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Greek winger Christos Tzolis grabbed a late equaliser for Club Brugge as Atletico Madrid twice let the lead slip in a 3-3 Champions League play-off first leg draw on Wednesday.

Diego Simeone’s side went 2-0 up in the first half, but Brugge fought back to 2-2, and after an own goal allowed the Spanish side to move back in front, Tzolis had the last word in Belgium.

Atletico, who have never won the Champions League, are a long way off the pace in La Liga and consider their best chances of silverware this season to be via a cup route.

However, their poor defending left everything to play for next Tuesday in the second leg, with a last 16 berth at stake.

“We were two up and didn’t know how to hold on to the lead,” Atletico captain Koke told Movistar.

“It was a rollercoaster, like it’s been all season. We have to concentrate more.”

Simeone admitted it was a tricky night against a side that drew 3-3 against Barcelona in the league phase.

“It was a game against possibly the most intense team in the Champions League,” said Simeone.

“The context of the game says that it was a fair draw… we’ve got the second leg at home and we hope to play a great game.”

Atletico took an early lead through a Julian Alvarez penalty after a careless handball by Joaquin Seys.

The striker, whose spot-kick against city rivals Real Madrid in last year’s competition was disallowed for a double touch, leading to Atletico’s elimination, dispatched it emphatically.

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Brugge otherwise had the better of the first half, with Mamadou Diakhon whipping an effort narrowly wide, and Jan Oblak saving from Raphael Onyedika.

But the Belgians found themselves two down at the break.

Ademola Lookman, who has impressed since arriving in January, finished from close range after Antoine Griezmann flicked on Alvarez’s corner.

Brugge halved Atletico’s lead in the 52nd minute when Onyedika tapped home after a superb Oblak save to keep out Nicolo Tresoldi’s header.

Brugge striker Tresoldi was soon on the scoresheet himself to pull the Belgian side level on the hour mark, to the delight of the Jan Breydel stadium, finishing clinically from Diakhon’s cross.

Atletico striker Alexander Sorloth nodded narrowly wide before Joel Ordonez put through his own net to give the visitors the lead again.

However, in the 89th minute, Brugge struck again, with Tzolis played in down the left and finishing well. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but the decision was corrected after a VAR review.

“It was a very interesting game with different phases,” said Brugge coach Ivan Leko.

“Two-nil down against a very strong team… we were in a difficult situation but the team showed great character and quality in our play…

“Atleti will be big favourites but we can play football and we’ll do all we can to progress.”

READ: Kasper Hogh stars as Bodo/Glimt down Inter Milan in Champions League

Bodo/Glimt continued their remarkable debut Champions League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Inter Milan in the knockout play-off round first leg on Wednesday, as Kasper Hogh scored once and created two other goals.

The Norwegians only snuck into the knock-out stage with shock victories over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in their final two league-phase matches.

Kjetil Knutsen’s men backed up those performances by adding last season’s runners-up Inter to their list of scalps.

Cristian Chivu’s Serie A leaders will still be confident of turning the tie around in the second leg at the San Siro next Tuesday, despite struggling on the artificial pitch of the Aspmyra Stadion in northern Norway.

“(Bodo/Glimt) are more accustomed to this pitch, that’s not an excuse,” Chivu said.

“The tie is wide open, there’s the return leg to come. We knew they are a team that can hurt you on the break, now we’ll try to advance to the next round at San Siro.”

To make matters worse for Inter, captain Lautaro Martinez hobbled off and was replaced by Marcus Thuram in the second half.

“I think he’s hurt and he will be out for a while,” Chivu said of Martinez.

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Bodo/Glimt, Europa League semi-finalists last term, have given themselves a chance of securing a major surprise, and a last-16 meeting with either Man City or Sporting Lisbon.

The hosts took a 20th-minute lead with a fine team goal, finished off with aplomb by Sondre Brunstad Fet after he latched onto Hogh’s clever flick inside the area.

