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India crush New Zealand to win record T20 World Cup title

AHMEDABAD: Sanju Samson starred as dominant India thrashed New Zealand to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here on Sunday.

Set a daunting 256, New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.

New Zealand were jolted early in a big chase as they were reduced to 47-3 in only 4.5 overs.

Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah were the chief tormentors as the BlackCaps could not get going.

With the asking rate rising, it was never an easy task for them. Tim Siefert resisted with a brisk half-century; his innings came to an end in the eighth over.

As a result, New Zealand were in dire straits with five down for 72 in 8.1 overs.

The game was long done and dusted as skipper Mitchell Santner scored a spirited 43 from 35 balls with the aid of three fours and two sixes, only reducing the margin of defeat.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah remained the standout bowler with four wickets to his name while Axar Patel managed to take three.

With this, India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup for a record third time and the first to successfully defend its title.

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Earlier, Sanju Samson top-scored with 89 as India posted a mammoth total.

Asked to bat first, India racked up 244-6 in their 20 overs.

The foundation for a big total was laid by openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. The pair added 98 in 7.1 overs before Rachin Ravindra got him. The southpaw made 52 from 21, striking three sixes and half a dozen fours.

Despite the wicket, India continued on to pile runs as Kishan joined Samson at the crease. The pair forged a 105-run partnership from 45 balls to put India in a dominant position with the scorecard now reading 202 in 15 overs.

With India eyeing a 300-run target, Jimmy Neesham somehow provided New Zealand a respite with a triple-wicket over.

He took three in an over to halt the host charge and put his team back in the competition. Neesham first picked up Samson, who made 89 from 46, whereas Kishan scored 54 from 25 balls.

New Zealand did well to stem the flow of runs, but it was Shivam Dube’s whirlwind knock that took the total to over 250 runs. The left-hander made 20 off eight with the aid of two sixes and three fours.

For New Zealand, James Neesham scalped three wickets.

READ: WATCH: New Zealand bowler makes history with triple hat-trick

Samson breaks multiple records in T20 World Cup final

AHMEDABAD: India opener Sanju Samson on Sunday broke multiple records with an epic knock against New Zealand in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here on Sunday.

The right-hander top-scored with 89 from 44 balls, playing a pivotal role in the team’s mammoth total of 255 runs in 20 overs.

After scoring 89, he became the third batter to record consecutive half-centuries in the semi-final and final of the mega event.

He joined former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi and his compatriot Virat, who registered the feat in 2009 and 2014, respectively.

Half-century in semi-final and final of T20 World Cup

Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – in 2009

Virat Kohli (India) – in 2014

Sanju Samson (India) – in 2026

Moreover, his 89 is now also the highest score in the final of the T20 World Cup, surpassing Marlon Samuels’ record of 85 against England in 2016.

Highest individual scores in T20 World Cup final:

Sanju Samson (India) – 89 against New Zealand in 2026

Marlon Samuels (West Indies) – 85 against England in 2016

Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 85 against Australia in 2021

Marlon Samuels (West Indies) – 78 against Sri Lanka in 2012

Virat Kohli (India) – 76 against South Africa in 2024

Besides this, the wicket-keeper batter is only the third batter to hit three consecutive 80-plus scores in the T20I format.

Samson has been in sublime form, having scored 97, 89, and 89 in his last three innings.

Consecutive 80-plus scores in T20Is

Mahela Jayawardene, (SL) 2010

Gustav Mckeon, (FRA) 2022

Sanju Samson, (IND) 2026

READ: WATCH: New Zealand bowler makes history with triple hat-trick

WATCH: New Zealand bowler makes history with triple hat-trick

An unheralded New Zealand domestic bowler Brett Randell on Sunday became the first player in the 254-year history of first-class cricket to take five wickets in five successive deliveries.

Randell achieved the feat bowling for Central Districts against Northern Districts on day two of a Plunket Shield four-day match in front of a sparse crowd at Napier’s McLean Park.

