Category: Sports

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially released the schedule and groupings for the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026, with a high-voltage Pakistan–India clash headlining the group stage of the tournament.

The eight-team competition will be staged in Bangkok, Thailand, from February 13 to 22, bringing together emerging women’s sides from across the continent in a bid to showcase the next generation of Asian cricketing talent.

As per the ACC announcement, Pakistan and India women’s teams have been drawn together in Group A, alongside the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Nepal. Group B will feature Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and hosts Thailand.

The much-anticipated Pakistan–India encounter has been scheduled for February 15 and is expected to be the marquee fixture of the group stage, adding further intrigue to the Rising Stars tournament.

Pakistan will kick off their campaign on the opening day against Nepal on February 13 before taking on the UAE on February 17.

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India, meanwhile, begin their journey against the UAE and will face Nepal prior to the blockbuster clash with Pakistan.

The group stage will run until February 18, after which the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for February 20.

The tournament will culminate with the final on February 22.

The Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 is seen as a key platform for developing young players and strengthening the women’s game across Asia, with several teams eyeing the event as a stepping stone toward senior-level success.

Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 Schedule

Feb 13, Friday

• 9:30 AM: Pakistan vs Nepal
• 2:00 PM: India vs UAE

Feb 14, Saturday

• 9:30 AM: Malaysia vs Thailand
• 2:00 PM: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka

Feb 15, Sunday

• 9:30 AM: UAE vs Nepal
• 2:00 PM: India vs Pakistan

Feb 16, Monday

• 9:30 AM: Sri Lanka vs Malaysia
• 2:00 PM: Bangladesh vs Thailand

Feb 17, Tuesday

• 9:30 AM: India 🇮🇳 vs Nepal 🇳🇵
• 2:00 PM: Pakistan vs UAE

Feb 18, Wednesday

• 9:30 AM: Bangladesh vs Malaysia
• 2:00 PM: Sri Lanka vs Thailand

Feb 20, Friday

• 9:30 AM: Semi-Final 1 → A1 vs B2
• 2:00 PM: Semi-Final 2 → B1 vs A2

Feb 22, Sunday: FINAL

READ: Real Sociedad end Barcelona winning streak to tighten Liga title race

Real Sociedad damaged Barcelona’s title defence ambitions as Goncalo Guedes gave them a surprise 2-1 La Liga victory on Sunday as Hansi Flick’s side fell to a first defeat in 12 matches.

The Catalan giants, who hit the woodwork four times and had two goals disallowed, now only lead rivals Real Madrid by a single point at the top of the table after Alvaro Arbeloa’s side beat Levante on Saturday.

Hosts Real Sociedad, now unbeaten in four games under new American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, had Carlos Soler sent off late on but managed to hold on to triumph and climb up to eighth.

“I think we deserved to win today, we had a lot of chances, but in the end you have to put them away,” Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong told DAZN. “We played well, but we didn’t win… their goalkeeper had a very good game.”

Real Sociedad shot-stopper Alex Remiro made several crucial saves.

“Three great points and a great game,” said Remiro. “We’ve started this year in great form… this is the energy we have, how we’ve changed (recently).”

In a frantic start to a compelling game at the rainy Reale Arena, both teams had goals ruled out.

La Real had the ball in the net inside 30 seconds when Mikel Oyarzabal headed home Guedes’s cross, but had strayed offside.

At the other end, Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez drilled home from range, but Dani Olmo had committed a foul in the build-up, and it was ruled out.

With teenage winger Lamine Yamal keen to take on defenders, Barca got in often down the right flank. The 18-year-old teed up Olmo, who fired high over the bar when he might have sent the Catalans ahead.

Yamal found the net himself, but the goal was ruled out for an extremely tight offside, before Real Sociedad took the lead against the run of play.

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Oyarzabal lashed home Guedes’s cross with a blistering volley inside Joan Garcia’s near post.

Yamal was felled just inside the area before half-time, but although the referee pointed to the spot, a VAR review showed that the youngster was offside again, and it was cancelled out.

Barcelona turned up the pressure in the second half, and Real Sociedad were left depending on Remiro and the frame of the goal to keep the Catalans at bay.

Olmo crashed a shot against the post from Lopez’s cross, and then Remiro denied the Barca midfielder with a fine near-post save.

