Category: Sports

CHENNAI: Tim Seifert produced a match-winning knock as New Zealand chased down a challenging target to secure a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

Pursuing a daunting 183-run target, the Blackcaps reached the finish line with five wickets in hand and 13 balls to spare, overcoming an early collapse with a composed and aggressive middle-order effort.

New Zealand endured a shaky start when Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in the second over, dismissing Finn Allen for 1 and Rachin Ravindra for a duck on consecutive deliveries, leaving the visitors reeling at 14-2 in just 1.4 overs.

Under pressure, Glenn Phillips joined Seifert at the crease, and the pair launched a strong counterattack, stitching together a brisk 74-run stand for the third wicket.

Phillips played fluently for his 42 off 25 balls, hitting seven fours and a six, before Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan broke the partnership in the 10th over.

Seifert, however, continued to dominate and built another crucial 36-run partnership with Mark Chapman.

The wicketkeeper-batter top-scored with a superb 65 off 42 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries, including three sixes, before departing as New Zealand closed in on the target.

Afghanistan fought back again when Chapman fell for a quick 28 off 17 balls in the 16th over, leaving New Zealand needing 28 runs.

But Daryl Mitchell and captain Mitchell Santner held their nerve, guiding the side home with an unbeaten 33-run stand off just 13 deliveries.

Mitchell finished unbeaten on 25 from 14 balls, while Santner contributed a handy 17 not out from eight deliveries to seal the victory.

For Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi chipped in with one scalp each.

Earlier, Gulbadin Naib smashed a brisk half-century to guide Afghanistan to a competitive 182-6.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan saw his decision rewarded as his side recovered strongly from an early wobble to post a challenging total on the board.

Afghanistan began cautiously, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran adding 35 runs in the opening five overs.

However, Lockie Ferguson swung momentum back in New Zealand’s favour by removing both openers in the same over, reducing Afghanistan to 44/2.

Zadran managed 10 off 12 balls, while Gurbaz contributed 27 from 22 deliveries, including two fours and a six.

With the innings at a delicate stage, Gulbadin Naib joined forces with Sediqullah Atal to rebuild.

The pair stitched together a crucial 79-run partnership for the third wicket, stabilising the innings and setting the platform for acceleration.

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Atal’s composed knock of 29 came to an end in the 15th over, but Naib continued to dominate the bowlers.

The experienced all-rounder then shared a quick 33-run stand with Darwish Rasooli before falling in the 18th over to Rachin Ravindra.

Naib top-scored with a fluent 63 off 35 balls, striking four boundaries and three sixes in an innings that shifted the contest in Afghanistan’s favour.

Rasooli followed soon after, dismissed by Matt Henry for a brisk 20 off 13 balls, which included a four and a six.

In the closing stages, Mohammad Nabi (10*) and Azmatullah Omarzai (14) provided late momentum with an 18-run partnership off just 11 deliveries, ensuring Afghanistan finished strongly.

For New Zealand, Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers with 2/40 from his four overs, while Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry and Ravindra claimed a wicket each.

READ: Ali Tareen reveals his strategy for Multan Sultans auction

LAHORE: A high-level International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation is set to meet the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, here today to resolve the ongoing deadlock over the India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, sources revealed.

The much-anticipated fixture between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, widely regarded as one of cricket’s most commercially significant contests, remains uncertain after the Government of Pakistan directed its national team not to take the field against India in Colombo.

The match is scheduled for February 15 and carries massive implications both financially and competitively.

The 20-team tournament has already been clouded by political tensions following Bangladesh’s refusal to play matches in India due to security concerns, a decision that led to their replacement by Scotland.

In response, the Pakistan government barred the national side from participating in the high-profile Group A encounter against co-hosts India.

Pakistan, who opened their campaign with a victory over the Netherlands on February 7, stand to lose two vital points and suffer a significant blow to their net run rate if they forfeit the contest.

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According to sources, the ICC delegation, led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, is expected to arrive in Lahore around 4pm.

The delegation will hold discussions with PCB leadership and senior officials to explore a possible way forward.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam is also likely to join the meeting, reflecting the broader regional dimensions of the issue.

Sources further indicated that the ICC has tasked Khwaja with convincing PCB leadership to reconsider Pakistan’s stance, with the governing body keen to find a compromise that ensures the blockbuster encounter proceeds as scheduled.

The outcome of the talks could prove pivotal for the tournament and the future handling of politically sensitive fixtures in international cricket.

READ: Gulbadin Naib achieves major milestone during New Zealand clash

GHENNAI: Veteran Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib scripted a memorable milestone on Sunday, completing 1,000 runs in men’s T20 internationals during Afghanistan’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener against New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Naib reached the landmark when he pushed for his seventh run in the eighth over of Afghanistan’s innings, becoming only the ninth Afghan batter to cross the 1,000-run mark in the shortest format.

