Cricket

Incessant rain washes out opening Super Eight fixture between New Zealand and Pakistan

The drizzle that started at the toss only grew heavier and never quite relented

BCCI announces 'structured support' for Cricket Association for the Blind in India

The support framework includes international exposure, home series support and venue access

Stage set for Sri Lanka to turn the tide and pounce on England

England have a well-rounded team and recent success against Sri Lanka but carry blemishes from their group-stage games

T20 WC: Washout Threat Looms Large On Pakistan-New Zealand Super Eights Clash In Colombo

New Zealand Super Eights: The threat of a washout is looming large on the first Super Eights clash of the Mens T20 World Cup between Pakistan and New Zealand after heavy drizzle forced covers at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo immediately after the toss was held. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to bat first, but the start has been delayed as showers started in a jiffy. With the rain continuing, the loss of overs has begun from 8:10 pm, while the cut-off for a five-over game is at 10:15 pm. If the situation does not improve, the fixture will be abandoned, and both sides will share points. Forecasts had already raised concerns for a washout, with Accuweather predicting cloudy skies and a high chance of evening showers in Colombo. Persistent rain on Friday forced Pakistan to cancel training, and Saturdays drizzle confirmed fears that the weather could play a decisive role in the tournaments opening Super Eights match. Under playing conditions by the ICC, a minimum of five overs per side is required for a result in the match. Additionally, there are no reserve days in the Super Eights, with this arrangement only available for the semifinals and final. A washout would dent both teams hopes of reaching the semi-finals, as shared points could prove costly in a competitive Group 2. Forecasts had already raised concerns for a washout, with Accuweather predicting cloudy skies and a high chance of evening showers in Colombo. Persistent rain on Friday forced Pakistan to cancel training, and Saturdays drizzle confirmed fears that the weather could play a decisive role in the tournaments opening Super Eights match. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand have brought back captain Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, and Lockie Ferguson into their playing eleven as Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: Handling Pressure, Winning Small Moments Key For SA In Clash Against India, Says De Kock

T20 World Cup: South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock said handling pressure and winning the small moments would be decisive when his side face India in a crunch Super Eights clash of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup, to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Both teams are unbeaten after cruising through their respective groups with four wins each and will meet in what is also a rematch of the 2024 edition final, where India won to break a long trophy drought. Aiden Markram-led South Africa toured India late last year, but lost 3-1 in a five-game T20I series, as well as in a warm-up game held earlier this month. What's going to make for quite a good game tomorrow, I think, is that we've played against each other quite a bit over the last two months. To be honest, the teams haven't really changed much. So I think it's more when you're out there on the pressure side, who deals with the pressure better and wins the small moments in the game, and not even just playing against India. In the IPL, we're always playing against each other a lot. Everyone knows each other, how everyone plays, and how everyone thinks. So I think it's just a matter of being out there who falls under the pressure first, said de Kock in the pre-match press conference on Saturday. South Africa have played three Group D matches in Ahmedabad and played at different times of the day. It means that the Proteas are taking on defending champions India in familiar territory, owing to them knowing the conditions quite well. I think it does help quite a bit. We've played a day game and a night game, so we kind of understand the conditions. But I don't think it means too much because the Indian team's played here and a lot of them have played here their whole careers. I don't think it plays that much of a difference at the end of the day, said de Kock. Indias left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma has bagged three consecutive ducks, but de Kock felt he may come good at some point in the competition. He's the number one T20 batsman in the world at the moment, according to the ranking, so he must keep doing what he's doing. He's obviously quite young; he's bound to fail. So being number one obviously means something, and I'm sure at some point he's going to play an important knock. Indias left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma has bagged three consecutive ducks, but de Kock felt he may come good at some point in the competition. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The spin has kind of travelled a little bit. So I'm saying that it's all about conditions at the end of the day - it's always going to be harder for left-handed batsmen to struggle a bit against a right-arm offie if it's spinning. So like I said, it's all just on to the conditions, and what we deal with. Article Source: IANS

Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai: Chahal Shares Glimpses From Shikhar Dhawan-Sophie Shines Wedding Celebrations

Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai: Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal gave fans a peek into the wedding celebrations of former India opener Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine by sharing pictures from the ceremony on Saturday. The wedding, reportedly taking place in the Delhi NCR region, is attended by close friends and family members. Chahal took to Instagram to post cheerful moments from the celebrations, including a picture of Dhawan dressed in traditional grooms attire alongside Sophie, who looked good in her bridal outfit. The spinner was also seen enjoying the festivities and dancing with other guests. Captioning his post, Chahal wrote, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, expressing his excitement for his former teammates big day. Earlier, Dhawan had shared pictures from his sangeet ceremony on Instagram. Sangeet Night, almost the Dhawans, he wrote in his post. Sophie, too, had offered fans a glimpse of the pre-wedding festivities by sharing photos from her haldi ceremony. Dhawan and Sophie made their relationship public in 2025 and announced their engagement in January 2026. Their love story reportedly began several years ago in Dubai, and since then, Sophie has been a constant presence in Dhawans life. The couple has built a strong following on social media, where their light-hearted and humorous reels are widely appreciated by fans. This is Dhawans second marriage. His first marriage to Ayesha Mukherjee ended in 2021. Dhawan and Sophie made their relationship public in 2025 and announced their engagement in January 2026. Their love story reportedly began several years ago in Dubai, and since then, Sophie has been a constant presence in Dhawans life. The couple has built a strong following on social media, where their light-hearted and humorous reels are widely appreciated by fans. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Across 269 international matches, Dhawan scored 10,867 runs and registered 24 centuries, leaving behind a significant legacy in Indian cricket. He has represented India in all three formats of the game and was a major player in the Indian Premier League (IPL), also. Article Source: IANS

'Fielding in Pallekele will prove a different challenge' - Sridhar

The outfield in Pallekele is not in the best condition as it's been covered due to rain in the lead up to Sri Lanka vs England

T20 WC: Was Not Expecting This Much Hype And Appreciation From Legends Of The Game, Says Tariq

T20 World Cup: Pakistan off-spinner Usman Tariq said he was taken aback by the attention his performances have drawn at the 2026 Mens T20 World Cup, adding that he was relishing the chance to contribute to the team's performance at the big stage. With his unique, slinging bowling action, Tariq has picked 10 wickets in four games at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 and is expected to test New Zealand batters at the R. Premadasa Stadium, with the game yet to get underway due to rain. I was not expecting that I would get this much hype and appreciation from all the legends and from you guys (commentators). Im really enjoying every moment and really enjoying my performances. Im looking forward to bringing some more energy and excitement, Tariq told broadcasters in a brief chat on the sidelines. Tariq, who honed his action while playing with a tennis ball in domestic cricket, said his unique bowling technique had been part of his game from the start and continued to serve him well. Yes, even this action was developed from the beginning when I used to bowl with a tennis ball. If you check my action in slow motion, youll see the timing is still there, but Im moving slowly. I just try to break the fractions of my bowling action. Thats how it is working for me, he said. Tariq, who honed his action while playing with a tennis ball in domestic cricket, said his unique bowling technique had been part of his game from the start and continued to serve him well. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The off-spinner also addressed his trademark headband, saying it had become part of his identity. Yes, of course sometimes the hair comes in front of my eyes and distracts me, so thats why I wear the headband. Since it has been appreciated so much, I just want to keep wearing it now, even with short hair. Article Source: IANS

Fakhar in for Nafay as Pakistan bat in Colombo

New Zealand add Fakhar Zaman and Ish Sodhi in their playing XI

T20 WC: Abhisheks Form, Fielding Lapses In Spotlight As India Face SA In Super 8s Opener (Preview)

In T20 World Cup: Opener Abhishek Sharma's poor form and sloppy fielding will be in focus as India face South Africa in their first match in the Super8s round of the T20 World Cup 2026 to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. Abhishek is yet to score a run in the tournament. He began his campaign with a golden duck against the United States, followed by early dismissals against Pakistan and the Netherlands. India's fielding woes have continued throughout the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav's team have dropped nine catches in four group-stage matches, which is the second-highest tally among the 20 teams in the competition. Despite the concerns, India will be getting into the contest while remaining unbeaten in the Group stage. They began with a 29-run win over the USA before dismantling Namibia by 93 runs. A 61-run victory against Pakistan displayed their dominance, while a 17-run win over the Netherlands in Ahmedabad sealed their unbeaten group-stage run. On the other hand, South Africa were equally clinical in Group D, finishing with four wins and an NRR of 1.943. They opened with a 57-run win over Canada, edged Afghanistan in a dramatic double Super Over, chased down New Zealand comfortably, and defeated the UAE with ease in their last match. India have an upper hand in the head-to-head record in T20Is, as they have won 21 out of 35 matches played between the two sides. In T20 World Cup history, India have also won five out of seven matches they played against the Proteas, which include the T20 World Cup 2024 final, in which India became the winners. When: Sunday, February 21, 7:00 PM IST Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Where to watch: Star Sports Network for Live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming. Squads: Where to watch: Star Sports Network for Live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi. Article Source: IANS

'Last year he covered for us, now we cover for him' - Suryakumar on Abhishek's form

The India captain also addressed the issue of oppositions bowling offspin to India's left-handed heavy line-up

T20 WC: Santner, Sodhi, Ferguson Return For New Zealand As Pakistan Elect To Bat First

ICC T20 World Cup: New Zealand have brought back captain Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, and Lockie Ferguson into their playing eleven as Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening Super Eights clash of the 2026 Mens T20 World Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. The start of the game may be delayed as rain arrived and covers were put back on the entire ground immediately after the toss was held. Santner has recovered from his illness and is back to lead New Zealand again, while Ferguson is back after flying back home for the birth of his first child. Could be a little bit different here (compared to the conditions in Chennai), but we have seen a lot of the games throughout the tournament here, and we know the challenge they possess. Should be entertaining, they got some good spinners, he said. Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha said Fakhar Zaman comes in for Khawaja Nafay and gets his first game of this World Cup. We have one pacer, Faheem Ashraf -- he is a good all-rounder. So we have two pacers and a lot of spin options. They are a quality side, we know that. We have to play our A game, and that is what we look forward to today, he said. In his pitch report, former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja described the surface as a little tacky, and his view was echoed by ex-Australia captain Aaron Finch. The duo felt that with the grass not live, taking pace off the ball could be the way forward, while spinners may need courage to give the ball some flight. Playing XIs: In his pitch report, former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja described the surface as a little tacky, and his view was echoed by ex-Australia captain Aaron Finch. The duo felt that with the grass not live, taking pace off the ball could be the way forward, while spinners may need courage to give the ball some flight. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, and Usman Tariq Article Source: IANS

India, South Africa meet in the final before the final

A blockbuster to kick off Group 1 will see two teams, familiar with the Ahmedabad conditions, clash on a black-soil pitch

Beating Australia In Australia Is Really Special, Says Mandhana After Series-clinching Knock In 3rd T20I

Beating Australia: Smriti Mandhana was very pleased after Indias 17-run victory over Australia in the series decider on Saturday and mentioned that defeating the Aussies in Australia is really special. However, she also noted that the team will not celebrate too much and will instead shift focus to the upcoming ODI leg of the tour, which begins on Tuesday. India sealed a convincing 17-run victory in the third and final T20I on Saturday at the Adelaide Oval, strengthening their position to 4-2 in the multi-format series. A stunning 121-run partnership between Smriti Mandhana (82) and Jemimah Rodrigues (59) powered India to a formidable 176/6, with Mandhanas explosive knock earning her Player of the Match honours. Reflecting on her personal performance and the team's overall success, Mandhana expressed her happiness during the post-match presentation, saying, It was good to contribute to the series win. I think beating Australia in Australia is something really special. I'm really happy for the team and glad that I could contribute. Mandhana, who has been in superb form throughout the series, was instrumental in laying the foundation for Indias total. Her 82 runs came off 55 balls and featured some beautiful stroke-play. However, it was the partnership with Rodrigues that truly turned the tide in Indias favour. Mandhana was full of praise for Jemimah Rodrigues' role in their partnership. When she came in, I think I was 16-ball 15 and still getting my timing, and she came in, got three or four boundaries, got the momentum going, and I could take some time. Those small things dont really get noticed, but I feel when she came in and got those quick 2-3 boundaries, it calmed me down as well. So credit to her to come in and play that sort of knock, she said. The dynamic partnership saw India accelerate in the middle overs, with Mandhana reaching her fifty with a six in the 12th over. Although she was dismissed in the 17th over, the foundation was firmly set for India to finish strong, aided by Richa Ghoshs quick-fire cameo. Defending a competitive target, India struck early with the ball, taking key Australian wickets in quick succession. Despite a fighting 57 from Ashleigh Gardner, Australia could never recover from the early damage. Mandhana also highlighted the significance of India's early breakthroughs in setting the tone for the game, stating, I think we did beat them in 2016 back when we had come here, but I think we've played T20 after a very long time in Australia, so beating them is really nice. In the final stages, India's bowlers maintained the pressure, and a brilliant diving catch from Rodrigues sent Gardner back to the dugout. The visitors eventually restricted the hosts to 159/9, completing a well-deserved victory. Mandhana also highlighted the significance of India's early breakthroughs in setting the tone for the game, stating, I think we did beat them in 2016 back when we had come here, but I think we've played T20 after a very long time in Australia, so beating them is really nice. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With a balanced team effort, the Women in Blue are now preparing for the upcoming ODI series, beginning at The Gabba on February 24. This will be their first 50-over format series since winning their first-ever Womens World Cup trophy in November last year. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: 'I Think It Will Be Pretty Much The Same Side,' Says Shastri On India's Playing XI Vs South Africa

T20 World Cup: Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri feels that the defending champions have got their best playing XI and there will be unlikely any change in the team sheet when India face South Africa in their first match of the Super 8s in the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. India made two changes to the team when they played against the Netherlands in their last group stage match. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav went out for Arshdeep Singh, while Axar Patel was rested to give some game time to all-rounder Washington Sundar. According to Shastri, the only dilemma the team will face is whether to play Axar or Sundar. I think it will be pretty much the same side because you've got depth, you've got all bases covered, you've got options, you need options, Shastri told The ICC Review. When there's dew around, you need that extra bowling option. Whether it's a Shivam Dube, whether it's Hardik bowling his full quota of overs, whether it's Tilak Varma who might roll his arm for an over or two, you need those options. I don't think they'll tinker with the side. I think the team that played in the last game was a good side, he added. Shastri also stood in support of Abhishek Sharma, who is yet to score a run in the ongoing tournament. Abhishek has scored three ducks, but Shastri sees that as a positive and believes that the No. 1 T20I batter will score runs in the later stages of the tournament. I think the positive is that in every game, there's been someone who stood up. It has been Ishan Kishan, sometimes Surya, in the first game. Tilak Varma has played his part. He's got off to a start, but I still think the best of him is still to come. I look at it as a positive that Abhishek Sharma has three zeros. So save your best for the important periods in the tournament. Teams will be a little worried that he's not got runs, he said. Shastri also praised the South Africa team for their self-belief and feels that there will be a neck-to-neck fight when they clash against India. I think the positive is that in every game, there's been someone who stood up. It has been Ishan Kishan, sometimes Surya, in the first game. Tilak Varma has played his part. He's got off to a start, but I still think the best of him is still to come. I look at it as a positive that Abhishek Sharma has three zeros. So save your best for the important periods in the tournament. Teams will be a little worried that he's not got runs, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Both India and South Africa are coming into the match after finishing on top of their respective groups in the first round. Article Source: IANS

