Babar Azam and Mitchell Marsh [Source: AFP, AP]Babar Azam has been ruled out of the Pakistan playing XI for the first Test. Ben Stokes has been declared fit and ready to bowl on his return to competitive cricket. In other news, Mitchell Marsh slapped an electrifying IPL 2026 century against the RCB.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 Thursday, May 7. Babar Azam ruled out of first Test vs Bangladesh Babar Azam has been ruled out of the Pakistan squad for the first Test of their upcoming away series against Bangladesh. The legendary Pakistan batter has sustained a left knee injury in Mirpur, just a day prior to the series-opener at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. Also Read- 3 Players Whom PCB Can Drop To Bring Babar Azam Back In Pakistan TeamBabar recently led the Peshawar Zalmi franchise to a historic PSL 2026 win in Pakistan, and bagged the ‘Batter of the Tournament’ award in the process. Mitchell Marsh smashes huge record for LSG in IPL 2026 Mitchell Marsh bludgeoned 111 runs off just 56 balls against the RCB in match 50 of the IPL 2026 season in Lucknow. The LSG opener clattered nine boundaries and nine sixes in the innings as the hosts mounted 209-3 in 19 overs. Reaching his century in just 49 balls, Marsh now holds the record for notching up the fastest hundred in the history of the LSG franchise, surpassing active skipper Rishabh Pant. Australia tour of Pakistan confirmed, Bangladesh series included The PCB has confirmed that the Australian team will be touring Pakistan later this month to play a three-match ODI series. The two sides will be facing each other in three matches across Rawalpindi and Lahore between May 30 and June 4. Senior pacemen Josh Hazlewood, captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will likely not be a part of the travelling Australian squad. The team will also tour Bangladesh for three ODIs and three T20Is in June. Hollie Armitage to lead MI London in The Hundred 2026 Women season The MI London franchise has appointed England all-rounder Hollie Armitage as the captain of its women’s team for the upcoming Hundred 2026 Women season. Armitage previously played 36 Hundred games, all for the Sunrisers Leeds franchise, between the 2021 and 2025 editions of the tournament. The out-of-favour English cricketer holds prior captaincy experience, having led Durham and England A teams. Ben Stokes ready to bowl on cricket return after injury England Test captain Ben Stokes has been declared fit to bowl when he makes his return to competitive cricket. Yet to play a single match since the 2025-26 Ashes series in Australia, the legendary all-rounder has battled multiple injury setbacks off late. Durham coach Ryan Campbell said that Stokes is “100 percent” fit and will bowl for the cricket club in their upcoming Division Two County Championship 2026 game against Worcestershire in Worcester. Also Read- Watch- Ball Of IPL 2026! Virat Kohli Knocked Over By A Prince Yadav Snorter