Remiro then tipped substitute Robert Lewandowski’s header against the crossbar with the save of the night.

Another Barca substitute, Marcus Rashford, eventually pulled the champions level, heading Yamal’s cross home after 70 minutes.

However, the hosts immediately regained their advantage after Barca goalkeeper Garcia initially saved Carlos Soler’s shot. The midfielder was able to gather the rebound and cross for Guedes, who fired La Real ahead again.

They should have got a third when Garcia, out of his goal, had no chance of saving Oyarzabal’s effort, but Pau Cubarsi headed the ball off the line.

Barcelona came within centimetres of an equaliser when Joao Cancelo, on his second debut for the club, crossed for Jules Kounde, who headed against the crossbar.

Soler was dismissed for an ugly foul on Pedri before nine minutes of stoppage time were added on.

Rashford hit the post directly from a corner kick as Barca pushed until the end but could not find a way through.

READ: Senegal stun hosts Morocco to win AFCON title

Senegal stunned Morocco in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final as Pape Gueye’s goal gave them a 1-0 extra-time win over the hosts at the end of a match marred by disgraceful scenes following a controversial penalty award.

Brahim Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco when he stepped up to take the spot-kick in the 24th added minute at the end of normal time.

But Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the weak attempted chip by the Real Madrid winger, who was clearly distracted by the long delay of almost 20 minutes that followed the penalty award.

Congolese match referee Jean-Jacques Ndala gave the penalty right at the end of the allotted eight added minutes following a VAR check for a challenge on Diaz in the box by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Diaz, the rest of the Moroccan team and their bench vehemently protested to the referee to check the images, but the decision to eventually give the spot-kick was met with fury by Senegal and their fans.

As most of their players walked off the pitch, some Senegal supporters in the small section of away fans at the opposite end of the stadium threw chairs and other objects and attempted to get onto the field of play.

They were eventually contained by a large barrier of police and stewards, and their anger turned to delight and disbelief when the penalty was saved.

The Senegal team had initially been riled by the referee’s decision to disallow for a foul a goal they scored in the second added minute when Abdoulaye Seck headed off the post at a corner, and Ismaila Sarr nodded in the rebound.

After Diaz’s penalty miss, however, it felt almost inevitable that a galvanised Senegal would go on to score, and they did so in the fourth minute of extra time to stun the home fans in the crowd of 66,526 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Sadio Mane won possession in midfield and found Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released his namesake Pape Gueye.

The Villarreal midfielder held off the backtracking Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi as he advanced towards the box before beating goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with a superb strike into the top corner.

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Morocco were distraught, in particular Diaz, who was promptly substituted.

They could still have forced a penalty shoot-out, with Nayef Aguerd heading against the crossbar in the second half of extra time.

But it was not to be for the hosts, who had been dreaming of winning the title in front of their own fans to end a 50-year wait to become African champions for just the second time.

Senegal could have been more comfortable had Cherif Ndiaye not squandered a glorious chance to make it 2-0 late in the extra period, but they held on.

It is their second Cup of Nations title in the last three editions, following their victory over Egypt on penalties in Yaounde in 2022, which secured the trophy for the first time in their history.

They can now look forward to heading to the United States for the World Cup in June, and will hope to persuade star man Mane to play at another AFCON after he declared that the final would be his last ever game at the tournament.

Any investigation into the disgraceful scenes during the game will focus on the conduct of the Senegal team and their fans, as well as any shortcomings by Moroccan organisers.

The incidents came at the end of a tense final, which had been low on goalmouth action — not exactly surprising given the defensive strength of Africa’s best teams according to the FIFA rankings.

Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye was denied by Bounou when clean through with the best chance in the first half, while Morocco should have scored just before the hour mark, but Ayoub El Kaabi prodded wide from a Bilal El Khannouss cross.

Then came the late drama, with Senegal surviving the penalty award before Gueye became their hero, that was the first goal scored by the Lions of Teranga in an AFCON final after they had failed to find the net in any of their three previous appearances in the tournament’s deciding game.

It was an agonising way for Morocco’s campaign to end, and many of their fans had left the stadium before the final whistle on a cold and wet night in Rabat.