Mandhana, Shreyanka Shine As India Beat Australia By 17 Runs In 3rd Match, Seal Series 2-1

In a dramatic clash at the Adelaide Oval, India secured a hard-fought 17-run victory over Australia in a high-pressure encounter. Chasing a challenging target of 159, Australias lower-order fought valiantly but ultimately fell short, with Indias bowlers holding their nerve till the final overs to clinch the win. India's innings was built on solid contributions by Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, but it was Shreyanka Patil with the ball who made sure the team cruised past the hosts. India started relatively steadily, with Shafali Verma (7 off 6) and Mandhana (82 off 55) getting the innings off to a quick start. However, the former fell quickly, with Australian bowlers showing resistance. Mandhana and Rodrigues (59 off 46) steadied the ship with a 121-run stand and put India on top. While the vice-captain fell just 18 runs short of a well-deserved century, Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh made sure that the batting unit didnt crumble. The wicketkeeper-batters cameo of a seven-ball 18, before a mini collapse in the final over, made sure that the Women in Blue posted a defendable target for the home side. Australia's chase got off to a shaky start as Beth Mooney (6) fell early, with Renuka Thakur dismissing her in the second over. Another crucial breakthrough came in the third over when Shreyanka Patil removed Georgia Voll, courtesy of a stunning catch by Renuka Singh. Phoebe Litchfield (26) and Ashleigh Gardner (57) then combined in a partnership to put up a strong fight. Gardners knock was the highlight of Australias chase, as she hit five boundaries and a six, keeping the required run rate in check. However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, with Shreyanka Patil and Shree Charani taking crucial wickets, including the crucial one of skipper Sophie Molineux (6), who was dismissed lbw. Australias middle-order crumbled under the pressure. Despite a brief flurry from Annabel Sutherland, the chase faltered as they lost wickets in quick succession. Grace Harris looked confident but was dismissed hit-wicket. Shreyanka Patil once again struck a decisive blow, dismissing Sutherland for a valuable knock of 14, leaving Australia at 143/9. Deepti Sharma then returned in the final over to bowl a composed spell, giving away only five runs as the visitors restricted the hosts to 150/9, to clinch a 17-run win. Deepti Sharma then returned in the final over to bowl a composed spell, giving away only five runs as the visitors restricted the hosts to 150/9, to clinch a 17-run win. Also Read: Live Cricket Score 176/6 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 82, Jemimah Rodrigues 59; Annabel Sutherland 2-34, Kim Garth 1-25) beat Australia 159/9 in overs (Ashleigh Gardner 57, Phoebe Litchfield 26; Shreyanka Patil 3-22, Shree Charani 3-32) by 17 runs. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: Bumrah, Hardik To Be India's Twin Trump Cards For Super Eights, Says Paranjape

BCCI Cricket Advisory Committee: Former India cricketer and national selector Jatin Paranjape feels fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be the twin trump cards for the defending champions ahead of their Super Eights campaign in the Mens T20 World Cup starting against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Sunday. In three league games, Bumrah has picked four wickets at an economy rate of six and a strike rate of 13.5. Hardik, meanwhile, has amassed 87 runs with a batting strike-rate of 155 and grabbed five wickets at an economy rate of 7.9. Hardik also produced a great all-round performance hitting 52 and taking 2-28 when India beat Namibia in New Delhi earlier this month. The guy who takes this Indian team to a different level altogether is Hardik Pandya. Without him, this Indian team is half as good as it is with him in it. Hardiks improvement over the last 12 months has shown that he is just so focused on his game. He is not letting the outside chatter get to him at all. He has been through so much in his personal life as well. But he is one player, and I am a big fan of his for that, who has improved tremendously with the bat, with the ball, with the field, and with his body. So, Hardik is the key to Indias fortunes, Paranjape told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Saturday. Due to his previously captaining the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Hardik is well-versed with the conditions and ground size in Ahmedabad. It further reflects in him amassing 470 runs in 19 T20I innings in Ahmedabad, coming at a strike-rate of 142. In last years final T20I against South Africa at the same venue, Hardik scored 63 off 25 balls as India won the series 4-1. With India losing 11 wickets to off-spin - the most among all teams in this World Cup and a glaring loophole to exploit by other teams Hardik will be expected to bail out of trouble, considering the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav have found the going tough against spin. Hardik, along with Bumrah, has also contributed to India having the best economy rate amongst all bowling units (7) and the second-best bowling average (15.4) by a team in this competition. Along with Hardik, according to me, Jasprit Bumrah is also going to be in top form. I have noticed him, he is looking leaner, he has lost weight, he is looking fitter. These are the tournaments for great players like him and great all-rounders like Hardik to really come to the party and get it done when it matters most. So, according to me, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are going to be two trump cards for India. If India has to do well and win the World Cup, both these guys will have to be in prime form, added Paranjape, the co-founder of KheloMore and member of the BCCI Cricket Advisory Committee. Although India enters the Super Eights as the lone unbeaten team from Group A, they are paired with other undefeated sides, including South Africa, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. Everybody expects India to win this T20 World Cup very easily, but I dont think its going to be super, super easy because the Super Eights will also be interesting. I think India are putting some serious distance between themselves and the competition going into the Super Eights. The first game is with South Africa, but I think, irrespective of the opposition, this Indian setup just looks really strong, despite the three ducks in a row from what was their biggest weapon, Abhishek Sharma, added Paranjape. Though Abhishek is yet to score a run in the World Cup, especially with him recovering from a stomach infection and leading to Indias opening partnerships averaging only 8.5, Dube has added heft to Indias batting depth by accelerating his scoring tempo in recent months, which was seen during his match-winning fifty against the Netherlands earlier this week. Till the end of the 2024 World Cup, Dubes strike rate stood at 134 against pace and spin. Post that tournament, where he was a member of the winning Indian team, the numbers have spiked dramatically -- 172 against pace and 183 against spin. Abhishek's low scores have been offset by Shivam Dube, who is really impressing me a lot with the way he's approached the middle part of the innings, and his six-hitting ability is today second to none across world cricket, and he just looks in fantastic form. Till the end of the 2024 World Cup, Dubes strike rate stood at 134 against pace and spin. Post that tournament, where he was a member of the winning Indian team, the numbers have spiked dramatically -- 172 against pace and 183 against spin. Also Read: Live Cricket Score --IANS Article Source: IANS

Mandhana, Rodrigues and Patil script famous India series win

The visitors put together a superb all-round display to secure just their second series win in Australia

India Captain Among ICC Player Of The Month Nominees For January

The International Cricket Council: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named Daryl Mitchell, Joe Root, and Suryakumar Yadav as contenders for the Mens Player of the Month for January. These players have been exceptional, making notable contributions with both bat and ball during a busy month of cricket. New Zealand star Mitchell had a strong start to the year, guiding his team to a 2-1 victory in India during the ODI series. The all-rounder scored consecutive centuries in the second and third matches, enabling New Zealand to come back from a 0-1 series deficit. Mitchell scored 352 runs at an average of 176 against India, earning him the Player of the Series award and the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings. Additionally, he scored 125 runs at a strike rate of 186.56 in the five-match T20I series against India. Joe Root played a crucial role in England's comeback victory against Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series. Improving with every game, Root scored 61 in the first match, increased his contribution with 75 in the second, and scored an unbeaten 111 in the final, helping England overcome a 0-1 series deficit to win 2-1. He was named Player of the Series, scoring 242 runs and taking two wickets. Root also brought a rare spark to the challenging Ashes 2025/26 series against Australia. Although the hosts ultimately secured a 4-1 series victory, Root's 160 in the first innings of the Sydney Test highlighted his brilliance. Suryakumar Yadav found his rhythm just before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, delivering an outstanding performance against New Zealand in the five-match T20I series. He was named Player of the Series, scoring 242 runs and taking two wickets. Root also brought a rare spark to the challenging Ashes 2025/26 series against Australia. Although the hosts ultimately secured a 4-1 series victory, Root's 160 in the first innings of the Sydney Test highlighted his brilliance. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The key performance occurred in the second match, where Suryakumar scored an unbeaten 82, guiding India to surpass New Zealand's total of 208 in only 15.2 overs. This marked India's second-highest successful chase in the shortest format of the game. Article Source: IANS

'He Covered For Us All Year, Now It's Our Turn': Suryakumar On Abhishek's Poor Form

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav has backed opener Abhishek Sharma, who is enduring a lean patch in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, as India gear up for their first Super 8s clash against South Africa to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. Speaking ahead of the match against the 2024 T20 World Cup runners-ups, Suryakumar expressed strong faith in Abhishek's comeback and said that the team management is not worried about the opener's form at all. Surya also feels that the No.1 T20I batter will end his lean patch and deliver for the team as the tournament progresses. I worry for the people who are worried about Abhishek's form; I worry about them. Why are they so worried about Abhishek's form? But I think about those teams who are going to play against him, now that he has not yet scored a run, you know the rest of the answers. Surya said in the pre-match conference. It's a team sport, it keeps going on. Now the team has a requirement that the boy should play with his identity. So he is trying to play. If it happens, then it's fine; if it doesn't, then we are there to cover. Last year, he covered for us fully; now we will cover for him as well, he added. Abhishek is yet to open his account in the tournament. He began his campaign with a golden duck against the United States, followed by early dismissals against Pakistan and the Netherlands. On each occasion, he fell within the first two overs, without scoring a run. Earlier, India's bowling coach Morne Morkel also backed the 25-year-old star and said that there have been no discussions regarding his place in the side. Absolutely no discussion in our team group about that. Abhishek is a world-class player. So far in the tournament, fortunately, there have been guys stepping up while Abhishek hasnt been able to score the runs he would like, Morkel said at the pre-match press conference on Friday. Earlier, India's bowling coach Morne Morkel also backed the 25-year-old star and said that there have been no discussions regarding his place in the side. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Abhishek has featured in eight matches against South Africa, scoring 200 runs against the Proteas, including one half-century against the 2024 World Cup runners-up. Article Source: IANS

England Skipper Harry Brook Promises Aggressive Approach in Super 8s

England skipper Harry Brook has admitted that the team took some of the opposition sides in the Group stage lightly and also promised to perform well in the Super 8s round, where they will play their first match against the co-hosts, Sri Lanka, at the Pallekele International Stadium on Sunday. England's campaign so far in the tournament has been far from convincing, as they nearly escaped defeat in their first match against Nepal by just four runs. Brook's side got hammered by the two-time champions, West Indies, in the next match. However, they won the remaining two matches against Italy and Scotland to reach the Super 8s. It was obviously a niggly start to the competition. We probably underestimated a few of the sides, and they put up a really good fight and yeah, look, we came here to get through that stage, and thankfully we have, so were here in the Super Eights, and thats our main focus now, Brook said in a pre-match conference. Brook also revealed the team's plan to get the wicket of Sri Lanka's opener Pathum Nissanka, who is looking in good touch. Nissanka scored a century against Australia and can be a big threat to England in their upcoming match. Some of their batters are batting really well, so hopefully we can get a few wickets in the power play. And Nissanka is on a bit of a heater at the minute, so it would be ideal if we could get him out early, he said. The 27-year-old also criticised the careful approach of the batters in the tournament and asked them to attack from the start and put the opposition under pressure. I want us to go hell for leather in 20 overs anyway and go out there and really take it to the opposition with the bat and look to put them under pressure. So, there's not really, not too much change there, he said. The 27-year-old also criticised the careful approach of the batters in the tournament and asked them to attack from the start and put the opposition under pressure. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England have a good record against Sri Lanka in T20Is. Brook's side have won 13 out of 17 matches played between the two sides. Article Source: IANS

Patterson, Hadley fire NSW into One-Day Cup decider

Patterson made 125 not out from 89 balls as NSW chased 275 in 31 overs after Hadley bagged 5 for 69

Jemimah Rodrigues Completes 2500 T20I Runs

Canberra T20I: India batter Jemimah Rodrigues completed 2500 runs in the T20 Internationals, achieving the feat during her outing with the willow against Australia in the final and deciding T20I of the three-game series at the Adelaide Oval. Before walking into the crease at No. 3 for the third T20I, Rodrigues had accumulated 2492 runs in 104 innings. Playing her 118th T20 International, the Delhi Capitals skipper went past the 2500-run landmark with a boundary off Kim Garth in the fifth over of the first innings, having opted to bat first. Rodrigues became only the fourth female Indian cricketer to reach the landmark in womens T20Is after skipper Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and opening batter Shafali Verma. The India opener, also Rodrigues teammate at Delhi in the Womens Premier League (WPL), reached 2500 T20I runs earlier this week while scoring a quick 29 off 23 balls at the top of the order in the Canberra T20I. During the same match, Kaur set an impressive record by becoming the most-capped international player in womens cricket. On February 19, in her 356th international game, the Indian World Cup-winning captain overtook New Zealand legend Suzie Bates to secure the record for the most international appearances by a woman. Following Kaur and Bates, Ellyse Perry, who made her historic 350th international appearance for Australia on Saturday, ranks third among women cricketers with the most appearances. The all-rounder made history by becoming the first Australian woman to reach 350 international games, celebrating her 20th year at the highest level. Speaking of the series so far, the visitors dismissed the Aussies for 133 at the SCG in the first match, then quickly reached 50/1 in 5.1 overs before rain interrupted. India were significantly ahead of the DLS par score and managed to seal a win to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The all-rounder made history by becoming the first Australian woman to reach 350 international games, celebrating her 20th year at the highest level. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The two sides are currently locked in the third and final game of the T20I leg of Indias tour, with the Women in Blue reaching 101/1 in 12 overs courtesy of Mandhanas powerful half-century and Rodrigues firepower. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: England Vs Sri Lanka Head-to-head Record And Last Five Matches Performance

Josh Tongue Luke Wood: Two-time champions, England, will play their first match in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s against the co-hosts, Sri Lanka, at the Pallekele International Stadium on Sunday. England and Sri Lanka have been placed in group B in the Super 8s with 2009 champions Pakistan and New Zealand. Out of four teams, only two will proceed to the semi-final stage. This will be only the 18th time England will face Sri Lanka in T20Is. Harry Brook's team have an upper hand against Sri Lanka in the previous matches. England have come victorious on 13 occasions, while Sri Lanka have only won four matches. England's dominance extends to the T20 World Cup also. Both teams have played six World Cup matches against each other in which England have won five matches, while Sri Lanka have won only one match. Sri Lanka has not beaten England since the 2012 T20 World Cup, and they will look to end their 14-year wait when they face the 2010 and 2022 World Cup winners on Sunday. England recently toured Sri Lanka for a white ball series, which included three ODIs and three T20Is. They first beat Sri Lanka by 2-1 in the 50-over match series and then clinched the T20I series by a margin of 3-0, which came as a big boost for the team. Head-to-head record between England and Sri Lanka in T20Is Total matches played: 17 England won: 13 Sri Lanka won: 4 Performance of both teams in their last 5 matches England: W, W, L, W, W Sri Lanka: L, W, W, W, L Squads: Sri Lanka: L, W, W, W, L Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka(c), Charith Asalanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dushan Hemantha, Dilshan Madushanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Pathum Nissanka, Pramod Madushan, Pavan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage Article Source: IANS