Records held by the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians show the feat hasn’t been achieved since what it and many other historians recognise as the first documented first-class match, played in 1772.

Ireland international Curtis Campher took five wickets in five balls in a domestic Twenty20 match last year, becoming the first player to do so in a professional game.

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Randell’s right-arm seamers scythed through the ND top order.

The 30-year-old clean bowled Henry Cooper with the final delivery of his second over before removing fellow-opener and former New Zealand Test batsman Jeet Raval at the start of his third over.

Three more wickets fell from successive balls, including the record-breaking delivery, when international all-rounder Kristian Clarke was bowled.

Randell took two further wickets in his following over as ND were skittled for 82 in response to CD’s 373.

Randell claimed 7-25, his best figures in a 38-match first-class career that spans nine years.

READ: West Indies, England, South Africa set to depart India on charter flights

Finn Allen smashes multiple records with T20 World Cup semi-final blitz

KOLKATA: New Zealand opener Finn Allen smashed multiple records during his 33-ball century in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa on Wednesday.

Playing the first semi-final at Eden Gardens, Allen delivered a breathtaking unbeaten 100 off just 33 deliveries as New Zealand chased down the 170-run target with ease to seal a crushing nine-wicket win.

The right-hander’s blistering knock featured 10 fours and eight towering sixes and earned him the Player of the Match award.

The century also rewrote the record books, becoming the fastest hundred ever scored in the history of men’s T20 World Cups.

Allen surpassed the long-standing mark held by West Indies legend Chris Gayle, who had reached the milestone in 47 balls against England during the 2016 edition.

Gayle still occupies two spots on the list of the fastest T20 World Cup centuries, including his 50-ball hundred against South Africa in the inaugural 2007 tournament.

England captain Harry Brook also features among the fastest after scoring a 50-ball century against Pakistan earlier in the Super Eight stage of the ongoing event.

Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum completes the top five with his 51-ball century against Bangladesh during the 2014 edition.

Fastest centuries in men’s T20 World Cups

Finn Allen (New Zealand) – 33 balls against South Africa in 2026

Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 47 balls against England in 2016

Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 50 balls against South Africa in 2007

Harry Brook (England) – 50 balls against Pakistan in 2026

Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 51 balls against Bangladesh in 2012

Allen’s blistering knock also ranks among the quickest centuries in overall T20 Internationals.

His 33-ball ton is now joint third-fastest in the format, drawing level with Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza and Namibia batter Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton.

The record for the fastest century in men’s T20Is is currently held by Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who smashed a remarkable 27-ball hundred against Cyprus in 2024.

Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad follows with a 29-ball ton against Bulgaria in 2025.

Fastest centuries in men’s T20Is

Sahil Chauhan (Estonia) – 27 balls against Cyprus in 2024

Muhammad Fahad (Turkey) – 29 balls against Bulgaria in 2025

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (Namibia) – 33 balls against Nepal in 2024

Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) – 33 balls against Gambia in 2024

Finn Allen (New Zealand) – 33 balls against South Africa in 2026

READ: Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed join Pakistan men’s selection committee

England beat New Zealand to keep Pakistan alive in T20 World Cup

COLOMBO: England sealed a nervy last-over victory against New Zealand in the Group 2 Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the RPS Stadium on Friday.

Set a stiff 160, England managed to secure a thrilling victory in the last over.

England lost wickets early and looked like they would be squeezed out at 117-6, needing 43 from the last three overs.

But Ahmed and Jacks took 22 off the 18th over from Glenn Phillips to turn the match on its head.

Ahmed blasted 19 off seven balls in his first T20 World Cup match.

Jacks made an unbeaten 32 off 18 as the pair saw England to 161-6 with three balls to spare.

Jacks, who also took 2-23 to be England’s leading bowler, was named player of the match for an incredible fourth time in seven T20 World Cup outings this campaign.

England will move on to a semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday against either India or the West Indies, who clash on Sunday to decide the last semi-final berth.

