Tag: England

KANDY: Skipper Harry Brook’s sublime century powered sloppy England to a two-wicket win over Pakistan in the Super Eight clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Set a stiff 165, England chipped away towards the target despite a stutter in the last over, losing eight wickets in the process.

With this win, England qualified for the T20 World Cup semi-final.

England were off to a shaky start as they lost three wickets inside the first five overs. Shaheen Afridi sent back Phil Salt for a duck in the first over. Soon after, Jos Buttler also fell, whose horror run continued in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell fell prey to Shaheen Afridi on eight despite providing relief in the previous over.

The wicket-keeper only managed two from three balls. As a result, England were reduced to 35-3 in 4.5 overs.

With the side in early trouble, Harry Brook launched a rescue act for the ages, holding the innings together with a string of partnerships alongside the middle-order.

Despite the wickets tumbling around him, Brook made the chase look easy with elegant stroke play.

Brook shepherd the chase with measured stands alongside Tom Banton and Sam Curran, adding 23 and 45 runs respectively.

He later found crucial support from Will Jacks, the pair putting on 52 for the sixth wicket to wrest control from Pakistan.

Afridi returned to end Brook’s innings on the final ball of the 17th over, but England held their nerve.

Jacks fell for 28 to Mohammad Nawaz, who also had Jamie Overton stumped in the same over to set up a tense finish.

Needing three from the final over with two wickets in hand, Jofra Archer struck Salman Mirza for a boundary off the first ball to clinch victory.

Afridi was Pakistan’s standout bowler with 4-30, while Usman Tariq Nawaz claimed two wickets.

Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan’s gutsy half-century lifted Pakistan to a fighting total against England.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan managed to score 164-9 in their 20 overs.

Pakistan were jolted with an early blow in the shape of Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha’s dismissal.

Saim was caught at short mid-wicket in a bid to pull Jofra Archer. He only made seven. While skipper Salman fell cheaply to Liam Dawson after managing five.

As a result, the Green Shirts were pegged back with two down for 27 in 3.3 overs.

Following the hiccup, Babar Azam and Sahizada Farhan held the innings together with a 46-run stand. The pair stabilized the innings and brought the scorecard to 73 in 10.5 overs.

Jamie Overton ended the threatening stand with Babar’s wicket, who chopped on after a cautious knock of 25 from 24 with the aid of two fours.

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Meanwhile, Sahibzada Farhan continued and struck a partnership with Rusty Fakhar Zaman after chewing up a few deliveries.

Both added 49 off 30 balls for the fourth wicket partnership, bringing the total to 112 in 15.4 overs.

Farhan, who was going well, was trapped lbw after hitting a six and a four to Overton. He made 63 off 45, including two sixes and seven fours.

Following his wicket, England got hold of the Pakistan innings with a few quick wickets. As a result, they slumped to 132-5 149-8 in 18.3 overs.

Shadab Khan played a vital knock of 23 from 11 with the aid of four boundaries to take Pakistan’s score to 164.

For England, Liam Dawson picked up three wickets in his four overs.

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KANDY: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first against England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight clash here at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Pakistan have made one change to their side as fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, who was left out of the XI against New Zealand, has returned, replacing all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.

Playing XIs

England: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (wk), 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Tom Banton, 5 Harry Brook (capt), 6 Sam Curran, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Liam Dawson, 9 Jamie Overton, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Adil Rashid

Pakistan: 1 Sahibzada Farhan, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Salman Ali Agha (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Fakhar Zaman, 6 Shadab Khan, 7 Usman Khan (wk), 8 Mohammad Nawaz, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Salman Mirza, 11 Usman Tariq

Head to Head 

England and Pakistan have played 31 T20Is against each other, with the Three Lions leading by 21 games, while Pakistan have won only 9.

In the T20 World Cup, England remain unbeaten against Pakistan, having won all three matches.

Matches: 31, ENG 21, PAK 9, NR: 1

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KANDY: The much-anticipated Super Eight clash between Pakistan and England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is expected to proceed without weather interruptions at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

After rain washed out Pakistan’s previous fixture against New Zealand in Colombo, all eyes were on the forecast in Kandy.

