Author: A Sports

KANDY: The Pakistan men’s cricket team arrived here on Sunday ahead of their Super Eight clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against England, scheduled to be played on February 24.

The Green Shirts will undergo training tomorrow at the Pallekelle Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan’s last two Super Eights matches are scheduled in Kandy. They will play their last match against Sri Lanka on Feb 28.

The 2009 champions’ opening Super Eight fixture against New Zealand was washed out on Saturday. Both teams have been awarded one point each.

Persistent drizzle right after the toss — which Pakistan won and opted to bat — at the Premadasa Stadium did not relent, and the umpires finally called the match off at 9:05pm local time (15:35 GMT).

The abandonment of the Super Eight opening fixture has made Group 2 of the Super Eights more interesting, with each game now carrying greater importance.

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Not even a five-over match was possible by the 10:16 pm (1646 GMT) cut-off time, giving the two teams one point each.

For Pakistan to qualify for the semi-finals without relying on the Net Run Rate, they simply have to win two of their remaining games against England and Sri Lanka.

The victories will ensure Pakistan finishes on five points, virtually booking their place in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, title-holders India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the West Indies are placed in Group 1.

The top two teams from each Group will qualify for the semi-finals.

READ: T20 World Cup: South Africa win toss against India

AHMEDABAD: South Africa have won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here on Sunday.

Playing XIs

India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi.

Head-to-head

Both teams have met 35 times in the shorter format. India leads with 23 wins, while South Africa has 13, with one match ending in a no result.

The Men in Blue are also leading in the T20 World Cup with five wins. Meanwhile, Proteas remained successful in two matches.

Their last meeting in the tournament came in the final of the 2024 edition, which the Men in Blue won by seven runs.

Matches: 35 India: 23, South Africa: 13, No Result: 1

READ: T20 World Cup: England sink Sri Lanka in clinical bowling display

KANDY: An all-round bowling effort helped England defend a modest target against Sri Lanka in their Super Eights encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

England successfully defended a partly target of 147, skittling Sri Lanka for a mere 95 in 16.4 overs.

Jofra Archer and Will Jacks combined to pile a miserable start on Sri Lanka, leaving them five down for 34 at the end of the powerplay.

The early blows never allowed the Islanders to make a comeback in the match as skipper Dasun Shanaka resisted with 30 off 24 with the help of two sixes and a boundary.

However, there was no support from others, as Sri Lanka kept losing wickets while England bowlers turned the screws on them.

For Enlgnad, Will Jacks took three wickets while Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer and Liam Dawson shared six wickets between them.

As a result, the whole team was bundled out for a modest total

Earlier, Sri Lanka delivered a collective bowling effort to keep England to a below-par 146-9.

Opting to bat first, England never truly found momentum after an early setback. Star batter Jos Buttler struggled for fluency and was dismissed for seven off 14 deliveries, falling to Dunith Wellalage inside the powerplay.

Phil Salt attempted to anchor the innings, but wickets continued to tumble at the other end. England crawled to 68-4 at the halfway stage, unable to capitalise as Sri Lanka maintained tight lines and applied constant pressure.

Sam Curran briefly threatened to accelerate but managed just 11 before Dushmantha Chameera struck.

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Salt, who had held the innings together with a counter-attacking knock, eventually fell in the following over to Wellalage after scoring 62 off 40 balls, laced with six fours and two sixes.

With Salt’s departure, England’s innings lost its backbone. Maheesh Theekshana removed Liam Dawson for six, reducing England to 124-7 in the 18th over.

Will Jacks provided late impetus with a 21-run cameo off 14 balls, while Jamie Overton’s unbeaten 10 ensured England batted out their 20 overs.

For Sri Lanka, Wellalage was the standout performer, claiming three crucial wickets. Dilshan Madushanka and Theekshana supported him well with two scalps apiece.

READ: India outclass Bangladesh to lift ACC Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars trophy

BANGKOK: India produced a clinical all-round performance to defeat Bangladesh by 46 runs in the final and clinch the ACC Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars title at the Terdthai Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Defending 135, India’s bowlers dominated from the outset, bundling Bangladesh out for 88 in 19.1 overs to seal a comprehensive victory in the summit clash.

Bangladesh never quite recovered after early setbacks. Shamima Sultana provided brief resistance with a brisk 20 off 15 balls, striking three boundaries, while captain Fahima Khatun chipped in with 14 off 11 deliveries.

However, the rest of the batting unit struggled to build partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Prema Rawat led India’s bowling charge with impressive figures of 3/12 in her four overs, applying sustained pressure through the middle phase.

Sonia Mendhiya and Tanuja Kanwar claimed two wickets apiece, while Saima Thakor, Minnu Mani and Radha Yadav contributed with one wicket each to wrap up the innings.

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Earlier, India posted a competitive total after opting to bat first. Openers Nandini Kashyap and Dinesh Vrinda laid a steady foundation, guiding the side to 30 before the first breakthrough.

Vrinda departed for 19, dismissed by Fatema Jahan, while Kashyap was run out shortly after.

Minnu Mani fell for a first-ball duck, and Anushka Sharma managed just eight, leaving India needing consolidation in the middle overs.

That stability came through Tejal Hasabnis and skipper Radha Yadav, who stitched together a crucial 69-run partnership to revive the innings. Yadav struck 36 off 30 balls, including three fours and a six, before being dismissed.

Hasabnis anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 51 off 34 deliveries, hitting three fours and two sixes, ensuring India crossed the 130-run mark, a total that ultimately proved more than sufficient.

For Bangladesh, Fahima Khatun was the standout performer with the ball, returning figures of 4/25 in her four overs, while Fatema Jahan and Farjana Easmin picked up one wicket each.