READ: Australia name squad for T20I tour of Pakistan

MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia (CA) has unveiled a 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, which will serve as a crucial tune-up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

All three matches of the series will be staged at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on January 29, January 31 and February 1, marking Australia’s latest white-ball assignment on Pakistani soil ahead of the global event next month.

Experienced all-rounder Mitchell Marsh will continue as captain, with several senior figures returning to the setup following their involvement in the Ashes series against England.

Travis Head, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis headline a squad that blends established internationals with emerging talent.

The series, however, overlaps with the knockout stages of the Big Bash League (BBL), meaning players still active in the domestic competition will link up with the national side once their franchise commitments conclude.

Several high-profile players will miss the Pakistan tour as Australia manage workloads and fitness concerns.

Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis have all been rested, with Cummins, Hazlewood and David continuing their rehabilitation from recent injuries.

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In their absence, selectors have opted to expand the squad with several backup and development options, including Sean Abbott, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe and Matthew Renshaw.

Fast bowler Beardman and all-rounder Edwards have been rewarded for standout performances in the ongoing BBL.

Despite remaining uncapped at the international level, both have previously spent time with Australian squads and are viewed as long-term prospects.

Australia’s chair of selectors, George Bailey, said the Pakistan series offers a timely opportunity to test depth ahead of the World Cup.

“This series is a great opportunity for players on the fringe and some younger cricketers we rate highly to gain experience with the World Cup group in Pakistan,” Bailey said.

“Some are already established internationals, while Mahli Beardman has been around the group a few times, and Jack Edwards was part of the squad for the final ODI against India in Sydney last year.”

Australia squad for Pakistan T20Is

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa.

READ: PSL 11 to feature first-ever player auction in league’s history

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced a significant structural shift in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), confirming that the tournament will move to a Player Auction Model ahead of its season 11.

“In a historic move after a decade of success, the HBL Pakistan Super League (HBL PSL 11) will transition to a Player Auction Model, replacing the traditional Player Draft system,” the cricket board said in a statement.

“This strategic shift is aimed at enhancing competitive balance, increasing transparency, and providing players’ greater earning opportunities.”

Under the revised framework, each franchise will be allowed to retain a maximum of four players, with only one retention permitted per category.

This marks a sharp departure from previous seasons, where teams could retain up to eight players, along with additional provisions such as mentors, brand ambassadors and the Right to Match (RTM) option.

For PSL 11, the PCB has abolished the mentor, brand ambassador and RTM clauses altogether, streamlining the squad-building process ahead of the auction.

The two newly inducted franchises, Hyderabad and Sialkot, will also be granted special provisions, allowing them to select and retain four players from the available pool before the player auction.

In addition, every team will be permitted one direct signing of a foreign player who did not feature in PSL 10, a move designed to inject fresh international talent into the competition.

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In another major development, the PCB confirmed an increase in the player salary purse to USD 1.6 million per franchise, underlining the league’s intent to remain commercially attractive while rewarding both domestic and overseas cricketers.

The board stated that these changes reflect the PSL’s evolving vision as it looks to strengthen its global standing, boost fan engagement and set new benchmarks in franchise cricket.

The PCB also confirmed that PSL 11 will get underway on March 26, 2026, and will mark Faisalabad’s first-ever stint as a host city. The venue will join Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, expanding the league to five host cities.

READ: Bangladesh standoff prompt Pakistan to review World Cup plans: sources

MIRPUR: Saif Hassan’s 73 from 44 balls, backed up by impressive bowling from Mohammad Saifuddin and Taskin Ahmed, helped Dhaka Capitals crush Chattogram Royals in the 30th fixture of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26.

Chasing a stiff target of 171, Chattogram Royals were skittled for 128 in 19.4 overs.

Taskin Ahmed inflicted a poor start on Royals as Mohammad Haris was sent back for a golden duck in the first over.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy followed him for six while Shadman Islam was caught behind, leaving Royals 19-3 in 2.3 overs.

After early hiccups, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Naim tried to arrest the slide with a brief 25-run partnership.

The scorecard read 44 in 7.4 overs before another collapse slumped them to 54-6 in 11.3 overs.

The game was done and dusted a long time ago, but Aamer Jamal resisted with a brisk 42 from 26 balls with the help of four boundaries and two sixes.