However, the latest weather update offers encouraging signs, with mostly clear skies predicted around the 7:00 PM start time.

The temperature is expected to hover around 27°C, with a RealFeel of 28°C.

Humidity levels remain high at 68%, creating a sticky atmosphere, while the dew point of 20°C suggests significant moisture in the air, a factor that could influence conditions later in the evening.

Light northwest winds of 6 km/h, with occasional gusts up to 13 km/h, are unlikely to have a major impact.

Cloud cover is minimal at 14%, visibility stands at 16 kilometres, and the cloud ceiling is positioned at 9,100 metres, indicating stable conditions for play.

The AccuLumen Brightness Index points to complete darkness, consistent with typical evening conditions under lights.

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While the weather appears favourable, air quality concerns have been flagged, particularly for individuals with respiratory issues.

The clear forecast comes as a relief after Pakistan’s Super Eight opener against New Zealand was abandoned at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium due to persistent rain.

The match was called off more than two-and-a-half hours after captain Salman Ali Agha had won the toss and opted to bat, resulting in both teams sharing a point.

With only the top two teams from each Super Eight group progressing to the semi-finals on March 4 and 5, every fixture carries added significance.

Historically, England have dominated this rivalry in the shortest format. In 31 T20 Internationals between the sides, England have won 21, Pakistan nine, while one match was abandoned.

In T20 World Cup contests specifically, England hold a 3-0 record over Pakistan.

Squads

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.

England: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue and Luke Wood.

READ: T20 World Cup: West Indies thrash Zimbabwe in Super Eight clash

KANDY: The Pakistan men’s cricket team arrived here on Sunday ahead of their Super Eight clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against England, scheduled to be played on February 24.

The Green Shirts will undergo training tomorrow at the Pallekelle Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan’s last two Super Eights matches are scheduled in Kandy. They will play their last match against Sri Lanka on Feb 28.

The 2009 champions’ opening Super Eight fixture against New Zealand was washed out on Saturday. Both teams have been awarded one point each.

Persistent drizzle right after the toss — which Pakistan won and opted to bat — at the Premadasa Stadium did not relent, and the umpires finally called the match off at 9:05pm local time (15:35 GMT).

The abandonment of the Super Eight opening fixture has made Group 2 of the Super Eights more interesting, with each game now carrying greater importance.

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Not even a five-over match was possible by the 10:16 pm (1646 GMT) cut-off time, giving the two teams one point each.

For Pakistan to qualify for the semi-finals without relying on the Net Run Rate, they simply have to win two of their remaining games against England and Sri Lanka.

The victories will ensure Pakistan finishes on five points, virtually booking their place in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, title-holders India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the West Indies are placed in Group 1.

The top two teams from each Group will qualify for the semi-finals.

READ: T20 World Cup: South Africa win toss against India

KANDY: An all-round bowling effort helped England defend a modest target against Sri Lanka in their Super Eights encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

England successfully defended a partly target of 147, skittling Sri Lanka for a mere 95 in 16.4 overs.

Jofra Archer and Will Jacks combined to pile a miserable start on Sri Lanka, leaving them five down for 34 at the end of the powerplay.

The early blows never allowed the Islanders to make a comeback in the match as skipper Dasun Shanaka resisted with 30 off 24 with the help of two sixes and a boundary.

However, there was no support from others, as Sri Lanka kept losing wickets while England bowlers turned the screws on them.

For Enlgnad, Will Jacks took three wickets while Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer and Liam Dawson shared six wickets between them.

As a result, the whole team was bundled out for a modest total

Earlier, Sri Lanka delivered a collective bowling effort to keep England to a below-par 146-9.

Opting to bat first, England never truly found momentum after an early setback. Star batter Jos Buttler struggled for fluency and was dismissed for seven off 14 deliveries, falling to Dunith Wellalage inside the powerplay.

Phil Salt attempted to anchor the innings, but wickets continued to tumble at the other end. England crawled to 68-4 at the halfway stage, unable to capitalise as Sri Lanka maintained tight lines and applied constant pressure.

