Babar Azam flops, Siraj warns SA and Shadab Khan return - November 11 Cricket highlights

Babar Azam and Mohammed Siraj [Source: AFP]

Babar Azam once again failed to notch up a notable score for Pakistan to start off his home series against Sri Lanka on a torrid note. Mohammed Siraj fired out a stern warning to the visiting South Africans ahead of the upcoming Test series. In other news, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan will likely be making his return to the national team after his recovery from injury.

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, November 11.

Babar Azam flops vs Sri Lanka in first ODI

Legendary Pakistan batter Babar Azam once again failed to go big for his team, this time falling for just 29 runs from 51 balls against Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series in Rawalpindi. The cricketer struck three boundaries during his hour-and-a-half long stay at the crease before he was knocked over by Sri Lankan spin wizard Wanindu Hasaranga. Babar Azam’s latest failure ensured that the seasoned pro has now gone 83 innings without hitting an international century, thus levelling up with Virat Kohli’s dreadful streak from 2019 till 2022.

Marcus Trescothick hints Ollie Pope to bat at three in Ashes 2025-26

England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick has seemingly confirmed that Ollie Pope will retain his number three batting position in Australia for the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes Test series. While speaking with the BBC, the former England cricketer clarified amid possible talks of young Jacob Bethell taking up that role. Earlier, England's director of cricket Rob Key had also confirmed that Pope will be taking up his number three position.

Shadab Khan poised for Pakistan return in T20I tri-series: Report

Senior Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan will likely be making his return to the national team for the upcoming T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe at home. The cricketer has not played a single international match for Pakistan since June this year, considering a shoulder injury ruled him out of Pakistan’s entire tour of West Indies, the entirety of 2025 Asia Cup and from the home series against South Africa.

As reported by PTI, Shadab Khan was recently spotted playing a practice game in Lahore by the NCA head Aaqib Javed as well as by the national selectors.

Mohammed Siraj warns South Africa before Test series

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj is wary of South Africa’s challenge ahead of their upcoming two-match Test series. A couple of days prior to the series opener at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the cricketer signified the importance of the series in context of the ongoing 2025-27 WTC cycle.

Mohammed Siraj added that the Indian team is confident of upstaging the current WTC holders, and acknowledged the hosts’ recent form against West Indies last month. Siraj also claimed that he is in “good rhythm” at the moment and wants to make the most of his purple patch with the ball.

Matt Renshaw fights Ashes 2025-26 snub with Sheffield Shield century

Queensland opener and Australian Test discard Matt Renshaw scored a courageous 101 from 198 balls with eight boundaries and two huge sixes against Western Australia on Day 1 of their Sheffield Shield 2025 fixture at the WACA in Perth. The innings marked Renshaw’s 25th century in first-class cricket, and his second this domestic season as the left-handed batter continues to rack up runs in a bid to find a way back into Australia’s Test team.

Matt Renshaw last played a Test for Australia back in February 2023, and he was also excluded from the national team for the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes series.

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