Author: A Sports

The newly added Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen have signed Australia ace all-rounder Glenn Maxwell ahead of the landmark season 11.

The signing was confirmed via the franchise’s official social media accounts.

“𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑷𝑳𝑨𝒀𝑴𝑨𝑲𝑬𝑹. 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑩𝑰𝑮-𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑮𝑬 𝑩𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑻. 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑿-𝑭𝑨𝑪𝑻𝑶𝑹. Impossible? That’s not a word in his dictionary,” the franchise wrote.

“Inevitable? Nothing but destruction. Hold onto your seats tight, the biggest show in #HBLPSL is about to begin,” it added.

This will be the talismanic batter’s first appearance in the PSL, having previously represented several teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Glenn Maxwell, 37, has extensive experience with 129 T20I matches and scored 2,897 runs at a strike rate of 158.42.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Overall, he has played 502 T20s, amassing 10,986 runs at an average of 27.53, including eight centuries and 58 half-centuries. The right-hander has also recorded the highest score of 154.

For the unversed, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen secured their place in the PSL after being acquired by Fawad Sarwar’s Kingsmen Group, who won the franchise rights with a bid worth Rs1.75 billion (approximately $6.25 million).

On the field, the franchise has begun shaping a competitive squad.

They retained promising talents Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Maaz Sadaqat, and Akif Javed, while also strengthening their lineup with the direct signing of Australian star batter Marnus Labuschagne for the upcoming season.

The team has also assembled an experienced coaching staff. Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie has been appointed head coach, with Grant Bradburn set to serve as fielding coach under his leadership.

The landmark PSL 11 season is scheduled to begin on March 26, while the much-anticipated player auction will take place on February 11.

Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen squad:

Saim Ayub, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Marnus Labuschagne (Direct Signing), Glenn Maxwell, Usman Khan, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Hassan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Ottniel Baartman, Hammad Azam, Riley Meredith, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Mehmood, Hunain Shah, Rizwan Mehmood, Saad Ali, and Tayyab Arif.

READ: T20 World Cup: Unbeaten Zimbabwe stun Sri Lanka in thrilling win

KOLKATA: West Indies extended their dominant run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding 42-run victory over Italy in their final group-stage fixture at Eden Gardens on Thursday, finishing the round unbeaten.

Defending 166, the Caribbean bowling unit delivered a clinical performance to dismiss Italy for 123 in 18 overs.

Despite brief resistance, Italy never truly threatened the target. Ben Manenti top-scored with 26 off 21 balls, while JJ Smuts struck 24 and Anthony Mosca added a quick 19, but the chase lacked momentum against disciplined bowling.

Fast bowler Shamar Joseph led the charge with an impressive four-wicket haul, finishing with 4-30 in his four overs.

Matthew Forde supported brilliantly with three wickets, while Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein chipped in with two and one, respectively, to complete a dominant bowling display.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Earlier, the West Indies endured a shaky start after being put in to bat. Opener Brandon King fell early, followed soon by Shimron Hetmyer, leaving the side struggling at 31-2 inside the powerplay.

Captain Shai Hope then anchored the innings alongside Roston Chase, with the duo stitching a crucial 64-run stand to stabilise the innings. Chase contributed 24 before departing in the 13th over with the score at 95-3.

Hope, however, continued to dictate the tempo, producing a composed half-century that formed the backbone of the West Indies’ total. He struck 75 off 46 deliveries, hitting six fours and four sixes, before falling in the later stages.

Sherfane Rutherford provided the late push with an unbeaten 24, while Matthew Forde added a quick 16 to lift West Indies to a competitive 165.

READ: Pakistan Hockey President Tariq Bugti resigns; Ammad Butt banned

DHAKA: Aminul Haque, the new sports minister of Bangladesh, has expressed his desire to quickly ease tensions with India following the national team’s absence from the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, stressing the importance of maintaining friendly ties with neighbouring nations.

Speaking on Tuesday after taking the oath with the new cabinet, Aminul revealed he had already opened dialogue with Indian officials.

“After taking the oath today, I met with the deputy high commissioner of India at the Parliament building. I discussed the T20 World Cup with him,” he said, describing the interaction as cordial and constructive.