Ellyse Perry Becomes First Australian To Play 350 International Games

T20 World Cup: Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry became the first female cricketer from her nation to play 350 international matches, when she took the field against India at the Adelaide Oval in the final and decider T20I of the three-game series on Saturday. Perry made history as the first Australian woman to reach 350 games, celebrating her 20th year at the highest level. Only two women have played more international matches: Harmanpreet Kaur, Indias captain, who extended her record to 357 after the third T20I, and New Zealand's Suzie Bates with 355, making Perry the most capped Aussie. Australia's most-capped players after Perry are current ODI and Test captain Alyssa Healy with 295 appearances, and former vice-captain Alex Blackwell with 252 appearances. Healy, however, has announced that she will retire from international cricket after next months day-night Test against India, which begins on March 6. Meanwhile, Megan Schutt has yet to make any long-term commitments, focusing solely on the upcoming T20 World Cup. In contrast, Perry, speaking to reporters ahead of the Adelaide T20I, said she doesn't have a set timeline for her future in international cricket. (I've got) no particular landmarks really on my radar. I just want to keep experiencing what this team is doing, and for as long as I'm contributing to that, and find fulfillment in that, then I'd love to be around, but I don't really have an end point. There's always exciting things on the horizon, but we'll just see where it gets to, Perry was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. Healy, however, has announced that she will retire from international cricket after next months day-night Test against India, which begins on March 6. Meanwhile, Megan Schutt has yet to make any long-term commitments, focusing solely on the upcoming T20 World Cup. In contrast, Perry, speaking to reporters ahead of the Adelaide T20I, said she doesn't have a set timeline for her future in international cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia made a strong comeback at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Sent in to bat again, they achieved a higher-than-average total, thanks to Georgia Voll's aggressive 88. They faltered slightly near the end of their innings, but India responded with a quick start. Nevertheless, the Australian bowlers changed their pace effectively, causing a collapse that allowed the hosts to defend their total convincingly and level the series. Article Source: IANS

'A Shame If Pakistan Players Excluded From The Hundred,' Says Harry Brook

T20 World Cup: England white ball captain Harry Brook broke his silence on reports claiming that Pakistan players are set to be ignored by Indian owned franchises in the Hundred auction, which will be held on March 12. Speaking ahead of England's first T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s match against the co-hosts, Sri Lanka, at the Pallekele International Stadium, Brook came out in support of the Pakistan players and felt that it would be shameful if they were not picked for the tournament. The 27-year-old also lauded Pakistan's players for their talent and their ability to pull crowds. Pakistan have been a great cricket nation for many years. I think there's about 50, 60 players in the auction, and it would be a shame not to see some of them in there, Brook said in the pre-match press conference. Theres some amazing cricketers, and they bring some great crowds as well. It would be a shame not to see some of the Pakistan players in there and make this tournament and competition even better, he added. Sixty-three male and four female cricketers have reportedly registered for the Hundred auction. The list includes almost all members of Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad. There are four teams in The Hundred with some form of Indian investment: MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Southern Brave, and SunRisers Leeds. According to a BBC report, player agents have been informed that Pakistan players' participation will be restricted to teams with no Indian investment. Earlier, former England captain Michael Vaughan requested the England and Wales Cricket Board on Friday to step in after reports emerged that the Indian Premier League owned franchises may exclude Pakistan players from the upcoming auction. There are four teams in The Hundred with some form of Indian investment: MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Southern Brave, and SunRisers Leeds. According to a BBC report, player agents have been informed that Pakistan players' participation will be restricted to teams with no Indian investment. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pakistani cricketers have played in The Hundred before without issues. Imad Wasim played for Northern Superchargers last season, which has now been renamed SunRisers Leeds. Other notable Pakistani players like Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Haris Rauf have also participated in earlier editions. However, no Pakistani woman cricketer has taken part in the tournament yet. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: India Vs South Africa Head-to-head Record And Last Five Matches' Performance

T20 World Cup: India will start their campaign of the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s round against South Africa. The clash between the two finalists of the 2024 World Cup will happen at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. India and South Africa are placed in a tough Group A of the Super 8s with two-time champions West Indies and Zimbabwe. All four teams are coming to the contest after being table toppers of their respective groups in the first round. This will be the 36th time India would face South Africa in the shortest format. Suryakumar Yadav's team have the upper hand when it comes to the overall record. In the 35 matches played between them, India have emerged victorious in 21 occasions while South Africa have won only 13 games. One match has no result. India's dominance continues in the T20 World Cup also. Both teams have historically played seven matches in the multi-national tournament, in which the defending champions have won five matches, while the Proteas have been able to get only two wins. South Africa are yet to beat India in a knockout match. Both teams have previously played in the 2014 semi-final and the historic 2024 World Cup final, but the two-time champions won in both matches. India and South Africa recently met each other in a five-match T20I series played in December last year, where the men in blue beat the 2024 runners-up by 3-1, with one match getting washed out. Head-to-head record between India and South Africa in T20Is Total Matches Played: 35 India won: 21 South Africa won: 13 No Result: 1 Performance of both teams in their last 5 matches India: W, W, W, W, W South Africa: L, W, W, W, W Squads: South Africa: L, W, W, W, W Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi. Article Source: IANS

Labuschagne's ton, Swepson's seven secures huge win

Queensland's bonus-point victory put them into second and waiting on the outcome of the New South Wales game

ACB Begins Hunt For New Coach, Staff To Be Based In Country

The Afghanistan Cricket Board: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is actively searching for a new head coach and support staff, with the clear expectation that they will be based in Afghanistan during the off-season, according to ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan. Following Jonathan Trott's resignation after Afghanistan's exit from the ongoing ICC Mens T20 World Cup, the board has moved forward with plans to appoint a successor. Trott's departure has prompted a restructuring, and the ACB is keen to ensure the incoming coach is more hands-on with the countrys domestic cricket scene. We have stated in the contract (of the head coach and other overseas coaches) that their duty station will be Afghanistan. We want the national team coaches to closely observe our domestic cricket players. And when there are no series scheduled, they should work on improving the national team's weak points, Khan told Cricbuzz. The ACB is aiming to have the new head coach in place before Afghanistans upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka. The series, consisting of three One-Day Internationals and three T20 matches, is scheduled to take place in Dubai and Sharjah from March 13 to 25, shortly after the conclusion of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup. Khan expressed confidence that the board will finalise the appointment ahead of the Sri Lanka series, emphasising that the recruitment process is well underway. Our HR and technical department are currently working on the process (of recruiting our next head coach). They have shortlisted three coaches and their interviews have also been conducted. We will announce the appointment of the new head coach before the Sri Lanka series once the hiring is finalised, he confirmed. Khan expressed confidence that the board will finalise the appointment ahead of the Sri Lanka series, emphasising that the recruitment process is well underway. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Afghanistan were eliminated in the group stage of the current T20 World Cup, while Sri Lanka, co-hosts alongside India, advanced to the Super 8s and are now battling for a semifinal spot. Article Source: IANS

T20 World Cup 2026: New Zealand Must Adapt Quickly To Sri Lanka Wickets: Mark Chapman

New Zealand can adapt quickly to switching to Sri Lankan pitches in the T20 World Cup after playing all their matches so far in India, said batsman Mark Chapman on Friday. New Zealand open their Super Eight campaign against Pakistan in Colombo on Saturday, ahead of matches against Sri Lanka and England at the same venue. Pace, bounce and spin in Colombo will be markedly different to Chennai and Ahmedabad, where New Zealand played their group matches, but Chapman said the players knew all about the variation in pitch conditions. I think guys understand what they need to do on slower wickets after playing in India where pitches were batting friendly, said the middle-order batsman. So, we're pretty confident that we'll face up to whatever conditions are in front of us. A lot of the guys have played a lot of cricket here before. Pakistan have played all their four matches in Sri Lanka and have a potent spin attack. Chapman was confident New Zealand can handle Pakistan's spinners, including the unorthodox Usman Tariq, who pauses in his delivery stride and bowls with deceptive variation, including side-arm. Obviously, Tariq has a pretty unique action with the way that he stops at the crease and that's something to factor in, said Chapman. But each of the Pakistan spinners poses their own threat. Pakistan have beaten New Zealand in five of their seven previous T20 World Cup encounters. Captain Mitchell Santner is set to return after missing the game against Canada with a stomach upset. He's pretty excited to get back to the park, said Chapman. And, you know, barring any last-minute sickness, I think he'll be there. Pace bowler Lockie Ferguson will only land back in Sri Lanka on Friday night after returning home for the birth of his first child. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ferguson missed the win against Canada on Tuesday and is not certain to play against Pakistan after his long-round trip.

Michael Vaughan Calls For Probe Into Reports Pakistan Stars Sidelined From Hundred

Michael Vaughan has urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to act fast on reports that Pakistani players will be overlooked by Indian-owned teams in the domestic Hundred competition. Longstanding political tensions between India and Pakistan have led to the border rivals only playing each other in international cricket events, although their recent Colombo showdown at the ongoing T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka only went ahead after Pakistan called off a threatened boycott. It has been claimed that politics has also led to an effective ban on Pakistani players participating in the Indian Premier League, world cricket's most lucrative T20 franchise competition. And with several IPL owners now owning teams in several different countries, opportunities for Pakistani cricketers to participate in various leagues are in danger of being reduced further. The BBC has now reported that the issue could be a factor during next month's player auction for English cricket's Hundred, a 100 balls-per-side competition featuring eight franchises rather than the traditional 18 first-class counties. Players will go under the hammer in London on March 11-12, with the BBC reporting that the four Indian-affiliated Hundred teams -- Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds will deliberately avoid selecting players from Pakistan. More than 50 Pakistani cricketers have registered their availability, with four other teams involved in the bidding. The ECB have been unable to substantiate the BBC allegations, but former England captain Vaughan has called for the governing body to investigate the issue thoroughly. Vaughan, referencing the ECB's stated aim of cricket becoming the most inclusive sport in the country, posted on Friday on X: The ECB need to act fast on this... they own the league and this should not be allowed to happen... the most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen. An ECB spokesman said: The Hundred welcomes men's and women's players from all over the world and we would expect the eight teams to reflect that. Almost 1,000 cricketers from 18 nations have registered for The Hundred auction, with representation on the longlist of over 50 players respectively from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and West Indies. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Only two Pakistan internationals -- Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim -- - appeared in last year's Hundred, the final edition before new investors became involved.

India Target South Africa Top Order, Abhishek Sharma To Come Good: Bowling Coach

India's bowlers will target early wickets against South Africa, said bowling coach Morne Morkel on Friday as he predicted that their out-of-form opener Abhishek Sharma would be back among the runs soon. Sunday will see what he termed a mouth-watering rematch of the T20 World Cup final two years ago, won by India, when the teams clash in the Super Eights in Ahmedabad. We know that their top order gives them that momentum, with Quinton (de Kock) and Aiden (Markram) up front in good form and hitting the ball very well, said the former South Africa quick bowler Morkel. We will definitely put our best foot forward to try and get those early wickets. Both teams topped their group with perfect records. But while Markram's South Africa have looked strong in all departments, tournament favourites India have not enjoyed batting consistency, with Abhishek recording three consecutive ducks. Morkel said the left-hander was just one innings away from getting back in the zone. Absolutely no discussion in our team group about that, said Morkel about Abhishek's three ducks. He is a world-class player. We are going to a very important phase of the World Cup now and I am sure he is going to deliver. I am pretty sure he is hitting the ball in the nets. It is just a matter of getting the start and getting the innings going. Morkel acknowledged South Africa have been one of the form teams of the T20 World cup so far. They are a team that's full of confidence, said Morkel. They have got guys at the top who are in form. In terms of weaknesses there aren't many. South Africa have also shown guts when needed, coming out victorious after two nerve-shredding super overs against Afghanistan. For us it comes down, on the day, to how well we execute with the bat and the ball, said Morkel of defending champions India. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It's going to be world-class players against each other. It is going to be a mouth-watering thing.

Babar Azam Dropped For Scoring Too Slowly, Says Pakistan Coach Mike Hesson

Batting great Babar Azam was dropped for Pakistan's final T20 World Cup group game against Namibia for scoring too slowly, said head coach Mike Hesson on Friday. Azam, who is the highest run-scorer in T20 international history with 4,571 runs, was left out for the must-win game against Namibia as Pakistan racked up 199-3 and secured a place in the Super Eights by 102 runs. The 2009 champions face New Zealand in Colombo on Saturday in the opening match of the second phase. I think Babar is well aware that his strike rate in the power play in the World Cup is less than 100 and that's clearly not the role we think we need, Hesson told reporters after Pakistan's final practice session on Friday was washed out by rain. Pakistan left out Azam for the same reason at last year's Asia Cup and even after dismal showing in the Big Bash League, he was still selected for the T20 World Cup. We brought Babar back in for a specific role post the Asia Cup, said Hesson. We've got plenty of other options who can come in and perform that role towards the end. Babar is actually the first to acknowledge that. He knows that he's got a certain set of skills that the team requires and there are certain times where other players can perform that role more efficiently. Hesson also defended dropping pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi after he conceded 101 runs in three matches, including 31 in two overs against India. We made a call that Salman Mirza was coming in for Shaheen, and he bowled incredibly well, said Hesson. To be fair, he was probably really unlucky to not be playing the second and third games. Hesson was wary of Pakistan's opponents on Saturday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand have played a huge amount in the subcontinent in recent times so we have to play at our best.

