Category: Top Picks

Arsenal missed the chance to extend their Premier League lead to six points as Brentford rattled the Gunners in a 1-1 draw on Thursday to give Manchester City hope in the title race.

Noni Madueke headed the leaders in front on the hour mark, but the Bees were well worthy of at least a point and levelled through Keane Lewis-Potter.

Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table now stands at four points as they aim for a first league title in 22 years.

But Mikel Arteta’s men still have to travel to second-placed City in the remaining 12 games of the season.

A point boosted Brentford’s bid to qualify for European football for the first time as they remain in seventh.

Keith Andrews’ side have only been beaten twice at home all season, and Arsenal can count themselves fortunate not to have suffered just a fourth league defeat of the campaign.

David Raya foiled his former club with a stunning save to claw away Igor Thiago’s powerful header with the best chance of the first half.

Arsenal were missing William Saliba and Kai Havertz through illness and injury, respectively, but were boosted by the return of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka on the bench.

Arteta sent for Odegaard at half-time to turn the tide, and the visitors started the second period with far more intent.

Arsenal’s pressure had its reward when Madueke rose highest at the back post to head Piero Hincapie’s cross back across Caoimhin Kelleher.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

However, the visitors were guilty of trying to hold onto their advantage rather than continuing to take the game to Brentford.

Thiago stung the palms of Raya once more as the home side grew in confidence.

Lewis Potter should have levelled earlier when he headed wide from a corner when completely unmarked.

Arsenal’s strength from set-pieces has played a huge role in putting them in pole position for the title.

But they struggled to cope with Brentford’s own prowess from dead balls.

The equaliser arrived from one of Michael Kayode’s long-throws propellled into the box, Sepp van den Berg won the flick-on, and Lewis Potter stole in ahead of Odegaard to head in.

Brentford were the far more likely winners in the final 20 minutes.

Cristhian Mosquera made a vital last-ditch tackle to deny Thiago.

The Brazilian’s best chance for an 18th Premier League goal of the season came in stoppage time, but he smashed inches over.

But Arsenal also had a chance to snatch victory at the death when Kelleher raced off his line to save from Gabriel Martinelli.

READ: Atletico Madrid rout Barcelona in Copa del Rey semi-final first leg

Atletico Madrid hammered Copa del Rey holders Barcelona 4-0 on Thursday in the first leg of their semi-final.

After an Eric Garcia own goal sent Diego Simeone’s side ahead early on, Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez struck to give Atletico a landslide lead by half-time.

Barca defender Garcia was sent off in the final stages, with Atletico maintaining their significant advantage on the record 32-time winners, which they will take into the second leg at Camp Nou on March 3.

Both sides missed good chances in the second half, with Barca’s Pau Cubarsi having a goal disallowed before Garcia was sent off in the final stages.

Atletico were able to preserve their significant advantage on the record 32-time winners, which they will take into the second leg at Camp Nou on March 3.

“In the first 45 minutes, we got a great lesson for us. Sometimes it’s good to get (that) in the right moment, maybe today is the right moment,” Flick told reporters.

“The second half was much better, and we have one game more, and we will fight (to win) that.”

Well off the pace in La Liga and not showing the quality of a side likely to go deep in the Champions League, the Copa del Rey represents Atletico’s best chance of silverware this season.

With that motivation in mind, the Rojiblancos conjured the best football of their season to completely dismantle the Spanish champions in the first half, as the fans lapped it up.

“I think our fans need these games, they’ve been coming for years, pushing, they’re always there, they need big matches,” said Simeone.

“We had a great first half, reading the game very well, we were very efficient and calm in the final third.”

The hosts took the lead after seven minutes when Garcia’s pass, on the uneven Metropolitano stadium pitch, bobbled towards Joan Garcia and then under the goalkeeper’s foot and into the net.

Former Barcelona striker Griezmann slid home the second as Atletico breached the Catalans’ high defensive line repeatedly, leaning on the pace of Giuliano Simeone and Lookman.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Fermin Lopez hit the crossbar for Barcelona, but it was one-way traffic, and Atletico nearly got a third when Alvarez’s effort was cleared off the line by Jules Kounde.

Eventually, Nigeria international Lookman steered home the third at the end of a fine team move, with overjoyed Atletico coach Simeone racing down the touchline in celebration.

Having spent much of the season demanding his team take their chances more clinically, all of the Argentine’s dreams came true at once.

Alvarez, who had failed to score in his last 11 matches, ended his drought for Atletico’s fourth, ramming home from just inside the area.

