Author: A Sports

COLOMBO: Dominant Zimbabwe sealed a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Oman in the eighth fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Monday.

Set meagre 105, Zimbabwe hit the winning runs in 13.3 overs, losing only two wickets in the process.

Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brian Bennett added 30 for the opening wicket in 3.1 overs before Oman made a comeback with back-to-back wickets to put the Chevrons in trouble.

After a double blow, veteran batter Brendan Taylor and Brian Bennett steadied the innings with a 68 run parntership.

Taylor made 31 from 30 balls with the help of three fours. He left the crease after retiring hurt with Zimbabwe requiring 11 to win.

Sikandar Raza eventually finished the match with a boundary while Bennett, who top-scored, remained unbeaten on 48 from 36 balls, laced with seven boundaries.

For Oman, Sufyan Mehmood picked up two wickets.

Earlier, Zimbabwe’s quick bowling twin towers Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani shared six wickets as Oman, who were asked to bat first, were skittled for 103 in 19.5 overs.

The beanpole pace men extracted lively bounce with the new ball in the Group B encounter, reducing Oman to 27-5 with none of their top order managing to get into double figures.

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A face-saving 42-run stand for the sixth wicket between Sufyan Mehmood and Vinayak Shukla briefly stopped the rot and gave Oman a sniff of respectability.

But Ngarava returned for a second burst to snap the stand and put Zimbabwe firmly in charge.

Ngarava finished with 3-17 and Muzarabani 3-16.

Brad Evans provided the perfect first-change foil, hitting a nagging line and length to take 3-18 and ensure there was no way back for the associate side, who were bowled out in 19.5 overs.

Shukla top-scored for Oman with 28, and Mehmood got 25.

Playing XIs:

Oman: Jatinder Singh (c), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Jiten Ramanandi, Vinayak Shukla(wk), Sufyan Mehmood, Nadeem Khan, Shah Faisal, and Shakeel Ahmed.

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, and Blessing Muzarabani.

READ: ICC, PCB officials meet to revive Pakistan-India T20 World Cup clash

The Pakistan Super League’s newest franchise, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, have officially unveiled their away jersey for the upcoming 11th edition of the PSL.

The franchise, one of two new teams alongside Sialkot Stallionz, revealed a striking maroon jersey with golden accents through a social media announcement.

“Different threads. Same fierceness. Crafted for battles away from home, this jersey stands for resilience, fearlessness, and the will to conquer anywhere the game takes us. Presenting the official away jersey of the Hyderabad Kingsmen,” the franchise wrote while unveiling the kit.

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.

READ: UAE send Mohammed Zohaib home from T20 World Cup 2026

United Arab Emirates (UAE) cricketer Mohammed Zohaib has been withdrawn from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and sent back home due to a breach of team discipline, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Monday.

In an official statement, the ECB said Zohaib was recalled to Dubai for violating team protocols, adding that further details regarding the matter would be shared at an appropriate time.

The decision comes just as the UAE prepare to begin their campaign in the 20-team tournament.

However, the player has contested the move, alleging that his removal was influenced by nationality.

Zohaib claimed that the team management consists entirely of individuals of Indian origin and insisted he was targeted because he is Pakistani.

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He has called on the ECB to launch a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding his dismissal.

The controversy has emerged at a crucial stage of the tournament, raising concerns about team dynamics and selection stability ahead of important fixtures.

Led by star batter Mohammad Waseem, the UAE are set to open their T20 World Cup campaign against New Zealand on Tuesday in Chennai.

The squad blends youth and experience, with key names including Alishan Sharafu, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique and Rohid Khan expected to play pivotal roles.

Following their opening clash, the team will travel to New Delhi for the remainder of their group-stage matches, where they are scheduled to face Canada, Afghanistan and South Africa on February 13, 16 and 18, respectively.

READ: Scotland thump Italy to register first win in T20 World Cup 2026

KOLKATA: Scotland registered their first victory of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding 73-run triumph over tournament debutants Italy at Eden Gardens on Monday, courtesy of an all-round performance led by Michael Leask.

Defending a formidable total of 207, Scotland bundled Italy out for 134 in just 16.4 overs.

Leask starred with the ball, delivering a match-winning spell of 4 for 17 in his four overs, while Mark Watt chipped in with two wickets.

