Australia hold the key as India, South Africa chase semi-final spots
South Africa are the favourites to beat Bangladesh, but their poor net run rate means their chances hinge on Australia beating India
Womens T20 WC: Credit Goes To The Whole Team For The Way They Played, Says Fatima Sana
T20 World Cup: Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana lauded her sides collective effort after they ended their Womens T20 World Cup campaign with a 37run win over the Netherlands at the County Ground on Saturday. Gull Ferozas 63 not out took Pakistan to 126/6 despite losing their last four wickets for just 20 runs, and was followed by Fatima and Ayesha Zafar picking three-fors each to bowl out the Netherlands for just 89. We needed a win, and credit goes to the whole team for the way they played today. Ayesha Zafar is also a senior player, and she has played a lot of time in the Pakistan team. She knows how to take responsibility. Today she took it, and the way Gull Feroza batted, I think, is what we needed in the last couple of matches, said Fatima at the conclusion of the game. On contributing with the ball despite missing out with the bat, Fatima said, I think as an all-rounder, I just prefer that whatever I do, it goes to the team. So I think it must be a good day for everyone. Asked about learnings from the competition, Fatima pointed towards batting improvements. Definitely, we need to be better on the batting side. So we need to improve the batting lineup. And hopefully when we go back, we will discuss a lot of things, especially the batting side, because we need to improve more on the batting side. Gull, named Player of the Match, said her performance with the bat were really important for herself and the team to break their winless run. Firstly, its very important for my team and me. So I just played my game. I think the pitch was a little bit tricky. So we needed to score runs. We needed to stay on the pitch. So we just went and rotated the strike and just changed our plan because we lost a couple of wickets. And thats why we rotated our strike, and on the bad balls, we punished the bad balls. So it was good for us. I think this win is very important for us as a team. So we just tried to win this match on a positive note and finish well. So thats good for us. The Netherlands captain, Babette de Leede, praised her bowlers despite the defeat, resulting in them ending their tournament without a victory. I think our bowlers were excellent today. I think to be able to restrict Pakistan to this score on this ground was a really good effort from us. Unfortunately, we couldnt quite get there after a good start. So we just went and rotated the strike and just changed our plan because we lost a couple of wickets. And thats why we rotated our strike, and on the bad balls, we punished the bad balls. So it was good for us. I think this win is very important for us as a team. So we just tried to win this match on a positive note and finish well. So thats good for us. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think this experience has been incredible. We take so much from it. This is only just the beginning, hopefully, for Dutch cricket. It was incredible. I think it was so special. This team, as you know, were not professional cricketers at all. So to be able to be here, play the way we have played, I think we can be really proud of ourselves. Article Source: IANS
Naomi Osaka retires in second set of Bad Homburg final with foot injury
Naomi Osaka was trailing 6-1, 1-0 to Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic when she pulled out
Ireland bowl as West Indies eye semi-final spot
Both teams made a change that alters the team balance
Womens T20 WC: South Africa Chase Big Win Over Bangladesh As Semis Hopes Hang In Balance (preview)
T20 World Cup: South Africa have little room for error when they take on Bangladesh in their final Group A fixture of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, with victory alone unlikely to be enough to guarantee a place in the semifinals. The Proteas must first collect two points and then hope tournament leaders Australia defeat India later in the day, while simultaneously improving their net run rate to keep themselves firmly in contention if qualification comes down to NRR. The standings have left South Africa in a tricky position despite an impressive campaign. Like India, they head into the final round with six points from four matches, but the Proteas trail Harmanpreet Kaur's side on net run rate. That means even if both teams finish on eight points, India are expected to progress unless South Africa can significantly improve their numbers or Australia do them a favour by handing India a defeat. For Laura Wolvaardt's side, the first objective is straightforward: beat Bangladesh convincingly. Only after completing that task can they turn their attention to the outcome of the India-Australia clash, which immediately follows. Momentum certainly favours South Africa. Their previous outing produced one of the most dominant performances of the tournament as they dismantled the Netherlands by 88 runs. The victory not only kept their semi-final hopes alive but also narrowed the gap in net run rate that had separated them from India. The batting unit fired on all cylinders in that contest. Opener Tazmin Brits produced one of the innings of the competition, finishing unbeaten on 114 from just 69 deliveries after striking 15 boundaries and three sixes. Alongside captain Laura Wolvaardt, who contributed 45, Brits stitched together a commanding 121-run opening partnership that laid the platform for a formidable total of 209/1. Annerie Dercksen then provided the finishing flourish with an unbeaten 37 off only 16 balls, ensuring South Africa posted the tournament's highest total to date. That performance showcased the batting depth South Africa will hope to unleash once again against a Bangladesh side that enters the contest under pressure after a five-wicket defeat to India. The loss left Bangladesh's qualification hopes hanging by a thread and denied them an opportunity to eliminate one of their direct rivals. While Bangladesh are still mathematically alive, their path is an extremely complicated one. They require victory over South Africa by a substantial margin and must also hope India lose to Australia. Even then, net run rate could determine whether they remain in the competition or bow out. Despite those slim possibilities, Bangladesh will take confidence from the knowledge that they still have something tangible to play for. Producing a surprise against one of the tournament's stronger sides would not only revive their campaign but also dramatically alter the complexion of Group 1. On paper, however, South Africa remain overwhelming favourites. Their batting has found rhythm at the ideal time, the bowling attack has delivered consistently throughout the tournament, and the incentive of reaching another World Cup semi-final provides additional motivation. Everything points towards the Proteas securing the victory they need. Whether it proves enough to extend their campaign may ultimately depend on events later in the evening, but South Africa know their first job is to leave no doubt against Bangladesh by winning as emphatically as possible. When: Sunday, June 28, 7:00 PM IST Where: Lords Cricket Ground, London Where to watch: The West Indies vs Ireland clash will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and live-streamed on JioStar. Squads: Where to watch: The West Indies vs Ireland clash will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and live-streamed on JioStar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana (c), Nahida Akter, Dilara Akter, Juairiya Firdous, Sobhana Mostary, Tej Nehar, Sharmin Akhter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Trisna, Marufa Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla, and Sultana Khatun. Article Source: IANS
India A stretch lead to 170 after Sai Sudharsan retires hurt
Nabi impressed with the ball, taking four wickets to help India A dismiss SL A for 330
Zafar, Feroza lead Pakistan to consolation win
Netherlands appeared on course initially with a bright start from Heather Siegers, but lost their way dramatically
Womens T20 WC: Feroza, Ayesha, Fatima Star In Pakistans Consolation Win Over Netherlands (ld)
Netherlands ICC Women: Pakistan closed their 2026 Womens T20 World Cup campaign on a high by defeating the Netherlands by 37 runs at the County Ground on Saturday. After Pakistan elected to bat first, Gull Feroza top-scored with 63 not out off 52 balls, laced with nine boundaries, to take them to 126/6, despite losing the last four wickets for just 24 runs. In reply, Fatima Sana got the win with a triplewicket maiden and ended up with 3-12, while Ayesha Zafar chipped in with 3-13 her career-best figures - as the Netherlands were bowled out for just 89 in 18 overs. The Netherlands, playing their firstever T20 World Cup, showed plenty of heart, but fell short in the chase after Babette de Leede (30) and Heather Siegers (24) were dismissed. It meant that Pakistan finished their tournament on a winning note and will occupy fifth spot on the points table in Group A. The Netherlands chase began brightly with Heather Siegers striking five boundaries off Sadia Iqbal, Fatima Sana, and Diana Baig to race to 24 off 16 balls. But Diana eventually had the last laugh by trapping Heather lbw in the fourth over with a slower ball, which went past the pull to hit the back pad, as the DRS also confirmed the same. Phebe Molkenboer followed soon after, run out for eight by a sharp direct hit from Eyman Fatima at short fine leg. Sterre Kalis tried to rebuild with Babette de Leede, but runs dried up against the spin of Nashra Sandhu and Tuba Hassan. Eventually, Sterres stay ended tamely when she attempted a cut off Nashra, but chopped onto her stumps for 12. Babette and Robine Rijke, who looked tentative, tried to revive the chase by rotating strike with singles and twos, with the former hitting occasional boundaries, twice of which came off part-timer Ayesha Zafar. But with Pakistans spinners not giving much pace, Ayesha eventually prevailed by trapping Robine lbw, before having Sanya Khurana stumped for a three-ball duck, and had Frederique Overdijk cutting straight to cover for six. From there, the Netherlands had no room to claw back - Iris Zwilling was run out bizarrely when Babette de Leedes straight drive ricocheted off the nonstriker. With Babette committed to the run, Iris was stranded, and Ayesha collected the ball to throw it to the keeper and have the latter run out. Fatima then castled Babette, Silver Siegers, and Caroline de Lange to seal a big win for Pakistan. Previously, the innings began cautiously for Pakistan, before Muneeba Ali struck a couple of crisp boundaries off Iris Zwilling. But Muneeba perished in the fourth over, driving straight to cover off Hannah Landheer for 12. That brought Ayesha Zafar, and together with Gull, the pair stitched a 79run stand that gave Pakistan their best phase of the innings. Ayesha mixed sweeps and lofted drives to score 32, while Gull anchored with patience before opening up with inventive strokes, including scoops and sweeps. But Ayeshas dismissal, caught at extra cover off Silver Siegers, triggered the slide for Pakistan. Skipper Fatima Sana followed soon after, pulling Iris straight to deep midwicket. Debutant Eyman Fatima lasted six balls before holing out off Caroline de Lange, and Iram Javed was stumped attempting a charge against Heather Siegers, while Saira Jabeen briefly skied a catch to midoff against Iris, who ended up with 2-19, thanks to her tight lines. Gull, meanwhile, reached her third T20I fifty with a sweep behind square, but found little support as wickets tumbled around her. She struck nine fours in her superb knock, but the momentum had drained away by then for Pakistan. What could have been a total in excess of 140 became 126 for Pakistan, who also equalled their highest of the tournament. But against a spirited Dutch outfit, Pakistan managed to defend the low total with ease and earn a consolation win. Gull, meanwhile, reached her third T20I fifty with a sweep behind square, but found little support as wickets tumbled around her. She struck nine fours in her superb knock, but the momentum had drained away by then for Pakistan. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pakistan 126/6 in 20 overs (Gull Feroza 63 not out, Ayesha Zafar 32; Iris Zwilling 2-19, Silver Siegers 1-17) beat Netherlands 89 all out in 18 overs (Babette de Leede 30, Heather Siegers 24; Farima Sana 3-12, Ayesha Zafar 3-13) by 37 runs Article Source: IANS
Womens T20 WC: When And Where To Watch AUS Vs IND, Know All Details
T20 World Cup: Few group-stage fixtures carry the weight of India versus Australia, and Sunday's meeting at Lord's promises exactly that. With the Women's T20 World Cup knockout stage approaching, both teams have plenty riding on the outcome despite occupying contrasting positions in Group 1. Australia have been virtually flawless throughout the tournament, collecting maximum points from four matches and establishing themselves as the benchmark once again. Their impressive net run rate means only an extraordinary sequence of results could prevent them from reaching the semi-finals, allowing them to approach the contest from a position of strength. India's margin for error is considerably slimmer. Harmanpreet Kaur's team enters the final group game knowing victory would almost certainly secure progression, while defeat would leave qualification dependent on Bangladesh producing a surprise result against South Africa. Although Australia remain favourites, recent history suggests India have every reason to believe. The memories of knocking Australia out of last year's Women's ODI World Cup and winning a bilateral T20I series on Australian soil have demonstrated that the gap between the two sides has narrowed significantly. The individual battle could prove fascinating. Smriti Mandhana has anchored India's batting with 167 runs, while Shree Charani has emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 12 dismissals. Australia, meanwhile, continue to thrive through collective contributions, with Ellyse Perry leading the run charts for her side and Sophie Molineux spearheading the bowling attack. The long-term numbers still favour Australia, whose record includes five victories from six Women's T20 World Cup meetings with India, including triumphs in the 2020 final and the 2023 semi-final. Yet statistics alone will count for little once play begins at Lord's. For India, this is more than a fight for a semi-final place. It is an opportunity to register another landmark victory over the world's top-ranked side at one of the sport's most iconic venues and head into the knockout phase with momentum firmly on their side. When: Sunday, June 28, 7:00 PM IST Where: Lords Cricket Ground, London Where to watch: The West Indies vs Ireland clash will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and live-streamed on JioStar. Squads: Where to watch: The West Indies vs Ireland clash will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and live-streamed on JioStar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia: Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham Article Source: IANS
Womens T20 WC: Fatima, Ayesha Pick Three-fors As Pakistan Sign Off With 37-run Win Over Netherlands
T20 World Cup: Pakistan closed their 2026 Womens T20 World Cup campaign on a high by defeating the Netherlands by 37 runs at the County Ground on Saturday. Fatima Sana got the win for Pakistan with a triplewicket maiden to end up with 3-12, while Ayesha Zafar chipped in with 3-13 of her own as the Netherlands were bowled out for 89 in 18 overs. The Netherlands, playing their firstever T20 World Cup, showed plenty of heart, but fell short in the chase after Babette de Leede (30) and Heather Siegers (24) were dismissed. It meant that Pakistan finished their tournament on a winning note and will occupy fifth spot on the points table in Group A. The Netherlands chase began brightly with Heather Siegers striking five boundaries off Sadia Iqbal, Fatima Sana, and Diana Baig to race to 24 off 16 balls. But Diana eventually had the last laugh by trapping Heather lbw in the fourth over with a slower ball, which went past the pull to hit the back pad, as the DRS also confirmed the same. Phebe Molkenboer followed soon after, run out for eight by a sharp direct hit from Eyman Fatima at short fine leg. Sterre Kalis tried to rebuild with Babette de Leede, but runs dried up against the spin of Nashra Sandhu and Tuba Hassan. Eventually, Sterres stay ended tamely when she attempted a cut off Nashra, but chopped on to her stumps for 12. Babette and Robine Rijke, who looked tentative, tried to revive the chase by rotating strike with singles and twos, with the former hitting occasional boundaries, twice of which came off part-timer Ayesha Zafar. But with Pakistans spinners not giving much pace, Ayesha eventually prevailed by trapping Robine lbw, before having Sanya Khurana stumped for a three-ball duck, and had Frederique Overdijk cutting straight to cover for six. From there, the Netherlands had no room to claw back - Iris Zwilling was run out bizarrely when Babette de Leedes straight drive ricocheted off the nonstriker. With Babette committed to the run, Iris was stranded, and Ayesha collected the ball to throw it to the keeper and have the latter run out. Fatima then castled Babette, Silver Siegers, and Caroline de Lange to seal a big win for Pakistan. Babette and Robine Rijke, who looked tentative, tried to revive the chase by rotating strike with singles and twos, with the former hitting occasional boundaries, twice of which came off part-timer Ayesha Zafar. But with Pakistans spinners not giving much pace, Ayesha eventually prevailed by trapping Robine lbw, before having Sanya Khurana stumped for a three-ball duck, and had Frederique Overdijk cutting straight to cover for six. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pakistan 126/6 in 20 overs (Gull Feroza 63 not out, Ayesha Zafar 32; Iris Zwilling 2-19, Silver Siegers 1-17) beat Netherlands 89 all out in 18 overs (Babette de Leede 30, Heather Siegers 24; Farima Sana 3-12, Ayesha Zafar 3-13) by 37 runs Article Source: IANS