Sam Curran briefly threatened to accelerate but managed just 11 before Dushmantha Chameera struck.

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Salt, who had held the innings together with a counter-attacking knock, eventually fell in the following over to Wellalage after scoring 62 off 40 balls, laced with six fours and two sixes.

With Salt’s departure, England’s innings lost its backbone. Maheesh Theekshana removed Liam Dawson for six, reducing England to 124-7 in the 18th over.

Will Jacks provided late impetus with a 21-run cameo off 14 balls, while Jamie Overton’s unbeaten 10 ensured England batted out their 20 overs.

For Sri Lanka, Wellalage was the standout performer, claiming three crucial wickets. Dilshan Madushanka and Theekshana supported him well with two scalps apiece.

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PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to field first against England in the Super Eight clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

PLAYING XIs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellelage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera

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England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid

HEAD TO HEAD

England and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 14 T20 International matches. England hold a commanding advantage with 10 victories, while the Islanders have secured four wins.

Matches 14, England 10, Sri Lanka 4

In ICC Men’s T20 World Cup encounters, England have further tightened their grip on the rivalry, winning five of the six meetings between the two sides.

Matches 6, England 5, Sri Lanka 1

England are coming in this Super Eight clash with a victory over Italy in their final group stage game. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka suffered a stunning defeat against Zimbabwe in their last match.

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Tom Banton’s unbeaten 63 led England to a five-wicket T20 World Cup victory over Scotland in Kolkata on Saturday that kept Harry Brook’s side on course for the Super Eights.

Victory in their final Group C match against Italy on Monday at the same Eden Gardens stadium will see England safely into the next round.

After bowling Scotland out for 152, England racked up 155-5 in 18.2 overs, with Jacob Bethell scoring 32, Sam Curran 28, and Will Jacks (16 off 10 balls) hitting a six and a four to finish the job.

“I think our full focus was on tonight and then obviously on to Italy in two days’ time,” said Banton, who hit form after scoring just four runs in England’s first two matches.

“It’s T20 cricket. It’s a high-risk game. And you’ve got to keep backing yourself. At times it goes against you. And it’s hard.

“You’ve got to keep coming back, keep trying hard, keep practising. Luckily, today’s my day.”

England wobbled at the start of their chase as the new white ball swung under the floodlights with the sun going down.

Phil Salt fell third ball to Brandon McMullen for just two, and when Jos Buttler picked out McMullen off Brad Currie, they were 13-2.

Scotland bowled tightly until Bethell broke the shackles by hitting McMullen for a six and two fours in the fifth over.

Spinner Mark Watt also came in for some punishment, conceding 22 off his first over as Banton took him for three huge sixes.

A 66-run partnership ended when the left-handed Bethell on 32 helped a leg-side delivery from Oliver Davidson into the grateful hands of Brad Wheal at short fine leg.

Captain Brook did not last long, scooping Michael Leask over his shoulder to Wheal to make it 86-4 but England were always in control and got home with 10 balls to spare.

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Earlier, England’s bowlers found their mojo and vindicated Brook’s decision to field on winning the toss.

After being smacked to all parts of Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium in conceding 196 to the West Indies on Wednesday, England’s attack exerted much more control at Eden Gardens.

Captain Richie Berrington top-scored for Scotland with 49 off 32 balls with five fours and two sixes.

He and Tom Bruce put on 71 for the fourth wicket, but it was their only notable partnership.

Spinner Liam Dawson ended it in the 13th over when Bruce was caught for 24, Curran providing the safe hands at deep square leg.

Scotland collapsed when Adil Rashid trapped Berrington lbw in the next over, losing their last seven wickets for 39 runs from 113-3.

Jofra Archer had been expensive in the two previous outings but made the early breakthroughs before finishing with a brilliant 2-24 off his four overs.

In his second over, he hurried George Munsey into top-edging to Banton and two balls later had McMullen caught by Salt in the deep.

Michael Jones (33) holed out to Bethell off Curran and Scotland were 42-3 at the end of the six-over power play and never threatened a competitive total.

