Author: A Sports

KANDY: The much-anticipated Super Eight clash between Pakistan and England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is expected to proceed without weather interruptions at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

After rain washed out Pakistan’s previous fixture against New Zealand in Colombo, all eyes were on the forecast in Kandy.

However, the latest weather update offers encouraging signs, with mostly clear skies predicted around the 7:00 PM start time.

The temperature is expected to hover around 27°C, with a RealFeel of 28°C.

Humidity levels remain high at 68%, creating a sticky atmosphere, while the dew point of 20°C suggests significant moisture in the air, a factor that could influence conditions later in the evening.

Light northwest winds of 6 km/h, with occasional gusts up to 13 km/h, are unlikely to have a major impact.

Cloud cover is minimal at 14%, visibility stands at 16 kilometres, and the cloud ceiling is positioned at 9,100 metres, indicating stable conditions for play.

The AccuLumen Brightness Index points to complete darkness, consistent with typical evening conditions under lights.

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While the weather appears favourable, air quality concerns have been flagged, particularly for individuals with respiratory issues.

The clear forecast comes as a relief after Pakistan’s Super Eight opener against New Zealand was abandoned at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium due to persistent rain.

The match was called off more than two-and-a-half hours after captain Salman Ali Agha had won the toss and opted to bat, resulting in both teams sharing a point.

With only the top two teams from each Super Eight group progressing to the semi-finals on March 4 and 5, every fixture carries added significance.

Historically, England have dominated this rivalry in the shortest format. In 31 T20 Internationals between the sides, England have won 21, Pakistan nine, while one match was abandoned.

In T20 World Cup contests specifically, England hold a 3-0 record over Pakistan.

Squads

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.

England: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue and Luke Wood.

READ: T20 World Cup: West Indies thrash Zimbabwe in Super Eight clash

MUMBAI: The West Indies etched their name into the record books on Monday after piling up a staggering 254-6 against Zimbabwe at the Wankhede Stadium, recording the second-highest total in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The two-time champions’ 254 in 20 overs now trails only Sri Lanka’s 260-6 against Kenya in the inaugural 2007 edition.

It is also the highest total of the ongoing 2026 tournament, surpassing Ireland’s 235-5 against Oman earlier in the competition.

Highest totals at ICC Men’s T20 World Cups

Sri Lanka – 260-6 (2007)

West Indies – 254-6 (2026)

Ireland – 235-5 (2026)

England – 230-8 (2016)

South Africa – 229-4 (2016)

While it was a historic effort on the World Cup stage, the total stands as West Indies’ third-highest in overall T20 Internationals, behind their 258-5 against South Africa in 2023 and 256-5 versus Ireland in 2022.

The charge was led by Shimron Hetmyer, who delivered a breathtaking 85 off just 34 balls, smashing seven sixes and seven fours in a brutal display of power-hitting.

Walking in at No.3 with the score at 17-1 in 2.4 overs, the left-hander turned the innings on its head with an aggressive counterattack.

Hetmyer brought up his half-century in just 19 balls, the joint-fastest of the ongoing tournament, equalling South Africa captain Aiden Markram and Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka.

For the West Indies, it is the fourth-fastest T20I half-century in their history.

Shai Hope tops the list with a 16-ball fifty against Bangladesh in 2018, followed by Chris Gayle (17 balls), Evin Lewis (18 balls) and now Hetmyer’s 19-ball blitz.

Kieron Pollard’s 20-ball half-century against Australia in 2012 completes the elite list.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan comments on potentially breaking Virat Kohli’s record

Pakistan’s promising young squash player, Sehrish Ali, has secured her eighth international silver medal after an impressive campaign at the German Junior Open 2026 in Hamburg, Germany.

Competing in the U-15 category at Sportwerk Hamburg, Sehrish delivered a series of commanding performances on her way to the final.

She defeated South Africa’s Julia Kozlova in straight games in the quarterfinal and followed it up with another dominant 3-0 victory over France’s Alexandra Kotkina in the semifinal.

