Category: Cricket

New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with Cole McConchie named as his replacement.

The all-rounder picked up an injury while carrying out support staff duties during New Zealand’s fixture against Afghanistan in Chennai on February 8.

“Bracewell rehabilitated the calf tear he sustained during the 3rd ODI against India last month but reinjured the muscle during warm-ups on Sunday,” the New Zealand cricket board said in a statement.

“Subsequent scans confirmed the injury which is expected to require approximately three weeks of recovery before returning to play,” it added.

According to the board, his like-for-like replacement, Cole McConchie, alongside travelling reserve pacer Ben Sears, will join the squad in India.

Following the injury, New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment over Bracewell’s injury and wished him a speedy recovery.

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“We’re all feeling for Michael,” said Walter.

“It’s really tough to get ruled out of a World Cup and I know how much playing for New Zealand means to him,” he added.

“Michael worked incredibly hard to give himself a chance but unfortunately has had this set back. “We wish him a smooth recovery.”

New Zealand, who are strong contenders for the World Cup, began their campaign in emphatic fashion with a win over Afghanistan.

They then followed the victory with a rout of the UAE in a commanding batting display, led by openers Tim Siefert and Fin Allen, who put on a record stand in Black Caps’ 10-wicket victory.

New Zealand Updated T20 World Cup 2026 squad

Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi.Cole McConchie

READ: Nepal captain wants India, England, Australia to play in Kathmandu

Nepal captain Rohit Paudel on Tuesday called for cricketing powers India, England and Australia to tour his country to play a T20 series.

Nepal came within a nail-biting single ball of one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history on Sunday when they lost to Harry Brook’s England by four runs in Mumbai.

Lokesh Bam could only hit a single off Sam Curran’s final delivery when he needed a six.

“My message would be a warm welcome to all those teams,” Paudel said as his side prepared to face Italy in Mumbai on Thursday.

“They will love in Kirtipur and Kathmandu to play against us, and they will get a warm welcome in Nepal.

“I think if Australia, England, India whoever comes, I think our cricket will grow and it will help to globalise the cricket more, so I think it’s very important.”

Not only did the associate nation run England close on Sunday, but they lost by just one run to eventual finalists South Africa at the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Paudel said the two results had raised the profile of Nepali cricket.

“Against South Africa, it was the first time we came so close,” he said, adding that the “last game against England has given us a lot more spotlight”.

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India, Pakistan and England were all given big scares by non-Test playing nations in their first group matches.

England’s Jos Buttler said Tuesday that the T20 format was a great leveller.

“I think in T20 World Cups, T20 cricket, generally, the games are closer,” said Buttler.

“One or two players can win games for their side on the day. So I think you’re going to see some close games of cricket.”

The West Indies played a T20 series against Nepal last year, losing 2-1 and their head coach Darren Sammy said such encounters were important.

“I think it’s our responsibility to grow the game in whatever way we can,” Sammy told reporters in Mumbai ahead of the next West Indies match against England on Wednesday.

“If that is Australia playing Nepal or India playing Nepal or West Indies playing Nepal, it is our job to help spread the game.

“And if giving or playing against the associate teams gives them more exposure … I think it is only good for the game.”

READ: T20 World Cup: Siefert, Allen brush UAE aside in imperious display

COLOMBO: Sahibazada Farhan’s gutsy half-century and Usman Tariq’s three-wicket haul helped Pakistan beat the USA in the 12th fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Sinhaleese Sports Club on Tuesday.

Set stiff 191, USA fell short by 32 runs despite Shubham Ranjane’s valiant half-century.

USA openers started positively with a 42 run parntership in 4.5 overs.

Andries Gous struck two boundaries before getting caught for 13. Meanwhile, Shayan Jahangir played briskly and took USA to a good score at the end of the PowerPlay.

However, the momentum shifted once fielding restrictions were lifted, as Pakistan’s spinners tightened the screws to slow down USA.

The pressure reaped high rewards in the form of skipper Monank Patel and Shayan Jahangir’s wickets. Patel managed only three while Jahangir departed for a well-made 49 from 34 balls, striking two sixes and five fours.

At this stage USA were 69-3 in 10.2 overs as Milind Kumar and Shubham Ranjane came to the fore.

