Category: Cricket

LAHORE: The meeting between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials is currently underway here on Sunday to revive Pakistan-India clash in the T20 World Cup 2026.

According to sources privy to the matter, the outcome of the talks could prove pivotal for the tournament and the future handling of politically sensitive fixtures in international cricket.

The ICC delegation, led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, arrived in Lahore in the evening.

According to sources, the ICC has tasked Khwaja with persuading PCB leadership to reconsider Pakistan’s stance, with the governing body keen to reach a compromise that ensures the blockbuster encounter proceeds as scheduled.

Meanwhile, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has also urged the PCB to reconsider the boycott decision ahead of the India clash, citing the game’s long-term interests.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president, Aminul Islam Bulbul, met with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

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During the meeting, BCB president Aminul Islam expressed gratitude for the support of Bangladesh’s stance in the World Cup row against India.

PCB CEO Salman Naseer and advisor Amir Mir were also present in the meeting.

For those unaware, the meetings come on the back of the much-anticipated fixture between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, widely regarded as one of cricket’s most commercially significant contests, remains uncertain after the Government of Pakistan directed its national team not to take the field against India in Colombo.

The match is scheduled for February 15 and carries massive implications both financially and competitively.

The 20-team tournament has already been clouded by political tensions following Bangladesh’s refusal to play matches in India due to security concerns, a decision that led to their replacement by Scotland.

In response, the Pakistan government barred the national side from participating in the high-profile Group A encounter against co-hosts India.

Pakistan, who opened their campaign with a victory over the Netherlands on February 7, stand to lose two vital points and suffer a significant blow to their net run rate if they forfeit the contest.

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

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the men’s U19 World Cup team of the tournament, including Pakistan fast bowler Ali Raza.

The team is led by runners-up of the tournament England’s skipper Thomas Rew, joined by compatriots Manny Lumsden and Ben Mayes.

Meanwhile, the tournament winners, India, have three players on the team, including their teenage sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Rew was added on the back of a stellar run in the tournament, where he amassed 330 runs at an average of 66, including a sublime century in the semi-final against Australia.

Manny Lumsden and Ben Mayes were added to the team, with both leading run scorers and wicket takers of the tournament.

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The notable inclusion was of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who shattered multiple records during his epic 175 from 80 in the final against England.

Overall, he amassed 439 runs, falling just six short of the tournament’s highest run getter. The southpaw scored one century and three fifties at a strike rate of 169.49.

The sole Pakistani player in the team was Ali Raza, who was included on the back of his 13 wickets at 13.92.

The team was picked by a panel comprising Ian Bishop (Convenor),  Lydia Greenway, Andy Flower, and Telford Vice.

ICC U19 team of the tournament:

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Viran Chamuditha, Faisal Khan Shinozada, Thomas Rew (c/wk), Oliver Peake, Ben Mayes, Kanishk Chouhan, Nooristani Omarzai, Vitel Lawes, Ali Raza, Manny Lumsden and Henil Patel (12th player).

READ: PSL 11 auction: Base prices of Haris Rauf, Amir, Rizwan revealed

CHENNAI: Tim Seifert produced a match-winning knock as New Zealand chased down a challenging target to secure a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

Pursuing a daunting 183-run target, the Blackcaps reached the finish line with five wickets in hand and 13 balls to spare, overcoming an early collapse with a composed and aggressive middle-order effort.

New Zealand endured a shaky start when Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in the second over, dismissing Finn Allen for 1 and Rachin Ravindra for a duck on consecutive deliveries, leaving the visitors reeling at 14-2 in just 1.4 overs.

Under pressure, Glenn Phillips joined Seifert at the crease, and the pair launched a strong counterattack, stitching together a brisk 74-run stand for the third wicket.

Phillips played fluently for his 42 off 25 balls, hitting seven fours and a six, before Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan broke the partnership in the 10th over.

Seifert, however, continued to dominate and built another crucial 36-run partnership with Mark Chapman.

The wicketkeeper-batter top-scored with a superb 65 off 42 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries, including three sixes, before departing as New Zealand closed in on the target.

Afghanistan fought back again when Chapman fell for a quick 28 off 17 balls in the 16th over, leaving New Zealand needing 28 runs.

But Daryl Mitchell and captain Mitchell Santner held their nerve, guiding the side home with an unbeaten 33-run stand off just 13 deliveries.

Mitchell finished unbeaten on 25 from 14 balls, while Santner contributed a handy 17 not out from eight deliveries to seal the victory.

For Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi chipped in with one scalp each.

Earlier, Gulbadin Naib smashed a brisk half-century to guide Afghanistan to a competitive 182-6.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan saw his decision rewarded as his side recovered strongly from an early wobble to post a challenging total on the board.

Afghanistan began cautiously, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran adding 35 runs in the opening five overs.

However, Lockie Ferguson swung momentum back in New Zealand’s favour by removing both openers in the same over, reducing Afghanistan to 44/2.

Zadran managed 10 off 12 balls, while Gurbaz contributed 27 from 22 deliveries, including two fours and a six.

