Category: Cricket

DALLAS: Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Shehan Jayasuria has been named in the 15-member USA squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be played across India and Sri Lanka.

The squad will be led by Monank Patel with 10 players from the 2024 edition of the tournament.

Among the notable exclusion is of Aaron Jones, who was charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with five breaches of the Anti-Corruption Code.

The squad also includes former Sri Lanka player Shehan Jayasuria, who could bring in useful experience having played his most of cricket in Sri Lanka.

 

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Shehan played 12 ODIs and 18 T20Is for Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2020.

Moreover, Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Nethravalkar and Ali Khan seasoned campaigners who will bolster the USA squad.

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This will be USA’s second T20 World Cup appearance after playing the 2024 edition, which they jointly hosted alongside West Indies.

 

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One of the notable achievements of USA in the last World Cup was reaching Super Eight stage after defeating Pakistan in their group stage fixture.

The 20-team T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on 7 February in India and Sri Lanka.

The USA is scheduled to play the defending champions India, on the opening day of the tournament in Mumbai.

Following the opening fixture, they will square off against Pakistan on 10 February in Colombo.

USA squad

Monank Patel (C), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane.

USA T20 World Cup Fixtures

February 7 – India vs USA, Mumbai
February 10 – Pakistan vs USA, Colombo
February 13 – Netherlands vs USA, Chennai
February 15 – Namibia vs USA, Chennai

READ: PCB reveals open trail dates for Future Stars Talent Hunt Programme

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a series of open trials in 15 cities across the country as part of the Future Stars Talent Hunt Programme.

The cricket board aims to shortlist around 350 players for 16 regional academies in a bid to expand the country-wide talent pool of professional cricketers.

A panel of former Test cricketers comprising PCB Director High Performance Aqib Javed, National Cricket Academy coaches Misbah-ul-Haq and Abdul Razzaq, will travel to the venues to conduct the trials from 11 February.

The trials will begin from PCB Ground in Sukkur, where players from the Larkana Region can take part.

The 15 cities where the first of its kind open trials will be held are Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Hub District, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, and Sukkur.

The selection panel will shortlist up to 24 players for each of the 16 regions across Pakistan, who will then undergo a four-week specialised training programme in their respective regional headquarters.

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The best of the best players in those camps will also be called to National Cricket Academy camps and will also be fast-tracked via a year-long skills development programme in their respective regions.

Apart from the shortlisting of players for the regional academies, the selection panel will also award cash prizes on the spot to the best pacer, spinner and batter at each of the 16 trial venues.

With this exercise, the PCB will assist the 16 regions in expansion of their talent pools for intra and inter-district, regional and other domestic tournaments.

Following the rigorous regional and NCA skill development camps for the shortlisted players from open trials, they will be recommended not just to the various domestic teams in departmental and regional tournaments but also for PSL selection in the seasons beyond 2026.

With this intervention policy and scouting programme, it is expected that a number of players will be able to benefit from PCB’s first-of-its-kind player development initiative and enter the professional mould.

Open trial dates and venues

11 February – PCB Ground, Sukkur – Larkana Region

12-13 February – Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad – Hyderabad Region

15-16 February – KCCA Stadium, Karachi – Karachi Region

25-26 March – Dring Stadium, Bahawalpur – Bahawalpur Region

28-29 March – Multan Cricket Stadium – Multan Region

1-2 April – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad – Faisalabad Region

4-5 April – LCCA Ground, Lahore – Lahore Region

7-8 April – Faraz Stadium, Sialkot – Sialkot Region

10-11 April – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium – Rawalpindi Region

13-14 April – Marghzar Cricket Ground – Islamabad Region

16-17 April – Abbottabad Cricket Stadium – Abbottabad Region

19-20 April – Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar – Peshawar Region

22-23 April – Hayatabad Cricket Stadium, Peshawar – FATA Region

25-26 April – Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium – Azad Jammu and Kashmir Region

28-29 April – Bugti Cricket Stadium, Quetta – Quetta Region

1 May – Hub Stadium, Lasbela – Dera Murad Jamali Region

READ: Alcaraz outlasts Zverev to reach maiden Melbourne final

ISLAMABAD: Three-time Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Islamabad United have strengthened their coaching staff ahead of the league’s 11th edition by appointing former New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram as assistant coach.

The franchise confirmed the development through their official social media handles, welcoming the 47-year-old.

“Islamabad United is pleased to announce Jacob Oram as the new assistant coach. World-class all-rounder & a proven mentor becomes part of the ISLU family,” the franchise posted.