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In the final, Sehrish Ali finished as runner-up against Egypt’s Khadija Rizq, earning a well-deserved silver medal and adding another significant achievement to her growing international record.

This result marks Sehrish Ali’s eighth international silver medal and highlights her consistent progress on the global junior squash circuit.

Her performance in Hamburg stands as a proud moment for Pakistan and reflects the country’s continued emergence of young talent in international squash.

READ: Barcelona back top of La Liga with Levante win

KANDY: Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has dismissed the talk of breaking Indian legend Virat Kohli’s record for most runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, insisting his focus remains on helping Pakistan win.

Farhan is currently the leading run-scorer in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with 220 runs in four games.

Meanwhile, Kohli holds the record with 319 runs in the 2014 T20 World Cup, a mark that has sparked speculation as Farhan heads into at least two more Super Eight matches against England and Sri Lanka, with the potential for more if Pakistan advance.

During the pre-match press conference in Kandy ahead of Tuesday’s clash with England, Farhan made it clear that personal milestones are secondary.

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“My effort is always to take the innings deep and to score more runs and win matches for Pakistan,” he said.

“I don’t focus much on stats or records. Although records are made to be broken, I am not thinking about that. The aim is to score maximum runs for Pakistan.”

Pakistan have just a solitary point in the Super Eight stage after their opening fixture against New Zealand in Colombo was washed out, while England arrive with momentum after a 51-run win over co-hosts Sri Lanka at the same venue on Sunday.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan unfazed by Jofra Archer in must-win England clash

KANDY: Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has brushed aside concerns over Jofra Archer’s pace threat ahead of Tuesday’s high-stakes Super Eight encounter against England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

England enter the contest with momentum on their side after a commanding 51-run victory over Sri Lanka at the same venue on Sunday.

Pakistan, meanwhile, have a solitary point in their Super Eight group after their opening fixture against New Zealand in Colombo was washed out due to persistent rain.

Archer played a pivotal role in England’s win, producing a fiery spell while defending 147 and removing Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara to set the tone early.

However, Farhan made it clear during the pre-match press conference in Kandy that Pakistan are not intimidated.

“It’s not that big a deal to face Jofra Archer. We also have bowlers who clock 140-plus, and they have come prepared. We’ve done our preparation as well,” he said.

The opener stressed that confidence within the Pakistan camp remains intact despite the circumstances.

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“We are confident. The team has played good cricket here before, and we will give England a tough time,” Farhan stated, adding that tactical calls such as opting to bat or bowl rest with the captain and coaching staff.

Playing in Kandy for the first time, Sahibzada Farhan revealed he sought insights from senior players, including Babar Azam.

“I have never played here, but our senior players have. I spoke to Babar Azam, and he said the ball comes nicely onto the bat here. The other boys who have played here are saying the same, that these are batting-friendly tracks,” he noted.

At the same time, he acknowledged that conditions in the recent England-Sri Lanka match suggested some variation.

“In the last match, the ball was gripping, and the pitch looked different, so we’ll assess the conditions tomorrow,” he added.

Farhan also addressed Pakistan’s recent struggles with the bat, admitting that the top order must shoulder greater responsibility.

“We have been collapsing in batting, and we need to think about that. We have to carry the innings deeper from the top order. We are working on it, and there will be improvement,” he said.

READ: ECB warns The Hundred franchises amid concerns over Pakistan snub

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has issued a formal reminder to all eight franchises of The Hundred regarding their obligations, following reports that Pakistan players could be overlooked by teams with Indian Premier League (IPL)-linked ownership at next month’s auction.

According to English media, the ECB circulated an email on Sunday stressing that any form of discrimination, including decisions influenced by nationality, would invite action.

It is understood that if credible evidence emerges, the matter could be referred to the independent Cricket Regulator, while the ECB may also pursue separate measures as the governing body of the 100-ball competition.

The move follows a report earlier this week claiming that Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds may opt against considering Pakistan players at the March 11–12 auction.

The issue has once again highlighted the broader geopolitical tensions that have impacted cricketing ties between India and Pakistan for over a decade.