The pair put on a 54-run partnership from 35 balls, with Ranjane playing the core aggressor’s role. However, the asking rate creeping up, it was not going to be an easy task for USA batters.

Consequently, USA fell wickets at regular intervals despite Ranjane reaching his half-century.

He was eventually trapped lbw in the final over, scoring 51 from 30 balls, striking three sixes and three fours.

Usman Tariq remained the pick of bowlers for Pakistan, returning with the figures of 3/27 in four overs.

Earlier, Sahibazada Farhan, Babar Azam, and a late cameo from Shadab Khan took Pakistan to a strong total.

Asked to bat first, Pakistan piled up 190-9 in their 20 overs.

Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan provided a strong start with a 54-run partnership in 5.1 overs.

However, USA quickly turned the momentum back with back-to-back wickets. Saim was the first to go, scoring 19 from 17 with the help of two sixes. The second one was skipper Salman Ali Agha, losing his wicket on the final ball of the powerplay.

The right-hander only managed one from three balls.

As a result, Pakistan were 56 at the end of the powerplay with Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan at the crease.

The pair launched a recovery as USA bowled a few tight overs to restrict the new batter Babar Azam from going big.

Pakistan’s scorecard read 85-2 at the halfway mark of the innings.

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After a slowdown, Sahibzada and Babar soon took advantage of Harmeet Singh’s 12th over. The pair accumulated 21 runs from the over to boost the run-rate and took the score from 101 to 122.

Babar Azam finally finds his groove, hitting six and two boundaries in the over to take his runs tally to 32.

However, USA made a comeback in the 15th over as Babar departed after scoring 46 from 32 balls. In the next over, Harmeet nabbed Farhan as USA made a strong comeback.

Sahibzad top-scored with 73 from 41 balls, laced with six fours and five sixes.

Consequently, Pakistan were reduced to 145-4 in 16 overs.

After a brief slowdown, Shadab Khan played a blinder to lift their hopes of reaching the 200-run mark. He made 30 off just 12 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six.

USA bowled well in the final two overs as Pakistan slumped from 177-5 to 190-9 at the end of their innings.

For USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk remained the standout bowler with four wickets to his name.

READ: Misbah-ul-Haq named Peshawar Zalmi batting coach for PSL 11

Peshawar Zalmi have named former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq as their new batting coach ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Misbah, 51, has played 75 Tests and 162 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 39 T20Is for Pakistan between 2001 and 2015.

As a captain, he led Pakistan in 151 matches, amassing 7392 runs at an average of 48.31 with eight centuries and 62 half-centuries to his name.

The franchise made the announcement on its social media handles.

“We are delighted to welcome the legendary @captainmisbahpk back to Peshawar Zalmi, this time as our Batting Coach for PSL11,” the caption wrote.

“A former Zalmi stalwart and one of Pakistan cricket’s most respected minds, Misbah-ul-Haq brings with him a wealth of experience, leadership, and deep tactical insight, ” it added.

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It is worth mentioning that Misbah-ul-Haq led Islamabad United to success in the inaugural edition of the PSL in 2016.

Later on, he represented Peshawar Zalmi in 2018 edition of tournament where he played three matches for the franchise before hanging his boots from international cricket.

Earlier in the day, the franchise also strengthened the coaching staff with the inclusion of former all-rounders Azhar Mahmood and Ottis Gibson.

Babar Azam leads the retentions in the Platinum category with a fee of PKR 70 million, followed by Sufiyan Muqeem (Diamond, PKR 44.8 million), Abdul Samad (Gold, PKR 28 million), and Ali Raza (Emerging, PKR 19.6 million).

The franchise had also signed Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz through a direct signing, but the player later pulled out ahead of the season.

READ: New Zealand set new T20 World Cup record partnership to crush UAE

Finn Allen and Tim Seifert posted a T20 World Cup record partnership of 175 as New Zealand crushed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 10 wickets with almost five overs to spare in Chennai on Tuesday.

Chasing the UAE 173-6, Seifert struck an unbeaten 89, and Allen scored 84 not out as they pummelled the UAE bowling to all parts of the ground in an unbroken opening stand.

The opening pair crashed 78 from the first six-over power play and posted their century stand off only 8.3 overs.