Islamabad United is pleased to announce Jacob Oram as the new assistant coach!! 🦁

World-class allrounder & a proven mentor becomes part of the #ISLUFamily.

Let’s build the #NewEra together. 🙌#UnitedWeWin #DimaghSe #3xChampions pic.twitter.com/Ed7JbzQyMB

— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) January 30, 2026

Oram arrives with strong international coaching credentials. He was appointed New Zealand’s bowling coach in 2024, taking over from Shane Jurgensen, and has already worked with the national side across key assignments, including the Test tour of Bangladesh, the T20I series against Australia, and the T20 World Cup earlier in the year.

His coaching journey began in 2014 with New Zealand A, before he went on to serve as bowling coach of the New Zealand Women’s team from 2018.

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Oram also took charge as head coach of Central Hinds, guiding the side to the Super Smash final, while also gaining franchise experience through roles in the Abu Dhabi T10 and the SA20, where he worked as bowling coach for MI Cape Town.

As a player, Oram represented New Zealand between 2001 and 2012, featuring in 33 Tests, 160 ODIs and 36 T20Is. He scored 4688 international runs and took 252 wickets, building a reputation as a reliable all-rounder across formats.

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BULAWAYO: Viran Chamuditha slammed a brisk century as Sri Lanka secured a comfortable five-wicket win over South Africa in their ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 Super Sixes clash at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

Sri Lanka chased down 262 run target in 46 overs, losing five wickets in the process.

After losing their opener Dimantha Mahavithana in the fifth over, Senuja Wekunagoda and Viran Chamuditha  made the light work of the chase with a 143 run partnership.

Senuja Wekunagoda made 48 off from 63 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six.

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Meanwhile, Chamuditha continued on despite losing wickets at the other end. He scored 110 from 94 balls with the help of 13 boundaries and a six.

Eventually, Sri Lanka reached the target in 46 overs.

For South Africa, Corne Botha and Michael Kruiskamp picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, South Africa posted 261 for seven in 50 overs.

Jorich Van Schalkwyk starred with the bat, striking 13 fours and two sixes in his 116 from 130 balls.

Adnaan Lagadien remained the other notable contributor with the bat, scoring 46 from 57, including six fours and a maximum.

For Sri Lanka, Vigneshwaran Akash remained the standout bowler, picking up a four wicket haul in his quota of 10 overs. Kavija Gamage also supported him well with two wickets to his name.

READ: Hetmyer 75 powers West Indies to 221 against South Africa

LAHORE: Pakistan T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha has shared the strategic reason for replacing Babar Azam at the No. 3 spot in the batting order ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Agha took the No. 3 position from Babar Azam during the Sri Lanka series and played a blinder during the rain-hit third T20I.

The right-hander was on the verge of breaking Pakistan’s fastest fifty record, scoring 45 off just 12 balls, including three sixes and five fours.

In the first T20I against Australia played today at the Gaddafi Stadium, Salman also came to the fore when the home side lost Sahibzada Farhan for a duck on only the second ball of the innings.

The 32-year-old hit 39 from 27 deliveries, striking four sixes and a boundary.

Overall, Salman has batted at the this position in seven matches, accumulating 216 runs at a strike rate of 161.19 — a stark contrast to his overall T20 career strike rate which is 118.32.

After sealing a 22 run win over Australia in the first of three T20I matches, Agha emphasized batting and clinical bowling performance.

“It was a great game. We started well with the bat but couldn’t finish the way we wanted. It became challenging after the first ten overs as the ball stopped coming onto the bat, but I think we were outstanding with the ball,” he said.

The skipper said that he will be permanently taking up the one down position in a bid to capitalize on spin bowling with an eye on Sri Lanka conditions in T20 World Cup 2026.

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“Yes, I’ll be batting at number three. We expect to face a lot of spin, and I believe I can dominate spin during the powerplay. That’s why I moved up, and that is where I’ll stay,” he maintained.

Pakistan were once on course of scoring 200; however Australia curtailed their innings to 168 at the end of 20 overs.

“To be honest, I felt 170 was enough. Given how we were placed after ten overs, we probably could have scored 15 more, but I knew 170 would be plenty on this pitch because our spin bowling is outstanding,” Agha said regarding the team’s total.

Salman Ali Agha also lavished praised on spinners, particularly Abrar Ahmed and expressed confidence ahead of the mega event.

