The Economic Times

Australia plays Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup. Captain Mitchell Marsh's fitness is a concern after an injury. Steve Smith joins as cover. Australia aims for a win to move closer to the Super Eights. Zimbabwe has capable bowlers and experienced players. The match starts at 11 am IST.

West Indies captain Shai Hope lauded Sherfane Rutherford after the latter's match-defining contributions with the bat for his team against England in both teams' second group-stage match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, on Wednesday at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

Japan coach Nils Nielsen said his team want to make new history by winning next month's Asian Women's Cup as he named 16 England-based players in his squad on Thursday. Japan are the only Asian country to have won the Women's World Cup but they have only lifted the Asian Cup twice in 20 editions of the competition.

England faced a 30-run defeat against West Indies in the T20 World Cup. Captain Harry Brook stated the team was too cautious while chasing a large target. West Indies spinners proved effective, restricting England's chase. Despite a strong start, England faltered, losing wickets at crucial junctures. The loss places England third in their group.

Ahead of Indias second T20 World Cup match against Namibia, team concerns center more on player fitness than the opposition. Abhishek Sharma has rejoined after a stomach bug, Washington Sundar is back from a side strain, and Jasprit Bumrah has recovered from illness, bowling at full intensity in nets.

Sikandar Raza is back at the top of the ICC T20I All-Rounder rankings. This follows Zimbabwe's strong start in the T20 World Cup. Raza's performance against Oman secured his number one position. Teammate Brian Bennett also made significant gains in the T20I batter rankings.

South Africa vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup: South Africa secured a thrilling victory over Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup. The match went into two Super Overs after both teams scored 187. South Africa posted 187 for 6, with Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton scoring fifties. Afghanistan also reached 187, forcing a Super Over.

Abhishek Sharma continues his impressive form, holding the top spot in T20I batting rankings. The latest ICC rankings show a dynamic shift in the global T20 landscape. New talents are emerging, and established players are seeing their positions change. Sharma's consistent performances have propelled him to elite status.

Australia's T20 World Cup campaign faces an early setback. Captain Mitchell Marsh will miss the opening match against Ireland due to a groin injury. He sustained a direct blow during training. Batsman Steve Smith is joining the squad as cover. Travis Head will lead the team in Marsh's absence. Marsh requires rest and rehabilitation for internal testicular bleeding.

India plays Namibia today in the T20 World Cup. Abhishek Sharma's stomach infection is a concern for India's future matches. Namibia is not expected to challenge the dominant Indian team. The match offers Sanju Samson a chance to regain form. India's bowling attack is expected to be too strong for Namibia's batters.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara announced a February 12 meeting to decide on M Chinnaswamy Stadium's clearance for cricket matches. The decision hinges on the Karnataka State Cricket Association's compliance with safety requirements following a fatal stampede last year. A committee is reviewing the KSCA's adherence to the Justice Cunha Commission's report and safety recommendations.

Former batting coach Sanjay Bangar suggests India should not overanalyze their batting against the USA. He believes their aggressive style has brought success. Bangar notes a balance of maturity and fearlessness in the batting lineup. He also discusses Washington Sundar's fitness and potential team changes for the upcoming match against Namibia.

Sri Lanka aims to overcome batting issues and bowling changes for their T20 World Cup clash with Oman. The team seeks consistency in the middle overs. Wanindu Hasaranga's absence due to injury presents a challenge. Oman, after a loss to Zimbabwe, needs to improve their batting. Sri Lanka won their opener against Ireland but showed batting struggles against spin.

Dushan Hemantha has been named as Sri Lanka's replacement for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga in the T20 World Cup. Hasaranga sustained a hamstring injury during the match against Ireland. The ICC approved Hemantha's inclusion, while New Zealand is yet to name a replacement for Michael Bracewell, who also suffered an injury.

India vs Pakistan T20: Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan says his team will play India with a different mindset. He insists the T20 World Cup match is a normal game. Pakistan is confident after winning two matches. The team aims to perform strongly against India. This high-voltage group-stage fixture is scheduled for February 15. India's assistant coach also anticipates a challenge from Pakistan.

England Test captain Ben Stokes has successfully undergone surgery after being struck in the face by a cricket ball. The all-rounder shared updates on social media, showing his swollen face post-operation. This comes after a challenging Ashes tour and amid questions about his captaincy.

As Pakistan's cricket board reversed its boycott of a match against India, PCB Chairman stated the boycott aimed to secure respect for Bangladesh. Bangladesh had faced expulsion from the T20 World Cup. Following negotiations, Bangladesh's concerns were addressed. Pakistan will now play the scheduled match on February 15.

Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma has been hospitalized in Delhi due to a stomach infection, as reported by PTI citing BCCI sources. The 25-year-old batter's condition raises concerns about his availability for India's upcoming T20 World Cup match against Namibia. Further details on the infection's severity are not yet available.

A cricket dispute involving India and Pakistan threatened global revenue. The International Cricket Council faced a crisis. Pakistan withdrew its boycott threat. The India-Pakistan match is back on. No issues were resolved. Market logic dictated the outcome. Jagmohan Dalmiya would have handled it differently. Bangladesh also faced consequences.

The International Cricket Council has seen a significant rise in digital engagement for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Video views have jumped by 53 percent after the initial six matches. This growth is particularly strong in countries like Nepal, UAE, and USA. The ICC app and website have also experienced user increases.

The International Cricket Council will reveal concessions for the Pakistan Cricket Board after the T20 World Cup. This comes after Pakistan ended its boycott of the match against India. The ICC has also confirmed Bangladesh Cricket Board will face no sanctions. Pakistan's Prime Minister had announced the boycott earlier. Discussions involved Sri Lankan President and Bangladesh Cricket Board.