“We all know how important Julian is for us; he showed it last season,” said Atletico midfielder Marcos Llorente.

“I’m really happy for his goal, I’m sure it will take a bit of the weight off.”

Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso saved well from Lopez to keep his clean sheet at the interval.

Barcelona thought they had pulled one back in the second half when Pau Cubarsi netted, but it was controversially disallowed after a long VAR review for an apparent offside.

“I want to have the reason why it was offside,” Flick told Movistar. “I don’t know what they saw.”

With a few minutes remaining, the league leaders’ night got even worse when Eric Garcia was sent off for a foul on Alex Baena as he ran through.

Ferran Torres’s poor pass sold his team-mate short, and he clumsily felled the Atletico playmaker.

Alexander Sorloth and Torres spurned further chances at each end as the game kept its frantic pace until the end.

On Wednesday, Real Sociedad beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in the first leg of the other semi-final clash.

READ: Key Zimbabwe player ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026

COLOMBO: Zimbabwe have suffered a major setback in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign after veteran wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a hamstring injury.

The development was confirmed by Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza at the toss ahead of their ongoing fixture against the Australia national cricket team in Colombo on Friday.

Taylor, 40, sustained the injury during Zimbabwe’s opening match of the tournament against Oman.

He was forced to retire hurt after scoring 31 off 30 deliveries, having earlier contributed behind the stumps with three catches.

Team management had monitored his recovery closely, hoping he would regain fitness for the latter stages, but the experienced batter has now been officially ruled out.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Zimbabwe are yet to announce a replacement, although a decision is expected soon with at least two group matches still to play in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

In Taylor’s absence, Tadiwanashe Marumani has taken over wicketkeeping duties against Australia, while all-rounder Tony Munyonga has been drafted into the playing XI.

Taylor’s latest setback comes months after his return to international cricket in July 2025, following a three-and-a-half-year suspension for breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code.

Since completing his ban, he featured in two Tests, two ODIs and 14 T20Is for Zimbabwe, scoring 282 runs, including a memorable 123 against Botswana in a T20 World Cup qualifying match last year.

Zimbabwe squad

Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor

READ: Weather forecast for Colombo ahead of Pakistan-India clash

COLOMBO: Weather could play spoilsport in the much-anticipated Pakistan vs India clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with forecasts indicating a significant chance of rain on Sunday, February 15.

The high-voltage encounter at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium is already surrounded by drama after uncertainty earlier threatened the fixture.

However, while the political and administrative hurdles were eventually cleared, attention has now shifted to Colombo’s unpredictable weather.

According to forecasts, there is around a 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms during the match window, with nearly 2.1mm of rainfall expected.

The conditions raise the possibility of interruptions and, in the worst-case scenario, a complete washout if the weather fails to improve.

As per tournament regulations, both sides would share one point each should the match be abandoned.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Despite the looming weather threat, the result is unlikely to significantly impact qualification scenarios.

Both teams currently sit at the top of Group A with two wins each, India leading on net run rate.

A washout would move both sides to five points, keeping them firmly on course for a place in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Historically, India have held the upper hand in this rivalry in the shortest format.

Out of 16 T20 internationals between the two teams, India have won 13, while Pakistan have secured three victories.

In T20 World Cup meetings, India lead 6-1, with one encounter ending in no result.

READ: Will Abhishek Sharma be available for India-Pakistan clash?

COLOMBO: India’s preparations for their marquee showdown against Pakistan have been dealt a potential blow, with explosive opener Abhishek Sharma still uncertain for the high-voltage ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 encounter scheduled on February 15.

The left-handed batter is racing against time to regain full fitness after being hospitalised earlier this week due to a stomach infection.

According to Indian media reports, Sharma has recovered enough to be discharged and rejoin the squad, but lingering weakness continues to concern the team management ahead of the crucial fixture.

Sharma had already missed India’s previous match against Namibia on Thursday, a game the defending champions won comfortably by 93 runs.

Medical staff are closely monitoring his condition, and a final decision on his participation is expected after Friday’s training session in Colombo.

In a recent video update alongside pacer Arshdeep Singh, Sharma revealed the toll the illness has taken on him, sharing that he survived mostly on plain rice and lentils and lost nearly two kilograms during his recovery period.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

India are due to arrive in Colombo from Delhi later tonight as preparations intensify for one of cricket’s most anticipated rivalries against the Pakistan national cricket team.

The clash, part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, is scheduled for Sunday and carries significant importance for both sides.

The aggressive opener has amassed 1,297 runs in 39 matches at a remarkable strike rate of 194.95, including two centuries and eight half-centuries.