New Zealand make vital inroads as England lean on Harry Brook fifty
Nathan Smith, Will O'Rourke strike early to wobble hosts after second-day turnaround
2nd T20I: India Seek Redemption As Ireland Eye Historic Series Win In Belfast (Preview)
Civil Service Cricket Club: India will have little time to dwell on their shock defeat in the series opener as they return to the Civil Service Cricket Club on Sunday for a must-win second and final T20I against a confident Ireland side eager to script another piece of history. The reigning T20 World Cup champions were outplayed in all three departments of the game on Friday as Ireland recovered from 36/3 to post 182/9 before dismissing India for 148 to register their first-ever T20I victory over the Men in Blue. The result not only handed Ireland a 1-0 lead in the two-match series but also put them one win away from what would arguably be the biggest bilateral T20I series triumph in their history. For India, Sunday's contest is about far more than levelling the series. It is an opportunity to respond after a performance that exposed flaws in both planning and execution. The visitors made the perfect start with the ball in the opening match, reducing Ireland to 36/3 inside the Power-play through disciplined spells from Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. However, the momentum slipped away in the middle overs as Lorcan Tucker and Gareth Delany rebuilt the innings before George Dockrell's late assault helped Ireland finish with a daunting 182. Iyer, who was captaining the side for the first time in T20Is, admitted after the match that India lost execution during the middle phase, allowing Ireland to attack straight down the ground on a venue where the boundaries are comparatively shorter. He also stressed that the team would forget what's happened and return all guns blazing in the series finale. That statement now needs to be backed by action. India's bowling plans, particularly in the death overs, are expected to come under scrutiny. Despite Harshit Rana finishing with impressive figures of 3/24, Ireland plundered 66 runs in the final five overs after capitalising on a few tactical errors. Better management of bowling resources and improved execution at the death will be key if India are to prevent another late-innings surge. The batting unit also has significant questions to answer. Abhishek Sharma's explosive 50 off just 20 deliveries briefly put India on course during the chase, but the innings unravelled once he departed. Captain Shreyas Iyer managed only three runs, while Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel all failed to convert their starts. Apart from Shivam Dube's brisk cameo, the middle order struggled to build partnerships or keep pace with the required run rate. With the series on the line, the Indian think tank could consider changes to the playing XI. Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is among the players waiting for an opportunity and could come into contention if the management opts to freshen up the batting order after the disappointing display in the opener. Ireland, meanwhile, will enter the decider brimming with confidence. Having finally broken their T20I victory drought against India after eight successive defeats, Lorcan Tucker's men now have the chance to achieve something even more significant: a series victory over the world champions on home soil. Captain Tucker led from the front with a composed half-century in the first match, while Gareth Delany narrowly missed out on a fifty. More importantly for the hosts, debutants Matt Hollard and Jai Moondra repaid the team's faith with outstanding performances. Hollard was named Player of the Match after claiming three wickets, while Moondra's disciplined spell and two wickets highlighted Ireland's growing bowling depth. Although Ireland holds the psychological advantage, they will be aware that India possesses enough quality to mount a strong comeback. The visitors have often responded positively after defeats, and Shreyas Iyer's side will be determined to avoid an uncommon bilateral series loss. With Ireland chasing another historic milestone and India desperate to restore their reputation, the stage is set for a compelling finale in Belfast. When: Sunday, June 28, 6:00 PM IST Where: Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast Where to Watch: Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD on TV. SonyLiv will live-stream the match on its website and app. Squads: Where to Watch: Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD on TV. SonyLiv will live-stream the match on its website and app. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ireland: Lorcan Tucker (c), Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey, Matthew Hollard, Liam McCarthy, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, and Reuben Wilson Article Source: IANS
Zimbabwe look to build on rare Test momentum against Bangladesh
Ngarava begins his captaincy stint as Zimbabwe seek to back up last year's Sylhet win over a confident Bangladesh
Capsey: My batting feels in a better place
After a phase of 11 innings and 20 months without a half-century in T20Is, the England No. 4 has turned a page in her career
Womens T20 WC: Pakistan Suffer Late Collapse Despite Ferozas Fifty, Post 126/6 Against Netherlands
T20 World Cup: Pakistans batting effort against the Netherlands in their crucial clash in the Womens T20 World Cup 2026 at the County Ground in Bristol followed a familiar script - promise early on, but a collapse at the death would squander those efforts. From 102/2 after 15 overs with Gull Feroza hitting 63 not out off 52 balls, Pakistan lost four wickets for just 24 runs to finish at 126/6 in their 20 overs. It leaves the Netherlands a modest target of 127 to chase if they are to get their maiden win in the competition. The innings began cautiously for Pakistan, before Muneeba Ali struck a couple of crisp boundaries off Iris Zwilling. But Muneeba perished in the fourth over, driving straight to cover off Hannah Landheer for 12. That brought Ayesha Zafar, and together with Gull, the pair stitched a 79run stand that gave Pakistan their best phase of the innings. Ayesha mixed sweeps and lofted drives to score 32, while Gull anchored with patience before opening up with inventive strokes, including scoops and sweeps. But Ayeshas dismissal, caught at extra cover off Silver Siegers, triggered the slide for Pakistan. Skipper Fatima Sana followed soon after, pulling Iris straight to deep midwicket. Debutant Eyman Fatima lasted six balls before holing out off Caroline de Lange, and Iram Javed was stumped attempting a charge against Heather Siegers, while Saira Jabeen briefly skied a catch to midoff against Iris, who ended up with 2-19, thanks to her tight lines. Gull, meanwhile, reached her fifty with a sweep behind square, but found little support as wickets tumbled around her. She struck nine fours in her superb knock, but the momentum had drained away by then for Pakistan. Tuba Hassan edged one past the keeper for a boundary, but could not lift the tempo further. What could have been a total in excess of 140 became 126 for Pakistan, who also equalled their highest of the tournament, but now need to defend it against a spirited Dutch outfit if they are to sign off from the competition on a high. Gull, meanwhile, reached her fifty with a sweep behind square, but found little support as wickets tumbled around her. She struck nine fours in her superb knock, but the momentum had drained away by then for Pakistan. Tuba Hassan edged one past the keeper for a boundary, but could not lift the tempo further. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pakistan 126/6 in 20 overs (Gull Feroza 63 not out, Ayesha Zafar 32; Iris Zwilling 2-19, Silver Siegers 1-17) against Netherlands Article Source: IANS
T20 World Cup: India opener Shafali Verma has credited a conscious decision to simplify her batting for her improved run-scoring at the ongoing tournament, saying the mental reset that followed the Pakistan match has helped her play with greater freedom ahead of India's crucial final group-stage encounter against Australia. Speaking before the must-win fixture, Shafali also reflected on her batting approach, bowling responsibilities, India's fielding efforts, and the confidence the team has gained from previous success against the six-time champions. The opening batter said she realised that over-planning was holding her back early in the tournament, and changed her approach after the Pakistan game. A lot of things have improved in my batting. Before the Pakistan match, I was overthinking. I was planning too much, how I would play the first ball, what shot I would play off the second ball. But after that game, I realised that I don't need to complicate things. I just need to keep it simple. When I bat, I watch the ball and react. I don't plan too far ahead. That has helped me score runs more freely. Because of that change, I think I am getting good scores now. I am not putting too much pressure on myself. I will try to continue this approach in the must-win game against Australia as well, Shafali told JioStar. The opener explained that the biggest lesson has been knowing when not to attack and instead allowing the innings to develop naturally. If my shots are not coming off, I don't force them. I take singles and keep the scoreboard moving. I think batting is all about not complicating things. Keep it simple, take singles, rotate the strike, and play along the ground when needed. If the ball is in my hitting zone, I go for it. Otherwise, I respect the good deliveries and look for ones and twos. That is the approach I have learned over time. Don't try to hit every ball. Stay calm, watch the ball, and react. Whatever I have learned so far, this is what I have understood, she added. Apart from opening the batting, Shafali said captain Harmanpreet Kaur has clearly defined her role with the ball, allowing her to prepare accordingly. Harman di has kept my role very clear. She told me that I will have to bowl in the Power-play. So, I work on that on the net as well. I bowl with the new ball, focus on hitting the right areas, and try to keep the ball around the stumps. As an opener, I know that if you bowl outside the stumps, you give the batter room to score. So, I always try to bowl according to what I would expect as an opener, what line and length would trouble me. I bowl, keeping that in mind; tight lines, stump-to-stump, and making the batter work for runs, she stated. Addressing criticism over India's dropped catches during the tournament, Shafali defended her teammates and stressed that the side has continued to put in the work on the training ground. Everyone is thinking of giving their 100 per cent. No one is dropping catches or misfielding on purpose. Sometimes it's just not your day, the ball doesn't stick, the timing is off, or the bounce surprises you. But we always back the player who is having a tough day, both on and off the field. Our preparation has been good. We had two days of practice before this match against Bangladesh. We did fielding drills together as a team, half an hour of focused catching and ground fielding. So, I will not say that we are not preparing well. We are doing everything we can. It's just about the day. Some days things click, some days they don't. That's part of the game, the 22-year-old said. Looking ahead to Australia's challenge, Shafali acknowledged the quality of the opposition but said India's recent success against them offers belief. Everyone is thinking of giving their 100 per cent. No one is dropping catches or misfielding on purpose. Sometimes it's just not your day, the ball doesn't stick, the timing is off, or the bounce surprises you. But we always back the player who is having a tough day, both on and off the field. Our preparation has been good. We had two days of practice before this match against Bangladesh. We did fielding drills together as a team, half an hour of focused catching and ground fielding. So, I will not say that we are not preparing well. We are doing everything we can. It's just about the day. Some days things click, some days they don't. That's part of the game, the 22-year-old said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India will square off against Australia in a do-or-die encounter, with a victory confirming their place in the tournament's semi-final. Article Source: IANS
Gained Valuable Experience: Ujjain Falcons Optimistic After MPL 2026 Campaign
The Madhya Pradesh League: Ujjain Falcons may have narrowly missed out on a place in the semifinals of the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026, but the franchise believes the season has laid a strong foundation for future success both on and off the field. The Ujjain Falcons concluded their campaign with back-to-back victories and several standout individual performances, showcasing the potential of a young and promising squad. Throughout the tournament, the team demonstrated resilience, character, and the ability to compete against some of the strongest sides in the league. Reflecting on the season and the broader impact of the league, Ujjain Falcons owner Vinayak Kalani highlighted the importance of MPL in strengthening cricket's reach across the state. The Madhya Pradesh League has emerged as a good platform that connects fans from every corner of the state. For franchises like ours, it helps build stronger engagement with audiences and creates opportunities to establish our presence in regions where we see significant potential for growth in the future, said Kalani. Speaking about the league's evolution, he added, The focus now should be on taking the league to the next level. Discussions are centred around enhancing visibility, attracting greater sponsorship interest, and creating a larger ecosystem that benefits players, franchises, partners, and fans alike. The potential is enormous, and we are excited about the journey ahead. Kalani also praised the performances of the Ujjain Falcons squad and expressed confidence in the team's future. Our players showed tremendous commitment and passion throughout the tournament. While the result may not have gone entirely our way, the team delivered several memorable performances and gained valuable experience. These are the building blocks of a successful franchise. Looking ahead to the next season, the Ujjain Falcons owner reiterated the franchise's ambition to return stronger. Our players showed tremendous commitment and passion throughout the tournament. While the result may not have gone entirely our way, the team delivered several memorable performances and gained valuable experience. These are the building blocks of a successful franchise. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The 2026 campaign witnessed several standout moments for the Falcons, including all-rounder Madhav Tiwari's exceptional performances with both bat and ball and Aryan Pandey's memorable hat-trick against Bundelkhand Bulls. Article Source: IANS
Every Time He Clears One Level, We Look For The Next Challenge, Says Karthik On Sooryavanshi
The Rajasthan Royals: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik said teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi thrives on challenges, adding that every time he clears one level, hes always looking for the next thing which can challenge him in the cricketing world. Sooryavanshi, 15, is currently on his first assignment with the Indian team for the ongoing T20I series in Ireland before heading to England for a fivematch series beginning on July 1 in Durham. The Rajasthan Royals batter earned his maiden India callup on the back of a sensational IPL 2026 season, amassing 776 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 237.30, including 72 sixes. Sooryavanshi also showcased his pedigree at the junior level, scoring 175 in Indias victory over England in the final to clinch this years Under19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Vaibhav is a precocious talent at such a young age. Every time he clears one level, we look for the next challenge. First, he did well in the Under-19 World Cup against smaller teams. Then he did well against major teams like Australia and England in the Under-19 World Cup knockouts. Then he came to the IPL 2026 league phase and dominated. Then we thought, let's see him in big games. In the eliminator, he batted through about 12 overs. If he plays the first 10 to 12 overs, he almost sets the game up for his team. He did exactly that. He took down world-class bowlers like Pat Cummins. Every test you can put in front of him, he has passed with flying colours. He is extraordinary. His bat swing is beautiful. Vaibhav is a bit like Jasprit Bumrah, you don't want to tamper with his natural bowling action and with Vaibhav, he has a great backlift. I hope whoever coaches him from here doesn't change his bat swing, said Karthik on Sky Sports. On how difficult it is to bowl to Sooryavanshi, Karthik, who served as RCBs batting coach-cum-mentor in their victorious IPL 2026 season, recalled seeing his blistering fifty at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. At RCB, before our game against RR, we discussed what could be a weakness for this young batter. We felt a perfect yorker or a well-directed bouncer might work. But in Guwahati, nothing worked. Neither Bhuvneshwar nor Hazlewood could get him out, no matter what they tried. Vaibhav is one of the toughest batters to bowl to. On how difficult it is to bowl to Sooryavanshi, Karthik, who served as RCBs batting coach-cum-mentor in their victorious IPL 2026 season, recalled seeing his blistering fifty at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Outside the powerplay, he is smart enough to stick to his strengths. He is not a one-dimensional player. He can take singles and rotate strike, and if you bowl in his zone, he puts you away, he added. Article Source: IANS