But Bodo could not keep their advantage for long as Inter youngster Pio Esposito swivelled inside the box and fired home on the half-hour mark, with the goal surviving a lengthy VAR review for handball.

Inter almost scored in the first minute after the restart when Martinez’s instinctive close-range shot bobbled off the post.

The Norwegians moved back in front in the 61st minute as they caught Inter short at the back, and Jens Petter Hauge rifled the ball into the roof of the net after being teed up by Hogh.

Bodo’s third goal arrived just three minutes later, as Patrick Berg put Ole Didrik Blomberg through on goal with a cute dinked pass, and he squared it for Hogh to tap into an empty net.

Danish striker Hogh has now scored four goals in his last three Champions League appearances following a double against Man City and the winner to defeat Atletico.

Inter pushed to cut the deficit, but Carlos Augusto’s blocked shot from eight yards out was the closest they came despite some late pressure.

READ: T20 World Cup: Agha eyes Namibia repeat against New Zealand

COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has expressed confidence ahead of their Super Eight clash against New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan will play their first match in the Super Eight against New Zealand on Saturday, February 21.

Speaking after the match, Agha emphasized batting in the opening overs of the game and highlighted the team’s strong finish in the final overs.

“I think it has to be a complete performance. I think we batted well in powerplay, we started really well in the powerplay, and in the middle, we put partnerships on, and then we finished well,” said Agha at the post-match presentation.

“Sahibzada has been outstanding. The way he’s been batting for us for the last six months, he’s just batting really well, and he scored 100 today. I’m very happy for him,” he said.

He also lavished praise on Usman Tariq, mentioning that their performance with the ball was effective and determined.

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“And when it comes to the ball, I think we were lethal, and we were ruthless. We bowled in the right area, whether it’s a fast bowler or a spinner. I think it was a complete performance for us,” Salman Ali Agha explained.

“Trust me, it’s tough. He is a tough bowler to face. Whenever I have played him in domestic, I find it very hard because he’s someone who’s very, very tough to pick, and then when he has a pause. It becomes very, very difficult.”

The 32-year-old concluded that Pakistan and New Zealand are playing good cricket, believing that if they continued performing at their current level in the next game, they would be successful.

“I think we have been playing really good cricket. New Zealand have been playing good cricket. So, I’m guessing it will be a good game. And I think the way we are playing right now, if we replicate that kind of performance in the next game, I think we’ll be fine,” the skipper concluded.

READ: India edge spirited Netherlands in T20 World Cup clash

AHMEDABAD: Shivam Dube’s all-round performance helped unbeaten India beat the Netherlands in their final group fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

India posted 193-6 and then kept the Dutch down to 176-7 with spinner Varun Chakravarthy returning figures of 3-14 in Ahmedabad to stay unbeaten in their four matches in Group A.

But a tough test awaits the co-hosts at the same venue on Sunday when they face South Africa, who emerged top of a potentially tricky Group D that had New Zealand and Afghanistan.

India finished top of their group ahead of arch-rivals Pakistan, but need to fix holes in their batting, including the form of opener Abhishek Sharma, who fell for his third straight duck in the tournament.

Abhishek was bowled on the third ball by off-spinner Aryan Dutt after India elected to bat first at the world’s biggest cricket stadium.

India were teetering at 110-4 before Shivam Dube hit a counter-attacking 66 and put on a key stand of 76 with Hardik Pandya (30).

Several batters got starts but failed to capitalise as Ishan Kishan fell for 18, Tilak Varma made 31, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav contributed 34.

Dube kept calm and hit a few lusty blows, including two sixes and a four off off-spinner Colin Ackermann, reaching his fifty off 25 balls.

He and Pandya ensured India’s innings finished strong,ly although both were dismissed in the final over at the 110,000-capacity stadium, which had a turnout of over 68,000 fans.