New Zealand now have to sweat on the outcome of Saturday’s clash between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Kandy which will decide the second semi-finalist from Super Eights Group 2.

Pakistan have an inferior run rate to New Zealand so will need to win by 65 runs or inside 13 overs, if chasing, to deny the Kiwis.

England spinners spun a web around the New Zealand batting lineup, restricting them from imposing an important total.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand managed 159-7 at the end of their 20 overs.

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen laid a solid foundation with a 64-run partnership in seven overs.

Adil Rashid broke the threatening stand as Siefert was stumped, courtesy of a brilliant piece of work from Jos Buttler behind the stumps. The right-hander made 35 off 25, smashing two sixes and three fours.

The second wicket also fell in quick succession. Finn Allen was caught off Will Jacks’ bowling after managing 29 from 19 with the aid of three sixes.

After a double blow, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra stabilized the innings with a 31-run partnership.

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The scorecard read when Ravindra fell prey to Rehan Ahmed. He scored 11 off 13.

After a solid start, New Zealand’s middle order crumbled with England spinners tightening the screws.

The only notable batter was Glenn Phillips, who hit a vital 39 from 28 balls with the help of a six and four boundaries.

The right-hander stood firm when wickets tumbled around him. As New Zealand collapsed to 123-4 to 135-6 in 17.1 overs.

Eventually, they managed to put a respectable total on the board at the end of the innings.

For England, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, and Rehan Ahmed shared six wickets between them.

READ: Salman wary of ‘critical situation’ before Sri Lanka clash

T20 World Cup: New Zealand win toss against England

COLOMBO: New Zealand have won the toss and decided to bat first against England in the Group 2 Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the RPS Stadium on Friday.

Playing XIs

England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (w), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid.

New Zealand: Tim Seifert (w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson.

Head to Head

New Zealand and England have played each other 27 times in 20 over format. The Three Lions are ahead with 16 wins, while BlacCaps have managed to win 10 games.

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T20 World Cup: New Zealand knock Sri Lanka out with NRR boost

COLOMBO: Rachin Ravindra rose to the occasion for New Zealand when it mattered most, handing the Black Caps a massive win over hosts Sri Lanka in the Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Set a challenging 169, Sri Lanka could only muster 107-8 at the end of their 20 overs.

Matt Henry and Rachin Ravindra combined to inflict a miserable start on Sri Lanka, leaving them two down in the first two overs.

The Islanders’ main batter, Pathum Nissanka, was castled on the very first delivery of the innings, which set the tone for what was to come.

The wicket was followed by another, this time Charith Asalanka, who was caught cheaply in a bid to slog sweep. The former captain could only manage five.

With the Islanders in trouble at 6-2 in 2.1 overs, Kusal Mendis (11) and Pavan Rathnayake (10) tried to put the chase back on track. The pair did manage to arrest the slide but chewed up several overs as New Zealand kept it tight.

The tight overs never allowed the pair to free their arms, and as a result, they were reeling at 28 in eight overs.

The clinical bowling display from New Zealand yielded high rewards for them as Ravindra snapped two wickets in an over to leave Sri Lanka in a big mess with 29-4.

The woes were further compounded when skipper Dasun Shanaka was caught for three, pushing the 2014 champions to the brink.

Sri Lanka were hoping for a miracle that never happened, and wickets continued to tumble at short intervals.

Kamindu Mendis remained the top scorer with 31 from 23 while Dunith Wellalage managed 29 off 23 balls with the aid of a six and three fours, which only reduced the margin of defeat for Sri Lanka.

For New Zealand, Rachin Ravindra stood tall amongst the bowlers with four wickets in his quota, whereas Matt Henry took two wickets in a clinical bowling display.

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The victory margin gives New Zealand a huge chance to qualify for the semi-final if they beat England, while Pakistan will be hoping for the result to go their way.

Earlier, Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana spun a web around the New Zealand batting lineup, but skipper Mitchell Santner’s gutsy knock lifted them to a strong total.

