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The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 schedule is expected to be announced soon, with Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium likely to host the final of the mega event.

The mega event, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, is scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8, 2026.

According to Indian media reports, the decision regarding the World Cup venues was under consideration during a meeting between officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

As per the reports, during the meeting, it was decided that this time around, the World Cup will be played in fewer venues compared to the 2023 World Cup, with each ground hosting at least six games.

The potential six venues could be Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai, as per the BCCI.

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Moreover, the matches in Sri Lanka will be played across three venues, with the stadiums to be confirmed in the meantime.

Notably, the board has confirmed that the venues that hosted the recently concluded ICC Women’s World Cup — Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Indore, and Navi Mumbai, won’t be under consideration for the T20 World Cup.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has also confirmed to the BCCI that if Sri Lanka advances through to the semi-finals, the match will be played in Colombo. If Pakistan reaches the final, the game will be played at a neutral venue.

This is due to a hybrid model agreed upon between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in which both India and Pakistan will play their matches on neutral venues.

For the unversed, the 2026 tournament will retain the same format as the previous edition, with 20 teams divided into four groups of five. The top two from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, followed by semi-finals and the final.

READ: Shahid Afridi to represent Pakistan in Over-40s T20 World Cup

SINGAPORE: Pakistan’s Lyari Football Academy continued their dream run at the SingaCup 2025, qualifying for the Under-16 final, scheduled to be played on November 7 at The Arena, Woodleigh.

They secured their spot in the finals after defeating Indonesia’s Tapteng Sibolga Student Football Team 1-0 in an exciting semi-final match at the same venue.

It was Taj Muhammad who emerged as the hero for the Lyari side, scoring the decisive goal to guide his team into the final.

The victory marks a historic moment for the academy, which is participating in an overseas tournament for the first time.

Lyari Football Academy will now face Thailand’s Benjamarachanusorn School in the U16 final on November 7, 2025.

The Thai side secured their spot after defeating Pakistan’s Kareem Kerai Academy 5-0 in the other semi-final.

Interestingly, both finalists, Lyari Football Academy and Benjamarachanusorn School, were placed in Group C earlier in the competition.

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The Pakistani team suffered their only defeat of the group stage against the same Thai opponents, setting up a much-anticipated rematch for the title.

The SingaCup, established in 2011, is widely regarded as Asia’s premier international youth football tournament.

The 2025 edition has drawn around 160 teams from 13 countries, featuring competitions across Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, and Under-16 categories.

READ: Shahid Afridi to represent Pakistan in Over-40s T20 World Cup

DUBAI: Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali has been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for October 2025, following a sensational run in the two-match Test series against South Africa.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the nominees on Thursday, with South Africa’s Senuran Muthusamy and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan joining Noman in contention for the honour.

Noman, who has been in sublime form in red-ball cricket, was Pakistan’s standout performer in the series.

The No.3-ranked ICC Men’s Test bowler took 14 wickets at an average of 23.07, including his third career 10-wicket haul, to help Pakistan clinch a memorable 93-run victory in the opening Test in Lahore.

He followed it up with another strong showing in Rawalpindi, where he bagged four wickets and chipped in with a valuable 17 runs, finishing as the leading wicket-taker of the series.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Senuran Muthusamy also made a strong case with an all-round performance in the same series.

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The 31-year-old accumulated 106 runs at 53.00 and picked up 11 wickets at 18.36, earning him the Player of the Series award.

His career-best match figures of 11 for 174 in Lahore and an unbeaten 89 in Rawalpindi underlined his class and consistency.

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, on the other hand, was at his brilliant best across formats.

The leg-spinner played a pivotal role in his team’s 3-0 ODI sweep over Bangladesh, claiming 11 wickets at an economy rate of 2.73, with a best of 5 for 17.

He also impressed in T20Is against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, taking nine wickets at just 4.82 runs per over, including standout spells of 4-18 and 3-9.

READ: Shahid Afridi to represent Pakistan in Over-40s T20 World Cup

Former captain and iconic all-rounder Shahid Afridi is all set to return to action as he gears up to represent Pakistan in the IMC Over-40s T20 Cricket World Cup 2025, scheduled to take place in Karachi from November 21 to December 1.

Afridi’s inclusion was officially confirmed by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), which announced his participation through a statement on Wednesday.

“The legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi is all set to don the Pakistan jersey once again, this time for the IMC Over-40s T20 Cricket World Cup 2025,” the PVCA stated.

Widely regarded as one of the most explosive batters and impactful leg-spinners in world cricket, Afridi’s presence promises to add immense star power and excitement to the veterans’ tournament.

