A new speedster is here – Ashok Sharma. Remember the name. The Gujarat Titans pacer breached the 150 kmph mark twice in the IPL 2026 match against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday
A new speedster is here – Ashok Sharma. Remember the name. The Gujarat Titans pacer breached the 150 kmph mark twice in the IPL 2026 match against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. First, he bowled a 150.7 kmph delivery on the fourth ball of the 16th over to Donovan Ferreira. Then, on the final delivery of the over, Ashok unleashed a 154.2 kmph screamer to Dhruv Jurel. Ashok currently has the fastest and third-fastest deliveries of IPL 2026. Lucknow Super Giants’ Anrich Nortje (150.9 kmph) has the second-fastest delivery.
Talking about the match, Dhruv Jurel beautifully blended aggression with discretion in his 42-ball 75 to guide Rajasthan Royals to a challenging 210 for 6 against Gujarat Titans after the opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi laid the platform in an IPL match here on Saturday. In the RR innings, Jaiswal looked to be getting back into the groove with a 55 off 36 balls after ‘Boy Wonder’ Sooryavanshi smashed an 18-ball 31 in an opening stand of 70 in just 6.2 overs.
Jurel seemed settled in his new role at No. 3 and showed that there is room for conventional shots while still striking at a rate of over 150. The pick-up pull off Ashok Sharma after completing his fifty was a delight-a testament to his strong core and excellent hand-eye coordination. He hit five sixes and an equal number of boundaries.
For Gujarat Titans, Ashok Sharma (1/37 in 4 overs), in only his second IPL game, emerged as the ‘next big pace hope’ after clocking 154.2 clicks and consistently bowling at speeds north of 145 kmph. However, BCCI coaches would need to be cautious, as there are lessons to be learned from the stories of Mayank Yadav and Umran Malik.
Jurel’s knock was a throwback to the early days of the IPL, when one batter would hold the innings together before throwing the kitchen sink at the opposition. A six off Rashid Khan over deep mid-wicket after dancing down the track was the highlight of his innings.
With Shubman Gill missing from the playing XI due to muscle spasms, Royals skipper Riyan Parag rightly opted to bat, and the explosive opening pair did not disappoint. The Sooryavanshi-Jaiswal combination may still be relatively new, having come together last year, but a statistic from Cricviz underlines their dominance.
Out of 113 pairs in IPL history with 500-plus runs together, Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi stand out with a scoring rate of 12.04 runs per over and are third on the list behind Travis Head-Abhishek Sharma (12.57) and Sunil Narine-Phil Salt (12.46).
With the quartet of Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna and Ashok extracting extra bounce and pace off the surface, shot-making during the Powerplay became relatively easy, as batters were able to use the pace of the ball.
IPL 2026, RR vs GT: Rajasthan Royals did the basics right in Ahmedabad to clinch a gripping Saturday night thriller. After posting 210, they fought back through Ravi Bishnoi’s four-wicket haul and a superb death-overs effort from Jofra Archer and Tushar Deshpande.
Brief Score: Rajasthan Royals (210/6 in 20 overs) beat Gujarat Titans (204/8 in 20 overs) by six runs at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Riyan Parag and Rajasthan Royals were rewarded for staying calm under pressure and getting their tactics spot on during their trip to Ahmedabad on Saturday. The former champions successfully defended a target of 210, with Tushar Deshpande nailing his yorkers in the final over of a thriller that went right down to the wire at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Ravi Bishnoi had earlier pulled things back, picking up four wickets, when Sai Sudharsan, who struck a classy 73, threatened to take the game away. In the end, however, it was Deshpande’s composure at the death that carried the Royals over the line.
With an eight-wicket hammering of Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati followed by this last-over win against a Shubman Gill-less Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals have surged to the top of the table with four points from their first two matches.
Rajasthan should have wrapped things up when Gujarat slipped from 107 for 1 to 161 for 7 following a superb middle-overs burst from Bishnoi. However, Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada ensured Gujarat stayed in the contest, adding a 41-run stand that threatened to take the game away from the Royals.
It ultimately came down to decision-making under pressure, and young Riyan Parag, in his first season as full-time captain and amid all the chatter surrounding his appointment, proved his mettle. With two overs remaining, he had four strong options at his disposal: Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, yorker specialist Sandeep Sharma, and Tushar Deshpande, who has built a reputation at the death during his time with Chennai Super Kings.
Parag initially turned to Tushar for the 19th over, only to change his mind at the last moment.
He threw the ball to Archer.
Gujarat, riding on a spirited lower-order partnership between Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan, had brought the equation down to 15 from the final two overs.
Archer then delivered a superb over, conceding just four runs and setting it up perfectly for the finish.
When Parag finally handed the ball to Tushar, choosing him over Sandeep and Burger, the Mumbai pacer responded in style. He nailed his yorkers time and again, denying Rashid and Rabada any room to free their arms.
In the end, the final over yielded just four runs as Rajasthan sealed a six-run win.
SAI’S STEADY KNOCK IN VAIN
Chasing a daunting 211, the Titans looked like favourites for the better part of the first 10 overs. In Gill’s absence, Sudharsan took on the mantle of the aggressor with a sensational display of timing and placement. He treated the Ahmedabad crowd to a clinic, dispatching the bowling with effortless drives through the off-side. Sudharsan’s 73 off 44 balls had the Titans cruising at 107/1, seemingly in complete command of the required run rate.
However, the moment Sudharsan was dismissed in the 11th over by Ravi Bishnoi, the innings lost its compass. What followed was a stark exposure of an out-of-form middle order that looked shorn of confidence. Glenn Phillips, one of the senior batters in the side, failed in the 13th over, chipping one from Bishnoi straight into the hands of the long-on fielder, getting out for just 3.
Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia, expected to provide the stability and late-innings fireworks respectively, failed to arrest the slide. Sundar managed just 4, while Tewatia’s 12-run cameo was far too brief to bridge the widening gap.
The primary architect of the Titans’ misery was Ravi Bishnoi. In a match-turning spell of high-quality leg-spin, Bishnoi systematically dismantled the Gujarat engine room. He finished with magnificent figures of 4/41, claiming vital wickets just as partnerships threatened to brew.
“When I miss my length, I get hit. I was trying to work on my lengths and if anyone hits off those, then no problem,” Bishnoi said after a display of excellent control, relying on a simple yet highly effective skill set.
Between the 12th and 17th overs, the Titans’ momentum evaporated. The lack of a steadying hand in the middle, a role usually perfected by Gill, meant that the pressure of the scoreboard became the Royals’ 12th man.
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
Earlier in the evening, Rajasthan Royals combined well to post a challenging total of 210. After the young and exciting opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 70 for the first wicket, the middle order struggled to maintain the momentum. At No. 3, Dhruv Jurel did more than just steady the innings, producing an eye-catching 75 off 45 balls as Rajasthan’s effort became a tale of two halves.
Vaibhav was at his belligerent best once again, signalling his intent from the outset. He took on senior India pacer and T20 World Cup winner Mohammed Siraj in the opening over, striking two boundaries. He carried on from where he had left off in Guwahati earlier in the week, where he had smashed a 17-ball 52 against Chennai Super Kings.
Unlike that outing, where he played a supporting role in a low-scoring chase, Jaiswal was aggressive from the start in Ahmedabad. He ensured Rajasthan attacked from both ends during the powerplay, taking on Siraj with two boundaries and a six in the third over.
There was little margin for error for the bowlers against the two left-handed openers. Kagiso Rabada discovered that quickly when Vaibhav deftly opened the face of the bat to guide a short-of-a-length delivery through point for four in the fourth over. The 15-year-old showed that his game is not built on power alone, but also on touch and timing, qualities that have made him one of the most talked-about young cricketers since his debut last year.
Gujarat’s express pacer Ashok Sharma was also taken on, conceding a boundary and a six as Vaibhav continued to play with fearless intent against high pace. By the end of the powerplay, Rajasthan had raced to 69 for no loss, laying a strong platform for the rest of the batting line-up.
Vaibhav looked set for another big score, but stand-in captain Rashid Khan altered the course of the innings. The Afghan leg-spinner banged one in short and cramped the left-hander for room. Vaibhav could only hit it straight to Glenn Phillips at deep midwicket.
There was a sense of relief among the Gujarat Titans supporters as a Sooryavanshi onslaught, which had threatened to take the game away early, was halted before it could fully unfold.
The narrative of the back end, however, shifted from the batters to the raw, intimidating pace of Gujarat’s Ashok Sharma. The 23-year-old pacer produced a spell of visceral hostility, breaching the 150 kph mark three times in a single over.
On the final ball of the 16th, Ashok unleashed a searing yorker to Jurel that clocked a staggering 154.2 kph – officially the fastest delivery of the 2026 season.
Yuvraj Singh has recalled his ouster from the Indian team, slamming the management over a lack of clarity during the fag end of his international cricketer.
Yuvraj Singh has recalled his ouster from the Indian team, slamming the management over a lack of clarity during the fag end of his international cricketer. Yuvraj revealed that neither the captain (Virat Kohli) nor the coach at the time conveyed to him the reason behind his absence from the side, adding that it was former India captain MS Dhoni who finally provided clarity-noting that selectors were no longer looking at him. Speaking to Sports Tak, Yuvraj also recalled being asked to retire after the management told him he would not be able to pass the fitness test.
“In my case, there was zero clarity. No clarity from the NCA, captain or coach. I was like stuck. I was 36-37. I was like, ‘what do I do?’ I felt like I should get some respect for whatever cricket that I played. I spoke to MS Dhoni on phone and he gave me the right perspective. He was neither the captain nor he had to do anything with it. But, he was watching everything that was going on. I got the clarity after that. I was told that you won’t be able to pass the fitness test so you should retire. I said that it is my call to retire or not and yours to play me or not,” said Yuvraj.
Yuvraj made his international debut in 2000 and called it quits from the sport in 2019. He represented India in 398 matches across formats and had over 11,000 runs to show for it.
India won the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, and Yuvraj was a vital player for the team in the tournament.
The 38-year-old was also phenomenal in India’s World Cup triumph in 2011 as he became the first all-rounder to score over 300 runs and scalp 15 wickets in a single World Cup. The feat included four Man of the Match awards and Man of the Tournament for 362 runs and 15 wickets.
Jarrod Kimber criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board’s intention to ban players opting out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the Indian Premier League (IPL). He argued that the PSL should avoid scheduling conflicts with the IPL and suggested that to retain players, the PSL must offer competitive salaries.
Caught Between IPL And PSL, Pakistan Risks Losing Its Own Cricket Identity. (AI-Initiative) Photo : TN Sports Desk
Prominent Australian cricket writer Jarrod Kimber called into question the approach of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in contemplating a ban on players for pulling out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the Indian Premier League (IPL). The PSL, which kicked off on Thursday, March 26, 2026, two days ahead of IPL, has been making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, including white ball turning pink and ball-tampering allegations. In contrast, the IPL has been making headlines for all the right reasons. With franchises like Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals commanding valuations exceeding a billion dollars, it has surged far ahead of the Pakistan Super League across every metric, from financial muscle to global brand recall, leaving virtually no room for comparison. And here’s where Pakistan seems to be working against its own interest.
Kimber suggested that, in the best interest of PSL, they should avoid playing their league during IPL, and if they cannot do that for whatever reason, they should be able to pay the players the same amount of money as IPL does, failing which they should learn to live with it.
How Pakistan’s Focus Is Impacting PSL’s Growth Curve
“The PSL made a really interesting claim recently that they’re going to start banning players who pull out late for the IPL. But if that’s the case, you really shouldn’t be playing your league at the same time as the IPL. And secondly, if you don’t want players to leave your league for another league, pay them the same amount of money. And if you can’t do that, surely you just have to accept it,” he said in a video posted on X.
IPL’s media rights are over $6 billion for the 2023–27 cycle, way more than any other league, quietly placing itself as the richest cricket league in the world, with no one in the vicinity. PSL, as compared to that, has an overall valuation estimated to be under $500–600 million. The recent franchise valuations have exceeded a billion dollars, and are expected to grow even further in the coming years. Just in business terms, IPL is a global giant with a massive consumer market, strong corporate and sponsorship backing, while PSL continues to evolve with questionable global reach and a struggling market that has its own limitations.
With almost every global cricketing talent trying to ply their trade in IPL, it is not always possible for the franchise owners to pick a certain player, given the dynamics of auctions and the need of the hour. Kimber went on to emphasise that even when a player is IPL quality, he may still miss out as sides may not automatically need his services, but the following year can be different, where he can be called upon as a replacement. One of those things that keeps happening in the IPL from time to time.
Pakistan’s IPL Addiction: The Hidden Cost For PSL
“The players who are going into the IPL now are more IPL fringe overseas players, right? Someone like Blessing Muzarabani is a perfect example of this. That kind of player who we know is basically IPL quality, but he doesn’t fit into every team, and maybe sides don’t automatically need him. So let’s say he’s needed this year and next year there aren’t as many injuries, and maybe he’s not needed,” Kimber stated.
“A perfectly normal thing to have happened in any cricket league around the world. That means he’s available for the PSL. He’s obviously a PSL-level player. I don’t think anyone would argue with that. So now your league is weaker because you’ve banned a player who went to make more money. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Further establishing his point, the Australian writer said that it is only natural for a player to look for PSL opportunities after missing out on an IPL contract, and similarly, a player doing well in the PSL will do his chances a world of good to play in the IPL, explaining the market economics and questioning PCB’s thinking behind looking to ban players, which is only going to make PSL weaker.
Barcelona will be without Raphinha for all three rapid-fire matches against Atletico Madrid in the coming weeks.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal reacts after missing a chance to score in his side’s last La Liga game [File: Albert Gea/Reuters] Published On 4 Apr 2026 4 Apr 2026Who: Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona What: Spanish football’s La Liga Where: Metropolitano Stadium When: Saturday, April 5, at 9pm (19:00 GMT). How to follow: We’ll have all the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.
Barcelona winger Raphinha’s untimely injury heaps further pressure on teenage star Lamine Yamal ahead of the club’s triple-header against Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish champions visit Atletico on Saturday as they bid to maintain or even extend their lead at the top of La Liga, before two further games against Diego Simeone’s team in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Barca have already faced Atletico three times this season, beating them in La Liga in December but falling in the Copa del Rey semifinal over two legs.
Without Raphinha, out with a hamstring injury until May, the onus will be on 18-year-old winger Yamal to provide the magic Barca need to proceed on two fronts in the approaching, inevitably intense battles with Atletico.
Yamal played for Spain this week in a goalless draw against Egypt in Cornella at Espanyol’s stadium, which was notable for Islamophobic chanting from the home supporters that the teenager, a Muslim, condemned.
“To those who sing these things: using a religion as a form of mockery on a pitch shows you up as ignorant and racist,” wrote Yamal on social media.
Yamal has shown maturity beyond his years since bursting onto the scene as a 15-year-old, including starring for Spain as they won Euro 2024 and blossoming further still as Barca claimed a domestic treble last season.
The youngster, often compared to another graduate from Barca’s La Masia youth academy, Lionel Messi, seems to save his best performances for the biggest occasions.
Yamal netted six times for Barca in his last seven matches across all competitions, and the Catalan giants will hope he can continue that form into the final phase of the season.
He admitted in February that he has not been happy this season, in part due to a long-running groin injury, but lately feels better.
“I have that desire to smile on the pitch that I haven’t had for a long time, and I’m very happy, now I’m happy playing,” said Yamal after scoring the first hat-trick of his career, against Villarreal.
In recent weeks, Barca have been dependent on the forward in attack and goalkeeper Joan Garcia at the other end.
Strikers Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have struggled for consistent form, while Marcus Rashford has fallen somewhat out of favour.
Raphinha’s injury opens the door for the England international, on loan from Manchester United, to start on the left again.
Yamal’s pressing and off-the-ball work is an excellent example for Rashford, who despite his strong contribution in terms of assists, sometimes lacks the relentless energy and focus Hansi Flick wants from his forwards.
Simeone’s Atletico, fourth by a distance from fifth-place Real Betis, have little to play for in the league but will want to build momentum before Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg at Camp Nou.
The La Liga showdown is a preview of the series in the Champions League quarterfinals between the Spanish clubs.
It will be the first of three games between Barcelona and Atletico in 10 days. The Spanish rivals will face each other five times in less than two months. They also met in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey in February and March, when Atletico advanced to the final 4-3 on aggregate.
The Champions League games will be on Wednesday in Barcelona and on April 14 in Madrid. Barcelona is looking to make it to the Champions League semifinals for the second season in a row, and Atletico is seeking to get back to the last four for the first time since 2017.
Stat attack – Barcelona
25.3 – The average age of the Barca squad is the youngest in the league: 25.3.
What happened the last time Atletico Madrid faced Barcelona?
Barcelona were 3-0 winners in the last meeting between the sides, the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal in March.
The first leg, however, was won 4-0 by Atletico.
What happened in the last La Liga meeting?
Barcelona were 3-1 winners in the reverse fixture in the league earlier this season.
What happened in the corresponding fixture last season?
Barcelona were 4-2 winners in the La Liga fixture at Atletico, despite the home side taking a two-goal lead.
Robert Lewandowski began the Barca comeback with his side’s first goal, which came in the 72nd minute.
Head-to-head
This will be the 252nd meeting between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, with Atletico winning 80 times and Barca claiming the spoils in 114 of the meetings.
Sanjiv Goenka’s intense chat with Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant after the side lost to Delhi Capitals on Wednesday led to a lot of intriguing speculation.
Sanjiv Goenka’s intense chat with Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant after the side lost to Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 on Wednesday led to a lot of intriguing speculation. LSG owner Goenka has been known to be very involved with his team – like many of his counterparts – and is regularly seen with the squad before and after matches. During IPL 2024, a video of Goenka with then LSG captain KL Rahul went viral. In the video, Goenka could be seen animatedly talking to Rahul. The latest video featuring Pant prompted social media users to revisit that episode.
While what was exactly spoken between Goenka and Pant is not clear, former England captain Michael Vaughan commented: “One game into the tournament… no need for this.”
Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, who left India in 2010 amid allegations related to tax evasion, money laundering, and proxy ownership linked to the IPL, made a controversial remark while responding to Vaughan’s post.
“I told you this guy @DrSanjivGoenka, owner of @LucknowIPL, is a complete loser and joker of the highest order. I am seriously embarrassed by his behaviour. I created the @IPL for fans and players alike, not for this to happen every time, every year. If I was still chairman and commissioner, I would have banned him immediately and made him forfeit his ownership of the team forever. He is a complete pompous clown. There is a clause in the franchise agreement for this exact issue. #BCCI implement it-keep integrity above all. Sucking up to the powers that be is not the way to allow him to get away. Fans and players alike will remember,” Lalit Modi wrote on X.
I told you this guy @DrSanjivGoenka owner of @LucknowIPL is a complete looser and joker of the highest order – i am seriously embarrassed with his behaviour. I created the @IPL for fans and players alike. Not for this to happen every time every year. If I was still Chairman and… https://t.co/5mHzg8RAY1
After the incident went viral, LSG put out a clarification. “Not everything you see is the true story. Here’s the unfiltered post-match vibes, when cameras don’t cut,” the franchise posted, along with a fresh angle of the video.
Yuvraj Singh shone bright in the Indian cricket team at a time when the side had several giants. From Sachin Tendulkar to Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni to Zaheer Khan, the first decade-and-a-half of this millennium saw some of the biggest names in Indian cricket play together
Yuvraj Singh shone bright in the Indian cricket team at a time when the side had several giants. From Sachin Tendulkar to Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni to Zaheer Khan, the first decade-and-a-half of this millennium saw some of the biggest names in Indian cricket play together. In the midst of this, Yuvraj Singh was one of the chief architects of India’s two biggest triumphs – the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
It was also a period when MS Dhoni led the side with great alacrity. This meant that Yuvraj Singh never got the chance to lead the team on a long-term basis.
After Yuvraj’s playing career ended, his father, Yograj Singh, was quite vocal about MS Dhoni’s role in Yuvraj not getting the captaincy.
In a Sports Tak podcast, whose teaser was released on Thursday, Yuvraj Singh said: “I would like to apologise to Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni.”
He was also asked: “Do you feel bad when you listen to the interviews?” Yograj Singh’s photo appears when the query is made. Possibly responding to that question, Yuvraj says: “I told dad, it’s not OK.” Yuvraj’s ‘apology’, thus, may be in this regard.
Yograj Singh, a renowned cricket coach in Punjab, is known for making controversial statements about former players. In 2025, he said he wanted to kill Kapil Dev for the then captain dropping him from the team during the 1980s.
“When Kapil Dev became captain of India, North Zone, and Haryana, he dropped me for no reason,” Yograj said on the YouTube channel ‘Unfiltered by Samdish’.
“My wife (Yuvi’s mother) wanted me to ask Kapil questions. I told her that I would teach this bloody man a lesson. I took my pistol out and went to Kapil’s house in Sector 9. He came out with his mother. I abused him a dozen times. I told him, because of you I have lost a friend, and for what you have done, you will pay for it.
The fourth and final phase of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup in North America began on Wednesday, FIFA announced. The phase for the June 11- July19 event in the United States, Mexico and Canada involves more than three million tickets. This “last-minute” sales phase opened at 1500 GMT on the official website, FIFA.com/tickets, the global governing body stated in a press release. Tickets are being sold on a “first-come, first-served” basis and will remain available until the end of the competition on July 19, it added.
Tickets will be released for sale on a rolling basis — including, on occasion, for matches taking place on the very same day — according to FIFA.
At the scheduled time, prospective buyers were directed to a “waiting” page to “queue” while awaiting access to the site, a wait that could last several hours.
“A countdown will appear before you can enter the ticket sales phase. Once the countdown is over, an ‘Enter’ button will be available for 5 minutes. Click it to access,” instructions specify.
In total, nearly seven million tickets are being offered for the competition, taking into account the capacities of the 16 stadiums hosting the global tournament.
More than three million of these tickets have already been sold during the first three sales phases — including over one million during the random selection draw phase alone (held in January and February), which received 500 million requests, according to FIFA.
The global governing body is likely to break the all-time record of 3.5 million tickets sold for a World Cup — a mark set during the 1994 edition.
This summer, the tournament will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, 78 of which will take place on American soil.
The issue of ticketing has sparked controversy, with FIFA facing accusations of offering tickets at exorbitant prices, in disregard of promises made when the tournament was awarded to the three host nations.
On March 24, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) — an organization representing European fans — and Euroconsumers — a group representing consumers across the continent — announced they had filed a complaint against FIFA with the European Commission.
They alleged abuse of a dominant market position and seek to compel the organization to abandon its “opaque and unfair” ticket purchasing procedures. FIFA has defended its ticket pricing, which, according to president Gianni Infantino, is driven by “crazy” demand.
However, in December, the governing body did introduce a $60 ticket category reserved exclusively for official supporters’ clubs; yet, according to the FSE, this quota was virtually sold out before sales even opened to the general public.
Italy are the first World Cup winners to miss three consecutive editions of the tournament, and it was also a third straight elimination in the play-offs after Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia four years ago.
Italy’s collapse in the qualification campaign has left the footballing world stunned, with images of distraught players and inconsolable fans painting a picture of heartbreak that transcends sporting boundaries. The catastrophe unfolded for Italy as they took on Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tuesday’s breathless qualification play-off final. The Azzurri blew their chance to reach this summer’s tournament in North America with a 4-1 penalty shoot-out defeat. Italy, once synonymous with defensive mastery and tournament pedigree, faltered when it mattered most, unable to summon the grit and tactical clarity that has defined their greatest triumphs.
For a nation that prides itself on footballing heritage, the absence from the world’s biggest stage for the third consecutive time feels like a cultural wound, reopening scars from recent failures and raising uncomfortable questions about the direction of Italian football.
What makes this setback so surreal is the comparison between Italy’s recent European Championship glory and their repeated inability to navigate World Cup qualification. The despair in the stands, the disbelief among pundits, and the raw emotion on the pitch underline a crisis of identity: how can a team capable of continental brilliance stumble so dramatically on the global stage?
The fallout will be fierce-calls for structural reform, tactical reinvention, and a renewed focus on nurturing attacking flair. Yet beyond the technical analysis lies a deeper truth: Italy’s absence from the World Cup is not just a sporting disappointment, but the repeated destruction of a football giant.
How Italy Missed Out On FIFA World Cup Qualification
Esmir Bajraktarevic shot the winning spot-kick in Zenica where the Bosnians booked a place in Group B and matches against co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar, and plunged Italy into a new nightmare. Four-time world champions, Italy took the lead through Moise Kean in the 15th minute but then folded under the weight of expectation at the Bilino Polje Stadium after having to play most of the match with 10 men.
Italy were already firmly on the back foot when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for chopping down Amar Memic four minutes before half-time, and Haris Tabakovic poked home Bosnia’s deserved leveller in the 79th minute to take the match to extra time.
And the horror show continued in the subsequent shoot-out, with Pio Esposito smashing Italy’s first penalty over the goal, and when Bryan Cristante hit the bar and Bajraktarevic squeezed his effort under Gianluigi Donnarumma, the game was up.
“I don’t think the boys deserved to suffer such a blow, for the performance, the effort and the heart that they showed tonight… I’m proud of the boys,” said a visibly shaken Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso. “It’s difficult to digest.”
Gattuso added that talking about his future “wasn’t important” but Gabriele Gravina, the head of the Italian Football Federation, later told reporters he had asked Gattuso to stay on as coach and he would not being resigning from his position.
