Category: Sports

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

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad newly inducted Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise has officially revealed its name ahead of the landmark season 11.

The name ‘Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen’ was officially revealed during the franchise launch event held here at the Niaz Stadium.

The franchise owner, Fawad Sarwar, officially unveiled the team’s name and logo during the ceremony.

A day earlier, the franchise also bolstered its squad with the addition of Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Maaz Sadaqat, and Akif Javed.

The outfit also roped in Australia ace batter Marnus Labuschagne as a direct signing for the upcoming edition.

For those unaware, the Hyderabad franchise, one of two new teams joining PSL 11 alongside the Sialkot Stallionz, was secured by Sarwar’s Kingsmen Group through the auction with a winning bid of Rs 1.75 billion ($6.25 million).

The franchise has also stacked up coaching staff with prominent names.

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Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie will oversee the team as head coach. The 50-year-old has previously worked in Pakistan cricket and was appointed as head coach of the national Test side in April 2024.

Meanwhile, Bradburn will work as the fielding coach under newly-appointed head coach Jason Gillespie.

Bradburn brings significant experience to the role, having served Pakistan in multiple capacities in recent years.

The former New Zealand cricketer was appointed head coach of the Pakistan men’s national team in 2023.

Before that, Bradburn also served as Pakistan’s fielding coach from 2018 to 2020, and later moved to the National Cricket Academy, where he worked on coach development.

He has also coached internationally, having previously worked as the head coach of Scotland’s men’s team.

The landmark edition of the league, PSL 11, will begin on 26 March, with the auction scheduled for February 11.

READ: ICC moves to revive India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash

The International Cricket Council is in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board to resolve the boycott of its T20 World Cup match against India on February 15, AFP learnt Saturday.

Any clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is one of the most lucrative in cricket, worth millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsor and advertising revenue.

But the fixture was thrown into doubt after Pakistan’s government ordered the team not to play the match in Colombo.

The Pakistan Cricket Board reached out to the ICC after a formal communication from the cricket’s world body, a source close to the developments told AFP.

The ICC was seeking a resolution through dialogue and not confrontation, the source added.

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The 20-team tournament has been overshadowed by an acrimonious political build-up after Bangladesh, who refused to play in India citing security concerns, were replaced by Scotland.

As a protest, Pakistan refused to face co-hosts India in their Group A fixture.

Pakistan, who edged out Netherlands in the tournament opener on Saturday, will lose two points if they forfeit the match and also suffer a significant blow to their net run rate.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav said this week that his team would travel to Colombo for the clash.

Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments.

READ: Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls out of PSL 11

MUMBAI: Suryakumar Yadav and bowlers combined to steer India to a 29-run victory over USA in the third fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Set a challenging 162, the USA fell short of the target and managed 132-8 in 20 overs despite showcasing an excellent display with the ball.

India inflicted a poor start on USA, who lost their top three batters in the first three overs.

As a result, USA were reduced to 13-3 with Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi at the crease.

The pair arrested the slide with a 58-run partnership, although it came on the slower side on 52 balls.

USA scorecard read 71 when Varun Chakravarthy broke the partnership to give India an opening.

The mystery spinner removed Milind Kumar who made 34 from 34 balls.

After the breakthrough wicket, Indian bowlers chipped on and took wickets at regular intervals which never allowed the USA batters to settle down.

As a result, they ended short of the target with Shubham Ranjane losing his wicket on the final ball of the innings.

The right-hander’s valiant knock of 37 from 22 included three sixes and two fours.

For India, Mohammed Siraj picked up three wickets.

Ealier, Suryakumar Yadav played a captain’s knock to lift India out of trouble against a disciplined USA bowling lineup

USA capitalized on the decision to bowl first as they limited the strong Indian batting lineup to 161-9 in 20 overs.

The hosts were put in early trouble right from the outset as their dashing opener Abhishek Sharma was sent back for a duck in the second over.

The left-hander could not make his World Cup debut memorable, holing out to a deep cover.

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After an early wicket, Ishan Kishan played some shots and kept the scoreboard ticking.

He added 37 with returning Tilak Varma for the second wicket, bringing the total to 45. However, Shadley van Schalkwyk’s triple-wicket over put his side in a top position at the end of the powerplay.

