Category: Sports

COLOMBO: India captain Suryakumar Yadav played down the question regarding the handshake with Pakistan ahead of their clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Suryakumar said everyone should wait 24 hours, take care of their diet, rest well, and see what the future brings.

“Wait for 24 hours. Eat well, sleep well, we will see tomorrow,” the Indian captain told reporters.

Suryakumar Yadav also responded lightheartedly to the remarks from Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha regarding opener Abhishek Sharma’s availability for the high-pressure encounter.

The explosive opener, Sharma, was unable to play in India’s fixture against Namibia due to illness.

“If Salman wants us to play Abhishek tomorrow, we shall play him,” he said.

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Earlier, Salman Ali Agha said he hoped Abhishek Sharma would play in tomorrow’s game.

“I hope he plays tomorrow. I hope he’s recovering well,” said Agha. “We want to play against the best, good luck to him.”

Suryakumar also admitted that the Indian batting lineup failed to meet expectations in the opening game against the USA.

He further discussed the game’s intensity, noting that the lack of fixtures between the two nations also compounds the pressure.

“We had a scratchy start, we can’t run away from the fact. There’s no excuse. Everyone has played a lot of cricket, batters should have their own plans on a tricky wicket. We started well but had a hiccup, but then covered it well. It’s the beauty of T20 cricket,” he explained

“There’s always pressure. With India-Pakistan, it’s more of an occasion. No matter how much we say “it’s just any other game,” it’s a human tendency to be under pressure because it is not any other game. We don’t play them often, either. So the pressure is always there,” Suryakumar concluded.

For the unversed, the India-Pakistan handshake row stemmed from the Asia Cup 2025, where both teams refused to shake hands in three fixtures.

The handshake snub was due to the May 10 conflict between the two countries, which was on the verge of full-scale war following the Pahalgam attack.

READ: Pakistan ‘always ready’ for India despite late green light: Salman Agha

COLOMBO: Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha said on Saturday that his team had been “always ready” to face India on Sunday at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, despite only being given the green light a few days ago.

The biggest and most lucrative clash in world cricket has sold out the 35,000-capacity R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with hundreds of millions more expected to watch on television.

The game was only confirmed as going ahead late on Monday night after the Islamabad government made a U-turn on its order to boycott the blockbuster Group A game.

“This is a very big game, and the magnitude is huge,” Agha said ahead of the team’s practice at the stadium on Saturday. “We were always ready for the game, whatever the decision.”

Pakistan had a scrappy last-over three-wicket win in their first match against the Netherlands before beating the United States by 32 runs. India have also won both their matches so far.

“We are in good momentum, and I hope that being in Colombo since the start will help us in terms of conditions,” said Agha. “We have to play good cricket to win the match.”

The hugely anticipated match could be hit by bad weather, with rain forecast for Sunday evening.

Agha believed spin would dominate, calling Tariq Usman his trump card against India’s powerful batting line-up.

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“Tariq has been bowling well, and I am sure the mystery element will make him our trump card,” Agha said, brushing aside doubts over the legality of Tariq’s unique sling-arm action and the exaggerated pause in his delivery stride.

“He has been cleared twice, so there are no worries.”

Salman Ali Agha hoped the players would shake hands, unlike during their three Asia Cup matches in Dubai last year.

“The game should be played in the true spirit of the game,”  said Agha. “It has been the norm in cricket for years, but whatever way they want, we will only know tomorrow.”

The winner will be guaranteed of thier berth in the next Super Eights round.

India have a doubt over explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, who has been suffering with a stomach bug.

“I hope he plays tomorrow. I hope he’s recovering well,” said Agha. “We want to play against the best, good luck to him.”

READ: Salman Agha wishes Abhishek Sharma well ahead of India-Pakistan clash

COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has voiced admiration for India’s opener Abhishek Sharma ahead of their marquee showdown in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, expressing hope that the left-hander recovers in time to feature in Sunday’s contest.

Speaking on the eve of the high-voltage encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Agha made it clear that Pakistan want to test themselves against India at full strength, underlining Sharma’s growing stature in international cricket.

“Abhishek is obviously a quality player. I hope he’s recovering well and is available because we want to compete against the best team they have,” Agha said during the pre-match press conference.

The Indian opener had missed his side’s previous outing after being hospitalised with a stomach infection, though India still secured a commanding 93-run victory over Namibia.