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His valiant effort ended on the third ball of the final over, resulting in an all-out and a comprehensive win for Dhaka Capitals.

For Dhaka Capitals, Mohammad Saifuddin took four wickets while Taskin Ahmed was equally good for his three scalps.

Earlier, after being given the oppurtunity to bat first, Dhaka Capitals were bowled out for 170 in 19.5 overs.

Saif Hassan was the star batter with 73 from 44 balls, laced with five sixes and five fours.

The right-hander stitched a crucial partnership of 90 runs with Zubaid Akbari, which kept the Dhaka Capitals innings afloat.

Meanwhile, Zubaid scored 29 from 30 balls with the help of two sixes and a four.

For Chattogram Royals,  Tanvir Islam picked up three wickets.

READ: Kohli 124 in vain as New Zealand seal historic ODI series win

INDORE: Virat Kohli’s 124 went in vain as New Zealand outplayed India to win the three-match ODI series against India.

Set a daunting 338, India fell short by 41 runs as New Zealand bowled them out for 296 in 41 overs.

The victory marked the Blackcaps’ first ODI series win in India, after failing to achieve the feat previously.

The in-form Kohli, who plays just the 50-over format after retiring from Test and T20 international cricket, threatened to pull off the chase in a 99-run seventh-wicket partnership with Harshit Rana, who made 52.

New Zealand left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox returned figures of 2-42 from his 10 overs after captain Michael Bracewell left the field with a calf injury and did not return.

Mitchell led the team in Bracewell’s absence, which also left New Zealand a bowler short.

Zak Foulkes and fellow seamer Kristian Clarke took three wickets each.

India slumped to 71-4 before Kohli hit back in an 88-run stand with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made 53, and then with Rana.

Kohli struck 10 fours and three sixes in his 108-ball knock before he was caught off Clarke and walked back to a rousing ovation af

Earlier, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips struck counter-attacking centuries as New Zealand posted 337-8

New Zealand slipped to 5-2 and then 58-3 after being invited to bat first in Indore before Mitchell and Phillips put on 219 runs for the fourth wicket.

Mitchell made 137 and Phillips hit 106 off 88 balls to take the attack to the opposition bowlers as New Zealand look for their first ODI series win in India.

The in-form Mitchell picked up where he left off from his match-winning 131 not out in the previous match, which levelled the series at 1-1.

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Mitchell reached his ninth ODI ton with a single of Ravindra Jadeja, letting out a scream and celebrating with his partner.

Phillips reached his hundred off Arshdeep Singh and pointed his bat to the sky as the crowd and the New Zealand dressing room stood to applaud.

Arshdeep finally got Phillips caught behind to end the marathon stand and Mitchell soon followed after falling to Mohammed Siraj.

New Zealand wobbled with four more wickets but captain Michael Bracewell hammered an unbeaten 28 off 18 balls to boost their total.

Left-arm quick Arshdeep struck in the first over when he bowled Henry Nicholls for a first-ball duck and Harshit Rana removed Devon Conway for five in the next over.

Rana stuck again to remove Will Young for 30 but Mitchell and Phillips then rebuilt the innings and put New Zealand on course to a challenging total.

The series will be followed by five T20s ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka between February 7 and March 8.

READ: Dominant Afghanistan crush West Indies in U19 World Cup

WINDHOEK: All-round Afghanistan sealed a comprehensive 138-run victory over the West Indies in the 11th match of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup here at the High Performance Oval on Sunday.

Set 262: West Indies batting lineup folded for 124 in 33.2 overs.

Afghanistan bowlers applied pressure from the onset, with spinner Wahidullah Zadran cutting through the top-order.

At the end of the five overs West Indies were 21-3 with Jewel Andrew and skipper Joshua Dorne at the crease.

The pair stabilized the innings with a 30-run partnership, bringing the total to over 50 run mark.

However, Apple’s dismissal sparked another collapse that West Indies could not recover from.

Jewel Andrew was the silver lining for West Indies, top scoring with 56 from 70 balls with the aid of four boundaries and three sixes.

For Afghanistan, Nooristani Omarzai starred with the ball, picking up four wickets while Wahidullah Zadran and Khatir Stanikzai shared six wickets between them.

