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COLOMBO: Pakistan opening batter Sahibzada Farhan was among the top pre-signed players ahead of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026. 

The five franchises of the tournament have unveiled their pre-signed players, with remaining squad spots to be filled during the player Draft on 1 June to be held in Colombo.

Farhan, the breakout star of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup have been roped in by Dambulla Sixers as an overseas icon player. He will be joined by South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks, alongside Sri Lankan duo of Dinesh Chandimal and Dushmanta Chameera.

Meanwhile, four-time champions Jaffna Kings have acquired the services of veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and fast bowler Taskin Ahmed. The pair will be accompanied by Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dunith Wellalage.

On the contrary, Galle Gallants are yet to name their Overseas Star player.

Notably, recently retired Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar has also joined the marquee tournament and will play for Kandy Royals as an overseas star.

For the unversed, LPL is set to return with the upcoming edition scheduled to begin on July 17 and run until August 8, marking the comeback of Sri Lanka’s flagship T20 competition.

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The tournament will open at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground under lights, with a rematch of the 2024 final as reigning champions Jaffna face runners-up Galle in the season opener.

The final is scheduled for August 8, with a reserve day set for August 9.

A major structural change for the new season is the removal of player retention, meaning all squads will be rebuilt from scratch. Each team will consist of a minimum of 18 players, with a maximum squad size of 20.

LPL 2026 pre-signed players:

 

Colombo Kaps

Local Icon: Kusal Mendis
Local Star: Kamindu Mendis
Overseas Icon: Jimmy Neesham
Overseas Star: Ben McDermott

Dambulla Sixers

Local Icon: Dushmantha Chameera
Local Star: Dinesh Chandimal
Overseas Icon: Sahibzada Farhan
Overseas Star: Reeza Hendricks

Galle Gallants

Local Icon: Dasun Shanaka
Local Star: Eshan Malinga
Overseas Icon: Rassie Ve Der Dussen
Overseas Star:

Jaffna Kings

Local Icon: Bhanuka Rajapaksa
Local Star: Dunith Wellalage
Overseas Icon: Shakib Al Hasan
Overseas Star: Taskin Ahmed

Kandy Royals

Local Icon: Wanindu Hasaranga
Local Star: Angelo Mathews
Overseas Icon: Moeen Ali
Overseas Star: Vijay Shankar

GABORONE: Rwanda opener Hamza Khan scripted history after smashing the second-highest T20I score during the fourth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier. 

The right-handed batter, originally from Peshawar, Pakistan, hammered an unbeaten 164 off just 65 balls at a staggering strike rate of 252.30. His knock also included 15 sixes and nine fours.

With the innings, he moved to second on the all-time list of highest individual scores in Men’s T20Is, behind only former Australia captain Aaron Finch.

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After opting to bat first at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1 ground, Rwanda finished their innings on 288-2 in 20 overs — the seventh-highest in Men’s T20I history. Hamza displayed dominance throughout the innings, maintaining an aggressive approach from the powerplay until the final over.

 

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Highest Individual Scores in T20Is

• Aaron Finch Australia 172 Zimbabwe 2018
• Hamza Khan Rwanda 164* Ivory Coast 2026
• Hazratullah Zazai Afghanistan 162* Ireland 2019
• Mohammad Ihsan Spain 160 Croatia 2025
• Aaron Finch Australia 156 England 2013

In pursuit of the target, Ivory Coast were bowled out for 17, the joint fifth-lowest total in T20Is. Rwanda’s 271-run victory is the third-highest winning margin in Men’s T20Is.

Muhammad Nadir and Yves Cyusa remained the star bowlers, both picking up three wickets each.

It is worth mentioning that Hamza Khan previously scored an unbeaten 60 against Cameroon in Rwanda’s opening match of the tournament.

READ: IPL 2026: Jofra Archer powers Rajasthan Royals into play-offs

Southampton said on Wednesday that they had appealed against their expulsion from the Championship play-off final as the punishment was “manifestly disproportionate to every previous sanction in the history of the English game”.

An English Football League independent disciplinary commission on Tuesday kicked the Saints out after they admitted spying on a training session of semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.