Sharma has enjoyed notable success against Pakistan, scoring 110 runs in three matches at a striking rate of 189.65, making his availability a key talking point ahead of the clash.

Addressing another subject, Salman Ali Agha dismissed ongoing chatter around the bowling action of spinner Usman Tariq, reiterating that he has already been cleared.

“There has been talk about Usman Tariq’s action, but he has been cleared twice. I don’t know why the discussion continues. It does not affect him at all,” the skipper stated.

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The Pakistan captain also emphasised collective responsibility within the squad, highlighting the importance of flexibility and bench strength.

“We are ready to play good cricket. We understand the conditions and the pitch. All 15 players are important, and anyone can play,” he said, confirming that the final XI will be decided after assessing the surface.

Reflecting on Pakistan’s historical struggles against India in World Cups, Salman Ali Agha admitted the past has not always been favourable but stressed that the team is focused on learning and improving.

“Our record hasn’t been great, but we have learned from history and will try to play well tomorrow,” he noted.

When asked about India’s strong batting lineup and the form of Babar Azam, Agha remained calm and confident, insisting Pakistan are focused on their own execution.

“Babar is scoring runs, and it is not a concern for us. Hopefully, he continues tomorrow as well,” he said with a composed smile.

READ: Lorcan Tucker helps Ireland crush Oman at T20 World Cup 2026

COLOMBO: Stand-in captain Lorcan Tucker scored a superb unbeaten 94 as Ireland hammered Oman by 96 runs to register their first win at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday.

It propelled Ireland to the tournament’s highest score of 235-5, the second biggest total in the history of the men’s T20 World Cup.

Oman were never remotely in the chase at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) and were bundled out for 139 in 18 overs.

“The pitch was good, and we tried to capitalise by rotating the strike and putting the bad balls away,” said Tucker, who took over after Paul Stirling was ruled out on Friday with knee ligament damage.

“My role in the batting unit has changed, and I am loving the challenge,” Tucker said after posting the highest individual innings of the tournament so far.

He rescued the Irish from a precarious 64-4 after 7.3 overs with a sensational 51-ball knock that included 10 fours and four sixes.

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“We had lost too many wickets, and we tried to keep the momentum,” he said.

He just missed out on a century when he lost the strike in the final over and was a spectator as George Dockrell hit the last three balls to the fence.

Tucker put on 101 runs for the fifth wicket with Gareth Delany, who made 56 off 30 balls.

The big-hitting Dockrell finished with 35 off just nine balls.

In reply, opener Aamir Kaleem scored exactly 50 and Hammad Mirza 46, but they were the only bright spots for Oman.

READ: Rain threat looms over Pakistan-India clash in Colombo

COLOMBO: Weather conditions could significantly influence the much-anticipated Pakistan-India clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with forecasts pointing to a strong possibility of rain in Colombo on Sunday, February 15.

Persistent showers and heavy humidity in the hours leading up to the match have raised concerns about interruptions at the R. Premadasa Stadium, potentially impacting both teams in what is expected to be a high-stakes encounter.

According to the latest weather update, conditions between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM (local time), just before the scheduled toss, remained challenging.

Light rain was reported at 4:00 PM with temperatures around 29°C, although the RealFeel touched 31°C, reflecting muggy and uncomfortable conditions.

Thick cloud cover of 94% hovered above the venue, while humidity stood at 70% with a dew point of 23°C, indicating a sticky atmosphere.

Winds blowing from the north-northeast at 15 km/h, with gusts up to 26 km/h, could offer early movement for seam bowlers.

Visibility was steady at 10 kilometres, though overcast skies dominated, and 0.7 mm of rainfall had already been recorded.

By 5:00 PM, the situation worsened slightly. The temperature dipped to 28°C, but humidity surged to 79%, making conditions more oppressive.

Rain intensified, with 2.5 mm recorded during the hour, while visibility dropped to 6 kilometres and the cloud ceiling lowered to 600 metres, suggesting thicker cloud concentration over the stadium.

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Winds remained consistent at 15 km/h with similar gust speeds.

Looking ahead to the match window between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM, cloudy and humid conditions are expected to persist.

Temperatures are forecast to range between 27°C and 26°C, though it may feel closer to 29°C due to humidity levels rising to around 81%.

A steady north-easterly breeze of 13 km/h, with gusts touching 28–30 km/h, could provide slight assistance to seamers under lights.