With the innings at a delicate stage, Gulbadin Naib joined forces with Sediqullah Atal to rebuild.

The pair stitched together a crucial 79-run partnership for the third wicket, stabilising the innings and setting the platform for acceleration.

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Atal’s composed knock of 29 came to an end in the 15th over, but Naib continued to dominate the bowlers.

The experienced all-rounder then shared a quick 33-run stand with Darwish Rasooli before falling in the 18th over to Rachin Ravindra.

Naib top-scored with a fluent 63 off 35 balls, striking four boundaries and three sixes in an innings that shifted the contest in Afghanistan’s favour.

Rasooli followed soon after, dismissed by Matt Henry for a brisk 20 off 13 balls, which included a four and a six.

In the closing stages, Mohammad Nabi (10*) and Azmatullah Omarzai (14) provided late momentum with an 18-run partnership off just 11 deliveries, ensuring Afghanistan finished strongly.

For New Zealand, Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers with 2/40 from his four overs, while Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry and Ravindra claimed a wicket each.

READ: Ali Tareen reveals his strategy for Multan Sultans auction

LAHORE: A high-level International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation is set to meet the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, here today to resolve the ongoing deadlock over the India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, sources revealed.

The much-anticipated fixture between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, widely regarded as one of cricket’s most commercially significant contests, remains uncertain after the Government of Pakistan directed its national team not to take the field against India in Colombo.

The match is scheduled for February 15 and carries massive implications both financially and competitively.

The 20-team tournament has already been clouded by political tensions following Bangladesh’s refusal to play matches in India due to security concerns, a decision that led to their replacement by Scotland.

In response, the Pakistan government barred the national side from participating in the high-profile Group A encounter against co-hosts India.

Pakistan, who opened their campaign with a victory over the Netherlands on February 7, stand to lose two vital points and suffer a significant blow to their net run rate if they forfeit the contest.

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According to sources, the ICC delegation, led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, is expected to arrive in Lahore around 4pm.

The delegation will hold discussions with PCB leadership and senior officials to explore a possible way forward.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam is also likely to join the meeting, reflecting the broader regional dimensions of the issue.

Sources further indicated that the ICC has tasked Khwaja with convincing PCB leadership to reconsider Pakistan’s stance, with the governing body keen to find a compromise that ensures the blockbuster encounter proceeds as scheduled.

The outcome of the talks could prove pivotal for the tournament and the future handling of politically sensitive fixtures in international cricket.

READ: Gulbadin Naib achieves major milestone during New Zealand clash

GHENNAI: Veteran Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib scripted a memorable milestone on Sunday, completing 1,000 runs in men’s T20 internationals during Afghanistan’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener against New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Naib reached the landmark when he pushed for his seventh run in the eighth over of Afghanistan’s innings, becoming only the ninth Afghan batter to cross the 1,000-run mark in the shortest format.

The 34-year-old joined an elite group that includes Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran among Afghanistan’s leading run-scorers in T20Is.

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Afghanistan batter with 1000-plus runs in men’s T20Is

Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 2166 runs

Mohammad Shahzad – 2048 runs

Najibullah Zadran – 1830 runs

Ibrahim Zadran – 1705 runs

Asghar Afghan – 1382 runs

Hazratullah Zazai – 1160 runs

Samiullah Shinwari – 1013 runs

Gulbadin Naib – 1000 runs

Naib crowned the milestone with a commanding performance, top-scoring with a fluent 63 off 35 deliveries, laced with four fours and three sixes. His knock proved pivotal as Afghanistan posted a competitive 182/6 against New Zealand.

Apart from Naib, Sediqullah Atal contributed 29, Rahmanullah Gurbaz made 27, and Darwish Rasooli added a quick 20, helping Afghanistan build a strong total in their tournament opener.

READ: Barcelona beat Mallorca to extend La Liga lead

Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has made his position clear ahead of the franchise’s much-anticipated ownership auction, stating he will only reacquire the team if the price is right and not at any cost.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to hold the auction for the Multan-based franchise on February 9, with Tareen among the five qualified bidders shortlisted by the board’s bid committee.

Addressing speculation over his intentions, Tareen released a video message on Instagram, confirming his participation while urging fans to keep “realistic expectations.”

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“We have submitted our papers, and we are one of the qualified bidders for the team,” Tareen said. “But I want everyone to have realistic expectations and temper them. It’s not a given that I will go for Multan Sultans at any cost.”

Tareen described his seven-year association with the franchise as one of the most memorable chapters of his life, highlighting the emotional connection he still holds with the team and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“It has been a privilege to own Multan Sultans for seven years. It has been one of the highlights of my life,” he said. “I love PSL and being part of it, whether I’m in the stands or in the dugout. Maybe I’m a little happier being in the dugout.”

 

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However, he made it clear that he would not engage in a bidding war simply to regain ownership, stressing that financial prudence will guide his decision.

“If we are getting the team at a good price, then definitely we will buy it. But buying at any cost is not the plan,” he added.

