Category: Cricket

KANDY: Former Pakistan women’s captain Urooj Mumtaz has expressed serious reservations over men’s leadership options following the side’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, admitting she is “clueless” about a ready-made successor to current skipper Salman Ali Agha.

Pakistan’s campaign ended despite a spirited five-run win over Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight fixture.

The 2009 champions had entered the contest knowing that victory alone would not be enough; they required a commanding margin to surpass New Zealand’s superior net run rate (NRR) and qualify for the semi-finals.

Posting 212-8 in 20 overs, Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or below. Although they clinched a narrow win, the bowlers failed to defend the required margin, sealing Pakistan’s fourth successive ICC tournament exit before the semi-final stage.

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, Urooj Mumtaz said Pakistan’s current pool of players does not offer an obvious long-term captaincy solution.

“I have a question mark,” she said when asked about the T20I leadership.

“I look down the list of 20 players that Pakistan has right now, and there’s nobody really there who screams ‘captain’ to me. Or someone you pen down and say, ‘right, he’s playing all games and fits in as player number one in all games, no matter what the conditions are.’”

While she acknowledged the impressive batting form of Sahibzada Farhan, she stopped short of endorsing him for the role.

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“Yes, Sahibzada Farhan, in his current form, is brilliant. I don’t think he is captain material just yet,” she added.

Mumtaz also pointed out that several senior players have already had their opportunities as the T20I captain of Pakistan, so they should not be considered again.

“Shadab [Khan] has been through that cycle, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been through that cycle, Babar Azam has been through that cycle. So I am very clueless right now,” she remarked.

On Shadab Khan, she noted that while he had previously shown interest in captaincy, his recent all-round returns against top opposition have not been convincing.

“I think he has a lot to prove in terms of his all-round cricketing ability. He is very short at this moment in terms of his batting and bowling against top-quality sides,” she said.

With Agha himself stating after the match that he will not make an immediate decision about stepping down, Urooj Mumtaz believes continuity might be the only practical route, at least for now.

“Unless you literally say ‘Sahibzada Farhan, two-year cycle, away you go’ or somebody like Saim Ayub, who I don’t think will be dropped for long and deserves a place in that XI — apart from that I don’t see any captain material,” she said.

“So, unless Pakistan has got a succession plan in place, probably continue with Salman Ali Agha till they find a replacement.”

READ: Kamran Akmal blames lack of T20 evolution for Pakistan’s World Cup exit

Former wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal has delivered a blunt verdict on Pakistan’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, arguing that the team’s inability to evolve with the modern game left them trailing behind the competition.

Pakistan’s shortcomings were laid bare during their lacklustre T20 World Cup campaign, which ended on Saturday when the team failed to reach the semi-finals.

From the captain Salman Agha, who was criticised for not being a T20 player, to slow batting rates and the use of all-rounders not up to the job, Pakistan were shown to be behind the times in the rapid-fire format.

Kamran Akmal believes there is a huge gulf in standard between Pakistan and the top sides such as India, West Indies, South Africa and England.

“Other teams have evolved to the demands of Twenty20 cricket, but neither our team nor our players meet those standards,” Akmal told AFP.

“It is like other teams are playing on the moon and we are on Earth. We only beat smaller teams but lose to top teams.”

Pakistan had high hopes for the T20 World Cup 2026 after sweeping Australia 3-0 in a pre-tournament series.

They boasted a quintet of spinners that should have been suited to the turning pitches in Sri Lanka, where they played all their matches.

But they received a rude awakening in their first match against the Netherlands when they squeezed home by three wickets in the final over, thanks to Faheem Ashraf’s 11-ball 29.

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Like most of his predecessors at World Cups, Agha blundered in the pressure-cooker match against India, which only went ahead after the Pakistan government U-turned on a boycott just days before the encounter.

Agha won the toss and asked India to bat. The decision backfired badly as Pakistan conceded 175 and were hammered by 61 runs.

Agha inexplicably held back his mystery spinner and chief weapon, Usman Tariq, to the 11th over, by which time opener Ishan Kishan had scored his match-shaping 77, and India were well on their way to a winning total.

“How on earth did you bowl at a venue which was suited to batting first?” questioned former Pakistan player Basit Ali. “After India scored 175, our batters failed to handle the pressure of a chase.”

Agha also held back Tariq’s second over against England, after he took a wicket in his first, allowing captain Harry Brook to build a sparkling match-winning century.

“It was weak captaincy from Agha,” said Kamran Akmal, who also took aim at the head coach Mike Hesson and the selectors.

“We were also not helped by head coach Mike Hesson, who has an obsession for bit-and-pieces all-rounders who were neither complete bowlers, nor good batters.”

Pakistan’s insistence on sticking with the out-of-sorts Babar Azam did nothing to help their shaky batting. The star batter’s slow scoring at number four interrupted the side’s rhythm.

