Category: Cricket

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.

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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

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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

KINGSTON: Kingsmen Sports Enterprise officially confirmed its entry into the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Wednesday after acquiring the rights to the Jamaica franchise ahead of the 2026 season.

Kingsmen, which recently invested in a Pakistan Super League (PSL) side, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, plans to implement a similar model in Jamaica by promoting sports tourism, supporting local businesses and generating year-round economic activity around cricket and entertainment.

“Our vision for Jamaica goes far beyond match days,” said Fawad Sarwar, Group President of Kingsmen Sports Enterprise.

“This franchise is designed to act as an economic engine, creating employment, supporting local businesses, and positioning Jamaica as a global hub for cricket, culture and sportainment.”

Kingsmen has pledged to prioritise Jamaican suppliers, creatives and service providers to ensure that investment remains within the domestic economy.

In addition to commercial ambitions, Kingsmen has committed to strengthening the development pathway for Jamaican cricketers.

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Plans include investment in academies, structured coaching, data-driven scouting and youth engagement initiatives aimed at linking grassroots cricket with professional opportunities both locally and internationally.

“This is about creating opportunity — for young Jamaican cricketers, entrepreneurs, artists, hospitality workers and communities that see cricket as both heritage and future,” Sarwar added.

For context, Jamaica’s previous franchise, the Jamaica Tallawahs, were three-time CPL champions but have not featured in the last two editions.

Former owner Kris Persaud returned the team to the league in late 2023, citing a lack of government support, and later acquired a new franchise in Antigua, now known as the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.

The GMR Group had previously held advanced discussions to revive the Jamaica franchise, even sending a delegation to last year’s CPL final, but negotiations did not materialise.

The league subsequently confirmed on Wednesday that Kingsmen had secured the rights, marking a new chapter for Jamaica’s presence in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

READ: Champions League: Vinicius stunner helps Real Madrid edge Benfica

COLOMBO: Fans will be able to watch the crucial ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 fixture between Pakistan and Namibia free of charge after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) opened the gates for spectators at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Wednesday.

In an official statement, SLC confirmed that gates number five and seven at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground will be opened to the public from 1:00 PM local time, two hours before the scheduled start of play at 3:00 PM.

The board invited fans to witness the contest without purchasing tickets, making it the final World Cup match at the venue accessible “free-of-charge.”

According to SLC, the upcoming game will be the fifth and last fixture of the tournament hosted at the SSC, which has already marked two milestones during the event, staging the opening match of the competition and hosting its first-ever international game under lights.

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However, the weather could play a decisive role in the outcome. Forecasts indicate nearly a 60 per cent chance of showers, with thunderstorms already affecting the region.

The temperature is hovering around 29°C (RealFeel 30°C), while northern winds are blowing at 19 km/h with stronger gusts.

The match holds significant importance for Pakistan, who must win to secure qualification for the Super Eight stage by finishing second in Group A with six points.

Even in the event of a washout, Pakistan would still progress. A shared point would take their tally to five, keeping them ahead of the United States, who currently sit second with four points.

READ: Pakistan’s likely Playing XI for must-win Namibia clash

COLOMBO: Pakistan are expected to ring in a few tactical changes in their Playing XI for their crucial Group A encounter against Namibia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Wednesday.

With qualification for the Super Eight stage on the line, team management is weighing conditions and combinations carefully, though sources have dismissed rumours surrounding the exclusion of opener Sahibzada Farhan.

The right-hander is set to retain his place in the XI. However, if Pakistan opt to open with Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, Farhan is likely to slot in at number four.

Conditions at the venue are also expected to influence selection. With a visible grass covering on the pitch, Pakistan are likely to favour pace over spin, which could see fast bowler Salman Mirza replace spinner Abrar Ahmed in the playing XI.

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Meanwhile, young batter Khawaja Mohammad Nafay is tipped to come in for all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.

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.

Likely Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan (wk), Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq.

READ: Nepal sign off T20 World Cup with win over Scotland

Dipendra Singh Airee hit an unbeaten 50 as Nepal saved their best for last to end their T20 World Cup campaign with a seven-wicket win over Scotland on Tuesday.

Chasing 171 for victory, Nepal looked in trouble at 98-3 in the 14th over before Airee took the initiative in his 23-ball knock as his team achieved the target with four balls to spare in Mumbai.

Airee put on 73 runs with Gulsan Jha, who made 24 not out, as Nepal earned their first win after three losses in Group C.

Nepal’s fans erupted with joy at the Wankhede Stadium after seeing their team win for the first time in the tournament since 2014.

“I want to thank the fans who came from Nepal and supported us, that gives a lot of motivation to all of us,” said player of the match Airee.

“And in the last World Cup, we didn’t win a single match. So that’s why this win is very important for us.”