Dube, who hit four fours and six sixes in his 31-ball knock, was caught by substitute fielder Tim van der Gugten on the boundary rope, with Pandya picking out a fielder in the deep off the final delivery by Logan van Beek.

Dutt returned impressive figures of 2-19 from his four overs.

In reply, the Dutch openers started cautiously before Max O’Dowd fell bowled for 20 off Chakravarthy, and Pandya dismissed Michael Levitt for 24.

Bas de Leede and Ackermann attempted to put the chase back on track in their stand of 43, but Chakravarthy broke through with his mystery spin.

He sent back Ackermann, for 23, and then bowled Dutt on the next ball, before the hat-trick was avoided by skipper Scott Edwards.

The ever-increasing run rate forced the Dutch to take risks and in the process lose their wickets as De Leede (33) fell to Dube and Jasprit Bumrah took down Edwards.

Zach Lion-Cachet (26) and Noah Croes, who made an unbeaten 25, hit regular boundaries in a desperate attempt to pull off a miracle but India had runs to play with and despite two dropped catches in the last over won the match.

READ: Abhishek Sharma joins Saim Ayub on unwanted duck list

AHMEDABAD: India opener Abhishek Sharma joined Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub on an unwanted list with his third consecutive duck in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Sharma, 25, was clean bowled without scoring against the Netherlands in India’s ongoing clash.

The dismissal mirrored his duck in the Pakistan fixture, where skipper Salman Ali Agha removed him in the first over

With this duck, Abhishek Sharma entered the list of players with the most ducks recorded in a single calendar year. Saim Ayub leads the record with six ducks, achieved in 2025.

Most T20I Ducks in a Single Year

6 – Saim Ayub (Pakistan, 2025)
5 – Chalermwong Chatphaisan (Thailand, 2024)
5 – Kushal Bhurtel (Nepal, 2024)
5 – Dharma Kesuma (Indonesia, 2025)
5 – Parvez Hossain Emon (Bangladesh, 2025)
5 – Abhishek Sharma (India, 2026)

The southpaw also became the third player in T20 World Cup history to record three ducks in his first three innings and only the second Indian batter to record three ducks in a row, matching Washington Sundar’s unwanted record from 2019-2020.

The southpaw also became the third player in T20 World Cup history to register three ducks in his first three innings and only the second Indian batter to do so in consecutive innings.

Three Ducks in First Three T20I WC Innings

Ashish Nehra (IND) in 2009

Roger Mukasa (UGA) in 2024

Abhishek Sharma (IND) in 2026

Nonetheless, India posted a strong 193-run total against the Netherlands, thanks to Shivam Dube’s 66 off 31, including six maximums and four boundaries.

At the time of filing this story, the Netherlands were 57-2 in eight overs with Bas de Leede and Colin Ackermann at the crease.

Note: A statistic in this story has been revised to correct an earlier error.

READ: Shadab Khan hits back at critics over India defeat

COLOMBO: Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan responded to criticism from former cricketers following the team’s loss to India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, insisting the focus remains on the bigger goal of winning the tournament.

Speaking after the match against Namibia, Shadab reminded that they have achieved what many former cricketers could not — defeating India in a World Cup match.

“Criticism is not in our hands. Former cricketers have their own opinions. They were legends, but even they could not do what we have done. We have beaten India in a World Cup,” he said to reporters.

The skipper insisted the team remains focused on winning the tournament rather than dwelling on a single defeat that has dominated discussion.

“There has been too much talk about one match. It was a big game and we should have won it. We made mistakes that should not have happened. But our goal is to win the World Cup and we are following our process,” Shadab Khan added.

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He stressed that Pakistan are moving in the right direction and must continue the positives, particularly with the bat.

“We are on the right track. We need to continue the good things we have been doing. Our batting must carry on in the same way. Sahibzada Farhan is in good form,” Shadab said.

Looking ahead to the Super Eight stage, Shadab acknowledged the competition they will face from other teams.

“The Super Eight will be difficult. These will be high-pressure matches.”  “Ramadan has begun, and it will be like our 12th player,” he concluded.

Earlier, Pakistan defeated Namibia by a hefty margin of 102 runs to qualify for the Super Eight of the mega event.

The Green Shirts will play New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka in their Super Eight fixtures.

READ: Pakistan Super Eight schedule confirmed after Namibia rout

COLOMBO: Pakistan on Wednesday became the eighth and final team to seal a berth in the Super Eight of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a decisive 102-run win over Namibia.

Following Pakistan’s victory, the Super Eight lineups and fixtures are now confirmed.

Pakistan finished in second place in Group A with six points from four matches. The Green Shirts won three games and lost one against their bitter rivals, India.

The Super Eight will feature four teams, split into two groups. Group 1 will feature India, Zimbabwe, West Indies, and South Africa. Group 2 will have England, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Each team will play every other team in its group once. The teams will not carry over their group-stage standings.

The road to the semi-final will commence with the 2009 champions, Pakistan, taking on New Zealand on February 21 in Colombo.

They will then face England on February 24 in Kandy, while their last match will be against host Sri Lanka in Colombo.

The Super Eight stage will conclude with the final match between India and West Indies in Kolkata.

T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan Super Eights schedule

February 21: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Colombo

February 24: England vs Pakistan – Kandy

February 28: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – Colombo

Other Super Eight Fixtures

February 22: Sri Lanka vs England – Kandy

February 22: India vs South Africa – Ahmedabad

February 23: West Indies vs Zimbabwe – Mumbai

February 25: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – Colombo

February 26: South Africa vs West Indies – Ahmedabad

February 26: India vs Zimbabwe – Chennai

February 27: England vs New Zealand – Colombo

March 1: South Africa vs Zimbabwe – Ahmedabad

March 1: India vs West Indies – Kolkata

READ: Sahibzada Farhan joins Ahmed Shehzad in elusive list

COLOMBO: Pakistan opening batter Sahibzada Farhan joined former batter Ahmed Shehzad in an elusive list with a century against Namibia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Wednesday.

Farhan’s 100* off 58 balls with the aid of four sixes and 11 fours played a vital role in propelling Pakistan to a big total of 200.

After scoring a ton, the right-hander became only the second Pakistani batter after Ahmed Shehzad to score a century in the T20 World Cup.

Previously, Shehzad had scored a century against Bangladesh in the 2014 World Cup.

The century also took Farhan to the top of the runs chart in the tournament, accumulating 220 runs in four matches at an average of 73.33.

Overall, he is the fifth Pakistani batter to score a hundred in T20Is, joining the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Ahmed Shehzad, and Hasan Nawaz.

Moreover, he also became the 13th batter to make a ton in the mega event, joining the likes of Chris Gayle and other notable players.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan made a brisk start as Farhan and Saim Ayub stitched together a quickfire 40-run opening stand in just over five overs.

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The partnership ended when Jack Brassell dismissed Ayub for 14 off 12 balls, an innings that included two boundaries.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha then joined Farhan at the crease, and the pair built a steady 67-run partnership for the second wicket, guiding Pakistan past the 100-run mark and laying the foundation for a big total.

Youngster Khawaja Nafay was promoted to number four but could only manage five runs before falling to Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus.

Farhan, however, continued to dominate. Joined by Shadab Khan, the duo added an unbeaten 81-run stand for the fourth wicket to propel Pakistan to an imposing total.

Shadab, after a cautious start, accelerated to finish on 36 off 22 balls, striking one four and three sixes.

READ: South Africa cruise past UAE to seal perfect group-stage run

COLOMBO: Sahibzada Farhan’s maiden T20I century and clinical bowling powered Pakistan to a big 102-run win over Namibia in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 must-win clash on Wednesday at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

Set a daunting target, Namibia were bowled out for 97 in 17.3 overs.