He was dropped for the final match against Sri Lanka on Saturday, where Pakistan finally posted a total in excess of 200, but it proved too little too late as New Zealand progressed on net run rate.

READ: Sanath Jayasuriya to step down as Sri Lanka head coach after World Cup setback

 Legendary former captain Sanath Jayasuriya has decided to step down as head coach of the Sri Lanka men’s team, bringing an end to a tenure that began with historic promise but concluded in disappointment at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Jayasuriya confirmed his intention to relinquish the role following Sri Lanka’s narrow five-run defeat to Pakistan in Pallekele, a result that ended their Super Eight campaign without a victory.

Although he has yet to formally notify Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the former opener revealed that he had already made up his mind months ago that this World Cup would be his final assignment in charge.

“I thought it was time to give it to someone else,” Jayasuriya said at the post-match press conference. “About two months ago, during the England series, I said I didn’t have hopes of staying in the job for long. I had taken this decision by then.”

He admitted he had hoped to bow out on a high.

“I thought I’d be able to leave as coach on a good note in the World Cup. I wasn’t able to do that as well as I’d like, and I’m sad about that,” he added.

Jayasuriya’s current contract runs until June 2026, and he clarified that discussions with the board are still pending.

With a limited-overs home series against the Afghanistan national cricket team scheduled to begin on March 13, SLC may yet request him to oversee that assignment.

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“My contract runs till June. I haven’t given SLC any news officially yet. They don’t even know I am going to say this,” he said. “If they can get somebody [to coach the team], then definitely they should do that.”

Sanath Jayasuriya initially took charge on an interim basis after the 2024 T20 World Cup and enjoyed immediate success. Under his guidance, Sri Lanka secured their first bilateral ODI series win over India in 27 years in August 2024.

That resurgence continued with a memorable Test victory over the England cricket team at The Oval, followed by a dominant 2-0 home Test series sweep against New Zealand.

Those achievements led to his full-time appointment on October 1, 2024; however, the momentum proved difficult to sustain.

Sri Lanka delivered a modest showing at the ACC Asia Cup 2025 and failed to impress in a T20I tri-series in Pakistan.

Their World Cup preparation also raised concerns after a 3-0 T20I series whitewash against England, which immediately preceded the global event.

Jayasuriya had previously served as chief selector in two separate stints.

READ: Usman Qadir comes out of retirement, eyes Pakistan return

Pakistan leg-spinner Usman Qadir has officially reversed his retirement from international cricket, announcing on Sunday that he is once again available for national selection in all formats.

The 32-year-old, son of legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, had stepped away from international cricket on October 3, 2024.

However, in a fresh statement posted on his official X account on March 1, 2026, Qadir confirmed that he has withdrawn that decision with immediate effect.

Explaining the reasoning behind his U-turn, Qadir pointed to a recent stint in Australia that reignited his passion and belief.

“After a period of deep reflection and a successful stint in Australia, I have decided to officially withdraw my retirement from all formats of international cricket with immediate effect,” he wrote.

The leg-spinner revealed that his performances Down Under, where he claimed 41 wickets, played a decisive role in restoring his confidence.

“My time playing in Australia was transformative. Achieving 41 wickets and receiving such a positive response reminded me that my competitive edge is as sharp as ever. It proved to me that I still have a significant contribution to make on the global stage,” he stated.

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Beyond performance, Usman Qadir spoke emotionally about the weight of family legacy and the influence of those closest to him.

“Cricket is more than just a sport for me; it is a family legacy,” he said, referencing the towering impact of his father on Pakistan cricket.

“After discussing this with my family and considering my father’s immense contributions to Pakistan cricket, I feel a profound responsibility to continue. My family’s wishes, combined with my own burning desire to represent my country, have made this decision clear.”

Qadir acknowledged that reclaiming his place will require hard work but insisted he is ready for the challenge.

“I am fully committed to the grind and am making myself available for selection across all formats, starting from the basics, to serve Pakistan cricket to the best of my ability,” he added.

Signing off on an emotional note, he declared, “My journey isn’t finished. I am ready to carry forward the spirit of Pakistan cricket once again.”

For the unversed, Qadir has represented Pakistan in 26 international matches since his debut in 2020 during a T20I match against Zimbabwe. He has taken a total of 32 wickets during his brief international career.

READ: Salman Ali Agha addresses captaincy future after T20 World Cup exit

KANDY: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has addressed his captaincy future following his side’s elimination from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, despite a narrow win over Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight fixture on Saturday.

The 2009 champions entered the contest knowing that victory alone would not suffice; they needed a massive margin to overhaul New Zealand’s superior net run rate (NRR) and join England in the semi-finals.

