Babar Azam cleared for BBL, Maxwell returns and PAK in pink - October 24 Cricket highlights

Babar Azam and Glenn Maxwell [Source: AFP]

The PCB has granted NOCs to Babar Azam and several other international stars to participate in the BBL 2025-26 season. The Asia Cup 2025 trophy has been reportedly moved from the ACC headquarters to an undisclosed location. In other news, Glenn Maxwell will be making his international return through the upcoming T20I series against India.

Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Friday, October 24.

Babar Azam, Shaheen and Rizwan cleared for BBL 2025-26 by PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to seven Pakistan cricketers, including legendary batter Babar Azam, to participate in the upcoming 2025-26 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). Apart from Babar, other Pakistani players cleared to participate in the Australian T20 competition later this year are Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali and Hassan Khan. Earlier this year, the PCB had temporarily suspended all NOCs for international leagues. However, the board has now decided to allow players who had prior contracts to participate in BBL 15.

Pakistan to wear pink jersey vs SA in first T20I

The Pakistan cricket team will be wearing pink jerseys in the first T20I of their upcoming three-match series against South Africa to raise awareness about breast cancer. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the South African players as well as the match officials will also be wearing pink ribbons in the game. Additionally, the stumps will be branded pink and the breast cancer awareness will be displayed on digital screens inside the stadiums. The match will be hosted by the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and the action will commence from 8:30 PM IST onwards on October 28.

Asia Cup 2025 trophy moved from ACC to a hidden place: Report

The Asia Cup 2025 trophy drama has taken another turn for the worse, with recent reports indicating that the silverware has now been moved from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters to a secret hideout in Abu Dhabi. The controversy first stemmed after Indian players refused to accept the trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi owing to the latter’s controversial remarks against the Indian Army earlier this year in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. Naqvi subsequently walked away with the trophy, and has allegedly demanded a re-staging of the presentation ceremony for handing it back to the Indian team.

Glenn Maxwell returns for final three T20Is vs India

Cricket Australia (CA) has made several changes to the Australian white-ball line-up for the ongoing home series against India. For starters, legendary all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is set to make his return to the team after recovering from his wrist injury. The cricketer has been included in Australia squad for the final three T20Is of the five-match series. Mahli Beardman will also be joining Maxwell in the same capacity, while Ben Dwarshuis has been named in the squad for the final two T20Is. Senior pacer Josh Hazlewood will feature only in the first two games. For the third ODI match, Jack Ewards and Matt Kuhnemann will be joining the team at the SCG.

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