The participation of Australian cricketers in PSL 2026 is in serious doubt amid rising geopolitical tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have triggered fresh security concerns. The tournament is scheduled to begin on 26 March, but reports indicate that players such as Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell are reconsidering their participation due to growing safety concerns.

Several prominent Australian players are participating in the 11th edition of the tournament, including Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Adam Zampa, Aaron Hardie, and others. Most of these players were the ones who remained unsold in the mini-auction for IPL 2026.

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In this situation, the best option for them was Pakistan's T20 league. All of them chose the PSL, but deteriorating conditions along the border with Afghanistan have created uncertainty about these players' ability to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.

Cricket Australia raises urgent safety alarms as Australian stars reconsider participation

Amid ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Cricket Australia is closely monitoring the situation and prioritizing player safety. Reports indicate that Peshawar has been designated a no-travel zone for Australian cricketers, despite being scheduled to host two matches in the upcoming Pakistan Super League season. Given the city’s proximity to the Afghanistan border, concerns have escalated over potential security risks, particularly in the event of any retaliatory action following recent military developments.

At the same time, several Australian players are reportedly weighing their options for participation in the tournament given the current circumstances. Although no official withdrawals have been confirmed to date, the uncertainty surrounding the situation has put players in a difficult position. Should any decisions to withdraw emerge in the coming days, it would not come as a surprise given the prevailing conditions.

Potential mass withdrawal of global stars could threaten the future of the tournament

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s flagship T20 league has historically struggled to secure consistent participation from high-profile overseas players. This has largely been due to scheduling clashes with international commitments and the dominance of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where most cricket boards readily grant permission for their players to participate. In comparison, approvals for the PSL have remained limited.

This season, however, the tournament has attracted several prominent Australian and international names, raising hopes of improved global attention and fan engagement. That optimism is now under threat, as the potential withdrawal of overseas players could significantly impact the league’s appeal and overall stability.

Recent developments have further deepened these concerns. Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani, West Indies’ Gudakesh Motie, and Australia’s Spencer Johnson have already withdrawn, drawing criticism toward the PCB. With uncertainty continuing to grow, any decision by major stars such as Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell to opt out could further diminish the tournament’s star power and overall appeal.

Cricket Australia (CA) has decided to extend its hand to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) post the T20 World Cup 2026 boycott as they will be locked in with confirmation of the dates for the two-match Test series down under in August. The opening Test will take place at the Marrara Stadium in Darwin between August 13 and 17, with the Great Barrier Reef Arena hosting the second from August 22-26.

It will be the first red-ball series between the two countries since 2017 and only the second staged in Australia after they previously met 23 years ago. They were due to face each other in Bangladesh in mid-2020, but the series was later cancelled because of COVID-19.

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“It is no secret the international calendar is now crowded, and we're fortunate to have world-class facilities available in August, ensuring we have another window for Test cricket outside summer.” The chief executive of Cricket Australia, Todd Greenberg, expressed that both games will be part of the ongoing cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC).

Australia to host Bangladesh for two Tests in August in 2026

It will be the start of the hectic run in the format for Australia, where they will feature in at least 20 matches between August 2024 and July 2025. Both Darwin and Mackay were part of their white-ball top-end series against South Africa last year, as Darwin staged two previous tests against the same side in 2003 and later against Sri Lanka in 2004.

The Mackay fixture will act as one of Queensland’s one Test of the next season, with the Gabba missing out on hosting New Zealand in the main summer. Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney will host those four games against the Kiwis, as planning has been underway for the future of the Gabba.

After facing Bangladesh, they will head to South Africa for three Tests before returning home for the summer against the Kiwis, which ends with a white-ball series by England. Post that, they will travel to India for the five-match red-ball series during January and February, and will also host England for the MCG Test in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the format.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fast bowler Josh Hazlewood may miss the opening matches of the T20 World Cup 2026, as he will stay in Sydney to continue his recovery from an Achilles injury. Right-arm pacer Sean Abbott, who played in Australia’s recent series against Pakistan, has been named as a reserve in the squad.

The 35-year-old has not played in recent weeks. He missed the start of the 2025–26 Ashes series due to a hamstring strain and later suffered an Achilles problem while returning to fitness.

Hazlewood was initially sidelined with a hamstring injury before the Achilles setback occurred. After reviewing his condition, Cricket Australia’s medical team decided he should remain at home and focus on regaining full fitness before linking up with the World Cup group.