Perry's career a story of evolution as another milestone nears

The allrounder will play her 350th match for Australia in Adelaide on Saturday and could soon become the most capped female cricketer

Sakamoto to face Crawford in semis

Rei Sakamoto, 19, lost the tie-breaker in the first set, but grew in confidence against the fellow teenager from Palermo as the match progressed

Heartbreak Behind The Heroics: Indian Cricketers And Their Toughest Battles

Chennai Super Kings: Under the glare of stadium lights, they appear invincible soaking in the applause, delivering match-winning performances, winning matches, and lifting trophies. But when the cheers fade, and the cameras turn away, some of Indias cricket stars have found themselves fighting far more personal battles ones that test the heart more than on-field skills. Young leg-spinner Rahul Chahar recently offered a deeply personal account of his divorce from Ishani Johar. The couple, who got engaged in 2019 and married in March 2022 in Goa after being together since their early twenties, had shared years of companionship before deciding to part ways. After nearly 15 months of courtroom proceedings, Chahar chose transparency over silence. There were no dramatic allegations only an honest admission of how emotionally draining the process had been. Importantly, he emphasised that he harbours no ill feelings. Support poured in almost immediately. Fans flooded his social media with words of encouragement, praising his grace and maturity. Many called him brave for speaking openly, while others reminded him that a new chapter awaits. In a country where cricketers are often placed on pedestals, the empathy reflected a growing understanding that heroes, too, are human. Professionally, Chahar now looks ahead to a fresh challenge. The leg-spinner is set to represent Chennai Super Kings after being bought for Rs 5.20 crore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction a new record for him both on and off the field. He isnt alone in navigating personal upheaval. In 2025, Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma ended their marriage, asking fans to honour their privacy. A year earlier, Hardik Pandya confirmed his separation, drawing mixed but largely supportive reactions online. For Shikhar Dhawan, the emotional weight of divorce extended to fatherhood, with supporters frequently expressing solidarity. Earlier generations from Dinesh Karthik to Mohammad Azharuddin, Ravi Shastri, Javagal Srinath, and Manoj Prabhakar have also endured similar storms. Cricket may immortalise their heroics, but these moments reveal something deeper: resilience. Because sometimes, the bravest innings are played not before thousands, but in the quiet spaces where healing begins. Separation pangs -- Top cricketers in divorce battles: Rahul Chahar 2026 Yuzvendra Chahal 2025 Hardik Pandya 2024 Shikhar Dhawan 2023 Dinesh Karthik 2012 Mohammad Azharuddin 1996 & 2010 Ravi Shastri 2012 Mohammad Azharuddin 1996 & 2010 Also Read: Live Cricket Score Manoj Prabhakar 2013 Article Source: IANS

Zampa: 'Probably the worst-feeling four-for I've ever got'

'I think the last three days for me [have been about] reflecting on how the last three [T20] World Cups have gone'

T20 WC: All Stats From Australia's Crushing Win Over Oman

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium: Australia ended their campaign in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on a winning note, with a commanding nine-wicket victory over Oman in a Group B clash at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Friday. Skipper Mitchell Marsh hammered 64 off 33 deliveries and Travis Head 32 off 19 deliveries as Australia thrashed Oman by nine wickets in the 40th match. With his explosive half-century, skipper Marsh helped Australia finish their campaign in the T20 World Cup on a strong note, underlining the dominance of Australia's bowling attack over Oman, with Adam Zampa being the standout bowler. The game was one of pure dominance in every aspect of the game; however, this game will not change Australia's overall result in the tournament. Electing to bowl first, Australia were well and truly on their game, and the tone was set right from the first delivery of the match; Xavier Bartlett took the wicket of Aamir Kaleem off the first ball of the match to send Oman into a tailspin that they were not able to recover from. Zampa took control in the middle overs. The leg-spinner delivered a stunning ball to dismiss Hammad Mirza in the eighth over. Remarkably, Omans top four batsmen were all bowled, a first in T20 World Cup history. With the scoreboard showing 69/5, the innings were in chaos. Wasim Ali fought a lone battle, scoring 32 off 33 balls, but wickets fell regularly. Zampa ended with impressive figures of 4-21. Glenn Maxwell (2-13) and Bartlett (2-27) also provided strong support. Marcus Stoinis and Ellis each took a wicket as Oman was bowled out for 104 in 16.2 overs. Numbers game after Australia v Oman match: 5 - In the history of T20Is, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell becomes the 5th player to score 2000 runs, claim 50 wickets, and hold 50 catches. Mohmmad Nabi of Afghanistan, Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe, Hardik Pandya of India, and Virandeep Singh of Malaysia are the other four. 4/21 - The bowling figures of Adam Zampa (4/21). It was the 4th occasion when Zampa claimed 4 or more wickets in an innings of the T20WC, which are the most 4-fers claimed by a bowler. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan), Rashid Khan ( Afghanistan), and Anrich Nortje (South Africa) have taken three 4-fers in the T20 World Cup. 44 - The number of wickets taken by Australian leg-spinners in the T20WC. After Shakib Al Hasan (50) of Bangladesh, he is now the second most successful bowler in the history of the T20 WC. 6 - Australian captain Mitchell Marsh, who scored an unbeaten 53 in the powerplay, becomes the 6th batter overall and the first Australian to hit a 50-plus score in the powerplay of a T20WC innings. Stephan Myburg (Ned), Litton Das (Ban), Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, and Ishan Kishan (Ind) are the other five who completed their half-century in the powerplay at the T20WC. 9.4 - Australia, who chased 105 runs, emulated the record of England, who also chased successfully over 100 runs in 9.4 overs in a T20WC inning 13 - The number of half-centuries scored by Mitchell Marsh (64*) in 85 matches. It was his 4th fifty plus score in 21 matches of the T20WCs. 73/0 - Was the score of Australia in the powerplay? This was their second-best score in the powerplay of a T20 WC innings. Before this, they scored 74/1 against Namibia in North Sound and 74/2 against England in Bridgetown in the 2024 T20WC. 5 - After Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik of Pakistan, Rohit Sharma (India), and Shai Hope of the West Indies. Mitchell Marsh is the 5th captain in T20WC history to hit successive 50-plus scores. 73/0 - Was the score of Australia in the powerplay? This was their second-best score in the powerplay of a T20 WC innings. Before this, they scored 74/1 against Namibia in North Sound and 74/2 against England in Bridgetown in the 2024 T20WC. Also Read: Live Cricket Score 6 - Adam Zampa won his 6th MOM award. After Virat Kohli (8) of India. He is now the second player to win the maximum Man of the Match award in the T20WC. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: We Are Very Disappointed That Our Campaign Ended So Soon, Says POTM Zampa

POTM Adam Zampa: After delivering a Player of the Match performance of 4-27, Adam Zampa admitted that the comprehensive nine-wicket win over Oman in their last match did little to ease Australias disappointment at their early exit from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. To be honest, it has been a rough few days for us, Zampa said after the match. The voice in our changeroom has been pretty quiet as we are very disappointed that our World Cup is ending so soon, he said. With his explosive half-century, skipper Marsh helped Australia finish their group stage matches on a strong note, underlining the dominance of Australia's bowling attack over Oman, with Adam Zampa being the standout bowler. The game was one of pure dominance in every aspect of the game; however, this game will not change Australia's overall result in the tournament. Australia had been clinical from the outset, bowling Oman out for 104 in 16.2 overs after Mitchell Marsh opted to field first. Zampas spell through the middle overs broke the backbone of the innings, while Glenn Maxwell, Xavier Bartlett, Marcus Stoinis, and Nathan Ellis ensured there was no recovery. Despite finishing with four wickets and playing a decisive role, Zampa was self-critical about his overall tournament. I think that I could've done more in that Sri Lanka game. My contribution in that game was not good at all. I think that I could've done better in that game. My job is to get wickets through the middle, he said. Australia had been clinical from the outset, bowling Oman out for 104 in 16.2 overs after Mitchell Marsh opted to field first. Zampas spell through the middle overs broke the backbone of the innings, while Glenn Maxwell, Xavier Bartlett, Marcus Stoinis, and Nathan Ellis ensured there was no recovery. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We have built this squad in the last few years, but we failed to do our jobs right, he added. Article Source: IANS

Zampa four-for, Marsh 64* take Australia to big consolation win against Oman

They were already out of the running for the Super Eight, but produced a clinical nine-wicket win at Pallekele

Asa Tribe 64 not out seals England Lions win over Pakistan Shaheens

Lions spinners restrict Shaheens before Tribe anchors successful chase in Abu Dhabi

NZ vs PAK Match 41 Prediction, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Match Preview And Expected Playing XI

NZ vs PAK, Match 41, Super 8, Cricket Tips :The group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 has come to an end, and now we will have more high-voltage clashes coming up. The first Super 8 game will feature a contest between New Zealand and Pakistan on Saturday. This contest will be held at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, starting at 7 PM IST. In this stage, a defeat can hurt chances of semis a lot. Pakistan ahve been in Sri Lanka for more than a month now. But they have a major issue with their combination, where New Zealand can hurt them. The Kiwis are coming with good form under their belts, and they have played enough against Pakistan and know their strengths and weaknesses to take advantage. NZ vs PAK: Match Details Date: February 21, 2026 (Saturday) Time: 7:00 PM IST Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo NZ vs PAK Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the NZ vs PAK game live on the Star Sports Networks. Fans can also watch the game through the Jio Hotstar streaming platform. NZ vs PAK Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 49 New Zealand : 24 Pakistan : 23 No-Result : 2 NZ vs PAK: Ground Pitch Report R. Premadasa Stadium has hosted five games, and four have been won batting first. That is where we might see help for the bowlers. Seamers and spinners will be more effective at this venue. With rain predicted around, the batting will be difficult in both innings. NZ vs PAK Possible XIs New Zealand : Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitch Santner (c), James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy Pakistan : Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq NZ vs PAK: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Sahibzada Farhan has been the leading scorer in this tournament, and he is coming fresh from a blistering century. Tim Seifert has the second-most runs this edition, and he is a versatile batter with several different strokes. Probable Best Bowler Playing Usman Tariq will be a challenge for the Kiwi batters. His pause in action breaks batters' momentum, and he has the most wickets for Pakistan. Matt Henry will have a big responsibility, because Pakistan rely on their top order, and he can take early wickets. Today Match Prediction : Pakistan know these conditions, and they have an excellent spin unit. New Zealand have a better batting unit with an excellent pace battery. Hence, we predict New Zealand to win this game. NZ vs PAK Match 41, ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Today NZ vs PAK Match, NZ vs PAK Prediction, NZ vs PAK Predicted XIs, Injury Update for NZ vs PAK Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer: The prediction 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 predictions.

T20 WC: ICC Releases List Of Umpires For Super 8s

TV Umpire Alex Wharf: Rodney Tucker and Paul Reiffel will be in the middle for the opening Super Eights match of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin with New Zealand taking on Pakistan on Saturday at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, with Allahudien Paleker in place as TV Umpire and Sam Nogajski taking on the role of Fourth Umpire. Tucker and Nogajski will be the on-field team on February 28 when Sri Lanka face Pakistan in Kandy, while Nogajski will also oversee Englands match with Pakistan at the same venue on February 24 alongside Nitin Menon. Adrian Holdstock is also part of the Sri Lankan-based officials team for the Super Eights stage and will be on-field alongside Ahsan Raza for Englands clashes with the co-hosts in Kandy on February 22 and New Zealand five days later. Paleker and Asif Yaqoob will be in the middle for Sri Lankas meeting with New Zealand in Colombo on February 25. Group 1 begins with co-hosts India taking on South Africa on February 22, and the experienced duo of Richard Kettleborough and Chris Gaffaney will be taking charge, assisted by TV Umpire Alex Wharf and Fourth Umpire Chris Brown. Gaffaney and Wharf join forces for the final match of the Super Eight stage, Indias match with the West Indies in Kolkata on March 1, while Wharf and Kettleborough are the on-field duo for the co-hosts clash with Zimbabwe on February 26. Zimbabwe are unbeaten after the group stage and will hope to take that momentum into their clash with the similarly in-form West Indies on February 23, with Richard Illingworth and Jayaraman Madanagopal overseeing the action in Mumbai. Gaffaney and Wharf join forces for the final match of the Super Eight stage, Indias match with the West Indies in Kolkata on March 1, while Wharf and Kettleborough are the on-field duo for the co-hosts clash with Zimbabwe on February 26. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson, and Javagal Srinath share the match referee duties. Article Source: IANS

AUS-W vs IND-W 3rd T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

AUS-W vs IND-W 3rd T20I , Cricket Tips :After a good win in the first T20I, India Women failed to keep the momentum going in the second game in Canberra. The Australian opener added a record stand of 128 runs and took the game away from the visitors. Though India were brilliant in death overs and started well with the bat. But once again, their middle order failed, and they fell short by 19 runs. That helped Sophie Molineux record her first win as Australia captain. These two sides will take on each other in the final game on Saturday, starting at 1:45 PM IST at Adelaide Oval. AUS-W vs IND-W: Match Details Date : February 21, 2026 (Saturday) Time : 1:45 PM IST Venue : Adelaide Oval, Adelaide AUS-W vs IND-W: Live Streaming Details The live action of the final T20I in India will be available on Star Sports Networks. Fans can either watch the game through the Jio Hotstar streaming platform. AUS-W vs IND-W: Head-to-Head in T20I Total Matches : 35 Australia Women : 27 India Women : 08 No-result/Tied : 0 AUS-W vs IND-W: Ground Pitch Report Adelaide Oval offers one of the biggest straight boundaries in the world; on square, the boundaries are smaller in comparison. The bounce in the wicket is excellent, and batters will like batting here. The toss will be important, because this is an excellent venue to chase. AUS-W vs IND-W: Possible XIs Australia Women : Beth Mooney (wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Ash Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (c), Kim Garth, Darcie Brown India Women : Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh AUS-W vs IND-W: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Georgia Voll won the MOTM award in Canberra. She is a powerful striker and is setting the tone upfront. Shafali Verma has looked good in both matches, but India want a big knock from her now. Probable Best Bowler Arundhati Reddy has been excellent in both games, and she has the most wickets in this series so far. For Australia, captain Sophie Molineux has bowled well and has been among wickets in both games. Today Match Prediction : Australia have several match winners, and we saw that one player took them over the line in Canberra. Hence, we predict Australia Women to win this game. AUS-W vs IND-W Match 3rd T20I, Today Match AUS-W vs IND-W, AUS-W vs IND-W Prediction, AUS-W vs IND-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for AUS-W vs IND-W Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction 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 predictions.

T20 WC: Zampa, Maxwell And Bartlett Restrict Oman To 104 At Pallekele

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium: A ruthless bowling effort spearheaded by Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, and Glenn Maxwell dismantled Oman for a modest 104 in just 16.2 overs as Australia took firm control of the 40th match of the T20 World Cup 2026, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Friday. After Marsh asked them to bat first, Oman had an absolute nightmare of a game right from the first ball. The first ball of the match indicated the momentum of what was to come. The first ball bowled by Bartlett was the first wicket to fall, that of Aamir Kaleem, with a golden duck, and the innings effectively started from there for Oman. The team got jolted immediately; however, Jatinder Singh and Karan Sonavale tried to steady the ship with a partnership of 24 runs, although the resistance did not last long. Nathan Ellis struck during the Power-play when he took Karan's wicket for 12 runs. Jatinder was the most composed batsman during the first order of batters, and as soon as he got out for 17 runs, it exposed the fact of a weak middle order. The pressure then mounted in the eighth over of the innings when Zampa bowled an incredible delivery that cleaned up Hammad Mirza, with an incredible flight and turn. It also marked the first time in the history of the T20 World Cup that the top four batters had all been bowled out, and it was indicative of the quality of bowling from Australia and the technical difficulties that the Oman batting lineup faced. With the scoreboard reading 69 for 5, the innings were in trouble. Wasim Ali tried to report it, scoring 32 off 33 balls in a solitary effort for respect. However, wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Australias bowlers showed consistent discipline, mixing pace and spin to keep Oman under pressure. Although Oman narrowly passed the 100-run mark, they never looked likely to set a challenging total. The innings ended for just 104 runs in 16.2 overs, marking a complete disaster with the bat and putting Australia firmly in control as they prepared to chase. Adam Zampa was the top performer for Australia, finishing with impressive figures of 4/21. He received good support from Glenn Maxwell, who took 2/13, and Xavier Bartlett, who had 2/27. Although Oman narrowly passed the 100-run mark, they never looked likely to set a challenging total. The innings ended for just 104 runs in 16.2 overs, marking a complete disaster with the bat and putting Australia firmly in control as they prepared to chase. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Oman 104 all out in 16.2 overs (Wasim Ali 32, Jatinder Singh 17; Adam Zampa 4-21, Glenn Maxwell 2-13, Xavier Bartlett 2-27) against Australia Article Source: IANS

Keshav Maharaj to lead South Africa for T20I series in New Zealand

Most of the players from the T20 World Cup squad will not be travelling to New Zealand

T20 WC: Catching Will Play A Big Part In The Business End, Says Morkel On Indias Fielding Concerns Ahead Of Super 8s