Boro have now been reinstated and are set to face Hull at Wembley on Saturday for a place in the Premier League, with Championship winners Coventry and second-placed Ipswich having secured automatic promotion at the end of the regular season.

Southampton will also be docked four points next season after admitting multiple breaches of regulations related to the “unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training” sessions, according to a statement from the EFL.

Saints chief executive Phil Parsons apologised on Wednesday “to the other clubs involved, and most of all to the Southampton supporters”, whom he said “deserved better from the club”.

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Southampton’s appeal will be heard by an independent league arbitration panel later on Wednesday.

A club statement added that the Saints “cannot accept a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence”.

Southampton highlighted a £200,000 fine ($268,000 fine) imposed on Leeds in 2019 for spying on Derby as evidence of a precedent the EFL should follow in their case.

However, when Leeds were punished, the EFL’s regulation 127 — which specifically forbids clubs from observing an opponent within 72 hours of a match — did not exist.

It was introduced after Leeds were sanctioned to help clarify what had been an uncertain situation.

READ: Could Mohammad Amir play for RCB in IPL 2027?

SYLHET: Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam joined Steve Smith in the World Test Championship (WTC) record books with a half-century in the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Stadium on Sunday.

Babar brought up his 20th WTC fifty and moved into a joint-third position on the all-time list of WTC half-centuries, alongside Steve Smith and England’s Zak Crawley.

England veteran Joe Root sits second with 22 half-centuries, while Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne leads the list with 24 fifties.

Most half-centuries in WTC history:

Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) – 24
Joe Root (England) – 22
Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 20*
Steve Smith (Australia) – 20
Zak Crawley (England) – 20

Pakistan were dismissed for 232 in 57.4 overs, with Babar Azam top-scoring for the visitors with 68.

Resuming after Tea at 206-8 and trailing by 71 runs, Pakistan lost Khurram Shehzad (10), adding just a single run to the team’s total. Sajid Khan then offered brief resistance with a fighting 38 off 28 balls, striking four sixes and two fours, including three consecutive sixes off Nahid Rana.

However, Rana had the final say, dismissing Sajid to wrap up the innings and give Bangladesh a first-inning lead.

For Bangladesh, Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam led the attack, sharing six wickets between them, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked up two each.

Sajid Khan and Khurram Shehzad remained at the crease, both scoring six and 10 runs respectively.

Babar Azam had earlier held the innings together with a fluent 68 off 84 balls, striking 10 fours. He shared a 63-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha after Pakistan were in early trouble.

But once Babar was removed, Pakistan lost their way in the middle. He was caught at mid on in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings. He looked in fine touch, scoring 68 off 84 balls, including 10 fours.

Rana broke the stand, brought back by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in a decisive move that got the prized wicket of Babar.

READ: Rana, Taijul rattle Pakistan to take big lead in second Test

DUBAI: Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana has bagged the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for April 2026 after his impressive performances in the ODI series against New Zealand.

The young pacer emerged as one of the standout performers of the month after playing a decisive role in Bangladesh’s 2-1 ODI series triumph over the Black Caps.

Rana claimed eight wickets in three matches at an average of 16.75 while maintaining an economy rate of 4.46.

His most memorable performance came in the second ODI in Mirpur, where he ripped through New Zealand’s batting order with exceptional figures of 5-32. He also picked up one wicket in the opening match before adding two more in the final ODI, eventually earning the Player of the Series award.

This is the first time Rana has received the ICC monthly award, becoming the second Bangladesh men’s player to win the accolade after Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who bagged last year.

Rana competed alongside Oman Jatinder Singh and UAE pacer Ajay Kumar for the award.

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Following the achievement, Rana expressed pride after outstanding performances against top-class New Zealand.

“It’s a great feeling to be named ICC Player of the Month after performing well against a world-class side like New Zealand,” Rana said.

“To deliver on home soil made the series even more special, and it is one I will always cherish. I am grateful to my teammates for their constant support and belief in me throughout.”

“I hope to keep contributing to more victories and memorable moments for my team,” he concluded.