The former captain has represented Pakistan in over 500 international matches, scoring 11,196 runs and taking 541 wickets across formats.

Known for his charisma and aggressive playing style, Afridi’s inclusion is expected to draw significant attention from cricket fans around the world.

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The Pakistan Over-40s team will be led by Abdul Razzaq, another former all-rounder, while Javed Miandad will serve as the team mentor, forming a star-studded lineup blending experience, flair, and competitive spirit.

The complete squad is set to be announced soon.

The IMC Over-40s T20 World Cup 2025 will feature 12 international teams, with 42 matches scheduled to be played across Karachi.

READ: South Africa name THIS batter as Dewald Brevis’ replacement in ODI squad

FAISALABAD: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first in the second One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series against South Africa at Iqbal Stadium here on Thursday.

Playing XIs

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other 88 times in One Day Internationals. The Proteas have won 52 matches, while Pakistan has secured 35 victories. Notably, one match ended without a result.

Matches 88, Pakistan 35, South Africa 52, No Result 1

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The home team achieved a thrilling two-wicket victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Prior to this ODI series, the two teams faced off in a three-match T20I series, which the Green Shirts won 2-1.

After losing the opening match, Pakistan rebounded strongly, winning the next two games to clinch the series.

Before that, in the two-match Test series, the teams finished with a draw at 1-1, with the Proteas making an impressive comeback to win the second match.

READ: Shahid Afridi to represent Pakistan in Over-40s T20 World Cup

Portugal’s football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has downplayed the importance of winning a FIFA World Cup, insisting that his legacy does not depend on the only major trophy missing from his illustrious career.

The 40-year-old forward, who already holds the record for most goals in men’s international football (143) and an astonishing 952 career goals overall, believes his greatness cannot be judged on a single tournament.

Speaking in an upcoming interview with Piers Morgan, the Al Nassr and Portugal captain said the World Cup is not something he views as a lifelong dream.

“If you ask me, Cristiano, is it a dream to win the World Cup? No, it’s not a dream,” Ronaldo said in a teaser clip released ahead of the full interview.

Ronaldo questioned the logic of defining a footballer’s entire legacy based on one event that spans just a handful of matches.

“To define if I’m one of the best in history, you think it’s fair to depend on one competition of six or seven games?” he asked rhetorically.

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The five-time Ballon d’Or and Champions League winner’s comments come amid ongoing comparisons with Lionel Messi, who famously described Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph as “the dream of my life.”

Ronaldo, however, made it clear he disagrees with being measured by that standard.

“Is Messi better than me? I disagree. I don’t want to be humble,” he stated.

Despite not lifting the World Cup, Ronaldo’s international career remains decorated.

He led Portugal to Euro 2016 glory, followed by the inaugural UEFA Nations League title in 2019, and another triumph in the same competition this summer.

He is also the only player to feature in six European Championships and holds the record for most goals (14) in the tournament’s history.

READ: Newcastle sink Athletic Bilbao to extend Champions League winning run

FAISALABAD: Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that left-handed batter Rubin Hermann has been drafted in as a replacement for the injured Dewald Brevis for the remaining ODI matches against Pakistan.

Hermann, 28, brings impressive List A credentials to the squad, 1,699 runs in 41 matches at an average of nearly 50, including six centuries and as many fifties.

The left-hander has also represented South Africa in six T20Is but has yet to make his ODI debut.

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“North West Dragons batter Rubin Hermann has been named as Dewald Brevis’ replacement for the remainder of the One-Day International series against Pakistan,” CSA said in an official statement on Wednesday.

Brevis, nicknamed ‘Baby AB’ for his stroke-making similarities to AB de Villiers, sustained a shoulder muscle strain during the third T20I against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore last week.

Scans later confirmed a low-grade injury, ruling him out of the 50-over leg of the tour.

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Despite the setback, he will remain with the squad in Pakistan to continue his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Proteas medical team.

South Africa trail 1-0 in the three-match ODI series, after losing the opening match in Faisalabad.

The remaining fixtures are scheduled at the same venue on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

South Africa’s updated ODI squad: Matthew Breetzke (c), Corbin Bosch, Rubin Hermann, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile.

READ: Australia’s Pat Cummins drops major hint on his Ashes comeback

Injured Australia captain Pat Cummins hinted on Thursday at a comeback for the second Ashes Test, a day after the side unveiled its squad ahead of this month’s opener.

The 32-year-old pace spearhead has not played since picking up a lower back injury against the West Indies more than three months ago.

“It’s all feeling really good. On track and yeah, probably better than I expected,” Cummins told journalists.

“Each session is incremental. Once I get over to Perth, I should be pretty close to a full run-up and getting some overs in.”

“It’s probably not until you get a bit closer that you can really know where you’re at,” Cummins said.

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“It’s trying to keep that second Test as a real live option,” he said of the day-night contest in Brisbane on December 4.

Late last month, Cummins’ tentative return was rumoured after he was spotted in a brief net session in Sydney, captured by local television cameras, bowling off a five-step run-up.

Cummins will travel with the Australian side for the first Test against Ben Stokes’ England in Perth from November 21.

Steve Smith will step up as Australian captain, with the ever-reliable Scott Boland to replace Cummins in the seam attack alongside quick bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

England drew 2-2 on home turf in the most recent Ashes series in 2023 but have not won in Australia since 2010-2011.

READ: Santner’s brilliance in vain as West Indies edge New Zealand

AUCKLAND: A brilliant bowling performance secured the West Indies an unlikely seven-run victory in the first T20I against New Zealand on Wednesday, despite a stunning solo effort from Mitchell Santner.

The West Indies, who landed in New Zealand only two days ago, struggled on the Eden Park drop-in wicket that offered some seam and turn to the home bowlers, making 164-6 from their 20 overs.

The visitors then delivered a precise bowling performance to restrict the Black Caps, who needed a brilliant 28-ball 55 from captain Santner to keep the game interesting.

Santner won the toss and elected to field at an initially sun-filled Eden Park.

The Black Caps struck twice in the powerplay, Brandon King and Alick Athanaze falling to Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson respectively to leave West Indies 32-2 after six overs.

Captain Shai Hope looked to anchor the innings for the visitors, cautiously approaching his opening overs before ramping up the risk as he attacked the straight boundaries.

The West Indies were 66-3 halfway through their innings, but then plundered 34 runs in the next three overs as Hope brought up a 38-ball 50.

He fell from the very next ball, a Zak Foulkes delivery staying low and wiping out the leg stump as Hope tried to hoist it over the leg side.

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Rovman Powell provided much-needed power for the West Indies, clubbing two sixes as he brought up a 23-ball 33, but his side meandered towards what appeared an under-par score.

But then it was all West Indies. Tim Robinson opened the batting for New Zealand alongside Devon Conway, who returned to the XI after Tim Seifert broke a finger while batting in domestic cricket on Sunday.

Seamer Matthew Forde was superb for West Indies, taking 1-9 from three powerplay overs.

New Zealand struggled to find the boundary, and a double strike by Jayden Seales in the 13th over flipped the game in the visitors’ favour, removing Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell in the space of three balls.

A late flurry from Santner gave New Zealand some hope, but needing 20 runs from the final over, he fell just short.

The skipper ended unbeaten on 55 off 28 balls, which included ten boundaries, with two of them being sixes.

The two sides will play again at Eden Park on Thursday in the second game of the five-match series.

READ: Mohammad Rizwan on the rise, Babar Azam drops in ICC ODI Rankings

DUBAI: Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan made upward progress, while former captain Babar Azam slipped in the latest ICC ODI rankings released on Wednesday.

Rizwan, who played a vital role in Pakistan’s two-wicket win in the first ODI against South Africa, climbed one place to 23rd after his composed knock of 55 runs.

His crucial 91-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha proved pivotal in Pakistan’s successful chase.

Agha also reaped the rewards of his match-winning innings, surging nine spots to 30th in the rankings with 569 rating points.

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Meanwhile, Babar Azam, who managed just seven runs in the series opener, dropped one place to fifth with 728 points.

Opener Imam-ul-Haq also slipped to 42nd, while Saim Ayub retained his 53rd spot after a promising 39-run contribution in the same match.

Fakhar Zaman, who provided a brisk start at the top, gained one position to move into 26th place.

India’s Rohit Sharma continues to lead the ODI batting charts, followed by Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran and India’s Shubman Gill in the top three.

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In the bowling rankings, Pakistan’s new ODI captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, dropped one position to 15th with 587 points.

However, pacer Naseem Shah made an impressive leap, climbing 10 places to 33rd after his disciplined spell with the new ball.

Spinner Abrar Ahmed also moved up to 37th, while all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz rose three spots to 69th.

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan maintained his position as the world’s top-ranked ODI bowler, with South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj and England’s Jofra Archer occupying the next two spots.

READ: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub make gains in ICC T20I Rankings