'Have No Doubt Sooryavanshi Will Be A Force For Indian Cricket And World Cricket', Says Sangakkara
Cricket Kumar Sangakkara: Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara has backed teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to make a mark in international cricket, saying that he has all the ingredients to be a force for Indian cricket and world cricket. Sooryavanshi, 15, is currently on his first tour with the Indian team for the ongoing T20I series in Ireland, before he arrives in England for a five-game series starting on July 1 in Durham. He earned his maiden India call-up on the back of making 776 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 237.30 for RR, including hitting 72 sixes. Sooryavanshi also scored 175 in India beating England in the final to win this years Under-19 World Cup and Sangakkara, the former Sri Lanka captain, thinks the youngster is well-equipped to handle fame and attention. I feel Vaibhav will handle all the attention very well. At Rajasthan Royals, we pay a lot of attention to how we manage him and protect him. We keep an eye on him to make sure he stays grounded and focused. He will have many opportunities ahead, in cricket and commercially. How he balances that, and the support he gets from his family and the team, will be crucial. But one thing I can say for sure is that Vaibhav loves batting. He loves the game. The fame and flash don't really affect him. He is very grounded and curious about many things. He doesn't just live and breathe cricket all the time. He has space for other things. I have no doubt he will be a force for Indian cricket, world cricket, and in franchise cricket. Mentally, he is in a good place. I think he will deal with everything that comes with fame very well, said Sangakkara on Sky Sports. He also recalled how the franchise first spotted Sooryavanshi, who made his Ranji Trophy debut, at just 12. In 2023, our analyst Akshay sent us a text about a 12yearold kid named Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He said the boy was incredibly talented and we needed to have a look. His coach Manish Ojha had told Vaibhav's father that the kid was ready for the big leagues at just 12. We were surprised at first, thought it was a joke. But Akshay was very sure, so we brought him in. Rahul Dravid was the head coach at RR then. They watched him for five or six minutes and said, 'We have to buy this lad.' I first saw Vaibhav during a camp in Guwahati. In a small side net, Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma were bowling with the new ball. No one wanted to bat there. Vaibhav walked in and said, 'I'll bat.' The sound off his bat was like a gunshot. He took on Archer and Sandeep with ease. At one point, Archer just stopped and laughed because this 14yearold was treating him with utter disdain. Sangakkara further narrated an anecdote from this season to underline the teenagers confidence, as he hit a brilliant 93 off 38 balls to power RR to a memorable victory over Lucknow Super Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. I have a story from this season that stands out. We were playing against Lucknow Super Giants. They needed to defend 220 to stay alive in the tournament. We fielded first, and as the chase was about to begin, Vaibhav was walking out to open. Sangakkara further narrated an anecdote from this season to underline the teenagers confidence, as he hit a brilliant 93 off 38 balls to power RR to a memorable victory over Lucknow Super Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He ended up hitting 10 sixes in that game. Donovan and Lhuandre thought he was joking at first. But when he reached five sixes, they started counting down because they realised he was actually going to do it. That's the kind of confidence Vaibhav has at just 15 years of age. Article Source: IANS
Womens T20 WC: Just Amazing To See And Face The Biggest Players In The World, Says Molkenboer
T20 World Cup: Netherlands batter Phebe Molkenboer described her maiden Womens T20 World Cup experience as just amazing, saying the chance to see and face the biggest players in the world has been invaluable for her growth as a young cricketer. Netherlands, the tournament debutants, have been winless in the tournament so far and need a victory over Pakistan at the County Ground in Bristol to sign off from the competition on a high. For me, I think just playing against the biggest players in the world, its just amazing to see, to face them as a batter. Just getting the experience as a young player, and actually focusing on myself, and then actually performing if I can. And then just seeing them bat and bowl as well, its just amazing, said Phebe in a pre-game chat with the broadcasters. Speaking about her knock of 41 against South Africa, Phebe said, It was good fun. We had a good partnership. Its always good to start the powerplay with some runs. I think we did really well at the start. So Im really happy. It was a good pitch. The pitch is good. The outfield was pretty quick. So, if you just hit it nicely, then in the powerplay it will just roll for four. Just getting the experience as a young player, and actually focusing on myself, and then actually performing if I can. And then just seeing them bat and bowl as well, its just amazing, said Phebe in a pre-game chat with the broadcasters. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As a kid growing up, you play lots of sports on holidays, in the weekends. So, I really enjoyed it, just to be active all the time. So yeah, it helped me with my cricket as well, she concluded. Article Source: IANS
Pakistan bat against Netherlands; bring in Eyman Fatima, Tuba Hassan
Netherlands made one change with Heather Siegers replacing Myrthe van den Raad
Womens T20 WC: Not The Kind Of Cricket We Wanted To Play, But Lessons Learned In Batting, Says Zafar
T20 World Cup: Pakistans top-order batter Ayesha Zafar admitted her side failed to play the brand of cricket they had hoped for in the ongoing 2026 Womens T20 World Cup, but stressed the campaign had offered valuable lessons for the side, particularly in batting. Pakistan have been winless in the tournament so far and need a victory over Netherlands to sign off from the competition on a high. Definitely not the kind of cricket that we wanted to play and wanted to put up in this World Cup. But however, we have definitely learned quite a lot of few things, specifically regarding batting, how we have seen some players from the different teams step up to the occasion and bat throughout. And I think thats what we have been missing, Ayesha said in a pre-match chat with the broadcasters. On her own batting, Ayesha conceded she struggled to get going consistently. I would like to get going in my innings more because honestly, in these few matches, Ive not been able to get going other than one or two matches. So I think Id work more on the development of my innings, how to go about it. Playing in a T20 World Cup after eight years, Ayesha further underlined her desire to contribute with the ball in the shortest format. Because you see in T20 cricket, its all about how much you can give back to your team. I think if I can bowl a few overs in the match and support my bowling unit as well, then I think that would be good, she said. On her own batting, Ayesha conceded she struggled to get going consistently. I would like to get going in my innings more because honestly, in these few matches, Ive not been able to get going other than one or two matches. So I think Id work more on the development of my innings, how to go about it. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Whenever you feel youre down, shes there to help you out and get out of the shell or wherever youre stuck. So shes always there, and I believe she always will be there, she concluded. Article Source: IANS
Abhishek: 'The areas Ireland bowled in as a unit were much better than us'
India came unstuck against Ireland's debutant quick bowlers Jai Moondra and Matt Hollard, who shared five wickets between them
RCA Ad-hoc Panel Gets 10th Extension, Elections Delayed Yet Again
The Rajasthan Cricket Association: The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) will continue to function under an ad-hoc committee after the state government extended its tenure by another three months, marking the tenth consecutive extension since the panel was first appointed in March 2024. The extension was approved by Registrar of Cooperative Societies Dr. Samit Sharma, who said the decision was taken to avoid a legal vacuum in the functioning of the state's cricket body. The committee has now been directed to complete the election process within the next three months. The ad-hoc committee, originally constituted for only three months after the previous RCA executive was removed in March 2024, has remained in charge for more than two years as elections continue to be deferred. According to a letter submitted by the committee to the government on June 24, elections could not be conducted because investigations into the financial and administrative functioning of the previous RCA executive are still underway. The committee also cited unresolved disputes involving several district cricket associations, stating that these issues must be settled before free and fair elections can be held in accordance with RCA bylaws. The panel further informed the government that the ongoing domestic cricket season, coupled with other unavoidable administrative circumstances, also contributed to the delay in conducting elections. The government has retained the existing committee, with Mohit Yadav continuing as convener. Other members include Dhananjay Singh, Ashish Tiwari, Sushil Jain, Arisht Singhvi, and Arjun Beniwal. The composition of the committee has often drawn political attention, with several members belonging to prominent political families. The panel further informed the government that the ongoing domestic cricket season, coupled with other unavoidable administrative circumstances, also contributed to the delay in conducting elections. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the latest extension, the spotlight is once again on whether the long-pending RCA elections will finally be held by September 2026, as directed by the government, or whether Rajasthan cricket will continue under interim administration. Article Source: IANS
India's playing XI and game plans under scrutiny as Ireland dream big
It wasn't a case of everything going wrong for India in the first T20I, but enough things did not go to plan and Ireland, familiar with the conditions, cashed in
Couch and Pretorius take Unicorns past Orcas in scrappy, see-saw contest
There were collapses in both innings, but Brody Couch made the difference in the end with his three-for and 14-ball 26*
Karnataka Clinch IDCA U-19 3rd T20 National Cricket Championship For Deaf 2026
The Indian Deaf Cricket Association: The third edition of the U-19 T20 National Cricket Championship for the Deaf 2026 wrapped up with Karnataka U-19 emerging as champions after defeating Haryana U-19 by five wickets. This tournament held particular significance for IDCA, as it reaffirmed their dedication to nurturing and developing the next generation of cricket talent nationwide. The Karnataka team was awarded the trophy during a grand closing ceremony at the RDT Stadium Cricket Ground in Anantapur. Organised by the Deaf Cricket Association of Andhra Pradesh (DCAAP), the week-long championship showcased some of the countrys most talented young deaf cricketers, highlighting the Indian Deaf Cricket Associations (IDCA) dedication to fostering inclusivity, equal opportunities, and excellence in sports. A. Malola, District Revenue Officer (DRO) of Anantapur, attended as the Chief Guest for the closing ceremony. The event saw 10 state teams, Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana, Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, compete in 23 league matches held from June 22 to 26, 2026. The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) is backed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and is acknowledged by the Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC) as well as the Asian Deaf Cricket Association (ADCA). Championship Final Toss: Karnataka U19 won the toss and elected to field. Haryana U19: 74 all out (15.5 overs) Karnataka U19: 78/5 (13.5 overs) Result: Karnataka U19 won by 5 wickets. After an exciting week of competitive cricket, Karnataka U19 has been crowned the champions of the 3rd U-19 T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026. Final Standings: Champions: Karnataka U19 Runners-up: Haryana U19 Third Place: Delhi U19 Outstanding performances were recognised with the following awards Best Batsman: Santih Shetty (Karnataka U19) Best Bowler: M U Sagar (Karnataka U19) Player of the Series: Santih Shetty (Karnataka U19) Player of the Final Match: M U Sagar (Karnataka U19) Speaking on the successful conclusion of the championship, Sumit Jain, president, IDCA, said, The successful completion of the U-19 3rd T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026 is another proud milestone for Indian deaf cricket. Watching these talented young athletes compete with such determination, passion, and sportsmanship has been truly inspiring. Player of the Final Match: M U Sagar (Karnataka U19) Also Read: Live Cricket Score Challagali Raghu, general secretary, DCAAP, added, It has been an honour for Andhra Pradesh to host this prestigious national championship. The enthusiasm, discipline, and talent displayed by all ten teams have made this tournament a memorable celebration of deaf cricket. We thank IDCA, the players, officials, volunteers, and our partners for making this event a grand success and look forward to hosting many more such championships in the future. Article Source: IANS
WI Vs SL 1st Test: Amir Jangoo, Roston Chase Keep West Indies In Touch Against Sri Lanka
Resolute batting by Amir Jangoo and captain Roston Chase kept the West Indies within reach of Sri Lanka's first innings total as the home side closed day two of the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua at 271 for five. Sri Lanka, seeking their first-ever Test series triumph in the Caribbean, were dismissed for 308 on the opening day. Jangoo, playing in only his second Test, will resume on the third morning on 78 in partnership with Chase (42 not out). Their sixth-wicket stand has already added 103 important runs to the home side's effort after they were struggling at 168 for five heading into the final session of the day. On a pitch playing slower and lower with each passing hour after offering considerable assistance to the faster bowlers early on the first day, the batting of Jangoo and Chase lacked flair, although their watchful determination was exactly what the West Indies needed to resurrect their innings after most of the top-order batting contributed to their own demise. While the wicket was really good, the bowlers were getting the ball to swing a lot, so once I was able to cope with that it was just about waiting for the balls in my area to score, said Jangoo in analysing his innings at the end of the day. I definitely had to restrain myself as a batter, he added. Playing the longer format of the game you have to be a lot tighter, a lot more compact. It got easier with the time spent out there but that was only because of the work put in ahead of the series. Sri Lanka suffered a significant setback at the start of the day when seamer Lahiru Kumara, only just returned from a lengthy period of recuperation from a leg injury, pulled up at the start of his second over and left the field. In his absence, Asitha Fernando and Milan Rathnayaka shouldered the bulk of the work by the pacers while Sonal Dinusha's left-armers earned the tourists their only wicket via spin on the day. - Abysmal run - West Indies openers John Campbell and Brandon King looked completely at ease in a stand of 58 by the end of the first hour's play. However, the first drinks break may have contributed to a lapse in concentration as King drove loosely to Rathnayaka to give a simple catch at short extra-cover. Campbell's demise with his score on 39 came when the left-hander attempted to heave a delivery from Dinusha out of the ground and was taken at long-on for 39. When Kavem Hodge played on to Rathnayaka, West Indies were unsteady at 102 for three just after lunch. Jangoo then found a useful partner in his Trinidad and Tobago captain, Joshua da Silva, in putting on 52 runs for the fourth wicket until the wicketkeeper-batsmen was caught driving at cover off the persevering Fernando. There was more success for Fernando on the stroke of tea when Justin Greaves, caught in two minds, pulled out of a shot too late and wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis came up with a good low catch to his right to shift the balance of play very much in favour of Sri Lanka. Yet they were to be frustrated by the West Indies' sixth-wicket pair as Jangoo and Chase sought to eliminate risks in successfully avoiding the late clatter of wickets which has become a familiar feature of recent West Indies batting efforts, especially through most of a chastening 2025 when the Caribbean side lost eight of 10 Test matches played. That abysmal run extinguished any hope, however unlikely, of challenging for a top two spot in the current World Test Championship cycle. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For Sri Lanka, this second day of play will be a timely reminder of the enormity of the task they face away from the familiar confines of Colombo and Galle in their quest to make their WTC dream in 2027 a reality.
