South Africa Squad, Babar Azam Reveal And Sudharsan Record- May 12 Cricket Highlights

Laura Wolvaardt and Babar Azam [Source: AFP]

South Africa has named a strong squad for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Babar Azam opted himself out of the playing XI for Pakistan’s first Test against Bangladesh, claims captain Shan Masood. In other news, Sai Sudharsan scripted a huge IPL record with his latest knock.

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, May 12.

Laura Wolvaardt to lead South Africa in T20 World Cup 2026

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has unveiled the entire South Africa Women squad for the upcoming 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Legendary all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has been included in the squad after missing the series against Pakistan and India.

Also Read- Bangladesh Squad For Women's T20 World Cup Announced

Prolific opener Laura Wolvaardt will continue to lead the side, with ace speedster Shabnim Ismail reversing her international retirement to make a sensational return.

Bangladesh thrash Pakistan to go 1-0 up

Bangladesh walloped Pakistan by 104 runs in the first Test in Mirpur to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Resuming the innings at 152-3 on the final day, a cunning half-century from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto steered the hosts to 240-9d in 70.3 overs.

In response, a five-wicket haul from fast bowler Nahid Rana folded up Pakistan for just 163 in 52.5 overs in their unsuccessful chase of 268. Skipper Shanto won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for aggregating 188 runs across both innings.

Sai Sudharsan joins elite list for huge IPL record

Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan struck 61 runs off 44 balls with five boundaries and two sixes against the SRH in match 56 of the IPL 2026 season. Through the course of his brisk knock in Ahmedabad, the elegant opener completed 500 IPL runs this year, thus becoming only the sixth cricketer in tournament history to score 500 or more runs in three consecutive editions.

Pakistan falls below India in WTC 2025-27 standings

Pakistan slipped on the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) rankings after their shambolic defeat against Bangladesh in Mirpur. The Shan Masood-led side is currently ranked seventh on the nine-team table with a dismal PCT of 33.33.

Prior to Pakistan’s defeat against Bangladesh, the ‘Men in Green’ also failed to defeat South Africa at home last year as they had to be contended with a 1-1 result.

Babar Azam backed out of first Test, claims Shan Masood

Babar Azam did not make it to the Pakistan playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh. Prior to the match, it was revealed that the legendary batter suffered an injury. However, after Pakistan’s big defeat, captain Shan Masood claimed that the cricketer himself opted out of the playing XI.

That being said, Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq had earlier claimed that Babar seems “fit and fine” to him, thus implying that he can make his return to the side for the decider.

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