Cricket News Highlights | Big Bash League 2022, Perth Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers: Perth Scorchers win by 3 wickets

LIVE Cricket Latest Updates in India on December 26: Australia vs South Africa and Pakistan vs New Zealand Boxing Day Tests begin today and Big Bash League 2022-23 games between Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers.

December 26 is always known as ‘Boxing Day’ and we have two Test matches starting on this day, this year. Australia, the traditional hosts of the ‘Boxing Day Test’ at the Melbourne Cricket Ground are facing off against South Africa in the second Test while Babar Azam’s Pakistan are taking on Tim Southee-led New Zealand in the other part of the world.

The Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st Test will get underway at the National Stadium in Karachi on Monday (December 26). Pakistan will look to bounce back after a humiliating 3-0 whitewash in Test series against England while the Black Caps have a new captain in charged with Southee taking over from Kane Williamson.

Pat Cummins-led Australia are leading the Test series against South Africa 1-0 after their six-wicket win in the first Test match at the Gabba which ended in just 2 days. Dean Elgar’s side will look to draw level in the series with a win in the ‘Boxing Day Test’, which is also a tribute to the Late Shane Warne, who died earlier this year.

Monday will also witness a couple of Big Bash League 2022-23 with the Sydney Sixers hosting Melbourne Stars followed by Perth Scorchers facing off against the Adelaide Strikers. Check all Live Updates from an action packed Monday (December 26) here.

26 December 2022

21:48 IST

LIVE Big Bash League 2022: Perth Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers

Perth Scorchers win by 3 wkts

The hosts would have anticipated a simple chase after holding their opponents to a score below average, but Adelaide had other plans. In the first three overs, the Scorchers lost their top three. Josh Inglis started off strong, but Ben Manenti ended his inning early. However, his knock made sure that his squad would never have a problem with the asking rate. Adelaide continued to take wickets, and in the tenth over, Perth was down to 72/6.

Jhye Richardson then joined the captain Turner. The pair batted wisely and put together a 43-run partnership. The opening ball of the penultimate over saw Richardson fall to Thornton, leaving them needing 19 runs off the final two overs. Turner, though, changed tack by hitting SIX, FOUR, and SIX! Tye made sure there were no more setbacks in the final over by scoring the winning runs despite being dropped off the very next ball.

LIVE Score ADS 133/7 (20) PRS 136/7 (19.1)

18:22 IST

LIVE PAK vs NZ 1st Test: Advantage Pakistan

Wow, what a turnaround. 196 runs over 56.3 overs. Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed batted nonstop for several innings! They nearly extended both sessions, which discouraged the Kiwis. Pakistan performed poorly for the first hour and a half, but after that, they expertly steady the ship. As the first team to have its first two players eliminated in a Test match, Pakistan made history when the day began. Imam-ul-Haq later lost his wicket by charging Bracewell without justification. Shaud Shakeel and Babar formed a relationship for the hosts, but just before lunch, the former pushed Southee the outside off. However, Pakistan completely dominated the following two sessions as the pitch became flat and Babar and Sarfaraz's combined experience was ineffective. Babar scored another Karachi century by smashing Bracewell over deep mid-wicket for a maximum, and Sarfaraz was headed for his century as well. But he was caught at slip by Ajaz Patel with the new ball, so it was not to be. Babar was also LBW by the left-arm, but he was saved by a review. The Pakistani captain is still going strong and will be aiming for a double from this point forward.

LIVE Score PAK 317/5 (90)  CRR: 3.52 Day 1: Stumps

16:36 IST

LIVE PAK vs NZ 1st Test: What a comeback!

Fifty in his 5__0__th Test match! _#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/3OzqmMhcZS

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 26, 2022

LIVE Score PAK 258/4 (72)  CRR: 3.58 Day 1: 3rd Session

15:26 IST

LIVE PAK vs NZ 1st Test: Twitter reacts as Babar hits century

He's not Virat who chokes in important games, 9th international test hundred for the one who revived Pakistan cricket. It's Babar Azam for you.#BabarAzam_ #NZvsPAK pic.twitter.com/gjeLflTFnz

— Kira (@lightttyagamiii) December 26, 2022

14:52 IST

LIVE PAK vs NZ 1st Test: Babar Azam hits century to pull Pakistan out of trouble

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has hit yet another century to help his side bounce back after losing the first three wickets for 48 runs. Babar smashed nine boundaries in his innings so far.

LIVE Score PAK 202/4 (53.1)  CRR: 3.8 Day 1: 2nd Session

14:06 IST

BBL 2022-23: Beau Webster powers Melbourne Stars to 150

Beau Webster is finally dismissed for 78 off 51 balls as the Melbourne Stars post 150 for 5 after batting first against Sydney Sixers. For the Sixers, Hayden Kerr is the pick of the bowlers claiming 2/26. Sixers need 151 to win in 20 overs.