Cloud cover is predicted to remain complete, while visibility may improve slightly to around 8 kilometres.

With the dew point holding at 23°C, moisture in the air is expected to be significant, meaning dew could become a major factor later in the evening, potentially affecting bowlers’ grip and fielding efficiency.

Both teams enter the contest unbeaten in the group stage. Pakistan have secured wins over the Netherlands and the USA, while India have defeated the USA and Namibia, setting the stage for another high-pressure chapter in cricket’s most intense rivalry.

Historically, India have dominated the T20I head-to-head record, winning 13 of the 16 encounters, with Pakistan claiming three victories. In T20 World Cup meetings, India lead 6-1, with one match ending without a result.

READ: Babar Azam shares mindset ahead of Pakistan-India showdown

COLOMBO: Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has opened up about the pressure and emotions surrounding the much-anticipated clash against India, set to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Babar reflected on the unmatched intensity that defines a Pakistan-India encounter, describing it as a contest that extends far beyond the boundary ropes.

He noted that such fixtures carry enormous global attention and heightened expectations, making mental composure a decisive factor.

“A Pakistan-India match is always high intensity. The whole world and the fans are involved, and expectations naturally rise,” Babar said, highlighting the magnitude of the occasion.

Drawing on years of experience in high-pressure contests, the 31-year-old stressed the importance of staying calm and blocking out external noise.

According to him, handling emotions wisely can be the difference between success and failure, particularly for younger players experiencing the hype of the rivalry for the first time.

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“We’ve learnt that the more we stay cool, relaxed, and don’t listen to what people say, the better it is. Youngsters often get excited, but if you remain tension-free and composed, it works in your favour,” he added.

Both sides head into the blockbuster clash unbeaten in the tournament so far.

Pakistan have secured wins over the Netherlands and the USA, while India have registered victories against the USA and Namibia, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter between the arch-rivals.

Historically, India have dominated the T20I rivalry, winning 13 of the 16 meetings between the two teams, with Pakistan claiming three victories.

In T20 World Cup history, India hold a 6-1 advantage, with one match ending in a no result.

Squads

India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.

READ: T20 sides ‘can’t live’ with England at their best, says Phil Salt

Phil Salt called on England to puff their chests out, stand up and keep their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 hopes alive, saying on Friday that when they bring their A-game, “sides can’t live with us”.

Harry Brook’s side fell to the West Indies in Mumbai on Wednesday and now need wins over Scotland and Italy in the next three days in Kolkata to be guaranteed to reach the Super Eights from Group C.

England played their first two matches at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium and were below their exhilarating best that has seen them win 12 of their last 14 T20 internationals.

They squeezed home by just four runs against Nepal in a last-ball thriller on Sunday and then lost by 30 runs to the West Indies to end an eight-match winning streak.

“It’s just two games where I think it’s fair to say we haven’t been at our best. Not 10 or 12 games,” said Salt.

In both matches, they struggled in the middle overs, with Brook suggesting after the West Indies defeat that his side were too tentative with their batting in their 197 chase.

“The opportunities are in front of us and are there to go out and play with some personality and express yourself,” Salt told reporters at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.

“Because when we do that, sides can’t live with us. We know that much.”

The explosive Salt got England off to a roaring start with 30 off 14 balls against the West Indies before they collapsed from 74-1 to 166 all out.

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“It’s about bringing it to that night and in that moment when you’ve got a decision to make, taking the positive option with your chest out and putting a stamp on the game.”

England were stunned by Ireland in the group phase of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia before going on to lift the trophy.

“Obviously, we did that in 2022, and we’ll look to do that again here,” said England opener Salt.

The mood in the camp remained “pretty positive”, he added.

“If we can be that authentic side of ourselves, chest out, taking the game on and being smart, there’s nothing to stop us.

“If we want to go deep into this World Cup, we’re going to have to do exactly that.”

England named an unchanged side to face Scotland on Saturday.

Jofra Archer retains the new ball duties despite conceding 90 runs from his eight overs in the two matches in Mumbai.

England team to play Scotland: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (capt), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid

READ: Luka Modric strikes late to earn AC Milan victory at struggling Pisa

Croatian veteran Luka Modric struck in the 85th minute as AC Milan eked out a 2-1 victory at Serie A’s bottom club Pisa on Friday to cement their grip on second place.

The victory means Milan will gain ground on a weekend when the four other teams in the top five meet.