Brad Currie, Brad Wheal and Oliver Davidson also struck once each to keep Italy under constant pressure.

Italy showed brief resistance through Ben Manenti, who top-scored with a fighting 52 off 31 balls, striking five fours and a six.

Harry Manenti added a brisk 37 from 25 deliveries, including three sixes, while JJ Smuts contributed 22 off just 11 balls.

Anthony Mosca made 11, but the rest of the batting lineup faltered, and skipper Wayne Madsen did not bat after being ruled out mid-match due to a shoulder injury.

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Earlier, Scotland laid the foundation for their big total with a dominant opening stand between George Munsey and Michael Jones.

The pair kept the scoreboard ticking at a healthy rate, bringing up the team’s 50 inside seven overs and putting the Italian bowlers on the back foot.

Munsey led the charge with a fluent 84 off 54 deliveries, registering his 14th T20I half-century, while Jones provided solid support with 37 off 30 balls.

Their 126-run partnership was eventually broken by Grant Stewart, and Scotland lost another quick wicket when JJ Smuts dismissed Jones, leaving them at 136-2 in 14.5 overs.

Brandon McMullen and Richie Berrington then accelerated the innings with aggressive stroke play, adding 48 runs to push Scotland beyond the 150-run mark.

Berrington fell for 15, but McMullen continued the onslaught, finishing unbeaten on a blistering 41 off 18 balls, smashing four sixes.

Leask capped off Scotland’s innings in style with a fiery cameo of 22 from just five deliveries, including two fours and two sixes, ensuring Scotland crossed the 200-run mark.

READ: Hyderabad Kingsmen reveal official jersey ahead of PSL 11 debut

The Pakistan Super League’s newest franchise, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, have officially unveiled their playing jersey for the upcoming 11th edition of the PSL.

The franchise, one of two new teams alongside Sialkot Stallionz, revealed a striking black jersey with golden accents through a social media announcement.

“Designed for conquest. Threaded with legacy. Every stitch tells a story of pride, power, and purpose. Built for the battlefield and crafted for those who play like they own the field. Introducing the official home jersey of the Hyderabad Kingsmen,” the franchise wrote while unveiling the kit.

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.

READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Italy captain Madsen ruled out of Scotland clash

KOLKATA: Italy suffered a major setback in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Scotland as captain Wayne Madsen was forced out of the match after dislocating his shoulder at Eden Gardens on Monday.

The incident occurred during Italy’s historic first appearance at a T20 World Cup.

Fielding at midwicket in the fourth over of Scotland’s innings, Madsen dived in an attempt to stop a powerful pull shot from George Munsey but landed awkwardly on the practice pitches.

The experienced batter immediately signalled for medical assistance and was taken off the field with his left arm supported in a makeshift towel sling before being sent for X-rays at the venue.

At 42, Madsen remains Italy’s most seasoned campaigner and is featuring in his maiden T20 World Cup.

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Shoulder dislocations generally require a recovery period ranging from one to three weeks, although more serious cases can take several months, leaving uncertainty over his availability for the remainder of the tournament.

In Madsen’s absence, all-rounder Harry Manenti assumed captaincy duties for the rest of Scotland’s innings.

Scotland capitalised on the disruption and posted a formidable 207-4 after being put in to bat.

Italy now face a crucial phase in their campaign, with upcoming fixtures against Nepal in Mumbai on February 12, followed by matches against England on February 16 and West Indies on February 19, both in Kolkata.

READ: Dale Steyn offers help to spirited Nepal after near-upset against England

MUMBAI: Former South Africa fast-bowling great Dale Steyn has praised the Nepal cricket team’s fearless display and even offered his services to them after their dramatic performance against England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday.

Nepal pushed England to the brink in a thrilling contest but fell agonisingly short by just five runs, finishing on 180-6 while chasing a daunting 185-run target.

The spirited effort nearly produced one of the biggest upsets in tournament history and underlined Nepal’s growing reputation on the global stage.

Impressed by their fight, Steyn took to social media platform X and wrote: “Nepal, I offer my services to you if you ever need ’em! Up, up and UP.”

Nepal began the chase with intent as openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh stitched together a brisk 37-run stand.

Sheikh departed for 7, while Bhurtel continued the momentum with a lively 29 off 17 balls, including four boundaries and a six, before falling with the score at 42-2.