Pakistan posted an imposing 212-8 in their 20 overs and went on to secure a five-run win. However, they were required to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or below to qualify. Falling short of that benchmark meant their campaign ended at the Super Eight stage.

Reflecting on the tournament, Salman Ali Agha did not shy away from criticism, admitting that Pakistan underperformed across departments.

“If I have to sum up the whole tournament, I think we played below-average cricket,” he said at the post-match press conference.

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“We couldn’t bat well throughout the tournament. If Sahibzada Farhan had more support, it would have been better. The middle order has been a problem for a few years now, and we’ll have to look at that.”

He also stated that both he and head coach Mike Hesson would take full responsibility for the team’s performance.

“We haven’t qualified for the semi-finals in the last four ICC tournaments because we haven’t made the right decisions at crucial moments. The coach and I will take full responsibility for this performance,” he said.

Salman Ali Agha also made it clear that he will not make an immediate decision on his captaincy.

“If I decide about my captaincy right now, it would be an emotional decision. I will go back, take a few days, and then see what decision I make,” he said.

READ: Daren Sammy hopes to repeat 2016 script in India T20 World Cup clash

KOLKATA: West Indies coach Daren Sammy believes history can repeat itself as he aims to mastermind a T20 World Cup victory to end India’s hopes, just as he did when captain 10 years ago.

Sammy led his side to a T20 World Cup semi-final win against India in Mumbai in 2016 and went on to lift the trophy as they beat England in the final in Kolkata.

It is on that same Eden Gardens pitch that Sunday’s clash will play out in front of 68,000 partisan fans.

Although it is nominally a Super Eights game, it is in reality a straight shootout — the winner will move on to the semi-finals and the loser go home.

“In order to win this tournament, you have to go through India at some point,” said Sammy. “Tomorrow is that day for us.”

“History could repeat, though it’s a different venue and two different teams.”

The West Indies have not reached the semi-finals since lifting their second T20 World Cup a decade ago.

But Sammy said earlier in the tournament that he believed “something special” was going to happen with his group of players, captained by Shai Hope.

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“Because of the focus I saw in the team, the mindset, the attention to detail, the attention to their preparation, I still believe that,” said Sammy. “Let me see if my words come true tomorrow.”

West Indies skipper Hope has at his disposal a potent spin attack, seam bowlers with variety and incredible batting power. His side have already blasted 66 sixes, a record for a T20 World Cup.

India are next on the list, 63, which sets up the possibility of a high-scoring slugfest on Sunday.

“It’s a knockout,” said Sammy. “You win, you go through. You lose and then you start thinking about all the what-ifs.”

“That’s what makes an athlete, that’s what makes competition, that’s what makes a World Cup the pinnacle of your sport.”

Awaiting the winner should be a semi-final against England in Mumbai on Thursday.

The final is in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan breaks long-standing record of Virat Kohli

India need to “be brave with the bat” in their winner-takes-all T20 World Cup showdown against the West Indies, said their assistant coach on Saturday.

India come into Sunday’s do-or-die Super Eights clash in Kolkata full of confidence after finally stringing together a consistent batting performance in piling up 256-4 against Zimbabwe.

Abhishek Sharma laid the platform with his first fifty of the tournament after a torrid time in the group phase, where he had three ducks in a row.

India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said Sunday’s pitch at Eden Gardens looked good for batting.

And that could turn the match into a slugfest against a powerful West Indies line-up that has hit more sixes, 66, than any other side in the tournament.

India are next on the list with 63 and are striving to keep the defence of their 2024 crown alive.

The West Indies have not reached the semi-finals since lifting their second T20 World Cup a decade ago — in Kolkata.

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“It’s certainly going to be a challenge,” ten Doeschate told reporters before India trained at Eden Gardens.

“The surface looks pretty good, so it could be a high-scoring game.

“You have to be brave with the bat to maintain a high strike rate and high intensity throughout.”

Both India and the West Indies lost to South Africa and beat Zimbabwe in Super Eights Group 1.

It means Sunday’s clash in front of around 68,000 partisan fans at Eden Gardens will be a straight shootout for a place in the semi-finals, with the losers going home.

Awaiting the winner should be a semi-final against England in Mumbai on Thursday.

The final is in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8.

READ: Fakhar Zaman shatters Mohammad Rizwan’s T20 record

KANDY: Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka’s heroics went in vain as Pakistan managed to seal a narrow five-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Super Eight clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. 

Set a daunting 213, Sri Lanka fell short by five runs in the final over despite Shanaka’s 76* from 31 balls, smashing eight sixes and two fours.

Pakistan’s hopes of advancing remained till the halfway mark; however, Sri Lanka’s lower order managed to drag them out of trouble and brought them back into the contest.

Pakistan removed opener Pathum Nissanka for three in the second over.

The second wicket added 26 before Kamil Mishara fell prey to Abrar Ahmed for 25.

