Category: Cricket

Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has been nominated for the Player of the Tournament award at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, following a remarkable individual campaign despite the team’s early exit from the competition.

Farhan emerged as one of the standout performers of the tournament, finishing with 383 runs in six innings, the highest aggregate recorded in a single edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup.

The right-hander also etched his name into the record books by becoming the first player to score two centuries in one tournament, achieving the feat against Sri Lanka and Namibia.

While Pakistan failed to progress to the semi-finals, Farhan’s consistency at the top of the order proved to be one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the national side.

England all-rounder Will Jacks is another strong contender for the award after playing a key role in his team’s run to the semi-finals.

Jacks delivered several match-winning performances, collecting four Player of the Match awards during the tournament.

Batting in a finishing role, he scored 226 runs at an impressive strike rate of 176.56, while also contributing with the ball by claiming nine wickets, including crucial breakthroughs in the Super Eight stage against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

South Africa’s pace spearhead Lungi Ngidi has also been shortlisted after spearheading the Proteas’ bowling attack throughout the competition.

The fast bowler claimed 12 wickets in seven matches, consistently delivering important spells to guide South Africa to the semi-finals.

Ngidi’s teammate Aiden Markram also features among the nominees following a series of influential batting performances.

Promoted to the top of the order, Markram registered three half-centuries in eight matches, with his most notable innings coming during successful run-chases against New Zealand and West Indies, where he produced unbeaten knocks of 86 on both occasions.

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New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has impressed with his ability to contribute in multiple departments.

The left-hander scored 128 runs while also claiming 11 wickets, including a decisive four for 27 against Sri Lanka during the Super Eight stage.

Fellow Kiwi Tim Seifert has also been instrumental in New Zealand’s march to the final.

The wicketkeeper-batter accumulated 274 runs across eight matches, producing several key innings at the top of the order.

His 58 in the semi-final against South Africa, alongside a 117-run opening partnership with Finn Allen, played a crucial role in guiding the Black Caps to a successful chase of 170.

Despite the United States exiting the tournament in the group stage, pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk delivered one of the most impressive bowling displays of the event.

The fast bowler picked up 13 wickets in just four matches, finishing as one of the leading wicket-takers while maintaining an economy rate of 6.80.

India’s Sanju Samson rounds out the shortlist after producing match-winning performances in the knockout stage.

The wicketkeeper-batter smashed an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls against West Indies in the Super Eight stage before following it up with a blistering 89 from 42 deliveries in the semi-final.

The winner of the Player of the Tournament award will be announced following the final between England and India, scheduled to take place on Sunday.

READ: Former South Africa batter compares Jasprit Bumrah to a ‘genie’

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has heaped praise on India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, likening him to a “genie” after the fast bowler delivered a decisive spell in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against England.

Bumrah once again proved why he is regarded as one of the most lethal bowlers in world cricket, playing a pivotal role in India’s narrow seven-run victory in a high-scoring contest at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

Defending a daunting total of 253, India faced a tense finish as England mounted a fierce chase, largely powered by Jacob Bethell’s explosive century.

With 45 runs required off the final three overs, captain Suryakumar Yadav turned to Bumrah for the crucial 18th over.

The right-arm pacer responded with remarkable composure, delivering a mix of pinpoint yorkers and deceptive full deliveries that restricted England to just six runs in the over.

The tight spell ultimately swung the momentum back in India’s favour as England fell agonisingly short despite Bethell’s 105.

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Speaking after the match, Faf du Plessis described Bumrah as a dream weapon for any captain.

“Team India probably doesn’t realise how fortunate they are to have him,” du Plessis said.

“You just hand him the ball, and he finds a way to win matches for you. It’s a superpower every captain would want. It’s like having a genie, you rub the lamp, and Bumrah appears.”

The 32-year-old finished with figures of 1-33 in his four overs in a match that saw a combined total of 499 runs scored, highlighting the difficulty bowlers faced on the batting-friendly surface.

Du Plessis also pointed to Bumrah’s unconventional action as a key factor behind his effectiveness, noting that it makes it extremely difficult for batters to pick the ball early.

“Even when the batter knows what’s coming, a yorker or a slower ball, it’s still hard to line him up,” he explained. “His action is unique, and the ball comes out so quickly that batters struggle to react in time.”