He removed Kishan (20) and Varma (25), which was followed by the wicket of  Shivam Dube, who could not open his account.

As a result, India were in dire straits with 46-4 at the end of the six overs.

Rinku Singh came to the fore to rescue India and stitched a 26-run partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav. The pair brought the total to 72 in 11.4 as the partnership was broken in the form of Rinku’s wicket.

The left-hander managed six from 14 before getting caught at long on. The slide continued as all-rounder Hardik Pandya could not trouble the scorers much. He made five as the home side were 77-6.

It was all Suryakumar Yadav’s calculated knock, which not only helped them cross the 150 mark but ensured that they finished on a strong note.

The skipper kept losing partners at the other end and capitalized on the last over from Saurabh Netravalkar, amassing 21 runs.

He remained unbeaten on 84 from 49 balls, striking four sixes and 10 fours.

For the USA, it was a clinical bowling effort except for Netravalkar, who had forgettable figures of 65/0 in four overs. Apart from him, Shadley van Schalkwyk remained the standout bowler, taking four wickets.

Harmeet Singh also provided support from the other end with his two wickets in economical spin bowling.

READ: Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls out of PSL 11

Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz has withdrawn from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, just days after being announced as a direct signing by Peshawar Zalmi.

The wicketkeeper batter from Afghanistan confirmed the development via video message posted on Instagram.

Speaking in his native Pashto, he cited scheduling commitments following the T20 World Cup and personal responsibilities at home as the reasons behind his unavailability.

“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.”

The 2017 PSL champions Peshawar Zalmi had officially announced the signing of the Afghan batter on 5 February, sharing a graphic of Gurbaz in traditional attire against a mountainous backdrop on their social media platforms. The franchise did not disclose the financial details of the deal.

However, the 22-year-old’s withdrawal means he will not feature in PSL 11, which is set to begin later this month.

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Since making his international debut in 2019, Gurbaz has established himself as a key figure in Afghanistan cricket. He has represented his country in two Tests, 52 One-Day Internationals and 83 T20 Internationals, earning a reputation as an aggressive opening batter.

Gurbaz is also a familiar name on the global franchise circuit, having played in major leagues including the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), SA20, and ILT20.

In the Pakistan Super League, Gurbaz has featured in three seasons, turning out for Multan Sultans in 2021 and Islamabad United in 2022 and 2023. Across 15 PSL matches, he has scored 318 runs at an average of 22.71, including one half-century.

His absence from PSL 11 leaves Peshawar Zalmi with a late decision to make as teams finalise their squads under the league’s new auction-based system.

READ: WATCH: Shepherd joins elusive list with hat-trick against Scotland

KOLKATA: West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd entered the record books with a hat-trick against Scotland in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup here at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.

The right-pacer took a hat-trick in the 17th over of the game, removing Matthew Cross, Michael Leask, and Oliver Davidson on the second, third, and fourth deliveries of the over to bag a hat-trick.

 

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He then closed out the over with Safyaan Sharif’s wicket to leave Scotland in disarray.

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With his heroics, West Indies sealed a 35-run victory over Scotland to start their World Cup campaign on a perfect note.

The hat-trick also helped him join an elusive list that includes several notable names, including Pat Cummins, who registered the feat twice in the 2024 World Cup.

Bowlers to take hat-tricks in T20 World Cup

– Brett Lee (Australia) against Bangladesh in 2007
– Curtis Campher (Ireland) against Netherlands in 2021
– Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) against South Africa in 2021
– Karthik Meiyappan (UAE) against Sri Lanka in 2022
– Josh Little (Ireland) against New Zealand in 2022
– Pat Cummins (Australia) against Bangladesh and Afghanistan in 2024
– Chris Jordan (England) against USA in 2024
– Romario Shepherd (West Indies) against Scotland in 2026

Moreover, he also became the first West Indian player to take a hat-trick twice in T20Is. Earlier, he recorded the feat against Bangladesh in 2025.

West Indians to take T20I hat-tricks

Jason Holder against England in 2022
Romario Shepherd against Bangladesh in 2025
Shamar Springer against Afghanistan in 2026
Romario Shepherd against Scotland in 2026

West Indies next fixture will be against England on February 11 in Mumbai.