Ferreira, Milne run through MI New York to give Super Kings third win
It was the lowest-scoring of the MLC 2026 games so far, with 259 runs scored in 39 overs, and lifted Texas Super Kings to the top of the table
Captain Chamari Athapaththu: Captain Chamari Athapaththu's explosive start and Nilakshika Silva's composed unbeaten finish helped Sri Lanka pull off their highest successful chase in ICC Women's T20 World Cup history, edging Scotland by three wickets with one ball to spare to keep their semi-final hopes alive on Saturday. The stunning win also saw Sri Lanka register their first-ever three victories in a single Women's T20 World Cup tournament, to jump to third spot in Group B. England have already booked their semi-final berth, with Sri Lanka joining West Indies and New Zealand in the race for the second spot in the group. Having been put to bat first, Scotland were off to a slow start but managed to post a competitive 151 for six on the back of contributions from Sarah Bryce and Ailsa Lister. Darcey Carter, Scotland's leading run-getter in the competition, made a patient 34-ball 36 to ensure their stay through the opening spell. However, the slower bowlers of Sri Lanka put up a strong show as boundaries dried up and Scotland could only manage 67 for two by the halfway mark. The impetus was provided in the late stages through a 53-run fourth-wicket partnership between Lister and Sarah Bryce. The former struck four boundaries during a quick 26 before being run out by a direct throw from Nilakshika Silva and Scotland from 138 for four, slipped to 146 for six before Sarah Bryce kept one end up with an excellent undefeated 47 off 33 deliveries laced with six boundaries including a sweet cover drive to wrap the innings up. Sri Lanka were outstanding in the field with Mithali Ayodhya being rewarded with two wickets, while Kavisha Dilhari finished with encouraging figures of 1 for 19 from her full four-overs. Two run outs put paid to Scotland's dreams of topping the 150-run mark. Needing not just victory but also a quick win in the chase to boost their Net Run Rate, Sri Lanka came out of the blocks with aggressive intent. Athapaththu, fresh off a century in her last innings without being dismissed, launched into a destructive spell at the top with six boundaries and a six off just 16 deliveries as her onslaught took the powerplay score to 65, the highest for the team in the competition before she was clean bowled by Katherine Fraser in the sixth over. Scotland responded through Fraser and the captain Kathryn Bryce, who along with Rachel Slater picked two wickets each and helped their team to restrict Sri Lanka to 118 for six after 15 overs. However, Nilakshika Silva held her nerves to finish with a valuable unbeaten 21 to shepherd the lower order through the tough finish. The match was into the last over, and things took an ugly turn when Slater, running in to bowl, was cramped with an injury and forced to abandon her spell. Scotland responded through Fraser and the captain Kathryn Bryce, who along with Rachel Slater picked two wickets each and helped their team to restrict Sri Lanka to 118 for six after 15 overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief scores: Scotland 151/6 in 20 overs (Sarah Bryce 47*, Darcey Carter 34; Mithali Ayodhya 2-34) lost to Sri Lanka 154/7 in 19.5 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 33, Nilakshi Silva 21*; Katherine Fraser 2-25, Kathryn Bryce 2-28) by 3 wickets Article Source: IANS
Heartbreak for Scotland as SL clinch thriller to stay alive
Sri Lanka now rely on England beating New Zealand and Ireland handing a thrashing to West Indies to make it to the final four
Chris Wood seals Hampshire win with bat after starring with ball
Yorkshire unable to string together partnerships but scrap hard in defence of small target
Munsey fires Nottinghamshire to victory at Kent
Sam Billings leads home effort with 64 off 38 but Outlaws get home with eight balls to spare
James Rew sends reminder with astonishing solo hundred
Discarded England batter produces innings for the ages to seal 18-run win
Malik magic sets up Warwickshire for midlands bragging rights
Young opener's 99 from 46 sets the stage for thumping win against local rivals
Livingstone headlines powerhouse Lancashire victory
International-quality line-up proves too much for Leicestershire on hot night
Jacks, Philippe fire as Surrey keep Sussex in doldrums
Home side fall away badly after being 92 for 0 from seven overs
Crane, Dickson keep Glamorgan in knockouts contention
Legspinner's four-for limits Middlesex before hosts wrap up victory with room to spare
TG20 Season 1: Jaiswal, Himateja And Milind Star As Khammam Aces Clinch Last-over Thriller
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Khammam Aces held their nerve to script a thrilling eight-run victory over EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds in a high-scoring contest that went down to the final over, securing victory in the second match on Matchday 6 of the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 in teh Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday. Half-centuries from Mickil Jaiswal and K Himateja powered the Aces to 213/6, before skipper CV Milind produced a match-winning spell of 4/21, helping the Aces withstand a record-breaking assault from Satwik Reddy to secure a memorable win. The Diamonds made the perfect start, striking twice in consecutive overs to remove openers Wafi Kachchhi (0 off 2) and Mayank Gupta (2 off 3), leaving the Aces reeling early. With the innings in trouble, K Himateja (56 off 33) launched a spirited counterattack, taking the attack to the bowlers from the outset. He raced to a well-crafted half-century in just 24 balls, bringing up the milestone with a towering six, and stitched together a game-changing 99-run partnership off just 48 balls with G Sai Krishna Reddy. Sai Krishna survived a major scare on 43 when Ashish Srivastav held onto a return catch, only for it to be ruled a no-ball. The reprieve proved short-lived, however, as Srivastav trapped him LBW just two deliveries later to break the threatening stand. The breakthrough slowed the Aces' momentum. Himateja struggled to maintain the scoring rate before holing out to Hrishikesh Simha off Harish Thakur, who claimed his second wicket of the innings. Prateek Reddy (19 off 10) departed soon after, further denting the Aces. With wickets falling around him, Mickil Jaiswal and CV Milind (16 off 13) steadied the innings. Milind played the supporting role before falling to Harish Thakur, but Jaiswal immediately shifted the momentum back with a towering six. Jaiswal then took complete control, bringing up his second consecutive half-century in just 30 balls. His unbeaten 64 off 34 deliveries, featuring four and six sixes, powered the Aces to a formidable 213. In reply, the Diamonds endured a disastrous start, losing skipper Tanmay Agarwal (0 off 1) and Hrishikesh Simha (0 off 3) inside the opening over to CV Milind. Rahul Radesh (4 off 5) briefly counterattacked but was also dismissed by Milind in the third over, reducing the Diamonds to 28/3. With the chase in trouble, Satwik Reddy produced a sensational counterattack. He took on Vidyananda Reddy and Sahendra Mallu with fearless strokeplay, including a remarkable fifth over that yielded 28 runs with four successive sixes. Satwik brought up his half-century in just 16 balls the fastest in the history of the Sreenidhi University TG20. The Aces, however, hit back with timely wickets. Wafi dismissed Harish Thakur before Ved Reddy removed the dangerous Satwik Reddy, who fell for a scintillating 63 off 27 balls, leaving the Diamonds at 97/5. Chandan Sahani then sparked another revival, smashing five sixes across two overs. Alongside Shubham Sharma, he lifted the Diamonds to 130/5 and briefly swung the momentum back in their favour. The Aces responded immediately as Sahendra Mallu dismissed Chandan (38 off 17), while CV Milind accounted for Narayana Teja (13 off 11) after Ved completed a stunning catch. Shubham continued to fight alongside Ashish Srivastav, but regular wickets kept the asking rate out of reach. Needing 17 off the final over, Shubham kept the chase alive with consecutive boundaries off the first two deliveries. However, Mahesh Vipparla held his nerve brilliantly, conceding just four runs from the remaining four balls, which sealed a thrilling eight-run victory. The Aces responded immediately as Sahendra Mallu dismissed Chandan (38 off 17), while CV Milind accounted for Narayana Teja (13 off 11) after Ved completed a stunning catch. Shubham continued to fight alongside Ashish Srivastav, but regular wickets kept the asking rate out of reach. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Anvita Khammam Aces 214/5 in 20 overs (Mickil Jaiswal 64*, K Himateja 56, G Sai Krishna Reddy 43, Harish Thakur 3/40, Rathlavath Dinesh 1/40) beat EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds 205/9 in 20 overs (Satwik Reddy 63, Shubham Sharma 53*, Chandan Sahani 38, CV Milind 4/21, Sahendra Mallu 2/49) by eight runs. Article Source: IANS
India And Pakistan Players Shake Hands At FIH Pro League Match In London
FIH Pro League: The trend that started in the cricket field ended on the astro turf as members of the Indian hockey team shook hands with Pakistani players at the end of their FIH Pro League matches, setting aside the politics and signalling a thaw in the relationships. The Indian hockey team players shook hands with the Pakistani players at the end of both their encounters in the FIH Pro League in London, which came as a pleasant surprise to many, considering that the issue had generated a lot of heat a few months back. Hockey players from both sides shook hands before and after the two matches, as is traditionally done in hockey. It was apparent that the Indian players did not refuse to shake hands when the Pakistani players approached them on Friday. Suryakumar Yadav's cricket team implemented this 'no handshake policy' when it refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players during the Asia Cup T20 tournament in 2025 to honour the victims of the Pahhelgam terror attack and to stand in solidarity with the Indian armed forces. The Indian women's team and the India U-19 teams followed suit. Teams and players in other sports followed that policy and did not make any attempt to shake hands with the Pakistani players before, during, and after their matches. The decision by Suryakumar Yadav's team made news all over the world, with global media covering India-Pakistan cricket matches just to write about it. Shaking hands or greeting the opponent is one of the most basic things done in sports and is mostly considered a courtesy and part of the spirit of sportsmanship. The decision by Suryakumar Yadav's team made news all over the world, with global media covering India-Pakistan cricket matches just to write about it. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The social media across the border had reacted quite positively to the Indian hockey players shaking hands with Pakistani players in the first clash between the two teams a couple of days back. With the teams shaking hands after their second match, too, it is going to get more attention and reaction from people from both countries. Article Source: IANS
Lynn lights the fuse as Northants run riot against Essex
Visitors rolled aside for 108 after Vasconcelos, Willey help pile on the runs
ENG-W vs NZ-W Match 28, Cricket Tips :The defending champion, New Zealand Women, are hanging by a thin thread in the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. The two defeats to start the campaign have pushed them behind other teams. Their chance to qualify is minimal, and it depends on other results. New Zealand will face England Women on Saturday at Kennington Oval in London at 11 PM IST. If New Zealand lose this game, it will be all over. But if they win, they should pray that West Indies lose their match game against Ireland on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, England are already through, and the result of this game will not impact them much. ENG-W vs NZ-W: Match Details Date : June 27, 2026 (Saturday) Time : 11PM IST Venue : Kennington Oval, London ENG-W vs NZ-W Live Streaming Details The live action of the upcoming game will be available on the Star Sports Networks with the live stream option available at the Jio Hotstar app or website. ENG-W vs NZ-W Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 43 England Women : 34 New Zealand Women : 09 No-Result : 00 ENG-W vs NZ-W: Ground Pitch Report This is the first game at this venue in this edition. This wicket is good for the bowlers, as there will be good seam and pace to offer. The new ball will be tough to face, and the overhead conditions will assist the bowling side more in the first innings. ENG-W vs NZ-W Possible XIs ENG-W : Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones (wk), Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Charlie Dean (c), Danielle Gibson, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell NZ-W: Amelia Kerr (c), Isabella Gaze (wk), Izzy Sharp, Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Jess Kerr, Nensi Patel, Lea Tahuhu, Bree Illing ENG-W vs NZ-W Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Danni Wyatt Hodge has been in top form, and she will be key for England at the top. For New Zealand, captain Amelia Kerr will have a big role with the bat. Probable Best Bowler Freya Kemp has been impressive in her first ICC event. She has swung the ball and got wickets. For New Zealand, Jess Kerr will have a big role in this clash because of her wicket-taking ability. Today Match Prediction : New Zealand have not been at their best, while England have been clinical across formats. Hence, we will predict England Women will win this game on Saturday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score ENG-W vs NZ-W Match 28 ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Today 2026 Match, ENG-W vs NZ-W 2026 Prediction, ENG-W vs NZ-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for ENG-W vs NZ-W Match Disclaimer : The predictions or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your prediction.
WI-W vs IRE-W Match 27, Cricket Tips :One team has made it to the semifinal from Group B of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Now, one of West Indies and New Zealand will secure the second spot from this group. West Indies Women will be taking on Ireland Women in match 27 in Bristol. This contest will commence at 7 PM IST on Saturday at County Ground. Ireland are out of the tournament after losing all four group games. On the other hand, West Indies are in a must-win position. If they win, they are in, but if they lose, New Zealand will have a chance. WI-W vs IRE-W: Match Details Date : June 27, 2026 (Saturday) Time : 7 PM IST Venue : County Ground, Bristol WI-W vs IRE-W Live Streaming DetailsI ndian fans can watch the live action of the WI-W vs IRE-W on the Star Sports Networks. Fans can also watch the game through the Jio Hotstar streaming platform. WI-W vs IRE-W Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 10 West Indies Women : 09 Ireland Women : 01 No-Result : 00 WI-W vs IRE-W: Ground Pitch Report County Ground in Bristol will host the second consecutive game on Saturday. The wicket is expected to get slower, which means there will be a little challenge for the batters to time the shot. The ball will stick to the surface, and batting first will be key here. WI-W vs IRE-W Possible XIs WI-W : Hayley Matthews (c), Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Jahzara Claxton, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Ashmini Munisar, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack IRE-W: Amy Hunter (wk), Orla Prendergast, Gaby Lewis (c), Rebecca Stokell, Louise Little, Leah Paul, Arlene Kelly, Alice Tector, Aimee Maguire, Cara Murray, Lara McBride WI-W vs IRE-W Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Hayley Matthews and Orla Prendergast are two in-form batters for both sides. They will have the responsibility to lead their team to a good score. Probable Best Bowler Arlene Kelly and Afy Fletcher have been in wicket-taking form and have taken wickets in almost every game this season. Today Match Prediction : West Indies Women are a more experienced and skilful team as compared to Ireland. Hence, we predict West Indies to win this game. WI-W vs IRE-W Match 27 ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Today 2026 Match, WI-W vs IRE-W 2026 Prediction, WI-W vs IRE-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for WI-W vs IRE-W Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The predictions or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your prediction.
PAK-W vs NED-W Match 26, Cricket Tips :The next game of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 will be played in Group A. This is a dead rubber game, which will be played between Pakistan Women and Netherlands Women. It will be played at County Ground in Bristol on Saturday at 3 PM IST. These two teams are out of the tournament after failing to perform well in these conditions. Netherlands and Pakistan have failed to win a single game this edition, and this is their final game in this competition. Both sides will look to conclude the tournament with a win. PAK-W vs NED-W: Match Details Date : June 27, 2026 (Saturday) Time : 3 PM IST Venue : County Ground, Bristol PAK-W vs NED-W Live Streaming Details In India, fans can watch the PAKW vs NEDW live on the Star Sports networks. Fans can also watch the live stream on the Jio Hotstar app or website. PAK-W vs NED-W Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 01 Pakistan Women : 01 Netherlands Women : 00 No-Result: 00 PAK-W vs NED-W: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Bristol is good for bowling. There is enough for fast bowlers with the new ball, and early on, the batters will have a challenging phase. The wicket in the second innings will be comparatively better, and the chasing team will have better conditions. PAK-W vs NED-W Possible XIs PAK-W : Muneeba Ali (wk), Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Ayesha Zafar, Saira Jabeen, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana (c), Diana Baig, Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal NED-W : Sanya Khurana, Phebe Molkenboer, Babette de Leede (c & wk), Sterre Kalis, Robine Rijke, Iris Zwilling, Frederique Overdijk, Silver Siegers, Myrthe van den Raad, Caroline de Lange, Hannah Landheer PAK-W vs NED-W Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Fatima Sana has been the standout batter for Pakistan in this campaign. For Netherlands, captain Babette de Leede has been the only batter who has looked in control. Probable Best Bowler Nashra Sandhu and Caroline de Lange are two key bowlers to watch out for in this game. Today Match Prediction: Both teams have struggled, but Netherlands clearly lack the experience. Hence, we predict Pakistan women will win this game. PAK-W vs NED-W Match 26 ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Today 2026 Match, PAK-W vs NED-W 2026 Prediction, PAK-W vs NED-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for PAK-W vs NED-W Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The predictions or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your prediction.
