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RAWALPINDI: A composed all-round performance powered Pakistan to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final of the T20I tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing a modest target of 115, Pakistan completed the task in 18.4 overs despite a brief middle-order delay.

Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan provided a steady base with a 46-run partnership. Farhan looked fluent during his stay before falling for 23 off 22 balls, while Saim continued to anchor the chase.

Babar Azam joined Saim and ensured Pakistan crossed the 50-run mark safely. Saim eventually departed for 36 off 33 deliveries, but by then, Pakistan had full control.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha added 14 runs before a minor wobble saw two quick wickets fall late in the innings.

However, Babar held firm till the end, remaining unbeaten on 37 off 34 balls to guide Pakistan home with over eight balls to spare.

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Earlier, Sri Lanka struggled to build momentum after being put into bat. Their top order was jolted early when opener Pathum Nissanka (11) fell cheaply.

A lone resistance came through Kamil Mishara, who registered his third T20I half-century with a fluent 59, but lacked support at the other end as wickets fell regularly.

Once Mishara was dismissed, Sri Lanka’s innings fell apart dramatically. The visitors lost their final five wickets for just 10 runs, collapsing for 114 in 19.1 overs after looking set for a slightly more competitive total at one stage.

Pakistan’s bowling attack delivered with discipline and intent, led by Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz, who claimed three wickets each.

Abrar Ahmed chipped in with two crucial breakthroughs to seal the contest firmly in Pakistan’s favour.

READ: Tri-Series Final: Pakistan, Sri Lanka to observe silence for cyclone victims

Ace batter Babar Azam has set his sights on lifting a World Cup trophy for Pakistan, stating that he is working hard on his fitness and game to achieve the long-awaited feat.

Babar Azam has become a prolific batter for Pakistan over the past decade and has 32 international centuries to his name, the fourth-most by any Pakistani batter.

However, he is yet to lift a trophy for his team despite being on the brink of doing so under his leadership. He captained Pakistan to the ICC T20 World Cup final in 2022 against England, which they eventually lost by five wickets.

The last time Pakistan lifted the World Cup trophy was back in 2009, under the leadership of Younis Khan.

In a candid conversation with former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen on
‘The Switch’ , Babar shed light on various aspects of his cricketing career.

Asked about his goals in the next five years, he replied that his biggest dream is to win an ICC trophy.

“We want to win an ICC trophy. We reached the finals of the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup, but we lost,” he said.

“That’s why I’m working hard — on my fitness and everything,” he said.

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Babar Azam also spoke about the expectations and the pressure he faces as Pakistan’s premier batter.

“I’m [also] a human being. Sometimes you [make] mistakes. “The main thing is the focus. I stop listening to anyone. I talk to myself, to my coaches,” he said on coping with mental challenges while batting.

During the discussion, the right-hander also revealed his favorite batter and his early memories of watching AB De Villiers bat.

“Yes, he is my all-time favorite. AB is your all-time? KP asked, “Am I second or third?”

“No, sixth,” said Babar Azam in a light-hearted manner.

The 31-year-old talked about how the batting maestro inspired him from childhood, and about his early memories of the South Africa tour of Pakistan in 2007.

“He inspired me. When I was younger, I [tried] to copy him. Like his stance — he’s sideways, you know, starting he’s like he’s looking like that, ” said Babar while imitating AB de Villiers.

“In 2007 or maybe 2006, I was a ball picker in the stadium. [It was the] Pakistan–South Africa match. So during the Test match, I saw AB for the first time. I just… I just… You stopped and stared. Oh, my idol is here,” he concluded.

READ: PCB signs landmark MoU with Italian Cricket Federation

RAWALPINDI: Dushmanta Chameera bowled a dream spell and held his nerve in the final over to propel his side into the T20I tri-series final after securing a six-run victory over Pakistan here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

With this victory, Zimbabwe crashed out of the series after winning only one of three games.

Set a stiff 185, Pakistan fell short in the final over, scoring 178-7 at the end of their innings.

