Cricket News

Cricket Highlights: Babar Azam Out, Ben Stokes Ready, and Mitchell Marsh Records

1778178158906 Babar Azam and Mitchell Marsh

Cricket Highlights: May 7 Recap

The world of cricket witnessed a series of significant developments on May 7, with major updates on key players and upcoming tournaments. In this article, we will delve into the top cricketing news that emerged on this day.

Babar Azam Ruled Out of First Test Against Bangladesh

Babar Azam, the legendary Pakistan batter, has been ruled out of the Pakistan squad for the first Test of their upcoming away series against Bangladesh. The injury, sustained in Mirpur, has left Azam sidelined for the series-opener at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.

Azam recently led the Peshawar Zalmi franchise to a historic PSL 2026 win in Pakistan and bagged the ‘Batter of the Tournament’ award. His absence will be felt in the Pakistan team, and it remains to be seen how they will cope without their star player.

Mitchell Marsh Smashes Record-Breaking Century in IPL 2026

Mitchell Marsh made headlines with his electrifying performance in the IPL 2026, slamming 111 runs off just 56 balls against the RCB in match 50. The LSG opener hit nine boundaries and nine sixes, helping the hosts mount 209-3 in 19 overs.

Marsh now holds the record for the fastest hundred in the history of the LSG franchise, surpassing active skipper Rishabh Pant. This achievement is a testament to Marsh’s exceptional skills and his ability to perform under pressure.

Australia Tour of Pakistan Confirmed

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 face each other in three matches across Rawalpindi and Lahore between May 30 and June 4.

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Senior pacemen Josh Hazlewood, captain Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc are likely to miss the tour. The Australian team will also visit Bangladesh for three ODIs and three T20Is in June.

Hollie Armitage to Lead MI London in The Hundred 2026 Women Season

England all-rounder Hollie Armitage has been appointed as the captain of the MI London women’s team for the upcoming Hundred 2026 Women season. Armitage has prior captaincy experience, having led Durham and England A teams.

Ben Stokes Ready to Bowl on Cricket Return

England Test captain Ben Stokes has been declared fit to bowl when he makes his return to competitive cricket. Stokes has battled multiple injury setbacks and has not played a single match since the 2025-26 Ashes series in Australia.

Durham coach Ryan Campbell stated 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.

Vikram Hayes

Vikram Hayes is a senior cricket analyst at The Times of India, celebrated for his astute reading of the game and a storytelling flair that brings matches to life. A graduate of St. Xavier's College and the Asian College of Journalism, Vikram cut his teeth covering Mumbai's storied maidans before joining the national sports desk. His areas of expertise include spin bowling tactics, pitch behavior, and the historical narratives that shape rivalries. He has reported from multiple IPL seasons, World Cups, and Test tours, and his column Spin Cycle is among the most-read cricket features in Indian digital media. Vikram has also contributed research to award-winning sports documentaries. A winner of the Ramnath Goenka Award and a WAN-IFRA prize, he remains a trusted voice for millions of fans seeking insight beyond the scorecard.