As a result, Sri Lanka were reduced to 33-2 in 4.1 overs.

Charith Asalanka and Pavan Rathnayake came to the fore, putting the chase back on track with a 42-run partnership. The duo batted at a brisk rate, bringing the team’s total to 75 in 8.5 overs.

It was Abrar again for Pakistan who provided the much-needed breakthrough in the shape of Asalanka’s wicket. The left-hander made 25 from 18 balls.

Sri Lanka lost a few quick wickets and were left reeling at 101-5 in 12 overs.

However, a crucial stand between Dasun Shanaka and Rathnayake not only dashed Pakistan’s hopes but also put Sri Lanka on the verge of victory.

With the Islanders requiring 28 from the last over, Shanaka tonked Shaheen for a boundary and three maximums in a row to leave the equation six from two. But the pacer eventually held his nerve and bowled two dot balls to win it for Pakistan.

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For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed took three wickets in his quota of four overs.

Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan’s  imperious knock ably backed by Fakhar Zaman powered Pakistan to a big total against Sri Lanka

Asked to bat first, Pakistan racked up 212-8 in 20 overs, thanks to a monumental opening partnership.

For Pakistan to qualify for the semi-final, they need to restrict Sri Lanka to 147.

Promoted to open the batting, Fakhar Zaman capitalized on the pristine conditions, adding a monumental 176-run stand alongside Sahibzada Farhan.

The pair launched an assault on the hosts, racing to 64 at the end of the powerplay.

Once the fielding restrictions were lifted, Sri Lanka tried spin from both ends, but it could not stop Zaman and Farhan going berserk. Both batters raised a century stand at the halfway mark of the innings.

In the 12th over, Zaman deposited Wellalage for a four and a six to reach his fifty on 27 balls. The carnage continued until the fifth ball of the sixth over.

Sri Lanka sniffed an opening after Zaman’s wicket, who chopped on after hitting four sixes and nine fours in his 84 from 42 balls.

The wicket sparked a collapse that halted Pakistan’s proceedings in the death overs. As a result, the Green Shirts slumped to 199-5 and 212-8 in 20 overs.

For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka picked up three wickets.

READ: Fakhar Zaman shatters Mohammad Rizwan’s T20 record

KANDY: Opening batter Fakhar Zaman on Saturday broke Mohammad Rizwan’s record for the most sixes by a Pakistan batter during the Super Eight clash against Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Fakhar surpassed Mohammad Rizwan’s previous record of 95 sixes with a towering hit off spinner Maheesh Theekshana in the third over of Pakistan’s innings.

The clean strike not only shifted early momentum but also etched Fakhar’s name at the top of Pakistan’s six-hitting charts in T20 internationals.

Promoted to open the batting, Fakhar laid a monumental 176-run foundation with Sahibzada Farhan.

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Both batters kept Sri Lankan bowlers at bay, powering Pakistan in a dominant position.

Fakhar Zaman was eventually dismissed after scoring 84 from 42 balls with the aid of four sixes and nine fours.

At the time of filing this story, Pakistan were 179-2 in 16.4 overs.

Most sixes for Pakistan in T20Is

Fakhar Zaman — Matches: 120 | Sixes: 99

Mohammad Rizwan — Matches: 106 | Sixes: 95

Babar Azam — Matches: 145 | Sixes: 80

Mohammad Hafeez — Matches: 119 | Sixes: 76

Shahid Afridi — Matches: 98 | Sixes: 73

READ: Farhan breaks Kohli’s long-standing T20 World Cup record

KANDY: Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan on Saturday shattered Indian legend Virat Kohli’s record for most runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. 

Kohli held the record with a tally of 319 runs in the 2014 T20 World Cup.

Before heading into the Pakistan Super Eight fixture against Sri Lanka, Sahibzada had scored 283 runs in six matches. The right-hander had required 36 runs to break the record.

Farhan overtook Kohli when he smashed Shanaka for a boundary in the sixth over. The former India captain scored 319 runs in the 2014 edition.

The right-handed opener now leads the run charts with 323* runs, underlining a standout campaign that has included a century and two half-centuries for Pakistan at the T20 World Cup 2026.

He was eventually caught at covers just after reaching the triple-figure mark. Farhan tonked five maximums and nine fours in his record-breaking 100 off 60 balls.

Most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition

348* – Sahibzada Farhan, Pakistan (2026)*

319 – Virat Kohli, India (2014)

317 – Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sri Lanka (2009)

303 – Babar Azam, Pakistan (2021)

302 – Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka (2010)

296 – Virat Kohli, India (2022)

295 – Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh (2016)

289 – David Warner, Australia (2021)

281 – Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan (2021)

281 – Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan (2024)

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

READ: Shahid Afridi names Agha’s replacement for Pakistan captaincy