Italy are the first World Cup winners to miss three consecutive editions of the tournament, and it was also a third straight elimination in the play-offs after Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia four years ago.
Bosnia meanwhile reached their second World Cup finals, and first since 2014, in front of a passionate crowd which invaded the pitch after a historic victory.
In his final game at home, an emotional Lionel Messi struggled to hold back tears as he lined up with his teammates for the last time on Argentinian soil on Tuesday. Messi’s Argentina faced Zambia at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires in a friendly, with the former Barcelona star scoring one goal and setting up another. Argentina went on to thrash Zambia 5-0, before beginning the defence of their World Cup crown. Messi, restored to the starting line-up by coach Lionel Scaloni after Argentina’s lacklustre win over Mauritania last Friday, made an instant impact in Tuesday’s friendly at La Bombonera.
The 38-year-old superstar set up the opening goal for Julián Álvarez before bagging his 116th goal for Argentina with an individual strike just before half-time. Tuesday’s game marked a World Cup send-off for the reigning champions, who will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J of the finals in June.
As Messi stood with his teammates on the pitch, the crowd’s songs and chants moved him to tears. In a video that surfaced on social media, the Inter Miami forward could be seen wiping his eyes, realising it was the last time he would play in front of his home fans. Here’s the video:
🚨💣 Deeply emotional scenes unfolding in Argentina 🇦🇷🥹
Lionel Messi is currently playing what is expected to be his LAST match with the national team on Argentine soil.
The final chapter at home for the greatest of all time before the 2026 World Cup. This one really hurts.… pic.twitter.com/yW8WaYYxyi
— Topskills Sports UK (@topskillsportuk) April 1, 2026
🚨💣 Deeply emotional scenes unfolding in Argentina 🇦🇷🥹
Lionel Messi is currently playing what is expected to be his LAST match with the national team on Argentine soil.
The final chapter at home for the greatest of all time before the 2026 World Cup. This one really hurts.… pic.twitter.com/yW8WaYYxyi
— Topskills Sports UK (@topskillsportuk) April 1, 2026
Deeply emotional scenes unfolding in Argentina
Lionel Messi is currently playing what is expected to be his LAST match with the national team on Argentine soil.
The final chapter at home for the greatest of all time before the 2026 World Cup. This one really hurts.… pic.twitter.com/yW8WaYYxyi
— Topskills Sports UK (@topskillsportuk) April 1, 2026
Argentina will also play a friendly against Serbia in June and are seeking to arrange another warm-up fixture before the tournament.
Messi is firmly expected to captain Argentina into what will be a record sixth World Cup finals as the South American giants target back-to-back titles.
The Inter Miami playmaker once again demonstrated his enduring influence on the Albiceleste with a typically decisive contribution in a comfortable win.
Álvarez fired Argentina into the lead after just four minutes when Messi effortlessly controlled a lofted pass on the edge of the area and threaded a ball into the feet of the Atlético Madrid striker to score.
Messi doubled Argentina’s lead with the 902nd goal of his career two minutes before half-time, working a clever one-two with Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister before tucking a low finish past Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza.
While Fakhar Zaman denied the charges, the controversy-which has come under heavy scrutiny-shifted the focus back to a similar incident during the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Lahore Qalandars batter Fakhar Zaman has been suspended from the Pakistan Super League for two matches after being found guilty of altering the condition of the ball. The charge, classified as a Level III offence, carries a minimum one-match ban. The incident happened on Sunday during the final over of Qalandars’ narrow defeat to Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The decision was taken during a full disciplinary hearing conducted by Match Referee Roshan Mahanama in line with the PCB Code of Conduct.
The incident happened on Sunday during the final over of Qalandars’ narrow defeat to Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The on-field umpires penalized Lahore Qalandars with five runs, and the ball was replaced before the last over of Karachi Kings’ chase.
While Fakhar denied the charges, the controversy-which has come under heavy scrutiny-shifted the focus back to a similar incident during the 2024 T20 World Cup.
During the match between Pakistan and co-hosts USA in Dallas, Fakhar was involved in a similar incident. After Monank Patel hit Shaheen Afridi for a six, Fakhar, who was standing at mid-on, tucked the ball under his shirt, raising eyebrows within the USA camp.
He held the ball under his shirt with both hands for a sustained period, with his finger movements suggesting that the act did not resemble the routine process of shining the ball.
While the USA won the match in the end, they did suffer a collapse after Fakhar’s act. The USA camp had reportedly filed a report over the matter, but no formal charge was brought at the time, nor was the complaint made public.
World number two Jannik Sinner powered past Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 to win the ATP Miami Masters 1000 for a second time on Sunday, adding the title to his Indian Wells crown.
World number two Jannik Sinner powered past Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 to win the ATP Miami Masters 1000 for a second time on Sunday, adding the title to his Indian Wells crown. Sinner had to wait out rain delays before and during the match to complete his “Sunshine Double,” becoming the first man to sweep the elite hard court tournaments in California and Florida since Roger Federer in 2017 and the first to do so without dropping a set. In fact, Sinner — who won Miami in 2024 but missed last year as he served a three-month doping ban — has now won three straight Masters 1000 events, starting with a victory in Paris last year.
“It’s a very, very special moment,” Sinner said. “Coming here, performing again in a very good way after Indian Wells means a lot to me.
“It’s something I never would’ve thought (I’d win) because it’s difficult to achieve.”
Sinner’s victory, coupled with Aryna Sabalenka’s triumph over Coco Gauff on Saturday, mark the first time the Indian Wells-Miami sweep was achieved on both the men’s and women’s sides since Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka both did it in 2016.
It also saw the Italian gain a bit on Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz — who was upset in the third round — in the race for world number one as the clay court season beckons.
Early showers saw the match delayed for more than an hour. Sinner had just pocketed the first set when the showers hit again, halting the match for 90 minutes.
It wasn’t enough to unsettle Sinner, who fired 10 aces and won 33 of 36 points when he put his first serve in play.
His return game was also spot on as he handed 22nd-ranked Czech Lehecka his first service break of the tournament for a 2-1 lead in the opening frame.
Sinner trailed 0-40 in the following game but fired three service winners and a pair of aces to hold.
“I tried to be focused,” Sinner said. “I tried to understand why I missed the first serves before. In the beginning, the conditions were very different … very, very heavy balls. I missed a couple of first serves in the net because they were quite heavy.”
‘Very precise’
He said Lehecka’s aggressive return game also gave him pause.
“You have to hit very precise. If not, he has it on the racquet,” Sinner said.
But he made the advantage stand up and gave himself a first set point in the ninth game with a blistering cross-court forehand service return winner.
Lehecka saved that one with a service winner and saved another set point with a volley, going on to seal the hold on his sixth game point before Sinner pocketed the set with a love game.
Lehecka fought off five more break points before Sinner pounced for the lone break of the second set and a 5-4 lead, the Czech gifting Sinner a break chance with a loose forehand.
Sinner didn’t face a break point in the second set and gave himself a match point with a forehand volley winner, thought he had it on a serve that was called a let, and polished it off with another winner at the net.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane addressed concerns surrounding Cameron Green after the all-rounder did not bowl in the IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Sunday. Green, who was acquired by KKR for a record Rs 25.20 crore (with a salary cap of Rs 18 crore), scored a brisk 18 off 10 balls with the bat. However, he did not bowl a single over as KKR suffered a six-wicket defeat in their season opener against the five-time champions. Speaking after the match, Rahane clarified the reasons behind the decision.
Rahane confirmed that Green has not been fully cleared to bowl by Cricket Australia following his recovery from a previous back injury.
“Hopefully Green starts to bowl soon and the combination will be slightly different. We batted really well but finding that balance with the ball is really important. [On why Green can’t bowl] That question you need to ask Cricket Australia. [On positives] We batted well and I thought Kartik Tyagi bowled well. Played after a while but he was really good. Lot of positives and long way to go,” said Rahane.
Coming back to the match, Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton struck blazing half-centuries to help the Mumbai Indians romp to a six-wicket win, ending their embarrassing streak of not winning their opening match in 13 seasons.
Lahore Qalandars were penalised for ball tampering, gifting Karachi Kings crucial runs before Abbas Afridi sealed a dramatic four wicket win.
Shaheen Afridi had a word with the umpire after the incident. (Screengrab)
The Pakistan Super League continues to grab attention for all the wrong reasons. The build-up to PSL 2026 was already marred by several international stars withdrawing from the tournament. Then, the opening match raised eyebrows when the match ball bizarrely turned red mid-game. Now, the latest controversy has added to the embarrassment, with Lahore Qalandars penalised for ball tampering.
During their PSL 2026 clash against Karachi Kings on Sunday night, several Lahore Qalandars players – including Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf – gathered just before the start of the 20th over. Each of them appeared to handle the ball, all under the close watch of the on-field umpire.
After Zaman handed the ball to Rauf, the umpire intervened and asked for it to be given to him instead. Confusion followed, and eventually, the fourth umpire was called in to bring replacement balls.
The ball’s condition was deemed to have been altered, resulting in a five-run penalty for Lahore Qalandars.
Why did Lahore Qalandars resort to ball tampering?
At that stage, Lahore Qalandars were defending 14 runs in the final over against Karachi Kings. With five wickets already down, they appeared to be in control. However, the five-run penalty reduced the target to just 9 runs off the last over, significantly easing the pressure on the chasing side.
Although Rauf dismissed Khushdil Shah with the first delivery, he lost his grip on the game soon after. He conceded 11 runs off the next two balls — including a wide — as Abbas Afridi smashed a four and a six to seal a thrilling four-wicket win for Karachi Kings.
Aryna Sabalenka won her second straight Miami Open title on Sunday beating Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to complete a “Sunshine Double” Indian Wells-Miami sweep.
Aryna Sabalenka won her second straight Miami Open title on Sunday beating Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to complete a “Sunshine Double” Indian Wells-Miami sweep. The world number one from Belarus, fresh off her first triumph in the California desert, became the fifth woman — and the first since Iga Swiatek in 2022 — to win both of the elite early season hardcourt WTA 1000 titles. “It means a lot,” Sabalenka said after joining Poland’s Swiatek, German great Steffi Graf, Belgian Kim Clijsters and fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka on the list of women to win both titles in the same year.
“My goal always been to put my name in the history, and I just did it.”
Sabalenka underscored her WTA dominance in a season in which her only defeat to date was her Australian Open finals loss to Elena Rybakina — who she went on to beat in the Indian Wells title match and in the semi-finals here.
She handed Gauff her first career defeat in a hardcourt final.
The American had won her first nine, including a triumph over Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open championship match.
Gauff had also beaten the Belarusian for the title on the red clay of Roland Garros last year.
So Sabalenka said she wasn’t surprised to see Gauff dig in, even after the Belarusian pocketed the first set with a ruthless display of power and precision.
She broke Gauff to open the match and, after Gauff saved three break points in a gritty fifth game, broke the American again in the seventh before serving it out in 37 minutes without facing a break point herself.
In a tense second set, Gauff’s first break point chance — from a blistering backhand passing winner in the second game — sparked a jubilant reaction from the crowd at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins that is just about an hour away from Gauff’s Delray Beach home.
But Gauff couldn’t convert, slamming a forehand into the net on the next point as Sabalenka held.
It needed another gutsy hold from Gauff to keep it on serve in the fifth game.
Up 40-0, she wasted three game points with a pair of errors off the ground and a double fault then had to save a break point before taking the game.
But Gauff was finding more depth on her returns and broke Sabalenka for the first time to take the second set.
“I knew that she’s going to try her very best to fight in this match,” Sabalenka said.
“I was just trying to keep a positive mindset going into the third set. I’m super happy how well I handled my emotions how well I stayed focused from the very beginning to the very end.”
What a month
And the third set, again, was virtually all Sabalenka.
She broke to open the final frame and broke again when Gauff sailed a backhand long on Sabalenka’s first match point.
“What a month,” said Sabalenka, who along with two prestigious titles acquired a new puppy and got engaged to boyfriend Georgios Frangulis.
Gauff was also feeling grateful after a rocky March that saw her withdraw from her third-round match at Indian Wells with a nerve issue that caused “scary” pain in her left arm.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a show-cause notice to pacer Naseem Shah for violation of the ‘terms of his central contract and media regulations’.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a show-cause notice to pacer Naseem Shah for violation of the terms of his central contract and media regulations. The notice came just a day after his controversial social media post on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. Naseem questioned the treatment that Maryam Nawaz received ahead of the PSL match and even took a “queen” jibe at the politician. Although he quickly deleted the post and later issued a clarification that his account was hacked, the post stirred up a storm among fans. The PCB informed, in an official statement, that disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the fast bowler.
“Naseem Shah is required to provide a response within the stipulated time.”
“The PCB remains committed to upholding professional standards, contractual obligations, and the integrity of the game.”
The PCB release did not specifically mention the incident or the clauses that were breached by Naseem.
Naseem, who represents Rawalpindi Pindiz in the PSL, is expected to play in their match against Peshawar Zalmi.
What was the controversy?
Maryam Nawaz was present at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore as the guest of honour and she was welcomed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi who introduced her to the franchise owners.
The Chief Minister was also introduced to the players from both teams. Shortly afterwards, a post from Naseem Shah’s account on X sparked major controversy among the Pakistan fans.
The post featured a PCB video showing Naqvi greeting Maryam Nawaz.
The now-deleted message read: “Why is she being treat like the queen at Lords?”
The IPL ticket row in Karnataka has sparked debate over VIP culture after MLAs sought free tickets. Lalit Modi called the demand “nonsense,” stressing fans built the Indian Premier League, not politicians, raising concerns about privilege, fairness, and accountability in public life.
X
The ongoing controversy around IPL ticket allocation for MLAs in Karnataka has sparked a wider debate about privilege, access, and the role of public representatives in popular sporting events. The issue emerged after demands were raised to reserve complimentary VIP tickets for MLAs, with arguments that elected officials should not have to queue like ordinary citizens. This request placed pressure on cricket authorities to accommodate political expectations, triggering criticism from fans and observers alike.
Amid this debate, Lalit Modi weighed in with a sharp and uncompromising response on X. Calling the situation “absolutely complete nonsense,” he questioned why elected representatives should be treated as privileged stakeholders in a league that was built on public enthusiasm. Modi emphasized that it is the fans, not politicians, who have made the IPL the global success it is today, directly challenging the notion that lawmakers are entitled to special access.
This is absolutely complete nonsense. Why should they be privileged. It’s the fan who made the @IPL not the elected representatives. Yet they want it as their birth right. In as Asian country recently a minister was sacked for taking two free tickets from the promoter for an… https://t.co/U6kdkCvlmP
He further strengthened his argument by citing an international example, noting that in another Asian country, a minister was dismissed for accepting just two free tickets to a major sporting event without declaring them as a gift. By drawing this comparison, Modi highlighted the ethical standards expected in public office elsewhere and contrasted them with what he implied was a normalization of entitlement in India. His remarks suggest that even small privileges, when taken by those in power, can raise serious questions about accountability and transparency.
India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru star batter Virat Kohli got a new full sleeve tattoo on his left hand ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026. He got the work done at ‘Aliens Tattoo India’, which shared the video of it on Instagram and it went viral on no time. As per the company, the tattoo signifies Kohli’s journey. The player will be seen in action during the 19th edition of IPL that begins on March 28. RCB take on SunRisers Hyderabad in the first game at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
“This was not about adding another tattoo. It was about creating something that carries depth, something that reflects who he has become,” wrote Aliens Tattoo in its website.
“This piece draws from his journey as a person. It reflects the transformation he has gone through, what he has moved beyond, what he has arrived at, and the direction he continues to move in. At every inflection point in his life, he has shed parts of who he once was, through discipline, through focus, through an unwavering sense of belief. And yet, not everything was left behind. Some parts stayed. Some became stronger. And much more was added – to his personality, to his beliefs, to the way he approaches life today. His new full sleeve tattoo reflects exactly that.
“His left arm was not a blank canvas. It already carried years of ink, an incomplete armband, older tattoos, elements that belonged to different phases of his life. Some had aged. Some had lost their clarity. Some no longer reflected the precision and intent they once held.
Cricket Australia decided to step in after a fan was denied entry to the Sheffield Shield final for wearing a T-shirt supporting former Pakistan cricket team captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Cricket Australia decided to step in after a fan was denied entry to the Sheffield Shield final for wearing a T-shirt supporting former Pakistan cricket team captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan. According to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald, the incident happened on the opening day of the match between South Australia and Victoria. The fan, named Luke Brown, was wearing a “Free Imran Khan” T-shirt but was forced to cover it up in order to gain entry, as authorities believed it was making a political statement. However, Cricket Australia has now announced that the fan will be allowed entry.
“Given the widespread concern in the cricket community for Imran Khan’s welfare, we believe this is a humanitarian issue and will act accordingly,” a CA spokesperson told the Sydney Morning Herald.
While Cricket Australia maintained that the initial decision taken by the security staff was correct, a review of the situation revealed that the treatment of Imran Khan inside the Pakistani jail was viewed as a “humanitarian issue.” In the recent past, there has been widespread concern over Imran Khan’s health in Rawalpindi’s Adiala prison.
Luke Brown said that he was surprised by the authorities stopping him from entering the venue.
The PSL 2026 opening match saw controversy as Hyderabad Kingsmen’s white ball turned pink due to colour transfer from their jersey, a first-time issue noted by Marnus Labuschagne.
Just the first game of the season, and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 already has its first controversy. The clash between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore unexpectedly turned into a “pink-ball contest,” leaving fans stunned. Australia all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne, representing Hyderabad Kingsmen, even lodged a complaint with the umpire after noticing that colour from his team’s jersey was rubbing off onto the white ball, gradually turning it pink and later red.
It is common for cricketers to rub the ball on their clothing to maintain shine on one side. However, Labuschagne admitted he had never experienced colour transfer from clothing onto the ball in his professional career.
“I did say to the umpires after the second over, ‘What’s going on? The ball is red.’ It must be from the clothes or something like that. I haven’t seen anything like this before,” Labuschagne told reporters at the post-match press conference.
The Australian star expressed hope that the franchise owners would resolve the issue quickly.
“I’ve seen occasions where something on a bat comes onto the ball, or when it hits the pad and takes a bit of paint off. But I’ve never seen this happen with clothing. I’m sure they’ll sort it out in the next few games,” he added.
As Lahore Qalandars sealed victory, the Hyderabad Kingsmen shared a cheeky post on X (formerly Twitter), congratulating their opponents for winning the first “pink-ball game” of the PSL.
Responding to the non-partisan demand, Speaker UT Khader has asked the state government to ensure that every MLA receives four VIP tickets at the city’s Chinnaswamy Stadium for the matches.
The Speaker of Karnataka Assembly has ordered the state government to ensure each MLA is issued 4 tickets each for IPL matches at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. (Reuters photo)
MLAs in Karnataka have raised a demand that appears to highlight a heightened sense of entitlement among elected representatives and government functionaries. According to Congress legislator Vijayanand Kashappanavar, members of Karnataka Assembly, across party lines, have demanded that MLAs be provided with tickets for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) under a special arrangement so they do not have to purchase them.
Responding to the non-partisan demand, Speaker UT Khader has asked the state government to ensure that every MLA receives four VIP tickets at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium for the matches.
This came after MLAs from various parties came together to allege that they were treated with “disrespect” by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which manages the venue.
‘WE CANNOT STAND IN LINES’
Kashappanavar insisted that he and his fellow members of the state Assembly are VIPs and “cannot stand in a queue” to buy the tickets and hence each of them should be “issued” at least five tickets each.
He also lashed out at the KSCA, saying the sporting body was not “respecting the MLAs” despite receiving “all facilities” from the state government.
“They are taking all facilities from the government — security and everything else — but they are not respecting the MLAs. They are not issuing tickets and are instead asking us to book them online,” the Congress MLA told reporters.
To justify the demand, he further said that match tickets sold online end up being offered on the black market at exorbitant prices.
“We all know what happens online — it leads to black marketing. Bookies are involved, and tickets are being sold at inflated prices. A ticket that costs Rs 5,000 is being sold for Rs 35,000,” he stated.
Kashappanavar, who belongs to Karnataka’s ruling Congress, said that the demand was also voiced by Leader of the Opposition in Assembly and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA, R Ashoka.
“There are no proper facilities for MLAs and ministers. The Opposition Leader has already raised this issue in the Assembly, and I have supported it. We have requested the Speaker to take necessary action and ensure that at least five tickets are issued to each MLA, along with a separate seating arrangement,” the Congress MLA stated.
He added, “We are VIPs. We cannot stand in queues. Last time, we were made to stand in line and were sent to sit in the general gallery with the public. This is not acceptable. There has to be some respect.”
Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the season due to an injury. KKR has announced his replacement for the upcoming season. A capped Indian pacer, who is Harshit’s teammate in domestic cricket, will take his place for a salary of Rs. 75 lakhs.
KKR have signed Harshit Rana’s replacement |Courtesy – BCCI/ X -@NavdeepSaini
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have announced Harshit Rana’s replacement for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) after the star pacer was ruled out of the season due to an injury. The 24-year-old suffered a knee injury during a warm-up game between India and South Africa before the T20 World Cup. The issue forced him to miss India’s victorious campaign in the mega event as he underwent surgery.
Another Capped Indian pacer in the form of Navdeep Saini will take his place for the 19th edition of the tournament, which will take place from March 28 to May 31.Saini will earn a salary of Rs. 75 lakhs, which was his base price at the 2026 IPL Auction, which took place in Abu Dhabi in December last year. The star pacer went unsold for the second season in a row. On the other hand, Rana is on a ₹4 crore per year contract with the three-time champions.
“Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) have picked Navdeep Saini and Kulwant Khejroliya respectively as player replacements for TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.Right-arm pacer Navdeep Saini has scalped 23 wickets in 32 IPL matches played so far, in addition to 23 wickets in international cricket for India. He will replace the injured Harshit and join KKR for INR 75 Lakh,” said a statement by the IPL.
Navdeep Saini’s IPL History
Saini has been part of the IPL since 2017, when he was signed by the Delhi Capitals (DC) for Rs. 10 lakhs. However, he did not play a single game for them. The pacer joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2018 for a whopping deal of Rs. 3 crores. He made his IPL debut in 2019. He was part of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) from 2022 to 2024 for a salary of Rs. 2.60 crore. He had also gone unsold in the 2025 mega auction.
India’s 11-year-old Formula 1 hopeful, Atiqa Mir, has surpassed expectations in her first year of karting in the age 12-14 category on the highly competitive European circuit.
File image of Atiqa Mir
India’s 11-year-old Formula 1 hopeful, Atiqa Mir, has surpassed expectations in her first year of karting in the age 12-14 category on the highly competitive European circuit, said a release. Racing remains a male-dominated sport, and boys older than Atiqa often try to “bully” her on the track. With special talent and ability on her side, the first Indian to be backed by the Formula 1 Academy doesn’t shy away from “bullying” them back in a wheel-to-wheel battle. Fast-tracked into the OKN-J (Junior) category (age 12-14) from mini (8-12), considering her special talent, Atiqa has attracted plenty of attention in the paddock with her sizzling speed.
Not only is she the best-performing Indian karter on the global stage, but Atiqa is also leaving the majority of the male pack behind in a heavily populated grid comprising up to 40 karts.
She began the season with a scorching P2 in qualifying of the WSK Super Masters before bagging a podium finish (classified third) in the European leg of the Champions of the Future Academy series in Valencia earlier this month.
While she is busy collecting laurels in the world of karting, the ultimate aim is to reach the pinnacle of motorsport – Formula 1 – where no woman has raced since 1992.
The Dubai-based racer from Jammu and Kashmir idolises four-time world champion Max Verstappen, and perhaps that is the source of her fiery approach on track.
“Motorsport being a mixed-gender sport and being male-dominated, that’s why many females are not in Formula 1 but belief and confidence will take me there one day,” said Atiqa, who is currently racing in Italy.
The on-track bullying from the boys doesn’t bother Atiqa anymore. For her, gender has never been an issue in racing, and her focus firmly remains on improving as a driver with every opportunity she gets in her blossoming career.’
“Well, sometimes they (boys) turn on me. Sometimes they brake check me, which is normal for everyone, I guess nowadays, because there’s no penalty in karting for a brake check. But sometimes they also hit me, but I think I learned how to deal with it over time,” she said, referring to her intense on-track battles.
Atiqa comes from a racing family, with her father, Asir Mir, being India’s first national karting champion and also a former Formula Asia Vice-Champion.
Asif never pushed her into motorsport. She got hooked on to the thrill of racing after watching the epic title showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen in the 2021 Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
“I did not start because of my dad. And like, there was no such thing as like, having a dream to race in Formula One,” she recalled.
A consortium led by Aditya Birla Group completed the acquisition of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru for more than Rs 16,000 crore.
A consortium led by Aditya Birla Group completed the acquisition of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Tuesday. The consortium, which includes Indian billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla’s Aditya Birla Group, Times of India Group, David Blitzer’s Bolt Ventures and US-based Blackstone investment, will pay 1.78 billion dollars (more than Rs 16,000 crore) for the defending IPL champions. The consortium has agreed the deal with United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of UK-Diageo plc to acquire 100 percent stake of RCB.
Aryaman Vikram Birla, director, Aditya Birla Group, will serve as the chairman while Satyan Gajwani of The Times of India Group will serve as Vice Chairman of the franchise.
“Over the past two decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket creating enormous value for India. RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers the Aditya Birla Group a distinctive platform to extend its legacy of institution-building into the arena of global sport. We are delighted to become custodians of this asset and committed to further building this extraordinary legacy,” Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, said in a statement.