Rashid was the best of the England bowlers with 3-36 from his four overs, while Dawson took 2-34.

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Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie tore the heart out of England’s much-vaunted middle order Wednesday as the West Indies won by 30 runs in their T20 World Cup clash in Mumbai.

The West Indies scored 196-6 largely thanks to Sherfane Rutherford’s brutal, unbeaten 76 and some late hitting from Jason Holder.

In reply England were all out for 166 in 19 overs.

They made a brisk start to the chase before Motie, who varies between left-arm orthodox and wrist spin, bamboozled Tom Banton, Jacob Bethel,l and captain Harry Brook in a brilliant spell of 3-33.

It pegged back England from a comfortable 85-2 in the eighth over to 131-5 in the 14th when Brook departed for 17.

Sam Curran kept them in the hunt with a brave unbeaten 43 off 30 balls before he ran out of partners.

It was the second win from two for the West Indies and puts them in pole position to qualify for the Super Eights from Group C.

England got off to the perfect start in their chase when opener Phil Salt carted Jason Holder’s first over for 24 with two sixes and three fours as they raced to 31-0 off 12 balls.

Salt fell for 30 in the fourth over, looping a catch to Rutherford when attempting another big hit, this time off Romario Shepherd.

England sped to 67-1 at the end of the six-over power play, with Jos Buttler on 15 and Bethell 20.

Buttler hit a six off Roston Chase but perished trying to repeat the damage, caught in the deep by Rovman Powell for 21.

Banton (2) was out cheaply for the second successive match, and when Bethell (33) followed soon after, both to Motie, England were in bother at 90-4.

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Motie then captured the prize wicket of Brook, caught and bowled for 17, in his final over to leave England 131-5 off 14, and the damage had been done.

For the West Indies, sixth-wicket pair Rutherford, who hit seven sixes and two fours, and Jason Holder (33, four sixes, one four) hammered 61 in 32 balls in the dying overs.

Jofra Archer had struck in the first over of the match when captain Shai Hope slapped him straight to Banton at cover.

It was soon 8-2 when Brandon King tried to smash Curran’s first ball but could only find Salt at deep cover.

Chase hit spinner Will Jacks for three fours and Shimron Hetmyer joined in with a colossal six as the fifth over was despatched for 19 runs.

Hetmyer, on 23, top-edged Overton to Curran at fine leg to leave the West Indies 55-3.

When Adil Rashid trapped Chase, on 34, for his 400th wicket in T20 internationals, the Caribbean side had slipped to 77-4 in the 10th over.

Powell and Rutherford put on 50 in just 26 balls as the West Indies raced to 127-4 after 14 overs.

Rashid’s reintroduction immediately bore fruit as Powell holed out to Overton at long-off.

Rutherford sailed on and brought up his fifty in 29 balls with a four and a six off Overton.

Curran, the last-gasp hero against Nepal, was pummelled for 20 off his third over, including three sixes by Holder.

Rashid was the pick of England’s bowlers, taking a superb 2-16 off his four overs.

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MUMBAI: Former South Africa fast-bowling great Dale Steyn has praised the Nepal cricket team’s fearless display and even offered his services to them after their dramatic performance against England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday.

Nepal pushed England to the brink in a thrilling contest but fell agonisingly short by just five runs, finishing on 180-6 while chasing a daunting 185-run target.

The spirited effort nearly produced one of the biggest upsets in tournament history and underlined Nepal’s growing reputation on the global stage.

Impressed by their fight, Steyn took to social media platform X and wrote: “Nepal, I offer my services to you if you ever need ’em! Up, up and UP.”

Nepal began the chase with intent as openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh stitched together a brisk 37-run stand.

Sheikh departed for 7, while Bhurtel continued the momentum with a lively 29 off 17 balls, including four boundaries and a six, before falling with the score at 42-2.

Captain Rohit Paudel then partnered Dipendra Singh Airee to revive the innings, adding a crucial 82-run stand in 54 balls.

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Airee led the charge with a fluent 44 off 29 deliveries, striking six fours and a six, before Sam Curran broke the partnership.