Serena Williams daughters see how hard shes working for Wimbledon return
The biggest challenge for Williams in singles will likely be her fitness and movement, which on grass is more nuanced than on other surfaces
T20 World Cup: Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker hailed his side's resilience after they registered a historic 34-run victory over India in the opening T20I, describing the triumph over the reigning T20 World Cup winners as pretty special while praising his players for staying composed during difficult phases of the match. Ireland recovered from 36/3 to post 182/9, thanks to Tucker's 50 and Gareth Delany's 49, before bowling India out for 148 in 18.5 overs. Matthew Hollard and Matthew Humphreys claimed three wickets each as Ireland secured their first-ever T20I victory over India and took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. It was pretty special. But just credit to the lads. I think we scraped through that game. We had some tough periods in it, but we stayed in it. We were diligent, we worked hard, and we were lucky to get the reward in the end, Tucker said after the match. It's great to beat the world champions at home in the first game of the season. But credit is due to the lads. We had two debutants there who put in absolutely outstanding performances, he added. The skipper also continued his impressive run with the bat, scoring his second successive half-century as captain. Asked about the achievement, Tucker responded with typical humility. I have no idea why. I'm sure it will be broken the next day. But yeah, it's started nicely for me, he said. Ireland were in early trouble after slipping to 36/3 inside the Power-play before Tucker and Delany rebuilt the innings with a crucial partnership. The captain admitted India's disciplined bowling made life difficult in the opening overs. I think India bowled really well at the start. They bowled really good lengths and didn't really waver from them. They stuck with them and made it challenging to hit good shots. It nearly felt like a Test match at one stage, but we tried to stay in the game, build a partnership, and then took our opportunities when they came a bit later, he said. He also acknowledged the role of Cricket Ireland's support staff and the work done behind the scenes. I think all the work that goes on behind the scenes at Cricket Ireland, everyone is very dedicated. That's why we like to bring these results and reward everyone's efforts, he added. Tucker reserved special praise for debutants Matthew Hollard and Jai Moondra, who impressed with the ball after learning from India's bowling display in the first innings. I think they were really dogged. We learned a lot from how India bowled in the first innings. They didn't really stray from their lengths. We tried to tell the lads to do the same, and they showed their skill, accuracy, and ability to stay in those areas. Absolute credit to them. They worked so hard and executed the plans perfectly. Tucker reserved special praise for debutants Matthew Hollard and Jai Moondra, who impressed with the ball after learning from India's bowling display in the first innings. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Absolutely. A series win at home against India would be pretty special. The lads are absolutely keen to get back here. The energy today was fabulous, the crowd were brilliant, so it was special, he said. Article Source: IANS
Serena Williams draws 20-year-old Maya Joint in first Wimbledon singles match in four years
The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion, who is 44, accepted a wild-card entry to the grass-court Grand Slam
Direct qualification for Women's T20 World Cup 2028 on the line as Sri Lanka bowl against Scotland
Sri Lanka are still in contention of the semi-final of this year's tournament while Scotland are knocked out
World Champion India: World Champion India's shocking 34-run defeat to Ireland in the opening T20I at Belfast has sparked a strong reaction on social media, with many fans criticising the team's approach, captain Shreyas Iyer's tactics and batting, while others praised Ireland for scripting their first-ever T20I victory over India. Ireland recovered from 36/3 to post 182/9 before bowling India out for 148 in 18.5 overs. Matthew Hollard and Matthew Humphreys claimed three wickets each as the hosts ended an eight-match losing streak against India in T20Is. Many fans believed India entered the contest expecting an easy victory and paid the price for taking Ireland lightly. Reacting to the upset, one user wrote, Result of being too casual. Sharing a similar opinion, another fan felt India had underestimated the hosts despite their recent improvement in international cricket. The user praised Ireland's planning and execution while suggesting the visitors lacked the same intensity. That is why it is being said to never underestimate your opponent. The Indian team underestimated them. They thought they would win very easily, but kudos to Ireland, they came with preparation and took the win. Well played, Ireland, you deserved to win, he wrote on X. Shreyas Iyer, who is captaining the side for the first time in the T20I, also came on fire as fans questioned his bowling changes and his inability to make an impact with the bat during the chase. One user criticised his decision to continue with Prasidh Krishna, who conceded heavily in the death overs, while also pointing out that the captain managed only three runs. Poor Captaincy from Shreyas Iyer. Believing in Prasidh Krishna, who gave away 46 runs in two overs. Batting 3 runs in 7 balls while chasing 180+. When the Powerplay was going well, he just broke the momentum. Another fan focused on India's bowling strategy, arguing that Harshit Rana, who finished with figures of 3/24, should have been held back for the death overs instead of completing three overs inside the Power-play. The user felt that the decision allowed Ireland to cash in against other bowlers late in the innings. Shreyas Iyer's captaincy got brutally exposed today!! Why the hell would you complete 3 overs each of Harshit and Arshdeep in Powerplay itself!! Harshit is a proven death bowler with many variations; at least 2 overs should have been kept. Prasidh in death. The defeat also led many supporters to recall former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. Several users argued that India's middle order lacked the experience and game-changing ability that Suryakumar has often provided in pressure situations. One fan posted, SKY poor form because he is the 3rd all-time most run-scorer among Indian batters, and remember he earned captaincy by his performance and match-winning performances outside Asia. We have to respect our legends. This is not a genuine way to remove our match winners. Another echoed the sentiment, saying Suryakumar's absence was evident during India's unsuccessful chase. You only realise the value of a match-winner when he's not there. Today was a reminder of what SKY brings to this Indian side. Some absences speak louder than any presence. Head coach Gautam Gambhir also came under fire from some fans following the defeat, with one user sarcastically questioning how a side featuring several established international players had suffered such a result. Such a great team crafted by Gautam Gambhir that got humiliated by Ireland. Head coach Gautam Gambhir also came under fire from some fans following the defeat, with one user sarcastically questioning how a side featuring several established international players had suffered such a result. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, with the series on the line, Shreyas Iyer's side would look to shut down the critics when they face Ireland in the 2nd T20i on Sunday. Article Source: IANS
Villiers four-for, Armitage fifty maintain Durham run
Sophie Luff half-century not enough to prevent defeat for Somerset
Lorcan Tucker: 'Pretty special to beat the world champions at home'
We had some tough periods in it, but we stayed in it and were diligent, the Ireland captain said after maiden win over India
Tickner out of third Test with concussion; Foulkes named replacement
Tickner, batting at No. 10, was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer
1st T20I: 'We Lost Execution In The Middle Overs,' Says Iyer After India's Historic Loss To Ireland
Civil Service Cricket Club: India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted his side lost control of the contest in the middle overs despite making an excellent start with the ball, after Ireland scripted a historic 34-run victory in the opening T20I of the two-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Friday. Ireland recovered from 36/3 to post 182/9 before bowling India out for 148 to register their first-ever T20I victory over India. Reflecting on the defeat in his first match as India's T20I captain, Shreyas said the bowlers executed their plans well initially but allowed Ireland to rebuild by missing their lengths during the middle phase of the innings. I think initially, the bowlers were bowling well. They got lateral movement, and they got a couple of wickets as well. So we got a tremendous start, but in between, we lost execution. We made them hit straight down the ground, where we know that the dimensions are pretty small, he said. The skipper, however, credited the bowlers for pulling things back towards the end and felt India had restricted Ireland to a chaseable total. When we had to shut down the overs, they were brilliant as well. So I thought 140 would have been an amazing score considering the start that we got. Nonetheless, it's a great experience over here. We got to play in these conditions, got a fair idea about the wicket, he added. Despite the disappointing result, Shreyas was keen to move on quickly and insisted the team would learn from the defeat ahead of the second T20I. Yes, definitely. We're going to forget what's happened. Definitely a lot to learn from this game and see to it that we come out in the next game all guns blazing, he said. The India captain also reserved special praise for Harshit Rana, who returned figures of 3/24 in his comeback from injury, and backed all-rounder Shivam Dube for delivering another useful spell. Yes, certainly. They were getting help up front at the start, and Shivam has bowled crucial overs in the past. So I always back him. I've played with him in the domestic circuit as well. I know his strengths and weaknesses, Shreyas said. And Harshit Rana, he bowled phenomenally. Coming out of an injury to perform at this level and showcase this sort of talent, it's simply brilliant. Shreyas said the defeat served as a reminder that success at the international level requires consistent effort and intensity. I think you can't take anything for granted. You can't just turn up and win matches. You have to work hard and see to it that you're in that moment. As I mentioned earlier, you've got to stay in the present and see to it that if you've got that opportunity to squeeze the opponent, we've got to do that. Never take any moment or situation lightly, he said. Shreyas said the defeat served as a reminder that success at the international level requires consistent effort and intensity. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, after this defeat, India will look to level the series against Ireland in the second T20I to be played on Sunday at the same ground. Article Source: IANS
1st T20i: Humphreys, Hollard Star As Ireland Seal Historic 34-run Win Against India
Reigning T20 World Cup: Reigning T20 World Cup-winner India, playing under a new captain and new-look team, suffered an embarrassing 34-run defeat to Ireland in the opening T20I of the two-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Friday. This is India's first-ever defeat to Ireland after surging to eight consecutive wins in the shortest format. Shreyas Iyer made a disappointing start to his captaincy as Matthew Hollard and Matthew Humphreys claimed three wickets apiece in a disciplined bowling display to help Ireland bowl India out for 148 in 18.5 overs, sealing a historic victory. Chasing a challenging target of 183, India made a brisk start with Abhishek Sharma taking the attack to the Irish bowlers. The left-hander struck a six and a boundary in the opening over as India raced to 16 without loss. Ireland responded immediately as Jai Moondra produced a superb delivery to clean up Sanju Samson and hand the hosts an early breakthrough. Abhishek continued his aggressive approach, smashing Liam McCarthy for four boundaries in an over to keep India's chase on track. However, India suffered another setback when Ishan Kishan mistimed a flick off Matthew Hollard and was dismissed after scoring four. The wickets continued to fall as new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer failed to make an impact, managing just three runs from seven deliveries before departing, leaving India under pressure despite Abhishek's counterattack. Tilak Varma played a few attractive strokes, including two boundaries in the final over of the Power-play, helping India reach 68/3 after six overs. Abhishek then brought up a breathtaking half-century in just 19 balls, but Ireland struck at the perfect time as the opener was dismissed for 50 off only 20 deliveries. His entertaining knock featured seven fours and two sixes and left India at 85/4. Tilak's promising innings ended soon after as he fell for 19 off 21 balls, while Matthew Hollard further dented India's chase by dismissing Washington Sundar for nine. Shivam Dube briefly kept India's hopes alive with an attacking cameo, smashing two sixes and a boundary during his 25-run knock off 16 balls. At the other end, Axar Patel struggled to accelerate and managed only 15 from 16 deliveries before holing out to long-on. Dube's resistance ended when Jai Moondra completed an excellent return catch off his own bowling, effectively ending India's hopes of a comeback. Harshit Rana struck a couple of boundaries late in the innings but was dismissed for eight, while Matthew Humphreys wrapped up the innings by removing Arshdeep Singh in the 19th over. Matthew Hollard (3 wickets) and Matthew Humphreys (3 wickets) starred with the ball for Ireland, while Jai Moondra finished with two wickets. Liam McCarthy and Gareth Delany claimed one wicket each as Ireland completed a memorable victory to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Earlier, coming to bat after losing the toss, Ireland started aggressively through Tim Tector and Ross Adair before Harshit Rana struck twice in quick succession. Adair departed for 12 off seven balls after edging behind, while Harry Tector also fell early to Arshdeep Singh. Rana then dismissed Tim Tector for 17 with a clever slower delivery, reducing Ireland to 32/3. The hosts reached 36/3 at the end of the power play. Benjamin Calitz briefly counterattacked with two sixes before Shivam Dube removed him for 15, leaving Ireland in further trouble. However, Tucker and Delany rebuilt the innings with a crucial partnership, mixing sensible strike rotation with timely boundaries. Tucker anchored the innings and accelerated after settling in, taking 16 runs off an Axar Patel over before bringing up his fifty in 35 balls. Harshit returned to end Tucker's impressive knock of 50 from 36 deliveries, but Ireland continued to attack. George Dockrell made an immediate impact, smashing 19 runs off Washington Sundar's over before adding quick runs alongside Delany. The pair punished Prasidh Krishna, collecting 27 runs from the 17th over to push Ireland towards a strong finish. Axar Patel dismissed Dockrell for a brisk 19, while Delany fell agonisingly short of a half-century, scoring 49 off 31 balls with three fours and three sixes before being caught off Arshdeep Singh in the penultimate over. Ireland lost two more wickets in the final over but still finished with an imposing 182/9. Harshit Rana starred with the ball for India, claiming 3/24, while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each. Despite India's impressive start with the ball, Ireland's middle-order recovery and powerful finish ensured they posted a challenging total. Axar Patel dismissed Dockrell for a brisk 19, while Delany fell agonisingly short of a half-century, scoring 49 off 31 balls with three fours and three sixes before being caught off Arshdeep Singh in the penultimate over. Ireland lost two more wickets in the final over but still finished with an imposing 182/9. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ireland 182/9 in 20 overs (Locran Tucker 50, Gerath Delany 49, George Dockrell 19; Harshit Rana 3-24, Arshdeep Singh 2-28, Axar Patel 2-33) beat India 148 all out in 18.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 50, Shivam Dube 25; Matthew Humphreys 3-38, Matthew Hollard 3-28) by 34 runs. Article Source: IANS
Campbell, King give WI near-perfect session
King fell after drinks but Campbell got stuck in with Hodge for company
Fewer votes, more prominent roles for women likely in SLC's next proposed constitution
The Transformation Committee refused to divulge details of the constitution it is in the process of drafting, nor did it commit to specific deadlines
TG20 Season 1: Gaurav, Nitish Power Nalgonda Knights To Commanding Win Over Warangal Warriors
Hyderabad Cricket Association: A sensational 143-run stand between Gaurav Reddy and Nitish Reddy propelled Anurag Nalgonda Knights to a commanding 91-run victory over Warangal Warriors at the Hyderabad Cricket Association's Sreenidhi University TG20 in the first match on Friday. After amassing 259/5 the joint-highest team total of the tournament the Knights complemented their batting brilliance with a disciplined bowling effort to bundle out the Warriors for 168 in 14 overs, sealing a comprehensive all-round triumph. Palamuru Strikers registered their first win of the season, producing a disciplined all-round performance to seal a five-wicket victory over Medak Falcons in the second match of the day at the Hyderabad Cricket Association's Sreenidhi University TG20 on Thursday. Rishab Baslas (2/33) and Ravi Kiran (2/34) were the pick of the bowlers for the Strikers as they restricted their opponents to 164/9. Vignesh Reddys quickfire 39 off 22 set the platform, while Rohit Rayudus unbeaten 54 off 42 balls anchored the run chase for Strikers, guiding them home with 13 balls to spare. Earlier on Thursday, Palamuru Strikers registered their first win of the season, producing a disciplined all-round performance to seal a five-wicket victory over Medak Falcons in the second match in the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20. Rishab Baslas (2/33) and Ravi Kiran (2/34) were the pick of the bowlers for the Strikers as they restricted their opponents to 164/9. Vignesh Reddys quickfire 39 off 22 set the platform, while Rohit Rayudus unbeaten 54 off 42 balls anchored the run chase for Strikers, guiding them home with 13 balls to spare. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In the other match of the day that was interrupted by rain, the Knights comfortably chased down a revised target of 117 in 17 overs to defeat EIPL & elev Karimnagar Diamonds by six wickets. Article Source: IANS
1st T20i: 'We Have To Bat Really Well To Achieve This Total,' Says Dube After Ireland Post 182/9
Civil Service Cricket Club: India all-rounder Shivam Dube acknowledged Ireland's impressive batting effort after the hosts posted a competitive 182/9 in the opening T20I of the series at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Friday, saying India will have to produce a quality batting performance to chase down the target. After India had reduced Ireland to 36/3 inside the Power-play, captain Lorcan Tucker's well-made 50 and Gareth Delany's aggressive 49 guided the hosts to a strong total. Dube, who claimed the crucial wicket of Benjamin Calitz with a well-disguised slower delivery, admitted Ireland recovered brilliantly from the early setbacks. Definitely, they batted really well. Amazing batting by all of them. And I think it's a good total. We have to bat really well to achieve this total, Dube said during the innings break. The all-rounder bowled an important spell in the middle overs and said sticking to hard lengths was the key on the Belfast surface. On these kinds of conditions, you need to bowl on the hard lengths. So that was my plan, you told me I'm a genuine all-rounder, so I have to bowl, he quipped, he explained. Dube also spoke about India's experience of touring Ireland, saying the team has enjoyed playing in the country after previously featuring in Dublin. It's great. We really enjoy playing in Ireland. We played in Dublin. It was really good. Now we are here... The crowd is amazing. The wicket is good. We are really enjoying this, he said. The all-rounder bowled an important spell in the middle overs and said sticking to hard lengths was the key on the Belfast surface. On these kinds of conditions, you need to bowl on the hard lengths. So that was my plan, you told me I'm a genuine all-rounder, so I have to bowl, he quipped, he explained. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India requires 183 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series after Harshit Rana led the bowling effort with figures of 3/24, while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel picked up two wickets apiece. Article Source: IANS
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Bengaluru Blasters Look To Extend Their Lead As Event Rolls Into Hubballi
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 Tournament: The fifth edition of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 Tournament rolls into Hubballi on Saturday, with six franchises set to continue their quest for valuable points during the second leg of the competition. The Hubballi leg gets underway with a double-header on Saturday, as Shivamogga Yodhas take on Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters in the afternoon before Mysore Warriors face Gulbarga Mystics in the evening fixture. Shivamogga Yodhas captain Smaran R, whose side sits fourth on the points table with four points after two victories in Mysuru, said, We are all really looking forward to the next leg of the tournament, and the morale in the team is very high. There have been many positives in the Mysore leg, and both our wins have come by big margins. Its important to stay consistent and stick to your process in long tournaments like this, but the team is feeling optimistic. Shubhang Hegde, the tournaments current Purple Cap holder with seven wickets, whose Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters lead the points table with six points from four matches, said, Its been a good start to the tournament for us, and weve seen contributions across the board. Were happy to go into the next leg of the tournament leading the points table, but there is still a long way to go. Theres definitely an added sense of responsibility as captain, and Im glad to have had an impact with bat and ball. Gulbarga Mystics head into the Hubballi leg in third place with four points from four matches. Allrounder MacNeil Noronha said, After a challenging start to the tournament, weve bounced back with two dominant victories. Its good to head into the next phase with points on the board. The confidence in the group has grown, and were looking forward to the challenge ahead. Shubhang Hegde, the tournaments current Purple Cap holder with seven wickets, whose Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters lead the points table with six points from four matches, said, Its been a good start to the tournament for us, and weve seen contributions across the board. Were happy to go into the next leg of the tournament leading the points table, but there is still a long way to go. Theres definitely an added sense of responsibility as captain, and Im glad to have had an impact with bat and ball. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Second-placed Coastal Kings Mangaluru will be aiming to keep pace with the leaders after collecting five points from their opening four matches, while Hubli Tigers, currently fifth with three points, will look to climb the standings during the Hubballi leg. Article Source: IANS
Wawrinka announces farewell fete with Federer and Murray
Tennis icon Stan Wawrinka is bidding farewell to the sport after a stellar two-decade career. The 41-year-old Swiss star announced a special One last backhand event in Geneva on December 19, featuring close friends and former rivals Roger Federer and Andy Murray. Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, expressed gratitude to fans and his fellow players for unforgettable moments as he prepares for his final Wimbledon appearance.