Satyan Gajwani, the chairman, Times Internet Limited added: “RCB is the reigning champion and the most popular brand in the IPL. As The Times of India Group, together with our partners, we will build RCB into a global sporting institution, while remaining rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka and its incredible fanbase. We are committed to the people who built this championship-winning culture – the players, coaches, the leadership team, and the fans. We look forward to supporting the team as they take the pitch on Saturday to defend RCB’s title.”
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) granted clearance to their players for participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 on Monday. The PSL is set to begin on 26 March, with the final on 3 May. “Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to inform that it has maintained close coordination with the Ministry of Youth & Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Bangladesh regarding the participation of Bangladeshi cricketers in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20 tournament”, BCB said in a statement. “Following consultations, it has been confirmed that there are no prevailing security or safety concerns for the players selected to represent various franchises in the competition. This conclusion has been reached based on assurances received from the Bangladesh Mission in Islamabad”, it added.
“With these assurances in place, the players have travelled to Pakistan for the tournament”, the statement said.
“The BCB reiterates that the well-being of its players remains its foremost priority. The Board will continue to remain in close contact with all concerned parties”, it said.
PSL 2026 will be held without spectators due to the ongoing West Asia crisis. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has stated that the country’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has requested all of Pakistan to “restrict their movements because of the fuel crisis.”
The tournament has also been reduced from six venues to just two, with all matches now scheduled in Lahore and Karachi. Additionally, the opening ceremony in Lahore has also been called off.
PSL 2026 Security Concerns: Pakistan-based armed group, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, has warned international players like David Warner and Steve Smith against participating in the PSL, threatening to disrupt the tournament.
The fate of the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL) season appears to be in jeopardy, despite the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly deciding to host the event in only two cities, and behind closed doors. On Sunday, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the government directive, citing the West Asia conflict and soaring fuel prices as the primary reasons behind the decision. However, there may be more to the development than meets the eye. Reports have emerged suggesting that overseas players scheduled to participate in the PSL have been urged to pull out of the tournament or face dire consequences.
An armed opposition group in Pakistan, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, has issued a public statement warning overseas stars such as David Warner, Steve Smith, and Daryl Mitchell against participating. In a chilling ultimatum, the group stated that players’ safety cannot be guaranteed if they travel to Pakistan for the T20 league. In the note, the armed group asked Warner, Smith and other overseas stars to “withdraw immediately” from the PSL.
🔴 JUST IN 🇵🇰
Armed opposition groups in Pakistan have issued a statement urging all foreign players participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) cricket matches to avoid traveling to Pakistan, stating that their security is not guaranteed and there is a risk of harm.
The… pic.twitter.com/caf7Tim1ep
Explaining their stance, the group claimed they are not opposed to cricket as a sport, but argued that the prevailing security situation in Pakistan is unsuitable for staging a high-profile tournament involving international players.
“We want to advise the relevant cricket boards not to send their players to Pakistan. If something happens to them, it will not be our responsibility. We have already issued our warning,” a commander of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar told The Sunday Guardian.
When asked how the group would respond if players ignored the warning, the commander added, “We will do whatever is in our capacity, but we will not let the matches happen. We will do our best to ensure that the tournament is disrupted and the players do not take to the field.”
The PCB announced that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 will be staged behind closed doors and restricted to just Lahore and Karachi, after the Pakistan government enforced drastic measures due to the West Asia conflict and resulting fuel crisis.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a surprising decision to stage the 2026 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) behind closed doors, limiting matches to just two venues, in a major announcement on Sunday. The PSL, set to begin on March 26, has had to undergo drastic changes enforced by the government due to the ongoing West Asia conflict. With the United States of America and Israel engaged in a war with Iran, the conflict has triggered a fuel shortage across several Asian countries. Fans were left shocked to see the Pakistan government resort to such extreme measures during this crisis.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi explained in a press conference that, due to the fuel crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged citizens to restrict movement. Measures such as school closures, work-from-home arrangements, and extended Eid holidays have been introduced, while the duration of the war remains uncertain.
“The Prime Minister requested all of Pakistan to restrict their movements because of the fuel crisis. We closed schools, instituted work-from-home, and increased the number of Eid holidays. We don’t know how long this war will last,” Naqvi said.
He further clarified that, after consulting security agencies, the PSL will proceed as scheduled, but matches will be played without spectators due to the ongoing crisis. The opening ceremony has also been cancelled.
Mocking the PCB, Iceland Cricket wrote: “The PSL is coming up and that is very exciting for many millions of cricket fans. We have always wondered what PSL stands for and it turns out it means Petrol Shortage League.”
The PSL is coming up and that is very exciting for many millions of cricket fans.
We have always wondered what PSL stands for and it turns out it means Petrol Shortage League.
LeBron James broke the NBA record for most regular-season games played on Saturday, taking the court for his 1,612th when the Los Angeles Lakers tipped off against the Orlando Magic.
LeBron James broke the NBA record for most regular-season games played on Saturday, taking the court for his 1,612th when the Los Angeles Lakers tipped off against the Orlando Magic. “King” James passed the mark of 1,611 that Robert Parish had held since he retired in 1997. Four-time NBA champion James, 41, had equaled Parish’s tally on Thursday in stunning fashion, posting a triple-double in the Lakers’ win over the Heat in Miami after the team arrived in Florida around 4 a.m. in the wake of a Wednesday night win in Houston.
“He’s got to be insane,” 27-year-old teammate Austin Reaves said of James’s continued appetite for excellence. “Can’t be normal things going on in his brain to do it so well at such a high level.
“There’s nothing left to prove, but he finds something to continue to motivate him. It’s a beautiful thing … (if) there’s anybody in the world that could take games off, mentally not be there in a film session, practice, whatever it might be, it could be him. And that’s not how he’s wired.”
James, playing his unprecedented 23rd season, already holds a host of NBA records, including points scored, field goals made and field goals attempted and the longest streak of regular-season games with at least 10 points scored — 1,297 — in history.
But James says those aren’t the kind of records he had in mind when he launched his career.
“It’s not like I’m writing things down or looking at the record books and saying, ‘I’m going to get that, I’m going to get that, I’m going to get that,'” James said Thursday.
“It just kind of happened. It was not on the list of things that I wanted to accomplish. Games played, all-time leader in points … 10-point streak, those things was not in my mind.
“I wanted to be the greatest, one of the greatest, if not the greatest ever to play this game. I wanted to be an NBA champion. I wanted to possibly win Rookie of the Year, make All-Star appearances, win a gold medal, win some MVPs … those were some of my goals.
“But some of the stuff that has been happening over the course of the last few years has been super-duper cool.”
Including playoff games, James has amassed a total of 1,904 fixtures during his career. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a distant second with 1,797 appearances while Parish is third on 1,795.
Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has responded to criticism over appearing on the guest panel of a Pakistan-based cricket show during Asia Cup 2025.
Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has responded to criticism over appearing on the guest panel of a Pakistani cricket show during Asia Cup 2025. Gavaskar was questioned regarding this matter after criticising Sunrisers Leeds’ purchase of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred auction, as the franchise is owned by a Chennai-based conglomerate. Gavaskar had stated that such purchases by Indian owners indirectly contribute to Indian casualties – a comment made in the light of India-Pakistan diplomatic tension following the Pahalgam terror attack. However, he has defended his own appearance on a Pakistani show and has even doubled down on his opinion.
When asked whether his stints as a commentator or panelist in shows during the Asia Cup also concern his original criticism of the matter, as Pakistan also earn a share of the tournament’s revenue, Gavaskar has given a firm response.
“Yes, I have been on commentary panels of ICC and ACC. The revenue went to all the participating countries from the ICC and ACC, but not from an Indian entity as far as I know. I don’t understand how you can say that I am a contributor since I am not making any payment to any commentator, Indian or any other nationality,” Gavaskar said, speaking to Mumbai Mirror.
“I don’t know about other sports and what they are doing. All I am praying for is that Indians stop paying Pakistanis. If you have noticed, the reverse has never happened for decades, if ever,” he added, doubling down on his viewpoint.
Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed was bought for GBP 190,000 (approximately INR 2.35 crore) by Sunrisers Leeds, who have the same owners as Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad. The move was criticised by a section of fans on social media.
Iran executed Saleh Mohammadi, a 19-year-old member of its national wrestling team, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Dovoudi after accusing them of killing two police officers during protests in Qom on January 8. They were charged with ‘enmity against God’ and alleged ties to Israel and the USA. Such claims are often used against dissidents in the country. According to Human Rights groups, the trials lacked due process, and also involved forced confessions under torture and defence witnesses were also barred.
Mohammadi was a wrestling champion and had taken part in international competitions. According to Amnesty International, he was denied “adequate defence and forced to make ‘confessions’… in fast-tracked proceedings that bore no resemblance to a meaningful trial.”
He only turned 19 last week. The day before his execution, the authorities executed Kouroush Keyvani, a dual Iranian-Swedish national, accusing him of spying for Israel.
“We are deeply concerned about the risk of mass executions of protesters and political prisoners in the shadow of war,” said Iran Human Rights.
“These executions are carried out to spread fear in the society, as the Islamic Republic knows that the main threat to its survival comes from the Iranian people demanding fundamental change,” it added.
The hangings of the three men are the first officially announced executions related to protests which broke out in the country in late December due to the rising cost of living. But then it turned into nationwide anti-government demonstrations peaking in early January.
India’s Tanvi Sharma stunned Japan’s sixth seed Natsuki Nidaira in straight games to storm into the semifinals of USD 250,000 Orleans Masters Super 300 badminton tournament in Orleans on Friday.
India’s Tanvi Sharma stunned Japan’s sixth seed Natsuki Nidaira in straight games to storm into the semifinals of USD 250,000 Orleans Masters Super 300 badminton tournament in Orleans on Friday. The 17-year-old, who is a silver medallist at the BWF World Junior Championships, registered a 21-14 21-14 in 43 minutes in the women’s singles quarterfinals. Tanvi, who is the youngest Indian to reach a BWF World Tour final at the 2025 US Open Super 300, will take on either former world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan or Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Linh next.
Robert Lewandowski broke a long-standing record of Lionel Messi during Barcelona’s thumping 7-2 victory against Newcastle at the Nou Camp during the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League’s Round of 16 stage. The Polish star scored a brace and now has 109 goals in the tournament’s history to his name.
Robert Lewandowski broke Lionel Messi’s record with a brace against Newcastle Photo : AP
Robert Lewandowski created history on Wednesday (March 18) as Barcelona thrashed Newcastle 7-2 at the Nou Camp in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League to reach the quarter-finals, where they will play Atletico Madrid. The 37-year-old football legend hit a brace with goals in the 56th and 61st minutes as the Catalans won 8-3 on aggregate despite a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
While Newcastle put up a strong fight in the first half and found themselves 1-1 and 2-2 during the first half before conceding a third goal just minutes before the half-time break, the Polish striker’s brace ensured that the home team had a comfortable evening as he scored the fifth and sixth goal, which took the game away from the Magpies.
Robert Lewandowski Creates History
Newcastle are the 41st team that the Polish striker has scored against in his Champions League. He is the first player to achieve the incredible feat in Europe’s premier club competition. Lewandowski broke eight-time Ballon D’or winner Lionel Messi’s record in the process.
Players To Score Against Different Teams In UCL History
Player
Teams Scored Against
Robert Lewandowski
41
Lionel Messi
40
Cristiano Ronaldo
38
Karim Benzema
34
Raul
33
Overall, Lewandowski has scored 109 goals in his career in the history of the Champions League, which is the third-most behind Messi (129) and Ronaldo (140). The former Bayern Munich star has scored nine goals Benfica, which is the joint second-most a player has against a single opponent.
The Sunrisers acquiring Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed at The Hundred auction has spiralled into a major controversy. The cricketer in question was picked by the Kavya Maran-owned Sunrisers at a cost of 190,000 GBP (approximately Rs 2.34 crore) during the inaugural men’s Hundred auction in London on Sunday. The backlash has been huge, with the Sunrisers Leeds’ X account even getting temporarily suspended. Pakistan players are barred from the IPL and only featured in its inaugural 2008 edition.
After that, the terror attack in Mumbai led to stringent action being taken against the presence of Pakistani players in the IPL. Generally, Indian franchises with teams in overseas leagues avoid picking Pakistan players. However, Sunrisers did not walk that path.
Days after the auction and the subsequent furore, former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi sent a message to Sunrisers Leeds. He wrote on X: “Investing 2.34 crore on a Pakistani player when the fans are already on edge? I know a thing or two about managing optics and building empires. Call me.” The caption of the post read: “Controversy over #players has hit @thehundred with the @sunrisersleeds.” Kavya Maran is the owner of Sunrisers franchise which also has teams in the IPL and the SA20.
Although no names were mentioned, the amount, the reference to a Pakistan player, and the timing of the post clearly indicate what Lalit Modi is implying. Modi, who is facing serious charges in India, has been living in the UK.
Lalit Modi fled India in 2010 following allegations related to tax evasion, money laundering, and proxy ownership linked to the money-minting IPL. The Enforcement Directorate claimed that he manipulated the process of assigning broadcast rights of the IPL in 2009, reportedly in exchange for a kickback of over 125 crores.
Earlier, in December 2025, Lalit Modi had apologised to the Indian government days after he referred to himself and Vijay Mallya as the two “biggest fugitives” in a viral video-which seemed to be an apparent swipe at India.
Celebrations erupted across Morocco as the Morocco national football team were crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions after CAF overturned Senegal’s 1-0 final win. Senegal forfeited following a walk-off protest over a controversial VAR penalty, handing Morocco a 3-0 victory. Fans flooded streets, waving flags and chanting, marking an unexpected and historic AFCON triumph for the nation.
433/X
In an extraordinary turn of events, celebrations erupted across Morocco as the Morocco national football team were officially crowned champions of the Africa Cup of Nations following a dramatic ruling that stripped Senegal national football team of their title.
The decision by the Confederation of African Football overturned the original result of the final, where Senegal had secured a 1-0 victory after extra time. However, CAF’s appeals board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match after their players walked off the pitch in protest over a controversial VAR-awarded penalty. Under tournament regulations, such actions are deemed a violation, resulting in an automatic loss and a 3-0 win awarded to Morocco.
As the news broke, scenes of jubilation spread through Moroccan cities. Fans poured into the streets waving flags, chanting, and celebrating a title that came in the most unexpected fashion. Car horns echoed late into the night, while crowds gathered in public squares to mark Morocco’s AFCON triumph.
Yuzvendra Chahal was at his peak best friend behaviour for Kuldeep Yadav’s wedding festivities in Mussoorie last week. In a now viral video, Chahal is seen teasing Kuldeep after noticing the wedding anchor saying ‘Galat banda bula liya’. Chahal’s comments come after the same anchor was present for his wedding with Dhanashree Verma, which later ended in a divorce.
Yuzvendra Chahal was at his peak best friend behaviour for Kuldeep Yadav’s wedding festivities in Mussoorie last week. In a now viral video, Chahal is seen teasing Kuldeep after noticing the wedding anchor saying ‘Galat banda bula liya’. Chahal’s comments come after the same anchor was present for his wedding with Dhanashree Verma, which later ended in a divorce.
Yuzvendra Chahal tells Kuldeep Yadav that “Kuldeep galat Banda bula liya”😭😂 because it was the same person who hosted Chahal’s wedding with Dhanashree Verma, and later they got divorced. That’s why he jokingly says this to Kuldeep.💀 pic.twitter.com/MNKUZGzsxB
The official said that after noticing his name on the train reservation chart, a ticket checker wondered if he was the cricketer Dube. However, his wife deftly handled the situation, saying why the cricketer would travel by train.
Shivam Dube Credit: PTI Photo
Shivam Dube, whose explosive batting added 24 runs to India’s total in the last over of the T20 World Cup final, was seen quietly travelling by train from Ahmedabad to Mumbai, as per the railway officials.
Dube wanted to reach the city as early as possible to be with his two young children, despite the risk of being mobbed by cricket fans. And since all flights to Mumbai were fully booked, he chose to travel by the train, according to a senior railway official.
The star all-rounder boarded the Mumbai-bound Sayaji Nagari Express from Ahmedabad in the early hours of Monday, along with his wife Anjum and a friend, hours after he and his teammates lifted the World Cup, he said.
The official said that after noticing his name on the train reservation chart, a ticket checker wondered if he was the cricketer Dube. However, his wife deftly handled the situation, saying why the cricketer would travel by train.
To avoid being recognised by co-passengers, Dube reportedly wore a cap, mask and a full-sleeved T-shirt as he boarded the train at 5.10 am and climbed onto his upper berth after entering an AC three-tier coach, the official said.
The train journey takes at least eight hours, and he was resting on the berth after the hectic tournament and celebrations, the official said, adding that Dube was more concerned about getting down at Mumbai’s Borivali station in daylight (after 1 pm), fearing fans might recognise him.
Abrar Ahmed was roped in by the franchise – which is also in charge of the IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 – for 190,000 GBP (approx. Rs 2.34 crore) during Sunday’s auction in London
From the time Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed was picked in The Hundred auction by the Indian-owned franchise SunRisers Leeds, the backlash has been massive. Abrar was roped in by the franchise – which is also in charge of the IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 – for 190,000 GBP (approx. Rs 2.34 crore) during Sunday’s auction in London. However, ultimately, Abrar may not even get to play for SunRisers due to international commitments. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may not give him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) as the Pakistan team is scheduled to tour the West Indies during The Hundred window. Pakistan are set to tour the West Indies from July 15 to August 7 for a two-Test series. The Hundred begins on July 21 and will run until August 16.
“He might not play The Hundred, given the fact that Pakistan is playing a two-match Test series against West Indies,” a TOI report quoted a source as saying.
“It is a lot of money. His agent has put his name in the auction, which means he is confident of getting the NOC. He is also among the few current Pakistani cricketers who have a good relationship with the PCB chief. The chances of him playing in The Hundred are 50-50.”
SunRisers Leeds head coach Daniel Vettori explained that the team signed Abrar Ahmed due to a lack of quality spin options, especially after missing out on England’s Adil Rashid. Abrar, currently the third-ranked T20I bowler, was seen as a valuable addition.
“After we missed out on Adil Rashid, the priority was to get a spin bowler, and we didn’t think that quality was in the local market, so we had to jump overseas. Rishad Hussain, Usman Tariq, and Abrar Ahmed – they were all guys that were on our radar,” said Vettori, who was at the auction table alongside co-owner Kavya Maran.
Chennai Super Kings have been sued by the Sun TV Network for using songs and dialogues from movies Jailer, Jailer 2, and Coolie.
Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ayush Mhatre unveiling of CSK jersey for IPL 2026. (PTI Photo)
IPL 2026 is yet to get underway, but Chennai Super Kings, the five-time IPL winners, have already courted controversy after a copyright infringement case was filed against them by Sun TV Network Limited in the Madras High Court.
CSK are accused of using songs, dialogues and background tracks from movies including Jailer, Jailer 2 and Coolie to promote their content on social media.
At the beginning of this month, CSK posted a video on their various social media handles unveiling their new jersey for IPL 2026. The plaintiff says the franchise used audio tracks from the Rajinikanth-starrer movies.
Interestingly, the video was soon taken down and reshared with changes.
“The plaintiff submits that the Defendant (CSK) officially unveiled the new jersey for IPL 2026 on 01.03.2026, offering fans a glimpse of the fresh design through a promotional video shared on social media pages, namely Instagram, X, YouTube and Facebook. The said video, to the surprise of the applicant, prominently used the audio tracks and dialogues from the Plaintiff’s films Jailer, Jailer 2 and Coolie, and further incorporated copyrighted audio elements at multiple junctures, including scenes depicting the arrival of MS Dhoni at the 1st Defendant’s camp,” The Indian Express quoted the plaint filed by the media company as saying.
The plaintiff has asked the High Court to stop CSK from using their copyrighted material, besides furnishing accounts detailing the commercial gains made by the franchise from the sale of their jerseys using the music.
“The Applicant submits that the promotional videos mischievously exploited the Applicant’s copyrighted works to aid the sales of the Match Jersey 2026 priced at Rs 2,399 and other merchandise. It is needless to state the influence that music from films involving Mr Rajinikanth and Mr Anirudh would have in aiding merchandise sales of a team based in South India, and more particularly Chennai,” it said.
Former BCCI chief selector Sandeep Patil revealed that Sachin Tendulkar had been informed about the possibility of him being replaced in the Indian team a year before his retirement.
Sachin Tendulkar is inarguably one of the greatest batters in cricket history. He is the highest-ever run-scorer in both Tests and ODIs, and enjoyed a glittering 24-year-long international career. Tendulkar’s retirement came in 2013 amidst much fanfare. However, it has now been revealed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had been looking to replace him from the Indian team a year before his eventual retirement. Former BCCI chief selector Sandeep Patil revealed a striking conversation he had had with Tendulkar regarding this matter.
2012 was a lean year for Tendulkar. He averaged just 23.80 in nine Tests, without a single hundred. His ODI average wasn’t much better either at 31.50 in 10 games.
In a recent interview, Patil, who was the chairman of the BCCI selection committee at the time, revealed that he had left Tendulkar in shock with the suggestion of replacing him from the Indian team.
“What are your plans?” Patil had asked Tendulkar.
“He said, ‘Why?’ I told him the committee was looking for a replacement. He was shocked. He called me again – are you serious? I said yes,” revealed Patil in an interview with Vickey Lalwani.
Patil then shared that the selection committee do not have the power to force a player into retiring. He revealed that Tendulkar had himself informed him when he had decided to retire.
“Selectors can drop a player. Selectors cannot tell a player his career is over. We asked his plans. He said he wanted to continue. We said okay,” Patil said.
Patil stated that his tenure is often remembered for the departure of Tendulkar rather than the introduction of future India stalwarts like Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane or Mohammed Shami.
A section of fans has called for a boycott of SunRisers Hyderabad after SunRisers Leeds, one of four Indian-owned franchises in The Hundred, signed Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in Thursday’s auction.
SunRisers Leeds bought Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in the Hundred auction (Getty Images)
The inaugural auction of The Hundred’s private era on March 12, 2026, was expected to be a celebratory milestone for the ECB. Instead, it has ignited a fierce geopolitical controversy in India. SunRisers Leeds, a franchise owned by the Sun Group and linked to the IPL’s SunRisers Hyderabad, sparked a social media firestorm after winning a bidding war for Pakistan’s mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed.
The signing, worth £190,000 (approx. Rs 2.34 crore), is a landmark event. It marks the first time in many years that a franchise with Indian ownership has actively recruited a Pakistani international. While the move was praised in the UK as a victory for meritocracy, it has drawn severe backlash from Indian fans, many of whom have called for a boycott of the SunRisers brand.
The Hundred, an eight-team tournament, will be played in the UK from July 21 to August 16.
The primary driver of the outrage is a series of controversial social media posts allegedly made by Abrar Ahmed in mid-2025. Following a period of heightened cross-border tension, Abrar reportedly shared content that Indian fans claim mocked the Indian Armed Forces.
As news of the signing broke, hashtags like #ShameOnSRH and #BoycottSunrisers began trending on X. Critics argued that by handing a lucrative contract to a player who had publicly disparaged Indian security forces, the franchise owners had ignored national sentiment for tactical gain.
Some even called out the face of the SunRisers brand, Kaavya Maran, for aggressively bidding for Abrar Ahmed in Thursday’s auction in London.
“For years Indian teams avoided Pakistani players out of respect for national sentiment. But the moment money and foreign leagues enter the picture, that spine disappears. Indian owner, Indian brand, zero national backbone. Stop pretending to represent India if profit matters more than the country,” an X user wrote.
INDIAN-OWNED TEAM BUYS PAK SPINNER
The signing comes after months of speculation that the four Indian-owned teams in The Hundred – SunRisers Leeds, MI London, Manchester Super Giants, and Southern Brave – would enforce an unwritten rule to bypass Pakistani talent. This trend has been observed in South Africa’s SA20 and the UAE’s ILT20, where teams owned by IPL owners have historically never signed a Pakistani cricketer.
On the eve of the auction, the ECB reportedly issued a stern warning to all eight directors of cricket, reminding them that excluding players based on nationality would violate UK anti-discrimination laws. While major stars like Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Saim Ayub went unsold in the initial round of Thursdasy’s auction, SunRisers Leeds CEO Kavya Maran surprised observers by aggressively outbidding Trent Rockets to secure Abrar.
Notably, this is the first season in The Hundred’s six-year history to feature Indian owners, following the league’s privatisation last year that attracted several Indian investors.
MUSTAFIZUR FATE FOR ABRAR?
Speculation has already been mounting on social media regarding whether SunRisers Leeds will be forced to rescind Abrar Ahmed’s contract following the backlash. A section of users on X pointed to the recent precedent involving Mustafizur Rahman and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In January 2026, despite buying the Bangladeshi pacer for Rs 9.20 crore at the IPL 2026 auction, KKR was directed by the BCCI to terminate his contract.
The move followed intense pressure from what critics described as fringe political groups in India after reports of targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. While SunRisers Leeds operates under the jurisdiction of the ECB, many fear that the same commercial and political pressures that sidelined Mustafizur could now target Abrar.