Seifert hit one of his three huge sixes to clinch the contest after just 15.2 overs, he also struck 12 fours. Allen had five sixes and five fours.

They beat the previous record for any wicket at a T20 World Cup — an unbroken 170 by England openers Alex Hales and Jos Buttler against India in the semi-final of the 2022 edition at the Adelaide Oval.

“The main thing is that we’re playing how we want to play, especially me and Finn putting pressure on the bowlers in the power play,” said Seifert, who was named player of the match.

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“Every game’s going to be a little bit different, every ground’s going to be different.

“So in a World Cup, you’ve just got to be able to adapt to the conditions you’re playing in.”

Seifert said he was unaware the pair had posted a new World Cup record partnership for any wicket.

“No, I didn’t know that,” he said. “I’m not much of a stats guy, but look, we’ll take it.”

The UAE’s 173-6 was largely thanks to their captain Muhammad Waseem’s 66 not out.

Choosing to bat first, Waseem and Alishan Sharafu put on 107 for the second wicket.

It took a sensational piece of New Zealand fielding to break the partnership.

Mark Chapman intercepted a Sharafu slog-sweep a whisker inside the boundary and before he stepped over the ropes relayed the ball to Daryl Mitchell to complete the dismissal.

The 31-year-old Waseem, who was one of only three current UAE players to play in their last appearance in a T20 World Cup in 2022, hit four fours and three sixes in facing 45 balls.

READ: T20 World Cup: Siefert, Allen brush UAE aside in imperious display

COLOMBO: USA have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the 12th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here on Tuesday.

Notably, this will be the first fixture here at the Sinhalese Sports Club under lights.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: 1 Sahibzada Farhan, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Salman Ali Agha (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Shadab Khan, 6 Usman Khan (wk), 7 Mohammad Nawaz, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Usman Tariq, 11 Abrar Ahmed

USA: 1 Andries Gous (wk), 2 Shayan Jahangir, 3 Monank Patel (capt), 4 Milind Kumar, 5 Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 6 Shubham Ranjane, 7 Harmeet Singh, 8 Mohammad Mohsin, 9 Shadley van Schalkwyk, 10 Ehsan Adil, 11 Saurabh Netravalkar

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HEAD TO HEAD

Historically, Pakistan and the USA have faced each other only once, with the latter scripting a memorable victory in the 2024 World Cup in the Super Over.

Matches: 1, Pakistan: 0, USA: 1

The last time both teams faced each other was in the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup, where USA defeated Pakistan in the Super Over.

READ: T20 World Cup: Siefert, Allen brush UAE aside in imperious display

CHENNAI: Fin Allen and Tim Siefert’s imperious knocks powered New Zealand to a commanding 10-wicket win over the depleted UAE bowling attack in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.

The BlackCaps chased down 175 in only 15.2 overs, without breaking a sweat, thanks to a record-breaking opening stand between Fin Allen and Tim Siefert.

The pair provided New Zealand a rollicking start, ending the PowerPlay on 78. Both batters batted aggressively and capitalized on the fielding restrictions.

Despite the fielding restrictions being lifted, the pair continued to dominate with Siefert reaching his half-century on 23 balls.

Allen also followed him in the next two overs, depositing two sixes and fours to reach the milestone.

The charge continued on as UAE bowlers looked clueless, as New Zealand easily accumulated more than 10 runs per over.

Eventually, Siefert finished off the match in style with a six over long-off, marking New Zealand’s second win.

Earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) made 173-6 against New Zealand in their opening T20 World Cup match in Chennai,  largely thanks to their skipper Muhammad Waseem’s unbeaten 66 from 45 balls.

The UAE missed out on the last T20 World Cup in 2024 and arrived in India with an inexperienced squad containing only three players from their 2022 campaign.

They only just made it through Asian qualifying behind Nepal and Oman and lost to Italy, the lowest-ranked side in the tournament, in a warm-up match.

Choosing to bat first, UAE shrugged off losing an early wicket as Waseem and Alishan Sharafu put on 107 for the second wicket.

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It took a sensational piece of New Zealand fielding to break the partnership.

