Category: Top News

DELHI: Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan on Monday made history by becoming the first bowler to take 700 T20 wickets during his team’s clash against UAE in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Rashid, 27, reached the landmark in a unique fashion as UAE’s lower-order batter Muhammad Arfan was out hit wicket in a bid to play a reverse sweep, which he missed completely during the 15th over of the game.

Rashid had already surpassed the former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo’s tally of 631 wickets in February 2025.

Currently, Sunil Narine and Imran Tahir are the other active cricketers who are in the list of the highest wicket takers, who are behind Rashid Khan.

Most Wickets in T20s

Rashid Khan (AFG) – 518 matches, 700 wickets

Dwayne Bravo (WI) – 582 matches, 631 wickets

Sunil Narine (WI) –  583 matches, 613 wickets

Overall, he has 191 wickets in 114 T20Is and is also closing on the record of becoming the first bowler to reach 200 wickets.

Most Wickets in T20Is 

Rashid Khan (AFG) – 114 matches, 191 wickets

TG Southee (NZ) – 126 matches, 164 wickets

IS Sodhi (NZ) – 137 matches, 162 wickets

Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) – 129 matches, 149 wickets

Mustafizur Rahman (BAN) – 126 matches, 158 wickets

Notably, Rashid has several other records to his name, as he has the most hat-tricks (4) in T20 cricket.

READ: Shahid Afridi slams senior trio after loss to India

Former captain Shahid Afridi has called for bold decisions ahead of Pakistan’s last group-stage fixture against Namibia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, stating that the trio comprising Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan should be benched.

The all-rounder made the remarks while appearing on a private channel, where he highlighted the shortcomings of the senior players following Pakistan’s crushing defeat to India.

“If I were to make the decision, I would bench Babar, I would bench Shaheen, and I would also bench Shadab,” he said.

He emphasised giving the bench players a chance to prove their potential in the upcoming fixture against Namibia.

“I would play the new boys and give the youngsters a chance. For our match against Namibia, I would back them, give them confidence, and let them play,” Afridi said.

“We have been watching the same players for so long. Whenever we expect them to deliver in big matches, especially as senior players, they don’t always perform. If the seniors are not delivering, why not give the juniors sitting outside a chance?” he concluded.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

It is worth noting that Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Shadab Khan underperformed in the high-voltage clash against India.

Shaheen gave 31 in his two overs, whereas Shadab Khan bowled only one over and conceded 17.

Meanwhile, Babar went through another low score against arch-rivals India, managing only five from seven before getting bowled off left-arm spinner Axar Patel’s delivery.

Eventually, Pakistan lost the game by a hefty 61-run margin, putting them in a precarious position ahead of the fixture.

The loss against Namibia could prove a final nail in the coffin for the Green Shirts, as USA are ahead of them on the points table due to their superior net run rate.

READ: Smith added to Australia T20 World Cup squad

Steve Smith has been added to Australia’s T20 World Cup squad to fill the place left vacant by Josh Hazlewood and looks likely to play in their must-win match against Sri Lanka later Monday.

Smith arrived in Sri Lanka last week and is eligible for selection after the International Cricket Council approved his inclusion to complete Australia’s 15-man squad.

Sean Abbott had been called up as cover for Hazlewood, who withdrew on the eve of the tournament, but the quick bowler was never formally added to the squad, leaving one place open.

Smith answered an SOS call last week and flew to Sri Lanka after captain and regular opening batsman Mitchell Marsh was injured by a throw-down during batting practice in Colombo a week ago.

With Marsh, who missed Australia’s first two matches, still doubtful for Monday’s game in Kandy after suffering bleeding from a testicle, Smith is in line to pad up at the top of the order.

“ICC regulations stipulate any squad change must be submitted and activated at least one day prior to a match,” said Australia selector Tony Dodemaide.

“With Steve here, along with some uncertainty around Mitch and Marcus Stoinis, it made sense he is activated and available for selection in time for the match, if required.”

The in-form Smith is one of Australia’s most experienced and best players against spin.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He was controversially omitted from the original T20 World Cup squad despite his blistering Big Bash League form as an opening batsman.

“Smitty’s obviously here, so if he gets his chance, he’ll be ready to go. He’s the ultimate professional,” Australia all-rounder Stoinis told reporters in Kandy late Sunday.

Australia are already without the injured leading pace bowlers Pat Cummins and Hazlewood.

Powerhouse batsman Tim David has only just returned from a hamstring tear suffered in December, while Stoinis injured his hand fielding in the shock defeat to Zimbabwe that left Australia on the brink of elimination.

Should Australia lose to Sri Lanka in Group B it would be their second defeat, meaning a victory by Zimbabwe over Ireland on Tuesday or against Sri Lanka on Thursday would eliminate the 2021 champions.

Stoinis said he should be fit to play in the crunch game.

“The hand’s pretty good,” Stoinis said.

“Got the scan and there’s no break there or anything like that, so it’s just a bit battered and bruised, much better than I thought, to be honest.”

READ: Ruthless India crush Pakistan in another T20 World Cup clash

DELHI: Afghanistan secured their first victory of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a composed five-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Chasing 161, Afghanistan stumbled early when Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for a second-ball duck to Junaid Siddique in the opening over.

The innings was rebuilt through a steady partnership between Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib, who steadied the chase after the early setback.

Naib’s brief but useful 13 off 12 balls ended when he was dismissed by Muhammad Arfan, leaving Afghanistan at 40-2.

Sediqullah Atal chipped in with 16 before departing, while Zadran anchored the innings with a crucial 53 off 41 deliveries, striking six fours and a six to keep Afghanistan in control.

The chase was then guided home by Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai.

Rasooli made 33 off 23 balls before falling late in the innings, but Omarzai remained unbeaten on a brisk 40 from 21 deliveries, sealing victory in 19.2 overs with support from Mohammad Nabi.

Earlier, UAE endured a difficult start after being put in to bat.

Opener Aryansh Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the first over by Omarzai, while captain Muhammad Waseem followed soon after, trapped LBW by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, leaving UAE struggling at 13-2.

A solid recovery came through an 84-run stand between Alishan Sharafu and Sohaib Khan. Sharafu scored 40 before falling to Mujeeb, while Sohaib led the resistance with an impressive 68 off 48 balls, including six fours and four sixes.

However, the UAE’s middle order collapsed under pressure as Harshit Kaushik and Muhammad Arfan were dismissed for ducks, with Rashid Khan also striking at a crucial stage. UAE eventually posted 160 on the board but failed to defend it.

Omarzai starred with the ball as well, producing a match-winning spell of 4-15 in four overs. Mujeeb claimed two wickets, while Rashid added one, helping Afghanistan register a much-needed win.

READ: Ahmed Shehzad questions Babar’s T20I future

Former Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad has cast fresh doubt over Babar Azam’s T20I future, saying the former captain’s place in the format remains uncertain after another low score in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Shehzad took to X and said it might have been his last chance to prove himself.

“Babar gone once again. Maybe it was his last dance to prove his worth in this format,” Ahmed Shehzad wrote.

The right-handed batter is yet to make his mark in making significant contributions in the ongoing tournament.

He only managed 15 against the Netherlands in Pakistan’s opening match and then hit some form, making 46 off 32 balls against the USA.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

However, he couldn’t turn his start into a big score in the vital game against India.

In six T20Is against arch-rivals India, the 31-year-old has accumulated 110 runs with an average of 22 and a strike rate of 123.59, including one half-century.

He came in when Pakistan were in deep trouble at 13-3 in the first two overs.

However, Babar could not trouble the scorers much, only managing five from seven balls. He was cleaned up by Axar Patel.

For the unversed, Pakistan were outplayed by India in all departments, handing them 61 run defeat.

Ishan Kishan starred with the bat, scoring 77 runs from 40 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.

In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs, extending India’s record to nine wins in T20 World Cups.

READ: Agha admits poor execution after defeat to India

COLOMBO: Skipper Salman Ali Agha admitted that Pakistan’s poor execution proved costly as they slumped to a big defeat against arch-rivals India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the RPS Stadium on Sunday.

Pakistan were outplayed by India in all departments, handing them 61 run defeat.

Ishan Kishan starred with the bat, scoring 77 runs from 40 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.

In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs, extending India’s record to nine wins in T20 World Cups.

The Green Shirts have defeated India only once at a mega event in 2021.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Agha highlighted the match’s shortcomings, noting that the powerplay proved costly to the outcome.

“We went with four spinners, they had an off-day. Execution was missing in some parts. With the bat, we did not start well. If you lose 3-4 wickets in the powerplay, you are always chasing the game,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“In the first innings, it was a bit tacky, and the ball was gripping too. The pitch played better in the second innings but we did not bowl according to the situation and we did not apply ourselves with the bat,” the captain added.

He hoped for better performance in the forthcoming game, saying they were looking forward to the Namibia clash.

“In these games, the emotions are always going to be high, we just need to deal with it. We have played enough (of these games), we have a game in a couple of days, and we have to look forward to it. We need to win that and qualify. Then it is a new tournament,” he concluded.

READ: T20 World Cup: Pakistan register unique spin record against India

COLOMBO: Pakistan spinners on Sunday registered a unique feat against India in the high-stakes encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, currently underway here at the RPS Stadium.

After putting India to bat first, Pakistan utilized six spin bowling options —Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, and  Salman Ali Agha.

The use of the six spinners marked the first time that a team has used six spinners in the T20 World Cup and the joint highest by a full member nation in the shortest format.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Pakistan went with pacer Shaheen Afridi and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf. However, Shaheen bowled only two overs and remained on the expensive side, giving away 31 runs.

While Faheem Ashraf did not bowl a single over.

Saim Ayub remained the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, picking up three wickets in his four overs.

As a result, India were restricted to a score of 175-7 in 20 overs.

At the time of filing this story, Pakistan were in trouble with 38-4 in six overs.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, and Abrar Ahmed.

India: Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

READ: Saim’s three-fer restricts India to 175

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is set for a spell on the sidelines after tearing his calf muscle, the Bundesliga club announced on Sunday.

Neuer, 39, was subbed off at half-time in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Werder Bremen which helped Bayern restore their six-point lead over Borussia Dortmund atop the Bundesliga table.

Bayern sporting director Max Eberl initially said Neuer’s substitution was a “precautionary measure” and the injury was “nothing dramatic”.

A scan on Sunday, however, showed the tear was more serious than initially expected.

“Bayern Munich will have to do without Manuel Neuer for the time being,” the league leaders said in a statement without indicating how long their captain would be out.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

German media reported Neuer was in doubt for Bayern’s trip to Dortmund at the end of February and would miss next Saturday’s clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.

The veteran goalkeeper turns 40 in March and has been plagued by calf problems recently, missing 10 matches last season with a similar injury.

Bayern were 11 points clear in the German league at Christmas but Dortmund have drawn six points behind the leaders after a six-match winning run.

READ: USA keep T20 World Cup hopes alive with win over Namibia

The United States (USA) kept their slim hopes of qualifying for the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup alive with a 31-run against Namibia in Group A.

Replying to the USA’s 199-4, Namibia finished their 20 overs on 168-6.

For the USA, Sanjay Krishnamurthi hit 68 not out, and captain Monank Patel 52. Namibia’s top-scorer was Louren Steenkamp with 58.

It leaves the USA on four points after their four group A matches, level with India and Pakistan who clash later Sunday.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Now the USA must wait for the outcomes of the final group games and hope the result goes their way.

Pakistan play Namibia in Colombo and India play the Netherlands in Ahmedabad, with both matches on Wednesday.

Playing XIs

USA: Monank Patel (c/wk), Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Milind Kumar, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ehsan Adil and Saurabh Netravalkar.

Namibia: Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz and Max Heingo.

READ: T20 World Cup: India-Pakistan captains skip handshake at toss

COLOMBO: India and Pakistan captains again skipped customary handshakes at the toss of the high-octane clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Following the toss, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha avoided interaction with Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav.

The Indian skipper later followed a similar thing, with no visible exchange between the two captains.

Earlier, it was reported that both teams would avoid handshakes, a practice that began during the Asia Cup 2025.

Meanwhile, former Indian player Sanjay Manjrekar also slammed India’s conduct over the no handshake policy

“This ‘no shaking hands’ is such a silly thing that India has started. It’s unbecoming of a nation like ours. Either play properly within the spirit of the game or don’t play at all,” he wrote on his X.

The issue first arose during the first of three clashes between Pakistan and India in the Asia Cup 2025.

India and Pakistan met three times in the continental tournament and on each occasion, they avoided the customary handshake.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, and Abrar Ahmed.

India: Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan win toss against India