READ: England skipper Harry Brook heaps high praise on Jacob Bethell

MUMBAI: Jacob Bethell is going to have “a hell of a career” with England, said captain Harry Brook, after the left-hander’s brilliant 105 on Thursday almost took his side to a record chase against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final.

Bethell hit seven sixes and eight fours as England set about going after India’s mammoth 253-7.

It was only when he was run out off the first ball of the final over that India could finally celebrate, and England finished agonisingly short on 246-7.

That his maiden T20 international century came in the cauldron-like atmosphere provided by 35,000 raucous fans in Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium in a World Cup semi-final made it all the more impressive.

“He’s a phenomenal player,” Brook told reporters. “As we’ve seen tonight in a high-pressure situation against India on their home turf as well, the way that he played that innings there was just phenomenal.”

“He was in his own bubble, and it’s an amazing feeling, you feel like you could hit nearly every ball for six.”

The 22-year-old Bethell came of age in the Ashes in Australia, scoring his maiden Test century in the Sydney Test.

“It was a ridiculous knock. He should be extremely proud of what he’s done tonight and this whole winter,” said Brook.

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“He’s going to have a hell of a career with England, and I’m looking forward to hopefully spending a lot of time with him in the future.”

Brook said he backed head coach Brendon McCullum to carry on in charge of England “125 percent”.

McCullum came under fire after England’s Ashes defeat but has made some amends with a T20 World Cup campaign that came so close to reaching the final.

“I’ve said plenty of times he’s the best coach I’ve ever had,” said Brook. “The way that he speaks to everybody, the way that he has, he’s got an aura in the dressing room, everybody looks up to him.”

“The things that he’s done over the four years that he’s taken over have changed English cricket for hopefully the best.”

Harry Brook was taking charge in a global tournament for the first time and said he could not have asked for more from his team as they came so close to upsetting the favourites on their home soil.

“I think we’ve had an amazing campaign, and I said the other day that we’re never out of games, and that’s proven again tonight,” said Brook.

“We were in the game all the way until the last over. I’m just extremely proud of the boys, and all the boys should be extremely proud of themselves as well.”

READ: Sanju Samson eyes ‘one more’ big knock in T20 World Cup final

Opener Sanju Samson said on Thursday he wants “one more” match-winning knock to enable India to defend the T20 World Cup, after his 89 helped edge England in a thrilling semi-final.

India rode on Samson’s 42-ball innings to post a mammoth 253-7, a total that England nearly chased down at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium, finishing on 246-7.

Jacob Bethell’s brilliant 105 kept England in the hunt till the last over before Harry Brook’s team fell short by seven runs and India marched into their fourth final in the T20 World Cup.

India will face New Zealand in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad as they attempt to become the first team to retain the trophy and the first to win it on home soil. They could also become the first team to win the title three times.

Sanju Samson has been key to putting pre-tournament favourites India in this position after he struck form with an unbeaten 97 in a winner-takes-all contest against the West Indies on Sunday.

He kept up his form in the semi-final and struck eight fours and seven sixes to put India in the driver’s seat.

“It feels really great. I have been actually trying to do something like this for my country for a few years,” player of the match Samson said after the match against England.

“So definitely I should be very grateful, but I kind of feel that we have one more step to go.

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“If we do that, then I think all the work, everything was worth it. So I think that one more innings should be really good.”

The 31-year-old Samson has been in and out of the Indian team and played just one group match against Namibia, when Abhishek Sharma was out with illness.

India brought back Samson in their Super Eights match against Zimbabwe to break up the all-left-handed opening partnership of Abhishek and Ishan Kishan, and he has not looked back since.

Samson, who made his debut in 2015, has played just 61 T20 matches for India.

Samson said the struggle to cement a place in the Indian team and the frustrations that came with it were tough, but he shut out the noise by staying off social media.

“I wanted to make an impact and get into the XI of the World Cup here,” said Samson.

“The people whom I love were with me. And I closed all my windows. I shut down my phone. I was not on social media.

“I am still not on social media. So less noise, fewer people interacting with me. So I think that really helped me to focus.”

READ: Babar Azam, Naseem Shah added to Lahore Whites squad for National T20 Cup

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly removed Naveed Akram Cheema as the national men’s team manager ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh.

According to reports, Cheema, who has previously served multiple stints as Pakistan’s team manager, will not travel with the squad for the tour.

His latest spell with the side included the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, which drew widespread attention after the Indian team refused to shake hands with Pakistan players following a match during the tournament.