T20 World Cup: India bowling coach Morne Morkel has admitted that catching will be crucial in the decisive stages of the T20 World Cup 2026, as the Suryakumar Yadav-led side looks to tighten up its fielding after a series of dropped chances in the tournament so far as they march towards Super 8s where the Ben in Blue will face the 2024 World Cup runner ups, South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. Despite their batting and bowling units performing consistently, the defending champions fielding has emerged as an area of concern heading into the knockout rounds. The hosts have been sloppy in the field during the group stage, dropping nine catches in four matches, which is the second-highest among the 20 teams. Only the Ireland cricket team has recorded more dropped catches (10), while the Namibia national cricket team is third with six. Responding to questions about whether catching is becoming a worry at this stage of the tournament, Morkel acknowledged the importance of sharpening up in the field. Thats a valid question. One thing that we work hard on is our fielding. We know the importance of the catches, wherever we can cut down angles to stop the twos, to stop any boundaries, Morkel said in the press conference ahead of the South Africa clash. But catching is definitely going to play a big part now in the business end of the tournament. Unfortunately, no catch is an easy catch, and the boys are putting the yards in and catching a lot of balls, he added. Thats a valid question. One thing that we work hard on is our fielding. We know the importance of the catches, wherever we can cut down angles to stop the twos, to stop any boundaries, Morkel said in the press conference ahead of the South Africa clash. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, India is coming to the Super 8s while remaining unbeaten in the group stage, and they will look to continue the momentum. Article Source: IANS

BCCI Backs Global Roadmap To Strengthen Cricket For The Blind

The Cricket Association: The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) has expressed its sincere appreciation to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their historic commitment to the development of visually impaired cricketers at the global stage. Over the past decade, Indias visually impaired cricketers have established an extraordinary legacy on the global stage, winning multiple Mens World Cup titles since 2012 and securing a historic inaugural Womens World Cup triumph. The BCCIs formal backing now ensures that this success is not only celebrated but sustained and elevated through structured support at the highest level. This significant milestone follows a series of constructive discussions led by Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), whose continued advocacy for inclusive growth in cricket has been instrumental in shaping this collaboration. Shah engaged closely with CABI leadership, including Dr Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar (Chairman) and Shailender Yadav (General Secretary), to ensure that blind cricket receives the structural support it rightfully deserves. Jay Shah has consistently emphasised that crickets growth must be inclusive and reflective of the spirit of the game. His guidance have helped translate that belief into tangible institutional support, reinforcing Indias role not only as a global cricketing powerhouse, but as a leader in making the sport accessible to all. To further strengthen the journey of Indias visually impaired cricketers, the BCCI has committed to support both the Mens and Womens National Teams, specifically focusing on: a) Provision of international travel and accommodation for two overseas tournaments annually for each team (Men & Women). b) Provision of accommodation for home and visiting teams during bilateral series in India. c) Exclusive access to BCCI-supported stadiums and grounds for domestic and international fixtures, ensuring world-class playing conditions and professional standards. b) Provision of accommodation for home and visiting teams during bilateral series in India. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We are sincerely thankful to the BCCI and to Jay Shah for their collaboration and for valuing the journey of our cricketers, said Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar. To have the support of the BCCI is a moment of great pride for all of us at CABI and a true 'feather in the cap' for our players. Together, we can ensure that blind cricket in India continues to grow and inspire many more. Article Source: IANS

Renshaw returns for Australia's dead-rubber game against Oman

This is the last group-stage game of the tournament and both sides are eliminated from Super Eight contention

T20 WC: Australia Elect To Field Against Oman In Last League Match

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium: Australia won the toss and elected to field against Oman in the 40th match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka, on Friday. Australia have made a solitary change to their line-up, with Matt Renshaw drafted in to replace Cooper Connolly. Meanwhile, Oman have rung in multiple changes, bringing in Karan Sonavale, Wasim Ali, Jay Odedra, and Shafiq Jan, while Ashish Odedara, Nadeem Khan, and Sufyan Mehmood make way. Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said, We are going to bowl first. It's a fresh wicket. We respect it. Things didn't go as planned for us as a team. We'll reflect on it and get better moving forward. It is a disappointing group not making it to the Super 8s, but tonight is a World Cup fixture, and we want to finish with a win. We have one change, Matt Renshaw comes in for Cooper Connolly. Oman captain Jatinder Singh said, Sir, we were looking to bat first as it looks like a wonderful track to bat on. I am happy with the toss result. I think this tournament has been a learning curve for us in our careers. We lacked a bit of experience and exposure, but I think the boys will take a lot of positives from this fixture, and we will bounce back stronger. It's an honour to play against Australia. Rarely do we get the opportunity to face a full member side. The boys are looking forward to it. We have made 4 changes. So, the guys who didn't get a chance to play in the previous game are all playing this game. Playing XIs: Oman captain Jatinder Singh said, Sir, we were looking to bat first as it looks like a wonderful track to bat on. I am happy with the toss result. I think this tournament has been a learning curve for us in our careers. We lacked a bit of experience and exposure, but I think the boys will take a lot of positives from this fixture, and we will bounce back stronger. It's an honour to play against Australia. Rarely do we get the opportunity to face a full member side. The boys are looking forward to it. We have made 4 changes. So, the guys who didn't get a chance to play in the previous game are all playing this game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Tim David, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: I Am Pretty Sure He Will Deliver, Morkel Backs Abhishek Sharma After Three Consecutive Ducks

T20 World Cup: Indias bowling coach Morne Morkel has expressed strong faith in opener Abhishek Sharma, who is enduring a lean patch in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, as India gear up for their first Super 8 clash against the South Africa national cricket team at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. The world No. 1 T20I batter is yet to open his account in the tournament. Abhishek began his campaign with a golden duck against the United States, followed by early dismissals against Pakistan and the Netherlands. On each occasion, he fell within the first two overs while attempting aggressive strokes before settling in. The sequence has placed Abhishek alongside Ashish Nehra for the most ducks by an Indian in T20 World Cup history, highlighting a rare slump for one of Indias most explosive batters. Despite the poor run, Morkel made it clear that the team management is not concerned about Abhisheks form and that there have been no discussions regarding his place in the side. He added that the left-hander has been working hard in the nets and is striking the ball well ahead of the crucial encounter. Absolutely no discussion in our team group about that. Abhishek is a world-class player. So far in the tournament, fortunately, there have been guys stepping up while Abhishek hasnt been able to score the runs he would like, Morkel said at the pre-match press conference. Despite the poor run, Morkel made it clear that the team management is not concerned about Abhisheks form and that there have been no discussions regarding his place in the side. He added that the left-hander has been working hard in the nets and is striking the ball well ahead of the crucial encounter. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Abhishek has featured in eight matches against South Africa, scoring 200 runs against the Proteas, including one half-century against the 2024 World Cup runners-up. Article Source: IANS

Vaughan Urges ECB To Intervene On Reports Of Pakistan Players Missing The Hundred

Wales Cricket Board: Former England captain Michael Vaughan has requested the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to step in after reports emerged that the Indian Premier League-owned franchises may exclude Pakistan players from the upcoming auction for the next edition of The Hundred. The debate over the increasing role of franchise ownership structures in cricket globally has been reignited by the current controversy. As a result, this has raised many questions on whether the players' selection policy when it comes to signing players will be affected by political tensions, given the current state of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and India. Vaughan took on X (formerly Twitter) to post, The ECB needs to act fast on this. They own the league, and this should not be allowed to happen. The most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen, he wrote. Of the eight franchises competing in 'The Hundred', four teams have some form of ownership from the Indian Premier League (IPL). This has caused speculation about whether player selection policies may be accountable for the long history of no Pakistani players being part of the IPL. Although there is no definitive proof that no Pakistani players will participate in 'The Hundred', this has created anxiety among administrators observing from the sidelines. Of the eight franchises competing in 'The Hundred', four teams have some form of ownership from the Indian Premier League (IPL). This has caused speculation about whether player selection policies may be accountable for the long history of no Pakistani players being part of the IPL. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Richard Gould, chief executive of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), has previously emphasised the ECBs commitment to inclusiveness. In previous statements, he has expressed confidence and support for the selection of players from all countries. Article Source: IANS

NZ meet familiar opponents Pakistan in spin-friendly Premadasa

The two teams have faced each other 41 times between October 2022 and April 2025

T20 WC: Spinners In Focus As Pakistan Face New Zealand In Super 8s Opener (Preview)

ICC T20 World Cup: Spinners will be in the limelight as Pakistan face New Zealand in the first match of the Super 8s stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. Historically, the Premadasa surface has helped spinners, with grip and turn coming into play as the match progresses. Spinners from both sides are expected to play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the match. The 2009 T20 World Cup champions, Pakistan, are coming to the competition after a good run in the Group Stage, where they won three matches out of four and lost only against the defending champions, India. The team possesses some quality spinners like Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, and skipper Salman Agha, who can challenge the New Zealand batters' defence. On the other side, New Zealand also had a similar outing in the group stage of the tournament. Mitchell Santner's side won three matches out of four and lost only one -- against the 2024 T20 World Cup runner-up South Africa. Captain Santner missed the last match due to illness, but he is fit and likely to return to the side for the Super 8s stage. The Black Caps will also face an adaptability challenge as they are moving from India to Sri Lanka for the next round. However, they have to play all the matches in Colombo, which will be beneficial for the team. Despite losing Bracewell to injury, the Black Caps have good spin options in their arsenal. With Captain Santner leading from the front, along with Ish Sodhi, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra, When: Saturday, February 21, 7:00 PM IST Where: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Where to watch: Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming. Squads: Where to watch: Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi. Article Source: IANS

Buttler 'frustrated' by World Cup form but won't rein himself in

England opener passed 4,000 runs against Italy but has not gone past 26 in four group-stage innings

NZ get Santner boost ahead of Super Eights, but Ferguson still a 'wait and see'

New Zealand - who play all three Super Eight games in Colombo - face their first opponents Pakistan on Saturday

Interim PHF Chief Lifts 2-year Ban On Hockey Captain Butt Amid Pro League Controversy

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif: The newly appointed interim president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, has lifted the two-year ban on the national team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt. Amid allegations of mismanagement during the national hockey teams participation in the second leg of the FIH Pro League in Hobart, Australia, outgoing PHF chief Tariq Hussain Bugti imposed a two-year ban on captain Ammad Butt before stepping down from his post. On Thursday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accepted Bugti's resignation and appointed the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Federal Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani as ad-hoc president of the federation. The development came amid controversy over the Pakistan national teams tour of Australia, where accommodation arrangements could not be secured on time, forcing players to spend several hours on the road. However, Pakistan captain Ammad Butt, in a video statement, had earlier refuted claims that the team was left without any hotel accommodation or forced onto the streets. But players have expressed discomfort over their daily TA/DA allowance of USD 40 from the PSB, which falls short of the USD 100 stipulated in PHF regulations. On Friday, the interim president of PHF Wani announced the revocation of Butt's ban, stating that transparency and fairness would guide all decisions under his tenure, the Dawn reported. However, Pakistan captain Ammad Butt, in a video statement, had earlier refuted claims that the team was left without any hotel accommodation or forced onto the streets. But players have expressed discomfort over their daily TA/DA allowance of USD 40 from the PSB, which falls short of the USD 100 stipulated in PHF regulations. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Speaking to the media after the meeting, Butt said Naqvi told him there was no ban and that the same team that toured Australia would travel to Egypt. Article Source: IANS

Super 8 Showdown: Heavyweights Collide As T20 WC 2026 Enters Decisive Phase

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium: The 10th edition of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup now shifts gears into its most compelling chapter -- the Super 8s. After weeks of high-voltage contests, narrow escapes and headline-grabbing upsets, the 20-team spectacle has been trimmed to eight contenders. From February 21 to March 1, the race for semi-final berths will intensify in a single round-robin battle across two fiercely competitive groups. Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the opening match of the Super Eights phase of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Colombo, while reigning champions India face South Africa in a rematch of the thrilling 2024 title decider. Seven of the eight pre-seeded sides have justified their rankings by progressing, but the stage also features one stirring underdog story; Zimbabwe, who forced their way into the elite bracket with a fearless campaign. Group 1: India, Zimbabwe, West Indies, South Africa Co-hosts India headline Group 1 and will lock horns with two other group toppers, the ever-dangerous West Indies cricket team and the resurgent South Africa national cricket team. Zimbabwe replacing pre-tournament favourites Australia to complete the quartet. Zimbabwe have emerged as the surprise package of the tournament, riding momentum and belief into the Super 8s. Their fearless brand of cricket now faces its sternest examination. Indias clash with South Africa on February 22 in Ahmedabad promises early fireworks, while their March 1 showdown against the West Indies in Kolkata could well determine semifinal destiny. Group 2: Old rivals, new stakes Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand If Group 1 is about power and unpredictability, Group 2 is steeped in rivalry and pedigree. The mercurial Pakistan national cricket team shares space with two-time champions (2010 & 2022) England, perennial dark horses New Zealand and a rejuvenated Sri Lanka. Opening the Super 8s on February 21, New Zealand and Pakistan will set the tone in Colombo. England and Sri Lanka renew hostilities a day later in Kandy, while the EnglandPakistan encounter on February 24 looms as a blockbuster in what could be the groups defining fixture. The Format: No second chances Each group will play in a single round-robin format, meaning every side gets three matches. Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, leaving little margin for error. The Format: No second chances Also Read: Live Cricket Score Venues across the subcontinent: Narendra Modi Stadium, R. Premadasa Stadium, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Eden Gardens, Wankhede Stadium, MA Chidambaram Stadium and Arun Jaitley Stadium. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: 'Their Best Is Yet To Come,' Says Sanjay Bangar On India's Campaign

T20 World Cup: Former India batter and expert Sanjay Bangar believes that the Indian cricket team is yet to hit top gear in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Bangar said Indias unbeaten group-stage run has been steady rather than dominant, but stressed that the bigger positive is that the teams best cricket is still to come at the tough phase of the competition. Its been a steady start. Not quite the kind we were expecting, because the expectations were sky-high, and thats where India, not necessarily bulldozing opponents in those games, can be seen as a team that played slightly under par. However, the good thing is that their best is yet to come, Bangar told Jio Hotstar. Another positive aspect is that all the players have had a chance to feature in the playing XI, which augurs well in case there are any injury concerns later in the tournament. All the players are match-ready. If there is one department where they would want to improve, it would be catching, because we saw a few chances being dropped against Pakistan and the Netherlands, Bangar added. India have been placed in a tough group that includes 2024 runner-up South Africa, two-time champions West Indies, and Zimbabwe. As unbeaten India gear up to face strong teams in the next phase of the tournament, Bangar highlighted three players who he believes will play a decisive role in Indias campaign. From here on, three players who are going to be extremely critical to Indias journey in this T20 World Cup are the men in form. Thats where I feel Ishan Kishan, given his batting form and the lack of runs from Abhishek Sharma, becomes crucial. The onus is now on Kishan to provide those explosive starts. So, he is player number one, he said. As unbeaten India gear up to face strong teams in the next phase of the tournament, Bangar highlighted three players who he believes will play a decisive role in Indias campaign. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India will start their campaign in the Super 8s on Sunday when they face South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. They will play their next match against Zimbabwe on Thursday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The defending champions will play their last match in the Super 8s on March 1 against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. Article Source: IANS

