Honestly, if you tried to script what’s happening in Pakistan cricket right now, most editors would probably toss the draft back at you for being too "unrealistic." We’re currently sitting in January 2026, and the sheer volume of Pakistan cricket news hitting the wires is enough to make your head spin. Between a 232-year-old record being dusted off and the radical transformation of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the landscape is shifting under our feet.
It's chaotic. It's brilliant. It's typical Pakistan cricket.
The 40-Run Miracle: Breaking a 232-Year-Old Record
Let’s start with the absolute madness that just went down in the President’s Trophy in Karachi. You’ve probably heard of low-scoring matches, but this was something else entirely. Pakistan Television (PTV) was defending a measly target of 40 runs against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).
Read that again. Forty runs.
In any normal universe, that’s a ten-minute run chase over a cup of tea. But PTV’s bowlers, led by a blistering spell from Ali Usman (6-9) and Amad Butt (4-28), decided they weren't going home early. They bundled out SNGPL—a team featuring current Test captain Shan Masood—for just 37.
Basically, this isn't just a win; it's a historical anomaly. The previous record for the lowest successful defense in first-class cricket dated back to 1794, when a team called Oldfield defended 41 against MCC. We just watched history that had been standing since before the invention of the lightbulb get shattered in Karachi.
PSL 11: The "Drauction" and the Eight-Team Era
While the domestic circuit is breaking records, the boardrooms in Lahore are reinventing the wheel. The Pakistan cricket news coming out of the recent PSL Governing Council meeting is a massive deal for fans of the franchise game.
PSL 11, which kicks off on March 26, 2026, is officially expanding to eight teams. Welcome to the family, Sialkot and Hyderabad. This expansion isn't just about more matches; it’s a desperate, calculated move to increase the league's commercial value as it prepares to go head-to-head with the IPL window.
But the real kicker? The "Drauction."
The PCB is currently debating a hybrid model for player recruitment. Some owners want a full auction to compete for big-name global stars who might be snubbed by the IPL, while others are terrified of the financial strain. The compromise being floated is a "drauction"—a mix where local players might stay in a draft while overseas talent goes under the hammer. It sounds complicated because it is. Whether it works or turns into a logistical nightmare is anyone's guess, but it shows a level of ambition we haven't seen from the PCB in years.
T20 World Cup 2026: The Salman Ali Agha Era Begins
We are less than a month away from the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the vibes are... mixed. Salman Ali Agha is now the man at the helm, taking over the captaincy duties in a move that still has fans debating in every dhaba from Lahore to Karachi.
Pakistan just wrapped up a T20I series in Sri Lanka that ended 1-1 (thanks to a washout in the second game). While the team showed flashes of brilliance, the 14-run loss in the final game at Dambulla exposed those familiar middle-order wobbles.
Current T20 World Cup Outlook
- The Captain: Salman Ali Agha is under immense pressure to prove he can lead a squad full of "superstars."
- The Schedule: Pakistan faces a "Group of Death" scenario with a massive clash against India set for February 15, 2026.
- Injury Woes: Shaheen Shah Afridi is currently fighting a race against time after a setback during his BBL stint.
The U19 squad also just took a hit in their World Cup opener, losing to England by 37 runs in Harare. Farhan Yousaf played a lonely hand with 65, but the rest of the batting order looked like they were batting on a different planet. It’s a recurring theme in Pakistan cricket news—individual brilliance overshadowed by collective collapses.
What to Watch Next
The next few weeks are critical. Australia is landing in Lahore on January 28 for a three-match T20I series. This isn't just a friendly; it’s the final dress rehearsal before the World Cup. The PCB is even pushing for earlier start times because of the winter light and smog conditions in Lahore.
If you're following the team, keep a close eye on the final squad announcement due by January 31. This is where the selectors have to decide if they stick with the "safe" picks or gamble on the youngsters who have been lighting up the domestic President's Trophy.
✨ Don't miss: MLB Playoff Race: Why the New 2026 Schedule Changes Everything
Your Action Plan for Following Pakistan Cricket:
- Mark January 29: The first T20I against Australia in Lahore. Watch for how the new-look opening pair handles the pace.
- Monitor the "Drauction" Updates: The PCB working group is meeting this weekend. The final decision on the PSL 11 format will dictate how much money flows into the league.
- Track the Injury Report: If Shaheen isn't 100% by the Australia series, expect a late shuffle in the World Cup squad.
Pakistan cricket is never boring. It’s a rollercoaster where the tracks are sometimes missing, but that’s exactly why we can't stop watching.