In Cheema’s place, the PCB has appointed Irtaza Kumail as the team manager for the Bangladesh tour. Kumail, an 18th-grade police officer, joined the cricket board two years ago and has earlier served as the national side’s security manager.

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Meanwhile, Salman Liaquat is also set to travel with the team as security officer, marking his first assignment with the Pakistan men’s squad.

The PCB has further confirmed that the team’s foreign coaching staff will join the squad directly in Dhaka. Pakistan are scheduled to depart for Bangladesh on March 8.

Ahead of their departure, the national side will participate in a two-day training camp in Lahore as part of preparations for their first ODI assignment since hosting Sri Lanka for a three-match series in November last year.

Pakistan will play all three matches of the series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

Pakistan ODI squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain.

Series schedule

March 8 – Pakistan arrive in Dhaka

March 10 – Practice session

March 11 – First ODI, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

March 13 – Second ODI, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

March 15 – Third ODI, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

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Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Naseem Shah have been included in the Lahore Whites squad for the upcoming National T20 Cup, scheduled to take place at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar from March 7 to 18.

The star duo were not part of the initial squad announcement but have now been drafted into the side ahead of the tournament. Both players will represent Lahore Whites under the captaincy of all-rounder Aamir Jamal.

The National T20 Cup is set to begin on Saturday, March 7, with the semi-finals scheduled for March 17 and the final to be played on March 18.

A total of 23 matches will be staged at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, which previously hosted nine Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches in October and November 2025.

The tournament will feature 10 regional teams: Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Karachi Whites, Karachi Blues, Lahore Blues, Lahore Whites, Multan and Sialkot.

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Lahore Whites have been placed in Group A alongside Peshawar, Faisalabad, Karachi Whites and Bahawalpur. Defending champions Lahore Blues headline Group B, which also includes Sialkot, Multan, Abbottabad and Karachi Blues.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. During the group stage, which runs from March 7 to 16, two matches will be played daily.

The first fixture will begin at 4:15 PM PKT, while the second match will start at 9:15 PM PKT.

Lahore Whites will open their campaign against Peshawar on the opening day of the tournament before facing Faisalabad in their second group-stage match on March 9.

Updated Lahore Whites squad: Aamir Jamal (c), Ali Raza, Ali Shahid Butt, Farhan Yousuf (U21), Babar Azam, Imran Dogar, Junaid Ali (wk), Kamran Afzal, Mohammad Faiq, Ahmed Daniyal, Mohammad Salman, Muhammad Akhlaq, Mohammad Mohsin, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Muhammad Saleem, Naseem Shah, Samama Riaz, Tayyab Tahir and Ubaid Shah.

READ: Bangladesh announce squad for Pakistan ODI series

Afghanistan replaced Rashid Khan with Ibrahim Zadran as skipper Thursday for the T20I series against Sri Lanka but are still monitoring the situation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to stage the matches.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said Zadran’s appointment is in alignment for future build-up.

“In alignment with the ACB’s long-term strategic vision and following recent changes in our team management, we have made the thoughtful decision to appoint Zadran as new T20I skipper,” ACB said in a statement.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will continue to lead the team in the ODI series, which follows the T20Is.

The series begins with three Twenty20 internationals in Sharjah on March 13, 15, and 17 before the ODIs are played in Dubai on March 20, 22, and 25.

Afghanistan crashed out in the first round of the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka after losing to South Africa and New Zealand.

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As a fall out, fast bowler Fazal Haq Farooqi, all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq have been left out from both the squads, the release said.

Afghanistan’s head coach, Jonathan Trott, also left the post after completing his tenure, with another Englishman, Richard Pybus, taking over.

ACB said it was constantly monitoring the situation in the UAE before making a final decision.

“We are closely monitoring the ongoing situation in the region and a final decision will be made in a couple of days,” ACB said.

“Should circumstances necessitate a change, the ACB will consider exploring alternative options for both the host country and the event schedule.”

Afghanistan’s T20I Squad:

Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Noor Rahman, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai

Afghanistan’s ODI Squad:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Bilal Sami

READ: Sammy voices frustration as West Indies stuck in India

DHAKA: Bangladesh have announced their 15-member squad for the ODI series against Pakistan, set to begin on March 11. 

Mehidy Hasan Miraz will continue to lead the side, which has several changes since their last series against the West Indies in October, with pacer Nahid Rana, Litton Das, and Shoriful Islam also returning to the fold.