Against Pakistan, he has scored 110 runs in three appearances at a strike rate of 189.65, registering one half-century.

Historically, India have dominated the rivalry in the shortest format. Out of 16 T20 internationals between the two teams, India have won 13, while Pakistan have managed three victories.

In T20 World Cup contests, India lead 6-1, with one match ending without a result.

READ: Sialkot Stallionz add domestic trio to squad for PSL 11

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) new franchise Sialkot Stallionz has expanded their squad to 19 members with the addition of three domestic players following the player auction held on February 10 in Lahore.

The outfit confirmed the signings in a statement that included the players’ details.

“Sialkot Stallions have included Mohammad Shehzad, Arshad Iqbal, and Nisar Khan in their squad,” it said.

“All three players have signed contracts worth PKR 6 million each with the franchise and will represent Sialkot Stallions in the upcoming season,” Stallionz added.

“The inclusion of these players will further strengthen the team’s batting and bowling departments. Following these new signings, Sialkot Stallions’ squad for HBL PSL now consists of 19 players.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Among the notable inclusions is all-rounder Mohammad Shehzad, who went unsold in the auction.

Shehzad posted on social media about his frustration at not being selected in the auction, questioning why he could not secure a place on a team.

“Hey, hope [you] all are good, 10 months before I was the Player of the Tournament in President’s Trophy,” Shahzad posted on his Instagram handle.

He emphasized his domestic performance over the past year, noting that he was also outstanding performer in the Hong Kong Super Sixes.

“I’m the second highest wicket taker in the tournament of Hong Kong Super Sixes and was part of Emerging Asia Cup winning team, [but] unfortunately I did not get opportunity to play,”

“Now I’m unsold in PSL auction. I can’t fit in 100 players? Really?,” he questioned.

For the unversed, PSL 11 will kick off on March 26 across five cities of Pakistan.

Sialkot Stallionz Squad for PSL 11

Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal, Saad Masood, Steve Smith, Jahanzaib Sultan, Sahibzada Farhan, Ashton Turner, Peter Siddle, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lachlan Shaw, Delano Potgieter, Josh Phillippe, Shan Masood, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Shahzad, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Arshad Iqbal, and Nisar Khan

READ: T20 World Cup: India seal big win ahead of Pakistan showdown

DELHI: Hardik Pandya’s all-round skills came to the fore against Namibia, powering India to a 93-run victory ahead of the Pakistan clash in the 18th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday.

Set a daunting 210, Namibia were skittled for 116 in 18.2 overs.

Namibia’s openers started positively with 33 runs in the first 3.4 overs. Jan Frylinck struck three fours and a six in his 22 from 15 balls.

Despite the wicket, the visitors kept batting briskly as Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Louren Steenkamp put on 34 run stand on the second wicket, bringing the score to 67 in 7.1 overs.

Steenkamp top-scored with 29 from 20 balls, hitting two fours.

After his wicket, skipper Gerhard Erasmus came to the crease and struck two sixes before getting caught. He made 18 from 11 balls.

His wicket sparked a collapse as India never allowed Namibia to recover. Consequently, they slumped to 94-6 to all-out from 86-2 in 18.2 overs.

Earlier, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya’s rapid half-centuries propelled India to a massive total.

Asked to bat first, India racked up  209-9 in their 20 overs.

Sanju Samson, who was brought into the side as ill Abhishek Sharma’s replacement, started briskly with a flurry of boundaries.

The right-hander hit three sixes in his 22 from eight before getting caught in the second over.

After his wicket, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma stabilized the innings with a 79-run partnership on 39 balls.

Ishan, who struck five sixes and six fours in his 61 from 24, played the core aggressor role while Varma played the second fiddle.

The duo brought the team’s score to 104 from 25 in 7.1 overs.

Namibia’s spin bowlers made an impressive comeback in the middle overs, wicket-quick wickets to dent the hosts’ proceedings.

For India, Varun Chakravarthy took three wickets, while Hardik Pandya also chipped in with the ball, taking two wickets.

India will face Pakistan in the high-voltage clash on Sunday, February 15.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

As a result, India were 124-4 in 11.5 overs with all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube at the crease.

The pair stitched a vital 81-run partnership off 39 balls, putting their side in a commanding position.

Pandya scored a brisk 52 from 28, including four maximums and four boundaries.

Nambia did well in the final two overs as India lost five wickets in the span of eight balls.

For Namibia, Gerhard Erasmus stood out with four wickets to his name in his quota of four overs.

