Category: Sports

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has finally addressed the growing speculation surrounding his potential omission from the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, insisting that missing out would be disappointing but not the end of his career.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to announce the final squad for the global event, but several reports have suggested that Rauf may be left out.

Rumours have also circulated that white-ball head coach Mike Hesson is not in favour of the pacer’s inclusion.

Rauf’s last appearance for Pakistan in T20I cricket came during the Asia Cup final against India on September 28, 2025, a match in which he struggled, conceding 50 runs in 3.4 overs while defending 146.

The performance raised questions about his ability to handle pressure in big moments, and he has not featured in the national T20I team since.

He was left out of the T20I squads for the away series against Sri Lanka and the upcoming home series against Australia.

Speaking in a recent interview, Haris Rauf acknowledged the possibility of being overlooked but made it clear that he will not allow the setback to define his future.

“If I am not included in the T20 World Cup, it would be disappointing, but it will not be the end of my career,” he said.

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Rauf also reiterated his commitment to improving his game, emphasising that he remains focused on refining his bowling and delivering his best whenever given the chance.

“I will give my best performance and continue to work on my bowling,” he added.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his World Cup prospects, Rauf extended his support to the national team ahead of the tournament, expressing his best wishes for Pakistan’s campaign.

“I have good wishes for the national team in the T20 World Cup,” he said.

Rauf also opened up about the challenges of maintaining consistency at the international level, especially when bowling in the death overs.

“Whenever I played for Pakistan, I always gave 100%. Bowling in the death overs is not easy,” he said.

It’s worth noting that despite his exclusion from the national side, his form in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 15 has been impressive.

He currently leads the tournament’s wicket charts with 20 wickets in 11 matches for the Melbourne Stars.

READ: Babar, Shaheen back as Pakistan unveil squad for Australia T20Is

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday named a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia, starting on 29 January.

The series will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, from 29 January to 1 February. The games will start at 4pm PKT with the coin toss set to take place at 3.30pm PST.

Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have returned to the T20I squad after missing the three-match away series against Sri Lanka in January.

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Shadab Khan will continue to build on his comeback in the previous T20I series and will form part of a strong spin-bowling contingent along with Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq.

Pakistan squad and player support personnel are expected to convene in Lahore on Saturday, 24 January and will begin their preparations for the series the following day.

Australia are set to arrive in Pakistan on Wednesday, 28 February and will play just their second series in the format on Pakistan soil after a solitary T20I in April 2022 at Gaddafi Stadium.

Pakistan squad for Australia series

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq

Player support personnel: Naveed Akram Cheema (team manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Shane McDermott (fielding coach), Hanif Malik (batting coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (performance analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmed (media manager), Lt. Col. (r) Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Dr Raheel Karim (psychiatrist) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)

READ: New Zealand fast bowler ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026

New Zealand have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with fast bowler Adam Milne ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a hamstring injury during the ongoing SA20 in South Africa.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed on Friday that Kyle Jamieson, who was initially named as a travelling reserve, has been added to the main squad as Milne’s replacement.

Milne suffered the injury while bowling his opening over for Sunrisers Eastern Cape against MI Cape Town last Sunday.

Subsequent scans revealed the extent of the hamstring tear, forcing the 32-year-old pacer to withdraw from the global event.

Prior to the setback, Milne had enjoyed a productive SA20 campaign, claiming 11 wickets at an average of 16.27 and an economy rate of 7.61.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed his disappointment at losing the experienced fast bowler at a crucial stage.

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“We’re all gutted for Adam,” Walter said. “He’d worked incredibly hard to get himself ready for the tournament and was looking back to his best in his eight games for the Eastern Cape Sunrisers.”

“It’s really unfortunate timing, and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Jamieson, who is currently part of New Zealand’s squad touring India, has been elevated from reserve status.

Squad changes can be made freely until January 31, after which any replacements will require approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“It’s great that Kyle is already with us here in India,” Walter added.

“He’s an integral part of our pace-bowling group and has hit the ground running on this tour. He brings valuable experience and skill, which will serve us well at the World Cup.”

The tall right-armer made his return to international cricket late last year following a long layoff due to a back injury and recently impressed with a career-best 4 for 41 in the first ODI against India earlier this month.

