Ishan Kishan Record, Shamar Joseph Out And Nabi Fined– February 12 Cricket Highlights

Ishan Kishan and Shamar Joseph [Source: @BCCI, @ragav_x/x]

Indian opener Ishan Kishan fired a record half-century against Namibia in their Group A match of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph has been released by the Islamabad United franchise for PSL 2026. In other news, Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has been penalised by the ICC.

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, February 12.

Ishan Kishan bludgeons record 50 vs Namibia

Indian opener Ishan Kishan blasted 61 runs off just 24 balls against Namibia in match number 18 of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Opening the innings with comeback man Sanju Samson at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Kishan launched six fours and five huge sixes and raced to his 50 from just 20 deliveries.

Through the course of his knock, the explosive left-handed batter also became the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter in history to score a half-century in a T20 World Cup match. Ishan Kishan surpassed MS Dhoni’s highest T20 World Cup score of 45 against South Africa from back in 2007.

Islamabad United release Shamar Joseph for PSL 2026

The Islamabad United franchise has released West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph from their squad for the upcoming PSL 2026 season. Notably, the franchise had acquired Joseph just a day earlier at the historic PSL 2026 auction in Lahore. Islamabad United also deleted all their social media posts involving the 26-year-old paceman.

Shamar Joseph was likely released by Islamabad United as the franchise faced intense pressure and backlash from fans in Pakistan. The controversial fast bowler has been accused of rape, harassment, sexual assault and unwanted advancement by several women.

Mohammad Nabi sanctioned by ICC for misconduct

Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has been fined 15 percent of his match fees by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The senior cricketer was penalized for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during Afghanistan’s match against South Africa at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on February 11.

At one stage of the match, Mohammad Nabi engaged with umpires over a wrist band worn by seasoned South African paceman Lungi Ngidi. The incident occurred during the 14th over of Afghanistan’s innings in the run chase. The match ended under thrilling circumstances, with South Africa winning a historic double Super Over cracker.

Sanju Samson scripts rare India record in T20 World Cup 2026

Sanju Samson made his return to the Indian team as a replacement for Abhishek Sharma in the match against Namibia. In doing so, the cricketer became India’s second oldest player ever after Amit Mishra to make his T20 World Cup debut. Playing his first match of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and also his first in any T20 World Cup tournament, the wicketkeeper-batter toppled captain Suryakumar Yadav.

Samson clubbed 22 runs off just eight balls with a boundary and three sixes in his comeback game before getting dismissed by Ben Shikongo in just the second over of the match.

DDCA responds to viral ‘Cold Drink’ fiasco

The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has responded to the ‘Cold Drink’ fiasco, after a viral video surfaced on social media where a certain Arun Jaitley Stadium vendor can be seen allegedly pouring “leftover cold drinks” into large empty bottles. With several Indian cricket fans raising concerns about hygiene at the stadium, the DDCA confirmed that the vendor was pouring unsold beverages back into bottles as part of their waste collection process.

The viral video, as well as the clarification both occurred prior to India’s high-profile Group A match of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against Namibia.