READ: Pakistan-Australia ODI series physical tickets sale date revealed

England all-rounder Liam Dawson has announced his retirement from first-class cricket with immediate effect in a bid to prolong his white-ball career. 

The 36-year-old confirmed that he will continue to play limited-overs cricket for Hampshire and Manchester Originals, and will also remain available for England’s white-ball teams.

The 36-year-old, who played four Test matches for England, confirmed that he will continue playing limited-overs and will remain available for England’s white-ball teams.

Dawson played four County Championship games this season, claiming seven wickets, before missing Hampshire’s heavy defeat to Glamorgan due to injury.

In first-class cricket, Dawson scored 10828 runs, including 18 centuries, and scalped 380 wickets.

Dawson also represented England in four Tests, with his last appearance coming against India at Old Trafford in 2025.

He was also recognized for his outstanding performances in 2024 when he was named Men’s Player of the Year at the Professional Cricketers’ Association awards, alongside the Overall Domestic MVP and County Championship Player of the Year honors.

Following the announcement, Dawson expressed pride in representing Hampshire while admitting that it was a challenging decision.

“I’ve decided to retire from first-class cricket,” Dawson said.

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“It’s a decision that I haven’t taken lightly but I feel for the benefit of prolonging my career in white-ball cricket, the time is right.,” he added.

The all-rounder said that he was extremely proud to have played over 200 games for Hampshire and had created many special memories with several players.

“I’m extremely proud to have played over 200 games for Hampshire and have had some amazing memories with so many players over the years. I’m fully committed to playing white-ball cricket for Hampshire and continuing the success we’ve had.”

“To the fans and members who have turned out over the years, I can’t thank you enough for your support. Hampshire will always be my home, and I look forward to playing in front of you all at Utilita Bowl very soon,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Dawson’s maiden Test appearance came against India in the 2016-17 tour. He was also included in the squad for the South Africa series later that year; however, he had to wait eight years to play his next Test match, which came against India.

Notably, he was also part of England’s 2019 World Cup-winning squad and traveled as a reserve player with the 2022 T20 World Cup-winning team.

It was in 2025 that he became a regular feature in England’s T20I side, which eventually led to his inclusion in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad.

READ: Sarah Taylor named England Men’s fielding coach in historic move

Former England wicket-keeper batter Sarah Taylor has been named as fielding coach for the men’s side for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, becoming the first woman to join the coaching staff of the senior men’s national team.

Taylor, a key member of England’s 2017 World Cup-winning squad, has been involved with the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) coaching setup over the past few years. She has served as the coach of the England Lions in Australia during their recent tour of Australia under Andrew Flintoff.

The 35-year-old will take up the role on a temporary basis in the absence of regular fielding coach Carl Hopkinson, who is currently working with the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

England managing director Rob Key praised Sarah Taylor following her appointment, describing her as one of the finest coaches in the game.

“She’s one of the best in the business at what she does,” said England’s managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key.

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“She’s been outstanding, and she’s worked a lot with [Lions head coach] Andrew Flintoff and Ed Barney [performance director].

“They can’t speak highly enough of her. So from what we can see, she’s one of the best in the business.”

Key also hinted that Taylor could continue working with the men’s setup beyond the New Zealand series.

Widely regarded as the one of the best wicket-keepers to have played the game, Taylor represented England in 226 matches between 2006 and 2019.

Earlier on Wednesday, former Australian batter Marcus North was also named as the new national selector. North joins the ECB from county side Durham, where he has been the director of cricket since October 2018.

England Test squad: Ben Stokes (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew (wkt), Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wkt), Josh Tongue

READ: WATCH: Shahid Afridi conferred with Hilal-e-Imtiaz award

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s second-highest civilian award.

Afrid was conferred with the award for his contributions to the national cricket team, his role in England’s county cricket, and his leadership in the World Champions of Legends (WCL).

He received the award during a ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr from President Asif Ali Zardari.

Overall, Shahid Afridi featured in 524 international matches and played a key role as an all-rounder in the national team’s various triumphs.

With this, Shahid became the fourth Pakistan cricketer to receive the award after Waqar Younas, Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, and Abdul Hafeez Kardar.