A complaint was filed against Hardik Pandya for insulting the national flag during the T20 World Cup celebration at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Hardik Pandya In Trouble After Complaint Over Alleged Insult To National Flag During T20 World Cup Celebration (Source: AP)
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya finds himself in hot soup after a complaint was filed against him for allegedly insulting the national flag after the T20 World Cup final. The complaint was lodged at Shivaji Nagar police station in Pune by advocate Wajid Khan, who stated that Pandya wrapped the national flag around his body and made obscene gestures during the T20 World Cup celebration. The development was confirmed by a Shivaji Nagar police station officer. “The act constitutes an offence under the relevant law, and legal action should be taken. It is the duty of every citizen to respect the dignity of the national flag,” the complaint application stated.
Meanwhile, Pandya played a significant role in India’s T20 World Cup win. The all-rounder was crucial with the bat and scored vital runs down the order, including two fifties. He also picked up nine wickets in the tournament. The valuable contribution from Pandya also saw him get into the ICC team of the T20 World Cup 2026. He was one of the four Indians to make the list.
‘I Wanted To Make A Dominating Comeback’: Hardik Pandya
Following the win, Hardik Pandya spoke about the difficult phase of life before the T20 World Cup 2024, when he struggled with injuries and was going through a rough phase in his personal life, and said that he promised himself he would make a great comeback.
“When we won the T20 World Cup in 2024, I was facing a lot of difficulties personally. Many things had happened before that tournament, and things were not going my way. Before the 2024 World Cup started, I had made up my mind that I was going for redemption.
“I wanted to make a dominating comeback. I did that and helped my team win the trophy after 17 years,” Pandya recalled his performance in the tournament that broke India’s long title drought in ICC events.
The US-Israel-Iran conflict in West Asia has disrupted petroleum and LPG supplies in India, threatening the IPL 2026.
IPL Trophy [Representational Image]The US-Israel-Iran conflict in West Asia has impacted the LPG supply in India. The situation now threatens to affect the smooth conduct of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, which begins from March 28 in Bengaluru.
In metro cities like Chennai and Bengaluru, hotel owner associations have reported a limited LPG supply expected to last just a day or two. Consequently, several hotels have begun curtailing their menus to manage LPG usage more efficiently.
On Monday, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas released a statement via social media, stating that priority is being given to supplying LPG to domestic and essential non-domestic sectors due to current fuel supply constraints.
In light of current geopolitical disruptions to fuel supply and constraints on supply of LPG, Ministry has issued orders to oil refineries for higher LPG production and using such extra production for domestic LPG use.
The ministry has prioritised domestic LPG supply to…
— Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas #MoPNG (@PetroleumMin) March 9, 2026
Speaking to The New Indian Express, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal shared that the league is keeping a close watch on the situation.
“We are reviewing the development. Since this is an evolving situation, nothing can be said as of now. But given the requirement of the situation, we will take a call accordingly,” Dhumal mentioned.
Although the tournament schedule has yet to be announced, the board is working to avoid conflicts with state elections, with the tournament slated to begin on March 28. However, if the current situation persists, the BCCI and IPL may need to make a decision.
Besides the LPG supply issue, logistics pose another challenge, similar to what was experienced during the recent T20 World Cup, won by India.
India will have the blueprint ready for the ODI World Cup 2027 by the end of the IPL 2026 season, according to head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir’s comments came just one day after India clinched the T20 World Cup 2026 title thanks to a comfortable win over New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. It was a brilliant campaign for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side who lost just one game against South Africa and absolutely dominated their opponents in the semifinal as well as the final. Gambhir revealed that the coaching staff will take rest following the tournament and will then start to prepare for the ODI World Cup. The World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, is expected to witness a number of bouncy pitches and Gambhir said that the team management will work on identifying individuals fitted for the conditions and finalise their plan and tactics by the end of the IPL 2026 season.
“The planning for the 2027 World Cup will start after the IPL. There are 25 to 30 ODIs between IPL 2026 and the World Cup. This format is not played a lot these days. The earlier we start planning, the better it will be for us,” he told India Today.
“South Africa is not an easy place to play cricket. We have to figure out combinations and identify the players who are suited to the conditions. The selectors and the coaches will do that. By the time IPL 2026 ends, India will have a blueprint for the ODI World Cup 2027,” Gambhir added.
Meanwhile, Gambhir straight batted all team atmosphere-related questions a day after India’s T20 World Cup win.
“My philosophy is simple – if the majority of the team members are not happy with me, there is no point in me staying in that dressing room. If the majority is happy, I am doing the right job. If you report genuinely, you will know how the atmosphere of the team is. The Indian team’s atmosphere can’t stay hidden from anybody because there is so much scrutiny, limelight and media attention,” the coach said.
India completely outplayed New Zealand to clinch the T20 World Cup 2026 title at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. It was a sensational performance by the Suryakumar Yadav-led side, as Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma provided the perfect start with half-centuries, while Jasprit Bumrah took four wickets to leave New Zealand completely stunned. Chasing 256, New Zealand were bundled out for just 159 as India registered a comprehensive 96-run victory. With this win, India became the first team in history to win the T20 World Cup title three times. They also became the first team to win the trophy at home and the first side to defend the title, having won the T20 World Cup back in 2024 as well.
Indian cricket team skipper Suryakumar Yadav opened up about the historic victory and also called star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah a ‘national treasure’.
“I think it’ll take a little bit of time (to sink in), but I’m definitely very happy with what has happened today. It has been a long journey. Started post-2024 World Cup when BCCI at that time, Jay (Shah) bhai, at that time Secretary Rohit (Sharma) Bhai, and everyone, they showed faith in me, gave me an opportunity to lead this wonderful side, and then it was a long, long, long cycle coming here again at the Narendra Modi Stadium and doing it. I think it’s a special feeling. I think we knew that we were playing some good cricket throughout the two years, and it was going really well,” Suryakumar Yadav said after the match.
Samson (89 off 46 balls), Abhishek Sharma (52 in 21 balls) and Ishan Kishan (54 in 25 balls) slammed half-centuries to take India to a mammoth total of 255/5. It was the highest team total ever in a T20 World Cup final.
The T20 World Cup 2026 has been a sort of validation for Gautam Gambhir. After Test series losses against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, the world champion player was the target of much harsh criticism. After Sunday, some of his detractors might take a backseat. Staying true to his no non-sense style, Gambhir stated on Sunday that he is only accountable to the people in the dressing room. With their 96-run shellacking of New Zealand in the summit showdown, India became the first team to win three T20 World Cups (2007, 2024, 2026), the first to defend their title and also the first to do so at home.
“My accountability is not for people on social media. My accountability is to those 30 people in that change room,” Gambhir said during the post-match press conference. “A coach is as good as his team. Players made me the coach I am,” Gambhir added.
But even in the hour of his glory, Gambhir did not forget Dravid, who guided the team to triumph in 2024, and Laxman, the current head of the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
“I would dedicate this trophy to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. To Rahul bhai for putting the Indian team in a place and Laxman for creating the pipeline at the CoE,” he added.
The former India opener also thanked chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Jay Shah, the current ICC Chairman and the former BCCI secretary. “Ajit Agarkar, who took a lot of flak and worked with a lot of honesty. And to Jay bhai. During my lowest ebb in my tenure after losing to NZ and then SA (at home in Test series in 2024 and 2025), he called me,” he noted.
India produced an explosive performance with the bat to post a massive 255 for five, and then bundled out New Zealand for 159 to emerge comfortable winners.
“We have to let go of the fear of losing. Rather than playing conservative cricket, getting out for 120 is okay. The hallmark has been bravery and showing courage to score 250 in semis and finals,” Gambhir said.
The head coach praised captain Suryakumar Yadav for working in tandem with him.
“Surya made my job easier. He has been a leader who is a father figure. Bigger purpose is to celebrate trophies, not milestones. For too many years we have celebrated milestones. I will urge you people to stop celebrating personal milestones,” Gambhir reiterated.
Suryakumar backed Gambhir’s words.
“I played 4 years under GG’s captaincy (for Kolkata Knight Riders). We have never had arguments as the common goal was how the team can win. Our friendship was set. He walked 2 steps and I walked 2 steps,” said Suryakumar, who added that the team would now like to win gold in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
He added, “I can’t say this is India’s white-ball era. Had it been our white-ball era, we wouldn’t have lost two of the last three ODI series.
“I have picked teams based on faith and trust. I have never ever picked a team based on hope.”
A journalist once walked into Eden Gardens a day before an India vs England match and noticed that a player’s name and score were already written on the board.
An old worker claimed that the ghost of a British officer visit stadium at night. (Photo Credit: Instagram)
Eden Gardens in Kolkata remains one of the iconic cricket stadiums in India. Over the years, it has hosted many historic matches and unforgettable moments in the sport. But apart from cricket, there is also a strange story linked to the stadium that many people may not know about. A content creator recently spoke about an old and mysterious tale connected to the stadium from the time when matches used manual scoreboards.
According to the story, a journalist once walked into the stadium a day before an India vs England match and noticed that a player’s name and score were already written on the board. The next day, the same player got out at exactly that score during the match. The same thing reportedly happened again with another batsman, leaving the journalist confused. An old worker claimed that the ghost of a British officer visit stadium at night.
Journalist Notices Strange Score On Manual Scoreboard
According to the content creator, “The stadium is actually very haunted, but very few people actually know about it. So long before the electronic scorecards, there used to be manual scorecards. You know, those big black scorecards we have to manually put in the name of the batsman, the player, the score, the number of runs scored, etc. During that era, there was an England vs India match. The night before the match, there was a press conference and one of the journalists just wandered into the ground. So there he saw that on the manual scorecard. There was a name of an Indian batsman, said Tendulkar and it said three runs and it said out. It basically means Tendulkar got out at 3 runs, so he said, maybe they’re just testing the scorecard, didn’t think much about it.”
“The next day, when the match started, that Indian batsman got out at the same exact score. So this journalist thought that maybe it’s just a coincidence, but in the next innings, he again went to the stadium. Before the match, he saw another batsman named there, and it said 4 runs. And when the match actually started, that Indian batsman got out again, had the 4 runs. So he was very bamboozled. Couldn’t be a coincidence. So he started asking around and they figured out, some of the old timers said that they had actually seen this happening pretty often in the stadium in India vs England match until an old drunk groundsman told them that from the nearby South Cemetery, he had seen the ghost of an old British general who comes here changes the scorecard for the Indian batsmen because he does not want them to perform against the British,” he explained.
Social Media Users React Share Mixed Reactions
Reacting to the post, a user jokingly asked, “What happened to the ghost in the 2016 T20 World Cup final match between England and West Indies when Carlos Brathwaite hit 4 sixes in 4 balls to give WI the win?”
Another shared, “Feel for the ghost. He would have made a lot of riches if he had born in this era, courtesy Dream11.”
Top-ranked tennis player Aryna Sabalenka has announced her engagement to Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis.
Sabalenka posted a video of the proposal on Instagram, accompanied with the words “You & me, forever” along with a ring and heart emoji.
The news quickly drew congratulations from fellow tennis players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Amanda Anisimova, a possible opponent for Sabalenka in the quarterfinals at the forthcoming Indian Wells tournament in the Southern California desert.
Lionel Messi put aside his aversion to politics Thursday and walked alongside Donald Trump at the White House to commemorate his club championship with Inter Miami, handing the US president a rare photo-op.
Soccer legend Lionel Messi put aside his aversion to politics Thursday and walked alongside Donald Trump at the White House to commemorate his club championship with Inter Miami, handing the US president a rare photo-op. Presidents have welcomed champions for decades to capitalize on the winning optics. But Messi’s visit stands apart as he’s long avoided presidential visits, and sports media speculated for days whether he’d actually go this time. In January 2025, Messi declined President Joe Biden’s invitation to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, citing schedule conflicts.
Trump reveled in receiving a VIP his predecessor couldn’t.
“It’s my distinct privilege to say what no American president has ever had the chance to say before: ‘Welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi,'” Trump said.
When Argentina won the World Cup in 2022 – Messi’s crowning moment – the team ghosted Argentine leader Alberto Fernandez, who invited them all to celebrate from balcony of the presidential palace. Messi even dodged Fernandez’s minister as he descended from the plane in Buenos Aires, shielded by his entourage. Argentina’s victory parade got so chaotic in Buenos Aires, with millions of fans, that Messi and others had to be airlifted by helicopters.
Even Argentina’s current President Javier Milei, who is a top Trump ally in Latin America, can’t get a selfie with the nation’s most famous man, with 512 million Instagram followers. Even after praising Messi in an event they both attended last November in Miami, Milei left without the photo any Argentine politician would move mountains to make happen.
To be sure, Messi is in an awkward spot in Argentina a few months before what stands to be his final World Cup when the albiceleste plays in the US. Milei is publicly bashing Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, the head of the country’s powerful soccer association known as AFA, who’s been loyal to Messi. Milei and Tapia have been at odds for years as Milei wants to privatize the ownership structures of Argentina’s club teams, an overhaul AFA opposes. Messi hasn’t commented on that situation.
Tapia is also under investigation in Argentina over corruption allegations linked to an opulent property with a helipad outside of Buenos Aires. Last December, he declared annual income of about $584,000 from multiple roles he holds. Tensions have flared so much between the two that Milei decided not to show up to Trump’s World Cup event in Washington last December because Tapia was going too.
Messi has crossed paths with world leaders, but often only at World Cup games and not at presidential palaces. He did go with the national squad in 2014 to meet then-President Cristina Kirchner after the team lost in the final against Germany.
England captain Harry Brook admitted that crucial fielding lapses, including dropping Sanju Samson’s catch, proved costly as his side went down to India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final. Speaking during the post-match presentation, Brook admitted that England misread the conditions early on and failed to execute their plans effectively in the field. “We thought there might have been hold, spin in the first innings, slid onto the bat nicely, and India batted well. I’ll hold my hands up and admit I made a big mistake dropping Samson. We weren’t good enough in the field. We misexecuted, and can’t afford to do that against India,” Brook said.
India capitalised on England’s mistakes to post a massive total, with Samson leading the charge with a commanding knock. The dropped chance proved particularly significant as the Indian batter went on to anchor the innings and guide his side to a formidable score on Thursday.
Despite the defeat, Brook praised young England batter Jacob Bethell for his fearless approach during the chase, highlighting his ability to take on the Indian bowling attack from the very first delivery.
“Bethell was absolutely unbelievable, he’ll earn some serious money. To see him taking it from ball one showed the world what he can do. We had a good tournament; we should be extremely proud of how we played. We stuck to it the whole game; unfortunately, we were on the wrong side,” Brook added.
Put to bat first, a fiery knock from Sanju Samson (89* in 42 balls, with eight fours and seven sixes) and cameos from Shivam Dube (43 in 25 balls, with a four and four sixes), Ishan Kishan (39 in 18 balls, with four boundaries), Hardik Pandya (27 in 12 balls, with three fours and two sixes) and Tilak Varma (21 in seven balls, with three sixes) took India to 253/7 in 20 overs.
Unbeaten till the semi-final, South Africa were knocked out of the T20 World Cup by New Zealand. The Aiden Markram side failed with both bat and ball and ended up losing at Eden Gardens by 9 wickets.
SA vs NZ: Finn Allen celebrates his hundred in T20 World Cup semi-final. (AP Photo)
It all slipped away so quickly through the fingers of South Africa that they stood there at the end of the match, heads sunken to the ground in disbelief. A team that had huffed and puffed their way into the semi-final of the T20 World Cup crushed them by nine wickets at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
South Africa, pitch-perfect till the semi-final of the competition, bombed badly on Wednesday, March 4, failing with both bat and ball. Defending a total of 169 runs, the Proteas were pummelled by New Zealand openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, who helped chase down the target in just 12.5 overs.
Edges flew to the boundaries, scoop shots connected cleanly from the middle of the bat, and catches either dropped short or landed in no man’s land – Lady Luck did not favour South Africa at all on the night. And there might be good reason for it.
South Africa made a jittery start to the game, losing Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton early in the powerplay. Aiden Markram and David Miller, two of the most senior campaigners in the South African side, had the responsibility of rescuing the Rainbow Nation from crisis, but they failed to make their chances count as well. Batting first after losing the toss, Markram, who had played exceptionally well in the tournament, ended up hitting straight to Daryl Mitchell at long-on, 13 balls after being dropped by Rachin Ravindra at mid-wicket.
Miller, South Africa’s knight in shining armour against India earlier in the tournament, ended up handing a simple high catch only two balls after Glenn Phillips had dropped a sitter at deep cover.
Luck does not favour those who make the occasion bigger than it is. Luck does not favour those who retreat into their shell the moment an important day arrives. Luck does not favour those who refuse to play the brand of cricket that has made them successful, especially on days of consequence.
If not for a sensational counter-attack from Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs at the back end of the innings, South Africa would not have crossed 160. Jansen, who has had a complicated relationship with the Eden Gardens in the past, scored 55* off just 30 balls, helping the Proteas reach a respectable total.
But Eden – where Jansen had leaked runs at eight per over in a low-scoring 2023 World Cup semi-final – came back to haunt him again. With the ball, Jansen conceded 29 runs in his first two overs in the powerplay, at a time when South Africa were desperately searching for early wickets.
There was no luck to be had for Jansen, who managed to find the edge twice, but one flew away for four while the other dropped just short of Ryan Rickelton at slip.
Those two overs set the tone for South Africa on Wednesday, as they failed to exert any pressure at all in the semi-final at the Eden Gardens.
FINN ALLEN, SEIFERT DEMOLISH SOUTH AFRICA
Finn Allen and Tim Seifert’s drives, pulls and scoops came straight off the middle of the bat. With every blow, the South African shoulders sank a little lower, with the misery finally ending in the 13th over through a lofted drive from Finn Allen – fittingly – which took him to 100* in the game.
Seifert hit 58 off 33 balls, taking New Zealand to 117 in the 10th over. By the time star pacer Kagiso Rabada finally breached Seifert’s defence, the game was effectively done.
Finn Allen, on the other hand, dominated both pacers and spinners to hit a match-winning century off just 33 balls, helping New Zealand book their first T20 World Cup final since 2021.
It was a telling indictment of the mental assurance that New Zealand possess, despite enduring several difficulties throughout this World Cup campaign.
First, they were nearly knocked out of the tournament after their loss to England in the Super 8s. Their presence in the semi-final depended on Pakistan not securing a win by a sufficient margin. The way Pakistan began their final Super 8s game against Sri Lanka, half the Kiwi team might have started packing their bags. But destiny intervened, and they were eventually able to board a flight to Kolkata.
To go from such severe uncertainty and then produce this kind of destructive performance requires immense mental resilience, and New Zealand showed that they had plenty of it.
The loss on Wednesday, marked yet another defeat for South Africa at the Eden Gardens, extending their horrible record since 2023.
The last time South Africa won a limited-overs match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata was against Ireland during the ODI World Cup 2011. They lost both their matches at the venue during the ODI World Cup 2023. Overall, the Proteas have won two out of six ODIs played at the venue and failed to win their first over T20I in Kolkata today.
MARKRAM MISSES THE TRICK
South Africa captain Aiden Markram, who was so meticulous in planning things against India, perhaps missed a trick or two at the Eden Gardens today.
Bowling against two right-handers, who love to hit pace, neither did Aiden introduce Keshav Maharaj early, nor did he give the ball to Lungi Ngidi instead of Jansen.
Maharaj, left-arm off spin bowler and one of the smartest guys in the international circuit, might have done well today.
Allen, who targetted the V both front and back of the pitch against pacers, could have been neutralised early on by the introduction of spin. However, by the time Maharaj came to bowl in the 9th over, a set Finn Allen hoicked him for a six over the cow corner. He tore into Maharaj once again in the 12th over, putting the final nail in South Africa’s coffin.
A rampaging Allen then looked in hurry, hitting Marco Jansen for 4,4,6,6,4, finishing the match off in a matter of moments. Allen needed 4 to complete his hundred when New Zealand needed 1 to win the game. A lofted drive through the V earned him the deserved century, taking the Kiwis to the final of the tournament.
DID PLAYING IN SRI LANKA HELP NEW ZEALAND?
All-rounder Rachin Ravindra, who stood on the other side when Finn Allen finished the game spoke to the broadcaster in the on-field interview. Rachin said that the experience of playing in slow turners really helped New Zealand as they were glad to receive flatter wickets and shorter dimensions in the semi-final today.
The Kiwis finally had a perfect game, bar their catching (which almost never happens), on Wednesday. They will take massive confidence from the win as they fly to Ahmedabad, after causing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
As they prepare to fly back, the coach and captain duo will once again sit down and revisit the fateful night at Eden. What went wrong will be analysed in detail — the toss, the strategy, the match-ups, the dropped chances. But deep down, they will know that this defeat was not about one moment.
It was about a night when their intensity dipped, when New Zealand surged ahead without hesitation, and when the pressure of the occasion returned to haunt them once more.
P V Sindhu has now returned to the country after pulling out of the All England Championships in Birmingham.
P V SindhuCredit: Reuters Photo
New Delhi: Two-time Olympic medal-winning Indian badminton star P V Sindhuconfessed on Tuesday that she struggled to remain calm during the three-day ordeal in Dubai, wishing it to be the first and last such experience in her life.
Sindhu was stranded in Dubai due to closure of airspace in the Gulf region following the US and Israeli bombing of Iran and the subsequent retaliation by Tehran.
She has now returned to the country after pulling out of the All England Championships in Birmingham. She was to travel to Birmingham via Dubai but could not do so due to travel disruptions.
“Obviously, there was a lot of stress. And it was scary. I think the only thing maybe was to stay calm. I know that’s not the ideal situation where you say we are calm, but we’re not inside,” Sindhu said during a media interaction facilitated by Sports Authority of India (SAI).
“Actually, it is very stressful. But I think it is an experience, I must say. And I hope it’s the first and the last experience like this way. But yeah, I think we were calm, the whole team was calm.”
Sindhu and her team, including Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, had a narrow escape after an explosion near the Dubai airport. She was scheduled to face Thailand’s Supanida Katethong in the opening round but was forced to pull out of the tournament.
She said she explored every option to travel to the UK to take part in the prestigious tournament, including going to Oman by road or to India and take a circuitous route to reach Birmingham.
“I tried every possible way but there were no flights. And (if I had even taken circuitous route), maybe I would reach on Thursday, so you can’t do anything.”
“I got a call from Emirates last evening that there are flights to India. I was sad that I couldn’t play the tournament. But my safety was very important. My life was very important. So, it’s okay now.”
“It is a bit sad that I couldn’t play. But again it’s important to be safe.” Sindhu expressed her gratitude to civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu, sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Raksha Khadse, who serves as the minister of state (MoS) for youth affairs and sports, and the Indian consular general in Dubai for helping her return to the country safely.
The entire Tendulkar family, dressed in traditional outfits, appeared delighted on the occasion of Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya’s mehndi-sangeet ceremony.
Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandok’s Mehendi Ceremony: Sachin Tendulkar poses with Anjali and Sara, WATCH (Credits: APH)
Former cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar’s son, Arjun Tendulkar, is all set to start a new chapter in his life as he is getting married to Saaniya Chandhok. While the Ambanis hosted Arjun and Saaniya a few days ago, fans can’t keep calm but are excited to catch a glimpse of the couple from their mehndi ceremony that is happening today. As the pre-wedding festivities officially begin, the pair posed for the cameras alongside Sachin, Anjali, and Sara Tendulkar.
The entire Tendulkar family, dressed in traditional outfits, appeared delighted on the occasion of Arjun and Saaniya’s mehndi-sangeet ceremony. The bride-to-be looked stunning in a shimmery silver-grey lehenga. From heavy beadwork to sequins, her outfit appeared classy. For the accessories, Saaniya went for a silver and pearl maan tikka, a multi-layered stone choker, and bangles with kaleeras. Speaking of Arjun, his outfit reflected extravagance. He wore a knee-length, structured Achkan and paired it with a jacket with matching slim-fit trousers, creating a monochromatic silhouette.
Sara Tendulkar turned heads in a rose-toned lehenga choli. The sweetheart neckline blouse with thread work and high-waisted, voluminous skirt adorned with multi-colored floral motifs, proving modern-traditional fusion is the best one can wear when it comes to pre-wedding festivities. Talking about Sachin Tendulkar, the former Indian cricketer wore a rich Emerald green silk kurta. He paired it with a sleeveless waistcoat and matching bottoms.
His wife, Anjali, opted for a timeless look that was all things elegant and royal. For her son’s sangeet. She styled herself in a navy blue silk kurta and flared sharara. The contrasting pink dupatta featuring a thin gold border added an elegant touch to her look.
Pakistan Cricket Board officials felt that since the players are rewarded for good show, they should also pay penalties for poor results.
PCB reportedly decided to fine the players after their defeat to India. (Agencies)
Pakistan cricketers have reportedly been punished by their cricket board in the wake of their disappointing performance at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The Salman Ali Agha-led outfit exited in the Super 8 round of the tournament, failing to qualify for the semi-finals.
According to The Express Tribune, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has fined each player Rs 5 million Pakistani Rupees (PKR). The decision to impose the financial penalty is said to have been taken following their first-round defeat to India in Sri Lanka last month.
The publication further reported that PCB officials felt that since players are rewarded for good performances, they should also face penalties for poor results.
PCB Central Contracts
According to reports, centrally contracted Pakistani cricketers receive annual remuneration based on the category they are placed in, divided into four tiers.
A player in Category A earns a monthly salary of 4.5 million PKR, in addition to 2.07 million PKR as a share of ICC revenue.
Category B players earn 3 million PKR per month and receive 1.5525 million PKR as their ICC share, while Category C players receive 1 million PKR per month and 1.035 million PKR as their ICC share.