The 34-year-old joined an elite group that includes Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran among Afghanistan’s leading run-scorers in T20Is.

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Afghanistan batter with 1000-plus runs in men’s T20Is

Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 2166 runs

Mohammad Shahzad – 2048 runs

Najibullah Zadran – 1830 runs

Ibrahim Zadran – 1705 runs

Asghar Afghan – 1382 runs

Hazratullah Zazai – 1160 runs

Samiullah Shinwari – 1013 runs

Gulbadin Naib – 1000 runs

Naib crowned the milestone with a commanding performance, top-scoring with a fluent 63 off 35 deliveries, laced with four fours and three sixes. His knock proved pivotal as Afghanistan posted a competitive 182/6 against New Zealand.

Apart from Naib, Sediqullah Atal contributed 29, Rahmanullah Gurbaz made 27, and Darwish Rasooli added a quick 20, helping Afghanistan build a strong total in their tournament opener.

READ: Barcelona beat Mallorca to extend La Liga lead

Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has made his position clear ahead of the franchise’s much-anticipated ownership auction, stating he will only reacquire the team if the price is right and not at any cost.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to hold the auction for the Multan-based franchise on February 9, with Tareen among the five qualified bidders shortlisted by the board’s bid committee.

Addressing speculation over his intentions, Tareen released a video message on Instagram, confirming his participation while urging fans to keep “realistic expectations.”

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“We have submitted our papers, and we are one of the qualified bidders for the team,” Tareen said. “But I want everyone to have realistic expectations and temper them. It’s not a given that I will go for Multan Sultans at any cost.”

Tareen described his seven-year association with the franchise as one of the most memorable chapters of his life, highlighting the emotional connection he still holds with the team and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“It has been a privilege to own Multan Sultans for seven years. It has been one of the highlights of my life,” he said. “I love PSL and being part of it, whether I’m in the stands or in the dugout. Maybe I’m a little happier being in the dugout.”

 

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However, he made it clear that he would not engage in a bidding war simply to regain ownership, stressing that financial prudence will guide his decision.

“If we are getting the team at a good price, then definitely we will buy it. But buying at any cost is not the plan,” he added.

Ali Tareen concluded his message by thanking supporters for their continued backing and enthusiasm to see him return as owner of the Sultans, while once again emphasising the need for realistic expectations ahead of the auction.

READ: PCB rejects claims of writing to ICC over India clash

Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal scored as Barcelona eased to a comfortable 3-0 win over Mallorca on Saturday to move four points clear at the top of La Liga.

The champions extended the gap to Real Madrid in second before Alvaro Arbeloa’s side visit Valencia on Sunday, with Marc Bernal also on target late on at the partially reopened Camp Nou stadium.

Barcelona’s first-half display was sluggish, even though Lewandowski’s goal had them ahead at the break.

“I was not happy… we were not on our level, the playing and passing were too slow,” admitted Flick, who demanded more from his side going forward.

“The first half was not how Barca wanted to play, (but) the second half was much better.”

Mallorca target man Vedat Muriqi came close early on as he slid in at the back post but hit the side netting, while Jan Virgili’s shot was saved by Joan Garcia.

Marcus Rashford added some urgency to Barca’s game after a listless start, curling inches wide of the far post after cutting in from the left.

A blocked shot from the England international led to the opener, with Dani Olmo knocking the rebound to Lewandowski to finish from close range.

Rashford’s dangerous free-kick was tipped onto the bar by Mallorca stopper Leo Roman, and Yamal missed from point-blank range as Jules Kounde sent the rebound into his path.

The 18-year-old made amends in the second half with a superb shot from outside the area, which left Roman with no chance.

It was his fourth goal in four games, with Yamal in his best form of the season.

“He kept his energy for the second half and the goal. Lamine is fantastic,” said Flick.

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Midfielder Marc Casado struck the crossbar with a deflected effort as Barca could have opened up a wider lead.

At the other end, Garcia earned his clean sheet with a good save to thwart Antonio Sanchez, before Bernal rounded off Barca’s victory.

The 18-year-old midfielder broke in behind the Mallorca defence, showed composure to open up a shooting angle and finished with the aid of a deflection, his first goal for the club.

Bernal broke into the first team at the start of last season, but a severe knee injury in August 2024 kept him out for around a year and delayed his progress.

“It’s a great joy for him, when a player has such a bad injury, we all feel it, we suffer with him… I’m very happy for him,” Casado told Movistar.

Bernal, who usually plays at the base of the midfield, admitted scoring for the first time for the club was an emotional moment after his injury struggle.

“When I scored, I thought a lot about how tough the last year was for me, so it’s really satisfying, for my family too, I thought of them too,” said Bernal.