READ: Lahore Qalandars sign THIS South African batter for PSL 11

PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to field first against England in the Super Eight clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

PLAYING XIs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellelage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera

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England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid

HEAD TO HEAD

England and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 14 T20 International matches. England hold a commanding advantage with 10 victories, while the Islanders have secured four wins.

Matches 14, England 10, Sri Lanka 4

In ICC Men’s T20 World Cup encounters, England have further tightened their grip on the rivalry, winning five of the six meetings between the two sides.

Matches 6, England 5, Sri Lanka 1

England are coming in this Super Eight clash with a victory over Italy in their final group stage game. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka suffered a stunning defeat against Zimbabwe in their last match.

READ: Lahore Qalandars sign THIS South African batter for PSL 11

Lahore Qalandars have bolstered their squad ahead of the landmark season 11 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by securing South African wicketkeeper-batter Rubin Hermann as a direct signing.

The franchise confirmed the development on Saturday through their official social media platforms, welcoming the left-hander with a succinct message: “Gloves on. Bat in hand. South African Rubin Hermann joins the Lahore Qalandars as a Direct Signing.”

 

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Set to run from March 26 to May 3, PSL 11 promises to be a defining season for franchises reshaping their combinations, and Hermann’s addition gives Qalandars a versatile option in the middle order.

The 29-year-old has played seven T20 Internationals for South Africa, scoring 153 runs at a strike rate of 131.89, registering a half-century in the process.

At the domestic and franchise level, his numbers underline consistency. Across 65 T20 appearances, the left-hander has scored 1,497 runs at a strike rate of 127.83, including eight fifties and a century.

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Rubin Hermann also arrives with valuable league experience, having represented Paarl Royals in two seasons of SA20.

In 21 matches, he amassed 559 runs at a strike rate of 119.70, striking four half-centuries and often anchoring the innings in challenging situations.

For Lahore, the signing strengthens their wicketkeeping options as Haseebullah Khan was the only glovesman in the squad.

Lahore Qalandars squad for PSL 11

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Farooq, Dasun Shanaka, Parvez Hossain Emon, Asif Ali, Tayyab Tahir, Gudakesh Motie and Rubin Hermann.

READ: What New Zealand washout means for Pakistan semi-final qualification?

COLOMBO: The washout of the Pakistan vs New Zealand Super Eight clash has made every game crucial in Group 2 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Persistent drizzle right after the toss — which Pakistan won and opted to bat — at the Premadasa Stadium did not relent, and the umpires finally called the match off at 9:05pm local time (15:35 GMT).

Not even a five-over match was possible by the 10:16 pm (1646 GMT) cut-off time, giving the two teams one point each.

For Pakistan qualification in the semi-finals without relying on the Net Run Rate, they simply have to win two of their remaining games against England and Sri Lanka.

The victories will ensure Pakistan finishes on five points, virtually booking their place in the semi-finals.

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The second scenario for Pakistan qualification is to win one and lose the other, then their fate will be determined by other results and NRR.

With two losses in their remaining games, Pakistan would remain on one point, resulting in immediate elimination.

The washout has effectively made every game a virtual knockout. leaving very little margin for error.

However, the actual situation will become clearer after the clash between Sri Lanka and England on February 22.

Pakistan are placed alongside Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand in Group 2.

Their next match will be against England on February 24, followed by last game against host Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, title-holders India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the West Indies are placed in Group 1.

The top two teams from each Group will qualify for the semi-finals.

READ: Suryakumar backs misfiring Abhishek despite three ducks

COLOMBO: The opening fixture of the Super Eights stage in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between Pakistan and New Zealand has been abandoned due to heavy rain.

Continuous rain has prevented the play from proceeding after the toss. The cutoff time for a minimum five-over contest was 9:45 pm; however, the contest was cancelled due to a heavy downpour. Both teams have given one point each.

Pakistan will play their next match against England on February 24 in Kandy. Meanwhile, New Zealand will lock horns against Sri Lanka on Feb 25 in RPS, Colombo.

Earlier, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha won the toss and decided to bat first. The Green Shirts have made one change to their playing XI with Khawaja Nafay making way for Fakhar Zaman.

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On the contrary, New Zealand have made three changes to their side. Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, and Mitchell Santner are included in the lineup.

Playing XIs

New Zealand XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

READ: Flick tells Barca stars to feel ‘responsibility’ after damaging defeats

COLOMBO: The opening encounter of the Super Eights stage in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between Pakistan and New Zealand has been delayed due to rain. 

Continuous rain has prevented the play from proceeding after the toss. The cutoff time for a result is 7:45 pm PKT, while the deadline to complete a minimum five-over contest is 9:45 pm, provided the rain stops.

Earlier, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha won the toss and decided to bat first. The Green Shirts have made one change to their playing XI with Khawaja Nafay making way for Fakhar Zaman.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

On the contrary, New Zealand have made three changes to their side. Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, and Mitchell Santner are included in the lineup.

Playing XIs

New Zealand XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and New Zealand have faced each other 49 times in the shorter format. The Green Shirts are one match ahead with 24 wins.

In the T20 World Cups, Pakistan leads with five victories, while New Zealand has won two.

Total: 49 — Pakistan 24, New Zealand 23, No Result 2

READ: Harry Brook responds to reports of Pakistan players’ snub in The Hundred

COLOMBO: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first against New Zealand in the opening encounter of the Super Eights stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at RPS Stadium on Saturday.

Playing XIs

New Zealand XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and New Zealand have faced each other 49 times in the shorter format. The Green Shirts are one match ahead with 24 wins.

In the T20 World Cups, Pakistan leads with five victories, while New Zealand has won two.

Total: 49 — Pakistan 24, New Zealand 23, No Result 2

READ: Harry Brook responds to reports of Pakistan players’ snub in The Hundred