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Earlier, after opting to bat first, Afghanistan put up 262-6 at the end of their 50 overs.

Osman Sadat and Mahboob Khan starred with the bat, both scoring vital 88 and 86 runs respectively.

The pair was involved in a 77-run stand for the fourth wicket partnership that drived Afghanistan’s innings.

For West Indies, Jakeem Pollard picked up three wickets.

In the 10th fixture, England romped to an eight-wicket win over the hosts, Zimbabwe.

Set mere 209, England chased down the target with ease in 28 overs, losing only two wickets in the process.

Skipper Thomas Rew and Ben Mayes starred with the bat. Rew made 86* from 66, striking four boundaries and seven fours. While Mayes remained unbeaten on 77 from 72, hitting four sixes and three boundaries.

For Zimbabwe, Shelton Mazvitorera scalped two wickets apiece.

Put into bat first, Zimbabwe only mustered 208-9 at the end of their innings as Skipper Simbarashe Mudzengerere top-scored for them with 45* off 63 balls.

For England, Manny Lumsden took four wickets, whereas Farhan Ahmed and Ralphie Albert shared four wickets between them.

Meanwhile, the Group B fixture between the USA and New Zealand was washed out due to rain.

USA managed to score 253-9 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to a sublime century from Nitish Sudini.

Sudini made an unbeaten 117* from 133 balls, coming out to bat at No 07 position.

In reply, New Zealand made 12 in one over before rain arrived and halted the proceedings.

Later, the match was called off due to weather conditions, with no further play possible.

READ: Bangladesh standoff prompt Pakistan to review World Cup plans: sources

PRAGUE: Pakistan’s rising squash star Mehwish Ali is now out of danger after a serious health scare during the semifinals of the WSF Czech Junior Open 2026, currently underway in the Czech Republic.

Mehwish, who was in a dominant position in the semi-final, suffered a health scare during the middle of the match.

The severity of the injury forced an immediate halt to play, and she was subsequently shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for close medical monitoring and treatment.

Now, as per the latest reports, Mehwish is out of danger, has regained consciousness, and is stable.

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It was revealed that Mehwish Ali’s heart came under stress, and oxygen wasn’t reaching it, leaving her unconscious for seven hours.

Her recovery brings relief to the Pakistani squash community, who have been closely following her performance in the tournament.

The incident has cast a shadow over an otherwise outstanding tournament for Pakistan, where the Ali Sisters — Mahnoor, Mehwish, and Sehrish Ali — have once again demonstrated Pakistan’s growing strength in international junior squash.

Mahnoor Ali booked a place in the summit clash after beating Tarasova 3–0 in the semifinal, with a dominant performance: 11–5, 11–6, 11–7.

Besides Mahnoor, another Ali sister, Sehrish Ali, also delivered a spirited performance but was defeated by the second seed Johanna Reháková of the Czech Republic.

For the unversed, the WSF Czech Junior Open 2026 is a highly ranked international junior squash tournament under the European Squash Federation Junior Gold Circuit, featuring top young players from across the world and offering valuable international ranking points.

All matches will be streamed live on the ESF Squash website, providing global access for squash fans.

READ: Bangladesh standoff prompt Pakistan to review World Cup plans: sources

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan may reconsider its participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 following the rising tensions between India and Bangladesh, sources said on Sunday.

According to sources, Bangladesh has contacted the Pakistan government regarding participation in the mega event due to the team’s raising security concerns.

Sources added that if the matter is not resolved, Pakistan may review its decision to participate in the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan maintains that Bangladesh has valid grounds for not traveling to India and has assured full support on the matter.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also offered to host Bangladesh fixtures amid the unavailability of venues in Sri Lanka due to logistical challenges.

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For the unversed, the dispute escalated following recent geopolitical tensions between India and Bangladesh, after which BCB formally requested a venue change, citing concerns over player safety.

The issue gained further traction after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders on the recommendation of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

While the ICC has assured full security arrangements, BCB officials have maintained their stance, stating that playing on Indian soil could compromise their players’ safety.

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

Bangladesh were originally scheduled to play three group-stage matches in Kolkata, against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14, before travelling to Mumbai to face Nepal on February 17.

READ: Starc, Smith take Sixers into BBL 15 finals