It was Chameera who tormented Pakistan’s top order with three wickets upfront and gave only three. As a result, Pakistan were 43-4 in 5.2 overs.

The right-arm pacer first removed Sahibzada Farhan, who was caught on nine, followed by Babar Azam’s wicket in the same over, who was sent packing for a duck.

From the other end, Eshan Malinga castled Saim Ayub, who was looking good. The left-hander made 27 off 18 with the aid of four boundaries and a six.

It was a cherry on top for the Islanders when Chameera dismissed Fakhar Zaman for one, leaving the home side tottering.

However, Salman Ali Agha and Usman Khan arrested the slide and built a 56-run stand. The duo batted at a brisk rate, particularly Usman, who took Wanindu Hasaranga to the cleaners and belted him for a couple of sixes before getting caught.

Catch Pakistan Tri-Series news updates here

Usman’s blitz (33 off 23) took the score to 99 in 12.2 overs before another crucial 70-run stand between Agha and Mohammad Nawaz lifted the home side’s hopes.

The pair managed to bring down the required rate with Salman Ali Agha scoring a half-century in the process.

Eventually, the equation went down to 10 from the final over, with Chameera having the ball in his hands.

The pacer bowled a superb over under pressure and gave only three, including the wicket of Faheem Ashraf, while Salman, who took a single on the second ball of the over, looked diminished at the other end.

Salman top-scored with 63* from 44, striking three sixes and four boundaries.

Chameera finished with four wickets to his name in four overs, whereas Eshan Malinga, who gave 54, also managed to scalp two wickets.

The final of the T20I tri-series will be played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Saturday, 29 November at the same venue.

Earlier, opening batter Kamil Mishara’s 76 off 48 propelled Sri Lanka to a strong total in a must-win T20I tri-series encounter.

Put into bat first, Sri Lanka put on 184-4 on the board in their allotted 20 overs.

After losing Pathum Nissanka (8) only in the second over, Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis stitched a 66-run partnership, bringing the score to 82 in 8.1 overs.

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Mendis departed after scoring 40 from just 23 balls, laced with six fours and a maximum.

The duo batted with freedom and capitalized on the fielding restrictions in the opening six overs. Consequently, the Islanders were cruising on 58 at the end of the power play.

Mishara, meanwhile, continued on despite the removal of Kusal Perara, who made six from eight deliveries. At this stage, the scorecard read 96-3 in 10.4 overs.

However, incoming Janith Liyanage partnered with Mishara and put on a 57-run stand, which laid a foundation for a strong finish.

But it was Abrar Ahmed’s clinical bowling spell that put the brakes on the visitors’ charge and restricted them from reaching the 200-run mark, which was looking possible at one stage of the innings.

Abrar also took the crucial wicket of Mishara, who was caught after hitting three sixes and six fours. Janith Liyanage hit an unbeaten 24 off 24 with the aid of two boundaries.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed picked up two wickets in his quota of four overs while giving away only 28.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are set to lock horns in a three-match T20I series in January, with both boards reportedly finalising the schedule as part of their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The series is expected to be played from January 8 to 12, with all three matches scheduled at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

The upcoming World Cup will be held from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan set to play all their matches on Sri Lankan soil under the Hybrid Model.

This arrangement ensures that Pakistan and India do not tour each other during ICC events and instead compete at neutral venues.

Sources close to the development have revealed that officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) were in constant discussions over the short series, which has now reportedly been confirmed.

The series will provide Pakistan crucial match practice in local conditions just weeks ahead of the global event, allowing the team to fine-tune combinations and acclimatise to pitches similar to those they will encounter during the World Cup.

The decision to stage all three matches in Dambulla has been taken due to ongoing upgradation work at both the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in preparation for the mega event.

Due to similar reasons, SLC was also forced to postpone the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), which was originally scheduled for the November-December window.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are currently touring Pakistan for the ongoing T20I tri-series, where they are engaged in a tight qualification race for the final.

Pakistan have already secured their place in the final, while Sri Lanka must win their final group match by a big margin to stay alive in the competition.