Namibia’s openers started steadily in the chase, adding 32 in 4.1 overs. However, Salman Mirza’s first breakthrough stalled the Eagles’ chase.

After losing the first wicket, Namibia never came back in the game as Pakistan bowlers tightened the screws with regular wickets.

As a result, Namibia were reduced to 49-4 in 7.3 overs.

JJ Smit and Alexander Busing-Volschenk tried to arrest the slide with a 30-run partnership. The pair managed to bring the total to 79 in 12.3 overs.

But it was Usman Tariq’s mystery and Shadab Khan’s sharp leg spin bowling that quickly unraveled Namibia’s innings.

Louren Steenkamp top-scored with 23 off 22 balls with the aid of three fours and a six.

For Pakistan, Usman Tariq stood out among the bowlers, picking up a four-wicket haul. Shadab Khan supported him well with his three wickets.

Earlier, Pakistan posted a formidable 199-3 against Namibia in their 20 overs.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan made a brisk start as Farhan and Saim Ayub stitched together a quickfire 40-run opening stand in just over five overs.

The partnership ended when Jack Brassell dismissed Ayub for 14 off 12 balls, an innings that included two boundaries.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha then joined Farhan at the crease, and the pair built a steady 67-run partnership for the second wicket, guiding Pakistan past the 100-run mark and laying the foundation for a big total.

Brassell struck again to remove Agha for a well-made 38 off 23 balls, leaving Pakistan at 107-2 in 12.1 overs.

Youngster Khawaja Nafay was promoted to number four but could only manage five runs before falling to Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus.

Sahibzada Farhan, however, continued to dominate. Joined by Shadab Khan, the duo added an unbeaten 81-run stand for the fourth wicket to propel Pakistan to an imposing total.

Shadab, after a cautious start, accelerated to finish on 36 off 22 balls, striking one four and three sixes.

The night, though, belonged to Farhan. The right-hander remained unbeaten on 100 from 58 deliveries, hammering 11 fours and four sixes in a commanding display of strokeplay.

With this milestone, he became only the second Pakistani batter after Ahmed Shehzad to score a century in a Men’s T20 World Cup.

READ: South Africa cruise past UAE to seal perfect group-stage run

DELHI: South Africa continued their dominant march in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by six wickets on Wednesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium to finish the group stage unbeaten.

Chasing a modest target of 123, the Proteas wrapped up the contest with ease in just 13.2 overs, losing four wickets, as their batting unit once again delivered a composed and clinical performance.

South Africa began aggressively, with skipper Aiden Markram setting the tone early through a flurry of boundaries.

His brisk 28 off 11 balls powered the side to a rapid start before spinner Haider Ali cleaned him up, breaking a 32-run opening stand.

Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton then steadied the innings, guiding South Africa past the 50-run mark inside the powerplay.

However, the UAE struck again when Muhammad Jawadullah removed de Kock for 14, leaving the Proteas at 56-2.

Dewald Brevis joined Rickelton, and the duo effectively sealed the contest with a fluent 49-run partnership for the third wicket.

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Rickelton played a lively cameo of 30 from 16 balls, striking three fours and two sixes, before falling to Muhammad Farooq with the score at 105-3.

Brevis continued the charge with a controlled 36 off 25 deliveries, hitting one four and three sixes, before being dismissed by Mohammad Arfan.

By then, the result was beyond doubt, as Tristan Stubbs and Jason Smith guided South Africa home comfortably.

Earlier, the UAE struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat, managing 122-6 in their 20 overs.

Alishan Sharafu top-scored with a fighting 45 off 38 balls, including five fours and a six, while captain Muhammad Waseem contributed 22. However, the rest of the batting lineup failed to trouble South Africa’s disciplined attack.

For the Proteas, Corbin Bosch was the standout performer with the ball, claiming three wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs.

Anrich Nortje picked up two scalps, while George Linde added one, ensuring the UAE were restricted to a below-par total.

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