Flick handed 19-year-old midfielder Tommy Marques his debut late on, as another youngster from the club’s feted La Masia academy made the jump to the first team.

“His technique is unbelievable, his body language is top,” said Flick, adding that the Spaniard may be able to start playing regularly for Barca next season.

In the late match, Real Sociedad moved up a place to eighth, just four points behind Real Betis in fifth, after a 3-1 win at home to Elche.

Earlier on Saturday, La Liga postponed Rayo Vallecano’s home match against Real Oviedo because of the condition of the pitch at Madrid’s Vallecas stadium.

They later moved Sevilla’s home game against Girona, scheduled for a 1730 GMT slot on Saturday, to Sunday because of adverse weather conditions.

READ: ‘Miracolo’: Football-mad Italy to make cricket World Cup debut

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the base prices of players registered for the highly anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11 player auction.

The landmark auction is scheduled to take place on February 11, with a total of 879 local and overseas cricketers from across the cricketing world signing up.

The pool includes players from Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England and Sri Lanka, with base prices ranging from PKR 60 lakh to PKR 4.2 crore.

Several high-profile international stars have entered the top base price bracket of PKR 4.2 crore.

The list features Afghanistan’s Fazal Haq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Australia’s David Warner, and New Zealand all-rounders Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell.

South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw, England’s James Vince and Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka have also placed themselves in the highest category.

Among Pakistan players, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Amir, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman and Faheem Ashraf headline the top-tier bracket, underlining the strong local presence in the auction.

The second-highest base price category begins at PKR 2.2 crore and includes notable names such as Australia’s Usman Khawaja and Peter Siddle, New Zealand’s Colin Munro, England’s Jason Roy and South Africa veteran Imran Tahir.

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Pakistan representatives in this category include Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saud Shakeel and Shan Masood.

You can find the complete list of players along with their base prices by clicking here.

Under the new auction model, each franchise has been allocated a purse of PKR 450 million to build their squads, along with an additional PKR 55 million reserved for direct signings.

All franchises, including the newly-added Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallionz, have already confirmed their retentions and direct signings ahead of the auction.

However, Peshawar Zalmi were dealt a setback after their direct signing Rahmanullah Gurbaz withdrew from the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, Multan Sultans remain in a unique position heading into the auction. The franchise, currently without an owner, will enter the bidding process with a full purse after retaining no players and making no direct signings.

Notably, the Multan franchise is scheduled to be sold through a separate auction in Lahore on February 9, just two days before the PSL 11 player auction.

READ: ICC delegation to meet Mohsin Naqvi to break India-Pakistan deadlock: sources

Italy have won the football World Cup four times, but when it comes to cricket, they are minnows making a historic debut in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 among the game’s elite.

The Italians play Scotland in the T20 World Cup at Kolkata’s famous Eden Gardens on Monday and will be the lowest-ranked team in the competition.

“How did we get to the World Cup? In Italy, we say ‘miracolo Italiano’, an ‘Italian miracle’,” said Riccardo Maggio, development officer with the Italian Cricket Federation.

Maggio has spent a lifetime helping cricket grow on the fringes of the football-obsessed nation.

“We’re coming to the World Cup, and believe me, we’re not coming just once for appearance,” he said.

“Passion and the Italian way of doing things make us the miracle that we are.”

Italy beat Scotland in the qualifiers, and facing them again on Monday would be a “huge honour”, said skipper Wayne Madsen.

“Captaining Italy is not something I take lightly,” the South Africa-born Madsen, 42, who has played English county cricket, told AFP.

Italy are in Group C and also face England, the West Indies and Nepal.

The challenge is huge, but Maggio has faith. The 56-year-old played for Italy in a six-wicket victory over an England Cricket Board XI in 1998, a match that the ICC said “shocked” cricket.

“I was on the field that day, and we had to play out of our skins,” he said, voice trembling. “And now we’re playing England at the World Cup. I’m sorry, but I’m going to cry.”

Italy’s federation says it has about 1,800 players and around 100 clubs.

“Football will always be huge in Italy, that’s just the reality,” Madsen said, adding that playing in the World Cup will be a “massive” boost.

“When people see Italy competing on a global stage, it sparks interest and belief,” he said.

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Cricket actually has a long history in Italy. In 1793, English naval hero Horatio Nelson “organised the first-ever recorded game in Naples”, according to the ICC, most likely to keep his sailors out of trouble while in port.

An Italian English-born colonel, Francis Maceroni, then took the game to Naples in the 1810s.

“The first difficulty was to get bats and balls. I set to work and made both with my own hands,” Maceroni wrote in his memoir.

The Genoa Cricket and Athletic Club was founded in 1893 at the British consulate, aiming to play cricket in summer and football in winter.

It became the country’s oldest football club, with Genoa winning the Italian Serie A championship nine times.