Zimbabwe currently sit second on the points table with one win from four games and a net run rate of -0.522, while Sri Lanka remain third with a net run rate of -1.324.

Tentative schedule of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka

• 1st T20I – 8 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium
• 2nd T20I – 10 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium
• 3rd T20I – 12 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

READ: ICC gives highest rating to Perth pitch after two-day Ashes Test

GUWAHATI: Defending world champions South Africa delivered a commanding statement in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 by crushing India in the second Test on Wednesday to seal a historic 2-0 series victory.

The result not only reshaped the WTC points table but also marked South Africa’s first Test series triumph on Indian soil since the year 2000 and only their second overall in the country’s history.

Led by Temba Bavuma, the Proteas rewrote history with a dominant performance across the series.

With this win, South Africa surged to second place in the WTC standings with three wins and one defeat, collecting 36 points at an impressive win percentage of 75.

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Australia continue to lead the WTC points table after winning all four of their matches, sitting comfortably on 48 points with a perfect 100 percent record.

India, meanwhile, slipped to fifth place following back-to-back defeats in the series. The Men in Blue now have four wins, four losses and one draw from nine matches, accumulating 52 points with a win percentage of 48.15.

Pakistan currently occupy fourth position with one win and one defeat from two Tests, holding 12 points at a 50 percent win rate, while Sri Lanka sit third with one win and one draw from two games, earning 16 points with a win percentage of 66.67.

ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 points table:

Team	Matches	Won	Lost	Draw	Points	Win%
Australia	4	4	0	0	48	100
South Africa	4	3	1	0	36	75
Sri Lanka	2	1	0	1	16	66.67
Pakistan	2	1	1	0	12	50
India	9	4	4	1	52	48.15

The second Test ended in emphatic fashion as South Africa bowled out India for just 140 while defending a massive target of 549 on the final day.

Off-spinner Simon Harmer starred with remarkable figures of 6 for 37, dismantling India’s batting lineup.

Ravindra Jadeja offered brief resistance with a fighting 54 before being stumped off Keshav Maharaj, who also took the final wicket of Mohammed Siraj.

READ: ICC unveils schedule for men’s T20 World Cup 2026

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday revealed the schedule for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

The mega-event will be played from February 7 to March 8 across five venues in India—Arun Jaitley Stadium, Eden Gardens, Kolkata; MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai; Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad; and Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Three venues will host matches in Sri Lanka—Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy; R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo; and Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo.

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The 2026 tournament format will mirror the 2024 T20 World Cup, with 20 teams divided into five groups of four.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, before progressing to the semi-finals and ultimately the final.

 

 

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The high-stakes encounter between Pakistan and defending champions India will be played on February 15 in Colombo as per the hybrid model.

The model has previously been applied in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, when the UAE co-hosted India’s matches, and during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, with Sri Lanka joining as co-hosts.

Pakistan will play three of their group-stage fixtures at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, including the opening fixture of the World Cup against the Netherlands, whereas India will play their opening match against USA same day in the evening.

T20 World Cup Groups

• Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Namibia, Netherlands,
• Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
• Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
• Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 schedule

The group stage runs from 7 to 20 February, followed by the Super Eight round from 21 February to 1 March. The knockouts take over in the final week.

(Group Stage)

February 7

• Pakistan vs Netherlands in Colombo
• West Indies vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
• India vs USA in Mumbai

February 8

• New Zealand vs Afghanistan in Chennai
• England vs Nepal in Mumbai
• Sri Lanka vs Ireland in Colombo

February 9

• Bangladesh vs Italy in Kolkata
• Zimbabwe vs Oman in Colombo
• South Africa vs Canada in Ahmedabad

February 10

• Netherlands vs Namibia in Delhi
• New Zealand vs UAE in Chennai
• Pakistan vs USA in Colombo

February 11

• South Africa vs Afghanistan in Ahmedabad
• Australia vs Ireland in Colombo
• England vs West Indies in Mumbai

February 12

• Sri Lanka vs Oman in Kandy
• Nepal vs Italy in Mumbai
• India vs Namibia in Delhi