Paudel followed soon after for a composed 39 off 34 balls, leaving Nepal at 126-4 in the 16th over.

Nepal’s push suffered another setback when Aarif Sheikh fell for 10, but Lokesh Bam reignited hopes with a counter-attacking cameo.

With 24 needed from the final two overs, Mark Wood conceded 14 runs but removed Gulsan Jha, leaving Nepal requiring 10 off the last over.

Curran held his nerve brilliantly, conceding just five runs to seal a narrow victory for England.

Lokesh Bam remained unbeaten with 39 off just 20 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, bringing Nepal within touching distance of a historic win.

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MUMBAI: England held on to their nerve in the final over to escape defeat against Nepal in the fifth fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Set a challenging 185 for spirited Nepal, England defended 10 in the last over, thanks to brilliant bowling from Sam Curran.

Nepal’s Lokesh Bam (39 not out) needed a six off the final delivery of the match, bowled by Sam Curran, but could only club the ball to deep cover for a single.

Nepal fell just short at 180-6, despite being roared on by most of the spectators in a three-quarters full Wankhede stadium.

They got off to a flying start in their chase, Kushal Bhurtel crunching 29 off 17 balls before Jacks had him caught and bowled.

Captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee came together at 42-2 and brought up Nepal’s 100 in the 12th over.

Pace man Archer, who conceded 14 off his first over, was brought back and put the brakes on, conceding just six runs from his next two overs.

But the Nepali batter ook to Rashid at the other end, launching the leg-spinner for 19 off his third over with Airee hitting two sixes and a four. He finished with 0-42 from three overs.

The blitz left Nepal needing 62 off the last six overs with eight wickets in hand.

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Left-arm seamer Curran returned and immediately got the vital breakthrough, ending the 82-run partnership for the third wicket when Airee holed out to Tom Banton for 44.

The wicket slowed Nepal’s charge and Paudel on 39 then swept Liam Dawson to Phil Salt at deep midwicket to leave them 126-4 in the 16th over.

Archer came back for a final over and proved expensive again, being thrashed for three sixes and 22 runs by Lokesh to leave Nepal 24 off 12 balls for an unlikely win.

Dawson was the pick of England’s bowlers with 2-21 while Archer had 1-42 from his four as England just held on.

It was an agonising end to a valiant run chase by the cricketing minnows, who put England’s premier bowlers Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid to the sword.

Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook scored quick fifties, but Nepal took regular wickets as England made 184-7 on Sunday in their opening Group C match of the T20 World Cup in Mumbai.

It could have been so much better for the Nepalis, but Will Jacks smashed three spectacular sixes off the final over from Karan KC.

The all-rounder’s late cameo of 39 not out off 18 balls took England to the highest total of the tournament so far and left Nepal with a target of 185 to pull off a huge upset.

Brook won the toss and elected to bat on the same pitch that had been deployed for the India-USA clash the previous night.

Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel said he would have bowled anyway and his spin-heavy attack successfully squeezed the England batters for most of the 20 overs until the late onslaught from Jacks.

Opener Phil Salt perished off the first ball from Sher Malla, top-edging the spinner to short fine leg.

It brought Bethell to the crease and the left-hander immediately made a statement with two fours and a six off the same Malla over.

Jos Buttler made a quickfire 26 before he edged a lifting ball from Nandan Yadav to wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh.

Bethell was looking imperious and, despite losing Tom Banton cheaply, he reached his fifty off 28 balls with two consecutive towering sixes.

Joined by Brook at 57-3, the pair took the total past the hundred mark in the 12th over.

Bethell departed for 55 to end a 71-run partnership after being caught at deep mid-on attempting another big blow. He hit four sixes and four fours.

Sam Curran joined Brooks but did not last long, bowled by Dipendra Singh Airee for two and England were 137-5 in the 16th over.

Brook brought up his fifty off 31 balls with a third six but was caught in the deep off the next delivery and England were 157-6 with 10 balls remaining before Jacks’s late charge.

For Nepal, Airee with 2-23 and Yadav, who took 2-25, were the pick of the bowlers.

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