“Abrar has been outstanding since his debut. Since the Asia Cup, our spin bowling has been doing really well for us; they are winning us games day in and day out. Hopefully, they can continue this form through to the World Cup,” he concluded.

READ: Saim Ayub reveals game-plan after Australia victory

LAHORE: Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub explained his approach after delivering a match-winning performance against Australia in the T20I series opener played here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Set stiff 169, Australia fell short by 22 runs and could only muster 146-8 at the end of their 20 overs.

Saim delivered with bat and ball to seal a convincing win for the home side.

The 23-year-old scored 40 runs from 22 balls with the aid of a boundary at top of the order.

He then backed up his batting with a clinical three-over spell, taking two wickets while giving away only 29 runs. His scalps included Matthew Short and dangerous Travis Head.

The left-hander was looking good before getting caught after managing 23 from 13 balls with the help of two sixes and two fours.

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He then backed up his batting with a clinical three-over spell, taking two wickets for just 29 runs. His scalps included Matthew Short and Travis Head.

Speaking in the post-match presentation after receiving the player of the match award, Saim mentioned difficult conditions and revealed his plan in the opening over of Australian innings.

“I think the conditions were a bit challenging, but our plan was to dominate with the new ball as much as possible,” he said.

He furhter remarked on Pakistan’s strategy to keep the batters in check by bowling with precise lengths.

“The goal was to dominate sensibly by calculating the innings, watching the ball, and enjoying the process,” he added.

We knew that if we hit a good length consistently, it wouldn’t be easy for the batters to score. That was the strategy,” Saim Ayub concluded.

The second T20I will be played on 31 January at the same venue.

READ: Sialkot Stallionz appoint Tim Paine head coach for PSL 11

The newly inducted Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Sialkot Stallionz has appointed former Australian captain Tim Paine as head coach ahead of the landmark season 11.

The announcement came via Stallionz social handles with an animated poster.

“We’re proud to announce Tim Paine as the Head Coach of 𝑺𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒐𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒛,” the captain of the post read.

“Former Australian captain. Proven leader at the highest level. A championship mindset to lead a new era. Welcome to the Stallionz family, Coach,” it added.

 

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Paine, who hanged up his boots from professional cricket in March 2023, represented Australia in 35 Tests and same number of ODIs and 12 T20Is.

Among his 35 Tests, 23 of them came as captain after taking the reins of the team following Sandpaper gate.

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The notable achievements under his leadership was retaining the Ashes in 2019 with a 2-2 draw in England.

Overall, Australia won 11 and lost eight Tests during his tenure as captain before stepping down from the role in 2021 before the Ashes.

Following his retirement, Paine took over coaching of the Adelaide Strikers and was subsequenlty appointed as Australia A coach for three series in the second half of 2025.

Paine was hired in a consultancy role that included working across Australia A men’s series as well as supporting the Australia women’s team while continuing his duties as Strikers coach.

For the unversed, the new PSL franchise was acquired by OZ Developers, owned by Hamza Majeed and Kamil Khan, during the historic PSL 2026 auction held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on January 8.

OZ Developers won the bid with a record price of Rs 1.85 billion, securing the rights to the Sialkot franchise.

The hsitoric eight-team PSL 11 will begin on 26 march 2026.

READ: Sri Lanka beefs up T20 World Cup security for India–Pakistan fixtures

Sri Lanka will deploy elite armed units to protect teams at next month’s T20 World Cup, part of enhanced security measures with a special emphasis on matches between perennial rivals India and Pakistan, officials have told AFP.

The island is co-hosting the biennial cricket tournament with India and will hold 20 games between February 7 and March 8.

The Indian and Pakistani teams will play each other at least once, in their Group A clash in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo on February 15.

Cricket matches have long been a stage for expressing political tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, which fought a four-day border conflict last year.

Sri Lanka has given the “highest priority” to ensuring the tournament runs smoothly and is “paying special attention to the India-Pakistan matches”, sports minister Sunil Kumara Gamage told AFP late Wednesday.

Elite commando units, usually assigned to guard visiting heads of state, will be deployed to protect all participating teams, police and security officials said.

“From the time they step out of the airport till they return to their aircraft, they will be protected by armed guards,” an official said, asking not to be named.

Pakistan refused to play their fixtures in India due to political hostilities, prompting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift their matches to neutral Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh also tried to have their matches moved out of India due to security fears, but the ICC rejected the request.

An angry Bangladesh then withdrew from the tournament, and Scotland were drafted in as their replacement.