New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 squad

Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi.

READ: FIFA president Gianni Infantino to visit Pakistan ‘soon’

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced plans to visit Pakistan in the near future, reaffirming the world governing body’s commitment to supporting the development of football in the country.

Speaking to ‘Pakistan TV Digital’ on the sidelines of the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Infantino said he had already conveyed his intention to travel to Pakistan to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Infantino expressed optimism over recent changes within the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), noting that a new leadership setup is in place and moving in the right direction.

“I will come to Pakistan very soon. I promised the prime minister,” Infantino said. “We now have a new president of the federation who is doing a fantastic job.”

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The FIFA president described Pakistan as a country with immense footballing potential and stressed his desire to see it rise among Asia’s leading teams.

“Pakistan is a great football country,” he said. “We need to bring Pakistan to the top of Asia for sure. We are working on that.”

Pakistan’s engagement with FIFA has seen noticeable progress in recent months. In December, FIFA appointed Pakistani lawmaker Syeda Amnah Batool to its Institutional Reforms Committee, a move seen as a step toward deeper institutional cooperation.

Earlier, in November 2025, FIFA Senior Vice President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa visited Pakistan, where he held meetings with football officials and government representatives to discuss the development of infrastructure and governance in the sport.

READ: Carlos Alcaraz celebrates 100th Slam match with Australian Open win

An ominous Carlos Alcaraz wasted little energy in his 100th Grand Slam match to sweep into the last 16 of the Australian Open on Friday with a straight-sets mauling of French showman Corentin Moutet.

The 22-year-old six-time major winner was at a different level on Rod Laver Arena to book his passage 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 in 2hrs 5mins.

Victory thrust him into a clash for a place in the quarter-finals with American 19th seed Tommy Paul, who progressed when Spanish opponent Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired hurt.

Alcaraz has never gone past the last eight in his four previous trips to Melbourne Park, with the Australian Open the only Grand Slam missing from his burgeoning collection.

He will become the youngest man to win all four majors should he push on and make his breakthrough.

“It wasn’t easy. To be honest, when you play someone like Corentin, you don’t know what’s going to be next,” said the Spaniard.

“So that’s really difficult, you know, to approach the match. But I had fun on the court. I think we both pulled off great shots, great points.”

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The win against Moutet came in his 100th Slam match with Alcaraz having a remarkable 87-13 win-loss record, matching the legendary Bjorn Borg at the same stage of his career.

Left-hander Moutet had never beaten a world number one and never looked like doing so on centre court.

Top seed Alcaraz was quickly into his stride, breaking Moutet in the opening game before holding for 2-0.

The Frenchman got into gear with a hold in the third game, but was largely a bystander as Alcaraz raced through the set in 35 minutes.

An immediate break for Alcaraz set the tone for the second set. But Moutet reeled off four straight games from 0-3 down, throwing in some underarm serves, dropshots and tweeners for good measure.

Alcaraz steadied and took the set before barely breaking a sweat in the third.

READ: Casemiro set for Man Utd exit at season’s end

Casemiro will leave Manchester United at the end of the season following the expiry of his contract, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.

The Brazil international arrived from Real Madrid in 2022 for a fee of £70 million ($94 million) and has so far played 146 games for the club, scoring 21 goals.

“A serial winner, we thank Case for his contributions in red so far and hope to finish his time at the club on a high together,” United said on X.

Casemiro said in a club statement that he would “carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life”.

“From the first day that I walked out at this beautiful stadium, I felt the passion of Old Trafford and the love that I now share with our supporters for this special club,” he said.

“It is not time to say goodbye — there are many more memories to create during the next four months.”

The midfielder, 33, forged his reputation at Real Madrid, where he won five Champions League titles.

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Casemiro scored the opening goal in United’s League Cup final win against Newcastle in 2023 as the club finished third in the league.

But he did not feature in the club’s FA Cup final win against Manchester City the following year.

Casemiro, one of the highest earners at old Trafford, said on his personal Instagram account that he would be “forever” a Red Devil.

“Knowing when to say goodbye when you feel that you will be remembered and respected forever,” he posted.

“Four months to give my all for this badge and for our goal. Eternal respect and affection for Manchester United and its wonderful fans.”

