![Shimron Hetmyer and Afghanistan players [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1771863578109_WestIndiesandAfghanistan.jpg?type=hq)
Shimron Hetmyer and Afghanistan players [Source: AFP]
Shimron Hetmyer rained down a fiery 85 against Zimbabwe as West Indies mounted a record T20 World Cup total. Babar Azam was spotted bowling in the nets during a Pakistan training session. In other news, Afghanistan will be hosting Sri Lanka for a white-ball series in the UAE.
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 Monday, February 23.
Shimron Hetmyer bludgeons 19-ball 50 vs Zimbabwe
Shimron Hetmyer blasted 85 runs from just 34 balls with seven fours and seven sixes against Zimbabwe in match number 44 of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Batting at number three for the West Indies, the blistering left-hander raced to his half-century from just 19 deliveries.
The innings marked the fastest half-century recorded by any West Indies batter in the history of T20 World Cups, bettering his own record by three balls. His thunderous knock also helped West Indies mount 254-6 in 20 overs, thus recording the second highest total in tournament’s history.
Australia, Bangladesh, England to tour South Africa in 2026-27
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has unveiled a blockbuster home international season for 2026-27. As per the schedule, South Africa will host Australia for three Tests and three ODI matches between September 24 and October 31 later this year. The Test series will also mark Australia’s first-ever in the rainbow nation since the 2018 Sandpaper controversy.
Also Read- Bangladesh Invited To Visit South Africa As CSA Confirms Home Schedule For 2026-27
South Africa will also host Bangladesh across all three formats in November and December. England will tour South Africa in December and January for three Tests and three ODIs, and a T20I series between the two nations was scrapped for a latter date owing to scheduling conflicts.
Babar Azam “bowls” in nets as Pakistan tease secret trump card
Struggling Pakistan batter Babar Azam was spotted bowling in the nets during a Pakistan training session in Sri Lanka. A short video of the same went viral on social media just a day prior to Pakistan’s second Super 8 match of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against England in Pallekele.
With Babar bowling in the nets, the Pakistan team management has teased a potential spin option going ahead in the tournament. Interestingly enough, the 31-year-old has not bowled a single delivery for Pakistan in either ODIs and T20Is. He has, however, sent down a handful of overs in Test cricket.
Afghanistan to ‘host’ Sri Lanka after T20 World Cup 2026
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed Afghanistan’s ‘home’ series against Sri Lanka in the UAE following the conclusion of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The two nations will be facing each other in a series of three T20Is and three ODI matches in Sharjah and Dubai between March 13 and March 25 next month.
The T20I series will be entirely hosted by the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and the ODIs will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Jofra Archer “no big deal” for Sahibzada Farhan
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has shrugged off the impending ‘Jofra Archer threat’ a day before his team’s Super 8 match of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against England. While speaking at a pre-match press conference, Farhan said that Pakistani batters have already faced Archer before, and they have come up with plans in tackling the English speedster.
The in-form Pakistani opening batter is currently leading the run-scoring race of the tournament with 220 runs in just four innings at an average of 73.33.
Also Read- West Indies Joins Elite List! Highest Team Totals in T20 World Cup History Listed