In an often cagey game, Pisa left Ruben Loftus-Cheek alone near the penalty spot when Zachary Athekame swung in a cross from the right in the 39th minute. The towering English midfielder leant into the ball to head into the far corner.

After Niclas Fuellkrug, who had replaced Christopher Nkunku in the Milan attack at half time, hit the post with a 56th-minute penalty, the visitors sat back.

They were punished in the 71st minute when Felipe Loyola pounced on a loose ball to curl in his first goal since arriving in Pisa on loan from Independiente in Argentina in January.

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Milan roused themselves. Fuellkrug brushed the post from close range before Luka Modric won the game with five minutes left.

The 40-year-old midfielder, Luke Modric, slid the ball to Samuele Ricci on the penalty spot and scampered after his pass. The falling Ricci scuffed a pass to the surging Modric, who lifted the ball into the goal.

In added time, Milan’s French International Adrien Rabiot picked up a yellow card for a foul on the edge of the box and an instant second for protesting. Ten-man Milan held off a late flurry of Pisan pressure.

The victory left Milan still five points behind leaders Inter, but put them four points ahead of champions Napoli.

Inter host fourth-placed Juventus on Saturday, and Napoli entertain fifth-placed Roma on Sunday.

READ: Peshawar Zalmi sign Shahnawaz Dahani for PSL 11

Peshawar Zalmi has signed fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, set to begin on March 26.

The signing was announced on the franchise’s social media accounts with an animated image.

“Fresh pace, right-arm variety, and plenty of promise. ShahnawazDahani
is set to electrify the #YellowStorm with his signature celebration,” the caption wrote.

“Welcome to your new home,” it added.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Peshawar Zalmi (@peshawarzalmipk)

Shahnawaz Dahani went unsold at the PSL Player Auction on February 10 at the Expo Centre Lahore.

The right-arm pacer was listed for a base price of 1.1 crore. However, none of the eight teams showed interest in bidding for the pacer.

Dahani has previously represented Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans, now rebranded as Rawalpindi. In 27 matches between 2021 and 2024, the pacer has claimed 39 wickets at an average of 20.84.

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Overall, he has played 62 T20s and has scalped 81 wickets, including a five-wicket haul.

With the addition of Dahani, the Peshawar Zalmi squad has now expanded to 16 members.

The squad includes notable players, with ace batter Babar Azam leading the side in PSL 11.

For the unversed, the auction was the first of its kind in the league’s history, replacing the draft—a player selection process—that had been used for the first 10 editions since it started in 2016.

The change to the player selection model followed the expansion, which added two new franchises: Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen.

Peshawar Zalmi Squad for PSL 11

Babar Azam, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, James Vince, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Shahnawaz Dahani and Mirza Tahir Baig.

READ: Former spinner urges India to play Usman Tariq cautiously

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has praised Pakistan mystery bowler Usman Tariq, saying that the off-spinner could play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the much-awaited India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The high-octane clash between India and Pakistan will be played on Sunday, February 15, at the RPS Stadium, Colombo.

Speaking to the media ahead of the clash, Harbhajan backed India to win but admitted that Tariq could pose a serious threat to the Indian batters.

“India will win the match. Pakistan has a spinner, he is a good spinner, we have to play him safe…,” he said.

“The Indian team is capable; it’s a very good team. We hope they play the way they have always played, play without any pressure and wave the flag of victory,” Harbhajan remarked.

Tariq has been in impressive form in the ongoing tournament, claiming five wickets in two matches so far.

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Overall, he has picked up 11 wickets in four T20Is, maintaining an outstanding average of 7.90 and an economy of 5.93.

The spinner has also caught eyebrows due to his unorthodox bowling action, which has troubled most of the batters he has bowled to.

During Australia’s recent T20I series tour of Pakistan, Australian batter Cameron Green was seen making a gesture that many interpreted as questioning Tariq’s action.

This was not the first time Tariq’s bowling has been scrutinised. Tariq was previously reported during PSL 9 and PSL 10, but his action was officially cleared on both occasions.

Addressing the scrutiny last year, Tariq explained that the natural bend in his elbows often creates confusion.

“There are two corners on my elbow that make it hard for me to straighten,” he said in an interview last year.

“I gave two tests at labs in Pakistan, and my action was cleared within a week. I didn’t get told to change anything. I was confident because I knew I was not throwing.”

READ: USA rout Netherlands to secure first win of T20 World Cup 2026