United are fifth in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s trip to leaders Arsenal.

READ: U19 World Cup: West Indies, Ireland seal Super Six spot

Sri Lanka’s spinners turned the screws to script a hard-fought 19-run victory over England in the opening one-day international at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.

Set 272 for victory, England appeared to be cruising at 129-1 with Ben Duckett and Joe Root stroking the ball sweetly and the asking rate firmly under control.

But once the 117-run stand was broken, Sri Lanka dried up the runs and England faltered with the bat, being bowled out for 252 in the final over.

“It was a good game of cricket, but we need to keep improving. Our spinners did a terrific job. We knew it would start turning after the 30th over and batting would become a challenge,” Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said.

Duckett’s attempted reverse sweep brought Sri Lanka back into the game as he was ruled leg before to Jeffrey Vandersay. However, it was Root’s dismissal that truly changed the complexion of the contest.

The former England Test captain, a perennial thorn in Sri Lanka’s side with imposing averages of 61 in ODIs and 62 in Tests against them, misjudged a sweep off part-time spinner Dhananjaya de Silva.

Sri Lanka reviewed instantly, the on-field decision was overturned and the roar from the Premadasa stands said it all.

With the required rate climbing north of eight an over, England were forced into risk mode.

Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell both paid the price, brilliantly stumped by Kusal Mendis, with Brook undone off a wide by his opposite number Asalanka.

Jamie Overton injected late drama with a muscular 34 off 17 balls, adding 39 for the last wicket with Adil Rashid, but it proved too steep a hill to climb and he was the final wicket to fall.

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Sri Lanka’s fielders matched their bowlers stride for stride, with De Silva and Dunith Wellalage pulling off stunning catches to keep the pressure relentless.

Earlier, Kusal Mendis had been the glue that held Sri Lanka’s innings together after England’s leg-spin pair of Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed reduced the hosts to 124 for four.

Battling cramps but showing sharp game awareness, Mendis rotated the strike cleverly and punished anything loose.

He added 88 runs for the fifth wicket with Janith Liyanage, who made 46.

Mendis was on 92 at the start of the final over and watched from the non-striker’s end as Wellalage stole the limelight, launching three fours and a six in a blistering 25 not out from 12 balls as the last over bowled by Overton yielded 23.

That proved crucial as it dragged the hosts to 271-6 from their 50 overs.

“Sri Lanka outplayed us,” England captain Harry Brook said.

“We thought we could chase it and we were in a good position, but with the asking rate climbing it became difficult. It’s hard to start and someone needed to go on and finish the job.”

The teams meet again at the same stadium on Saturday for the second game of the three-match series.

READ: Sydney Sixers confirm Babar Azam will miss remainder of BBL 15

WINDHOEK: West Indies defeated South Africa by 55 runs while Ireland secured a four-run victory over Japan to book their place in the Super Stage of the ICC U19 World Cup 2026.

West Indies set South Africa 235 to chase in 50 overs, thanks to Zachary Carter sublime century.

After losing Tanez Francis in sixth over, Zachary Carter and Joshua Dorne added 82 runs for the second wicket partnership.

The pair brought the total to 115 in 22.3 overs before three quick wickets halted their progress.

Skipper Dorne scored 20 from 49 while Shamar Apple and Jewel Andrew  were sent back for ducks.

As a result, West Indies were reduced to 115-4 at the end of 23 overs.

Despite the wickets tumbling, Carter cruised along and went on to score 114 from 104 balls with the aid of eight sixes and same number of boundaries.

His wicket in the 36th over sparked another collapse as the whole team was bundled out for 234 in 47.5 overs.

For South Africa, JJ Basson starred with the ball as he picked up a five wicket haul.

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In reply, South Africa batting lineup faltered and the whole team was bowled for 179 in 37.4 overs.

Shaquan Belle started the proceeding as he tormented the Proteas top-order.

Adnaan Lagadien was the first one to go after scoring 10 followed by Muhammed Bulbulia’s and Jorich Van Schalkwyk wicket in the eight and ninth over respectively.

South Africa batting lineup could not got going with West Indies bowlers taking wickets at regular intervals.

Jason Rowles remained the top scorer with 46 from 40 balls, striking two sixes and four boundaries.