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Selector Gives Fitness Update on Hazlewood

Providing an update on Josh Hazlewood’s fitness, selector Tony Dodemaide said, as quoted by Cricket Australia, that it was better for the fast bowler to continue his recovery at home.

“We felt it was more practical and helpful for Josh to continue his rehabilitation in a familiar setting before travelling to Sri Lanka,” Dodemaide said.

Josh Hazlewood could miss the early stages of the T20 World Cup as he will remain in Sydney to continue his rehabilitation from an Achilles issue with Sean Abbott added to Australia's squad as a travelling reserve pic.twitter.com/EGJmARN8YM

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 2, 2026

Cummins Ruled Out, Others Join Squad

As Hazlewood races against time, Cricket Australia confirmed on January 31 that Pat Cummins will miss the T20 World Cup 2026 due to an ongoing back problem. Left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis has been named as his replacement.

Meanwhile, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Ellis, and Tim David are set to join the Australian squad in Colombo on Tuesday. The trio missed the Pakistan tour and will be available for the warm-up match against the Netherlands on Thursday, February 5.

Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

The 2021 champions have been placed in Group B for the T20 World Cup 2026. Australia will begin their campaign against Ireland on February 11 in Colombo. They will then face Zimbabwe on February 13 in Colombo, Sri Lanka on February 16 in Kandy, and Oman on February 20, also in Kandy.

Australia Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Australia’s squad includes Mitch Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa.

Sean Abbott has been named as the travelling reserve.

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December 2025. He became the first Australian player in two years to win the award.

Starc received the honour after a brilliant Ashes series at home. He played a key role in Australia’s bowling attack and also scored important runs in the lower order.

Speaking about the award, Starc said it was a proud moment for him. He added that winning the Ashes at home made it even more special. Starc said playing a part in such a famous series in front of home fans was something the team would remember for a long time.

He also said the team has produced many strong performances in recent years. Starc added that the focus is now on keeping the momentum going and securing a place in next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final.

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Starc’s Fiery Form in December

During the series against England, Mitchell Starc delivered key breakthroughs at crucial moments. He picked up important wickets and kept pressure on the opposition throughout the series. Starc also made useful contributions with the bat, scoring valuable lower-order runs that helped Australia stay in control during tight phases.

His all-round effort played a major role in Australia’s convincing Ashes series win and once again showed why he is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in world cricket.

An Ashes-defining month sees an Australian pace spearhead clinch the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December 2025 🔥

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/rLedvRXAq6 pic.twitter.com/O8KvXWenyz

— ICC (@ICC) January 15, 2026

Recognition and Team Effort

Starc was selected ahead of other strong performers, including New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy and West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves. His consistent impact across matches in December made him a clear choice for the award.

Reacting to the honour, Starc credited the success to the team effort and said he was proud to contribute to Australia’s Ashes victory. He added that such awards reflect not only individual performance but also the support of teammates.

The award also marked Australia’s return to the ICC Player of the Month winners list after Pat Cummins’ win in December 2023. This recognition further strengthens Starc’s status as a world-class fast bowler and highlights his importance to Australia as the team prepares for future international challenges.

Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn’s family has released a statement about his battle with meningitis. Martyn was hospitalised after feeling unwell and was found in a critical condition on December 26. His health worsened, and he was placed in an induced coma.

Martyn’s family has now confirmed that the former Australian batter is improving with treatment, bringing relief to the cricketing community.

“Damien is progressing well with his medical treatment. We also want to express our deepest appreciation to the medical team at Gold Coast University Hospital, who have been nothing short of amazing throughout this challenging time. This has been a trying time, and the family ask that you respect their privacy.”

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Damien Martyn has woken from a life-threatening coma after being hospitalised with meningitis.

MORE | https://t.co/I3dJNtcRhO pic.twitter.com/aLMCY9pvEL

— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) January 4, 2026

Damien Martyn’s Recovery and Career Highlights

Martyn’s former Australian teammate, Adam Gilchrist, had said a few days ago that the 54-year-old is recovering well. Martyn is one of Australia’s most successful batters, scoring almost 10,000 international runs with 18 centuries in 279 matches.

Star Performance in the 2004 Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Damien Martyn played key roles against India, especially in the 2004 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India. After an important 88* in the 2003 ODI World Cup final, he showed his skills against spin in the four-Test series the next year.

After a quiet first Test, Martyn scored a brilliant 104 in the second Test in Chennai, helping Australia secure a draw. He saved his best for the third Test in Nagpur, scoring 114 and 97 in the two innings, leading Australia to a 342-run win.