“We want to resolve this issue quickly through discussions because we want to maintain friendly relations with all our neighbouring countries.”

Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the ongoing global event, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, after the previous government opted against sending the team to India amid geopolitical tensions.

The situation escalated when the Indian government reportedly asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to remove Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, eventually leading to Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

In a positive development for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the ICC confirmed on February 9 that it would not face any penalty for refusing to play matches in India.

Additionally, the board has been granted hosting rights for an out-of-turn ICC event before the 2031 Men’s ODI World Cup, which Bangladesh will co-host with India.

Aminul reiterated his government’s broader vision of rebuilding ties.

“From sports to all other sectors, we want to build a sincere and cordial relationship with India,” he said.

“Because of diplomatic complications, we could not play in the World Cup. If those issues had been discussed and settled earlier, our team might have participated.”

Despite recent tensions, bilateral cricket remains on the calendar, with India scheduled to tour Bangladesh in September for three ODIs and three T20Is, a series originally planned for August 2025 that was postponed.

READ: Abhishek Sharma joins Saim Ayub on unwanted duck list

COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has expressed confidence ahead of their Super Eight clash against New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan will play their first match in the Super Eight against New Zealand on Saturday, February 21.

Speaking after the match, Agha emphasized batting in the opening overs of the game and highlighted the team’s strong finish in the final overs.

“I think it has to be a complete performance. I think we batted well in powerplay, we started really well in the powerplay, and in the middle, we put partnerships on, and then we finished well,” said Agha at the post-match presentation.

“Sahibzada has been outstanding. The way he’s been batting for us for the last six months, he’s just batting really well, and he scored 100 today. I’m very happy for him,” he said.

He also lavished praise on Usman Tariq, mentioning that their performance with the ball was effective and determined.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“And when it comes to the ball, I think we were lethal, and we were ruthless. We bowled in the right area, whether it’s a fast bowler or a spinner. I think it was a complete performance for us,” Salman Ali Agha explained.

“Trust me, it’s tough. He is a tough bowler to face. Whenever I have played him in domestic, I find it very hard because he’s someone who’s very, very tough to pick, and then when he has a pause. It becomes very, very difficult.”

The 32-year-old concluded that Pakistan and New Zealand are playing good cricket, believing that if they continued performing at their current level in the next game, they would be successful.

“I think we have been playing really good cricket. New Zealand have been playing good cricket. So, I’m guessing it will be a good game. And I think the way we are playing right now, if we replicate that kind of performance in the next game, I think we’ll be fine,” the skipper concluded.

READ: India edge spirited Netherlands in T20 World Cup clash

AHMEDABAD: India opener Abhishek Sharma joined Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub on an unwanted list with his third consecutive duck in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Sharma, 25, was clean bowled without scoring against the Netherlands in India’s ongoing clash.

The dismissal mirrored his duck in the Pakistan fixture, where skipper Salman Ali Agha removed him in the first over

With this duck, Abhishek Sharma entered the list of players with the most ducks recorded in a single calendar year. Saim Ayub leads the record with six ducks, achieved in 2025.

Most T20I Ducks in a Single Year

6 – Saim Ayub (Pakistan, 2025)
5 – Chalermwong Chatphaisan (Thailand, 2024)
5 – Kushal Bhurtel (Nepal, 2024)
5 – Dharma Kesuma (Indonesia, 2025)
5 – Parvez Hossain Emon (Bangladesh, 2025)
5 – Abhishek Sharma (India, 2026)

The southpaw also became the third player in T20 World Cup history to record three ducks in his first three innings and only the second Indian batter to record three ducks in a row, matching Washington Sundar’s unwanted record from 2019-2020.

The southpaw also became the third player in T20 World Cup history to register three ducks in his first three innings and only the second Indian batter to do so in consecutive innings.

Three Ducks in First Three T20I WC Innings

Ashish Nehra (IND) in 2009

Roger Mukasa (UGA) in 2024

Abhishek Sharma (IND) in 2026

Nonetheless, India posted a strong 193-run total against the Netherlands, thanks to Shivam Dube’s 66 off 31, including six maximums and four boundaries.