Mark Chapman intercepted a Sharafu slog-sweep a whisker inside the boundary and, before he stepped over the ropes, relayed the ball to Daryl Mitchell to complete the dismissal.

That left the UAE 119-2 after 14.2 overs, and though they lost another wicket soon after, Waseem powered on.

The 31-year-old, who was one of those who featured at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, hit four fours and three sixes in facing 45 balls.

READ: Major blow for Sri Lanka as Hasaranga ruled out of T20 World Cup

In a significant blow, Sri Lanka ace all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the remainder of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Hasaranga, 28, sustained a hamstring injury during the hosts’ opening game against Ireland in Colombo on Sunday.

He came into the eighth over and bowled two deliveries before pulling his hamstring. The leg-spinner, despite remaining in pain, completed his overs and played a pivotal role with the ball in his side’s 20-run victory.

He scalped three wickets in his quota of four overs while giving away 25 runs.

According to a report, Hasaranga’s MRI scan revealed a serious tear in his left hamstring, subsequently ruling him out of the T20 World Cup.

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Although his replacement is yet to be named, he is likely to be replaced by all-rounder Dushan Hemantha.

The Islanders’ next group fixture is against Oman on February 12 in Pallekele, before they will take on Australia on Feb 16 at the same venue.

Their last group match will be against Zimbabwe in Colombo (RPS) on February 19.

Sri Lanka Squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga

Sri Lanka Remaining Fixtures

February 12: v Oman, Pallekele

February 16: v Australia, Pallekele

February 19: v Zimbabwe, Colombo

READ: PSL 11: Peshawar Zalmi appoint former pacer as head coach

Peshawar Zalmi have officially named former West Indies all-rounder Ottis Gibson as their head coach for the upcoming season 11 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The franchise made the announcement through a social media post on Tuesday, welcoming Gibson to the “Zalmi Fam.”

“We are proud to appoint the battle-hardened 𝐎𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐧 as our 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 for PSL 11,” the franchise posted.

“A proven leader with a champion’s mindset, ready to guide our troops with clarity, strength, and purpose. The Yellow Storm’s journey just got stronger. Welcome aboard, Coach!”

Gibson brings a wealth of international coaching experience to the Yellow Storm.

He led the West Indies as head coach from 2010 to 2014, guiding them to the 2012 T20 World Cup title.

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He has also served as bowling coach for England in two separate stints (2007–2010 and 2015–2017), coached Bangladesh in 2020, and was head coach of South Africa between 2017 and 2019.

As a player, Gibson represented the West Indies in 2 Tests and 15 ODIs.

Ahead of the historic PSL 11 players’ auction on February 11, Peshawar Zalmi had already retained four players.

Babar Azam leads the retentions in the Platinum category with a fee of PKR 70 million, followed by Sufiyan Muqeem (Diamond, PKR 44.8 million), Abdul Samad (Gold, PKR 28 million), and Ali Raza (Emerging, PKR 19.6 million).

The franchise had also signed Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz through a direct signing, but the player later pulled out ahead of the season.

READ: Tim Brand brace helps Australia edge Pakistan in FIH Pro League

DELHI: The Netherlands registered their first victory of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday, thanks to an outstanding all-round display from Bas de Leede.

Chasing Namibia’s 157, the Dutch side reached 159-3 in 18 overs, with de Leede leading the charge.

The 26-year-old top-scored with a fluent 72 off 48 balls, striking five boundaries and four sixes, while Michael Levitt provided brisk support with 28 off 15 deliveries, including three sixes.

Colin Ackermann added 32 off 28 balls, and skipper Scott Edwards remained unbeaten on 18, finishing the chase with a boundary and a six.

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Earlier, Bas de Leede had made an impact with the ball, claiming two key wickets as the Netherlands restricted Namibia to 156-8.

Logan van Beek also picked up two scalps, while Aryan Dutt and Fred Klaassen chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Namibia’s innings was anchored by Jan Loftie-Eaton, who scored 42 off 38 balls with two sixes, and Jan Frylinck, who contributed a vital 30 from 26 deliveries.

This win came after the Netherlands had suffered a defeat against Pakistan in their opening T20 World Cup 2026 fixture.

READ: Pakistan-India T20 World Cup match saves ICC from heavy losses