February 13

• Australia vs Zimbabwe in Colombo
• Canada vs UAE in Delhi
• USA vs Netherlands in Chennai

February 14

• Ireland vs Oman in Colombo
• England vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
• New Zealand vs South Africa in Ahmedabad

February 15

• West Indies vs Nepal in Mumbai
• USA vs Namibia in Chennai
• India vs Pakistan in Colombo

February 16

• Afghanistan vs UAE in Delhi
• England vs Italy in Kolkata
• Australia vs Sri Lanka in Kandy

February 17

• New Zealand vs Canada in Chennai
• Ireland vs Zimbabwe in Kandy
• Bangladesh vs Nepal in Mumbai

February 18

• South Africa vs UAE in Delhi
• Pakistan vs Namibia in Colombo
• India vs Netherlands in Ahmedabad

February 19

• West Indies vs Italy in Kolkata
• Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe in Colombo
• Afghanistan vs Canada in Chennai

February 20

• Australia vs Oman in Kandy

Super-Eight Round

February 21

• Y2 vs Y3 in Colombo

February 22

• Y1 vs Y4 in Kandy
• X1 vs X4 in Ahmedabad

February 23

• X2 vs X3 in Mumbai

February 24

• Y1 vs Y3 in Kandy

February 25

• Y2 vs Y4 in Colombo

February 26

• X3 vs X4 in Colombo
• X1 vs X2 in Chennai

February 27

• Y1 vs Y2 in Colombo

February 28

• Y3 vs Y4 in Kandy

March 1

• X2 vs X4 in Delhi

• X1 vs X3 in Kolkata

Knock-out

March 4: Semi-final 1 in Colombo/Kolkata

March 5: Semi-final 2 in Mumbai

March 8: Final in Colombo/Ahmedabad

RAWALPINDI: Zimbabwe have won the toss and decided to first against Sri Lanka in the fifth fixture of the T20I tri-series here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kamil Mishara, 4 Kusal Perera, 5 Janith Liyanage, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Pavan Rathnayake, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Eshan Malinga

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Zimbabwe 1 Brian Bennett, 2 Tadiwanashe Marumani, 3 Brendan Taylor (wk), 4 Sikandar Raza (capt), 5 Ryan Burl, 6 Dion Myers, 7 Tashinga Musekiwa, 8 Brad Evans, 9 Wellington Masakadza, 10 Tinotenda Maposa, 11 Richard Ngarava

Head to Head

Both teams have faced each other 11 times in the shorter format, with the Islanders winning seven of those matches, while the Chevrons have won three.

Matches 11: Sri Lanka 7, Zimbabwe 4

For the unversed, Zimbabwe have won their previous game against Sri Lanka whereas the Islanders are yet to open their account in the tri-series.

READ: South Africa on brink of Test series win with India tottering on 27-2

The most anticipated fixture in world cricket is set to ignite the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with Pakistan and India expected to face off on February 15 in Colombo, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.

The report reveals a tentative schedule for the tournament, which will run from February 7 to March 8 and be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan will play all their matches in either Colombo or Kandy under the hybrid model, a mutually agreed arrangement ensuring that India and Pakistan do not tour each other during ICC events.

This model has previously been applied in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, when the UAE co-hosted India’s matches, and during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, with Sri Lanka joining as co-hosts.

The 2026 tournament format will mirror the 2024 T20 World Cup, with 20 teams divided into five groups of four.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, before progressing to the semi-finals and ultimately the final.

According to the report, the blockbuster Pakistan–India clash will take place at the R Premadasa Stadium, with both teams placed in the same group alongside the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia.

The 20-team tournament also features Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman, UAE, and Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman are reportedly grouped together, while England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Italy form another group, and South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, and Canada make up the remaining group.

Hosts and defending champions India will open their campaign against the USA in Mumbai on February 7, followed by matches against Namibia in Delhi on February 12, Pakistan in Colombo on February 15, and the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18.

Notably, the group stage is expected to feature three matches per day.

If India progress to the Super Eight, their matches are likely to be held in Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Kolkata, with a semi-final in Mumbai.