Captain Rohit Paudel then partnered Dipendra Singh Airee to revive the innings, adding a crucial 82-run stand in 54 balls.

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Airee led the charge with a fluent 44 off 29 deliveries, striking six fours and a six, before Sam Curran broke the partnership.

Paudel followed soon after for a composed 39 off 34 balls, leaving Nepal at 126-4 in the 16th over.

Nepal’s push suffered another setback when Aarif Sheikh fell for 10, but Lokesh Bam reignited hopes with a counter-attacking cameo.

With 24 needed from the final two overs, Mark Wood conceded 14 runs but removed Gulsan Jha, leaving Nepal requiring 10 off the last over.

Curran held his nerve brilliantly, conceding just five runs to seal a narrow victory for England.

Lokesh Bam remained unbeaten with 39 off just 20 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, bringing Nepal within touching distance of a historic win.

READ: Paul Stirling joins Rohit Sharma in elite T20 World Cup list

COLOMBO: Kusal Mendis half-century backed by a clinical bowling effort helped Sri Lanka beat sloppy Ireland by 20 runs in the fifth fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Chasing 164, Ireland were bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs.

Ireland openers added 24 in 3.2 overs as Sri Lanka struck to remove experienced Paul Stirling for six.

After the opening wicket, Harry Tector and Ross Adair put the chase back on track with a 32-run partnership.

The scorecard read 56 in eight overs when set batter Adair (34) departed as Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector combined to steady the innings with a 49-run partnership.

The pair did well to keep Sri Lanka’s bowlers at bay as the scorecard read 105 in 14.2 overs.

Just when Ireland were looking to turn things around, Sri Lanka made a strong comeback as the Irish batters holed out to the outfield at regular intervals.

Eventually, they were bowled out before completing their 20 overs.

Harry Tector remained the top-scorer with 40 from 34 balls, hitting only one boundary.

For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga shared six wickets between them.

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Earlier, put into bat first, Sri Lanka managed to post 163-6 at the end of 20 overs.

Sri Lanka’s openers added 28 in 4 overs before Kamil Mishara (14) holed out to mid-off, resulting in a cheap dismissal.

Following the wicket, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis stitched a cautious 34-run stand to steady the innings.

Ireland’s bowlers kept it tight, not allowing the set batters to capitalize. The disciplined bowling reaped rewards as Sri Lanka lost two batters in quick succession.

Pathum Nissanka was the first to go after managing 24 from 23, whereas Pavan Rathnayake added only five before getting cleaned up.

As a result, Sri Lanka were reduced to 68-3 in 10.1 overs. The Irish bowlers continued to squeeze Sri Lanka despite a brief partnership of 18 between Dunith Wellalage and Kusal Mendis.

The scorecard read 86 in 13.5 overs when Wellalage, who made 10, was sent back to the pavilion.

Ireland managed well to control the first half of the innings, but a vital 67-run partnership between Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis and some dropped chances from them put the Islanders in a dominant position.

The pair took the total over 150 run mark with Kusal remaining unbeaten on 56 from 43 balls with the help of five fours. On the other hand, Kamindu played a brisk cameo, scoring 44 off just 19, striking two sixes and four boundaries.

For Ireland, George Dockrell and Barry McCarthy took two wickets each.

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana.

Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy and Matthew Humphreys.

READ: Paul Stirling joins Rohit Sharma in elite T20 World Cup list

COLOMBO: Ireland captain Paul Stirling achieved another milestone in his career after joining the list of players who have appeared in the most editions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Stirling, 35, achieved the feat after taking the field during the ongoing Sri Lanka clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.

The right-hander has appeared in every edition of the mega event since the 2009 World Cup, joining Bangladesh Shakib Al Hasan and former India captain Rohit Sharma.

Part of most editions of the men’s T20 World Cup

9 – Shakib Al Hasan
9 – Rohit Sharma
𝟗 – 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠
8 – Mahmudullah
8 – David Warner
8 – Mohammad Nabi

It is worth mentioning that Stirling is also the most capped player in the T20Is with 162 matches. He surpassed Rohit Sharma’s tally of 159 matches during his side’s recent series against UAE before the T20 World Cup.