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Pakistan players have not featured in the IPL since 2009, and their participation in other leagues has narrowed as IPL team owners have expanded into tournaments such as SA20 in South Africa and the ILT20 in the UAE.

For the upcoming edition of The Hundred, 67 Pakistan players, 63 men and four women, have entered the auction pool. The list includes high-profile names such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.

In total, 964 players have registered for the draft. Franchises are required to submit a preferred list of 75 to 100 names, with the ECB trimming the overall pool to a shortlist of around 200 players set to go under the hammer.

Notably, no Pakistan players were picked in last year’s auction, although Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim later featured as replacement signings.

READ: Rawalpindi franchise reveals team name ahead of PSL 11

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi-based franchise for Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 has officially been named ‘Pindiz’, marking a fresh identity for the side ahead of the upcoming edition scheduled from March 26 to May 3.

The franchise, recently acquired by Walee Technologies for Rs 2.45 billion, unveiled the new name through a 25-second promotional video on Sunday.

The clip showcased iconic landmarks of Rawalpindi, accompanied by energetic background music, signalling a new chapter for the team.

“Team Rawalpindi’s official franchise name is here. We’re bold. We’re challenging. We’re bringing the vibe. We’re changing the game,” the franchise wrote while sharing the video.

🚨 Team Rawalpindi’s official franchise name is here.

We’re bold
We’re challenging
We’re bringing the vibe
We’re changing the game 🔥

Next up: the official team logo 👀🔜#HBLPSL11 #NewEra | @thePSLt20 | @M_Ahsan_Tahir | @CWR_WALEE pic.twitter.com/f9hXr3iRf0

— Pindiz (@thepindiz) February 22, 2026

The announcement also hinted at more to follow, confirming that the official team logo will be revealed soon. The teaser ended with the message: “To be continued.”

The development comes after significant changes behind the scenes. The franchise, previously operating as Multan Sultans, went under the hammer after former owner Ali Tareen opted not to renew the ownership agreement following PSL season 10.

Subsequently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had temporarily taken control of the team, with chairman Mohsin Naqvi stating that the board would manage the former champions for the upcoming season.

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However, after successfully auctioning two new franchises, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen and Sialkot Stallionz, the PCB decided to place the Sultans on the market as well.

Walee Technologies ultimately secured ownership following a competitive bidding war, most notably with CD Venturers, who placed the second-highest bid before withdrawing.

Under PSL regulations, the winning bidder was granted the right to rebrand the franchise. Owner Ahsan Tahir exercised that option, opting to align the team’s identity with Rawalpindi.

READ: England Lions seal T20 series against Pakistan Shaheens

ABU DHABI: James Coles’ all-round show powered England Lions to a T20 series win over Pakistan Shaheens here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday. 

Set stiff 184, Pakistan Shaheens were bowled out for 151 in 19.3 overs.

Maaz Sadaqat and skipper Shamyl Hussain added 40 runs for the opening wicket partnership.

Shamyl made 20 off 15 with the help of two sixes and a four.

Following his wicket, Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Baig stabilized the innings with a 29-run stand.

However, Maaz’s wicket in the ninth over sparked a mini-collapse that halted Pakistan Shaheens’ progress.

The left-hander made 32 from 25, including two sixes and two fours, as Pakistan were slumped 78-5 in 11.4 overs.

With the required run rate creeping, Saad Masood and Hasan Nawaz stitched a 48-run partnership to take the scorecard to 126 in 16.4 overs.

However, the stand culminated and ended Pakistan’s hopes of chasing down the target.

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Saad Masood resisted with a well-made 30 off 17, hitting two sixes and two fours.

For England Lions, James Coles starred with the ball, picking up a four-wicket haul.

Earlier, put into bat first, England Lions racked up 183-5 in their 20 overs.

James Coles starred with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 48 off 30 balls, hitting two sixes and four boundaries.

Ben McKinney was the other notable batter, amassing 38 from 25, laced with six fours.

For Pakistan, Shahid Aziz remained the pick of the bowlers, scalping two wickets.