Zimbabwe Surprise As T20 World Cup Super Eights Begin Without Australia

Pakistan and New Zealand will clash in Colombo on Saturday as the second Super Eights phase of the T20 World Cup kicks off without former champions Australia, who shockingly failed to make it out of their group. Instead, surprise packages Zimbabwe, who did not even qualify in 2024, topped Group B after a stunning unbeaten campaign where they not only beat Australia but also co-hosts Sri Lanka. An injury-depleted Australia endured a chaotic campaign and failed to make the second phase of the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2009. Australia's acerbic media did not hold back in their criticism, citing selection stuff-ups and shambolic preparations, including a 3-0 pre-tournament series loss in Pakistan, for the embarrassment. Australia coach Andrew McDonald admitted his players were devastated but any inquest into the failure would only begin when we exit the shores here. India, the world number one-ranked T20 side, are hot favourites to retain their crown on home soil. However, in the second round they face a tough rematch of the 2024 final against an in-form South Africa in Ahmedabad at a packed 130,000-capacity Narendra Modi stadium on Sunday. Both teams came through the first round phase with four wins from four. India are on a 12-match unbeaten run at the T20 World Cup, stretching back to their defeat in the semi-final against eventual winners England in 2022. No team has won back-to-back T20 World Cups or lifted the trophy on home soil, and India have the hopes of hundreds of million of cricket-obsessed fans on their shoulders. But India have not been consistent and have a problem at the top of the order with their number one-ranked batter Abhishek Sharma recording three consecutive ducks. Their batting has looked shaky and India were 77-6 against the United States before coming through to win. Also in Super Eights Group 1 are Zimbabwe and the West Indies, who meet in Mumbai on Monday, with all that group's games being hosted in India. - England yet to fire - The West Indies toppled England convincingly in the group phase and the two-time champions have all-round strength in depth. They won the T20 World Cup the last time it was hosted in India, in 2016, and have started in clinical fashion, winning all four group games. They will be extremely wary of Zimbabwe, whose colourful band of travelling supporters have had plenty to cheer so far. Even a washout against Ireland could not dampen their spirits. In Sri Lanka, Group 2 pits the co-hosts against England, Pakistan and New Zealand. The top two from each group will advance to the semi-finals. Pakistan were the last team to secure their berth. They did so by beating Namibia by 102 runs, with captain Salman Agha calling it a complete performance as they bounced back from a group defeat to bitter rivals India. Another pre-tournament fancy, England stumbled through their group matches in Mumbai and Kolkata, losing to the only Test-playing side they faced, the West Indies. Harry Brook's side were unconvincing in wins against minnows Nepal, Scotland and finally Italy, who were making their World Cup debut. But they return to a happy hunting ground in Kandy to face Sri Lanka on Sunday at a venue where England swept a T20 series 3-0 this month, with Sam Curran taking a hat-trick along the way. Their top order needs to find form, with explosive openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt yet to make a telling score and Brook failing to fire. Sri Lanka have also been hot and cold. Pathum Nissanka scored a superb century on Monday to all but end Australia's tournament. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But they lost to Zimbabwe in their final group game, although Nissanka was in the runs again with 62.

Jacob Bethell Insists There's 'Fire' In Lacklustre England At T20 World Cup

England still have fire burning in them ahead of the T20 World Cup Super Eights, Jacob Bethell said Friday, admitting that Harry Brook's side had been below par during a lacklustre group campaign. One of the pre-tournament fancies behind hot favourites India, England stumbled through their group matches. The 2022 champions lost comfortably to the only Test-playing side they faced, the West Indies, and were unconvincing in wins against associate nations Nepal, Scotland and Italy. I think there's definitely a little fire in all of us to kind of really go out there and push the players to the top of their performances, Bethell told reporters. Brook's side have returned to their happy hunting ground in Kandy after playing all their group matches in India, at Mumbai and Kolkata. On Sunday England will kick off their Super Eights campaign against co-hosts Sri Lanka at the venue where they swept a T20 series 3-0 this month. We're coming back to conditions that were foreign a few weeks ago, we then got to know him over three games here, said the left-handed Bethell, who bats a number three. We beat them 3-0, so I think we're definitely coming back to this part of the world with a lot of confidence. Bethell said he had watched a lot of matches on TV during the tournament and had been impressed by Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka. The opening batsman scored the first century of this T20 World Cup as Sri Lanka beat Australia. Bethell admitted Nissanka would be dangerous on Sunday. I thought Nissanka played unbelievably, said Bethell. You know, he actually got off to a few flyers against us. But that really showed what he could do. The 22-year-old said it was important not to dwell on England's stuttering group stage campaign and move on. I think everyone had the same mindset of, all right, the main thing is just to get through to Super Eights, said Bethell. Effectively a new mini-tournament now begins, with Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand to face. Only two will progress to the semi-finals. So now we're here, then this is where the proper competition starts, said Bethell. Bethell is England's top run scorer with 143 at an average of 35.75 with one fifty in their four matches to date. Explosive openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler have failed to fire so far, as has captain Brook. Bethell is confident that will change and England's much-vaunted batting line-up will soon be back to their destructive best. I think everyone just has that underlying feeling that we're going to turn that corner, he said. We're winning games of cricket and we're not firing. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So imagine when we do.

Romario Shepherd Hat-Trick To Samra Ton: 5 Top T20 World Cup Performances So Far

Cricket's T20 World Cup moves into the Super Eights stage on Saturday after two weeks of intense action in the 20-team tournament in India and Sri Lanka. AFP Sport selects five outstanding individual performances during the group stage. - Shepherd hat-trick - West Indies pace bowler Romario Shepherd took the first hat-trick of the tournament as he ripped out Scotland's tail in his team's opening win. Scotland were in with a chance at 133-5 after 16 overs, chasing 183, when captain Shai Hope tossed the ball to Shepherd. The result was devastating: Shepherd removed Matthew Cross, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson and Safyaan Sharif for no run in five balls. Scotland had no way back from 133-9 and Shepherd finished with 5-20 from his three overs. - Suryakumar power - India were in deep trouble at 77-6 in their opening group match against the USA before skipper Suryakumar Yadav hit an unbeaten 84 off 49 balls to rescue his team. Suryakumar rebuilt before unleashing his trademark tumbling scoops, ramps and sweeps in a remarkable innings that had the 35,000 capacity crowd on their feet at Mumbai's Wankhede stadium. He reached his fifty off 36 balls before launching a late assault, hitting four sixes and 10 fours in all. Suryakumar was brutal off the final over from Saurabh Netravalkar, hitting two tumbling sixes and two fours as it disappeared for 21 to take India 161-9 which they were able to defend. - Muzarabani heroics - Zimbabwe's giant pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani registered his T20 best of 4-17 as they beat Australia in the biggest upset of the group phase. The 2.03 metres (6ft 8in) Muzarabani extracted pace and bounce from the pitch in Colombo to remove opener Josh Inglis (8) and the dangerous power hitter Tim David for a duck. Matt Renshaw, on 65, was anchoring Australia's chase when Muzarabani struck again, letting out a roar and flexing his muscles after having the Australian caught at mid-off. He wasn't finished there and claimed Adam Zampa's wicket as Australia were shot out for 146, a shock result which led to their eventual exit. - Nissanka's century - Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka said it was a dream to hit the first century of the tournament, which inflicted a second defeat on the 2021 champions Australia. Nissanka reached his hundred off 52 balls at a packed stadium in Kandy as Sri Lanka comfortably chased down their 182 target with two overs to spare to win by eight wickets. Nissanka's second T20 international ton was laced with 10 fours as Sri Lanka clinched their Super Eights spot. - Samra's record - Canada's 19-year-old opening batsman Yuvraj Samra became the first player from an associate nation to score a T20 World Cup century -- and also the youngest in the history of the tournament. Named after former India all-round great Yuvraj Singh, the left-hander struck 11 fours and six sixes in scoring 110 in 65 balls against New Zealand, the highest individual knock of the tournament so far. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Canada lost the match but Samra said: Every single day, I dreamed about scoring a hundred on this stage. To do it here, in my first appearance, and as the youngest player in this World Cup, it's truly a dream come true.

Former India Cricketers Share Top 4 Predictions For T20 WC

T20 World Cup: Former Indian cricketers have predicted the semi-finalists of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 ahead of the start of the Super 8s , which will commence on Saturday with Pakistan taking on New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Eight teams have been placed in two groups of four. All the teams will play three matches against other teams in their group, with the top 2 teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. Defending champions India, 2024 runner-ups South Africa, two-time champions West Indies and Zimbabwe are in Group A. While the 2009 champions, Pakistan, the 2014 champions, Sri Lanka, two-time winners England, and New Zealand are in Group B. In a video released by Star Sports on Friday, India's Test great Cheteshwar Pujara picked India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand for the top four. While Mohammad Kaif opted for India, South Africa, England and New Zealand for the next stage. India's highest wicket-taking spinner in T20I, Yuzvendra Chahal, picked India, South Africa, England and New Zealand to reach the top four, while fomrer pacer Varun Aaron made the boldest call, picking India, West Indies, England and Pakistan, notably leaving out both South Africa and New Zealand. Former coach Sanjay Banger made some interesting picks, going with Pakistan, India, South Africa and Sri Lanka. However, former cricketer Saba Karim went with India, South Africa, England and Sri Lanka as his semi-finalists. Due to pre-seedings done before the start of the tournament, all the table toppers from the group stage have come in the same group A. While the second number of teams are in Group B. Former coach Sanjay Banger made some interesting picks, going with Pakistan, India, South Africa and Sri Lanka. However, former cricketer Saba Karim went with India, South Africa, England and Sri Lanka as his semi-finalists. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Defending champions will play their last match in the Super8s on March 1 against West Indies at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. Article Source: IANS

Arriving Early Helps Adapting To Australia's Weather For AFC Women's Asian Cup: India Coach Amelia Valverde

Perth RedStar FC: India were the first among the 11 visiting teams to reach Australia ahead of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, touching down in Perth on February 11th, three weeks before their first game against Vietnam on March 4. In Perth, India are following a rigorous training schedule, holding on-field and gym sessions every day, while evenings are reserved for team meetings and opposition analysis. India won their first friendly game on Australian soil against Perth RedStar FC 5-0 on Thursday and will play another against Perth Azzurri on Monday. We were the first team to arrive on the 11th, and were very happy to already be here and properly settled, which is important. Were now counting down the days, about 12 to go, until our first match. Were very happy with how things feel with the players and the group. The team is in a good place, training well, and also waiting for the official activities to begin, said India head coach Amelia Valverde to the-aiff.com. From single-digit temperatures in Turkish winter, Valverde and her side have had to adjust to the summer in Perth, but arriving early has made that process a lot smoother. It took a few days to adapt to the time difference and also a bit to the weather. The climate here is very different from Trkiye. It was raining heavily there. Here, the temperatures are significantly hotter, ranging from 30 to 35 degrees during the day. But that's not a problem. Our matches are at night, so temperatures will be more controlled. For adapting to the time difference, what you need is time. Weve had that and will continue to have it, which is positive. We know we must take precautions with hydration, proper nutrition, and everything needed to be ready, said Valverde. The preparations for the AFC Women's Asian Cup began back home in Gurugram following the conclusion of the first half of the IWL season in mid-January. After assembling near the capital, where they trained for three days, the India women team jetted off to Antalya, where Valverde united with the team for the first time. It has been a very productive month. I'm not focusing on the number of days, but rather the quality of time spent together. We've used the time well and been very precise in improving the variables we consider important under our model and ideas. The long camp has many advantages. It gives us time to review a lot of videos and do 'invisible training'. The team doesnt only train on the pitch. We train in the gym, in individual meetings, combined meetings, and group video sessions. Weve tried to take advantage of everything. We still have two weeks to keep improving and reach the best possible version of this team, the Costa Rican added. In Turkiye, India played six friendly games against European clubs, winning three (against Schlieren, Hertha BSC and Zvezda-2005 Perm), drawing one (against Spartak Moscow) and losing two (against Metalist 1925 and Csikszereda). The team doesnt only train on the pitch. We train in the gym, in individual meetings, combined meetings, and group video sessions. Weve tried to take advantage of everything. We still have two weeks to keep improving and reach the best possible version of this team, the Costa Rican added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In many matches, we gave opportunities to everyone, and practically all the players participated in the games in Turkiye, because we also had to make decisions. Unfortunately, we had to leave out three players (Adrija Sarkhel, Karishma Shirvoikar and Priyadharshini Selladurai) who had done great work, but thats part of football. We wanted to see as many players as possible, either starting or coming on as substitutes, and playing in different situations, Valverde explained. Article Source: IANS

'I Wont Bat 15 Overs To Correct Poor Form And Ignore The Game': Jos Buttler

T20 World Cup: England captain Jos Buttler has dismissed suggestions that he should curb his natural game to overcome his lean patch in the ongoing T20 World Cup, insisting he will not bat merely to occupy the crease at the expense of the teams needs. Buttler, widely regarded as Englands finest white-ball batter, is enduring a difficult run of form, having failed to register a half-century in his last 14 international innings across ODIs and T20Is with a highest score of 39. T20 is one of those games that asks you to keep making plays. There are times when youve maybe been out of form in a Test match with the batting coach, who might say just rein it in for a bit and try to bat for an hour and it will come back to you. So by hook or by crook, bat for an hour. But in T20s, youve got to keep playing the scoreboard; if youre chasing 10 in an over youve got to play accordingly. I saw Nasser say, just bat for 15 overs,' and I would love to just bat for 15 overs but I dont want to bat for 15 overs just for myself and ignore the game. Youve got to still play the game, Buttler said on the For the Love of Cricket podcast. Buttler managed to score just 26 and 21 against Nepal and the West Indies in Mumbai and then two scores of three in Kolkata against Scotland and Italy in the T20 World Cup group games as England moved into the Super 8 stage. A bit frustrating so far, the game just keeps challenging you, no matter what stage of your career youre at, theres always something challenging you. Ive been through lots of patches of poor form over 15 years in all different formats; its always the same things you come back to at the end, which is stand still, watch the ball and trust yourself, he added. The former captain also said that he will not change his batting order and face the challenge by himself. The only person who can score my runs is myself. Im not going to score them by hiding away or sending anyone else out; Ive got to put my own shirt on, mark the middle, and off we go again. It always comes back at some point, so looking forward to the next opportunity. Buttler also showered his love for Mumbai, where England played their first two World Cup matches. Mumbai, I think, is a city I really enjoy. There are some really good restaurants to get out to. There's lots going on. It's obviously busy and hectic, but that's all part of the fun of India, he said. The only person who can score my runs is myself. Im not going to score them by hiding away or sending anyone else out; Ive got to put my own shirt on, mark the middle, and off we go again. It always comes back at some point, so looking forward to the next opportunity. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England have qualified for the Super 8 stage, where they will play all their matches in Sri Lanka. The two-time champions will start their Super8s round by taking out co-hosts Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Stadium on Sunday. Article Source: IANS

Radha's All-around Effort Guides India To Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars Final

