Sports
Babar Azam’s batting position for South Africa T20Is confirmed
Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, on Sunday revealed Babar Azam’s batting position for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, marking his return to the shorter format after a nine-month absence.
The former captain last played for the national side in T20Is against South Africa in Centurion in December 2024. He, however, remains an integral part of the ODI and Test squads.
Speaking at a media briefing in Rawalpindi, Hesson expressed hope that Azam would make a successful return to the shorter format following his squad selection.
“I certainly endorse his selection, with Fakhar Zaman sent to first-class cricket,” he said.
“And that created an opportunity for another top-order player, and it is a great opportunity to get Babar back into the squad. He’s likely to bat at three, so it’s a role that I’m very confident he’ll be able to do well in,” he added.
The Pakistan coach said that wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris was excluded from the squad due to his consistent failures despite being given repeated opportunities.
“Haris is young, he needs improvement,” he said, adding that Usman Khan was included in the T20I squad due to his batting prowess against spin.
Pakistan have named a 15-member squad for the T20I series against South Africa and the subsequent tri-nation event, and a 16-member lineup for the ODIs against South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Hesson said that the South Africa T20I series and tri-nation series would help team management explore options for the T20 World Cup.
Sharing his views on the Green Shirts’ loss to India in the final of the Asia Cup 2025, the Pakistan coach described the defeat as “disappointing”.
He also hailed Usman Tariq as a “spin talent” while confirming that Sufiyan Moqim has been released to play domestic cricket.
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The Memphis Grizzlies have traded away one of their cornerstone pieces in a blockbuster move before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Jaren Jackson Jr., who the Grizzlies took fourth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, headlined a trade package to the Utah Jazz that also included John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr., ESPN reported.
The Jazz are sending back Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks.
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Memphis Grizzlies power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (8) shoots a three-point shot in the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum on Jan. 28, 2026. (Matthew Smith/Imagn Images)
Utah is making a major change with this move, adding Jackson to a team that includes Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George and Walker Kessler, among others.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are showcasing their wish to rebuild, as they are stocked with first-round picks and have a good, young core to build around as well.
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The Grizzlies have a whopping 13 first-round picks over the next seven seasons, which is tied with the Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Memphis also made NBA history, creating the largest-ever trade exception worth $28.8 million with this deal. It’s the type of refresh the 19-29 Grizzlies need.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (8) runs with the ball during an NBA basketball game between Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
The Jazz have fared worse this season, owning a brutal 15-35 record after losing their sixth straight game on Sunday night.
Jackson was one of the best players in the NBA Draft coming out of Michigan State in 2018, and the Grizzlies added the 6-foot-10 forward/center to be versatile for their team long-term.
He’s done exactly that, earning two All-Star nods while averaging 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.9 blocks per game over 452 career games in Memphis.
Jackson is one of the best defenders in the NBA, winning Defensive Player of the Year during the 2022-23 NBA season, while finishing second-team All-Defense last season.
Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts in the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Jan. 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
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Jackson is today’s modern big man, having the ability to shoot from the perimeter as well as near the rim. He has averaged 35.9% from three-point territory and 47.5% from the field this season, while pouring in an average 19.2 points per night.
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Memphis was once one of the NBA’s promising young teams, but it is fully in rebuilding mode after sending its all-star big man to Utah.
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The development was communicated in a memo from the Bay Area host committee to local officials.
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Jaren Jackson Jr traded to Jazz as Grizzlies begin rebuild with blockbuster trade
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