Category D players earn 750,000 PKR per month and receive 517,500 PKR as their ICC share.
It’s not just the Pakistani cricketers who have severely criticised after yet another flop show. Their head coach Mike Hesson is also in the firing line.
According to reports, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi aiming to overhaul Pakistan’s T20 setup which could see Salman Agha losing captaincy.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is set to miss the All England Championships starting on Tuesday after being stranded in Dubai amid the US bombing of Iran.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is set to miss the All England Championships starting on Tuesday after being stranded in Dubai amid the US bombing of Iran and the resultant air space closure in the Gulf region. Travel disruptions have marred the build-up to the Super 1000 event, with Sindhu stuck in Dubai since Saturday after flights were suspended amid following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and the subsequent retaliation by Tehran. Sindhu and her team, including Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, had a narrow escape after an explosion near their place of stay. They were subsequently moved to a secure location as tensions flared across the Gulf.
The Indian ace was scheduled to face Thailand’s Supanida Katethong in the opening round but with Dubai airspace and airport continuing to be closed, she will be forced to pull out of the tournament.
BWF is also keeping a close watch, maintaining “real-time oversight of the situation and stand ready to assist delegations experiencing delays or route changes.” “This includes reviewing and preparing potential contingencies within the competition schedule should any players experience delayed arrival,” it said.
While Sindhu’s participation remains uncertain, some of her fellow shuttlers have managed to reach Birmingham via alternate routes of Singapore and Africa. However, it remains to be seen how the long and taxing travel will impact their preparations.
India’s top men’s singles contender Lakshya Sen and rising youngster Ayush Shetty, have reached without any travel issues. While Lakshya has drawn world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China, Ayush is up against Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan in the opening round.
For Lakshya, a former semifinalist and runner-up here, it will be another tough test against Shi, against whom he has lost four of his five previous meetings against the Chinese.
Ayush, the US Open Super 300 champion, will look to turn the tide against Farhan, having lost three of their five encounters, including the most recent one at the Indonesia Masters in January.
In women’s singles, Malvika Bansod faces a stiff opening challenge against Tokyo Olympics champion Chen Yufei of China.
Unnati Hooda, whose flight was cancelled on Sunday forcing her to travel via Africa, will need to overcome jet lag when she takes on Thailand’s eighth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong in her opener.
In men’s doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, a former world No. 1, will spearhead India’s challenge against Malaysia’s Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai in the first round.
The women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who registered back-to-back semifinal finishes at the event in 2022 and 2023, will face Japan’s Sayaka Hirota and Ayako Sakuramoto.
Sanju Samson’s sparkling unbeaten 97 kept alive India’s dream of retaining the T20 World Cup at home as they knocked out the West Indies with a five-wicket win in Kolkata on Sunday to set up a semi-final against England.
Sanju Samson’s sparkling unbeaten 97 kept alive India’s dream of retaining the T20 World Cup at home as they knocked out the West Indies with a five-wicket win in Kolkata on Sunday to set up a semi-final against England. Samson hit 12 fours and four sixes in his superb 50-ball knock in the winner-takes-all final Super Eights match to thrill a capacity 67,000 fans at a pulsating Eden Gardens. After the West Indies smacked 70 off the last five overs to score 195-4 after being asked to bat, India lost two early wickets but were always up with the required rate.
Samson, opening for the second match in succession, led the way.
When India slipped to 41-2 he was joined by captain Suryakumar Yadav (18) and the pair added 58 for the third wicket.
Tilak Varma was next to join Samson and scored 27 off 15 before departing in the 15th over with the score 141-4 and India still needing 55.
Samson stood firm and though Hardik Pandya fell for 17 India reached the target with four balls to spare to spark celebrations and fireworks.
Jason Holder and Rovman Powell earlier put on an unbroken stand of 76 for the fifth wicket to help the West Indies set the defending champions a target of 196 to stay alive.
The West Indies sprang a surprise at the top of the order, promoting Test captain Roston Chase to open alongside T20 skipper Shai Hope.
That enabled them to bring in an extra spinner, Akeal Hosein, with regular opener Brandon King left out.
In their defeat to South Africa last week the West Indies slumped to 83-7 but the new-look opening partnership was more assured.
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy got the first breakthrough, bowling Hope for a sluggish 32.
Shimron Hetmyer raced to 27 off 12 balls before falling to the faintest of edges off Jasprit Bumrah to make it 102-2.
After Chase fell for 40 and Sherfane Rutherford followed, Powell and Holder launched their brutal late assault.
Powell finished on 34 not out from 19 balls with two sixes and three fours while Holder was unbeaten on 37 off 22 balls with three sixes and two fours.
Pakistan bowed out of the T20 World Cup on Saturday despite beating Sri Lanka by five runs in their Super 8 clash in Kandy. After posting 212/8, Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or less to qualify for the semi-finals. With Sri Lanka making 207/6 in the chase, Pakistan missed out on a place in the Knockouts by 60 runs. The result allowed New Zealand to join table-toppers England in the semi-finals from Group 2 of the Super 8.
It looked achievable when Pakistan reduced Sri Lanka to 101-5 in the 12th over. But its hopes were foiled when Pavan Rathnayake and captain Dasun Shanaka led Sri Lanka to 148 in the 16th over.
But then Pakistan found itself in danger of failing to defend its highest ever T20 World Cup total, 212.
Shanaka began the last over against Shaheen Shah Afridi by slamming 4-6-6-6. Sri Lanka could pull off a heist with six runs needed off the last two balls.
But Shanaka missed trying to scoop the fifth ball and left the sixth, a yorker, thinking it was wide. It was not.
Pakistan won by five runs and bowed out of the tournament, a point behind New Zealand.
Sri Lanka were already out of semifinals contention but finished to applause from their home crowd after going down swinging.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 212/8 riding on Sahibzada Farhan’s record-breaking century and a quickfire 84 from Fakhar Zaman.
India put behind its 76-run loss to South Africa in style as the Suryakumar Yadav-led side slammed 256/4 in its second T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match against Zimbabwe
India put behind its 76-run loss to South Africa in style as the Suryakumar Yadav-led side slammed 256/4 in its second T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match against Zimbabwe. This is the second-highest team total in T20 World Cup history. India hit 17 sixes in the innings – one more six and they would have shattered Sri Lanka’s world record of 260/6 (vs Kenya, Johannesburg, 2007). This is also India’s highest total in all T20 World Cups, surpassing the 218/4 they scored against England in Durban in 2007. India’s 256/4 is also the highest total in this edition of the T20 World Cup.
The 17 sixes by India in the innings is the joint-most by the side in a T20 World Cup match surpassing 15 vs Australia in Gros Islet in 2024.
Highest Totals in T20 World Cups
260/6 – Sri Lanka vs Kenya, Johannesburg, 2007
256/4 – India vs Zimbabwe, Chennai, 2026
254/6 – West Indies vs Zimbabwe, Wankhede, 2026
235/5 – Ireland vs Oman, Colombo SSC, 2026
230/8 – England vs South Africa, Wankhede, 2016
229/4 – South Africa vs England, Wankhede, 2016
Since returning from a stomach bug, Abhishek looked a distant shadow of his dominating self, registering three ducks in a row.
But on a smooth Chepauk pitch, the left-hander found his bearings, also easing the worries of the Indian team management over the sudden slump in his form.
The 25-year-old was involved in two excellent partnerships— a 48 for the opening wicket with Sanju Samson and then a 72 off 42 balls with Ishan Kishan (38) for the following wicket — that gave the hosts a strong platform.
Re-drafting Samson into the eleven and pairing him with Abhishek proved a good move eventually as the Kerala right-hander smoked 24 off 15 balls to ease any nerves that his partner had.
Once Samson departed, lofting Blessing Muzarabani to Ryan Burl in the deep, Abhishek took charge of Indian innings.
He hammered Tino Maposo, Brian Bennett and Richard Ngarava for sixes as India stormed to 80 for one in the Power Play segment, their second best after the 86/1 made against Namibia in a group match.
The bat flow, feet movement and eye-hand coordination, which were missing in this interim, was back. He fetched his first fifty off just 26 balls with a single off spinner Sikandar Raza.
Abhishek’s belligerence and the largesse of Zimbabwe fielders helped India maintain the tempo even after the Power Play overs, scoring 81 runs between overs seven and 14.
The tourists were also guilty of modest catching effort — dropping Kishan (26) and Suryakumar Yadav (4) However, Abhishek could not further extend his innings, skying Maposa to Raza in the deep, much to Zimbabwe’s relief.
Lionel Messi opened up about his childhood education. (Getty Images via AFP)
Lionel Messi recently opened up about his regret at not learning English when he was young, saying it makes him feel ‘half-ignorant’ when interacting with famous people. Messi’s comments came during an interview with a Mexican podcast. The Argentine is currently gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and he wrapped up a sensational season with Inter Miami.
Speaking on Miro de Atras, he said, “I regret many things. Not having learned English as a boy. I had the time to have at least studied English, and I did not do it. I deeply regret it.”
“I experienced situations where I was with incredible and spectacular personalities to be able to talk and have a chat, and you feel half ignorant. I always thought: ‘What an idiot, how I wasted my time.”
Messi also revealed that now he tells his children to take advantage of the education offered to them. “I always tell my children to take advantage of it. They have a different situation from the one I had, although I never lacked anything,” he said.
Opening up on his life as a student in school, he said, “It [my last year of school in Argentina] was a disaster. I knew that I was leaving for Barcelona. At Barcelona, I finished my high school with the other children who went to [FC Barcelona’s youth academy] La Masia.”
After leaving Barcelona, Messi didn’t have a good time in France and was often jeered by PSG fans. “I was able to do everything and reach the top [in football], but along the way, there are many experiences and lessons learned,” he said.
Despite the recent slump, Abhishek Sharma vows to stick with the same mindset that has made him the most feared T20I batter currently.
Abhishek Sharma has made three ducks in his last three innings. (PTI Photo)
Abhishek Sharma, India’s new-age batting prodigy and a cornerstone of their recent T20I dominance, finds himself in the midst of an untimely slump – in the thick of a World Cup, no less. Arriving at the marquee event as the world’s top-ranked T20I batter, he has since endured three consecutive innings without scoring. With India now stepping into the Super Eights, the pressure to end that streak is mounting.
A defining trait of the 25-year-old’s game has been his intent to attack from the very first ball. More often than not, that approach has handed both him and India the perfect launchpad to seize control. Yet, while exhilarating, such high-risk aggression can misfire – as it did in the group stage, where he survived just eight deliveries across three innings.
The numbers underline the dip. He has registered five ducks in his last seven outings. Overall, six of his 40 T20I innings have ended without a run, the first coming on debut in July 2024.
India’s Super Eights campaign at the 2026 T20 World Cup will test their unbeaten momentum against similarly in-form sides. The defending champions open against South Africa, followed by Zimbabwe and then West Indies in their quest for a semi-final berth.
Behind the scenes, Abhishek has been putting in the hard yards in training, determined to rediscover his rhythm. Yet, by his own admission, he feels no burden.
“I just enjoy my batting,” he said in a video shared by Star Sports. “I stopped taking pressure two years ago because I realised the process is in my hands. Practice and training are what I can control, and that’s what I focus on. I enjoy this, so there’s no pressure as such.”
Shubman Gill gave Google CEO Sundar Pichai a batting masterclass at Google’s Gurugram office, explaining how to play the short ball using wrists and hips instead of arm extension.
Shubman Gill and Sundar Pichai at the Google office in Gurgaon. (Image: Instagram’/Shubman Gill, PTI)
In a rare overlap between the tech and cricketing worlds, India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill shared the stage with Google CEO Sundar Pichai at the tech giant’s Gurugram office for a Google India event on Saturday, February 21, where the prolific batter gave an impromptu masterclass on one of cricket’s more nuanced skills: playing the short ball.
Gill was seen addressing a question on the topic, with Pichai even having a go with the bat himself, making for an unlikely but entertaining exchange between two giants of their respective fields. The setting was a fitting one, given Google’s growing presence in India and cricket’s status as the country’s most beloved sport.
The India captain began by explaining the fundamentals of playing a conventional pull shot, stressing that arm extension is at the heart of it. “When you’re playing a pull shot, your arms need to be extended. That’s how you meet the ball and stay in full control,” Gill said. It sounds simple enough, but as he went on to explain, the margin for error is razor-thin when a batter is rushed for time.
“But when you’re late, you don’t have that much time. You realise you can’t extend your arms, so you use your wrists and your hip to generate the power instead,” he explained. It is a skill that most batters are forced into under pressure, but Gill revealed that for him, it was something he actively embraced and developed over time.
“It is not something you practise very often, because you don’t want to be practising getting caught late,” he acknowledged. “But I was also the kind of player who liked to play late. I liked the ball coming in close to me. Instead of using my arms, I’d use my wrists and my hips. That’s how I got the ball away faster,” he added.
Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan enters wedlock for the second time as he gets married to Sophie Shine in Delhi NCR.
Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine Wedding (PC: Shikhar Dhawan/Yuzvendra Chahal, X)
Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has entered wedlock once again, marrying entrepreneur Sophie Shine in a wedding ceremony filled with festive fervor. The official announcement was made by the couple through a shared post on social media.
Shikhar Dhawan marries Sophie Shine in Delhi NCR
Taking to their official social media handles, Shikhar and Sophie wrote, “Mr. & Mrs. Dhawan.” Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal also shared pictures from the wedding, captioning them, “Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai.”
Here are the posts:
The couple wore outfits crafted by Manish Malhotra. Dhawan was seen in a traditional sherwani featuring a monochromatic white-on-white palette with delicate tonal embroidery that added texture without overwhelming the look, evoking a royal aesthetic. His ensemble also included a layered emerald mala with deep forest-green stones that provided a striking contrast against the ivory fabric, along with a classic white turban.
On the other hand, Sophie wore a contemporary lehenga choli that blended traditional silhouettes with a romantic, ethereal color palette. The lehenga was embellished with soft coral, peach, and sage green floral motifs, creating a “blooming garden” effect against the ivory silk base.
The choli featured a high neckline and long sleeves adorned with cascading pearl strands, giving the appearance of built-in jewelry and adding a touch of vintage glamour. Sophie’s styling beautifully fused cultures: her hands were adorned with intricate mehendi, and she wore a delicate maang tikka. Meanwhile, her voluminous blonde waves and soft, dewy makeup lent a modern, red-carpet finish to the ensemble.
A video has hit the internet in which Hardik Pandya is seen blowing flying kisses towards Mahieka from the boundary line during the India vs Netherlands clash of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
Hardik Pandya Blows Flying Kisses Towards Girlfriend Mahieka Sharma | X
Indian star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been spotted on various occasions displaying his love for his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma in full public view. Another video has hit the internet in which Hardik Pandya is seen blowing flying kisses towards Mahieka from the boundary line during the India vs Netherlands clash of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
The video is being widely shared on social media and Hardik Pandya is praised for his love towards his girlfriend. There have been several occasions where the couple is spotted walking hand in hand in public, hugging and looking towards each other with affection.
🚨Hardik Pandya giving a flying kiss to his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma during the India vs Netherlands match.
The viral video shows Hardik Pandya staring at his girlfriend while standing on the boundary line and Mahieka being present in the stands. He also blew flying kisses towards her. He also sent flying kisses towards her while he was batting in the clash against Netherlands.
Hardik Pandya played an important knock of 30 runs against Netherlands. After the innings also he was seen in a brief interaction with his girlfriend.
Birthday Post for Mahieka
Earlier, he shared a warm birthday post for Mahieka Sharma on his official social media. He shared a private photo while the couple is seen steaming in the swimming pool in Sri Lanka and Hardik wishing her Happy Birthday, while calling Mahieka his princess.
Hardik Pandya’s Performance So Far
Hardik Pandya has had a decent run in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 so far with several ups and downs.
Hardik scored 5 runs against USA in the opener
52 against Namibia
Got dismissed for a duck against Pakistan
Scored 30 runs against Netherlands
Despite the ups and downs, Hardik remains to be an important player in the squad and a match-winner for the Indian team.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi delivered a stinging rebuttal to Shadab Khan’s criticism of past players, after the all-rounder highlighted their failure to defeat India in World Cups.
One of the greatest players ever to represent Pakistan, Shahid Afridi, was not pleased with the criticism he and some of his contemporaries received from Shadab Khan. After Pakistan’s defeat against India in the T20 World Cup 2026, Shadab became one of the targets for former players, who questioned the all-rounder’s place in the side. Shadab, in response, hit back, saying that at least he had been part of the Pakistan team that defeated India once in ICC events, something the previous generation had failed to achieve. Afridi, however, was unimpressed to see Shadab responding with words rather than with the bat and ball.
Speaking on a Pakistani news channel, Afridi said that the Pakistan team, which defeated India in the 2021 T20 World Cup could not handle the success they achieved.
“Shadab ne bilkul theek kaha. Hum nahi jeete, wo jeete. Unhe izzat mili par wo izzat sambhaal nahi paaye. 2021 ke baad unhone jab kar diya, tab unke aapas ke problems sambhaal nahi paaye, as an individual nahi sambhaal paaye, as a team nahi sambhaal paaye. (Shadab said absolutely right. We didn’t win, they won. They got respect, but they couldn’t handle that respect. After 2021, when they achieved something, they couldn’t manage their internal problems-neither individually, nor as a team),” he said on Samaa TV.
Afridi also pointed out that he had supported Shadab when the all-rounder’s place in the team was under scrutiny, but Shadab seems to have forgotten that now.
“Shadab ko ye bhi pata hona chahiye ki jab usse performances nahi ho rahi thi, tab team se bahar kiya jaa raha tha, hum hi TV channels pe baith kar bolte they ki Shadab backbone hai, Shadab ke overs bohot important hain, batting bhi kar leta hai. Honestly bataun, Shadab is a very good boy. Bohot acche se sabse milta hai. (Shadab should also know that when he wasn’t performing, he was being dropped from the team. At that time, we were the ones sitting on TV channels saying that Shadab is the backbone, his overs are very important, and he can also bat. Honestly speaking, Shadab is a very good boy. He meets everyone very nicely),” Afridi remarked.
Answer Through Performances: Afridi to Shadab
Pakistan managed to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s despite some questionable performances. Afridi reminded Shadab that his only notable contribution came against Namibia, while sterner challenges lie ahead.
“Hum bhi jab cricket khelte they, hamare baare mein bhi bohot baatein ki hain ex-cricketers ne. Lanat hai tak bola gaya tha. Hamne unko bardasht kiya aur performances ki, choti team ke khilaaf nahi, badi team ke khilaaf. Hum performance se jawaab dete they. (Even when we used to play cricket, ex-cricketers said a lot of things about us too. They even said ‘Lanat hai’ (curse). We tolerated it and responded with performances, not against small teams, but against big teams. We answered through performance),” the former Pakistan captain continued.
Mohsin Naqvi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, was present in Colombo during the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match. The much-hyped game took place after a long-drawn drama that saw Pakistan making a boycott threat and then taking a U-turn. The drama ended late on February 9, after the Pakistan government allowed its cricket team to take the field against India on February 15. Before the U-turn, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Aminul Islam Bulbul requested Pakistan to play the match. Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also called Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif.
After the match, Naqvi met Dissanayake and called him the “actual hero”.
“First of all, warm greetings from the President of Pakistan (Asif Ali Zardari) and the Prime Minister of Pakistan (Shehbaz Sharif). They specially asked me to convey their greetings to you. Actually, in yesterday’s match, you were the actual hero because 2 billion people were entertained because of you. So, it is only because of you that we played the match,” Mohsin Naqvi told Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in a meeting.
“We were having several issues regarding playing with India, but as soon as the Prime Minister received your call, he called me up and said, ‘There is no more issue… we have to play the match. That’s it.’ I am very thankful to you that you played a very critical role in this.”
India secured a dominant 61-run victory over Pakistan on Sunday, marking the team’s third straight win in the tournament. India’s victory was built on a superb 77-run knock from Ishan Kishan, who once again proved his value at the top of the order.
What Happened Before the U-Turn
The boycott crisis got resolved on February 9 after negotiations between International Cricket Council (ICC), PCB and the BCB. Pakistan had earlier said it decided to boycott the India game showing solidarity with Bangladesh, who were axed from the tournament after refusing to tour India for the event.
First, BCB chief Islam issued a statement in Dhaka expressing his gratitude towards Pakistan for backing his country but requested that the team show up for the high-profile game for the greater good of the sport.
“We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish,” Islam said. “Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem,” he added.
Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also called Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif. “The Sri Lankan President requested the Prime Minister to accord serious consideration to amicably resolve the current impasse,” the Pakistan government said in its statement.
“During their warm and friendly conversation, they recalled that Pakistan and Sri Lanka had always stood shoulder to shoulder, especially during challenging times.”
Soon after, the ICC issued a statement in Dubai saying it would not penalise Bangladesh for refusing to play in India. The country has already been replaced by Scotland in the tournament roster.
Australia hit an all-time low after failing to qualify for the Super Eight stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The 2021 champions lost to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in the group stage. The Men in Yellow’s exit is an unprecedented moment in cricket history.
Australia hit an all-time low with a group stage exit Photo : AP
The Australian cricket team has sunk to an embarrassing low after they were knocked out of the 2026 T20 World Cup as the game between Zimbabwe and Ireland at the Pallekele International Stadium on Tuesday (February 17), which ensured that the two teams shared points. This means that the Sikandar Raza-led team has sealed their spot in the Super eight spot of the tournament, which means that neither Australia nor Ireland were knocked out of the tournament, while Sri Lanka had already qualified for the second round.
The 2021 champions came into the tournament as pre-tournament favourites alongside India and South Africa, but have had a campaign to forget, which was troubled with several injuries. Australia were beaten by Zimbabwe in their second game of the tournament by 23 runs before losing by seven wickets to co-hosts Sri Lanka yesterday.
Australia Hit All-Time Low
The result means that Australia has missed out on making the semi-finals (SF) for the third time in a row. After winning the title in 2021, they were knocked out in the Super 12 stage in the 2022 edition at home as a solitary defeat in their tournament opener to New Zealand proved costly. Later, their campaign ended in the Super Eight stage in 2024 after a first-ever defeat against Afghanistan, as well as a loss to eventual champions India.
This marks the first time since the first-ever men’s senior ICC tournament was played 51 years ago (1975 World Cup) that Australia have failed to make the SF of an event for three consecutive occasions. It is the sixth time in 10 editions that the cricketing giants have not made the last four of the T20 World Cup.
This is only the second time Australia has failed to reach a Super 6/8/12 or Quarter-final of an ICC event, alongside the 2009 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, when they were knocked out in the group stage after losing both their games against Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
While the Men in Yellow crashed out in the first round of the Cricket World Cup in 1979, 1983, and 1992, there was neither a Super 6/8/12 that year nor a quarter-finals and team directly qualified for the semi-finals from the group stage in those tournaments. Similarly, top-ranked teams in the T20 World Cups of 2016 and 2022 were given a bye to the Super 12 phase, and hence, they did not feature in the group stage.
The owner of Ukrainian football club Shakhtar Donetsk has donated more than $200,000 to skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych after the athlete was disqualified from the Milano Cortina Winter Games before competing over the use of a helmet depicting Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia, the club said on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old Heraskevych was disqualified last week when the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation jury ruled that imagery on the helmet — depicting athletes killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 — breached rules on athletes’ expression at the Games.
Mykhailo Heraskevych, father and coach of Vladyslav Heraskevych of Ukraine reacts after he gets disqualified for wearing a helmet in tribute to athletes who have died amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine after a scheduled meeting with IOC President Kirsty Coventry REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Purchase Licensing Rights
He then lost an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport hours before the final two runs of his competition, having missed the first two runs due to his disqualification.
Heraskevych had been allowed to train with the helmet that displayed the faces of 24 dead Ukrainian athletes for several days in Cortina d’Ampezzo where the sliding centre is but the International Olympic Committee then warned him a day before his competition started that he could not wear it there.
“Vlad Heraskevych was denied the opportunity to compete for victory at the Olympic Games, yet he returns to Ukraine a true winner,” Shakhtar President Rinat Akhmetov said in a club statement.
“The respect and pride he has earned among Ukrainians through his actions are the highest reward. At the same time, I want him to have enough energy and resources to continue his sporting career, as well as to fight for truth, freedom and the remembrance of those who gave their lives for Ukraine,” he said.
The amount is equal to the prize money Ukraine pays athletes who win a gold medal at the Games.
The case dominated headlines early on at the Olympics, with IOC President Kirsty Coventry meeting Heraskevych on Thursday morning at the sliding venue in a failed last-minute attempt to broker a compromise.
Pathum Nissanka turned a tricky chase into a walk in the park with a belligerent 52-ball 100 to power Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket win over Australia and secure their place in the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup.
Opener Pathum Nissanka turned a tricky chase into a walk in the park with a belligerent 52-ball 100 to power Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket win over Australia and secure their place in the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup on Monday. Set a record target of 182 at this venue, Sri Lanka rode on Nissanka’s unbeaten knock and Kusal Mendis’s 38-ball 51 to complete the task in 18 overs and leave Australia’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread.. Pavan Rathnayake remained not out on 28 off 15 balls. Nissanka smashed 10 fours and five sixes during his match-winning knock.
Australia will now need to win by a massive margin against Oman in their final match and rely on both Sri Lanka and Ireland to beat Zimbabwe to have any sort of outside chance whatsoever. In fact if Zimbabwe manage to beat Ireland on Thursday, then Australia will be knocked out even before meeting Oman in their last group league game.