READ: T20 World Cup: Shanaka record-breaking fifty sinks Oman

Dasun Shanaka hammered the fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan in T20Is as the co-hosts thrashed Oman by 105 runs at the T20 World Cup on Thursday in Pallekele for their second win in Group B.

Sri Lanka piled up 225-5, the highest total of the tournament, before restricting an outclassed Oman to 120-9.

The 43-year-old Mohammad Nadeem waged a lone battle for Oman, compiling an unbeaten 53 to become the oldest player to score a fifty in T20 World Cups.

Having promoted himself up the order and under pressure to deliver, Sri Lanka skipper Shanaka smashed a 19-ball half-century.

It has been a bruising few months for the out-of-form Shanaka since reclaiming the captaincy late last year.

But on a batting-friendly pitch he smacked the Oman bowlers to all corners of the park, peppering the stands with five sixes and two fours.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Before that, Pavan Rathnayake and Kusal Mendis laid the foundation as the pair each posted fluent half-centuries, stitching together a 94-run stand for the third wicket.

Once the platform was set, Kamindu Mendis applied the finishing touches.

Fresh from his match-turning cameo in the win over Ireland, the left-hander scored an unbeaten 19 off just seven deliveries, striking one four and two sixes.

Oman were never really in the game as they fell to a second defeat at the tournament.

Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana shared the new ball with Dushmantha Chameera, and they accounted for two wickets apiece.

READ: PSL 11: Rawalpindi secure Jake Fraser-McGurk as direct signing

The renamed franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Rawalpindi has directly signed Australia opener Jake Fraser-McGurk for the landmark season 11, set to start on March 26. 

McGurk, 23, is a destructive top-order batter with his ability to hit the ball long and has been a prominent name around the globe in the T20 franchise circuit.

The right-handed batter has played eight T20Is for Australia.

The announcement was revealed following the historic PSL Player Auction held in Lahore on February 10.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“From Down Under straight to streets of Rawalpindi. We’ve signed the most destructive young talent in the world as our Direct Signing,” the caption of the franchise, which is yet to be officially named, wrote.

“Jake Fraser-McGurk is officially a Pindi Boy,” it added.

He remained unpicked and failed to attract buyers in both the main and accelerated rounds of the auction, despite being listed at a base price of Rs 4.2 million.

However, his signing fee has not been disclosed yet.

For the unversed, Multan Sultans was bought by Walee Technologies with a record bid of PKR 2.45 billion, the highest in PSL history, and subsequently rebranded the team as Rawalpindi.

The franchise retained former Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan in the Platinum category for PKR 5.60 crore.

England’s hard-hitting batter Sam Billings was picked in the Diamond category for PKR 3.08 crore, while pacer Zaman Khan was placed in the Gold category for PKR 1.12 crore.

Young batter Yasir Khan completes the retained list in the Silver category for PKR 60 lakh.

Rawalpindi Squad for PSL 11

Mohammad Rizwan, Sam Billings, Zaman Khan, Yasir Khan, Naseem Shah, Rishad Hossain, Daryl Mitchell, Mohammad Amir, Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Dian Forrestor, Laurie Evans, Asif Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Fawad Ali, Mohammad Amir Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Jake Fraser-McGurk

READ: Imad Wasim shares emotional note after Islamabad United pick

Former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim penned down an emotional note after being selected by Islamabad United in the unsold category of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Player Auction held in Lahore on February 10.

Imad took to X, noting that Islamabad United has picked him in the auction to reignite his desire and prove his worth.

“One team believed, thank you Islamabad United,” he wrote.

“This auction has sparked a fire in me. I’ve always proved my worth, and I will do so again. Every run, every wicket, every game… I’ll show on the field why I was worth the pick. Watch closely — the reminder is coming,” he added.

Initially, Wasim remained unpicked in the opening round of released players with a base price of PKR 4.2 crore.

Later on, the three-time PSL champion United picked him from the list of unsold players for PKR 2.2 crore.

Wasim, 37, has been a regular in T20 leagues around the globe since hanging up his boots from international cricket in December 2024.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He has captained Karachi Kings and led them to title glory in 2020 before joining his hometown franchise, Islamabad United, in 2023.

In total, he has played 101 matches in PSL and has amassed 1293 runs at a strike rate of 136.97 with the aid of seven fifties. Besides his batting, he has also picked up 77 wickets with the ball.

For the unversed, following the auction, all eight teams have stacked their squads ahead of the landmark season 11, which kicks off in March across five cities in Pakistan.

The change to the player selection model followed the expansion, which added two new franchises: Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen.

READ: Ahmed Shehzad burst into tears on live TV after PSL snub