Martyn finished the series with another fine half-century in the final Test in Mumbai under tough batting conditions. He was the series’ top run-scorer with 444 runs at an average of over 55, helping Australia win the series 2-1.

Veteran Australian batter Usman Khawaja has announced that he will retire from international cricket after the 2025–26 Ashes series. The fifth Test in Sydney, starting on Sunday, January 4, will be his final match for Australia.

Khawaja made his Test debut in 2011 and had an up-and-down career. He played 87 Test matches and scored 6,206 runs at an average of 43.39, including 16 centuries. He was part of the Australian team that won the 2023 World Test Championship and also reached the final again two years later.

Speaking ahead of the Sydney Test, Khawaja said he is happy to retire on his own terms at the SCG, a ground he loves. He admitted that the start of the series was difficult and not being picked initially for the Adelaide Test made him feel it was time to move on.

With that in mind, let us look at three reasons why Usman Khawaja's retirement from Test cricket after the 2025–26 Ashes may not be the right decision.

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3. Australia Lack a Clear Backup Plan

Australia do not have a clear plan to replace Usman Khawaja. A similar situation happened a few years ago when David Warner retired during the home season. Even though Australia had time to plan, the transition did not go well. Moving Steve Smith up the order failed, while Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney did not get enough chances. Marnus Labuschagne also had to open briefly.

Khawaja was the one stable player in a confused batting unit. With his exit, Australia now face a big problem. They can either push Travis Head to open and strengthen the middle order with players like Josh Inglis and Jake Weatherald, or bring in a completely new opening pair from domestic cricket. Neither option is ideal, especially as the new World Test Championship cycle has just begun. Australia would have preferred more stability, and Khawaja provided exactly that.

2. His Experience Was Crucial for Tough Tours

Khawaja became a much better player against spin after the 2021 Ashes. He played a key role in Australia’s wins in Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka on the way to the 2023 World Test Championship final. Since 2022, he has scored 1,261 runs in subcontinent Tests at an average of 84, making him Australia’s best batter in such conditions.

Australia are set to tour Bangladesh and India later in the WTC cycle. They have not played a Test series in Bangladesh for 11 years and have not won a series in India since 2004. In the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Khawaja was Australia’s top scorer. Replacing a player with such a strong record will be difficult, and any poor result could hurt Australia’s chances of reaching the WTC final.

1. Australia Will Miss His Versatility

Khawaja has helped Australia many times with his flexibility. He returned to the team in the 2021–22 Ashes at No.5 and scored two centuries in Sydney. He then became a regular opener and held the role for four years. Even recently, when Steve Smith missed a Test in Adelaide, Khawaja moved back to the middle order and scored an important half-century.

With many tough matches ahead, Australia needed experienced players who could adjust to different roles. Khawaja was one such player. Without him, the team will now have to depend on new faces and show patience as they settle into the side.

The cricket world was shocked after former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn was reported to be seriously ill and placed in an induced coma. He fell sick on Boxing Day and was admitted to the Gold Coast University Hospital, where he is being treated for meningitis.

Former teammate Adam Gilchrist shared an update on Martyn’s health during a Big Bash League match between Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers. Gilchrist said Martyn is still in the hospital, but added that recent medical tests have shown positive signs over the last 24 hours.

Gilchrist also thanked fans for their support and prayers. He said there has been a lot of love for Martyn, calling him a great player and a wonderful person, and expressed hope that he continues to recover.

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#cricket 🏏 Former Australian Test star Damien Martyn is making progress in his battle against meningitis, with close friend Adam Gilchrist providing an update ▶️ https://t.co/L2z4IYQ2g2 pic.twitter.com/Pw21HjGvkt

— The Daily Telegraph (@dailytelegraph) January 1, 2026

Adam Gilchrist thanked fans and well-wishers on behalf of Damien Martyn and his family for the love and support during this difficult time.

“On behalf of Damien Martyn, a great friend and former teammate, and on behalf of his family and his partner, Amanda, thank you to everyone for the heartfelt love, wishes, and care,” Gilchrist said. He added that Martyn’s family truly appreciated the concern shown by people.

Gilchrist also shared that he had played with Martyn at the under-17 level, as well as for Western Australia and Australia, and described him as a close friend.

Former cricketers send support messages

Several former cricketers wished Martyn a speedy recovery. Former Australia Test player Rodney Hogg said, “We wish him all the best. This is shocking news.”