13:39 IST

PAK vs NZ, 1st Test: Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed bring up 50 partnership

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed, playing his first-ever home Test, have brought up the fifty partnership for fifth wicket. Babar Azam is batting on 80 and Sarfaraz is on 20.

Pakistan are 162/4 vs New Zealand

12:50 IST

BBL: Melbourne Stars lose 4th wicket

Melbourne Stars have lost their 4th wicket with Nick Larkin dismissed by Hayden Kerr for 12. Beau Webster has completed his fifty off 38 balls. 

Melbourne Stars are 108/4 vs Sydney Sixers

12:42 IST

BBL: Sean Abbott STRIKES in 1st over

Sean Abbott has struck for Sydney Sixers in his first over as Melbourne Stars lose their second wicket. Abbott concedes 5 via overthrows and then two sixes in the same over. Joe Clarke is batting on 15 and Beau Webster is on 5.

Melbourne Stars are 26/2 in 3 overs vs Sydney Sixers

12:29 IST

BBL 2022-23: Sydney Sixers STRIKE early vs Melbourne Stars

Sydney Sixers left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe strikes in first over vs Melbourne in their Big Bash League 2022-23 match. Thomas Rogers is dismissed for duck. James Seymour is batting on 6 and Joe Clarke is on 0.

Melbourne Stars are 6/1 vs Sydney Sixers

12:23 IST

PAK vs NZ 1st Test: Tim Southee DISMISSES Saud Shakeel

Pakistan have lost their fourth wicket now, skipper Tim Southee dismisses Saud Shakeel, caught by Henry Nichols at slips. Shakeel is out for 22 and Babar Azam is unbeaten on 53.

Pakistan are 110/4 vs New Zealand

11:36 IST

PAK vs NZ, Day 1: Babar Azam reaches 27th Test fifty

Babar Azam has completed his 27th Test fifty off 76 balls with a boundary off Ish Sodhi to move along to 53. Saud Shakeel is batting on 18.

Pakistan are 106/3 vs New Zealand

11:04 IST

PAK vs NZ, 1st Test: Pakistan lose 3rd wicket before drinks

Pakistan have lost their third wicket, opener Imam-ul-Haq holes out off Michael Bracewell for 24. Babar Azam is batting on 15 ans Saud Shakeel is on 0.

Pakistan are 50/3 vs New Zealand

10:35 IST

PAK vs NZ, Day 1: Pakistan lose 2 early wickets

Pakistan have lost two early wickets after deciding to bat first. Both batters are out stumped, Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood out for 7 and 3.

Pakistan are 19/2 vs New Zealand

10:15 IST

AUS vs SA, Day 1: Marco Jansen scores maiden Test fifty

Marco Jansen has completed his maiden Test fifty off 118 balls with a four off  Nathan Lyon. Mitchell Starc is forced off the field as he fails in his attempt to catch the ball. Kyle Verrynne is batting on 46 and Jansen is on 54.

South Africa 167/5 vs Australia

10:06 IST

PAK vs NZ, Day 1: Check Playing XI here

Here is the the Playing XI for the Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st Test at the National Stadium in Karachi...

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (c), Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Agha Salman, Nauman Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Mir Hamza, Abrar Ahmed

09:40 IST

PAK vs NZ, 1st Test: Babar Azam wins TOSS, Pakistan BAT first

Babar Azam has won the toss in the Boxing Day Test against New Zealand and elected to BAT first at the National Stadium in Karachi on Monday (December 26).

09:38 IST

AUS vs SA, 2nd Test: Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen put on 50 partnership

Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen are putting up a defiant fight after South Africa lost five wickets just after lunch. The duo have put on 70 runs for the sixth wicket with Verreynne batting on 39 and Jansen on 33.

South Africa are 138/5 vs Australia

09:08 IST

AUS vs SA, Day 1: South Africa bring up 100

South African 100 comes up after lunch for the loss of five wickets. Kyle Verreynne is batting on 24 and Marco Jansen is on 15.

South Africa are 105/5 vs Australia

08:16 IST

PAK vs NZ, 1st Test: Check Live Streaming details

Babar Azam's Pakistan will take on Tim Southee-led New Zealand in the first Test beginning at the National Stadium in Karachi from Monday (December 26).

08:12 IST

AUS vs SA, 2nd Test: South Africa lose 4 wickets before lunch

South Africa are off to a rocky start in their Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl first at the MCG. SA skipper Dean Elgar was run-out brilliantly at the stroke of lunch on Day 1 while Temba Bavuma was dismissed off the very next ball to lose four wickets before lunch. Immediately into the second session, Khaya Zondo was also dismissed as the visitors lost their fifth wicket.

SA are 74/5 vs Australia

GONE! Dean Elgar takes on Marnus Labuschagne's arm and pays the ultimate price! #PlayOfTheDay#AUSvSA | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/7mSpe9zWxk

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2022

08:11 IST

Hello and Welcome to LIVE cricket news from around the world on Boxing Day on Monday (December 26).