Among the omissions are Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, and Nasum Ahmed. While  Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Hasan Mahmud are out due to injury.

Litton’s last feature in July was against Sri Lanka, subsequently missing the series against Afghanistan and the West Indies.

Following the squad announcement, the Bangladesh selection panel head, Gazi Ashraf Hossain, shed light on the squad for the Pakistan series.

“There may be questions about Litton Das’s recent ODI form, but he has been working closely with the coaches on his game,” Ashraf Hossain said.

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“We… are considering him as an option to strengthen the middle order,” he added.

All three fixtures will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on March 11, 13, and 15.

Meanwhile, BCB has also confirmed that the Pakistan squad would arrive in Dhaka on March 8, dismissing media reports suggesting the tour had been called off due to the war in the Middle East.

Bangladesh Squad

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.

READ: Sammy voices frustration as West Indies stuck in India

MUMBAI: Sanju Samson starred as India defeated England in a high-scoring contest to reach the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand here at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

More to follow….

Chasing a daunting 254, spirited England managed 246-7 in their 20 overs.

England were off to a shaky start as they lost three wickets in the powerplay.  Phil Salt made five before getting caught in the second over.

Meanwhile, skipper Harry Brook and Jos Buttler were sent back for seven and 25 respectively.

Consequently, England were 64-3 when Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton joined hands in a bid to put the chase back on track.

The pair added 30 from 10 balls for the fourth wicket, bringing the team’s total to 95 in 7.3 overs.

Earlier, Sanju Samson 89 from 44 balls powered India to a big total of 253-7 in 20 overs.

After losing Abishek Sharma for nine in the second over, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan laid the foundation for a big total. The pair took the total from 20 to 117 in 9.3 overs.

Kishan made 39 from 18 with the help of two sixes and four boundaries.

After his departure, Samson continued on, forging another partnership of 43 runs with Shivam Dube.

He eventually got caught off a wider delivery from Will Jacks on the score of 89. The right-hander hit seven maximums and eight fours in his 42 balls knock.

Despite his wicket, England’s bowlers could not stem the flow of runs. Dube hit 43 off 25 while Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma also chipped in with 27 and 21, respectively.

For England, Adil Rashid and Will Jacks picked up two wickets.

Playing XIs

India XI: 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Sanju Samson (wk), 3 Ishan Kishan, 4 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Shivam Dube, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Jasprit Bumrah

England XI: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (wk), 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Harry Brook (capt), 5 Tom Banton, 6 Sam Curran, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Liam Dawson, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Adil Rashid.

READ: Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed join Pakistan men’s selection committee

KOLKATA: West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has issued a plea to return home following his side delayed exit from India due to travel disruptions linked to the Middle East crisis.

Sammy took to X account and shared his frustration over the delayed departure.

“I just wanna go home”, he wrote.

“At least an update, tell us something. Today tmw, next week. It’s been 5 days,” he later posted.

West Indies are one of the teams stuck in India due to the crisis in the Middle East. As per the report, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had initially informed the West Indies that efforts were underway to arrange a charter flight to London for the team’s return to the Caribbean.

It is believed the plan was for the team to depart from India mid-week, though no exact date was specified. Despite this, the West Indies team remains in Kolkata, where they lost to India in the Super Eights on March 1.

On Wednesday, Zimbabwe’s first group of squad members departed Delhi for home following the ICC’s changes to their travel plans.

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Similar to West Indies, Zimbabwe played their final T20 World Cup match on March 1 in Delhi against South Africa, confirmed by Zimbabwe Cricket.

The Chevrons were initially set to leave on March 2, but that plan was cancelled.

“Zimbabwe Cricket confirms that the Zimbabwe senior men’s team participating in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 are on their way home from India after the ICC secured alternative travel arrangements following recent transit disruptions,” Zimbabwe Cricket said in a statement.

“Due to flight availability and revised routing, the squad will return to Harare in batches. Zimbabwe’s original travel route was via Dubai on an Emirates flight but it had to be altered. It has been learnt that Zimbabwe are now travelling to Harare via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,” it added.

South Africa was eliminated after losing to New Zealand on Wednesday night and now awaits their return schedule. If England loses to India in the second semi-final on Thursday, their travel arrangements will also need to be planned.

READ: Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed join Pakistan men’s selection committee