At the time of filing this story, the Netherlands were 57-2 in eight overs with Bas de Leede and Colin Ackermann at the crease.

Note: A statistic in this story has been revised to correct an earlier error.

READ: Shadab Khan hits back at critics over India defeat

COLOMBO: Pakistan on Wednesday became the eighth and final team to seal a berth in the Super Eight of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a decisive 102-run win over Namibia.

Following Pakistan’s victory, the Super Eight lineups and fixtures are now confirmed.

Pakistan finished in second place in Group A with six points from four matches. The Green Shirts won three games and lost one against their bitter rivals, India.

The Super Eight will feature four teams, split into two groups. Group 1 will feature India, Zimbabwe, West Indies, and South Africa. Group 2 will have England, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Each team will play every other team in its group once. The teams will not carry over their group-stage standings.

The road to the semi-final will commence with the 2009 champions, Pakistan, taking on New Zealand on February 21 in Colombo.

They will then face England on February 24 in Kandy, while their last match will be against host Sri Lanka in Colombo.

The Super Eight stage will conclude with the final match between India and West Indies in Kolkata.

T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan Super Eights schedule

February 21: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Colombo

February 24: England vs Pakistan – Kandy

February 28: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – Colombo

Other Super Eight Fixtures

February 22: Sri Lanka vs England – Kandy

February 22: India vs South Africa – Ahmedabad

February 23: West Indies vs Zimbabwe – Mumbai

February 25: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – Colombo

February 26: South Africa vs West Indies – Ahmedabad

February 26: India vs Zimbabwe – Chennai

February 27: England vs New Zealand – Colombo

March 1: South Africa vs Zimbabwe – Ahmedabad

March 1: India vs West Indies – Kolkata

READ: Sahibzada Farhan joins Ahmed Shehzad in elusive list

COLOMBO: Pakistan opening batter Sahibzada Farhan joined former batter Ahmed Shehzad in an elusive list with a century against Namibia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Wednesday.

Farhan’s 100* off 58 balls with the aid of four sixes and 11 fours played a vital role in propelling Pakistan to a big total of 200.

After scoring a ton, the right-hander became only the second Pakistani batter after Ahmed Shehzad to score a century in the T20 World Cup.

Previously, Shehzad had scored a century against Bangladesh in the 2014 World Cup.

The century also took Farhan to the top of the runs chart in the tournament, accumulating 220 runs in four matches at an average of 73.33.

Overall, he is the fifth Pakistani batter to score a hundred in T20Is, joining the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Ahmed Shehzad, and Hasan Nawaz.

Moreover, he also became the 13th batter to make a ton in the mega event, joining the likes of Chris Gayle and other notable players.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan made a brisk start as Farhan and Saim Ayub stitched together a quickfire 40-run opening stand in just over five overs.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The partnership ended when Jack Brassell dismissed Ayub for 14 off 12 balls, an innings that included two boundaries.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha then joined Farhan at the crease, and the pair built a steady 67-run partnership for the second wicket, guiding Pakistan past the 100-run mark and laying the foundation for a big total.

Youngster Khawaja Nafay was promoted to number four but could only manage five runs before falling to Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus.

Farhan, however, continued to dominate. Joined by Shadab Khan, the duo added an unbeaten 81-run stand for the fourth wicket to propel Pakistan to an imposing total.

Shadab, after a cautious start, accelerated to finish on 36 off 22 balls, striking one four and three sixes.

READ: South Africa cruise past UAE to seal perfect group-stage run

COLOMBO: Sahibzada Farhan’s maiden T20I century and clinical bowling powered Pakistan to a big 102-run win over Namibia in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 must-win clash on Wednesday at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

Set a daunting target, Namibia were bowled out for 97 in 17.3 overs.

Namibia’s openers started steadily in the chase, adding 32 in 4.1 overs. However, Salman Mirza’s first breakthrough stalled the Eagles’ chase.

After losing the first wicket, Namibia never came back in the game as Pakistan bowlers tightened the screws with regular wickets.

As a result, Namibia were reduced to 49-4 in 7.3 overs.

JJ Smit and Alexander Busing-Volschenk tried to arrest the slide with a 30-run partnership. The pair managed to bring the total to 79 in 12.3 overs.