Ali Tareen concluded his message by thanking supporters for their continued backing and enthusiasm to see him return as owner of the Sultans, while once again emphasising the need for realistic expectations ahead of the auction.

READ: PCB rejects claims of writing to ICC over India clash

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the base prices of players registered for the highly anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11 player auction.

The landmark auction is scheduled to take place on February 11, with a total of 879 local and overseas cricketers from across the cricketing world signing up.

The pool includes players from Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England and Sri Lanka, with base prices ranging from PKR 60 lakh to PKR 4.2 crore.

Several high-profile international stars have entered the top base price bracket of PKR 4.2 crore.

The list features Afghanistan’s Fazal Haq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Australia’s David Warner, and New Zealand all-rounders Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell.

South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw, England’s James Vince and Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka have also placed themselves in the highest category.

Among Pakistan players, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Amir, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman and Faheem Ashraf headline the top-tier bracket, underlining the strong local presence in the auction.

The second-highest base price category begins at PKR 2.2 crore and includes notable names such as Australia’s Usman Khawaja and Peter Siddle, New Zealand’s Colin Munro, England’s Jason Roy and South Africa veteran Imran Tahir.

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Pakistan representatives in this category include Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saud Shakeel and Shan Masood.

You can find the complete list of players along with their base prices by clicking here.

Under the new auction model, each franchise has been allocated a purse of PKR 450 million to build their squads, along with an additional PKR 55 million reserved for direct signings.

All franchises, including the newly-added Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallionz, have already confirmed their retentions and direct signings ahead of the auction.

However, Peshawar Zalmi were dealt a setback after their direct signing Rahmanullah Gurbaz withdrew from the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, Multan Sultans remain in a unique position heading into the auction. The franchise, currently without an owner, will enter the bidding process with a full purse after retaining no players and making no direct signings.

Notably, the Multan franchise is scheduled to be sold through a separate auction in Lahore on February 9, just two days before the PSL 11 player auction.

READ: ICC delegation to meet Mohsin Naqvi to break India-Pakistan deadlock: sources

Italy have won the football World Cup four times, but when it comes to cricket, they are minnows making a historic debut in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 among the game’s elite.

The Italians play Scotland in the T20 World Cup at Kolkata’s famous Eden Gardens on Monday and will be the lowest-ranked team in the competition.

“How did we get to the World Cup? In Italy, we say ‘miracolo Italiano’, an ‘Italian miracle’,” said Riccardo Maggio, development officer with the Italian Cricket Federation.

Maggio has spent a lifetime helping cricket grow on the fringes of the football-obsessed nation.

“We’re coming to the World Cup, and believe me, we’re not coming just once for appearance,” he said.

“Passion and the Italian way of doing things make us the miracle that we are.”

Italy beat Scotland in the qualifiers, and facing them again on Monday would be a “huge honour”, said skipper Wayne Madsen.

“Captaining Italy is not something I take lightly,” the South Africa-born Madsen, 42, who has played English county cricket, told AFP.

Italy are in Group C and also face England, the West Indies and Nepal.

The challenge is huge, but Maggio has faith. The 56-year-old played for Italy in a six-wicket victory over an England Cricket Board XI in 1998, a match that the ICC said “shocked” cricket.

“I was on the field that day, and we had to play out of our skins,” he said, voice trembling. “And now we’re playing England at the World Cup. I’m sorry, but I’m going to cry.”

Italy’s federation says it has about 1,800 players and around 100 clubs.

“Football will always be huge in Italy, that’s just the reality,” Madsen said, adding that playing in the World Cup will be a “massive” boost.

“When people see Italy competing on a global stage, it sparks interest and belief,” he said.

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Cricket actually has a long history in Italy. In 1793, English naval hero Horatio Nelson “organised the first-ever recorded game in Naples”, according to the ICC, most likely to keep his sailors out of trouble while in port.

An Italian English-born colonel, Francis Maceroni, then took the game to Naples in the 1810s.

“The first difficulty was to get bats and balls. I set to work and made both with my own hands,” Maceroni wrote in his memoir.

The Genoa Cricket and Athletic Club was founded in 1893 at the British consulate, aiming to play cricket in summer and football in winter.

It became the country’s oldest football club, with Genoa winning the Italian Serie A championship nine times.

“It’s still called ‘Genoa Cricket and Football Club’,” Maggio noted.

AC Milan, according to its club history, was founded as the “Milan Football and Cricket Club” in 1899.

Players and fans in Italian cricket come from around the world.

“We have Italians from Australia, Italians from South Africa, the Asian-Italian community, Italians from Italy,” Maggio said.

Madsen will complete an unusual World Cup double on Monday — playing in two different sports for two separate countries.

He played at the field hockey World Cup for his native South Africa, but holds an Italian passport now through his ancestry.

Former South Africa T20 international JJ Smuts, who is now Italian through marriage, is also in the squad.

“A lot of our players have deep Italian roots and others have found their connection to Italy through life and opportunity,” Madsen said.

“What matters most isn’t where you were born, but how much it means to you to wear this badge.”

READ: Peshawar Zalmi comments on Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s PSL withdrawal