READ: T20 World Cup: Hat-trick hero Shepherd powers West Indies past Scotland

KOLKATA: Romario Shepherd took a hat-trick-laden five-wicket haul to seal a 35-run victory for West Indies over Scotland in their second fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.

Set a stiff 183, Scotland were bowled out for 147 in 18.5 overs.

After losing 37-3 in 5.4 overs, skipper Richie Berrington joined hands with Tom Bruce, adding a 78-run partnership from 47 deliveries to put the chase back on track.

The pair brought the total to 115 in 13.2 overs before Jason Holder dismissed Berrington to give West Indies an opening.

The skipper top-scored with 42 off 24 with the help of two sixes and three fours.

Following the wicket, Scotland slumped to 122-5 and then 133-8 in 16.4 overs, putting West Indies in a dominant position.

The architect of the lower-order collapse was Shepherd, who picked up four wickets in the 16th over.

The right arm pacer first removed Matthew Cross, Michael Leask, and Oliver Davidson on the second, third, and fourth deliveries of the over to bag a hat-trick.

He then closed out the over with Safyaan Sharif’s wicket to leave Scotland in disarray.

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Consequently, Scotland fell 35 runs short of the target, handing the 2016 champions a solid start to their campaign.

For West Indies, besides Shepherd, Jason Holder, who started the proceedings, took three wickets to his name and added his name to the bowling chart.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, West Indies racked up 182-5 in their 20 overs.

West Indies had a cautious start with 54 on the board without a wicket in 8.2 overs.

However, Scotland’s bowlers reaped high rewards for keeping it tight in the early overs. They got two wickets in quick succession to reduce West Indies for 58-2 in 9.2 overs.

Brandon King made a sluggish 35 off 30 balls, striking four boundaries and a six. On the other hand, Hope managed 19 from 22 with the help of two fours.

With two wickets, in came Shimron Hetmyer, who turned things around with his record-breaking 22-ball half-century. The left-hander smashed the fastest fifty for the West Indies in the World Cup and powered his side into a dominant position.

He eventually departed after scoring 64 off 36, smashing half a dozen sixes and two fours. At this stage, West Indies were in a commanding position with the score at 175-4 in 19 overs.

In the last two overs, Scotland bowled tight overs to hold things back with Brad Currie returning as the most successful bowler for them with two scalps to his name.

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

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiators have signed Australia left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson as a direct signing for the upcoming edition of the tournament.

The announcement, anticipated over the past few days, was finally made via the franchise’s social channels.

“Pace. Bounce. Passion. Bringing the fire from Australia, please welcome Spencer Johnson as our Direct Signing . The game has just gone a level up with our new Gladiator,” the caption of the post read.

 

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Johnson, 30, is not part of Australia’s T20 World Cup squad due to injury. He has not played any professional cricket since appearing for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise KKR against LSG in April 2025.

Overall, he has played five ODIs and eight T20Is for Australia. Besides his international experience, he has played 71 T20s and scalped 85 wickets.

It is worth mentioning that PSL 11 represents a significant transformation in the tournament’s player recruitment system, as the traditional draft format has been replaced by a full-scale auction for the first time since the league’s inception.

Each franchise has been allocated a purse of PKR 450 million for squad building, with an additional PKR 55 million reserved for direct signings under the new model.

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

Most franchises have also announced their direct signings, with Quetta Gladiators being the only side yet to reveal theirs.

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: David Warner, Usman Khawaja among players registered for PSL 11 auction

Retired Australian batting greats David Warner and Usman Khawaja are among the biggest names to have registered for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 player auction, set to take place on February 11, 2026.

A total of 879 overseas cricketers from 24 countries have signed up for the league’s first-ever auction.

Australia leads the list with 60 registered players, including Warner and Khawaja alongside Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner, Jake Fraser-McGurk, William Sutherland, Moises Henriques, Jason Behrendorff, and Tanveer Sangha.

PSL 11 represents a significant transformation in the tournament’s player recruitment system, as the traditional draft format has been replaced by a full-scale auction for the first time since the league’s inception.

Each franchise has been allocated a purse of PKR 450 million for squad building, with an additional PKR 55 million reserved for direct signings under the new model.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

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

Most franchises have also announced their direct signings, with Quetta Gladiators being the only side yet to reveal theirs.

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: Cristiano Ronaldo sits out second straight Al Nassr match