1st T20i: Tucker's Fifty, Delany's 49 Lift Ireland To 182/9 Against India
Civil Service Cricket Club: Captain Lorcan Tucker struck a composed half-century while Gareth Delany narrowly missed out on a fifty as Ireland recovered impressively from an early collapse to post a challenging 182/9 against India in the opening T20I at the Civil Service Cricket Club on Friday. Coming to bat first after India won the toss, Ireland made an aggressive start. Tim Tector wasted little time in getting going, smashing Arshdeep Singh for a six over square leg as Ireland collected 10 runs from the opening over. Ross Adair then continued the attacking approach in the second over, driving Harshit Rana for two boundaries. However, Rana provided India with the breakthrough on the final delivery of the over when Adair edged behind to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson after a brisk 12 off just seven balls. India struck again immediately as Arshdeep dismissed the in-form Harry Tector in the following over. The right-hander edged a delivery through to Samson without troubling the scorers significantly, leaving Ireland under early pressure. Tim Tector attempted to keep the scoreboard moving with a couple of attractive strokes, but Rana deceived him with a well-disguised slower delivery. The opener departed for 17 from 12 balls, reducing Ireland to 32/3. With three wickets down inside the Power-play, Ireland adopted a more cautious approach and reached 36/3 after six overs. Benjamin Calitz briefly shifted the momentum by taking on Prasidh Krishna in the seventh over, launching two towering sixes to boost the scoring rate. His stay, however, was short-lived as Shivam Dube outfoxed him with a slower ball in the following over. Calitz made 15 from 11 deliveries. Ireland found much-needed stability through skipper Lorcan Tucker and Gareth Delany, who rebuilt the innings with a well-balanced partnership. Tucker anchored the innings while Delany played the more aggressive role, ensuring the scoreboard continued to tick over through regular boundaries and smart strike rotation. The pair steadily regained control before Tucker accelerated in style, collecting 16 runs from Axar Patel's 13th over to take Ireland past the 100-run mark. The captain brought up his half-century in just 35 balls and looked set for a much bigger score before Harshit Rana returned to dismiss him with another slower delivery. Tucker's excellent knock of 50 from 36 balls featured five fours and two sixes. Despite losing their captain, Ireland did not lose momentum. George Dockrell walked in with positive intent and immediately attacked Washington Sundar, hammering two sixes and two boundaries in a 19-run over. Dockrell and Delany then produced the innings' biggest flourish against Prasidh Krishna, taking 27 runs from the 17th over through a combination of powerful hitting and clean timing, including three sixes and two fours. Axar Patel eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Dockrell for a quickfire 19 off 10 balls, an innings that included two fours and a six. Delany continued to attack but fell heartbreakingly short of a deserved half-century. Attempting another big shot off Arshdeep Singh in the penultimate over, he was caught at deep backward square leg for 49 from 31 deliveries, having struck three fours and three sixes. Ireland lost two more wickets in the final over, but their late assault ensured they finished on an imposing 182/9 from 20 overs. Harshit Rana was India's standout bowler with impressive figures of 3/24 from his four overs. Arshdeep Singh claimed 2/36, while Axar Patel also picked up two wickets. Despite India's early success with the ball, Ireland's middle-order resilience and explosive finish gave the hosts a strong total to defend. Ireland lost two more wickets in the final over, but their late assault ensured they finished on an imposing 182/9 from 20 overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ireland 182/9 in 20 overs (Locran Tucker 50, Gerath Delany 49, George Dockrell 19; Harshit Rana 3-24, Arshdeep Singh 2-28, Axar Patel 2-33) against India Article Source: IANS
Lenovo, Ceat, Adidas and more jump the FIFA World Cup bandwagon
Powered by the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, Zees Unite8 Sports channel garnered 60 million new viewers,
Nuwanidu fifty keeps Sri Lanka A in the contest after Jurel's 141*
India A declared on 452 for 6, then reduced Sri Lanka A to 38 for 2 in response
MPL T20 Scindia Cup: Bhadoriyas Late Blitz, Key Wicket Take Chambal Ghariyals Into Final
Madhya Pradesh League: Chambal Ghariyals registered a place in the final of the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026 after edging past Jabalpur Royal Lions by 11 runs in a thrilling semifinal encounter at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Friday. Batting first, Chambal Ghariyals posted a competitive 213/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Openers Ankush Singh and Harsh Dixit provided a steady start, adding 39 runs for the first wicket in 3.6 overs before Ankush was dismissed for a brisk 29 off 14 deliveries. Shubham Sharma then joined Dixit at the crease, and the pair stitched together a 42-run partnership for the second wicket. Dixit took the attacking route and dominated the stand, eventually falling just short of a half-century after scoring 48 off 24 balls. Although several Chambal batters got starts, the side struggled to build substantial partnerships and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. At 170/7 in the 18th over, the innings needed a strong finish, and Aman Bhadoriya stepped up to provide exactly that. The all-rounder played a crucial late cameo, smashing 30 runs off just 14 deliveries to inject momentum into the innings and propel Chambal Ghariyals past the 200-run mark. His aggressive knock ensured the team finished with a challenging total on the board. In reply, Jabalpur Royal Lions got off to a flying start as openers Aryan Tiwari and the in-form Ajay Rohera stitched together a superb 105-run partnership for the first wicket, putting their side firmly in control of the chase. However, Chambal Ghariyals finally found the breakthrough in the 11th over when Aman Bhadoriya trapped Rohera in front of the stumps for a well-made 44 off 33 deliveries. The Lions suffered another setback soon after as PDP talent Vedant Awasthi was caught in the deep for 7 off 5 balls. Tiwari then found support from Ritik Tada, but the partnership was short-lived. Tada attempted to accelerate the scoring but was dismissed for 14 off 8 deliveries after Avesh Khan pulled off a blinder in the deep, leaving the Lions at 127/3 in 12.5 overs. Skipper Rahul Batham then walked in to join Tiwari. In a surprising tactical move, the Lions retired Tiwari after his solid knock of 51 off 34 balls and sent Sanjog Nijjar to the crease. The decision, however, did not have the desired impact as Jabalpur suffered another major setback when a mix-up in the middle resulted in Batham being run out for 7 off 7 deliveries. With wickets continuing to fall around him, Nijjar fought a lone battle and kept the chase alive. The equation eventually came down to 20 runs required off the final over. Chambal captain handed the ball to Mayur Patel, and the spinner responded brilliantly under pressure. He conceded just eight runs in the over and also dismissed the dangerous Nijjar for 26 off 17, helping Chambal Ghariyals seal a memorable victory. Patel finished with figures of 2/30 from his three overs, while Bhadoriya impressed with an economical spell of 1/22 from his four overs. With wickets continuing to fall around him, Nijjar fought a lone battle and kept the chase alive. The equation eventually came down to 20 runs required off the final over. Chambal captain handed the ball to Mayur Patel, and the spinner responded brilliantly under pressure. He conceded just eight runs in the over and also dismissed the dangerous Nijjar for 26 off 17, helping Chambal Ghariyals seal a memorable victory. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Reaching the final again is a great feeling, but our focus remains the same. We have one more game to go, and our aim is simple: to win the tournament and bring home the trophy, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
After exorcising Grand Slam ghosts in Paris, Zverev arrives at Wimbledon a confident man
The 29-year-old German has warmed up well by reaching the semifinals in Halle, but grass is not his strength
1st T20i: Sooryavanshi Misses Out On Debut As India Opt To Bowl Against Ireland
Civil Service Cricket Club: India won the toss and elected to field first against Ireland in the first T20 of the two-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Club on Friday. India's teenage sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, has to wait for his senior men's international debut as he is not part of the playing XI. On the other side, Indian-born Jai Moondra is making his debut for Ireland. The series marks a new era for the three-time world champions as Shreyas Iyer, who is making his return to the T20I setup after more than two years, is starting his captaincy stint with the team. The skipper set to lead a batting unit featuring Kishan, vice-captain Tilak Varma, and several aggressive stroke-makers suited to India's attacking approach. Ireland, meanwhile, faces a daunting task after being hit by a string of injuries. New captain Lorcan Tucker will lead a depleted squad missing key players, including Paul Stirling, Mark Adair, Joshua Little, and Curtis Campher, while newcomers Matthew Hollard and Jai Moondra have earned call-ups. History is firmly in India's favour. The visitors have never lost a completed T201 against Ireland, having won all eight previous meetings, and will be eager to maintain that record as a new era begins at Stormont. After winning the toss, India's captain Shreyas Iyer said, Going to field first. It's a new surface for us, first time in Belfast. Considering the conditions, the environment, and the wicket, I want to field first. He's just asked all the players to be themselves and be relentless in the approach. Ruthless. So many other adverbs I can put in here. Need to get accustomed to the conditions as quickly as possible. We're going to take one match at a time. Always keep saying that you don't have to complicate things. On being asked about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Iyer said, Unfortunately, no (Vaibhav playing?). He'll get his opportunity when the time comes. For now, we're going with three genuine seamers, 1 allrounder. After losing the toss, Ireland captain Locran Tucker said, Would've bowled. Looks like a really good pitch. It was a matter of transition. Stirlo led the last couple of years beautifully. Jai is making his debut today. Playing XIs: After losing the toss, Ireland captain Locran Tucker said, Would've bowled. Looks like a really good pitch. It was a matter of transition. Stirlo led the last couple of years beautifully. Jai is making his debut today. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ireland: Tim Tector, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(wk/c), Benjamin Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Liam McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Jai Moondra, Matthew Hollard Article Source: IANS
Stokes bags four as NZ struggle to build on strong start
Stokes took all three wickets to fall during an eight-over spell in the morning as New Zealand crossed 400
No Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as India bowl vs Ireland
Ireland handed debuts to Jai Moondra and Matt Hollard
Sangakkara queries DRS call as Santner falls to contentious catch
Unused replay suggested ball may have hit armguard, not glove, for key dismissal on second morning
'Support Each Other Through Thick And Thin': Iyer's Message Before Captaincy Debut
Kolkata Knight Riders: Shreyas Iyer called on his teammates to build a strong team culture and play fearless cricket as he prepares to captain India for the first time in T20Is, urging the squad to support one another and play like Lions ahead of the five-match series against England. Speaking at a team huddle before Indias practice session in Belfast on Saturday, ahead of the series opener on Sunday, Iyer set the tone and explained his leadership approach after World Cup-winning skipper Suryakumar Yadav was replaced by the head coach Gautam Gambhir. Lets try to build a solid culture going forward. My first opportunity to captain the Indian team was definitely an honour and privilege, as Gauti bhai mentioned. Its a great respect as well to be leading the country, Iyer said during the practice session. So going forward, I want to create a culture where all of us are protecting, supporting each other through thick and thin, and more importantly, when we are out here, have as much fun as possible. Its a great opportunity, and this is a family. Lets play like Lions and approach each and every game like we are going to win it and play to the best of our abilities. Have an atmosphere where we are uplifting each other and enjoying each others success. The speech provided a peek into the kind of culture that Iyer would want to enforce now that the Indian team is stepping into a new chapter with him at the helm. The Indian team also had extensive practice in Belfast prior to the opening game, though a majority of eyes had their gaze fixed on 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He could become one of the youngest Indian players ever to represent the country at the international stage, and spent about an hour batting at the nets under the supervision of Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. The speech provided a peek into the kind of culture that Iyer would want to enforce now that the Indian team is stepping into a new chapter with him at the helm. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Following the unsuccessful experiment of appointing Shubman Gill as vice-captain, the selectors and management have turned to Iyer as the ideal replacement for Suryakumar in terms of leadership. The 31-year-old will certainly have his task cut out as India had raised the bar quite high in the T20 World Cup in their last cycle, and the expectations from Iyer will be pretty high from the beginning of the series. Article Source: IANS
Women's T20 WC: 'They Never Let You Settle', Says Jemimah Ahead Of Crucial Australia Clash
T20 World Cup: India batter Jemimah Rodrigues has urged her teammates to take the attack to six-time champions Australia instead of allowing them to dictate terms when the two sides meet in a virtual quarterfinal of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Lord's. Jemimah said India must match Australia's intensity if they are to keep their semifinal hopes alive. The thing about Australia is that they never let you settle. They are always attacking, always putting pressure. If you want to do well against them, you can't be defensive. You must dominate and take the game to them and our team enjoys that challenge. We know there is no other way. You must match their intensity and stay ahead. That kind of mindset works well for us. Shafali Verma has played a lot against them. Renuka has also bowled well against Australia in the past. Most of our players have good experience against them. We have faced them many times. But on the day, it all comes down to execution. We just need to go out there, back ourselves, and play with that aggressive intent. If we do that, I think everything will fall into place, Jemimah said on JioStar. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur echoed the confidence, saying India's recent T20I series win in Australia had proved the team could challenge the world champions despite the retirement of Alyssa Healy. We recently played a T20I series against Australia on their home soil, and we performed well. That series gave us confidence. It's not that after Alyssa Healy's retirement, Australia have become weaker. They are still a very strong side. They have a deep pool of players and a system that keeps producing quality cricketers. One player leaving doesn't change that. Sophie Molineux is a great captain too. She leads from the front and knows how to get the best out of her players. She is calm under pressure and reads the game well. She has been part of this Australian setup for a long time, so she understands the dynamics of the team. Under her leadership, they will be well prepared. But we have always played good cricket against them. We have always given them tough competition in big tournaments. The mindset remains the same, we will give our best, work hard, and try to dominate them in every department. We know they are a strong team, but we also know we have the ability to match them, Harmanpreet said on JioStar. The India skipper added that the team would focus on its own strengths rather than getting carried away by Australia's formidable reputation. We know Australia have great cricketers. They have world-class players in every department. But we don't spend too much time thinking about them. We focus on our own skills. We talk about what we need to do on the match day, our batting plans, our bowling lengths, and our fielding standards. We discuss how we can execute our skills under pressure. We know what Australia have achieved in the past, but that doesn't matter when we step onto the field. It's only about what we can do and how we can deliver to win that match. So, we keep the focus on ourselves. We talk about our strengths and how we can use them against them. That is what we will continue to do, she said. The India skipper added that the team would focus on its own strengths rather than getting carried away by Australia's formidable reputation. Also Read: Live Cricket Score When I joined the team as head coach in October 2023, there was a need for a reset in the dressing room. The team needed a shake-up, a change in mindset, approach, and attitude. We introduced new systems, new roles, and challenged the players to take more responsibility. The players responded well to the changes we brought in. They bought into the new plans and started backing each other. The results on the field are there for everyone to see. This Indian women's team is very different from what it was two years ago. Talking about Australia, they are a very strong side. Everyone knows that. They have world-class players in every department. But so are we. We are not behind them in any way. We went to Australia and beat them 2-1 in a T20 series. That was the first time India has ever beaten Australia in a T20 series. That win gave us a lot of belief. We can take confidence from that and prepare ourselves well for the World Cup clash, Mazumdar concluded. Article Source: IANS
Women's T20 WC: When And Where To Watch England Vs New Zealand Clash, Know All Details