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Pakistan has indicated that it may yet boycott the event in solidarity with Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka maintained a studious silence throughout the India-Bangladesh row.

Cricket Secretary Bandula Dissanayake told AFP Colombo wanted to avoid being drawn into regional disputes.

“In these disputes among India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, we are remaining neutral, all of these are friendly nations,” he said.

But he added that Sri Lanka would be willing to host future tournaments for any of the countries if asked.

Sri Lanka has also used the T20 World Cup as an opportunity to upgrade its international venues.

It has commissioned new floodlights at the Singhalese Sports Club, one of two stadiums in Colombo.

The Pallekele Stadium in Kandy was unaffected by a deadly cyclone that damaged buildings in the region in November, and will host a T20 international between Sri Lanka and England from Friday.

READ: No handshake as Sabalenka sets up repeat of 2023 Melbourne final

LAHORE: Saim Ayub delivered a resounding all-round performance to help Pakistan open the T20I series on a winning note against Australia here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Set stiff 169, Australia fell short of the target by 22 runs and could only muster 146-8 at the end of their 20 overs.

Skipper Travis Head was off to a flyer as Australia raced to 21 in 1.5 overs.

But it was Saim Ayub who delivered the magic with his golden arm. The right-arm off spinner first cleaned up Matthew Short who scored five and then followed it up by dismissing dangerous Travis Head.

The southpaw hit two sixes and two fours in his 23 from 13 balls. As a result, Australia were in rebuilding stage as they lost two wickets for 28 in 3.2 overs.

The Australian innings similar thing through out their innings, losing wickets in quick succession.

Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green paired up for a 40 run partnership in quick time, keeping the run rate healthy. The pair brought the score to 57-2 at the end of the powerplay.

Just when Australia were gaining momentum, a costly run out ended the partnership as Renshaw (15 from 11) was back in the hutch.

The visitors suffered blow when Abrar Ahmed castled Cooper Connolly for a duck to put his side on top.

Consequently, Australia were reduced to 68-4 and later 96 for six in 12.2 overs, thanks to another run out.

Mitchell Owen was run out after managing eight while Josh Philippe scored 12 whereas Cameron Green top-scored with 36 from 31 balls. The tall-right hander struck three fours and a six during his knock.

As the visitors were in a mess, the lower middle order could not add too many, with Australian innings quickly unravelling until Xavier Bartlett’s lusty blows who provided them some respite.

The right-hander made useful runs down the order, scoring 34 off 25 balls, hitting two sixes and three fours which decreased the margin of loss for them.

For Pakistan, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed shared four wickets between them. Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan took one wicket apiece.

Earlier, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha steadied Pakistan with a solid partnership that put the host in sight of a big total, but Australia’s Adam Zampa intervened to restrict them to a below-par score.

After opting to bat first, Pakistan managed to put 169-8 on the board at the end of their 20 overs.

Pakistan had a shaky start as they lost opener Sahibzada Farhan for a golden duck on the first ball of the innings.

After an early blow, skipper Salman Ali Agha joined hands with Saim Ayub, adding a 74 run partnership to steady Pakistan’s innings.

The pair batted briskly and finished the powerplay on strong note with home side 56-1.

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Both batters continued after the fielding restrictions were lift, however, the introduction of ace spinner Adam Zampa halted Pakistan’s proceedings.

The leg-spinner removed both set batters in a span of two overs to put Australia in a dominant position.

Saim made 40 from 22 with the help of two sixes and three fours while Agha 39 off 27 included four maximums and a boundary.

With Pakistan reduced to 86-3 in 9.2 overs, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman came to the fore. The duo could only add 12 for the third wicket as Adam Zampa nabbed Babar Azam to break the home side’s momentum.

Babar, who made 24 off 20 with the help of a six and a boundary, was trapped lbw while attempting a reverse sweep.

Pakistan were 123-4 in 13.5 overs at this stage of the innings.

After Babar’s departure, wicket-keeper Usman Khan came to crease in a bid to up the anti. He struck two boundaries before losing his partner Fakhar Zaman whose sluggish knock of 10 from 16 included a single boundary.

Usman (18 off 14 balls) also followed him as Pakistan slumped to 140-5 to 160-8 in 19.4 overs.

Eventually, Pakistan innings ended on 168 for 8 with Mohammad Nawaz remaining unbeaten on 15 off 14 with the help of a six.

For Australia, Adam Zampa was the star bowler as he picked up a four wicket haul.

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