Asked to bat first here at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, New Zealand managed to post 168-7 in their 20 overs.

Finn Allen and Tim Seifert were off the block quickly, racing to 30 runs in 3.3 overs before Dushmantha Chameera struck to break the opening stand.

Tim Seifert made eight from nine balls and was caught at deep square leg.

Following an early wicket, Maheesh Theekshana also came into action, picking up the prized wicket of Finn Allen to jolt the BlackCaps. Allen was caught and bowled after scoring 23 off 11 with the aid of a six and three fours.

As a result, New Zealand were reduced to 34-2 in 4.4 overs.

The wickets brought Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra to the crease. The pair stabilized the innings with a 41-run partnership. Both batters looked settled, with New Zealand eyeing a big total as the scorecard read 75 in 9.3 overs.

However, Maheen Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage bowled in tandem to spark a mini collapse, leaving New Zealand six down in the span of eight runs.

The collapse left New Zealand in dire straits, 84-6 in 12.1 overs.

But it was Captain’s knock from Mitchell Santner alongside Cole McConchie for the eighth wicket that not only lifted them out of trouble but also put them in a commanding position.

The pair took the score from 84 to 168 at the end of the 20 overs, with Santner caught brilliantly on the last ball of the innings.

Santner 47 from 26 included four sixes and two fours, while McConchie remained unbeaten on 31 from 23, striking two sixes and three fours.

For Sri Lanka, Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana shared six wickets between them.

READ: Former captain questions Babar Azam’s place in T20I side

Sri Lanka win toss against New Zealand in must-win clash

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka have won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand in the must-win ICC Men’s T20 World Cup encounter here at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Charith Asalanka, 4 Pavan Rathnayake, 5 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Dunith Wellalage, 8 Dushan Hemantha, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Dilshan Madushanka

New Zealand: 1 Tim Seifert (wk), 2 Finn Allen, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Glenn Phillips, 5 Mark Chapman, 6 Daryl Mitchell, 7 Mitchell Santner (capt), 8 Cole McConchie, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Ish Sodhi 11 Lockie Ferguson

Head to Head

New Zealand and Sri Lanka have competed in 28 T20 matches. The Blackcaps secured 16 wins, while the Islanders won 11 times. One match concluded with no result.

READ: Samson likely to return for India clash against Zimbabwe

What NZ washout means for Pakistan semi-final qualification

COLOMBO: The washout of the Pakistan vs New Zealand Super Eight clash has made every game crucial in Group 2 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

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).

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 qualification in 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.

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The second scenario for Pakistan qualification is to win one and lose the other, then their fate will be determined by other results and NRR.

With two losses in their remaining games, Pakistan would remain on one point, resulting in immediate elimination.

The washout has effectively made every game a virtual knockout. leaving very little margin for error.

However, the actual situation will become clearer after the clash between Sri Lanka and England on February 22.

Pakistan are placed alongside Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand in Group 2.

Their next match will be against England on February 24, followed by last game against host Sri Lanka.

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: Suryakumar backs misfiring Abhishek despite three ducks

Pakistan-New Zealand Super Eight fixture abandoned after rain

COLOMBO: The opening fixture of the Super Eights stage in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between Pakistan and New Zealand has been abandoned due to heavy rain.

Continuous rain has prevented the play from proceeding after the toss. The cutoff time for a minimum five-over contest was 9:45 pm; however, the contest was cancelled due to a heavy downpour. Both teams have given one point each.

Pakistan will play their next match against England on February 24 in Kandy. Meanwhile, New Zealand will lock horns against Sri Lanka on Feb 25 in RPS, Colombo.

Earlier, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha won the toss and decided to bat first. The Green Shirts have made one change to their playing XI with Khawaja Nafay making way for Fakhar Zaman.

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On the contrary, New Zealand have made three changes to their side. Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, and Mitchell Santner are included in the lineup.

Playing XIs

New Zealand XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

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