 

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He played a record 398 ODIs for Pakistan, amassing 8,064 runs, including 39 half-centuries and six centuries. He was also exceptional with the ball, scalping 395 wickets, including nine five-wicket hauls. In the T20I format, the right-handed batter played 99 matches, scoring 1,416 runs alongside 98 wickets to his name.

His most notable performance came in the 2009 T20 World Cup final against Sri Lanka, where Afridi delivered with both bat and ball to take Pakistan to title glory. He hit an unbeaten 54 off 40 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes, and also took a wicket.

Besides his international career, Afridi enjoyed an extensive experience in franchise cricket, having played for teams in the Pakistan Super League, Lanka Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, Champions League Twenty20, Big Bash League, and Indian Premier League.

READ: Former Australia cricketer Marcus North appointed England selector

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada led an inspired pace attack to power Gujarat Titans to the top of the IPL 2026 table with an 82-run thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Hosts Gujarat defended 168 in Ahmedabad as Rabada took 3-28 and, with his fellow quicks, bowled out Hyderabad for 86, their lowest ever score in the IPL.

Fellow quick Jason Holder cleaned up the Hyderabad middle and lower-order to claim 3-20 from his four overs.

Former champions Gujarat leapfrogged Hyderabad and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to top the 10-team table, moving closer to a playoff spot.

Gujarat have 16 points with eight wins from 12 matches and are favourites to finish in the top two after the league stage.

The top four will make the playoffs, with the top two getting an extra chance to make the final in Ahmedabad on May 31.

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Gujarat pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj struck in the first over of the Hyderabad chase as he dismissed Travis Head for a duck with the fourth ball of the innings.

In the next over, Rabada removed the dangerous Abhishek Sharma for six before striking twice in his next two overs, having skipper Ishan Kishan (11) caught behind by Jos Buttler, followed by Ravichandran Smaranto (9) miscuing to Shubman Gill at mid-off.

Wickets kept tumbling as Holder took two in one over, including Heinrich Klaasen, who made 14 to regain top spot in this season’s IPL batting chart with 508 runs.

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan trapped Praful Hinge lbw for the final wicket as Gujarat bowled out Hyderabad in 14.5 overs.

The batters set up victory after Sai Sudharsan, who made 61, and Washington Sundar put on 60 for the fourth wicket to lift Gujarat from early trouble to 168-5.

Hyderabad pace bowler Hinge struck two early blows including skipper Gill (5) and Buttler (7) to put Gujarat on the backfoot.

Sudharsan counter-attacked as he struck five fours and two sixes in his 44-ball knock, and after his departure, fellow left-hander Sundar steered the team to a challenging total with his 33-ball 50.

READ: Ayesha Zafar stars as Pakistan thump Zimbabwe in first T20I

The Pakistan football team has qualified for the semi-finals of the Street Child World Cup, currently underway in Mexico.

The Green Shirts continued their impressive run in the tournament, sealing an 8-1 win over Mexico to storm into the semi-finals. Kashif Shinwari scored twice, while Essa Khan, Shahid, and Mustafa each scored one goal.

Earlier, Pakistan also defeated Borussia Dortmund with 6-1 and suffered only a defeat at the hands of Brazil. Pakistan football team commenced their campaign with a dominant 8-1 win over Wales.

Following the triumph, team management congratulated the players on this historic achievement, praising their discipline, unity, and commitment to representing Pakistan with pride and dignity.

Speaking on the occasion, Rehan Tahir expressed gratitude, lauding players for delivering throughout the tournament.

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“Reaching the semi-final is a proud moment for Pakistan. Our players have shown incredible courage and determination throughout the tournament, and we are grateful for the prayers and support of the entire nation,” he said.

For the unversed, the tournament features teams from 30 countries and includes boys’ and girls’ events.

It is part of a global youth-led movement focused on protecting the rights, identity, and welfare of street-connected children, using sport as a tool for education and social change.

Pakistan’s participation in the event is supported by the organization Muslim Hands UK, which works in education and social development through sports initiatives.

It is worth noting that Pakistan had previously won the silver medal at the 2022 Street Child Football World Cup in Qatar.

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