The third and final match of the T20 series will be played on February 24 at the same venue.

READ: West Indies wary of Zimbabwe’s ‘X-factor’ Muzarabani

AHMEDABAD: David Miller’s brisk half-century and a commanding bowling performance powered South Africa to a big win over the defending champions India in the second Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Set 188, India were blown away in the chase by South Africa, bowling them out for 111 in 18.5 overs.

India were off to a similar start, losing their top three batters inside four overs.

Hence, the only difference was the absence of a Miller and Brevis-like partnership, which could have carried them all the way.

As a result, India continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. The Nadir came when Corbin Bosch chipped in the wickets of skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Washington Sundar.

Yadav could manage only 18 from 2,2 while Sundar scored 11.

The slide continued, but it got a break with Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya’s partnership of 35, which provided them with a glimmer of hope.

But Keshav Maharaj’s 14th over proved to be a final nail in the coffin, as the hosts lost three wickets. Hardik (18 from 17 balls), Rinku Singh (0), and Arshdeep Singh (1) were all caught in a similar fashion on the boundary rope by Tristan Stubbs.

The innings quickly unraveled with South Africa sealing a decisive 76-run victory.

Marco Jansen remained prolific for South Africa with his four-wicket haul, while Keshav Maharaj snared three to put his name into the wickets column.

Earlier, opting to bat first under lights here at the Narendra Modi Stadium, South Africa huffed and puffed to 183-5 in their 20 overs.

The hosts were on top as they removed South Africa’s top three in the first four overs.

With the Proteas reeling at 20-3, David Miller and Dewald Brevis joined hands and took their side out of trouble.

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The pair not only launched a steady recovery with a 97-run stand, but also put South Africa in a commanding position at 117 in 12.2 overs.

Shivam Dube provided India the much-needed breakthrough, removing Dewald Brevis for 45 from 29 balls. The right-hander hit three fours and three sixes in his enterprising knock.

Meanwhile, David Miller continued on, adding another 35 runs with Tristan Stubbs.

The southpaw got out just when South Africa were eyeing a massive total. He made 63 off 35, including three sixes and seven fours.

After his wicket, South Africa lost their way, thanks to a brilliant over from Jasprit Bumrah.

But it was Tristan Stubbs’ blitz in the final over that helped the 2024 runners-up finish strong. Stubbs tonked Hardik Pandya for 20 runs to finish strong.

The right-hander remained unbeaten on 44 from 23 balls, laced with three maximums and a four.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah remained the outstanding bowler, scalping three wickets while giving away just three runs.

READ: Sehrish Ali storms into German Junior Open 2026 final

Pakistan’s rising squash talent, Sehrish Ali, has delivered an outstanding performance at the German Junior Open 2026, advancing to the U-15 final.

Competing at Sportwerk Hamburg in Hamburg, Germany, Sehrish began her knockout stage with a clinical 3–0 win over South Africa’s Julia Kozlova in the quarterfinal, taking the games 11–7, 11–5, 11–6.

She carried the same momentum into the semifinal, defeating France’s Alexandra Kotkina in another dominant 3–0 result, with scores of 11–7, 11–6, 11–7.

With back-to-back straight-game wins, Sehrish Ali has now booked her place in the final of the prestigious junior event, highlighting her growing stature on the international squash circuit.

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She will now face Egypt’s Khadija Rizq in the final later today, with the match scheduled for 4:30 PM Pakistan time.

The final will be streamed live on European Squash TV as Pakistan looks forward to another potential junior title on the global stage.

Sehrish Ali’s impressive run in Hamburg stands as a proud moment for Pakistan squash and a strong signal of the country’s emerging talent in the sport.

For the unversed, The ‘Ali Sisters’—Mehwish, Sehrish, and Mahnoor Ali—are rising Pakistani squash stars from Peshawar who are dominating international junior circuits.

Known for winning numerous gold medals at European and Asian junior events, they have significantly boosted Pakistan’s profile in women’s squash.

READ: WATCH: Pakistan reach Kandy ahead of England clash