Earlier, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head blazed away to explosive fifties before Sri Lanka rallied to bowl out Australia for 181..
Coming back into the playing XI after missing the team’s first two matches of the tournament due to an injury, Marsh got into the act straightaway, clobbering 54 in 27 balls.
Head was equally brutal during his 29-ball 56, as the opening duo added 104 runs in less than nine overs to set Australia up for a 200-plus total.
But the Sri Lankans did much better in the back 10, with leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha (3/37 in 4 overs) emerging as the most successful bowler for the home team. The last four wickets fell for only six runs.
In the chase, Sri Lanka copped an early blow when Kusal Perera failed to connect properly with a Marcus Stoinis ball and ended up slicing it to the deep backward point fielder.
The packed stands at the Pallekele International Stadium went quiet, but the duo of Nissanka and Mendis had other ideas as they added 97 runs for the second wicket to keep Sri Lanka ahead at the halfway stage of their innings.
With 89 needed from 60 balls and with nine wickets in hand, Sri Lanka fancied their chances of overhauling the target..
But Stoinis struck again, as Kusal Mendis hit one straight to the fielder at deep mid-wicket to give Australia an opening. However, there was no stopping Nissanka..
Earlier, the move to field first backfired on the Sri Lankans as Australia got off to a rollicking start with Marsh and Head marking their reunion with a flurry of fours and sixes.
Following their 23-run defeat to Zimbabwe, Australia began the game in earnest, collecting as many as 16 runs in the very first over by Dushmantha Chameera.
Marsh started his innings in great style as he punched one beautifully off the back foot through the off-side.
Head clipped a Chameera half-volley off his pads to get off the mark with a four before Marsh pulled the pacer for a six over midwicket.
Head got two fours against Maheesh Theekshana to maintain the momentum..
If the early onslaught by Head and Marsh was not enough, Sri Lanka suffered a massive blow in the third over when Matheesha Pathirana, the 23-year-old slinger, hobbled off the field after suffering a hamstring injury, leaving Dasun Shanaka to complete the over.
Shanaka was whacked through point for a boundary by Head in his first ball, and then the left-handed power-hitter clobbered the bowler over deep square leg and into the stands for a big maximum.
Marsh smashed Maheesh Theekshana for five successive boundaries as Australia raced to 70 for no loss in the power play.
Hoping to arrest the free flow of runs, skipper Shanaka introduced leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha into the attack, and Head welcomed him with a six and a four, and in the next over, Marsh plonked left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage for a four and a maximum.
Marsh brought Australia’s hundred with a six off Hemantha.
Shoaib Akhtar made a desperate attempt to change his stance after calling the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi “incompetent and illiterate”.
Pakistan pace great Shoaib Akhtar did not even wait 24 hours before making an embarrassing U-turn on the comments he had made against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi. Speaking on an Indian news channel, Akhtar had called Naqvi “incompetent and illiterate”. However, the Rawalpindi Express had a dramatic change of heart when he appeared as an expert on a Pakistani news channel, where he made a desperate attempt to retract his statement but struggled to do so.
Speaking on Pakistani outlet ARY News, Akhtar explained that his usage of the words “incompetent and illiterate” was in the larger context of the game in Pakistan and not directed towards Mohsin Naqvi “bhai”.
“The words ‘incompetent and jaahil (illiterate)’ that I used were not meant for Mohsin Naqvi bhai. It looked like I said those words for him. The incompetency topic I spoke about was from a broader perspective: that such a person can destroy any institution. My hint was not towards Mohsin Naqvi (said while fumbling repeatedly) but the top brass that is running international cricket. But the television channel twisted it. In the same programme, I also said that we should not say wrong things about Mohsin Naqvi, he is a good guy. He wants to help Pakistan cricket but does not get the right advice,” Akhtar said on the show.
The former Pakistan pacer also admitted that he is indeed angry with Naqvi, but for the U-turn he made on the boycott stance against India in the T20 World Cup, and not for the way he is running the PCB.
“I am angry with him as he took a stand but did not stick with it. The entire community was with him. He could have asked me about taking the U-turn,” Akhtar further said.
What Shoaib Akhtar First Said on Mohsin Naqvi
During a chat on ABP News, Akhtar had said that a person like Mohsin Naqvi is not fit to hold the position of chairman in the PCB.
“If you make me the chairman of a channel, how would I know how to run it? Now there is a person who does not know, and he is the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. So what can be done now? How will the team function like this?”
“Do you know what the biggest crime in the world is? Giving a big job to an incompetent and illiterate person,” he had further said.
Shoaib Akhtar on Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi
During the chat on ARY News, Shoaib Akhtar also spoke about the criticism Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi – two of the team’s superstar players – are receiving after the India match. He said Babar is not even built to play T20 cricket while Shaheen seems to be unfit at the moment.
Ishan Kishan merged power with finesse for a fifty before Jasprit Bumrah destroyed Pakistan top-order with his malevolently talented right-arm, powering India to a T20 World Cup Super Eight berth clinching one-sided 61-run win in Colombo on Sunday. Kishan’s supersonic 77 (40b) on a tacky Premadasa pitch was worth its weight in gold, carrying India to a competitive 175 for seven after they were asked to bat first. It was easily one of the most entertaining T20I knocks by an Indian batter if one factors in degree of difficulty. The 61-run win is India’s ‘biggest’ in terms of run-margin over Pakistan in T20I format.
Pakistan needed a strong Power Play segment to chase 176 on this surface. But Bumrah (2/17) and Hardik Pandya (2/16) jettisoned big-hitting Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha to bowl out them for 114, reducing the much-anticipated match into a no-contest. India now lead 8-1 in all T20 World Cup encounters.
Pandya started the bedlam in the first over of Pakistan’s chase, as his snorter got big on Farhan and he could only sky it to Rinku Singh.
Entered the irrepressible Bumrah. The premier pacer unleashed himself on Pakistan batters in his first over itself.
Ayub could not handle a devilish inswinging yorker to get caught in front of the wicket.
Agha was as clueless as an exchange student in a foreign country against Bumrah’s back of length delivery, scooping it to Panyda at mid-wicket.
Pakistan was in all sorts of trouble at 13 for three, and which soon became 34 for four after Babar Azam’s horrendous slog sweep off Axar Patel saw his stumps getting rearranged.
Their Powerplay produced 38 for four compared to India’s 52 for one, and that massive difference continued to widen as the match progressed.
Pakistan did not have either skill or resolve to get out of the marshy land, and continued to perish against Indian spinners through the middle overs as Kuldeep Yadav, Axar, Tilak Varma and Varun Chakravarthy kept them under an unbreakable spell.
Earlier, Kishan shared an 87-run alliance with Tilak for the second wicket in which the latter’s contribution was a princely 11.
The match, which had several preceding dramatic weeks because of the admixture of sports and politics, started off on an unusual note as Pakistan skipper Agha brought himself on for off-spin and accounted for Abhishek Sharma.
The off-spin continued through Ayub (3/25) in the power play and it fetched the desired result.
Abhishek went for a loft off Agha but could not clear Shaheen Shah Afridi at the edge of the circle in the final ball of the first over.
But for the next 7.4 overs, Kishan converted the Premadasa into his own little kingdom, shots flying all around the vast corners of this venue.
The left-hander started with an arrogant chin-high pull off pacer Afridi that thundered into the hoardings beyond the mid-wicket fence.
But that was a mere appetizer. The Jharkhand man soon dismantled an armada of Pakistan spinners.
Agha and Ayub were dispatched for a four each, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was carted for a six and four off successive deliveries.
The four was a spectacular shot. Despite the slowness of the deck, Kishan lent power and placement to the late cut through his malleable wrists, forcing the ball sped to the third man fence.
Later, leg-spinner Shadab Khan too was clobbered for a six as Kishan raced to his fifty in just 27 balls, impressive considering the less than ideal conditions for shot-making and an opposition, who has already played a couple of matches in this part of the world.
Tilak did not precisely struggle, but did not look entirely comfortable either as Kishan took it upon himself the duties of pushing the score ahead.
But Kishan’s attempt to give himself space and carve Ayub over mid-wicket had disastrous consequences.
He missed the ball altogether to lose the bails as Pakistani players heaved a sigh of relief.
From there, they clawed back, and Ayub was at the forefront of their revival.
The offie jettisoned Tilak (25, 24b) and Hardik Pandya (0) off consecutive deliveries as India suddenly slipped to 126 for four from 126 for two in the 15th over.
ILIA MALININ has been hailed for the “poise” and “class” he showed after choking the men’s free skating gold medal he was tipped to win.
Malinin, 21, had held a stranglehold on the discipline and arrived at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on an unbeaten streak dating back to 2023.
Malinin had been the dominant force in men’s figure skatingCredit: Getty
The American has also embraced his ‘Quad God’ nickname, born out of the mind-boggling quad axel he became the first skater to land four years ago.
But two shock falls in the free skate wiped out the five-point lead he had built up in the short program – and dropped him all the way down to EIGHTH.
Despite appearing close to tears at the end of his routine and missing out on a medal, Malinin swiftly regained his composure and showed his class.
The skating megastar firstly congratulated Kazakhstan‘s surprise winner, Mikhail Shaidorov, who had been a 100-1 shot leading up to the Games.
And then he faced the media, where he was peppered with tough questions.
Malinin said, “It’s a lot to handle. The pressure of the Olympics really is something different.
“I felt like I was ready, but it just went by so fast. Mentally, it was a weird feeling.
“I had so many thoughts and memories flood in right before I got into my starting pose. It might have overwhelmed me a little bit.
“I’m still so grateful that I was able to put in this work and effort to get to where I am. But it was not the skate that I wanted.
“I just blew it. It just didn’t happen for me. I just need to look to the future and make sure this never happens again.”
A medal may have slipped through Malinin’s fingers but he earned a boatload of new admirers.
Impressed fans flocked to social media to praise his conduct in a highly emotional aftermath.
One X user wrote, “Big kudos to Malinin for answering with such poise and grace after one of the worst moments of his young life.”
Another posted, “That was impressive to watch. Incredible poise for a 21-yr-old.”
A third commented, “That kid can wear the American flag with pride. He is just 21, had a lifetime heartbreaking moment in front of the entire world, and showed immense class in immediately congratulating the champ AND stepping up for an interview.”
A fourth replied, “Credit him for manning up for an interview afterwards. That had to be difficult.”
And another chimed in with, “All class from the Quad God.”
Mohammad Hafeez has claimed that the chatter around Usman Tariq is a psychological win for Pakistan over India ahead of their T20 World Cup clash on Sunday, February 15. Hafeez feels that the spinner has created panic within the Indian camp.
Usman Tariq has been the centre of conversation ahead of India vs Pakistan (Courtesy: PTI)
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez feels that the chatter around Usman Tariq is already a psychological win for Salman Ali Agha and his side over India ahead of their T20 World Cup clash on Sunday, February 15. Tariq and his unorthodox bowling style have been the talk of the town ever since he made his international debut and especially in the build-up to the India vs Pakistan match.
Both Agha and India captain Suryakumar Yadav were asked questions about the spinner during the pre-match press conferences, with fans and pundits on both sides commenting on the impact he could have on the game. Tariq has played just four T20Is for Pakistan and has 11 wickets to his name, averaging 7.9. While previewing the India vs Pakistan game, Hafeez pointed out how there is panic within the Indian camp about the spinner, and special practice is being done to tackle him.
“If we go inside the cricketing aspect, the hype created around Usman Tariq is another psychological victory for us. Right now, no one is talking about Babar Azam or any other player. People are talking only about Usman Tariq. He has played just one or two games for Pakistan, but just imagine the amount of panic he has created in the Indian camp. They are specifically practicing against him in their sessions.”
“How many times have you seen so much discussion about just one player? The entire media, the hype, the world — they are not only thinking about the match result, but about what Usman Tariq will do tomorrow,” said Hafeez.
HOW SHOULD PAKISTAN USE TARIQ VS INDIA?
Hafeez claimed that Tariq is a strong character and can single-handedly win matches for Pakistan. He urged Agha to only use the spinner as an attacking option, where he feels the 28-year-old can create the best impact during the clash against India.
“Now I want to see how positively Salman Agha makes decisions as captain and how he uses Usman Tariq. If he uses him defensively, nothing will work for Pakistan. You need an attacking mindset when you use Usman Tariq. It could even be the sixth over, which I believe is always a very important over for a bowling unit — usually bowled by your most impactful bowler.”
As India prepares to face Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026, airfare from Delhi to Colombo has surged by 500%, with economy tickets now costing around Rs 1,10,000. The R.Premadasa Stadium, with a capacity of 35,000, is sold out for this highly anticipated match on February 15, 2026.
India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Clash in Colombo Triggers Insane Airfare Explosion. Photo : TN Sports Desk
IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2026, Colombo: As the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian side gears up to take on Salman Ali Agha’s Pakistan in the much-anticipated, high-voltage clash at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the airfares from Delhi to Colombo seem to have hit a record high with a 500 per cent hike in plane tickets. The normal ticket fares from India to Sri Lanka roughly range from Rs 16,000 to Rs 17,000, which has now touched Rs 1,10,000 in economy. Goes without saying that it will be a full house, with every ticket officially sold out in the 35000-capacity stadium.
While the prices are expected to only rise from here on, with the match scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 15, 2026, the business class fares have soared to approximately Rs 2,00,000, and with every passing moment, the chances of getting on a plane to reach Colombo as a last-minute arrangement to watch the match are out of the question. The Indian team and the Pakistan team are reportedly staying in different hotels, and all nearby hotels have been booked to capacity.
The Group A encounter between the two sub-continental giants has been valued at approximately USD 250 million, and India, historically, has been the better team by a country mile in the ICC events. On Sunday, it won’t be any different as the Men in Blue, having defeated the Men in Green, on as many as three occasions when they last met in the Asia Cup 2025, will again start as outright favourites to win the match.
T20 World Cup 2026: How the IND-PAK Rivalry Doubled Your Travel Budget
Category
Details
Normal Economy Fare (India–Sri Lanka)
₹16,000 – ₹17,000
Current Economy Fare
~₹1,10,000 approximately
Current Business Class Fare
~₹2,00,000 approximately
Match Date
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Venue Capacity
35,000
Ticket Status
Officially sold out (Full house expected)
Travel Trend
Airfares expected to rise further closer to match day
Last-Minute Travel Feasibility
Nearly impossible due to availability and soaring prices
Team Accommodation
Indian team and Pakistan team staying in separate hotels
Hotel Availability
All hotels near the venue booked to full capacity
However, in a match where fortunes can turn at the drop of a hat, careers are made or broken, previous encounters, favourites tag, and win-loss percentages hardly decide the outcome of the game. India have won both their games against the USA and Namibia in the tournament, while Pakistan, having survived the Dutch scare in their opening match, seem to have settled down pretty well, and are coming off a comprehensive win against the Americans.
T-shirts on the Olympics online store commemorating past venues include one for the 1936 Games in Berlin. Nazi Germany hosted both the Winter and Summer Olympics that year, as it was starting to ramp up its repression.
The T-shirt uses artwork that has been used in the past to commemorate the eventImage: Screenshot shop.olympics.com
A commemorative T-shirt on the Olympics online store marking the 1936 Games in Berlin under Adolf Hitler’s National Socialist, or Nazi, government caught the eye of German media on Wednesday.
The shirt shows a man wearing a laurel wreath, the quadriga chariot drawn by four horses atop the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and core details like the dates and location of the Summer Games in the capital.
It’s part of a collection of shirts for each of the modern-era Games, but, nonetheless, references probably the most politically contentious ones.
There are no references to Hitler’s government or its symbols and iconography on the shirt.
Early TV and radio-era games, first Olympic torch relay
The Games had already been awarded to Germany before the Nazis came to power, but hosting both the winter and summer events in 1936 provided Hitler’s regime with a stage to showcase the government and country internationally.
Technological advancements like television and radio enabled the propaganda-reliant regime to double down on these efforts, with Joseph Goebbels paying particular attention to the event.
The 1936 Games included the first Olympic torch relay of the modern era, a fact that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) commemorated online in 2020 to considerable public backlash because it used Nazi propaganda footage to recall the event.
Berlin Games took place as repression was starting to scale up
The Nazis tried to put a respectable foot forward for the event, removing antisemitic slogans and graffiti from Berlin’s streets and shop windows, moving those it deemed “undesirables” out of the capital, and toning down the rhetoric in its racist newspaper Der Stürmer.
But, nevertheless, the first signs of the coming Holocaust and of Hitler’s ambitions for wars of conquest were starting to materialize for those watching Germany closely.
In the run-up to the Berlin Olympics in 1936, Nazi Germany remilitarized the Rhineland area on its western border, which its forces had been ordered to vacate after defeat in World War I. It implemented the “four-year plan” designed to prepare the economy and the military for war.
It stripped Roma and Jews of their voting rights that March, a month after the Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The leader of the SS black shirts, Heinrich Himmler, was named the chief of German police a few weeks before the summer’s Berlin Games.
Internationally, Hitler’s government signed its first treaties with future “Axis” allies Japan and Italy in 1936, and provided support to the nationalists under General Francisco Franco in Spain’s civil war.
Only a partial propaganda success for Hitler
The event did not prove satisfactory for Hitler.
Although Germany led the overall medal tally, the United States dominated some of the highest-profile track-and-field events at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
Hitler had wanted to attend and award all German winners with their gold medals, but only the German winners. He was reprimanded by the IOC when he left the stadium to avoid shaking the hand of high jumper Cornelius Johnson as he won the first US gold medal.
The head of the IOC at the time told Hitler he could either congratulate all the gold medalists, or none, so the dictator elected to honor none for the remainder of the Games.
In a late night development PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi requested the country’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to withdraw the boycott.
The India vs Pakistan match will go ahead as per schedule. Credit: PTI photo
The India vs Pakistan marquee clash in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled to be held on February 15 will go ahead as per schedule after Pakistan decided to reverse its earlier decision to boycott the game.
In a late night development Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi requested the country’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to withdraw the boycott of their T20 World Cup match against India after being persuaded to do so by his Bangladesh counterpart.
Bangladesh were ousted from the World Cup after refusing to play in India citing security concerns with Scotland replacing them.
“In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the Pakistan government stated in a press release.
It was clear that the country would withdraw the call after Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Aminul Islam issued a statement urging Pakistan to take the field for the greater good of the game.
“…this decision has been taken with the aim of protecting the spirit of cricket, and to support the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations,” the statement from Pakistan government added.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also received a call from Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who urged him to withdraw the boycott call.
“The Sri Lankan President requested the Prime Minister to accord serious consideration to amicably resolve the current impasse.”
India-Pakistan cricket row: Pakistan had earlier decided to boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 clash against arch-rivals India, despite being warned by the ICC regarding the potential consequences.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put forward three demands to end its ongoing impasse with the International Cricket Council (ICC), according to NDTV sources. Pakistan had earlier decided to boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 clash against arch-rivals India, despite being warned by the ICC regarding the potential consequences. According to sources, the PCB placed three demands to break the deadlock during a meeting with ICC officials in Lahore on Sunday: (1) increased compensation for Bangladesh, (2) a participation fee for Bangladesh despite its T20 World Cup ouster, and (3) hosting rights for a future ICC event.
1. Increased compensation for Bangladesh: Bangladesh is seeking a higher financial share from the ICC to reflect its growing contribution to global cricket. The board argues that enhanced funding is essential for improving infrastructure, talent development, and the national team’s competitive standards.
2. Participation fee despite T20 World Cup ouster: Even though Bangladesh exited early, the board wants the ICC to grant a guaranteed participation fee. They argue that teams invest heavily in preparation and deserve baseline financial security regardless of tournament performance.
3. Hosting rights for a future ICC event: Bangladesh is pushing for the opportunity to host an upcoming ICC tournament to boost its cricket economy and global visibility. The board believes the country now has the facilities and fan support necessary to successfully stage a major international event.
Mohsin Naqvi To Meet Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif
Sources also revealed that while some PCB officials are open to playing the match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, board chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains uncooperative on the matter. Naqvi is set to meet with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday to consult him once again before a final decision is reached.
The ICC removed Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup last month following its refusal to travel to India, citing security concerns. Despite the ICC’s assurance that there was no verifiable threat to the team, the BCB maintained its stance, forcing the ICC to replace them with Scotland.
Since then, Pakistan has thrown its weight behind Bangladesh. In addition to the ICC meeting, Naqvi and other PCB officials held a dialogue with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Aminul Islam Bulbul regarding the impasse.
This sudden change in tone follows the ICC’s request for an explanation on how the force majeure clause could justify a refusal to play, especially after the PCB attempted to shift responsibility onto its government.
Siraj admitted he was left stunned when Suryakumar Yadav first called to tell him to get ready for a last-minute link-up with India’s T20 World Cup squad.
Mohammed Siraj received a call from Suryakumar Yadav before officially getting picked in T20 World Cup. (AP)
Mohammed Siraj justified his late inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup squad, drafted in after Harshit Rana’s injury, with a sensational spell in the tournament opener against the USA, giving the team management instant returns on their call. There was no hint of rustiness from Siraj, who returned figures of 3/29 and once again proved he’s always prepared to step up for the side. Drafted straight into the XI after Jasprit Bumrah missed out due to illness, he made an immediate impact, striking early blows to derail the USA’s chase.
Meanwhile, Siraj admitted he was left stunned when skipper Suryakumar Yadav first called to tell him to get ready for a last-minute link-up with India’s T20 World Cup squad. Recounting the whirlwind behind his sudden inclusion, the pacer spoke about initially brushing off Surya’s message as a joke — only for a follow-up call from the selectors to confirm that his unexpected return to the national setup was very real.
“Two days Surya bhai said: “Miyaan bags pack kaar aur aaja (Pack your bags and come (to Mumbai)). I told him “Bhai mazaak maat karo kyon ki yeh to honewala hain nahi (Brother please don’t joke as this won’t happen). But he said ‘mai sach keh raha hoon, ready ho ja’ (I am telling you the truth, get ready).
“Then (India selector Pragyan) Ojha bhai called me… Whatever the almighty has written, no one can change that,” an elated Siraj narrated his comeback story in the post-match presentation.
When asked about how he had planned for the break in February after playing a couple of Ranji Trophy matches for Hyderabad, Siraj said, “There is a Real Madrid game on 15th and I was going to watch it and after that Ramzan, but whatever the almighty has written…”
In fact, when the team’s S&C coach, Adrian Le Roux, had messaged him asking “what’s the plan”, Siraj had replied: “‘Don’t message me right now because I have played two four-day games and I need rest. I will see after this what the plan is.”
“I had understood that I won’t be a part of T20 WC squad”
Siraj admitted his late entry into India’s T20 World Cup squad still felt surreal, as he reflected on boarding the flight without ever expecting to be part of the tournament after being out of the T20I plans for much of the past year.
“It was feeling like a dream when I was on the flight, because I had not thought about playing in the World Cup,” Siraj said.
“The planning was going on for the last one year, those who were bound to play in this were getting the chances and since I had not played T20Is, I had understood that I won’t be a part of it,” he added.
A warming climate and the use of artificial snow is making it more dangerous and difficult to compete at the Winter Olympics.
In the Italian Dolomites, snow machines will pump out a total of 50,000 cubic metres (1.76 million cubic feet) of artificial snow over the next two weeks, to ensure pristine conditions for the skiing and snowboarding events at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Situated at an altitude of 1,816m (5,958ft), Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites, has plenty of snowfall. Despite this, event organisers tell the BBC that artificial snow will account for 85% of total snow at the Games, “to guarantee athletes the highest-quality surface, ensuring fair and safe competition conditions throughout the entire event”.
But coaches, athletes and researchers have expressed concerns about the use of artificial snow, which they say is making snow sports more unpredictable and dangerous, increasing their risk of injury and making training more difficult and expensive.
It’s the difference between falling on the pavement and falling on grass – Madeleine Orr
It has been almost 50 years since artificial snow was first used at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. In the past decade, event organisers have become increasingly reliant on the technology to maintain conditions as mountain snowfall continues to decline globally and snow seasons have become shorter. The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing were the first Games to depend entirely on artificial snow.
Britain’s most decorated Paralympian Menna Fitzpatrick tells the BBC that “with winter conditions changing so much, artificial snow plays a big role in keeping races running and the calendar consistent”. The Para-Alpine skier, who has six Paralympic medals, says that “from a racing point of view, that reliability is really important”. Fitzpatrick will be competing at the Paralympics in early March after recovering from a serious knee injury in December.
Falling harder
But reliability comes with risks. Athletes are at greater likelihood of injury when competing on artificial snow, which is harder, icier and denser than natural snow, as it traps less air in its structure, according to a 2022 report by Loughborough University in the UK.
“It’s the difference between falling on the pavement and falling on grass,” says Madeleine Orr, one of the report’s authors and an assistant professor of sport ecology at the University of Toronto in Canada and formerly at Loughborough, whose research focuses on how climate change impacts sport. She says she has noticed trends in the data on injury rates. “People aren’t falling more on artificial snow, but when they do fall, it’s a harder surface, and therefore there is a higher risk of injury.”
In the 2022 report, athletes and coaches expressed concern about the increase in injuries and the impact climate change is having on training and competitive events.
When “freestyle super pipes are formed from snow-making machines in a poor [natural snow] season, the walls of the pipe are solid, vertical ice and the pipe floor is solid ice,” says Laura Donaldson, a Scottish freestyle skier, who competed at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. “This is dangerous for athletes, some have died.”
