on Friday, May 22, as major announcements shaped the future of several national teams and a prominent figure bid farewell to a celebrated career. This eventful day saw a crucial return for Pakistan’s national side, a remarkable display of batting power in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and an international squad declaration, alongside a veteran all-rounder’s retirement. These five key stories dominated discussions and set new precedents in the sport.
Babar Azam Returns as Pakistan Names Squad for Australia ODIs
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Australia, scheduled to commence shortly. A major highlight of this selection is the highly anticipated return of star batter Babar Azam to the national fold. Azam’s inclusion is a significant boost for the team, especially following his absence from Pakistan’s recent ODI series against Bangladesh, where his leadership and batting prowess were noticeably missed. His comeback is expected to bolster the team’s top order and provide crucial stability ahead of a challenging series against a strong Australian side.
Conversely, senior wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, a consistent performer in recent years, has been notably excluded from the squad. This decision by the selectors reportedly stems from a period of comparatively lackluster returns with the bat in recent outings, prompting the PCB to explore other options and ensure players are selected purely on current form. The squad will continue to be led by the dynamic pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi, who retains his captaincy. All-rounder Salman Agha has been named as his deputy, indicating a broader leadership role for him within the team hierarchy and hinting at future responsibilities.
Salman Agha Poised to Replace Shan Masood as Test Captain
Significant changes are anticipated within Pakistan’s Test leadership following the national team’s disappointing 0-2 series defeat in Bangladesh. Reports suggest that the PCB is likely to relieve Shan Masood of his Test captaincy responsibilities. Masood’s tenure as Test skipper has unfortunately been marked by a poor win percentage, placing him among the captains with the least successful records in Pakistan’s Test history. The recent whitewash against Bangladesh has intensified pressure on the team management to make decisive changes for future assignments.
According to reliable sources within Geo News, the PCB is reportedly considering T20I skipper Salman Agha as Pakistan’s next Test captain. Agha, who has recently been elevated to vice-captaincy in the ODI squad, appears to be a frontrunner for the prestigious role. Pakistan’s next Test challenge awaits in July this year, when they embark on an away two-match series against the West Indies. This potential leadership change underscores a strategic shift by the PCB to bring in fresh perspectives and potentially more assertive leadership for the Test format.
Ireland Names Squad for Crucial New Zealand Test
Cricket Ireland has officially unveiled its 14-member squad for the upcoming solitary Test match against New Zealand, a significant fixture for the emerging Test nation. The squad sees the experienced Andrew Balbirnie continue his role as captain, leading a team that blends seasoned campaigners with promising talents. Key performers such as Harry Tector, known for his elegant batting, Lorcan Tucker, a dependable wicketkeeper-batter, and the all-round capabilities of Curtis Campher, are all included, forming the core of Ireland’s challenge against the Black Caps.
However, the Irish side will be without several key players due to injuries. Notable absentees include explosive batter Paul Stirling, pace bowler Barry McCarthy, the promising Josh Little, spinner Gavin Hoey, and young talent Jordan Neill. Their absence presents both a challenge and an opportunity for other players to step up and make their mark on the international stage. Furthermore, the board has strategically included four potential debutants in the squad, signaling a clear intent to broaden their talent pool and provide exposure to the next generation of Irish cricketers in the longest format of the game.
Vijay Shankar Announces Retirement from Domestic Cricket and IPL
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Vijay Shankar has announced his retirement from all forms of domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). This significant decision, made by the 35-year-old, opens the door for him to explore opportunities in various overseas franchise T20 leagues around the world. Shankar, who was once a regular fixture in the Indian national team setup during 2018 and 2019, had a promising career that included representing his country in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 held in England, where he was famously dubbed a ‘3D player’ by then-chief selector MSK Prasad.
Despite his past prominence, Shankar’s recent competitive cricket appearances have been scarce. His last recorded match was for Tripura in their Group C Ranji Trophy 2025-26 fixture against Gujarat approximately four months ago. His retirement from the Indian domestic circuit and the IPL marks the end of an era for a player who showed immense potential and contributed significantly with both bat and ball for his various teams, including a memorable stint with CSK where he showcased his all-round abilities.
SRH Shatters Records Against RCB with Three 500+ Run Scorers
In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) etched their name into the IPL history books during Match 67 of the IPL 2026 season against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Batting first, SRH posted a monumental total of 255-4 in their allotted 20 overs, a score that not only challenged but ultimately broke several batting records. The innings was characterized by an onslaught of boundaries and sixes, primarily driven by three exceptional individual performances.
Dynamic young opener Abhishek Sharma, explosive wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, and the prolific Heinrich Klaasen all bludgeoned fiery half-centuries, forming the backbone of SRH’s colossal total. Kishan’s blistering knock was particularly significant as it enabled him to cross the coveted 500-run mark for the IPL 2026 season. Joining him in this exclusive club were Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen, who also amassed over 500 runs each in the tournament. With this remarkable collective achievement, the SRH franchise has now become only the second team in the entire history of the IPL to boast three batters accumulating 500 or more runs in a single edition of the tournament. This extraordinary feat underscores SRH’s aggressive batting philosophy and the consistent form of their key players, making them a formidable force in the league.
