Babar Azam Return, Sanju Samson Record– September 15 Cricket Highlights

Babar Azam and Sanju Samson [Source: AFP]Babar Azam will likely be making his return to domestic cricket in Pakistan. Blistering opening batter Sanju Samson fired a record half-century against Afghanistan in Delhi. 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 Tuesday, September 15. Babar Azam to return to President's Trophy Grade 1 after seven yearsPakistan captain Babar Azam is set to make his return to first-class cricket in Pakistan after a gap of seven years. As reported by Dawn News, the legendary batter will feature in the President's Trophy Grade-I for the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) team.Also Read- PCB Take Massive Call On Babar Azam's Future As Pakistan Test Captain After England TourIt is worth noting that Babar has not scored a single Test century since December 2022, and recently suffered a 0-3 series loss in England.Sanju Samson bludgeons record 50 vs AfghanistanSanju Samson roared back into form for Team India in the second T20I of the series against Afghanistan in Delhi. The blistering opener whacked 57 runs off just 22 balls with seven fours and four sixes as India defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets. In the process, Samson also completed 1,000 runs as India’s T20I opener, and notched up the second-fastest fifty in T20Is against Afghanistan (20 balls), only falling behind Ireland’s Paul Stirling.Laura Wolvaardt slaps record ton vs Zimbabwe WomenSouth Africa Women outclassed Zimbabwe by 80 runs in the third T20I to take a 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Legendary opener Laura Wolvaardt won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for slapping 126* runs off just 62 balls with 16 boundaries and four huge sixes.The innings marked one of the highest individual scores ever recorded in the history in Women’s T20I cricket, falling only behind Hayley Matthews, Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy.Hardik Pandya out of India’s T20I plans: ReportIndian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will likely be dropped from T20I plans, as per a report. The report states that the BCCI is keen for Hardik to focus on 50-overs matches for the time being, keeping in mind the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa next year.Pandya is yet to play a single match for India since winning the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup earlier this year owing to his injury concerns.Nigar Sultana to leave Bangladesh Women T20I captaincyNigar Sultana is set to step down as captain of the Bangladesh Women’s team, as reported by Cricbuzz. Under her leadership, the team recently lost to India Women in the first semifinal of the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai last week.The report states “Nigar had already informed the board of her decision to relinquish captaincy in the 20-over format as she wants to focus more on her batting and wicketkeeping while continuing to lead the side in ODIs.”Also Read- Watch- Sikandar Raza Left Rattled As Spencer Johnson Unleashes Perfect Yorker