T20 World Cup: After securing a place in the semi-finals already, England will look to end their Group B campaign on a high as they clash against reigning champions New Zealand in the final group fixture of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at The Oval on Saturday. The home side has been the most impressive team in the competition, having registered victories in all four of their matches despite the absence of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who is recuperating from a calf injury. A victory against the Kiwis would not only guarantee them top spot in the group but also possibly prevent them from an encounter with six-time winners Australia in the semis. The onus will be on Danni Wyatt-Hodge to provide the impetus at the top order, with the English batter accumulating 193 runs in the competition with a ton and a fifty to her name. Amy Jones, Sophia Dunkley, Heather Knight and Alice Capsey have also been consistent with the bat, whilst Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell have ripped through the opposition line-ups. For New Zealand, though, the equation could not be simpler; a win against England and an Irish upset of West Indies earlier in the day is required to stay in contention for their title defence. The responsibility will lie heavily on captain Amelia Kerr, who currently leads the wicket-taking charts with five scalps, whilst Brooke Halliday has been the lone ray of hope with the bat, mustering 122 runs. When: June 27, Saturday at 11:00 PM IST Where: The Oval, London Where to watch: The England vs New Zealand clash will broadcast on Star Sports Network and live streaming on JioStar. Squads: England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge England: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Melie Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu Article Source: IANS
Women's T20 WC: England Eye Perfect Group Stage As New Zealand Chase Last-four Lifeline (Preview)
T20 World Cup: Already assured of a place in the semifinals, hosts England will look to finish the group stage with a flawless record when they take on defending champions New Zealand in their final Group B fixture of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 at The Oval in London on Saturday. England have been the team to beat in the tournament, winning all four of their matches in style to become the first team to make it to the knockout stage. Saturdays clash is no less important with another win cementing their status as Group B winners and possibly helping them avoid a meeting with six-time champions Australia in the semifinals. The hosts have hardly missed injured skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, who will miss the match as she continues to recover from a calf injury. Englands batting has been a team effort throughout the tournament, led by Danni Wyatt-Hodge who has scored 193 runs including a century and a half-century to top the teams scoring charts. Amy Jones, Sophia Dunkley and Heather Knight have all contributed, while Alice Capsey has provided firepower in the middle order. Englands attack with the ball has been just as impressive. Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone have always been a thorn in the side of opposition batters and Lauren Bell has given early breakthroughs with the new ball. They have underlined their overall dominance with an unbeaten campaign and a commanding net run rate. For New Zealand the equation is far more complex. The defending champions have won just two of their four matches and must beat England and hope that Ireland can upset West Indies earlier in the day to sneak into the semifinals. Any more and their title defence is over. Captain Amelia Kerr will again carry the responsibility with both bat and ball. She has been New Zealand's leading wicket-taker with five scalps, while Brooke Halliday has emerged as their most reliable batter, scoring 122 runs in four matches. The Kiwis will also need stronger contributions from the rest of their batting order, which has lacked consistency throughout the tournament. The rivalry heavily favours England. The two teams have met 43 times in women's T20Is, with England holding a commanding 34-9 advantage. England have also won both their previous Women's T20 World Cup meetings, including the inaugural final at Lord's in 2009 and the semifinal in Colombo in 2012. Earlier this year, England also claimed a 2-1 bilateral series victory over New Zealand at home. When: June 27, Saturday at 11:00 PM IST Where: The Oval, London Where to watch: The England vs New Zealand clash will broadcast on Star Sports Network and live streaming on JioStar. Squads: England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge England: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Melie Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu Article Source: IANS
ICC Player Protection Programme: India spinner Radha Yadav and host international stars have praised the ICC's Player Protection Programme, saying it offers a much-needed solution to the growing toxicity on social media, as more than 100 women cricketers signed up for the initiative during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. The program, in partnership with Freedom2hear, helps protect international cricketers from abusive content by filtering harmful comments and limiting repeat offenders on social media platforms. Social media can be an incredible way for me to connect with friends, family, and fans worldwide, but it has also become a more toxic space, especially for female athletes, Radha said. It's important to discuss this openly and find solutions, which is why I signed up for the ICC Player Protection Programme. There were over 50 new sign-ups before the start of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026, while the service provides additional protection across official ICC social media accounts. Seven of the 12 teams competing at the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 are protected, with umpires and broadcasters also registered. The ICC said that after the first week of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026, the tool had reviewed nearly 250,000 comments and removed almost 60,000 harmful pieces of content. More than 2,000 repeat offenders had temporary restrictions put on their interactions, and 370 users were blocked. England wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones said the program helps players handle the negative side of social media. It's something we sadly have to face as international athletes in the public eye, and it can affect you negatively when you are just trying to play the game your best. We have a great relationship with most of our fans, and we enjoy interacting with them in person and online, where we can show what we do. But the downside is that some people choose to abuse you instead. It's great that companies are working to clean things up and offer us some protection. For the ICC to fully support this kind of service is fantastic. This program prioritises our wellbeing, and that's a good thing. The ICC first launched the Player Protection Programme ahead of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup a key component of the ICCs wider approach to player wellbeing and safeguarding. It has been operated across all ICC events since then, helping participants engage confidently with fans while reducing exposure to harmful online content. But the downside is that some people choose to abuse you instead. It's great that companies are working to clean things up and offer us some protection. For the ICC to fully support this kind of service is fantastic. This program prioritises our wellbeing, and that's a good thing. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It's important we find ways to make social media as safe as possible, especially for young athletes who are likely more active online and more vulnerable to negative comments. I think it's extremely important, and it's great the ICC is on board, giving all players the chance to have this protection, she added. Article Source: IANS
James Hopes Steps Down As Sydney Sixers Head Coach To Join Brisbane Heat And Queensland Bulls
Indian Premier League: Former Australia all-rounder James Hopes has stepped down as Sydney Sixers head coach less than two months after taking up the role, to accept a role with the Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls on a three-year deal, the BBL clubs said on Friday. Hopes will take on the Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls coaching roles next month after agreeing to return to Brisbane following coaching stints with the Hobart Hurricanes and Tasmanian Tigers and overseas in the Indian Premier League with Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. While the Club is disappointed by this decision, we understand the significance of this opportunity for him and his family, and we wish him all the very best, Sydney Sixers said in a statement. The Brisbane Heat will welcome home a prodigal son with former captain James Hopes appointed as head coach for the next three years, Heat confirmed James appointment. Currently coaching with the Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (MLC), Hopes said he was grateful to be able to return to his home State and thanked Cricket NSW for enabling him to exit his contract with the Sydney Sixers. I wrestled with this decision as I was, and still am, very appreciative of being offered the Sixers role earlier this year. However, to have the opportunity to take on the head coaching program with Queensland and live in Brisbane again was too good to miss, Hopes said. I have been in and out of Queensland Cricket since I was 14 and along the way was privileged to play for the Bulls and the Heat. So, to be a part of that again is something very special to me and my family. Im very eager to join with the Queensland and Brisbane coaching staff and players when I am back and get to work preparing for the season, he added. The 47-year-old enjoyed a distinguished international playing career, representing Australia in 84 ODIs, with the bulk of those appearances coming between the 2007 and 2011 World Cups. He also played in the IPL with Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils and served in a coaching capacity with the Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings in recent seasons. Hopes led Queensland to back-to-back Sheffield Shield finals in 2012 and 2013, winning the title in 2012, as well as back-to-back Ryobi Cup one-day trophies in 2012-13 and 2013-14. Hopes led Queensland to back-to-back Sheffield Shield finals in 2012 and 2013, winning the title in 2012, as well as back-to-back Ryobi Cup one-day trophies in 2012-13 and 2013-14. Hopes led Queensland to back-to-back Sheffield Shield finals in 2012 and 2013, winning the title in 2012, as well as back-to-back Ryobi Cup one-day trophies in 2012-13 and 2013-14. Also Read: Live Cricket Score His recent roles as a specialist skills and assistant coach saw him feature in the BBL 14 Hobart Hurricanes championship campaign. Article Source: IANS
Women's T20 WC: When And Where To Watch West Indies Vs Ireland Clash, Know All Details
T20 World Cup: West Indies hold their own semifinal fate as they face already-eliminated Ireland in their final Group B match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at the County Ground in Bristol on Saturday. A win will secure the West Indies a spot in the semifinals after a strong group-stage performance that has resulted in three victories from four matches. Their only loss came against unbeaten hosts England. Hayley Matthews will again be key to the Caribbean team's hopes, having excelled with both bat and ball throughout the tournament. Shemaine Campbelle has been the West Indies' most reliable batter with 150 runs. Chinelle Henry's unbeaten half-century against England showcased the strength of the middle order. Aaliyah Alleyne and Matthews have taken eight wickets each, while spinners Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack have provided solid control in the middle overs. On the other hand, Ireland will play for pride after four straight losses dashed their semifinal hopes. Captain Gaby Lewis has led the way with 128 runs, while all-rounder Orla Prendergast has made an impact with 118 runs and five wickets. Aimee Maguire is Ireland's top wicket-taker with four. The Bristol pitch has benefited both batters and seamers, but teams chasing have won all three World Cup matches played here so far. When: June 27, Saturday at 7:00 PM IST Where: Bristol County Ground, Bristol Where to watch: The West Indies vs Ireland clash will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and live streaming on JioStar. Squads: West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Shawnisha Hector West Indies: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector Article Source: IANS
Hopes named Queensland, Heat coach leaving Sixers to look again
The former allrounder had joined Sydney Sixers as head coach just two months ago
Women's T20 WC: West Indies Eye SF Berth Against Winless Ireland (Preview)
T20 World Cup: A semifinal spot will be at stake for West Indies when they face Ireland in their final Group B match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at the County Ground in Bristol on Saturday. West Indies have had a great tournament, winning three games in four, the only blemish an unbeaten England at Lord's. Hayley Matthewss charges will look to continue where they left off against Ireland,and confirm their spot in the final four. Shemaine Campbelle has been a rock at the top of the order with 150 runs in four innings, whereas Chinelle Henry's half-century not out against England has thrown light on the middle orders strength. West Indies have been very dependent on Aaliyah Alleyne and her captain Matthews, as both of them bagged eight wickets, with spinners Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack also proving effective. Meanwhile, Ireland have been unfortunate and are the only team that have lost four games in a row. Skipper Gaby Lewis has led from the front, with 128 runs under her belt; meanwhile, Orla Prendergasts all-round performance-making 118 runs and taking five wickets has proved crucial. Among the Ireland bowlers, Aimee Maguire has proved to be the deadliest, with four scalps. The pitch here in Bristol seems to be a very interesting battle between the batter and the bowler. However, the past three matches here at this World Cup have seen the team batting second winning all the matches. Seamers might find some movement initially but as the match progresses batting might become easy. Under the prevailing clear skies, the West Indies are very much fancied for this encounter but an upset win is well within Irelands reach to sign off their campaign. When: June 27, Saturday at 7:00 PM IST Where: Bristol County Ground, Bristol Where to watch: The West Indies vs Ireland clash will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and live streaming on JioStar. Squads: West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Shawnisha Hector West Indies: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector Article Source: IANS
Women's T20 WC: Pakistan, Netherlands Eye Consolation Win To End Campaigns (Preview)
T20 World Cup: Already out of semi-final contention, Pakistan and the Netherlands will look to salvage pride when they meet in their final Group A fixture of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Bristol County Ground on Saturday. Having already been eliminated from the tournament, both teams have the opportunity to conclude their campaigns on a positive note. With the pressures off, this fixture could potentially be a lively encounter as both sides look to experiment with personnel and push for a final flourish in what has otherwise been a tournament to forget for them. After losing to India, South Africa and Bangladesh, they have struggled with both their top and middle order, who have consistently got to decent starts only to capitulate after failing to see off quality spin. The big bright spark in this Pakistan squad has undoubtedly been their captain Fatima Sana, who has led from the front in all aspects. She played a match-saving 55 not out against South Africa, rescuing the side from 50-8 at one stage, and her 3-16 proved her worth as an all-rounder again. She is expected to play a key role again as Pakistan look to finish on a high. They face The Netherlands, who are participating in the Womens T20 World Cup for the very first time. Also on three losses, the Dutch have shown sparks of promise despite their overall inability to gain a win. The Dutch captain Babette de Leede played a fighting half-century against Bangladesh, while a host of others, including Sterre Kalis, Caroline de Lange and Heather Siegers have produced eye-catching cameos. Playing against a brittle Pakistan bowling attack could be the opportunity they need to pick up a historic maiden World Cup victory. The tournament ground of Bristol has been somewhat of an equalizer between the two sides throughout with contributions seen from all departments of cricket. It has assisted both the bat and the ball, but the new ball has produced extra bounce early in the proceedings. The weather for the fixture is expected to be pleasant, which could lead to a tightly fought contest. Pakistan may edge this match considering their vast experience but if the Netherlands can strike early and find chinks in the Pakistan armoury, they stand a very good chance of ending their first appearance in this tournament with a fairy tale ending. When: Saturday, June 27 at 3:00 PM IST Where: Bristol County Ground, Bristol Where to watch: The Netherlands vs Pakistan clash will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and live streaming on JioStar Squads: Where to watch: The Netherlands vs Pakistan clash will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and live streaming on JioStar Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pakistan Fatima Sana (c), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Eyman Fatima, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Parvaiz, Saira Jabeen, Muneeba Ali, Tuba Hassan, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Tasmia Rubab Article Source: IANS
Being World No. 1 Is Not My Priority At The Moment: Shree Charani