Asia Cup Rising Stars: Captain Radha Yadav delivered a sensational all-round performance to power India A to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka A in the first semi-final of the ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 at the Terdthai Cricket Ground on Friday, sealing their place in the final in style. After India were put to bowl first, Radha's four-fer helped India A bowl out Sri Lanka A for just 118 runs in 19.4 overs. In response, India chased down the target in just 13.3 overs for the loss of five wickets, courtesy of Dinesh Vrinda's 42 off 20 and Radha's unbeaten 31. Coming in to bat after winning the toss, Sri Lanka openers Hansima Karunaratne and Sanjana Kavindi got off to a brisk start, scoring 36 runs in just four overs, but the team lost back-to-back wickets in the next two overs. Sanjana forged a small partnership of 28 runs with Sathya Sandeepani to stabilise the innings, but the pair could not last long, as the former was caught for 31 in the 11th over. Sandeepani was then sent to the pavilion in the 13th over. After losing both their set batters, Sri Lanka suffered a batting collapsed as India took back-to-back wickets, with Radha leading from the front, supported by Prema Rawat and Tanuja Kanwer, who took two wickets each. Radha finished with excellent figures of 4-19. Chasing a modest total, India started slowly and scored 26 runs in four overs. They lost the first wicket in the fifth over, with Nandini Kashyap getting bowled after scoring 13 runs off 16 balls. Young batter Anushka Sharma, who came in to bat at number three, took the pressure off after the early wicket as she smashed five fours in the next two overs. Opener Vrinda, who looked in great touch, was run out due to a mix up in the ninth over after scoring 42 runs off just 20 balls. In the following over, Shashini Gimhani removed Anushka for 27. Young batter Anushka Sharma, who came in to bat at number three, took the pressure off after the early wicket as she smashed five fours in the next two overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India will now play the final at the same ground on Sunday against the winner of the Pakistan vs Bangladesh semifinal. Article Source: IANS

BCB central contracts: Taskin, Mushfiqur demoted; no player in A+ category

Fast bowler joins captains Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Litton Das in category A

'Leave The 22 Yards, Just Focus On Stumps': Shami's Valuable Advice For J&K Bowlers For Ranji Trophy Final

KSCA Cricket Stadium: Experienced India fast bowler Mohammed Shami gave valuable advice to the Jammu and Kashmir bowlers for their maiden Ranji Trophy final in the history of the premier domestic tournament. J&K will play their first final against the eight-time champions Karnataka, who secured their place by beating Uttarakhand in the semifinal. The summit clash is scheduled to take place at KSCA Cricket Stadium in Hubballi from February 24. Jammu and Kashmir scripted history as they stormed into their first-ever Ranji Trophy final, 16 years after their maiden appearance in the premier domestic tournament, with a six-wicket win over Bengal on day four of their semi-final at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground on Wednesday. Seam-bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabi rose to the occasion, bagging four wickets alongside Sunil Kumar as Bengal folded for 99 in their second innings on day three and tilted the contest in J&Ks favour. Playing for the losing side, Shami was at his absolute best in the match as he took an eight-wicket haul in the first innings and completed the match with nine wickets to his name. Jammu and Kashmir scripted history as they stormed into their first-ever Ranji Trophy final, 16 years after their maiden appearance in the premier domestic tournament, with a six-wicket win over Bengal on day four of their semi-final at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground on Wednesday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Shami is the sixth-highest wicket-taker in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26. He has taken 37 wickets in just seven matches in the current season, including three five-fors. The 35-year-old had also claimed a five-wicket haul against Services last month, returning with figures of 5-51 in the second innings. Article Source: IANS

Knight Earns Maiden Call-up; Nensi Recalled To NZ Women Squad For Zimbabwe Series

U19 T20 World Cup: Uncapped duo Kayley Knight and Nensi Patel are in line to make their international debut after being named in the New Zealand Women squad for the white-ball series at home against Zimbabwe, NZC said on Friday. The series, starting February 24, marks the first instance of Zimbabwe and New Zealand playing a women's international series comprising three T20Is and as many ODIs across Hamiltons Seddon Park and Dunedins University of Otago Oval. Knight, who has previously represented New Zealand in the U19 T20 World Cup, was a key cog in the Northern Brave's T20 pace bowling unit in Super Smash, taking 10 wickets at an economy rate of 6.16. The off-spin all-rounder Nensi returned to the group after being centrally contracted for the 2022-23 season. She had an impressive domestic summer for the Northern Brave as the sides top Super Smash run-scorer and second-equal wicket-taker alongside Knight. Head Coach Ben Sawyer said both Patel and Knight had earned their spot in the squad. Nensi and Kayley have both been solid performers over the last 12-18 months, so its really pleasing for them to get this opportunity. Nensis shown her value with bat and ball, and with Eden unavailable, well look to utilise her as a frontline spin option alongside Melie. Kayleys got a bright future ahead of her. Shes emerged as a potential frontline seam option whos ready to test her skills at the next level. NZC said that Molly Penfold will replace Knight in the ODI squad, making up a four-player pace unit consisting of left-arm Bree Illing and right-armers Jess Kerr and Rosemary Mair. The squad will be captained by Melie Kerr, who has represented the White Ferns in 172 internationals, in her first assignment as the permanent captain. Meanwhile, experienced players Suzie Bates (quadricep) and Eden Carson (elbow) were not considered for selection due to their respective injuries, and Lea Tahuhu was not considered for the T20I squad due to physical preparation planning for the ICC Womens T20 World Cup in June. The squad will be captained by Melie Kerr, who has represented the White Ferns in 172 internationals, in her first assignment as the permanent captain. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand squad: Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis (T20Is only), Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Kayley Knight (T20Is only), Emma McLeod (ODIs only), Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold (ODIs only) Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp Article Source: IANS

The tactics behind Sam Harper becoming an opener

The wicketkeeper had not opened in first-class cricket before this season but is currently averaging 91.50 in the role

Voll makes strides in trying to fill Healy's shoes

The opener dominated Australia's innings in Canberra with 88 which set up a series-leveling 19-run victory

Nagal knocked out by Italian teen Cina

Cina, whose father Francesco has coached 2015 U.S. Open womens singles runner-up Roberta Vinci, broke Nagal in the opening game of the first set and maintained his advantage

Jonathan Trott on England role: 'I don't know what future holds'

Outgoing Afghanistan head coach says he'd be interested in leading a team 'so close to his heart'

'Devastated' Australia Look To Avoid Oman Upset After World Cup Exit

Australia coach Andrew McDonald said on Thursday his players were devastated after their T20 World Cup exit, but they would be zeroed in on avoiding an embarrassing upset against Oman. Australia failed to make the second phase for only the second time in the event's history after defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. We've got a pretty sort of devastated group, it's fair to say, McDonald told reporters in Kandy ahead of Friday's final match against Oman, now a dead rubber. We're usually alive coming to these points in time, but it's not to be. We've put ourselves in this position. So hopefully, Oman, we can prepare and go and do the job there. Defeat against 20th-ranked Oman would be the biggest embarrassment of all. There won't be any lack of motivation against Oman, said McDonald. We've got one more World Cup game and we'll be zeroed in on that. The match will end a chaotic Australian campaign. Australia arrived in Sri Lanka after being drubbed 3-0 in Pakistan and without injured fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. They then lost their captain Mitchell Marsh for the first two games after he was hit during practice and suffered testicular bleeding. Australia's acerbic media did not hold back in their criticism, citing selection stuff-ups. Chief among those is sticking with the woefully out-of-form Cameron Green and promoting Tim David to number four as a power hitter when he had not played since December because of a hamstring injury. - 'Get our heads right' - Glenn Maxwell, so often a match-winner with the bat in the past, is struggling for runs and the Australians dearly missed the experience of Cummins and Hazlewood. Matt Renshaw was Australia's top run scorer in the first two group matches, but he was bewilderingly dropped for the Sri Lanka clash. I think the debate around selection is always great, said McDonald. There's always differing opinions from the outside and sometimes the people on the outside don't understand what the moving parts are and the conversations are on the inside. The selectors had been panned for leaving out all-time great Steve Smith from the original squad, despite his scintillating Big Bash form. Smith was finally flown in and added to the squad last week, only to be ignored for the must-win game against Sri Lanka on Monday. Without Smith and Renshaw, Australia collapsed from 160-4 to 181 all out and lost by eight wickets. They're entitled to their opinions, McDonald said of the criticism. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the performances that we wanted, so those people are entitled to critique that and we're incredibly disappointed with where we're at. The final nail in the coffin came when Zimbabwe's match against Ireland was abandoned the next day, putting the African nation through with Sri Lanka. The next game is Oman. So we've got to get our heads right around that, said McDonald. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think the time to start to look back over what happened will be when we exit the shores here.

T20 WC: Zadran Dedicates Player Of The Match Award To Departing Afghanistan Coach Trott

MA Chidambaram Stadium: After striking a career-best unbeaten 95 to guide Afghanistan to a commanding 82-run victory over Canada in their final Group D clash of the T20 World Cup on Thursday, opener Ibrahim Zadran dedicated his Player of the Match award to outgoing head coach Jonathan Trott. Zadrans knock, which came off 56 balls, was the highest individual score by an Afghanistan batter at a T20 World Cup, surpassing Rahmanullah Gurbazs 84 against South Africa earlier in the tournament. His innings laid the foundation for Afghanistans total of 200/4, with Mohammad Nabi later starring with 4-7 to seal the win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in the first two innings, which I expected. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there; it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it. Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad balls, create partnerships, and this is what I have done. Want to dedicate this to coach Jonathan (Trott) - he has supported me, he has encouraged us all a lot. We have achieved things in ICC events. It's his last day with us; he taught me lots of things. I wish him all the best. We will all miss him a lot, Zadran said in the post-match presentation ceremony. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan also paid tribute to Trott, who will step down after the sides run in the tournament ended. I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a major role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best, and somewhere down the line, we see him again. Asked about his disappointment in how the campaign panned out, Rashid said, We were well-prepared, we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward. A couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling, the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series. We have great spinners, good batters at the top, but that's where we need to improve. Rashid also thanked fans who came to support the team in their matches. Finally, a massive thank you to all the fans who supported us in Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Delhi. The love we received made us feel like we were playing at home in Afghanistan. Were truly grateful for the support everywhere weve gone. Please keep backing us, well keep working hard and do our best to entertain you. Canada skipper Dilpreet Bajwa acknowledged his sides shortcomings but praised the exposure gained. It was great to see that camaraderie out there. Ive played franchise cricket with Azmatullah Omarzai - we were on the same team - and hes a very good friend of mine. Ive also played with Noor, and most of the players know each other through franchise leagues. Thats the beauty of the game today, it builds strong bonds beyond international cricket. Asked about where things went wrong, Bajwa said, It was a tough day for us. We started well after winning the toss and choosing to field, but I think our finishing with the ball wasnt up to the mark. Thats something we need to improve going forward. In the chase, losing early wickets made it difficult, especially against quality spinners, as we knew that would be challenging. Canada skipper Dilpreet Bajwa acknowledged his sides shortcomings but praised the exposure gained. It was great to see that camaraderie out there. Ive played franchise cricket with Azmatullah Omarzai - we were on the same team - and hes a very good friend of mine. Ive also played with Noor, and most of the players know each other through franchise leagues. Thats the beauty of the game today, it builds strong bonds beyond international cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score This World Cup was a valuable learning experience, and well come back stronger. Playing in front of 16,000 fans here in Chennai was special, the atmosphere was fantastic, and were thankful for the support. Its been a tough campaign, but were looking forward to doing better in the future. Article Source: IANS

Bates, Devine, Tahuhu to miss home Zimbabwe series

The selectors named the uncapped duo of Nensi Patel and Kayley Knight

T20 WC: Nabi Picks 4-7 As Afghanistan Sign Off With 82-run Win Over Canada

T20 World Cup: Veteran off-spin bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nabi produced a dazzling spell of 4-7 as Afghanistan crushed Canada by 82 runs in their final Group D clash and signed off from the 2026 Mens T20 World Cup on a high at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday. Inserted to bat first, Afghanistan piled up 200/4, powered by Ibrahim Zadrans unbeaten 95, his second successive fifty of the tournament. Sediqullah Atal chipped in with 44, as Afghanistan made a score of 200 in the tournament for the first time. Canada pacer Jaskaran Singh was the pick of their bowlers, claiming 3-52, but the visitors struggled to contain Afghanistans acceleration in the final overs, which yielded 69 runs. Canadas reply began brightly, with Yuvraj Samra striking boundaries in the opening over and Dilpreet Bajwa clearing the ropes twice in the next over. But their momentum was short-lived as Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowled Bajwa, Navneet Dhaliwal departed for a duck in his final international game, and Nabi removed Samra to leave Canada reeling at 33/3 inside the Power-play. From there, Afghanistans spinners tightened the screws. Skipper Rashid Khan chipped in with 2-19 while Nabis guile proved to be decisive as he ran through the middle-order. Canadas resistance came in brief bursts, with Harsh Thaker (30) and captain Saad bin Zafar (28) offering some fight through a 53-run stand. But the chase never recovered from the early collapse, as they eventually made 118/8 in their 20 overs. The result gave Afghanistan a convincing finish to a campaign that promised much but fell short of entering the Super Eight stage, with Jonathan Trott overseeing his final match as their head coach. For Canada, the defeat marked the end of a spirited run and glimpses of promise from their younger players. A chase of 201 was always going to be an uphill task, though Samra and Bajwa began brightly. But their chase quickly unravelled as Mujeeb castled Bajwa with a googly, Dhaliwal picked out deep backward point to fall for a five-ball duck, and Nabi struck off his very first ball to remove Samra, when the leading edge was caught by backward point. Nabi continued to weave his magic, dismissing Nicholas Kirton and later Thaker to finish with his best-ever figures at a T20 World Cup. Rashid Khan took out Shreyas Movva and bin Zafar as the middle order folded under relentless spin pressure, as Afghanistan ended their campaign on a high. A chase of 201 was always going to be an uphill task, though Samra and Bajwa began brightly. But their chase quickly unravelled as Mujeeb castled Bajwa with a googly, Dhaliwal picked out deep backward point to fall for a five-ball duck, and Nabi struck off his very first ball to remove Samra, when the leading edge was caught by backward point. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Afghanistan 200/4 in 20 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 95 not out, Sediqullah Atal 44; Jaskaran Singh 3-52, Dilon Heyliger 1-41) beat Canada 118/8 in 20 overs (Harsh Thaker 30, Saad Bin Zafar 28; Mohammad Nabi 4-7, Rashid Khan 2-19) by 82 runs Article Source: IANS

Zadran and Nabi help Afghanistan sign off with massive win

While Zadran struck his T20I best of 95 not out, Nabi finished with 4 for 7, his best figures in T20Is to inflict an 82-run defeat on Canada