However not all athletes feel artificial snow use is a significant change. “As athletes we’re pretty used to training and racing in all sorts of environments, so artificial snow is just another part of that,” says Fitzpatrick. “I grew up skiing on indoor slopes in Britain, so it’s never really felt out of the ordinary for me,” she adds.
“Ski racing will always come with risks, and that’s something we all accept,” she says. “Injuries are part of the sport, and while we work hard to reduce the risks, there are so many variables that I don’t see artificial snow as a key issue.”
The Indian U19 team led by Ayush Mhatre defeated England in the final of the 2026 World Cup to win their sixth title, the most in the history of the tournament.
The Indian team after winning the U19 World Cup 2026. (AFP)
Ayush Mhatre and his boys created history by defeating England in the U19 World Cup 2026 final at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe. India now have a record six U19 World Cup titles under their belt, the most in the history of the tournament. The Indian team, led by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s monumental 175, put on an epic show as they marched on to win the silverware.
India won the toss for the final and opted to bat first. They lost the hero from the semi-final, Aaron George early, but that did not stop them from blazing away to a dashing start. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took the onus on himself to take India ahead in the competition.
Mhatre provided support to Sooryavanshi’s destruction
Sooryavanshi’s fireworks left the English team clueless, with the captain Thomas Rew looking for different plans to bring back some sanity into the progression of the game. But there was no stopping Sooryavanshi as he kept tumbling records while playing a destructive knock. The Indian captain, Ayush Mhatre played the perfect supporting role scoring 53 runs off 51 deliveries.
After the dismissal of Mhatre, Sooryavanshi unleashed hell on the English batters as he upped the scoring rate further. With the teen sensation at the crease, it looked like India would go past 500 by the end of their 50 overs. Things look all settled for Sooryavanshi to score a double hundred and take down many more records. However, Manny Lumsden ultimately ended Sooryavanshi’s craziness in the middle as the batter walked back after scoring 175 runs off just 80 deliveries.
After the departure of Sooryavanshi, there was another 50 runs partnership strengthening India’s position further in the game. However, soon after that England made a comeback and picked up three wickets in a span of just six runs. But the lower order batters in the Indian line-up showed enough resistance to take India’s score to a record 411/9 at the end of the 50 overs.
The chase was always going to be challenging given the scale of the chase. But England drew inspiration from how easily India chased down the 310 runs against Afghanistan in the semi-final at the same venue.
Ambrish provided India the first breakthrough, with England stationed at just 19. It looked like Mhatre and his boys would make light work of Rew and his mates. But Dawkins stood tall at one end, while Ben Mayes and Thomas Rew provided the firepower at the other end. However, the biggest positive for India was that they managed to pick up the key wickets at the correct stages.
Caleb Falconer stood tall under pressure
It was the 21st over of the chase that provided the swing in momentum in India’s favour. At the start of the over England were competing with the score past 170 and seven wickets still in the bank. But they lost the set Dawkins and Ralphine Albert in that over and India sensed the opportunity. The Boys in Blue picked up two more wickets conceding only three runs and took the punch out of England’s chase.
With seven wickets down for 177, India could see the end of the tunnel. It was at this stage that Caleb Falconer and James Minto decided to test India’s patience. While Falconer played some delightful shots, Minto kept rotating the strike. Their partnership increased the annoyance of the Indian team, with Falconer bringing up a brilliant half-century under pressure.
Displaying absolute dominance, a Smriti Mandhana-inspired Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their second Women’s Premier League title with a six-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals
Displaying absolute dominance, a Smriti Mandhana-inspired Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their second Women’s Premier League title with a six-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals, who once again failed to seize the moment on the biggest stage despite playing in their fourth final, in Vadodara on Thursday. RCB captain Mandhana looked in imperious touch on her way to a magnificent 87 off 41 balls, while Georgia Voll smashed 79 off 54 deliveries during a 165-run stand for the second wicket with her skipper – a partnership that paved the way for a memorable title triumph.
This came after Delhi captain Jemimah Rodrigues rose to the occasion with a scintillating half-century and Chinelle Henry blazed away to a 15-ball 35 to lift DC to an imposing 203 for four.
Laura Wolvaardt (44 not out off 25) and Lizelle Lee (37 off 30) also scored briskly after DC were put in to bat. Rodrigues top-scored with 57 off 37 balls.
In reply, RCB completed the record chase with two balls to spare, joining Mumbai Indians as the most successful teams in the WPL. This is the highest target successfully chased in a WPL as well as Indian Premier League final.
In the stiff chase, RCB lost the big wicket of Grace Harris (9) early, but skipper Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll kept them in the contest by scoring freely and maintaining the required run rate.
Both Mandhana and Voll drove anything pitched up with ease and pulled and cut the short balls with authority as RCB reached exactly 100 at the halfway mark, requiring 104 runs off the remaining 60 balls.
Mandhana, having just struck two sixes, raced to her fifty in 23 balls with a sublime boundary off Sneh Rana.
Voll was also at her best at the other end, dispatching anything in her arc with utter disdain.
The equation came down to 54 off 36 balls after Mandhana smashed Shree Charani for two boundaries to take RCB to 150 in 14 overs.
The two continued to dominate until Voll gave her wicket away to Minnu Mani, raising DC’s hopes. However, RCB held their nerve to emerge winners.
Earlier, the Royal Challengers were on the money in the first three overs, with Lauren Bell and Sayali Satghare conceding just nine runs as Shafali Verma and Lee struggled to get enough width to free their arms.
However, the fourth over, bowled by Satghare, released the pressure as Lee clobbered a half-volley and a half-tracker for two successive sixes – one over long-off and the other over mid-wicket.
There was then an appeal for a stumping, thanks to Richa Ghosh’s sharp work, followed by Satghare failing to latch on to a tough caught-and-bowled chance – ending an eventful over that yielded 20 runs and gave the Capitals much-needed momentum after a sluggish start.
With DC reaching 36 after five overs, skipper Smriti Mandhana introduced Arundhati Reddy into the attack and Shafali immediately collected two fours. However, Reddy hit back with the wicket of Shafali, who gloved a short ball that Ghosh smartly held behind the stumps.
The classy Laura Wolvaardt began with an exquisite boundary before Lee welcomed off-spinner Shreyanka Patil into the attack with two fours and a six on the trot, lifting DC to 72 for one in seven overs.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) has appealed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider its boycott of the upcoming T20 World Cup match against India, scheduled for February 15, 2026. SLC President Shammi Silva expressed concerns over potential financial losses and broader economic impacts related to the event.
Sri Lanka reminded Pakistan of the times it toured their country under challenging circumstances, when others were hesitant to do so. (AI-Representation) Photo : TN Sports Desk
Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) has reportedly written to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), urging them to reconsider their decision to boycott the high-voltage India clash in the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Sunday, February 15, 2026. It is learnt that the Sri Lanka Cricket President, Shammi Silva, reached out to PCB through a letter, stating that the board has been informed through several media reports about Pakistan’s selective participation in the marquee event, a decision that will directly impact the Sri Lankan Cricket Board and may have far reaching consequences, including huge financial losses, and a broader economic fallout.
The letter, as reported by newswire.lk, also went on to remind Pakistan that Sri Lanka didn’t hesitate to tour their country under “challenging and sensitive circumstances, including periods marked by serious security incidents, when other cricketing nations were hesitant to do so.” It further went on to highlight their long-standing relationship built on the foundations of mutual respect, and expected “the same spirit of reciprocity to prevail,” adding that security, neutrality, and professionalism will be of the highest standard.
An India vs Pakistan match is valued at approximately USD 250 million, and Sri Lanka, having made all the arrangements, including ticket sales and hotel booking, was expecting a huge tourism boost during that period, but that seems to have taken a significant hit after Pakistan decided to boycott the much-anticipated clash against India. Sources close to the development suggest that ever since the news broke out, there has been a significant rise in hotel cancellations, directly impacting the tourism industry.
According to a report by newswire.lk, the Sri Lankan board and the government understand the widespread impact a boycott could have, “affecting not only Sri Lanka Cricket but a broad range of stakeholders involved in ensuring the successful conduct of the tournament.”
The Sri Lankan Cricket Board concluded by stating that it expects Pakistan to keep in mind the stakeholders, millions of cricket fans worldwide, and the sanctity of the tournament, and requested the PCB to participate in all the matches in the T20 World Cup in Colombo. It also took into account the “unprecedented public interest and major commercial expectations” out of the India vs Pakistan match that saw a strong demand for tickets, all of which were subsequently sold out.
India and Pakistan are scheduled to play the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match in Colombo on Sunday, February 15.
Pakistan will not play T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday (February 4) confirmed that the Pakistan men’s cricket team will not play their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. Archrivals India and Pakistan are scheduled to face each other in a Group A match of the upcoming T20 World Cup on February 15 in Colombo. But according to Sharif, Pakistan will not play against the Indian team because they (Pakistan) stand with Bangladesh, and there should be no politics on the sports field.
“We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we won’t play the match against India because Pakistan said this a field of sports, not politics. There should be no politics on the sports field. We have taken a very considered stance, and we should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision,” Shehbaz said while addressing the cabinet in Pakistan on Wednesday.
Shehbaz’s statement comes a couple of days after it was reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to formally inform the International Cricket Council (ICC) about their decision to boycott the Group A match against India.
“Pakistan will not send any formal email to the ICC regarding boycotting the T20 World Cup match against India,” sources told NDTV.
If PCB does not formally inform the global cricket body about their government’s decision, then the India-Pakistan match will remain active, and the drama over the boycott will go on for the coming days as well.
It was reported that the ICC is waiting for an official communication from the PCB, and the absence of any official communication will mean that the ICC may also have to wait before deciding its next course of action.
Hardik Pandya’s social media reflects his vibrant life, showcasing his journey from struggles to cricket stardom, highlighting his impact as a key all-rounder
If the last T20 World Cup was all about redemption for Hardik, the upcoming tourney could be his stage to stamp his authority as the format’s premier all-rounder. (PTI)
Let’s start with Instagram because Hardik Pandya’s social media handle is a mirror to his everyday life. Whether it is him gyming, training, being out for a swim, playing with his son or chanting a bhajan, when Hardik is not on the field, he’s sharing his real life with the virtual world.
His fans love him for that. At last count, Hardik’s Instagram following of 45 million was nearly as strong as Rohit Sharma’s and only behind Virat Kohli among current cricketers. His package of tattoos, blonde hair, tank tops and self belief is tantalising to say the least.
Not everyone in Indian cricket appreciates his in-your-face persona though. Just the way it holds true in any corporate ladder, the flashy one is perceived not to be the responsible one. Hardik’s stint as India T20I captain proved to be short-lived. It may have hurt him, but Hardik has tried to stay true to himself. It’s a lesson he has learnt the hard way in his roller-coaster journey.
A lot of the Baroda all-rounder’s on-field success comes from his uninhibited approach to life. That’s also the way he plays his cricket. Hardik was so fond of hitting sixes in his younger days that they often ran out of balls at the Kiran More academy. Sticking to this template, Hardik grew to become India’s No 1 power hitter.
Returning to social media, Hardik is among the few public figures who uses his widely followed handle to revisit his early struggles. Last month, celebrating completion of a decade in international cricket, Hardik posted an old interview of him in dishevelled hair, reminiscing about his aspiration to play for India. “Ek Sapnu hatu (It was a dream), but I never thought it was going to happen,” he would say.
Now living his dream, Hardik does not want to let go of his past. Back then, he wanted to break free. Now, it fuels his desire to continue to excel. His past hardships keep him grounded. Hardik has often spoken in interviews how sport has given him an outlet of expression. When he was scouted by Mumbai Indians and picked in the 2015 IPL auction as a base price buy for ₹ 10 lakhs, he had never seen that much money. Cricket to him became a way to change his and his family’s life.
At 32, Hardik has been through so many twists and turns, from being disciplined for a faux pax at a talk show to being booed by his home IPL fans, that pressures of sport such as tense run chases and defending low totals do not faze him. His redemptive spirit was for all to see in the manner in which he was able to execute what he was tasked to bowl in the final over against South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
Hardik has polished his bowling skills on the job. That he can bowl across phases of a T20 game is down to his ability to upskill, a trait that often gets lost to his off-field gloss.
Batting came the most naturally to him. It’s when his batting sharpness saw a fall a few years back, that there were genuine fears, he may have been past his best. When Hardik was being given a hard time by Mumbai Indians fans’ his once batting partner and now coach Kieron Pollard predicted, “the world would sing Hardik’s praises when time comes”. Soon enough with Pollard watching from the opposition dug out for England, Hardik giving him a hard time in the 2024 World Cup semi-final. Hardik bowling the final over and completing a title triumph for India at Barbados was just the karmic cycle playing out.
Every few years, Hardik’s career has thrown up some curveballs. For a good couple of years in 2017-18, the all-rounder was caught up being the next Kapil Dev. When he delivered a 5-for in a Test match in England, India, starved of a pace all-rounder, became fully invested. Hardik’s body could not take the workload and after a few injury setbacks, he was firm he would be a white-ball cricketer, henceforth. So much so that when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play the World Test Championship final came up in 2021, he nipped the conversations in the bud. The only white-ball specialist to hold a Grade A national contract, and even the selectors have recognized that India does not have a dual-skilled cricketer of Hardik’s calibre.
If the last T20 World Cup was all about redemption for Hardik, the upcoming tourney could be his stage to stamp his authority as the format’s premier all-rounder.
Australian Open 2026 Men’s Singles Final Highlights, Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic: World World No. 1 Alcaraz handed Djokovic his first defeat in an Australian Open final to become the youngest men’s player to win a Career Grand Slam.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2026 Men’s Singles Final Highlights: World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz defeated 10-time winner Novak Djokovic to win the Australian Open 2026 men’s singles crown at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Sunday. Alcaraz bounced back from a set down to beat Djokovic in four sets: 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. The Spaniard created history with the win, becoming the youngest-ever men’s player to win a Career Grand Slam (all four Grand Slam singles titles), at the age of 22. It is the seventh overall Grand Slam of his career. After 10 titles, Djokovic suffered defeat for the first time in an Australian Open final. The 38-year-old’s hunt for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam continues.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic Score, Australian Open 2026 Men’s Singles Final Updates, straight from Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne:
Australian Open 2026 Men’s Singles Final : Thank you!
Thank you for joining us on the live coverage of the Australian Open 2026 men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. The 22-year-old Spanish sensation continues to make history. And we wait to see what more the 38-year-old Serbian legend achieves in his career.
Australian Open 2026 Final : Alcaraz’s tribute to Djokovic
“Thank you very much for what you’re doing, it’s really inspiring to me,” says Carlos Alcaraz, in a tribute to Djokovic after the match. It’s Alcaraz’s seventh Grand Slam title. All at the age of 22. WOW.
Australian Open 2026 Final : Djokovic’s emotional words
“I didn’t think I would be standing at a closing ceremony once again, so a big thanks to you (the fans) for pushing me on,” says Djokovic after the defeat. He also pays tribute to Nadal, saying that it felt “strange” to see him as a spectator in a final for the first time.
Australian Open 2026 Final : First AO final defeat for Djokovic
Djokovic has lost an Australian Open final for the first time in his career. He won each of the last 10, but this time Alcaraz stops him. He won the first set in dominant fashion, but could not keep up the intensity for the entire match. Nevertheless, in many ways, Djokovic defied odds to even reach the final at the age of 38.
Australian Open 2026 Men’s Singles Final : History for Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz has now become the youngest men’s player to win a Career Grand Slam in singles, i.e., all four Grand Slam singles titles. A stunning achievement at the age of just 22 for the man from Murcia.
Australian Open 2026 Final : CARLOS ALCARAZ CHAMPION!
HE HAS DONE IT! Carlos Alcaraz is the Australian Open 2026 champion! The World No. 1 fights back from a set down to win the only Grand Slam he had never won previously. The first time that Djokovic has lost in an Australian Open final.
Alcaraz creates history and becomes the youngest men’s player to win all four Grand Slam singles titles.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic : 6-5 to Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz has done what he needed to in his own service games. He holds serve yet again to make it 6-5 in the fourth set. As it stands, Djokovic must hold serve. Otherwise, Carlos Alcaraz will be champion.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic : Djokovic makes it 5-5!
The battle continues! Novak Djokovic unfazed under pressure. He had to win that game on his serve, and he does. The Serb finding the extra gear late into the match. 5-5 in the fourth set, and still all to play for.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic : Carlos Alcaraz one break away from glory!
Alcaraz saves a break point and then holds on to win the game on his serve! He leads 5-4 in the decisive fourth set. If he breaks Djokovic in the next game, he will be Australian Open 2026 champion.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic : Tie-breaker inbound?
Alcaraz and Djokovic are now tied 4-4 in the fourth set. Djokovic made to fight really hard as Alcaraz got break point. But the Serb fights back in typical fashion and takes the game. The 38-year-old continues to battle to save his dreams of winning the 25th Grand Slam. The fourth set is heating up, possibly heading towards a tie-breaker!
Alcaraz vs Djokovic : 3-3
Alcaraz and Djokovic are tied 3-3 now in the fourth set of the Australian Open 2026 men’s singles final. Both men close out their third service games with relative ease. Looks like this set is going down to the wire.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic : 2-2 in 4th set
The fourth set is all square at 2-2. Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have held their serves so far. Remember, Djokovic is 1 set down and must win this to take the game to a fifth set.
Australian Open 2026 Final : Djokovic wins marathon game
Incredible scenes! Novak Djokovic has saved five break points on his own serve and finally converted his advantage to win his first game of the fourth set. Alcaraz had advantage of FOUR different occasions, but just couldn’t convert them.
Australian Open 2026 Final : Alcaraz threatening break
Carlos Alcaraz held serve in the first game of the fourth set, but he’s threatening a break on Djokovic’s serve. Djokovic did well to prevent a break and pull it to deuce, but Alcaraz has squandered three advantages already!
Alcaraz vs Djokovic : Alcaraz breaks, wins 3rd set!
A marathon game ends, and Carlos Alcaraz takes the third set! Novak Djokovic saved four set points, but then squandered two advantages, and Alcaraz finally broke through and clinched the third set 6-3. He leads 2 sets to 1 in the final. The World No. 1 is one set away from glory.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic : Djokovic prevents 3 set points!
Incredible! Carlos Alcaraz went up 0-40 on Novak Djokovic’s serve and looked set to clinch the third set, but the Serb fights back to level it to deuce. The crowd cheer as they witness some scintillating tennis. Djokovic is still alive.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic : Alcaraz holds serve
Crucial service held by Alcaraz! Djokovic made it close on that occasion, but Alcaraz holds serve to take a 5-3 lead in the third set. If he breaks Djokovic in the next game, he wins the third set!
Alcaraz vs Djokovic : Djokovic makes it 4-3
Novak Djokovic holds serve, but Carlos Alcaraz won a point in that game in scintillating fashion. Djokovic had the momentum all through that point, but Alcaraz recovered brilliantly and caught Djokovic out of position with some deft returns. Djokovic then closed out the game with a couple of excellent serves. Alcaraz leads 4-3.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic : Alcaraz leads 4-2 in 3rd set
Clear lead for Carlos Alcaraz now in the third set! He holds serve to make it 4-2. Novak Djokovic must break now to keep the set alive. Alcaraz, however, is gaining momentum, and has been the better player over the last hour.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic : Alcaraz breaks in 3rd set!
Big moment! Carlos Alcaraz BREAKS Novak Djokovic in the third set! The World No. 1 from Spain has been getting better and better with his returns as the match has worn on. Djokovic has it all to do to rescue the third set now. 3-2 in favour of Alcaraz.
Australian Open 2026 Final : Djokovic denied incredible point
Terrific tennis! Novak Djokovic somehow runs from one end to the other and makes an incredible return despite being off balance. But incredibly, Alcaraz is able to react just on time, leaving Djokovic with no chance. The crowd applaud both competitors! Even Rafael Nadal applauds!
Both Djokovic and Alcaraz hold serve, and the third set is now even at 2-2.
Saim Ayub will be among Pakistan’s team at the T20 World Cup
Pakistan will take part in this month’s men’s T20 World Cup – but will not play their scheduled match against tournament co-hosts India.
The country had been considering boycotting the competition after Bangladesh withdrew citing safety fears over travelling to India.
Political tensions have meant Pakistan and India have not faced each other outside men’s major tournaments since 2013, while India have not played in Pakistan since 2008.
The sides are scheduled to play in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in accordance with an agreement signed last year stating that the two countries will play at neutral venues whenever one of them hosts an ICC event.
In a statement, the Pakistan government said it “grants approval” to their team’s participation, but added “[the] Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India”.
However the International Cricket Council (ICC), which governs the sport, said Pakistan’s stance was “difficult to reconcile” and called on the country’s cricket chiefs to explore a “mutually acceptable resolution”.
In a statement, it said it was awaiting official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) but said “this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule.
“Selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions.”
It said it “respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy” but continued: “This decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan.”
It added that it hoped the PCB “will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country” and that it “expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution”.
The ICC has yet to publish its playing conditions for the tournament so it is not known what sanction Pakistan could face for boycotting the game.
However, the rules for the previous tournament stated: “If the match is decided by one side conceding defeat or refusing to play, the result shall be stated as Match Conceded or Match Awarded, as the case may be.”
Pakistan had previously announced their squad for the 20-team tournament, which begins on 7 February, but maintained participation was subject to government approval.
Novak Djokovic created history and broke multiple world records after a five-set thriller against Jannik Sinner to reach the final of the 2026 Australian Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion will play in his first major summit clash since the 2024 Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic created history at the Rod Laver Arena Photo : AP
Novak Djokovic pulled off one of the greatest performances of his career to reach his first major final since the 2024 Wimbledon after beating the double-defending champion Jannik Sinner at the Rod Laver Arena in a dramatic five-set thriller during the 2026 Australian Open semi-final in a match that lasted over four hours and nine minutes by a margin of 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
The Serbian extended his record and played a 38th Grand Slam final, which is the most by any player. He will aim to win a 25th Grand Slam title against Carlos Alcaraz, which will make him the most decorated singles player in tennis history (men or women). The Serbian will play a 11th Australian Open final and won on all 10 occasions in the past.
Novak Djokovic Creates History
Djokovic first played a Grand Slam final at the 2007 US Open against Roger Federer and nearly 19 years later will face Alcaraz at Melbourne Park. The gap of 6,270 days is the longest between a player’s first and latest appearance in the men’s singles summit clash of a Major event. The feat previously belonged to Roger Federer. Before this, the Serbian’s last appearance in a Grand Slam final was in the 2023 US Open.
Djokovic has also broken a 54-year-old record of Ken Rosewall and become the oldest player to reach the final of the Australian Open’s Men’s Singles tournament. The Serbian is the first male player to play the summit clash of the year’s first major title. In the hard-court era, the next best is Roger Federer.
Pakistan could end up facing a USD 38 million legal battle with the broadcaster if they decide to boycott the India match in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, may succeed in the arena of appeasement politics, potentially garnering support for his role as the country’s Interior Minister, speculation regarding a potential boycott of the T20 World Cup, or specifically the match against India, remains futile. Although Pakistan has already announced its squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, the management is currently awaiting government clearance for participation in the biennial event. Naqvi held a meeting with the Pakistan Prime Minister on Monday to deliberate on this participation. However, any form of boycott, whether of the tournament or the individual fixture against India, would likely result in the PCB being sued by the broadcaster.
Consistent with all other participating boards, the PCB has formalised its commitment to International Cricket Council (ICC) events through the Member Participation Agreement. As this is a legally binding document, any breach would trigger significant sanctions from the sport’s governing body. Furthermore, should Pakistan forfeit the fixture against India, it is highly probable that the host broadcaster will initiate legal proceedings against the PCB to seek substantial compensation.
According to a report by RevSportz, approximately $38 million is directly contingent upon that specific match through advertising slots, branded programming, and sponsorship integrations. Ultimately, the PCB would be forced to navigate severe legal repercussions should it decide to skip the India match.
Meeting with the Prime Minister
In an effort to finalise Pakistan’s stance on T20 World Cup 2026 participation, Naqvi met with Shehbaz Sharif on Monday. However, the PCB Chairman later stated via social media that a final decision will be reached either this Friday or next Monday.
Manoj Tiwary reckons that the BCCI will take the tough call of sacking Gautam Gambhir if the T20 World Cup title defence doesn’t go according to plan.
Gautam Gambhir during a practice session. (PTI)
Former India batter Manoj Tiwary reckons the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will take the tough call of sacking head coach Gautam Gambhir if the T20 World Cup title defence doesn’t go according to plan and the side fails to win the title on home soil. Under Gambhir, India are yet to lose a single bilateral series in the T20 format; however, the pressure is firmly on the former India opening batter considering the team’s dwindling returns in the other two formats – Tests and ODIs.
Ever since Gambhir took over as the head coach in July 2024, India have lost two home Test series against New Zealand and South Africa. Not just this, India recently went down to a depleted Kiwi lineup in the three-match ODI series. Hence, the T20 World Cup is of utmost importance to Gambhir, and a campaign that goes south may not yield good results for the current coach’s future.
Tiwary, who has been a vocal critic of Gambhir and his coaching methods, said that the two-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champion might be axed if Suryakumar Yadav and his team are unable to win the 20-team competition, which gets underway on February 7.
“If India doesn’t win the T20 World Cup, then I think that the BCCI should take a big and difficult decision regarding Gautam Gambhir. The BCCI secretary has already stated that Gambhir will continue until his contract expires, and there is no question of removing him,” Tiwary told InsideSport.