Former teammate Darren Lehmann shared a message on X, saying, “Lots of love and prayers to Damien Martyn. Stay strong and keep fighting. Love to the family.”

Ex-Western Australia teammate Ryan Campbell also posted his support, saying he was sending love and best wishes to Martyn and his family.

Thoughts and prayers to Damien Martyn and his family. Keep fighting bud!

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) December 31, 2025

Thoughts and prayers with @damienmartyn for a speedy recovery. You’re a fighter, champ…and all of us are rooting for you. Godspeed 🙌

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 31, 2025

Thoughts are with @damienmartyn

Prayers to see him bounce back🙏

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 31, 2025

Cricket world prays for Martyn’s recovery

Since the news of Martyn’s serious condition came out, there has been concern across the cricket world and among fans. Former cricketers such as Dale Steyn, Ravichandran Ashwin, Aakash Chopra, VVS Laxman, and Michael Vaughan also wished for the 54-year-old’s quick recovery.

The 2025 calendar year displayed some fabulous performance in the longest format, which included South Africa’s maiden World Test Championship (WTC) 2023/25 title-winning victory against Australia in the final at Lord’s under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, who has been appointed as the leader for the Test XI of Cricket Australia in 2025.

For the opening spots, they have picked KL Rahul and Travis Head, with the Indian batter accumulating 813 runs in 19 innings at an average of 45.16 with the help of three centuries at the best score of 137. Meanwhile, Head clubbed 817 runs at 40.85. Joe Root, like every year, has found his place at three with 805 runs in 18 innings at 50.31.

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Shubman Gill has been fabulous in Tests this year and has got his name at number four with 983 runs at 70.21, thanks to five centuries at the best score of 269. Bavuma, at number five, has recorded 310 runs at 51.66 in Tests.

Cricket Australia picks Test XI in 2025

Alex Carey, who has always been the biggest contributor for Australia whenever they find themselves under pressure, finds their place at number six with 767 runs at an average of under 48 with two centuries. Ben Stokes remains the premier all-rounder for his 496 runs in 16 innings, thanks to one century, besides his 33 wickets in 23.12.

Mitchell Starc, who had a dream campaign in 2025, ended 2025 as the leading Test wicket-taker with 55 scalps at 17.32, finds his obvious place along with Jasprit Bumrah, who has bagged 31 wickets in eight innings at 22.16.

Scott Boland is the fourth pacer of the side with 32 wickets in 12 innings at an average of 15, while Simon Harmer's 30 wickets in eight Test innings at 14.30 make him the eleventh person. Ravindra Jadeja becomes the 12th man of the Test team.

Cricket Australia’s Test XI of 2025

KL Rahul, Travis Head, Joe Root, Shubman Gill, Temba Bavuma (C), Alex Carey, Ben Stokes, Mitchell Starc, Jasprit Bumrah, Scott Boland, Simon Harmer. 

When it comes to Test cricket, there must be a balance between bat and ball; otherwise, it becomes quite one-sided for one aspect of the game. The fourth Ashes 2025/26 Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) ended in less than two days, which was shorter in length than the opening fixture at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

The two-day finish at the MCG will now hit the financial structure of Cricket Australia, which is set to lose a massive amount for no cricket in the last three days of the clash. It has already happened during the Western Australia Test. The CA executive discussed the nightmare circumstances.

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“I didn't sleep well last night, put it that way. It was an amazing day of Test cricket, so for that record number of people who were here, boy, they've had an experience. But our challenge is to make sure we can continue those experiences day after day. That's the challenge for all of us.” Todd Grenberg, the CA chief executive, added.

CA chief executive reacts to two-day finish of Ashes 2025/26 in MCG

England’s captain, Ben Stokes, wasn’t happy either with the two-day finish as he lamented the Boxing Day, which saw 36 wickets falling in the six sessions of the Test. Both innings were finished for 20 wickets inside the opening day of the Melbourne Test before England completed the four-wicket win.

“It's hard not to get more involved when you see the impact on the sport, especially commercially. I'm not suggesting I'll go around talking to ground staff, but we do have to have a careful eye on what our expectations are over the course of a summer.” Greenberg addressed.

“The pitch had plenty in it, and the bowlers were always in the game. The message was to stay positive, not let the bowlers settle, and make them keep running in and hitting those tough areas. I thought the way we balanced intent with discipline was brilliant. It took courage, but the lads handled it superbly.” Stokes concluded.