PCB Warns Shadab Over Derogatory Statements On Former Players: Report

The Pakistan Cricket Board: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has conveyed its displeasure to Shadab Khan over his post-match ridicule of former players, advising the all-rounder to mind his language during the ongoing World Cup, a report has claimed. Shadab hit back at his criticism by former stars sitting on various television channels asking questions over his selection in the team, sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net). Former cricketers have their own opinions, said Shadab after his 22-ball 36 and 3-13 during Pakistan's 102-run victory over Namibia in Colombo on Wednesday. They (former players) were legends, but even they could not achieve what we have. We have beaten India in a World Cup, Shadab said. The PCB, through team manager Naveed Cheema, conveyed to the allrounder not to say harsh words on former greats. Naveed Cheema has called to convey to Shadab that he was out of his limits in the press conference on Wednesday night. Shadab should know that all former players -- including his father-in-law, Saqlain Mushtaq -- are respectable and are greats of Pakistan. Shadab should respect them and should not use such language, sources told (www.telecomasia.net). The report said that Cheema has been told to convey to other players also to keep their comments on the match, and should not cross the line, or action will be taken against them. Shadab's father-in-law, Saqlain Mushtaq, has also expressed displeasure over Shadab's comments. Those were unwanted comments, and most of the players had played with me. In fact, I am also one of them who had not won an ICC event, but we had won several big matches for Pakistan, Tests and ODIs, Saqlain told www.telecomasia.net. Another former player, Kamran Akmal, said Shadab's comments were unwanted. Saying such words against former players warrants caution, Kamran was quoted as saying in the report. Pakistan team management has been cautious about sending players for pre- and post-match comments. They did not give any players for two days before the all-important India match. Another former player, Kamran Akmal, said Shadab's comments were unwanted. Saying such words against former players warrants caution, Kamran was quoted as saying in the report. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pakistan take on New Zealand in their first Super Eight game in Colombo on Saturday. They also face England in Pallekele (February 24) and Sri Lanka at the same venue four days later. Article Source: IANS

Kate Ebrahim named Zimbabwe Women's interim head coach for NZ tour

ZC named a new, interim support staff to replace the group led by Walter Chawaguta

T20 WC: Ibrahim Zadrans Unbeaten 95 Carries Afghanistan To 200/4 Against Canada

T20 World Cup: Opener Ibrahim Zadran struck an unbeaten 95 -- his second consecutive fifty -- as Afghanistan posted 200/4 in 20 overs against Canada in their final Group D clash of the Mens T20 World Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday. Put in to bat first in what is also the final game of Jonathan Trott as their head coach, Afghanistan made a steady start before Canada hit back in the sixth over, as pacer Jaskaran Singh dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gulbadin Naib in the space of four balls. Zadran then anchored the innings, finding support from Sediqullah Atal in a 95-run stand off 59 balls for the third wicket. Zadran brought up his second successive fifty of the tournament, while Atal fell in the 16th over for 44 off 32 balls. Zadran, dropped on 54 by Canadas Navneet Dhaliwal, capitalised on the reprieve to steer Afghanistan to exactly 200 in a 56-ball vigil at the crease laced with seven fours and five sixes at a strike-rate of 169.64. Its also the first time Afghanistan have posted a total of 200 in their history of participating in the tournament. Canadas bowlers endured a mixed outing, with Jaskaran Singh returning figures of 3-52 and Dilon Heyliger claiming 1-41. Afghanistans total looks formidable, leaving Canada with a stiff chase if they are to end their campaign on a high note. Afghanistan raced to 49 in the Power-play but suffered a wobble when Gurbaz, who had looked dangerous with a flurry of boundaries, perished attempting one shot too many, while Naib was trapped in front by a full delivery that skidded through. The double blow briefly checked Afghanistans momentum, but Zadran, calm and composed, found an able ally in Atal. The pair mixed calculated risk with fluent strokeplay. Atal, who struck seven boundaries in his 44, fell in the 16th over while trying to accelerate, but by then the innings had been firmly stabilised. Zadran made the most of the reprieve given to him by Dhaliwal, playing his final international game on 54, by unfurling drives, sweeps, and lofted strokes to keep the scoreboard ticking. His innings combined patience with power, and the ability to shift gears in the middle overs ensured Afghanistan never lost sight of a big total. Canadas bowlers had moments of control, but their lines and lengths faltered under pressure in the death overs. Afghanistan capitalised by scoring 69 runs in the final five overs, with Zadran ensuring boundaries flowed and set the stage for a gripping second innings. Zadran made the most of the reprieve given to him by Dhaliwal, playing his final international game on 54, by unfurling drives, sweeps, and lofted strokes to keep the scoreboard ticking. His innings combined patience with power, and the ability to shift gears in the middle overs ensured Afghanistan never lost sight of a big total. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Afghanistan 200/4 in 20 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 95 not out, Sediqullah Atal 44; Jaskaran Singh 3-52, Dilon Heyliger 1-41) against Canada Article Source: IANS

'Best time to crush' Australia, says Oman captain Jatinder Singh

Oman and Australia play the last game of the group stage in Pallekele on Friday

Hubballi to host Ranji final; Chinnaswamy not yet ready

ESPNcricinfo understands the KSCA had the option of hosting the fixture between Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir either in Bengaluru or Hubballi

Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Final Between Karnataka And Jammu & Kashmir To Be Played In Hubballi

Karnataka State Cricket Association: The Ranji Trophy 2025/26 final between Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir will be staged at the KSCA Cricket Stadium in Hubballi from February 24, said the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) on Thursday. Previously, a JKCA official told IANS that the final was likely to be held in Hubballi. Taking into account both the ongoing stadium upgradation works in Bengaluru and the Associations commitment to decentralising top-level cricket, KSCA, in consultation with the BCCI, has decided to host the Ranji Trophy Final at the KSCA Hubballi Stadium. Several spectator gates and access points are currently being dismantled and widened, along with other critical improvement works. In view of these ongoing developments, it would not have been feasible to ensure the high-quality match-viewing experience and spectator convenience that a marquee fixture such as the Ranji Trophy Final deserves. Further, the newly elected KSCA Managing Committee, which assumed office in December 2025 under the leadership of former India cricketer and KSCA President Mr. Venkatesh Prasad, had, as part of its stated vision and manifesto commitments, resolved to take major domestic and national-level matches to prominent mofussil centres across Karnataka. This initiative is aimed at promoting cricket across the State, nurturing regional fan engagement, and strengthening the sporting ecosystem beyond Bengaluru, said the KSCA in its statement. Karnataka advanced to the title clash after 11 years, after drawing their semifinal against Uttarakhand but progressing on a first-innings lead grabbed in Lucknow. Jammu & Kashmir, meanwhile, scripted history by reaching their first-ever final with a stunning six-wicket win over Bengal in Kalyani. Further, the newly elected KSCA Managing Committee, which assumed office in December 2025 under the leadership of former India cricketer and KSCA President Mr. Venkatesh Prasad, had, as part of its stated vision and manifesto commitments, resolved to take major domestic and national-level matches to prominent mofussil centres across Karnataka. This initiative is aimed at promoting cricket across the State, nurturing regional fan engagement, and strengthening the sporting ecosystem beyond Bengaluru, said the KSCA in its statement. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Karnataka will be featuring in the summit clash for the 15th time. The eight-time champions last appeared in the Ranji Trophy in 2015, when they defeated Tamil Nadu. Karnataka have dominated head-to-head meetings with Jammu & Kashmir -- winning all four encounters, including their most recent clash in Chennai in 2022. Hubbali was previously the host for Karnatakas league fixture against Chandigarh earlier this season - a match they won by 185 runs. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: All Stats From Zimbabwes Six-wicket Win Over Sri Lanka In Group B

T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe finished unbeaten in Group B of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 with a clinical six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday. Chasing 179, Zimbabwe laid a strong foundation through an opening stand of 68 between Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani. Marumani struck 34 off 26 balls, while Bennett anchored the innings with maturity after an early reprieve. Zimbabwe reached 78/1 at the halfway mark, keeping the required rate under control. Ryan Burl added momentum with a brisk 23 before skipper Sikandar Raza turned the match decisively in Zimbabwes favour. Raza smashed 45 off 26 balls, including four sixes, forming a crucial partnership with Bennett and shifting the pressure onto Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe collected 46 runs between the 15th and 17th overs to take control of the chase. Although Sri Lanka struck twice late, Bennett held firm, finishing unbeaten on 59 off 47 balls and sealing the win with a boundary in the final over. Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 178/7, with Pathum Nissanka scoring 62. Zimbabwes disciplined bowling ensured the target remained achievable as they completed their second-highest successful T20I chase and topped Group B unbeaten. Heres a look at all the key stats from the Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka match 4 Sri Lankan bowlers have taken the fewest wickets, four, in the powerplay of this T20 World Cup, averaging 51.5, which is the lowest among the Super 8 teams. 1395 Zimbabwe's opening pair, T Marumani and Brian Bennett, holds the record for the most successful opening partnership in T20Is with 1395 runs among them. 11 Brian Bennett has scored 11 half-centuries in T20Is, including two consecutive fifties. Prior to this, he scored an unbeaten 64 against Australia in Colombo. In the current T20 WC, he was not dismissed. 19 It is the number of half-centuries scored by Sri Lankan opener Pathun Nissanka (62) in T20Is. It was his 6th in 22 T20 WC matches. 11 Brian Bennett has scored 11 half-centuries in T20Is, including two consecutive fifties. Prior to this, he scored an unbeaten 64 against Australia in Colombo. In the current T20 WC, he was not dismissed. Also Read: Live Cricket Score 4 Sri Lanka is now the fourth full-member team to have been defeated by Zimbabwe in the T20 WCs. Australia, Pakistan, and Ireland are the other three. Australia suffered 2 defeats at the hands of Zimbabwe in the T20 WCs, first in Cape Town in 2007 and second in Colombo in 2026. Article Source: IANS

2nd T20I: Harman Has Been A Special Player For India, Says Muzumdar After 19-run Loss

ODI World Cup: India head coach Amol Muzumdar hailed skipper Harmanpreet Kaur as a special player after she became the most-capped cricketer in womens international cricket, though her milestone game was marked by a 19-run defeat to Australia in the second T20I at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Thursday. Harmanpreet played her 356th international match and surpassed New Zealands Suzie Bates (355). Her tally of international games now includes 189 T20Is, 161 ODIs, and six Tests. She top-scored with 36, though it went in vain as India ended up at 144/9 in a chase of 163/5. I think Harman has been a special player for India, and I would just want to wish her and congratulate her for the massive achievement of being the highest-capped player in the history of the game. So I think it was a good effort from her. Just in the end, a little bit short of what we expected, but things happen in T20 cricket, Muzumdar said in the post-match press conference. Though India fell short despite a promising start, Muzumdar chose to look at the positives. Just taking some positives out of the game -- came back really strongly in bowling. I think restricting Australia after that good start to 163 was a good effort. We got a good start as well with the bat. So, taking a lot of positives out of this game and looking forward to the Adelaide game, he said. He also welcomed the return of Pratika Rawal to the ODI squad after an ankle injury sustained in the 2025 Womens ODI World Cup clash against Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai kept her out of action. We are really glad that she's come out of the rehab. She spent the last couple of months in Bangalore, in the Centre of Excellence, and is really looking forward to Pratika being back in the squad. We've missed her in the World Cup in the last two games. But she's a quality player, and it's a great inclusion in this squad. Looking ahead at how Pratika and Shafali Verma will feature in the same playing eleven, Muzumdar said, It's a good headache to have. So we'll cross the bridge when we get there. I think first, let's focus on Adelaide, the third T20I. It's a good headache to have, and hopefully, we'll fit in the correct combination in playing eleven by the time we come to ODIs. On the atmosphere while playing the games so far in Australia, Muzumdar said, I mean, we're enjoying it. It's been lovely so far. Two games in Sydney. I think the turnout was fantastic. Even here in Canberra, the turnout has been really amazing. So I think it just reflects the quality of cricket and what these two teams bring to the table. Looking ahead at how Pratika and Shafali Verma will feature in the same playing eleven, Muzumdar said, It's a good headache to have. So we'll cross the bridge when we get there. I think first, let's focus on Adelaide, the third T20I. It's a good headache to have, and hopefully, we'll fit in the correct combination in playing eleven by the time we come to ODIs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score --IANS Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: All Stats From West Indies' 42-run Win Over Italy In Group C

The West Indies: The West Indies continued their unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup 2026 with a comprehensive 42-run victory over Italy in their final group stage match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday. After being put in to bat, the West Indies posted a competitive 165/6 in 20 overs, courtesy of a superb 75 from skipper Shai Hope. The opener anchored the innings with a fluent knock off 46 balls, striking four sixes and six boundaries. Hope stitched a crucial 64-run partnership with Roston Chase to stabilise the innings after early setbacks. Late contributions from Sherfane Rutherford and Matthew Forde ensured a strong finish for the two-time champions. In reply, Italy faltered early in the chase and never quite recovered. They lost three wickets inside the Power-play, putting themselves under immediate pressure. Though Ben Manenti and Grant Stewart attempted to revive the innings with a brisk stand, West Indies bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Fast bowler Shamar Joseph led the charge with an impressive four-wicket haul, while Matthew Forde chipped in with three crucial wickets. Gudakesh Motie also played his part with two scalps as Italy were bowled out for 123 in 18 overs. All the stats from the West Indies win: 1st - Shamar Joseph of the West Indies became the first player to claim 4 wickets and hold 4 catches in a T20I match. 5 - Shamar Joseph becomes the 5th non-wicketkeeper fielder to hold 4 catches in a T20WC match. Darren Sammy (WI), Aiden Markram (SA), Glen Maxwell (Aus), and George Munsey (SCO) are the others. 1st - Shamar Joseph of the West Indies became the first player to claim 4 wickets and hold 4 catches in a T20I match. Also Read: Live Cricket Score 4/30 - The bowling figures of Shamar Joseph v Italy are his best in 19 T20I matches. His previous best was 3/30 v Pakistan in Lauderhill in 2025. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: We Could Have Done Better With The Ball, But No Excuses, Says Shanaka After SLs Defeat To Zimbabwe

T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka admitted his side fell short in key moments despite posting a competitive total, conceding that execution with the ball and decision-making in crucial phases ultimately cost them in their Group B clash in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday. Reflecting on Sri Lankas batting effort, Shanaka expressed satisfaction with the foundation laid by the top order but acknowledged there was room for improvement. We had a pretty good start, and to be honest, I think the score we put on was good enough to defend. There were a few patches (of the match) where we could have done slightly better, but overall, Ill take that score today. Im really happy with the way Pathum (Nissanka) and Pawan (Ratnayake) played. I think it was a good total on this pitch, Shanaka said after the match. Sri Lanka had looked in control after posting a strong total, with their openers providing momentum and setting up what appeared to be a defendable score on a surface that offered assistance to bowlers. However, Zimbabwes composed chase denied the hosts, as they failed to make early inroads with the ball. Shanaka pointed to the lack of early breakthroughs and the challenges faced by an evolving bowling attack, while taking responsibility for tactical calls that did not yield the desired outcome. The plan was simple, as usual (with the ball). Take wickets upfront. Unfortunately, we couldnt get that started with the ball. Its a bit tough with newcomers coming in; they need some time to settle as well. But no excuses. We could have done slightly better. Some of my decisions were a bit of a gamble, too. It was one of those days where we could have done better with the ball, but again, no excuses, he stated. Shanaka pointed to the lack of early breakthroughs and the challenges faced by an evolving bowling attack, while taking responsibility for tactical calls that did not yield the desired outcome. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Sri Lankan skipper also stressed the need for improved confidence and sharper intent on the field as the tournament progresses, stating, I feel we need to be more confident on the field. Thats something we lacked today. Hopefully, we come back with a better attitude the next time we step onto the field. Article Source: IANS

Broken Australia look to avoid ignominy of third straight loss

Australia would have viewed the game as a tune-up before the next stage, but instead it's two eliminated teams taking each other on

Alec Stewart on England speculation: 'There isn't a job to say yes or no to'

Surrey grandee would be strong contender for role within English cricket in wake of Ashes loss