The second semi-final is expected to be hosted in either Colombo or Kolkata, depending on whether Pakistan and Sri Lanka qualify.

The final is scheduled for Ahmedabad unless Pakistan reach the title clash, in which case Colombo is expected to host the decider.

The ICC is expected to officially announce the full schedule later this week.

READ: Salman Ali Agha breaks world record, surpasses Dravid, Yousuf, Dhoni

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has surpassed legends like Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, and Mohammad Yousuf to set a world record for playing the most international matches in a single calendar year.

Agha achieved the milestone during Pakistan’s 69-run victory over Zimbabwe in the T20I tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Pakistan have played a total of 54 international matches in 2025 so far, the most by any team this year, with the West Indies being next–best with 45 matches.

Agha, who is Pakistan’s mainstay across formats, is the only player to feature in all of these games this year.

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Remarkably, this tally also equals Pakistan’s record for most matches in a calendar year, first set in 2013.

Agha, by featuring in 54 matches, eclipsed the previous joint record of 53 appearances held by Dravid (1999), Yousuf (2000), and Dhoni (2007).

The feat of surpassing 50 international matches in a single year is rare, first achieved by Sachin Tendulkar in 1997, and more recently by New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, who played 51 games in 2023.

Most international matches in a calendar year

• Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan) – 54, 2025

• Rahul Dravid (India) – 53, 1999

• Mohammad Yousuf (Pakistan) – 53, 2000

• MS Dhoni (India/Asia XI) – 53, 2007

• Lance Klusener (South Africa) – 52, 2000

• Paul Collingwood (England) – 52, 2007

• Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) – 52, 2014

• Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 51, 1997

• Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) – 51, 2023

READ: PSB quashes lifetime ban on Arshad Nadeem’s coach Salman Butt

RAWALPINDI: Babar Azam’s gutsy half-century, backed by Usman Tariq’s four-wicket haul, propelled Pakistan to a 69-run victory over Zimbabwe in the fourth fixture of the T20I tri-series.

Set a daunting 196-run target, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 126 in 19 overs.

Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim inflicted a poor start on Zimbabwe as they were reduced to 25-3 in 3.3 overs.

Brian Bennett managed to score nine while Tadiwanashe Marumani went back after scoring four. Veteran batter Brendan Taylor also got out after scoring only eight.

With this, skipper Sikandar Raza arrived at the crease and tried to put the Chevrons’ chase back on track with a 34-run partnership alongside Ryan Burl.

The scorecard read 59 when Raza (23) was caught off Mohammad Nawaz’s bowling, a wicket that sparked a collapse that the visitors could not recover from it.

Catch Pakistan Tri-Series news updates here

Usman Tariq further piled on misery with a hat-trick in the 10th over, which left them reeling at 60-7. However, it was Ryan Burl’s spirited knock off 67* from 49 balls with the aid of eight fours and two sixes that helped them cross 100-run mark.

For Pakistan, Usman Tariq stood out with four wickets to his name, whereas Mohammad Nawaz scalped two in his four overs.

Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam’s half-centuries and Fakhar Zaman’s cameo powered Pakistan to a strong total.

Batting first here under lights at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan piled up 195-5 in their 20 overs.

Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan added 29 for the opening wicket in 2.3 overs. The former was caught after scoring 13 from 8 with the help of two sixes.

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Following the early wicket, Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam forged a 103-run stand as both players flexed their muscles at the back end of the innings.

Farhan, who remained the core aggressor, made 63 from 41 balls, laced with three maximums and four boundaries, while Babar played the second fiddle and hit two sixes and seven fours on his way to 74 from 52 balls.

Sahibzada departed in the 15th over when Pakistan were cruising at 132 in 15.2 overs.

Nonetheless, it was Fakhar Zaman’s cameo in the last over that took Pakistan near the 200-run mark. The southpaw, who came down the order, hit three sixes in his 27 from just 10 balls.

For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza picked up two wickets in his quota of four overs.

READ: Muthusamy ton, Jansen 93 put South Africa on top in second India Test