But it was Usman Tariq’s mystery and Shadab Khan’s sharp leg spin bowling that quickly unraveled Namibia’s innings.

Louren Steenkamp top-scored with 23 off 22 balls with the aid of three fours and a six.

For Pakistan, Usman Tariq stood out among the bowlers, picking up a four-wicket haul. Shadab Khan supported him well with his three wickets.

Earlier, Pakistan posted a formidable 199-3 against Namibia in their 20 overs.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan made a brisk start as Farhan and Saim Ayub stitched together a quickfire 40-run opening stand in just over five overs.

The partnership ended when Jack Brassell dismissed Ayub for 14 off 12 balls, an innings that included two boundaries.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha then joined Farhan at the crease, and the pair built a steady 67-run partnership for the second wicket, guiding Pakistan past the 100-run mark and laying the foundation for a big total.

Brassell struck again to remove Agha for a well-made 38 off 23 balls, leaving Pakistan at 107-2 in 12.1 overs.

Youngster Khawaja Nafay was promoted to number four but could only manage five runs before falling to Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus.

Sahibzada Farhan, however, continued to dominate. Joined by Shadab Khan, the duo added an unbeaten 81-run stand for the fourth wicket to propel Pakistan to an imposing total.

Shadab, after a cautious start, accelerated to finish on 36 off 22 balls, striking one four and three sixes.

The night, though, belonged to Farhan. The right-hander remained unbeaten on 100 from 58 deliveries, hammering 11 fours and four sixes in a commanding display of strokeplay.

With this milestone, he became only the second Pakistani batter after Ahmed Shehzad to score a century in a Men’s T20 World Cup.

READ: South Africa cruise past UAE to seal perfect group-stage run

DELHI: South Africa continued their dominant march in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by six wickets on Wednesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium to finish the group stage unbeaten.

Chasing a modest target of 123, the Proteas wrapped up the contest with ease in just 13.2 overs, losing four wickets, as their batting unit once again delivered a composed and clinical performance.

South Africa began aggressively, with skipper Aiden Markram setting the tone early through a flurry of boundaries.

His brisk 28 off 11 balls powered the side to a rapid start before spinner Haider Ali cleaned him up, breaking a 32-run opening stand.

Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton then steadied the innings, guiding South Africa past the 50-run mark inside the powerplay.

However, the UAE struck again when Muhammad Jawadullah removed de Kock for 14, leaving the Proteas at 56-2.

Dewald Brevis joined Rickelton, and the duo effectively sealed the contest with a fluent 49-run partnership for the third wicket.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Rickelton played a lively cameo of 30 from 16 balls, striking three fours and two sixes, before falling to Muhammad Farooq with the score at 105-3.

Brevis continued the charge with a controlled 36 off 25 deliveries, hitting one four and three sixes, before being dismissed by Mohammad Arfan.

By then, the result was beyond doubt, as Tristan Stubbs and Jason Smith guided South Africa home comfortably.

Earlier, the UAE struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat, managing 122-6 in their 20 overs.

Alishan Sharafu top-scored with a fighting 45 off 38 balls, including five fours and a six, while captain Muhammad Waseem contributed 22. However, the rest of the batting lineup failed to trouble South Africa’s disciplined attack.

For the Proteas, Corbin Bosch was the standout performer with the ball, claiming three wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs.

Anrich Nortje picked up two scalps, while George Linde added one, ensuring the UAE were restricted to a below-par total.

READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan win toss against Namibia

COLOMBO: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first against Namibia in the crucial Group A clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Wednesday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan (wk), Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq.

Namibia: Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), Alexander Busing-Volschenk, JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Jack Brassell

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and Namibia have faced each other only once during the 2021 edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Green Shirts registered a thumping victory in the solitary clash between the two sides.

Pakistan head into the contest under pressure following a heavy defeat to arch-rivals India earlier in the tournament. The 2009 champions currently sit third in Group A with two wins and one loss, holding a net run rate of -0.403.

A victory over Namibia would take Pakistan to six points and secure their passage into the Super Eight stage with a second-place finish in the group.

READ: Free entry announced for Pakistan-Namibia clash in Colombo