“It’s still called ‘Genoa Cricket and Football Club’,” Maggio noted.

AC Milan, according to its club history, was founded as the “Milan Football and Cricket Club” in 1899.

Players and fans in Italian cricket come from around the world.

“We have Italians from Australia, Italians from South Africa, the Asian-Italian community, Italians from Italy,” Maggio said.

Madsen will complete an unusual World Cup double on Monday — playing in two different sports for two separate countries.

He played at the field hockey World Cup for his native South Africa, but holds an Italian passport now through his ancestry.

Former South Africa T20 international JJ Smuts, who is now Italian through marriage, is also in the squad.

“A lot of our players have deep Italian roots and others have found their connection to Italy through life and opportunity,” Madsen said.

“What matters most isn’t where you were born, but how much it means to you to wear this badge.”

READ: Peshawar Zalmi comments on Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s PSL withdrawal

Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday issued an official clarification after Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz withdrew from the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11, just two days after being announced as the franchise’s direct signing.

The 24-year-old Afghan opener confirmed his unavailability through a message in Pashto, citing personal commitments and scheduling constraints following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

“After the World Cup, I won’t be available for the PSL this season due to my schedule,” Gurbaz said. “I will be focusing more on my foundation work in Afghanistan. Thank you for all the love and support.”

His sudden withdrawal prompted a detailed response from the 2017 PSL champions, who clarified that Gurbaz’s signing had been completed strictly in accordance with league regulations and after obtaining the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).

“We would like to clarify to our valued and loyal fan base that the recent direct signing of Afghanistan cricketer Mr Rahmanullah Gurbaz was completed strictly after he received full NOC clearance from both the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Afghanistan Cricket Board,” the franchise stated.

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Peshawar Zalmi emphasised that Gurbaz was selected purely on professional and cricketing grounds and was among the top options available on the official player list provided to franchises.

“At the time of selection, he was among the best available options on the official list provided, and his signing followed the prescribed process accordingly,” the statement added.

“This decision was taken purely on professional and cricketing grounds, in full compliance with PSL regulations, PCB guidelines and the established framework of the HBL PSL. No consideration beyond merit, team requirements and due process was involved.”

The franchise concluded by confirming that a replacement direct signing will be announced in due course.

Earlier, ahead of the historic PSL 11 players’ auction scheduled for February 11, Peshawar Zalmi had retained four players.

Babar Azam leads the list in the Platinum category with a retention fee of PKR 70 million, followed by Sufiyan Muqeem in Diamond (PKR 44.8 million), Abdul Samad in Gold (PKR 28 million) and Ali Raza in the Emerging category (PKR 19.6 million).

READ: Quetta Gladiators sign Spencer Johnson as direct signing for PSL 11

CHENNAI: Afghanistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against New Zealand in the fourth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

PLAYING XIs

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy

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Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ziaur Rahman, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

HEAD TO HEAD

Afghanistan and New Zealand have faced each other twice in T20I cricket, with both their meetings coming at the T20 World Cup.

The Kiwis clinched victory in the 2021 edition, while Afghanistan returned the favour in 2024.

Matches 2, New Zealand 1, Afghanistan 1

READ: PCB rejects claims of writing to ICC over India clash

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has categorically rejected claims made by Indian media that it wrote to the International Cricket Council (ICC) refusing to play the T20 World Cup group stage match against India on February 15.

PCB spokesman Amir Mir, clarifying the matter, stated that the board has not made any such contact with the ICC.

“We reject the false claims made by Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta,” Mir said.

He further accused the Indian media of spreading misinformation, adding, “Have patience; it will soon be revealed who actually contacted whom.”

“As usual, sections of Indian media are busy circulating fiction. A little patience and time will clearly show who actually went knocking and who didn’t,” he added.

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The development follows senior Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta’s claim that the PCB had reached out to the ICC to initiate dialogue over the World Cup stalemate.

“PCB has now reached out to ICC for a dialogue on the India-Pakistan World Cup after the ICC replied to their official communication: PCB first wrote to ICC saying they were pulling out of that game implying the ‘Force Majeure’, attaching their Govt’s tweet,” Gupta post read on X.

“The ICC then wrote back, asking what factors under ‘Force Majeure’ were they trying to imply, and telling PCB of legal ramifications and sanctions the ICC could hit them with,” it added.

“The PCB has now approached ICC for a dialogue to ‘resolve’ the issue.”

A week earlier, a post issued by the Government of Pakistan’s official X account said the government had granted permission to the Pakistan team to travel to Sri Lanka for the tournament, but instructed that “the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15 February 2026 against India”.

The statement did not specify a reason for that decision.

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026, however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India,” the statement read.

It is understood that the PCB is yet to write to the ICC to inform them of the boycott.

READ: Hyderabad franchise reveals name ahead of PSL 11