It was Nepal’s first victory in the T20 World Cup since they beat Hong Kong and Afghanistan in the opening stage 12 years ago.

Nepal had given England a mighty scare in their opener before losing by four runs, and then went down in the next two games.

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Put in to bat, Scotland posted 170-7 after a 45-ball 71 by opener Michael Jones.

Nepal pace bowler Sompal Kami stood out with figures of 3-25.

Nepal started strongly with Kushal Bhurtel scoring 45 as he put on 74 runs with fellow opener Aasif Sheikh, who made 33.

Spinner Michael Leask picked up three quick wickets as Scotland fought back, but Airee led Nepal over the line for a memorable win.

READ: Canada’s Yuvraj Samra breaks Ahmed Shehzad record in T20 World Cup

PALLEKELE: Zimbabwe booked their place in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after their crucial Group B clash against Ireland was washed out due to rain at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, a result that officially ended Australia’s campaign.

The abandoned match handed one point each to both teams, taking Zimbabwe to five points and confirming them as the second side from Group B to advance, alongside Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, this result sealed Australia’s fate, who were already under pressure after defeats to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Their qualification hopes depended on Zimbabwe losing to both Ireland and Oman, which would have kept the race open on four points.

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Australia would then have needed a convincing win over Oman in their final group match to progress on net run rate.

However, the shared points between Zimbabwe and Ireland shut that door completely. Even a win in their last fixture can now only take Australia to four points, leaving them mathematically out of contention.

It marks the second time Australia have crashed out in the group stage of a Men’s T20 World Cup.

Ireland, meanwhile, also bowed out of the tournament. With just one victory — against Oman, they finished their campaign with three points.

READ: Canada’s Yuvraj Samra breaks Ahmed Shehzad record in T20 World Cup

CHENNAI: Canada’s rising star Yuvraj Samra has broken a record previously held by Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old batter produced a remarkable innings of 110 off 65 balls, striking 11 fours and six sixes in a fearless display against a quality New Zealand bowling attack.

With this knock, Samra etched his name into the record books, becoming the youngest player ever to score a century in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

At 19 years and 141 days, Samra broke the long-standing record held by Ahmed Shehzad, who was 22 years and 127 days old when he scored his century against Bangladesh in the 2014 edition.

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The Canadian prodigy also became the first player from an Associate nation to register a hundred in the history of the Men’s T20 World Cup.

His milestone knock made him only the second batter to score a century in the 2026 tournament, following Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka.

Youngest centurions in Men’s T20 World Cup

19y 141d – Yuvraj Samra (Canada) vs New Zealand, Chennai, 2026

22y 127d – Ahmed Shehzad (Pakistan) vs Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2014

23y 156d – Suresh Raina (India) vs South Africa, 2010

25y 83d – Alex Hales (England) vs Sri Lanka, 2014

25y 327d – Glenn Phillips (New Zealand) vs Sri Lanka, 2022

Samra’s brilliant century powered Canada to a competitive total of 173-4 against a formidable bowling lineup featuring Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson. Despite his heroics, the effort ultimately went in vain.

New Zealand chased down the target comfortably in 15.1 overs, courtesy of unbeaten half-centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips, sealing victory and overshadowing Samra’s historic night.

READ: Colombo weather update ahead of Pakistan-Namibia clash

COLOMBO: Uncertain weather conditions could play a decisive role when Pakistan take on Namibia in a must-win clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Wednesday.

According to the weather forecast, cloud cover is expected to dominate throughout the day, while the likelihood of rain could rise to 50–60 percent, potentially disrupting play.

The region is currently witnessing thunderstorms, with temperatures hovering around 29°C, feeling closer to 30°C due to high humidity levels.

Strong northern winds are blowing at 19 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 37 km/h.

Humidity remains extremely high at 74 percent, accompanied by dense 100 percent cloud cover that has reduced visibility to just 1.6 kilometres.

Rainfall accumulation has already reached 5.9 mm, while the low cloud ceiling of 600 metres continues to create gloomy, storm-like conditions.

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Weather is expected to improve slightly by late afternoon. Around 4 PM, skies are forecast to remain cloudy but more stable, with temperatures steady at 29°C and a RealFeel of 31°C.

Winds will persist at similar speeds, though gusts could strengthen up to 43 km/h. Humidity is predicted to ease marginally to 69 percent, visibility may improve to around 8 kilometres, and the cloud ceiling is expected to rise to 3,100 metres.

Pakistan enter the contest under pressure following a disappointing defeat to India earlier in the tournament. The 2009 champions are currently placed third in Group A with two wins and one loss, carrying a net run rate of -0.403.

A victory against Namibia would secure Pakistan six points and confirm their progression to the Super Eight stage with a second-place finish in the group.

READ: Usman Tariq defends out-of-form Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi