Category: Top News

DALLAS: Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Shehan Jayasuria has been named in the 15-member USA squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be played across India and Sri Lanka.

The squad will be led by Monank Patel with 10 players from the 2024 edition of the tournament.

Among the notable exclusion is of Aaron Jones, who was charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with five breaches of the Anti-Corruption Code.

The squad also includes former Sri Lanka player Shehan Jayasuria, who could bring in useful experience having played his most of cricket in Sri Lanka.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by USA Cricket (@usacricket)

Shehan played 12 ODIs and 18 T20Is for Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2020.

Moreover, Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Nethravalkar and Ali Khan seasoned campaigners who will bolster the USA squad.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

This will be USA’s second T20 World Cup appearance after playing the 2024 edition, which they jointly hosted alongside West Indies.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Shehan Jayasuriya (@shehan_jayasuriya)

One of the notable achievements of USA in the last World Cup was reaching Super Eight stage after defeating Pakistan in their group stage fixture.

The 20-team T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on 7 February in India and Sri Lanka.

The USA is scheduled to play the defending champions India, on the opening day of the tournament in Mumbai.

Following the opening fixture, they will square off against Pakistan on 10 February in Colombo.

USA squad

Monank Patel (C), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane.

USA T20 World Cup Fixtures

February 7 – India vs USA, Mumbai
February 10 – Pakistan vs USA, Colombo
February 13 – Netherlands vs USA, Chennai
February 15 – Namibia vs USA, Chennai

READ: PCB reveals open trail dates for Future Stars Talent Hunt Programme

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a series of open trials in 15 cities across the country as part of the Future Stars Talent Hunt Programme.

The cricket board aims to shortlist around 350 players for 16 regional academies in a bid to expand the country-wide talent pool of professional cricketers.

A panel of former Test cricketers comprising PCB Director High Performance Aqib Javed, National Cricket Academy coaches Misbah-ul-Haq and Abdul Razzaq, will travel to the venues to conduct the trials from 11 February.

The trials will begin from PCB Ground in Sukkur, where players from the Larkana Region can take part.

The 15 cities where the first of its kind open trials will be held are Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Hub District, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, and Sukkur.

The selection panel will shortlist up to 24 players for each of the 16 regions across Pakistan, who will then undergo a four-week specialised training programme in their respective regional headquarters.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The best of the best players in those camps will also be called to National Cricket Academy camps and will also be fast-tracked via a year-long skills development programme in their respective regions.

Apart from the shortlisting of players for the regional academies, the selection panel will also award cash prizes on the spot to the best pacer, spinner and batter at each of the 16 trial venues.

With this exercise, the PCB will assist the 16 regions in expansion of their talent pools for intra and inter-district, regional and other domestic tournaments.

Following the rigorous regional and NCA skill development camps for the shortlisted players from open trials, they will be recommended not just to the various domestic teams in departmental and regional tournaments but also for PSL selection in the seasons beyond 2026.

With this intervention policy and scouting programme, it is expected that a number of players will be able to benefit from PCB’s first-of-its-kind player development initiative and enter the professional mould.

Open trial dates and venues

11 February – PCB Ground, Sukkur – Larkana Region

12-13 February – Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad – Hyderabad Region

15-16 February – KCCA Stadium, Karachi – Karachi Region

25-26 March – Dring Stadium, Bahawalpur – Bahawalpur Region

28-29 March – Multan Cricket Stadium – Multan Region

1-2 April – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad – Faisalabad Region

4-5 April – LCCA Ground, Lahore – Lahore Region

7-8 April – Faraz Stadium, Sialkot – Sialkot Region

10-11 April – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium – Rawalpindi Region

13-14 April – Marghzar Cricket Ground – Islamabad Region

16-17 April – Abbottabad Cricket Stadium – Abbottabad Region

19-20 April – Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar – Peshawar Region

22-23 April – Hayatabad Cricket Stadium, Peshawar – FATA Region

25-26 April – Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium – Azad Jammu and Kashmir Region

28-29 April – Bugti Cricket Stadium, Quetta – Quetta Region

1 May – Hub Stadium, Lasbela – Dera Murad Jamali Region

READ: Alcaraz outlasts Zverev to reach maiden Melbourne final

An ailing Carlos Alcaraz said “believing” helped him pull through one of the most demanding matches of his career to down Alexander Zverev in five epic sets and reach his first Australian Open final on Friday.

The world number one outlasted the German third seed 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 6-7 (4/7), 7-5 over a titanic 5hrs 27 mins in hot conditions and will play either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s title match in Melbourne.

The Spaniard only narrowly avoided crashing out after a huge fright at 4-4 in the third set when he pulled up in pain with what appeared to be cramp.

He was allowed to have treatment at the changeover, leaving Zverev furious and angrily remonstrating with officials.

Medical timeouts are not permitted solely for muscle cramping.

Alcaraz continued, but his movement was hampered, and he lost his first set of the tournament, before the pickle juice kicked in and he fought on.

Despite not being at 100 percent the 22-year-old somehow found a way to claw back from a breakdown in the fifth set as the crowd roared him on.

Germany’s Zverev was left shattered in his latest failed bid to win a major.

“Believing all the time,” Alcaraz, into his eighth major final and fourth in a row, said of how he pulled through.

“I always say that you have to believe in yourself no matter what, no matter what struggles you’ve been through, you’ve gotta still believe in yourself all the time.

“I was struggling in the middle of the third set,” he added. “Basically, it was one of the most demanding matches that I have ever played in my short career.

“But I’ve been in these kinds of situations, these kinds of matches before.

“I had to put my heart into the match. I fought until the last ball.”

Alcaraz has won two French Opens, two US Opens, and twice at Wimbledon, but success on the blue Melbourne Park hard courts has eluded him in four previous campaigns.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Should he snap the drought, he would be the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, surpassing compatriot and legend Rafael Nadal, who was 24 when he did so.

His efforts on Friday made him the youngest to reach the men’s singles final at all four Slams.

“I’m really happy to play my first final in Melbourne. It’s something I was pursuing a lot,” said Alcaraz, who collapsed to the court at the end. “It’s been a great two weeks so far. My level is improving a lot.”

The first set went with serve with few meaningful rallies, until Alcaraz unleashed a backhand winner at 3-3 to earn the first break point of the match.

Zverev held on, but the Spaniard worked another break point on his next serve, with the German double-faulting as the pressure mounted.

Alcaraz served out for the set, but the towering Zverev kept his cool and raised his level to earn his first break points of the match at 3-2 in the second set.

The top seed saved two but whipped a forehand long to slide 4-2 behind.

Alcaraz sensationally broke back as Zverev served at 5-3, and it went to a tiebreak, where the world number one prevailed with a scorching forehand.

Disaster struck in the third set when Alcaraz began limping badly.

He managed to hold for 5-4 but took a medical timeout, leaving Zverev fuming, before continuing to another tiebreak where the German made his move.

Despite the problems, Alcaraz continued winning points and holding serve in set four as his movement improved, and another tiebreak beckoned with the third seed again coming out on top.

Zverev broke early in the fifth to move 2-0 ahead, but he folded when serving for the match, and Alcaraz broke back for 5-5, and then again to seal the most dramatic of wins.

READ: Islamabad United rope in Jacob Oram as assistant coach

ISLAMABAD: Three-time Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Islamabad United have strengthened their coaching staff ahead of the league’s 11th edition by appointing former New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram as assistant coach.

The franchise confirmed the development through their official social media handles, welcoming the 47-year-old.

“Islamabad United is pleased to announce Jacob Oram as the new assistant coach. World-class all-rounder & a proven mentor becomes part of the ISLU family,” the franchise posted.

Islamabad United is pleased to announce Jacob Oram as the new assistant coach!! 🦁

World-class allrounder & a proven mentor becomes part of the #ISLUFamily.

Let’s build the #NewEra together. 🙌#UnitedWeWin #DimaghSe #3xChampions pic.twitter.com/Ed7JbzQyMB

— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) January 30, 2026

Oram arrives with strong international coaching credentials. He was appointed New Zealand’s bowling coach in 2024, taking over from Shane Jurgensen, and has already worked with the national side across key assignments, including the Test tour of Bangladesh, the T20I series against Australia, and the T20 World Cup earlier in the year.

His coaching journey began in 2014 with New Zealand A, before he went on to serve as bowling coach of the New Zealand Women’s team from 2018.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Oram also took charge as head coach of Central Hinds, guiding the side to the Super Smash final, while also gaining franchise experience through roles in the Abu Dhabi T10 and the SA20, where he worked as bowling coach for MI Cape Town.

As a player, Oram represented New Zealand between 2001 and 2012, featuring in 33 Tests, 160 ODIs and 36 T20Is. He scored 4688 international runs and took 252 wickets, building a reputation as a reliable all-rounder across formats.

READ: Nottingham Forest, Celtic head into Europa League play-offs

Nottingham Forest will go into the Europa League play-off round after a 4-0 win over Ferencvaros on Thursday, while Celtic secured their place in the knockout phase with victory over Utrecht.

Aston Villa finished second in the league phase after recovering from a two-goal deficit to beat Red Bull Salzburg 3-2, with their spot in the last 16 already assured.

Forest stood an outside chance of climbing into the top eight going into the final round of matches, but needed to beat Robbie Keane’s Ferencvaros and rely on other results going their way.

Sean Dyche’s side did their bit as Igor Jesus struck twice for Forest after Ferencvaros defender Bence Otvos scored an own goal. James McAtee tucked away a late penalty, but the win was only enough for the Premier League club to finish 13th overall.

Twice former European champions Forest will learn their play-off fate on Friday, along with Celtic, who overcame lowly Utrecht 4-2 after scoring three times in the first 19 minutes in Glasgow.

Benjamin Nygren put Celtic ahead before an own goal from Utrecht captain Nick Viergever.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Arne Engels converted a penalty with Celtic cruising, but Utrecht pulled it back to within one until Auston Trusty’s header gave the hosts some more breathing space.

Villa looked to be sliding to just a second defeat in Europe when Salzburg surged 2-0 ahead in Birmingham through goals from Karim Konate and Moussa Yeo.

Morgan Rogers reduced the deficit, and Tyrone Mings headed Villa level, with 19-year-old Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba netting his first senior goal to complete the turnaround for Unai Emery’s men.

Lyon topped the table with seven wins from eight after completing the league phase with a 4-2 victory over PAOK. A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off in memory of the seven Greek fans killed in a minibus accident in Romania.

Midtjylland, Real Betis, Porto, Braga, Freiburg and Roma all finished in the top eight to ensure direct qualification for the last 16.

Rangers concluded a miserable European campaign with a 3-1 loss at Porto, their sixth defeat in eight games in the competition.

READ: ‘Winter signing’ Jamal Musiala returns to boost weary Bayern Munich

Midfielder Jamal Musiala has made a timely return for a Bayern Munich side that has grown weary in recent weeks as they continue to fight on three fronts.

In December, Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen ruled out any big winter purchases, saying the return of Musiala and fellow long-term injury absentees Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito were like “internal winter signings”.

Musiala broke his leg during the Club World Cup. After two appearances off the bench and a star turn in the Champions League midweek, Musiala is likely to start away at Hamburg on Saturday.

Bayern remain eight points clear of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga but will still be stinging from a shock 2-1 home loss to Augsburg last week, their first league defeat of the season.

Like most of the league, Augsburg lack the quality to challenge the defending champions, but the Bavarian minnows prevailed by outworking a jaded side, showing the strain of a long season.

While Musiala lacks match fitness after missing six months, his freshness will be key in the second half of the campaign.

The 22-year-old made his first start since returning in Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven, scoring Bayern’s opening goal.

The goal showcased Musiala’s very particular set of skills. He dribbled through a crowded penalty box, played a clever one-two before blasting a lethal shot into the roof of the net.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“A beautiful goal from a tight angle,” Bayern striker Harry Kane said of Musiala’s strike. “He showed his qualities. He was outstanding, and I take my hat off to him.”

Bayern Munich have made a habit of beating the stuffing out of Saturday’s opponents, Hamburg, recently.

One of only three German European Cup winners with Bayern and Dortmund, Hamburg are a huge club with a massive following, but their stats against the Bavarian giants do not make for happy reading.

Hamburg last beat Bayern in 2009, with Bayern winning 17 and drawing three of their past 20 games.

In their past eight games, all Bayern wins, they have piled up 36 goals, and Hamburg have scored just once.

Bayern already thumped Hamburg 5-0 in Munich this season, but one glimmer of hope for the hosts this weekend is their home record.

Hamburg have claimed 15 of their 18 points at home this term and have not lost at their ground since October.

READ: Sialkot Stallionz appoint Tim Paine head coach for PSL 11

BULAWAYO: Viran Chamuditha slammed a brisk century as Sri Lanka secured a comfortable five-wicket win over South Africa in their ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 Super Sixes clash at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

Sri Lanka chased down 262 run target in 46 overs, losing five wickets in the process.

After losing their opener Dimantha Mahavithana in the fifth over, Senuja Wekunagoda and Viran Chamuditha  made the light work of the chase with a 143 run partnership.

Senuja Wekunagoda made 48 off from 63 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Meanwhile, Chamuditha continued on despite losing wickets at the other end. He scored 110 from 94 balls with the help of 13 boundaries and a six.

Eventually, Sri Lanka reached the target in 46 overs.

For South Africa, Corne Botha and Michael Kruiskamp picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, South Africa posted 261 for seven in 50 overs.

Jorich Van Schalkwyk starred with the bat, striking 13 fours and two sixes in his 116 from 130 balls.

Adnaan Lagadien remained the other notable contributor with the bat, scoring 46 from 57, including six fours and a maximum.

For Sri Lanka, Vigneshwaran Akash remained the standout bowler, picking up a four wicket haul in his quota of 10 overs. Kavija Gamage also supported him well with two wickets to his name.

READ: Hetmyer 75 powers West Indies to 221 against South Africa

LAHORE: Pakistan T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha has shared the strategic reason for replacing Babar Azam at the No. 3 spot in the batting order ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Agha took the No. 3 position from Babar Azam during the Sri Lanka series and played a blinder during the rain-hit third T20I.

The right-hander was on the verge of breaking Pakistan’s fastest fifty record, scoring 45 off just 12 balls, including three sixes and five fours.

In the first T20I against Australia played today at the Gaddafi Stadium, Salman also came to the fore when the home side lost Sahibzada Farhan for a duck on only the second ball of the innings.

The 32-year-old hit 39 from 27 deliveries, striking four sixes and a boundary.

Overall, Salman has batted at the this position in seven matches, accumulating 216 runs at a strike rate of 161.19 — a stark contrast to his overall T20 career strike rate which is 118.32.

After sealing a 22 run win over Australia in the first of three T20I matches, Agha emphasized batting and clinical bowling performance.

“It was a great game. We started well with the bat but couldn’t finish the way we wanted. It became challenging after the first ten overs as the ball stopped coming onto the bat, but I think we were outstanding with the ball,” he said.

The skipper said that he will be permanently taking up the one down position in a bid to capitalize on spin bowling with an eye on Sri Lanka conditions in T20 World Cup 2026.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Yes, I’ll be batting at number three. We expect to face a lot of spin, and I believe I can dominate spin during the powerplay. That’s why I moved up, and that is where I’ll stay,” he maintained.

Pakistan were once on course of scoring 200; however Australia curtailed their innings to 168 at the end of 20 overs.

“To be honest, I felt 170 was enough. Given how we were placed after ten overs, we probably could have scored 15 more, but I knew 170 would be plenty on this pitch because our spin bowling is outstanding,” Agha said regarding the team’s total.

Salman Ali Agha also lavished praised on spinners, particularly Abrar Ahmed and expressed confidence ahead of the mega event.

“Abrar has been outstanding since his debut. Since the Asia Cup, our spin bowling has been doing really well for us; they are winning us games day in and day out. Hopefully, they can continue this form through to the World Cup,” he concluded.

READ: Saim Ayub reveals game-plan after Australia victory

LAHORE: Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub explained his approach after delivering a match-winning performance against Australia in the T20I series opener played here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Set stiff 169, Australia fell short by 22 runs and could only muster 146-8 at the end of their 20 overs.

Saim delivered with bat and ball to seal a convincing win for the home side.

The 23-year-old scored 40 runs from 22 balls with the aid of a boundary at top of the order.

He then backed up his batting with a clinical three-over spell, taking two wickets while giving away only 29 runs. His scalps included Matthew Short and dangerous Travis Head.

The left-hander was looking good before getting caught after managing 23 from 13 balls with the help of two sixes and two fours.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He then backed up his batting with a clinical three-over spell, taking two wickets for just 29 runs. His scalps included Matthew Short and Travis Head.

Speaking in the post-match presentation after receiving the player of the match award, Saim mentioned difficult conditions and revealed his plan in the opening over of Australian innings.

“I think the conditions were a bit challenging, but our plan was to dominate with the new ball as much as possible,” he said.

He furhter remarked on Pakistan’s strategy to keep the batters in check by bowling with precise lengths.

“The goal was to dominate sensibly by calculating the innings, watching the ball, and enjoying the process,” he added.

We knew that if we hit a good length consistently, it wouldn’t be easy for the batters to score. That was the strategy,” Saim Ayub concluded.

The second T20I will be played on 31 January at the same venue.

READ: Sialkot Stallionz appoint Tim Paine head coach for PSL 11