Most Capped Player in T20Is

1. Paul Stirling Ireland 162 matches (2009–2026)
2 Rohit Sharma India 159 matches (2007–2024)
3 George Dockrell Ireland 155 (2010–2026)
4 Mohammad Nabi Afghanistan 149 (2010–2026)
5 Jos Buttler England 148 (2011–2026)

Stirling is also the fifth-highest run getter in T20Is with 3,888 runs to his name, including a century and 24 fifties.

Most Runs in T20Is

Babar Azam (PAK): 140 matches, 4520 runs

Rohit Sharma (IND): 159 matches, 4231 runs

Virat Kohli (IND): 125 matches, 4188 runs

Jos Buttler (ENG): 148 matches, 3976 runs

Paul Stirling (IRE): 162 matches, 3888 runs

At the time of filing this story, Sri Lanka were 140-4 in 18 overs against Ireland.

READ: Sloppy England seal nervy win against Nepal in T20 World Cup

MUMBAI: England held on to their nerve in the final over to escape defeat against Nepal in the fifth fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Set a challenging 185 for spirited Nepal, England defended 10 in the last over, thanks to brilliant bowling from Sam Curran.

Nepal’s Lokesh Bam (39 not out) needed a six off the final delivery of the match, bowled by Sam Curran, but could only club the ball to deep cover for a single.

Nepal fell just short at 180-6, despite being roared on by most of the spectators in a three-quarters full Wankhede stadium.

They got off to a flying start in their chase, Kushal Bhurtel crunching 29 off 17 balls before Jacks had him caught and bowled.

Captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee came together at 42-2 and brought up Nepal’s 100 in the 12th over.

Pace man Archer, who conceded 14 off his first over, was brought back and put the brakes on, conceding just six runs from his next two overs.

But the Nepali batter ook to Rashid at the other end, launching the leg-spinner for 19 off his third over with Airee hitting two sixes and a four. He finished with 0-42 from three overs.

The blitz left Nepal needing 62 off the last six overs with eight wickets in hand.

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Left-arm seamer Curran returned and immediately got the vital breakthrough, ending the 82-run partnership for the third wicket when Airee holed out to Tom Banton for 44.

The wicket slowed Nepal’s charge and Paudel on 39 then swept Liam Dawson to Phil Salt at deep midwicket to leave them 126-4 in the 16th over.

Archer came back for a final over and proved expensive again, being thrashed for three sixes and 22 runs by Lokesh to leave Nepal 24 off 12 balls for an unlikely win.

Dawson was the pick of England’s bowlers with 2-21 while Archer had 1-42 from his four as England just held on.

It was an agonising end to a valiant run chase by the cricketing minnows, who put England’s premier bowlers Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid to the sword.

Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook scored quick fifties, but Nepal took regular wickets as England made 184-7 on Sunday in their opening Group C match of the T20 World Cup in Mumbai.

It could have been so much better for the Nepalis, but Will Jacks smashed three spectacular sixes off the final over from Karan KC.

The all-rounder’s late cameo of 39 not out off 18 balls took England to the highest total of the tournament so far and left Nepal with a target of 185 to pull off a huge upset.

Brook won the toss and elected to bat on the same pitch that had been deployed for the India-USA clash the previous night.

Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel said he would have bowled anyway and his spin-heavy attack successfully squeezed the England batters for most of the 20 overs until the late onslaught from Jacks.

Opener Phil Salt perished off the first ball from Sher Malla, top-edging the spinner to short fine leg.

It brought Bethell to the crease and the left-hander immediately made a statement with two fours and a six off the same Malla over.

Jos Buttler made a quickfire 26 before he edged a lifting ball from Nandan Yadav to wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh.

Bethell was looking imperious and, despite losing Tom Banton cheaply, he reached his fifty off 28 balls with two consecutive towering sixes.

Joined by Brook at 57-3, the pair took the total past the hundred mark in the 12th over.

Bethell departed for 55 to end a 71-run partnership after being caught at deep mid-on attempting another big blow. He hit four sixes and four fours.

Sam Curran joined Brooks but did not last long, bowled by Dipendra Singh Airee for two and England were 137-5 in the 16th over.

Brook brought up his fifty off 31 balls with a third six but was caught in the deep off the next delivery and England were 157-6 with 10 balls remaining before Jacks’s late charge.

For Nepal, Airee with 2-23 and Yadav, who took 2-25, were the pick of the bowlers.

READ: Ali Raza named in ICC U19 World Cup Team of the Tournament