India's T20 World Cup squad seeks family accompaniment throughout the tournament. The BCCI has reportedly denied this request. This follows a policy limiting family stays to two weeks for longer tours. Head coach Gautam Gambhir previously supported this directive, emphasizing national duty over vacations. India has begun their World Cup campaign with a win against USA.

In a thrilling T20 World Cup clash, the Netherlands triumphed over Namibia by seven wickets. After being set a target of 157, the Dutch team showcased their batting prowess by reaching the target in just 18 overs.

Pakistan will play India in the T20 World Cup after withdrawing its boycott. The International Cricket Council found a solution following discussions. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla thanked the ICC for its efforts. The high-profile match is scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. This decision is seen as important for cricket.

The stakes soar for Afghanistan as they gear up for a high-stakes showdown against South Africa in the T20 World Cup. Currently, South Africa rules Group D with a series of impressive victories, while Afghanistan grapples with the weight of a prior loss that threatens their journey in the tournament.

Dhakshineswar Suresh's quiet dedication fuels his rise in Indian tennis. Years of rigorous training and discipline, far from the spotlight, have shaped his path. His recent Davis Cup success against the Netherlands highlights his composure under pressure. Suresh's journey, marked by resilience and patience, now sees him as a key player for India.

Pakistan will play India in the T20 World Cup as scheduled. The decision follows persuasion from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The match is set for February 15 in Colombo. Pakistan's government confirmed the team will take the field. This ends an impasse that shadowed the tournament. The move aims to protect the spirit of cricket globally.

Applications were called for batting coach (two positions), fast bowling coach (three positions), fielding coach (four positions -- 3 male, 1 female) and performance analyst (one position).

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has revealed the Annual Player Contracts for Team India's Senior Men and Women. This contract period will be effective from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. Key players like Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja are in Grade A for the men's team.

South Africa vs Canada Live Streaming and match details are the top priority for cricket fans as the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 Group D moves to Ahmedabad. The South Africa vs Canada 9th Match features a high-stakes encounter where the Proteas aim to secure a dominant victory to boost their net run rate early in the tournament. This guide provides the definitive SA vs CAN playing 11 predictions, exact SA vs CAN live streaming platforms, and the latest South Africa vs Canada pitch report for the

The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies took a giant leap into the future by organising its first-ever Esports Premier League, celebrating the dynamic realms of Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics. This event reflected the government's commitment to fostering talent in these creative sectors. Students and gamers gathered for intense competition, buoyed by the support of key industry partners.

Mohsin Naqvi, heading the Pakistan Cricket Board, plans to engage Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a crucial dialogue about lifting the T20 World Cup match boycott against India. This initiative follows the advocacy from the cricket boards of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Emirates.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will make the final decision on boycotting the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman met with an ICC delegation to discuss the issue. Negotiations are ongoing to resolve the dispute. The boycott is linked to a controversy involving Bangladesh.

Scotland secured a commanding 73-run victory over debutants Italy in a T20 World Cup encounter. George Munsey's explosive 84 powered Scotland to 207 for 4. Italy fought back with Ben Manenti's 62 but were bowled out for 134. Michael Leask's four wickets proved decisive in Scotland's dominant performance.

Pakistan meets USA in the T20 World Cup. Pakistan seeks to overcome a past defeat against the USA. Both teams need batting improvements. Pakistan's middle-order collapsed against The Netherlands. USA's batters struggled against India. Captains acknowledge pressure and batting issues. USA is familiar with Sri Lankan conditions. Fitness of pacer Ali Khan is a concern.

Sri Lanka vs Ireland playing 11: Sri Lanka, playing at home, faces Ireland in their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 opener. The hosts boast a strong spin attack and batting lineup suited to subcontinental conditions. Ireland will rely on their top order, led by Paul Stirling, to challenge Sri Lanka's spinners on a potentially slow R. Premadasa Stadium pitch.

Indian shooters have achieved significant success at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship. Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta secured gold in the 10m Air Rifle mixed team event. India's medal count has now surpassed 50. Other Indian teams also clinched gold medals in junior and youth categories. Gurpreet Singh led a clean sweep in the 25m Standard Pistol event.

Lalchand Rajput, who led India to the first T20 World Cup title, now coaches the United Arab Emirates. His team prepares for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Rajput aims to build mental strength and improve players' performance gradually.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav's composed performance against USA in the T20 World Cup opener drew comparisons to MS Dhoni. Yadav's unbeaten 84 guided India to victory. USA spinner Harmeet Singh, playing a homecoming match, impressed with his bowling. He reflected on the team's journey and missed opportunities that could have changed the game's outcome.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Amin ul Islam reached Lahore for talks with Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi ahead of a virtual meeting with the ICC to resolve the dispute over Pakistans proposed boycott of its T20 World Cup match against India on February 15.

US Ambassador Sergio Gor praised the ICC and Jay Shah for a cricket event. He expressed confidence in cricket's future in the United States, anticipating its inclusion in the 2028 Olympics. Gor met with Jay Shah to discuss the sport's rapid expansion in the US. India secured a victory against the USA in the T20 World Cup match.

England vs Nepal playing 11: England begins their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Nepal on Sunday, aiming to focus on cricket despite off-field distractions surrounding captain Harry Brook. The two-time champions enter the tournament in strong form, having won 11 of their 17 T20 Internationals last year. This historic match marks the first T20I encounter between the two nations.

Pakistan Cricket Board is in talks with the ICC regarding their refusal to play India in the T20 World Cup, citing government instructions and attempting to invoke 'force majeure'. The ICC is seeking justification for this selective withdrawal, emphasizing the tournament's commercial stakes and the need for structured resolutions to avoid potential damages and disciplinary action.