For West Indies, Shaquan Belle wreaked havoc with the ball, picking up six wickets in his quota of 10 overs while giving away 40.

In Group A fixture, Ireland defeated Japan by four wickets, advancing to the Super Six stage of the tournament.

Ireland chased down 248 run target in 48 overs, losing four wickets in the process.

Freddie Ogilby starred with the bat for Ireland, scoring 73 from 76 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes.

Sebastian Dijkstra was the other notable contributor, scoring an unbeaten 55 from 61 deliveries with the help of six and four boundaries to get his team over the line.

Earlier, after opting to bat first Japan put 247-9 in their 50 overs.

Charlie Hara-Hinze  top scored for them with, making 57 off 70 deliveries with the help of a six and four boundaries.

For Ireland, Adam Leckey and Oliver Riley shared six wickets between them.

READ: U19 World Cup: Here’s why Pakistan slowed their chase against Zimbabwe

HARARE: The tactics behind Pakistan slow chase against Zimbabwe have been revealed as the Green Shirts executed a calculated run-chase that guaranteed both teams a spot in the Super Six stage of the U19 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan outplayed hosts Zimbabwe in their last-group stage fixture by eight wickets.

The win resulted in Scotland’s elimination whereas Pakistan and Zimbabwe both qualified for the next round.

Pakistan chased down the target in a tactical way, taking tournament rules in account which helped them improve their net-run rate going forward.

After racing to 84 in 14 overs, Pakistan’s chase of 129 entered a curious stalemate.

Despite needing less than four runs per over, Minhas and Hussain scored with a run rate of three runs per over for the next 12 overs. This period included a staggering 89-ball boundary drought.

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The result came as a heartbreak for Scotland who were in qualifying position halfway through the innings before being overtaken by Zimbabwe on net run rate.

Pakistan took a measured approach in pursuit of 129 run target as they slowed down their scoring after 14th over and eventually chased the target in 26.2 overs.

For Scotland to qualify, Pakistan needed to reach their target within 25.2 overs.

However, Pakistan prioritised the Super Six regulations, which say that only teams that advance will carry their run rate and points earned in matches against fellow qualifiers.

By prolonging the chase, Pakistan ensured Zimbabwe qualified alongside them, protecting their own statistical advantage for the next stage.

Pakistan advanced with a better net run rate because they had beaten Zimbabwe by a bigger margin than they beat Scotland. Pakistan defeated Scotland with 6.5 overs to spare.

Additionally, they also hit Group C toppers England’s run rate as the Three Lions have secured a 252 run victory over Scotland.

It is worth mentioning that intentionally slowing down a game to manipulate tournament standings is technically against ICC rules, but Pakistan tactics looked obvious and proving the team’s intent is an uphill task.

Previously, Steve Waugh has also attempted a similar strategy during Australia’s chase against West Indies during 1999 ODI World Cup.

READ: South Africa suffer double blow ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

JOHANNESBURG: In a significant blow, Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira have been ruled out of South Africa T20 World Cup 2026 squad, with Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs named as as replacements.

Both players suffered injuries, with De Zorzi failing to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained during South Africa’s tour of India in December while Ferreira fractured his shoulder during fielding in a SA20 fixture.

Meanwhile, the Proteas are still awaiting on fitness of ace batter David Miller, who has been ruled of the eliminator match between Paarl Royals and Joburg Super Kings.

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Miller, South Africa’s one of the experience players in T20 side, left the field during Paarl Royals last league stage match with an adductor injury, subseqeuntly ruling him out of T20Is against West Indies.

The left-hander will undergo a fitness test before the departure of South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad. His inclusion in the tournament is subject to his fitness.

For the unversed, the teams could tweak their T20 World Cup squads until 31 January. Following the dateline, the participating teams will require approval from the ICC’s Event Technical Committe.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will commence on 7 February across India and Sri Lanka.

South Africa, who remained the runners-up in the 2024 edition, are placed in Group D alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, Canada, and the UAE.

The Proteas will start their campaign against Canada on 9 Feb in Ahmedabad, India.

South Africa Updated T20 World Cup Squad

Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje

READ: Bangladesh firm on not playing T20 World Cup after players’ meeting