T20 World Cup: India spinner Shree Charani reflected on becoming the No. 1 T20I bowler in the world and said being top-ranked is not her priority at the moment; instead, she is completely focusing on the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup, where she became India's highest wicket-taker in single edition. The left-arm spinner also became the highest wicket-taker for India in a single edition of the tournament during the clash against Bangladesh at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old achieved the milestone in the 20th over of Bangladesh's innings when she dismissed Shorna Akter to claim her 11th wicket of the tournament, surpassing Poonam Yadav's previous Indian record of 10 wickets set during the 2020 edition. To be honest, right now my focus is completely on the World Cup. We are in the middle of the tournament, and that is all that matters to me. I'm not thinking about being the number one ranked T20I bowler or any individual rankings. Those things are nice to have, but they are not my priority at the moment. I just want to focus on my bowling, stick to my plans, perform well for the team and win the World Cup. If I keep doing that, everything else will take care of itself, Charani said on JioStar. Reflecting on her performance against Bangladesh, she added, I just kept things simple; I didn't try to do anything extra and focused on what I had practiced. My line, length, and variations and I knew that if I kept hitting the right areas, the wickets would come. The pitch had a little bit of help, so I just stuck to my strengths and let the ball do the rest. India dropped Juairiya Ferdous three times as she top-scored with 33 in the Tigresses 136/8. I didn't get frustrated by the catches dropped off my bowling. Dropped catches are part of the game. It happens to every bowler at some point. You can't control what happens after the ball leaves your hand. All you can do is keep bowling in the right areas and trust your teammates. I don't let it affect my focus. I believe that if you keep doing the right things, the rewards will come. At the end of the day, whatever is written for me, it will come, she added. Shafali Verma produced a player-of-the-match performance as India beat Bangladesh by five wickets to boost their semi-final hopes. The result leaves India second in Group A with three wins from four matches ahead of a mouth-watering clash with leaders Australia. All you can do is keep bowling in the right areas and trust your teammates. I don't let it affect my focus. I believe that if you keep doing the right things, the rewards will come. At the end of the day, whatever is written for me, it will come, she added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score There's no need to overthink. We have played against them before, and we know what to expect. It's about executing our skills on the day. One game at a time. That has been our approach throughout this tournament, and we will continue with the same mindset. Article Source: IANS
Hetmyer, Stoinis and Jasdeep combine to hand Freedom 88-run defeat
Chasing 228 for their second win, Washington Freedom sank to 42 for 5 after the powerplay, and narrowed the deficit only thanks to some late-order hitting
T20 World Cup: Top-order batter Harshitha Samarawickrama has said Sri Lanka still have belief they can qualify for the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals ahead of their final Group B game against Scotland at Old Trafford. While Sri Lanka currently sit in fourth place in Group B ahead of their fixture against Scotland in Manchester on Friday, there is still an outside chance the island nation can qualify for the knockout stages should results fall their way over the next few days. Sri Lanka need to win on Friday and hope the West Indies and New Zealand falter against Ireland and England, respectively, the following day. They also require a net run-rate swing, a factor Samarawickrama says has been incorporated into their game plan. Samarawickrama feels it has been a tournament of progress for the ICCs seventh-ranked nation, following their winless campaign in 2024. Their final assignment is against Scotland, who have impressed in their second ICC Womens T20 World Cup appearance, claiming their first win against Ireland and pushing the West Indies and New Zealand close. In the 2024 World Cup, we didn't play good cricket. This year, we have played really good cricket. We won against New Zealand, which was a great achievement in Sri Lankan cricket. Scotland are one of the best upcoming teams, so it's a great challenge for us. You can't undermine any team in this World Cup, everybody's playing good cricket. We are going to take it one step at a time, make sure we win first, and then think about the net run-rate, but we believe we can do it, Samarawickrama was quoted by the ICC. Sri Lanka be hoping for another big performance from their captain Chamari Athapaththu, after she fired an emphatic unbeaten century to steer her side past Ireland on Tuesday. Athapaththu hit an unbeaten 106 from just 61 deliveries in a Player of the Match performance as Sri Lanka kept their semi-final hopes alive at the T20 World Cup. She's a legend, a living legend in Sri Lankan cricket. She plays really good cricket, and shes a role model for us. She always shares her own knowledge and its a great honour to play with her, Samarawickrama said of her skipper. While Sri Lanka are gunning for qualification to the semi-finals, Scotland are hoping to sew up a place in the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2028. With the top four sides in each group securing a spot, a win would take them side above Sri Lanka and into fourth spot. Scottish all-rounder Priyanaz Chatterji said, We are going into the game to try and win it; we probably havent played a complete game of cricket. There have been periods across games where we have been very good, whether that be with the bat, with the ball or in the field. But we still feel like we have got more to give. While Sri Lanka are gunning for qualification to the semi-finals, Scotland are hoping to sew up a place in the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2028. With the top four sides in each group securing a spot, a win would take them side above Sri Lanka and into fourth spot. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Chatterji won her 150th Scotland cap against England at Headingley, with the huge crowd a far cry from her debut in 2008. Article Source: IANS
'We Treat Them All The Same': Irelands Calitz Downplays Talk Of Special Plans For Sooryavanshi
Civil Service Cricket Ground: Ireland wicketkeeper-batter Ben Calitz said there is no separate plan for India's teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, ahead of the two-match T20I series starting at the Civil Service Cricket Ground in Stormont. Whether hes handed his cap in the first game or be made to wait for an international debut, all the buzz in Ireland has been around Sooryavanshi and the fireworks he generates with the bat in hand. Sooryavanshi is coming off a jaw-dropping IPL 2026, where he was the leading run-getter with 776 runs in 16 innings and hit a whopping 65 sixes. We treat every player exactly the same - whether it is Virat Kohli tomorrow, Shreyas Iyer or Sooryavanshi playing, we treat them all the same. We prepare by looking at the videos and potential plans. But at the end of the day, you can plan as much as you want to - it can always change in the middle. So it's also having that instinct of maybe the plans are not currently working and we need to change something. So, everybody's getting treated exactly the same and they're all very good players. There's not a lot of weaknesses in them, obviously. They're world champions. But all of them are viewed the same and we're going to try to get all of them out anyway - so, that's the plan, Calitz told IANS in a conversation facilitated by Sony Sports Network. At the same time, Calitz insisted that Sooryavanshis arrival is something special for the cricketing world. Look, obviously, he's done very well, especially in the IPL. We've done our research, as we do with all the other players. We don't treat them any differently. But it is quite special for the cricket world. Obviously, he's very young. He'll be very exciting for fans. But for us, we're focused on what we need to do and then take it from there. But he is a seriously good player, as all of them are very good players. I'm sure he'll have some nerves on it if he makes his debut. But we're pretty set on what we need to do and we control what we can, he said. India will play a T20I game in Ireland after three years and Calitz described the opportunity to host the heavyweights as a huge privilege. It's not every day you can play against the world champions. From that point of view, it's very exciting as a player and as a team. Obviously, they're very well skilled and are a very good side. But our focus and motto is always to focus on what we can control. So our preparation has all been about what we can do. But from that point of view, it is obviously exciting and a big privilege playing the world champs in our back garden. I'm sure there'll be loads of people here. It'll be a very exciting time. So very excited and I'm sure it'll be a good couple of days and good cricket being played. Calitz debuted in T20Is against England in September 2025 and the learnings from his nine appearances have been immense. It's come thick and fast - a couple of games before the World Cup and straight into the World Cup. So it's been an amazing experience. Obviously, as a kid growing up, you always want to play international cricket and in World Cups. You want to play against the best teams in the world, which obviously we are doing in some time. From that point of view, it's been unbelievable. Obviously, at the start, it's a bit new to you and it's exciting playing against certain players. But I think it's come to a point where I'm also an international player and I want to showcase what I can do on the international stage. Some of the big learnings over the last couple of months has sort of just been figuring out what works for me. What do I want to get out of the game? What's the things I can do that's going to give me the best chance to succeed? Obviously, the higher you go, the more research there is on players. So you're always trying to outsmart your opponents. It's also learning about certain situations, different parts of the game and how to manage that better. As somebody who obviously hasn't played it a lot, I am trying to learn as quick as I can and then obviously help the team to win more matches. On the tiny edge Ireland has due to playing at home, Calitz stated it can make a small difference in him outsmarting Indian bowlers. Look, they're playing in our conditions, which we obviously are a bit more familiar with than they are. So it's sort of just looking at how we can match up against what's their strengths and how we can match up our strengths to their strengths and how we can go about it. I don't think it's any different to any other team, obviously, in international cricket. Bowlers don't make many mistakes. They're obviously all very highly skilled. But obviously, in our conditions, we know what the wicket will be doing. We know the size of the ground, the way the wind is blowing - all of that by playing here a lot. So obviously, just trying to match up their skill set to the conditions as quickly as we can and then obviously, trying to be as positive as we can. Ireland will be playing without their first-choice fast bowlers and former skipper Paul Stirling sidelined due to injuries. Calitz made it clear that Ireland's sole objective is to win the series and intent to fight for a victory against India, the current T20 World Cup holders, but also expressed excitement about what Rajasthan-born left-arm pacer Jai Moondra brings to the table. Jai's been very exciting and played against him in the last couple of years. He brings something different to the side. Jai's obviously worked very hard on his game and he's done really well domestically. So, if he makes his debut, he'll be well equipped for the task. I'm very excited to see him and finally play with him instead of against him. So, Jai's done really well and I'm all very excited to see what he can do, Calitz said. For Calitz, the journey to representing Ireland has been anything but straightforward. Born in Vancouver, Canada, he moved back with his parents and sister to South Africa, where he did his schooling and spent some time in Namibia as well. He dabbled in rugby, tennis, athletics, hockey, but cricket won the race for his preferred sporting career. Discovered by Canadas coaching staff, who got to know about his passport eligibility, Calitz was fast-tracked into the national U-19 setup and played for the side in the 2020 U-19 World Cup in South Africa. A stint at the Holywood Cricket Club and chat with senior pacer Mark Adair convinced Calitz to permanently settle in Ireland at 19. It's been a crazy journey. I've lived in quite a few countries just by my parents moving for their work. But I've obviously settled in here for the last four years, which I've really loved. The culture here is unbelievable. I've got some amazing people around me. Obviously, my family still lives in South Africa, so I'll see them maybe once a year. But I've really enjoyed it here. I'm settled here and obviously just want to do as best as I can for the country and that's the main aim every time I step onto the field. I got told by one of the other players that there's an option to stay and I've really enjoyed it here. So I thought, well, I enjoy it here and the cricket is good and there's some good opportunities here. I thought, why not? I was still young at the time and that was sort of just an opportunity I saw and obviously took. But, from a cricket aspect, it's been really good. There's obviously really good coaches. We obviously don't have the players pool that India has. But we obviously would get a bit more opportunity to play, which was the big thing. The standard of cricket here was really good and exciting and now just trying to build towards more success as a team. For now, Irelands challenge is massive stopping the formidable Indian juggernaut under Tuckers leadership. Calitz signed off by backing the newly-appointed Tucker to excel, describing him as a natural leader who routinely steps up in crisis situations. If anybody who knows Lorcan knows that he's probably the nicest guy there in world cricket. He's somebody to admire. He's one of those players that when your back is against the wall, as you've seen over the past, he always steps up and leads from the front and that's probably his way of captaining. For now, Irelands challenge is massive stopping the formidable Indian juggernaut under Tuckers leadership. Calitz signed off by backing the newly-appointed Tucker to excel, describing him as a natural leader who routinely steps up in crisis situations. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Watch India Tour of Ireland 2026 - Ireland vs India 2026 1st T20I on June 26th 2026, from 6 PM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada), Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD and Sony LIV. Article Source: IANS
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T20 World Cup: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed satisfaction after her side completed a comfortable five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, but admitted fielding remains a major area of concern ahead of a crucial clash against Australia. India chased down 137 in 16.5 overs at Old Trafford on Thursday, thanks largely to Shafali Verma's explosive 53 off 34 balls after the bowlers had restricted Bangladesh to 136/8. The victory kept India's campaign firmly on track and improved their net run rate, something Harmanpreet acknowledged was part of the team's plans going into the game. I think it's a good win. We were looking for this, and it's good that we thought we'd finish a bit early, but unfortunately, you know, but still, I think two, three overs were there when we finished the game. So I think that's a plus point for us, Harmanpreet said after the match. While pleased with the result, the Indian skipper admitted there is still work to be done before the team's next assignment, particularly in the field. Despite restricting Bangladesh to a manageable total, India dropped several catches during the innings, allowing Bangladesh batters to extend partnerships and score valuable runs. The missed opportunities have become a recurring issue during the tournament, something Harmanpreet wants her side to address quickly. I think a lot of things, but I think fielding is something on which we have been working very hard, but unfortunately, today again, we were not very great with the catches, and hopefully, you know, next game is very important, and I think that is the day to show our best cricket, she said. India's fielding lapses stood out even more because several of the missed chances came from players regarded among the best fielders in the squad. Harmanpreet, however, backed her teammates and stressed the importance of continuing to work hard rather than dwelling on mistakes. Well, that's true. They are our best fielders, but sometimes situations like that arise. You can't really control them, but we only talked about it. Keep working hard, keep spending a lot of time on the field, keep catching those balls, so that when we go into the field, we are in a good position. But unfortunately, today again, we fumbled so many balls, but I think the next match is a very important match and I'm sure our best will come on that day, she added. Harmanpreet also shed light on India's approach to team selection throughout the tournament. The skipper said management has remained flexible and picked combinations based on the opposition's strengths and conditions rather than sticking to a fixed playing XI. I think when we came here, one thing was very clear in our mind that every game is a different opposition and they have different positives and negatives, and accordingly, we have set our playing XI. So we were very open about our playing XI, and we just thought about what the best combination is on that part. We will be well with that, she explained. India's attention now turns to a blockbuster encounter against Australia on Sunday, a match that could have a major impact on the semifinal race. Harmanpreet sounded excited by the challenge and described Australia as one of India's favourite opponents. I think one of our favourite opposition and hopefully our best come on that day, she said. The India captain also pointed to her team's recent success against Australia in Navi Mumbai as an important moment that has helped build belief within the squad. Harmanpreet sounded excited by the challenge and described Australia as one of India's favourite opponents. I think one of our favourite opposition and hopefully our best come on that day, she said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score And I think the last win against them in Navi Mumbai, that has given us a lot of confidence and broken a lot of barriers, and hopefully we'll play our best cricket on that day, Harmanpreet said. Article Source: IANS