“But I think the 2026 T20 World Cup, if the result doesn’t come in this and then the BCCI will remove him and take a big call,” he added.
India are placed in Group A for the T20 World Cup alongside Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands and the USA. The hosts will begin their title defence on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium against the US.
BCCI should convince Laxman
Tiwary also believes that the BCCI should look to convince former India batter VVS Laxman to take up the role of the head coach if Gambhir is shown the door in the future. It is worth mentioning that Laxman used to accompany the senior men’s team on tours whenever the previous coach, Rahul Dravid, was unavailable.
Tiwary reckons Laxman has all the experience in the world hence he should be the ideal man to take the reins over from Gambhir.
Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, Trudy Lindblade, expressed her sympathy for Bangladesh after the International Cricket Council (ICC) removed Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup 2026.
Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, Trudy Lindblade, expressed her sympathy for Bangladesh after the International Cricket Council (ICC) removed Bangladesh and added Scotland to the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, starting February 7 in Sri Lanka and India. “We certainly have (sympathy) for the Bangladesh team,” Trudy Lindblade said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “Obviously, this is not how we wanted to go to a World Cup. There is a qualification process, and nobody wants to qualify or attend or be invited to a World Cup in the way that we have done. We acknowledge it is certainly unique circumstances by our participation, and we do feel for the Bangladesh players,” she added.
When asked about receiving criticism after qualifying for the T20 World Cup, Lindblade said, “I wouldn’t use those words. People will have their views, and they are entitled to their views. All we know is that we have been invited to participate in the World Cup. We are a team that is ranked 14th in the world. We are also a strong team that plays consistently throughout the year.
“That World Cup [qualifier] for us was not how we normally play, and therefore we are just pleased to be at this World Cup… We are happy to step in, although it is unique and challenging circumstances, and we absolutely recognise that,” she added.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday announced that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, following the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) refusal to participate in the tournament per the published match schedule.
The announcement came after the ICC, in the absence of any credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh national team in India, rejected the BCB’s demand to move its matches from India to Sri Lanka, in the 20-team tournament to be played from February 7 to March 8, a release said.
The decision followed an extensive process undertaken by the ICC to address concerns raised by the BCB regarding the hosting of its scheduled matches in India. Over a period of more than three weeks, the ICC engaged with the BCB through multiple rounds of dialogue conducted in a transparent and constructive manner, including meetings held both via video conference and in-person.
As part of this process, the ICC reviewed the concerns cited by the BCB, commissioned and considered independent security assessments from internal and external experts, and shared detailed security and operational plans covering federal and state arrangements, as well as enhanced and escalating security protocols for the event. These assurances were reiterated at several stages, including during discussions involving the ICC Business Corporation (IBC) Board, the release said.
The ICC’s assessments concluded that there was no credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh national team, its officials, or its supporters in India. In light of these findings, and after careful consideration of the broader implications, the ICC determined that it was not appropriate to amend the published event schedule. The ICC also noted the importance of preserving the integrity and sanctity of the tournament schedule, safeguarding the interests of all participating teams and fans, and avoiding the establishment of precedents that could undermine the neutrality and fairness of ICC events.
Following its Wednesday meeting, the IBC Board requested that the BCB confirm, within 24 hours, whether Bangladesh would participate in the tournament as scheduled. As no confirmation was received within the stipulated deadline, the ICC proceeded in line with its established governance and qualification processes to identify a replacement team.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have reinstated director M Nazmul Islam as finance committee chairman, according to The Daily Star. The development comes after the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the upcoming T20 Men’s World Cup 2026, which starts on February 7. “We had given our observation to the board, and the board made the call,” BCB disciplinary committee chairman Faiazur Rahman informed The Daily Star. Earlier, on January 18, Nazmul replied to the board’s show-cause notice a day after the deadline. The BCB disciplinary committee had previously found his reply to be positive and satisfactory but did not divulge its contents, according to The Daily Star.
Earlier, BCB Media Committee Chairman Amzad Hussain confirmed that the board will not challenge the ICC decision to replace them with Scotland in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Amzad Hussain made the announcement following a board meeting in Dhaka on Saturday. The news comes after reports stated that the BCB had requested the ICC’s dispute resolution committee to look into the matter, but Hussain cleared the air, stating that no such measures had been taken.
“We have accepted the decision of the ICC board. Since the ICC has said that we cannot go and play or they cannot shift our games to Sri Lanka, in this case we cannot go and play in India. Our position remains the same. We are not going to any separate arbitration or anything here,” Amzad said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Mohsin Naqvi said a final decision will be announced by Monday, but a boycott of the T20 World Cup is unlikely to materialise.
Pakistan are placed in Group A in 2026 T20 World Cup
After days of chaos and boycott threats from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in purported solidarity with Bangladesh, the issue now appears to be losing momentum. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has said a final decision will be announced by Monday, but media reports suggest that a boycott of the T20 World Cup, or even the high-profile match against India, is unlikely to materialise.
Naqvi met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday and placed all options on the table, with a final decision expected by the start of next week.
“Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options open. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday,” the PCB chief said in a social media post.
Hours before the post, speculation was rife in Pakistani media that the government was unlikely to allow the team to participate in the World Cup, in retaliation for the ICC’s handling of Bangladesh earlier this month. Multiple reports also suggested that, should Pakistan take part, the board could resort to symbolic gestures — including a possible boycott of the February 15 Group A match against India.
However, according to a Cricbuzz report, the prevailing view is that such steps are unlikely, with Pakistan having been made aware of the severe sanctions that could follow. Any boycott would constitute a breach of the participation agreement signed with the ICC, potentially inviting punishments such as suspension from global and Asia Cup tournaments, as well as the withdrawal of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Moreover, Pakistan have little ground to justify a boycott of either the World Cup or the India match, given that they are scheduled to play at a venue of their own choosing.
The other factor working against Pakistan is that the ICC is reportedly contemplating the option of recalling Bangladesh for the World Cup should the Salman Ali Agha-led side not travel to Sri Lanka for the tournament.
The International Cricket Council has warned Pakistan of total isolation over its threat to withdraw from T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh. Sanctions like no bilateral series, Asia Cup exclusion, no NOCs for PSL overseas players could be handed.
As the deadline for the 2026 T20 World Cup approaches, the relationship between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) has reached a breaking point. Following inflammatory comments from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and a potential boycott in solidarity with Bangladesh, reports suggest Pakistan could face unprecedented sanctions that would alter the landscape of its international cricket. The friction began when Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, accused the ICC of “double standards.” Naqvi’s comments stem from the ICC’s refusal to relocate Bangladesh’s matches out of India, despite having previously allowed a “hybrid model” for Pakistan’s matches.
Sources have told NDTV that the ICC is “unhappy” with Naqvi’s confrontational approach, which includes an alleged solidarity pact with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). By publicly challenging the ICC’s authority and suggesting Pakistan may withdraw from the T20 World Cup, Naqvi has miffed the sport’s global governing body.
If Pakistan follows through with its withdrawal, the ICC is reportedly prepared to impose unprecedented sanctions that could result in total cricketing isolation. These measures include a potential suspension of all bilateral series, exclusion from the Asia Cup, and a coordinated “No NOC” policy among member boards to prevent foreign stars from participating in the PSL. Such sanctions would not only cripple the PCB’s primary revenue streams but also devastate the commercial value of Pakistan’s domestic cricket, leaving the national team with no international fixtures outside of major ICC events.
What Mohsin Naqvi Said on Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup Exit
While Pakistan has not yet pulled out of the T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh, Naqvi has stated that a final decision will be made by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. In fact, he even urged other cricket boards to back Bangladesh’s stance the way Pakistan did.
Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 exit was confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday, with the sport’s global governing body announcing the inclusion of Scotland as a replacement team. This bold decision was taken by the ICC after the Bangladesh cricket team failed to receive approval from its government to travel to India for the tournament. The Bangladesh government refused to budge on its stance, requesting that the team’s matches be moved to Sri Lanka; however, with the tournament only a couple of weeks away, the ICC turned down the request.
Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India came despite the players adopting a clear position, expressing their willingness to participate in a T20 World Cup for which the national team had been preparing for months, if not years. The development, consequently, has left the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) in a sorry state.
In a statement, the WCA said:
“The withdrawal of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup, and the resulting absence of a valued cricketing nation from cricket’s pinnacle international T20 event, is a sad moment for our sport, the Bangladeshi players, and the fans. It is a situation that requires deep reflection.
“Cricket is at its strongest when every team and every player is treated with respect, supported appropriately and consistently, and able to participate on fair terms. The game is at its best when all participants are genuine contributors to its success.
“In recent times, the WCA has become increasingly concerned by broader trends in the sport, including agreements not being honoured, rights being eroded, and a lack of meaningful consultation with players and their representatives. All of this amounts to a careless approach to people that should not belong in cricket. It also highlights significant issues with the game’s existing operating model at a global level. These issues, if left unaddressed, will weaken trust, unity, and ultimately the health and future of the game we love.
“This moment provides an opportunity for reflection across cricket. Rather than allowing division or exclusion to take hold, we call on the game’s leaders to work with all stakeholders-including governing bodies, leagues, and players-to unite the sport, not divide it, in the shared interest of the game’s long-term health and success.
Delhi Capitals notched a comprehensive seven-wicket win over table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru to stay in contention for the playoffs of the Women’s Premier League in Vadodara on Saturday.
Delhi Capitals notched a comprehensive seven-wicket win over table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru to stay in contention for the playoffs of the Women’s Premier League in Vadodara on Saturday. After opting to field, Delhi produced a clinical bowling show to dismiss RCB for 109 in 20 overs, and chased down the modest target with 26 balls to spare to hand their opponents first defeat of the season. Laura Wolvaardt top scored with a 38-ball 42 not out while captain Jemimah Rodrigues chipped in with 24, as Delhi Capitals reached 111 for 3 in 15.4 overs.
DC did not start the chase so well as they were reduced to 24 for 2 in the fourth over with openers Shafali Verma (16) and Lizelle Lee (6) getting out cheaply.
But a 52-run partnership for the third wicket between Rodrigues and Wolvaardt took DC towards the win. Rodrigues faced 26 balls for her 24 and hit four boundaries. Wolvaardt hit four boundaries and one six in her 38-ball unbeaten knock.
Marizanne Kapp, who struck 19 not out off 15 balls, hit a four off Shreyanka Patil for the winning runs.
Sayali Satghare was the most successful RCB bowler with 2/18 while Radha Yadav got one wicket.
After Saturday’s win, DC jumped to second spot with six points while RCB remained on top with 10 points.
Earlier, Delhi Capitals produced a disciplined bowling show to bowl RCB out for 109.
Sent in to bat, captain Smriti Mandhana top scored for RCB with a 34-ball 38 with the help of six fours and one six, but all her other teammates struggled.
Radha Yadav was the next highest scorer with 17-ball 18 as eight batters fell for single-digit scores with the DC bowlers stifling them all through.
Thomas Frank’s job is under renewed threat after Tottenham dropped more points in a 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened Burnley on Saturday as Manchester City cut the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to four points.
Thomas Frank’s job is under renewed threat after Tottenham dropped more points in a 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened Burnley on Saturday as Manchester City cut the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to four points. Disgruntled Spurs fans vented their anger at their manager after last week’s damaging 2-1 defeat against West Ham, chanting: “You’re getting sacked in the morning.” The former Brentford boss breathed a sigh of relief after a 2-0 midweek win against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
But Tottenham travelled to Turf Moor in desperate need of a win in the Premier League after just two victories in 13 league games.
The visitors dominated the first half and deservedly led when Micky van de Ven produced a powerful left-footed strike after Burnley failed to clear.
But they conceded moments before half-time when defender Axel Tuanzebe side-footed home a Kyle Walker cross and worse was to follow for the visitors when Lyle Foster put Burnley ahead in the 76th minute.
In a nail-biting finale, Xavi Simons rattled the crossbar for Spurs before captain Cristian Romero headed home a leveller in the 90th minute.
The draw leaves Spurs 13th in the table.
City close gap
Pep Guardiola’s City came into the match at the Etihad without a win in four league games in 2026 and smarting after an embarrassing 3-1 Champions League defeat at Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.
Erling Haaland was left on the bench after just one goal in five league matches, with Guardiola explaining his star forward needed to “clean a little bit his mind and body”.
Centre-back Marc Guehi made his debut five days after his move from Crystal Palace, easing City’s crippling defensive crisis that has claimed John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
Egypt forward Omar Marmoush put the home side ahead in the sixth minute, finishing sharply from a Matheus Nunes cross for his first Premier League goal of the season.
City made it 2-0 shortly before half-time when Antoine Semenyo scored his third goal for the club in all competitions since arriving at the Etihad from Bournemouth earlier this month.
The win lifts City to 46 points — four behind Arsenal, who host Michael Carrick’s Manchester United on Sunday.
But bottom club Wolves, 14 points from safety, appear to be doomed despite a recent uptick in results.
Fulham came back from a goal down to beat Brighton 2-1 at Craven Cottage.
Samuel Chukwueze cancelled out Yasin Ayari’s spectacular first-half strike for the visitors and Harry Wilson grabbed a winner in stoppage time.
Earlier, West Ham blew Sunderland away 3-1 to make it two wins out of two and climb to within two points of Premier League safety.
The home side effectively had the game sewn up by half-time after Crysencio Summerville’s opener, Jarrod Bowen’s penalty and a long-range rocket from Mateus Fernandes.
Nuno Espirito Santo said West Ham still needed new signings in the January transfer window to maintain their survival bid.
Scotland have been captained by Richie Berrington since June 2022
Bangladesh will boycott next month’s men’s T20 World Cup and have been replaced by Scotland.
Scotland, ranked 14 in the world, have been called up by the International Cricket Council (ICC) by virtue of being the highest-ranked team not already at the tournament and will take Bangladesh’s place in Group C.
Bangladesh had asked for their games to be switched from India citing safety concerns amid growing tensions between the countries and demanded to play them in Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the tournament, instead.
This week the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request, saying there was an “absence of any credible security threat” before the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) subsequently reaffirmed its position.
In a statement released on Saturday, the ICC said it had “engaged with the BCB through multiple rounds of dialogue conducted in a transparent and constructive manner”.
The ICC board said the BCB was given a final 24 hours to confirm its team would travel to India.
That deadline passed and ICC officials decided to press ahead with an alternative plan to invite Scotland to participate instead.
“In light of these findings, and after careful consideration of the broader implications, the ICC determined that it was not appropriate to amend the published event schedule,” the statement added.
The ICC also said it was keen not to establish “precedents that could undermine the neutrality and fairness of ICC events”.
Cricket Scotland officials had been closely monitoring developments for the past few weeks and it is understood that internally they have taken some operational steps to prepare for this scenario.
Scotland’s players were already back in training as they had been preparing for a one-day international tri-series with Namibia and Oman in Windhoek in March.
Nevertheless it will be a tight turnaround for Scotland’s players to obtain visas to enter India with their first match scheduled to be on the opening day of the tournament, against West Indies in Kolkata on 7 February.
Also in Scotland’s group are England – who they face in Kolkata on 14 February – plus Italy and Nepal.
A fourth-place finish at last summer’s Europe Qualifier had looked to have cost Scotland a place at the 2026 T20 World Cup as the Netherlands and Italy secured the two spots on offer for the region.
Zimbabwe withdrew from the 2009 T20 World Cup – then known as the World T20 – in England for political reasons and were replaced by Scotland who were the ‘next best’ team in a pre-tournament global qualifying event.
But with qualifying for T20 World Cups, which were expanded to 20 teams in 2024, now done on a regional basis it is not quite so straightforward and this was a discretionary decision by the ICC based on rankings.
Trudy Lindblade, Cricket Scotland chief executive, said: “We are grateful to the ICC for extending this invite. This is an exciting opportunity for Scotland’s players to compete on the global stage in front of millions of supporters.
Bangladesh have decided not to travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, citing security concerns. They took the decision after the International Cricket Council (ICC) denied their request to shift their matches out of India. Bangladesh wanted their games to be moved to Sri Lanka, who are co-hosts of the tournament. After the ICC’s response, Bangladesh remained firm on their stance. As they stay hopeful and expect the ICC to reconsider their request, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has given a big statement.
He said that Pakistan should come in support of Bangladesh and skip the T20 mega event, even if it costs them dearly.
“If Pakistan and India don’t happen, 50 per cent of your World Cup is gone. This is a great opportunity to challenge the existing cricket order. Pakistan should say they stand with Bangladesh and refuse to play the T20 World Cup. This is the time to take a stand. You need a strong heart to do it,” Latif said on the YouTube channel CaughtBehindShow, as quoted by The Indian Express.
Last year, India decided not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. As a result, their matches were shifted to Dubai. The ICC concluded that both sides will play their matches at neutral venues during its tournaments until 2028.
Latif backed Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup stance and added that Pakistan would not get a better opportunity.
“It doesn’t feel like a good decision. Today, the ICC says there is no danger to Bangladeshi players in India. No agency in the world can say there is no danger – how can the ICC say that? Even in the most secure places, no one can give such a guarantee. Hopefully, nothing happens to any team,” he said.
Bangladesh on Thursday refused to travel to India for the marquee tournament, a day after the ICC rejected their request to shift their matches to a neutral venue.
Bangladesh has accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of double standards after the governing body rejected its request to shift its T20 World Cup matches from India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday refused to travel to India for the marquee tournament, starting February 7, citing security concerns. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka, BCB President Aminul Islam revealed that the ICC presented them with past instances of teams like Australia, the West Indies, New Zealand, and England forfeiting their games by refusing to play at certain venues during the 1996 and 2003 ODI World Cups.
He added that the BCB countered this by citing the example of the 2025 Champions Trophy, where India played its matches in Dubai after refusing to travel to Pakistan, also due to security concerns.
“The ICC tried to tell us about incidents in 1996 and 2003, but we pointed out their recent steps in a similar matter. When a country refused to travel to another country for the Champions Trophy last February, the ICC organized a neutral venue for them. That team played all its Champions Trophy matches in that neutral venue. They played at one ground and stayed in one hotel. It was a privilege,” said Aminul.
Aminul argued that since Sri Lanka is a co-host under the hybrid model, Bangladesh should have also been given the privilege of playing its matches at a neutral venue.
“We are calling Sri Lanka co-hosts, but they are not truly co-hosting. Sri Lanka is part of a hybrid model where only one country is scheduled to play. We indicated to the ICC that since our government is reluctant [to let us play in India], we want to exercise that same option. Still, they denied our request. We will communicate with the ICC today. We are ready to play the World Cup in Sri Lanka; we simply do not want to play in India,” he added.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation Controversy: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday rejected Bangladesh’s request to move their T20 World Cup match from India.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation Controversy Highlights: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday rejected Bangladesh’s request to move their T20 World Cup match from India. According to NDTV sources, the ICC, led by Jay Shah, has given the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) a 24-hour deadline to confirm their participation. If the BCB doesn’t confirm their participation by tomorrow, they will be removed from the tournament and replaced by Scotland. The decision was taken following an ICC board meeting on Wednesday.
Highlights on Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 participation controversy:
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : Thanks for joining our coverage!
Now it’s all upto the BCB as they have precisely 24-hour to decide or else the ICC will decide their fate. Scotland, based on rankings, are likely to replace them!
Thanks for tuning in! As we wait for the final verdict, do follow our coverage of the 1st T20I between India and New Zealand by clicking here.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : ICC rejects BCB’s request!
ICC has rejected Bangladesh’s request to shift T20 World Cup matches from India. According to NDTV sources, the governing body issued a firm 24-hour ultimatum to the BCB. If Bangladesh does not confirm their participation by tomorrow, they are likely be removed from the tournament and replaced by Scotland.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : Meeting being attended by Full Member countries!
ICC chairman Jay Shah is part of the meeting. According to ESPNcricinfo, others participating in the meeting include BCB president Aminul Islam, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, SLC president Shammi Silva, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, CA chairman Mike Baird, Zimbabwe Cricket president Tavenga Mukuhlani, CWI president Kishore Shallow, Cricket Ireland chair Brian MacNeice, Cricket New Zealand representative Roger Twose, ECB chair Richard Thompson, Cricket South Arica representative Mohammed Moosajee and Mirwais Ashraf, Cricket Afghanistan chairman.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : The meeting has started!
ICC’s board meeting to take a decision on the impasse with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over Bangladesh’s refusal to play their 2026 T20 World Cup matches has begun. Bangladesh are in Group C in the tournament. They are scheduled to play their first three games in Kolkata on February 7, 9 and 14 and the final one in Mumbai on February 17.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : Here’s what the PCB source said
“The PCB has said in the e-mail that the demand by the Bangladesh board is justified and must be accepted and that if there are any issues moving Bangladesh matches to Sri Lanka, Pakistan is ready to host all their games,” a PCB source told PTI.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : Pakistan’s offer to ICC
The Pakistan Cricket Board has backed Bangladesh’s stance of refusing to play its T20 World Cup matches in India due to “security concerns” and offered to host the country’s matches in a communication to the ICC, as per the news agency PTI.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : ICC meeting at 6 PM
Oh! A major development has come to light. According to NDTV’s sources, it has been confirmed that the ICC will be holding a meeting with the BCB at 6 PM. All the important points will be discussed during the meeting, and hopefully, both parties will reach a conclusion.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : Delhi HC’s reaction
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia expressed strong reservations about the maintainability of the petition, observing that the reliefs sought involved matters of foreign policy and international relations, which fall squarely within the domain of the executive.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : Delhi HC rejects PIL
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a direction to ban Bangladesh from all international cricketing competitions over alleged violence against the Hindu community in the country.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : Change of groups?
The ICC could concede to the BCB’s demand to change groups. Bangladesh is currently in Group C, where all matches are scheduled in India. They wish to move to Group B, where matches are being held in Sri Lanka. However, deciding which team from Group B would be swapped out would not be an easy decision.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : Tournament Groupings
Group C: Bangladesh, England, Italy, Nepal, West Indies
Group B: Australia, Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe
Group A: India, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan, USA
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, UAE
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : No talks with Scotland
There were talks that ICC will be approaching Scotland, if Bangladesh refuse to play the T20 World Cup. However, according to a recent BBC report, the ICC has not made any contact with Cricket Scotland regarding this matter. Cricket Scotland officials have also stated they have not spoken to the ICC out of “respect for the Bangladesh Cricket Board.”
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : PCB supports BCB
The Pakistan Cricket Board has reportedly backed Bangladesh’s stance of refusing to play its T20 World Cup matches in India due to “security concerns” in a communication to the ICC. On the eve of the ICC meeting, the PCB wrote to the global body stating that it supports the BCB’s stance, citing political instability in the region and has copied all ICC Board members on the letter, according to ‘ESPNCricinfo’.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : Here’s what Shanto said
“As cricketers, we always want to play. And when it’s an event like the World Cup, of course we want to be there. These tournaments don’t come around often. I see it as a big opportunity for us to play good cricket. I don’t really know what is happening internally, so it’s difficult for me to comment. But as players, we definitely want to play,” said Najmul Hossain Shanto during a press conference.
Bangladesh T20 WC Participation : Shanto on team’s stance
As the deadlock between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh over the T20 World Cup 2026 continues, senior national player Najmul Hossain Shanto has clarified the team’s stance.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : Here’s what Litton said
“Are you sure we are going to play the World Cup? From my side, I am uncertain; everyone is uncertain. I think the whole of Bangladesh is uncertain at this moment. No answer. I understand what question you are going to ask. That is not safe for me. No answer,” said Litton Das after a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match on Tuesday.
Bangladesh T20 WC Participation : Bangladesh skipper Litton on controversy
Bangladesh cricket team skipper Litton Das avoided answering a question related to the T20 World Cup 2026 controversy, stating that it is not safe for him to do so.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation : Here’s what Nazrul said
“We can’t be forced to play in India with unreasonable and unrealistic pressure. Haven’t heard formally that they will exclude us and take Scotland instead. If ICC bows to BCCI and puts pressure on us, if they put unrealistic demands, we will not accept. There have been examples where India has refused to travel to Pakistan, ICC changed the venue. We have asked for venue change, for a logical reason. They can’t force us to play in India by exerting undue and unreasonable pressure,” Nazrul said in a press conference on Tuesday.
Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul warns ICC against BCCI pressure, rejects venue conditions for T20 World Cup.
ICC working on revised schedule after BCB request to shift their T20 World Cup 2026 matches outside India. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Bangladesh’s sports advisor Asif Nazrul on Tuesday said that if the International Cricket Council ‘bows to pressure’ from BCCI and tries to impose pressure on the Bangladesh Cricket Board by setting unreasonable conditions, the country will not accept those.
Asif also dismissed speculation that Scotland could replace Bangladesh in the showpiece if they opt out, reiterating that the team is refusing to play in India over security concerns and has asked the ICC to move its games to co-host Sri Lanka.
Over the weekend, the BCB held talks with ICC officials in Dhaka to resolve the impasse, but no agreement was reached after the board requested a venue change, citing the BCCI’s directive to IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman amidst prevailing political tensions between the two nations.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, ICC has set January 21 as the deadline to resolve the matter, as they are running out of time.
If Bangladesh were to be replaced by Scotland, the highest-ranked team that couldn’t qualify, they would need to be given at least 15 days to prepare.
“I am not aware that Scotland will be included in our place (in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup). If the ICC bows to pressure from the Indian Cricket Board and tries to impose pressure on us by setting unreasonable conditions, we will not accept those conditions,” Nazrul said while speaking to the media.
